Chapter 421: Hidden Threat?
At the head of the caravan, Nyrielle’s carriage had the best view of the chaos as it erupted. Nyrielle herself relaxed into the soft satin cushions of her luxurious carriage like a cat with a bowl of cream as she watched Ashlynn collect Heila before striding out to meet with Lord Ritchel, young lord Hauke and their honor guard.
Six months ago, she had seen tremendous promise in the broken and battered young woman, but even after more than two centuries of life, nothing she’d experienced could have prepared her for how quickly Ashlynn would grow into her power, or how much the young witch would change her own life.
The last time they entered the High Pass, Ashlynn carried herself with pride but very little power. She was vulnerable, unfamiliar with Eldritch ways, and reliant on Heila and Captain Lennart just to be able to speak with the Frost Walkers. Now, the pride she carried herself with wasn’t just an artifact of her noble upbringing, but something she deserved to cloak herself with, earned by overcoming danger and mastering her own power.
The Ashlynn she’d collected from the roadside in the spring was a delectable treat, a rare treasure to be savored and a potent tool to be used. The Ashlynn before her, however, radiated an intoxicating blend of strength and self assuredness that Nyrielle found herself unable to resist.
For some, the act of sending her lover out into the cold to act as her herald could be interpreted as an act of dominance, and perhaps there was an element of that at play tonight. More importantly, however, Nyrielle wanted to watch the women whose heart echoed within her chest as she came into her own power, commanding with authority where she had once had to fight just to assert her place in the Eldritch world.
The slow, lazy smile on Nyrielle’s lips vanished a moment later when Hauke launched his explosive attack at Heila. Both witches responded beautifully, and for a moment, Nyrielle wondered if the young Frost Walker lord intended to make a show of the strength he’d gained in an attempt to win back some prestige after the way his clan had been humbled during their last visit.
That notion shattered like an icicle falling to the frozen ground the instant Hauke’s icy spear exploded, tearing into Heila’s back and splattering the pristine, white snow with drops of crimson so large that they were visible even under the pale light of the moon and stars.
"Lady Heila!" Ignatious shouted from the driver’s seat of the carriage, standing in panic as things began to go very wrong, very quickly.