Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Then the sky itself roared with a crack of thunder that split the air, rattling the stones. A blinding flare of light seared across the clearing. From its heart stepped a man—tall, broad-shouldered, long silver hair glinting like moonlight. His fine features were cut with stern resolve, his dark leather garments clinging to him as if forged by the storm itself.
His piercing gaze locked on the warlock. “This ends today, Alweth.”
Aura’s lips curved in a trembling smile, her eyes shining with hope as she whispered, “Da.”
Alweth stiffened and his voice dripped with venom. “So… the one who took what was mine thinks to conquer me? You are as foolish as your wife.”
Aura’s father stepped near the circle of stones, his presence filling the clearing with a force that made even the air shiver. “You threatened what is mine—my blood, my daughter. Today, Alweth, your darkness finds its end.”
A hiss escaped Alweth’s lips. He thrust his hand upward, and the stones groaned as if the earth itself bent to him. Shadows whipped around him, writhing like serpents ready to strike.
But Aura’s father answered with a single motion. He lifted his palm, and light poured from it, white and fierce, scattering the shadows like smoke in a gale. “You have always hidden behind trickery and curses. Face me with strength, if you dare!”
Alweth’s eyes narrowed. “Strength? You forget, I was always stronger. And this time, you have more to lose.” His gaze darted to Aura and Declan, his hand twitching with a spell ready to strike them down.
Aura’s father stepped into his path, his voice thundering. “You’ll never have them.”
The two powers collided. Darkness and light surged against each other, sparks snapping in the air. The stones shook, and the ground cracked beneath their feet.
Aura clung to Declan, her heart hammering as the clash sent waves of energy bursting outward, whipping her hair across her face.
Declan’s arms tightened around her, keeping her tight against him as they both kept their eyes on the fight.
It was like watching a storm given flesh—Alweth, fierce with fury, shadows curling tighter, sharper, deadlier. Aura’s father, unyielding, his silver hair whipping in the force of his own light, his every step forward pushing Alweth back toward the heart of the stones.
The clash rose in a deafening roar of light and shadow, the stones trembling as if they might shatter apart. For a moment, Aura feared the two forces were equal—until her father’s hand cut sharply through the air.
The light surged, bright as lightning, fierce as fire. It swallowed Alweth’s shadows, stripping them bare, unraveling them thread by thread.
Alweth’s eyes went wide, panic breaking through his arrogance. “Nay, you are not strong enough to—”
“That is where you made your mistake, not knowing that a father’s love is far more powerful than any warlock’s powers.”
Her father’s power struck him full in the chest, hurling him back against the stones. The ring flared, glowing as if to reject him, and in a blinding burst of brilliance, the warlock was consumed. His scream split the air, then died into silence.
The clearing fell still. The earth stopped shaking. The shadows evaporated into nothingness.
Aura clutched at Declan’s arm, her breath ragged. Her father lowered his hand, the light dimming, his chest rising steadily though his face bore the weight of battle. He turned his eyes—keen, silver-gray—to Alweth’s last fading trace.
“It is finished.” His voice cut through the quiet, deep and absolute.
Aura’s heart pounded, tears springing to her eyes. She whispered, almost in disbelief, “Da…”
For the first time, his stern expression softened as his gaze met hers.
Aura tore from Declan’s arms, racing across the clearing, her voice breaking with relief. “Da! My summons reached you!”
His arms swept her close, strong and steady. “Aye, lass,” he said, his tone carrying for all to hear. “It rang repeatedly, loud and clear, through the hag stone.”
She buried her face against his chest, tears of joy spilling, before pulling back, her hand clasping his as she tugged him toward Declan. “Da, this is my soon-to-be husband, Declan.”
Declan, still shaken by what he’d witnessed, could only stare between them, muttering in disbelief, “Witches. You’re all witches.”
Her father’s sharp eyes fixed on him, a glint of warning there. “You’ll get used to it. And see that you treat my daughter well—or you’ll answer to me.”
Aura gave an awkward laugh, nudging her father’s arm. “He’s jesting, Declan.”
Declan wasn’t so sure.
Her father’s gaze finally shifted, landing on Theodora. His voice turned hard, clipped with anger. “Theodora… you and I need to talk.”
CHAPTER 23
The Great Hall glowed with warmth and laughter, the scent of roasted meat, sweets, ale, and spiced cider filling the air. Abbott Bennet himself, a cross dangling from a leather tie around his neck and blessings aplenty, had joined Declan and Aura properly in marriage. He was happy to do so after hearing that two men posed as clerics and tried to abduct Aura and demand money for her return. He also praised Aura’s father for helping him thwart the plan and save Aura. It was the story Declan made sure spread near and far, though Hamish had his doubts but held his tongue. Now the clan celebrated. Tables overflowed with food, mugs clinked, and fiddlers struck lively tunes while villagers danced. So many attended from other clans that the celebration spilled out and through the village, music, food, and drink flowing generously.