Night of the Storm: An Epic Fantasy Novel (The Eura Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page B

feet.
    “Spread your wings.”
    Nani spread her beautiful wings. The broken wing was jagged and ripped, like a butterfly that had caught its wing on a thorn. Still, it glittered in the moonlight.
    “Call forth your Inquisitor’s power, and this time, you must focus the energy on repairing yourself.”
    Black smoke emerged from Nani’s feet, rising up her body until she was shrouded by it. Her hair went from purple to white. Her skin glowed white as she closed her eyes to focus.
    A bright light shot through the clearing. Everyone winced as Nani burst into a million sparks that stretched into the air around them. A cold gust of wind swept through, and the sparks sizzled as they returned to Nani’s spot, recomposing her body into a stunning young woman.
    Lilae’s heart raced as she beheld Nani in her new form.
    “Oh my,” she whispered.
    Stunned, everyone stared at Nani. This new Nani. No longer a small fairy with ragged clothing. She was born anew, her short purple hair now long enough to brush the small of her back. Still short, she looked regal, in silver robes that clung to her body.
    Liam stepped forward when Nani’s eyes opened.
    “What happened?”
    Nani twirled in her robes, looking down at herself in awe. “Telryd and Ulsia spoke to me about my new home in the Overworld. Pyrii helped me choose my crown. I saw things.” She looked at Lilae. “So many things.”
    “The Storm, The Flame, and The Inquisitor—a god amongst us,” Delia said. “Let’s prepare for war, shall we?”
    Lilae never would have guessed that the small fairy was just like her and Liam, descendants of the Ancients, let alone an Ancient herself.
    Liam rubbed his chin, still looking at Nani in bewilderment. “Do you think it will come to war?”
    “Yes, Liam,” Delia said with a nod. “Emperor Kavien will do whatever Wexcyn orders. You will lead our army.”
    “I’m ready,” Liam said.
    “So am I,” Lilae said. She looked away from Liam when he glanced back at her. “But, Emperor Kavien is more than what he seems. I saw his true self. He’s more of a slave than I ever was.”
    Delia nodded. “I know. I witnessed what you did. You changed his heart in ways we could never imagine.”
    Lilae swallowed. Emperor Kavien’s kiss would never be forgotten. Having him hold her in his bed while they slept would haunt her. A yearning filled her entire being.
    She missed him.
    The man that made her his slave.
    A sigh escaped Lilae’s lips.
    “But I fear that even if Kavien has a change of heart, Dragnor and all of Wexcyn’s other agents will execute his plan.”
    “Yes. He has many traitorous agents,” Liam said.
    The sadness in his voice caught Lilae off guard. His jaw clenched for a moment as if his memories put him in a foul mood.  She wanted nothing more than to console him and find out the cause of such pain.
    The moment passed quickly, and his face relaxed. “Where are we to find an army?”
    “We go to a land of warriors,” Delia said, her eyes brightening. “There is a kingdom that no other army has dared test since the creation of The Barriers. They are the only humans that stood up to the other races during the first war.”
    “I’ve seen Kavien’s army,” Lilae said, crossing her arms across her chest. “He chooses only those with a particular skill. We need warriors if we are going to try and defeat him. Where is this place?”
    “Auroria,” Delia said. “It is time to take you back to your birth family.”
    Lilae swallowed. “My birth family?”
    Delia nodded. “Yes.”
    My brother, Ayaden. My real mother.
    The idea left her feeling unsettled and her stomach churned.
    “Now,” Delia said before turning to Garion, her skeleton guard. He stood there, slack-jawed, swaying as if the wind pushed him gently from side to side.
    “Scout our path down the mountain,” Delia told him.
    Lilae shivered as she watched him seemingly come to life once again. He straightened his back and stood tall, alert, and fierce.