“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Lucas bowed.
The King looked to Darius.
He nodded once. “Very well—”
“What’s going on here?” The small group parted as Kai approached.
Great.
“What is the meaning of this?” He surveyed the other Council Elders before finally landing his attention on Ryleigh.
Elijah moved to intercept him before he reached her.
“There has been a new development, a miracle really.” Elijah’s voice held only excitement, but his shaking hands betrayed him when he gestured toward the Tree.
Kai stopped. Glared at the Seer. Waited.
Elijah lifted a hand toward the Tree and stepped back, allowing Kai an unimpeded view.
His face reddened with rage, and Kai turned his glare on Jackson. “What is this?” He slammed his staff into the ground, shattering the stone. A series of cracks ran from the site of the impact. The ground shook.
Jackson released his hold on Ryleigh. He moved toward Kai.
Ryleigh held her breath.
“Look, Kai. I don’t want to fight with you. I apologize for what happened at the hospital. It was not my intention to harm you.”
Kai’s condescending laughter filled the night. “Harm me?”
Jackson moved his hand closer to the dagger at his side.
Kai’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You’ll never make it, boy.”
Sweat soaked Jackson’s shirt, making it cling to his broad back. His muscles bunched. His fingers flexed.
Ryleigh wanted to reach out to him, but she didn’t dare move.
Kai’s eyes filled with something that looked a little too much like eagerness.
A dark shadow passed over them.
Ryleigh kept her gaze glued to Jackson.
A loud cry interrupted the stand-off.
Jackson finally looked away from the warrior.
Ryleigh released her breath slowly, quietly.
Nika soared overhead. The massive hound lowered himself gracefully to the ground in the courtyard. He whimpered and lowered his massive head in invitation.
Mia.
Ryleigh’s heart thundered in her chest. Had something happened to her sister?
Jackson grabbed her hand and propelled her toward the large animal. He gripped her waist and threw her atop Nika’s back then swung on behind her.
Darius shouted commands.
The pounding of footsteps followed as Nika climbed higher and higher into the night.
Jackson leaned forward. His warmth pressed against her back grounded her. It would be all right.
Nika soared toward the large wall of windows. He was moving fast. Too fast.
Ryleigh cringed and ducked as he flew into the chamber and dropped to the ground, his landing much harder than Nahara’s had been the first time she’d flown.
Dakota knelt at Mia’s side. “Jackson, thank God you’re here. I don’t know what’s wrong. She began to whimper in her sleep. I thought she might be having nightmares, so I tried to wake her.”
Ryleigh fell to the floor beside her sister. “Mia.” She felt for a pulse. Slow. Weak. “Mia, you have to wake up.”
“I called to her, but she wouldn’t wake, so I shook her shoulder. Her skin burned through the fabric of her shirt. I pulled the blanket from her and sent Nika for you.”
Jackson knelt on the other side of Mia, examining the young girl. “Mia.” He shook her gently. “Mia you have to wake up.”
She lay still, limp.
Nika paced the floor, his attention riveted on Mia’s still form.
Nahara whined. She nuzzled Mia’s head.
Still no response.
Pounding on the door pulled Ryleigh’s attention from her sister. She froze, terrified something evil had come for them.
“Enter.” Jackson didn’t turn from Mia as he shouted the command. He pressed a hand to her forehead. Then gripped both sides of her head in his hands. The size and strength of his hands swallowed her up, making the young girl appear even more fragile.
Ryleigh’s tears flowed freely. She gripped Mia’s hand in hers.
It was so cold. Ice cold.
Her gaze shot to the rise and fall of her sister’s chest. Oh, thank God. She was at least breathing.
“What’s wrong with her? Can you help her?” Fear tore a hole in her gut, wrenched at her heart. “Please, you have to help her.”
Elijah fell to his knees at Mia’s side. He struggled to get past Ryleigh.
“You have to come with me now.” King Maynard reached around Ryleigh and tried to lift her to her feet.
She struggled against his hold.
“Give them room to work on her. We won’t go far.” He lifted her gently, but firmly, and backed away from Mia. “If you stay put, you can wait here.”
Unable to force words past the lump blocking her throat, she simply nodded and stopped resisting.
A woman dropped to her knees beside Jackson and placed her hands on top of Mia’s head. Her hands were like porcelain, pale, delicate, fragile. She moved them slowly down to the sides of Mia’s face, until she held the young girl’s cheeks cradled between her tiny hands. Brightness emanated from her palms, surrounding Mia in a halo of light.
Ryleigh lunged toward her.
King Maynard’s iron grip on her shoulder stopped her short.
Deep sobs tore through her. “What’s she doing? What’s wrong with Mia?”
King Maynard tightened his hold. “It’s all right, my child. Kiara is our strongest healer. She’ll take care of Mia.”
His confidence did nothing to ease Ryleigh’s fears.
The light surrounding Mia grew brighter.
Kiara leaned over, her long, flowing black hair spilling across Mia, covering her face.
Ryleigh tried taking deep breaths, filling her lungs as much as she was able then blowing each breath slowly out. Her chest was too tight. She struggled to expand her lungs. Oh, Mia, you have to be all right. She pressed her hands to her mouth.
Kiara lifted her head, her face even paler than it had been when she’d first entered. She offered Ryleigh a weak smile. “She’s going to be all right.”
Mia stirred. Her eyes fluttered open.
“Mia!” Ryleigh flung herself toward her sister.
This time the King released his hold.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Mia looked around, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. “What happened?”
“We couldn’t wake you.” Ryleigh grabbed Mia’s shoulders and stared into her eyes. “You scared me half to death.” Her color had begun to return, chasing away some of the deeper shadows from beneath her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Mia’s sheepish grin ratcheted the tension down a notch.
“What happened, Kiara? Why couldn’t we wake her?”
“Your sister’s breathing and heart rate slowed down considerably. I believe she might not yet be ready to live in our world. I have healed her for now, but she will eventually need to return to her own realm.”
Ryleigh’s heart sank. She’d been so sure she was destined to be a part of this world, but she would never leave Mia. They would have to go back. “How long do we have?”
Kiara contemplated Mia. “A while yet. Her systems have probably been slowing gradually since she entered Cymmera. The same thing will most likely happen again if she remains here.”
“Will I ever be able to live here?” Disappointment filled Mia’s voice.
Ryleigh tucked the mass of curls behind Mia’s ear. The gesture probably brought Ryleigh more comfort than it did Mia.
“I think so. I think your body is just not quite mature enough to handle the change of realms yet. Your sister seems to be doing fine, so I think you’ll be all right once you’re a little older.” She considered Ryleigh. “Do you mind if I examine you, just to be sure?”
Ryleigh nodded her assent and stood.
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Kiara rose and approached Ryleigh. She placed her hands on either side of Ryleigh’s face, and light poured from her palms.
Warmth enveloped Ryleigh, flowed through her, heated her blood. When the feeling ended abruptly, a chill coursed through her.
Kiara smiled. “You’re fine.”
“Thank you.” Ryleigh took the woman’s hand, held it gently. “I can’t ever thank you enough for saving my sister.”
Kiara bowed her head. “It was my pleasure to serve the princess. My husband, Lucas, explained quickly before I was summoned to help. You’ve given my family, my daughter, hope for a future. I can never repay that. Thank you, My Princess.”
This time the warmth that surged through Ryleigh came from within.
Mia sat with her back against Nahara’s side, her tiny hand swallowed up by Jackson’s larger one.
Nika had finally stopped pacing, but his gaze still darted around the room, never settling on any one thing.
Lucas and the other guard from the courtyard strode back and forth in front of the open windows.
Darius issued orders to a small group of soldiers.
Elijah’s hands fluttered wildly, his face red, as he argued with King Maynard. “It has to be this way.”
The King stood stone-faced, hands on his hips. “I don’t care, Elijah. It’s too much to ask.”
“Not only Jackson, Ryleigh has to be there too.”
The king scrubbed at his face. “I understand that, but why right now with all that’s going on?”
“It must be now, simply because it must be.” Elijah pressed his lips firmly together in a tight line.
Whatever the two of them were arguing over, Ryleigh would bet the seer was about to get his way. It was quite apparent he wasn’t going to concede.
A small niggle at the back of her neck made her look over her shoulder and straight into Kai’s cold, empty stare. Bile rose in her throat. Something about the warrior shriveled her courage, leaving her weak and vulnerable.
His glare intensified. His already black eyes darkened even more.
Ryleigh’s palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her jeans.
“Excuse me?” Elijah spoke softly at her side.
She jumped, startled, but she still couldn’t wrench her gaze away.
“Miss Ryleigh? Could I have a moment of your time, please?” Elijah stepped into her line of sight, effectively ending the battle of wills she’d been sure was playing out between her and Kai.
She leaned around Elijah to search for Kai.
He was gone. A quick study of the rest of the chamber told her he’d left the room.
“Miss Ryleigh?”
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry, Elijah.” She rubbed at the goosebumps on the back of her neck, but couldn’t dispel the unease.
“That’s quite all right, Miss. I’m sure you have a lot on your mind just now. I do, however, require your presence at a private meeting regarding security for you and your sister. I’m assuming you will want to return with her to the human realm, and there are measures that must be taken to ensure your safety.”
She glanced over at Mia, who was laughing at something Jackson said.
“Don’t worry. Dakota and Kiara will remain here with Miss Mia. The guards will remain as well. We’ve sent for something for her to eat. I assure you, she’ll be well cared for.” He wrung his hands, glanced around and lowered his voice. “If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t ask you to leave her right now.”
Ryleigh sighed. Something in his eyes called to her, mesmerized her. She couldn’t refuse his request. “Sure, I’ll come.”
A small smile appeared. “Thank you, My Princess. Jackson will show you the way.” He turned away from her and approached Jackson. He leaned over and spoke in hushed tones.
Jackson’s brow furrowed. Then he nodded and glanced at Ryleigh. He tousled Mia’s hair before he left her to talk to Dakota.
Ryleigh walked over and leaned down to kiss Mia’s head. “I have to see Elijah about security arrangements, will you be all right?”
A blush colored her cheeks as she glanced at Dakota. “I’ll be fine.”
“Mmm…hmm…” Ryleigh waggled her eyebrows, teasing her sister about her obvious crush.
Mia’s blush deepened.
Ryleigh was definitely not ready for Mia to take an interest in boys, especially boys from another realm. Okay, that’s more than I can deal with right now. Ryleigh rubbed her temples. “I promise I’ll get back as quickly as I can.”
“I’ll be fine.” The dramatic eye roll settled Ryleigh’s nerves a bit. Mia was back to her old self.
“You ready?” Jackson waited.
She checked Mia one last time.
“Go already.”
“I guess I’m ready.” Ryleigh shrugged and followed Jackson from the room.
“Did Elijah tell you where we’re going?” His long stride wasn’t easy for her to match.
She glanced over at the irritation in his voice and shook her head. “Why, is something wrong?”
He shoved his hand back through his hair and heaved a sigh. “Who knows?”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Confusion warred with irritation at his attitude. She remained silent, allowing him space to brood.
“Look.” He paused. Indecision filled his eyes. “I have no idea what’s going on around here.” He rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Did Elijah give you any idea what this is about?”
“He just said we have to discuss security for when Mia and I return home.”
Jackson’s scowl deepened, and he propped his hands low on his hips.
“I…umm…” She stopped, unsure what to say to him.
His eyes hardened, turned to stone. He held her stare. “Is that what you want to do?”
A flash of Mia lying so still, her long, thick lashes deepening the already dark shadows beneath her closed eyes, the rise and fall of her chest too slow, too shallow.
“What choice do I have?” She lowered her gaze.
Jackson turned and walked away.
* * * *
Jackson followed Elijah into his chamber. The usually bright, airy space had been darkened by heavy drapes covering the windows. Lanterns and candles covered every available surface, their flames casting shadows that danced against the stone walls.
Jackson squinted, tried to bring a shape in the darkness into focus. A lone figure. A shadow among the shadows. Familiar. “Father?”
The door clanged shut behind him. He jumped, startled, and turned.
Ryleigh stood behind him, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, her eyes wide.
“Jackson.” His father stood beside Elijah.
“Your Majesty.” Jackson bowed his head, waited.
Ryleigh moved to Jackson’s side, too close. Her presence disturbed him, stole his concentration. Heat emanated from her. The scent of strawberries surrounded him, enveloped him. He inhaled deeply, and some of the anger subsided, but sadness took its place. She had to leave. Logically, he knew that, but it didn’t help.
His need to reach for her increased. The desire to drag her into his arms consumed him. He longed for the feel of her body pressed against his.
“Jackson.” Elijah pulled him from his trance.
Jackson tried to shake off his yearning, to focus on what Elijah was saying. He caught sight of Ryleigh from the corner of his eye. He had no doubt she’d be chewing on her bottom lip. A vision of that lip caught between his own teeth assailed him.
“Jackson.” The King’s tone effectively cut off his daydream.
“I’m sorry, sir. My mind was elsewhere.” When he finally returned his attention to his father, alarm bells blared in his head. The worry Jackson found in his father’s eyes hit him like ice water. “What’s wrong?”
“Although the Council of Elders has cleared you of all charges, and Ryleigh and Mia have been recognized as children of
Cymmera…” He paused, looked to Elijah.
Jackson held his breath.
“Elijah has requested a tremendous favor of me…and of you.” He spared Elijah a frustrated glare. “Well, perhaps requested isn’t the proper term. Insisted might be more appropriate.” King Maynard massaged the bridge of his nose.
Jackson waited.
“Look, Jackson, these are not formal proceedings, even though they should be. Come and sit. We need to talk.” The king heaved a sigh.
Jackson followed the others to a small seating arrangement.
His father and Elijah each took a large, high backed chair, leaving Jackson and Ryleigh to sit together on the love seat. Although he faced Elijah and his father, his attention remained largely focused on Ryleigh.
Until his father leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, concern etched deeply in the lines bracketing his mouth. This was serious.
“Elijah has come to me with a vision. He won’t—”
“Can’t.” Elijah interrupted.
“All right, can’t.” The king conceded with a shrug. “Elijah can’t reveal the circumstances of the vision, but he has a favor to ask of you.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “And, I have to say, I agree with his request.” He nodded to Elijah.
The other man stood. He fidgeted wildly, picked at the sleeve of his tunic, rubbed his hands together, propped his hands on his hips, took them off.
Jackson tamped down the small flare of annoyance struggling to surface.
If Elijah had a request, it was with good reason, and yet he obviously found it difficult to ask. The Seer would get to it in his own good time, in his own way.
Elijah was a delicate man, slight in stature, sensitive, caring. A good man, who carried a heavy burden. The entire Kingdom depended on Elijah to properly interpret his visions and act on them accordingly. He’d been rattled when he missed the meaning of the image of Ryleigh he’d seen. What might possibly prove to be the most important vision of his existence, he’d misinterpreted.
Jackson understood his reluctance to repeat the same mistake. “Elijah, whatever it is, we’ll work it out. I trust you.”
A sigh of relief escaped Elijah. He dropped down into the chair and was immediately swallowed up by the large cushions. “Thank you, My Prince.” Gratitude filled his eyes. “I’ve had a vision. I can’t divulge the circumstances, as you understand by now.”
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