by Jaymin Eve
“Soon,” I practically begged.
He groaned. It was low but I heard it. “For the love of my sanity, please stop begging.”
I couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped me. I may, just a little, adore my power over him.
With great reluctance he set me on my feet. “Okay, Red. I’m going to walk away now, while I still possess the ability to.”
He turned away, but was back in a blink of an eye and I was in his arms again. Our lips met in a scorching kiss. He broke away first, since I was never willingly going to remove my lips from his.
“I love you,” he said.
He left me there dazed and confused as he walked a few steps away and opened a doorway behind some trees. His serious eyes caressed my features briefly before he touched his fingertips to his lips and blew me a kiss goodbye.
And then he was gone.
Ah, eff. That was painful.
I must have stood there for a long time. Thankfully, as a Walker, I could have probably stood there forever without too much discomfort. Turning to make my way back to the girls, I stopped when I almost bumped into Lucas. He looked as if he’d been standing about six feet from me, just watching my back.
“Uh, hello, Emperor creepy. What are you doing?”
The side of his mouth lifted slightly, but he was minus his usual mirth. “You looked like you needed a few minutes, and I –” He broke off, before running his hand through his blond hair and sighing. “Well, I understand that quite strongly at the moment.”
I ran my eyes over the handsome First World Emperor. He looked disheveled, which was not his usual suave façade. Something was going on with him. I hoped it wasn’t to do with the running of First World, because I wasn’t even close to having time to pick up my side of that responsibility.
“Are you okay, Lucas?”
He shook his head a few times. The repeated motion was odd. “Actually, no, I’m not.”
I opened my mouth, but he cut me off before I could ask.
“It’s not First World. Things are as smooth as can be expected. Since you dispelled all of that negative energy in the dark mountains, we’ve had a resurgence of the balance. Less darkness has resulted in less unease. Of course I’m still having my issues with the mayoral heads, but nothing I can’t handle.” He laughed. It was harsh and derisive. “My father prepared me well for this mantle, even if others think I wasn’t ready for the challenge.”
“So what’s wrong then?” I asked as a light breeze blew through the field, lifting my curls off the back of my neck. There was the slightest hint of cool in an otherwise balmy day.
His icy blue eyes locked onto my face. “These damn dreams are keeping me up at night. I’m being haunted by all the choices I’ve made. Mostly what the hell to do about Ria and whether I’m failing at running First World.” His words were jumbled, as if he were trying to figure it out himself. “But I do feel better knowing what your place is in my life. I hated the disloyalty I felt toward you when I still couldn’t forget the woman from my dreams.” His eyes narrowed playfully. “Despite the fact you were constantly lip-locked with that giant, pain-in-the-ass Walker.”
I took a step closer to Lucas. It was easier to be around him now. We both understood the connection we shared, and knew it was nothing to do with romance and everything to do with a ruling partnership. I didn’t have to worry my actions could be mistakenly construed as a romantic advance.
“I’m really sorry that I’m not around to help with some of the stresses,” I said, and I meant it. “I just seem to have more hard choices than easy ones nowadays and time is not my friend.”
Lucas reached out and took my hand. It was unexpected, and I fought the instinct to rip myself free of him.
“The worlds are lucky to have you, Abby. I see the sacrifice, the struggle. I’ve been there before and it’s a tough life to be a leader, a savior.” His soft tone washed over me. “And you do it so seamlessly that most people wouldn’t even notice the personal cost. I notice,” he finished fiercely.
I hugged him then. Yeah, I’d wanted to pull my hand away a minute ago, but then I’d changed my mind. What? I’m a complicated woman and right then I’d needed his encouraging words.
“Thank you,” I said, stepping back again. “And I think you should talk to Ria. She deserves an explanation. She deserves the same considerate words you managed to find for me.”
Lucas was a different man to the cocky individual I’d met when I first came to this world. Every obstacle he’d faced, his father’s death, taking on the role as Emperor in a time of war and crisis, finding and hurting his dream-mate. Well, he’d grown a little more with every hardship.
“I’m proud of you,” I said to him. “You seem to finally be a worthy leader for our people.”
A lazy grin crossed his features. “What a lovely, backward compliment.”
I shrugged. “You’re welcome. Why are you here anyways?”
“It looks as if this battle is going to go down on First World. I’ve been called in as part of the war council.” His brows drew together. “I know it’s just a formality. The Walkers definitely don’t need or want advice from a young, newly appointed Emperor. But still, Quarn is assembling our army and we’re having our own area set up in the camp.”
Wow, I was impressed. They’d started to pull together a wide variety of soldiers in a short period of time.
“I have to go now. Make sure that everyone isn’t killing themselves in our zone.” He touched my arm briefly. “I’ll think on what you’ve said about Ria. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to talk to her, try and mend some of the hurt between us. I might actually get a decent night’s sleep,” he finished on a mutter.
“We have to go to Dronish now, but when we return you’ll have plenty of time.” I straightened, shoving my hands into the pockets on my jeans.
“Ria’s going with you?” His voice lowered.
I nodded, my eyes examining his features.
He didn’t say anything for a few heartbeats. It looked as if he were counting to ten. Finally he all but growled. “Look after her for me. And yourself.” He swallowed loudly. “I would be loath to lose either of you.” He marched away, his broad shoulders rigid and arms stiff at his side.
I watched him for a while before turning to make my way back to the girls.
Hours later the five of us were ready to head to Dronish. Fury had returned. Her father had had enough of the crowds and was off hiding, but she seemed to think they’d made a small inroad to building a relationship. Although she still wasn’t sure if she liked him or not yet; he was ‘damn weird’ had been the main observation she’d made.
Lucy was by my side absolutely fuming mad that she wasn’t allowed to go with us to the vampire planet. She was starting to look like a green glitter sprinkler. I could barely see her through the mist. She wasn’t really talking to me as we stood near the war council area.
The entire camp was a little messy at that moment, filled with fighting, confusion and unease. Everyone striving to be the leader, but there were too many different groups, all of whom wanted to be heard. I hoped when we returned they were a little more organized. I felt uneasy leaving before having a chance to speak with Josian, but I hadn’t been able to find him. Despite the fact I’d searched for a few hours.
Just as I had that thought, my head whipped to the side as his energy drifted toward me. Five seconds later he stepped out from behind the Doreen tent, an area which had been set up for our new princeps and his council to confer.
“Give me a minute,” I said to the others, before marching across to Josian.
He was not looking in my direction as he strode in slow deliberate motions across the space. His expression was that of a shattered man and that hurt my heart all over again.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, coming to a halt a few feet from him.
His head flew up and bronze eyes locked in on me.
“Baby girl,” he croaked out, his voice low and rough. “What are
you doing here?”
“I’m about to head to Dronish with the other half-Walkers.”
He reached out and grasped my hand.
I squeezed it tightly in return.
“I tried to talk with your mother. She’s still fairly upset. But …” He cleared his throat. “Do you have any time for me to explain a few more things before you leave?”
I nodded. “I always have time for you, Dad.”
Under the watchful eyes of my friends, their mates and a few other onlookers, Josian and I made our way out of the main area. We stopped near the waterfall and lake.
He started slowly. “I’m going to say it again, because you deserve to hear this more than once. I am so sorry, baby girl. I know it’ll take me a lifetime to make this up to you, for you to trust me again –”
“No!” I said, my voice fierce. I was on my feet, hands on my hips. “No, you have to stop saying crap like this.” My hands went from my hips to waving wildly in the air. “Are the lalunas still gone from your head?”
He nodded twice. “Yes, I haven’t felt their presence since we left the stone world.”
I reached out and grabbed onto his forearms. “I don’t forgive you, Dad.”
His face fell so I hurried to finish.
“Because there’s nothing to forgive. In my mind you did nothing wrong. This is all on the lalunas, and they’re going down. Now tell me what we need to do to beat them?”
His bronze eyes hardened, the gold threading through. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and … the only way to limit their power is to lock them away, in the same prison as the Seventine.”
“What?” I said. He’d taken me by surprise. “Is it a wise idea to place two sets of the most powerful entities in our star systems close to each other?”
Josian shook out his very dark red hair. “Once they’re imprisoned, they’ll have no power. We’ll use the lalunas to strengthen the protections on the prison. If the stones are part of the wall, then I don’t think the Seventine will ever be able to escape again.”
I mulled his words over. “And if they’re locked away they’ll no longer have power over you? Or anyone?”
“They’ll have no power unless they escape.”
My bracelet warmed then. I gasped, holding it up in front of me, but thankfully there was no pain. Just a sudden burst of warmth. Then it started to melt again, dripping off my hand and reforming into a blue stone nestled on the forest floor.
Josian and I both stared at it.
“What does that mean?” I widened my eyes.
A broad grin crossed my father’s face. I blinked a few times. It was odd to see him so joyous. I hadn’t seen that expression in a long time. Then he threw back his head and laughed.
Great, the stress had gotten to him and he’d lost the plot.
“They like my plan, baby girl,” he spluttered through his laughter.
How the hell did he know that? Shaking my head, I knelt down and curved my fingers under the stone, prepared to pick it up again.
The moment my palm wrapped around the blue surface, I flinched as whispers of energy crossed my mind, and then there were voices in my head. It says a lot about my recent life that my shock lasted all of a second before I was okay with what was happening.
Lock away all of the lalunas. We are too powerful; we will contain the Seventine and right the wrong of our brethren. We must right the wrong.
A symphony of voices continued to echo through my mind, and I was reminded of Francesca’s prophecy from a long time ago. That the end of days was written in mineral. Maybe that was to do with the stones, and the bindings on the prison. I had a brief thought of my aunt. She had been lying low in the beach house, depression claiming her ever since her gift of prophecy had fled. I knew Lallielle checked on her all the time. I hoped it was enough.
Pushing these thoughts aside, I stood up and faced Josian. “My laluna does like your idea. We need to gather all fourteen lalunas and lock every single one away.”
He straightened. “Did they tell you that?”
I nodded. “Yes, they want to repair the damage from their brethren and contain the Seventine.”
Josian stood taller than I’d seen for a long time. A light descended over him and he started to glow, in that same way he had when I first ever saw him. I hadn’t realized but over time his light had faded out, and that probably had something to do with his laluna manipulating him. Especially once he started to remember it. Now, though, he looked like the gods that Walkers were worshipped as. Furious, fierce and utterly spectacular.
“I’m going to find the stones, baby girl, and we’re going to lock them away.”
I bit my lip. I was thrilled at his enthusiasm, but – “How are you going to find them on the worlds?”
He reached across and took the stone from me. “We already have the First World pair. Tenni will have to be last. The others I can find using this.” He held the stone aloft. “They’re beacons for each other.”
My lips parted as a grin forced itself across my face. The fact that my laluna didn’t disappear from his hands meant it was definitely agreeing to this plan. I moved closer and, standing on my toes, waited until he leaned down so I could kiss his cheek.
“This is going to work, Dad. We’ll lock them away forever and imprison the Seventine and live happily ever after.”
Fairytales were awesome for a reason.
He chuckled uneasily before it was cut off abruptly and sadness descended again. “All of that sounds simpler than easing the hurt I’ve caused Lallielle.”
I knew Mom had not been far from his mind. He would have no respite from his own hurt and guilt until his mate forgave him.
“Mom is an incredibly strong and forgiving woman.” I offered the comfort I could. “Just give her some time; it’s a remarkable healer.”
“Time, hey?” He ran his hand through his red mane. “I’m not very patient, but I’ll do my best.”
We walked back to the Doreen area and I left Josian at the main war tent again. He was going in to explain his plan to the princeps, and then, with my laluna in hand, was going to be jetting off to the worlds to find the other stones. We’d probably cross paths with him on Dronish.
Lucy was in my face as soon as I found the girls again. “So you’re absolutely sure you don’t want me on this trip?” she demanded. “Who’s going to watch your back without me there?”
She was being mean now because she was pissed off. She knew the half-Walkers had each other’s backs.
“I want you there, Luce. Trust me, I spend most of the time we’re apart worrying about what the hell you’re doing.” I hugged an arm around her stiff shoulders, mindful of her wings. “But your power is too strong now that your pixie side is unlocked. They’ll swarm us on Dronish. It’s more dangerous for all of us if you’re there,” my voice was low, “so stay, enjoy a few days with Colt … have a break, meet your father. You’ve lots to be sorting in your own world.”
I met the light blue eyes of her mate over her shoulder. His white-blond hair was falling messily over his features. It used to be longer and he’d worn it tied at the nape of his neck, but now it was too short for that. His current length was just enough to be sexy.
Thank you, he mouthed to me, his relief apparent. Of course it was. For once he didn’t have to be the bad guy.
“Fine.” Lucy finally relented. “I’ll wait here, like the poor little pixie, but you all better get your asses back here, like tomorrow.”
Her eyes took in all five of us. And I wasn’t the only one to flinch a little at the hardness of her gaze.
Okay, well it was mainly me and Talina. The other three were unfazed.
“If you’re bored, or need something to do, you can help Jedi research,” I said to Lucy and Colton. “He told me he’s found some important texts on the conduit and the prison. It might be crucial information for us to lock away the Seventine for good.”
Lucy’s solemn expression did not waver, but s
he nodded decisively. “We can do that.”
I gave her one last hug before she turned and left with her wolf-Walker. I watched as their familiar visages disappeared across the green field. I hadn’t been to any of these worlds without Lucy and I felt uneasy leaving her behind. As if we were growing away from each other, moving in different directions. Which was not okay with me.
I forced myself to focus by turning to Fury. “Did you check on Dune?”
She nodded, her white hair flying around her face. “Yes, I traced back just before and he’s holed up observing the zone we’re worried about. But all is quiet at the moment …” She trailed off.
“After we find the sixth girl, I’ll come with you to Crais,” I said, and then turned to face Talina. “And we can go to Spurn also. I’ll see if I can sense anything on either world.”
I was particularly tuned in to the Seventine. Apparently there was a bond between me and the first. And I had that stubborn, niggling feeling in my gut, the one I used to get on Earth when a ganger was about to ambush me. Something big was going down on one of these worlds, and I wasn’t sure we’d get there in time to stop it. It was hard to know which of the tasks was the most urgent. Gathering the half-Walkers was always the top spot, but sometimes other things could be equally important. Especially when it came to the Seventine.
Delane’s wings stretched a little as she shifted on the spot. “What do we need before we travel to Dronish?” Her tone was low and serious. “Do you know the terrain? Weather? Will we be able to breathe?”
I blinked at her a few times. Damn, I could have used her on some of the other planets. We mainly just popped along and hoped for the best. Of course, for most of the worlds I’d had Brace with me. Walkers had so much information at their disposal, and I had none.
“I think maybe we need some facts about Dronish before we go there,” Delane finished.
She had her left eyebrow raised in that way where I knew she was mentally calling me a moron. It was an expression she had down to an art.