SWNOVELS Chapter 9
She saw Drew here, the evil that was in his heart. This is what happened to her people, she knew it. She blanched, tears forming in her eyes. Ben was watching her, thinking her gentle, noble heart was reacting to the carnage. But it was so much deeper than that. He reached over and squeezed her hand.
“I know this looks bad, but Malik is the best ruler we have had in a thousand years. The scholars and priests swear he is Oberon reincarnate. He will heal this land. I have faith in him.” Kora started at her father’s name and looked forward to the king, riding next to his sister. King Oberon, the 10th. Her father? Reincarnated? She seriously hoped it was not true. How shameful to know her father’s soul was not resting in peace but here, over a thousand years later. Cleaning up the mess she made. She spurred her mare forward, suddenly needing to see the village closely. Confused, Ben headed after her.
Malik and Stella both looked up at the sound of galloping and frowned when they saw Kora and Ben. Nodding to Ben as they halted, Malik returned to the Village Leader, Wayne. Talking mutely, Malik assessed the situation. Things were indeed dire here. They needed supplies from the capital before winter set in, or they would not make it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kora dismount, headed to the fields with a strange look on her face. Soon, Stella, Ludis and Ben followed her. Royce joined them. He politely handed the villager over to a steward to record numbers and pass along the supplies they brought, then turned to follow. Kora was wading through the dead grass and stalks of whatever used to grow in this field. Ben was trotting to keep up, but she had a set look on her face. What was this little slip of a woman going to do? He started running just as the others did to catch up. Way out into the field now, he knew the caravan could barely see them except for spots of color amidst the endless sea of dead brown. Kora sunk to her knees in the dust, burying her hands in the ground. Royce, Ben, Stella, and Ludis stood watching, confused. The air grew thick and hot, almost steaming. Impossible, Malik thought. It is spring! This felt swamp-like. It never got this hot and humid here, nor this fast. He looked at Ludis and saw how white she had grown. Stella’s face matching. It was magic. Kora was doing a massive spell and the women could feel it. Malik moved forward just as Royce did, catching their respective ladies, as Ben moved to snatch Kora from the ground. Just then, the ground around Kora began to turn green. Sprouts started to shoot up and wind around her, racing across the ground and under their feet. The wheat was growing! Malik turned to look around. It was not just this field. All the fields began to grow. The vegetable patches in the villages, the dead trees that surrounded them all the way back to the ridge. Shooting from the ground at alarming speed. Kora hummed softly as flowers bloomed, and tree bark grew on dead limbs. Leaves sprouted by the hundreds on every branch, then slowed. Malik could hear his own ragged breath in his ears. Never in his life had he seen such a display of magic. There was no way this was possible. Looking at Ludis, he saw her looking around in wonder, her color returning. Stella was shaking. Kora turned, still kneeling in the dirt, now rich brown and soft.
“You’re a Fae.” Stella’s voice was muted, and Malik felt a sliver of fear run down his spine at Stella’s accusation. Kora’s face was sad as she nodded, and she looked up at the sky.
“The last one. Rain is coming. Close your mouth.” Then she fainted, Ben barely catching her head before it hit the ground. Malik stared, dumbstruck. Just then, the first drop of rain hit his cheek and he looked up.