Immortal Sacrifice, page 5
“Cassian,” she said, “Gather the Magai army on the shore. Then, take to the skies. Looks like we are going to have us a bonfire—and don’t hog all the kills.” She spun around and stalked into her cabin.
Zamara shielded her eyes with her hand. Cassian was an exceptionally large man before he shifted but, in his dragon form, she was always rendered breathless at the sheer power and size of him. He was beautiful.
“Zamara?” Nevrine spiked an ornately carved ivory staff with a large crystal attached to the top into the sand.
Zamara held her hand up to silence him as she watched Cassian leisurely circle the ships careening into the inlet.
Once.
Cassian wasn’t lighting them up. When he passed, Zamara noticed what appeared to be fog rolling off the ships.
Twice.
Cassian turned back to shore. The vessels should be slowing by now if they didn’t want to beach themselves.
“Something is wrong.” Nevrine said.
Cassian was descending rapidly.
Sand sprayed as Cassian shot into the beach and shifted back. His scale cuffs let him keep his armor and weapons. He stalked over to Zamara. She studied him with a raised brow, arms crossed.
“The ships are empty.” He crowded her space, forcing her to look up.
“What do you mean the ships are empty?” Zamara frowned, “That is impossible. I have a boom-chain and spikes set along the entire inlet. The odds of one ghost ship steering its way through are slim to none but three of them?”
She ran a hand over her face and squinted at the now beached fleet. “They are not empty.”
Zamara turned and placed a gentle hand on Nevrine’s upper arm. “Hold the shore.”
Then she turned to Cassian and drew her Khanna’s. “Let’s go look around.”
The soles of Zamara’s feet exploded with pins and needles as Cassian dropped her onto the deck like a sack of rock dust. She landed in a crouch, Khanna’s in hand, ready to slice through pirates. Pain lanced up her legs. She clenched her jaw and kept her eyes trained in front of her. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her discomfort. She drew power from her amulet. Her splintered shins knit back together. Cassian is acting like a child. He dropped me from that high on purpose. What is his problem?
She squinted across the empty deck and sheathed her daggers. Zamara stalked off in the direction of the captain’s quarters. Cassian followed, nipping at her heels.
Zamara spun and snarled. “Do not follow me.”
Without waiting for a response, she whirled around and stomped off.
He followed her as far as the cabin door, took a quick look inside, and wisely found somewhere else to be.
The door creaked behind her, hanging askew on one of its hinges after Zamara ripped it open. She rummaged through a stack of captain’s logs at a desk in the far corner of the room. Useless. The last entry dates back two months ago, by a Captain Farrell, when his ship docked in the Western Isles after an ‘exploration trip’ from… Zamara ran her finger over the entry, “MGT?” Where and what is MGT?
She continued to read. It took two moon cycles for the trip? They must have gone to the edge of the civilization, farther, past the wall and into wild territory. Magai Territory. MGT.
Zamara’s heart stopped. No, it can’t be. MGT must stand for something else. Cassian and Nevrine told me the Magai south of the wall were all killed in battle. So, what reason would the Western Isles have for sailing so far? There is nothing beyond the wall but ruins.
Frustration welled in her chest. She slammed the book closed and scrubbed a hand over her face.
There is no way three ships drifted across the sea and arrived in my inlet without a crew. Where is the crew? Scandronn says the Western Islanders keep slaves. They might have secret compartments in their ships to smuggle them. Could soldiers hide in those compartments? I hope so. I am really in the mood to stab someone. This is all very anticlimactic.
Zamara rolled her neck from side to side. If I were smuggling slaves, where would I put—
“—The other ships are empty.” Cassian stalked through the room and stood next to her.
“Cassian!” Zamara’s hand flew to her heart. “A little warning next time?”
He frowned, “You should have been more vigilant. Have you forgotten where we are? I swear I can’t leave you alone for longer than fifteen minutes without you finding trouble.”
“Are you going blind?” Zamara raised her eyebrows and pointedly looked around. “What trouble?”
“Did you search the rest of the ship before burying your nose in those books?”
Zamara glared, “You know I didn’t.”
Cassian crowded her personal space. “What if I were an enemy?”
Zamara rolled her eyes. “Stop being such a drama queen.”
She splayed her hand on his breastplate and tried to push him out of the way.
He snaked his hand around her forearm and brought his face to hers. “Why was Red on your ship? What happened with you two last night?”
“Is that why you have been an ass all day?” Zamara fisted her hand and narrowed her eyes. “You have no right, Cassian. You had your chance. You had multiple chances. You rejected—”
Cassian wrapped his arms around her and crushed her to him, claiming her lips with the fervor of a parched man seeking water in the desert. She melted in his embrace, utterly powerless when it came to him.
He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. “You are my sun, the only source of light in my life. My entire being revolves around you. It has since I first laid eyes on you. I never rejected you, Zamara. I have loved you since the beginning. You do not know how hard this is for me. You think I want to stay away? I want to take you in my arms and make love to you until we are both ashes in the wind.” He brushed the pad of his thumb across her cheekbone and cradled her head.
Zamara closed her eyes, relishing the rough caress of his skin.
“Then do it.” She leaned into him.
“It’s just—when we are together—in this way,” He caressed the faint scar on her neck. “I cannot think straight. You drive me mad. I lose sight of everything around us and I will not—” He closed his eyes and swallowed before opening them again, “I will not put you in danger because my head is always in your bed and under your sheets like a love-sick fool.”
“Damn your vigilance to the Never, Cassian.”
He took a deep breath and straightened himself. “I made you a vow, not one of love but of protection, that is my duty, to protect you. Even if the cost is my happiness. My life is yours. My sword is yours. I am bound to you. Until the day I die, I will be here for you. But it’s best for you and your well-being that we are not involved romantically.”
Zamara pursed her lips and stepped away. “What about my happiness, Cassian? You are willing to give up yours over a mistake that happened half a century ago, that I have forgiven you for over and over. Yet, you still feel the need to punish yourself. Why? It hurts me too, you know. What if my happiness is with you? I have my own sword. I have my own life. I have my own kingdom. It means nothing. I have no one to share it with.” She looked at the ground and shook her head. “I would rather have someone’s heart and take my chances. I would rather have love than a protector who can use a sword. I need someone who is not afraid to hold my hand in public. Someone that will stare into the flames and love me anyway. You need to stop doing this. I can’t take it. If you will not be with me in the way that I desire, the way that I need, then you need to get out of the way so I can try to find happiness elsewhere. Even if it is with Red. That is no longer any of your business. If you want to be a guard, then be a guard but, do it from a distance.”
“Be careful what you wish for.” Cassian quirked a smile and studied the planks at their feet.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zamara rested her hands on her hips. Her heart tripped over itself. Does he plan on leaving? She couldn’t bear it.
“It means…” He rubbed the back of his neck and growled, “never mind.”
She snorted. “You piss me off.”
Zamara threw a shield of fire around herself and stomped out to the deck. She stopped at the railing and peered into the water, gauging the depth. It’s deep enough.
“Zamara,” Cassian stood behind her, “Let me fly you back to shore.”
“So you can drop me again?” She barked a laugh and turned to him. “No thanks. I’ll take my chances with the sharks.”
Cassian winced. “Zamara—”
She leapt overboard, swan diving into the inlet. Water rushed her face as she plunged into the water and began her daunting swim back to shore.
Maybe the plan wasn’t such a great idea, after all. The water was freezing this far north. It felt like a thousand pins stabbing her bare skin.
Cassian flew overhead, pissing her off. He was waiting for her to concede so he could swoop in and fly her back. All she had to do was stop and whistle.
She clenched her shivering jaw and continued on. She would be damned if she gave in and let him have the satisfaction.
Her muscles ached and her limbs were numb by the time she was able to stand and walk.
She crawled out of the water like a drowned swamp rat. Zamara anticipated torturing information from the prince. Rose, Cassian, Nevrine, and Red huddled on the shore. The Magai stood like statues along the beach.
Zamara slogged over to her council and bared her teeth. “Tell me the reason the prince is not with you is that you have him chained in the dungeon.”
Red stared at the sand. Cassian shook his head. Zamara’s stomach clenched. She looked at Rose.
Rose absent mindedly reached for a stone that wasn’t there.
Zamara’s eyes widened and she barked. “Where is your amulet?”
Rose flinched. Her eyes glossed with unshed tears. Her face was red. “The last I saw him was outside the dining hall. He said he was going up to his room to pack his things. It wasn’t until he was gone that I realized so was my amulet.”
“What!” Zamara screamed and curled her hands into fists.
“I talked to the guards in charge of the guest chambers,” Red said, “and the two you had guarding him—and the two I had guarding him—and the servant girls who were working for Nevrine. Ander never returned to his rooms. Scandronn organized a search party, but so far, they have had no luck. It’s like he disappeared into thin air.”
Along with the ghost ship’s crew, it would seem. Damnit!
Zamara kicked a clump of dirt. It sprayed into the air and blew back in her face. Sand showered her eyes and flooded her mouth. Tiny granules glued themselves to the front of Zamara’s wet clothes. She spat. Her eyes watered. She blinked away the grit.
Cassian stood with his back to her, hands on his hips, pretending to gaze at the clouds. Rose’s eyes welled with tears. Nevrine was stone faced. Red had his hands in his pockets, studying the ground.
Zamara brushed the front of her clothes off. “This pirate is loose within our walls! Three of the Western Isles ships float in our inlet!”
She looked at Rose. “You were possessed. They stole your amulet!”
She pointed at Red. “Your power isn’t working right.”
“This—” She shook her head, reigned her anger in, and said to Cassian, “—it’s a big deal. Too many things are going on for it all to be coincidence. I think—I think the Western Isles are making another move against us. What are we going to do?”
“Well,” Nevrine said, “there is nothing else to be gleaned from the beach. Zamara, why don’t you and Rose accompany me to my workshop? We can search for answers there while the others search for Ander. And I can create a protection charm for her, at least.”
“… and miss out on the hunt?” Zamara grinned at Nevrine. “Not a chance. First one to find him gets to designate scullery duty to one of the council members for a week.” She took off running.
Cassian tackled her into the sand once they were out of earshot and growled in her ear. “I realize you want to hunt, but if you go, Rose is going to want to go too. She is safer in Mage Tower. Go with her. Find some answers. Let me handle Ander. If we find him, I will come get you straight away.”
“Get off me, oaf!” Zamara grunted under his weight.
Cassian popped up and hauled Zamara to her feet. “Okay?”
“Fine.” Zamara ground her teeth. It’s so irritating when his rationality makes sense. She brushed herself off. She could use some library time to search for answers anyway. “Have some people sail the ghost ships to the docks in Magland and send someone to keep guard. There is a good chance Ander might be an ass and try to go home with his ship. Looks like the Western Isles just gifted us some shiny new vessels, how thoughtful.”
Sleep was a fickle wench that night. The silk of her sleep dress clung to her crawling and over-sensitive skin. Beads of sweat pooled on her forehead. She punched her pillow to fluff it and flopped on her other side, staring at the wooden wall.
I can’t believe this. Ander Pestos and the damn Pirate King have outmaneuvered me. Worse, I allowed it to happen. I should have seen this coming. I should have ordered the prince to be locked up the second I learned who he was. I allowed myself to weaken. He blinded me with his piercing eyes and his pretty words—and now everyone knows about it. The Mad Queen, groping the enemy behind the tavern in Magland like some bitch in heat. How can I face my people after that? Her stomach churned.
Levi and Dante had to open their big mouths. They were sitting right next to Rose and I in the tavern. I know it was them. Embarrassing. Half my council is pissed at me. Nevrine probably thinks I am a worthless excuse for a Magai. And he would be right. I bet father is watching me from Asendia with his disapproving stare, shaking his head.
She rolled onto her other side and sighed.
‘You were meant to be so great…’ Rose’s possessed voice echoed through Zamara’s head. ‘…You are weak, and you have dug yourself into such a hole, I don’t think you will be able to crawl back out. You can’t even take care of yourself, let alone your people. It is time you step down. Relinquish your crown to someone worthy…’
Zamara flung the sheet off and stomped to her hand carved mini bar in the corner of her cabin.
She rifled through a bottom cabinet, searching for her new sleep tonic. The rigid wood beneath her dug into her knees. Glass clanked as she slid bottles of wine and shine out of the way. She reached into the cupboard, grabbed one, stood, and unscrewed the lid.
Bottom’s up. She brought the green liquid to her lips and chugged. It was bitter and gritty, like dirt. Nevrine made it out of ground up leaves and only the gods knew what else. She didn’t care what was in it. She would be taking a trip to sleep city within minutes.
A soft thump outside her cabin door pricked her ears. She froze, straining to hear. Her heart picked up speed.
…It isn’t loud enough to be Cassian…
Probably just a stray cat waiting for me to pass out with food in my hand.
…what if it isn’t…
Should I have listened and slept at the tower tonight?
Zamara screwed the cap onto the empty jar and set it down next to a pencil drawing of her, Rose, and their father when they were teenagers.
Was she hallucinating? I really need to get some rest.
Thump, closer this time.
She spun around and grabbed her Khanna’s. No time to dress, she kicked the door to her cabin open and stomped outside in her nightgown. The worn boards of the deck were warm beneath her bare feet.
Thick fog curled itself around her body. She could hardly see the daggers in her hand. Calculated, heavy bootsteps stalked towards her. The skin on the back of her neck prickled as a bead of sweat trickled down her spine. She shuddered. There was a chill to the air despite the warm night. Something was not right.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Definitely footsteps.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Zamara flared her nostrils and inhaled deeply. The air she breathed was laced with energy. A pleasant undertone of mint and saltwater tickled her nose. Something warm bloomed in her stomach. A hot wave of excitement surged through her veins and her arms grew heavy. The feeling, though not unpleasant, gave her pause. Was it the sleep tonic or the fog muddling her brain?
A cool breath whispered across her cheek. The disembodied reverberation of male laughter drifted from somewhere nearby, penetrating her bones. The fog dissipated slightly. She couldn’t place where the laughter was coming from. It was near but far, here, then not, like the fog itself was laughing at her. He was playing with her.
Fool.
Zamara drew power from her amulet and sent it into her Khannas. Liquid flames coursed up her blades and undulated in the mist, creating a green, dreamlike haze. The fog retreated as if it was afraid of being burned.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Louder this time.
Zamara’s heart slammed against her chest as she flashed her canines. “Show yourself, coward.” Her voice was gravelly, like the Tavern maids, sultry and raw from too much shine and cloves.
Velvet laughter caressed her weary bones. “Now, that is no way to speak to your intended.”
His voice was a familiar echo that punched her in the gut. Her spine snapped rigid. A black form materialized through the mist.
The man’s shadow was tall and lean-muscled. His ebony hair stuck up in different directions, elegant chaos. He studied the planks at his feet.
“I must admit, at first, the proposal was just meant to throw you off…” He lazily strolled across the deck, searching the boards for something, as the fog around them cleared away. “But, after it all went down, it piqued my curiosity. I am going to kill your pet now, by the way.” He rubbed a hand down his face where a grotesque burn should be. His face was as perfect as ever.
“I had to suffer in agony all night and morning until I could heal myself without being suspicious. I expected that from him. It’s why I decided not to let my brother do this. You, however—are supposed to be a spoiled, sheltered, princess. Imagine my delight when I learned of your savagery!”
