Queen of Monsters and Madness

by Frost Kay

  “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine,” her lyrical voice washed over him. She turned toward the wall. “Why are you here?”

  Silence. Who was she speaking to?

  “Answer me. Old friend or not, I will cut you down if you mean harm.”

  Only years of practice, and thanks to many of Sam’s pranks, kept him from jumping when a deep voice answered the Sirenidae.

  “Lil, you always had a way with words.”

  A warrior materialized from the grass to their left. He made no move in their direction, though. Instead, he lifted his hands up.

  Tehl lifted his sword, but didn’t move from his spot. His eyes cut to Lilja who glared at the enemy with such anger, it inspired fear even in him.

  “You didn’t answer me. What are you doing here?” Lilja repeated.

  “Helping.”

  “Helping,” Lilja growled. “You’re playing a very dangerous game, Blair.”

  Tehl stiffened and narrowed his eyes on the man. Why was one of the warlord’s closest men on his land? And where was his wife? Lilja’s hand landed on his chest. He frowned at the arm holding him back. When had he moved? He glanced at the Sirenidae eyeing him.

  “You good?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said as he planted his feet, glaring in the Scythian’s direction.

  Lilja turned her attention back to Blair, waiting for him to speak. The warrior held her stare for what felt like minutes until he cursed and pushed his midnight braids from his face.

  “You know I couldn’t help you.”

  Lilja’s jaw clenched, but she said nothing.

  Tehl glanced between the two. What was going on?

  The Scythian dropped his hands and crossed his arms over his bare chest.

  “You’re not being rational about this. I know you, Lil. Calm down and listen to what I have to say.”

  Tehl winced. There was something he learned while living with Sage, and that was not to tell a woman to calm down when she was upset.

  “Listen to you? Are you serious?” Lilja hissed. She wildly gestured to the grass with her daggers. “You brought warriors to my home.”

  “And you’re also aware that if I didn’t want to be discovered, we wouldn’t have been. I wanted you to catch them. Why would I want that, Lil?”

  “Twenty years,” she whispered.

  The Scythian hung his head. “Twenty years,” he said softly.

  “Why?”

  “I couldn’t risk it.”

  “Nothing?” Lilja’s voice wavered, surprising Tehl. “It wasn’t possible to spare one moment and let me know you lived?”

  “No, it was not.”

  “I loved you!” Lilja’s voice rose. “Mourned you every day for years. I even went into Scythia in search of you. I almost died! If Hayjen hadn’t pulled me out, I would have.” She chuckled bitterly, tears dripping down her face. “A part of me died when you didn’t come home.”

  “I have a family, Lil. I couldn’t leave them.” His tone pleaded for understanding.

  Lilja gasped, her face crumpling and her hands curling into fists. “How could you after everything we went through?”

  “I did what I had to.”

  She scoffed, wiping her tears from her face. “I guess my Blair really did die in that jungle. He would never have agreed to something so sick.”

  The warrior’s hands clenched. “I didn’t force her. Why would you think that?”

  “I don’t know you,” she said, her face hardening. “I’m thankful Gem isn’t here to see what you’ve become.”

  “Lilja Femi, don’t you dare say that! I’ve loved you longer and better than anyone else in this world. Don’t you dare bring Gem into this.” He stabbed a finger at Lilja. “You know what’s in my heart. Every day we’ve been apart, I’ve fought to right the wrongs of so many years ago. I’ve sacrificed, so that others might have freedom and the life we weren’t afforded. I’ve suffered, so I can remove that monster from Scythia. You and I are the same, so don’t you tell me you don’t know me.”

  His gaze shifted to Tehl.

  “You’re lucky the warlord hates an easy battle, or you’d be dead by now, and your wife in his clutches forever.”

  “What do you know of my wife?” Tehl growled.

  “That he’ll never stop hunting her.”

  “So, she’s alive?” He braced himself for the answer.

  “Yes.”

  Relief surged through his body until Blair spoke again.

  “But she’ll wish she was dead if he catches her.”

  “Why are you here?” Tehl asked, suspicion in his tone.

  “I’m here to offer help.”

  “And what do you require in exchange?” No one did anything for free.

  “The warlord’s death.”

  “Why now?” Lilja asked.

  “Because it’s time.”

  Tehl cocked his head and studied the warrior. The way he said the words meant he was resolute... they also meant a rebellion. “You’re organizing a rebellion.”

  Blair lifted his chin. “For someone so young, you’re astute.”

  “I’ve dealt with rebellion members. I can spot a rebel when I see one.”

  “You speak of your wife.”

  “She’s taught me much.” Tehl said.

  “I’m sure. She’s a fierce woman.”

  “Indeed.”

  “The warlord doesn’t trust you,” Lilja murmured.

  Tehl glanced at Lilja askance.

  “He trusts no one, Lil.”

  “That’s why you didn’t seek me out.”

  “One reason.”

  “And the others?”

  “I have four daughters.”

  “Four?” Lilja croaked.

  Blair smiled, his teeth flashing in the dark. “You’d love them, Lil. They’re my life.” His smile faded. “But they’re coming of age.”

  Lilja’s face turned to horror. “He would take your daughters?”

  “They’re not mine according to the warlord. He gave me my woman, and he can take her away at any moment, along with our daughters.”

  Tehl’s gut churned. No one should have that sort of power.

  “That’s sick,” he muttered.

  “I agree,” Blair growled.

  Tehl’s mind ran over all the information Blair had revealed, and then to Lilja’s comment a few nights ago about her man on the Scythian side. “Is this your spy?”

  “Yes.”

  “And do you trust him?”

  Lilja glanced up at Tehl and back to the warrior watching their exchange with interest. “I do.”

  “Will he protect Sage?”

  “I already have,” Blair said. “And I will continue to do so.”

  Damn Scythian hearing. “How so?”

  The warrior gestured to the surrounding grass. “We’re supposed to be hunting your wife ahead of the warlord. I caught your wife’s trail a day ago. It was very faint and hidden well. It was easy to miss, so I led the men astray. I will protect her as best as I can...”

  “So long as it doesn’t reveal your true intentions,” Tehl finished.

  Blair nodded. “Like I said, the best I can.”

  “You better,” Lilja growled. “She’s what’s left of my family.”

  “Family?” Both men echoed.

  Lilja flashed Tehl an apologetic smile. “She’s Hayjen’s niece.”

  He blinked and then blinked again. Hayjen looked nothing like Sage. Tehl’s forehead wrinkled. But Sage looked like her father. Her brothers, on the other hand, looked like their mother and… Hayjen. He shook his head. He’d deal with that revelation later. “What do you need from me, Scythian?”

  “Peace.”

  Tehl laughed. “Peace? There’s no such thing.”

  “Deal fairly with the Scythians when this is through. Don’t let your prejudice cloud your judgment. The people have suffered far more than you, and the warriors are only following orders.”

  That was fair
.

  “I can do that.” Tehl threw his shoulders back and strode toward Blair, Lilja hot on his heels. He halted before him and held his hand out. “If you’re honorable and do what you say, then I will likewise honor our agreement. You risk much to protect my family, so I will extend the same courtesy. If your family needs safety, send them to the palace. I will make sure they’re taken care of.”

  Blair studied him and clasped his arm. “Thank you.”

  Blair kissed both of his cheeks and stepped back, gaze sweeping the grass to his fallen warriors.

  “I didn’t kill them,” Lilja muttered. “I knocked them out.”

  “Thank you, Lil. I’ll retrieve them and be on my way. May luck be with you both.”

  “Not luck—skill,” Tehl said.

  “Indeed,” the Scythian warrior said and turned to leave.

  “Blair?” Lilja called.

  He paused and opened his arms.

  The Sirenidae flew into the Scythian’s arms. He pulled her off the ground and buried his face into her neck, mumbling words too low for Tehl to hear. Tehl backed away, feeling like the world had turned on its head, with a million questions running through his mind. He glanced at the couple embracing one last time before turning around. If the Scythian had planned to kill them, he’d have already done it. And from the looks of things, it didn’t look like he’d be letting go of Lilja anytime soon.

  He eyed Hayjen, who was now leaning against the rock Lilja had vacated. The big man nodded to him briefly before his attention moved back over Tehl’s shoulder.

  “I take it you’re also acquainted with Blair?”

  “He’s a friend,” Hayjen said.

  “Just a friend?” Lilja and Blair’s conversation seemed like it was a lot more.

  “Her best friend.”

  Hayjen saw the doubt he was obviously not hiding well.

  “He brought Lil and I together, and he also helped her escape Scythia. They have a bond that words cannot describe.”

  “Apparently, we too share a bond – one that no one told me about, Uncle.”

  Hayjen’s gaze sharpened. “She told you?”

  Tehl chuckled. “Not on purpose.”

  “Everything Lil does has a purpose.”

  He sobered and glanced at Lilja. “Good point.” The Sirenidae had a brilliant mind. Tehl turned his attention back to Hayjen. “I guess I should welcome you to the family. I take it you’re the younger brother?”

  Hayjen shook his head. “No, I’m older by several years. Do you understand why we kept such a thing a secret?”

  Tehl frowned. Hayjen didn’t look more than ten years older than himself, and yet he claimed to be older than Gwen? He squinted at Hayjen while he calculated the man's age. Logically, the man would be over 50 years. Something wasn’t right. “How?”

  “Lilja. The sea offers many wondrous things.”

  He rubbed at his eyes while he mulled that over. “Are you telling me Lilja is in possession of something that can grant immortality?” Saying those words felt comical, like something from a bedtime story.

  “Not immortality, but a greatly-lengthened life span.”

  Something like that would be highly sought-after if word ever got out. Lilja would be hunted, and anyone in association with her. People did dangerous things when they thought something could lengthen their life. “You kept this from Sage to protect her.”

  Hayjen nodded, his face serious. “Now, you understand why that information has been kept a secret. Many would harm my family, or Lilja and me, just to retrieve it.” He pushed off the rock and held out his hand. “We didn’t keep this from you for lack of trust.”

  “I understand.” And he did. Tehl reached out and clasped Hayjen’s hand. “But I hate secrets. They have a nasty way of backfiring. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?”

  Hayjen shook his head. “Not that I know of.” He released Tehl’s hand and glanced at his wife. “I’ll make sure that anything important gets passed along.”

  “I appreciate it,” Tehl murmured and pulled back his hand. He blinked and his eyes burned. The lack of sleep was catching up with him.

  “You have the next watch?” he asked tiredly.

  “Yep,” Hayjen said.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight.”

  Tehl strode away from his newly-discovered relative, still reeling from the information he’d learned tonight. Lilja had a warrior spy at her beck and call, a rebellion was brewing on the Scythian side, Hayjen was Sage’s uncle, and he’d sealed an accord with the warlord’s right-hand man. He barked out a laugh and ran a hand down his face. Sage wouldn’t believe this. He wished she was here, so he could tell her about the craziness that had become his life.

  The smile slipped from his face. If the Scythian didn’t keep his end of the deal, then Tehl might not ever get the chance to.

  Sage

  Sage’s arms and legs were screaming in pain, but just a glance at Jasmine’s pained face was enough to do her best to shove the pain aside. After all, it could be worse; she could have broken ribs.

  As they made their way through the jungle, a spider the size of her fist skittered across their path, but she didn’t care. It didn’t harm them and soon would be off terrorizing someone else with its hairy appendages. The creature hunting them was truly something to be afraid of.

  She stopped in her tracks when Blaise paused, listening to the jungle. In the last two days, she’d been doing that more and more often and Sage couldn’t help but feel that a noose was tightening around their necks. Each moment of rest, each minute of sleep was disturbed by the fact that it only meant the warlord was gaining on them. They were losing time. It was a miracle they’d lasted this long.

  “Damn it,” Blaise cursed softly, casting a glance in their direction.

  The blood in Sage’s veins iced over at the look on the woman’s face. Sheer terror.

  “What is it?” Jas whispered, her breathing labored.

  On silent feet, Blaise strode back to them. “They’ve caught up with us.” She shook her head in frustration. “We can’t avoid them. My only hope is that they aren’t a part of the hunt, just a border patrol.”

  “And if they are?” Sage let the question hang in the air.

  “Then we’ll have to fight.” Blaise eyed Jasmine. “We need to get to the river. The wall is close here.” She met Sage’s gaze. “We need to cross it today. If we don’t, he’ll catch us before night falls.”

  Her legs trembled. “How close is he?”

  “I’m not sure. If I was to venture a guess, I’d say he was not farther behind than a few hours. The hunt moves much quicker than we do.”

  “It’s my fault,” Jas said, hugging her arms around her waist. “I slowed you down.”

  “No.” Blaise shook her head. “We could not have anticipated the attack, but you’ve handled the pain better than expected.”

  “I can survive pain. I can’t survive captivity,” Jas murmured.

  “That, I understand well,” Blaise whispered. Her lips pursed as she eyed them. “You both look Scythian from far away, but your eyes will give you away. Keep your gaze down and keep silent. Your accents will give you away as well.” Blaise pulled in a deep breath. “We’re almost there. We can do this.”

  “I’m not dying here,” Jas said with conviction. “My little ones need me.”

  “Let’s move,” Sage said.

  Blaise nodded turned around, taking off to the left. “Keep a sharp eye. I may have heightened sense, but it doesn’t mean I have eyes on the back of my head,” she called over her shoulder.

  Sage glanced at Jasmine. Her face was pale, but determined.

  “Are you ready?” Sage asked.

  Jasmine smiled at her and grabbed her hand. “I’ve been ready for months.”

  She squeezed Jas’ hand once and stepped aside for her friend to pass. Chills skittered down her spine and her shoulders tightened. Her stomach clenched; she couldn’t help
having a sense of foreboding. Slowly, she spun, her eyes wide as she examined the surrounding trees. Nothing unusual, and yet...goosebumps dotted her arms. It was like the jungle held its breath. But for what?

  She swallowed hard and backed away before spinning on her heel and sprinting to catch up to the others. Blaise shot her a questioning look, but quickened her pace now that she’d joined them. The greenery blurred as they ran through the jungle, leaves and vines grabbing at them like unwanted suitors. Panic ate at the pit of her stomach. Time was slipping through her fingers.

  She skidded to a stop as they neared the edge of a clearing. Sage’s brow furrowed. Why had they halted? She didn’t see anything, but that meant nothing in Scythia.

  “Warriors,” Blaise breathed.

  Sage dropped her chin, her eyes glued to the jungle floor. She pulled in a deep breath. She had to maintain her calm.

  “My lady,” a deep voice answered. “It’s a surprise to see you so far from a village.”

  Her heart galloped in her chest. Hell. She hadn’t even heard them approach.

  “We were scouting the area,” Blaise replied.

  “For what?” A gruff voice asked.

  Sage stared at the decomposing leaves beneath her boots and stained her ears to hear the surrounding sounds. Were there only two men?

  “A man-eater. We’d all like the right to choose our betrothed.”

  “A lofty goal indeed,” the deep voice commented. “I must say that it’s rare to find so many women together. Your companions are quite beautiful.”

  Jasmine shifted next to her, but otherwise kept quiet.

  “Their mothers were of…” Blaise trailed off. “Unusual birth.”

  “Indeed.”

  Sage sensed a touch of disdain in the warrior’s tone. That was something. Disdain she could work with; it was actually a step up from lust. Footsteps moved closer, and a hand smoothed down her braid. Sweat beaded on her forehead as boots entered her vision. Calm, she had to maintain her calm.

  “Are you on patrol?” Blaise asked, her tone neutral.

  “Yes, we are,” the gruff voice supplied.

  A finger ran along her jaw and pressed under her chin. Sage clenched her teeth and looked up at the warrior. His dark eyes studied her face as she stared at him. One finger wandered up to trace the bow of her lip. Sage snapped her teeth at him, not able to handle his exploration any longer. “Get your hands off me.”