The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  Then that magnetic pulse happened again. My heart leapt to my throat. When I felt Mycah drawing closer, I stopped breathing. I peeked around Rydan’s shoulder and forced myself not to run to him and tackle him to the ground. I would have, but we weren’t alone. He stopped walking and stood silently in a shadow of darkness.

  I didn’t even notice when Sarqua came to restrain my arms. I was too stunned to move as joy and relief overwhelmed my system, tears springing to life. Rydan lunged to protect me, but N’taurn who took hold of his enraged body immediately stopped him. That finally woke me up. I desperately began to fight against my captor while Rydan yelled obscenities and threats.

  “Mycah!” I screamed my lungs out as I brought my leg up behind me in a swift kick to the Night Elf’s groin. I hit him hard. He doubled over for just a second without releasing me, then instantly hit me over the head even harder. The last thing I heard was Rydan’s fits of rage, and the last thing I saw was Mycah doing absolutely nothing to help, before my vision clouded and I was lost to emptiness.

  Chapter Twenty

  ~Naminé~

  “Nari!” Rydan roared ferociously, startling me. He did all he could to reach her, to pull her out of Sarqua’s grasp, but to no avail. We were captured. This would be the beginning of the end.

  Rydan’s eyes were locked onto Nariella’s body as she was carried away into darkness. I did not understand their relationship, or what exactly she meant to him. It was obvious there was something more than meets the eye.

  I could not deny the sting my heart felt in that moment, but I was quick to ignore it.

  Ohtar’s assailants forced Rydan and me out of the hall we had been standing in. They took us further, and deeper, into the bowels of the castle.

  We would be executed at dawn. It was for certain.

  That was, until Rydan let out a feral growl, frightening us all. He tore his wrists out of N’taurn’s grasp and then simultaneously slammed his horizontal fingers into the captain’s throat.

  N’taurn choked for only a moment before crashing to his knees. Rydan was quick to fetch the menacing sword from the fallen soldier’s belt.

  Elròs, despite holding me captive, reacted swiftly to this new threat. However, it was not enough. The moment he loosened his grip on my wrists, I, too, wrenched my body out of his hold.

  The distraction served us well, because it gave way for Rydan to shank the elda right through his very heart.

  I stood frozen, completely flabbergasted at these turn of events. Rydan seized my shaking hand that hung at my side. He pulled me back the way we had just come.

  “How do we get out of here?” he inquired of me. However, I was still in a daze and could not quite make out his words. “Naminé, how do we get to Nari?”

  “What? You cannot be serious, Rydan. It would be folly to risk our escape now. Where Nari is, we can no longer go. We will both be killed if we do not get away now,” I reasoned, truly believing every word.

  He let out a long sigh and ran his hand through his dark hair. “I can’t just leave her,” he replied.

  “Her life is not at risk. Ohtar will not kill her. I saw the gleam in his eye. He wishes to use her. For what, I do not know. Nonetheless, she will live. What worries me most is that Remycah was there and did nothing! As if he was now a part of Ohtar’s very circle! If Remycah has fallen, you are our only hope for this Kingdom’s survival. No, no. For you to go back now, it will promise our deaths.” I squeezed Rydan’s hand, wishing to convey how important it was for him to live—for him to locate his Fëa. It was the only means to our Kingdom’s survival.

  Why Remycah was not already dead by Dae’Sûl’s hands if he had been captured was beyond me. I feared Dae’Sûl’s part in all of this was far from over, but will transpire on a day we least expect.

  “Lead the way.” He sighed. I could feel he was torn in two.

  “Thank you for trusting in me,” I offered, hoping he would see that this was for the best. “This way. There is something we must acquire before I find Calen.”

  I led us through the dark passages that only servants used. The King’s feast that currently ensued would be our advantage. It had every servant distracted and working to prepare a perfect night for the King and his guests. It left the corridors empty and unused.

  I took us above to a far wing of the castle, rarely occupied by anyone other than the Queen. She forbade admittance by any soul who were not servants, for only they were allowed to enter so that they may clean it daily. Their task was to keep the room in pristine condition.

  It was the most sacred room of the entire castle.

  Although it would take quite a while to arrive there, it would be worth it in the end. For inside was a special gift, forged at our two Princes’ births.

  “We are here,” I announced as we stepped foot in front of the large door forged from the great malinornë tree.

  “Okay. Where is here? What’s in there?” Rydan nodded toward the sacred door.

  “Come,” I invited as I unlatched the silver lock and pushed the heavy doors inward. Rydan followed from behind.

  Inside, the magnificent beauty was unparalleled by any other room in the castle. The crown molding and ceiling were adorned with leaves made of gold and silver. Murals of young princes of old were lovingly painted upon every surface. Golden sculptures and intricate detailing of dragons, unicorns, fawns, and griffins riddled every wall and corner.

  Only the finest, lush fabric was used to hang from the large stained-glass windows. The floor, made of marble, lay in thousands of mosaic patterns and pictures.

  I had never laid my eyes upon this room until now, though it was well known among our people. It was thought of with the upmost grace and respect.

  “What is this place?” Rydan pondered in reverence. Even he was left in awe of its marvel without even knowing what it meant for him yet.

  “Rydan, what I am about to show you is very sacred for you. It is a rite of passage for every prince born of this Kingdom. Traditionally, it would have been your father and mother, along with your Guardian, to perform this ceremonial event with you. However, I believe it is more important you acquire what awaits you now more than ever,” I explained. “There is no time for tradition.”

  He gazed upon me in confusion, but did not utter a word in response. I took that as my signal to show him what I brought us here for.

  I laced our fingers together and led him to the back of the room where a magical armoire stood. Placing our braided hands over the latch, I drew mine away to leave his alone on the golden lever.

  “Only you and Remycah have the power to open this door. Go ahead,” I welcomed quietly, respectfully.

  He did just so. Rydan opened the encasement gradually. The magical scent of old wood fell over us. Contained within were two grandiose wooden chests. Inscribed on each accordingly were the names “Remycah Avel” and “Rydan Cael” in the most beautiful script of all the Kingdom. Rydan inhaled a sharp intake of breath.

  I need not say anything. For Rydan knew on instinct what he must do. He drew his silver chain from around his neck that had been tucked under his clothing.

  Cautiously, he slipped the ancient key into its matching keyhole on the front of the equally ancient chest.

  With a click, it fit just perfectly as he turned the key. He hesitantly lifted the heavy lid.

  I do believe I was just as curious as he on what lay in wait inside. The contents were unique to their counterpart. Whatever lay within, it would be for Rydan and Rydan alone, forged at his birth.

  His eyes found the object, and the breath he had been holding diminished in a long release.

  For it was a longbow and quiver of arrows, crafted intricately with the finest of details imaginable. Carvings of beautiful design ran along the tip to bottom. I had every reason to believe it was strung with the most ornate elda-hair. Feathered arrows lay encased in a matching quiver.

  Rydan elevated the kingly weapon with veneration. He tested the feel of it in his
strong hands and assessed the tautness of the bowstring.

  “It’s incredible,” he whispered softly. I nodded my head in agreement, for there were no words that came to mind to relay how true that short sentence was.

  Rydan harnessed the quiver to his back and held the bow in his hand. He turned to me confidently.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he suggested gruffly. I had to agree with that as well. Our survival counted on our departure from this castle undetected, and if we had any hope to do so, now would be the time.

  Egressing the holy room promptly, I resumed leading our escape. Following the way we had come, we accessed the servant passage once more.

  “Through here,” I muttered. We entered a narrow stairwell that would lead us into the sewers. That in turn would lead us outside near the edge of the castle, where I was certain Calen was being kept.

  After some time, the quietness that surrounded us was eerie and unsettling, but it meant we were alone, and for that I was grateful.

  The rank stench that reached us gave proof we were close to where we needed to be.

  “Disgusting,” Rydan remarked.

  I softly let out a laugh, understanding his aversion. “Yes, we are near the sewers. It won’t be long now.

  When we emerged, I could already feel Calen nearby. I couldn’t help quickening my stride. Rydan kept up easily as we rounded one last corner. I saw her huddled in a cage near a hidden compartment that led outside.

  “Calen!” I shouted for her. She hardly budged, sending worrisome pricks throughout my body. My pace escalated into a fast sprint. I slammed against the bars and outstretched my hands to reach her.

  Rydan removed the iron pin that kept the cage secured. I immediately thrust my body into the space and knelt before her.

  “Calen,” I whispered, caressing her vibrant purple-red feathers. I picked her weakened body up in my arms and clutched her to my chest.

  “Got her?” Rydan asked. It was obvious he made an effort to not show his shock at seeing her, for she was a phoenix. I knew from studies that humans believed these animals to be myth. I smiled at him and nodded.

  She would be all right. I knew it for certain in my heart that she would be all right.

  “Good. Come on, we need to get as far away from here as possible,” Rydan said, and I could not agree more.

  We exited through the hidden door. I wondered how long it would take for the fallen soldiers to be discovered. Ohtar truly had no idea what Rydan was capable of. Ohtar will pay for underestimating Rydan. And it brought great joy to my heart.

  We descended the mountain that the castle sat atop without disturbance. There was too much commotion going on inside the castle, so no one paid any attention to us.

  Reaching the bottom, we broke out of view and into the woods that lay northwest. I carried Calen into a secluded area and laid her down onto the ground below.

  I turned to Rydan. “She must rest. They were forcing some type of lorda potion into her. It will take a bit of time for her to pass it through her system.”

  “I’ll wait as long as you need me to,” Rydan replied. I turned from him, afraid that my blushing skin would give my quickened heart away. Seeing him in a dream was one thing, but having him right here next to me, in the flesh, was on an entirely different level that I was unaccustomed to.

  “Thank you,” I articulated despite the thrumming of my pulse. He was so dashing when in survival-mode. His eyes shone brighter and his stance was attractive.

  He cautiously advanced in front of me and reached for my fingers.

  “I’m really glad you’re okay,” he mumbled awkwardly, and my cheeks colored brighter. He had an intriguing accent to his words.

  “Lle holma ve’ edan,” I blurted out automatically without any thought to what I was saying. I swiftly brought up a hand to cover my mouth in shock at myself.

  “What?” he laughed. “I don’t speak Elvish. What’d you say?”

  If I had been embarrassed before, it was nothing compared to how I felt now. I didn’t want to tell him what I had just mistakenly blurted out. I looked to the ground, worried that he would be insulted.

  He gently clasped his fingers around my chin and tilted my head to look at him. I could have sworn at any moment my heart would explode right out of my chest cavity.

  I opened my mouth, but shut my eyes closed tight and said, “You smell like a human.”

  At the magnificent sound of his deep laughter, I split my eyes open. He covered his face with his hand, still chuckling. It made me laugh a bit, too.

  “I was worried you would be insulted. I did not mean it as one. I am just not used to it is all. Forgive me,” I explained myself.

  “It’s fine,” he answered, grinning. I could not help grinning back at his stunning smile. His silver eyes danced in humor, and it lit my soul on fire.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  ~Nari~

  My raging headache made it hard to open my eyes. I tried to lift the heavy lids slowly, then once it looked like Mycah hovering in front of me, I flew them all the way open in a wide stare.

  But I was wrong. He wasn’t there. No one was. I stayed lying down and tried not to let the disappointment cripple me. I turned on my side and let my squinted eyes wander around the circular room.

  It was the exact room that Rydan and I rescued Naminé from, and I was on the exact bed that she had been lying on.

  With that thought of Rydan, I instantly shot up in a sitting position, wincing.

  Hmmm...I gently touched my throbbing head and winced one more time. I should've been able to heal myself, right? I focused my attention on the pulsing injury and tried to fix it.

  Nothing happened. I squeezed my eyes shut and imagined healing thoughts.

  Still, nothing happened. Dang it—I was broken. I had only been able to heal two people and already I’d somehow managed to ruin it. Just my luck. I had to get to Rydan before—

  I gulped back an oncoming sob, realizing the sun brightly shone through the antique window. I was too late. It was already way past dawn and I did noth–

  Wait—I cut my own train of thought off at a revelation. Didn’t the King say he wanted me to witness Rydan’s hanging? Perhaps there was hope.

  I blinked away the blurry vision that my despairing tears caused and focused on the detail rendered in the numerous murals that took up the expanse of the walls. My eyes fell on one in particular, and the beauty beheld in that one magnificent portrait froze me in place. There were no words in existence to describe its stunning glory or the level of skill displayed to create it.

  A simple Weeping Willow stood before me, and had I not already known I was inside a room of a castle, I would have thought with no doubt in my mind that the tree lived and basked in the sparkling sun right before my eyes.

  The sound of the heavy wooden door creaking open sent my mind a flutter and scalp prickling in anticipation of what was about to happen. Who was coming? Was it the vicious King ready to take me to helplessly watch the death of my best friend?

  No, no it was not the King.

  Again, there were no words that I could conjure up to describe how I currently felt as I shot up off the small bed and bounded my way across the room, flinging myself into Mycah’s chest.

  He immediately pushed me off like he was disgusted and tightened his jaw, not looking at me. The male I recalled to be named Sarqua stepped into the room behind him at the same time my heart took a spiraled descent into the pit of my stomach.

  “Return to that bed at once before I throw you back!” the elf ordered, but I could not move. Mycah’s apparent distaste for me sent my mind reeling for an explanation. He refused to look at me and kept his jaw locked.

  Because I could not speak or do anything besides stare openly at Mycah, Sarqua stalked over to me and forcefully dragged me back to the bed. My eyes still did not leave Mycah’s face that had yet to turn my way.

  “You do not leave this spot unless told to, do you understand?” Sarqua demande
d bitterly in that foreign Elvish accent. I nodded in reply. I didn’t care what he was saying to me, my heart was suspended in a free-fall of utter confusion. “Prepare for the Veiled Reception. We gather at dusk. If you are not in pristine appearance by the time I return, you will pay dearly for your disobedience.”

  “Rydan—where is Rydan?!” I screamed at Sarqua’s retreating back.

  “Silence! Do not utter his name!” he yelled in return. But I stood firm and waited for an answer that I needed to hear, despite not knowing if I could bear what it was.

  At that, he swiftly walked out without another thought to my question, but I scarcely paid any attention to him. My mind was now solely focused on the male cloaked in black left standing not fifteen-feet from me, remaining completely stoic. Even while back in his own world, he did not lose his foreign demeanor that I could never grow accustomed to when in Kennebunkport. In fact, he seemed even more foreign and dangerous than I had ever felt before.

  “Mycah?” I tried my voice that trembled from fear and anxiety.

  “Do not address me. What we might have had between us before is gone. You will do well to forget it,” he spoke firmly, his English accent as strong as ever, and yet he still kept his eyes away from mine.

  I stomped back over to him in a rush. “I will never forget it. What is wrong with you? I’ve been dying without—”

  “Shut it! You’re now nothing more than my enemy,” he interrupted, head snapping toward me for the first time. I gasped upon seeing his tumultuous eyes. They were swirling with a mixture of colors—Different facets of blue, ribbons of purple that appeared to swim in the shades that matched the ocean, and specks of jade sparkled like stars, all contained in a rim of black. “I can’t...I cannot.” He turned away.