The Cursed Kingdom: The Sevenwars Trilogy, #3

By Sage Marrow

Heart-broken over her sister's decision to walk a destructive path, Cahri is trapped in a curse that has kept her from amending what Seven Wars has done. Freeing herself from the tangled threads of her past is one thing---helping the others to defeat her sister is another, and the master sorcerer must choose between the power she has gained and the calling that is her birthright by blood.

Lostland has hidden Eithe for years; he views his curse as a befitting punishment for bringing Seven Wars into existence. But when the chance comes to face disaster and the consequences of his choices, to hopefully rectify them, Eithe finds he won't have to face Seven Wars alone.

Time is running out for Team Spooky. Seven Wars holds all three anti-curses, the god of Chaos seeks to unravel everything, and magic itself is bending backwards under her command...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sage Marrow
• Release date: Oct 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215124963

Book preview

THE CURSED KINGDOM

Book Three of the Sevenwars Trilogy

By Sage Marrow

THE CURSED KINGDOM by Sage Marrow

Published by Sage Marrow Books

Copyright © 2022 Sage Marrow

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: [e-mail]

Cover by Vlyxdesigns

Copyright: 1-11494719860

ISBN: 979-8-8356402-4-9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

PROLOGUE

Three children stood facing each other under the watchful gaze of the gods, two with shadows stretching before them, one with her shadow stretching behind.

Leave it alone! commanded the eldest, the sister with curling brown hair and a gift towards magic that was unparalleled by either of her siblings. Her blue-gray eyes were flashing with anger and the morning sun bearing down directly across her face. Leave it alone now!

Her younger half-sister tilted her head to the side, but Blanche’s gaze never wavered from the cat that lay in a heap before her feet. Why should I?

Because you’re hurting it!

The brother looked between the two. It was almost dead anyway.

Cahri bunched her fingers into fists, feeling tears pricking her eyes, stinging almost as badly as the scrapes across her knees from when they had not too long before shoved her into the dry riverbank; it stung almost as badly as the bruising in her heart from their cruel laughter as they left her there. Their meanness was, she suspected, inherited from their mother, who was so utterly emotionless. And she almost couldn’t blame them for it. Almost.

That’s no excuse to hurt it! she protested.

Blanche shrugged. Then you fix it.

She hesitated then, looking down at the animal that they had mangled with sharp sticks and heavy stones. Fix it? But… Raylek had been right—it was almost dead before they found it. There hadn’t been a hope of fixing anything even before they started torturing it.

Couldn’t you have just let it die in peace? she whispered, crouching down and carefully touching its side. The cat was dead. Why did you have to make it suffer?

Where did it go? Raylek asked her, bringing her gaze up. Her brother would be handsome in later years, before a desperate vengeance stripped him of his humanity and soul. His was a dark path that would unravel like a loose spool flung carelessly aside. It’s dead, but where did it go?

To live with the gods, of course.

He looked back down to the cat. Do dead things ever want to come back? It can’t be that much fun living with the gods. They’re…They’re uncaring.

Cahri stared at him and knew that the words he was using weren’t his. He barely understood their meaning. He was echoing his mother. Say what she like, try as she might, neither of them would ever echo her, who was only their half-sibling.

Why do you say that? she asked carefully.

Now it was Raylek who shrugged. Because they took father away and because they gave us to mother. Mother doesn’t love us. So the gods must not love us.

The gods should be punished, Blanche said vehemently. Cahri began to shiver at her sister’s reaction, and it would be years before she could place a name to the expression: greed and jealousy and fear. But mostly hate. "They think they’re so important when really they don’t care about any of us. She stamped a foot, baring her teeth, but tears fell from her livid eyes. If I had my way, no one would die. Then none of us would have to be sad, ever."

I would hate to be stuck in the stars, Raylek whispered, looking once again to the cat. I think I’d be lonely.

Cahri felt her words wobbling as she tried to speak. But why did you have to hurt the cat?

To punish it. Blanche fixed her with an evaluative gaze that only a child bearing incredible pain could be capable of. A wary look of the hunted assessing whether another was friend or foe. All things that die, going so easily to the gods home, are bad. They must want to go there, right? They must want to die or they’d find a way to stop it.

You can’t stop death, Cahri protested, feeling sick. That goes against the order of life.

Blanche turned away. Then order is stupid.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Turning her back on them, Cahri made to run, as far away from them as she possibly could. She was eight, far too young to be thinking of leaving home, but Montarra held no sway in her heart to remain. This was the final shove that would send her forward onto a path that would, despite her intentions, tangle her future with her siblings, like they were knotted together and could never be separated.

It was in their blood.

Cahri?

Raylek’s timid voice forced her to pause and she dared to glance back.

Do you still love me? the boy asked, swaying on his feet in her direction.

Of course she doesn’t, Blanch answered coolly, setting a firm hand on his shoulder, holding him in place. She’s just like the others.

Oh.

You’re a horrid liar! Cahri shouted back at her in a sob, unable to contain her fear and anger any longer. And you’re not going to end up happy at all if you keep on hurting things!

Her sister’s lips curled in what was nearly a snarl. You just watch me.

Chapter 1

Emera was gone.

Despite how the shadows crawled across the ground from West to East as they always did, a day burning away from beginning to end, in a routine as old and natural as time itself, it still was unreal to him. Unfathomable. Three months had died away in a languid pattern of numbed existence and still… still he expected to be greeted anew every morning with her smile. And his heart would jolt inside of him as it always had, as if his curse hadn’t actually been broken and the daily renewal of their link was still needed.

Of course it was still needed. Whatever form he was in, it was desperately needed.

Nothing had been found in the Valley of Tombs to indicate what had happened—but he knew the culprit. Even now, with the noonday sun all around him, Idan felt cold as he recalled that horrendous night of searching, finding absolutely no trace of Emera. Only the bodies of his sorcerers, killed with pained expressions forever frozen on their faces. Their totem-scarfs were ripped to shreds around them, their god tokens flung every which way in the grass and flowerbeds.

And Dreena’s grave was entirely empty. They had already known that Spite could recall the dead from the next world, forcing them back into their bodies. Seeing it confirmed by Dreena’s gaping tomb was blood-chilling and frankly nauseating. Little Fait’s had been left alone, leaving Idan with the lingering question as to how many times a soul could be recalled. Once?

Idan clutched the totem-less sorcery scarf tighter, running a thumb across the crimson-black splatters that had dried years before, the blood having originally marked the fabric on a horrid day when two curses were shattered and Emera had completed the impossible. Anek had kept the scarf as a reminder of bravery; if he cared that Idan had permanently borrowed it, he had yet to say. Not that the sorcerer was around to protest: he was somewhere on his way to Montarra now, on a dangerous mission to rescue a cursed prince.

In Idan’s other hand, he held a worn dragon toy that he pressed to his lips.

Eme, he whispered. Where are you?

Wenny had told him of a message Fras wanted delivered to him, one that didn’t make sense at the time. That was expected of Fras by now. Idan had cringed inwardly at the thought of ever making a bargain with her again. Nothing, he believed, could compel him to do so. The woman was too unpredictable and selfish. Like his own nature. And he knew it wasn’t the most compelling sort of characteristics to be forced to rely on.

But Fras had said she could un-lose the bauble once it was lost again. With all three anti-curses in Spite’s hands and—most importantly to him—Emera as well, he was now thoroughly compelled to seek the strange woman’s help in whatever form. Whatever her bargain might be this time, he hoped he could fulfill it. He had to.

Idan drew his gaze up from the footprints he had been studying; the grass had been trampled while the heavy morning dew hadn’t yet dried away. These were young footprints, both with respect to the passage of time as well as the owners that had made them. He had kept a close eye on Emera’s younger brothers, Nourn and Lett Berrou, during the last long weeks. Delivering command of Berinam into the Grand Duke Wourn’s hands had taken longer than the king would have liked, especially with the current disruptions surrounding them. But then, he had wanted to leave immediately after Eme’s abduction, something that hadn’t been plausible, not with the other responsibilities on his shoulder. The long delay had made him severely—it had to be said—cranky. He was trying his hardest to be a good monarch, after all, but that had been the hardest calling to bear as months passed and he was wishing desperately that he could be a hawk again and simply fly around until he found her. He wanted to find Emera, make sure she was okay, and then throttle Splinter Warts and stab her. Repeatedly. With several very sharp knives.

Nourn and Lett had the luxury of leaving before such responsibilities were delegated, and Idan had to commend them on their patience that they had lasted this long. He had expected them to sneak away far sooner than early this morning.

He slipped Vitta’s toy dragon into one of his bag’s pockets and started trailing them. Though they might expect him to, he wasn’t going to send them home once he found them. Their dust-touch was necessary in order to save Eme.

Being the eldest son of a miller’s family wasn’t particularly meaningful with two older sisters.

Especially with Emera and Wenny as those older sisters.

My mother named me Nourn, after the god of harmony, the last of the dozen Deity. I thought this was a particularly wearisome joke while I grew in Nonan village, for nothing remotely related to harmony ever followed my whereabouts and actions. Tranquility was the farthest thing from my mind, as my objectives were to run the fastest, climb the highest, jump the furthest. I had had plenty of taunting to propel me on, a last-place name for a last-place boy my peers would say. Proving myself was all very difficult to do as I was more inclined to absorb everything I read instead of showing physical prowess by any means.

It was especially worsened by the fact that my eyes didn’t serve me particularly well. Anything beyond my arm’s reach began to blur into a mesh of color and shapes that made the simple task of walking without stumbling a feat in and of itself. I had smacked into doorframes so often that it had long-since become a worn out source of entertainment for my peers that loved to torment me.

    My drive to prove myself wasn’t helped any when Emera went off and saved the day, helping Idan to break his curse. I admired my oldest sibling with all my heart and wanted to make her proud. Then Wenny was abducted by a strange family and her own adventures had begun, making me wish fiercely that I wouldn’t be left behind.

    Adventures don’t come without price, though. I wasn’t stupid enough to think that achieving anything worthwhile never came without sacrifices along the way. It was one of the first lessons drilled into my head as I began squire duty over a year ago at fourteen, much older than I should have been. Lett, my younger brother, was closer to the proper age at eleven. That message was driven home when Eme was stolen, and not by a band that would become her second family, like Wen, but by Spite herself.

Slipping away during the fourth watch had been my brilliantly—at least I thought so—formed plan. Where I would go to look for Eme I wasn’t quite sure yet, but I needed to be doing something to save her. Trying to lessen King Idan’s suspicion that I would take off one day had required that enough time passed so he would feel that I had accepted the inevitable and was staying put. But now, I couldn’t hold off any longer. My father was a ghost of his former self, eaten away by despair. My youngest brother Renn and my littlest sister Patta were well taken care of in Lady Current’s household, so I didn’t feel bad about leaving them behind.

There was a flaw to my so-called brilliant plan, and it came in the form of Lett. I was still unsure of how he managed to sneak right behind me as I left the castle’s expansive estate and slipped through the fields that would eventually lead to the Valley of Tombs. That was where Emera was seen last, and I figured it was the best place to start. I was so absorbed in going undetected by any patrolling sorcerers or soldiers that I hadn’t even thought of being followed by an ordinary boy. It wasn’t until Lett sneezed that I knew he was there.

Gods above! I bit my tongue to keep from shouting out more and whirled around, scanning the darkness. Who’s there?

I’m not letting you leave me, Lett’s voice floated towards me, stubborn and scared. I groaned in frustration as I saw him stop directly before me. He was wide-eyed and far too pale and definitely not suited for this sort of journey.

Well, you can’t come with me, was my brilliant argument. You’re staying—

No!

Shh! Hush up, dummy, or they’ll find us!

You’re not leaving me, he insisted. You can’t! Wenny’s gone, and Eme’s gone, and you can’t be gone too! Okay?

I paused, recognizing the shakiness in his voice for what it was: Fear. There were tears in his eyes and his chin quivered, but he stood resolutely, and with growing dread I recognized that stance. Our father had passed it on to just about all of us. When we wanted something we were going to go do it and not even the gods were going to dissuade us.

I don’t want you to get hurt, I said softly.

I’ll hurt worse being left behind, he said vehemently.

Well, I couldn’t really argue against that, since I would have said the same thing. Perhaps the last thing my father needed was another heartbroken child around.

Fine, I relented. In my heart I was relieved to not have to do this alone. You can come along.

We walked through the night, skirting the edge of the Valley of Tombs to find a place to hide in the woods beyond though it added an extra three miles to do so; neither of us was inclined to walk directly through it at night. Day would have to break before we stepped foot there. Truth be told, sleeping in the woods wasn’t much of an improvement as far as frightening surroundings went. Lett fell asleep long before I did, entirely exhausted, and I debated about sending him back home the moment the sun came up.

It wasn’t the sunlight that woke me.

A hand shook my shoulder gently and I pried my eyelids open, feeling like they had been glued shut with tree sap. Blue light filtered in from the thick branches overhead, announcing early morning. My body ached from cold and stiffness. Then I realized it was someone who had woken me, and I gasped as I scrambled up and squinted to bring the newcomer into focus.

From where he was crouched, Idan watched me panic for a moment before I recognized his face, half-hidden by a broad hood. His cloak was covered in morning dew and from his knees down his trousers was damp. My heart sank at the sight of him. As light-hearted and friendly as the king typically was—we had definitely pulled off enough pranks on the staff at the castle to create plenty of exasperation—I fully expected be in all sorts of trouble for running off. Despite my plans, he had caught me. Above all, I regarded Idan as the older brother the gods had seen fit to finally give me and if he was angry with me, I wasn’t sure I could stand it.

Where are you headed? he asked, apparently as calm as could be.

I studied him doubtfully, searching for the anger that was sure to be broiling underneath. I couldn’t find it. I should think that was obvious, I answered. I’m going to look for Eme. I gestured towards Lett, who was still sleeping. He snuck out after me.

And what did you bring with you?

I stretched out a hand and dragged my pack forward so he could glance through it. Nothing elicited a response until he noticed my sword leaning against a tree trunk. Officially, it wasn’t mine yet, as I hadn’t exactly earned it, but I wasn’t about to set out into the mouth of danger without something to cause as much difficulty as possible if anything tried to eat me. I definitely hadn’t packed for two, but I had already planned on dividing what I had in half for Lett.

The king of Berinam lifted his blue eyes to regard me steadily. Do you feel you can defend your brother when trouble comes along?

I’ll certainly try my best.

He nodded and then his mouth suddenly split into a grin. Good. I’ll help you.

I stammered, I… what… you will? Such immense relief filled me that I felt dizzy for a long moment. I hadn’t allowed myself to fully register just how much danger I was sending myself into and how terrified it made me until now. I was weak-kneed with it.

Yes, he answered. I hate being left out. And I love Eme too.

You’re not sending me back? I demanded.

Idan actually laughed and that was when I realized that he said he would help and he really meant it. So I relaxed.

Send you back? he gasped, wiping away tears of mirth. You? Eme’s brothers? You’d turn right around as soon as the door shut behind me and escape again. I’d just as soon stop the rain from raining. No, I can’t send you back. You are Berrou, aren’t you? That means you’re ridiculously stubborn, capable of anything, and what’s more, you have the dust-touch.

I knew what he was referring to when he said ‘dust-touch’. It was the reason Emera had been successful in her previous adventures and why Wenny had been kidnapped by Taven to begin with. The idea that my normal family had such a unique blessing running throughout our bodies was difficult to grasp, even after all that had happened. Now, I furrowed my brow at him, trying to see his expressions more clearly.

What’s my dust-touch got to do with anything?

We’ll need it to save Eme. Idan leaned over and roused Lett. My brother blinked like an owlet, his hair sticking straight up in the back.

Spooky? Lett asked, rubbing one eye. What’re you doing here?

Causing mischief, what else? And now that you’re up, let’s start by snooping around the graveyard.

I sighed as my little brother looked as if a holiday had been handed to him on a golden platter.

Standing before Dreena’s empty grave was creepy, even with the sun shining merrily overhead and birds filling the nearby woods with their welcoming songs. Above the fright of seeing the evidence that she was stolen from death, I felt sad. I remembered the last time I had seen Dree, back in Nonan Village. Idan had been stuck in our old dog’s body then, and Raylek had been causing mayhem with impending war. I hadn’t known then that Dreena was going to die defending my sister.

Why did Spite steal Dreena too? Lett asked.

To prove she can, I suppose. Idan looked rather grumpy, and I figured trying to guess Spite's intentions left him feeling just as disgusted as it did me. I’m sure by now there’s not much method to her reasoning beyond creating panic. Panic leads to chaos. Crouching down, he ran a hand along the grave’s edge and drew back. Now would be a good time for Anek to be around. Maybe he could tell what residue is left on this spell and if it can be dismantled somehow.

I fidgeted uncomfortably while Lett shot me a very unsubtle glance. I glared back at him, telling him to keep his mouth shut. I was already on edge from the tendrils of a forged spell powerful enough to leave this kind of malevolent aura in its wake, and I was doing my absolute best to not give in and pay attention to it. I could tell Lett was desperately trying to ignore it too, and so I sought to divert his attention from it.

Too bad Spite killed those magic users with Eme, I said, cringing at the recollection of the dried bloodstains still marking the pathway at the cemetery’s entrance. I’m sure they could’ve told us how she showed up too.

Idan sighed, straightening up. It doesn’t bode well that she was able to overcome twelve trained sorcerers. But maybe she feels her time running out and so she is taking bigger risks now. She’s bound to make an error at some point. He ran a hand through his hair. "But being more reckless makes her more dangerous.

If only we knew what drives her, I whispered, looking despondently towards the South. Somewhere over there, my sister and a group of friends were making their way towards Montarra. I felt sick at the thought of Spite targeting them, trying to kill them. She had so many disastrous monsters at her disposal… Then we could perhaps reverse her intentions and take away her magic. Maybe.

"I’d prefer it if she just ended up dead, not magic-less, Idan grumbled. There might be one person who knows what motivates Spit."

Who?

Her half-sister. He flinched. But finding Cahri and breaking her curse… well, plainly put, it’s going to suck.

What about Eme? Lett demanded. Despite my best efforts, half of hair was sticking up rebelliously.

Idan seemed to droop where he stood, like a plant that had tried in vain for too long to find sunlight