Calliope [Book 2]

Mido found himself standing in the throne room once more, still not daring to sit in it’s throne. Ian found his friend there as he did every day. It had become Mido’s escape, ironically. Ian approached his friend’s side but said nothing.

“How’s everything?” Mido asked, breaking the silence.

“Good.”

“Excellent.”

They stood together in silence again, both staring at the unfortunate throne before them.

“It’s been quiet,” Ian remarked.

“Too quiet,” Mido agreed. “Why haven’t those witches attacked?”

“Have you heard from Librona?”

Mido shook his head. “I suspect everything is fine over there. Where could those witches be?”

“Did they even leave Re’iam?” Ian asked.

“I have no idea.”

“Maybe they’re still there,” Ian suggested.

“I hope not,” Mido muttered.

At that moment, a flash of light blinded the men. They covered their eyes until the light subsided and turned to see Calliope standing before them. Mido barely recognized her; she had traded her dresses for more appropriate war attire. Black pants lined her slender legs and were tucked into tall, black boots. She donned a white blouse that hugged at her elegant frame where a leather belt hung off to the side, hosting a dagger in it’s sheathe. Her black locks were curled and bounced around her face as she smiled to Ian and Mido.

“Damn,” Ian muttered. “That’s not the sweet little witch I remembered.”

Mido held his gaze on her, his face emotionless. Calliope walked forward and approached the men confidently.

“That’s new,” Mido mumbled to her, referring to her sudden entrance. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

Calliope cocked her head to the side. “Oh, you know, the crazy old man down the street,” she remarked sarcastically.

“Does the attitude come with the outfit?” Ian asked as he raised an eyebrow.

“No,” Calliope said, turning to him. “But it comes from spending months in hell.”

“Touche.”

“What’s going on?” Mido asked.

Calliope shook her head and pinched her lips together. “Absolutely nothing.”

“That can’t be a bad thing,” Ian muttered.

“It is when three of the most dangerous witches are loose in the world and they have yet to attack.”

“Are you ready for them?” Mido asked carefully.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Calliope replied. “We’re just waiting for them to make their move.”

“Why can’t we find them first?” Ian asked. “Wouldn’t that make things easier for us? Catch them when they’re least expecting it.”

“Their black magic is strong. We have no way of seeing where they are. Trying to find them first would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. We’re better of waiting until they show themselves.”

“I don’t like this waiting,” Mido said.

“Neither do I,” Calliope replied. “But, it’s given us a good head start, at the very least. It’s given me a chance to prepare for what needs to be done.”

“Are we going to ignore the elephant in the room?” Ian asked. “You’re a damn mortal, now.”

Calliope nodded hesitantly. She narrowed her eyes at Mido as she spoke. “That won’t matter, now. I can assure you that my magic will keep me safe.”

Mido turned away angrily and made his way toward the end of the room, his arms crossed. He let his forehead rest against the palm of his hand and his elbow against his arm.

“You haven’t convinced everyone,” Ian said quietly to her.

Calliope nodded. “I know.”

“You can’t blame him for being upset.”

“I don’t.”

Ian forced a crooked smile before turning away to leave the room. He let his hand fall on Mido’s shoulder as he passed, closing the doors behind him. Calliope stood quietly, watching Mido, waiting for him to say something, but he was silently fuming to himself. She cleared her throat uncomfortably and Mido turned to face her. He walked forward and took her hands in his.

“I’m sorry, Mido,” she said softly. “I know you’re mad, but-”

Mido shook his head and pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her. He backed away, took her hand, and pulled her through the throne room and into the map room, where he closed the door behind them. Mido faced her and let his hands cup her cheek. He kissed her softly at first, moving his lips against hers as Calliope wrapped her arms around his neck. Mido moved to her neck, burying his face in her hair and breathing in her scent. He felt the overwhelming pulse of blood through her veins, reminding him of how delicate she now was. Mortal. The word haunted him. He felt Calliope’s arms move down his chest, pulling at his shirt.

“I don’t know how to protect a mortal,” he said in her ear. His heart raced in his chest. From nervousness or excitement, he couldn’t tell. He wanted nothing more than to be with her, in this moment, forever, yet he feared to touch her the wrong way, as if she would burst into dust before him, dead.

“Then love me like one,” she whispered back.

“Until the day I die.”

Her delicate hands were soft and warm on his chest. He realized then that he was no coward. Not now. Not since the moment he met Calliope. In Esmon, he was a coward. He was Mido, the sleazy, womanizing, alcoholic blacksmith, who ran from anyone who tried to mend his broken world. But with Calliope, he felt invincible. Brave. Immortal. Complete.

There was a knock on the door behind them, but neither of the missed a beat. When they said nothing, the knock repeated and Ian’s voice followed. “Mido?”

“Go away, Ian,” Mido growled.

“Mido, you should come out here,” Ian pressed.

“We’re busy,” Calliope said.

“That’s great, and I hope someday you have all the time in the world to get busy, but we have company.”

Mido pushed away and met Calliope’s golden gaze. They adjusted themselves quickly and Mido swung the door open. Ian peered over Mido’s shoulder as Calliope patted down her hair.

“This would be cute and all if we weren’t about to lose our world to some black magic witches.” Over Ian’s shoulder, Mido caught a glimpse of Queen Ryenna. Ian backed away and Mido and Calliope bowed to the witch queen.

“I’m sorry to disturb the reunion,” she began. “But the witches have turned up in my kingdom.”

Calliope pushed passed Mido, anxious to serve her duty in the war. She felt Mido grab at her hand and she hesitated. She met his worried gaze and forced a smile.

“It’s time,” she said to him. Mido nodded; his objections didn’t matter any more.

“What can we do to help?” Mido asked.

Queen Ryenna smiled. “I’m glad you asked, because another issue has arisen.”

“Of course,” Ian muttered.

Queen Ryenna continued. “The witches have taken this time to create an army for themselves.”

“Who would serve them?” Ian asked.

“An army of undead soldiers.”

“What do you mean?” Calliope asked.

“They’re well familiar with their black magic and their power is strong. They traveled the land, rising soldiers and citizens from their graves, commanding them to fight against the living. They brought their army to my kingdom where my army fights with them at this very moment. They’re very strong; we could use all the help we can get.”

Mido nodded and turned to Ian. “Make sure word gets to Librona. Lance will send messengers and ravens. We need all the help we can get.”

“It will take Librona at least weeks to get to Re’iam,” Ian reminded him.

“I will take care of that,” Calliope said confidently.

Mido met her gaze once more; he had so many questions for her. The extent of her magic was new to him and it worried him, but he did not doubt her, and there was no time for his questions.

“Then let’s go,” Mido said, turning back to Ian. “Prepare the troops. We need some to remain here, protecting the city and around the kingdom. The rest will come with us to Re’iam.”

Ian nodded and left Mido with the two witches.

“Anything else?” Mido asked, hesitant.

“Prepare yourself,” Queen Ryenna said to him. “This is going to be a war unlike any other.”

Mido nodded. He led the way through the castle and into the barracks. Ian had delivered the message to Lance and joined his army, readying them for the war. Queen Ryenna turned to Calliope.

“I must return to my kingdom,” she said. “I trust you can handle things here. Come as soon as you are able.”

Calliope nodded and watched as she disappeared in a blinding light. She met Mido’s gaze once more and smiled reassuringly, yet her heart raced in her chest. When Ian and his troops were ready, Mido nodded to Calliope. She sucked in a breath and prepared herself to transport them to Re’iam.

“We don’t have a minute to waste,” she said. “Sit tight.”

Mido watched nervously as Calliope threw her arms into the air. Her eyes closed and her lips moved as she uttered a spell under her breath. The soldiers looked to one another in shock as many of them recognized Calliope. They turned to their king who did not seem to fear her, and they trusted that she was the one to protect them. They watched nervously as the witch continued her work. A light began to fill the air around them and the soldiers covered their faces. In an instant, Calliope, Mido, Ian, and the army disappeared and found themselves in the kingdom of Re’iam just outside the city of Aurea.