Racing With the Serpent: The Telverin Trilogy, #3

By A.R.K. Horton

You can't ignore destiny when it breaks down your barriers, even if that means defeating a god.

Eya has found safety among friends, but she knows it's only temporary. The battle is far from over, and she has a duty to protect Telverin from the power-hungry. With true allies by her side and unique abilities, it's only a matter of time before she wins back her home and rescues the Goddess Winds. Yet, Eya's recklessness might mean her ruin. Can she learn to control her impulses, the way she's learning to control the elements?

Racing With the Serpent is the third and last book of The Telverin Trilogy, a fantasy war story that takes place between several countries in the world of Telverin.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.R.K. Horton
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737499848

A.R.K. Horton

A.R.K. Horton is a small woman made of round shapes and long sighs. Children and animals surround her in her Florida home. Her vice is hoarding responsibilities, and she has the tired eyes to prove it. They still have a sparkle, though, seeing the next project ahead. She began writing as a child when she became obsessed with learning about the most obscure fairytales, folktales, and myths. Now, she blogs extensively about them and uses them as inspiration for her novels.

Book preview

Prologue

Pecu watched Clesta from afar. She had struggled to care for her dying daughter their entire stay in the cave by the sea. He knew she believed the girl to only suffer from a bad cough. That’s what would make sense, given the chill and humidity the approaching Winter had on the Hicarean coastline. He knew better. He still had his magical source and could see the clump of toxic death spreading in her chest.

Though he held no love for the children Clesta gave birth to with that foolish shepherd, Pecu hated to see his wife hurting this way. He let his form blend in with the background as Clesta exited the cave to stand at the edge of the sea. Her red curls whipped around in the ocean breeze while she stretched arms up high, holding on to a mahogany shepherd’s crook with both hands.

Not for the first time, Pecu found himself focusing on that crook. Its existence stung him. Clesta had called him her husband, that meat sack of a mortal. Even after Pecu made sure the man fell down a ravine, his wife continued to love the human and call herself his widow. She held on to his crook, making it her personal staff for weaving spells.

Pecu scoffed at it, knowing she didn’t need any wand or staff to create bigger magic than any priest or mage had even witnessed. She could be a goddess again, have her magical source back again. She only needed to plead with him to take her back. You’re too good for these people, Pecu whispered. You’re a goddess, the best of all the goddesses. You’re my wife. Come back to me.

Clesta turned around and looked straight through him. Her green eyes reminded him of the emeralds he kept with him at all times. One for him and one for her, together forever. He watched her ponder over her staff, turning it from side to side, as if questioning its suitability.

You have big plans for that shepherd’s crook, Pecu said and laughed.

Clesta continued staring at the staff, oblivious to Pecu’s presence still.

I’m sure you have some idea of getting the better of me with it, but what if I made it my own? That would show you would be better to come home to your real husband.

Clesta walked down the edge of the ocean calling out for him. She had done this most days since coming to the sea cave. He hadn’t answered her yet, not wanting to let go of the moments spent listening to her desire for him to come back into her life. Pecu wanted to believe it, but feared finding out it was all a lie to trap him somehow.

Clesta’s older daughter, Lona, ran out of the cave waving her arms.

Yiva’s coughing up blood now, the girl said and Clesta ran back in with her.

I could show you I love you by helping you save your daughter’s life, he said. That’s what I’ll do, but first I’ll change that staff. I’ll make it something for just you and me.

Chapter One

Despite being so far from the castle she once called home, this all felt so familiar to Eya; the gown, the beautiful decor, the nerves. She almost expected her mother to appear in the hallway, hustling in taffeta, and managing everyone around her down to the very last detail. Conflicted emotions roiled in Eya's stomach. Her mother had been so critical and kept her trapped in the unsuitable life of a sheltered princess. Yet, it still hurt to know she would never see her again.

I can't stop sweating! Eya whispered in a panic to Cefa.

If you would just calm down, the older woman replied, maybe it would get a little cooler.

Relief washed over the pair as a gust of salty air provided them momentary refuge from the oppressive Summer heat. The scent of the sea mingled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine climbing the pergolas that encased this particular garden path at The Palace. Cefa gazed upon her descendent. She looked heavenly in the gauzy lavender gown she wore, especially now that the breeze was causing her skirts to float around her like a cloud. The scars on her cheek no longer burned an angry red, but had healed into two shimmering stripes of silver. Jasmine petals descended onto her black curls like falling stars. Eya lifted her hand to brush them off, but Cefa caught her hand just in time.

Leave them, Cefa said, tears welling in her eyes. Those are better than any crown.

Eya smiled in response, lowering her hand and continuing her walk to the garden banquet hall. Eya's nineteenth birthday wouldn't be a big, royal affair, which suited everyone invited to join in. Less fuss meant less stress. Some of the Pescelean courtiers had grumbled. They wanted a show, but Queen Esamne put her foot down. They didn't have the budget for any more extravagant affairs. The war had depleted their reserves, and the Queen made it clear that the tax money they received should go toward the sick and hungry. She wasn't winning any popularity contests among the nobility, but they knew not to cross her. Esamne had the numbers and the power to back up her position. They only had each other.

Even The Palace on a tight budget felt luxurious to Eya after spending months sleeping in musty canvas tents with bland mush for every meal. She had arrived in Pescel so famished and shell-shocked that even her monthly blood hadn’t arrived yet. Eya found it difficult to resist the temptation to settle here with her brother and wife.

In the back of her mind, however, Eya also knew she needed to win her home back from the country that had taken her other brothers from her and currently sheltered the man responsible for her parents' deaths. Even this birthday celebration filled her with guilt, knowing that she should be planning to attack Kandum instead.

A guard opened the glass door for Eya and Cefa to enter the garden dining hall, which looked like a repurposed greenhouse. Inside were the people closest to Eya sitting around a long dining table. Peg sat toward the back next to her husband, rubbing the small bump that housed the future Lord or Lady Welvine. Sember scratched under the collar and sleeve hems of his uncomfortable, noble clothing while he watched Eya enter with an open appreciation of her allure. Immelda gave Eya a warm, albeit sad smile; her grief over her husband's death was still palpable to everyone around her. Terald and Hat sat together, holding hands. Rhin sat beside the two men, his scarred but friendly face gazing at Eya in a priest’s special brand of adoration. Recent newlyweds, Novem and Esamne, sat arm-in-arm toward the front.

Eya glanced over all of these faces, but once she saw Daijah sitting next to her empty seat, her eyes never left his. Daijah's long, black hair hung loose down his back, shining in the golden afternoon light that streamed in through the wide expanse of windows. He wore white clothing. Eya had never seen him wearing anything but dark and heavy fabrics, furs, and leathers. His fawn skin and dark features glowed against the pale Summery fabric draping him now.

You should marry him, quick, Cefa whispered into Eya's ears.

After I win my home back, Eya whispered back.

Cefa wanted to say more but bit her tongue. Hundreds upon hundreds of years living on Telverin taught her a few things. One of the biggest lessons she learned was to never set a goal for after anything. You never know if that period exists. How many dreams never entirely formed because someone put them on the after list? But Cefa knew that there was no talking sense into young people about what to do with their lives. It didn't matter how wise you were, goddess or god, they always thought they knew better than you. She had seen that enough with her own children over eight hundred years ago.

Eya sat down in the seat chosen for her, between Queen Esamne and Daijah. Cefa tabled her worries for later. It was time to eat, and the mortal goddess never turned down a meal, especially one that looked this good. A cascade of fat, green grapes fell like waterfalls from tiered platters, courtesy of Lord Welvine’s vineyards. He also supplied the endless bottles of wine, which filled their glasses before they could even empty. Sember’s clan provided their most delicious game for The Palace chefs to roast. An array of perfectly aged cheeses and jams came all the way from Pecuna, where Eya’s long unseen friend Merdet lovingly prepared them. Salads of fresh leaves, herbs, and radishes grown right in The Palace gardens graced their plates.

On top of all of this, Eya’s brother Novem worked with the head chef to prepare food that they ate at their Hicarean home. Mutton with turnips, potatoes, and carrots filled their stomachs. Eya gulped it down with greed, her homesickness abated for the afternoon. She groaned about never eating again, but was quick to dig into the lavender lemon cakes passed around for dessert.

Despite the room's open, airy feeling, it hid those eating dinner from the rest of the court with the endless array of plants blocking the view of the table within. The nobility viewed this celebration as secretive. They all knew Eya by sight. She was the terrifying yet beautiful savior who blew in with the powers of a goddess and rescued them all. Everyone wanted to know her, but Queen Esamne kept her hidden away most of her time at The Palace. Fully grown dukes and marquesses circled around the building, trying to get a glimpse of the feast inside. They whispered about what delicacies, forbidden to the rest of them, those inside the glass building consumed.

When the eating ended, the chatting began. Sember and Daijah compared fighting styles. Peg, Lord Wellvine, and Immelda discussed the latest happenings among the court. Terald, Hat, and Rhin engaged in a lengthy, intellectual exchange over the state of Serenchea. Cefa filled Novem in on all the details of Eya's escape from the Kandumes. The Queen Es, as their tight-knit group called them, quarreled. Again.

Can we stop talking about the war for a few hours? Esamne begged. It's your birthday. Have one moment of happiness.

As much joy as there is in my heart, Eya replied, I live in the shadow of what Farek and Kandum took from me.

I promised my people that war was over, Esamne said, her voice flat and final.

I can't blame you for that, Eya responded and sighed. I see what the Arch Dukes did to this country. I would love nothing more than to rest here and help you bring Pescel back to its former glory. However, it's only a matter of time before Kandum is at your doorstep. It won't just be your soldiers' lives at risk then.

Here we go again. Esamne rolled her amber eyes over to Novem, who tried to seem more engaged in talking with Cefa than the bickering between his wife and sister.

I know you don't believe me, Eya argued, but King Retam is intent on taking Pescel, and he has Farek Malphesent to help him now.

How could they even get past our barriers without you? Esamne questioned, lifting a glass of wine to her lips.

Our barriers are few, and thin at that, Rhin interrupted. Most of your mages fled when we took down the Arch Dukes. They're joining forces with Kandum, now that they know where their leader has landed.

We still have mages, though, Esamne sputtered.

It was dawning on Esamne that she wasn't getting the support she expected. She looked at Novem again. He gave her a thin smile in response.

Weak mages still in training, Terald said, shaking his head. Mostly priests and priestesses have remained with Pescel. The powerful mages are itching for war, and Kandum is offering it to them.

Priests can outmaneuver any mage, Cefa added and clinked her glass with Terald's in a toast. The two were both priests, though Terald had lost his staff long ago. Cefa was helping him create a new and more powerful one when not attending to Eya.

We did have a very powerful mage ourselves, Immelda said suddenly, causing the rest of the room to hush. Once.

She was talking about Pekor, found mysteriously murdered in the royal cemetery just a day after Eya’s arrival. She gave a cutting look at Terald. Immelda had made it quite clear that she blamed him for her new friend's death. He seemed busy discussing how to infiltrate Serenchea, however, and free their workforce that night. He hadn't spent a moment alone during the hours of Pekor's death. Still, he showed no grief over the death of Farek's former assistant. The man had betrayed Terald's Pecu cult, leading to the end of his beloved Brence. Terald worried more that there might be an unknown murderer somewhere in The Capitol.

I do wish I had gotten a chance to meet your friend, Immelda, Eya said, breaking the silence. Yet, even with his help, that wouldn't change our position. One mage cannot withstand the hundreds now siding with Kandum. If we just wait for them to attack, we will lose everything. That's what happened to Hicares.

Pescel isn't Hicares, Esamne argued.

You're right, Eya agreed. Hicares wasn't experiencing civil unrest and national debt when a far more powerful nation attacked it.

That's no fault of Esamne's, Novem stated, admitting that he couldn't stay out of this quarrel.

I know, Eya said with a sigh. I am sorry for all that you and your country had to go through at the hands of greedy men. Unfortunately, you haven't gotten rid of them. You have to keep fighting, or you risk losing it all again.

Eya reached a hand out to her sister-in-law. After a beat, Esamne placed her hand in Eya's. They gave each other an affectionate squeeze. The group had gotten used to the frequent spats between the two Queens. The love they shared for each other, however, was unmistakable. It was as if they had always been sisters. Sometimes, they fought, but most of the time they giggled over similar interests and encouraged each other through similar fates. They sometimes stayed up all night talking about nothing and everything. They were always up to some adventure together and supported each other unconditionally.

I don't know what we could even offer… Esamne whispered. Sick and hungry soldiers, some barely more than children and healing from magical attacks. That's no army.

We have to find a way– Eya continued but stopped when Daijah placed a hand on her arm, shaking his head. Like Novem, he had tried to stay out of their disagreement by talking with others, but Eya seemed about to cross a line.

Eya looked at Esamne. Dark circles under her eyes aged her beautiful, young face. Queen Esamne slept little, staying up half the night worried about Pescel and waking early to handle business. Even with Novem at her side, the Arch Dukes had left her with quite a mess to clean up. This was too much to take care of on their own.

We have to find a way to help you, Eya said. You and Novem can't do this alone.

Esamne looked at her sister-in-law with gratitude in the smile wrinkles already forming at the corners of her amber eyes. She squeezed Eya's hand again, harder and longer than before. I promise to help win your throne back. Once I can.

After a few songs and dances, everyone made their way to the castle under the twinkling starlight. Eya's arms entwined with Daijah's. They took slow steps through the gardens, knowing the moment they were inside they would have to part.

Cefa watched them and huffed. Why couldn't a young couple in love just give in to it? Why wouldn't they just listen to her and get married? They were both so set on doing things a certain, proper way. Eya wanted her castle back, and Daijah wished to be more than the exiled son of a dead Kandumes duke. They both had something to prove to each other, as well as the rest of Telverin. After all those moments that should have taught them not to take each other for granted, they still hadn't learned their lessons. Cefa walked past them, brushing her arm against Daijah's in the process.

Wouldn't have to say goodnight if you two would just get married, she muttered beside them and continued forward.

Eya and Daijah giggled behind her. Nothing could convince them. They had their little afternoon dalliances between Eya’s lessons on magic with Cefa and her responsibilities as the new Queen of Hicares. That was all they claimed to want for now.

Cefa sighed through the pain of moving her pained joints down the hills to the castle. That was the problem with living at The Palace, all the walking just to get from dinner to bed. She felt older than ever, thanks to their trip through Hicares with the Kandumes. She didn't dare say anything to Eya, but she'd used more of her magical source in those few months than she had in the last three hundred years combined. How many years would it cost? Decades? Centuries?

Yes, the Kandumes wouldn't quit coming until Pescel had to defend itself on its own doorstep. However, couldn't an old woman get a break. She wasn't rushing to exhaust more of her resources just yet.

She looked up at the sky to take in the sight of all the constellations she once called home, back when she was Clesta, Goddess of the Celestial Winds. With an ache in her heart, she turned to face the castle but whipped her head right back to the sky.

What is it, Cefa? Rhin asked, approaching her from her left.

I thought I saw... she began but drifted off.

Cefa decided she must have imagined it. The constellation Pecu and Clesta embracing had disappeared when he reopened the tear into the nothingness and banished most of the gods there. She assumed that it must have sucked right back into the void with the others. Her eyes were aging and played tricks on her all the time. Shaking the thought out of her head, Cefa continued the painful walk to the room she shared with Eya.

Eya twisted in her seat. Thrones were a lot like fancy dresses. They looked great, but they weren’t comfortable at all. Eya could say the same of crowns. The ornate hunk of metal Queen Esamne’s jewelers pieced together for her pressed down on her forehead like a vice, reminding her of its inherent lie. You cannot be a Queen without your own crown, your own throne, your own castle, and your own country. She was nothing but a spectacle here. While she understood Esamne’s position, what about Eya’s people? They had nothing left. She had made promises to them, and then ran away for her own slice of peace and happiness.

A month! Esamne exclaimed, startling Eya out of her spiraling gloom.

Amiro, the young guard who had become the spokesman of The Capitol’s commoners, nodded soberly. They had been discussing how to help with the hunger problem in their area. Esamne came up with the idea to use the food reserves designated for the military to feed the impoverished. Apparently, those supplies already ran low.

It might be enough to get started, Novem said, patting his wife’s hand to calm her. That gives us a few weeks to come up with alternative plans.

It took me weeks just to come up with this idea, Esamne whispered back.

Eya watched the exchange between them. They made such great partners. She knew her brother loved his wife. He’d risked his life to be with her, but there was more than love here. It seemed like the gods had formed the two to lead together. Eya looked out at the bored courtiers to see Daijah gazing out a window. Would they be like Esamne and Novem one day? She had a hard time picturing any life other than riding their horses through the mountains. Too bad they couldn’t run away with the Cuvanos. Sember would never let her abandon her duties.

Just as she thought of her flirtatious Cuvanos friend, Amiro bowed and took his leave. It was Sember’s turn to report.

Eya held down a chuckle as he approached. He looked so out of place in the noble attire he was forced to wear at The Palace. She remembered him in the patched up, mismatched clothes she met him in. He wore those rags like they were the most elegant robes in Telverin. He was so handsome and charming that he could get away with it. His confidence, however, clearly took a dip around the nobility here. He tugged at his too-tight collar, shuffling around in place, unsure how to stand before a Queen in such a formal setting.

How go things with the Cuvanos? Esamne asked.

We’ve made great progress finding those that Farek kept prisoner in Pescel, he answered. However, it seems that he brought hundreds with him to Hicares.

Esamne’s lashes fluttered down to her lap. That’s too bad.

He disbanded whole clans with his actions, Sember continued. Many Cuvanos have lost all sense of home and community.

But, aren’t they travelers? Novem asked. Why not simply join another clan and–

They can’t, Eya interrupted. You don’t understand, brother. Yes, travel is part of their culture, but they rely on a complex and traditional system. They’re floundering just like we did when we lost our home. To the Cuvanos, their clan is their home, no matter where they sleep at night.

Understanding spread across Novem’s face, and he leaned back in his chair to listen. Sember cleared his throat.

Esamne gestured with a wave and a nod for him to continue.

What they really need is a purpose, he said. If they try to join another clan, they’ll simply be a mouth to feed, and that won’t last. I suspect we will see quite a few Cuvanos travelling into Hicares to rescue those captured there if we don’t present a plan to bring them home.

Unfortunately, at this time, we have no way to do that, Esamne responded.

I understand, Your Majesty, Sember said, but his face didn’t look like it understood the Queen at all. He glanced at Eya, seeking out her opinion.

She tried to keep her face impassive, not wanting someone to accuse her of undermining her sister-in-law. He must have seen something validating in Eya’s eyes, however, because he walked away from the Queen a little taller.

They spent the day receiving update after update, which all wound up ending on the same note. We don’t have what we need, and we won’t until we solve the problem of Farek’s War. This is what Pescel wound up calling the invasion of Hicares, over a year later. After all, everyone who died had done so for his greed. This misery belonged to him.

Eya felt relieved to remove the crown from her head when she reached her rooms. She undressed from her court attire and changed into a simpler but still elegant dress. Sitting down at her vanity to brush out her hair, she looked in the mirror and saw an angry red line across her forehead.

Cefa walked in to find Eya scowling and rubbing away at it. The only thing that will make that go away is time, the crone advised, taking Eya’s hand away from her brow.

I don’t have time, Eya said. I have to get ready for dinner, and this stupid line will distract everyone.

I doubt anyone will even notice it, Cefa lied.

Eya gave her mentor a look. She wasn’t buying it.

The old woman laughed and ran a thumb over the young Queen’s forehead in a soft, subtle pattern, causing the line to disappear.

Eya seemed relieved at first but then sad. You shouldn’t be using your magic up just because I’m being silly.

It was just a little spell, Cefa said. Hardly used up a drop. Cefa picked up the brush from the vanity and pulled its bristles through Eya’s curls, causing the hair to frizz up. Cefa rubbed some jasmine oil between her palms and ran her fingers through the wisps of hair to settle it down again. Eya’s static charge zapped at her, and she snapped her hand back in reaction.

I’m sorry, Eya apologized at once. Nerves.

I completely understand, my dear girl, Cefa replied.

She did, too. Cefa had spent the day in court as well, listening to more than the updates given to Queen Esamne. The courtiers were restless and untrusting of their new ruler. Esamne had a lot to prove, but all the odds were stacked against her. Eya had to play the role of exiled Queen while here and had no way to help with anything. There were two versions of the Hicarean royal: the spoiled princess who only knew how to become a pretty wife, and the fearsome warrior who could rain down death and destruction. Neither one of them was helpful in a situation like the one they were experiencing in Pescel.

Eya braided her hair back and got up from the vanity. She walked to dinner with Cefa, where they found everyone already deep in discussion over the abysmal day in court they all experienced. It wasn’t the grand dining room, but rather the smaller one adjoining Esamne’s rooms. The space was a little cramped for the number of people in their circle, but everyone would rather bump elbows and step on toes than spend another moment with the Pescelean courtiers.

Eya felt Sember’s eyes on her as soon as she entered the room. He would want to talk, but she wasn’t sure she had the energy for it. What could she say other than she agreed with him but had absolutely no power to persuade Esamne?

Any news yet from the envoy in Serenchea? Terald asked Novem, just as Eya sat in her usual spot.

Unfortunately, the Serenchean nobility are barring our envoy from all discussion, Novem answered. It seems they’re in discussions with Kandum about a lucrative deal and don’t want to ruin their chances.

Hat looked at Terald in a way that everyone else in the room could easily translate. Told you so. Terald’s usually calm, dark eyes grew stormy. You made a promise. We held up our end.

We’re still trying, Novem said.

Not good enough! Terald exclaimed. Hat’s daughter–

Olira, Hat interjected.

Olira could be forced into one of those dangerous factories any day now! Terald shouted.

A week ago, Hat decided he could trust them and confided to everyone about his life in Serenchea. In the process, he’d given everyone his real name, Yoren, as well as that of his daughter, Olira. Everyone continued to refer to him as Hat. He didn’t seem to mind that, but he took every opportunity he could to remind them that his daughter had a name. She was a real girl in a terrifying position. He refused to let them ignore her plight.

You were at court today, Terald, Novem countered. Our hands are tied. What more can we do?

Terald threw his arms up in exasperation and turned toward Hat to whisper out his agitation.

Esamne’s troubled face focused on the plate of food in front of her. She toyed around with her fork, never quite picking up a bite to eat.

I know you agree with me, Sember whispered into Eya’s ear, almost causing her to jump out of her seat.

She hadn’t noticed him move from his spot on the other end of the table. He came over quickly to take the empty seat next to her that waited for Daijah. She turned to the handsome Cuvanos to whisper back.

I do, but–

The door swung open, and Daijah stepped into the crowded dining room, and Eya jumped out of her seat at once and ran to him. It proved difficult for the large mountain man to get around the others to his chair on the other side of the room. Eya managed to pull him through, however.

Sember removed himself from Daijah’s seat the moment they arrived. I apologize, Sember said. I know this seat belongs to you.

It does, Daijah said, measuring the Cuvanos up.

Sember gulped and walked back to his seat.

No matter how Eya tried, the two couldn’t seem to get along. Daijah continued to think the Cuvanos chieftain still carried feelings for Eya. She supposed it made sense given the overlap of her affair with Farek and her relationship with Daijah. No matter how many times he claimed he had gotten over it, she could still see a small tinge of jealousy underneath it all.

Once Daijah sat next to her, Eya nestled against him. I’m so relieved to lean into you, she whispered as she rested her head on his shoulders and listened to the heated debates over what need should take priority. Your arms are so reassuring.

I’ve never heard a better reason to keep them around you at all times, he said, chuckling into her curls before planting a sweet kiss on the top of her head.

Esamne rubbed the dark circles under her eyes and sighed when she saw how cozy Eya looked with Daijah. I need some of that.

All talk and motion in the room stopped at that moment, and every eye turned to the Pescelean Queen. A blush spread across Esamne’s freckled face. Novem swallowed down a laugh and squeezed his wife tightly to him to comfort her. She covered her face in embarrassment and shook.

Oh, Esamne! Eya cried out. "Please don’t cry! We’re