by Jessi Gage
He spread his arms wide. “Here, in New Larna, the lottery will work differently. On the day of each full moon, games will be held. Swordsmanship, archery, chopping, climbing, hand-to-hand combat, you name it. We’ll choose a different game each moon and spend the month training for that skill. Every man eighteen years of age or older will play, but all may train. This will ensure we keep in shape, you see.
“The winner of the game will draw the first ticket, the runner-up the next ticket, third-place the next, and so on. On the ticket will be the name of a woman in our custody. There may only be one at first, but we’ll find more. We’ll continue to make repairs and furnish our keep until we have room for as many females as we can find.
“There are twelve of us eighteen or older. That means twelve tickets will be drawn. If there is only one woman in the lottery, the tickets will simply reveal the order in which she is to be bedded by all twelve men within the season. If there are more women, their names will be distributed evenly over the tickets.”
Travis was pulled from the vision by the sound of Nenna’s voice. “That pompous little snake! Can you believe what he’s saying?”
She was talking to Vera, who returned Nenna’s fierce look. Vera shook her head, not in denial but seemingly in resignation. Resignation to what, though?
The vision drew his attention once more.
“Linas is lottery head,” Alexander said. “He’s documenting all this.” Travis noted Linas bent over a sheet of paper, scrawling hastily. “When he is finished, I will stamp it into law. New Larna will be a kingdom of lawfulness. We will organize ourselves as time goes on, but I will be your governor. Anyone have a problem with that?”
He scanned the hall with sharp eyes. No one said anything.
Alexander clasped his hands behind his back. A smile lit his face. “Congratulations, gentlemen. We are now a new kingdom. A better kingdom. One with hope for survival!” Lifting his fists in the air, he shouted, “Welcome to New Larna!”
The other children applauded. The older boys hooted and hollered.
“How will we find the women?” one boy shouted as the cheers died down.
“We will not have to find them,” Alexander said, a smug grin on his face. “They will come to us.” His eyes darted up to where Braeden perched.
Travis’s heart stopped in his chest as he—or rather Braeden—made eye contact with Alexander. Braeden’s vision shifted as he made a run for the crumbling stone steps, but it was too late. A net fell around him. Rock-weights made it impossible to scrabble out from underneath.
The two missing boys appeared from behind the crumbling side of the fortress. One held a sword at the ready while the other poked a pole collar through the net. The loop from the pole collar spread around the vision as it went over Braeden’s head, and the vision faded away.
“No! Braeden!” Nenna cried. “Vera, we have to get him!” She threw off her tunic and leggings. Bending forward, she changed into her other form—a majestic white wolf.
“Nenna,” Vera said sharply. “Do not be impatient. You and I coming to his rescue is precisely what they want. I have a better idea.” She put on her cloak and took from the chest not the bow and quiver she used for hunting, but a fierce-looking crossbow. “Stay here, both of you. I’ll handle this.”
Nenna jumped in front of Vera, blocking her way into the tunnels.
“I’m not going alone,” Vera said, as if Nenna had made a vocal protest. “Yes, them. And when we reach the fortress, those foolish infants will wish they’d stayed in their precious Marann.” Vera shoved past Nenna and strode into the tunnel. As the darkness swallowed her, she called back, “Don’t let him out of your sight.”
Nenna wheeled on Travis, blue eyes blazing and teeth bared. He decided against an escape attempt, not wishing to have his throat torn out.
Chapter 25
“Sire, is everything—what in the name of moon?” Cadeyrn’s voice spurred Magnus into action.
He could not stand out here in the cold gaping at his beloved and her mischievous companion when at any moment, more of his men might witness this—this—he wasn’t sure what this was, only that something magical had occurred. Whether debacle or miracle remained to be seen. All he knew for certain was that Anya and Danu were hundreds of leagues from safety.
“Get my other knights,” Magnus commanded Cadeyrn. “Guard this area from view. You two.” He fixed Anya and Danu in his sights. “In my tent. Please,” he added, remembering one half of this pair was a goddess.
Anya scrambled off the bed and Riggs lifted the tent flap for her.
Danu followed, stepping gracefully onto the packed snow. When she looked up at him, she wore a radiant smile. Her eyes danced with delight. All at once, his chest filled with joy and ire.
How could the women look so unperturbed when he’d spent the last several days and nights worried sick about them? A runner had caught up to their party three days prior and informed him that Ladies Anya and Seona had disappeared without a trace from Anya and Riggs’s tower chamber. Their disappearance had occurred only a few hours after he’d led his army out of the city. All of Chroina had been searching for them. Despite daily runners bringing news from the city, he had received no hint of their whereabouts.
A bubbling laugh parted Danu’s lips as she went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “I can hardly believe it,” she said. “It worked!” Clapping her hands, she ducked under Riggs’s arm into the tent. He was left outside in the bitter cold, wondering what she was talking about.
The great bed, which had been a fixture at Glendall from his grandparents’ time, had appeared out of nowhere between his royal tent and the rocky rise sheltering their camp from the worst of the mountain weather. Thank the moon his portable dwelling shielded the bed from the view of the camp. He did not wish to explain a magical event to his men without first understanding it.
Cadeyrn came around the tent with spare sheets of canvas. More of Magnus’s knights followed. They set to work constructing a second tent behind the royal tent. Content to let his knights conceal the bed, he went inside to question the women.
Riggs, Anya, and Danu stood around the bowl-lamp set on the floor. The fire made their shadows reach across the canvas in every direction. Bed furs large enough for a single man stretched the length of one side, and a collapsible table covered with maps took over the other. His clothing and armor were kept in a chest that currently served as a tray for a half-drunk cup of strong black tea.
He rounded the lamp and dragged Danu into his arms. He would question her for certain, but at the moment, he absolutely required her lips beneath his. Wasting no time, he descended on her. Mouth touched mouth, breath met breath. She tasted of cooked meats, herb-encrusted cheese, and rich wine as if she had just dined at Glendall only moments ago. He delved inside, taking the intense flavors into himself, spearing her with a part of him the only way he could at present.
She welcomed his invasion with a moan. Her tongue caressed his, and she clung to him. Had their near week of separation worn her down as much as it had him? Never before had he felt sick for home while away for battle. But this time, every step his steed took away from Chroina had increased his agitation until he could barely think for lack of his goddess in his arms.
Holding her tightly to him, he kissed her and kissed her some more until he was panting with a need that could not be indulged while questions must be answered. From the sighs and rustling of fabrics rubbing together, he gathered Riggs was greeting Anya much the same way, but he didn’t spare them a glance.
Trailing kisses along Danu’s jaw, he said, “I have been so worried. Where have you been? I’d feared—” He cut himself off, not wanting to voice his deepest fear, that she had somehow been forced back to Hyrk’s dungeon and he would never see her again. Overwhelmed with relief, he scooped her to him as tightly as possible and cupped her head beneath his chin.
“I’m all right, love,” she said soothingly as she clung to him.
He s
et her away only far enough that he could take her delicate face in his hands and peer into her eyes. She appeared well rested and well fed.
“Tell me all that has happened since I left Chroina,” he said, eager to know if she had been hurt or captive or under any kind of distress. “Omit nothing.”
She lifted his hand and kissed his palm. “Anya and I talked,” she said. “She showed me a very interesting portrait.” A dimple appeared in her check beside her smile. Leave it to Anya to do what he had feared to do himself. He shook his head ruefully as she continued. “We had supper in her chamber, and we conspired over my moonstone. You can see the results of that for yourself.” She spread her arms and again appeared delighted.
He waited for her to fill in the events of the days between, but she only frowned.
She stepped into his arms and peered up at him. “My darling king, I can understand your relief at being together unexpectedly, but why such concern? And why are you making camp tonight? I thought you would stop only briefly to rest the horses in your haste to reach Larna.”
“’Tis been nearly a week?” screeched Anya, drawing both their gazes across the tent.
Between Danu’s question and Anya’s surprise, he made the connection. To the women, inexplicably, not much time had passed. That would explain why they smelled of Glendall’s warmth and wine.
He watched Riggs place a protective hand over Anya’s abdomen. “Calm yourself,” he cooed to her. “This excitement can’t be good for our little one.”
Trusting his knight to see to Anya, he said to Danu, “I led my army out of the city five days ago. This is our third time making camp. We’re at the foot of the mountains Duff described. Tomorrow, we’ll be hiking to the caves and using them to cut through Mammoth to the fortress. Where have you been all this time? I received word days ago that you and Anya disappeared from the north tower.” He couldn’t stop smoothing his hands over her head and face, reassuring himself of her wellbeing.
Her lovely eyes widened as she gained understanding. “No wonder you appeared so worried. To my mind, you left Chroina only hours ago. I watched you go from your solar. Then Anya and I took a walk through Glendall and had supper up in her chamber. We puzzled out that my moonstone may just have a mind of its own, and suddenly we were here, bed and all.” She huffed a chuckle that was equal parts nervous and pleased.
He closed his eyes at the sensation of her small hands smoothing over his cheeks and brow. Neither of them seemed to possess the ability to stop touching the other.
“Mind of its own, hmm?” He slid his fingers beneath her moonstone, loving the feel of her warm skin, and lifted it for his scrutiny. “Looks like it can do more than translate for the one wearing it.” In its amethyst depths, he saw nothing he hadn’t seen before. Returning it to its resting place, he added, “Unless the one wearing it is a goddess, perhaps.”
A look of guilt passed over Danu’s features.
“What is it, my beauty?”
“I never had a chance to tell you,” she began, brows sloping as she tapped the necklace. “This gemstone, it belongs to me.”
“Of course it does. I gave it to you.” He’d recognized the gemstone the moment he’d seen it in Anya’s hand on that grassy plain. It felt like years ago he’d met the human woman and her lifemate. But it had been only two moons. Even though he had yet to learn of Seona’s existence, he had instantly known the stone belonged to the woman from his vision.
Danu shook her head, shiny, walnut waves tickling her shoulders. “No. I mean, yes, you did. But even before that, it was mine.” She lifted the stone, cradling it in her palm. “I made it in my prison and placed within it the portion of my power that sustains wolfkind. If Hyrk succeeded in sealing me within the cell, I did not want my power to be cut off from my people for all time.”
Magnus’s eyes widened. He cupped both his hands around hers, making a secure cave for the object. The gemstone was much more valuable than he’d realized. Its magic was not arbitrary. It came from Danu herself.
“You made this?” From their hands, the stone winked at him.
She nodded. “It pained me to separate myself from my people, but I could not risk the consequences if Hyrk bested me.” She sighed heavily. “I gave it to Duff to look after in the mortal realm. He is an expert at hiding, so I knew he would keep it safe from Hyrk. I’ve since learned that Duff gave it to Anya shortly before she came to this realm. I think it has worked subtle magic to help wolfkind or perhaps to find its way back to me.”
She opened her hand, and Magnus loosened his hold on the stone. They both gazed at it.
“For being its creator, I understand precious little about it,” she said, frowning. “I had heard of relics, but had never made one before. I know this, though. Only this stone can return me to my true form.”
Panic made his spine straight as a rod.
“Do not worry,” she said with a sad smile. “I am not able to command its power in this mortal body, and even if I could, it is not in wolfkind’s best interest for me to leave you just yet.” Her gaze went distant, and fear lodged in his heart. They both knew she would have to leave at some point. Wolfkind needed her to rule over them, as she had done in ages past. But he could not stomach the thought of her leaving. Not yet.
He caught the reflection of his furrowed brow in the stone’s gleaming surface. “If you cannot command it, then how is it you and Anya are here? It altered time and place. Are you saying it did so of its own accord?”
“Partly, yes.” Excitement lit her eyes. She squeezed his hands as she went on. “Anya and I agree it has likely accomplished far more than translation. It was with her and Riggs when they defeated King Bantus in Larna, and Anya claims that was not the only time Riggs showed remarkable strength in defending her.”
Magnus realized the truth of it. The stone—Danu’s moonstone—had been present through all of Anya and Riggs’s adventures.
“It seemed there were several miracles that brought the two of them safe to Glendall,” Danu said. “It has also helped the wearer communicate when necessary. We wondered if perhaps its magic provides what is needed most at a given time.” She smiled brightly. “We began considering what you and your army needed most. We wondered if we might somehow direct the moonstone to help you.” His heart warmed at the thought of his goddess wishing to aid him. “We agreed what you needed most was to have victory in Larna. Then, all of a sudden, we were here.” Her laughter brought joy to his heart. And her explanation of what she and Anya had been up to pleased him more than he could say.
Scooping her to his chest, he said, “You were correct. Our people need my victory in the coming battle. But do you know what I need most of all?”
She peered into his eyes, her irises darkened with what he knew to be lust. He knew it because he felt it too. The air around them was charged with it, and he could not resist its pull much longer.
“What?” she asked breathlessly.
“You. In my bedfurs.” He lowered his lips to hers, and their mouths melded together as if they’d been made for this kiss, this moment.
“Sire.” Riggs cleared his throat, and Magnus contemplated murder. Would they never enjoy an intimate moment without interruption?
He glared at his second.
Riggs held Anya close against him, his body a protective shield of flesh and bone around her. Anya’s cheeks were flushed, and her lips looked like they’d been properly ravaged. She met his eyes with a bemused smile.
“What are we to do?” Riggs said. “Do we inform the men? Send a party back to Chroina with the women?” As he voiced the question, his hold on Anya visibly tightened. Magnus understood how he felt. Having Danu in his arms again felt like breathing after days of longing for air. He could not bear to let her go after being without her so long.
“I do not wish to leave you,” Danu said, echoing his thoughts.
“The gemstone brought us here,” Anya said. “If you bring us back, it’ll only send us again.”
Riggs looked on Anya with affection but also deep concern. “For what purpose? We may be going to battle against a demigod. This is no place for women.” He turned pleading eyes to Magnus. “They should go back, Sire.”
Magnus quirked a brow. “Are you attempting to command your king, knight?”
Riggs paled. “No, Sire. Of course not.”
“He’s only worrit for me,” Anya told Magnus. “Dinnae fash, love. I’ll be fine,” she said to Riggs. She patted his cheek, standing on her toes to do so. “I’m here with a goddess, and around her neck is the gemstone that brought you and I together and kept us safe through all manner of trials. All will be well. The magic has a purpose in it, even if we canna see it.”
“A goddess?” Riggs said. He frowned at Magnus, giving the impression he feared his lifemate had gone mad.
“Yes,” Magnus confirmed. “A goddess.” He kissed Danu’s forehead and met his second’s confused gaze. “It happened when Seona fell. Somehow, they traded bodies, and now Seona is in Hyrk’s dungeon while Danu is here. With us.”
Riggs’s mouth hung open. Anya nudged it shut with a finger.
“You knew?” Riggs asked.
“Only just,” Anya said. “Magnus told me at the feast.”
Riggs stared at Danu a moment, then he strode to her and dropped to his knees. “My goddess.”
Magnus’s chest filled with pride. He had done well to make this man his second. He put a hand on Riggs’s shoulder. “Outside this tent, you must treat her like you would Seona.”
“I am completely without my power,” Danu said. She held out a hand to Riggs, who stared wide-eyed at it before taking it like her skin was made from fine crystal. Danu urged him to rise. “I cannot afford for Hyrk to learn of this.”
“Not completely without power,” Anya said. “Look where we are.”
“Perhaps, not completely,” Danu admitted. “But I still do not understand exactly what power I have, and I would not want Seona’s body endangered.”
