The Mage Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Lisa Cassidy

  He was a head taller than any of them as he strode forward to bow low to the emperor, not seeming to have noticed there were others in the room. Her eyes drank him in—he wore his dark hair cut severely short, and his face looked even harder than she remembered, his expression guarded and watchful. Something was wrong. She knew it instantly, and it took everything she had not to run across the room and launch herself into his arms. Her heart pounded.

  Dashan straightened. “Your Majesty. I am Dashan Caverlock, Taliath and formal representative of King Cayr of Rionn.”

  “Welcome, Lord-Taliath,” the emperor said graciously, using a term Alyx had never heard before and switching easily to speak in Rionnan. “Your presence in Sandira is more welcome than I can express. And your timing is good. The Magor-lier and her retinue arrived earlier today. Perhaps you’d like to take a moment to greet them?”

  Dashan froze for a moment at his words, and then he turned, brown eyes going straight to Alyx. The flash of pure joy in his gaze was quickly masked, but it sent her heart thundering even harder. The urge to run to him was close to overwhelming and she had to tear her eyes from his in order to hold back.

  In the few steps it took to reach them, the watchful guardedness had returned to his features. “Alyx, it’s been a while.” His voice was warm with delight—if nothing else they were old friends greeting each other after a long time. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and smiled.

  “Too long. I didn’t expect to see you here, Dash.”

  “Me either.” His smile widened a little, then he turned his attention to the others. “Tarrick, Finn. I was hoping you’d both be here. It’s good to see you.”

  It was hard to gauge Tarrick’s and Finn’s true reaction to seeing Dashan. Neither of them had spoken to him since learning he was a Taliath, but in the presence of the emperor, they seemed genuinely pleased to see him. As they greeted each other, Alyx turned her gaze to the other mages. Rothai’s expression was rigid. Adahn and Jayn seemed awkward, then stiltedly polite when Finn introduced them. Tari’s face was a blank mask, impossible to read.

  Greetings over, Dashan came to stand beside Alyx. His arms hung loosely at his side, his hand just barely brushing her arm. The closeness was bittersweet torture.

  “I must ask a boon, Lord-Taliath.” The emperor spoke. “As you might know; we Zandians hold a great fascination for those of your blood. I would love to see a demonstration while you stay with us in Sandira.”

  Dashan gave his typical rakish grin, and for a moment all traces of the reserved man faded. “I’d love nothing better, Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you, Lord-Taliath, I will look forward to it.” He clapped his hands. “Once again, I welcome you all to my city. Tonight you will dine with me, and you may be assured I will make time soon to discuss the issues which bring you here.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Alyx spoke politely. “We appreciate your hospitality.”

  He nodded and was gone, striding out of the room with Hennan and six Leopards flanking him. Iman appeared, offering to direct them back to their rooms. Alyx accepted this offer with alacrity, having no idea how they’d make it back without assistance.

  “Dash, we had no idea King Cayr would send you,” Tarrick said as they followed Iman. “Lord-Mage Astor thought it would most likely be Cario.”

  Dashan nodded. “I’d just come across the border from Shivasa when Cayr received Astor’s message. He thought I needed a break, and so he sent me.”

  Iman brought them back to the guest wing and pointed Dashan to a room in the same corridor. Alyx had followed approximately the first third of the journey before becoming utterly lost again. She hoped Tarrick had a better sense of direction or they would never be able to leave this wing on their own.

  The moment they came to a halt, a thick tension descended over the group. Dashan spoke into it, determinedly oblivious. “If you all don’t mind, I’m going to take the opportunity for a change of clothes and sleep. Proper rest has been hard to come by recently.”

  “Of course.” Tarrick spoke when nobody else did. “I hope we can catch up at dinner this evening.”

  “I look forward to it.” Dashan nodded and raised a hand in farewell before disappearing into his room. Her gaze lingered on the door and she tore her eyes away before it became obvious.

  Jayn cleared her throat. “Adahn and I are on duty, so I think we might go and check on the Leopards stationed outside.”

  Adahn followed with alacrity.

  “Tari and I have an appointment with the Leopard commander,” Rothai said. “He offered us a tour of their barracks. We’ll see you at dinner.”

  That left the three of them alone in the hall. Alyx scrambled for something to say that would head off their inevitable lecture about her being too close to a Taliath, but surprisingly Finn spoke before she could.

  “Shall we spend the afternoon investigating Sandira’s inns? I know you’re dying to show us around your city, Tarrick,” he said. “Rothai can’t complain if Tarrick and I are with you, Alyx, surely.”

  Alyx bit her lip. Finn was making a gesture—Rothai most definitely wouldn’t approve of her wandering the city without a full mage guard. But she couldn’t go out, not now. “Uh, actually, I should spend some time practicing this afternoon. It’s probably a good idea to take advantage of the free time.”

  Tarrick looked surprised at her willingness to train. “Would you like me to practice with you?”

  “No. Rothai set me some meditation exercises to help improve my focus, so I’ll work on those.” She gave a little laugh, ignoring the guilt that curled in her gut as she lied to them. “Find the best spots for me, will you? And try to remember I’m a noblewoman—no pungent dives, please.”

  Both young men laughed. “We’ll do our best.” Finn winked.

  “No promises,” Tarrick added before they disappeared around a corner.

  Alyx opened the door to her room, closed it behind her, and went straight over to draw the filmy curtains across the balcony window to ensure the Leopards in the garden couldn’t see into the room. Then she began pacing, her stomach twisting into knots. Sweat had begun beading on her forehead when a discreet knock came at the door. The moment she opened it, Dashan slipped inside.

  “Did anyone see you?” she asked.

  “Not a soul, ma’am,” he promised, hand on heart.

  They stared at each other for a long moment. She could scarcely believe that after thinking of him and wanting him for so long he was standing right before her.

  “Alyx.” He took a step towards her.

  She let out a sob and moved, running straight to him. He pulled her into his arms, holding her so fiercely her ribs ached. She buried her face in his neck, sinking into his embrace as the loneliness and desperation of the past year finally began to drain out of her.

  “You’re really here,” she whispered.

  “Too long, Alyx,” he murmured into her hair. “Too long.”

  They stood there for a long time, holding tightly to each other, neither wanting to let go until they were both certain the other was there.

  Eventually Alyx mumbled into his chest, “Was it difficult to get in here?”

  “They’ve got at least four Leopards in that garden outside, so I couldn’t come in through the balcony, at least not in broad daylight,” Dashan murmured. “Oh, Alyx, I’ve missed you.” He crushed her more tightly in his arms and she pressed herself against his warm body. After so long without him, it was intoxicating to be so close again.

  After a moment, she forced herself to step back, her gaze searching his face. “How’s Cayr? I’ve been so worried about him, about both of you.”

  He smiled a little. “You’d be so proud of him. He’s hurting, you know how much he loved his father, but he’s strong. He’s working hard to bring the lords into line, and he’s picked up where his father left off in terms of managing the kingdom. Rionn is stable.”

  “And Papa?”

  “I didn’t see
much of him, but I think he was hit hard by the king’s death. You know your father, though. He’s standing firm at Cayr’s side, invaluable in influencing the other lords.”

  Her eyes slipped closed in pain. “I hated leaving Cayr. I had to watch his father die and then walk away from him.” She swallowed. “And as desperately happy as I am to see you here, part of me wishes you hadn’t come, that you were in Alistriem with Cayr so he at least has one of us with him.”

  “I would have stayed.” Dashan tugged her back into his arms. “He insisted I come. He knows how much the emperor reveres the Taliath, and…well, he refused to let me stay.”

  Nodding, she allowed herself to sink into the happiness of having him so close again, and began dropping small kisses along his collarbone. He smiled against her forehead before he picked her up and in two strides carried her to the bed. He dropped her onto the soft mattress, then leaned down to kiss her. Instantly it was as if every nerve ending in her body was on fire, her world narrowing to the feel of Dashan’s mouth on hers.

  She freed her hands so she could pull him closer. When she was almost completely lost in pure sensation, he pulled back, his forehead touching hers. They were both breathing hard, and she’d be groaning in frustration if she wasn’t so glad to have him there with her.

  “So that’s how much you missed me?” she teased.

  “Even more.” He kissed her again, a long slow kiss that turned the world to warmth and joy and a rising tide of wanting. When it ended, he shifted, lying down at her side and tugging her against him. “Talk to me, Alyx. Tell me everything I’ve missed.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that,” she mumbled, closing her eyes and snuggling into his chest.

  His fingers reached out to trace the fine bracelet on her wrist, and she glanced up to see his dark eyes molten with affection. “You kept it.”

  “I touch it every night before I go to sleep, it’s the only time I allow myself to think about you. It’s too hard otherwise,” she admitted.

  He swallowed, the misery returning to his face. She curled further into him, trying to get as close as possible. “What’s wrong, Dash?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it either.”

  She nodded against his chest, allowing her eyes to fall closed again and taking in a deep breath of his warmth and scent. “Let’s just lie here for a while.”

  Chapter 5

  “The Taliath seems different from the few times I saw him back at DarkSkull. Older. Harder, somehow, but not at all imposing,” Jayn mused later, as she and Alyx prepared for the dinner.

  Alyx tensed. While the council policy of hunting Taliath potentials remained a well-kept secret, all students at DarkSkull were taught the same thing she had been—that Taliath were a serious threat if allowed too close to a mage of the higher order. Their invulnerability was the reason Shakar, an uncommonly powerful mage of the higher order, had been impossible to stop the first time. Hundreds of mages dead. Thousands more innocents.

  With Taliath all but gone—the only publicly declared Taliath were Alyx’s father and brother and Dashan, as Jenna remained a secret—it was difficult to judge how most mages truly felt about them, though there were definitely those who aligned strongly with the council’s view.

  “You’re not uncomfortable in the presence of a Taliath?” she asked eventually.

  Jayn raised an eyebrow. “You mean because at DarkSkull we’re basically indoctrinated with the view that Taliath are to be avoided like an infectious rash on the off chance one of them could contribute to creating another Shakar?”

  Alyx steeled herself. “Yes.”

  “Well, the logic behind why they teach us that is clear enough.” Jayn gave her a look. “But like with most of the council’s teaching, it’s too black and white. Personally, I don’t think we should behave as if every mage of the higher order is a budding psychopath just waiting to inherit a Taliath’s invulnerability so they can take over the world.”

  Alyx nodded, relaxing slightly. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  “There’s far more going on here than you’ve told any of us. Rothai looked like he was about to have an apoplexy at the sight of Dashan. Adahn and Tari weren’t happy about it either.” She lifted a hand when Alyx opened her mouth. “And that’s fine. I’m perfectly happy not having to grapple with complicated issues like that. It’s why I’m not Magor-lier.”

  A spark of Alyx’s anger returned at Jayn’s words, though it wasn’t directed at her fellow mage. “I’m no Magor-lier, Jayn.”

  “Of course you are.” Jayn sounded puzzled.

  In name only. But Alyx didn’t want to sound petulant, so she just smiled and nodded.

  Once dressed, Alyx was escorted to dinner by Jayn, Tari, and Adahn, with Iman leading the way. The latter two mages were dressed in their robes, dragooned by Rothai into protection detail for the evening.

  “Where’s Rothai?” Alyx asked as they walked.

  Tari smiled faintly. “Patrolling. I don’t think he trusts the Leopards, despite the fact we were assured there would be at least twenty of them guarding this dinner tonight, and that’s not including those in the gardens outside.”

  “Alyx?” Tarrick waited at the entrance to a large room, dressed in formal Zandian attire of a silken maroon hip wrap with gold thread edging it, sandals, and nothing else. He looked handsome and exotic, and Alyx stared a little; she’d never seen him dressed traditionally before. Tarrick Tylender had grown into an impressive man.

  “You look very…good,” she said, unable to find an appropriate word.

  “You look good also.” He smiled, offering his arm.

  She took it, and they strolled inside together. The room was easily as big as Cayr’s formal dining room in Alistriem, but airy and bright. Multi-coloured rugs covered the floor, a chaotic riot of colour that somehow worked.

  The sun was setting outside, and its orange glow slanted through the windows, alighting on the deep red tablecloths and glittering silverware. A row of opened glass doorways let in a cool evening breeze that was rich with the scent of spices and flowers.

  Abruptly, Tarrick straightened and began leading Alyx towards two young men wearing the Leopard black and gold wrap; both wore swords at their hips and a mage’s staff hanging down their muscular backs.

  “Hinga, Loren!” Tarrick called eagerly.

  “Tarrick!” Both men spoke at the same time, delighted grins crossing their faces. Tarrick let go of Alyx’s arm to embrace them warmly. All three closely resembled each other, with only slight differences in height and build to set them apart.

  “Alyx, these are my brothers. Hinga, Loren, this is Magor-lier Alyx Egalion.”

  Both men bowed low, and she shifted uncomfortably. She’d once loved bearing the title of Lady Alyx Egalion until she’d realised how empty the title was. This new one she carried was just as empty, despite Rothai and Tarrick’s arguments otherwise.

  “Tarrick has told me a lot about you,” she said. “It’s an honour to meet you both.”

  “All good things, I hope?” Loren winked at Tarrick.

  “Mostly.” She nodded. “Apart for some childhood incident involving a toy carriage?”

  All three brothers laughed heartily at that. Tarrick’s eyes shone—he’d always spoken of his brothers with an equal mix of adoration and awe, and she was pleased this trip meant he could see his family again.

  “Don’t tell me I’ve missed a good joke!” Dashan’s cheerful voice sounded. He wore a fitted silken shirt in deep violet above loose black pants and polished boots. His hair was cropped far too short to be as messy as Alyx remembered. The sword at his hip was unfamiliar but beautiful, its bone hilt and grip intricately carved and dyed the colour of Bluecoat royal blue, the sheath tooled from expensive leather.

  “A gift from Cayr,” Dashan murmured, catching her looking at it.

  “Brothers, this is Dashan Caverlock. He is the Taliath representative of King Cayr Llancarvan.” Tarrick introduced them.

&nbs
p; There was a slight hesitation before both brothers bowed. Alyx inadvertently picked up a surface thought from Hinga indicating he was torn between his Zandian reverence for the Taliath, and the mage unease around one.

  “It is an honour to meet you, Taliath Caverlock,” Loren said politely.

  Dashan smiled, his guarded expression showing that he had picked up on their hesitation. “Thank you. I’m glad to finally meet Tarrick’s brothers. He speaks about you often.”

  “Only good things, or so the Magor-lier tells us.” Hinga smiled.

  “And the Magor-lier speaks only the truth, of course.” Warmth lit her up from the inside out at the teasing sparkle in Dashan’s eyes.

  “Tarrick, these are your brothers?” Finn asked eagerly as he joined them. He wore similar attire to Dashan, and though he was shorter and leaner, there was no mistaking the strong young man Finn had become. Alyx struggled to remember the skinny youth with untameable hair she’d once known.

  “Our brother has indeed been talking about us.” Hinga laughed, Loren joining in. “I am Hinga, this is Loren. Judging from Tarrick’s descriptions in his letters home from DarkSkull, you must be Finn, the clever one?”

  “That’s me.” Chuckling, Finn offered his hand to Hinga, then Loren. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Loren shook Finn’s hand warmly. “We have too few healers in the mage order. Welcome to Sandira, Finn.”

  A gong sounded. Servants appeared from all directions, silently ushering the guests to their seats. There was a flurry at the doorway that heralded the emperor’s arrival, flanked by Hennan and two Leopards. Alyx and Dashan were seated directly across from the emperor, with Tarrick, Jayn, and Finn arrayed on either side. Hennan sat at the emperor’s right, and his other senior advisors filled the remaining seats. Hinga and Loren remained on guard at the main entrance.