by Trisha Wolfe
Climbing into the Cury behind me, Kaide settles on the seat next to mine and says low, “Are you ready to face him?”
It’s the first time he, or any of the Nactue, have asked me that question. And it’s the one I’ve been dreading. Maybe more so than actually seeing Caben for the first time since I left him in the Cage.
As the Cury lifts off, I grab the leather handle above my head and stare out the open door. The world swims past me in waves of green and brown, orange firelight and black sky.
“I’m ready,” I say.
But deep within my soul, a soft voice whispers, I’m not ready, Caben. Not yet.
Keep hiding.
♦ 3 ♦
Caben
NEARLY FIFTY RESERVES OF both Cavan’s protectors and my kingdom’s army are stationed outside the palace gatehouse, awaiting the order to be sent into battle. Perinya and Cavan, working together to take out Perinya’s rightful king.
How exciting.
I straighten my black fitted shirt and run a hand through my hair. It’s grown out some, longer than it’s ever been. But seeing that I no longer have a place in my own kingdom, there’s no reason to keep it trimmed. To keep up pretenses.
The towering white stone walls that I used to look upon nearly every day are a mere quarter of a mile from where we’re positioned. Wild grape vines grow along the stone, and black birch trees branch up and outward, their full green leaves just grazing the side of the wall.
Something inside my chest stirs as a memory surfaces of me climbing those dark wood trees, attempting to sneak out of Court. Then another of me stealing a kiss from Tabatha like the cocky boy I was, trying desperately to make her mine. I smile. Claiming her affections was a challenge.
Though, it was nothing compared to the challenge I battled for Kal’s affections. I’ve never pursued any woman the way Kal motivated me to pursue her—
My jaw clenches, and I shift forward to get a better view, driving thoughts of her from my mind as I stare through the tinted glass of the driver’s compartment. The clouds covering the moon blackens the sky, concealing us and further tucking us away in our burrowed hole. Like the void swallowing me if I don’t complete my mission.
I can feel its tentacles slithering up the side of my mind, obscuring my thoughts, and my hands slick with sweat. I have one chance once I’m on the other side of those walls, and I can’t fail. My stomach knots in anticipation. It’s the same feeling I used to get right before I grappled for sport when I was a child, and I love it.
But something else is clawing at the memories, demanding my attention. An itch I can’t reach, or rather, that I’ve forgotten about but still lingers.
A pain throbs behind my eyes, and I blink hard, clearing my vision.
I only wish Kal was in sight so I could see her expression when I breach the palace.
A protector moves to the front of the reserves and waves his hand forward. With a loud boom, the army stomps down and then marches toward the crafts.
Once they’re inside and begin to lift off, I look at Lake, my Otherworlder legion commander. “Ready them.”
Kal has done exactly what I thought and requested her general to call in the reserves. She may not be a general herself, but she’s the Nactue leader, the one they all look to—the one who can pull rank and make decisions. And she’s a natural leader. The reason why I chose her to look after my kingdom. Before the Reckoning, that is.
There was another reason.
“Quiet,” I bite out.
“My Liege?” Lake says. “I didn’t—”
“Not you.” Pointing toward the wall, I say, “It’s time. Get them in place.”
He nods and his black dreads brush against his leather armor. “It’s done.” Then he pulls out his transmitter and gives the order. “Down and under!”
A low hum fills the air, and my chest tightens with eagerness. In a few moments, I’ll have both things I came here for.
Bale’s prize and mine.
That’s not the true prize, though… You want her.
Gripping the hilt of my sword, I close my eyes and force the annoying voice away. When Bale is corporeal in all her rampant glory, I’ll make her repay my allegiance with a nice black hole in my memories. Kal weakens me. Distracts me. And I need that distraction removed.
Or you could own it, Prince.
I raise my eyebrows at Bale’s suggestion. An image appears in my mind of Kal seated below me on a dais, dressed in a sheer dress, her hair swept up, her cream shoulders teasingly bare…and a manacle around her neck. Not a crown. No, a collar for her to know her place.
A smile twitches at my lips. I can almost see her livid expression in such a position. Feel her anger as her deep jade eyes burn a hole through me.
But that would be more trouble than it’s worth. She’s too stubborn, and could ruin everything. It’s a waste, really. A shame. She’d make a beautiful trophy.
Don’t be a fool. That would only prolong your misery. Kill her. Rid yourself of her threat.
My gut clenches. Bale’s words seep past my lone protective layer to the one place my thoughts remain almost mine—and I grasp the metal token in my pocket quickly before saying, “Driver, move in.” Then I brace my palms against the dash.
He pumps the clutch and shifts into gear; the Crusher lurches forward.
The vehicle rocks me backward into my seat, and I grab the handle above my head. What I love about the Otherworlders is their devotion. No questions. No protests. No rallies to pass laws and demand tax breaks. They have one goal in mind, and they plow through every obstacle until it’s obtained.
They trust their Liege and their deity with unwavering faith, and stop at nothing to achieve their desired greatness.
I almost envy Bale her empire when she returns, and I wonder if I can rule Perinya to the same effect. A quick flash of fires and death and war blazes against my vision. I widen my eyes and glance at Lake.
He’s chewing on his gnarly bottom lip, his pale face cocked stern and gaze locked on the target.
Looking at the path ahead, I bury my hand in my pocket again and touch the cool metal emblem tucked safely inside.
Bale won’t allow me my own kingdom.
This thought awakens my senses, and for a moment everything is clear and transparent. I see a sudden flash of reality of what will happen once the goddess relic is restored…and I gasp in a deep breath.
I clutch the emblem tighter, triggering a faint memory.
Kal’s warm body pressed against mine in a lighted pool of water…the smell of jasmine invading my senses as I breathe her in, her dark, silky hair caressing my cheek. My whispered confessions of my childhood and my fears of ruling my father’s kingdom…and her strength. The strength I see in her eyes when she turns in my arms… The man I want to be. For her.
I squeeze the emblem, and warmth fills my palm. Pain slices through my hand, and the world is hazy and dark again.
Weakness.
I bring my hand out and stare at the red. It drips onto my cloak.
Every memory of her causes pain in some form. Either mental or physical. Maybe if there is nothing left but pain to feel when my thoughts go to her, I’ll learn.
She’s your destruction.
I wipe my palm against my thigh and push farther back in my seat. The wall is coming up close. Time to ready myself.
The first unit of Otherworlders are lined up before the wall. The Iron Grinders in front of them pump puffs of steam into the frosty night air as the drill heads burrow, boring holes into the hard earth. Lake’s second unit has already taken out the sentries posted on the wall walk, but we only have minutes to tunnel under before the next shift takes their place.
Luckily, I know the inside workings of my kingdom and Court. I know the number of sentries. I know the shift changes, the enforcers and their commands. I grew up watching their training, and was instructed by not only the king himself, but by every general in our defense strategy.
I never thought
I’d one day use this knowledge to breach my own palace, but hell, it’s lucrative. Loyalty is a shifty beast, submitting to whoever wields the most power.
I’m not here to threaten or harm my people. Though I’m sure some will die, there are casualties in every war. Only the strong persevere. Thinning the herd, my father would say. So really, I’m doing Perinya a kindness. Taking out the weaklings. And whoever Kal has appointed in charge of my affairs is probably the weakest of all. They deserve to be thinned out.
I wonder who has been chosen, and what selection process she used to decide. Throwing my cloak over one shoulder, I laugh to myself. Probably someone she deems as stubborn and chauvinistic as me—substituting what she’s missing. Or maybe someone completely opposite despite me. Someone she can control and manipulate easily, while trying to subtly convert our country over to her monarchy.
Whoever the ass is, he won’t be seated in my seat of power for long.
The whirring of the Iron Grinders muffles, and I look down the row of Otherworlders as their heads dip below the surface of the ground. That day in Cavan, when Kal discovered how the Otherworlders sacked her empress’s palace, comes back to me in clear detail.
I should be worried that, in her knowledge, she’ll have a plan in place for this type of attack. Have maneuvered sentries and shift changes around to throw me. Or stationed more guards in Court; ready for this very envision. Hell, I’ve been hidden away for a while, giving her enough time to prepare for it.
Only I’m confident the aftermath of the blast is her top priority. She’s too…iron-willed. A savior. Just like when she ignored a direct order to get me out of Cavan, she’ll rush into the battle on her high horse spouting women’s power to save everyone.
And I’m counting on it.
I’ve waited long enough. It’s time I recover the last shard and end this foreplay.
Lake throws up a fist, signaling me. We’re through.
I nod, and he splays his fingers wide.
I unsheathe my sword as forty Otherworlders spring from the tree line and rush the tunnels.
♦ 4 ♦
Kaliope
THE SCENTS OF SANDALWOOD and oleander crowd my nose as Kaide and I enter the palace chapel. I quickly look around, making sure we’re alone before I nod to Kaide. He pushes a pew up against the doors as I head for the secret door.
“Still say it’s foolish for a safety chamber to be located in the most obvious place,” Kaide says.
As I pass a marble statue of the Goddess Rae, I look up at her head held high, bow strung taut with a golden arrow, her shimmering cloak pooled around her pale feet—and I scowl. Logically, I agree with Kaide, but I say, “The empress’s faith is her safety. There’s no other place in Perinya she’d choose.”
“In my country,” Kaide says, grunting as he barricades the doors, “man is his own god.” He turns toward me, a furrow between his brows. “The body is the temple, and the mind the spirit. We only fight as a means of defense. Not for power.”
“And what is the state of your country now, Kaide?”
His scowl deepens and he opens his mouth, then closes it.
I hold up a hand. “I’m not disagreeing with you. Only stating the obvious.”
He nods. “Very well. Point taken.”
During the Otherworlders’ raid, Kaide’s home was burned and his people enslaved. That’s why he chose to become a Nactue—that and to seek revenge on the monsters who stole everything from him.
I don’t know why I’m defending our customs, other than out of habit. As of late, I’m more inclined to trust in Kaide’s beliefs rather than put my trust in a higher power. Then again, if my mother knew I thought such things, she’d be disappointed. Her belief that, other than a father’s greed, there was something more to the mercury in my blood is what got me through the Cage fights.
That, and Caben.
Shaking an image of him from my head, I unclip my transmitter from my leather chest harness and program my mother’s frequency. I made sure I had a way to contact her when she insisted on returning to Cavan…to take care of my father.
After the amazing recovery of Bax’s father, I vowed to rectify the damage I’d done to my own. And I did. Just not fully. The madness plaguing his mind vanished, but a cruel and bitter man remained. I suppose there is no cure for that. Or I’m only able to heal sickness, not asshole.
Regardless, I don’t blame her. She loved him once enough to marry him despite his actions. She’s the best and most loyal woman I know. I’m just glad I have a way to stay in touch with her.
Her ashen face appears in the blue web over my transmitter. “Kaliope?”
“Hi, Mother.” For a second, I forget why I contacted her. She looks sicker, and guilt pools in my stomach. Though I practiced on many in the ward, healing patients so I could learn more about my strengths, her lung disease was too advanced for my whatever the goddesses bestowed to me that can heal. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Kaide clears his throat and nods to me before he exits to the secret side chamber, giving me privacy.
My mother smiles. “We’re fine, Kal. I wish you’d come home. There has to be a way for you to keep your word and be with us here.” She grimaces. “Our empress is needed here, also. With her people.”
And as if my guilt wasn’t already eating away at me, my mother knows just how to add another helping. “She’ll return soon. We all will. But even if I hadn’t taken on the prince’s responsibility, Empress Iana is the second seat, remember? She vowed her own promise to King Marcus until—” I swallow and force the words out. “Until a king is instated in Perinya.”
“Yes, I know.” She nods again, wearily. “I don’t understand all the politics, but I do know we won’t recover fully without our leaders. We’re trying to repair the damage done to Cavan daily. There’s so much work…and the people need guidance.”
“I know. Everything will work out.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’m wanted elsewhere, but I need to know that everything is all right first.”
“I promise, Kal. We’re good.” Her smile drops. “I just miss you. And your father misses you, too.”
My father wouldn’t even look me in the eyes once his mind returned. “Okay. I love you. And I’ll be home soon.”
After she says her goodbye, I clip the device back to my harness and exhale deeply. As long as Caben and his legion of Otherworlders are here, they’re not in Cavan. My mother is safe.
I find comfort in the fact that Caben is after the relic and not simply out to hurt me. Bale is controlling his actions. It’s not personal. Because if he did want to seek vengeance, after our time spent together, he knows just where to strike. My family.
I shrug off the chill creeping over me. After tonight, the warring will end. If my plan works, Prince Caben will be a captive of Perinya. And Bale will…
I’m still uncertain.
Turning to look at the door Kaide left ajar, I remember the answer Empress Iana gave me when I finally worked up the courage to ask her my question. About whether or not Caben was still present—still somewhere within himself, fighting Bale.
I hold her words close to me now—needing them to be true.
I glance up at the statue of Rae one last time. The Three Realms worship the same deities, but each country appoints one goddess as their liege. The one they fashion their laws and land after. For now, I’m thankful Perinya chose the goddess of war. The Perinyians are always prepared for battle.
I just hope they’re prepared to arrest their prince.
The Nactue are gathered around Empress Iana as she kneels before a miniature statue of the Goddess Farrah, the crystalline relic positioned just below her on a mantel. As the crystal illumes celestial white, the empress’s skin glows, revealing her link to the goddess.
She’s regained most of her health since we returned the goddess relic to her from the Otherworld, but at times, I can see the toll the separation from it has taken on her physically. She’s stil
l weak, as if she will never fully recover from her illness.
Anger snaps at my insides as I look her over. Just another way the deities ensure their reign over us.
Kaide has joined Lena and Lilly standing watch to the empress’s right, while Kai and Whip converse to her left. Kai is still beautiful, sporting her signature red eye shadow that highlights her features against her black hair. Whip, never seen without her leather circlet around her head, is the most petite Nactue guard, but nearly the most fierce. When I enter, their heads turn in my direction, and Lilly steps forward.
I motion for us to speak away from the empress, so we don’t disturb her prayer.
“Are you positive they’ll attack tonight?” Lilly whispers.
Knowing what I know of Caben and now his country, after spending time with the advisers, I’m sure the explosion was a diversion. The Otherworlders have the same firepower as both of our countries, only in limited supply. And if they saved that kind of attack for now instead of using it at the start of the war, there’s a reason.
“I’m sure they’re up to something,” I say. “Either way, it’s not safe for the empress to remain here. Especially with the goddess relic.” I glance at the glowing stone. “If it needs to be with her at all times, then she needs to be far away from the Otherworlders. From Bale.”
Lilly studies my face. “You should come with us.”
I shake my head. “I swore—”
“To Prince Caben. I know,” she interrupts, sounding exasperated. “And you have. You’ve kept your word. All there’s left to do now is appoint someone in charge, Kal. And don’t lie to me. I know the truth behind the hold up.” She eyes me seriously, her red bangs framing the soft curves of her face. “You’re hoping to confront him and bring him back. But all you’re doing is angering every member of the Perinyian Council and a whole country, at that.”
I wasn’t prepared for a lecture from my best friend, and the fact that she’s right drives a searing, sharp blade through my resolve. My defenses shoot up, and I cross my arms. “There is no one here who’s proven himself able to rule in Caben’s absence.”