*Onyx Storm Spoilers* The Missing Chapter
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*Onyx Storm Spoilers*
The Missing 12 hours:
“Violet,” a voice says, “Violet, please, you have to wake up.” There is desperation in that voice.
“Wake. Up.”
My eyes fly open. Garrick is carrying me. His eyes search my own as he practically runs with me in his arms.
“What are we-”
“There isn’t much time to explain. We are on to plan B.”
“What?” I croak, “Plan B?”
I don’t know of a plan B. My body is on fire. My left arm hangs uselessly at my side and every movement sends jolts of pain through my ruined body.
“Tairn?”
“I am ahead, Silver One.”
His voice is flat, almost devoid of any emotion. I look forward to see that we are passing Draithus and almost at the coastline. There is no sound of battle anymore. It is eerily quiet.
Tairn is there amongst a few other dragons I can’t make out from this far.
“Garrick, what exactly is going on?” I don’t dare ask him to put me down because I’m certain I would not make it to the beach where we are headed on my own.
“They will explain soon,” he answers, his own voice gruff.
I reach for the bond with Xaden and find a black, impenetrable wall of ice there. No.
“What’s happening?” I ask Tairn, my heart threatening to beat right out of my chest as we draw near and I see Sgaeyl, Molvic, Glane, Chradh, and Cuir standing in a line and behind them is an armada of ships with the insignia of Unnbriel, the isle of the goddess Dunne.
I gasp when I see Xaden turn towards us. He does not approach when he sees me. Aaric and Imogen stand beside him, and Bodhi is behind them, his expression bleak. A body lays at their feet and I peer down, seeing the red robes and tanned skin beneath. The Maven from Xaden’s dreams.
Why haven’t they killed him?
Garrick sets me on my feet ten feet away from Xaden and my heart sinks when I see the red veins extending around his reddened eyes. I knew what he had done the moment I saw his shadows covering the entire city, but seeing it makes my knees weak, I lean into Garrick when I see that Xaden does not approach me.
“You are injured,” Xaden states.
“I will be fine, what is going on?” I ask, searching his eyes for any sign of the man I love.
Aaric steps forward then, blocking Xaden from my line of sight.
He clears his throat, blood drips from his lip, “Things didn’t go as planned today,” he states.
“Clearly,” my response is dry as I hold his gaze, his green eyes bright. Someone paddles in a rowboat to shore from one of the large ships in the ocean beyond.
Aaric turns toward Imogen, who stands back from it all, a haunted look on her face. “Do you have the medical supply kit?” he asks.
Wordlessly, Imogen brings a pack to Aaric and sets it on the ground where she kneels and begins removing wraps, a splint, and ointments. She pats the ground and I take her cue and sit so she and Aaric can patch me up.
Once I’m seated, Xaden approaches and kneels down on one knee. I grit my teeth as Imogen sets my left arm and begins to apply the splint, wrapping it tightly. Aaric steps away.
I look at Xaden and breathe a sigh of relief. This close, I can see the amber flecks in his eyes remain, he looks at me with concern and…love.
“I’m sorry,” he states, holding my gaze, “I wish things were…different.”
“Xaden, please stop being cryptic, tell me what’s going on? I can help.”
“I know, love, I’m counting on it.”
What?
“Tairn?”
“These words must come from The Dark One.”
Xaden reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box that looks like it could be for jewelry and my confusion only heightens. Power begins to burn under my skin as I look around me again, at all of the somber eyes on me.
“Silver One, you must remain calm for this to work.”
Xaden opens the box and presents it to me. It’s a gold ring with a large gem, a gem I recognize to be from his fathers sword.
“What are you–”
“Marry me,” he says, not a question.
I gasp, “This is hardly the time for a wedding proposal, please let me in.”
I bang on the mental pathway to his mind, and a crack opens up.
“I’m sorry Violence, this is the only way.”
“The only way for what?”
“For Tyrrendor to remain under the control of someone I trust, for me to keep you safe once I’m gone.”
“No.” I say, regretting the pain that it causes to cross his face when I say it.
“Yes,” he says instantly.
He continues, his shadows caressing my thoughts, “It isn’t just me anymore.” He shifts his weight, giving me a clear view of Bodhi who remains standing a few feet away, his eyes almost glazed…and red rimmed.
“Bodhi is venin?” I ask Tairn to confirm, not wanting to believe it.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Okay. My mind reels.
I speak aloud so all of our group can hear, “Where are you going to go?”
“To the Isles for now, to search for a cure, then further where magic was present in the smaller isles, where we cannot do any harm,” Xaden states, his voice devoid of hope. He’s saying what he knows I want to hear.
The boat reaches the shore and the white haired high priestess steps off with the assistance of one of the massive men we fought off when seeking their favor, her wrinkled eyes finding me immediately.
She smiles at me, “So, you used the dagger and prevailed just as I said you would.” My gaze snaps to Aaric then, and he shrugs. We will have a discussion on that later.
“I– how did you know?”
She approaches just as Imogen finishes wrapping my arm and I stand, but Xaden remains kneeling before me, waiting.
“I knew, because you are god-touched, but not dedicated. What you are is a mystery to us all,” she says, and my ears begin to ring.
I look to the priestess, and she looks at me as if she is proud, as if she knows me, “I have your certificate of marriage here, all you need to do is say yes and the ceremony will begin,” she states casually, as if this hasn’t just been sprung on me.
“Violet, it’s the only way. Please,” Xaden pleads below me and I look back down at him. My heart begins to break as I take him in. My joints protest as I drop to my knees before him and place my good hand on his face. He flinches at my touch, but does not pull away. I can almost see the war occuring inside of him for control, and I know what I have to do.
“Yes,” I say, and lean forward to place a soft kiss on his lips before he can stop me. He doesn’t stop me though, instead he gently pulls me closer to him and slides the ring on my left finger, careful not to move my splinted arm.
“I love you,” he says down the bond.
“I love you Xaden, more than anything, nothing could ever make me stop. I will do whatever you need me to.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
“You deserve so much more than this. I wish–”
“Wishing isn’t going to get us anywhere good, love. Let’s go get married,” he says for all to hear. There is no cheering though, no elation at this decision, because this is his goodbye, his final wish, his only way to continue protecting us all.
The sun is setting and the priestess stands with her back to the crashing waves, waiting for us. Xaden stands and reaches for my hand. I take his and let him gently pull me to my feet. This is not a soulless man. There is still hope.
Garrick and Imogen stand to one side, while Bodhi and Aaric are on the other. Aaric nods encouragingly as we pass him by, but the others are somber as we take our places in front of the priestess, facing each other.
I hold onto Xaden’s hand, not allowing him to let me go for a single second until he walks out of my life, possibly for good. I soak him in, his dark hair framed by the orange fading sun, his tan skin is healthy and strong. He watches me like he will never see me again, the anguish in his red eyes is a constant throb in my chest.
The priestess breaks the silence, “We gather here today with four witnesses to join these two together in a sacred marriage,” she says, and my eyes remain on Xaden’s as she talks.
He squeezes my hand, “I wish this could be different, I had planned for it to be so different.”
“I would marry you anywhere, anyday, Xaden.”
The priestess cuts through our thoughts and I fight to cling to his openness, “Do you, Xaden Riorson, take Violet Sorrengail to be your wife, until Malek takes you?”
“Forever, yes” Xaden says.
“And do you, Violet Sorrengail, take Xaden Riorson to be your husband, until Malek takes you?”
“Always, yes,” I say.
The priestess reaches out and pushes us closer to one another, so that we are a breath away from a kiss, “By right as the high priestess of the temple of Dunne, goddess of war, I join you together today as husband and wife, and as the Duke and Duchess of Tyrrendor, may every war you fight together be conquered with triumph and hope.”
Xaden smiles at me, a real smile, and I return his sentiment, elated to be linked to him in any way possible and unwilling to allow this moment to be stolen from us by the cruelty of this world. The priestess steps back and lifts her hands, gesturing us toward one another, “Please, seal this union with a sacred kiss.”
Xaden slips one hand behind my neck and the other around my waist and shocks me when he swings me into a dip as he crushes his lips into my own. This kiss consumes me and everyone and everything falls away, and it’s just us. I breathe him in, letting our lips linger before he swings me back up to him far too soon, pulling away and wrapping his arms around me in an embrace I wish I could pause time to remain in. I wrap my good arm around him tightly. A tear streams down my cheek as he pulls away to look at me. He reaches up to swipe the tear off my cheek and we turn to face the others.
Imogen has tears rimming her eyes, and Garrick has his arm over her shoulder. Aaric looks on with contentment and Bodhi appears to be happy for us, a little light in his eyes as he watches his cousin experience what little joy is left for them.
Just like that, the ceremony is over. We are married. I keep my hand in Xaden’s as Aaric explains that the Empyrean agreed to relinquish six eggs to the high priestess so long as they leave us 20,000 troops and continuous support as needed. They also require that some of our own dragons go with the eggs to ensure their safety and monitoring. Evidently that would mean Sgaeyl and Bodhi’s dragon, Cuir. Nice cover.
Xaden pulls me aside as the others work with the people of Unnbriel to transfer the eggs to the ships and, apparently, the knocked out body of Xaden’s Maven.
“You aren’t going to like this, but as of today, I will be a known turned Venin and wanted criminal throughout the entire continent.”
“We can convince them otherwise,” I say with resolve.
“In order to protect this alliance and keep others from finding me or Bodhi, we must protect your mind.”
“No,” I say, backing up a step away from him, “Don’t take this memory from me, please Xaden.”
“If there was any other solution, or way to exonerate you as a conspirator then we would do it, but again, this is the only way. Imogen will take your memories as soon as we leave and you will have our marriage certificate in your pocket.”
“I don’t want–” I begin to say, but he pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“You are the joy of my life, the reason I continue to exist, and I will do everything I can to get back to you, Violet. I am sorry I am placing this burden on you, but I trust you more than anyone else on this earth. I know you can do this,” he says, pulling back just enough that his eyes search mine as more tears threaten to spill.
“I– okay,” I say, unwilling to fight with him anymore. This is happening.
“I will be with you through it all, Silver One,” Tairn says gently.
“Wait,” I say, “How will Tairn and Sgaeyl see each other if we can’t?” I ask Xaden, his arms still wrapped around my waist.
Sgaeyl chimes in then, “This matter is between me and my mate,” she says sharply, no room for reply. I look at Xaden but he shakes his head. Before I can even turn to look at Tairn, I feel a whip like lash in my mind and both of us drop to our knees in the sand. Tairn releases a painful roar and then bares his teeth at Sgaeyl.
“She broke their mating bond,” Xaden breathes, his words sounding just as shocked as my thoughts as he stands again, helping me back to my feet. Tairn’s agony threatens to knock me out and I quickly wall off his emotions.
“ I am here,” I say down our bond, but he has blocked me out as he seems to be having a heated conversation with Sgaeyl who backs away towards the water, holding her head high.
“There isn’t much time,” Xaden says, pulling my attention back to him. The sun has set and darkness envelopes us all as the others wrap up their arrangements, and for a moment, I can’t see the veins surrounding Xaden’s eyes, and everything feels like it could be a nightmare I will wake up from.
“Aaric and Garrick are going with us for now, but they will return.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Alliances are needed for Tyrrendor, Garrick can travel more easily than others. Aaric has seen many things and has his own agenda.”
My mind is tired of the constant earth shattering information. I look over to Imogen, who will soon be my only companion and the person who will take away all of this knowledge.
Xaden stares at me as I fight to keep myself standing. None of this feels real. How can it be real? My heart is being ripped out and will soon fly away from me and I may never have it in my chest again. Power heats my blood as Tairn mourns down the beach. He is broken.
“Violet, I can’t–your power is too tempting, I’m sorry,” he takes a step back away from me, his eyes filled with agony.
I don’t move. I force a smirk to my lips and square my shoulders.
“It’s okay, I can let you…go,” I say, the lie sliding from my lips with an ease that I hope sounds convincing.
Xaden takes another step back away from me. I test the bond, but it’s not open anymore. Nothing but solid black ice is there now.
“I love you,” he says, “I will always love you, my wife,” he begins to turn away, his shoulders slumping in defeat. My heart races as I watch him walk towards Sgaeyl, who waits at the water's edge.
My feet begin moving on their own, running. I crash into his back and wrap my arms around his abdomen, tears now flowing freely and soaking the back of his leathers.
“I love you too, husband,” I whisper against his back. He tenses but does not turn. I release him, not wanting to tempt him any further as tension ripples off of him.
He doesn’t turn back as he reaches and mounts Sgaeyl. Bodhi, Aaric, and Garrick follow suit right behind him.
I watch them turn to specks on the skyline and my knees finally give. I crash onto the shoreline and waves begin to soak my knees, and a sob escapes from my chest. My skin burns and lightning strikes over the water beyond the armada of ships over and over, lighting up the night sky, but there is no sight of them.
They’re gone.
He’s gone.
Gentle footsteps sound behind me, and then a figure kneels into the oncoming waves next to me.
Imogen.
She says nothing, only watches the sky next to me as we watch our very hearts fly away from us.
“It’s time,” she says.
“I’m not ready,” I reply, my voice scratchy from the sorrow within that desperately wants to break loose.
“They will be looking for us soon,” she states, her voice still flat. She looks over at Tairn, who has not said a word, who still stands at the water's edge watching the sky.
“Can your dragon manage to fly you back to Aretia?”
I stare at him.
“Can you fly us home?”
“Which home?” he asks me, his voice uncharacteristically weak in my mind.
“The only one we have at this time,” I say gently, “ I am here, I am with you.”
“You are the only reason I now remain,” he states.
“Let’s go.”
Imogen watches me, her dragon approaching us both, “We are going to be okay, and so are they.”
I look one last time to the blank skyline.
“Will I ever get these memories back?”
She studies me briefly, “Yes, but I don’t know if you’ll want to, Violet.”
She doesn’t believe they will ever return, then.
“Time to get the Duchess of Aretia home,” she says, reaching for my face.
“Time to put on the performance of our lives,” I agree.
She touches my face, and everything goes dark.
