Queen of Monsters and Madness

by Frost Kay

  The creature in front of them crouched and growled at Nali, its tail, white with black speckles, whipping back and forth as its brethren pressed closer to its side. A name came unbidden to Sage’s mind. Fiilee. Felines as huge as horses with leathery wings. A creature from story books. Was every myth rooted in truth?

  The fiilee’s dark gray wings flared as it snarled again at Nali, causing the other three at its side to snarl. The hair rose on Sage’s arms. They were huge and terrifying. She barely noticed when the leren moved in front of her, each step slow. They made Nail look like a kitten.

  Queen Osir moved through the fiilee like she wasn’t strolling through a herd of the most dangerous creatures to ever be recorded. She placed a hand on the creature’s white speckled shoulder, and whispered a few soft words. The light blue eyes of the fiilee flicked to the queen and back to Nali. Sage tensed, and clenched her fingers in the leren’s fur. There was no way she would let Nali fight with that thing.

  “There’s no need to be afraid. They will not harm you.”

  “They don’t look very friendly,” Sage called.

  “They, like your leren, only wish to protect us.” The queen stroked the beast’s white and gray fur. “Now that they know you’re not a danger, they’ll leave you in peace.”

  “You speak to them?” Tehl asked.

  “More or less. Our ancestors were able to devise a way of communication. They’re highly intelligent.”

  “And deadly,” Zachael commented.

  “I see now why you were so worried,” Marq said. “They provide you a source of protection that none have had since the dragons were wiped out.”

  The queen lifted her chin. “You know of the origin stories?”

  “I do, and I promise we mean these creatures no harm. It’s truly a privilege to see one alive and well, let alone three. They will give us an advantage.”

  “Scythia is an enemy like none we’ve known. To survive, we will need every resource at our disposal.”

  The fiilee slowly closed its giant wings and leaned into the queen.

  Crown Prince Raziel stepped forward and placed a hand on the darker fiilee to the right. It was broader across the chest, and its spots were so many that it looked more black than white. He ran his hand along the arch of the wing where fur faded into leather. “An aerial advantage will mean everything.”

  A deep purr rumbled out of the beast, vibrating into Sage’s chest. How magnificent! Even though the raised hair on the back of her neck told her to stay far away, she still wanted to sink her fingers into the fiilee’s fur.

  The Methian crown prince smiled at Sage, his eyes dancing. “If you’d like to meet the living legends, step closer.”

  She cocked her head and took a step forward, but Tehl slid in front of her, his body blocking her view. “What are you doing?” she hissed, a little put out.

  “Keeping you from being eaten,” he retorted.

  Sage rolled her eyes and glanced at Rafe, who watched the exchange with a calculating glint in his eyes. The man saw way too much. “Do you think Rafe would let me get hurt?”

  Tehl’s shoulders lowered, and he glanced over his shoulder. “No.”

  “Then, step aside.”

  He surprised her by doing just that and then looping her arm through his.

  “Where you go, I go.”

  She hid her smile. It wasn’t the time to moon over her husband. Tehl led them forward, no hesitation in his steps. He stopped an arm’s reach away. “Is this close enough?”

  Sage shook her head and met Raziel’s familiar amber eyes. “Can I touch him?”

  The Methian prince stroked the beast behind the ear, earning another purr of contentment. “Skye would like that.”

  “Hello, Skye,” she said softly, staring at the fiilee with awe. The beast perked up, his light blue eyes practically glowing in the moonlight.

  Tehl squeezed her hand once as she took a step closer and then followed her.

  Sage held her palm out for Skye and locked her legs as he snuffled her hand. Her heart nearly stopped when a huge rough tongue darted out and wrapped around her wrist before retreating.

  “That’s his way of saying hello.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she murmured as Tehl held his hand out as well. Skye sniffed him and then bathed his hand in saliva in the same welcome.

  A booming laugh pulled her attention as Marq grinned at the queen’s fiilee who’d licked him from chin to hair line, saliva clear on his face. She smiled, and then glanced at Tehl when he cursed. He rocked back a step as Skye butted him in the chest, releasing a rumbling purr that Sage felt to her toes.

  “He’s quite friendly, isn’t he?”

  “Only to those he deems worthy of his friendship.”

  “What does he do to those he doesn’t care for?”

  Raziel’s smile turned sharp. “They disappear.”

  “Lovely,” Tehl said, scratching the huge feline behind the ear.

  Sage placed a hand on Skye’s shoulder and ran her fingers through the thick fur along his spine. It was much thicker than Nali’s. Speaking of Nali…

  She glanced over her shoulder and spotted the leren. Nali sat just out of reach, eyeing Skye and then Sage like she was a traitor.

  “All’s well. He won’t hurt you,” Sage assured.

  Nali huffed and flicked her tail.

  “Stubborn beast,” Sage muttered as she turned back to Skye. There was something about the fiilee that made her want to wrap her arms around it. So, she did. Warmth suffused her as Skye sniffed her head and nuzzled close. “You’re just a big sweetheart, aren’t you?”

  “He’s a pain in the ass,” Rafe grumbled, sidling up to his brother. “Since he was a cub, he’s always caused mischief.”

  “Zeefa was always worse, brother.”

  “Zeefa?” she asked.

  “My companion.”

  Her brows furrowed. Companion?

  “My fiilee.”

  Her gaze narrowed. When she got him alone, she would rip him apart, the dirty, secret-keeping liar.

  “We will need to introduce your men to the fiilee before battle. They need to get acquainted with our companions.” The queen’s voice floated toward them.

  “It will be arranged.”

  Sage released Skye and turned toward the two rulers.

  “It’s been a pleasure to meet with you, King Marq.”

  “And I you, Queen Osir. May the wind favor your return home.”

  The queen grinned and swung up onto her fiilee’s back, sitting just behind its shoulder blades. “Thank you and safe travels. If you have need, you know how to reach us.” She straightened, looking everything like the heroine of a story book on the back of her mythical steed.

  Marq stepped back as the fiilee’s wings spread, readying for flight.

  Sage turned to Raziel and held her hand out. “Well met.”

  He glanced to Rafe and back to her before clasping her forearm. “I would have enjoyed calling you family,” he said with a glint in his eyes.

  Sage squeezed his forearm a little harder than necessary. The man had a little bit of the devil inside him. He obviously knew of her past with Rafe. “Don’t be so sure. I’m a tough woman to live with. Too much independence.” Heat suffused her back.

  “She’s a challenge, but well worth it. Life is never dull.”

  Raziel gazed over her head at Tehl. “Of that I’m sure.”

  Tehl slipped his hand into hers and led her away from Skye. Nali huffed as they approached her, her tail flicking in annoyance.

  “Oh, stop pouting,” Sage said. “You know I love you best.”

  Marq, Zachael, Gav, and William joined them and watched as the warriors mounted the fiilee.

  Queen Osir smiled. “Until we meet again.”

  Marq lifted a hand and the fiilee launched upward, their huge wings stirring the air around them. Sage brushed her hair from her eyes and watched until she couldn’t see them any longer.

  “Yo
u have much explaining to do,” the king said, turning to Rafe.

  “You understand why I couldn’t tell you.”

  “I do, and that’s why I’m not angry. But I am curious as to how a Methian prince ends up in my kingdom, on my council.”

  Rafe winced and swept a hand toward where they’d left the horses. “A story I’d be happy to tell when we’re at the palace.”

  “All right.” The king patted Rafe on the shoulder. “Don’t think you can avoid me. I have two sons and a nephew.”

  Sage smiled and glanced at Tehl and Gav who exchanged smiles that were a bit evil. “I can’t wait to hear this story as well.”

  Rafe sighed. “How angry are you?” he asked as they strode after the king.

  “She hasn’t started yelling,” Gav said. “That’s a good sign.”

  “Yet,” she said.

  He had so much explaining to do.

  Tehl

  Sage stumbled into their room, and Tehl shut the door behind them. He hid his smile as she yanked her boots off and tossed them across the room before crawling into their bed.

  “You’re not going to change?” he asked, pulling his belt and sword from his waist.

  A grumble.

  “What was that?”

  “Too tired,” came the muffled reply.

  He chuckled and splashed water on his face from the wash basin. He was exhausted and yet… something buzzed in his veins. Something all Sage’s doing. Tehl ran his wet fingers through his hair and smiled to himself. During what he’d remember as Rafe’s confession, she’d cuddled into his side, her head on his shoulder. It was the best feeling. For the first time since his mother died, he’d felt like he was home.

  He tugged his shirt off. Everything had changed tonight. The Methians and their fiilee were a godsend. “I half expected you to climb onto Skye tonight and fly away,” he joked. “You couldn’t stop touching the beast. I’m sure you made a friend for life.” A light snore caught his attention. “Sage?”

  He spun and leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms. Sage had sprawled out in the middle of the bed, her dark hair fanned out around her, lips parted in sleep. Tenderness flooded him at the sight of his woman.

  His woman.

  A streak of possessiveness went through him. She was unequivocally his, and he found that he liked it. A lot.

  He shook his head and pushed off the dresser, rounding the bed. He grinned as a stubborn strand of tangled hair lay across her face, dangerously close to being sucked into her mouth.

  “What am I going to do with you?” he muttered, and exhaled a soft laugh. Another snore answered him. He brushed the hair from her cheek, shaking his head. Sage was a beautiful disaster.

  Tehl blew out the candle and gingerly crawled into the bed. He stared at her face, bathed in soft firelight. For once, she didn’t look like she was in pain, her expression clear and at peace. He wished she’d stay that way. But inevitably, the nightmares would strike. He couldn’t remember the last time either of them had slept the night through.

  He reached out and traced one of her eyebrows and then the bridge of her nose, her skin like silk. Tehl froze as her lashes fluttered, but she didn’t wake. She snuggled into his chest, her sigh heating his cheek.

  This woman. She changed everything.

  He brushed her shoulder and then curled his arm around her waist, her body molding to his. She had suffered horrors and, yet, she’d given him her trust. Something he’d not take lightly. This was the feeling his father had talked about, and now that Tehl had it in his arms?

  He pulled her a little closer, his fingers splayed across her back. He would never let her go.

  This was everything.

  Sage

  Awareness slowly crept in, and with it, the feeling of being suffocated. She cracked her eyes open and discovered the source of her affliction.

  Tehl had thrown his leg over hers and was currently wrapped around her like an octopus. She lifted her head a smidge and squinted at the windows. It was too early to tell what time it was. Sage lowered her head and stared at the ceiling. What had woken her up? Usually, it was nightmares, but those left her with a pounding heart and bile in her mouth. She suffered neither of those things.

  She turned her head and stared at Tehl. Stars above, there was so much love in her heart for that man. Her husband was a diamond in the rough. Her gaze dropped to her belly as his hand moved, his fingers caressing the skin between her trousers and shirt. Sage glanced back at his face, her breath catching.

  He stared at her, sleepiness clinging to him in way that was beyond appealing.

  “Nightmare?” he rumbled.

  No. More like the best dream she’d had in a long time.

  He shifted closer, his fingers brushing the skin of her belly, causing it to swoop. All she had to do was say the words. It would be easy to give in to his curious touches without saying what needed to be said.

  His brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she whispered, twisting her hands together as anxiety fluttered through her. She’d been planning what she wanted to say. But now that the moment was here? She wasn’t ready.

  “That’s a lie if I ever heard one.”

  Sage winced. “Life keeps surprising me. I made a vow when I woke up in the infirmary, but it’s proving more difficult than I anticipated.”

  “How so, love?”

  Her heart fluttered at the endearment. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “You’ve never been one to beat around the bush. Out with it.”

  All the things she wanted to say tripped over in her head, but nothing escaped her lips. Tehl smiled at her and squeezed her hip as if encouraging her. But, somehow, she’d lost her voice. Why was this so hard to say?

  “Could you close your eyes?”

  “What?”

  “Close your eyes, please.”

  He arched a brow at her, but did as she asked.

  Sage stared at him, her pulse picking up speed as she collected her thoughts.

  “When I met you,” she began haltingly.

  “You mean when I caught you,” he said, cracking an eye.

  She smacked him on the arm and gave him a hard look. Tehl grinned and closed his eyes once again. She pulled in a deep breath and tried again. “When you caught me in that alley, I thought you were the vilest knave on the surface of the earth.”

  His brows slashed together, but he kept his eyes closed.

  “Then, I was forced into the company of your friends and family. I still didn’t like you, but I figured someone who was surrounded by such wonderful people had to have redeeming qualities.”

  “Charming,” he muttered.

  “Hush, you,” she chastised. “Let me finish. Then I was sold to you.” His eyes flew open, and she held her hand up. “You gave me the choice. You, not them. I appreciated that, even if I didn’t show it at the time. We’ve fought each other, invisible enemies, and the ghosts of our pasts.” Specifically, hers.

  “In Scythia, you kept me sane,” she whispered. “You were with me every step of the way. You protected me, urged me to never give up, and, even when I ignored you, you never abandoned me. You kept me from dying there, from giving in.”

  “Sage,” he murmured, his sapphire gaze drawing her in, robbing her of her breath. His fingers caressed her cheek. “I wish you never were there in the first place.”

  Her eyes slid closed as she gripped his wrist, and held his palm to her cheek. “As do I, but we can’t change the past, no matter how much we wish to. I’m just so sorry that it took me this long to realize what it all meant.”

  “Realize what?” His question was quiet, and had an edge to it.

  She brushed a finger over his stubbled jawline and leaned forward, gently brushing her lips across his. Easing back, she boldly met his gaze. She’d never been a coward, and she wouldn’t be one now by having him close his eyes.

  “You were the one my mind chose to protect me. Not my mum, Lilja, or Gav. Y
ou. All along, I’d cast you as the monster, but you never were. You are the hero to my story. You are my epic love.”

  His eyes widened, emotion tightening his features. “You love me?”

  She nodded, as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. “I have for a long time, but Peg sealed it.”

  He grinned, his gaze suspiciously shiny. “I knew you’d love that damn horse. She is the equine version of you.” He pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “Since the moment I met you, I wanted you.” He puffed out a breath. “I couldn’t understand why. You were the enemy, mouthy, and as prickly as a porcupine. But I liked you.”

  He opened his eyes and pulled back, apparently searching her face for something. “Are you sure it’s me you want? I know things can be confusing for you at times,” he asked.

  “I’m more sure about loving you than I’ve been about anything else in my life.”

  He stilled, and his eyes seemed to burn her. His hand curled around the back of her neck and he pulled her close, his lips brushing hers. “You slay me. Lead, sweet wife, and I will follow. Everything I am is bound to you until we depart this world.”

  She blinked hard as he repeated part of their vows. “Until we depart this world,” she whispered across his lips.

  That was the breaking point.

  His lips crushed hers, fierce and demanding. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t skilled. It was everything. He kissed her like his life depended on it. She looped her arms around his neck and kissed him with every fiber of her being.

  Her hands sank into his hair, as he deepened the kiss. Warmth swept through her middle when his fingers slid down her neck and over her shoulder. He pulled her hard against him and turned. Sage gasped as he came down on top of her, his weight pressing her into the bed.

  As the room started to spin, she tore her mouth from his and panted for air. He instantly claimed her jaw, lips trailing up to her ear, then along the side of her neck.

  “Lucky,” he murmured. His teeth grazed her skin and she shivered.

  “What?” she breathed, staring blurrily at the low fire.