by ERIN BEDFORD
Tears pricked my eyes, and I cursed at myself for being so sensitive. This had nothing to do with Jack or me. Neither of us had stopped because we wanted to. Fate was an ugly bitch, and I was tired of her interference.
“Hey,” Raiden said as he entered the camp. His eyes found me sitting on the ground a frown covering his face. When they found Jack’s brooding face, he threw his hands up and cried out, “Really? You still didn’t do it?”
“No,” Jack snapped and turned away, heading toward the bags. When Jack didn’t embellish on it, his gaze turned back to me, but I could only shrug, not trusting myself to answer.
“Well, maybe when we get to Raiden’s home,” Firestar knelt beside me and offered me my clothes. I took them but didn’t feel like putting them on. My heart and body ached both for two different reasons.
Dammit.
7
The sky was dark when we finally arrived in the Eastern lands. Thunder crackled, and lightning lit the sky though there was no rain. Large expansions of rolling hills covered the area, reminding me of my own home in the Western lands.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Raiden asked as we landed on a nearby hill. It had been Jack’s turn to carry me, but I had asked Raiden to do it instead. I’d gotten plenty of questioning looks from that request, but I didn’t answer any of them.
I knew it wasn’t Jack’s fault we had to stop, but I still felt hurt all the same. Out of the three of them, Jack seemed to have the strongest hold on my heart. Which seemed strange to me since Firestar and I had so much history, but then again, our relationship had started when I was not much more than a child. How could I know if what I had felt then was really love? Or if it even was now.
“It’s wonderful,” I answered as I tied my hair back. The wind had picked up the moment we had entered Raiden’s lands, and it was doing its best to whack me in the face with my hair at every opportunity.
“Is it always like this?” I asked, nodding to the lit-up sky.
“No, not really,” Raiden answered with a shrug. “We usually get lots of rain. While there is a long period every year where we don’t have any, sadly this isn’t one of them.” He turned to Firestar with a teasing grin and smacked him on the back. “I wouldn’t train in the yard if I were you. You’ll fizzle out.”
Firestar shrugged him off with a glare. “I’ll be fine.”
“What about you?” Raiden turned to Jack. “Any chances you’ll melt from all the rain? Though, I suppose you can’t get any watery than you have been the last day or so.”
Jack ignored Raiden and rightly so, but his words caused me to frown. The tension in our group had risen since Jack and I’s last failed attempt to consummate our relationship. Either because both of us felt like it was fate tearing us apart or because we were angry at the guys for interrupting us. Then again, I didn’t know what the hell Jack was thinking most of the time. For all I knew, he was mad at me for being so upset.
I winced as I shifted in place. I could still feel Jack where he had stretched me not a day ago. If just his fingers could cause such an ache, I couldn’t imagine how it would be when we finally got together completely. I might not even be able to walk.
The thought made my lips curl up into a grin. If I was too sore, I could always demand the ice dragon kiss it until I felt better, he had quite a way with his tongue. A new kind of ache filled my core, and a chorus of growls answered in return.
I turned to find three pairs of eyes watching me. I shrugged. “What? I can’t help my body gets turned on at odd thoughts.”
“What were you thinking about, Maya?” Firestar asked, taking a step toward me. “Maybe we could make a detour before heading to the palace.”
Raiden and Firestar prowled toward me, licking their lips like I was some tasty meal they couldn’t wait to devour. Jack, on the other hand, stood back, though there was longing in his eyes. It was that look that made me put my hands up.
“Stop, not here. We will have plenty of time to play when we get to Raiden’s home.” My eyes searched the area for danger. “Who knows who could be watching, waiting for us to let our guard down?” I glanced at Raiden. “You did say your brothers were warring, right?”
Raiden’s expression sobered, and he stopped trying to come closer. “Yes, you are right. We shouldn’t let our guard down until we know exactly what is going on. Come.” He waved a hand for us to follow. “Let’s get inside before the sky breaks.”
We followed Raiden over the hill and down into a plain. The grass blew from the high gusts of wind as we rose to the top of the next hill. On the other side, sat a large stone fortress. Calling it a castle would have been too nice.
The walls were tall, so tall the hill couldn’t even look over them. The towers on each corner were not decorative and stood short and thick as if to withstand the highest of winds. The fortress sat a bit higher than the town below which was surrounded by an even thicker wall of stone.
“Wow,” I commented after a moment. “Are you expecting lots of invaders?”
Raiden shrugged. “When you live in a place like lightning valley, it’s best to be prepared for anything. You won’t find any grass or wooden homes here. Everything is hard as stone to withstand that.” He pointed up at the sky which had darkened just in the short time we had landed.
Hurrying behind Raiden to the entrance of the stone structure, I couldn’t help but be in awe of its magnitude. Even if it was specifically built to withstand the weather, I didn’t imagine anyone wanting to try to climb those walls. They were slick from the previous rains no doubt and any foothold would slide right off. Of course, most dragons would have flown right over it, but I imagined they had ways to stop such attacks.
“Who goes there?” a voice called out from atop of the stone entrance.
“Raiden, youngest son of your lord and master. I have returned home to answer my father’s pleas for assistance. Please let us pass before the sky opens up on our heads.” Raiden hollered up to the mysterious voice.
After a moment, a head peeked out. I couldn’t make any details out but a dark head of hair. They seemed to look over our party and then countered with, “And who have you brought with you? Foreigners?”
Raiden sighed and stomped his feet, muttering under his breath about idiot guards before he replied, “These are my friends and no business of yours.”
“I’m sorry, Prince Raiden, but we cannot let you pass with unknown guests.” The guard was starting to irritate me.
“Then get my father because I’m not going to explain myself to you,” Raiden snarled up at the guard. “And when he comes and tells you to let us pass, you better hope it is before we all get drenched, or I’ll beat the living daylights out of you.”
The guard didn’t reply, but his head jerked out of the window. Hopefully, he was getting Raiden’s father and not leaving us there. I’d hate for us to have to fly over the gate. That definitely wouldn’t make a very good impression on his family.
Firestar snorted at Raiden’s threat and shook his head. Clearly, he wasn’t impressed by the lightning dragon’s threats. I wouldn’t doubt for a second Firestar’s would have been more graphic and bloody.
Jack, on the other hand, stood as quiet as ever, his hands behind his back as if he had all day to wait. Which he did, but they didn’t know that. For all they knew, he could be planning their demise, he had that kind of blank expression.
I couldn’t care less about some no-name guard, but if it would get us inside before we got soaked to the bone, I was all for threats. In most cases, it was the only way to get anyone to do what you wanted. My father had taught me that.
We waited for at least twenty minutes. The sky kept getting darker, and the thunder and lightning kept growing louder. Then, just as I felt a drop on my face, the stone doors creaked open.
Shifting into a fighting stance, we waited to see if the doors revealed a friend or foe. Raiden had said they were in a civil war. Maybe his brothers didn’t want us there interfering, and this was t
heir way of telling us to get lost.
“Father!” Raiden cried as soon as the doors opened completely.
Lord Shen was the spitting image of Raiden, or rather Raiden was the spitting image of his father. With olive skin and black hair, the sharp line of his nose was a dead ringer for his son. They even had the same goofy grin. A part of me found it weird that they looked so alike because while I was attracted to Raiden, I wasn’t particularly attracted to Raiden’s father. Probably because I’d fallen for Raiden’s personality as much as his looks.
“Raiden, my boy!” Lord Shen opened his arms to his son, engulfing him in a hug. Standing side by side like that, it was hard to tell who was the father and who was the son, especially since they both favored opened-necked shirts. For a man with three grown children, Lord Shen had not let his body go soft. He was as hard and muscled as any of the men with me, and I had no doubt he could fight just as well.
“It’s good to see you,” Raiden said after a moment. “You need better guards.”
Lord Shen frowned and shook his head. “I’m sorry about all that, but it is necessary for these troubling times.”
Raiden’s brow furrowed. “Surely my brothers are not feuding so much to need to question every person who comes to visit?”
His father sighed and rubbed his face, his eyes showing his age. “Not your brothers, the raiders.”
“Raiders?” I asked, stepping forward. “Raiden mentioned you had some raids, but I didn’t expect them to be that bad. Just some run of the mill thieves.”
“If only they were, my dear,” Raiden’s father answered. “But sadly, that is not the case. They don’t discriminate, they attack the rich and the poor. Sometimes not even stealing anything. It is as though they wish only to cause destruction. It is disheartening not to know what your enemies want. It makes it harder to get rid of them.”
“You could just kill them all and be done with it,” Firestar interjected, making me frown. Of course, that was his first thought in solving any problem.
Lord Shen didn’t reply to Firestar’s suggestion. Instead, he shook his head once more and smiled, “Where are my manners, all this talk of war and sadness and I don’t know who any of you are.”
Before I could introduce myself, Lord Shen came over to me with a kind smile. “You, my dear, must be Maya.”
I smiled in return and nodded my head. Without warning, he pulled me into his embrace. “Hugs for family, my dear, and from what I hear, you very well may be family soon.”
The thought of being part of Raiden’s family made my heart warm. It couldn’t be any worse than my own. I’d have loved for a happy welcome from my father without all the domineering drama. But I was a bit short on wishing stars at the moment.
Patting Lord Shen on the back awkwardly, I let him hug me for a moment before he finally pulled back but didn’t let me go. His dark eyes, the same shade as Raiden’s looked over me and then settled on my stomach, and I knew what he would say next.
“And what’s this I hear about a grandchild?” Lord Shen glanced back at his son and then to me. “I never thought I’d be a grandfather before I died what with the way my sons seem to be determined to stay bachelors. I know your mother is very happy to hear of it.”
I bit my tongue to keep myself from telling him the truth as guilt ate at me. He seemed like a nice enough man, and I didn’t want to lie to him too. I’d left home so we wouldn’t have to continue the lie, but it seemed like the news had spread far and wide. Just what I didn’t need.
“It could very well be one of the others, father,” Raiden reminded him with a nod to Jack and Firestar. “We have all decided to take Maya as our mate. We won’t know whose child it is until it is born.”
I waited for his father to explode like mine had, but Lord Shen threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, so not only do I have a new daughter-in-law but two more sons as well.” He approached Firestar and clapped him on the back before he did the same with Jack. “Hopefully, you two can keep my youngest child in line. He’s been known to get a bit out of control at times, but then again, he gets it from his father.”
“You aren’t upset?” I asked with a raised brow. Maybe I had been quick to judge the older dragon. Not everyone would have the same opinion as my father. At least I hoped not.
“Of course not!” Lord Shen announced. “You are young and fertile. I say spread the seed around. We need more babies in this world of all kinds. What better way to ensure our lines go on then to take every chance you can? Doesn’t hurt that you have three strapping men to help make the process fun, either?” Lord Shen winked at me, making my face heat.
“And you,” Lord Shen addressed the men. “You should be thankful you have such a lovely woman for your mate. It could be a lot worse. My first wife, god rest her soul, was a nice enough woman, but so commonly I had to get prepped beforehand.”
“Father!” Raiden chastised but laughed all the same. Oh, to have such a relationship with one’s father. Plenty of people would kill for it. I knew I would.
“Very well,” Lord Shen sighed but grinned all the same. “Let’s go inside, shall we? There is much to do and none of its getting done out here.”
We followed Lord Shen past the wall and what I could only assume was the guard who had stopped us. His eyes widened as we passed, and the scent of fear filled my nose. Raiden’s threat had not been for nothing. Just as we entered the fortress completely, the skies opened, and rain poured down on top of us, completely soaking us through.
Just great.
8
Following behind Lord Shen, we walked along the streets of the capital city. There were several peculiarities I noticed straight away. Ones that caused my suspicion to rise.
If my father had walked through the city - which he rarely ever did - he’d have at least a dozen guards with him. Not that our city was particularly dangerous, but he didn’t want to give anyone a chance to stab him in the back.
“Fickle creatures,” he’d call them before continuing on, “They love you one day but would have no qualms about killing you the next.”
Lord Shen did not seem to have any of those concerns. He strolled down the street as if he were completely at ease. He had a total of one guard - one - and while he was large and menacing, he stayed a few feet behind our party. If there were any trouble, he wouldn’t do any good there.
But Lord Shen’s lack of protection wasn’t even the strangest part of it all. Not by far. In the midst of a civil war, I expected to find fear and empty streets through the kingdom. Maybe even damage from past fighting.
None of those things were present. In fact, the streets were packed with stalls. Vendors called out to try their wares. Children played while their parents gossiped a watchful eye on them the entire time. No one would look at this city and think there was anything other than peace within its walls.
“Lord Shen,” Jack said, his eyes scanning the area as well. “I do not mean to be intrusive, but didn’t you say that your sons were feuding?”
“Ah yes,” Lord Shen nodded his head. “Quite so. Terrible thing it is too. The number of key limes I’ve had to buy has been absolutely ridiculous.”
Jack and I exchanged a confused look. Key limes? What did that have to do with anything?
Instead of Lord Shen filling in the blanks, Raiden answered for him. “My brothers are not the normal sort of princes. They have their own way of sorting out their differences.”
“And those require fruit?” I cocked a brow at him.
Raiden shrugged. “Better than starting a war.”
“So, why does it look like the people don’t even know anything about it?” I gestured around us to the happy going people of the Eastern lands. Not even back on Earth had people looked so at ease.
“Oh, they know,” Lord Shen answered. “They take great pride in betting on the outcome.” He cleared his throat and adjusted his shirt before adding, “I, myself, have placed a bet or two these last few weeks.”
“Fat
her!” Raiden looked at him with surprise on his face. “That’s hardly fair.”
“I don’t always bet on one of them, sometimes it’s both,” Lord Shen explained. “Besides, it’s good for the morale and the economy. If I lose, the people get a large sum of money from the Lord of the North himself.”
It did make sense. Definitely, a selfless thing to do as the ruler of the land. My father would never have done such a thing, not unless he profited from it. I was beginning to see why Raiden cared for his father so much.
“But what exactly are you betting on?” Firestar asked, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.
“Who will win the next attack, of course?” Lord Shen shook his head like it was easily deduced.
I caught up to Lord Shen’s side and placed my hand on his arm. “I apologize, my lord, but you have to understand our confusion. To us, a civil war includes bloodshed and mayhem. Pillaging and destruction.” I swept a hand around the busy street. “None of those things are found here. How are your sons fighting it out if none of the people are involved?”
Lord Shen placed his hand on top of mine and laughed. “Oh, my dear. Not all fights have to be on the battlefield. Some are best kept in the family.” That was all he said about it before we came to the end of the main part of the town and to the doors of the palace.
A loud roar filled the sky, and everyone on the ground looked up. Two dragons the size of houses soared above us, long and windy like snakes, they slithered through the sky. Each of their scales was as bright and yellow as the sun and from what I could tell on the ground, identical.
The dragons roared and hissed, one shooting fire at the other only to miss. The other dragon spun around in the air, swiping his tail at his opponent. His attack didn’t miss, but it hardly seemed to affect the other dragon at all. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I would think he was laughing at his counterpart.
“What the hell do they think they are doing?” Raiden asked his hands on his hips as he shook his head. “No dragon in his right mind would fight above the city. They’re going to break something.”