The Emerald Dagger (Daradawn Book 2)

by Barbara Hodges

  Peter narrowed his eyes. "To where? Into Dirkk's crushing fists?"

  "Talix is no longer with Dirkk. He wishes to redeem himself in his father's eyes."

  The marble of blue in Peter's hand pulsed. "He cannot be trusted. Let me kill him."

  "Regan is with Dirkk," Talix said. "I can take you to her."

  "Why do you wish to align with us?" Peter said.

  "The queen says you will stop the dragons from killing my kind."

  Peter laughed bitterly. "We will try."

  The fairie darted around the queen's head. "Dirkk did not honor his words to me. He promised only a few would be taken, that my father would be spared, but he does nothing to halt the dragons."

  "Etain'daman he calls them. Fairie demon," Tessa said.

  Peter winced. "I know them well." He glared at the fairie. "I will stop Dirkk. This time he will die."

  Talix hovered before him. "And Regan? He has declared her his queen. I saw her accept his crown myself." The fairie's look was spiteful and sly.

  "Not by her choice, I am sure," Peter said. He shot a quick glance at Queen Tessa, but her expression told him nothing.

  "We ride to Hafgan's to strengthen our army," she said, "and then on to where Dirkk hides." The queen's lips thinned. "We will free Regan. Only once more will I give her the chance to stop Zara and her younglings. If she cannot, then..." Her words trailed away. She waved her hand and they'd started forward once more.

  "Peter," a voice called, jerking him back to the present. He stood in his stirrups and sought its owner. He saw her then. She stood paused beneath the rising gate and ran toward him.

  "Regan." He vaulted from Skylar's back and rushed to meet her. They came together, wrapped arms around each other and held on tightly. Peter bent to whisper in her ear. "My love, my heart."

  "Daddy." Daniel's voice called. An excited yip followed the word and Peter looked over Regan's head. His son was a blur of pumping legs as he ran toward them, but Maggie reached them first. The basset hound's body quivered as she danced around them, her tail waving like a wind-whipped flag.

  Daniel stopped before them, red-cheeked and out of breath. Regan stepped back from Peter and smiled at their son. Peter swept him up. The little boy's arms curled around his father's neck and Peter buried his nose in Daniel's hair.

  Daniel lifted his head and then patted Peter's cheeks. "You okay, Daddy?"

  "I am now," Peter said with a choked voice.

  "Catherine?" Regan asked.

  "She is fine. Young Clifton's wife is seeing to her."

  Regan turned to look at Queen Tessa and the army behind her. "What's going on? Why are you here?"

  Peter shook his head. "Zara and the fairies." He put Daniel down. "Let's go inside. There are stories to be shared."

  With mother and father each holding their son's hands, they walked toward the open gate.

  *****

  They sat around the table in the dining hall. Maids scurried about the room, filled chalices with warm spiced cider. Hafgan had declined their offer to take a seat at the head of the table. Instead, he leaned against the side of the fireplace, his faced pinched and pale. The queen had taken his seat instead and had bidden each to tell their tale in turn. On the table next to Tessa, Talix sat, his legs crossed before him. Regan could not keep her gaze too long on the fairie prince. Her palm itched to squash him.

  She didn't trust him. She didn't care what Tessa said. He'd turned on them, then his own kind, and now he'd turned on Dirkk and come crawling back to them.

  Talix saw her look and smiled. Regan glared at him in silence.

  We'll just see, she decided. If he even breathes wrong, I'll turn him into a tiny pile of ash. The thought made her smile and she watched Talix scoot closer to Tessa.

  Angus began his part of the tale and she turned her gaze to him. He told of Thomas' masquerade as Healer Kerry, and of his own capture. Regan glared at Talix again on hearing of his part in the abduction.

  "I did not know Dirkk's true colors," the fairie whined.

  "You will be given the chance to redeem yourself," Tessa said, meeting each person's look and giving a silent warning before moving on to the next.

  Angus grunted and drank deeply from his chalice. Beneath the table, Peter squeezed Regan's hand.

  Her thoughts drifted to Daniel and Maggie. They, along with the etain'daman, were in the ballroom. All had been fed and found places to stretch out on the marble floor. As she'd turned to leave them, she'd seen Hades standing in the doorway and walked to her.

  "Do you wish to join us in the dining hall?"

  The etain'daman stared at Regan a long time in silence, and then shook her head. "I will stay with my own. I trust you and yours to plan Dirkk's downfall."

  "Regan."

  Tessa's voice jerked her attention back to the present. "Yes, my queen?"

  "You say Zara and her young are no longer a problem?"

  Regan nodded.

  "You control them?"

  Regan frowned. "No one controls a dragon. Zara gave me her word."

  Tessa sipped from her cup. "Then they can change their minds."

  Regan's fingers tightened around the stem of her chalice. "Zara does not lie."

  Tessa swept a cool glance across Regan's face. "Where is your crown?"

  "My what?"

  "Talix says Dirkk crowned you his queen. Where is your crown?"

  Regan started to stand, but Peter gripped her hand and held her in her seat. "I left it in the room that held us prisoner," she said stiffly.

  Tessa sat her chalice down. "Did I understand you right? Dirkk opened a doorway inside my castle, and you just walked through it?"

  "He had my son. I could not refuse." She glanced at Peter. He looked uncomfortable, but didn't say anything.

  She turned back to the queen. "Tessa, if there's something bothering you, just say it."

  The queen took a deep breath. "You are a good friend, but I must put Raya and all of Daradawn before anything else."

  Regan felt the Power warm inside her.

  The queen continued. "Seven years ago, you let Dirkk go free."

  "What?" Regan jumped to her feet, the chair crashed to the floor behind her. She stared into the queen's face. "You think I've joined him?"

  "You and he, along with the dragons, could be Daradawn's doom," Tessa said.

  Regan could not speak. It was if she'd forgotten how.

  Kelsey rose to her feet. "You're crazy. You might as well accuse me, too."

  "Peace," Peter said, standing. "All of you, sit. We will discuss this without shouting."

  Regan stared at him, and then took a step back from the table. "There's nothing to discuss." She turned and walked toward the door.

  "Regan," Peter said, turning to follow.

  "You will stay here, High Mage," Tessa ordered. "Daradawn and I have need of you."

  Peter turned to glare at Tessa. "Have you gone mad? She is my wife."

  "And I am your queen."

  At the door, Regan turned. "Peter, stay. I need some time alone." Her words sounded hollow even to her own ears.

  "Regan," he said.

  "No, I can't talk to you right now. Just give me a little time." Regan walked through the door and closed it behind her.

  Peter sat down in his chair. "What does she mean she cannot talk to me right now? I am her husband."

  "You were the High Mage long before," Rourk said in a quiet voice. "Perhaps she wishes only to remove the burden of being forced to choose your queen or your wife."

  "Well, all of you can just sit here on your asses. I'm going to my sister." Kelsey strode toward the door.

  "Kelsey," Tessa called.

  "And don't you give me your Queen's-Commander shit," Kelsey said without stopping. "Some things are more important."

  "See," Tessa said as Kelsey reached the door, "it is worse than I first feared. They are still not completely of our world. Their allegiance still first lies with each other."

  Wit
h a loud curse, Kelsey slammed the door behind her.

  *****

  In an alcove of the hallway, Patrick watched first Regan and then Kelsey rush by. He had heard it all. Dirkk must know this latest turn of events. Such news would please his father. A smile curved his lips as he slipped away.

  *****

  Kelsey found Regan in the ancient stable stroking Jax's neck. Regan turned as Kelsey touched her shoulder. Damp tear tracks striped her pale face, but her voice rang with resolution as she said, "I don't belong here. Even after seven years, I'm branded an outsider. I'm going back to my Victorian."

  Kelsey took a deep breath. "Now hold it. You're overreacting. What about your family?"

  "I'm taking them with me."

  "Peter won't go."

  "I didn't mean Peter. I meant Daniel and Catherine."

  Kelsey shook her head. "You think Peter will just let you waltz out of here with his children?"

  Regan's lips tightened. "I am their mother. He can come visit them."

  "What? For seven days every seven years? Come on, Regan. Think about it."

  Regan turned away. "I won't stay where I'm not trusted."

  "Damn it, Regan. Tessa is queen of Daradawn. She called you her friend, but she has to think of everyone who lives here. How does she know what happened between you and Dirkk? He had Daniel. What would you do to save your son?"

  "I didn't have to do anything," Regan said.

  "She doesn't know that." Kelsey rubbed her temple. "I wish Ben were here. He'd talk some sense into you."

  "It wouldn't make any difference, but where is Ben?" Regan said.

  "He and Margeaux went to find Delilah. Peter said Ben planned to go back through the rift with his daughter."

  "No," Regan said. "We need him here and what about Margeaux? She loves him."

  Kelsey threw up both of her hands in exasperation. "Regan, listen to me. You're one of the Power's chosen. You can talk to dragons. You're a threat that can't be ignored."

  Regan blinked back sudden tears. "I think he wonders, too."

  Kelsey stared into her sister's face. Now they were getting to it. "Who? Peter?"

  "He isn't here, is he?"

  "Don't do this, Regan. Don't let Dirkk destroy what you and Peter have."

  "Dirkk. Damn him. He's the one I want to destroy."

  Jax snorted and stepped back from Regan.

  "Sorry," she said, scratching between the gelding's ears.

  Kelsey smiled. "Maybe we can."

  Regan looked at her. "What?"

  "I saw Patrick skulking in the hallway."

  "That little weasel. I'd like to get hold of him."

  "He heard everything, and of course he'll go running to Dirkk." She touched Regan's shoulder. "How bad do you want Dirkk?"

  Regan didn't like the look on Kelsey's face, but she said. "I'd do anything to get him."

  Kelsey pulled Regan toward a bale of moldy hay. "I've got an idea."

  *****

  By the glow of a mage-globe, Kelsey waited in the stables. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps. Let the games begin, she thought, and I hope they don't blow up in our face.

  "Where is Regan?" Peter demanded, coming from the shadows of the stable doors.

  She shrugged. "In her room."

  "I checked there first."

  Kelsey forced herself to smile wryly. "Dear God, I hope she didn't really do it."

  "Do what?" Peter asked.

  "I saw her here. We talked. She was ranting about how you and Tessa didn't trust her, how she's proved herself over and over, but she's never been anything but an outsider."

  "I trust her. She hates Dirkk and everything he stands for."

  Kelsey stared into his face for a moment. "What took you so long to get here?"

  Peter's cheeks flushed. "I had to see Daniel to bed, something his mother should have been there to do along with me. He has had a bad couple of days."

  "You don't think Regan knows that? She was there with him and Dirkk."

  He sighed. "Kelsey, I do not want to argue with you. Where is my wife?"

  Kelsey took a deep breath. "I don't know. Gone maybe."

  Peter's eyebrows rose. "Gone?"

  "Something may have happened between her and Dirkk."

  "No." The word exploded from Peter. "Nothing happened. Regan would not let it."

  Kelsey touched Peter's arm. "Hey, she's angry. Even if she does go back to him, she won't stay. She'll see it's all just a bunch of empty promises."

  "You are saying Regan returned to Dirkk? Without her children?"

  "She's leaving you, Tessa and Raya, not Daniel and Catherine."

  Peter's face paled and then flooded with angry color. He jerked away from Kelsey. "She will not take my children." He turned and ran from the stable.

  Kelsey stared after him. "Dear God, please make this the right thing to do."

  *****

  Peter flung open the door to the room and ran to the bed.

  The coverings were thrown back, the bed empty. Daniel and Maggie were gone. He collapsed upon the edge of the bed and sucked air into his lungs.

  "Damn you, Regan, damn you. What have you done?"

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ben poked the fire and watched the sparks become a miniature volcano. Delilah lay on its far side, but he knew she wasn't asleep. He'd heard her muffled sobs throughout what had remained of the night. Maybe she did love the boy, but Margeaux was right. Darrian's life could not be sacrificed for his stubbornness. He would survive the seven years of separation. Then, if he still loved Delilah, they would be together for a long time in Daradawn.

  Margeaux unrolled from her blanket and stood. She came to stand beside him, lifting her hands toward the warmth of the blaze. "Good morning," she said, then smiled, but he saw the dark shadows in her eyes.

  "We're doing the right thing," he said quietly.

  "I know, but it pains me to know how much Darrian will hate me for this."

  "He'll get over it and in time realize it's the best way."

  A chill wind gusted over them and Margeaux shivered. "Will he?" She turned her back to the fire and rubbed her backside with both hands. "I feel my age this morning."

  Delilah sat up. It hurt Ben when she refused to meet his eyes, staring instead in the direction they'd traveled from last night. "How far to the rift?"

  "We'll be there by mid-morning," Ben said. "I've made coffee." He held a steaming mug out to her.

  Delilah stood and joined them by the fire. Silently, she took the offered cup. A ray of light found her bowed head and he glanced upward. The sun had crested The Mountain of the Devil. It was time to get moving. The horses shifted and he turned to look at them. They sniffed the wind, pulled against their tethers. Ben jumped to his feet.

  "What's wrong?" Margeaux said.

  He hurried to the horses and released them. "Go," he yelled, swatting them on the rumps.

  "What are you doing?" Delilah asked.

  "They'll be safer away from us." Ben's eyes searched the surrounding trees and brush. Last night the shelter had seemed the right call, but now... Ben picked up his iron-tipped staff. Seven years ago it would have been nothing but a walking stick to him but, after hours of sweaty and pain-filled training, it was now his chosen weapon. Leaves rustled behind him and he whirled, the staff held double-handed before him and legs braced wide.

  Margeaux stood and picked up her bow in one fluid movement. She was a healer, but also an elf and deadly accurate with the weapon. She readied an arrow and faced the opposite direction.

  "What's happening?" Delilah said.

  Margeaux shot her a sharp glance. "Silence, girl."

  Delilah bent down and picked up a large rock. Pride stirred in Ben as he watched his daughter brace herself for whatever came. They hadn't long to wait. The brush in front of Ben shook and a shaggy gray head emerged. Silver eyes surveyed them.

  "Another," Margeaux said from behind him. The wolf Ben watched sniffed the air. A howl cut th
rough the morning quiet.

  "They're all around us," Delilah said, a quiver in her voice.

  The wolf in front of Ben inched forward, jaws snapping. He heard the twang of a released arrow, followed by a loud yelp. The wolf leapt, and Ben dodged to the side. The beast came down at the fire's edge and twisted back to attack.

  He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and swung the staff to his right. The iron tip caught another wolf below its right ear, and it went down without a sound. Pivoting, he slammed the staff into the first wolf, catching it along the ribs. Bones snapped and it fell.

  Delilah screamed and Ben whirled. His daughter lay sprawled in a defensive position, a growling fenris'ena on top of her. Her hands were buried in its neck fur as she strained to keep the snapping teeth from her face. Ben sprang forward and kicked the beast in the side. The wolf rolled, then scrambled to its feet. It snarled, lips drawn back to display four-inch canines but, instead of attacking, it lifted its head and howled. Ben knew it called more of its brethren. He lunged forward and crushed the wolf's larynx with the tip of the staff. The wolf choked and thrashed upon the ground. Ben heard a soft twang and an arrow embedded itself into its heart.

  "It need not suffer," Margeaux said. "Tis not their fault."

  Howls erupted all around them. "Run. To the rocks," Ben cried.

  "Daddy." The fear-filled cry stopped him in his tracks. Six wolves surrounded Delilah. He turned toward the sound, and time slowed as panic raced through him. He felt as if he trudged through heavy snow as he moved toward his daughter.

  A fenris'ena leapt. Delilah twisted to the side, but its teeth clamped down on her upper arm as another wolf charged. It barreled into her legs and she fell. In desperation, Ben reached toward her. From out of nowhere, another wolf charged into him and sent him crashing to the ground. Pain knifed through his shoulder, and snapping teeth lunged for his face. He twisted, grabbed the wolf by the throat. As sinuous as a viper, it turned its head. Teeth like hot spikes impaled him and a scream burst between his clenched teeth. Blood erupted from the gashes and flowed down his arm.

  "By the gods, no," a male voice cried, and a knife sprouted from the fenris'ena's chest. The wolf collapsed on Ben. He pushed it to the side and jumped to his feet.