Garden of Destiny (Dark Gardens Book 4)

by Meara Platt

  How many demons had he noticed lurking about? They had altered their course several times over the past hours, and at times he’d put his finger over her lips to warn her to be silent. If not for his naturally keen senses, they would have walked into one of Brihann’s raiding parties long ago.

  “These past few days have been easy in comparison to what lies ahead for you. You and I will part ways soon. You’ll have to make the climb alone while Mordain and I distract Brihann’s forces. There is no other way to get you to safely back into your world.”

  She nodded. “I can do it.”

  A fabrication, of course. But he needed her to be strong and she did not wish to disappoint him. However, the thought of returning to her familiar surroundings, to the Lake District she adored, left her feeling empty. She did not wish to be anywhere but by Lord Bloodaxe’s side.

  He wanted her gone.

  She would comply for now. She still had matters to attend to once she’d made her escape. First, to call upon his brother, Saron. Next, find her way to the Stone of Draloch.

  These visits weren’t quite the same as calling upon a friend or attending a tea party. She did not know what would happen when she confronted Saron.

  She was afraid of what would happen when she confronted the Stone of Draloch.

  She shook out of the troublesome thought.

  Mother in heaven, she would not back out of her plans. Whatever the danger, she would face it. After all, dangers existed even in Polite Society. No one knew what might happen to them in the next hour or the next day. Indeed, anything could happen at any time to anyone. Brihann could even die of old age.

  He wouldn’t though.

  The wicked never seemed to die early deaths. Their rage and bile seemed to keep them going for years.

  She glanced at the dagger she carried in her belt.

  “Use it on yourself if Brihann captures you,” Lord Bloodaxe said, following her gaze and understanding the bouncing trail of her wayward thoughts. “Don’t hesitate. He will not go easy on you.”

  She swallowed hard. “Hopefully, it will not come to that.”

  They had just walked into the outcropping when they heard the distant sound of barking. Georgiana regarded him curiously. “Your dogs?”

  He nodded. “They’re chasing demons. I’ve had them doing so ever since we left my fortress. That they’re so close is not a good sign. I warned you that Brihann’s armies are closing in on us.”

  “And where are your armies?”

  He cast her a mirthless grin. “Not far either. They’re positioned in and around the Razor Cliffs but will not attack Brihann’s forces until I give the word. For now, they will only fight if they are attacked first. However, I hope that war between us will be avoided.”

  “Why? Don’t you want to defeat Brihann?”

  “Yes, if I can.” He nodded. “However, if one succeeds in deposing a king, one has no choice but to kill him. It is not an easy thing to do while Python and Necros remain loyal to him. As for Mordain, he may be willing to join forces with me, but the Stone of Draloch may stop him from interceding. If the prophecy is true, the outcome must be determined by me and Brihann alone. We’re the two black dragons.”

  “Or your brother.”

  He frowned. “I’ve told you. He will never fight by my side, no matter how mad and dangerous Brihann might be. He believes I am just as mad and dangerous. If forced to make a choice, he will choose Brihann over me.”

  She shook her head and sighed. “Men can be such stubborn fools.”

  “Women can be just as foolishly stubborn. Don’t think of returning here once you’re safely back home.” As the sun began to peek above the treetops, he led her into a cave hidden in the outcropping. They’d had to crawl through the almost unnoticeable entrance, but once inside, even Lord Bloodaxe was able to stand to his full height.

  “Is it safe to light a torch in here?” Georgiana had spent the last few days walking in total darkness. One would think her eyes would be accustomed to it by now. Alas, no. She still had to cling to Lord Bloodaxe as he led her deeper into the cave, guiding her with care over the bumps of packed dirt, jutting rocks, and loose pebbles that abounded on the floor.

  “No torchlight, Georgie. It’s too dangerous. The faintest glimmer will be noticed.”

  She’d expected his answer, but still felt disappointed. “I feel like a mole wandering blindly in its hole.”

  “Sit here,” he said, helping to ease her onto a long, flat rock. “It isn’t a goose-down mattress, but it will serve as a bed for now. Close your eyes and rest. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  “Arik, I–”

  He growled, the feral sound arising from low in his throat. “Don’t call me that.”

  She sighed. “Lord Bloodaxe.”

  “What is it?” He spoke quite gently to her now, no doubt realizing he’d been unnecessarily cross with her.

  “I lied to you before. I’m not very confident that I’ll make it up the Razor Cliffs. I’m scared, but I’ll do my best. If I fail–”

  He knelt beside her. “You won’t.”

  She shook her head. “We both know it is likely I will. I’m just sorry that I’ve put you to so much trouble.”

  He rested his palm against her cheek. “Aye, you’ve been nothing but trouble from the moment you appeared in my tower bedchamber. It now lies in ruins. So does my south bedchamber. And my hunting lodge, although it was already fairly run down.” He caressed her cheek. “It is a good thing Dragon Lords like trouble. We thrive on it.”

  “Do you love it?” Of course, she was asking if he loved her.

  By his low growl of annoyance, she sensed he understood precisely what she was asking. “When the time comes, just start running up that cliff face. I’ll be watching out for you, ready to shove that dainty arse of yours upward if you falter. Understood?”

  He turned and strode out of the cave before she could answer.

  She sighed and stretched her exhausted frame upon the hard rock. He would never admit he loved her. Should she confess she loved him? It felt right to do so.

  She yawned and closed her eyes. It was nonsense to think about these possibilities. They could talk about it until the end of time and he would resist her all the while.

  They would mate if it was meant to be.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Georgie, wake up.”

  Georgiana felt Lord Bloodaxe’s hand on her shoulder shaking her urgently. “I’m up. For pity’s sake, I’m up.” She tried to roll to her feet but he wouldn’t stop shaking her. Then she realized it wasn’t him but the ground rumbling beneath their feet. “What’s happening?”

  He dragged her into his arms and wrapped her firmly in his embrace, all the while muttering a string of blasphemies that would make the basest knave blush. “It’s the cursed Stone of Draloch.”

  “What is it doing?” She threw her arms around his neck. If that force meant to tear her out of Lord Bloodaxe’s arms, she refused to give up without a struggle.

  “Expressing its displeasure.”

  “At us?” She looked up at him in disbelief, but could make out nothing of his features. The cave was too dark and the ground was still dangerously shaking beneath their feet. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “It isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about the destiny that awaits us,” he said loudly against her ear, for the roar of the moving earth was drowning out their voices.

  She tried to shout above the din. “Only we can chart the course of our destinies. That slab of marble can’t do it for us.”

  He drew her up against him as though wishing to take her inside of him and mold them into one. She wished it, too. “It’s bluestone, not marble. You cannot understand the force it wields. More powerful than that of the five Dragon Lords together.”

  She suddenly screamed. “Arik, the ground’s opening up.”

  “I know, my beauty. Hold tight to me. We’re in for an unpleasant ride.”

  She close
d her eyes and pressed her body to his muscular frame with as much of her strength as she could muster. He hadn’t growled at her for calling him Arik.

  She supposed it didn’t matter now.

  Were they going to die?

  Although her eyes were still firmly shut, she could tell that they were hurtling through a vast expanse. The air was cooler than that of the Underworld, and there were brilliant flashes of light behind her closed eyes. She was curious about those lights, but didn’t dare open her eyes while she was tossed and dragged through a sweep of air that felt like nothing she’d ever experienced before.

  She was afraid to let go of Lord Bloodaxe for fear of drifting apart from him forever.

  After several minutes of hurtling through this void of brilliant lights and strong winds, they suddenly stopped and began to drift languidly, as though sailing downstream on the boat they’d taken the other night. But this was no gentle current of water. She peeked open one eye and was amazed by the sight she beheld. Thousands of stars twinkled like diamonds. Swirls of pink, orange, green, and violet vapor that drifted before them in all shapes and sizes. “What are those?” she asked, pointing to several dark orbs overhead.

  Lord Bloodaxe followed her gaze. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “What are they?”

  “Planets. Mars. Venus. We’re drifting in celestial space.”

  She shook her head. “It cannot be.”

  “Georgie, there are worlds that exist beyond your mortal world and my Underworld. We see only the space before our noses, but there are countless others. Pathways, I would call them. The Stone of Draloch gathers its strength from all of these forces. Even my formidable powers are puny compared to that of our guiding stone.”

  Her heart, already pounding through her ears, began to beat even more violently. “And now I’ve angered it.”

  “Perhaps. We’ll know for certain in a moment. We’re almost there.”

  “Where is it sending us?”

  “The Fae king’s palace. The Stone of Draloch sits in his great hall.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “All my planning to get you safely out of the Underworld seems to have been unnecessary. You were never meant to cut your soft hands climbing the Razor Cliffs. Brihann was never meant to stop you. All along, the Stone of Draloch intended to snatch you away.”

  “And you as well.”

  He kissed her on the forehead. “I don’t think I was meant to join you for the ride. It cannot be pleased that I have done so. Don’t be surprised if we are soon parted.”

  His words ought to have worried her, but she felt elated instead. “Are you suggesting that we’ve changed the course of destiny?”

  He frowned at her. “What?”

  “If you weren’t meant to accompany me, but now you have, then what does that signify? Something important, I think. Do you wish to know what I think?” She hurried on without awaiting his response. “We’re meant to be together and no force is powerful enough to conquer our love, not even that of your guiding stone.”

  He groaned. “I don’t know whether to kiss you again or throttle you.”

  “Do I have a say in the matter? Because you know which I would choose. The kiss, of– ack!” They landed with a rattling thump in the center of a great hall. Fortunately, it was dimly lit, for after all the days of darkness she would have been blinded by ordinary light.

  Despite the dim light, she could make out the magnificence of the hall.

  Lord Bloodaxe eased her out of his arms, but kept hold of her hand. He circled his other hand loosely about her waist to quietly assure her of his presence. Georgiana was relieved to have him standing beside her. He’d obviously taken this journey before and was familiar with the giant monolith that towered over them and glowed eerily as they slowly approached it.

  Logic would suggest that they not approach it at all, but Lord Bloodaxe still had his hand about her waist and was gently propelling her forward, even closer to the gleaming stone. “Can you stand on your own, Georgie? I know this sort of travel can be difficult for those not used to it. Are your legs still wobbling?”

  She nodded. Even if her legs did not feel like crumbling piles of sand, she would have said they did just to keep him by her side. Having him close gave her the courage to speak out, even though she felt quite small and insignificant within this elegant, marble-floored chamber. Indeed, it was vast and splendid, but devoid of any furnishings that might have added any warmth.

  The Stone of Draloch began to hum softly.

  “Oh, dear. Is it supposed to do that?” She burrowed against Lord Bloodaxe even though she was already standing practically atop him and gripping his hand so tightly, her knuckles were turning white.

  “It can do whatever it wishes.”

  She frowned. “Does the hum have significance? Is it talking to us?”

  He nodded. “Aye, my beauty. It is talking to me.”

  She gasped and looked up to study his handsome features. His jaw was clenched, his day-old beard accentuating his masculine appeal. His eyes were a darkening crystal blue and his aquiline nose was flared. The muscles of his iron-hard arms were taut and flexing.

  He reminded her of a dragon about to engage in battle.

  “What is it saying to you?”

  He gazed at her. “The Stone of Draloch is saying that I need to let you go.”

  “No!” Her legs still felt as though they were going to crumble. Now her hands were shaking and chills were shooting up and down her spine. “No,” she said more quietly. “We’re meant to be together. Why bring me to you if only to force us apart?”

  “Brihann brought you to me.”

  She frowned at him. “His weak mind was manipulated by the Stone of Draloch. You thought so yourself. I won’t allow it to manipulate me.”

  The hum grew louder and sharper so that it hurt her ears.

  She released his hand to cover her ears and immediately realized her mistake. In the instant of time that passed before she could rectify her error and grab his hand once more, he was gone. The deed had been done so fast, her mind could not accept that it had really happened.

  She looked around the empty hall, frantically searching for him. He was big and muscled and would be easy to spot even if this hall were filled with people. But she was alone. “What have you done to Lord Bloodaxe?”

  Angry and worried, she rushed forward and began to pound on the cold bluestone with her fists. She’d never felt so puny or insignificant, not even when faced with a dragon blowing fire at her. “Don’t hurt him! Bring him back to me. Please.”

  She wanted to say that she’d do anything to save him, but this was the very manipulation that she’d scoffed at moments ago. She’d promised herself that she would never succumb, and yet she was willing to fall to her knees and give up her life for this Dragon Lord. She was not afraid to do it. “What devil’s bargain will you have me make to save him? Give me your terms.”

  She tipped her chin up and kept her hands curled into fists as though ready for a fight. It was laughable to think she held any power whatsoever over this cold stone and its obvious force that she had badly underestimated. “I love him.”

  Why hadn’t she been brave enough to tell Lord Bloodaxe what was in her heart? And yet, she hadn’t hesitated to reveal it now. She was talking to a rock.

  She felt the ground shudder beneath her feet.

  Her heart shot into her throat. Was she about to be carried off to somewhere else? Or dropped into an endless void where she’d be left to drift alone until she died?

  You dare to call me a rock.

  What? The stone was talking to her. Rather, it was conveying its angry thoughts to her. She spoke in response. “Yes, I do. A rock has no feelings and you’ve shown none in taking Arik away from me.”

  He is no longer Arik. That boy was lost years ago and no longer exists.

  Georgiana felt a rip to her heart at the stone’s cruel words. “He still lives within Lord Bloodaxe’s noble heart. How else could
he protect me? Why else would he save me from the perils of the Underworld?”

  He is only Lord Bloodaxe now.

  “It does not matter what you call him. He is the one I love. What have you done to him?” She might have asked, “What have you done to him lately?” For there was no doubt in her mind that Arik’s brutal journey and his years of suffering were the fault of this evil stone that bore his family name.

  I am not evil.

  “How dare you deny it after all you’ve put him through. He is a Draloch, one of your own. What cause did you have to make him endure so much pain?”

  To make him strong.

  “If you’re as powerful as everyone believes, then why not simply cast your magic and make him strong? Fast, painless. Done with a snap of your fingers, or whatever you have. You understand what I mean.”

  I do not have the power to alter souls. Nor do I have the power to save worlds. Only you have the power to save your mortal world.

  “Me? Are you saying that we have the power to save ourselves from Brihann’s attack?”

  “No,” a female voice said from behind her. “The power lies within you alone, Lady Georgiana.”

  Georgiana whirled on her heels to face the person who had spoken to her. She was surprised to find a young woman who might have been mistaken for an ordinary Englishwoman, although she was prettier than most. She had rich chestnut hair and sparkling green eyes. The green of this woman’s eyes was an emerald green, much darker and more vibrant than her own moss green. “Who are you?”

  The moment the words sprang from her lips she realized who she was. The Fae queen, Melody. Groaning, Georgiana bowed to her. It was a meager way of showing respect to this simple vicar’s daughter of legend. Melody’s journey must have been similar to her own, but there was an important difference. Melody had saved the Fae. Georgiana had yet to save anyone. “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

  “There is nothing to forgive, Lady Georgiana.” She spoke kindly as she took Georgiana’s hand and gave it a friendly squeeze. “Tell me all that has happened to you. We were quite worried when we heard you’d been taken into the Underworld. I’m glad to see that you are unharmed.” She frowned lightly. “I hope it is so.”