Ruby Morgan Box Set: Books 6-10

by LJ Rivers

  Morgana exhaled heavily, her nostrils flaring. “You’re right, it doesn’t. And what of your deal with Auberon, Llewellyn?”

  He shuddered and scooped Bailey into his lap. “I provided him with information on Ruby and her progress with finding a way to open the portal. He thought he had to perform a ritual where he drew her blood with Excalibur and drank it from the chalice, creating a form of a trinity. As it turned out, the trinity was already in Ruby’s blood, and all that was needed was a drop of it in the water.”

  “Merlin and Nimue’s blood, combined with my own.” Morgana gestured for me to come closer, so I did. “That was what it took to seal it in the first place.”

  “Auberon betrayed us,” Llewellyn said through his teeth.

  “And you betrayed your entire line,” Morgana retorted.

  “I only meant to save Lili.” He shivered, tears continuing to spill down his face like an open faucet.

  The queen raised her chin, and I had never seen her look more feral. “By the power bestowed upon me, I, Morgana of Fay, Queen of Avalon and the Southern Isles, Protector of Talani, Awarnach, and Ygrenya, Defender of the Realm, sentence you, Llewellyn, to d—”

  “Wait!” I grabbed Morgana’s outstretched hand before she could finish her last word and seal my grandfather’s fate. “Please! Don’t.”

  She gave me a cursory glance. “He must atone.”

  “Can’t you find another way?”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  Brendan came to my side and clasped my hand. “He might still know something from his interaction with Auberon that may be of use. Living with his sins would be a far greater punishment than dying for them.”

  “You impress me once again, Brendan of Callaghan.” Morgana inclined her head as a sign of respect.

  He shrugged. “Llewellyn is a skilled farmer. I’m sure you can find a use for him.”

  I squeezed Brendan’s hand in a silent thank you.

  Morgana nodded. “It is settled. I do have plenty of land in need of care, Llewellyn, but I sentence you to spend the rest of your days on Crochan Island, under Halwyn’s supervision. You will not involve yourself in politics, and you are banished from Avalen. If you set foot in the city, I’ll not be as merciful.”

  My grandfather bowed over Bailey. The cat squirmed and made his escape before Llewellyn’s head all but touched the sand. “Thank you, My Queen.”

  My heart wept for him, for my grandmother, and for the lies he had told. While I understood the need to save the woman he loved more than life itself, it didn’t justify his deception. Teaming up with my father had been both foolish and wrong. Llewellyn had known all along what I was and yet said nothing.

  When his tear-streaked face turned my way, I sighed. “I don’t know if I can ever forgive you, but I’m glad you’ll live.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The wind ruffled my loose hair as I stood atop the mountain. It was a small gathering since the people of Avalon didn’t even know Lili had existed, and Morgana didn’t want to burden them with this grief. We didn’t bury her in the traditional sense, and her essence had already found a home. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her body to be fed upon, like the sentries on Crochan Island, so Morgana decided we would burn Lili instead, along with Cree. It was evidently something Sorcerers did with their dead, but then again, I was a Sorceress.

  Charlie, Jen, and Brendan had come to support me. Hondo and Amilla, along with two other Griffins, had escorted us to the top of the mountain, while Morgana and Taryn had flown up themselves. Even Kit and Bailey had joined us.

  A few Juniper guards stood at our backs, surrounding the crackling fire. The watchtowers were manned by Crimson guards, not here for the ceremony, but as always guarding the mountaintop, making sure no intruders would attempt to access the castle or Nimue’s Grove by way of the mountain.

  Llewellyn stood with Bailey in his arms, eyes downcast, on the ledge next to me. We had barely spoken another word since his confession by the lake only hours earlier. It was night again, and a dark moon taunted us among a dusting of stars. On a rock near the fire sat Taryn, playing a flute-like instrument. He had said it was a song for the dead to aid their essence as it passed from one life to the next. But Lili’s life would not pass as it was meant to. It would forever be bound to Nimue and the lake.

  “She loved you deeply,” my grandfather said.

  “I loved her, too.” Below us, the castle lay submerged in darkness, yet bathed in the glare from thousands of lanterns. A few griffins nested on a cliff in the mountain ridge, their heads turned up at us. Taryn had told me the mountain was the home of the griffins in Avalon, though they had nests elsewhere as well. It was fortunate to have them here, as they served as another line of defence for the city.

  “I wish you’d told me the truth sooner.” I hugged myself and glanced at Kit, who was resting by my feet, because I couldn’t bring myself to look into the eyes of the man who had wronged me.

  “Your father made me swear not to. It was one of his conditions.” He absently stroked Bailey’s fur. “Had I known what would happen, I would have never deceived you, but I wanted to believe she had a chance to recover.”

  The bitter taste of betrayal was heavy on my tongue. This wasn’t the time for mean words and accusations, however. Not now, when we were both grieving the loss of a woman we had loved. Besides, he was still my grandfather. “I get that, but I would have helped you, regardless. Aside from Morgana and my insane father, you are the only family I have left. If you had told me the truth, I would never have turned you away.”

  He nodded, another tear rolling down his cheek. “I wish I had, and I will spend the rest of my days trying to make amends. I’m told the Goblins on Crochan are among the most skilled cropkeepers in all of Gwyn Fanon. Perhaps I might learn a thing or two. Regardless of what has happened, this world feels like home.”

  The tune of Taryn’s flute filled the night, and I pondered Llewellyn’s words. Home. It didn’t feel like home to me. I was an outsider looking in. The people might one day accept me as their queen, but I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to fill that part, nor did I want to. I had achieved what we came here for, saving my grandparents, even if it didn’t turn out as expected. All I had accomplished was losing another piece of my heart. But before I could return to my real home, there was one more obstacle standing in my way, something I had to rectify to be able to sleep at night. Auberon wasn’t done with his plans, and I had to be here to help stop him. While I wanted to send my friends back to Earth, I had learned that they would never abandon me and, for that, I was grateful.

  “I hope you find peace,” I said, meaning it.

  A squawk sounded, and we turned around. Two griffins swooped past the watchtowers, carrying Morgana’s banners.

  Jen, who had been quietly conversing with Charlie, bounced to her feet as the animals alighted.

  I spun away from my grandfather, Kit at my heels, and a smile touched my lips. “Erica!” I waved. “Jack!”

  The two Shifters slid off the griffins and hugged Jen, then me, before Brendan and Charlie joined in. Jack and Brendan bumped fists.

  “Good to see you both,” Brendan said.

  “You must have missed us terribly.” Jack winked.

  “While I’m thrilled to see you all,” Erica intervened, bumping Jack out of the way, “we come bearing news.”

  Morgana, who had been facing the flames, turned to us, her dress billowing around her. “Speak.”

  Erica inclined her head and cleared her throat. “My Queen, Talani forest is full of travellers. The Tiliva clan we stayed with tells us there hasn’t been this much activity for many dark moons and then some. Until now, that is. The other day, we spotted creatures and machines transported north, heading for Mynydd mountain. The Tiliva scouts reported a large assembly of Sorcerers and other kinds, milling in from every dark corner of Mynydd and beyond. Bellios has been spotted with another Satyr, who I suspect is Yeats, along with t
he king himself. Crowned and all. They are preparing for war.”

  Morgana put a hand on Erica’s shoulder. “You have done well, young wolf.” She squared her shoulders. “I am sorry to cut this short, but there is no time to waste. I must consult my war council. Brendan and Jeannine, I would like the two of you to join me.”

  I frowned. “What about me?”

  “You may join me later. I promise I will keep you informed. Stay here a while longer and say your goodbyes to Lili Helene.” She gestured for one of the eagle Crimsons to approach. “Renwar, will you make sure Llewellyn is escorted to the port and brought over on the next ship to Crochan? Send two Junipers with him for the journey and have them convey my orders to Halwyn upon arrival.”

  “Yes, My Queen.”

  I grabbed Brendan’s tunic, pulling him close. He embraced me and kissed my neck. “Don’t worry, I won’t be far,” he murmured.

  Inhaling his spicy scent, I stood on my tiptoes, then nudged him to face me. Our lips met in a tender kiss, soft and mournful. It wasn’t the kind of kiss that sent tingles down to my toes, but the kind that made my heart swell, filling me with a sense of belonging and familiarity, rather than desire. Avalon might not be home, but Brendan sure felt like it. We broke apart, and he climbed onto Amalli, while Jen straddled Hondo. Morgana took to the sky, and Taryn followed with the griffins close behind.

  Behind me, Renwar had approached Llewellyn, and was now carrying him into the air and away from the mountain. I caught a glimpse of Bailey clinging to the Crimson’s cloaked shoulders before they merged with the shadows.

  I sagged, dropping to the stony ground. All the magic in Avalon couldn’t help me now, and my father was on the warpath.

  A warm hand folded over my shoulder as Charlie sat next to me, the reflection of the flames dancing in her eyes. “I remember when Lili and Brendan joked about Riverdance. She couldn’t stop laughing at his jokes.”

  I leaned on her. “She did have a sense of humour. I thought he was rude, but she didn’t seem to mind.”

  “She loved watching you, you know,” Charlie said. “Your every move. It was as if she was memorising everything about you. I think you reminded her of the daughter she once pushed out of her life in order to protect her. What you did was give her a piece of Elaine back.”

  I sniffled. “Thanks, Char.”

  We sat there for a while longer, watching the fire.

  “You think the war is really coming?” Charlie whispered.

  “I don’t see anything stopping it. My father will come.”

  She nodded decisively. “And he will fall. We’ll make sure of it.”

  I wished I had her confidence because I wasn’t so sure we could prevail. My father had had fifteen hundred years to plan his attack, and a part of me didn’t believe we could win. My fingers brushed through a patch of grass when my vision blurred. My head throbbed with the oncoming surge of magic. A blinding light cut through my line of sight, and Charlie disappeared. The sounds shifted to that of clanging swords, muffled voices, and cries of pain. The mountain was gone, and so was the sky. In its stead were cobbled streets and rivers of blood. I screamed silently, watching the horrors around me. The image changed, forcing me away from the horrific scene, and I found myself in Morgana’s throne room. I gasped for air and could almost feel the cold marble beneath my feet.

  On Morgana’s throne sat a man I knew all too well. A blue stone crown graced his head, an ebony staff clutched in his hand. His hair was longer, and his beard had grown, but there was no mistaking the Son of Merlin.

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  Book 9: Lady of Avalon Part 1

  Chapter One

  Voices blended with the clangs of swords and bursts of laughter, accompanied by the brilliant notes from flutes and the steady rhythm of drums. Someone was singing, though I couldn’t make out the words through all the noise. People flooded into the lower bailey behind us, as Charlie and I—with my Crimson centaur guard Anwinar in tow—ascended the wide stone stairs and entered the crowd. Tents upon tents cluttered the upper bailey, and I inhaled the mixed scents of spices and herbs.

  The castle had been like this for the past few days, and it would continue well into next week. Or at least for as long as it took for Morgana’s special guests to arrive and have been properly entertained before their departure. Of course, there was also the matter of the real reason she had invited them. All the nobles, as well as her reeves, were expected to show up, and they had been piling in one by one, though a few were still missing before they could get down to business. In the meantime, Morgana had wanted them to feel welcome, and throwing a party was just what the doctor ordered. I wondered what they would think about the news Morgana would share with them. The people in Avalen seemed mostly content with having a new princess, and the majority treated me like the royalty they believed I was. There were those, however, who had objected. Especially among the nobles. I was an outsider, no matter how long I had been here or how long I would stay. My worries aside, it felt good to have a few days of festivities to take my mind off the impending threat of war.

  Hopefully, the festivities would lighten everyone’s mood, buttering them up for the news Morgana was about to lay on them. Auberon’s return, the second reason for this charade, didn’t exactly warrant a celebration, but Morgana knew how to set the stage. You got further with kindness and full bellies than with iron fists and a grim reception.

  I waved to Tallaks, the baker, who nodded back before turning around to retrieve a freshly baked loaf of bread.

  “I want me some of that!” Charlie squeezed my arm.

  “It does smell delicious,” I said, “but I don’t think I can eat any more. I’ve tasted just about everything, and my stomach is about to burst.”

  “True. We’ll give it half an awr or so. I’m sure we’ll be able to make room for something from the finest baker in all of Avalen by then.”

  “Perhaps My Princess would like to move along,” Anwinar said, his mane rustling as he turned his head every which way. That centaur saw danger everywhere. He had become more or less a permanent attachment to my heels, and however much I had begged Morgana not to put guards on me, she was adamant that I needed at least one. And although Anwinar was the only one visibly guarding me, there were always other Crimsons watching.

  A fanfare sounded above the cacophony and, as had become a repeat occurrence over the past few days, a voice announced the arrival of another important guest. “Lord Galahad, Knight of the Round Table, Reeve of Pixilon.”

  “Galahad?” I stared at Charlie.

  “The real one!” she squealed, wiggling her brows.

  “He’s a reeve, Anwinar?” I asked.

  The centaur’s hoofs clopped on the cobbles. “Has been so ever since the end of the war. Morgana appointed the remaining knights to fill the vacant positions after most of the previous reeves were either killed in battle, fled, or got sent through the portal. They are too old now to still wield their swords, but their minds are sharp. Much like your Don Hekal friend, Princess.” He gestured at Charlie.

  The real Galahad. I stretched on my toes as if I could possibly see the lower bailey from where we stood. I was curious about this knight, a human who had spent most of his life living in Gwyn Fanon, though I would get to meet him soon enough. I had once known another man who went by that name, and I would be happy to put a new face to it. The Galahad I remembered was used as a code name for Jarl Colburn by the Harvesters who had once kidnapped me. It seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened since then, and I hadn’t known half of what I knew now. Mum had still been alive, I hadn’t known the truth about Dad or my biologic
al father, and my powers had still been bound to my now destroyed ruby ring.

  “Come on!” Charlie tugged me forward, and I stumbled for a moment but managed to stay on my feet as we made our way through an archway and into what had become an archery arena overnight.

  Spectators filled the stands to our left, while the royal booth stood empty on an elevated platform to our right. Another booth stood next to it, and I counted three of the primes seated there. Sanctor, Diwella, and Miranar. I scanned the crowd, and my lips quirked up when I spotted Jen, sitting with Jack and Erica, waving at us from the stands.

  “Come on.” Clasping Charlie’s hand, I started to move.

  “Booth.” Anwinar trotted ahead of us, gesturing to the royal booth where six Crimsons had taken their positions.

  “I want to sit with my friend,” I said.

  “She may join you in the royal booth, but My Princess cannot sit with the commoners.”

  I sighed and pointed to the empty seats reserved for Morgana and the royal court, then veered towards them. There was no point arguing with the centaur. Besides, his job was to keep me safe, so I shouldn’t make it more difficult for him than it already was.

  Jen rolled her eyes and exchanged a few words with Jack and Erica, who waved her off. The two wolves smiled at their alpha as she got to her feet. Jen nodded at them, then weaved through the row of spectators, finally joining us on the elevated platform. I took the seat next to the queen’s empty chair, with Jen and Charlie next to me. Unlike Morgana, however, I was yet to be graced with fanfare at my every arrival—thank the Lady.

  “There are only three archers left in the game,” Jen said. “They’re incredible.” She crossed her legs and straightened her spine, the folds of her maroon skirt flowing over her thighs to reveal her ankles and the lower parts of her shins. I caught one of the eagle Crimsons glancing at her bare ankles with a mixture of shock and admiration on his face. Jen had noticed him too, and she leaned back a little, so her skirt hitched up another few inches, before she winked at him. His cheeks flared pink, and he averted his gaze.