by Brenda Trim
The sun was lowering, and she should return to the castle soon. How was she going to leave when Cyril could easily force his hand?
“I have never hurt you, Keira. And, I never will. You have my word on that,” Cyril vowed with a hand over his heart. He appeared tender and loving, yet a man was struggling to breathe not fifty feet from them because of Cyril’s actions.
She noticed his large hands were perfectly manicured, the opposite of Angus’s rough, calloused hands. A shiver went through her as she recalled Angus’s erotic touch.
“What do you want with me?”
“What I’ve always wanted. To continue our relationship. I miss you, love,” he cooed in a low voice. His voice was pleasant enough, but it didn’t send arousal surging hot and heavy like Angus’s did.
“So many claims on my love life,” she mused aloud. “I must’ve been a busy female. Was I a sket?”
Cyril drew back and his brows furrowed. “Gods no! You were never a sket. And, you were never in love with Angus. You are mine, Keira, and always will be.”
His declaration annoyed her. “I am not yours. I decide who I give myself to, and who I don’t. No one else will make that decision for me,” she spat.
Lifting his hands, palms out, Cyril backed up. “You’re right. I never meant to overstep. You’ve always been a headstrong female. It is merely one of your charming characteristics,” he replied smoothly as he ran the back of his hand over her cheek.
It was a move he’d performed a hundred times, but this time she recoiled. An odd sensation prickled her skin. Keira barely held her reaction in check. She realized how much she hid from Cyril during their time together. She walked on eggshells and was always afraid of his reactions. Not once had she felt the need to hide anything from Angus.
“What about the ring? Why did you send me a present with such a strong compulsion?” she demanded, not allowing an opportunity for denial. Mack said it had come from Cyril, and Keira’s gut told her the female was right.
“I did it to protect you,” Cyril asserted. His hand dropped, and she noticed blue light emanating from his palm. She knew he was powerful, but seeing evidence made her uneasy.
“I’m tired of everyone saying that. What exactly are you protecting me from?” Keira asked as she crossed arms over her chest when Cyril reached for her hand. She’d seen the faint blue glow and didn’t want it touching her.
“You may not believe this because that vile dragon is brainwashing you, but Angus is using you, and will eliminate you when he gets what he wants,” Cyril claimed.
The way he spat his words and the twist of his face gave her the first glimpse of his violence. He was losing control, and Keira was shocked to see this side of him.
“Newsflash, I am a dragon, too,” she snarled.
“Yes, you are,” he murmured, and his gaze softened. “You’re the gem of the sea, love.”
“Don’t call me love,” she snapped, not caring for the endearment on his lips. It wasn’t right coming from him, and her dragon abhorred it. “And, stop interfering in my life. If what you say is true, and we had a relationship, then let me come to that on my own terms. If I had my memories, I would know. I hate that I can’t remember!” she shouted and flailed her arms.
“I can help you with that,” Cyril cajoled with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Just come with me, and I’ll show you,” he added, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
His approach was so different from Angus’s. He claimed he wanted to help, but he’d never attempted it before. Why so anxious now? From day one, Angus tried to coax her past from her mind.
Keira squirmed in Cyril’s firm grip. Suddenly, Lorne began choking, and his body convulsed.
“Please stop, Cyril. I’ll do whatever you ask,” Keira promised as she wriggled out of his hold, trying to get to Lorne.
“Come with me,” he persisted, and she felt that pull again.
There was no doubt his powerful magic swayed her, but she fought it and stepped away. The more distance between them, the lesser the strength of his persuasion.
“I can’t. Angus will kill Lorne if I don’t return. I’d never forgive myself if that happened,” she replied and looked to Lorne again. He was turning bright red.
“Please, Cyril,” she begged and placed a palm to his stubbled jaw. He relaxed against her touch then turned his cheek to place a kiss on her hand.
“Meet me here, tomorrow at midnight. Alone,” Cyril ordered.
“Okay, but you need to go, now.” She had no idea how she would get out of the castle without a guard, but she had to agree to his demands.
Cyril disappeared between one blink and the next. Lorne stopped choking, and sat up on the sandy beach, taking deep breaths to revive his lungs. She dashed through the water and onto the shore, anxious to see if the male was okay.
Keira was more confused than ever. She had no idea who, or what, to believe, but she was done being the pawn between these two males.
Chapter Sixteen
“We need to go, now! Angus is going to lose his shit when he finds out what that bastard pulled,” Lorne barked as Keira ran to his side. His voice was hoarse from choking, but he appeared unharmed.
Keira knew he was right, but she wasn’t leaving yet. She had unfinished business.
“I’m not leaving before I call my family. Don’t even try to stop me,” she said as she held up a hand to stave off any angry response. “And, no, I’m not returning home, but I’m not leaving here without seeing my father and brother. They will come to me if I call.”
“Shit. Why was I stuck with this task? Angus is going to skewer me,” Lorne disclosed as he rubbed at his throat.
Keira patted his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell Angus this was my fault. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Yeah, good luck with that,” Lorne muttered. “Thank you, by the way. Cyril would’ve enjoyed watching me die. I’m standing here because of you,” Lorne acknowledged.
“No, you were harmed because of me. I’m sorry for Cyril’s actions. I want this feud to end,” Keira declared.
Angus wasn’t going to be happy with her, but she was going to put a stop to the rivalry once, and, for all, even if it meant cutting both males from her life.
“That’s easier said than done,” Lorne grumbled as he kicked a rock and sent it sailing into the water. Maybe so, but she was determined to live her life as she saw fit.
Clearing her mind of the negative thoughts about Angus and Cyril, Keira took a step to the water and accessed the power she felt deep within. Initially, her dragon was weak, until Angus had taken her to the lake. Shifting and swimming had unlocked a chest, and now she knew how to locate her power.
Keira gathered all the heartache and sorrow for what she’d lost then released the sentiment as she placed her palm on the water. Emotion got the best of her, and tears spilled over, running down her face and falling to the sea.
No sooner had her tears broke the surface when the ocean bubbled. A rolling wave formed, and crashed to the shore. Froth swirled around her feet, and she felt the call of the Stoorworm. Several more waves rushed to the land, then the water parted. Two sea dragons burst from the ocean, roaring.
One was a deep blue and the other purple, and the sight stirred recognition in her heart. They glided atop the water like pirate ships claiming the sea.
When the dragons reached the shore, a flash of blinding light signaled their transformation. Both forms shrank, changing from powerful sea dragons to two muscled males. As they exited the water, Keira watched the ocean return to its soothing cadence.
Keira averted her gaze from their nude forms. She had no desire to see her father and brother in all their glory. A blustery wind, and an increase in humidity descended on the area. The air morphed, creating a shield around the two males, and moments later, tit cleared and they were wearing leather pants. That was a handy trick she was certain many of the Cuelebre would love to have.
Lorne immediately bowed his head
and greeted one of the males, “My Lord.”
Keira eyed the two males and wanted to scream her frustration when her memories didn’t come rushing to the fore. All her mind conjured was vague images. They looked to be the same age, had the same dark blue hair, and purple eyes. The male on the left had haunting eyes, and she instinctively knew that was her father.
“Dad? Phineas?” she croaked. Keira’s heart stopped, making it hard to breathe, and her hands shook uncontrollably as she looked to her family.
“Kiki,” her father murmured, and grabbed her into his arms. The nickname sparked one clear memory. He called her that when she was a young sea dragon.
“Where did you find her?” Phineas demanded. “Is Angus back?”
Lorne met her brother’s gaze and nodded. “Angus returned about a week ago and brought Keira back with him.”
“What took him so bloody long?” her father demanded, and held her at arm’s length, inspecting her from head to toe. “And, why did he keep her from us a whole week?” Anger, relief, and confusion leaked from her father, making her dizzy.
“Cyril is back, as well. Angus’s top priority is Keira’s safety,” Lorne explained, and her father pulled her to his side. His scent washed over her, and another image of them playing in the ocean flashed through her mind.
“Something doesn’t add up. What are you keeping from me?” Cygnus demanded, and looked to Keira then Lorne.
“A lot has happened since you were here last,” Lorne responded begrudgingly, which spurred a dozen more questions for Keira.
Her fists clenched with the urge to hunt Cyril down, and interrogate him in the same manner he used to detain Lorne. Seeing her father and brother should be a happy reunion, not this awkward meeting of complete strangers.
Phineas took several steps closer, and the tension peppering the air dissipated. She had no doubt her brother was a formidable dragon of the Stoorworm.
“It seems I was wrong to cut off communication all those years ago. Perhaps we could’ve gotten you back sooner, but we thought you were dead,” Cygnus acknowledged, and Keira saw regret and sadness in his eyes.
That broke the dam that was holding her temper. These males weren’t to blame. They were victims in this, as well. She wasn’t the only one to lose so much. They had been mourning her absence, and presumed death, for a thousand years. Their fate was far worse, and it fueled her rage.
“There was nothing you could’ve done. I was held prisoner in the Earth realm, asleep in a cave, until about six months ago. I woke alone, with no memory of anything,” she shared.
The sky went black, and the ocean rolled again, and waves attacked the shore, soaking them with their rage. “You were held…in a cave…alone?” her father snarled.
One tear escaped her control and fell down her cheek. Her heart ached at seeing how much they loved her. Standing so close, Keira noticed the lines that marred her father’s handsome visage, and she wondered how many were there because of her.
“Yes,” she said, sobbing into his chest. She felt safe in her father’s arms. As safe as she did with Angus.
“Start from the beginning,” Cygnus encouraged, and she recounted what she could for him while Lorne filled in a few blanks.
“I am grateful Angus went to such lengths to bring you back to us. He is a valiant male, indeed. It tells me how desperate he was. And, understandably so, given Angus was away from Khoth, and his seat of power, for a thousand years,” Phineas observed. “It’s also a testament to his knights that you never gave up hope.”
Lorne rubbed his chin as he shook his head. “So long as the flame of Khoth burned, we knew our king was alive.”
Her father turned his penetrating gaze on her, and she noted the change in color from purple to a luminescent lavender. “I’m going to try something, Kiki. Hold still.”
“Okay,” Keira agreed, but trepidation had her gut in knots. What was he about to do to her?
A warm envelope surrounded her and Keira closed her eyes. Her body seemed to liquefy, and she felt her father’s hold as she floated in a sea of endless love and devotion. Power filled the gaps in her mind, and shocked her system, causing her to convulse. It wasn’t unpleasant or painful, and her sea dragon identified it as ancient Stoorworm power. When the sensation passed, she opened her eyes.
All three males were staring her way. “Do you remember anything?” her father asked, hope splayed across his face.
“No. A few images flashed earlier, but nothing now,” Keira admitted.
“Fuck,” Cygnus cursed. “I was certain my power could restore what you’ve lost.”
“Angus wasn’t successful, either,” Keira admitted, feeling more helpless than before. If the two most powerful males in Khoth couldn’t spark her memories, nobody could.
“So much time has passed, and so much has been lost,” her father murmured as he rubbed circles on her back.
Phineas took her from her father’s arms. “Too much. And it’s time we take it back, starting with your memory, Kiki. Surely, Angus is searching for answers.”
She cocked her head up at him. “Yes, he is. And, Cyril claimed he could help.” She offered and shot Lorne a knowing look. She didn’t want him telling her brother about Cyril’s earlier visit.
Phineas threw his head back and laughed. “Ha, good one, Kiki. There’s no way that male would help you. He’s nothing but a user.”
“And, don’t forget, he’ll try and steal your power,” her father warned.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. Their words struck a chord, but it remained out of reach.
Lorne crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at her. In the early evening sun, his blond hair shone brightly. “They’re talking about Cyril’s insatiable lust for power. It’s one reason he has tried so hard to destroy Angus.”
“But not the only one,” Phineas rumbled.
Phineas tossed her from his arms to their father’s, as if she were a ball. It seemed they were in competition for who got to hug her most. Resting her head against Cygnus’s stout chest, Keira luxuriated in his love and was more determined than ever to have her life returned to her.
There were so many affected by Cyril’s actions. She was a blank slate, and there was no telling how many significant events she missed with her family because of him.
“What do you mean, not the only one?” she asked, but not to anyone specific.
It was her father who answered. “Cyril was jealous of your relationship with Angus. The moment I met them both, I knew the Unseelie King wasn’t right for you. Initially, I thought he was using you as a political tool to maneuver a bond between the Stoorworm and the Unseelie, but, eventually, I saw his hatred as he watched you falling in love.”
“So Angus was telling the truth about our relationship,” she mused aloud.
“The two of you were inseparable, and nothing else mattered. Neither kingdom was happy about it, but you were determined to be together. You went as far to say you would leave Saqara and never return. That’s when we accepted the situation. It was better than losing you forever,” her father informed her with a slight smile. His purple gaze was warm and loving, and her heart ached to remember her feelings for her father.
Lorne snorted. “Angus is going to kick his own ass for keeping you from your family when he hears they are the ones that finally got through to you about your past with him.”
“I thought you said that overgrown land dragon was keeping me from my daughter for her protection, not his agenda?” her father thundered, and Keira heard a rumble beneath the ocean.
“Father, stop. Angus was worried Cyril would take me from Saqara, and possibly cause problems for our realm as he has on land,” she reassured as she ran her hand over his forearm.
Keira was still in shock. Everything Angus said about the two of them was true. And it made sense, given the intense connection and attraction they shared. She felt an incendiary need when he was close, and their passion was all-consuming.
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br /> “What’s happening on the land?” her dad asked, bringing Keira out of her musings.
“The Buggane are decimating the natural resources and slowly killing everything in their path. They’ve gained more and more ground as the centuries pass, with the aid of the Spiders and the Redcaps,” Lorne explained.
“It’s awful. The sense of death and destruction that emanates from the area is overwhelming,” Keira added. “And, it reaches all the way to the eastern shore. Easily a third of the land is blackened earth.”
“That’s why the waters along the eastern shore are toxic to our kind. No matter what I do, I’m unable to cleanse the waters with my powers,” Cygnus postulated. “That must be difficult on Angus. I know he is connected to Gaia as I am to the ocean. I never imagined Cyril would go to such lengths in his obsession with you. Perhaps it a time for a formal alliance with the Cuelebre King,” her father suggested, giving her a glimpse of his integral connection to the Gods and his people.
“Yes, father. But if Cyril is back, I refuse to leave the Saqara infantry,” Phineas explained.
“Agreed. I will go and speak with Angus. You need to get back,” Cygnus replied, and tightened his arm around Keira’s shoulder.
She sensed her father’s reluctance to leave her side, and returning to Tatenen would give them more time together. Keira felt the same and wished her brother could join them, but understood his need to get back to the Stoorworm.
Keira quickly turned to Phineas when a thought sparked. “Brother. I need you to search the waters for a foreign object with odd powers. Cyril has managed to place me under a compulsion towards him. Recently, I almost left the castle in search of him,” she explained, leaving out the details of the gift Cyril sent. Her father would demand she return to Saqara if he felt Angus couldn’t protect her.
“I will see what I can find. That could be impossible, given the countless hoards beneath these waters,” Phineas relayed.
She hadn’t considered that, and her brother was right. That was probably the reason Cyril sent a shiny object in the first place. Dragon’s and their insatiable attraction to any treasure.
