He lowered into the steaming water. The heat soothed his body and his mind. After a time his muscles began to relax. He dropped his head back against the cold metal edge of the tub and allowed himself to imagine what life would be like with Lyana by his side.
A loud roar stirred Jack from his sleep. He groaned, his body aching and exhausted.
“Highness!” shouted Tom whilst banging on his door.
Jack flung his arms over his face as he tried to rouse himself. “Yes!” he answered, his voice rough.
“Vaalor is back!”
“About time,” muttered Jack as he reluctantly moved. He coughed to clear his throat. “Good! Get the commanders assembled on the deck. Is Queen Ilya with him?” he yelled to Tom.
“Yes, highness.”
Jack pulled on his leggings, socks and boots. Without bothering about a shirt, he flung open the door and raced out onto the busy deck. Roin and Somal followed him, but he was aware his other guards surrounded the deck, watching carefully.
The two dragons circled above, magnificent in the early dawn light.
Ilya glided down, changed mid-air, and used her fae wings to guide herself to the deck. She landed elegantly and continuously stalked towards Jack. Her body was clad in figure-hugging scaled armour very similar to Eryanth’s and Diamond’s.
Jack smiled inwardly; it certainly left very little to the imagination. Ilya’s curves were on full display.
He felt a heated glare on his face.
He coolly met Lyana’s eyes and, even though his gut clenched and his pulse raced, he kept his face impassive.
Karl’s deep brown eyes flickered from one to the other, a spark of disapproval shining before his face became blank.
Jack agreed. He knew he was being a shit but didn’t give a damn what his guard thought. Keeping Lyana at a distance was best for both of them, at least for now, even if it meant she hated him. He purposefully smirked, then ran his eyes over Ilya.
Ilya raised her brows, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she cocked a brow. “Prince? You are looking well this morning,” she smiled, grazing her eyes over his naked torso.
Jack grinned. Arades’ eyebrows dipped a bit in reproach at their light flirting. Jack ignored him.
“Vaalor is returning to wait with the Hourian fleet. Fetu’s numbers are slightly less than his original fleet; he has left his civilians in the relative safety of my lands and brought only his soldiers and those strong enough to fight,” Ilya informed Jack.
“Good, that means fewer innocent souls for us to protect.” Jack took a calming breath, making an effort not to clench his fists or tighten his voice when anticipation and dread coursed through him. They could now set sail to fight by Diamond’s side. “General Gillon, Roin, send word to the other leaders. Send Somal and Vico to fetch Prince Rayan. I believe the last of the supplies have already been loaded on board our ships. We set sail now,” he ordered.
“Yes, majesty,” they both answered.
Jack ignored everyone else and walked to Ilya. “Will you talk with me?” he asked quietly.
She cocked her head, clearly curious about his change in demeanour toward her. They both knew her heart lay with Ugan. “Of course,” she agreed.
Jack gestured with his head towards his cabin. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lyana storm away. He swallowed hard and ignored the guilt in his heart.
Ilya followed after him.
“So, sweet prince, what do you wish to discuss? I’m presuming it’s business and not just that you want to make that poor young girl even more jealous than she already is?” Ilya enquired with amusement, her dark eyes twinkling. “Much as I enjoy the view of you half naked, I am betrothed to another,” she chuckled.
“Queen Arjuno, I am not trying to make Princess Lyana jealous, I am trying to save her—and myself—from a great deal of heartache,” Jack replied tightly.
“Really? Well, I’d say it isn’t working,” she quipped, another chuckle rippling through her. “You both look terrible. You know, finding a soul to love, one that you would protect from harm at the expense of your own life, isn’t something to be discarded lightly. Perhaps when this war is over, you should give her—and yourself—a chance.”
Jack sighed. That was almost exactly what Arades had said. And it was just as pointless now as it was then. Souls—and hearts—were too easily destroyed. He flicked his hand dismissively, hoping she’d drop the subject. “Never mind that. Did you manage to find the tunnel Elexon told us about?” he asked.
Ilya grinned knowingly but let it go. “Yes. It’s right where he said it would be. That part of the island has steep cliffs and little population, so it is light with Ashmea, barely any at all. It seems Erebos is more concerned with protecting the city, the palace and the Rift Valley wall.” She paused and crossed her arms over her ample breasts. “I wonder what is in the palace that is so special to him? Griana maybe?”
Jack shuddered at the thought of the fae queen, of what she had done to his people and his friends. “Very likely,” he agreed.
“So are we to proceed with the plans we made?”
Jack perched on his bed and rubbed his face. “Yes. When we have joined the Hourian ships, I will prepare a small force along with Prince Rayan.”
Ilya nodded her agreement. “I will stay with the fae. We will burn as many Ashmea as we can, but I fear we will be sorely outnumbered. Even if my brother still lives, even if the goddess can fight them with her magic, even with their Nexus, you know our chances of winning are slim.” She stepped up to him and touched his cheek. “Jack, we eastern fae are not nearly as reserved with our feelings and the wants of our bodies as you Rhodainians seem to be. Why don’t you accept you want that girl? She clearly wants you. Bed her tonight and every night you have chance to; you do not know when that feeling of joy will be ripped away from you both.”
Jack closed his eyes and breathed, “I know. And that’s why I can’t let myself touch her. I will fall endlessly in love with her and then she will leave me—just as everyone does.”
The feeling of Ilya’s lips against his caused him to snap his eyes open.
She was looking directly into his eyes, hers burning with gold flame—and something else—sadness. “Ah, now I understand. Dearest prince, perhaps the opposite will happen, if you just take a chance and allow it.”
Jack huffed and smiled weakly. “I cannot afford to rely on chance,” he told her. “Too many people are relying on me. My heart needs to stay in one piece if I am to rebuild a kingdom worthy of my people.”
Ilya did not reply, merely smiled and straightened. Her hips swayed as she stalked to the doors. “You know?” she said without turning her head. “Your people followed you when your city and kingdom fell— and they still follow you now. You are your kingdom, Jack, so if you do not deem yourself worthy of joy and happiness—and love—what does that say about your kingdom and the people in it? If your people see you as alone and unable to love, that might be that thing that stops your kingdom from thriving as you wish it to.”
Jack stood and followed her as she stepped out on deck, his brow furrowed. Was she right? Would his people have more faith and invest more in rebuilding their homes and economy if they perceived his own life and rule stable?
Arades nodded a greeting to them both. “I have sent messengers to all the leaders. Prince Rayan will join us shortly to discuss our plans,” he informed Jack.
Jack squared his shoulders.
Ilya nodded her head and snapped out her glorious wings, taking to the skies where she morphed into her guardian. She glided overhead, tipping her wings in farewell before heading towards the ship that held Ugan.
Jack curled his fingers around the hilt of his sword. The metal was disappointingly smooth, not rough with a dragon’s head or ruby eyes. He hoped to feel Dragonsblood by his side again soon.
Jack strode to the balustrades, enjoying the caress of the warm sea breeze upon his skin. He looked out over the cerulean ocean before his eyes rose to
the equally blue heavens where Firan’s enchantment had settled to allow the sun’s rays to bathe his lands and sea.
Jack wondered if his father had known what those red dragon eyes truly were in the hilt of that ancient sword. “I guess I’ll never know,” he whispered up to his father. “But maybe I will kill myself a dragon with it yet.” He smiled, anticipation and dread filling the empty space he carried in his heart where memories of his father should be.
“Did you say something, Jack?” asked Arades, turning his head to look at his king.
Jack smiled at his mentor. “No,” Jack replied. “Now, let’s get underway,” he ordered.
Chapter 28
A crack of thunder resounded through the dark skies around the island city of Valentia.
The legions of fae and wizards had left days ago to reach the wall, Ilya and Vaalor leading them. Arades had already set sail for the main harbour to launch his attack on Valentia itself.
Jack hoped it would serve as a distraction for Jack and his men to enter the palace. His plan was to find Griana and cut at least one head off the snake.
“Shit!” cursed Rayan as he tripped over a protruding rock and grazed his hand on the rough wall of the tunnel. “How the hell does Elexon know about this place? It’s like no one’s been down here for centuries. All dark and covered in seaweed ‘n shit,” he grumbled.
Zane chuckled. “Well, wizard, you’re the one with the ability to cast,” he commented meaningfully. “Can’t do much about the seaweed ‘n shit, but the light…”
In the darkness Tom shot him a disapproving look as he climbed out of the rowboat the mers had propelled to the cliff base. They had needed to wait for low tide before attempting to reach the small cave.
Jack grinned. Zane had never been good at respecting other people in power. It was clear his allegiance was only to Jack, and he was always just towing the line of acceptable with others, no more.
Slipping on the seaweed, Rayan stumbled deeper into the tunnel, muttering. Within seconds, strands of light drifted through the air around them. It was just enough to see by.
“How about you fall back, warrior,” answered Rayan, though there was nothing in his tone to suggest it was a request. “As you say, I have the power to light the way. You, on the other hand, can protect us from the rear—in the dark. And if you fall because you can’t see, you can blame your quick wit and lack of respect,” he added, grinning dangerously.
Roin stifled a laugh and bit his lip as Jack threw him a warning look. Jack could almost hear the crass comments forming in Roin’s mind. He couldn’t stop the others grinning widely though. Everyone loved to see Zane put in his place.
Zane snarled at the wizard.
Rayan held his eyes and grinned back.
“Zane, someone has to guard us. And if you learned to keep that smart mouth shut, it wouldn’t have been you. As it is…” Jack shrugged. “Off you go.”
Zane nodded his acquiescence.
Seemingly satisfied, Rayan stalked off in front.
As they walked, the tunnel became smaller and smaller, to the point they were bent double and the fae had to pull in their wings.
“Gods damn it!” Jack uttered, as he banged his head again. “I can see why this escape tunnel has been forgotten about,” he complained.
“Quit whining, King Oden. I think we’ve reached the steps,” Rayan pointed out.
Jack peered around Rayan’s wide-armoured back. The wizard prince was bedecked in his own armour. The gods of wind and sun were etched into it in intricate patterns, which were hard not to stare at.
A set of narrow stone steps climbed upward into the darkness, clearly passing up through the foundations of the palace. Cobwebs heavy with dust hung across their path.
Zane quipped from behind them, “Bet you wish you were at the rear now, wizard.”
“Piss off, warrior,” Rayan uttered, sticking up his middle finger.
Splutters of laughter filled the air.
“Quiet!” hissed Jack, pushing in front of Rayan. “Allow me, wizard.” Holding out his curved sword, Jack cut through the flimsy webs, allowing them to flutter to the ground.
They were all breathing heavy by the time they walked up hundreds of stairs and crept down even more small tunnels.
Jack held up a hand and everyone ceased moving. Rayan pulled back his light to barely a glow.
A wall of old stone bricks. A dead end. Jack motioned Zane forward. Elexon had been very specific about how to enter the palace this way.
“You ready?” Jack asked Zane.
Zane nodded grimly and held out his hand.
Rayan grinned as he unsheathed a dagger.
“You needn’t look like you’ll enjoy this so much,” Zane growled.
Rayan’s grin spread and he slashed Zane’s palm.
The metallic smell of his blood made Tom hiss.
“I’m fine,” Zane reassured him.
“That’s great,” Rayan said sarcastically. “Now put your hand on those stones.”
Zane merely looked at the wizard.
“Go ahead. Put your hand on it,” reiterated Jack, wondering how long it would be before these two alpha males beat each other to a pulp.
“Yes, my king,” Zane responded darkly.
Rayan held his eyes.
Before the prince could speak, Jack stepped in. “Rayan, now’s the time,” he said firmly.
Rayan smiled tightly, moving his gaze from Zane’s. “Of course.” He closed his vivid blue eyes and began to chant.
It had been Erzion’s mixed wizard and fae blood that had sealed this door. It needed both to open it. Rayan slit open his own skin and slapped his hand next to Zane’s as he chanted the ancient spell Elexon had taught him.
Rayan and Zane growled as a section of the brick split and shuddered. Dust exploded over them just as a red glow travelled up their arms. Neither lifted their hands until the brick swung inward then slid back along a deep channel in the ground.
All of them drew their blades except Rayan, who grabbed Zane’s wrist. “Keep still!” he ordered.
Zane grunted but did so.
Rayan whispered some musical words and the soft light of his magic fell on Zane’s skin, healing the cut.
“Thank you, lord wizard,” Zane offered and graciously dipped his head, his words genuine.
Rayan nodded.
Swiftly, they drew their blades and joined the others in Griana’s dungeons.
“Urgh! This place stinks!” Roin hissed.
“Quiet!” ordered Jack. “Now is the time to behave as warriors. You know what to do, now do it. We cannot fail at our purpose. We find Griana and end her. Then we find Diamond and Eryanth and help them end the threat to our world. Some of us may not make it but if I should fall, you do not stop fighting—ever. Do you hear me?” he asked his guard.
All of them nodded gravely, slamming their fists to their chests in a gesture of respect. “Yes, majesty,” they chorused in unison. “For our king and kingdom, we will fight and die.”
Rayan raised his brows, but it wasn’t amusement Jack saw in his eyes, it was respect.
Jack nodded, took a breath and prowled carefully through the darkness. The lower levels were nothing but empty tiny caves, even the higher cells were vacant. Jack supposed Erebos had no use for prisoners—only souls and soldiers. As they climbed the stairs to the top level, there was a soft glow of light and pained screams filled the air.
Rayan cut his magic off immediately.
Jack slowly climbed the last few steps and peered cautiously around the corner. He recognised that screaming voice. His heart beat violently against his ribs when another long, agony-filled yell filled the air. Part of him rejoiced to hear it.
He took a deep breath and thrust those thoughts away. Emotion could not rule him now.
Lanterns cast a dim glow, just enough to see by. As he watched, a young girl wearing the cloak of an acolyte reached the bottom of the stairs.
Two fully armed Battle Im
ps watched her pass, their dark eyes following her progress, her shoulders hunched and her head lowered. She held tightly onto a tray of towels and linens and walked to the first cell. There she waited. A moment later another woman came down the steps. She was dressed in a ridiculously frilly dress, which only served to make her already huge form look bigger. Her toad-like face was red and sweating and there was a hard look in her eyes.
“You will assist me with her. She is to be given nothing for the pain, and you will take the child away as soon as it is born. She is neither to feed it nor hold it. You will take it to our lord’s chambers and await the wet nurse I have arranged.”
The girl remained silent, her head down.
“Answer me, girl!” the toad-like woman roared, then backhanded the girl hard across her cheek. The girl stumbled against the wall and dropped the towels. The older woman laughed cruelly. “Oh, that’s right. You can’t.”
Jack frowned. He recognised the ugly, older woman from Griana’s court. He had just thought her a member of Valentia’s council—nothing more. He changed his mind as she uttered some quiet words and the lock on the cell popped open.
The young acolyte scrambled to pick up the towels and followed her in. Jack stifled a gasp. Now he could see why the girl couldn’t answer. Her lips were sewn together in a parody of a smile. Thick black sutures marred her skin.
Jack pulled his gaze away as she scuttled into the cell. He looked down at Rayan. “Two Battle Imps,” he mouthed, then cocked his head in question.
Rayan nodded and grinned. Silently he slid past Jack.
Jack readied his sword, looked back at Tom and mouthed, “Griana,”
Tom swallowed and nodded, passing the word back.
“Ready?” Rayan uttered.
Jack nodded once.
Rayan whispered some words and cast. Immediately the Battle Imps’ mouths sealed shut. They could not scream as Rayan’s spell pierced them and their hearts exploded in their chests.
The Goddess and The Guardians Boxset: The Complete Romantic Fantasy Quartet Page 128
