by Jay Lynn
Rapping the solid wood, he listened and waited. There was no reply from within. Not usually prone to sleeping late, Jade always took a walk prior to breakfast. Alec was hoping to speak with her before the rest of the castle roused from its slumber.
“Lady Jade,” Alec called out, knocking again. “It’s Alec, can I speak with you?”
Silence.
Alec’s mark tingled. Brows furrowing, his heartbeat intensified. Please answer me.
“Lady Jade, are you in there?”
Pressing his ear to the door, Alec tapped a finger against his leg. There was still no reply to his words. Somewhere within, he heard a faint bang of two objects colliding.
“Jade,” he yelled. “I’m coming.”
Stepping back, Alec pointed a hand at the door as two soldiers patrolling the area raced down the hallway. Blasting the door open, the sorcerer sped into the room.
The large empty bed was perfectly made with the thick drapes drawn back. Quickly scanning the chamber, he noted two lamps in the sitting room had puddles of cool wax beneath them. A book lay on the ground near the settee, while a cup of tea, cold to the touch, sat abandoned on the coffee table. One of the French doors leading to the balcony hung open. The glass panels were caught by the wind, causing the door to swing outward and hit the outside railing.
Alec’s whole body tensed. Nails digging into his palms, he could feel his aura rising, swirling around him like an angry storm. Face hard as stone, he turned to peer at the two soldiers frantically searching the space.
“Alert Duke Stafford, Lady Jade is missing.”
The flutter of movement caught the warrior’s attention. Grasping the thin hilt of a dagger he sent his weapon flying through the air. By the time Alec spun around, the shadow was gone. It did however, leave him a parting gift. Pinned to the wall by his blade was a single piece of paper. Swiftly going out onto the balcony, Alec’s sharp gaze searched for the wayward intruder. With no clues to the person’s identity, he doubted the skilled adversary would be found.
One of the soldiers was already reading over the correspondence. His eyes locked on the prince as soon as he reentered the chamber.
“Your Highness…Alec, it’s for you,” he said grimly, holding the paper.
Heart thumping, Alec reached out and took the page. The words gracefully scripted across the sheet could have made his blood boil.
Lord Alec Kegan,
You are forthwith invited to an event in your honor to be held at the Imperial Tower in Zangar, Zerrok. Should you accept, your lordship and no more than four guests shall enjoy a full private tour and the hospitality of the entire Kingdom. In adherence with Zerrokian law, all magic and magical creatures are forbidden.
Sincerely,
Lord Vincent of Parlen
Alec’s jaw was clenched so tightly his teeth were in danger of shattering. The edges of the paper crumpled beneath his unusually pale fingers. He gripped it so tightly his arms started to shake. Eyes aglow, Alec spun around flinging the page away from him as he stormed out of Jade’s room.
The soldier quickly retrieved the note prior to chasing after the prince. His partner previously departed to raise the alarm.
Focused on nothing besides his task, Alec strode through the castle. The dragons were on a morning flight to patrol the area. He would go to the courtyard and summon them. Vincent’s actions could not be ignored. Alec wouldn’t let him leave this time. Not only had he dared to kidnap Jade, his ‘cordial’ letter to Alec was the ultimate insult.
Racing down the front steps, the sorcerer didn’t even need to holler for his friends. Several roars sounded above him as three dragons soared towards the castle. Tatsu perched on the roof while Cassidy and Ardys landed upon the stone pavers.
They weren’t the only ones immediately coming to Alec’s aid.
Dark clouds appearing in the sky caused Garth, Roderick and Nathan to speed towards him from the barracks.
One look at the sorcerer’s glowing eyes, deathly cold expression and curled fists had silent bells ringing in the warriors’ minds.
“Alec, what happened?” Garth questioned, jogging to his friend’s side as the royal neared the dragons.
“Lady Jade’s been taken,” he practically growled, “by Vincent.”
Mouths momentarily gaping, they quickly recovered.
“Impossible,” Roderick rejected. “This entire castle is surrounded by soldiers. He couldn’t possibly break in, let alone depart here with a captive.”
Nathan frowned with concern. “Are you sure her ladyship isn’t taking a walk about the grounds?”
“Positive.”
Tension filled Alec’s entire body. He didn’t want to stand here talking. It was pointless. Vincent’s treachery called for action. The sorcerer knew where they were. There was no time to waste.
I have to save Jade.
“Lord Vincent left a—um note,” the guard trailing him enlightened.
Everyone stilled. Their gazes briefly met with an uneasy silence.
“He’s daring to ransom the daughter of a duke?” Garth questioned, his eyes narrowing.
“I wish it were that simple, sir. Lady Jade isn’t mentioned by name.” He stepped forward and handed Roderick the paper. “He’s ‘invited’ Prince Alec to Zangar.”
Garth’s head jerked back. “You can’t be serious.”
While the three of them read over the short letter, Alec raked his fingers through his hair, shaking his head. He headed towards the green creature.
“I don’t have time for such foolishness. Cassidy, I need you to take me to Zerrok.”
Garth and Nathan moved to block his way.
“Hold fast little brother. You can’t rush off into battle blindly.”
“I agree with Nathan. The Imperial Tower is Zerrok’s stronghold. If he’s even there, Vincent would have to possess powerful allies in order to arrange this. He knows about your mark and your powers. This is, without a doubt, a trap.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Alec scoffed. “He took her. I have to do something.”
Lowering his head, Ardys nudged the sorcerer. “We will help you get her back. I promise you this human will regret the day he dared to mess with dragonkind.”
Standing on Alec’s other side Roderick put a hand on his shoulder. He might not understand the fiery creature, yet he knew what Ardys was saying. The knight felt the same way.
“You’re not alone in this, Alec. We will stand beside you in this battle or any other. Trust us to aid you.”
“Yeah little brother, did you mistakenly believe we would allow you to smite an entire kingdom without us?”
Watching Nathan closely, Alec’s gaze shifted between the warriors. He exhaled deeply. It appeared to be time for him to do something he never imagined: rely on another person. Crossing his arms, Alec peered at the knight.
“So what do you suggest?”
Chapter 15
Bobbing from side to side the ship swayed continuously as it navigated through the turbulent water. Jade moaned softly as her body rolled slightly with the movements. A hand resting against her temple, she fought a pained groan. Why am I in such a state? Opening her eyelids, the pounding inside her skull didn’t lessen. If anything the throbbing grew.
Thick beams running adjacent to worn wooden boards, first greeted her eyes. Frowning, Jade gently twisted to peer around the space. The small cabin was sparsely decorated with a tiny porthole above the single bed on which she lay. There was no doubt in her mind that she was aboard a vessel.
“No. No, no, no,” she whispered frantically as she pushed herself into a sitting position.
The horrid nightmare filling her dreams must not have been pure fiction. Meaning the moments Jade could recall were indeed true. Someone had taken her from Stafford Castle!
Chest constricting, the noblewoman was finding it difficult to breathe. Calm thyself, she thought soothingly. You can figure this out. Taking several slow breaths, she was able to gain some sembla
nce of control over her own body.
To begin with, Jade knew it would be best to discover who her captors were. Then, perhaps she might be able to deduce what they sought. Gaze dropping to the floor, she concentrated on the last things she could remember.
Night had fallen. Ariel arrived with her tea and though she did keep Jade company for a little while, she was quieter than normal. Departing to her own room within the hour, Jade was left alone. Ignoring the urge to pace, Jade had poured herself another cup and opened a book to occupy her racing thoughts. The beverage was left untouched as a hand wrapped around her mouth, cutting off any sounds which might have risen. The sweet smell of the cloth covering Jade’s face filled her lungs, sapping at her strength until darkness swarmed in. The next time she surfaced, Jade was here, trapped in this room sailing to some unknown destination.
An arm protectively encircling her stomach, Jade’s other hand cupped her cheek. What little she saw told her nothing of her kidnappers. Though the skill required led her to believe that whoever came for her did not do so on a whim. Yet, to what end could someone be seeking in using her as a hostage?
Footsteps outside her door caused Jade to jump. Holding her breath without realizing it, she leaned forward as she waited to see who was behind this atrocity. Gasping, Jade almost toppled over on the bed as her visitor entered.
A smile on his face, Vincent gazed at her with bright dancing eyes.
Jade’s entire body stiffened. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t move. Running wasn’t an option. Was there something wrong with her that this crazed demon wouldn’t let her be? Jade never thought she gave him reason to believe she was anything other than indifferent to him. Why did he continue to pursue her? Nay, the man had gone so far as to kidnap her.
As he stepped further into the small space, Jade began to tremble. I cannot escape him. Alec, pray save me. Jade knew in her heart that her pleas would not be answered this time. She was far beyond his reach. It seemed Vincent had finally won. She was completely at his mercy.
“Good day, my dearest,” he greeted with a grin.
Two men remained out in the hall as he closed the door behind him.
Some part of Jade’s mind was able to pull her out of her frozen state enough to slide all the way back on the bed until she touched the wall.
Gaze traveling over her, Vincent released an elated sigh. “You cannot know how wonderful it is to have you here with me. I have dreamed of this for far too long, my dear. Now we shall be together and can finally start our lives anew.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Vincent reached out and covered her one hand with his own.
Jade resisted the urge to pull it away. “And where...where shall that be?” she managed to ask in a fairly steady voice.
“Wherever you would like it,” he declared happily.
Stafford! Jade knew it would be the wrong answer to give him. Vincent could turn dark and violent in a flash. Trying to stay on his good side seemed like the best idea she could conceive.
“That sounds splendid.” Offering the noble a small brief smile, Jade didn’t meet his eye. “What is our present destination?”
“Zerrok. Zangar to be exact. I am aiding an acquaintance in exchange for his services in helping me to liberate you. Do not fret,” he told her patting Jade’s hand before drawing back. “This shall be but a short diversion.”
It took great control for her not to respond unkindly. The southern kingdom was the last place she wanted to be. Having escaped from there a second time, she was certain Alec would feel the same.
Curse you, Vincent. “Indeed,” Jade replied weakly.
It was the only thing she trusted herself to say. Clasping her hands firmly on her lap, Jade remained silent for the rest of Vincent’s short visit. Other than him boasting about the brilliance of his successful plan to rescue her, Jade learned little else. Who were these acquaintances of his? It must be a shady group to say the least. Jade shivered. She didn’t want to think about what horrors would await once they anchored in Zerrok.
Arms crossed, Alec stood stiffly in front of the windows of Duke Stafford’s study. Despite the warrior’s insistence that immediate action be taken, a thorough search of the entire city was underway. The conclusion would be what he already knew: Jade was gone. Clenching his jaw, he grimly gazed at the chaos below. Staff and soldiers alike jogged about the grounds. The portcullis was sealed tight and the battlements were on high alert.
Behind him, Leos was discussing the next course of action with Titus and Malcolm while Edmund paced restlessly. Lenora had returned to her own room some time ago with the queen. Tears streaming down her face, she wasn’t able to pull herself together and aid in the search. For her only child to be missing, was the duchess’s worst nightmare.
“There must be more that we can do,” Leos stressed, gripping the hilt of his sword. “We cannot allow Lady Jade to be held captive by that demon.”
Titus sighed with a scowl. “I am in agreeance. However, we have no proof as of yet that it was he who has taken her.”
“What of his note?”
“His note is quite the problem,” Titus answered. “It gives no mention of Jade. On the surface it appears as nothing but a friendly invitation. Though we know that not to be the case, we must tread carefully. If I send troops to Zerrok without proper cause, it will aggravate the situation.”
“Can you not send word to King David and explain the situation while we retrieve her? Pray Titus, this is my daughter.” Hands curled into fists, Edmund gazed at his friend with pleading eyes.
“You know as well as we do, Edmund, that such a course would not be wise,” Malcolm told him instead. “I do not believe Vincent is clever enough to pull off something like this on his own. That boy is far too impulsive. Someone is using him for a much darker purpose I fear.” He glanced at Alec who was still glaring out the window. “There are few who could ‘invite’ someone to the Imperial Tower. Once inside, I doubt Alec would be allowed to leave. The risk is too great to blindly amble into this trap.”
“I don’t care if it is a trap,” Alec declared spinning around. His fingers cut through the air with the effectiveness of a blade. “I will not leave Jade in the hands of someone like Vincent. He has to be stopped once and for all.”
“Alec,” Malcolm began placing a hand on his shoulder. “We share your frustration, but don’t let your anger cloud your judgment. Who’s to say that Jade is even there. Vincent could have taken her anywhere.”
Turning his head to the side, Alec exhaled with a hiss. The wizard was right. The man was a liar. Alec had to be sure of his location before he charged in and unleashed his fury on whoever might be foolish enough to stand in his path.
“We do possess several spies who are in that area. I shall have messenger hawks sent to them. The moment she arrives in Zangar’s port we shall know of it. Until then, no course is to be taken against Zerrok, agreed?”
It wasn’t truly a question, yet Titus peered at everyone in turn as they spoke or nodded their understanding. All but Alec solemnly replied.
“Alec?”
The warrior said nothing as he clenched his jaw.
“Alakaid, are you in agreement?”
“Fine.” Meeting Titus’s gaze, he told him firmly, “But once she is found, I make no promises.”
Not waiting for an answer, Alec strode out of the room. After he vanished, the king dropped into a chair.
“Damn it,” he muttered running a hand over his face. “This will not bode well. No matter how much he may oppose, my son is not to leave Stafford.”
Leos and Edmund exchanged a glance. Crossing the room, the duke came to stand beside his king. “If Vincent is indeed holding my daughter within the tower, then Alec shall be the only one capable of gaining entry. It would require an army to even have a chance at breaching their fortress. By such a time, she could already have perished.”
Slowly shaking his head Titus did not waver. “Twice now he has been imprisoned within th
e southern kingdom. Each time has scarred him greater than the last. Alakaid shall be the next King of Malyndor. I am sorry my friend, but I cannot risk him being taken again.”
“You would doom my daughter?” Edmund accused harshly. “You know what the loss of a child feels like, Titus. Jade is the only one I have. I was not blessed with others as you were.”
Frowning, Titus rose to his feet. “This choice gives me no pleasure. Are you truly saying it is better to sacrifice my son over your daughter?”
Edmund didn’t back down. “You know that is not what I mean. Alec’s power equals a dragon. He can save her, as you well know.”
“I care not what his abilities are. Alec is not invincible. Under no circumstances will I grant him permission to meet Vincent’s twisted demands.”
Holding up his hands, Malcolm tried to step between the two. “Pray, do not quarrel. The enemy is not in this chamber. Both of you are doting fathers and no one is requesting either of you to make a sacrifice. We must stand fast if we wish to thwart our foes.”
“Malcolm is right,” Leos added. “I care for both Alec and Jade as you do. If we seek it, I believe there is a way to protect them both. I know my son…” The gruff noble paused for a moment. “I know Alec well and it would appear in some ways, so does Vincent. No matter the danger, he will not deter from this challenge. We can however, prepare him our sharpest blades and our strongest armor, so that he stands all the greater chance in winning a victory.”
“Victory,” Titus scoffed. “Leos, five men cannot defeat the forces waiting within the Imperial Tower. Mark my words, Alakaid shall not go.”
Turning on his heel, Titus stormed out of the study.
“Perhaps he is right,” Edmund admitted. “It is hopeless. There is no way for so few to overtake a stronghold and survive.”