by Trisha Wolfe
“Proven himself to you.” Lilly’s brows raise. “Maybe, then, it’s not your place to choose.” She reaches out and gently touches my arm. “Let someone from his own country make that call. And then trust them to be right.” She sighs at my scowl. “Hell, Kal, I don’t know. Ask the empress to select someone. You trust her wisdom, right?”
She knows me better than anyone. And she has me cornered. As she drops her hand, I roll my shoulders back and shake out my hands. “I will. I promise.” I widen my eyes when she gives me a disbelieving look. “I will. Just as soon as we get through tonight, I’ll ask Empress Iana to make the decision. Then I’ll relinquish my duty until…” I look away, toward the wall. Away from Lilly’s knowing amber eyes.
“You’re doing all that you can for him,” she says quietly.
I nod, still not looking at her. I want to believe her words, but inside, I wonder if I am. If I have. If I’ve helped Caben at all, or if I’ve only prolonged the inevitable.
When the question was raised at the very first meeting between Cavan and Perinya Council members, it was decided—due to much of my debating—that no harm would come to Prince Caben during the war. That he’d be captured, and after gaining proof Caben was still present within his body and his mind, we’d work diligently to restore him. And just as diligently to exile Bale from this plane.
The longer Bale resides within Caben, the more she sinks her evil talons into his soul, and the less likely it is that Perinya will ever get their prince back.
That I will.
A boom echoes through the chapel, the floor beneath me rumbling with the blast. I throw my hands out as the walls shake and debris rains down around us. “Secure the empress!”
As Lilly rushes to the empress’s side, Lena and Whip help her stand and begin to lead her through the corridor. Empress Iana only pauses long enough to look me in the eyes and nod. Then she’s ushered through the passageway. Kaide swaths the relic in a light material, wrapping it tightly. Then he’s following behind the other Nactue.
Bringing out my transmitter, I halt the cold metal before my lips, my breaths clipped as realization washes over me. Caben is here. As I push in the button, my hands tremble. “Councilor,” I say, my voice steady despite the pinch in my chest.
The device crackles, matching the chaos bleeding through the transmission. “Protector Kaliope, it seems as if your suspicions were correct.”
Nausea seizes my stomach. “The empress is safe,” I assure her.
“Then we proceed as planned.” A beat. “Farrah be with you.”
I bow my head and end the transmission, then quickly program another. I begin to make my way out of the chamber, my transmitter already making the connection, as I hear Kaide say, “I’m going with you.”
Turning around, I shake my head. “No. Not this time, Kaide. You’re ordered to stay and protect Empress Iana.”
Of all the Nactue, I thought it’d be Lilly who would give me the most grief about my decisions. And she does. But Kaide has taken to being my personal guard of sorts. And he doesn’t fully trust my judgment, not when it comes to the prince.
His face contorts with hard lines. “Yes, ma’am,” he says, nodding his obedience to my order. “Be strong, Kal,” he whispers before leaving through the corridor.
I’m lost in my thoughts, the walls quaking around me, when a guttural voice breaks through the fog clouding my mind. “Everything’s a go, Protector.”
Looking at my transmitter, I acknowledge Bax with a hard nod. “Keep a close eye on Councilor Herna,” I say, picking up my pace as I head into the chapel. “And make sure General Corvin understands not to harm—”
“I know, Kal,” Bax says, the paleness of his ashen face nearly translucent through the electric blue web. “Stop worrying about your prince and focus on you.” He presses his lips together. “Don’t die.”
A harsh laugh escapes me. “Message received, Bax. Same to you.” Clasping my transmitter once more to my harness, I suck in breath. Then I brace my foot against the pew blocking the chapel door and push. The pew slides aside with a loud screech.
I unlatch the doors and fling them open wide, then step into the chaos.
People are fleeing, seeking the safety shelters. It’s happening sooner than I thought, or hoped. As much as I longed for this moment, I had wished it to be away from here. On the battlefield. Maybe even in the Otherworld.
Not anywhere near the people I care for, or the innocent citizens who are only trying to live out their lives. But we don’t get to pick the moments that will forever define us. They choose us, and our only hope is to confront them with as little fear as possible. Fear of the inevitable change that follows.
As I push my way through the bodies, determination bolstering my steps, I don’t know what fear consumes me more.
Knowing what the outcome of facing Caben must be. Or that I’m not ready to see that outcome through.
Either way, I move ahead.
♦ 5 ♦
Caben
THE PALACE DOORS COME down with a crash. Dust kicks up off the marble entryway as the Otherworlders hustle across the busted doors to lock down the ground floor, the first wave of our invasion.
As I step through the doorway, the smell of my home wafts around me, carrying memories of my childhood and the last time I was here. Scenes of my father’s death cover my vision, followed by me being rushed to safety and out of my country soon afterward.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I allow the haunting images to surface and then fade, until they’re nothing more than a distant flicker of recognition. With a determined step over the fallen threshold, I open my eyes and enter my home.
Sounds from the battle flood the palace in every direction, and I quickly calculate my route. With the reserves far away, taking over the palace should be child’s play—but I know my council, Perinya’s leaders. And I know Kaliope. I’m not declaring victory so soon.
As the Otherworlders secures the ground level, I rush past the screams and the clang of weapons to the stairway ascending to the chapel. If I know anything, it’s that the women of Cavan look to their goddess above all else. I’m sure the empress is near there, guarding her relic. The shard in her proximity. I can feel the pull leading me—something reaching inside and guiding me.
I’m not sure if it’s Bale sensing the goddess relic or my own draw to Kal. But it’s strong. Only it’s in the opposite direction than I need to be going.
Hurriedly turning down the left hallway, away from the chapel, I grip my chest as a burning pain sears me from the inside. “Blast, woman—”
It’s there…
I press against my breastbone and growl. “I take care of my affairs first. That’s the deal.” Bale’s angered cry pierces my head, and I shake off the pain, imagining I can feel the drip of blood from my ears.
With a harsh curse, I change my course. If getting the damned relic and shard means ridding myself of the constant nagging and bickering…then so be it. One way or another, I’m getting everything I came here for. No matter which order. I just hate giving in to her whims. Hate the weakened state she puts me in.
The dark goddess quiets as I near the chapel. Everything becomes eerily silent the closer I get. Unsheathing my sword, I creep along the stone wall, led by an invisible, taut cord drawing me forward.
A shout rends the silence. The sound of blades trading blows. And then Kal’s voice bleeds into my ears. Her venom-laced words come to me, lifting the corners of my mouth into a smile, as she faces off with one of the Otherworlder mutants just around the wall.
Anticipation buzzes through my veins.
“Die, maggot!” she cries.
My feet swallow the distance around the corner, my heart pounding against my ribs. Then as Kal makes the killing strike, I find myself stopped and staring at my green-eyed beauty in all her battle-fueled glory.
Her chest rises and falls with her labored breaths. Her hair is loose, tumbling in heavy disarray around her shoulders, just co
ncealing her face as she stares down at her slain enemy. She knows I’m here—knows she must meet my eyes. But she’s refusing to look at me until the last moment. Maybe waiting for me to make the first move before she’s forced to acknowledge my presence.
Games. Oh, how I love them. And with Kaliope? It’s the ultimate sport. I become aroused just watching her, just waiting for the seconds to end my torture and she’s made to raise her sword against mine. It’s a human flaw, this yearning, I know. But it’s so much more than that.
Desire to own her, body and mind, consumes me. And I’m almost saddened that I must end her. Almost.
I step forward, upping our stand-off to the next level, and watch as her small, thin fingers curl tighter around the hilt of her sword. I lift my weapon, just enough to force her eyes to flick up.
When our gazes finally meet, my breath halts in my chest. Hers are not the cold and calculating eyes I expected to greet from the fierce Nactue leader. They’re laced with something deep and bothersome—regret. Anger ignites my blood.
I won’t have her pity.
“At last, my love.” Cocking my head, I let my gaze travel over her body, and gloat that it affects her. “I was beginning to think you were purposely avoiding me.”
As she rolls her shoulders back, lifting her chin higher, I marvel at her forced bravado. The only sign that she’s hesitant is the slight tremble in her limbs. “I’ve been waiting for you to work up the courage, Bale.” She smiles. It’s fake. “Figured you thought I was out for the night. Sorry to disappoint you.”
Taking another step closer to her, I say, “Bale is busy right now, love. Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s all man you’re dealing with here.” Lowering my sword, I make a show of flexing my bicep—I know how she so adores men. “Think you can handle that?”
I see the moment the truth hits her. The slight widening of her eyes, the parting of her mouth. She’s trying to find the lie in my words. Wishing them to be false. And I nearly regret correcting her. If her feelings for me hinder her—make her waver even for a second—I won’t be fighting the warrior I’ve been dreaming about destroying for months. I need her at her full ferocity. Anything less would be a true disappointment.
The green of her irises shimmers and she blinks. “You’re lying. Prince Caben would never do this to his own country…to his people.” The smooth skin of her throat bobs as she swallows. “He’s a true ruler. Nothing like the parasite that’s taken up residency within him.”
I can’t help it, I smile. She’s every bit as feisty as I remember, and the need to reach for her, to touch her, thrums through me. With a cautious step, I move closer. “Prince Caben? I thought we were long past formalities, Kal. As I recall, you were all too familiar when you were crying out my name beneath me.”
Her face contorts, her eyes narrow. I can just make out the warmth spreading over her silky skin, and I know she’s remembering, too. I crave the feel of her body underneath mine—the feel of being inside her again. But I shut it down. I can’t allow distractions from my human weakness to overrule my will.
With one final step to close the distance between us, I try a bold move. Slipping my sword into its scabbard at my hip, I say, “Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to fight you here and now. But I’m willing to make a bargain.”
She scoffs. “You’re not leaving here. No matter what, this ends tonight. No bargains. No deals.” Kicking the dead Otherworlder’s leg aside, she plants her feet firmly in defense position. Then she raises her sword between us. “If you recall, I taught you everything you know about sword play, dear prince. Let the best determine this outcome.”
I shake my head. “Oh, Kal.” Reaching again for my sword, I draw it and slide the blade along hers. The shrill ring of the swords sends a thrill through me. “You’ve already made your first mistake.”
Her eyebrows pull together. She’d be a horrible gambler. I extend my hand to caress her dark hair. She flinches yet holds her stance as my fingers take in its softness. I sigh. “You only claimed I’m not leaving here. Not that I’m not leaving here alive. You’re not ready to kill me, love. You can’t.”
Yanking my hand back, I push my sword against hers, driving her backward. She’s taken off-guard only for a second before she rebounds, matching my force. She groans as she shoves against my weapon, and I’m sure she’s surprised by the power she’s up against. She’s no longer the only one with unnatural strength.
As she pulls back enough to strike my blade, she says, “I’m prepared to do what I must. Be assured of that.”
I block her blow and come at her from above, forcing her to deflect my attacks at an awkward angle for her petite stature. My smile spreads. “We can dance like this all night, but I’d rather our time be spent more usefully.” I lunge and slash, making it tiring for her to defend herself. “Take me to the goddess relic, and I’ll let you and your empress live…for the time being.” I grunt as she snakes a cheap shot to my wrist.
She’s not amused by the slight damage she’s inflicted. Rather, as her gaze traps my broken skin, she looks mortified. Everything I’ve waited for is falling apart. I can’t have her die at the end of my sword while mourning the loss of her prince. She needs anger. Wrath. Disgust.
Those are the emotions that will drive her to face me full-on and not hold back.
I could end this now—slice her open and turn my back on her forever. Find the relic easily for myself and what else I came here for and then be gone. But something inside me refuses to accept a simple defeat. Not from the woman who has tormented my thoughts with weakness and regret.
She’s the last thing in this world that threatens my power. And I refuse to destroy her in this state, only to have her haunt me from the grave. I need a worthy foe—a vicious opponent—to defeat.
Not a heartbroken girl.
“This won’t do.” I growl as I back her against the wall, my swings becoming sloppy with my rage. As if she knows what she’s doing to me, she smiles. The first one I’ve seen in so long…and she’s beautiful. Heart stopping. It infuriates me.
I shout and thrust my sword, knocking hers aside as I move into her personal space. Realization washes over her face, and she quickly brings up her arm to guard against my fist. I stop short, my balled hand an inch from her cheek.
My breaths are hot and quick as they leave my mouth in heavy puffs. My gaze flicks over Kal’s shocked face, her trembling lips. And my fingers uncurl. I press closer and trace my fingertips along her soft skin…
Kill her.
With a jerk of my head, I hush the dark goddess’s voice. Then I seize Kal’s wrist and slam the back of her hand against the stone wall. She’s as stubborn as ever, keeping a tight grip on her weapon. I knock her arm against the wall again. And again, until she releases a cry and her sword clatters to the floor.
I drop my own and grab the arm still held up as a shield, then pin both her wrists to the wall. “Look at me,” I order, my tone giving away my frustration. Impatience grips my nerves, and I drop one hand to grasp her face, forcing her eyes to meet mine.
As she drinks me in hungrily, like she’s only just now truly seeing me, something stirs beneath my skin. The white power crackles over my hands, healing the wound on my wrist, and Kal’s eyes widen.
The last time she encountered my power, when she was trapped by the glowing tentacles, she suffered tremendous pain, I’m sure. And though something inside me is screaming to unleash that power on her now, I rein it in. I don’t want our dance to end so soon.
As the power recedes, leaving my skin unblemished, I caress her face. Run my palm and fingers along her soft flesh. Down her jawline. All the while, her eyes hold me, ensnaring me. This is her power—her spell over me. It’s the reason why she must die.
I have to be free of her.
Yet, I can’t help wanting to inhale her, taste her, quench my thirst of her one last time. And maybe that will even spark the fury within her to fight. Bring the old Kal back, the one who would rathe
r put a blade through a man’s heart than be victim to his charms.
Pushing my body against hers, I revel in the feel of her curves, and know that I’m lying to myself. It’s completely selfish what I’m craving, but the lie is all too tempting. Just like her.
I lower my head and place my lips to her neck, breathe her in. Then, trailing them along her slick skin, my tongue flicking out to taste the mix of sweetness and salt, I move next to her ear. Her breaths deepen, pressing her sultry chest to mine.
“Let me in, Kal,” I whisper, loving how my words cause her to shiver. “It’s what you want.”
Pulling back, I lock gazes with her. The desire in her eyes urges my lips to trap hers, and I move in. Wanting to caress them as much as the yearning demands to hurt them.
“Caben,” she says, low and breathy. I halt my descent. She bites down on her lip, and my arousal hardens painfully against my pants.
“What, love?”
A slow smile curls her lips. “Fuck off.” Then she spits in my face.
♦ 6 ♦
Kaliope
CABEN’S BLUE EYES GLOW brighter, transforming them into near silver beams, as rage them. My spittle trails his face. He bears down harder on my trapped hands, his frame going rigid, and I can feel the tremble in his body. I squirm under his hold, angered that even at my full strength, he seems to be more powerful.
As his gaze flicks over me, his lips part and he runs his tongue over his bottom lip, taking in some of my saliva. I should cringe, but the heated look in his eyes causes me to halt my movements.
“I’ve been dying to taste you,” he says, his words sending a shiver down my spine. “But I’m afraid that won’t be enough.” He wipes his face clean with his free hand, keeping a firm grip on my wrists with the other. Then he reaches down and grasps my thigh, bringing it up around his hip. His body presses into mine, and the feel of his hardness against my center spikes me with fear—and longing.
