Crown's Shield: The Aermian Feuds: Book Two

by Frost Kay

  Sage blanched, horror choking her. Heirs? Never. Mutiny must have shown on her face because Lilja gave her a stern look. “He entrusted me with this information. The prince did not want you agreeing to this treaty blind. There is a huge responsibility set on you both.”

  “I won’t do it.”

  “Then many will die.”

  Sage blinked at her friend, hurt. “I thought you cared about me. You agree with them? You support this”

  Lilja shook her head fiercely. “You misunderstand me. I would spirit you away tonight if you wanted, but you need to consider the cost. Can you live with the civil war that will spring up when you say no? Some could, but I doubt you are one of them. You have a strong sense of duty and love for people. Every person that died in the rebellion, you would feel personally.”

  “So you would condemn me to life in a gilded cage? I’ve been a sword maker’s daughter, a peasant, an officer of the rebellion even. I am not a princess. I am not a queen.”

  “All of those things will make you a brilliant queen. Just think about it.”

  “I don’t need to, I don’t want it.” Having to spend the rest of her life with the crown prince made her want to throw up.

  “In three days, if you want out, I will protect you, but think carefully until then.” Captain Femi rolled onto her knees and kissed her forehead. The Sirenidae sauntered to the oven, pulling out the buttery biscuits.

  Sage’s decision would affect everyone in their kingdom. Lilja was right when she’d said Sage would feel each death keenly if she refused. Could she live with that? An unreasonable part of her said she could, but she knew herself better. Loneliness and uncertainty filled her. What was she doing? She needed someone to support her, someone to talk to. “I need my mum.”

  Lilja flashed a smile over her shoulder. “Done. I’ve already sent for her.”

  ***

  Her mum’s arms felt wonderful around her. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, but there was something comforting about being hugged by her mum. What would happen to her family if she married? Sage shoved the thought away and enjoyed the day with Lilja and her mum. They regaled her with stories of their youth. Sage was still curious how they met, but they skirted around that story with skill that would make the spymaster proud. Sage laughed until her belly cramped. But when the sun set, so did her happy mood. Her mum would go back to the family, and she would stay here.

  “Love, I know you have a lot on your mind, but I wanted to let you know that your papa and myself love you so much, and we are so proud of you. We raised you to be strong, independent, hardworking, kind, and loving. You are all those things and more.” Her mum softly brushed her cheek. “You have taken care of us for so long. You have a weighty decision to make, but we don’t want you to base it on us. You have done enough.” Her mum’s eyes grew damp. “I wanted to thank you for the doctor. Jacob has been a miracle. Papa is already doing better.”

  So they’d kept their promise. “They already sent Jacob to you?”

  Her mum smiled. “He has been visiting every other day for two weeks.”

  Sage hadn’t expected that. The Crown had kept their word. “After everything I went through, Mum, I knew I wouldn’t find a fabulous match, but I hoped to find someone who would love me like you and Papa love each other. If I choose this life, I will never have that. My life will belong to someone else.” She shuddered. “I am required to give him heirs, and I don’t think I can do that.”

  “We will support you in whatever decision you make, baby girl. Never sell yourself short.” Her mum wiggled her eyebrows. “From my understanding, you have yet to give him your demands.”

  Sage smiled. Her mum was brilliant. She crushed her mother against her, trying to memorize how it was to hug her. “I love you, Mum.”

  “And I you, daughter.”

  Her mum said her goodbyes, and Hayjen escorted her home. Sage waved to Lilja and slipped into her room. She ended up staring at the ceiling most of the night arguing with herself, trying to rationalize saying no. By the time morning came, exhaustion plagued her, but knew she had no choice.

  She had to marry Tehl.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sage

  Sage stomped across the deck to the captain’s cabin. She felt ready to tear apart the world. Was there no justice in the land?

  Roughly, she banged on the door. Hayjen yanked open the door, blinking furiously, his enormous torso on display along with bare feet and loosely-laced breeches. She winced, feeling badly for waking him, but grateful she hadn’t been subjected to the sight of Lilja’s naked body. Sage studiously stared at his collarbone, embarrassed. “I am sorry to wake you, but I will need you to arrange a meeting with the circle for this evening.”

  Hayjen smiled, his ice blue eyes sparkling. “Raising a little hell, are we?”

  Sage’s smile was wicked. “Indeed.” She nodded and spun on her heel, concluding that she would spend the day however she pleased. Soon, her life would belong to someone else; she had to make the most of the time that was hers.

  She spent most of the day lying in the sun and gossiping with Lilja. The highlight of their time together was when the two of them went for a swim. It was pure joy to spend time with sea creatures and experience the ocean the way Lilja experienced it, beneath its surface. Living as a part of it. Then, as soon as Sage would lose her breath, the captain would shoot them to the surface. Again and again, they dove. It was another world, entirely foreign yet wondrous. The only time she’d been alarmed was when a pair of leviathans became curious about them, even following them around for a time. Lilja had assured her they wouldn’t attack, but Sage’s heart still pumped frantically when one bumped her with his smooth snout. Later, when her lungs could take no more, they made their way back to the Sirenidae and dried in the sun, napping wherever they fancied.

  Sage flopped her head to the side, smiling drowsily at Captain Femi. When was the last time she’d had such a peaceful day? “Thank you for today. I suspect I’ll not have many more days like this in the future.”

  Lilja’s smile dimmed. “Always find time for days like today. You will always be welcome here you know.”

  Sage snatched her hand and squeezed. “I will visit.” Sage scanned Lilja’s face, noting again the absence of the fine lines found in her mum’s face. “Why do you look so much younger than my mum? You’re the same age.” She’d been wanting to ask it for so long.

  Sadness tinged Captain Femi’s features. “I am actually older than your mum. It is a Sirenidae trait. The sea rejuvenates us and so does a certain algae that grows deep in the ocean. We live longer lives.”

  “Hayjen?” she asked.

  Lilja smiled. “He looks younger than he is.”

  Now that surprised her. “Is he Sirenidae too?”

  “No, but the algae heals and restores the human body.”

  Sage mulled that over. It must be a well-kept secret. The Sirenidae would no doubt be hunted if word spread. “That is dangerous information.”

  “It is. And, as queen, you will handle such information.”

  She froze, and then forced her body to relax. “I will be queen in name only.”

  “Only if you allow it.”

  She smiled weakly before standing up, noting the hour. “We will see. For now, it’s time to wreak havoc.”

  ***

  Rafe’s voice carried through the thick door, and her ire increased, fueling the sense of betrayal she already felt. Sage smiled to herself. She would go down fighting. She kicked the door open with the heel of her boot and sauntered in. Startled eyes snapped to her as she gave them a sharp smile, stopping at the end of their table. She had their attention. “Good evening, brothers,” she said, a hard edge to her voice. “Sacrificing virgins, are we?”

  Everyone flinched save Hayjen, who was grinning like a loon, and Rafe, who looked like he wanted to leap over the table and throttle her. She noted that the monster wasn’t at the table… She hoped maybe someone had stabbed him. Brushing as
ide her morbid thoughts, she focused on the table of traitors before her.

  “Sage—” Mason started but cut off when her angry eyes landed on him.

  “I joined the rebellion to help our people. I believed you were my brothers in arms, but there have been several times now that you have betrayed me.” Sage jabbed a finger at the empty spot. “That man is despicable, yet you turned a blind eye to his crimes and blamed me for protecting myself. You are corrupt.”

  “How dare you…” Madden began.

  “Yes, I dare,” Sage shouted over him. “You lot sanctioned the king’s murder! Not only that, but you sent me to do it! And you knew what going back there would be like for me!”

  “If it was so wrong, why agree to be a part of the assassination then?” Noah questioned.

  She smiled, baring her teeth. “Of course I agreed, I could never let you hurt someone I love. Had I refused you would’ve only sent someone else. How could I protect him if I wasn’t there?”

  The room stilled, the air thick with tension.

  “What?” Rafe grated out.

  Sage met his furious eyes, her own gaze unwavering. It hurt when someone deceived you, she knew that. “It’s not pleasant, is it? To wonder what other secrets have been kept from you? What things were real and what was fake?” His jaw tensed. She smiled at the table. “No matter what the rebellion meant to me, I will never compromise my own honor or morals. Not for you. Not for anyone.”

  “So you didn’t make an attempt on the king’s life?” Badiah asked, incredulous.

  Her lips twitched. “I attempted, just not very well.”

  “You lied to us?” Mason inquired in a hurt tone.

  “Traitors don’t belong in the circle,” Madden snarked.

  She laughed humorlessly. “I agree.” She met his stare squarely, and, after a moment, he dropped his eyes. “I relinquish my place in your circle. Never will I work with or for you again. I hope never to see your faces again, which will most likely be the case as you’ve already sold me off.”

  Mason and Noah’s faces blanched.

  Her smile turned grim. “I was vulnerable the night of the treaty, it was obvious—but, rather than having a care for me, you made your grab for power. You used me to get your own way, without even bothering to get my consent, as if I were merely a bag of goods to exchange. You disgust me.” She sucked in a breath, trying to control her rolling emotions. She met each of their gazes, one by one. “You got what you wanted. I will marry the prince.” A stunned silence followed her statement. “This is goodbye, gentlemen. The crown prince made himself clear. If any of you seek me out, you will be harshly dealt with. You’re wretched, but I don’t wish for you to be harmed, so listen. You will honor the treaty, or I will personally hunt you down.” Sage lifted a brow. “And I know all of your tricks. Don’t forget why you’ve called me the rebel’s blade.” After issuing her threat, she confidently sauntered from the room, though her heart beat furiously in her chest. A giant roar came from behind her and Sage’s eyes widened, the back of her neck prickling. One of Rafe’s famous tempers was about to ensue.

  “SAGE!”

  Sage picked up her feet, full out running down the tunnels.

  “Don’t you dare run from me!” he shouted.

  Her breath caught at how close he sounded. Damn, he was fast! She rounded a corner and sprinted toward an intersection of many tunnels, but she skidded to a stop when Rafe stepped into the middle, not even ten paces away.

  How did he do that? Sage blinked, quickly scanning the tunnels. He must have shortcuts. “What do you want?” she bit out.

  His chest heaved violently while he watched her. “What are you thinking?”

  “That I only have one more evening of freedom before I am chained to my enemy because of you. Excuse me.” She straightened, as if to walk around him. “I don’t intend to spend it with you.”

  He took one step forward, and she countered it, watching him warily. He cocked his head in an almost canine way, studying each move as she made it. It was creepy. Something in her eyes must have given away her thoughts because he raised his arms carefully, like he was trying to calm a skittish horse.

  “It was taken out of my hands. They outvoted me. But all of that is unimportant.” He squared his shoulders, holding his hand out for her to take. “You don’t have to marry that toad. I can take you away from here. To freedom. Come with me to Methi.”

  She paused, her brows wrinkling in confusion. What was he talking about? “Methi?”

  He took a step closer “Yes, my homeland. I can protect you. We can take care of your family. Just say yes, and I will take care of everything.”

  Homeland? How could that be? He wasn’t Aermian? “What are you talking about? You’re from Methi?” Sage accused, her mind scrambling to catch up.

  “I am.”

  Sage gaped. Who was this man? “But why lie?”

  Rafe exhaled a frustrated breath. “There are many things I need to tell you, but for now just know that I was sent here to help. I came to make Aermia stronger.”

  “Make Aermia stronger? You’re a damn Methi spy leading our rebellion!”

  “You’re making it sound worse than it is. If Aermia is weak, they would open a path for the Scythians. We could not allow the fate of Negali to become ours.”

  Her mind reeled, but at the same time, many things clicked into place. That’s why he’d been so sure Methi wouldn’t retaliate when he’d impersonated their prince. It had, no doubt, already been sanctioned. They had sent spies to Aermia to cause mischief. His style of combat was so unique, unlike anyone she’d ever seen, and, in her innocence, she chalked it up to not being well traveled. But they had all been merely pawns. Had Rafe ever cared for Aermia or its people? She placed a hand against the stone wall to keep herself upright. This secret impacted everything. “And what of Aermia?” She eyed his outstretched hand mere paces from her.

  He shrugged, as if this wasn’t any of his concern. “They can fend for themselves. The crown prince isn’t a complete moron. The treaty was signed, so the rebellion has to uphold it.” He took a step closer. “Aermia has been solidified now. There is no chance for civil war.”

  “You’re the one who stirred up the rebellion in the first place! We wouldn’t have to deal with the threat of civil war if it wasn’t for your meddling.”

  He waved away her statement. “The people were working themselves up to it already. I only shaped the outcome so that it could lead to something successful. It worked out for everyone.”

  Rage choked her. Worked out well for everyone? Her face heated. It most certainly did not work out well for her. This man was not the man she had come to know, love, and trust. Every time he opened his mouth, he unlocked another great secret. Did he know how to speak truth? What was she to believe? Sage stood upright, lifting her chin in challenge. “You’re a liar.”

  “I am a spy.”

  No remorse. Like everything he had done was justified. It wasn’t. Not everything was black and white, but right and wrong still mattered. Sage stormed forward and shoved past him. A large hand gripped her wrist, a deep growl emanating from him. Sage halted, her hair lifting on the back of her neck at the menacing sound. Sucking in a deep breath, she faced the beast of a man, ready to defend herself. She caught a brief glimpse of pain etched into his face, just before Rafe dropped to his knees and wrapped his muscled arms around her. Sage tensed as he curled his back, resting his forehead below her breasts.

  “Please, please, forgive me. I have been trying to protect my people, help Aermia, and protect you as well. It’s too much. I can’t control everything, no matter how much I try. Sage, I am so sorry.”

  It was surreal to have the man she’d always viewed as her mentor kneeling at her feet, begging for forgiveness, his voice full of remorse. His actions would affect the rest of her life and others’ lives too. Rafe had lied to her from the beginning, while she had gulped it all down, never doubting for a moment. Sure, she understood he kept thing
s from her—that was a necessity of the life they had chosen. But she never dreamed everything she had grown to love about him would be a complete lie. Could she forgive him for what had taken place? Maybe a year ago, she may have. However, she was, in many ways, a different person now. She hesitantly lifted a hand, running it through his dark wine-colored hair. Her hand looked so small and pale in contrast. Sage’s eyes widened as a gentle purr vibrated against her stomach. “What is that?” she whispered.

  “It means I love you,” he mumbled into her vest.

  Sage froze, her hand clutching his hair. How dare he say that after everything! No, he didn’t mean it, he couldn’t.

  Rafe lifted his head and gazed up at her, golden eyes gleaming. Carefully, he untangled her hand and stood, slipping his hands along her waist. She braced her hands against his strong chest, squeezing her eyes shut. A sob tried to escape, but she pinched her lips. Why was he doing this now? Everything was so messed up. He dropped his forehead to hers, soft breath puffing into her face.

  “I have adored you ever since I saw you in the forest practicing swordplay, each of your movements graceful and smooth. I almost believed you to be Methian until I caught sight of those stunning green of your eyes.” He moved, his nose grazing her temple, ruffling the hair there. “You were mine from the beginning.”

  Her breath whooshed out of her when he tipped her chin up. Sage opened her eyes to meet the serious gaze searching hers with an intensity she’d never before experienced from him nor anyone else. Rafe must have found what he was looking for because he closed the distance, and pressed his lips against hers.

  This wasn’t happening.

  She kept her lips still as he gently explored, holding her breath. When she couldn’t hold it anymore, her lips parted as she exhaled. Rafe’s arms tightened around her, pressing her along his hard body. She jerked back when he nipped her bottom lip. Rafe rumbled his displeasure and opened his liquid golden eyes.