by L J Andrews
“You think we can find them now?” I asked.
Thane smiled, and he looked youthful when his teeth showed. “Yes,” he said. “I was close to finding where they were trapped. But now, with your help, Teagan, we will find Gaia—and we’ll finally get rid of the dark High Priest.”
Chapter 18
Raffi was directly adjacent to my shoulder as we followed Thane and Leoch through an upper tunnel in the cave. Raffi was beaming stupidly and had been for over an hour. I nudged his shoulder and scoffed when he drew his eyes off Thane’s back and met my eye. “What’s your deal?” I asked. “You’re ogling the man.”
“I am not,” Raffi snapped. “I’m respecting his position.”
I shook my head, keeping my voice in a low whisper. “You’re sort of pathetic.”
“Shut up,” Raffi hissed. “This is like meeting the king of warriors again. I’m allowed a little bit of awe.”
I chuckled and checked over my shoulder at Mitch who was simply taking in the entire presence of so many powerful dragons. “You’re handling everything like it’s nothing out of the norm,” I whispered.
Mitch shrugged, but I heard the distance in his voice when he spoke. “Oh, I’m overwhelmed. I’m just really good at hiding my true feelings—and I sort of think I’m in a crazy-long coma or something, but I’m not so sure I want to wake up.”
I laughed, drawing Thane to look back at the three of us for a moment. Hushing my voice again, I slung my arm around Mitch’s neck. “I promise you’re definitely not in a coma.”
Thane and Leoch stopped at the wide opening of a tunnel that billowed with steam. “Here,” Thane said, his voice booming even though it seemed he was trying to speak softly. “You can wash here. I’m certain you’ve been traveling hard.”
“That sounds amazing,” Mitch sighed, tugging at the hem of his shirt before he was halfway into the tunnel.
Thane smiled, causing his face to look younger almost instantly. “Teagan, I thought when you’re done you might want to meet some of the mages. You are their High Priest, after all. I’m sure many would be anxious to meet you. I can show you around.”
“Raffi,” Leoch interjected when Raffi’s mouth opened—probably to invite himself to hang with Thane. “We would like you to join us in the battle den. It’s been far too long since we’ve faced each other.”
Raffi was appeased and chuckled deeply. “I’m afraid you will once again get used to losing, Leoch.”
“We’ll see,” Leoch chimed before leaving us. Thane lingered for a moment. He seemed uncomfortable, and I had the sense he wanted to say something. With a grunt deep in his throat, he nodded and walked away before uttering another word.
“I feel like we make Thane nervous,” I admitted when we found the steaming hot pools tucked in the back of the tunnel. Mitch had already sunk low into the bubbling water and used the pungent bars of homemade soap to cleanse away days of traveling.
“As Leoch said, the warriors are all surprised, that’s all. No one makes Thane nervous,” Raffi insisted.
Raffi had little modesty and proudly marched into the pool, dipping his entire head underwater before taking a new bar of woodsy soap. The water soothed my muscles I didn’t know were sore until we’d finally come to rest in the warrior’s cave. I leaned forward in the warm water and sighed. Raffi glanced at the seal on my back, his face growing somber.
“Teagan, do you feel anything about Jade?”
I bit back the stinging emotion behind my eyes and splashed water over my face before shaking my head. “No,” I admitted, my voice tight and direct. “She’s cut off from me, it would seem.”
“You know we’ll find her, right?” Raffi responded powerfully.
“I’ll never stop until I die,” I said. “As stupid as that might sound, I won’t. I don’t think it’s possible. Eisha was worried Thane might think Jade was a traitor—what do you think?”
Raffi slipped into the water until it covered his chin. “Thane is incredibly loyal to the crown. I think even if he disagrees with how Jade went about protecting her people, he will fight to protect the jade bloodline.”
Rapid footsteps drew our attention to the mouth of the tunnel.
“Athika!” Mitch shouted, and all three of us dipped lower in the water.
“Oh, relax. I’ve healed many warriors in the past—I’ve seen it all,” she muttered, drifting to the back of the room. Athika was wearing a fresh gown made of crimson silk that flowed nicely around her curves. “I’m just bringing you some fresh clothes. Unless you all want to get back in those sweaty messes.”
“I’m probably going to be in wyvern form for most of the stay,” Raffi said arrogantly.
“Well, either way, here are some pants,” Athika snipped. “Teagan, have you asked Thane about the High Priestess?”
I shook my head. “Only what he told us earlier. I’m going to meet some of the mage after this with him. I’ll ask him some questions then.”
Athika nodded and smirked when she stepped closer to the edge of the pool. I was certain she did it just to make us dip lower in the water at once. “Good. I’ve heard there are some mage that are anxious to meet the new High Priest.”
When I was positive Athika had left the tunnel completely, I pulled myself out of the pool and quickly tugged on a pair of tight but surprisingly comfortable pants and took a long-sleeved black shirt that seemed like it might fit alright. I smelled better, felt better, and was ready to gather the support of the wyvern warriors. The sooner they were behind us, the sooner Jade could be found.
“Hey, tell Thane I’d be happy to join any rank he needs,” Raffi said, leaning his elbows on the edge of the pool before I left the room.
“I’ll be sure to let him know you don’t want to join any of the ranks. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“That’s not what I said,” he shouted. “Teagan!”
I chuckled and jogged away without responding. It was good to let Raffi fret a little. Thane was standing outside the tunnel, his back toward me, but he turned the moment I stepped into the lantern light. I eyed him nervously, feeling comfortable and uneasy at the same time. Thane had removed the fur from his shoulders and wore a simple gray shirt that seemed like a new layer of skin the way it molded over his arms. The scar was more visible now, and I could see how deep it dug into his skin. I hadn’t noticed it when he’d shifted, but Thane said it was a cursed mark. I’m certain it had caused him a great deal of pain, especially if it had come from Bron. Tugging the shirt over my head, I unknowingly gave Thane a solid glance at Jade’s seal coating my entire backside.
“Leoch said you had sealed to the queen,” Thane said softly. His eyes seemed sad as he watched me tug the shirt over the seal. “I suppose it’s true.”
I nodded. “It’s true.”
“And what of the queen?” Thane asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Has she sealed to you?”
I gaped at the question, my voice lost for a few seconds before I shook my head simply to gather my thoughts again. “Sorry, it’s just no one has asked me that before. Everyone just thinks it’s all impossible. Yes,” I breathed out, fearing my voice would be lost again. “She did. Right here on her arm.”
I pointed to my forearm. Thane smiled, still sad and a little distant. What did the warrior know? I was more intrigued the longer I was around the great Thane. “I’m sorry she was taken from you then. I have also lost a mate before,” he said simply.
“Really? I’m sorry. What happened?” I asked, trying to imagine Thane with a great warrior queen of sorts.
Thane sighed and looked to the rounded top of the cave. “Bron happened,” he whispered. The way his sharp blue eyes locked with mine, I could practically feel his agony. “He took her from me when we were forced into exile. I know most people don’t believe wyvern—especially warriors—can feel deep emotion, but I loved her. Fiercely. I still do, and I feel your ache at the loss of the queen. I just thought you should know I und
erstand.” I didn’t know what to say. He smiled softly at me before he motioned with his arm to walk down one of the sloping tunnels toward the lower areas in the cave. “I’ll show you some of the mage, as promised.”
I kept my pace at his side, and we didn’t say anything for a moment. Athika’s questions, Mitch’s voice, and my own curiosity finally broke through the silence and I dared speak. “So, do you mind if I…ask you a few questions?”
Thane nodded, though he didn’t look at me. “I don’t mind—and I will try to answer what I can.”
“You knew the High Priestess—”
Thane cleared his throat bringing me to a pause. “I know the High Priestess. She is not dead.”
“Sorry,” I corrected, trying to quicken my pace to keep up. “You’re positive she has always remained loyal to the royals?”
Thane nodded. “I would place my life on her loyalty.”
“So then you would know…” I didn’t know how to ask. The words formed on my tongue then quickly evaporated into nothing when I opened my mouth.
Thane stopped and abruptly faced me. I found myself feeling a wave of comfort when he grinned at me. “You want to know if she’s your mother,” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, cowering like a frightened child.
Thane’s heavy, powerful hand gripped my shoulder. I found myself empowered by the fierce warrior, a feeling I thought lost when Jade left with Prince Ced. “Teagan, I can tell you with a surety, Gaia is your mother.”
“Gaia,” I repeated her name softly.
“Yes, she prefers to be called by her name.” My brow furrowed, and I leaned my head against the rocky wall. Thane lowered his hand and studied me for a long time. “What are you thinking?”
“I don’t really know,” I admitted, glancing quickly toward Thane. He was watching intently as if he could read my thoughts. “You speak so highly of her—if she is this great mage, why did she leave me? I’ve seen the note to return me after ten years. Why did it matter if I was gone for ten years?”
Thane ran a hand through his hair and glanced toward the bustling center of the cave. “That is a difficult question to answer.”
“Well, will you try? Because out of everything, I want to know why I was left behind.”
“Teagan, it was to save your life,” Thane insisted. He had a sharpness in his tone, yet it was still kind and relaxed. I liked Thane—that was easy to admit—and I was glad I met him first before meeting Gaia. I felt like if anyone could give me answers straight, if anyone could heal the wounds from my lost parents, Thane would be the one to do it.
“To save my life from what?”
Thane stepped toward me and leaned against the wall so we were standing right next to each another. He was several inches taller than me, but didn’t treat me like an inferior. I was his equal in his own cave. “Gaia was threatened. You were kept a secret. Times after the fall of King Lux and the wyvern royals were strange. The council ruled with an iron thumb, and any threat to their people was obliterated immediately.”
“The council didn’t want her to have a child?” I asked.
Thane shook his head. “No. She was the wife of their enemy.”
“But she…fought against Bron.”
Thane nodded, the muscles in his jaw pulsing, and I thought his skin flushed a shade darker. “She did. Gaia lost more than anyone the night Bron betrayed us. She lost her bond, her family, her standing. So she refused to lose her child too. At first, the plan was to simply go deeper into hiding with you to keep the council out of her life, but then, somehow Bron learned you were alive.”
I swallowed hard and glanced to Thane. I needed to know here and now. “He told me—the first time we met—he told me he was my father.”
Thane’s eyes narrowed dangerously for a fleeting moment, but then a kind smile spread over his features. “Answer this for me, Teagan, do you think you have the heart of a coward?”
I scoffed. “No, I wouldn’t say that.”
Thane nodded. “Nor would I. I’d say you have a fighter’s heart, like a warrior. Like your mother. A coward like Bron could not create someone like you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “So, he’s not my father.”
Thane shook his head. “No, Bron is not your father.”
“But you know him,” I asked quickly, suddenly desperate to know everything.
Thane clapped my shoulder again and chuckled. He led me across a rope bridge to a distant side of the cave before responding. “Yes, I knew your father,” he gasped after jumping down a slight ledge onto another pathway.
“You said knew that time.”
“Teagan, I don’t want to cause you anymore pain, but the father that raised you was lost the day Bron attacked and trapped the mages away,” Thane said, and the ache in his voice cut through my soul. I don’t know why losing a father affected me so much. I’d always believed my father was dead, but it was like losing a family all over again.
“I understand,” I muttered. “So, Bron attacked Gaia because of me?”
Thane shook his head. “No, Bron attacked and tried to take what little Gaia had left because he is so distorted and evil. It was because of him, not you. When Gaia learned Bron was after her, it was decided you had to be hidden away from her energy. Ten years from that time meant your own mage power would be mature. You would be able to learn and to grow so you could defend yourself if needed against the dark High Priest. That was why she asked you to be returned, but by then Gaia was lost. We all were lost. I know you lived without your mother, but I was pleased when Raffi told me you were brought up by a good woman. It would seem Gaia protected you well if Bron didn’t find you until years later.”
I nodded, feeling a suffocating ball tighten in the back of my throat. “I’ve thought poorly of her ever since I learned she might be alive.” I was filled with guilt.
Thane stopped walking and squared his shoulders to me, his strong hands holding both my shoulders. “You should not feel any shame,” he growled, as though he’d sensed every guilty emotion. “Don’t feel shame for thoughts you’ve had when you didn’t know the truth. You didn’t know why your mother left you then, but you know the truth now. You were loved—Gaia risked her life to keep you safe. And I promise she would do it again.” Thane released me, his eyes bright with passion. I swallowed hard and followed him into a large hut.
Inside there were at least a dozen people. I recognized them as mages immediately. Most had similar markings like mine along their skin, though the colors weren’t vibrant. Instead the armor was gilded and brown, like the earth. I’d never given it a thought, but it was obvious not all mages had a bloodline color. Fascinating.
“Thane,” I whispered before we went any further toward the curious eyes. “I don’t want to be called the High Priest.” Thane lifted a brow. Wetting my lips I spoke quickly. “That was Bron’s title—can’t I just be Teagan, or the Jade Mage, or something?”
Thane chuckled and nodded, a pleased grin on his face. “Of course.” He faced the small huddle of mages. “I know you’ve all been wondering. I’d like to introduce you to Teagan, the Jade Mage and son of Gaia.”
One mage glanced at us with tearful eyes. Thane stepped back, leaning against the wall with his powerful arms folded over his broad chest. He simply laughed as I was surrounded by mage after mage. Most lifted my sleeves to inspect my jade markings. One woman kissed me square on the mouth before patting my cheek like she’d known me her entire life. An ancient mage tousled my hair and pressed my cheek in the folds of her robes. It was strange, slightly awkward, but I’d never felt so at peace with the idea that I was a mage and I had the support of every mage in the cave. With their help, with Thane, I dared believe I would find Jade—and King Nag, Bron, all lindworms would be out of our lives forever.
Chapter 19
Mitch twirled a knife with a black hilt. The steel blade was lined in gold, much like Raffi’s blade he kept on his waist. Thane hadn’t accepted his sword from Raffi.
>
“Your charge isn’t over,” Thane explained. “I gave you the sword to protect the queen. Is she protected?”
Raffi’s cheeks flushed deep crimson at the question. I found it interesting how the warriors spoke sometimes—responding with questions in order to give the warrior time to think. Raffi gripped the dragon pommel with pride and woke the next morning with a new determination to find Jade.
We lined the table that was spotted with other warriors and mages, all eating and going about the day as normal, but I couldn’t shake the occasional curious glances. Most of the warriors said nothing, the mages though—the entire morning I’d randomly be pulled into a fierce embrace, or my face would be coated in kisses.
“Why do they act like I’ve come back from the dead?” I whispered to Thane when he and Leoch joined us at the table.
He laughed, watching a gaggle of mage women whisper and wipe their eyes when they walked behind me. “Well, they remember you. I thought you realized—all of us lived with you when you were small. So, in a way, you have come back from the dead to them. Gaia raised you for years before hiding you.”
My brow furrowed and my heart pounded in my chest. “How is it I can’t remember?”
Thane leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers along a golden goblet he used to drink. “Gaia’s protection kept the truth from you. The more you knew, the more energy you would emit. She worried Bron would find you before she was supposed to reunite with you.”
I didn’t ask any more questions, but Thane occasionally glanced across at me as though trying to determine my reaction. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I felt. I tried to grapple with the idea Gaia left me to protect me, but it was still a constant ache to think of what might have been had we never been separated.
