The League of Illusion: Prophecy

by Vivi Anna

  “Bhoot-nee ka. I cannot believe it. How is that even possible?”

  Rhys shoved his remaining power into his work and released it. He opened his eyes as his magic left him in a hot angry rush.

  Corina put an arm around his waist. “Your nose is bleeding.”

  He wiped at his face to see blood on his fingers. That had never happened before.

  Raja waved him over. “Come, my friend, you must see what you have done. It is glorious.”

  Rhys shuffled over to the periscope and put his eye to the lens. His creation was a giant squid, as big as the submersible, squirming in the water near the surface. Its huge black eyes were trained on the airship directly above it. It reached with one twenty-foot-long pink tentacle and waved menacingly at those on board.

  Panic ensued on the deck of the airship. Elves scattered from bow and aft, trying to get away from the reaching, stretching giant squid tentacles.

  He recognized another face on the deck.

  Darin Hawthorne rushed around with the rest of them, trying to flee a vessel from which they couldn’t escape. It seemed his archenemies had formed an alliance. He supposed it was smart, considering they both had the same goal, to stop them from opening the vortex, even if it was for very different reasons.

  Fury swirled inside Rhys at the sight of the sorcerer. Clenching his fist, he pushed the last bit of magic lingering inside into the water. Pain exploded in his head but he continued to watch. The squid’s tentacles wrapped around the railing of the airship and crushed it. The wood exploded in its grip. Pieces of it fell into the water. Rhys could hear the debris hitting the hull of the submersible.

  Unable to stand any longer, he collapsed to his knees. His vision wavered and his gut roiled.

  “Rhys!” Corina was at his side, cradling him, trying to keep him from falling onto his face.

  Raja crouched next to him and put a hand on his forehead. “You’re pale. You have a fever.”

  “We need to get him to a bed.”

  He wanted to nod that, yes, lying on a bed was a good idea, but he couldn’t move his head. In fact, he couldn’t move anything. He heard Raja’s voice echoing around him.

  “He did it. The airship is sailing away. We’re saved.”

  Then his vision went black and he tumbled sideways into a deep dark abyss.

  * * *

  “Brother.”

  A hand tapped his cheek.

  “Brother, look at me.”

  Slowly, Rhys blinked his eyes open. He wasn’t in the submersible anymore but in a lush field full of tall golden grasses. He sat up and looked at his brother Sebastian, who was sitting cross-legged next to him on the ground.

  He looked very much the same as he had before he’d disappeared. Except his black hair was a little longer, and his face a little harder. There were lines around his eyes and mouth, sun lines or laugh lines.

  He had a dark red apple in one hand and a pocketknife in the other. He cut a piece of the fruit and handed it to Rhys.

  “Where am I?” Rhys asked.

  “Nowhere really.”

  “Am I dreaming?”

  “Probably.” Sebastian ate a piece of apple, chewing in that unhurried way of his.

  “How did I get here?” Rhys squinted against the bright sun that shone down on them.

  “She brought you.” Sebastian pointed to the right. “She says she’s returning the favor of saving her life.”

  Rhys turned to see Mrs. Stratton twirling in the tall grass, her fingertips just brushing the tips. She had her eyes closed and was smiling dreamily.

  “I always knew you had the gift of sight.” Sebastian poked him in the middle of his forehead.

  “We’re coming to find you.”

  “I know.”

  “Are we going the right way?”

  Sebastian popped another piece of the apple into his mouth. “Yes, but remember you have to go into the church on Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s there the four of you can open the portal.”

  “The four of us?”

  “Yes, you, Jovan, Skylar and Corina. Only your combined power can open the door.” He stood. “I’ve got to go now. Have chores to do around the smithy.”

  “I miss you, Sebastian.”

  He smiled. “I know you do, brother. I’ll see you soon. Now close your eyes.”

  Rhys did. Then he was falling backward, flipping head over heels, over and over until finally he landed in a heap of something soft. The scent of jasmine filled his nose.

  Slowly he opened his eyes.

  “There you are, brother. You’ve been sleeping long enough.”

  “Jovan?”

  Jovan smiled. Beside him, Skylar smiled at him, too, but there was worry there in her blue eyes.

  On the other side of the bed Corina was holding his hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “My head hurts.” He surveyed the room, took in the flowery wallpaper and the white wooden-framed windows. The sound of waves came through the opening. “Where are we?”

  “St. Malo.”

  He smacked his lips. His mouth and throat were really dry. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Two days.” Corina squeezed his hand. He tried to sit up but she pushed him back down. “Take it easy. You’re still weak.”

  “How did we...?”

  “Your illusion damaged their ship and they flew away. Raja was able to bring the submersible up and we were able to make it to the French shore.”

  Rhys’s gaze searched the room. “Where is he?”

  “He returned to England.” She squeezed his hand tighter. “He took Mrs. Chattoway home.”

  He nodded. “That’s good. She deserves a proper burial.”

  She brushed a hand across his cheek and gave him a small smile. It was enough to help him through the next little while.

  “Jovan.” He glanced at his younger brother. “I saw Sebastian.”

  “What?” Jovan frowned. “How?”

  “It doesn’t matter how. He told me how to open the door, I know where we need to go.”

  Jovan glanced at Skylar, who shrugged. He came closer to the bed and took his hand. “All right, Rhys. You’re in charge now. Let’s go find our brother.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The breeze off the ocean rustled the ends of Corina’s hair as she sat on the grassy knoll near the St. Malo beach. She’d been in London and in a hunk of movable steel so long that she needed to touch the earth again. She took her boots off and dug her toes into the grass and soil. She inhaled a deep breath of salty air, then let it out slowly.

  Life was moving too fast for her. Since stepping foot in London she’d been in a constant state of chaos, rushing from one adventure to another, one dangerous situation to the next. She needed to stay still if only for a few more hours.

  Since Rhys was feeling stronger, the plan was to travel to Mont-Saint-Michel under the cover of darkness with a gypsy caravan, if they could negotiate an arrangement with them. The Davenports were hoping that neither Darin Hawthorne nor the elves would think to look for them inside a wagon full of French vagabonds.

  After the squid had wrecked the airship, the elves and Hawthorne had flown away damaged but still in on piece. They were certain they’d see him again before this was finished. Corina hoped not, as the sorcerer scared her on many levels. She’d never seen such a dark, damaged aura as the one that enveloped Hawthorne. She shivered just thinking about it.

/>   A shadow fell over her. She looked up to see Skylar smile down at her. “May I sit with you?” she asked.

  “Please do.” She gestured to the grassy spot beside her.

  Skylar settled down on the ground, sitting cross-legged as was her way. She lifted her head up to the sun just like a flower in full bloom. The Druid was stunning, with her silky white hair in perfect ringlets and her flawless porcelain skin that looked too delicate to touch. Sometimes it was almost painful to look at her. She wondered how Jovan managed.

  “How are you holding up?” Skylar asked.

  “Just needed a walk is all.”

  “Well, it is a fine day.”

  “It is at that,” Corina said.

  The Druid eyed her. “May I speak frankly?”

  “Of course, I welcome it.”

  “Are you in love with Rhys?”

  A laugh burst from Corina before she could stop it. “I suppose you really meant frankly.”

  “I apologize if the question is too bold. It’s just I care about Rhys. He’s like a brother to me. And he will be family soon. I don’t want to see him hurt.”

  “I would never hurt him.”

  Corina found it odd to be the one to say that. She didn’t realize she had that kind of power or control over him. Hurt him? Did she truly have the capacity to do that? Once upon a time she’d disliked Rhys, thought him haughty and cold, but now she knew how deep his feelings went and how much passion burned inside him. But still she feared that once he had her, he would leave her. Just like her father had done.

  “Yes, I’m in love with him.”

  “I know being with a Davenport isn’t easy. It’s a trial to be sure. But he’s worth it. He’s worth every agonizing moment.”

  Corina gave Skylar a shy smile. “Will there be lots of these agonizing moments, do you think?”

  Skylar laughed and patted her hand. “Oh yes. Loads.”

  The Druid left her there at the beach to return to the hotel. She was glad of it as it gave her more time to think. She drew her bag closer and took out the map folded inside.

  She’d taken it on the first night they’d arrived in St. Malo. It had been simple and easy to fold it up and slide it into her bag. Everyone had been concentrating on Rhys and paid no mind to her or what she was doing.

  After securing the map, she’d every intention of leaving. She’d planned to steal a horse from the nearby livery and ride hard to the place she needed to go to heal her mother, which conveniently was only a day’s ride away from where they were. Instead she’d curled up on the chair beside Rhys’s bed and fallen asleep, telling herself she’d leave the next day.

  When Jovan and Skylar arrived the next day to care for Rhys, she could’ve slipped away, but she didn’t do that either. She’d told herself it was because she needed to make sure Rhys would wake, that he was all right. But now that he’d woken and she knew he was fine, she couldn’t leave.

  Too much had happened between them. Leaving now, taking the map when they were so close, was a betrayal she couldn’t muster. She loved him too much to hurt him like that. There was only one thing she could do now, and she just hoped it wouldn’t destroy her to do it.

  She returned to Rhys’s room and knocked lightly on the door. When he didn’t answer, she opened the door and went in. He was at the open window, looking out at the water. The small table in the corner was set for two, with plates of food already waiting.

  “I thought maybe you left.”

  “Me leave you?” I would have thought it would be the other way. “After all we’ve been through, do you really think I would leave you?”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Being with me is dangerous. I’m sure this wasn’t what you signed up for when you came to London to give me the map. A map I know you need as well.” He turned and she could see the pain in his eyes.

  “You knew all along?”

  “I suspected.” He drew nearer to her. “You had other opportunities. Why didn’t you take them? Why are you here now? You have the map in your bag.”

  Tears welled but she didn’t let them fall. “Because I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  “You’re in love with me?”

  “Yes. Now, to me that’s more dangerous than any rooftop chase or submersible battle. That’s easy to survive. This...I don’t know if I will.”

  Cupping her face, he covered her mouth with his. The kiss tore any other objections from her lips. She loved this type of danger. She thrived in it. Wanted it. Needed it like she needed her next breath.

  “Are you sure?” he asked her after pressing a small kiss to the end of her nose.

  “I’d be surer if you loved me back.” He felt it, she’d seen it in the way he looked at her, but she needed to hear it. Once she did, she could face anything. Any danger, any adventure that was coming their way. Even the darkening of her mother’s spirit.

  He caressed her cheek. “You once told me I wasn’t good with words. It’s true. I have a hard time expressing my feelings with them. But know this, my darling, I love you more than I will ever be able to say.”

  Her heart swelled to bursting. Her body thrummed with passion for him. She wanted him to show her how much he truly loved her. “Show me, my love.”

  “But the food?” He gestured to the table, where a nice meal had been set. “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “Damn the food. I’m only hungry for you.” She kissed him, hard, sweeping her tongue into his mouth.

  Rhys deepened the kiss, matching her tongue with his. He tasted like power and magic. And she couldn’t seem to get enough of him. She buried her hands in his hair and held on as he took her.

  Nibbling on her bottom lip, he then pressed kisses to her chin, over her neck to her ear. With his tongue he made little circles just under her earlobe. She rewarded him with her quick gasps of pleasure.

  “Rhys,” she panted. “I’m yours completely.”

  She wanted him to touch her now. To run his hands over her, caressing her skin. So he could feel how she burned for him. His fingers fumbled at the buttons on her dress.

  To ease his pain, she took a step away and finished it for him. She let her dress drop and she stood there in front of him just in her small clothes.

  He reached out and pulled at her chemise, yanking it down her shoulders. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to her skin, trailing his tongue along her collarbone to her other shoulder. Corina let her head fall back as he tasted the hollow of her throat and worked his way down.

  Hooking his fingers around the ties of her chemise, he pulled them, untying them. Achingly slow, he revealed more of her flesh. Inch by inch, he moved the fabric down to finally reveal her breasts.

  Blushing, she raised her arms to cover herself. Rhys set his hands on top of hers. “You don’t hide from me.”

  He brought her hands down to her sides and kissed her, slowly taking her down to the mattress. Shuffling her in toward the middle of the bed, he settled in beside her, sampling her mouth.

  Sitting up, he slowly pulled down her drawers until she was naked. He looked at her as if drinking her in, as if drowning in her. Quivers of pleasure rushed over her skin and she shivered.

  She reached up for him. “Now you.”

  Smiling, he released her hands and shed his clothing. Corina suspected he’d be lean and powerful, but she had no real idea until now.

  His chest was muscular, defined, and she wanted to trace her fi
nger over every single ridge and dip. A light sprinkling of dark hair lined his sternum leading down to the waistband of his trousers.

  Suddenly feeling bold, Corina ran a finger down the path. His skin was smooth and his hair prickly under the pad of her finger. Rhys shuddered under her touch and she smiled, feeling the power of her stroke. She wondered about all the other sensations she could urge from him with just her fingers.

  When she reached his pants, Rhys pulled his hands away, letting her continue. Sitting up, and keeping her gaze on his, she unbuttoned his pants. Her hands shook as she tugged at the fabric, freeing his erection. Taking in a deep breath, she glanced down at him and sighed. He was more beautiful than she thought he’d be. Maybe it was because it was Rhys. He made all the difference in the world.

  “I imagined what it would feel like when you touched me.” His voice was low and thick with desire. “It’s sweeter than my dreams.”

  She wrapped her hand around his shaft. He groaned the second she made contact, and she reveled in that. He was like velvet and iron, hard and soft at the same time. Nothing her mother had told her could prepare her for the reality of him. Curious, she explored the rest of his manhood. Touching, caressing, massaging every inch of him until he brought his hand over hers and stilled her movements.

  Keeping her hand, he pressed her back onto the bed, taking her mouth once again. She loved the way he swept his tongue over hers, tasting, teasing with every stroke. She could kiss him for hours.

  After one more thorough caress of his lips, Rhys sat back and dragged his trousers the rest of the way off. Kneeling beside her hip, he ran his hands over her breasts, flicking her nipples with his thumbs. Jolts of pleasure zinged over her as he played with her teats.

  She was on fire. Liquid heat swirled deep in her belly. She was going to burn from the inside out if he didn’t hurry and quench her smoldering desire.

  Keeping his eyes on her face, he explored the rest of her body. From her ankles to her thighs and back again. When his thumbs brushed the sensitive inner skin between her legs, she nearly pitched off the bed.