Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2)
Page 20
He put distance between them. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said coolly.
“What? But I thought you would want to...you know.”
His eyes were shadowed and she couldn’t read them. “You have no idea how badly I want to.” He glanced away. “But you wouldn’t be thinking of me.”
With that, he was gone. The door closed heavily behind him.
Left to do nothing but mull over everything that had happened, Nadua’s emotions flared out of control. She was overcome with sorrow for her lost time with Cyrus. Fear over her unsure future with Marik. Worry for her people, both the Faieara and the Cyrellians, as well as for Ava. Bitterness for being left alone, not only by Cyrus, but by Fineas, and her own father and mother. Finally, guilt, for thinking badly of any of them, when they were only doing what they could to help her.
In the hallowed pit of her stomach, she felt she’d lost control over every aspect of her life. After years of holding it together, Nadua curled up on the bed and cried herself unconscious.
Sometime during that blissful oblivion, a vision came on the edge of sleep.
Once more, Marik crouched in the arena, the same brutality befalling him. This time, Nadua witnessed the aftermath. With the bleachers empty and the blood turning brown with age, Marik’s eyes finally dimmed to their natural green, marred by horror at the sight of the dead woman left behind. Cradling her broken body in his arms, his bellow echoed off the cold walls.
How could I? How could I?
It took her a moment to realize she was hearing his thoughts.
How could I do this?
Marik thought he was responsible for the woman’s fate? Did he believe that of all of them?
* * *
“Did you sleep well?” Cyrus called from below when he spotted Nadua on the balcony. He was enjoying a morning meal alone.
“I did,” she lied, heading down the stairs to join him. “Does no one else eat with you?”
“They usually do.”
Ah, until she had come. These Cyrellians really did fear she’d lead the Kayadon here. Or maybe it was the demon presence that kept them away.
“Have you seen Marik?”
She had checked his room, but he hadn’t been in it.
“I believe he went out early this morning.”
“Out? Why?”
“I’m not in the habit of stopping demons for a chat when they look like they’re on a mission. How did you meet him, anyway?”
Nadua told him the story, leaving out the embarrassing intimate moments, and subsequent biting.
“I’m glad you survived all that. I’ll get some new furs made up for you. I recall how important they are to your comfort.
“You keep edisdons?”
“There are some that roam free near here. They’ve come to trust us.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.”
He called to someone behind her. “Oh, Lidian, come here please.”
Lidian approached with a large smile on her face. At seeing Nadua, recognition flared and she bowed. “Your Highness. How are you this day?”
“I’m good. How are you?”
“Just fine.”
“Are you Lidian, daughter of Rin?”
“I am, Your Highness.”
Nadua felt a small amount of tension leave her shoulders. “Your parents are very worried about you.”
“I can believe it. I was so frightened when the rebels took me and I remember my father had fought them. Is he well?”
“I believe so.” She tilted her head. “Why haven’t you contacted them?”
Her cheeks darkened. “I am afraid they would demand I come home. I...” She trailed off, too embarrassed to say.
Nadua grinned. “You have a crush.”
Lidian put her hands behind her back and gave a shy shrug.
“Well, that’s fine with me, but you should send a message to your parents. It’s not nice to leave them to worry. How would you like it if they disappeared, and then didn’t write to tell you they were okay?”
Lidian frowned and slowly nodded. “I will, Your Highness.”
When the girl scurried away, Cyrus said, “You sounded very motherly.”
“I’ve been raising Ava since she was two.”
“I wish I could have been there for her birth. How is she?”
“She’s brilliant. Sweet. Tougher than you could imagine.” Nadua grinned. “She could use you there, you know, once I’m gone. Her only family are those vapid aunts of hers.”
“You mean my sisters?”
“Sorry, your vapid sisters.”
They both laughed.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Marik watching them. He stood across the room. Snowflakes were still melting in his hair. Again, she couldn’t read his expression.
Cyrus craned his head to see what she was looking at, and as he did, Marik started up the stairs toward his room.
In a low voice, Cyrus asked, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on between the two of you?”
The last thing she wanted was to speak with Cyrus about her very strange, very complicated relationship with Marik. She shook her head.
“Well, just so you know, I like him.”
“You do?” She replied with more skepticism in her voice than she had intended.
“Yes. From what you’ve told me, he’s done everything he can to protect you. He inadvertently brought you back to me so I can say a proper goodbye this time. That alone earns him my gratitude, even if I am a bit jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what?”
Cyrus went silent for a long moment. “You both get to go have a real adventure, while I’m stuck on this cold planet.”
“You like the cold.”
He met her eyes and his demeanor became serious. “Not always.”
It was she who looked away first.
Chapter 24
Marik was busy pacing the room when a knock sounded. The enticing feminine scent told him it would be Nadua standing on the other side.
Reluctantly, he let her in.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Splendid.”
“Where did you go?”
“Hunting edisdons.”
“Oh. Well, no need. Cyrus said—”
“I know, I overheard. He will be providing for you.”
That was the reason he was pacing the room like a caged animal. His mate was in need of something and it wasn’t he who could supply it for her. Cyrus gave her a bed, beautiful clotting, expensive jewelry—which she was still wearing!
He tried not to eye it with anger. That, and the fact that she laughed with him, spoke to him with an ease and familiarity that was not affected by three hundred years apart.
Cyrus had said he loved her, and she obviously returned the sentiment.
“Something’s bothering you.”
“Aye,” he growled.
“Well. Will you talk to me?”
“It involves a topic you’re not fond of. So, no.”
She was quiet for a little while. “Then I have something I need to speak with you about. It’s regarding your past.”
Marik went tense. “I’ve nothing to say about that.”
“Well, I do. You asked me about my gift, but I didn’t get a chance to tell you about it.”
Marik stopped pacing and, for some reason, a thick choking tension bubbled in his stomach.
“I inherited part of my father’s gift for seeing the future. But lately I think I’ve been getting glimpses of the past.”
The tension turned into a heavy sick feeling that clawed at his insides.
“My past?” His tone was sharpened with an edge of hopelessness.
“I believe so, but I’d like to verify some things with you if you don’t mind. So I can be sure.”
“What did you see?”
“I witness you in...um...something that looked like a coliseum—”
“No!” Marik’s world collapsed. Had she see
n what he’d done? What he couldn’t stop himself from doing? No wonder she was so repulsed by the idea of being stuck as his mate
Marik laughed at himself for thinking that, just maybe, she had come to him to declare an inkling of feeling for him.
How delusional I am.
Her voice was ringing in his ear. Marik realized he was on his knees, face buried in his hands. She was asking him to look at her. Never again would he soil her beauty with his gaze. She deserved so much better.
“Marik! Look at me, please.”
He raised his gaze, but didn’t meet her eyes.
“Please don’t do this to yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”
Of course it was his fault. If he had trained harder when he was a youth, he could have controlled himself. He could have mastered the Edge, and restrained himself from hurting anyone. Perhaps he could have even saved his sister and kept them both from being slaves in the first place. If only he had been stronger.
“Those women’s deaths weren’t—”
“Enough,” he bellowed. “Get out!”
“No. I need you to understand.”
Marik pushed her toward the door.
“Marik, stop.”
“I don’t want to see you again until we leave this planet. We’ll find your Serakians and break this bond.” He shut the door on her astounded expression.
* * *
“My Queen.” Wren bowed, just outside Ava’s door. She greeted him with a smile and, together, they made their way down the hall.
After a short distance, Ava commented, “That sounds so different now.”
“What does?”
“When you call me ‘My Queen’.”
“But I have always called you that.”
Ava shrugged. “Yet your tone has changed. And you are more serious around me now.”
Wren went quiet.
Exiting the east wing, they strolled over a bridge that connected it to the west, headed to the first council meeting since Ava’s arresting declaration.
The air was sweet, as it always was after a heavy storm. She stopped to lean against the low wall, not wanting to admit she was nervous.
“I suppose I am more serious, My Queen. I have taken the ancient oaths. My only duty now is to protect you.”
Ava recalled the day. Each member of the guard and representatives from the noble houses had knelt before her, swearing allegiance to the House of Dion and chanted the old oaths. But there was something different in Wren that day, and had been ever since. His words had been so strong she’d almost felt them in the air.
“But I liked it when you would tease me.”
“It is not appropriate for a guard to tease a queen.”
She wanted to protest, but he was right. She was entering a new phase in her life. Her charge was the management and preservation of an entire kingdom. The whims of a child were no longer her luxury.
Her eyes traveled the edge of the land, where white hills met frosty skies. A sharp glint out of place caught her eye. “Wren? What is that?”
“Looks like a couple,” he replied.
From her distance, she could see that the larger of the two had dark hair, and the smaller was covered in an equally dark cloak. Her heart spiked and all she could do was suck in an excited breath.
“My Queen,” Wren warned, reading her thoughts.
“But who else would cover themselves in a cloak like that? And the male is not of our kind.” She sprinted back the way they came.
Wren was directly behind her. As they made their way to the palace entrance, he yelled for every guard they passed to follow.
“What’s going on?” Tamir was at their side.
“There are strangers on the hill outside the palace,” Wren answered.
Ava rushed through the elaborate archway, her light blue gown flaring out as she stepped foot on the packed snowy ground of the courtyard.
“My Queen,” Tamir beseeched. “Let the guard go ahead. This could be a trick.”
Wren was suddenly in front of her, blocking her path.
“No! It must be her!”
“We will not risk you for a wish,” Wren bellowed.
His tone gave her pause and she took a step back, calming her beating heart. No matter what she wanted to believe, she had to concede that this could be a rebel trap.
High on the bluff, the two made slow progress toward them.
“Then I will take a sword and a small group of soldiers. We will approach with caution.”
“Please, my lady,” Tamir replied. “Let me go and assess the situation. There is no need for you to put yourself in danger.”
“I will not be some timid queen who hides behind her army. That’s not how my father ruled, it is not how Nadua ruled, and it will not be how I rule.” She turned to one of the soldiers at her back and demanded his sword.
He obliged without argument.
Marching forward, Wren called out names of soldiers who were to join them. With Wren on her right and Tamir on her left, Ava started up the hill.
The couple spotted them and halted, seeming to speak back and forth. Ava realized her men had their weapons drawn.
She stopped and ordered, “Sheath your blades. You’re making them uneasy.”
She was now sure that the cloaked one was not Nadua. Nadua would have come running to embrace her on sight. The twinge of hope sank into despair once more. She kept it hidden though, so the others would not view her as weak.
As Ava moved toward them, the male placed himself in front of the other and bared his fangs.
Tamir pulled his sword again. “They are demons! Kill them!”
Soldiers rushed forward at Tamir’s command. The large demon snarled, but the one he protected moved forward. A blast of distorted air rushed at them, originating from the small cloaked creature. Her men were launched back. Wren covered her with his body as it hit them. Next thing Ava knew, she was digging herself out of the snow. Wren had already stood and was shielding her, weapon drawn.
The powerful creature removed her hood, displaying a fierce determination. But that wasn’t what made Ava’s pulse leap into her throat. Those eyes were Nadua’s, in shape and color.
“Stop! Don’t hurt them,” she ordered.
Wren glanced back, incredulous. Ignoring him, Ava considered the strangers. The demon was once again using his body to block the girl, a mirror of Wren’s stance. Though she wanted to hate this demon as she hated the one who murdered Nadua, she would wait to pass judgment.
“They have assaulted our queen,” Tamir hollered. “They will die this day!”
The men looked torn between the conflicting demands.
“I said no!” Ava shouted, pulling herself to stand.
The expression Tamir gave her was shocking in its anger. No one had ever looked at her like that before.
“I am your queen, Tamir. Do as I command.”
The rest of her soldiers had already backed away, joining Wren at her front.
“Your Highness,” Tamir started. “They are here to conquer us. We mustn’t show weakness now.”
“If you will take a moment to observe, you will see that that woman looks just like our former queen. She is obviously of Nadua’s race and we are their allies, are we not?”
“You dishonor our queen, Tamir,” Wren warned.
Tamir stepped back. Ava realized she was being studied with a curious expression by the golden-haired Faieara.
The male looked uneasy but the female spoke to him in a soft voice. “All is well.”
Ava recognized the tongue as an off world dialect. Her tutors had insisted she learn the many outer languages for when merchants would come in their crafts.
“I am Avaline, queen of this land,” she proclaimed. “Declare yourselves and your intentions.”
“I am Sebastian, and this is my mate, Anya. We mean you no harm. We seek a friend of ours who was captured by a group of your people, and a woman named Nadua who should be living somewhere on this planet.”<
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Ava’s stomach sank. “You say you mean no harm, but this friend you speak of has in fact murdered Nadua, and is currently evading justice.”
“Impossible. Marik would never do such a thing. What proof do you have?”
“Two of my guards witnessed the act. If you were not standing here with a Faieara at your side, I would have assumed you were the culprit. Demons have not been here in centuries.”
Sebastian tilted his head at that.
Anya spoke. “Excuse me, but you are misinformed. My sister is not dead.”
“Sister?”
“Yes.” She turned her head as if seeking something in the distance. “Traces of their essence have been coming and going. I think they are together but every time I get a read they disappear again.” She turned her clear eyes on Ava and it felt as though she were seeing into her soul. “Then I felt you, and was reminded of Nadua. Your energies are similar in flow.”
“Nadua was like family to me. I dare not hope that you are right. I have mourned her loss greatly and if I were to believe what you say and it turned out you are wrong, it would be like losing her all over again.”
Anya shivered and Sebastian pulled her close. The cloak she wore was a heavy fabric but was probably inadequate for this weather.
“Please accompany me inside. I will grant you sanctuary and protection.” Ava repeated herself in Cyrellian so the guards understood.
“I must request this man be kept away.” Anya pointed toward Tamir, whose features twisted with worry. “His malice is a bitter taste on my tongue.”
Ava hesitated at the odd phrasing, then ordered Tamir back to his post. “I apologize for him. He fought in the demon war and still holds on to old prejudices. Please come with us, we have much to discuss it seems.”
* * *
Anya walked the elegant palace halls—Wren and Bastian in tow—chatting with the young queen, Avaline. She had provided her with a marvelous fabric that shielded her from the worst of the cold.