A Soul for Trouble

by Crista McHugh

  “Larenis, you’ve found him. Don’t keep my father waiting.” He released his sword and bowed his head. “Yes, Your Highness. Sir Devarius, King Heodis requests another audience with you.” The venom in his voice made it clear he would’ve preferred a good brawl instead of following orders.

  “By all means, let’s do as Prince Kell suggests and not keep him waiting.” As soon as the door closed behind them, Kell took her hand in his and pressed his lips against her knuckles. A shiver raced up her arm, making her cheeks flames as he turned her hand over to press his lips against the inside of her wrist. The look in his eyes stated he wanted to kiss more of her.

  A growl sounded behind them, and Kell jumped away. Cinder raised his upper lip to reveal his fangs and growled again.

  “Some watchdog,” he muttered and released her hand. “Sorry, but I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since the other night.”

  “Then why didn’t you come by sooner?”

  “Politics,” he replied with a grimace.

  More like head games. He probably found someone else to occupy his bed. She kept a few feet between them in case he tried to take her into his arms again. “Poor Prince Kell.”

  “Trust me, I’d rather be here with you.”

  For a second, she almost believed him. “I’ve been trying to find a way to pass the time.”

  “With Dev?”

  His jealousy shot an arrow straight into her gut. “He’s my protector and teacher.”

  “And what has he been teaching you in your bedroom?”

  Her heart fluttered, and her palms grew damp. “Just what you see before you. Nothing more.” Although there’d definitely been a few times when I wanted more. “It’s not like you walked in on us naked and rolling around in bed, did you?” His pupils dilated. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you naked and rolling around in the bed with me.”

  Cinder growled again.

  “You’re refreshingly transparent, Kell. Thank you.” She turned away and began straightening her papers. Damn him! Just when she thought he was more than just a man-whore, he reminded her he only wanted one thing.

  A pair of warm hands covered her shoulders, followed by lips gently pressing against the back of her neck. “There’s no need to hide my desire for you. I told you before that I’m willing to wait.”

  Her knees wobbled. If he only knew what effect his touch had on her. “What’s the real reason you came here, Kell?”

  “The truth?” He glanced at the bed, grinning.

  She broke free of him and stood closer to Cinder. “Don’t you ever get your mind out of the gutter? You’re almost as bad as—”

  “Who? Dev?”

  “Hardly.”

  “Then who?”

  She bit her lip . Damn it, I almost told him about Loku again. “None of your business. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness, but I’ll have to decline your invitation.” She held her breath and prayed he wouldn’t try to force the matter.

  “Actually, I came here with the intention of offering a much different invitation.”

  “What?”

  “Would you like to join me for dinner?”

  Her stomach growled. She covered it with her hands, hoping to smother the noises.

  “I take that as a yes?”

  “As long as you don’t give me indigestion.” She smoothed her hands over her soft wool gown. “Am I properly attired for dinner with a prince?”

  “I don’t have a stringent dress code in my private chambers. Of course, this might help dress you up a bit.” He pulled an object wrapped in a cloth from his pocket.

  “What is it?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  She peeled back the layers of fine linen to reveal a sapphire-studded gold comb. Her breath froze. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I saw it and thought of you.” He placed it the center of the elaborate hairstyle Katie had woven this morning. “The gold matches your hair, but the sapphires pale in comparison to your eyes.”

  She grabbed her mirror, admiring the way the dainty comb sparkled in her hair. How did she respond to a compliment like that? “I don’t know what to say, Kell.”

  “‘Thank you’ would be a good start.”

  Any hostility she held toward him melted. She lowered the mirror. “Thank you for letting me borrow the comb tonight.”

  “Arden, I think you misunderstood. It’s a gift.”

  “You mean I get to keep it? But Kell, it’s too expensive. I can’t possibly accept—”

  “Please, let me spoil you while you’re here. It’s a simple gift, but the joy in your face increased its value for me far more than you can imagine.” She leaned closer to him. “Are you trying to bribe me?”

  “Possibly.” He stopped so their faces remained mere inches apart.

  “Perhaps I should tell you I can’t be bought.” She waited for Loku to call her a liar, but the only thing she heard in her mind was her inward plea for Kell to kiss her again.

  “Pity.”

  His teasing only fanned the flames of curiosity burning inside her, and she succumbed to the need to kiss him again. She started soft, barely pressing her lips against his. When he tried to seize control, she pulled away.

  His hands hovered over her shoulders like she was a fragile bubble that would pop as soon as he touched her. “The Lady Moon help me, I don’t know if I can handle this torment much longer, Arden.”

  “What torment?” She ran her thumb along his bottom lip.

  “Being on my best behavior when you—” His voice cracked, and his eyes pleaded with her.

  She brushed a stray lock of hair from his face. “You are trying to be good, aren’t you?”

  “Only for you.”

  Cinder growled at Kell.

  “Stop it, Cinder. Bad boy!” Her scolding probably would have been more forceful if his actions hadn’t startled her.

  The wolf turned to watch her, but the moment Kell took a step in her direction, his hackles rose with another growl.

  Arden retreated a couple of steps. As long as the wolf stayed in the room, she and Kell wouldn’t touch each other. Probably a good thing. She waited for Loku to add something, but his silence worried her. What had she and Dev done to him?

  He offered his hand to her, his expression one of caution as he eyed the wolf. “Come along. Dinner’s getting cold.”

  “Dinner sounds lovely.” She offered him a smile as an apology for Cinder’s behavior.

  “And maybe for dessert—”

  The low growl prevented him from finishing his sentence. Cinder leaned against her leg and glared at the prince.

  “I wasn’t thinking of that kind of dessert,” Kell replied with annoyance.

  As if he understood what she said, the wolf trotted ahead to the door and waited for them.

  Wherever they went, he was coming along, too.

  She smiled. “Sorry, but Cinder’s rather fond of me.”

  “At least you know you have an overprotective wolf.”

  “Unfortunately, he’s a bit confused on who’s a threat and who isn’t.” Kell raised both brows. “So I’m no longer a threat now?”

  “On the contrary, I think you can be just as dangerous as Sulaino.”

  “Scared I’ll turn you into some mindless slave?”

  “Possibly.” The more time she spent alone with Kell, the closer she came to understanding her mother’s mistakes. Even the gift of the comb made her think of the pendant around her neck. But she began to recognize why her mother had surrendered to her lover, how a touch or a kiss could cause a lapse in judgment. Her fingers curled around her necklace. Would her mother ever forgive her for judging her so harshly?

  The heavy rush of footsteps echoed down the hall. They stopped in front of the windows at the top of the large staircase that separated the east and west wings of the palace to allow the runner to pass. A beam of moonlight fell on the drawn face of a member of the Royal Guard.

  He jerked to a stop when he saw t
hem and bowed. “Your Highness, I was sent to fetch you and the witch.”

  She winced in spite of herself. Would she ever get used to that term?

  “Why?” Kell tightened his grip on her arm and turned his body so he stood slightly ahead of her. His protectiveness almost drove away the fear gathering in her chest.

  The guard pointed a shaky finger to the window. Icy fingers of dread crawled up her spine.

  Her body stiffened. She didn’t need to look outside to know what waited for them. Instead, she reinforced her mental shields and bit back the fear that rose into her throat.

  “Sweet Lady Moon,” Kell gasped.

  She squeezed her eyes together, not wanting to see it. Her heart pounded. The stench of rotting flesh invaded the palace walls. A tremble struggled to seize control of her body. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Time to face what she feared the most.

  Thousands of glowing red eyes stared back at her from outside the city walls.

  Chapter 30

  For once, Arden was glad to have an empty stomach. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about vomiting in front of Kell or his father.

  The guard led them to a large office and closed the door behind them. Inside, the king, his sons, Larenis, and Dev waited for them. She wanted to hide behind something when they all turned to her.

  Dev rushed to her side. “Shields up?” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded and dug her fingers into his arm. Thank the Lady Moon he was here. His presence helped ease some of the sick terror swirling in her gut. She scanned the room and saw a few more unfamiliar faces, but they all wore the same expression when they looked at her: fear mixed with suspicion.

  King Heodis leaned forward in his chair. “Good. Now that everyone’s here, let’s discuss our options.”

  “May I ask what’s happened so far, Father?” Kell squeezed her hand before crossing the room to the king’s massive desk.

  Larenis stood at attention. “Sulaino has surrounded the city, Your Highness. When the fog lifted about half an hour ago, we spotted them. He’s sent what’s left of Lord Yessling to the main gate to negotiate terms of surrender.”

  “Like I would ever surrender to that horse’s ass.” Heodis pounded his fist against the table.

  He nodded for the captain to continue.

  “His request was simple. He wishes to speak only to the heir to throne and assures us that he will be returned safely.”

  “Alive or undead?” Dev’s steely words caused a few people to grimace.

  “Let’s hope alive,” Gandor replied. “Father, let’s at least hear him out, perhaps find some way to buy us some more time.”

  “You’re actually considering negotiations with a necromancer?” Dev’s face darkened. “Do you have any idea what you’re dealing with?”

  “For a foreigner, you’ve been extremely opinionated about what we should do.”

  “Enough, you two. I have a throbbing headache, and your snipes aren’t helping.” The king massaged his temples. “What are your thoughts, Kell?”

  She didn’t miss the way the eldest prince scowled when the king asked his youngest son for advice. Sibling rivalry took on a whole new meaning here.

  “If Gandor’s willing to meet with Sulaino, it might buy us enough time to come up with a plan and learn what the necromancer wants.”

  Dev pushed her behind him. “I can tell you what he wants. He wants Trouble first, and then he’ll use her powers to destroy the kingdom.”

  “Your theory is plausible, Sir Devarius, but I can’t rest all my options on it.” Gandor stood and approached the desk. “With your permission, Father, I would like to engage him.”

  “With troops or peacefully?”

  “I’ll hear him out, but if I smell trouble, I’d like to have men just inside the walls waiting for my signal.”

  The king leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard. After a few seconds of silence, Heodis straightened. “Larenis, I want all of our archers on the wall, watching every move Sulaino makes. If they see anything that remotely appears like a threat to my son’s life, turn Sulaino and his abominations into pin cushions. Is that understood?” The captain snapped to attention. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Gandor, take three men you trust with you and watch your back.”

  “Yes, Father.” He bowed and left the room with Larenis.

  Arden couldn’t shake the feeling that the prince seemed a little too confident. She leaned closer to Dev. “Shouldn’t he have appeared a bit more worried?” He nodded. “I agree. Something’s wrong about this, and I don’t want you going anywhere without me until we figure it out.”

  “Now, to form a plan. Any ideas?”

  “Father, I stand by my original plan,” Kell said. “Arden knows Sulaino’s weakness. If we can find a way to have her use her magic—”

  Dev shoved her behind him. “Prince Kell, how many times do I have to tell you that she’s not a weapon for you to use?”

  “But she’s been the most effective opponent so far. We’re simple men. We have our blades and our courage, but you know as well as I do that is no match for the army of undead surrounding us.”

  “And you have no idea what you’re asking of her.”

  Anger mounted deep inside her, and the involuntary rush of fire flowed down her arms.

  She took a deep breath to steady her temper before she engulfed the room in flames. “Stop it, both of you. I’d like to make my own decisions without you deciding my fate for me.”

  “Come here, Arden.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at the king’s command. She turned, walking toward the desk like it was her pyre. Her voice wobbled when she asked, “Yes, Your Majesty?”

  “Since you claim to be able to make your own decisions, I’m going to ask you directly. Do you know how to defeat Sulaino?”

  “I know how to kill undead, Your Majesty.”

  “And their creator?”

  Doubt seeped into every pore of her skin, oozing into her blood. “Loku, can I do this alone?” She prayed for answer, but none came. “I’m not sure.” Heodis furrowed his brow. “Not sure, or not willing?”

  “Not sure, Your Majesty. When I battled Sulaino before, I had help. But now, I don’t know if I’ll have it again.”

  He turned to Dev. “What is your estimation of her abilities?”

  “She is powerful, but untrained. To ask her to draw upon the help she mentioned could lead to catastrophic effects.”

  “You mean Loku?” Prince Therrin finally asked.

  Dev gave a sobering nod. “The god of chaos has his own agenda, and when he grants you a favor, it usually comes at a cost.”

  She opened her mouth to add that he’d been unusually silent, but a sharp glance from Dev kept her quiet. She wanted to keep Sulaino from turning her homeland into a blight of undead.

  But her lack of confidence undermined her. She needed Loku in order to defeat the necromancer.

  Heodis studied her with his dark eyes until she felt she had nothing left to hide from him.

  “What other options do we have?” He turned his attention to the other men in the room, who replied with a chorus of suggestions.

  Her knees buckled. If Dev hadn’t been at her side, she would’ve swooned.

  “Let’s sit in a corner until you’ve got your wits about you again,” he said.

  Relief washed through her now that she was no longer the center of the king’s attention.

  How could she summon enough courage to take on a necromancer but have a mere mortal reduce her to a pile of cowardice by a simple glare?

  Cinder sat beside her, watching her with worry in his yellow eyes. She scratched behind his ears to reassure him and held onto Dev’s hand like her life depended on it.

  The men continued their debate without them, talking about ways to summon troops and where the best places would be to fortify the walls. Several of them boasted how the unique design of Trivinus would require Sulaino to break through a series
of gates before he’d reach the palace. But as she listened, Kell seemed the only one who raised concerns about the citizens in the outer walls. The rest of the unknown advisors negated them as necessary casualties. Her nausea returned in full force when she heard this.

  Nearly an hour passed before Gandor returned. A strange light gleamed from his brown eyes, forming a stark contrast to his paler than normal face. She turned to Dev to see if he saw something worrisome in the prince, but her protector kept his emotions hidden.

  Gandor held out a scroll. “Here are his terms.”

  The king took the paper and read it. A frown tugged at his lips from under his beard.

  Wordlessly he gave it to Kell. “His demands are simple. He claims he only wants Arden. If we hand her over to him by midnight tomorrow, he’ll leave without attacking the city.”

  “For now,” Dev bitterly added. “Once he’s done with her, he’ll be back.”

  “Dev’s right. I don’t trust Sulaino. He’s bent on revenge, and he’ll stop at nothing until he has it.” Kell tossed the note on the desk in disgust. “There’s a reason why he wants her. She’s the only person who can defeat him, and he’s playing on our fears of witchcraft.”

  “But you’re the one always saying it’s our duty to protect our people, Kell.” Gandor pointed his thin finger at her. “Sacrificing her will save us and the people of Trivinus. What’s the life of a witch compared to the safety of thousands?” The room started to spin as all the blood rushed from her head. The pyre would be a kinder fate than being turned over to Sulaino.

  Kell pushed his reddened face into Gandor’s. “You’re only thinking short-term, my nearsighted brother. You forget that with your enemies, you have to think three steps ahead.”

  “Boys, you forget the lady is still present.” The king’s sentence brought an awkward hush into the room. “Sir Devarius, please accompany Arden back to her room and see that she stays there for her own safety. No one is to enter or leave her room without my permission. Violate this command, and you’ll be the first person tossed over the city walls to that horde.” Heodis’ threat wrapped around her like a cloak, shielding her from those willing to exchange her life for theirs. She took Dev’s hand and left the room as quickly as she could without running. They rushed through the silent halls with Cinder on their heels, not daring to speak in public or delay their course.