by James Wisher
Col shook his head and lowered his sword. “Either of you seen Prince Henry?”
Both of the wide-eyed kids shook their heads. Col sighed. “Get out of here.”
They ran for the doors without further prompting. He watched until they were out of sight then turned back to the hunt. He’d barely taken two steps when a piercing whistle cut the air to his left. One of the rangers must have found the prince. He turned and rushed toward the whistle, thumping footsteps indicating the others’ approach.
A confused Prince Henry sat at a table covered with open books, parchment, and pens. A ranger with salt-and-pepper hair stood beside him. Farther to his right Michael emerged from a row of bookcases and a moment later the two rangers they enlisted to replace their fallen comrades joined him. Behind him Col heard Manes. Everyone gathered around the prince.
“Would someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Henry demanded.
The Black Prince’s arrival preempted Col’s explanation. The hulking, black-armored figure held his massive sword easily in one hand.
“Michael! Portal!” Col said.
The Black Prince swung his sword and a wave of black energy swept toward them. Col got his sword up in time to deflect part of the blast and still it staggered him. The others went flying along with scores of books and the prince’s study papers. Col hoped they’d be long gone before the librarian discovered the mess they’d made.
The Black Prince advanced and Col stumbled to his feet to meet him. His opponent’s first blow crashed into Col’s sword with the force of a battering ram, forcing him back then down to one knee.
He gathered himself and pushed back. A mountain had more give than his opponent’s arm. In a contest of strength it seemed he had little hope of victory.
He leapt back, ready to meet the Black Prince’s next attack. He didn’t have long to wait, an overhead chop was soon whistling down with enough force to cut Col in half. Fortunately for him he had no intention of being there to get hit. Col danced out of the way of the heavy blade and counterthrust at the armored chest. His sword bit onto the breast plate, gashing the black metal, but missing the flesh beneath.
Col grinned and behind him he heard the others struggling to their feet. “Come on, you big ugly bastard. Let’s find out how you do against an opponent that can see you coming.”
Whether the taunt or the damage to his armor angered him Col couldn’t say, but the Black Prince charged in like a bull, sword leading. Col wanted to dodge again, but if he did his opponent would crash into his still-recovering companions. He lunged, hoping to run his opponent through before getting trampled. Faster than anyone that size had a right to be, the Black Prince flicked his wrist and the huge sword batted Col’s blade out of line.
They passed each other and spun. Again his opponent’s speed took Col by surprise. A black-gauntleted hand clamped over his sword wrist and flung him into a bookcase which promptly collapsed, burying Col in a book avalanche.
Frantic, Col shoved books out of his way. He got his head out in time to see Manes take a boot to the chest and go flying. Michael sent a beam of energy at the armored figure. The Black Prince got his sword around in time to deflect it. One of the black gauntlets shot forward and a midnight beam of light hit Michael and sent him sprawling. Col got his arms out of the pile and clawed forward in a desperate attempt to free his legs.
He was too slow. The massive blade rammed through Prince Henry’s back and out his chest, just like Sir Geris. The Black Prince swung the blade aside and flung Henry’s body away like so much trash. He turned toward Col and his team with murder in his eyes. A blinding white light filled the room and the Black Prince howled. Hands grabbed Col under the armpits and pulled him free of the books. Someone put a hand on his shoulder and guided him somewhere. Col didn’t care where as long as it was away from the monster in the library.
Fresh, cool air hit him in the face. He blinked and his vision cleared enough that he saw a golden disk form a short ways away.
“Run.” Col didn’t know if Manes spoke to him or the librarian but when a hand shoved him in the back he ran through the portal.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Col’s vision cleared enough that he could see the look of concern on Rain’s face. He tried to smile and the bruises on his face made him wince. “I’m fine, really. A few bumps and bruises. I can even see again.” Col lay on a cot in the infirmary and Rain sat beside him. They’d made it back with no losses, but they failed to protect Prince Henry. Before his vision cleared Col had felt the vibration from the breaking sword. Only three remained.
“What were you thinking, taking on the Black Prince on your own?”
Col sighed. “I was thinking I wanted to avenge my mentor and protect my team who were lying on the ground semiconscious. He’s so strong. Way stronger than the strongest beastman I ever fought. Fast too; in such a close space I had no chance of beating him.”
“You think you have a chance of beating him somewhere else?” She sounded incredulous and he didn’t blame her.
“I don’t know, but I need to find a way to stop him. This won’t be over until him and his master are dead. I won’t lie, a large part of me wants to be the one that kills him, but as long as it gets done I’m okay with it.”
She smiled down at him. “I’m surprised to hear you say that. When we first left Corinthia all you thought about was getting back and killing him.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I still want to kill him, but it’s part of something much bigger now, something I couldn’t see before. I can’t let my need for revenge get in the way of what needs to happen to keep everyone safe.”
“Well said.” Tahlia leaned in the door to the infirmary, her blue dress rumpled. She had dark circles under her eyes and if it was possible for an immortal angel to be exhausted she certainly looked the part. “Are you up for a walk?”
Col sat up, eager to get out of the infirmary and go anywhere with Tahlia. “Absolutely.” He turned to Rain. “Thanks for sitting with me. It meant a lot to see you when I woke up.”
“Of course, I glad you’re okay.”
His boots sat beside his cot and Col slipped them on. He walked over to Tahlia who leaned close and whispered, “I’m glad you’re okay too.”
Her breath tickled his ear and sent the most wonderful thrill through him. “Where did you want to go?”
“The garden. It’s early still, but I’d like to watch the sunrise.”
They left the infirmary together and walked the familiar halls to her favorite garden. Col kept his distance, careful to give no indication he felt anything but friendship for the queen. A few servants passed them on early morning errands, each pausing to offer a bow or curtsy to the queen. He wondered if she ever got sick of people stopping whatever they were doing when she arrived and paying attention to her. Col wouldn’t enjoy getting recognized everywhere he went.
When the two of them reached the door to the garden they found a gray, fur-trimmed cloak hanging on a hook. “Nothing for me?”
Tahlia offered him a wicked smile. “We can share.”
Col grinned back. “I like the sound of that.”
He helped her slip the cloak on and held the door open. Outside frost covered everything, making the grass glitter like tiny crystals in the light Tahlia conjured. In the distance a faint glow lit the horizon; sunrise wasn’t far off. Tahlia took his hand and they walked to the bench where they had their first conversation so long ago. They snuggled together and adjusted the cloak so it covered them both.
“Did you really throw Prince Adam off the castle wall?”
“Yeah, he wouldn’t climb down the ladder. It was the only thing I could think of at the time. Is the kid still complaining?”
“Often and loudly I understand.”
Col laughed. “At least he can complain. I didn’t do so well saving Prince Henry.”
“You did your best.” Tahlia kissed him. “No one could have done better given the circumstances. Here it comes.”
The sun came up over the horizon, coloring the sky pink and yellow. It was a beautiful sight made more so by the company. Col didn’t care if the king kicked down the door and ran him through; he wouldn’t have traded this moment for anything.
“I love the sunrise.” Tahlia sighed. “The colors are the closest I’ve found to home.”
“Home? You mean Heaven?”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I miss it so much sometimes. Less now that I’ve met you. Thank you for that.”
He put his arm around her. “You’re welcome. I love you, Tahlia.”
When she didn’t respond he looked down and saw she’d fallen fast asleep. He smiled. Perhaps that was for the best.
* * *
Col, Rain, and Michael joined the king, queen, and Prince Adam in the throne room a full day after his sunrise visit to the garden. Tahlia looked flawless once more, the dark circles and general air of exhaustion vanished. For his part King Jarod looked grim. Whatever they had to say couldn’t be good.
“I have alarming news,” Tahlia said. “Zarrin has begun an assault on the Darkness’s prison. It seems he believes the bonds are now weak enough that he can destroy it without breaking the rest of the swords.”
“Are you certain, Majesty?” Michael asked. “I haven’t sensed anything.”
A little grimace of annoyance flickered across Tahlia’s face so fast Col almost missed it. “I’m certain, and we need to move quickly to avoid a disaster.”
“We’re ready, Majesty,” Col said. “Will we go by portal?”
“No, portals can’t open on the island. We must travel by ship.”
Col’s ring screamed in his mind that she was lying. Col frowned. He’d gotten used to her aura of deception, the illusion that disguised her angelic nature, but Tahlia had never out and out lied to him before. Something was very wrong.
He stepped forward and took a knee. “Majesty, it would be my honor to be your champion in this battle.” He held out his hand to her.
Tahlia smiled and got to her feet. She moved closer and took his hand. He looked up into the familiar eyes. If he was wrong, she would hate him forever. In his mind he commanded his ring to shatter her illusion.
The warm, bronze skin vanished, replaced with pale skin crisscrossed by black veins. Bat wings unfurled behind her and a barbed serpent’s tail flicked out of her back. The female form remained, voluptuous and desirable, but all signs of warmth and love in her vanished, replaced by dead black eyes that looked at him with contempt.
“You’ve spoiled my secret, human.” With strength far in excess of what her slender arms should be capable of the creature flung him halfway across the room.
Col hit, rolled to his feet, and drew his sword all in one smooth motion. He recovered in time to see Michael raise a shield in front of Rain that deflected the demon’s barbed tail moments before it would have struck her neck. The demon snarled and conjured black blades out of the air. She flung them at Prince Adam and pierced the boy in half a dozen places. He didn’t even have time to scream before he collapsed.
The demon turned her attention to King Jarod who had his sword out and up in a middle guard. “Guards!”
With a wave of her hand the demon conjured walls of Dark fire to block the throne room doors. Col raced to engage the demon, but the king moved faster. He slashed at her stomach.
A shield of Dark fire appeared to block his attack. The demon’s talons grew and she backhanded the king across the face, cutting four parallel grooves in his face. Her tail rose to finish him.
Col lunged, hoping to skewer her before she struck. She hissed and lashed her wings. Col’s blow missed her leg by inches, but at least he drove her away from the king.
The demon’s leap carried her ten feet away where she stood facing them, Dark energy crackling like lightning around her arms.
Col knelt by the prince to check for a pulse and found nothing. His efforts to save the boy had accomplished nothing. He should have let him die with his protector like he wanted.
Michael moved to stand beside him. “I can shield you long enough to get in a blow, but you have to make it count. If we don’t hurry the king will die.”
“Alright, but what do we do if she goes airborne again?”
“I’ll handle that, you focus on a killing strike.”
Col clenched his teeth and charged straight at the demon, making no attempt to dodge or change direction. He had to trust Michael to do his part. He hadn’t taken two steps when streams of ravening black energy leapt toward him.
His sword tingled in his hand and a glow surrounded him. The Dark energy washed over him without harm. The demon spread her wings and tensed, ready to leap. Bands of white energy coiled around her wings, stopping them from beating.
Her jaw dropped an instant before Col drove his sword through her chest. He yanked it back, spun, and hacked her head from her shoulders. It landed with a wet plop then head and body smoked and dissolved into a rancid sludge. The demon’s black blood steamed on his sword as the holy weapon burned it off.
The throne room doors burst open the moment the black flames faded and guards poured in, weapons bared. They searched, but found nothing to attack. Michael knelt beside the king, his glowing hand held inches above the gashes on the king’s face.
Col sheathed his sword and went to Rain who stood trembling and on the verge of tears. “Are you okay?”
She looked at him, her lips quivering. Col pulled her to him and held her while she cried. After a minute she sniffed and looked up at him. “You said we’d be safe. Things like that aren’t supposed to come here.”
Col wiped her tears away. “No defense is perfect. I suspect that thing slipped in while Tahlia was repairing the damage to the wards. It probably caught her when she felt exhausted last night and attacked.”
“Do you think she’s…”
“No! No, Tahlia’s strong, she wouldn’t go down easy.” Col had to believe that. If that creature had killed Tahlia he feared he might lose it and right now that might get everyone killed. “What we need to do is find her.”
“Quite right.” A haggard-looking Michael had left the king in the care of two other lightcasters and moved closer to them. “Any thoughts on where we should look?”
Col and Rain moved apart and Col said, “The last time I saw her was sunrise yesterday. We watched the dawn in the garden and she chided me for throwing Prince Adam off the palace wall.”
“How did she seem?” Michael asked.
“Tired.”
Michael nodded. “Let’s look in their bedroom.”
* * *
Col followed Michael out of the throne room with Rain tagging along behind. He wanted to tell her to stay in the throne room with the guards and lightcasters, but right now he suspected she needed to be close to people she trusted and that was Col and Michael. They soon left the public areas of the palace behind and entered the living quarters. They came to a junction of halls and Michael went straight. Col turned right.
“Where are you going?” Michael asked. “The royal chambers are this way.”
“Tahlia’s room is this way,” Col said without breaking stride.
“How do you know?” Rain asked. The tone of her voice said she knew very well how he knew but wanted him to say it.
“I’ve visited her before and let’s leave it at that.”
Col stopped in front of a simple pine door. It stood partway open. Col took a breath. They would not find her in a pool of blood on the bed. Tahlia was too strong to be beaten by whatever that thing was.
Michael came running down the hall. “I checked their bedroom, no sign of a fight.”
Col nodded, not surprised in the least. Tahlia told him once she hadn’t slept in their room in years. “Rain, stay behind us. Ready, Michael?”
When the lightcaster nodded he kicked the door the rest of the way open. In the light of the room’s single window it looked like a tornado had hit the place. The bed sheets lay in a tangle on
the floor; a cabinet had turned over and smashed along with a dressing mirror. Col looked around and found a few drops of black blood like what come from the demon in the throne room.
“They were here,” he said. “But where is she now? It’s not like that thing just carried Tahlia over her shoulder through the halls of the castle like a sack of potatoes.”
“That’s not necessarily so, remember the succubus was a master of illusion. It could have disguised itself as a servant carrying a bundle and no one would have given them a second look. Wherever the queen is the demon can’t have taken her far. Once the queen repaired the wards the demon wouldn’t be able to open a portal.”
“Tahlia hurt it. Can’t we track its blood trail?” Col paced the ruined bedroom, eager to be moving.
Michael shook his head. “There were only a few drops and demons heal fast. That gives me an idea. If the succubus used an illusion to disguise them that might have left a trail of Dark energy I can follow.”
While Michael cast around for a trail Rain slipped into the room. “Is this where you met her?”
Col turned to look at her, surprised to hear hurt and even a little jealousy in her voice. “It is.”
“I don’t understand. I thought you and I…”
He moved to stand beside her. “We what? I’m your protector, your champion. I like to think we’ve become friends, but when this is over you’ll have to find some nobleman to marry and I’ll go back to being a knight, one of, I hope, many that will help retake Corinthia. Even if I didn’t love Tahlia your peers would never accept a commoner ruling by your side and I wouldn’t know how to go about it if they would.”
“Tahlia’s married. You think her peers will accept her relationship with a commoner?”
