Hidden Fire

by Deirdra Eden

  “Why?” He blinked several times.

  “I couldn’t stay there anymore. I left after your mother died.” I bit my lip and braced myself to see the man I loved in pain.

  There was a moment of silence that seemed to last forever. “She’s dead?” Lucas lowered his head and pressed his fingers over his eyes.

  His body quivered. “How did she die?”

  I touched the delicate pendant of the ruby necklace that hung around my neck like a heavy chain of guilt. It could have healed her if she would have just worn it. “She died of a broken heart,” I said. “And I thought my fate would be the same.”

  His hands pressed against my back in a painful embrace as he sobbed. I held my breath as he released his anguish. “What happened after she died?”

  I tightened my jaw and wondered how much emotional heartache Lucas could take in one night. “I left Oswestry and, now, I’m working in the castle.”

  “As a servant?” Lucas let me go. His eyes widened with horror. “Why would you lower yourself to such a state? I will take you away from here. You, my lady, deserve your rightful status of a noble woman.”

  “No, it’s not like that,” I assured. “I’m the kingdom’s Watcher.” I knew the title would open a floodgate of questions. Lucas held perfectly still. I couldn’t read his emotions, so I immediately started apologizing. “I’m so sorry I kept this secret from you. I thought you wouldn’t love me if you knew I had powers. If . . . I wasn’t normal.” I took a deep breath and whispered, “I’m not human.”

  “You’re a Neviahan?” His lips formed a smirk. “A super-being from fairy-tales?”

  I clasped my hands together, pleading for forgiveness. “I’m so sorry.” I waited for him to recoil from me like a plague.

  The lamplight glinted off the tears I desperately tried to hold back. I blinked the liquid away to clear my vision. Lucas would probably hate me, or at least fear me. Perhaps I made a mistake by confessing my heritage.

  Lucas’s expression changed from disbelief to confusion before he smiled at me and clutched my hands “My lady, it doesn’t matter what you are. You are just as human to me as anyone else.”

  I released my tight breath and dropped my shoulders, letting the tension go. “Really? You still love me?”

  Lucas nodded. “Of course.”

  I held his hand and pressed the back of it to my face in adoration. “Where have you been this whole time?”

  Lucas shrugged away from me, and I immediately felt guilty for asking. “I was crusading with Prince Edward, now King Edward. We were attacked, and I was left for dead.”

  “Lucas, no. That’s why it took you so long to return.” I put my hands to my mouth to muffle my gasp. It was just like Edward to leave men behind and save himself.

  “But I never forgot about my vow to marry you when I returned.” Lucas opened his hand. A gold ring with eight laurel leaves engraved in the metal glistened off his palm.

  I stopped breathing as he slipped off the bed and knelt on the floor next to me.

  “Lucas?” My heart raced and my hand quivered in his. I once again wondered if I was dreaming this surreal moment.

  “While I was in Rome, I told myself I would give this to you when I asked if you still wanted to marry me.” He placed the ring in my hand.

  I ran my finger along the smooth edge of the gold band and swallowed. It was a miracle Lucas was back from the dead. I now had closure from the war, but we had been apart for so long and much had changed. Even though he had returned from war, my war against the Shadow Legion wouldn’t end any time soon. If he married me, he would still be in danger and targeted by the Shadows who hunted me.

  I hadn’t looked up from the ring on my palm. I could only imagine the turmoil my silence caused Lucas. I didn’t know what to say to him. I did love him and I remembered wanting nothing more than to be his wife. Why was I questioning this decision? Lucas had been through so much to return to me. I looked up at him. His face was white with horror as he obviously sensed my inner struggle.

  I had to say something. I had to say “yes.” I owed it to him.

  Before I could say anything the handle to my door clicked. King Edward burst into the room with a wide grin. “I’m not interrupting anything am I?”

  I groaned inwardly at Edward’s invasion and twisted my lips in disgust. I hoped he could tell I was livid at him for destroying this private moment. I realized I was wearing my nightgown, which only intensified my embarrassment and anger. I pulled away from Lucas and threw a robe around my nightgown.

  Edward seemed too pleased.

  Lucas got off his knee and bowed to the king.

  “Ah,” the king said stroking his beard. “Auriella, I see you have met the new captain of the guard?”

  I furrowed my brow. “New captain of the guard?”

  “I was going to surprise you at the dance,” Lucas said. “But you didn’t wait for me. Edward said you ran off with some other man so I went to retrieve for you.”

  Some other man? The situation was becoming more complicated by the minute. I couldn’t help but blame Edward for that. “There was no other man.”

  King Edward flipped his hand, making all the rings on his fingers sparkle. “Now that you two have officially met, I’m requesting that you join me in the war room tomorrow morning. There are a few security concerns I want to address with the both of you.”

  “We will be there,” Lucas said resolutely.

  I searched Lucas’s face for answers, but confusion still overwhelmed me. “Wait.” I held up my hands and turned to Lucas. “You’re the new captain of the guard?” The information slowly settled in my mind.

  “Of course he is,” King Edward said. “Didn’t he tell you?”

  I cast a sideways glance at Lucas. “I’m sure he was going to tell me, but we were interrupted.” I meant it as a sarcastic insinuation, but Edward didn’t seem to take the hint.

  “Yes.” King Edward leaned back and pulled up on his gemmed belt. “Lucas and I met on the crusades.”

  I bit my tongue to keep from saying, “And you left him for dead.”

  “He will make a great captain of the guard.”

  “Yes he will,” I finally agreed on something with Edward. I loved that Lucas and I would be in charge of protecting the castle together. “I would like to inform Lucas about a few things before our meeting tomorrow,” I said and gave Lucas’s hand three quick squeezes as an indication that we needed to get rid of Edward so we could speak privately. Since Lucas was the new captain of the guard, I should tell him about the strange letter I received regarding Erebus’s plans to attack.

  “Yes.” Lucas took the hint and played along. “We were about to discuss castle security.”

  “In Auriella’s private chamber?” King Edward raised an eyebrow and nodded toward our interlocked hands.

  Lucas dropped my hand. “We can discuss this in detail at our meeting tomorrow.” He turned the king around and motioned toward the door. “I’m sure you have some splendid strategies you want us to implement.” Lucas looked over his shoulder and winked at me as he escorted the king out of my chamber.

  Lucas would always be my hero. I slipped the engagement ring on my finger. I would never lose him again.

  Chapter Three

  Assassin

  It was still dark the next morning when I met Lucas in the hallway just outside the war room. His arms slipped around my back in a gentle embrace.

  “Are you nervous?” he asked and kissed me lightly on the cheek. He was in a better mood than I was.

  “Of course I’m nervous.” I pulled away from him and refused comfort. “I heard a rumour that the king wants to give me a new assignment. I’m a Watcher, and my duty is to protect humans from the Shadow Legion.” I took a deep breath and looked away so Lucas wouldn’t see my irritated expression. Why wouldn’t the king just let me do my job?

  Lucas pursed his lips. “I don’t know what your new assignment will be, but we will work together, as a te
am. There’s nothing you and I can’t do.” His hands clasped around mine, and his eyes went wild with excitement. “We could conquer the whole world together.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “You said the same thing to me years ago when we were only children.” I had missed his enthusiasm. He stepped in for a kiss, but I turned away and nervously twisted the ring around my finger. “Last night I received some information about the Legion.”

  “The Legion?” Curiosity laced his voice.

  “Yes.” I pulled away and paced in front of the heavy doors of the war room. “I have reason to believe the Shadow Legion will soon launch a major invasion on London.”

  Lucas gripped my hand to keep me from pacing. “I don’t think they will come to London,” he assured. “Why would they invade when you’re here to protect the castle?”

  I smiled. At least Lucas appreciated my position.

  Lucas shrugged. “What’s so bad about the Shadow Legion, anyway?”

  His question reminded me how human he was. Not many humans knew about Watchers or the Shadow Legion. I glanced around the hall to be sure no one else could hear us. “The Shadow Legionnaires kill humans, and then steal their bodies.” I leaned closer and whispered, “They disguise themselves in human flesh.”

  Lucas raised one eyebrow. “So the shadow just slips inside the body like a glove and animates it?”

  My muscles tightened at the gory description. He said it with such naiveté that it made me shiver. He was like a little child facing monsters in an otherworldly war. “Yes,” I said. “Not only that, but they can possess living beings as well.”

  “Wouldn’t it be too crowded with two souls in one body?” Lucas asked.

  I nodded and started pacing again. “With living beings, the Shadow Spirits have a harder time controlling the host. That’s why they prefer dead humans. Sometimes the Shadow will try to convince the host to kill himself so it can take full control of the body.”

  Lucas crossed his arms. “Sounds disgusting.”

  “It is.” I paced faster. I normally didn’t talk to people about this, but Lucas would have to be educated if he was going to fight them with me. “Once the Shadow Spirit has a body, it becomes a Shadow Lord. I see at least one a week in this castle. I swear they’re after the king. Just think of the damage they could do to the country if they had the king’s body and identity.”

  “Have you warned the king?” Lucas asked.

  “A thousand times.” I dropped my arms to my sides in defeat. “He just pats my hand and tells me to run along.” I imitated Edward by flipping my hand through the air. “What I’m really worried about is Erebus, the Shadow King.”

  Lucas leaned forward, his eyes wide. “Shadow King?”

  It was refreshing to talk with someone who actually took an interest in my work instead of acting as if I was trying to scare people with ghost stories.

  “Erebus and his Legion crave power, which is why they crave Neviahan blood. If they drink my blood, they will steal my powers.”

  Lucas gripped my shoulder to stop me from pacing again. “Shouldn’t we be protecting you then?” A smile curled on his lips.

  “I’m not afraid of the Legionnaires.” I looked away and admitted, “But I’m not sure if I could defeat the Shadow King. Last night I got a message that Erebus plans to invade London.” I swallowed hard.

  “What? Who?” Lucas’s eyes went wide. His expression seemed to contain a mix of fear and hate.

  I looked at him, surprised by his abrupt change in mood. “Erebus,” I repeated. Why was Lucas acting this way?

  Lucas shook his head. “No, not him. Who told you about Erebus?”

  Now I was confused. I furrowed my brow and answered, “I only got a letter saying that Erebus was coming, but help is on the way. You and I may need to hold Erebus off until that help arrives.”

  Lucas leaned back and clenched his hair in his fists. “Was the messenger a Watcher, like you?” His words were filled with revulsion.

  “I don’t know. It was just a letter.” I crossed my arms and refused to answer any more questions until he calmed down and told me why he was so irritated.

  “It’s probably a Watcher from a nearby kingdom.” Lucas’s voice rose in volume. “What else did the letter say? Did it say who would be with him?”

  I shook my head. “What is wrong?” I hoped his anger wasn’t a prejudice against Watchers. “Why are you so upset? We can at least prepare for an attack.”

  Lucas closed his eyes and took several deep breaths.

  “Lucas,” I said clearly, “you’re not the same boy I knew.” I tried not to sound offended by him. “I’ve never seen you lose your temper.”

  He opened his eyes and regained his calm composure. “War changes people, Auriella. You’re right, I’m not the same boy you loved. I’m a powerful man now.” Lucas looked away. “Tell me all you know about the upcoming invasion and what you’ve done to protect the castle,” he prodded.

  “Nothing yet,” I admitted. “I only learned about the invasion last night. That’s why I need your help, Lucas.” I put my hand over his.

  Lucas looked down and stared at my finger. “You’re wearing it.” He traced the engagement ring.

  I relaxed and smiled back at him. “It’s a perfect fit.”

  He pressed my hand to his lips. “A perfect fit, just like us.” He paused then added, “I hoped just you and I would fight Erebus, without the Watchers’ help.”

  I raised one eyebrow. “Are you sure this isn’t your masculine pride getting in the way?”

  “Not at all, my lady. Think of it as proof of my love for you.”

  Before I could explain he didn’t need to prove anything, two guards opened the doors to the king’s war room.

  “Come in,” King Edward beckoned.

  I regally straightened my shoulders and reminded myself that, despite my romantic relationship with Lucas, I was England’s Watcher and had to represent my position well in front of the king.

  As we entered I noted a map draped over a massive square table in the center of the room. A silver tray of food sat on top of the map in front of King Edward. Lucas and I waited as Edward continued to eat then lick the last bit of flavor from his fingers.

  I met Lucas’s gaze. His eyes were alight with the curiosity I felt. “Your Majesty,” Lucas started, breaking the silence. “About Auriella’s assignment—”

  “Oh, yes,” the king said. He wiped his lips on a linen napkin. “As you know, the country’s greatest threat is from the north.” Edward set the napkin on the map and pointed to the country of Scotland.

  “Yes,” Lucas said. “The Scottish barbarians.”

  I didn’t agree with them. Our country’s greatest threat was the Shadow Legion. Erebus was going to attack any day, but there was no use in voicing my opinion to Edward. I held my tongue to see where the king was going with his speculation and what he thought I could do about it.

  “I do not want war,” King Edward said in a righteous tone. “I want to see all of Britannia united under one flag.” He pointed to the butter-stained map under his tray of food. “Just think how much stronger we will be if we expand our borders.” His tone turned sour. “The Scottish, however, have their own ideas. They want to remain a separate country, which is easy for them since England acts as a buffer from foreign threats.” He pointed to England on the map in between Scotland and the rest of the European countries.

  “If we are protecting them then we should be taxing them to support our military,” Lucas said.

  “We are.” The king seemed to grow more aggravated. “But now they are refusing to pay taxes.”

  “Have you tried talking to them?” I asked, but meant it more as a diplomatic suggestion.

  King Edward scowled as if I had offended him and his leadership abilities. Then his face softened, and he gave me an amused smile. “It’s just like a woman to suggest such a thing.”

  The statement felt like a slap in the face, and I was sure he meant it
that way.

  Lucas continued to look at the map. “How can we make the Scottish respect what England does for them?”

  “We have no choice but war.” Edward turned and hovered over the map with Lucas. They had their backs to me as if intentionally blocking me out of the conversation. “They are building up a military force against us here, here, and here.” Edward pointed to a few places on the map.

  I tried to look over their shoulders at the map. “Why are they building a military force against us?” I asked. “What have we done to them?”

  The king slammed his cup on the table. The wine sprayed across the map like red blood. “Nothing,” he sputtered. “We have done nothing but protect them, and now they want to attack us.”

  Lucas leaned back against the table and crossed his arms. “Action needs to be taken to protect ourselves and recover lost taxes, but why have you called Lady Auriella to this meeting? What has she got to do with the Scottish?” he asked, cutting to the chase. “She is the Watcher, and her place is with me.” He stopped, cleared his throat, and restated more formally, “As the captain of the guard, I am in charge of castle security, which would place Auriella under my command.”

  King Edward took another drink, then lowered his cup. “I’m reassigning her away from the castle.”

  “What?” Lucas and I said together. The king couldn’t dismiss me from my life’s calling so easily. The worst I expected him to do was assign me some menial task in the castle to keep me out of his business. But, if he sent me away, the kingdom would be vulnerable to a massive Shadow raid.

  Lucas defiantly crossed his arms in front of his chest. I hoped he would say something, anything that would change the king’s mind.

  “Don’t worry.” Edward held up his hands. “I’m not sending her away for long.”

  I mouthed the words “send me away.” I hadn’t seen Lucas in years and the king wanted me to leave on some obtuse assignment? Edward had horrible timing.

  “The last assassins I sent into Scotland never came back.” King Edward shook his head. “This time, I need to send in someone the Scots won’t suspect.” He nodded toward me and winked flirtatiously.