The Lost Legends (The Nihryst Book 1)

by Cait Marie

  Phillip’s mother and sister.

  The king’s earlier words replayed in her mind, and she met Phillip’s eyes. She shook her head when she saw tears rolling down his cheeks.

  “It turns out that it didn’t matter. You took off after a fairy tale anyway.” Her father waved a hand around as he sat back down. “But look around, I still won.”

  “You sent Phillip out to find me,” Ada whispered, putting it all together. She looked up to her friend. “You led them to Tugora… you told them where to find me.”

  Shane looked pale where he stood feet away from his best friend. He stayed quiet, but Ada saw his clenched jaw and the betrayal in his eyes.

  Carys let out a whimper, burying her face into her mother’s skirts. Their skin and clothes were stained with dirt. Shane’s features softened as he took in the young girl so much like a sister to him.

  “You let your emotions rule you, Adalina,” the king said, circling the Lavens family. “You and your brother show your love too openly. It makes you weak—vulnerable.”

  King Emyr pulled a small dagger from his waist and slid the smooth edge gently along Carys’s cheek. Phillip tried to reach her, but Markus yanked on his chains.

  “Stop,” Ada begged.

  “Please, Father.” Shane stepped forward. “Don’t do this. You got what you want. Let them go.”

  The king laughed. “Let this be a lesson to both my children: If you let people know who you love, they can be used against you.”

  He turned away and sheathed the dagger back at his side. Stepping around the girl and her mother, he stopped in front of Phillip. “It’s a shame things had to end this way. I did always consider you a son.”

  “Is that why you killed my father?” Phillip spat out.

  Ada had never seen him so angry. She looked to Shane, but he appeared to be as confused as her.

  “What are you talking about?” Shane asked.

  Phillip answered as the king leisurely strolled back to his throne and sat down, “My father learned of his plans five years ago. Apparently, your father has spent years fleshing this all out.” He glanced at Ada, then Shane—his eyes begging for forgiveness. “He threatened to kill my mother and sister, like he did my father, if I didn’t go after Ada. I couldn’t…”

  Ada bit her lip, fighting back tears. To her father, she hissed, “You’re a monster.”

  “Maybe.” He grinned. “But your time is up. You came back empty handed, and my plans will go through tonight.”

  Ada moved her hand toward her foot again, but at her father’s motion, a guard stepped up and grabbed her shoulder. She gasped as she was pulled to her feet.

  “You have failed, Adalina.” The king’s dark laughter returned.

  The grip on her shoulder loosened. A thumb brushed the crook of her neck so slightly that she thought she imagined it. She knew no one had seen the movement and tried to keep her breathing normal as a voice whispered in her ear.

  “I will soon have all the power,” the king yelled. “There is no one who can stop me.”

  “You sure about that?” Phillip asked, amusement coating his words as he nodded toward Ada. It only took a heartbeat to realize he wasn’t nodding to her but to the man at her side.

  “We have got to stop meeting like this,” Lee whispered just before Phillip’s signal. Then chaos ensued.

  Ada ducked out of the way. She grabbed the dagger she knew would be waiting in Lee’s boot as she took out her own. One of the guards charged, and she blocked his strike. She parried with him, Lee at her back. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ren lead Markus away from the prisoners while Shane ran to free them from their cuffs. Phillip shoved his mother and sister behind him. Shane snatched up two blades from fallen soldiers and handed one to Phillip.

  “You have no idea how happy I am to see you,” Ada said over her shoulder between breaths.

  Her dagger went through the soldier’s stomach. As he fell to the ground, Lee turned her around before others could reach them. “I told you I’d be here.”

  Soldiers came at them from both sides. Like a well-practiced dance, they fought off the men. They knew each other’s moves—their strengths and weaknesses—and fought in sync. As if they had fought side by side for years, not weeks. She anticipated his moves before he made them. The clanking of swords echoed throughout the large hall.

  When an opening appeared, Ada moved. Ren now fought three soldiers, leaving Markus free to stand on the corner of the dais. All her attention now on him, she picked up a sword to replace one of her daggers. He was the one to stop. Without him to give orders, they might stand a chance. Her father remained sitting, watching with too much confidence that his men would bring him victory.

  “Gwyn,” Shane shouted. The dark-haired woman whirled around to stop a man approaching Ada from behind. She took him down with a swiftness Ada admired.

  Ada knew this was the woman Phillip had talked about. The rebel. As Gwyn’s blades twirled and pierced with the skills of someone who had trained for years, Ada quickly thanked her before charging forward.

  She lifted both blades above her head to stop Markus’s strike. He was bigger and stronger than her, and she felt that strength as their swords met. Her arms ached at the impact. They went back and forth atop the dais. Neither gaining an advantage. Over and over she attacked with everything she had.

  “Enough!” Lee called out.

  She noticed the silence in the room around them. She and Markus were the only two left fighting. As footsteps approached and Lee and Shane joined her on the dais, she didn’t dare look away. Her blade held steady, pointed at Markus. Lee stayed behind her as Shane stepped closer.

  “It’s over Markus,” Shane said. “You’re outnumbered.”

  Defiant fear registered in the man’s eyes. He slowly held a hand up and lowered his blade. As it fell to the ground, Shane quickly grabbed him. Gwyn and Ren moved to stand beside them, ready to help if necessary, and she saw Phillip holding his family near the ornate wall.

  With Markus secure, Ada finally turned around, her sword hanging limply from her hand. Her breathing slowed as she smiled at Lee.

  His returning smile staggered. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He glanced down, then back up at her with a sad look.

  The world stopped. A scream ripped from her throat as she finally noticed the long blade piercing through his chest from behind and the empty throne beside him. Lee looked at her with such longing, she couldn’t think straight. She couldn’t comprehend what was happening as he slowly started to slump to the ground—to a pool of blood collecting beneath him. Her father stood in his wake, a dripping sword in hand.

  Without thinking, she let her own dagger fly.

  Shane had never heard such a gut-wrenching sound come from his sister. He ran forward as the man who had helped them slid to the ground. Light reflected off the blade Adalina threw. It flew through the air with a force and precision he had not known her capable of. He reached their father as it found its mark in his shoulder. With arms ready, Shane caught and lowered him to the ground. It wasn’t a fatal wound, but it was enough to knock him down and stay down.

  Taking the weapons away, Shane glanced at a few soldiers who’d turned to fight beside them. “Seeing as Markus is so familiar with the dungeon, I think he’ll be most comfortable there. My father will be taken to his rooms and locked inside until we can figure something else out. Then get medical help for both him and the wounded soldiers.”

  A few moved to grab Markus and his father. As another moved toward the door to get help, Shane thought better of it. “Not the physician here. Find and lock him up too.”

  Shane moved to his sister’s side where she knelt beside the dying man. Shane helped turn him over. She sobbed as she saw the open wound in his chest and covered it with one hand. Her other hand held the side of his face.

  Shane tried to see the wound, but she wouldn’t let go. Instead, he pressed his fingers to the man’s throat. There was a weak pulse, ba
rely there. He felt helpless as Adalina’s tears dripped from her face. Gwyn came and stood beside them. Her fighting had surprised him. It made him even more curious about her background. He squeezed her fingers as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “Please, Lee,” Adalina whispered. The man’s eyes fluttered open.

  Phillip slowly walked toward them with a large man in tow. He wasn’t a soldier Shane recognized, making him wonder if he came with Lee.

  Lee managed to raise a hand to the princess. He brushed hair back from her face and wiped at the tears that still flowed. She let out a choked sob.

  “You found me,” she said.

  “I’ll always find you, blodau.” He grinned as his thumb continued to stroke her cheek.

  Shane started at the nickname, remembering their mother’s words. Adalina tried smiling down at him, but Shane could see her lips trembling. Lee’s breathing became more labored.

  “You’re still bleeding. It’s not stopping, but…” She struggled with her words. “You said it wasn’t broken.”

  Phillip’s mother started to move, but Shane reached up and took her hand. He shook his head, knowing the man only had seconds left. Carys cried quietly in her mother’s arms. He didn’t know who Lee was, but he clearly meant a great deal to his sister. They could all see that. Shane assumed he and the large man were part of the crew she had travelled with these past weeks.

  “Ada,” Phillip said, walking closer. He stood directly behind her, and the other man moved to kneel on Lee’s other side.

  Adalina ignored their friend. She leaned forward and pressed her brow to Lee’s. “Please.”

  He didn’t respond. His eyes drifted shut, and his hand slowly fell to his chest. Adalina’s crying grew louder, and it hurt not knowing how to help.

  “Ada,” Phillip tried again. This time, he bent over and grabbed each of her shoulders. “Ada, sweetheart, let go.”

  She repeated “no” under her breath. Over and over the word came out, increasing in volume the more she said it. Phillip tugged her up and turned her around. She tried pushing him away and screamed the word again. Shane met Phillip’s gaze, remembering the night the queen died. Phillip’s grip on his sister only tightened. He crossed his arms around her back, holding her close, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

  “I’m so sorry,” Shane said to the man kneeling on the ground. He didn’t respond, only nodded with an odd look on his face.

  As Shane stood, he stumbled. Gwyn’s hand grabbed his elbow to steady him. Fighting took all his energy, and he felt faint. He looked away from her concerned glare to his sister, but Gwyn stepped in front of him and grabbed his chin.

  “You look awful,” she said.

  He knew he appeared pale and had rings beneath his eyes. Gwyn glanced up, noticing his damp forehead. Her mouth dropped open as her eyes widened. Quickly, before she could speak, Shane shook his head. She raised a hand to cover her mouth.

  “Later,” he pleaded so low no one else would hear. She nodded reluctantly, then turned back to the commotion, staying at his side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed once. She leaned closer to help support him.

  “Adalina, stop.” One of Phillip’s hands was tangled in her hair as he held her to him.

  She quieted but still shook. Phillip told her to stop again, and she shook her head against his shoulder. Shane opened his mouth, ready to tell Phillip to ease up when his friend spoke again.

  “Ada, trust me, please.” Phillip’s voice cracked with emotion. “Just give it a moment.”

  Confused, Shane placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder, then heard another voice from behind. “Adalina, love.”

  She whirled around as Phillip loosened his hold on her. Shane turned to see Lee slowly sitting up with the help of his friend. Adalina’s shaky hand covered her mouth. She took a step forward before nearly collapsing. Shane reached for her before she hit the ground. He lowered with her gently to his knees and helped her move to the man’s side.

  She raised a hand to his face but hesitated inches away. “You… The curse…”

  Lee shifted closer and winced. Adalina lunged forward, and Shane let go. She stopped the man from moving more.

  “I’m fine,” the man said.

  “So, you’re still…” Her words trailed off, but he nodded. The other man nodded too. At that, she reached over Lee to smack the man’s shoulder. His deep laugh had her shaking her head. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

  “I didn’t exactly have time before passing out,” Lee replied as he leaned closer. “It takes time for it to repair the damage, especially when it’s a fatal wound.”

  Shane stood, giving them space. He went to stand by Phillip, who now held his own little sister. Shane put an arm around them and kissed Carys’s temple, then hugged Mrs. Lavens. He watched Adalina and Lee with a confused smile. Adalina closed the distance and kissed Lee as Phillip pointed to each of the new men in turn. “May I present to you Loxley and Reynold of the Nihryst.”

  Ada’s lips pressed against Lee’s. She sighed when they drew apart. He started to get to his feet, and she held out a hand to stop him. With a laugh, he raised his shirt to show that the open wound had mostly sealed. She stared in wonder and gently placed a hand beside it. The bruised ribs had completely healed in a manner of hours.

  “I’m all right, love. Really.” As he began to rise, he said, “Sore, but I’ll be fine.”

  She draped one of his arms over her shoulders and tried to help him. She knew she wasn’t really helping, but she needed to be close to him. As if he could read her thoughts, he pressed his lips to her head and held on tighter. Ren rose with them, and she was grateful for his presence.

  Through blurry eyes, Ada turned to face her brother. His face was pale, and his mouth hung open as he stared at them. Together, they walked over, and Lee held out a hand. Shane snapped his mouth shut. He shook his hand, then looked to her.

  “You found them?” He looked back and forth between the two, then glanced to Phillip.

  Seeing him, Ada had a sudden realization that had her moving forward. “You knew, and you just let me freak out?”

  Lee looped an arm around her waist and pulled her back with a laugh before she could reach Phillip. She meant more than just the curse, but she couldn’t bring herself to mention the betrayal of working with her father. That he had a different reason to come with her instead of going after Shane. The thought of all the secrecy stung, but not as much as the thought of him lying during their conversation that morning.

  Phillip raised a hand. “Because you were so willing to listen to me?”

  “Adalina, it’s over,” Lee said against her ear.

  Ada relaxed against him and turned in his arms. Looking up into the familiar green eyes, she asked, “You’re really all right?”

  “I’m really all right.”

  “Good.” She hit his shoulder. “Don’t you ever do that to me again!”

  “Whatever you say, Princess,” Lee said against her lips before kissing her again.

  When a throat cleared behind them, she pulled away and faced her brother. “Sorry.”

  Phillip’s family had moved around to stand beside him. Ada rushed over to hug them both. Another thought occurred to her. “Where’s Michel?”

  “Gwyn was caught sneaking Michel out,” Shane said. “She was thrown in a cell, and he was locked in his rooms.”

  “And Lady Saundra?” Ada asked as she moved back over to Lee.

  “Her convoy was delayed. She was supposed to arrive this morning.” Her brother shoved a hand through his hair.

  “Part of my crew went directly to her ship and were instructed to bring her to the church,” Lee said.

  Gwyn raised a brow. “O’ Chwedlau?”

  “Yes,” Lee said before shaking his head. “I wish they’d change that name.”

  She grinned, then bit her cheek, hesitating. “So, it’s true? You’re really Loxley?”

  As Lee confirmed it, Shane intr
oduced her properly. Lee took a step closer, bringing Ada along. “Do I know you?”

  Ada looked from him to the girl. She had a familiarity about her, something in her eyes. Ada gasped. “Are you…?”

  The corner of Gwyn’s mouth tugged upward. She pointed to the princess and said, “This one’s smart. I like her.” At everyone’s confused silence, she laughed and continued, “I’m from Rayerna. My great great—however many greats—grandmother was Willa. His sister.”

  Lee’s grip on Ada tightened. She heard his breathing hitch. His mouth opened, then shut, then opened again. Ada pulled his arm from around her and gave him a gentle push in Gwyn’s direction. With a smile, she moved to stand by her brother to watch.

  Lee stopped just in front of Gwyn. He held out a hand near her face and stopped. Instead, he covered his mouth. He shook his head as if in a daze, and Ada couldn’t hide her smile as she watched him pull the woman into a fierce hug. After a second’s hesitation, Gwyn returned the gesture.

  When he finally stepped back, tears lined both of their eyes. He smiled at the confused audience, his gaze stopping on Ada. “Willa was my sister.”

  Shane let out a breath that sounded half amused and half disbelieving. Ada walked to Gwyn and gave her a quick hug. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Gwyn nodded as the throne doors opened and several staff members and soldiers rushed in. The staff tended to the wounded and lay sheets over the deceased. The soldiers approached the dais.

  Ada reached for her sword, but Lee stopped her by entwining their fingers.

  Phillip walked to the crown that had fallen near the throne when the king was struck. He picked it up and looked to the royal siblings. When he met Ada’s eyes, she nodded. Slowly, he placed the golden crown on Shane’s head and knelt before him.

  One by one, the guards dropped to one knee, bowing their heads. Behind them, the staff paused to bow as well, and Ada let out a relieved breath. At an invisible signal, they stood, waiting for orders.

  “Help the others. Anyone loyal to my father will be locked up until we question each one,” Shane said.