Etania's Calling, page 22
“That I can agree with, Love.”
Bayanna gawked at him, and he put up his hands.
“I’m serious,” Cam continued. “I know that I’ve evaded taxes, but I’m not so greedy that I don’t know when to leave something beautiful alone.”
“Is that so?” Bayanna said.
Cam leaned in, his face only a few inches from hers. “But you are not a thing, are you?”
“All of this makes me hungry.” Bayanna blushed and stepped back. “Let me see if there’s something to eat below deck.”
She quickly strode away, down into the cabin. Leaning against the table where they ate, she breathed hard, her heartbeat ringing in her ears. That was close. Too close! He’d been about to kiss her—and she? Well, she probably would have let him.
For once in her life, she prayed. Melchizedek, what am I supposed to do? No immediate answer came, but Bayanna was unsurprised. She was not Marked, and only possessed a general understanding that Melchizedek might be out there, picking special people like Etania and Keyel. She wasn’t special enough for his notice.
Grabbing a flatbread and some cheese from the cupboards, Bayanna pushed that depressing thought away and went topside again.
Chapter Twenty
Jazel was finally back to full strength after a few days. Even though Tom Six wore on her nerves, he had recruited ten other Toms to his cause. Each one had a large wildcat and chariots, which pulled them along the uneven ground at great speed. Jazel would easily make up for lost time, and the chariots would make great additions to her cause.
“With these, you almost have an army,” Narak mused.
“But I don’t want an army,” a part of Jazel said.
“You want vengeance, don’t you?” Narak replied. “You will need these men to make sure it comes to pass.”
Jazel wasn’t so certain, but she trusted Narak. They had been partners all this time. His power enabled her to get close to her goal and the only reason they hadn’t succeeded yet was because her enemy continued to find better weapons.
“Are these Toms all you could find?” Jazel asked Tom Six.
“All that I could get in a hurry, my lady,” Tom Six said. “These are the ones who most desire freedom from the Lycan’s ways.”
“Excellent!” Jazel smirked. “You have done very well, Tom Six.”
“I’ll do anything to serve you, my lady,” he replied, bowing.
“Anything?” Jazel cooed, leaning forward and lifting his chin. Tom Six blushed and nodded, not meeting her gaze. Jazel grinned.
“Tell the others to ready their chariots,” she commanded. Tom Six obeyed, leaving her.
“One moment, Jazel,” Narak said. “We have a message from Damien that I think will affect your journey.”
Jazel rolled her eyes and snorted before lifting the gauntlet to receive Damien’s message. The Skazic’s shadowy visage appeared.
“My lady,” he said, “news of Zaden’s arrival with Etania and Keyel has reached my ears.”
“Has Zaden contacted you about their location?” Jazel asked.
“No. He hasn’t, but that may be because of the wedding.”
“Wedding? What wedding?”
“Princess Gwen and Prince Xavier are to be wed in a few days,” Damien said.
“That means their child will be ruler of both countries!” Narak cried. “This isn’t good.”
“Why not?” Jazel questioned.
“Because we will have more opposition if they have a united army. We need to put a stop to this.”
What does it matter if they have more power than us? Jazel wondered. Narak’s schemes tested Jazel’s trust in him. Does he want something more than what I want? She tried to block her thoughts from Narak. Even though she was worried, she knew that power-hungry men eventually reveal their plans. She would play along for now, waiting, until he told her what he really wanted.
“Okay,” Jazel replied. “What should I do?”
“Tell the Lycan boy to deliver the news of this marriage to their Queen,” Narak supplied. “That should incite her to at least investigate. Then, we will ensure that this marriage is... disrupted.”
“Alright.”
“My lady?” Damien questioned, bringing her out of her inner monologue.
“Thank you, Damien,” Jazel said. “Go to Zaden’s house. It is near to the mansion, and you should be able to discover if the prince is still loyal to us.”
“I would like to, my lady, but Jakin tried to escape recently, and...”
“I have him under my control,” Narak hissed. Damien’s expression told Jazel he’d also heard the voice.
“If that’s the case,” she added, “I see no reason you should delay going to Zaden’s house.”
“Yes, my lady,” Damien said.
“And Damien,” Narak cut in, “Be ready to hear from me with our plans.”
Damien nodded once and cut off the communique. Tom Six returned, panting.
“Ah, just the Tom I wanted to see,” Jazel said. “I have a special mission for you.”
JAKIN FELT FRIGID, like icicles had wrapped around his skin. He’d felt like this ever since his attempt to steal Damien’s sword. He tried to get warmer by drawing close to the fire, but it had no effect. As a Pyros, Jakin hated the cold. He much preferred a desert climate, and just thinking about the warmth of the sun made him want to cry.
The only good thing about feeling so cold was that the coughing had stopped. Narak’s chilling powers kept Jakin from using his own Neuma or even moving beyond what was necessary. Even though Jakin couldn’t control his body, he was relieved to know that—try as Narak might—the demon couldn’t touch his mind, heart, or soul.
Thank you, Melchizedek, Jakin prayed. It was the only thing he could thank him for at the moment, and his Mark glowed in response. Melchizedek, I once again ask: why have you allowed this to happen? I don’t care about my own life—I would like to see Tala again. At the thought of Tala, his throat tightened and tears sprang to his eyes unwillingly. But my daughter will be killed if I am used as bait. Surely, you do not want that...do you?
I know the plans I have for you, Melchizedek responded. You must trust that they are for your ultimate good and my glory.
It is so hard to trust when I have lost Tala. Jakin admitted this to his Maker for the first time. I am anxious that I will lose Etania, too. You have permitted one death, why not another? That thought fills me with grief.
I hold all lives in my hand, Melchizedek said. I can give and I can take away.
Oh, Lord! Jakin felt more tears stream down his face. Please do not take my daughter away.
If I do, will you still follow me? Melchizedek questioned.
Jakin clutched his chest and wept. He recalled how he had first met Melchizedek when he was a lost soldier, hardened by battle.
Follow me, Melchizedek had said, and I will make you a different kind of warrior.
Jakin hadn’t known what it meant, then. Melchizedek had shown him he wanted a spiritual warrior, not one that fought physical battles. Yet, Jakin couldn’t fully accept that message. He spent years spreading word of Melchizedek and teaching others of His ways, but he also spent years hunting down Skazic, trying to gain vengeance for past hurts.
How wrong he’d been! Etania had helped him see that. Now, Melchizedek was asking if he would surrender his daughter’s life into His hands? He didn’t know if he could do it but, even in his struggle, he whispered the words.
“Yes, Melchizedek. I trust in you.”
ZADEN, KEYEL, AND ETANIA sat around a table in one of Gotha’s inns. The prince knew where the crumbling ruins of Jazel’s former home were located. However, he didn’t want to go there until he sent a message to Jazel. So, he made a proposal.
“Jazel is camped in the ruins of her former home,” Zaden said. “They are near my house, so I think it would be best if we use it as a base to scout Jazel’s hideout.”
“For once, I agree with the prince,” Keyel grumbled. “I don’t want to just attack without making a plan.”
“The longer we delay, the more time Jazel has to build her power!” Etania complained. “I say we travel there immediately.”
“My lady,” Zaden said, “as much as I adore your fiery passion, you realize it will be dark when we reach it? My house and this mansion are at least half a day’s ride from Gotha.”
Etania snorted and tossed her head.
“Etania doesn’t know distances,” Keyel explained. “Maps aren’t her speciality.”
The Vexli glared at her suitor for a moment before slumping in her chair.
“Fine, we can ride to your house after lunch.” Etania crossed her arms in mock protest. “Are there rooms at your house for us to stay in?”
“Absolutely,” Zaden said. “My mansion is several stories and there are many guest rooms. Brina and Benjamin are sure to take good care of us.”
“Perfect.” Etania picked up her plate, which was empty. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to go.”
Zaden hadn’t finished eating, but he quickly stuffed himself after seeing Keyel finish. They paid the innkeeper and walked to the stable. His father had given them three horses once he discovered Zaden needed to leave. The animals, of course, were on loan: only given with the express condition that he returned for the wedding as soon as possible.
Soon, the trio was on horseback, riding out of the gates of Gotha and into the desert landscape. Zaden felt all too grateful to be rid of the shackles of his past. He rode without looking back once at the sandstone walls. Despite his relief about escaping from Gwen, he still felt a twinge of guilt about the fact that she would marry Xavier. If she still loved him, it would be hard to love his brother.
Why am I thinking this way? Zaden wondered. Gwen’s cool reception, and even colder conversations with him, revealed she was already over him. Why do I feel guilty? His brother, albeit prideful and power-hungry, acted lovingly toward any woman he courted. Gwen would thus be well taken care of, with servants and a doting husband. Still, he felt empathy for the Equus princess.
Shaking his head, Zaden tried to concentrate on problems he could control—like breaking Keyel and Etania’s relationship. He needed to find one more trigger to make them fight again and doubt their love for each other.
Wracking his brain for how, Zaden ran through different scenarios to accomplish this until he observed his mansion ahead of them. Somehow, just seeing the familiar sandstone home brought him peace. Zaden could relax and unwind. Maybe that would give him the plan he needed. Urging his horse, he trotted forward, leaving the others behind. He pulled to a stop when he reached the mansion. Benjamin rushed out to greet him, panting.
“Your highness, I’m so grateful to see you!”
“What is it, Benjamin?”
“A ‘Damien’ is here to speak with you, sire. He says it’s urgent.”
Zaden’s heart began racing.
“Where is he?”
“He is in your library, sire,” Benjamin replied.
“Alright. I will go see him, but you must not tell the others. Keep them entertained until I come back.”
Benjamin agreed and Zaden raced inside, thinking to himself, Thank goodness I trotted my horse ahead! He headed to the back of his house, a library, and entered the medium-sized room. Shutting the door, he pulled the curtains to block out the setting sun and lit a small candle.
“What was that for?” Damien demanded.
“Lower your voice!” Zaden hissed. “Etania and Keyel are in the other room.”
Damien swore under his breath.
“Then you have taken their side!” he snarled. “You’re protecting them!”
“I would have a right to, after you stabbed me!” Zaden retorted. “But, I’m not. I’m trying not to blow my cover.”
“What’s the point? I’m here, and with your manservant, we can easily overpower them.”
“I’m not as skilled as you assume,” Zaden whispered. “Besides, I’m not done playing the game.”
“Game? What game?”
“I don’t have enough time to explain, but it’s part of my deal with Jazel. So, you can’t interrupt.”
Damien made some incomprehensible noises and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Jazel and I have Jakin. We only need Etania, who you are supposed to bring to us.”
Zaden clenched his fist over his chest. They already have the Lehrling? How? He wondered.
“I’ll bring you Etania on my own time!” he spat back.
“Fine. When should I expect you to turn over the Vexli?”
“Sometime tomorrow... depending on when I can separate her from Keyel.”
Damien groaned. “If you’re not there by sunset with the girl, I will come and seize her myself—with my dragons!”
“You have dragons?” Zaden was stunned.
“I used to be a Soacronis,” Damien snapped, “or have you forgotten? I can burn this place down if need be.”
“Not with Etania inside!” Zaden protested.
“Whatever, pretty boy. My point is that you need to deliver her to me tomorrow or there will be consequences.”
“Fine!”
Damien nodded once and turned to leave.
“Let me make sure the way is clear for you,” Zaden said.
He didn’t wait for a reply, but peeked into the hallway, looking both ways. It was empty, but he could hear Etania and Keyel’s feet creaking on the stairs that led to the second-floor guest rooms.
“Perfect, you can—” Zaden stopped mid-sentence when he turned around and saw that Damien had disappeared. The curtains fluttered from an evening breeze. He shut the window after Damien and smoothed his hair. That idiot! What am I going to do now? He tried thinking of some way to get the Vexli and her suitor apart. I thought Jazel would give me more time.
It wasn’t Jazel pressuring him, though. It was Damien. Did that mean Jazel wasn’t with him? If not, where could she be? He didn’t trust either of them, especially Damien, as the man had nearly killed him. But they both had expanded his father’s territory and given him a game, as promised. Zaden begrudgingly agreed to Damien’s plan. It didn’t ultimately matter to him if Jazel was there, or if she had Jakin. All that counted was the game.
A shiver of delight ran through him at the prospect of finally succeeding. Would this thrill keep him satisfied? He hoped so. It would be one of his greatest deceptions yet.
If I can pull it off, Zaden mused. Tomorrow morning, they would go off scouting. Keyel seemed unwilling to engage in battle until Cam and Bayanna returned. Etania appeared eager to start a fight. He could use that.
Grinning from ear to ear, Zaden strode out of the library, heading to the living area, where his unsuspecting guests waited.
JAZEL CLUNG TO TOM Six’s waist as the chariots moved forward. The wildcats pulled them across the forest lands at an amazing speed. Nine other Lycan men accompanied them, but Jazel rode with Tom Six. The man might enjoy her attention, but Jazel only gripped him for stability. She had never ridden in a chariot before—certainly not one pulled by a wildcat, either. This method of transportation, though, would have her at the ruins within four days.
The ride was surprisingly smooth. Jazel enjoyed feeling the wind whip against her cheeks. The landscape passed by in a green blur, and Jazel laughed, allowing the thrill of the ride to run through her. This was even better than riding a dragon. Indira, if only you could see this, Jazel thought to herself. An ache filled her.
She missed her daughter. Indira’s little smile. Her crystal-blue eyes and the thin strands of blonde hair. Indira was probably crawling with the assistance of her nursemaid. Jazel was missing those moments, and it pained her.
No, don’t think about that, Jazel reminded herself. Think of your mother instead. Jazel’s mother, Lilith, had been a tall, proud, beautiful woman. She’d taught Jazel that she could be powerful even without Neuma. Yet, when Jazel saw her last, her mother was not the woman she remembered. Disheveled, thin, and waiting for her day of execution, Lilith had begged her to avenge her death.
I will, Momma. I will, Jazel thought. Jakin hadn’t been the one to perform the deed of execution, but he had pressured King Victor to do it. Jakin was the reason that her mother had died. True, his wife, Tala, was already dead, so one part of her vengeance had played out. She longed to see the Lehrling suffering. She would kill Etania slowly, watching her bleed out in front of Jakin, who would be as helpless as she was on the day her mother died.
I’m not helpless anymore. Am I, Mother? Jazel smiled in triumph at the thought. She had two dragons, Damien, and ten Lycan men on her side, plus she had Narak. So much power lay within her grasp. Maybe it is a good thing I have an army, she realized.
“I told you,” Narak said.
“Were you listening to my thoughts?”
“No,” Narak reassured, “but that one came across my consciousness too loudly for me to ignore.”
“I see,” Jazel said. “You know, I have never thanked you, Narak.”
“Thank me? Oh, my dear, I do not need thanks. The freedom and power you have given me in this body is enough.”
A shiver ran down Jazel’s spine. Something about his tone made her uneasy. She wondered, briefly, if there was a way to possess Narak’s power without having the demon within her. But she recalled that the contract they had made could not easily break. She had made a deal, and she must stick to it.
At least until I get my revenge, she thought, smirking.
Chapter Twenty-One
Keyel was shaken awake. Alarmed, he leaped out of bed and drew his sword. The sandstone walls, paintings, and the wide-open window of Zaden’s home disoriented him, and he waved his sword at the person who woke him until he realized it was Zaden. The Pyros prince stood in a corner, his hands held up in surrender. Sheathing his blade, Keyel ran his hand through his hair.
“What do you need, Zaden?” he growled.
“I came to tell you that Etania is gone!” the prince exclaimed.
“Gone? Gone where?” His foggy brain snapped into alertness. Zaden shrugged.
Bayanna gawked at him, and he put up his hands.
“I’m serious,” Cam continued. “I know that I’ve evaded taxes, but I’m not so greedy that I don’t know when to leave something beautiful alone.”
“Is that so?” Bayanna said.
Cam leaned in, his face only a few inches from hers. “But you are not a thing, are you?”
“All of this makes me hungry.” Bayanna blushed and stepped back. “Let me see if there’s something to eat below deck.”
She quickly strode away, down into the cabin. Leaning against the table where they ate, she breathed hard, her heartbeat ringing in her ears. That was close. Too close! He’d been about to kiss her—and she? Well, she probably would have let him.
For once in her life, she prayed. Melchizedek, what am I supposed to do? No immediate answer came, but Bayanna was unsurprised. She was not Marked, and only possessed a general understanding that Melchizedek might be out there, picking special people like Etania and Keyel. She wasn’t special enough for his notice.
Grabbing a flatbread and some cheese from the cupboards, Bayanna pushed that depressing thought away and went topside again.
Chapter Twenty
Jazel was finally back to full strength after a few days. Even though Tom Six wore on her nerves, he had recruited ten other Toms to his cause. Each one had a large wildcat and chariots, which pulled them along the uneven ground at great speed. Jazel would easily make up for lost time, and the chariots would make great additions to her cause.
“With these, you almost have an army,” Narak mused.
“But I don’t want an army,” a part of Jazel said.
“You want vengeance, don’t you?” Narak replied. “You will need these men to make sure it comes to pass.”
Jazel wasn’t so certain, but she trusted Narak. They had been partners all this time. His power enabled her to get close to her goal and the only reason they hadn’t succeeded yet was because her enemy continued to find better weapons.
“Are these Toms all you could find?” Jazel asked Tom Six.
“All that I could get in a hurry, my lady,” Tom Six said. “These are the ones who most desire freedom from the Lycan’s ways.”
“Excellent!” Jazel smirked. “You have done very well, Tom Six.”
“I’ll do anything to serve you, my lady,” he replied, bowing.
“Anything?” Jazel cooed, leaning forward and lifting his chin. Tom Six blushed and nodded, not meeting her gaze. Jazel grinned.
“Tell the others to ready their chariots,” she commanded. Tom Six obeyed, leaving her.
“One moment, Jazel,” Narak said. “We have a message from Damien that I think will affect your journey.”
Jazel rolled her eyes and snorted before lifting the gauntlet to receive Damien’s message. The Skazic’s shadowy visage appeared.
“My lady,” he said, “news of Zaden’s arrival with Etania and Keyel has reached my ears.”
“Has Zaden contacted you about their location?” Jazel asked.
“No. He hasn’t, but that may be because of the wedding.”
“Wedding? What wedding?”
“Princess Gwen and Prince Xavier are to be wed in a few days,” Damien said.
“That means their child will be ruler of both countries!” Narak cried. “This isn’t good.”
“Why not?” Jazel questioned.
“Because we will have more opposition if they have a united army. We need to put a stop to this.”
What does it matter if they have more power than us? Jazel wondered. Narak’s schemes tested Jazel’s trust in him. Does he want something more than what I want? She tried to block her thoughts from Narak. Even though she was worried, she knew that power-hungry men eventually reveal their plans. She would play along for now, waiting, until he told her what he really wanted.
“Okay,” Jazel replied. “What should I do?”
“Tell the Lycan boy to deliver the news of this marriage to their Queen,” Narak supplied. “That should incite her to at least investigate. Then, we will ensure that this marriage is... disrupted.”
“Alright.”
“My lady?” Damien questioned, bringing her out of her inner monologue.
“Thank you, Damien,” Jazel said. “Go to Zaden’s house. It is near to the mansion, and you should be able to discover if the prince is still loyal to us.”
“I would like to, my lady, but Jakin tried to escape recently, and...”
“I have him under my control,” Narak hissed. Damien’s expression told Jazel he’d also heard the voice.
“If that’s the case,” she added, “I see no reason you should delay going to Zaden’s house.”
“Yes, my lady,” Damien said.
“And Damien,” Narak cut in, “Be ready to hear from me with our plans.”
Damien nodded once and cut off the communique. Tom Six returned, panting.
“Ah, just the Tom I wanted to see,” Jazel said. “I have a special mission for you.”
JAKIN FELT FRIGID, like icicles had wrapped around his skin. He’d felt like this ever since his attempt to steal Damien’s sword. He tried to get warmer by drawing close to the fire, but it had no effect. As a Pyros, Jakin hated the cold. He much preferred a desert climate, and just thinking about the warmth of the sun made him want to cry.
The only good thing about feeling so cold was that the coughing had stopped. Narak’s chilling powers kept Jakin from using his own Neuma or even moving beyond what was necessary. Even though Jakin couldn’t control his body, he was relieved to know that—try as Narak might—the demon couldn’t touch his mind, heart, or soul.
Thank you, Melchizedek, Jakin prayed. It was the only thing he could thank him for at the moment, and his Mark glowed in response. Melchizedek, I once again ask: why have you allowed this to happen? I don’t care about my own life—I would like to see Tala again. At the thought of Tala, his throat tightened and tears sprang to his eyes unwillingly. But my daughter will be killed if I am used as bait. Surely, you do not want that...do you?
I know the plans I have for you, Melchizedek responded. You must trust that they are for your ultimate good and my glory.
It is so hard to trust when I have lost Tala. Jakin admitted this to his Maker for the first time. I am anxious that I will lose Etania, too. You have permitted one death, why not another? That thought fills me with grief.
I hold all lives in my hand, Melchizedek said. I can give and I can take away.
Oh, Lord! Jakin felt more tears stream down his face. Please do not take my daughter away.
If I do, will you still follow me? Melchizedek questioned.
Jakin clutched his chest and wept. He recalled how he had first met Melchizedek when he was a lost soldier, hardened by battle.
Follow me, Melchizedek had said, and I will make you a different kind of warrior.
Jakin hadn’t known what it meant, then. Melchizedek had shown him he wanted a spiritual warrior, not one that fought physical battles. Yet, Jakin couldn’t fully accept that message. He spent years spreading word of Melchizedek and teaching others of His ways, but he also spent years hunting down Skazic, trying to gain vengeance for past hurts.
How wrong he’d been! Etania had helped him see that. Now, Melchizedek was asking if he would surrender his daughter’s life into His hands? He didn’t know if he could do it but, even in his struggle, he whispered the words.
“Yes, Melchizedek. I trust in you.”
ZADEN, KEYEL, AND ETANIA sat around a table in one of Gotha’s inns. The prince knew where the crumbling ruins of Jazel’s former home were located. However, he didn’t want to go there until he sent a message to Jazel. So, he made a proposal.
“Jazel is camped in the ruins of her former home,” Zaden said. “They are near my house, so I think it would be best if we use it as a base to scout Jazel’s hideout.”
“For once, I agree with the prince,” Keyel grumbled. “I don’t want to just attack without making a plan.”
“The longer we delay, the more time Jazel has to build her power!” Etania complained. “I say we travel there immediately.”
“My lady,” Zaden said, “as much as I adore your fiery passion, you realize it will be dark when we reach it? My house and this mansion are at least half a day’s ride from Gotha.”
Etania snorted and tossed her head.
“Etania doesn’t know distances,” Keyel explained. “Maps aren’t her speciality.”
The Vexli glared at her suitor for a moment before slumping in her chair.
“Fine, we can ride to your house after lunch.” Etania crossed her arms in mock protest. “Are there rooms at your house for us to stay in?”
“Absolutely,” Zaden said. “My mansion is several stories and there are many guest rooms. Brina and Benjamin are sure to take good care of us.”
“Perfect.” Etania picked up her plate, which was empty. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to go.”
Zaden hadn’t finished eating, but he quickly stuffed himself after seeing Keyel finish. They paid the innkeeper and walked to the stable. His father had given them three horses once he discovered Zaden needed to leave. The animals, of course, were on loan: only given with the express condition that he returned for the wedding as soon as possible.
Soon, the trio was on horseback, riding out of the gates of Gotha and into the desert landscape. Zaden felt all too grateful to be rid of the shackles of his past. He rode without looking back once at the sandstone walls. Despite his relief about escaping from Gwen, he still felt a twinge of guilt about the fact that she would marry Xavier. If she still loved him, it would be hard to love his brother.
Why am I thinking this way? Zaden wondered. Gwen’s cool reception, and even colder conversations with him, revealed she was already over him. Why do I feel guilty? His brother, albeit prideful and power-hungry, acted lovingly toward any woman he courted. Gwen would thus be well taken care of, with servants and a doting husband. Still, he felt empathy for the Equus princess.
Shaking his head, Zaden tried to concentrate on problems he could control—like breaking Keyel and Etania’s relationship. He needed to find one more trigger to make them fight again and doubt their love for each other.
Wracking his brain for how, Zaden ran through different scenarios to accomplish this until he observed his mansion ahead of them. Somehow, just seeing the familiar sandstone home brought him peace. Zaden could relax and unwind. Maybe that would give him the plan he needed. Urging his horse, he trotted forward, leaving the others behind. He pulled to a stop when he reached the mansion. Benjamin rushed out to greet him, panting.
“Your highness, I’m so grateful to see you!”
“What is it, Benjamin?”
“A ‘Damien’ is here to speak with you, sire. He says it’s urgent.”
Zaden’s heart began racing.
“Where is he?”
“He is in your library, sire,” Benjamin replied.
“Alright. I will go see him, but you must not tell the others. Keep them entertained until I come back.”
Benjamin agreed and Zaden raced inside, thinking to himself, Thank goodness I trotted my horse ahead! He headed to the back of his house, a library, and entered the medium-sized room. Shutting the door, he pulled the curtains to block out the setting sun and lit a small candle.
“What was that for?” Damien demanded.
“Lower your voice!” Zaden hissed. “Etania and Keyel are in the other room.”
Damien swore under his breath.
“Then you have taken their side!” he snarled. “You’re protecting them!”
“I would have a right to, after you stabbed me!” Zaden retorted. “But, I’m not. I’m trying not to blow my cover.”
“What’s the point? I’m here, and with your manservant, we can easily overpower them.”
“I’m not as skilled as you assume,” Zaden whispered. “Besides, I’m not done playing the game.”
“Game? What game?”
“I don’t have enough time to explain, but it’s part of my deal with Jazel. So, you can’t interrupt.”
Damien made some incomprehensible noises and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Jazel and I have Jakin. We only need Etania, who you are supposed to bring to us.”
Zaden clenched his fist over his chest. They already have the Lehrling? How? He wondered.
“I’ll bring you Etania on my own time!” he spat back.
“Fine. When should I expect you to turn over the Vexli?”
“Sometime tomorrow... depending on when I can separate her from Keyel.”
Damien groaned. “If you’re not there by sunset with the girl, I will come and seize her myself—with my dragons!”
“You have dragons?” Zaden was stunned.
“I used to be a Soacronis,” Damien snapped, “or have you forgotten? I can burn this place down if need be.”
“Not with Etania inside!” Zaden protested.
“Whatever, pretty boy. My point is that you need to deliver her to me tomorrow or there will be consequences.”
“Fine!”
Damien nodded once and turned to leave.
“Let me make sure the way is clear for you,” Zaden said.
He didn’t wait for a reply, but peeked into the hallway, looking both ways. It was empty, but he could hear Etania and Keyel’s feet creaking on the stairs that led to the second-floor guest rooms.
“Perfect, you can—” Zaden stopped mid-sentence when he turned around and saw that Damien had disappeared. The curtains fluttered from an evening breeze. He shut the window after Damien and smoothed his hair. That idiot! What am I going to do now? He tried thinking of some way to get the Vexli and her suitor apart. I thought Jazel would give me more time.
It wasn’t Jazel pressuring him, though. It was Damien. Did that mean Jazel wasn’t with him? If not, where could she be? He didn’t trust either of them, especially Damien, as the man had nearly killed him. But they both had expanded his father’s territory and given him a game, as promised. Zaden begrudgingly agreed to Damien’s plan. It didn’t ultimately matter to him if Jazel was there, or if she had Jakin. All that counted was the game.
A shiver of delight ran through him at the prospect of finally succeeding. Would this thrill keep him satisfied? He hoped so. It would be one of his greatest deceptions yet.
If I can pull it off, Zaden mused. Tomorrow morning, they would go off scouting. Keyel seemed unwilling to engage in battle until Cam and Bayanna returned. Etania appeared eager to start a fight. He could use that.
Grinning from ear to ear, Zaden strode out of the library, heading to the living area, where his unsuspecting guests waited.
JAZEL CLUNG TO TOM Six’s waist as the chariots moved forward. The wildcats pulled them across the forest lands at an amazing speed. Nine other Lycan men accompanied them, but Jazel rode with Tom Six. The man might enjoy her attention, but Jazel only gripped him for stability. She had never ridden in a chariot before—certainly not one pulled by a wildcat, either. This method of transportation, though, would have her at the ruins within four days.
The ride was surprisingly smooth. Jazel enjoyed feeling the wind whip against her cheeks. The landscape passed by in a green blur, and Jazel laughed, allowing the thrill of the ride to run through her. This was even better than riding a dragon. Indira, if only you could see this, Jazel thought to herself. An ache filled her.
She missed her daughter. Indira’s little smile. Her crystal-blue eyes and the thin strands of blonde hair. Indira was probably crawling with the assistance of her nursemaid. Jazel was missing those moments, and it pained her.
No, don’t think about that, Jazel reminded herself. Think of your mother instead. Jazel’s mother, Lilith, had been a tall, proud, beautiful woman. She’d taught Jazel that she could be powerful even without Neuma. Yet, when Jazel saw her last, her mother was not the woman she remembered. Disheveled, thin, and waiting for her day of execution, Lilith had begged her to avenge her death.
I will, Momma. I will, Jazel thought. Jakin hadn’t been the one to perform the deed of execution, but he had pressured King Victor to do it. Jakin was the reason that her mother had died. True, his wife, Tala, was already dead, so one part of her vengeance had played out. She longed to see the Lehrling suffering. She would kill Etania slowly, watching her bleed out in front of Jakin, who would be as helpless as she was on the day her mother died.
I’m not helpless anymore. Am I, Mother? Jazel smiled in triumph at the thought. She had two dragons, Damien, and ten Lycan men on her side, plus she had Narak. So much power lay within her grasp. Maybe it is a good thing I have an army, she realized.
“I told you,” Narak said.
“Were you listening to my thoughts?”
“No,” Narak reassured, “but that one came across my consciousness too loudly for me to ignore.”
“I see,” Jazel said. “You know, I have never thanked you, Narak.”
“Thank me? Oh, my dear, I do not need thanks. The freedom and power you have given me in this body is enough.”
A shiver ran down Jazel’s spine. Something about his tone made her uneasy. She wondered, briefly, if there was a way to possess Narak’s power without having the demon within her. But she recalled that the contract they had made could not easily break. She had made a deal, and she must stick to it.
At least until I get my revenge, she thought, smirking.
Chapter Twenty-One
Keyel was shaken awake. Alarmed, he leaped out of bed and drew his sword. The sandstone walls, paintings, and the wide-open window of Zaden’s home disoriented him, and he waved his sword at the person who woke him until he realized it was Zaden. The Pyros prince stood in a corner, his hands held up in surrender. Sheathing his blade, Keyel ran his hand through his hair.
“What do you need, Zaden?” he growled.
“I came to tell you that Etania is gone!” the prince exclaimed.
“Gone? Gone where?” His foggy brain snapped into alertness. Zaden shrugged.
