“Not openly,” he replied. “Not until I have everything in place. If I move too aggressively, Shinzan will send an army to crush me before I’m ready. But I want you to tell your friends that I will definitely join with them when the time is right.”
“You think others will join too?”
“That’s what I intend to find out. Shinzan has already sent word that we are to muster our forces to march on the dwarves.”
On reaching Ethan’s room, Yularian caught his arm just before he entered.
“Two things I would ask,” he said. “Though I will not ask you again to leave my daughter behind, please allow her to remain here for at least a few days. I understand your need for haste, but grant a father this boon.”
Ethan smiled. “Of course, Your Highness. And what else?”
“Do not visit Katyana’s bed chamber while you are here.”
Ethan flushed. “Of course not. I promise.”
“Thank you.” Without a further word, the king squeezed his shoulder and then strode away.
The lavish dining hall where they ate dinner that evening was spacious enough to have accommodated dozens of guests. Yet only the three of them were seated at the end of the magnificent table. Kat didn’t seem to mind, spending the entire time peppering her father with questions and listening as he recounted his memories of her when she was a tiny child.
Ethan, remembering Yularian’s desire for her to spend at least a few days with him, suggested that he should go out to speak with the elves. Kat’s pleasant demeanor changed instantly.
“This had better not be some trick,” she warned. “If you try to leave here without me, I’ll just follow you on my own. You know that.”
Ethan reached over and took her hand. “It’s not a trick, I promise. It’s just that I don’t want Keira thinking the king is sending men to attack them. If they see me, they'll know everything is all right. And it will give you a few days to spend with your father.”
“Please, Katyana,” Yularian implored. “I don’t know when I’ll see you again. Just a few days.”
Convinced of their sincerity, she smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.” She leaned over to kiss Ethan on the cheek. “Thank you.”
When the meal was finished, Yularian invited them to join him for a walk in the gardens. Feeling that Kat should have some private time with her father, Ethan politely declined. Kat appeared to be grateful for this gesture, though before he left them alone she made a point of pulling him aside to where her father couldn’t see them and kissing him long and hard.
Her passion was sufficient to make him seriously regret his promise to the king about their sleeping arrangements.
* * * * *
Kat returned to her room later that night, her heart filled with a joy she had not known since she was a child. She and her father had talked for hours while wandering the gardens where she had spent so many carefree days playing and laughing. It wasn’t until she noticed him wince as he walked that she decided it was time they said goodnight.
Her father was happy that she would remain with him while Ethan spoke to the elves. And in all honesty, she was happy with this arrangement too. Never in her dizziest daydreams had she thought she would be able to come home. All the distressing thoughts of recent years that her father had stopped loving her and that she was without a family were now banished. And even if she was fated never to return - even if Shinzan were to kill them all - she had still had this time. And not even the terrible power of the Emperor could take it away.
Karol had laid out a soft cotton nightgown and put some fresh linens on her bed. After changing into the gown she settled face down onto the mattress, sighing with utter contentment. Home. The word echoed through her mind like a sweet lullaby.
A knock at the door startled her from her reflections.
“Karol,” she said quietly to herself before answering the door.
But it was not Karol. It was Ethan. He stood there with a sly smirk on his face, leaning casually against the door frame while looking her up and down and nodding with appreciation.
“My father told me you promised not to come here,” she whispered. She poked her head out and looked down the hall. Three guards were standing at each end, though all of them seemed totally oblivious to Ethan’s presence.
“You look ravishing,” he told her. “Though I'm sure you would look even better without your attire.”
Kat’s heart was racing - the warm sensation of desire washing over her. Even so, she fought against a powerful urge to pull him inside. She had also made a promise to her father that they would spend their nights apart.
She smiled and poked his nose playfully. “We can’t. Not here. Besides, I thought Boy Scouts didn’t break their promises.”
Receiving no reply to this, she took another quick look at the guards. For some strange reason, they still seemed completely unaware of Ethan having slipped past them. She stepped out and kissed him, her lips lingering on his for as long as she dared.
“Now go back to your room before they see you,” she said firmly.
He raised an eyebrow. “See me? I assure you they won’t. I've taken care of that. And it was Ethan who made that promise to your father…not me.”
Realization came with a rush. Kat's hand flew to her mouth and she took a quick step back.
“Martok!”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Get the hell out of here,” she hissed.
“Not before we have a chat, my dear.” He pushed his way past her and walked over to the small table near the bed. “Sit.”
Kat took another look down the hall. Whatever Martok had done, the guards were indeed blind to the fact that a man had walked openly down the hall and then entered her room. She closed the door and spun to face him. “You have no right to be here.”
“I have every right.” His voice had hardened. “Ethan’s carelessness almost doomed us all. And now your father’s stupidity is about to complete the task.”
“What are you talking about?”
Martok pointed to the chair opposite him, but said nothing further.
Kat's defiance lasted only for a moment. Whatever Martok knew, she needed to hear it. With abrupt movements, she pulled back the chair and sat down.
“That’s better,” he said. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Your idiot of a father.”
Kat bristled, but somehow controlled her anger. ”What about him?”
“First of all, he announces that his daughter, the princess, has returned,” Martok began, making no attempt to hide his disdain. “Then, he prevents you from killing Umbra. Rather, he imprisons her where she can speak to guards or anyone else who comes calling. And finally, to cap it all, he allows Ethan to roam about the palace in full public view.”
“My father is –”
“Your father is a doddering old fool,” Martok snapped. “Do you not think Shinzan has spies here? Having Ralmaria as an ally would be a tremendous asset to our cause. And your father will destroy any chance of us taking advantage of this.”
Kat frowned. “You're just guessing. How can you know for sure there are spies here?”
“Because I would have them,” he replied.
“I’m sure my father knows his own household,” she shot back. “And if you insult him one more time…”
Her anger was stoked by the fact that she knew Martok was probably right. And she hated it. Of course Shinzan would have spies. How could he not? Her tone became calmer.
“If they are here, what can we do?” she asked.
“Nothing. I have already attended to the matter. In the morning you will find six guards and two chambermaids dead in their quarters. Also, I have erased all memory of both you and Ethan from the minds of everyone here. With the exception of your father, of course.”
“You should have waited,” Kat told him. “I plan to be here for at least two more days.”
“I am fully aware of this. And I am not so heartless as to deny you your momen
t of joy. No one will be able to hold the memory of you in their head once you have left their sight. It will be as if you have never been. But the spell will only last four days. No longer. And to cast it again would risk killing everyone under your father’s roof.”
“As if you care about that,” Kat scoffed.
Martok leveled his gaze. “I don’t. But the death of so many would cause tongues to wag. Particularly the entire household of the king. Shinzan would be sure to hear of it. And that we cannot risk.”
“Then I’ll leave before the spell wears off,” she said. “Simple.”
“See that you do. Now fetch me a quill and a sheet of parchment.”
Kat sniffed. “Fetch them yourself.”
Martok smiled. “Certainly. That is, if you don’t mind me rummaging through your childhood possessions.”
More than anything, Kat wanted to strike him. His smug disposition and arrogant manner was infuriating. Of course, then she’d have to explain to Ethan why he had a black eye. After another brief moment of defiant but pointless hesitation, she rose and retrieved the items from her desk drawer.
Martok spent the next hour outlining exactly what he wanted her father to do. In spite of her deep dislike of the man, she could not help but appreciate his intelligence. His plan was cunning and elegant. And if successful, it would deal a serious blow to Shinzan.
When finally completed, Martok rose from his chair and crossed over to the door with uneven steps. He looked thoroughly weary.
“See that your father understands what he must do,” he said. “And tell Ethan he should allow us to begin our lessons very soon. What I have laid out is a mere stumbling block for a creature like Shinzan. When the strength of the dragons has gone, armies and schemes will not be enough.”
Kat nodded silently. After the door to her room had closed, she began reading Martok’s plan again. By the time she reached the end, she found herself smiling.
“Brilliant,” she muttered. “He may be an arrogant jerk. But with him on our side, we might just stand a chance.”
* * * * *
Umbra sat on the stone floor of her cell, back against the wall and knees curled up tightly to her chest. She had been stripped of her beautiful nightgown and was now forced to wear a shabby, short woolen tunic that would only stretch down as far as the middle of her thighs. This was meant to shame her – she knew that. It was barely sufficient to cover her most intimate parts, and with no undergarments, she was forced to constantly tug at the hem to keep herself covered. The guards were ever on the watch lest she be forgetful and allow herself to be exposed. But she refused to give them the pleasure.
The hatred she felt for Katyana burned through her like a river of fire. How could her uncle not see her for what she was? She was evil, just like her mother. And he was unfit to be king. To allow such people to walk free was more than just against the Empire. It was against the very laws of nature itself. The Queen had deserved death. And so had her own father for his part in concealing the woman's secret. Now that Umbra knew the truth about his complicity in this, any slight guilt she had carried over orchestrating his death was gone. Washed away by the knowledge that she had seen to the death of a traitor.
“You’ll join them soon enough, cousin,” she muttered. “You and your father. Once the Emperor discovers what you’ve done, he’ll kill you all.”
“Will he?”
Umbra looked up and saw Ethan Dragonvein standing just outside her cell. Despite her excellent hearing, she had not heard him approaching. Magic. The word was as vile as the people who used it.
“What do you want?” she demanded. “You have nothing to say to me.”
“Oh, but I do,” he retorted, smiling. “And I think my words will please you.”
“Leave me alone, demon,” she spat.
Ethan laughed. “Demon? What a horrible thing to say to your liberator.”
Umbra's eyes narrowed. “My liberator?”
“Yes, my dear. I am here to set you free.”
She curled her lip. “No you're not. You’re just here to taunt me.”
Ethan produced a key from his pocket. “Not at all.”
Umbra’s instincts told her not to trust him. He was a user of magic. A dark and deceitful beast. But she could not stop herself from hoping.
“Why would you do this?” she asked. “I tried to hand you over to the Emperor. I tried to kill the woman you love. What reason could you possibly have to help me?”
“Information, my dear,” he replied.
“About what?”
“Nothing that you cannot easily tell me.”
She eyed him skeptically. “So what is it you want to know?”
“The collars you put on us,” he said, his smile never fading. “Where did you get them?”
“And if I tell you?”
“Then I unlock your cell and you will be free.”
“You promise this, but how do I know you will keep your word?”
He cocked his head. “Perhaps you would rather stay in your cell and await death at the hands of the king. Because I give you my word, that is precisely what will happen should you not tell me what I want to know.”
Umbra tried to weigh her options. But she knew realistically she had none. He would either do what he promised, or he would not. “I was given them by a man from Traxis,” she said. “He claimed to have found them in a cave somewhere in the Shadow Lands.”
She paused, but it was obvious that Dragonvein knew there was more to tell. “He said there was a great treasure buried there. Magical items of all kinds. But it was guarded by powerful spirits.”
“Did he say how he managed to get past them?”
“No. Just that out of the twenty men who went in, he was the only one to return alive. I swear that’s all he told me.”
Ethan scrutinized her for a moment. “I believe you.”
He inserted the key he was holding into the lock, but paused before turning it. “However, I do have one final request.”
“You gave your word!” she snapped. “I did as you asked.” When he did not move, she relented. “What more do you want?”
“A trifle really. Just a kiss.”
“Is this some kind of cruel joke?” The thought of placing her lips on such a disgusting beast was repugnant. “I will not kiss the likes of you.”
“Then you will stay here and await death.” He turned to leave.
“Wait!” Umbra cried almost instantly.
Ethan paused.
“Very well. I’ll do it.”
He turned and flashed a toothy smile. “Excellent.” He unlocked the cell and the door screeched open.
Umbra took a tentative step forward, then looked to the exit. “And the guards?”
“You don’t need to worry about them.” He took a step back. “Now I have kept my word, it is time for you to keep yours.”
Umbra swallowed hard. He wasn’t unattractive – though a bit thin for her taste. Even so, the fact that he used magic made the bile in her stomach threaten to rise. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath to calm herself.
Stepping close to him, she looked into his eyes. “Do what you will.”
Ethan leaned down and kissed her. At first she thought she would be ill. But after only a brief moment, she could feel his lips become hot. His tongue penetrated her mouth, searching for hers. At first she resisted, but when his hands slipped around her waist, a current of pleasure shot through her, setting her lust ablaze. Her loins dripped and tingled with desire. He pulled her in closer until she could feel the swell of his manhood. This fueled her passions even further. Never before had a man made her feel this way. Within moments she was willing to give herself to him completely. All thoughts of escape had vanished. She was his.
Umbra nearly wept when their lips finally parted. In a desperate flurry of movement, she tore at her tunic until it lay in tatters on the floor. Her breasts heaved and her heart pounded madly. She could think of nothing except her nee
d for him to be inside her - to possess her.
Ethan chuckled softly while running the knuckle of his index finger over her left breast. Just when it touched her nipple, he stepped back. Umbra tried to leap forward and wrap herself around him, but found that her legs would not obey her commands.
“I have kept my word, my dear,” he said. “You are free.”
Umbra wanted to cry out. She wanted to tell him that she no longer cared if she lived or died. All she wanted was to be his. But her voice would not respond any better than her legs would.
“I attempted the same thing on your cousin when we met,” Dragonvein told her. “But she is much stronger than you.”
Love me. Please. Love me. Take me. I’ll do anything you ask. The thoughts kept hammering at her mind, but she was completely paralyzed.
“I cannot help but be intrigued by her,” he mused. “More than that, seldom have I met a woman so fiercely passionate and yet so utterly unyielding. Even though I am sure that poor Ethan is not worthy of such a prize, I am powerless to take her for my own. She would never love me the way she does him.”
I love you. Please. I must have you. You are everything.
“I am very unhappy at the way you treated her,” he continued. “Almost as much as I am by the way you treated Ethan.” He moved closer to her and lifted her chin. “Will you do anything I ask of you?”
Though her body was still unable to move, her voice had returned. “Yes, my dearest love. Oh, yes. I will do anything. Command me. I am yours, forever.”
“I want you to return to your cell.” He flicked his finger toward the open door.
All at once her limbs could move again. She nearly collapsed, but he caught her by the arms and held her up straight. The touch of his flesh on hers sent fresh waves of unrelenting desire coursing through her, sending her into a fiery climax. She shuddered and moaned as the sensation penetrated her to the very core.
“Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Anything.” She stepped back until she was beyond the door.
He gave her an approving nod. “Good. Now, I would like very much to see your blood flow.” He withdrew a small knife from his belt and tossed it on the floor at her feet.
Dragonvein - Book Three Page 14
