Eternal Sacrifice (Mortal Enchantment Book 4) by Stacey O'Neale Page A
Authors: Stacey O'Neale
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the door behind her.
I rubbed the back of my neck as I headed back downstairs. The meeting was being held in the throne room. It was the first time I’d met with my whole pack since I challenged my father for control. I’d never imagined I’d become the leader of the hounds. But my father had refused to join with Rowan, leaving me no other choice. Under my leadership, we vowed our allegiance to our new king. In return, we were made equal members of the fire court. No longer servants or guardians. Our new leader had delivered on all his promises. But he was more than just my king.
In all the ways that mattered, Rowan was my brother.
He was a warrior from the start. His upbringing demanded nothing less. But there was always something more in him. Something his mother never understood. Although he hid it well—from everyone except me—he had compassion for his court and wanted to help them. It was hard to believe that the youngling prince who grew up in the shadows had become the leader he was today. The elemental that unified our court, healed the relationship with the hounds, and protected the akasha that might one day save us all.
But I feared his greatest challenge was yet to come. Now he wasn’t fighting to save a court. He was fighting to save our world.
Chapter Six
Rowan
I’d tried and failed several times to locate the Ring of Dispel.
It made no sense. The ring belonged to the ruler of the fire court. I had the ability to sense it. To feel its energy. But I couldn’t pinpoint its whereabouts. I’d reached an epic level of frustration. When I concentrated, all I saw was an unending white tunnel. The longer I'd held onto the vision, the weaker I’d become. There had to be something blocking my power. And whatever it was had to be strong. I’d hoped that the spirits within the flames might be able to solve many of the questions I had.
Until then, I’d wait before I tried again. My power needed to be recharged.
This was the ideal time to return to the fire court. The closer I got to the eternal flame, the more power surged through me. There was the same urgency I’d experienced last time I’d came to the flame. It felt as if they knew I was coming. Almost like they were waiting for me. They were able to see what went on within the court over the centuries. They seemed to have been watching me my whole life. I sensed the connection had something to do with my being king.
Once I arrived at the fire court castle, I headed toward the hidden portal that led to the eternal flame. The caves couldn’t be accessed from the surface. Within the caves, tunnels went on for miles in every direction. It was very easy to get lost down here. Which was why most never attempted to find the eternal flame. I was one of only a few who knew the way. As I strode through the solid rock cave tunnels, the lava covered walls thumped like a heartbeat.
I stepped on piles of ash as I made my way toward the core of the planet. The sound of crackling fire permeated all around me. None of the caves had artificial light. The flames illuminated every inch of space. The temperatures rose as I got closer to the flame. Only a fire elemental could withstand this heat. Even the Gabriel Hounds had difficulty breathing down here. The energy from the flames were so strong that my body radiated with raw power. I opened my wings, spreading them wide as I soaked in the strength. Rejuvenating my body.
As I reached the end of the final tunnel, I looked upon a massive cave held up by rock pillars. The cavern was as large as a college campus and inundated by a thick layer of steam. It was like walking into a sauna. The dry heat made me thirsty. Orbs of fire shot out from an opening on the opposite side of the room. That was the entrance to the eternal flame. It was smaller than the average door, but I was able to easily fit inside. I rushed through the cavern, dodging flames as I went. The spirits weren’t attacking me.
The inferno
I rubbed the back of my neck as I headed back downstairs. The meeting was being held in the throne room. It was the first time I’d met with my whole pack since I challenged my father for control. I’d never imagined I’d become the leader of the hounds. But my father had refused to join with Rowan, leaving me no other choice. Under my leadership, we vowed our allegiance to our new king. In return, we were made equal members of the fire court. No longer servants or guardians. Our new leader had delivered on all his promises. But he was more than just my king.
In all the ways that mattered, Rowan was my brother.
He was a warrior from the start. His upbringing demanded nothing less. But there was always something more in him. Something his mother never understood. Although he hid it well—from everyone except me—he had compassion for his court and wanted to help them. It was hard to believe that the youngling prince who grew up in the shadows had become the leader he was today. The elemental that unified our court, healed the relationship with the hounds, and protected the akasha that might one day save us all.
But I feared his greatest challenge was yet to come. Now he wasn’t fighting to save a court. He was fighting to save our world.
Chapter Six
Rowan
I’d tried and failed several times to locate the Ring of Dispel.
It made no sense. The ring belonged to the ruler of the fire court. I had the ability to sense it. To feel its energy. But I couldn’t pinpoint its whereabouts. I’d reached an epic level of frustration. When I concentrated, all I saw was an unending white tunnel. The longer I'd held onto the vision, the weaker I’d become. There had to be something blocking my power. And whatever it was had to be strong. I’d hoped that the spirits within the flames might be able to solve many of the questions I had.
Until then, I’d wait before I tried again. My power needed to be recharged.
This was the ideal time to return to the fire court. The closer I got to the eternal flame, the more power surged through me. There was the same urgency I’d experienced last time I’d came to the flame. It felt as if they knew I was coming. Almost like they were waiting for me. They were able to see what went on within the court over the centuries. They seemed to have been watching me my whole life. I sensed the connection had something to do with my being king.
Once I arrived at the fire court castle, I headed toward the hidden portal that led to the eternal flame. The caves couldn’t be accessed from the surface. Within the caves, tunnels went on for miles in every direction. It was very easy to get lost down here. Which was why most never attempted to find the eternal flame. I was one of only a few who knew the way. As I strode through the solid rock cave tunnels, the lava covered walls thumped like a heartbeat.
I stepped on piles of ash as I made my way toward the core of the planet. The sound of crackling fire permeated all around me. None of the caves had artificial light. The flames illuminated every inch of space. The temperatures rose as I got closer to the flame. Only a fire elemental could withstand this heat. Even the Gabriel Hounds had difficulty breathing down here. The energy from the flames were so strong that my body radiated with raw power. I opened my wings, spreading them wide as I soaked in the strength. Rejuvenating my body.
As I reached the end of the final tunnel, I looked upon a massive cave held up by rock pillars. The cavern was as large as a college campus and inundated by a thick layer of steam. It was like walking into a sauna. The dry heat made me thirsty. Orbs of fire shot out from an opening on the opposite side of the room. That was the entrance to the eternal flame. It was smaller than the average door, but I was able to easily fit inside. I rushed through the cavern, dodging flames as I went. The spirits weren’t attacking me.
The inferno
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