Fury (Fuse Book 3) Read online

  Fury

  Fuse #3

  E. L. Todd

  Hartwick Publishing

  Hartwick Publishing

  Fury

  Copyright © 2021 by E. L. Todd

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Mom and Dad,

  Thanks For Everything

  -Rabbit

  “Like a leech, I hold on, as if we belonged

  To some precious pure dream

  Cast off, you've seen what's beneath

  Now fail me.”

  Chevelle “Closure”

  1

  Guilty of Treason

  General Callon stepped before Queen Delwyn, at the base below her throne. With his hands behind his back, he waited for the execution promised to him, still in his battle armor. None of his weapons had been stripped from his possession by the watchmen or the soldiers.

  Queen Delwyn stared from her throne, flowers interwoven in her hair, her long dress flapping in the subtle breeze that moved through the open windows. Her beauty matched that of the surrounding forest, but her eyes possessed more cruelty than the tips of blades on the battlefield. “I gave my orders. Yet, here you are…your bow across your back, your sword at your hip.” Her eyes glanced over him, seeing the flower medals pinned to his chest, decorated as a war hero.

  The queen shifted her gaze to Aldon—the new general. “Unarm him. I won’t ask again.”

  Callon stared at the queen, unsurprised that his position had been revoked and granted to someone new.

  General Aldon looked to Callon.

  Callon gave a nod.

  But General Aldon remained rooted to the spot. He directed his eyes back to the queen, helpless.

  Callon turned his gaze back to the queen, seeing a firestorm burning in her eyes. “I’ve given my life to Eden Star. My family has given their lives to Eden Star. I wish to be executed with honor.”

  A volcano of rage imploded, rocks of fire shooting across the surface of her face, her green eyes now red-orange with lava. “Leave. Us.” Her long nails gripped the edges of her throne, her bracelets of flowers shifting as her tendons tightened underneath.

  General Aldon silently excused himself.

  So did Melian, her queen’s guard.

  Silence ensued. Angry silence.

  “Was it worth it?” Still and angry, she was a predator perched on the edge of her seat.

  “She’s my family—”

  “And I’m your queen.” She rose from her throne, the flowers interwoven in her gown matching the ones in her hair. Her words echoed somehow, even given the open windows with vines crawling inside.

  “You’re more than my queen. You’re my family. And as much as you hate it, she’s your family too.”

  Reptilian eyes emerged, narrowed to slits. “She’s an abomination. Nothing more.”

  His hand gripped his other wrist behind his back, the only physical reaction he was allowed to have. “I stand by my decision and will accept the consequences of my actions. Do what you must.”

  “Does she live?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why isn’t she here?” She approached the top of the stairs, her bare feet emerging from under her dress.

  “She has other obligations.”

  Her eyes narrowed once more, and then she began her descent, gliding down the stairs like she had invisible wings. “She departed the lands she wanted as home. You went with her. What was so important, Callon?”

  “She needed my help—”

  “In what regard?”

  With her face right in front of his, he held her gaze. “She needed to save someone. But she couldn’t do it alone.”

  “Save who from whom?”

  “A friend from an enemy.”

  Her eyes flicked back and forth between his, growing more furious. Her intelligence was unparalleled, and with her fast mind, she was able to connect the dots that she’d never seen. “You should be ashamed for what you’ve done.”

  Rush’s face came across his vision, blue eyes full of arrogance, the eyes of an executioner. “I regret my part in it, but I don’t regret protecting her. If I hadn’t been there, she would have perished.”

  “If only she had…” The queen stepped away, giving a cold side glare as she moved, her beautiful dress dragging across the floor with a gentle rustle. Her attention turned out the window, seeing the endless evergreen. “Did the empire see you?”

  Callon’s eyes were focused on her long hair, the flowers interwoven in the blond braids. “Yes.”

  Her body pivoted, her eyes provoked. “Look what you’ve cost us—”

  “We’ve been at war with the empire for thousands of years. It’s not a new provocation. They slay my wife, my child, and my brother, my king. They’re fully aware where we stand. They’re fully aware that I would stab King Lux with my sharpened blade if he ever crossed my path. The silence and separation have not dulled my ire—nor my sword.”

  Her breaths had deepened, along with her anger. “She’s banned from Eden Star. Marked as an enemy to the elves.”

  “She is no enemy—”

  “She’s provoked the empire. They’ll hunt her—and they will not follow her here.”

  Powerless, he could do nothing to protect his niece, not this time.

  She stepped closer, the anger glazing over like a fog that evaporated with the afternoon sun. “I will not claim the life of a Riverglade, so you’re spared. But you’re no longer the General of Eden Star—as I’m sure you’ve surmised. Several lifetimes of loyalty do not excuse a single betrayal.”

  “You’re right, Queen Delwyn. Thank you for your mercy.”

  She turned away and rose up the stairs back to her throne. When he remained, she turned around halfway.

  “You will grant Cora sanctuary in Eden Star.”

  Her intelligent eyes turned into pointed arrows. “I will not—”

  “Because if you don’t, I will reveal her true lineage to the elves.”

  Her movements were sudden, facing him quickly and returning to the bottom stair. “How dare you—”

  “I’m no longer the general of your army. Now, I’m a mere citizen, so I have no obligation to protect your secrets, secrets that shouldn’t be kept from your people. A queen rules with reverence and respect, not self-interest.”

  Her eyes remained fixed, furious and contained.

  “Do not misunderstand my loyalty because it is to you and Eden Star, as always. But she’s my Sor-lei. And I will do whatever I must to protect her.”

  2

  His Reign Continues

  Anastille was blanketed in darkness. A moonless night, the land without a breeze. The midnight black dragon soared across the open skies, invisible to everyone down below, unless their eyes were on the stars.

  And for just a brief second, those stars disappeared.

  Cora experienced the world with a new perspective, with the flight of a bird, the strength of a mountain, and the agility of a highly intelligent being. Her mind flickered in and out of consciousness as she rested on the journey, but Ashe remained strong, even though he hadn’t taken a flight so long in thousands of years.

  We approach Eden Star.

  Her eyes opened, unable to make out the forest with her eyes. You can see it?

  I can feel it.

  The expansive wings stilled, bringing in a slow descent to the grass below. Cora could feel the air against the bottom of her wings, feel the earth against her talons once her heavy body collided with the ground with a distinct thud.

&n
bsp; It was surreal.

  We complete the journey on foot.

  I’m not sure how to change back…

  Pull the energy to yourself.

  Yeah…you’re going to have to do better than that.

  Draw a deep breath. But that breath is energy.

  She closed her eyes and completed the instructions, falling forward and landing flat on the ground the second she was on her feet. The lush grass blanketed her fall just a bit, making her eyes smart at the collision of her nose against solid earth. At least it didn’t break. “That was graceful…” She pushed herself up and immediately opened her canteen to drench her parched throat.

  You’ll improve.

  “Need anything before we go?”

  A grizzly.

  “Then you should hunt now. That won’t be an option in Eden Star.”

  You will hunt, Cora. I just completed a long journey.

  She winced at the awkwardness. “I’m sorry, Ashe. I-I don’t hunt.”

  You’re half human.

  “But I’m full elf…when it comes to this.” Before they were fused and they spoke with their minds, she’d felt a distinct connection with the black dragon that was as close as what she had with Flare, but when they were fused into a single person…it was different. Not only could she hear his thoughts, but she could feel his thoughts too. All the nuances of emotion were practically words. It was a whole different method of communication. “I’m sorry.”

  Ashe’s disappointment was as hot against her flank as if he were a nearby fire. Silent but present, burning. Then I will make this quick.

  Her vision blurred and she was on the ground again, but she could still see her human palms against the grass.

  Ashe was nearly invisible, his enormous black body blending so well into the night that she wouldn’t have known he was there, otherwise. But then he took a step—and his presence was unmistakable. She listened to his wings open and his body leave the ground as he went on his evening hunt.

  She sat on the grass and waited for his return.

  Cora approached Eden Star, sunrise making the sky lighten from its deep darkness. She felt heavy, like she was the mass of both human and dragon bundled up in the same body. Once she stepped into the tree line, she felt it.

  Home.

  The birds greeting the sun with their morning song, buzzing around the canopy. Bees and other pollinators were visible in the spots of sunlight, going from one flower to the next. There was heavy uncertainty that came with her return to Eden Star, but the soothing calmness of the forest made her forget that.

  Eden Star. It’s exactly as I remember.

  “You’ve been inside the forest?”

  Many times. How will the elves greet you?

  “Honestly, I’m not sure…”

  Anger. Heavy anger. His emotions were so crisp and sharp that sometimes they didn’t need words to communicate at all.

  “If my uncle is here, we’ll be fine.”

  If? Where else would he be?

  She didn’t even want to think about it.

  She continued on her way into the forest, knowing the guards would intercept her eventually. They probably watched her that very moment, their bows drawn from invisible places in the trees.

  We aren’t alone.

  She looked over her shoulder, seeing an elf clad in the same armor that Callon wore. Black with a green cape, flower medals pressed to his chest, a powerful sword at his side. He watched her from a distance, walking at her pace.

  She halted.

  The elf approached her, regal and still, his expression hard, eyes lifeless. He halted too.

  I don’t remember elves greeting one another with such silent hostility.

  Well…I’m not very popular here.

  The elf spoke. “I’m General Aldon. Callon has asked me to escort you straight to his home upon your arrival.”

  Oh no. He’s lost his position…because of me.

  But he lives.

  Cora followed General Aldon through the trees and grass, the sounds of the forest becoming louder as they approached the heart. Soon, the trees thinned out, revealing the pathway through the market, the homes in the trees, the wagon with fruit picked from the fields.

  Elves were up at first light—and their eyes were immediately on her.

  You’re not respected or revered among your people.

  Like I said…not very popular.

  Then the queen won’t listen to you.

  Not right now. Cora ignored the stares, her eyes straight ahead or on Aldon’s back.

  Minutes passed before Ashe spoke. I believe that will change.

  Well…thanks.

  You changed me.

  But you aren’t a bitch.

  A what?

  Never mind.

  Aldon approached the base of the tree, Callon’s home high in the branches, hummingbirds sticking their tongues into the flowers right outside his kitchen window. Aldon stopped at the stairs and regarded her.

  Excited to see Callon’s face, but also terrified that their relationship had changed, she eyed the stairs.

  “I’m to relieve you of your weapons.” Aldon extended a single palm, ready to take the sword at her hip, made of dragon scales.

  In the eyes of the elves, you’re an enemy.

  Not them. Just that bitch I mentioned earlier.

  Aldon’s hand remained hanging in the air between them.

  She didn’t know what else to do except untie her sword from her belt.

  Your sword is made of dragon scales. She can’t see it.

  What else am I supposed to do?

  “General Aldon.” Callon emerged around the tree, walking gracefully down the vines that made loose stairs, and reached the earth below their feet. In a green tunic and brown pants, he was dressed as the others, but he still carried the command of a general. He didn’t need weapons or armor to pull it off.

  General Aldon turned to him, giving him a nod as a respectful greeting.

  “Her weapons don’t need to be relieved.”

  General Aldon held his stare.

  Her heart tightened in her chest. Her throat suddenly went hot. The sight of Callon made every breath deep and slow.

  I feel your love.

  Callon gave him a nod in dismissal. “If Queen Delwyn wishes to contest it, she can speak to me herself.”

  General Aldon took his leave.

  General Callon’s reign continues.

  He walked away, leaving the two of them alone at the base of the tree.

  Callon turned his dark green eyes on Cora, examining her with his typical hard expression. The only indication of his emotion was his change in breathing, which had suddenly grown heavy. “I’m glad you’re home, Sor-lei.”

  She moved into his body and embraced him, her pack still on her back, her cheek against his chest. “I’m so sorry….”

  His arms circled her shoulders and gave her a tight squeeze. “Come. Just about to have breakfast.”

  3

  Allies

  They sat together at his dining table near the window, colorful butterflies passing across the opening, branches with flowers wrapping around the walls and entering the home. Small birds would come close, their chirps the soundtrack of the forest.

  Hot bowls of slow-roasted oats were on the table, filled with a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, and crumbled walnuts. A sprinkle of brown sugar was placed on top, along with a dollop of maple syrup.

  Callon kept his eyes down on his food most of the time, eating with exaggerated slowness, his spoon sitting inside the bowl for a while before he scooped up his next bite. When he chewed, his eyes lifted to hers.

  She hadn’t eaten anything fresh or good in a while, so she devoured her bowl then refilled it with the leftovers from the pot on the stove. Even without conversation, it somehow felt as if no time had passed, as if she’d never left Eden Star in the first place. “How are you?”

  “Better now that you’re home.”

 
“I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

  “Under the circumstances, it was impossible not to.”

  “Rush would never hurt me—”

  “Let’s not speak of him.” His eyes immediately went back to his bowl as he swirled his spoon around.

  Cora gave a wince at his sharp coldness. “I’m so sorry… You really have no idea.” His disappointment was a worse pain than the physical agony she endured at the hands of the Steward of Easton. Emotional pain was far worse than physical…as she recently learned.

  “Even if I’d known whom you were saving, I would have done it anyway. Even if I’d known it would cost me the position I’ve held for thousands of years, it wouldn’t have changed anything. So, don’t be sorry.” His eyes remained out the window, watching the birds sit on the nearby branch.

  “It’s hard not to be…”

  “A man’s duty is to his family.” His eyes shifted back to hers. “Everything else…comes second. It was also time for me to step down. General Aldon is the person I recommended for the position—and Queen Delwyn was wise to listen.”

  “It seems like you’re the one still in charge.”

  He watched her without reaction, his fingers still on the edge of his spoon. “As I said before, I’ve been in the position a long time.”

  They disobey a queen’s orders in favor of his. That means he’s earned the unquestionable loyalty of his people—more than their own queen has. I liked him when he served under King Valnor. I like him still. He’s a good man. Loves you like a hatchling.

  I know he does. “I’m surprised Queen Delwyn has allowed me to come back at all.”

  Callon dropped his gaze back to his bowl, scooping up a bite that was now cold.

  It’s because of him.

  How do you know?

  It’s been a long time since I’ve been among the elves, but I do remember one thing. It’s not about the words they speak—but those they don’t speak.