Claiming Excalibur

by LH Nicole

  Closing her eyes, she felt for the sparking, pink energy that lived inside her. It was there, but her internal reserve was low. If she tried to use the locator spell, she’d exhaust her power and have no way of freeing herself. Damn my stupid magic! Now would be a great time for it to function like everyone else’s apparently does. She sought out her ruby’s power. It was as strong as ever, but she couldn’t access it. She tried again, but still nothing.

  Gingerly shaking her sore head, she held out her arms, surprised she had such mobility considering she’d felt like she was dying only minutes before she’d blacked out. “I guess I’ve got to do this the old fashioned way.” Bracing for the pain, she grabbed the thick blankets covering her and threw them back, carefully sliding her aching legs over the edge of the bed. She breathed a sigh of relief at seeing she was still in her own clothes, even though they were torn and stained. Her bare feet touched a plush rug. She wiggled her toes for a second then slid off the bed, putting her weight onto her shaking limbs. She wobbled and fell back against the bed but managed to stay on her feet.

  The door opened, and Aliana couldn’t hold back her startled shriek at the sudden presence. Gray crackling energy brushed against her skin as she looked into Mordrid’s endless black eyes. His hair was pulled back from his face with a few pieces tucked behind his ears, and he wore a long-sleeved black T-shirt, black pants, and ankle boots. With his slim form, he should’ve looked feminine. Instead he had the air of a rakish pirate—complete with a short, curved sword at his waist.

  “What are you doing up? You should still be resting.” He was at her side in a moment, taking her hand and gently grasping her waist as he urged her to get back into bed.

  “What am I doing here?” she asked, refusing to be forced back into the bed. She’d feel too vulnerable, too powerless if she let him have such an advantage.

  His face hardened. “I brought you here after you foolishly threw yourself in front of an attack that would’ve killed anyone in the world except, apparently, you.” He glanced down at her right hand and frowned. “I suspect that ruby is a big part of the reason you’re still alive.”

  Her nerves flared and she clenched her hand, afraid he’d try to take the glove from her. “Why did you bring me here? And where is here, exactly?”

  “We’re nowhere that those pesky knights can reach you,” he said, preening like a peacock.

  Aliana straightened her body, carefully pushing at his chest until he finally took a step back. “That doesn’t answer my question.” She crossed her arms.

  His smirk widened and his eyes dropped to her chest as it was pushed up by her crossed arms. It took everything Aliana had to not squirm under his intense stare. “We’re in a pocket realm.” He dragged his eyes back up to hers and gave her such an appraising look that she felt a flush build on her cheeks. The wolfish look in his hungry black eyes made it hard to breathe normally as her heart raced.

  “What are pocket realms?” she asked, not liking how breathy her voice sounded.

  Instead of answering, he took another step back and held out his hand to her. “Come with me and I’ll show you.”

  She studied the hand, then him. “You mean I’m not prisoner to this room?”

  “You’re my guest here. You may go wherever you want, do whatever you wish. You’ll have a better understanding of the situation if you come with me.”

  She gulped, realizing this was her best chance to figure out a way to escape. Forcing her hand to not tremble, she took his and followed as he led the way from her windowless room. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, like Arthur had done in Camelot, and Aliana suppressed a shudder.

  “Why aren’t there any windows?” she asked as they descended a tall, winding staircase.

  “There are a few, but pocket realms aren’t known for their exceptional views.”

  Aliana glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Why do you talk so modernly?”

  He grinned. “For the first few centuries of my imprisonment, I couldn’t access any source of magic. Then I discovered that magic works differently in this pocket realm. Once I mastered that, I was able to observe the mortal world from this dank prison.”

  “How?” she asked.

  “That would take a long time to explain,” he said, patting her hand. “I will explain it all to you, but there are things I wish to discuss first.”

  “You mean like setting my godfather and Dawn’s mother free?” She leveled a determined gaze on the dark wizard.

  He sighed. “Yes. That’s one matter.”

  She nodded, pretending to be satisfied. They reached the bottom of the stairs and entered a large room lined with dozens of tapestries. Lit candles floated over a long table that could easily seat twenty people. A large, roaring fire pit stood to one side of it. At the head of the table was a throne made of twisted vines and thick cherry wood.

  “Seriously, what is this place?”

  “It’s a replica of the fortress I grew up in.” His voice took on a surprisingly nostalgic tone. “After I discovered how to use magic here, I recreated it.”

  “Doesn’t that take a lot of magic to maintain?” she asked in half-faked awe, hoping he’d slip up and reveal some clue about how to use magic here.

  He chuckled, catching her off guard. “I like your tenacity, but I’ve already said I’ll explain the magic of it all later.” He led her to another door and down a long hall.

  “When?” she asked.

  “That’s up to you.” He stopped walking and turned toward her, regarding her with his intense eyes. “I can take you to see your godfather and your friend’s mother or I could take you to my library and tell you more about pocket dimensions and how they work.”

  A choice? There was something calculating in his eyes, as if this was a test and her answer would set the course for her time here. If she chose an explanation of this realm’s magic, she could get free sooner, but where would that leave Joe and Michelle? She thought of the severed finger in Merlin’s hand. “I want to see my godfather and Aunt Michelle.”

  Mordrid grinned, resuming their tour by guiding her down another set of stairs. This staircase felt more ominous than the previous one, and Aliana swore she sensed cold dread haunting the area below them. Involuntarily, she pressed closer to Mordrid. When she realized what she’d done, heat flamed in her cheeks.

  “You can feel it?” he asked.

  She wet her dry mouth and asked, “What?”

  “The lingering emotions of those who’ve been here.”

  This time she couldn’t hide her shiver. “Are you taking me to a dungeon or something?”

  He shrugged his sharply angled shoulders. “I wouldn’t call it a dungeon, but it is where those who are not my guests are kept.”

  She went stiff, stopping on the steps. “Have you tortured them?” Her voice was only a little louder than a worried whisper.

  “I have not, no.”

  “But…” She both wanted him to finish her sentence and didn’t.

  “Morgana doesn’t always have my restraint.”

  Aliana gasped, her eyes widening. “Then she…?”

  Mordrid nodded, watching for her reaction.

  “Where is she?” Aliana asked through clenched teeth. She wanted another shot at the blond psycho who’d ruined her life.

  The corner of Mordrid’s mouth twitched in a pleased smirk. “She’s also down here.”

  She raised an unbelieving eyebrow. He wouldn’t really torture his only partner in all of this, would he? It wouldn’t be anything she doesn’t deserve, a dark part of her mind whispered.

  “Come.” He pulled her with him down the cold staircase. Fortunately, glowing balls of magical light floated in the stairway, keeping Aliana from panicking in the darkness. She followed the wizard in tense silence, trying to take in everything around her so she could remember her way back here to free the people she loved.

  They passed a heavy door that was barely cracked open. The moan of pain that e
scaped made Aliana freeze in place. “Who was that?” she asked in a thin voice, terrified the feminine groan had been from Dawn’s mother.

  “See for yourself,” Mordrid said, pushing the door open.

  Aliana kept her eyes on him for a long moment before looking through the open door. “What?” Her eyes felt like they were going to bug out of her head.

  Morgana’s hands hung from a black chain attached to the ceiling. Her feet dangled several inches off the floor, and her head fell forward. She was bloodied and bruised with lash marks across her abdomen and arms. Her blond hair was caked with both fresh and dried blood, the ponytail disheveled. Electric energy crackled down the chain, and the witch let out a shocked squeak of agony, her body twitching and convulsing, the rusty chains clanging.

  Aliana pivoted on her heel and glowered at Mordrid. “What are you doing to her?” She was sick to her stomach and—gods forgive her—a little satisfied that Morgana was suffering. She hated the smallest hint of thrill that ran through her.

  “I promised she’d be punished for the pain and grief she has caused you.” The wizard stepped closer to Aliana so that only a few inches separated them.

  She shifted back a fraction before she stopped herself. She couldn’t show him any fear. Now I sound like Galahad and Arthur. The thought of her white knight and Golden King had tears stinging her nose and eyes, but she held them back.

  “I don’t break the promises I make.” He reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his ghostly touch trailing cold fire across her cheek. Her heart fluttered unexpectedly.

  “She’ll be your destruction, Mordrid. I should’ve killed her as a child,” Morgana wheezed. Aliana turned her startled eyes to the witch’s hate-filled hazel ones.

  Gray energy crackled around the chained girl. She screamed and screamed, but her wails didn’t drown out the sickening sound of bones popping from their sockets. When the attack stopped, both of her legs dangled at odd angles, and a deep new laceration circled her stomach.

  “Stop this,” Aliana insisted, fighting the need to gag on the coppery scent of fresh blood.

  “Why would I? She threatened your life again. She must be punished until she learns her lesson.”

  Aliana met his gaze without flinching. “Then that makes you no better than her.” Her words were stronger than she felt.

  His head tilted to the side, a pensive look on his sharp face. “Perhaps considerations can be given.”

  “I don’t need any help from you, Destined One,” Morgana hissed. “I’m not a weakling who needs others to save her.”

  Gray lightning cracked down the rattling chains again, but Morgana didn’t scream this time. Her jaw clenched so tightly Aliana could almost hear her teeth grinding as her body twitched and dangled like a puppet’s.

  “Stop this, Mordrid!” Aliana demanded. She didn’t care what Morgana said, didn’t care that the vindictive girl had ruined her life. She wouldn’t have another person in pain because of her.

  The gray magic relented, and Morgana gasped short, tortured breaths.

  “Come, Aliana. I grow tired of this whelp.” He shut the door and held his hand over the lock. His gray magic crackled into it, and a deadbolt slid into place.

  Relieved that the torture would stop, Aliana let him lead her down the hall. But she still had another battle to fight. “What about my godfather and Aunt Michelle? You have me now; you promised you’d let them go in trade for me.”

  “Ah, but that was before your knights tried to trick me.” He headed deeper into the hall. Aliana trotted around him and stepped in front of him. He stopped with only inches separating them, and she had to tilt her head up to hold his black gaze.

  “It wasn’t my decision to remain behind.”

  His brows shot up. “They kept you away against your will?” Evil amusement filled his voice. “And you let them?”

  Aliana’s face heated in lingering anger, her jaw locking for a moment. “Merlin and Galahad didn’t really give me much choice. They used magic to keep me locked in my house.”

  His pale hand rose, trailing cold fingers lightly down her cheek before cupping her chin. “I would never do such a thing to you.”

  “It’s what you’re doing now,” she said. “I may not be locked up like your other guests but I’m assuming I can’t leave.” She searched his gaze, hoping he’d give her a hint of how to escape.

  He chuckled. “I’ve always admired your determination.”

  “What do you mean?” Aliana sensed he was talking about more than what he’d witnessed during their brief run-ins.

  “I’ve been watching you since you were taken from my hidden chamber as a child. I know far more about you than you can ever imagine.”

  Blood drained from her face. She suddenly felt like a mouse being stalked by a cat, a black cat.

  “But,” he said when she didn’t speak, “since you seem so eager to make a deal, I’ll offer you a new one.”

  Breathe, Aliana, she commanded herself. Play his game for now. “What did you have in mind?”

  He smirked at her, looking truly pleased. “I’ll return your godfather and your friend’s mother to their homes with no memory of their time here if you agree to stay of your own free will.”

  Fear conflicted with Aliana’s judgment. Was it such a hard decision? If she agreed, the only two parental figures she had left would be safe with no memory of the horrors they must’ve endured. She half expected magic from the vow she’d made with Merlin to stop her from deliberately considering this, but it was absent. Maybe that was because Mordrid truly didn’t mean her any harm.

  “What about Joe’s finger?”

  “He’ll be made whole,” Mordrid promised, but Aliana couldn’t shake the feeling she was walking into another cleverly constructed trap.

  Her frantic mind raced like it was in the Indy 500. There has to be…there is! she realized, quickly suppressing her joy at the new plan before the observant Mordrid could see it. “And you swear that you and Morgana will never bother them or try to use them or others I love against me again.”

  “That’s a big stipulation, my dear.” His long fingers stroked his chin. “You’ll have to give me something else for all that you ask.”

  She glanced down at her ruby. It was the only thing she had to bargain with, but Titania had said she could never give it up.

  “I wasn’t thinking of that ruby,” he said, his nasally voice chilling. “I can sense it has bonded with you. To try to take it, either by your offer or force, would hurt you.” He stepped closer and cupped her cheek. “I have no desire for that.”

  Her pulse raced at his touch and nearness, and she realized he smelled like cold citrus. “Then what do you want?” She was dismayed at how breathy and vulnerable she sounded.

  He grinned and leaned down. “I want a kiss.”

  She held her breath. Could she kiss him? Yes, he’d stolen one back in London, but this was different. I can do it if it means Joe and Michelle will go free and can never be used against me again.

  “Okay,” she said breathlessly, her heart still racing in her ears. “I agree to stay here of my own free will.”

  His satisfaction lit his dark eyes with gray lightning. She tried to summon her magic to seal their oaths like she had with Merlin, but her pink sparks were still weak and drained.

  “There’s no need for your magic here. This pocket realm has magic of its own that will ensure our promises.” His cool words didn’t reassure her. “I vow that your friend’s mother and your godfather won’t remember anything and that I and Morgana will never again bother them or use others you love against you.” A sweet, smoky scent flitted around them. How strange, she thought. Mordrid stepped back, his dark eyes holding hers. He snapped his fingers, and his eyes crackled with gray lightning for a brief second. “It is done.”

  “How do I know that for sure?”

  He grinned smugly. “Come with me.” He held out his hand again, and she knew she had no other choice
but to take it. His fingers held hers securely as magic sparked around them, culminating in a bright flash.

  “Where are we now?” she asked when her vision cleared. They were in what looked like an office. It glowed gray and black with pale bursts of white.

  “This is my private study.” He pointed at a large, gilded mirror that stood behind a modernly styled desk. “That mirror will show you whatever you like, no matter where the target you seek is.”

  “That’s how you’ve watched me?” She walked to the mirror and stared back at him through the smooth glass.

  He watched her intently. The mirror’s surface rippled like water, and she saw her uncle at his home. He sat on his couch, looking around, confused. She noted that he had all his fingers. The image wavered and shifted to Dawn’s mother waking up atop her bed, looking as peaceful as she usually did.

  “As you can see, they’re safe and remember nothing, just as I promised.”

  Begrudgingly, Aliana nodded, and the surface returned to that of a plain mirror. She saw that Mordrid was directly behind her and swung around in surprise. Her hands rose to push him away, but his arms wrapped around her, and her palms ended up flat on his chest, trapped between their bodies.

  “Now, I get my kiss.” He leaned down, stopping a hair’s breadth from her mouth. She realized he was waiting for her to act.

  Her chest constricted as the band around her heart lurched, but she knew she had no choice. Trembling, she raised her mouth, brushing her lips against his in a lingering kiss. Her eyes slid closed as the golden web and silver sparks within her stirred in protest, but they were muted and distant. After a moment, she pulled back, but Mordrid followed and captured her lips again. He was gentle and cajoling, sucking lightly at her bottom lip, and then teasing her upper lip. He kept the kiss light and playful, never trying to deepen it, and Aliana didn’t fight it.