by Jay Lynn
Spine stiff, Alec clenched his jaw, refusing to respond. There was no point; his orders would fall on deaf ears. These men were instructed to follow the duke’s orders no matter how much he might object.
“You may stand down,” Kalendra told the soldiers after studying Alec for several seconds.
Blinking, her son’s gaze snapped in her direction.
“Your Majesty, our orders from Duke Stafford—” a soldier stammered.
“Your Queen is commanding you now,” Kalendra informed him, cutting the man off. “My son is no longer in need of an escort. You may return to your regular duties.”
Raising her brows, Kalendra tilted her head slightly to the side, as if daring them to defy her.
Unable to form any further protest, the guards bowed deeply and departed.
A faint smile appeared on Alec’s face. “Thank you, Mother,” he said dipping his head.
“Shall we see you tonight for dinner?” she questioned, brightening.
Hesitating briefly, Alec finally nodded. “Can Isabelle come?”
Lifting her hands, the sorceress shook her golden head. “Oh, that’s not—”
“But of course,” Kalendra smoothly insisted with no real feeling. “You must join us Miss Peterson.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she replied cautiously. She hates me. Flashing the queen a strained smile, Isabelle tugged on Alec’s sleeve. “We shouldn’t keep Garth waiting.”
“You’re right. Until tonight,” Alec said. Leaning to the side he gave Ariel a little wave.
She offered him a small smile in return.
“I shall look forward to seeing you…and you as well, Izzy,” Jade added with a grin.
“Izzy?” the sorceress echoed scrunching up her face. Eyes sparkling, she suddenly darted forward and enclosed the noble in an embrace. “I love it! No one’s ever given me a nickname before.”
“May I call you Izzy as well?” Alandra questioned.
“Certainly, Princess.”
Covering his face with his hand Alec’s shoulders shook as he laughed.
“Come on,” Alec ordered kindly, pulling Isabelle after him for a second.
Bouncing along, Isabelle followed easily. Almost immediately, she was chattering happily as they disappeared from sight.
Glancing at each other, Alandra and Jade giggled.
A frown marred Kalendra’s face as she gazed at the women. “I am glad you find your competition so amusing,” she quipped.
Silence fell instantly. The two nobles exchanged telling looks.
“You are mistaken, Mother. Isabelle is not Jade’s competition.”
“Quite so,” Jade added. “She is Alec’s friend and I desire for her to be mine too.”
Kalendra scoffed. “Has your position taught you nothing? Royalty and nobility cannot be acquainted with commoners. They will only seek to use you for their own gain. That girl is far too close for either of you to dismiss it so easily. There is no telling what damage she might inflict. Alakaid is a prince of Malyndor. Their acquaintance must be severed.”
Jade could not believe what she was hearing. Beside her, both Alandra and Ariel were gaping. Isabelle a threat? Never. Jade might have been jealous of her at first, but meeting the sage and knowing some of what Isabelle endured to help protect Alec, kept the noble from being foolishly blinded. Jade would allow no one to hurt Alec or the few people who earned his trust. The overwhelming need to shield the one she loved caused words to spill from Jade’s lips. Without her even realizing, she voiced them out loud.
“You are wrong.”
Kalendra’s head jerked back.
I have to protect Alec. Isabelle doesn’t deserve this. Jade forced herself to continue before she lost her nerve. “Being a prince does not change who Alec is, nor should it change who he has chosen as his friends. Born to nobility, I know what it is like to be burdened with so few I can trust, like Alandra and Ariel. Nothing could prevail me to sever our bond. How can you ask Alec to rid himself of such a valued friendship? Isabelle fought beside him when Alec believed he was nothing. Imagine the value of her loyalty now that he is a prince. She is family to him. I would hope Your Majesty would understand how important that is.”
Tears threatened to roll down Jade’s cheeks. Chin held high, she gripped the skirt of her dress without looking away.
The queen’s mouth moved wordlessly.
Alandra glanced at Ariel, who nodded. Each lightly placing a hand on Jade’s arms, they quickly urged her to go inside, leaving Kalendra still standing on the patio with all the lingering tension of a coming thunderstorm.
With news of the long anticipated arrival of King Titus, the duke’s study soon became a central hive of activity. Recently joining them from his own journey, Leos waited with Edmund, Zachary, Kalendra and Alandra.
The heavy thump of his footsteps sounded in the corridor right before the door swung open. Titus appeared to fill the space as he entered the chamber. His steel grey hair was brushed back and his dark hazel eyes scanned the room beneath bushy brows which seemed to increase the scowl dominating his expression.
“What is this nonsense you dare to send me?” he questioned. Looking about the space, his expression didn’t soften. “Do not tell me you have all been taken in by this imposter. Kalendra, our son perished. As much as we might wish it so, he is not returning to us.”
Getting to her feet the queen moved towards his side. “Titus, I know it is difficult to believe. I did not at first, but it is true.” Glancing behind him, her brows lowered. “Where is Alicia?”
“In Ariston where she belongs,” he stated sternly. “I do not wish to expose her to the ill will of this imposter.”
“He bares the dragon mark, Titus,” Edmund told him standing beside Zachary.
“I saw it as well.” Holding his brother’s gaze Zachary refused to look away.
Exhaling with a hiss, Titus threw up his hands. Shaking his head, he said nothing for a moment. “It must be a hoax.”
The door opened once more as Malcolm entered the study followed by Isabelle. Upon seeing the queen, the sorceress had to fight the urge not to squirm under her gaze. Relations with the royal were not improving. For the most part, Kalendra saw fit to ignore her and Isabelle knew not what was causing the icy reception. Instead, she traveled over towards Alandra.
“Hi, Alandra,” she whispered.
“Greetings, Izzy,” Alandra returned quietly.
All eyes were still on the king.
“Malcolm, there you are. Pray, tell everyone this foolishness is not to be borne.”
Stepping further into the space, Malcolm peered at the group calmly. He’d expected Titus to be much more skeptical upon receiving the news than Kalendra. Such a discovery was difficult for all of them to take at first. The sage hoped to quell some of the royal’s misgivings prior to him seeing Alec. Otherwise, Titus may well damage the fragile relationship Alec was rebuilding with his family. Or even sever it all together.
“Oh? What foolishness would that be?”
“It would appear there are those who fantasize seeing my son, alive and in Stafford no less.”
“I will gladly be of service, my King. Prince Alakaid is alive and in Stafford.”
Tossing his hands up again, Titus scoffed, “Who is this fraud, this scoundrel, who has so many under his sway? Pray, summon him so that I may—”
“For heaven’s sake, Titus,” Zachary snapped, “It is Alec, your precious Dragon Sage.”
Jaw going slack, the king stared at him. Then, his eyes widened comically. It cannot be true. Though brief, he spoke to Alec several times. The sorcerer was in his study for a meeting only a few days ago. His powers were impressive, but he never thought… Glancing at Alandra, an image of Alec standing with his daughters came to mind. It had been right in front of him. Zachary once called him blind. Titus felt deceived. Alakaid—Alec was Malcolm’s apprentice this entire time. By George, what was going on? Twisting around, he zeroed in on the master sage.
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“Malcolm! What in blue blazes were you thinking? Are you telling me he has been right under my nose and you said not a word?”
“There was a certain amount of secrecy needed for Alec’s sake. Not to mention the task of earning his trust. Had I informed him of his heritage right away, he would have rejected it immediately and possibly disappeared altogether.” Shifting his attention to the other sage, he asked, “Isabelle, where is Alec?”
Swallowing hard, Isabelle tried not to focus on the nobles suddenly watching her. Keeping her eyes on Malcolm she said, “He’s training with Cassidy and Ardys by your cottage, Master Malcolm.”
“Who?” Titus wondered.
“They are dragons, dear,” Kalendra enlightened.
“Dragons, pff.” Standing beside his wife he crossed his arms. “They seem to be the source of many issues as of late.”
Brushing back some stray hair with a jerky hand, Isabelle tried to ignore the churning in the pit of her stomach.
“If I may, Your Majesty, we did discover why so many of their kind have traveled to Malyndor.”
“Is that so?” Lips pressed into a thin line, he let out a sharp breath through his nose. “Do tell us.”
“Well…um…there are basically two separate dragon clans. The dragons from Ellfraya, who want to live in peace with humans and rebel dragons called the Iron Scales Clan, who seek to rule everything. The fight at our border was between them. They see Alec’s power as a threat. According to Cassidy, the Iron Scales Clan believes if Alec perishes before his magic is passed on to the ruling dragons, it will weaken them, allowing the Iron Scales Clan to wipe out their rivals.”
“Wait,” Titus interrupted. “Are you saying an entire clan of dragons is hunting my son?”
“Titus, we have to stop this,” Kalendra pleaded gripping his hand.
“No one is going to harm Alec. That’s why the dragons are here, to protect him.”
“So say you,” the queen returned coldly. “I do believe we are best qualified to decide what is best for our son. Thank you for your insight, but your presence is no longer required.”
Isabelle’s upper body pulled back. Gaze dropping to the ground, she mumbled, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lips parting, Alandra’s eyes followed the sorceress as she quietly departed. The frown on Malcolm, Zachary and Edmund’s faces didn’t lessen her displeasure.
Titus raised his brows.
“I hope you are pleased with yourself, Mother.”
“Not you as well, Alandra,” she said stiffening.
First, Jade had employed that disgraceful display by the gardens, now her own daughter appeared ready to defend Isabelle.
“Edmund, Zachary, could you please give us a moment?” Malcolm requested, watching the strained look on Kalendra’s face. “Princess?” he added as an afterthought.
Pride was an obstacle when dealing with nobility. He doubted the queen would willingly listen to anything he was about to say if there was an audience present. Thankfully, everyone left without further prompting.
Moving to stand before Kalendra, the sage sighed. “As your friend and counsel Kalendra, I must tell you that what you are doing to Isabelle is unwise.”
Pushing herself to her feet, she crossed her arms and stepped closer to the windows. “She is just a commoner, Malcolm.”
“We both know that has nothing to do with your treatment of her. Station has never prevented you from showing kindness in the past.”
“I admit, you did seem unusually harsh, my dear,” Titus said thoughtfully. “If she has done anything to offend you, I will see to it that she is properly punished.”
Malcolm shook his head. “Isabelle isn’t the problem.”
Kalendra spun around, her arms flying apart. “How can you say such a thing? You must have noticed the way she is practically sewn to his side. My son barely utters a word without her encouragement. If that is not a problem, then do enlighten me on what is.”
“Would it not serve you better to befriend her rather than push her aside?” the sage questioned, ignoring her outburst.
Tilting his head to the side, Titus narrowed his eyes. “Kalendra, are you trying to suggest Isabelle is a poor acquaintance of Alec’s?” The royal knew of the sorceress and couldn’t imagine the one he rightfully named the Just Sage as being such.
Silence.
Rubbing his chin, Malcolm exhaled. “If I may be so bold,” he began, having every intent of saying what was on his mind, whether she wanted to hear it or not. “Denying Alec his friendship with Isabelle will not hasten his bond with you. Who would you remove from his company next? Garth? Lady Jade? Even Alandra perhaps?”
“There is no need to be so dramatic,” Kalendra scoffed, lowering herself gracefully into a chair. Still, the tremor in her hands could not be missed.
“Malcolm has never been known for dramatics, my dear,” Titus interjected reasonably. I cannot blame her for fearing losing him again. “My time with him has taught me that Alec is a man of few words. You must be patient. Rekindling our bond with him should not be done with haste.”
“What bond?” Kalendra asked in a strained voice. “Titus, he does not even remember us.”
“That doesn’t mean he has no desire to, Kalendra,” Malcolm informed her. “I know Alec better than most. He wants to know the family he was taken from. But pray, make no mistake, that doesn’t mean he desires to part with the family he has found since coming to Malyndor.”
A few seconds ticked by prior to the sorcerer continuing. “There are some things you should know about that young woman. She knew, long before the rest of us, that Alec could speak with dragons and use magic without spells, yet told no one. Alec also informed me she was the one who helped him during the darkest time of their imprisonment. Without Isabelle, he wouldn’t have survived.”
Kalendra’s head jerked up at those words.
Malcolm nodded. He glanced at Titus, then back at the queen. “In my experience, Alec doesn’t say much, however he does notice quite a bit. I wouldn’t recommend continuing on this path. He isn’t one to be controlled.”
She stiffened, straightening her spine as she pulled back her shoulders. “What, pray tell, is that supposed to mean?”
“I think you are all too aware, my Queen.”
Bowing, Malcolm took his leave. Right before he closed the door, his gaze connected with Kalendra’s. Don’t make him choose, he silently advised. He highly doubted she would care for the outcome should such an event come to pass.
Chapter 14
Breathing slow and steady, Alec lay in the grass beneath the shadow of a tree. Exhausted from the grueling training session, he dozed almost instantly after settling in the shade. At first, there was nothing but the calming darkness. As time passed, vivid images assaulted his senses. His sword slashed through the air with a flurry of motion. Fingers a frightening pale white, they clashed with the deep red staining his skin and dripping down the length of his blade. Heart pounding in his ears, Alec’s chest heaved with every breath.
Lifting his gaze, the sword slipped from suddenly limp fingers. Surrounding him were the faces of every person who fell from his blade in the arena. At the front were his most recent victims. The teenage boys peered at him blankly as they stood with an eerie stillness.
Taking a step back, Alec’s arm lifted of its own accord. In his hand was his sword. The warrior’s lips parted, his eyes widening. How did I...? Weapon at the ready, Alec started forward.
Gazes filled with horror, the boys raised their arms as if to shield themselves. Their cries and pleas rang in Alec’s ears, yet he couldn’t control his body. Tendons pushing against the skin of his neck, he struggled to cease the descent of his arm.
“No!”
His blade cut into the first person. Alec swore his heart momentarily stopped. Without pause, his weapon slashed to the side. Closing his eyes, Alec gripped the hilt with both hands as he fought to stop the slaughter. Nothing he did worked. The more he struggled, the mor
e the metal fused to his flesh, keeping the blade in his grasp. Then, there was silence. Swallowing repeatedly, Alec scanned the bodies at his feet.
It’s not real, he told himself. It can’t be real!
Shutting his eyes the warrior willed himself to awaken. When his lids slowly opened, his victims were once more surrounding him, staring at him, as his weapon started to vibrate in preparation of another battle.
Hands gripping the reins of her steed, Isabelle tried not to groan. How in the world did she manage to get herself into these situations? In the need to get away from the castle, the sorceress decided to take a ride out to Malcolm’s and visit Alec. Saddling her horse, she was soon no longer alone. King Titus and Queen Kalendra seemed to share her idea. So here she was, at the behest of her king, riding towards the sage’s cottage with the last person she wanted to see.
Pretend she’s not here. Pretend she’s not here.
Gaze straight ahead Kalendra spared her not a glance.
Isabelle could work with that. It was the snide, cold commands which reminded her of Jerric that she could not abide.
Nearing the dwelling, a familiar voice pierced the quiet of the forest with its distress. A chill racked her body like a frost.
Alec!
He screamed again.
It was an agonizing noise, the likes of which she could not recall. Racing ahead, the sorceress’s eyes darted from one spot to the next as she searched for him. Cloud had paused his munching on the grass by the cottage, but she couldn’t see the sage near him. Dismounting in a flash, Isabelle slid down the hill and headed towards the creek.
Alec waded up to his waist in the cool water. Head bent, he was frantically scrubbing his hands and arms.
Ardys and Cassidy were close by, speaking to him in quiet, calming tones.
Alec didn’t seem to hear them. “It won’t come off,” he said anxiously, continuing the vigorous movements. “I can’t get it off!”
Using some stones to cross the creek, Isabelle rushed to his side. She didn’t even think twice about leaping into the water.
