by Genna Love
The other mumbled something Taariq couldn’t decipher, but no one argued with Taban.
Footsteps echoed through the room until Kailas said, “They’re gone. We better hurry.”
Taariq stood and eyed the stone. “I still can’t reach it.” This was why plans were important. Getting somewhere with no clue what to do never ended well.
“How’s your balance?” The Monk scanned the room.
“Good, why?”
He turned his torso toward Taariq and brought his hands in front of his chest, his gaze focused on the ground around Taariq’s feet.
A slight breeze swirled around his ankles. At first, it was no more than a tickle on his skin. But soon, the air lifted him from the ground. He bent his knees slightly, bracing himself as he rose higher and higher.
“If anyone catches us now, there will be no lie to protect us,” the Monk said.
Taariq would have to move fast. When he was eye level with the woman, he pulled out the metal tool from his pocket. It was like a dull knife that had been bent at the end and molded into a point. He’d created it by using his fire magic to heat the metal hot enough for him to adjust its shape.
Now closer to the sapphire, he noticed the orange glow blazing in its center. When he touched it, his fire magic flickered. The Monk had been right. This was no ordinary gemstone.
“Hurry,” Kailas urged him.
The stone was held in by four prongs. When he tried to bend them with the tool, they wouldn’t budge. They needed to be softened. Taariq hovered his hand over the stone and pushed out a small amount of fire from his palm.
The stone glowed a bright orange, but he kept the magic flowing for five seconds before trying to adjust the prongs again. This time, they moved easily. One by one, he bent them back then gently stuck the tool under the stone and popped it out.
He couldn’t stop the grin from forming on his face, but the voices approaching them pulled him back to reality. He stuck the gem into his pocket just in time for Kailas to pull back his magic, sending Taariq to the ground with a thud.
Quickly, he pushed himself to his knees and dipped his head as if he were praying.
His heart thudded in his chest, pulsing his eardrums as he waited for the voices to disappear. As soon as they did, Kailas grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. “Let’s get out of here.”
Zarah
Zarah paced back and forth in front of the fireplace as Eli read a book on the couch.
He’d supplied a thorough distraction after the other two had left, but once the pleasure of his tongue on her cleft had ended, her nerves had returned tenfold.
“They should be here by now.” She created flames in her palm and tossed them into the fire. Her access to her fire magic had grown stronger each day, and now it took little focus to harness the flames within.
He finished reading the page and set the book down. “Come, sit and relax.”
“Sitting only makes it worse. If they aren’t back soon, we must go find them.”
Eli stood and came to her. “You know we can’t do that. It’s too dangerous.”
Why had she allowed them to follow the stupid plan? For a jewel that Kailas dreamed might someday help them? She should have insisted that they stick together and focus on getting to the ship without getting caught. Nothing more. The sapphire would do them no good if any of the men were arrested trying to steal it.
“Everything is too dangerous. What good is being able to control the elements if I can’t do anything to protect people I care about?”
“You’ve only just learned about your abilities. Give yourself time to master them before you let anything go to your head, or you’ll wind up dead without saving anyone.”
She inhaled sharply, annoyed by his statement because of just how right it was. Even if she could access three of the four elements, she couldn’t do anything powerful yet. She might be able to burn a guard or two, but there was no way she could overpower a group of people.
When the handle to the front door turned, Eli moved in front of Zarah. When the door opened and Taariq and Kailas appeared, he relaxed.
Zarah rushed around him and jumped into Taariq’s arms. “You’re back.”
“Of course, I am. I promised I would return, didn’t I?” He smirked.
When she stepped back and turned toward Kailas, she hesitated. Although they’d just met the day before, she was acutely aware of their connection, but with the newness of their friendship, an invisible wall still existed between them.
Instead of hugging him, she just smiled. “Did you get it?”
Taariq pulled the sapphire from his pocket. It was larger than she’d thought, filling up his entire palm. She took it from him, inspecting it closer.
Energy radiated from the gem. And when she stared deeper into its center, she could see small particles of fire blazing, water flowing, rocks shifting, and air swirling. “The elements are alive inside.”
“What do you mean?” Eli asked.
She passed him the stone. “I can see all four elements stirring in the sapphire’s center.”
“I saw the fire when I plucked it from the statue,” Taariq said.
Eli held it up and gazed into it. “I only see a wave of the sea.”
Taariq reached over and snatched it.
“Careful,” Eli warned.
“I see flames.” Taariq handed it to Kailas. “What about you, Monk? Something tells me you’ll see air.”
Kailas peered into it. “Yes, there’s air swirling inside, blowing leaves.”
“Well, clearly it’s magical,” Taariq said. “But how is it supposed to help us?
“We just have to trust that someday, we will find out what to do with it.”
“If you haven’t already picked up on it, I’m not exactly the trusting sort.”
Eli cut in, “Guess you better learn how to be.”
Watching the three men interact filled her with heat. Never had she imagined experiencing such a connection to multiple men, especially not so quickly. But her life since fleeing the castle had been a whirlwind of emotion. Leaving and then losing her family had torn her soul in half, but something deep inside her promised that these men would help sew her back together. Maybe it was the magic in her veins or maybe it was just the intuition in her gut, but being with them gave her hope that she was only in the beginning stages of her destiny.
Eli adjusted his tunic sleeves, pushing them up to his elbows. “It’s nearly dusk.”
“Is it time to leave?” The fear she’d felt waiting for Taariq and Kailas to return had settled, but now it came back even stronger than before.
“Yes.” Eli had come up with a new plan earlier that day. With the guards on high alert, it wasn’t safe for Zarah to be walking on the streets. So, he’d emptied a large chest from his room she would curl into and hide as the men carried her to the dock. “Would you help me grab the chest, Taariq?”
“Sure thing, water boy.” Taariq followed Eli up the stairs.
Zarah crossed her arms, tension squeezing her neck muscles. “Thank you for risking so much,” she told Kailas as they waited. “You’re sure you’re ready to leave the Monastery behind you?”
He tugged at the sleeves of his robe. “To be honest, I’m petrified. My last eight years have been predictable. Now, everything is changing.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “But my heart knows I’m making the right choice.”
Although the gesture wasn’t intimate, having his hand on her slightly eased her nerves. It didn’t calm her fear entirely, but she was thankful that Kailas was joining them on the uncertain journey ahead.
Taariq and Eli walked down the stairs, the chest clinking against the railing. Both men were dressed in fine clothing and new leather boots. They continued to the center of the room and set the trunk gently onto the ground.
From the outside, it looked so small. Surely, there was no way she could fit inside.
The men set it down and Eli unlatched it then swung the lid ope
n. “We better hurry.”
Zarah swallowed the lump of fear in her throat and moved toward the chest. She peered down, her fingers shaking. “What if—”
“There’s no time to change our minds now,” Eli said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “The boat will leave without us if we don’t hurry.” He guided her as she stepped into the chest.
She allowed herself one more look at each man. They would protect her. They’d given her their word. And together, they would make it to the boat and leave the kingdom.
They had to. She couldn’t bear to lose anything else right now.
Zarah bent down and tightly curled herself into the fetal position, her arms wrapped around her knees and her chin dipped toward her chest.
Then, Eli closed the chest lid and she was encased in darkness.
Zarah
“Are you ready, Princess?” Taariq asked. He didn’t wait for an answer. “Up you go.”
The chest rose from the ground. One side dipped lower, sending her head crashing into the side.
“Ouch,” she mumbled.
“Sorry,” Taariq said. “Eli’s too tall.”
“I’m too tall? Why aren’t you too short?” Eli replied. “Let’s go.”
With her sight blocked by the blackness around her, her other senses were heightened. She could hear the footsteps as the men left the house. She could smell the woodsy scent the cedar the chest was made of. But even more than her usual senses, she could feel the connection to each man as they carried her down the streets toward the dock, stopping every fifteen minutes to switch off.
At first, Eli and Taariq bickered, but soon, no one spoke.
Minutes blurred as Zarah waited in the chest, immobile. Other than a shift of her feet and hands, she had little room to move at all. They had to be getting close by now.
“Fuck,” Taariq exclaimed.
Zarah held her breath as she waited to learn what had caused the curse.
“Hello, guards,” Eli said, the emphasis a warning to her. “How can we help you?”
Whoever now carried the chest set it down.
“State your business,” someone said.
“I’m captain of the Trinity. My mates and I are about to board the ship and head to the Eastern Kingdoms where I trade Lyrian metal for textiles.”
“You’re taking a Monk?” another voice chimed in.
“Yes, to a sister Monastery where he will ask fellow Monks to pray for a peaceful start to the new Lyrian leadership.”
Zarah’s heart pounded like a war drum. Where were they? How many guards were there? Being stuck in the chest was maddening and she didn’t think she could last much longer. She exhaled quietly, but the tightness in her chest worsened, making it hard to breathe.
“We’ve been instructed to check all outgoing cargo,” the first guard said.
“Very well,” Eli answered.
The lock of the chest clicked as it was undone.
Someone screamed. Someone else cursed. The metallic swish of swords being unsheathed sounded.
Zarah couldn’t just lie there, helpless, as the people she cared about fought to protect her. She might now have had time to master her magic yet, but she wasn’t completely worthless.
She sat up and pushed the trunk’s lid open. Thank the Divine it had been unlocked.
The dock waited a half a block away, the airy salty so close to the water.
“It’s her,” a deep voice said. Zarah followed it to meet the glare of the Cardasian guard with the scar across his face, the man who killed her father.
Fury exploded in her center and blasted outward, balls of fire growing in each of her hands.
Three guards already lie motionless on the ground, but nine others now circled around Zarah and her men, swords ready to strike.
“Witch,” the guard spat. “We’ve been ordered to bring you in alive, but we have no problem making you watch as we kill all those foolish enough to protect you.”
The three men each stood around her.
“Attack,” the guard ordered and the others lunged at them, weapons raised.
Taariq threw balls of fire at three of their faces, striking his target twice. As the flames struck their flesh, their swords dropped from their hands, thudding against the ground. Screams burst from their lungs as they clawed at their seared faces.
He darted toward the guard he missed, aiming more fire at his face until he hit him directly in the nose. All three guards flailed on the ground in agony until their movement stopped.
Eli created two lassos of water and tossed them at two of the guards’ feet. The liquid ropes circled their feet and, with a quick pull, yanked them to the ground.
But moments later, they were back standing, hatred twisting their faces. He pulled more water from within and, with a flick of the wrists, whipped two streams around their necks this time. He jerked his arms back, tightening the nooses around their necks.
The guards’ eyes bulged as they desperately attempted to slip their fingers underneath water that was choking them, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t. They writhed, gasping for air, their faces pink, until they too dropped to the ground, dead.
While the others fought the guards, Kailas remained in front of Zarah, using his gift of air to blow any guards who got too close away. It wasn’t as offensive an attack as the other two men, but it was an effective defensive move.
But as he sent another gust of air, a dagger flew from the side and struck him in the stomach. He dropped to the ground.
Zarah followed the direction it came and met the scarred guard’s eyes.
“Give up and I’ll spare one of their lives,” he said. “I’ll even let you choose.”
“Go to Hell.” Heat rose in her palms. “Better yet, I’ll bring Hell to you.”
Eli and Taariq had brought down three more guards. Now, they fought the other three guards still standing, leaving Zarah with only the scarred one to worry about.
He stepped toward her with his sword extended, aimed at Kailas.
Zarah cut him off. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt him. And more than that, she wanted to make this guard pay for what he’d done to her family.
Her mother’s voice played in her head, reminding her the power of flattery. The last thing Zarah wanted to do was to lift this guard’s ego, but if doing so could help her, then that was what she would do.
“Some stunt Prince Marius pulled at the wedding,” she said. “He’s not the sharpest man ever, though. He must have had help coming up with such a deceiving idea.”
The guard stalled, his lips twisting into a cold smile. “I might have helped.”
“Let me guess, you convinced him to use the moment to get revenge for me burning his pretty little face.”
“Aw, aren’t you a precious, naive little girl.” He laughed. “There was always going to be a massacre, whether it was you or that beautiful sister of yours marrying the prince.”
“Why?” She’d fallen out of the trap she’d set him for, too distrubed by what he was confessing.
“Lyrians have taken advantage of Cardasians for centuries. Just because one king suddenly found it in his heart to join together instead of using us doesn’t mean the history between our kingdoms was erased.”
Her family never stood a chance. Despite her father’s determination for peace, the Cardasians were always going to betray them.
The fire in her hands blazed as she stepped toward the guard.
“Zarah, no,” Kailas said, his voice weak.
She didn’t care if it got her killed. All she wanted right then was revenge.
When she was closer, she threw fire at his face.
He ducked just in time. “Good try.”
She needed to be smart or she’d never win. The men had been right. Magic was too new to her to rely on. Her only hope was getting closer.
The guard didn’t fear her. He saw her as weak, just as most men judged most women. What if instead of fighting it, she used it?
Zarah brought the fire back into her body and dropped to a knee.
She held her stomach as she said, “Something’s wrong.”
The guard smirked at her. “Not as powerful as you thought you were, are you?” He stuck his sword back in his sheath, and within two strides, grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her up.
“Zarah!” Taariq yelled.
The guard spun her around to face all her men as he gripped her by the throat. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll break her pretty little neck.”
Eli moved to Kailas as Taariq glared. They’d defeated all other nine guards, which meant this one was the only one standing in their way.
“It’s all right,” Zarah said.
“Hush now. Save your words as you beg Prince Marius for your life.” The guard’s grip tightened. “Tell your Princess goodbye, boys.”
Quickly, she reached up and placed her hand on his as fire burst from her palms. His grasp loosened and she wasted no time.
Both of her hands covered his face as all the fire she could muster seared his flesh. He reached for his eyes as her fingers pushed into his sockets, and as he tried to push her away, she moved her palms to his throat.
He dropped to his knees, crying in pain.
“Good try.” She removed his sword from its sheath. “Guess you won’t get to tell your prince goodbye.
She collected all of her anger to fuel her strength as, in one quick swipe of the heavy sword, she cut off his head.
His burned face, frozen in the expression of agony, rolled away from his body.
With no remorse in her heart, Zarah walked away as the guard died in a pool of his own blood.
Zarah
They’d left the pile of dead guards on the street.
After hurrying to the dock and boarding the ship, Eli instructed his crew to leave before anyone stumbled upon what they’d just done. One of his crew was a doctor. With a quick glance to Kailas’s wound, he assured them all it wasn’t fatal, but he took him below deck to dress it.
As Eli dealt with ship matters, Taariq and Zarah stood at the stern.
