The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  He kissed the corners of my mouth slowly and deliberately, pondering how to respond. But it was something that had been bothering me since the instant Ender had mentioned it earlier. If my hunch was correct and we did love in a way that was more…did I have the ability to stop it, like Ender demanded? Could I do it even if it meant saving an entire kingdom? At this point, I didn’t think I could. And that was scary as hell, because I had a feeling someone or something was going to try and force me to, even if they couldn’t get back to that kingdom.

  He looked at me intently, and our faces were centimeters apart as Mycah linked our fingers together and rubbed his thumb over the delicate skin on the inside of my wrist with his other hand. “It’s complicated.”

  “Don’t give me that. Please tell me the truth. Yes or no?” I didn’t want him sugarcoating anything for my sake. I needed to know what we were up against.

  “No, I won’t let that happen. Ender is only being dramatic. He is just afraid that I’ll be rejected as king and beheaded before we’re able to stand against Ohtar. That we both will.” He softly kissed the inside of my wrist, making it hard for me not to smile, despite his frightening explanation. “I won’t let them harm you.”

  I nodded my response, knowing he wouldn’t. Not if he could help it. But I wasn’t afraid for myself. I was more concerned over him being harmed. “I guess it doesn’t matter now, right? Since you can’t go back, the kingdom is doomed any—”

  He stopped me from continuing by placing a gentle finger against my lips. He pulled me closer, then bent down to scoop me into his arms, my body brushing against his triumphantly. Laying me on the bed, he climbed in behind me and wrapped his arm around my stomach as he slid me nearer. Any space between us was eliminated as his body conformed wholly to mine. We fit together like two puzzle pieces finding their match, slipping into each other perfectly.

  “It isn’t. There’s a way back.”

  “What? Are you serious? What do you mean? How?” I was totally taken aback by this confession.

  “The Sindora.” He massaged the back of my head as he spoke to me. I pulled away just slightly to look him in the eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

  “What is it exactly?”

  “It opens the way to Luïnil. I created it when I couldn’t find the Lassaira Ëlemmiire. It can transform any ordinary tree into a portal,” he explained finally. Finally...finally I had the truth. I thought for sure I’d have died of old age before Mycah would have ever told me about that thing. And I was immortal.

  “Why didn’t you tell everyone earlier?”

  “You never know who may be listening. I haven’t had a chance to sweep the area, and we were out in the open where voices travel. I’d much rather prying ears believe the way to Luïnil is extinct than not. I’ll inform the others of the truth tomorrow.”

  “Why didn’t you ever use it?” My curiosity burned, all the questions I’d wanted to ask about the Sindora popping up, but I was doing my best to only ask one at a time.

  “It’s not safe. It isn’t protected by our kind. Any old bloke could go through. It was a last resort, and certainly not without Rydan, because I planned on destroying the tree once we passed so humans wouldn’t stumble upon it. And I hadn’t the slightest idea where to find him. The Black Eagles were all over me, and Ohtar’s minions would appear now and again. But I wouldn’t leave my brother behind.”

  I was relieved to have the ability to connect with Lissë again, but there was that part of me that feared Mycah going up against Ohtar. That fear just tripled in size as a realization set in. “So, that means you’ll be leaving to face Ohtar soon.”

  “Nariella darling, I do not want you fretting over my well-being. I can detect panic rising in you. Do not fear Ohtar. It’s what he wants. It’s what he instills in all my subjects. He’ll use that fear against you,” he pitched his voice low, his English accent dancing across the words.

  My eyebrows furrowed. “I thought you wanted me to be afraid of him?”

  “Understanding what he is capable of so as to act accordingly is what I wanted. Choking fear will only lead to losing control, or worse yet—your death.” He kissed my shoulder, causing a burst of tingles to race along my skin.

  “But how am I to understand unless you tell me? No one told me anything about him while I was there, and I still know nothing to this day.” It was hard to focus on the topic at hand when Mycah refused to stop touching me.

  My breathing hitched as he moved my hair back from my neck, tucking it behind my ear. It took everything to not turn around and pounce on him, continuing to kiss him like crazy. I was regretting not keeping my stupid mouth shut. But my mind was split between the troubles waiting back in Luïnil and the mouthwatering Mycah that was smushed up against my back.

  “I know that, love. But you weren't even supposed to be in Luïnil. I didn’t plan on your return until after I defeated Ohtar. I had no way to prepare you on what to expect from him. No way to protect you from his influence and snares.” His lips sat precariously on my neck…their silkiness gracing my skin as he spoke, sending shivers down my spine.

  “Okay, then tell me now. Why is he so dangerous?” I clenched my eyes closed, willing myself to not get distracted by Mycah’s yumminess. He was way, way too tempting. But I needed to know this stuff…right?

  “His gifts. As you know, he has the ability to acutely detect deceit, but more than that he has the power of persuasion. You may not even realize he’s influencing you. That is the dangerous part. Even worse still his mind is so protected, I cannot penetrate it. Do you remember me telling you my abilities are almost useless against my own kin?” The smoothness of my legs brushed against the roughness of his jeans, but I only half noticed the sensation.

  “Yes,” I whispered with alarm already plaguing my heart.

  “Ohtar does not have this problem,” his voice was gravely low. I gulped. Mycah was practically powerless against the Isil race, but Ohtar wasn’t?

  “How were you able to fool Sarqua and all those Isil soldiers into thinking you were killing the Tavas’Elda?” I was afraid to believe it was true…He had to have some power over them, didn’t he?

  “What I did had nothing to do with Sarqua and the lot. I am strongest against the Tavas’Elda. I manipulated them to behave injured or dead, though all the while I had only put them to sleep. Once Ohtar had me captured, it was essential to my plan that they believe I was on their side. Rydan would be dead if I hadn’t. He had no training growing up. He has no idea what he is capable of.”

  “Do you? Do you know what he’s capable of?” My curiosity was piqued, but I wasn’t surprised by even a little bit at this. I could tell Rydan was someone you didn’t want to mess with. I mean, climbing a gigantic castle wall with me hanging onto him like a monkey as if it were the easiest thing in the world didn’t exactly scream “pansy.”

  “No. I do not. But what I do know is that he is my brother, and our lineage has become stronger over time. If he and I only had the proper sharpening since birth without letup, which was the royal elda way, we’d be unstoppable today. Being raised apart in the Earthly realm without our Fëa has given us a massive disadvantage. He would have never been able to stand against Ohtar or even escape him had he been hunted.” From the corner of my eye, I could see Mycah lay his head back against the pillow as he contemplated the disheartening thought.

  “Does Rydan know this?” I frowned. Mycah told me not to worry, but hearing all this made it that much more difficult not to. If anything were to happen to either of them…I couldn’t think about it. Losing Zaylie had been one thing, but I was able to get her back. Losing either of Mycah and Rydan? I’d be a complete wreck.

  “He doesn’t. His connection to Luïnil was never fully cultivated. He has yet to tap into his true gifts. And I suspect…so have you.” He squeezed me tighter against him, as if he were afraid the very thought meant I would vanish from him in a puff of smoke. I was confused why that’d worry him.

  “If we’re
all at our strongest, then we have a better chance of defeating Ohtar,” I reasoned. Not that I planned on returning to Luïnil. Actually, it was the exact opposite. Mycah remained silent, giving me the impression he didn’t agree. A feeling of foreboding trickled into my heart. “Ender puts so much faith and hope in you as the savior. As if only you can defeat Ohtar and save the kingdom. But why doesn’t he ever mention Rydan as a hope, too?”

  “I am Ender’s Óre’Dae. His focus will always be on me and me alone, as long as I am breathing. Rydan’s Guardian should be here to guide him. To train him in the art of war and kingship. It is not Ender’s responsibility to.” His British accent was sharp, signaling his distress.

  “Yeah, but he’s not here. And if you two could be stronger together, there must be someone to train him. He can’t go on unprotected and vulnerable.” I didn’t like the idea of Rydan being in danger, but I was more terrified of Mycah going up against Ohtar on his own. It shouldn’t be left up to just him. If he had a better chance with Rydan at his side, then that should be their plan.

  “He won’t, love. You need not fret. Ohtar knows Rydan’s Guardian was slain whilst he was still a boy. My uncle believes Rydan is weak and useless since he was robbed of the proper upbringing. We will use this to our advantage. I shall continue to train my brother in the art of war.” He placed a sweet kiss behind my ear.

  “Right. I forgot you started training him already. I just don’t like the idea of him being on his own or doing things alone.”

  “He won’t do it alone. I would never let him. I’ll take care of what needs to be done. You can trust me, Nariella.” He sat up on his elbow, looking me straight in the eyes.

  “You have so much resting on your shoulders. You take everything upon yourself. When it comes to me, to Rydan. Everyone. Why do you do it?” I was blown away by his strength. Mycah was truly an amazing creature.

  He caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers, his eyes never leaving mine. “Nothing could mean more to me than you do. I would do anything for you. Anything for my brother. Almost anything for my kingdom. I shall protect you to the end of my days. Nariella, you’ve claimed my soul.”

  His words were like arrows piercing my heart that splintered into a thousand fissures, all manifesting roots of adoration and affection. Love, adorned by respect and devotion, blossomed lustrously. Mycah claimed my soul, too. Most deeply.

  I couldn’t keep my mouth from his for another second longer. Reaching for the back of his neck, my fingers crossed together as I pulled him down to me. I kissed him with all the new love I had sprouting in me, more love than I knew what to do with. And he didn’t seem to mind one bit as he kissed me back just as sweetly, a soft moan of appreciation escaping him. I smiled against his lips, loving him even more.

  But even though in this moment I was happy, there was still a big part of me that wasn’t. I tried to ignore it by pushing it deep away from my consciousness. But I couldn’t. There was no way I could truly be carefree. Not until I figured out if what was wrong with me could be reversed. I pretended I was fine and acted normal, but I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep it up much longer. Or that I wouldn’t be waking up tomorrow…

  Whatever was going on with me made it harder to breathe, making Mycah take notice. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine,” I fibbed, trying to keep him distracted by resuming what we were doing.

  He pulled away. “You’re tired. You need to sleep.”

  I couldn’t even argue with that. I was tired. Extremely tired. It was taking everything to not pass out, and I knew he could feel it, so there’d be no use denying it. “Yeah, really tired. I guess I’m ready.”

  Mycah kissed my head after snuggling my body closer to his. “Sweetest dreams.”

  My eyelids felt like they were glued shut as the morning sunlight continued to oppress them. I really didn’t want to wake up, despite how late the afternoon grew. I felt worse than I had yesterday and extremely exhausted, even still. Although my hellish nightmares gave me a break, the miserable feeling that I might very well be dying weighed heavy on my chest. The unknown cause was constantly on my mind; even if it wasn’t forefront, it lingered in the background like a shadow over every other thought. And when it was forefront, like the way it was currently, it made my chest hurt with all sorts of wretchedness.

  It was the dread. The dread that I had altered my body somehow by doing something I shouldn’t have—bringing a person back to life—plagued me. It was always there. No matter how much I ignored it or did my darnedest to pretend it wasn’t, the reality was I couldn’t escape it. I was worried.

  “What’s the matter, beautiful?” Mycah’s velvety voice reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

  “Um,” I stalled on an answer, “I just don’t feel good. It’s probably just a cold or something, no big deal. Too much crazy happening all at once, you know how it is.”

  “Nariella, you’re not human. You don’t get colds,” Mycah shot holes in my cover-up. He sat up on his elbow, looking at me seriously. “Your eyes are still swirling black. Rest obviously didn’t make it better. Why won’t you be honest with me?”

  “I am being honest with you. I really don’t know what’s wrong. I still feel miserable.”

  “And you’re worried. How come?”

  I sighed heavily. “I think…I think it might’ve been a bad thing to bring Zaylie back to life. Ever since then, I’ve felt like my body is being crushed from the inside out. That’s just a theory though; I mean, I don’t know for sure if that’s the reason for why I feel the way I do, but something is terribly wrong.”

  “Why did you not tell me sooner? I’ll make you feel better.” As he said this, he already had his hands placed on my body with the intent to heal me. But nothing happened. Minutes later, I felt the exact same. Like total crap.

  “It didn’t work. I still feel like I need to sleep for ten thousand years. And like…my core aches. I don’t know how to explain it, but deep within me hurts.” I wanted to groan and whimper, but I did my best to sound normal and not act like a big baby. “I’m worried, Mycah.”

  “You need to go back to Luïnil. We need to find a Maite’Ona Healer. Perhaps he’ll know what to do.” He started to sit up. What did a Maite’Ona Healer have to do with anything? If Mycah couldn’t heal me, how could anyone else?

  “No, please. I don’t want to go back.” I held him down on the bed, sweat forming on the back of my neck.

  “What are you saying?” He looked at me like I had escaped the loony bin and needed to be returned. I half-wondered if maybe I did.

  “I can’t go back, Mycah. I’m not welcome there. The two kingdoms I know of hate me, and the one place I thought I truly belonged disowned me. If they don’t want me, then I’ll stay away. I promised I would.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You do belong there. In time, they’ll realize that. And I’ll always protect you. There is nothing to fret over.” He caressed my cheek softly, then wiped the perspiration at my temple.

  “Easy for you to say. You’re the rightful heir to the throne. You’re a full-blood Night Elf. I’m an abomination. A half-breed. Neither kingdom will accept me.”

  “We’ll change their minds—”

  “Mycah, no. I don’t want to go back.” And with that, I forced myself out of his hold and out of bed, despite the grogginess and pain it caused.

  As I made my way downstairs, sand felt like it filled my head and my vision went black. I clung to the wall for support and waited until my sight returned. My heart beat abnormally fast. Maybe I should try eating something. Something healthy with anti-oxidants and whatever nutrient that gave energy boosts.

  “I see you have finally decided to grace us with your presence for the day,” Ender said in a melancholy voice. He watched me approach from the corner of his eye as I rounded the corner into the kitchen.

  “Uh, yeah. Sorry, I was really tired I guess. I didn’t wanna wake up.” I felt like I was being reprimanded already and I hadn�
�t even been out here for a full second yet. “Are you mad?”

  Mycah came up behind me then. His fingers rested ever-so lightly on the small of my back. I craned my neck in search of spotting Rydan or someone I knew. Ender ignored my question, so I asked, “Where’s everyone else?”

  “Rydan and Naminé left not too long ago, but to where, I do not know. As for the humans, I have not seen either one. They must already be gone.” Ender stood up from his place at the kitchen table. “Remycah, may I please have an ear? In private?”

  “You’ve read my mind. I have much to discuss with you as well.” Mycah pulled me to the table. “But there’s no need to exclude Nariella.”

  Ender looked like he’d been punched in the gut but was straining to act unbothered. The feeling that I was disappointing my newfound father hit me like a slap to the face. I turned to Mycah, placing a hand on his chest. “Why don’t you stay here and talk to Ender in private while I go call Zaylie. I wanna make sure everything’s okay, and I don’t really feel up to any serious elfy-discussions right now, anyway.”

  Slipping out of his touch before any objections were made, I left the way I had come to go call my little Aussie gal. I was excited to hear her voice. Maybe it was just the thing I needed to brighten my mood.

  I sat on the bed and dialed her number. She answered a few rings later, “Hey, hey, girly. What’s up?”

  “Zales, how are you? How’s your family? Tell me everything that happened.” I laid my back against the headboard of the bed and wiped the sweat from my forehead as we chit-chatted.

  “I’m freakin’ great. I feel wonderful. Seriously, I’ve never felt so good in my life.” She almost giggled. “And I don’t care to dwell on what happened. I’m just so grateful to be back with my family. I don’t want to waste the precious seconds we have by going on and on about the crap that went down. I see life in a whole new light now. I won’t be taking it for granted again. You never know when you’ll lose it, and not everyone has a,” she lowered her voice to barely a whisper, “a superhero as their best friend.”