Ilias: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Stratham Dragons Book 2)

by Sarah J. Stone

  “Oh, a special snowflake,” she smiled. “That's good, because with the way the show is going, I really don't have time to be queen here anyway.”

  “Poor princess,” he said. “Let me go talk to Nicholas. He's not going to take kindly to this suggestion.”

  “Didn't you have Thomas scheduled to come here?” she asked. “We could put it off until he is here, too, and do it all at once. It's been awhile since I felt Thomas' magic.”

  “I could arrange that,” Cole said. “I'll put in the call to him now. For now, just stay away from her.”

  “Thanks,” Ariel rolled her eyes. “I'll be in the library, being a loner.”

  “Thanks, love,” he said, and he skipped away.

  Once he was gone, she did sigh. It wasn't lost on her that she was hurting those whom she had come to care about the most. Ariel didn't often speak feelings of affection, but she did care about her in-laws. They were the only real family she had ever known. The fact that Alexander had been permanently damaged, and now the fact she could kill her favorite brother-in-law's love just by standing there was reasonably painful.

  She and these creatures were not made to be together. But she had spent her whole life listening to people tell her about the things she shouldn't do. She wasn't about to let this stop her from the happiest time of her life.

  She hoped she could help this situation. Detecting magical strains wasn't an exact science. However, she was the strongest carapace in the galaxy; it shouldn't be that difficult.

  If she was honest with herself, she was afraid that she was going to be wrong. It wasn't an idle task; there were lives at stake here.

  If someone had told her a few years ago that she would care so much about something that wasn't her own survival, she would have laughed in their face. Dragons had a way of changing you, that was for sure.

  “Ahem,” she spun around to find Peter entering the library. She realized she had been standing stock still, staring at the bookshelf like she was in trance.

  Peter met her eyes, and she raised an eyebrow. She knew exactly what he was waiting for, and that was for her to bow to him. He may be family and the king, but they were in private, and she wasn't going to take things that far.

  “Yes, Peter, what can I do to annoy you now?” she asked. His English was strong enough now that he could understand her perfectly. But on Umora, he was strict about speaking in the dragon lore, which drove her mad.

  “Why did my brother just go tearing down the hall like demons were chasing him?”

  “Because I told him that he's got Halloway magic, and so does the other magical half-breed. Why?” she asked innocently.

  Peter choked. “I'm sorry?”

  “Why does it matter where his magic comes from?” Ariel asked. “It's not like it's a surprise that he's a magical half-breed. The origin shouldn't matter.”

  “Because Nicholas just told me that Father is looking to drain Halloway magic to live forever,” Peter replied, turning on his heel. “And Cole is the last heir.”

  “Is your palace so unsecured that you worry about your father breaking in here?” she asked him. He glared at her.

  “If your entire reign ended because you could not keep your family safe, Ariel, how would you feel?”

  “I would do everything I could,” she said. “But if I believed I was the God-granted leader, I would probably also accept that God ended my reign.”

  “Huh,” he said. “But not today.”

  “Not today,” she said.

  It was not an easy process. Thomas was considered an enemy of the kingdom, and they would have to be careful bringing him in. In addition, Nicholas was not happy about exposing Rosa to Ariel again. However, he couldn't deny them, given what was at stake. The fact that two Halloway heirs may be hiding behind dragon blood was fascinating, and also baffling.

  “What happened to them?” he asked Cole as they waited for Thomas in the antechamber. Peter himself had gone to retrieve the troublesome dragon. “Is that why they died out?”

  “I don't know, maybe,” Cole replied. “No one knows why there suddenly weren't any more. But if they started relationships with dragons…”

  “More likely, they were forced into relationships with dragons and then killed,” Nicholas said. “As much as I don't want to demonize our kind, it's more likely. Look how desperate Father was to get his hands on Halloway blood.”

  “I bet you this means I'm immortal,” Cole grinned, and Nicholas rolled his eyes.

  “Prince Cole, annoying the universe for all eternity.”

  “I should put that on a sign,” Cole replied. “Perhaps that will be the motto on my banner.”

  “In which case, I'm glad I won't be around forever,” Nicholas replied.

  They felt a sudden whoosh and stepped back as Peter and Thomas materialized.

  Peter had taken no chances and had Thomas shackled with his arms behind his back. He looked grim, and Cole could only imagine how awkward it was. After all, Peter had essentially stolen his wife, Yvette, from Thomas' clutches. There were many versions of the story, but none of them created good feelings between the two of them. It was only because of Yvette's pleas that Thomas lived at all.

  Thomas was mostly silent, not quite impressed with the whole process.

  “Stand up,” Peter pulled at him, trying to get him to not make a fuss. “You don't have to say anything.”

  “He does have to say things,” Cole said. “But to me, later. For now, into the throne room you go.”

  “You are not my king,” Thomas snarled at Peter. Peter raised an eyebrow.

  “Really?” he said, and waived his hand. It was supposed to invoke a spell called majesty, which forced them to bow. Thomas gritted his teeth, fighting it. But then, as the doors opened and Yvette turned around, his knees weakened. “And is she not your queen?”

  Silence passed as Thomas met Yvette's eyes, full of emotion. She wanted all to be well between them, but she knew that it would probably not be. Cole raised his chin as Enya joined him.

  “Technically, I am his king,” Cole said, “and this is his queen. Either way, Thomas, be respectful.”

  “I–”

  “You tried to kill us all,” Peter pointed out, and Thomas fell silent. “Bring the girls.”

  “Make it quick,” Nicholas reminded Ariel when she came in. “As fast as you can.”

  “I know,” Ariel said. “But remember, this isn't an exact science. I'm not in the habit of purposely killing innocent girls, though.”

  Nicholas took a deep breath and then went to get Rosa who was waiting outside the throne room. His heart pounded in his chest. This was such a risk, especially for as long as Ariel thought she needed. If she was wrong, then it could be permanent damage. Even if she was right, he wasn't sure what it would accomplish. But they had to try because they had no other solution. It was do or die – in the worst possible way, with the highest possible stakes.

  “Rosa,” he said, holding his hand out. “We're ready.”

  She placed her small cold hand in his and followed him in.

  CHAPTER 9

  As soon as Rosa entered the room, she felt Ariel's presence. It made her gasp and clutch at her chest. She felt like her insides were being sucked out, and she couldn't breathe.

  It got worse when Ariel approached. Nicholas was trying to protect her, but his sister-in-law shooed him away.

  “You're messing up my read,” she said, and Rosa closed her eyes as he let go of her hand.

  “Here, quick,” Ariel held out a long fingered, well-manicured hand. Rosa took it tentatively, and nearly fell to her knees. The carapace reached out for Thomas' shoulder, and Cole touched her back.

  Ariel closed her eyes, trying to feel the similarities between the three of them. The two dragons had mixed blood and were from different families, which made things more difficult.

  “Just one more minute,” she muttered, mostly to herself.

  Rosa let out a little gasp and a cry. Nicholas was
dying inside, wanting to rip her away.

  “Ariel,” he growled, and she glared at him.

  “Shut up,” she said, trying to focus as Rosa's knees waivered, and Nicholas was about to call the whole thing off. Her face was losing color, and she would hit the floor at any moment.

  At the last moment, Ariel stepped away, backing toward the throne on the other side of the room.

  “Well?” Nicholas asked, practically begging her. “Ariel!”

  She spun around, her eyes on fire as she took a seat on the throne. It was draining, but she wasn't about to admit weakness.

  Everyone was waiting with baited breath as she tried to make a judgment call. She took a deep breath.

  “I think it's the same,” she said.

  “You think?” Cole asked.

  “They are the same,” she declared. “The three of you carry the Halloway bloodline. Which means–”

  “Which means I just need one more,” Rosa looked up at Nicholas. “One more, and I can have a chance of living.”

  “Yes,” he wrapped his arms around her. “But the question is, how do we do that? Cole, are there other half breeds running around?”

  “Not that I know of,” Cole replied. “Thomas?”

  Thomas shook his head, seeming shell-shocked by the truth. “Not that I can think of. We are Halloway?”

  “Which likely means we are immortal,” Cole answered. “Huh.”

  “My Lord,” Yvette's voice finally broke in, sounding quiet and small. “Could I have a moment alone with Thomas?”

  Peter's eyes flickered up, and he seemed hesitant. Of course, he trusted Yvette. He knew that she loved him, and he knew she would never betray him. He didn't trust Thomas farther than he could throw him, however.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Please,” Yvette said, and Peter knew he needed to obey.

  “Out,” he said to the others. Thomas raised an eyebrow and held up his shackles, but Peter just laughed.

  “Not on your life,” he replied. “Yvette, if you need help, you call for me.”

  “Of course,” she said quietly as they exited. She waited until the doors to the large throne room had clicked shut before she returned her gaze to Thomas. His chest was still heavy from the carapace experience, and he didn't look particularly comfortable. “You knew.”

  “What?” He laughed. “What did I know?”

  “You knew that you were Halloway,” she said softly.

  He tried to play it off. “What makes you say that?”

  “Because you've always been obsessed with power and with magic,” she said. “If you teamed up with King Richard, no doubt that was the deal that was struck. You knew Halloway blood was the secret to immortality. How did you find out?”

  He was fighting with himself as he struggled for the words. “It was a spell, the way the spells manifested. It never looked like anyone else's. It wasn't until I saw Cole's magic up close that I realized that something was the same.”

  “Ah,” she wasn't sitting on the throne, nor was she wearing a crown. But somehow, she looked like a queen. And what hurt the most was that she wasn't mad. She was hurt. “How could you, Thomas? There are so many innocents involved.”

  “Yvette,” he managed. “I did not intend to hurt you. Ever. You have to know that. I did not set out to hurt you, even after you became involved with him.”

  “You nearly burned down a mall with me in it!” she cried, and he looked away.

  “We've discussed this. I thought that I could save you.”

  “Well, you didn't,” she replied. “Peter did, though, luckily.”

  Thomas remained silent on that fact, looking at his feet.

  “What else do you have to tell me?” she asked. “Now that you know my life is mixed up in all of this? Tell me, now, Thomas, because I swear to God, I will not make the mistake of sticking my neck out for you twice.”

  He took a deep breath but remained silent.

  “Thomas,” she reminded him. “We were friends. And you promised to protect me forever. You swore it, no matter what happened.”

  He still said nothing, although he did look up at her.

  “What is it that you want?” she asked.

  “Do you have the power to grant me what I want?” he asked.

  “I do. You know that I have equal power beside Peter. But it's also my choice. What is it that you want?” She hoped that it was not something horrible.

  “I want to be free from the Dolcettis and the life they would have me live,” he said softly. “They retreated from Umora because they did not agree with life here. And I thought I did as well. But Umora is my home, my life. I am a dragon, and I am witch; I do not belong on a planet full of humans.”

  “Oh, my,” she said. “Thomas, I can't just–”

  “Didn't you say that you have equal power?” he asked. “So why can't you grant me this?”

  “They take care of you.”

  “You know that they don't,” he cried. “You know that my father has me so doped up on meds I can hardly see straight. Yes, it controls my anger. Yes, it controls my blood lust, but it also controls me. I feel like I'm walking through water, like I'm moving through life in slow motion. I just want to be free, Yvette.”

  “If I make that choice, I take any blood you spill into my own hands,” she said.

  “There will be no blood,” he assured her. “If you wish me back in the Royal Army, I will return. But I cannot live that life anymore. I will live any way you want, just let it be here. You said we were still friends, Yvette.”

  “You can't control your impulses, Thomas. You need help.” She buried her head in her hands.

  “I need help here,” he roared at her. “I will die there. Except I won't, because I'm immortal, so it will be a living hell forever. Please, please!”

  She was practically shaking. She knew that if she said yes, there would be backlash and repercussions from everyone. Her family and the entire planet would rebel and question her judgment.

  “I was a loyal subject the whole time,” he said. “You know that I was, you can check the records.”

  “Tell me what you know,” she said. “Tell me what information you have, and prove to me that you are on our side. If you do this, I will commute your sentence.”

  “How do I know you won't just throw me back in jail?” he asked.

  “Because trust has to start somewhere, Thomas,” she said, and he sighed.

  He knew he was taking a gamble. Once upon a time, he would have trusted Yvette with his life. He remembered curling up to her at night when he was out of his mind with blood lust, with the drugs, with the demons in his head. She had always been gentle and kind.

  But this Yvette? This Queen Yvette who loved Peter? He didn't know her so well.

  However, she was right. He had to start somewhere.

  “King Richard is using tracer spells to find Rosa,” he said. “He knows that she has the magic of two witches in her, and he does mean to take it from her to survive. Those who have returned from the Other cannot survive forever on this side. The Other dropped because the magic is fading. It's the way of the world, my love. All things must come to an end.”

  “That's why you want to return to Umora,” she said. “Your magic will fade on Earth.”

  “We who came from Umora will all have to return if we intend to survive,” he said. “On Earth, the magic will be gone quickly. It's already hard to trace – hard to capture and feel. You don't feel it because you are human, but it is fading.”

  “Peter,” she said. “Peter came from the Other.”

  “Yes,” Thomas said, waiting for her to speak.

  “How do I make him stay?” she asked. “How do I make sure he doesn't return?”

  “I don't know,” Thomas replied. “Everything is out of balance. There's one pure Halloway witch, dozens of other bloodlines that have died out, and so many things that are different than the balance nature intended.”

  “So, we have to put thing
s back into balance,” she said. She was smart, even when her head was spinning. “How do we do that?”

  “I don't have all the answers,” he admitted. “But restoring the Halloway line could be a start.”

  “I can't just wave my hands and order another Halloway witch,” she cried.

  “Create one,” he said with a shrug.

  “How?” she asked him, aghast.

  “Yvette, do not make me draw you a picture.” He fixed her with a look.

  “I…oh!” She blushed bright red. “So, you or Cole or–”

  “It's best to let Rosa do it,” he said. “She is the one with two stores of magic.”

  “Right,” she said. “I can uh…let them know. Until then, you need to go back to Earth.”

  He bowed his head. “I understand. But don't be long.”

  “I won't be,” she said. She stepped forward, not quite touching him. But she wanted to. “Thank you.”

  “You're welcome,” he replied. There was so much more that could be said between the two of them, but Yvette chose to say nothing. She loved Peter with all her heart and wouldn't change that for the world. She missed Thomas and what they had, but it didn't compare to her love for her husband. She just wished Thomas well. She hoped he found happiness of his own one day; even if the road seemed dark right now. “Wait in the antechamber, and someone will take you back.”

  “Aye,” he said. She left the throne room before she said something she would regret. Luckily for her, she didn't have to go too far. Nicholas was waiting eagerly with Rosa in the dining room. Their hands were grasped together, and they were gazing at each other with pure love. She smiled when she realized what she had to tell them. It wasn't such a bad thing after all.

  “Well?” Nicholas asked.

  She paused, looking between the two of them. She couldn't break the news all at once. So, she chose the easier route.

  “You two really should solidify your line to protect the dragons and the witches. A formal marriage would be best,” she said, not wasting any time. “Are you up to that?”

  Rosa blushed, but Nicholas understood completely. Without a word, he slipped out of the chair, taking a signet ring off his finger. He dropped to his knees, taking her hand.