Calliope [Book 2]

That evening, Lance returned, knocking on their door.

“I have some good news,” he said. “Queen Ryenna has agreed to see you, King Mido, but you and you alone.”

Mido nodded and followed Lance through the streets of Aurea until they reached the heavily guarded gates of Queen Ryenna’s castle. The guards stepped aside, opening the gates and allowing them entry. Two guards fell in behind Mido as Lance led the way up the castle steps and inside it’s walls. He led the way through the castle and into Queen Ryenna’s throne room where Queen Ryenna herself sat in the throne. She stood as they entered, greeting Mido with a slight curtsey. Her deep, auburn locks bounced around her face as she lowered her head. She smiled, revealing a slight dimple in her freckled cheeks. Her eyes were a soft blue, matching her elegant blue dress which dragged behind her as she walked.

Mido bowed to the witch queen, suddenly feeling small in her presence.

“Welcome to Re’iam,” the queen said. “They tell me you are Asmar’s new king?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Lance tells me you wish for my help in finding your queen,” the woman said to him, her voice soft and sweet. “I’d never expected a human to take such an interest in a young witch.”

“She’s a special witch,” Mido said, meeting her gaze confidently.

“Tell me, King Mido, what is so special about her?”

“Well,” he began. “She’s a good witch.”

“She was one of Scarletta’s, is that correct?”

Mido nodded.

“Interesting that she should betray her master, and for a mere human, no less.”

“She saved our kingdom from Scarletta.”

“And King Sloan welcomed her into his home. Naturally, Asmar was not pleased with that decision.”

“I’m sure you know of the battle that almost tore our kingdoms apart.”

Queen Ryenna nodded. “Yet, here you stand, as Asmar’s new king. Tell me, King Mido, what of King Rowan’s mother, Kaya?”

Mido hesitated. “She was killed.”

The witch queen nodded. “I expected nothing less from King Rowan. Such a shame.”

“Will you help us find Calliope?”

Queen Ryenna turned away and began to pace slowly on the marble floor in thought.

“I suppose I could. But first, I’d like to discuss the nature of your kingdom.”

“What for?”

“You do not plan to return to them?”

Mido was quiet. He narrowed his eyes at her.

Queen Ryenna continued. “I’m worried for you, King. There’s much you don’t know.”

“Like what?”

She turned and faced him, her eyes full of sadness. “Finding Calliope will only disrupt the land once more.”

“I can handle war.”

The woman shook her head. “Your mark. May I see it?”

Mido lifted his pant leg, revealing the mark as she requested.

The queen hesitated. “Mido, I’m sorry to say this to you. Your life has been turned upside down over these last few months. But that mark is not Asmar’s true mark.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You have been lied to. The woman who spoke to King Sloan – she once lived in my kingdom. She has a unique ability to see into the future. She saw what would happen between Librona and Asmar. She placed that mark on you at birth knowing that you would be able to go to Asmar, thinking you were it’s heir, and end the war and return peace to the two kingdoms.”

“How do you know this?”

“She came to me when she had the vision. She had done this under my command.”

“This was your doing?”

“I’m sorry, Mido, but I could not see these two kingdoms destroy each other over a witch.”

“You used me.”

“I did what I had to do to see peace in my lands.”

“What of Asmar now? They have no king.”

“You are their king.”

“I am not their true heir and I will not return to that throne.”

“Then I cannot help you.”

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“Do you want to get Calliope back?”

Mido swallowed hard. “Fine. Where is she?”

“She is nowhere where you will find her.”

“Bring her back to me,” Mido growled.

“Unfortunately, I cannot.”

“Then tell me what I can do.”

Queen Ryenna turned to her throne and sat in the elegant seat. “Listen closely, Mido. There is much you need to know. As you know, Scarletta and Kaya were born to Serafina, a witch, and a human man. Serafina was not a witch from my blood. In fact, we were not the first witches to inhabit the land. A very long time ago, before humans existed, witches roamed the earth. There were no kingdoms or homes or even resources to thrive off of. But, that didn’t matter when witches do not require the same resources as humans. This world was full of magic before my ancestors took over. And they did so simply because they were stronger. The witches did not live in peace with one another. They constantly fought amongst each other, destroying the very land they lived in and the magical resources they did needed to survive.

“My ancestors took the land over from them, disgusted with their treatment, and banished these witches to The Land of the Shadows. But some of these witches escaped before they were banished and lived in hiding while the world was rebuilt by my family. And that’s when humans began to populate the land: a breed of non magical people that were thought to be able to live peacefully with one another.

“And for a long time, they did under the rule of my ancestors. And they were granted permission to explore the lands, now thriving with the resources they would need to survive on their own. They traveled and with the queen’s blessings, they grew their own kingdoms, living in peace with one another in this world they shared together.

“The witches who remained continued to hide, blending in with the humans that populated the world. Though, not all who remained were careful to remain hidden. They continued to practice their magic. They bred with humans, producing magical mortal humans, like Kaya and Scarletta. And when they were found out, naturally the kingdom panicked, for witches and wizards were not supposed to exist outside of my kingdom.

“Scarletta learned much of this from her mother, and when her mother was murdered, she did everything in her power to make the most of her mortal magic. She knew she’d never truly have the power she could have as a full blooded witch, so she created her own. But her hatred for the human race tainted her magic. Black magic stained her veins, and when she created Calliope, some of that magic went into her as well.

“The magic Calliope used that day to disappear was no ordinary magic. It comes from pain and regret and hatred. In fact, that was Calliope’s first experience with Scarletta’s dark magic. She was probably unaware of it flowing through her veins, and she probably still has no idea what happened. But when she used that magic, it brought her to The Land of the Shadows.”

“Where is The Land of the Shadows?”

“It is nowhere and everywhere. It’s here, but it’s not. Calliope could be right here as we speak, but neither her nor we would know it.”

“I don’t understand. How do I get her out?”

“Black magic is the only way in. I could get you there, but I cannot promise you a way out. The Land of the Shadows was meant to keep witches out of the human world. It is their own kind of world, right here amongst ours, but it’s not. It is this land and this world, but everything in it foggy. The witches can see the kingdom and the humans, but they’re only blurs and shadows. They walk amongst these blurs and shadows for all eternity as a reminder of what they have lost. These shadows are humans in this world, traveling and going about their days, unaware of the witches that walk amongst them in this hidden land.”

“And Calliope is there.”

Queen Ryenna nodded.

“Why didn’t Scarletta end up there?”

“Unfortunately, it is only somewhere pure blooded witches and wizards could access. Being of human descent, Scarletta’s magic was different, and though she used black magic, she was not of pure blood to be transferred there.”

“Get me there.”

“Mido, I don’t think you understand this world. I can get you there, but it’s just as vast as this land. You would still need to find Calliope amongst the other witches. They might attack you; I cannot guarantee you will even survive long enough to find her. And if you do, I cannot bring her back. It is a world where none can leave.”

“There’s absolutely no way Calliope could find a way out?”

Queen Ryenna pondered this for a moment. “These witches got there because they used black magic. Because they were angry and vengeful. I suppose there could be a way to leave if Calliope could rid herself of the black magic that binds her there.”

“How would she do that?”

“I cannot say. It’s not an easy feat once the blood is tainted.”

“I can help her get back.”

“And what of your kingdom, Mido? While you are gone, this world goes on, and they need their leader. True heir or not, you took on the throne. And suppose you do make it back; what then? You will have betrayed them just as they had been betrayed before. It will just begin the cycle all over again. They will attack Librona and they will not rest until you and Calliope are dead.”

Mido was quiet as he considered this. “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there,” he finally said, but that answer did not satisfy the queen.

“I’m sorry, Mido,” she said once more. “But I will not help you knowing that these years of efforts to keep the peace will be for nothing.”

“I’ll remain their king,” Mido begged. “You have my word, over Calliope’s life.”

“There is no way out of this, Mido. You are to be their king, and you are to bear an heir, and you are to remain loyal to Asmar until your last breath.”

“An heir?”

“That kingdom cannot be without a ruler when you are gone. That is your duty as Asmar’s king.”

“Fine,” Mido said quickly. “You have my word. ’til the end of my days.”

Queen Ryenna stood and watched him carefully. “You’re a brave man, King Mido,” she said. “I admire your courage.”

“Just tell me; is she alive?”

The witch queen smiled. “Yes. She is alive.”

Mido nodded.

“Return to me tonight. I will send Lance for you. I will grant you access into The Land of the Shadows then.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Mido said, bowing to her gratefully. Lance entered the room with the two guards and they guided the king out of the castle. Queen Ryenna watched him leave.