Fall of the Titan (The Desolate Empire Book 5) Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Reading Order

  Dedication

  Acknowledgents

  The Olvisyan Empire

  Kronland

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Anton

  Trystan

  Gwynneth

  Teodora

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Gwynneth

  Trystan

  Maryna

  Lennart

  Anton

  Trystan

  Maryna

  Braeden

  Trystan

  Anton

  Trystan

  Teodora

  Maryna

  Trystan

  Gwynneth

  Elektra

  Lennart

  Teodora

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Lennart

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Anton

  Gwynneth

  Trystan

  Maryna

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Teodora

  Anton

  Lennart

  Trystan

  Maryna

  Teodora

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Anton

  Trystan

  Elektra

  Gwynneth

  Teodora

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Lennart

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Maryna

  Trystan

  Lennart

  Elektra

  Lennart

  Gwynneth

  Trystan

  Gwynneth

  Teodora

  Elektra

  Maryna

  Teodora

  Elektra

  Braeden

  Trystan

  Anton

  Teodora

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Maryna

  Elektra

  Lennart

  Trystan

  Teodora

  Elektra

  Anton

  Trystan

  Teodora

  Lennart

  Trystan

  Gwynneth

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Elektra

  Teodora

  Maryna

  Trystan

  Gwynneth

  Teodora

  Lennart

  Maryna

  Braeden

  Anton

  Braeden

  Teodora

  Braeden

  Lennart

  Teodora

  Lennart

  Maryna

  Gwynneth

  Lennart

  Trystan

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Trystan

  Braeden

  Gwynneth

  Anton

  Elektra

  Lennart

  Anton

  Braeden

  Elektra

  Lennart

  Trystan

  Braeden

  Anton

  Elektra

  Maryna

  Elektra

  Gwynneth

  Braeden

  Maryna

  Teodora

  Epilogue- Natalya

  Cast of Characters

  Copyright

  About the Author

  FALL OF THE TITAN

  The Desolate Empire

  Book Five

  By

  CHRISTINA OCHS

  Reading Order:

  The Desolate Empire Series

  0. The Forsaken Crown (prequel)

  1. Rise of the Storm

  2. Valley of the Shadow

  3. Hammer of the Gods

  4. Winter of the Wolf

  5. Fall of the Titan

  6. To be announced

  To my nephews: Nicholas, Daniel, Josiah, Alexander and Peter

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank Clarissa N. Goenawan for being such a diligent first reader. She finds innumerable errors and plot holes before anyone else sees them.

  My beta readers, Patricia Bailey, Cheryl Carter and Cindy Borror have been with me since book one, and their knowledge of the series and its characters has become irreplaceable.

  As always, my husband Ben is endlessly supportive and makes all of this possible.

  I also want to thank Victoria Palmer and Jeannie Pettit, my early reviewers, who give the book, and me, a nice boost before it's launched to the rest of the world.

  Braeden

  Braeden Terris had been sound asleep, but when his door opened, woke up as readily as if his camp had been under attack. He squinted against the candle-light, wavering in a servant’s shaky hand. Was he still so frightening?

  “Count Terris,” the servant greeted him. “Her Grace, Princess Galena requests your presence in the dining room.”

  “Coming,” Braeden said, pulling on strange clothes. After his arrival late the night before, he’d left his own outfit in a heap on the floor. While he slept, someone had whisked away his dirty, bloody garments and laid a clean shirt, breeches and doublet on a nearby chair. Aside from being tight around the middle, they fit passably well. Braeden couldn’t imagine who here would be his size, but didn’t have time to worry about it.

  He followed the servant down a gloomy corridor while buttoning the doublet. He noticed the fine texture of the wool and wondered if it had belonged to the princess’s late husband.

  All was dark inside Delsenhof Palace, except for the well-lit dining room. It smelled of fresh bread and coffee, and Braeden’s stomach rumbled. He bowed as soon as he stepped into the room, seeing both princesses—Galena and Gwynneth—already at the table.

  “Please sit down and have something to eat, Count,” Princess Galena said, waving over a servant bearing an enormous silver pot, hopefully holding coffee.

  Braeden obliged, casting a glance at Gwynneth.

  She looked as if she hadn’t slept at all; her wide, anxious eyes smudged with shadows.

  “We have a big problem,” Princess Galena said, as soon as Braeden was settled in his chair, his plate heaped with food.

  “Bad news from Terragand.” Gwynneth picked apart a crust of bread over her plate.

  Braeden put down his fork. “How bad?”

  “King Lennart has made a mess of things,” Princess Galena said. “After Kendryk’s death, he rather hastily put his cousin, Balduin Bernotas in charge.”

  Gwynneth shook her head. “Balduin is the one I threw in the dungeon years ago; Duke Evard’s son. He’s stupid and stubborn, and should have stayed there. He’s declared himself an adherent of the old faith, turned on Edric Maximus, and rallied a number of the nobility to his side.”

  Braeden’s mouth went dry. “If he’s harmed Edric, I’ll—”

  “He hasn’t,” Gwynneth said. “Yet. But he’s besieged Heidenhof with a considerable force. Lennart left the city well garrisoned with Estenorian troops, but I doubt they’ll be able to hold out long without help.”

  Braeden suddenly lost his appetite. “We need to go there now.”

  “With what army?” Gwynneth’s tone was sharp. “I have no idea what’s happened to the soldiers Prince Dristan lent me. And Princess Galena already sent most of her militia to join Lennart down south.”

  “I can raise a thousand, maybe two,” Galena said, looking subdued. “But I doubt it will be enough.”

  Braeden wanted to swear, but remembering the refined company, bit his tongue instead.
He swallowed down a little blood, then said, “Might be Colonel Destler will still show up with most of the troops. He knows to come here if things went wrong.” While planning the attack on Teodora, Braeden had told everyone to make for Oltena if things didn’t turn out as planned. He hoped Trisa would be among those who made it and that they’d arrive within the day.

  “We can’t count on that.” Gwynneth shoved away her crumb-filled plate. “I’ll write to Lennart at once. I’m sure he has his hands full with Mattila down south, but perhaps he can send help anyway.”

  “Mattila’s fighting him?” Braeden was finding it difficult to keep track of events.

  Princess Galena nodded. “It seems she and Teodora came to an agreement before Teodora left for Isenwald. I haven’t heard that Mattila has engaged Lennart, however. It might be she’ll wait until spring to strike.”

  “This is bad,” Braeden said, stating the obvious. “And Teodora has all of Isenwald’s forces at her disposal too.” He hoped Elektra would find a way to undermine her mother, but he knew better than to count on that. And that reminded him. “I swore to the archduchess I’d rescue her.”

  “I’m afraid that’ll have to wait.” Gwynneth frowned. “I feel terrible for her, but we cannot risk Edric Maximus.”

  “And the queen,” Braeden said, remembering. “Lennart left Queen Raysa and the baby princess in Heidenhof.”

  “Oh gods.” Gwynneth turned even paler. “Lennart must be told.” She stood. “I’ll get started on a letter. Can you send for a messenger?” She turned to Princess Galena.

  “Of course. Now go. Count Terris and I will discuss the situation further.”

  After Gwynneth had hurried from the room, Braeden felt awkward. “Before we talk about anything else,” he said in a rush, “I must thank you for sending the rescue party.”

  Princess Galena nearly smiled. “It was the least I could do. I couldn’t believe you’d ever harm my nephew, and knew both he and King Lennart valued you. And though there was no debt, you paid it anyway, bringing Gwynneth and the children here safely.”

  “It was a near thing,” Braeden said. “And that was because I made a big mistake, going along with her plan to kill Princess Viviane.”

  Galena shook her head. “That was ill-advised, even for Gwynneth. But at least she and the heir to Terragand are safe for the moment. I still pray that Maryna will be found, but we cannot wait for her. We must find a way to defeat Balduin Bernotas, save Edric and the queen, and put Devyn in his rightful place as ruler of Terragand.”

  “I agree.” Braeden took a sip of the coffee grown cold. “I just can’t think of how to do it.”

  Elektra

  “Since you did so well, I decided you could have your own room.” Teodora sounded like she was rewarding an obedient child.

  Elektra smiled. “Thank you, Mother.” She wondered what the catch was, and vowed to always keep her guard up. She’d be glad to be out of the cubby-hole adjoining her mother’s suite, but doubted she’d have much freedom. She’d enjoy the privacy, though.

  They’d returned to Princess Viviane’s palace after Elektra’s adventure with the peasant rebellion, seemingly already over. Teodora whispered to a footman, who nodded, then turned to Elektra saying, “This way, Your Grace.”

  Elektra followed him down the corridor, through Princess Viviane’s private quarters and into the next wing. These were the guest chambers, which Elektra already knew.

  “I’ll send someone with your things,” the footman said before taking his leave.

  The door shut behind him, leaving Elektra alone.

  She dropped into a chair in front of the cold fireplace and breathed in deeply. She’d survived this mission, and for once, played an important part in doing so. But now she was back in her mother’s clutches. And something was very wrong here. When Elektra pretended to escape the palace, Teodora looked like an eighty-year-old. Now she didn’t appear to be a day over thirty, aside from gray hair darkening by the moment. Something had happened, something unnatural.

  Elektra shivered. She’d heard the rumors surrounding Daciana Tomescu, and knowing what she did about that foul creature, half-believed them. But while Daciana was certainly dead, it looked as though her mother had taken on her more unsettling traits. Something had turned her mother vital, whole, and more powerful than before. Elektra would have to be more careful than ever.

  She leaned back in the chair, taking in a deep shuddering breath, refusing to cry. Freedom had been within her grasp. She might have been in one of those sledges darting away from the scene of the battle bearing Princess Gwynneth and Elektra’s friends, Devyn and Stella. Even though Teodora seemed certain she’d catch them, Elektra prayed for their escape. If it hadn’t been for Braeden, she’d be with them now, on her way to a new life as Lennart’s full-fledged ally.

  After saving Braeden’s life, Elektra was sure she would have been rewarded with trust and responsibilities. But all that no longer mattered. It would never happen. She might have the freedom of the palace, but her mother would watch her carefully, Elektra knew that. Trying to escape now, with Teodora in charge of the kingdom, would be foolish and reckless.

  Braeden said he’d come get her; had sworn it. Elektra drew in another breath and blinked back tears creeping to the corners of her eyes. She was done crying.

  She got up from her chair, where she’d grown cold and walked to the window. Though snow still covered the ground, longer days meant a weak late afternoon sun flooded the garden with pale light. Spring would be here soon.

  Elektra clenched her jaw. Braeden had ruined her life yet again. After helping to rescue him, then saving his life, he still betrayed her. It was obvious he cared far more about Devyn and Princess Gwynneth than he did about her. She didn’t fault him for that, but she needed to stop deluding herself. No one cared about her. At least not enough to sacrifice anything of value for her.

  The door opened behind Elektra. She turned and saw servants bearing her things.

  “Put them down and leave,” she said.

  She must have sounded like her mother, because the two of them dumped everything on the bed and left in a hurry, closing the door with a slam.

  Elektra shivered, wishing she’d asked one of them to stay and build a fire. Still, she needed to be alone right now and think. She was on her own and had to accept that no one cared about her for herself. They only cared about her position as Teodora’s heir, or as Lennart’s ally. Elektra needed to stop hoping for love, for friendship, and decide what she wanted. Then she needed to take it.

  She pushed open the window and leaned out, letting the icy wind caress her face. Her mother thought her weak. Let her. From now on, Elektra would take advantage of that.

  She no longer cared if Braeden would come; in fact, she wished he wouldn’t. She didn’t trust him, and frankly, didn’t trust Princess Gwynneth either. Devyn was nice enough, but only a boy, with no real power. The same was true for all of the people Elektra might count as friends.

  Her sister Zofya she hadn’t seen in years, and while she was Queen of Galladium, Elektra doubted she got much say in anything as long as Natalya Maxima remained in charge. She thought of Aksel Roussay with a pang, but dismissed him as yet another nice person powerless to help her achieve her goals. Queen Raysa was no different.

  Livilla. Elektra closed the window, pressing her forehead against the cold glass. Livilla was the one person with real power who Elektra also considered a friend. Possibly. Ever since her captivity in her mother’s palace in Atlona, Elektra had wondered if she could trust Livilla. Maybe not. But perhaps she could use her. Use her the same way her mother had when she destroyed the old emperor.

  Elektra turned away from the window to face the darkened room. No more wishing for what couldn’t be, hoping for the support and love of others. She needed to take matters into her own hands.

  Elektra reached for the bell.

  When the footman appeared, she said, “Take me to the empress.”

  Anto
n

  With the muddy mountain roads so slippery, Anton wished for snow. He’d hoped now that spring was near they might make better time, but the mules had to pick their way just as they had on snow and ice.

  “It’s all right.” Maryna rode at his side, like she always did. “I don’t mind going slowly.”

  “I mind.” Anton tried not to show his impatience. As the official bodyguard of the Princess of Terragand he expected more dignified behavior from himself. “I must get you home, or at least to Lennart as soon as possible. Who knows what’s happened while we've been gone?”

  He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he worried that Lennart had already marched over the pass. Surely it was clear by now? He might well already be at the gates of Atlona. Anton would hate to miss a chance at fighting Teodora.

  If Lennart had reached Atlona, they should have headed back to the sea, finding a ship to take them to Capo. But if Lennart remained in Kronland, Anton didn’t want to risk taking Maryna straight into Teodora’s clutches. Not after all he’d gone through to rescue her.

  He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, since he didn’t want her to catch him staring. She was so pretty. Anton reckoned he would have fallen in love with her if she’d been a regular girl. But she wasn’t and he couldn’t. He spent at least half the day telling himself that, and when he forgot, Karil reminded him.

  “I don’t know, Captain,” Karil would say when they were alone in the tent they shared. “You looked especially love-struck today. You need to stop that.”

  “Don’t make fun.” Anton rolled himself up in his blankets and turned his head away, since he didn’t like looking Karil in the eye when they discussed this topic.

  “Not making fun,” Karil said as he settled into his bedroll. “Just telling the truth. You are in so much trouble.”

  I am not, Anton told himself, though he thought only of Maryna’s face as he fell asleep. She always looked at Anton so attentively when he spoke, maybe even adoringly. A lot of girls liked him; why shouldn’t she? He had to admit, it would be very satisfying to have the Princess of Terragand fall in love with him. That was the kind of thing poets wrote songs about. Not that it would do any good. He squeezed his eyes shut.