by Missy Jane
She nodded, still unsatisfied, and sat back down. That seemed to be the signal the wizards were waiting for as they filed out of the room.
“Are you all right?” Kephas asked.
She huffed. “Not quite. I want our brothers to have justice. I want Steinn to know it wasn’t his fault or Zephyr’s that they were attacked.”
“I’ll talk to him. As soon as we arrive at the King’s castle, I’ll find him and tell him what we’ve learned.”
“I hope it makes a difference. Oh.” She appeared worried all of a sudden.
“What?”
“He’ll be at the King’s castle, where Zephyr has been for his own protection. I wonder if they’ve already spoken.”
“I don’t know.” Wynn ran a hand over her back in comfort. “All we can do is help them as they’ll allow. The rest is up to them.”
She sighed deeply. “I know. I love Zephyr and want to ease his pain. I just wish Steinn wasn’t being so difficult.”
Wynn chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Perhaps he’ll come around. But he’ll have to do that on his own and in his own time.”
She nodded and allowed him to pull her up with him when he stood.
“For now, we need to pack our things and head to the King’s castle.”
“Yes, but shouldn’t you return home first to be near the Stone for a bit?”
He concentrated on how he felt for a moment. “No. Right now I’m fine. I believe whatever magic they used to have me test you also returned my strength.”
She closed her eyes as if the thought of their fight still pained her. It did bother him but he was trying to act nonchalant in the hopes it would ease her mind.
“All right,” she said. “Let’s gather our things.”
* * * * *
Kephas paced outside the King’s chambers, trying to ignore his compulsion to storm through the doors. Theda was safe within. Of course she was. Her father would never allow anything to happen to her.
Yet, even knowing this to be fact, an irrational urge to break down the door ate at him. It wasn’t locked. He wouldn’t even need to use force. All he had to do was push the latch down and allow the door to swing open. He would see his love having tea with her father in the small antechamber and his unease would be settled.
He was about to do just that when his brother cleared his throat.
“You promised to wait,” Dunstan said.
Kephas scowled. “It’s been two hours.”
“And he hasn’t seen her in over twenty years. Give them time, Kephas. She won’t forget about you.”
He growled at the truth in his brother’s words and resumed pacing.
“You’re going to wear the carpet.”
“If it bothers you so much then go away.”
Dunstan had the audacity to laugh. “I truly hope I don’t turn into a blithering idiot when I find my woman. Orestes almost struck me when I hugged Astrid yesterday. And poor Phaidra. I don’t think Nel has allowed her out of their room in a week.”
Curiosity got the best of him. “Why?”
“Weird things began to happen. Steinn and Zephyr were attacked. The princess has suddenly been found. Some old woman in the village told Nel she’d dreamed of Phaidra covered in blood. He growled at the woman until she cried and flew Phaidra back to the castle. I haven’t seen her since.”
“But she is well?”
“Yes. Nel admitted she’s bored out of her mind, but other than that she is well.”
“Good. Strange things are happening, and now that Albain has resurfaced we must be on our guard. If I had been faster on my journey south I might have arrived before the Queen was attacked. I might have prevented her death.”
Dunstan stepped forward and grabbed his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. You didn’t even know which village she called home, or know they were in danger. You travelled as quickly as you could, and it was sheer luck you discovered the Princess along the way.”
Kephas grudgingly nodded. He hadn’t rushed, but he certainly hadn’t lingered even when tempted to in Keva.
“Then you have no reason to blame yourself,” Dunstan said.
“I just wish I could take away her pain,” he said. “She’s so young to have gone through so much.”
“But she’s strong. Just like Astrid and Phaidra. Remember what they went through? I’m finding that the women we’re drawn to are all exceptionally strong in their own way.”
He couldn’t argue that point and patted Dunstan’s hand where it still rested on his shoulder. His brother stepped back.
“You’re right,” said Kephas. “But you’ll learn when you find the woman made for you that their strength is hard to remember when you think they’re in danger, or hurting for any reason.”
“I’m sure.”
Kephas started pacing again. Dunstan returned to his post beside the door.
* * * * *
Theda tried to smother a yawn and was surprised to notice the darkness outside the window. They sat across the room from it for safety’s sake, but her father had kept the curtains open as they talked.
“You should rest now,” he said. “I’m sorry to have kept you here so late.”
She waved his apology away. “No, it’s fine. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
“As have I.” He stood and held his hand out for her. “I’m sure your gargoyle is waiting impatiently for you to emerge.”
A blush warmed her cheeks as she took his hand and stood. She studied his smiling face. “You don’t…mind? I mean about Kephas and I.”
He chuckled. “You are a woman full grown and more than capable of choosing your own man. However, if I had to choose someone for you I can’t think of one better to protect you. I had a say in their creation and was there the day they were formed. I may not spend much time with them now, but I’ve kept up with them through the Twenty and I trust each of them implicitly. Even with my most precious creation.”
He cupped her cheek with one hand and she covered it with her own. The frail bones were covered in leathery skin that told of his age and strength. She frowned at the thought.
“They were created over seventy years ago, and you were there?”
He grinned. “Oh yes. I was a young king, but already tired of the fighting and constant threats to my kingdom. I already had the Twenty, who have been in place long before the time of my greatest grandfathers. We discussed ways to bring peace to the kingdom and decided immortal protectors given human traits and sensibilities would be good protection and an even better deterrent to any who would try to bring war against us.
“In the process, for reasons even the wizards don’t know, I was granted a longer life. No one can say how much longer, but I’ve been very slow to age. I was already in my seventies when I married your mother, but appeared half that. Only she knew the truth, though some in the kingdom remember. Most just don’t speak of it.”
She marveled at that and released his hand. “So, how old are you now?”
He squinted in thought. “One hundred and seven.”
Her jaw dropped and he laughed.
“I look good for such an ancient, eh?”
“Um…yes.”
He held his arm out and she set her hand on it, then they turned toward the door.
“It’s really no big secret, but we don’t speak on it much. Better if any enemies believe I’ve become immortal too. Then maybe they’ll think I have other strengths and stay away.”
“All right.”
“But I have had a long, full life. Having you back is a blessing. I would dearly enjoy watching you marry and have children before I pass. If you choose to do so with a gargoyle,” he shrugged. “That’s entirely up to you, my dear. Others have made that choice, and none have had cause to regret it.”
They reached the
door and she faced him, suddenly filled with an overwhelming need to hug him. He stiffened at her touch for only a moment before wrapping his thin arms around her.
“I love you, Theda, as I loved your mother. I’m sorry she didn’t realize that.”
She released him and stepped back. “I don’t think even she knew what would make her happy. Some days she was so full of joy and happiness. Other she was like a dark storm cloud on the horizon, wanting to throw thunderbolts at everyone who neared.”
He nodded in agreement before opening the door. They didn’t have room to step out because Kephas filled the doorway.
Her father gave him an amused look and stepped back. “She is yours once again, Master Kephas. But please remember, she was mine first.”
He offered a sheepish look as he nodded. “Yes, your majesty.”
Kephas held out his hand and she took it without hesitation. He seemed to relax and the corners of his mouth turned up the slightest bit. Behind him, one of his brothers laughed.
“We’ve been given a room here,” Kephas said. “I’ll show you where it is.”
She barely hid her smile. “All right.”
She looked over her shoulder to find the King watching them.
“Good night…Father.”
Surprise lit his face. “Goodnight, daughter.”
Kephas led her to an ornately decorated room, more lavish than any she’d ever seen in her life.
“This was to be yours,” he said. “It remained a nursery for years, until the King had it redone for you as a young woman instead.”
She studied the peach and cream walls and the beautifully carved furniture. A mural on the ceiling depicted fairies frolicking in an emerald forest.
“It’s beautiful.”
“And everything a princess deserves.” He turned away from her. “It’s much larger than my room, and more feminine. I’m sure it will be more to your liking than where I sleep.”
The tone of his voice told of his tension. She went to him and smoothed her hands over his shoulders until he began to relax.
“It is larger, and more feminine, but not exactly more to my liking.”
“No?”
She made a show of looking around. “It’s nice, but is this a room you could imagine waking in every morning?”
He looked at the bed which was smaller than his and covered in frilly pillows. “Not quite.” Then he looked at her. “But if this is where you’ll be, then so will I.”
She also looked at the bed then and laughed. “I don’t think you’re going to fit on that bed. Your feet will hang off.”
“Perhaps. I’ll simply bend my legs. It doesn’t matter.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Well it doesn’t matter to me either.”
He frowned in confusion. “What doesn’t? My legs?”
“Where we sleep. Here or in your room. It doesn’t matter, so long as I’m with you.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her before planting a deep kiss on her. “I always want to be with you, Theda. I want to make you happy.”
“You do. And I want to be with you too.”
He kissed her some more before carrying her to the bed. They soon found out his feet did indeed hang off the end, but it didn’t stop them from making love long into the night.
Chapter Fifteen
Steinn watched the entrance to the pub from where he crouched in the mud a few feet away. Goran was on the other side where a back exit led from the kitchen. Those bitches wouldn’t get away this time. He suppressed a growl and tightened his fists as anger tore through him. It was getting worse. He hadn’t had sexual release in weeks, the longest he’d ever gone. But his first trip to Keva after the incident with Zephyr had been a disappointment for both him and the women he’d tried to bed. He couldn’t get the Pastelle out of his head.
The pub door swung open and he pushed all other thoughts away. This was too important to mess up. The women who were threatening his king and his brothers needed to be captured and questioned. He believed they also needed to be killed, but that was up to the king, not him.
Two cloaked figured emerged and walked through the deep mud surrounding the little building. This village was too small for a proper road and the rains had been heavy of late. It was a perfect place for hiding out and laying low. It was also a twist of fate that he’d found out about it from one of their former housemates. He watched the women leave the pub and head for a copse of trees nearby. The whinny of a horse echoed at their approach.
With their backs to him he shot into the darkened sky and landed near Goran.
“They’ve horses nearby,” Steinn said before jumping back into the thick air. Goran followed.
They spotted the women with their horses and landed lightly in the trees above. Neither Kevan nor animal had sensed them.
“When do you think that bitch will leave the castle?” Kalypso asked, her voice easily reaching the higher branches.
Iva pushed her hood from her head and glared at the woman. “How in the many hells should I know. We probably shouldn’t bother with her now. It’s not our fault that idiot lost her.”
Kalypso shrugged and also pushed back her hood. They now knew for certain these were the two they sought.
Goran looked at Steinn with one brow raised and Steinn gave a nod. They dropped from the trees to land loudly on the ground, frightening the horses into running away from the screaming women.
“Argh! You’ll pay for that,” Iva screamed.
Both women pulled their short swords but the steel couldn’t pierce the gargoyle’s skin. They knocked the Kevan’s weapons away with little effort and had them bound in no time.
“Release us,” Iva said angrily. “The council already meted out our punishment for holding your brother.”
Goran laughed and shook his head. “And the fact that you killed our Queen should go unpunished?”
Iva paled and Kalypso cried out, collapsing against Steinn dramatically. “No, please. It was all her idea. I’ve been powerless against her. Help me, please.”
“Oh, you bitch!” Iva hollered before struggling against her bonds to get at the woman.
“Enough,” Steinn growled before pushing Kalypso away in disgust. “You will both go before our King and he will decide what to do with you. If it was up to me, I’d put you out of our misery here and now.”
Kalypso had fallen to the ground, her cloak falling open to reveal a tight short dress beneath. She threw her shoulders back to push her ample bosom out. “Then what about one last romp, Steinn? I’ll take both of you. You can even leave me tied up.”
He stared at her with disgust, not even slightly tempted. Goran just shook his head.
“Be quiet before I decide to gag you,” Stein said.
Luckily that had the desired effect and both women quieted. Each gargoyle grabbed a Kevan and they flew to the King’s castle.
Theda held Kephas’s hand in a death grip as the women were brought into the throne room. She sat at her father’s left hand with Kephas standing at her back. It took all her strength not to jump from her seat and attack the women. She wasn’t taken by surprise this time. She wasn’t a frightened girl who had just watched her mother murdered. She was a woman who knew she could use some magical power and all of her physical strength to fight these women, even if she couldn’t kill them.
Kephas had promised to train her to fight, so she would never feel helpless again. She wished she had that knowledge now as she faced her mother’s killers. They didn’t even look her way. One kept her head bowed, eyes to the ground, as the other held her chin up stubbornly and glared at the King. Theda had no doubt these were the culprits, but what she wanted to know now was why.
She released Kephas’ hand and stood, descending the few steps to the floor, and approached the pair but remained
more than an arm’s length away. Kephas’s warmth at her back made her bold.
“Why?” she asked. “Why did you kill my mother?”
The golden-haired one shrugged.
“Why not? Your father is an arrogant bastard who has outlived his reign and should let someone more powerful rule. We thought losing his Queen the first time would shake him, but it didn’t. So we decided to make it a more permanent loss.”
Theda gasped. “You’re the reason my mother ran away?”
Iva laughed. “You really think she was stupid enough to leave all this?” She motioned to the room around them with her bound hands. “She could be an idiot at times, but not that big of an idiot. Of course, thinking her beloved had strayed and enjoyed the company of a Kevan anytime he visited our lands might have simply been too much.”
That was the final straw. Theda lunged forward and slapped the smirk off the woman’s face. She was grabbed from behind and pulled back as two other gargoyles ran forward to subdue the Kevan.
“Enough,” the King said. “Kephas, please take my daughter to her chambers. She doesn’t need to be in the presence of these two any longer.”
Theda was still glaring daggers at the women when Kephas picked her up and headed for the door. She kept her gaze on them until the door closed. Then every bit of energy she possessed fled her and she slumped in Kephas’s arms. He tightened his hold as she sobbed against his shirt.
Every tear was like a dagger to Kephas’s heart. “Shh, it’s all right, my love. Your father will see that justice is served. Your mother will never be forgotten.”
She nodded even as she continued to cry. The tears wouldn’t stop.
They reached her room and he placed her gently on the bed but she immediately sat up. He sat beside her and waited.
“I’m s-sorry,” she said. “I don’t know why I’m so…emotional.”
He wrapped his arm around her hips and hugged her. “You’ve lost your mother and just faced down the women who took her from you. Anyone would be emotional.”
