by Frost Kay
“Blaise, I need light.”
A few seconds later, a soft glow came from a bitty lantern in Blaise’s hand.
Where did that come from?
Maeve took the lantern from Blaise and weaved around the precarious rockface. Now, Sage knew why they needed the light. She almost wished it was dark again; then she wouldn’t have seen the jagged rocks below, looking like giant teeth ready to swallow them.
She trod softly behind Maeve and into the next cave where she skidded to a stop, her mouth hanging open. Something enormous slept in the middle of the cave. A red, scaled mountain breathed.
“Wh-what is that?” she stuttered, knowing exactly what it was, but not believing her eyes.
“It’s sedated.”
“How?” she breathed as she pressed her back to the cave wall glittering with rubies.
“The warlord.”
Two little words. But enough to make her hair stand on end. She could scarcely pull her eyes from the myth slumbering on the floor, its massive wings curled against its sides, tail tucked around it. It reminded her of how Nali slept. “But it’s a dragon!”
Maeve eyed her and picked up her speed. “It is, but we don’t have time for explanations. Let’s move.”
Sage forced dragons from her mind and ran, her boots thumping on the floor. They ducked into another tunnel and weaved until they reached another room. She stumbled as Jasmine pushed from the wall and ran toward her. They crashed into each other, hugging.
“You’re here, you’re really here,” Sage whispered.
“You got away,” Jasmine cried.
Sage pulled back and smiled at her friend. “I can’t believe it.” She glanced at Maeve who was hugging Blaise fiercely.
She released her daughter and pulled Sage into a huge hug. Maeve pulled back and looked to each girl. “You all are strong in your own way. From here, you rely on each other. You have no one else. If you don’t work together, you won’t survive. The warlord will hunt you relentlessly, so you must get over the border as quickly as possible. There will be help waiting for you.” She glanced to the side. “Nali.”
Sage’s eyes widened as the black feline slunk out of the dark and brushed against her hip. She ran her hand over the cat’s head and glanced at Maeve.
The Scythian woman smiled. “Nali bonded with you, so you’re now her mistress. She’ll protect you from danger and ward off other predators who might normally try to hunt you. Heed her warnings and watch her reactions closely. I promise you, she will save your lives.” She scanned the group of girls again. “Live long, happy lives. Fight, love, and live.”
Blaise stepped closer and wrapped her arms around her mum. “Let me stay. I can help.”
“No,” Maeve murmured. “He’ll destroy you. I couldn’t take it if he took you from me, too. I love you, Daughter, more than anything.”
“Love you, Mum.” Blaise pulled back from her mum and wiped her eyes. She glanced at Sage. “Are you ready?”
Sage sank her fingers into Nali’s fur and slipped her hand into Jasmine’s. “Hell, yes.”
For better or worse, she’d be free and, at the very least, she’d die that way.
Thirty-Four
Tehl
He kept his mask in place as they entered the camp. His guard moved from their tents and bowed low as their party rode by, their gazes scouring the group for the one person missing. The one person he was supposed to bring home. But he did the opposite. He condemned her and left her in that snake pit.
Pressing his heels to Wraith’s side, he urged him forward and shot a glance to his brother, who was as collected as ever. He trusted him, but it was all he could do not to wrap his hands around Sam’s throat and throttle him until he spilled the plan.
A relieved breath passed his lips when his tent came into view. He slid from his mount, gave the faithful beast a good pat, and nodded to the elite stationed outside his tent. Pushing through the flaps, he maneuvered around the table and chairs scattered about the room and snatched a bottle of spirits from a pack on the floor.
“Drinking?” Sam’s voice said. “That’s a poor tactic to deal with life.”
He spun on his brother and defiantly took a swig.
Sam just arched a brow.
The whiskey burned his throat. Tehl slammed the bottle down and began pacing. His hands trembled by his sides, pulling a laugh out of him.
“What’s so funny?”
He held his shaking hand up. “I’ve always been in control, had things planned. But this?” He waved his hands in the air. “I can’t tell up from down. All I feel is anger.” Even now, his rage boiled, seeking a target.
“I understand.”
Tehl froze, his eyes narrowing on Sam. “How could you?”
“How could I what?”
“How could you possibly understand what it’s like to leave your wife to her death?”
Sam wisely stayed silent.
He ran his hands through his windswept hair, guilt and fear rolling in his gut. “We left her there.” Sage’s pale face flashed through his mind. “I condemned her.”
“It was only a show,” Sam reasoned.
“But she didn’t know that!” he shouted. “You can’t pretend you didn’t see the despair in her face. Sam...” His voice broke. “She looked at me like I’d signed her death warrant.”
Sam strode to his side and pulled him into a rough hug. Tehl stiffened, shock radiating through him. It was like Sam was attempting to hold the pieces of him together. His brother thumped him on the back and released him.
“I understand it was difficult, but you played your part perfectly.” Sam eyed him seriously. “Are you ready to hear everything?”
“Yes,” he said gravely. “Gather the others.”
His brother studied him a bit more and nodded.
Tehl collapsed into a chair and ran a hand down his face. He couldn’t fall apart right now. Too many depended on him. Sam had never steered him wrong. He needed to trust in his brother, his people, and himself.
Lilja pushed through the tent, followed by Hayjen, Rafe, William, Gav, and Zachael. The Sirenidae took one glance at the whiskey and grabbed the bottle. Tehl smiled as the willowy woman took a deep pull and passed it along to her husband. She grinned at Tehl while wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She patted his knee, moved around him, and plopped into a chair to his right.
The group kept silent as they found places to sit while whiskey was passed around. Sam murmured something to the Elites stationed outside the tent and let the flap fall. He walked to the table and placed both hands on it. “Where do you want me to start?”
“How about the beginning?” Rafe said sarcastically.
Lilja scowled at the rebellion leader. “Hush, Rafe. We don’t have time for your sass.” Rafe’s eyes narrowed, but he stayed silent. The Sirenidae turned her attention to Sam. “How did Sage give you her sign?”
“By means of Maeve.”
Tehl frowned. “The warlord’s sister?”
“Yes,” Sam said.
Zachael held his hands up. “Wait, you trusted the warlord’s flesh and blood with Sage’s life?”
“No, Sage entrusted everyone’s safety to Maeve.”
Tehl kept silent as that soaked in. If it was a trap, surely they would have been cut down before they reached their army. “How did she contact you?”
His brother smirked. “She pulled me into a darkened hallway, quite forcibly I might add… I always like a woman with a little spirit.”
William snorted and ran his fingers along his grey mustache. “She’d break you, boy.”
Sam shook his head, his expression sobering. “Of that, I have no doubt.”
“What was her sign?” Gav asked. “Sage could have shared any information with them. How do you know this woman was legitimate?”
“She spoke of our time right before the wedding. Our promises.”
Understanding passed between the two princes. Sam met Tehl’s stare.
“Sage would never divulge something like that to anyone.”
Tehl only knew of what Sam and Gav had done for her, because he had stood outside the door. His wife was a strong woman who didn’t like anyone to see her weak, thus it was unlikely she would have shared something so personal. The Scythian woman must have been telling the truth.
“What did the Scythian woman have to say?”
“She had a plan.” Sam tipped his head back to stare at the canvas ceiling. “I did everything in my power to devise a way to bring Sage home with us.” He dropped his head. “Every outcome led to death for someone. Maeve’s offer afforded us ignorance, escape, and safety, to some degree.”
“And what of Sage?” Hayjen rasped.
“Her fate lies in the hands of Maeve.”
Tehl’s stomach plummeted. He had a hard time allowing himself to trust the woman, but prejudice did no one good. No one was completely evil, just as no race was completely bad. His hands clenched and unclenched. He would have to accept her help and trust her.
“We’ve followed your directions as you asked. What is the next step?” With Sam, there was always a next step.
“We keep moving.”
“Because we’ll be watched,” Rafe supplied.
His brother nodded. “The warlord is a shrewd man. It would’ve been stupid not to send scouts and patrols to roam the borders, especially with a third of the Aermian Guard camping outside his border.”
“Where do we rendezvous with Sage?” William asked.
Sam winced. “That’s the hitch. I don’t know.”
Tehl blinked at his brother. “That complicates things.”
“Indeed.”
“When were they to attempt escape?” he asked.
“Tonight.” Sam said.
“They won’t make it across the border,” Gav growled. “It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s why we need to keep moving,” Zachael supplied. “If it was me, I would stay near the Scythian border, but move as far down as possible and then cross.”
Rafe cursed. “That’s only if she can survive the Scythian jungle. Did you see how pale and soft she looked?”
“It’s the drugs,” Lilja growled. “They give women drugs to keep them docile and weak.”
Tehl’s jaw clenched. “Bastards.”
She reached over and clasped his hand. He didn’t know if it was for her benefit or his.
“The journey will be difficult, but she won’t be alone, and she has a guide.”
“Who?” Gav asked.
“Blaise.”
“You mean our former Scythian captive?” Zachael asked.
“Yes.”
“Why would she do anything for Sage?” William jumped in.
“Because her mother doesn’t want her in Scythia,” Tehl whispered to himself. It made complete sense. Maeve was Blaise’s mother. All eyes turned to him. “Blaise is the warlord’s niece, so it stands to reason Maeve is her mother. Am I correct?”
Sam dipped his chin. “She fears for her daughter, so she aided us to aid her kin.”
“That’s not possible,” William argued. “They’re the same age!”
“Things are not what they appear in Scythia,” Hayjen murmured.
“Downright unnatural,” the old man grumbled, lacing his fingers across his stomach.
“So, she has a guide, and a protector of sorts. How will she make it past all the patrols?” Rafe growled. “Two women won’t survive against a dozen warriors.”
“Three women,” Sam corrected. “Jasmine is with them as well.”
“I have that covered,” Lilja spoke. “I have someone on the inside who will protect our girls.”
“How?” Sam demanded, his eyes like chips of sapphire.
“It was a long time ago.”
“That’s not a damn answer! I’ve lost so many spies. And you’ve had someone on the inside the entire time?”
Lilja lifted her hand placatingly. “I wasn’t aware he was alive.” She glanced around the room. “What matters is that the girls will have some protection.”
Tehl blew out a breath and stood, lacing his hand behind his head. “So, we keep moving. We stay close to the border, and we leave men discreetly behind, watching closely for sign of them.”
He hated the idea of someone else finding her.
“It’s the only way, brother. We can’t be everywhere at once,” Sam reasoned.
“If we pace ourselves, we might be able to keep up with them. It’s too dangerous to traverse the jungle at night,” Rafe said. “So, we travel when they travel, and sleep when they sleep.”
Tehl spun in a circle, scanning the group and finally meeting the rebellion leader’s amber gaze. “So be it.”
“We’ll get our girl back,” Zachael said with confidence.
How did he end up with such amazing people at his side, guiding, supporting, and helping him? Some of them, he knew, were due to his wife. A debt he wouldn’t soon forget. “Thank you,” Tehl said. “I will never forget what you’ve done for the crown, myself, and for Sage.”
“Our pleasure, my lord,” Hayjen answered.
“We are all with you,” Gav added.
“Together,” Rafe murmured.
“Together,” Tehl echoed.
Thirty-Five
Sage
Her adrenaline had long since worn off. Fatigue weighed her down, but she couldn’t slow their pace. There wasn’t time. She glanced up through the leaves, noting golden streaks of dawn chasing away the dark velvet of night. She worried. How long until the warlord awoke and discovered her gone?
Not long enough, she was sure.
Sage picked up her pace, her weak muscles protesting the use. A branch caught her foot and she stumbled, catching herself against a tree. Deep breath heaved from her lungs, and her nails dug into the smooth trunk beneath her palm. She had to move, but she felt like she couldn’t.
Jasmine paused, glancing behind her. “You okay?” She whispered the words, as if the jungle itself was listening and reporting.
“Yes.”
Blaise halted, scanned the area, and strode toward them. She pulled a draught from the pouch at her hip and held it out.
“Drink it.”
Sage eyed the concoction. “What is it?”
“Something to help keep up your stamina,” Blaise darted a look in Jasmine’s direction. “Only drink half. You must share.”
She didn’t want to drink it, but she did want to escape the warlord. Gingerly, she pulled the vial from Blaise.
“Thank you,” she said and uncorked the draught.
A pungent odor filled the air. Hastily, she gulped down half. Her eyes watered, and she fought not to gag at the bitter taste. Disgusting. Swallowing quickly, she handed it off to the wide-eyed Jas. Her friend eyed it with disdain.
“Drink it,” Sage commanded. “We don’t have time to dally.”
Jasmine threw back the rest of the draught and coughed, her face screwing up. “What’s in that stuff? That’s worse than my mum’s carpe and onions.”
Blaise took the empty vial from Jas and tucked it back into her satchel. “A bit of this and that. Can you continue?”
Sage rolled her shoulders and assessed her body. She felt stronger. “How fast does that react?”
“It’s immediate, but it will wear off. We need to move. You move slower than our people and that’s a major disadvantage.”
“Lead the way,” Jas said, waving her hand.
Blaise took the lead and began to jog, followed by Jasmine, and then Sage. The jungle seemed less daunting in the daylight than the night, but Sage knew that was a deception. The daylight predators were more cunning and better disguised.
A flash of black pulled her attention. Nali slunk through the trees just out of sight. Their silent protector reassured her. Last night, the beast hadn’t left their sides. Several times, her feline protector warned them of danger or scared away other predators. If it hadn’t been for Nali, Sage was sure they wouldn’t h
ave been able to travel; they’d have been dead within the first few hours.
There was something both peaceful and intimidating about the silence broken up by their boots thumping against the damp earth. The jungle blurred around her as they ran. Sweat poured down her back and between her breasts as they moved deeper into the jungle. Every once in a while, Blaise would pause and cock her head, no doubt listening to sounds Sage couldn’t hear. It was in those times, she was thankful for the Scythian woman’s guidance. She knew escaping the warlord would be difficult, if not impossible, but after traveling with both Nali and Blaise, she realized she never would’ve made it out of the palace on her own.
Blaise wove around a tree and stopped. Sage slowed next to Jas and crept closer. Blaise held her hand up, stopping her. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and she held her breath. The Scythian woman’s shoulders relaxed, and she peeked over her shoulder back at them.
“It’s past time we ate. Come on.” She waved them through the fronds, disappearing from view.
Sage quietly followed, licking her cracked lips as the babbling of a brook reached her ears. Water. She was so thirsty. She could probably drink a whole lake and still, her mouth would feel dry. Surprise and delight brought a smile to her face when she pushed through the lush green foliage. Fronds, orchids, vines, and trees of all sorts wove together and arched over the brook, creating an arbor over the water. It was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever seen. It was a hidden paradise.
Blaise knelt, cupped her hand, and dipped it into the water, scanning the area even as she drank. Sage moved to her side, impressed with the woman’s foresight. She was so thirsty that all she wanted to do was dunk her head in the stream, but despite their paradisiac surroundings, she knew that was dangerous. It was one of the first things her papa taught her when hunting in the forest: you never let your guard down. It only took one mistake to die. The cool water soothed her parched throat, and she heard Jasmine’s contented sigh as she wiped water onto her heated face.