InSpire (Spire Chronicles Book 1)

by April Wood

  “Nothing bad, I promise.” Athena heard a voice in her head.

  “Then tell me what is going on?” Athena asked back.

  “I needed some time to find things out, so I paralyzed you. It will wear off before they put your brother in power.”

  “Who are you?” Athena asked.

  “Lady Elizabeth of Hiver, Your Majesty,” she replied.

  “Why would you do this?”

  “I told you,” she replied.

  “That isn’t good enough.”

  “Tomorrow come to my kingdom and I will explain it all,” she said.

  “Should I bring a compliment of soldiers,” Athena hissed.

  “I have done you no harm as promised.”

  “How is paralyzing me no harm?”

  “You have simply gotten the rest your body and baby needed. So no harm was done to you. I haven’t done this out of spite. Please come with just Darian and I will explain everything,” she stated.

  “I really don’t have a choice,” Athena admitted.

  “No you don’t,” she replied.

  Then silence flooded the room again. The questions were endless. Just then the door opened. Footsteps came close to the bed. Athena wasn’t sure what was going on.

  “I’m back sweetheart,” Darian said, leaning over to kiss her. Before his lips touched her face she gasped. His hand brushed her face. Tears were running down her face.

  “Tears? Are you in there love?”

  “I am.” Her voice was weak, but it was her. She was finally back.

  “Thank Goodness,” he replied, wrapping her up tightly in his arms.

  “Ouch.”

  “Sorry. You there get Ubrene, now. The servant scurried out of the room quickly. Most of her body was still frozen but she could see and speak. He was certain everything would come back to her. She would be up and on the throne before lunch time. He wanted her back. The stress was starting to wear him out.

  “I can’t move still.”

  “Give it some time,” he replied.

  “Why would she do this?”

  “Who do what?”

  “Lady Elizabeth did this to me.” Tears were spilling from her eyes. Darian saw she had obviously been through a lot. He kept her tight in his arms. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt again.

  “I don’t know, but we will find out.”

  “She wants us to visit her tomorrow. She promised she would answer all my questions then.”

  “That doesn’t give me a lot of time, but I’m sure I can get a patrol together.”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean No?”

  “She asked for us to come alone. She said she didn’t do me any harm so I mustn’t do any to her.” She started to move her arm. It took her a moment, but when she reached his face she caressed it lightly. She could feel the moisture there. She fluttered her eyes quickly to clear them. Then she saw he had been crying. The love she felt for him was matched only by the love he was freely giving her.

  “You know I’m not going to be happy about it,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I know.”

  She was finally able to move her other arm and embrace her husband. He held her tight and pulled her to a sitting position. Darian hugged her for a moment and then got up. He propped up two pillows and helped her lean back on them. Then he pulled the cover up over her legs. He knew Ubrene would be entering the room any minute.

  “I can’t believe how much you are showing now,” he said, pulling the covers up to her chest.

  “I consulted the royal physician a few days ago. He said the average carrying time for a Prin is four months. We’ve been together for two, so I am halfway there.”

  “I’m so happy that we get a chance to make a family,” he replied.

  “So am I.”

  “You sent for me?” Then Ubrene just stopped. He stopped moving, and talking.

  “As you see her majesty is fine.” Darian stood and looked square at Ubrene.

  “I see. Will she be able to come to throne room?”

  “I am sitting right here.”

  “My apologies. When will be up to it?” Ubrene bowed deeply.

  “I’m not sure. I still can’t feel my legs. It should wear off soon.”

  “What should wear off?” Ubrene walked to the edge of the bed.

  “It’s a long story, but someone cast a spell on me. Darian and I will be taking care of it tomorrow.”

  “How many guards will you require?”

  “None.”

  “Excuse me?” Ubrene was stunned. Athena was frustrated. She had just gone through this with Darian. It didn’t make sense to them, but it only had to make sense to her. She was tired of everyone questioning her judgment.

  “We will require no guards. That is final.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Now is there anything else you require?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Leave my room then.”

  Ubrene bowed and left in a huff. She didn’t care. Darian looked at her to see the anger was still boiling just below the surface. He sat down beside her and took her hand.

  “You shouldn’t get so upset, love.” He brought her hand up and kissed it gently.

  “I can’t help it. Everyone seems to think I’m an idiot.”

  “I don’t think your idiot. I doubt Ubrene thinks that either. What we think is you are our Queen. Therefore you must be protected. It has nothing to do with your ability to make decisions.” He smiled and kissed her hand again.

  “Stop trying to butter me up.”

  “I can’t help it. You look like dinner.”

  “I’m sure I look like garbage.” She laughed a little.

  “Not to me.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The next day she got feeling back in her legs, Darian helped her to the bathroom. She needed a shower but was still too weak to do it herself. Darian didn’t mind. He stripped down and got in with her. This wasn’t something sexual for him. He knew she would never want to be seen the way she looked. Her hair was matted to her head and her wings were dirty. Darian took his time scrubbing her. When he got to her bump he knelt down and kissed it. The round in her belly was now very obvious and couldn’t be hidden. According to the physician she saw, it would only be a few more weeks for her. She was nearly a month and half in. It made her smile to see him do this. He loved her and their baby with everything he had.

  When the finished he helped her out and dried her hair and body. He helped her to the bed and let her sit. He ran to the closet dressed in his robes and grabbed hers on the way out. She stood for him when he returned. He slipped the blue gown over her head and then gently spun her. He laced the bottom loosely and drew the top tight. He loved to see her breasts rounded in her gown, even if she didn’t. When she spun back around her face let him know she was thrilled by his decision. He shrugged his shoulders and then kissed her cheek.

  “Shall we?”

  “Now that I look like a floosy?” She laughed loudly.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “Good. Let’s go see our advisors.”

  She needed to let the advisors know what was happening. It didn’t matter what they said because her mind was made up. There would be no talking her out of going. She had to know what Lady Elizabeth was thinking. She had to have a good reason to do what she did.

  “You know they are going to have concerns,” Darian said as we approached the room.

  “I know they are but it doesn’t matter. We have to go.”

  “As long as you are aware.”

  The crier didn’t announce them. Ubrene was sitting at his desk. The other advisors looked shocked. Clearly he hadn’t shared the good news with anyone else. Athena starred him down as they passed. They took their seats.

  “As you can see I am well.”

  “Thank Goodness.” Ubrene plastered on a fake smile. He had no way of knowing Athena heard him every time he came to the room. She smirked at him. He was stunned b
y her behavior, but could do nothing.

  Darian took her hand as they sat there and waited for the rest of the advisors to arrive. No one had expected to meet this early. They were going to meet later to crown Johan. Athena and Darian knew this. Athena was planning on telling them as little as she could get away with. Ubrene’s reaction was enough to show her people weren’t going to see this situation as she did. Elizabeth was looking for something because of the baby so Athena wouldn’t stop until she knew. Her mind had already conjured about a million horrible scenarios. Each one was more horrific than the last. Answers simply had to be had. She wouldn’t survive the maddening onslaught of her own imagination.

  “You called for us, Your Majesty,” the advisors said, walking into the room.

  “Darian and I will be leaving for Hiver in an hour. We have an appointment to meet with Lady Elizabeth.”

  “We can’t have the guard ready that fast,” they complained.

  “I don’t require anyone but Darian.”

  “Then why call us?” they questioned.

  “I wanted you to be aware as I don’t know how long I will be gone.”

  “We can handle the daily business.”

  “I will leave Johan in charge. He is well trained and knows what to do.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they bowed.

  Darian stood and took her hand. They headed back to the room to change. She wanted to be comfortable for the trip, but finding something that would fit the ever growing belly would be interesting. She walked straight into the closet and studied it for a minute. She had lots of skinny jeans, and several tightly fitting outfits. Searching a little further, she found a loose fitting skirt. It would have to do. It wasn’t something a woman in her twenties would wear, but nothing there was. She had a few things that reminded her of the earthly realm, but not many. She stepped out of the closet to find Darian already dressed.

  Darian was visibly nervous. He kept putting his nails in his mouth and biting down. He only took a few seconds to throw on a pair of black jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked like he needed a few more minutes. She walked over to him and sat beside him on the bed. She took his hand and looked into his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m a little nervous about going there.”

  “It will be fine.”

  He smiled at her then ran his hand over her belly. Her hand went over his. Setting his mind at ease wasn’t something she could do. If Lady Elizabeth had wanted her dead she would be. That was something she just knew in her soul. There was no lay to share that with Darian. He was just going to have to trust her on this one. He knew she wouldn’t lead him astray, but he was worried for their safety. He lost her and the child once. He would kill everyone in Spire to stop that from ever happening again.

  “We should go.” Athena stood and waited for him to respond.

  “Okay.”

  They walked to the door together. Each took a steading breath as they found their way out of the castle. They must know how determined she was. Johan wasn’t happy when she told him what was happening, but he would do what was necessary. Athena trusted him to keep the raids going. They had to keep up with the demon retrieval. Some balance must be restored with or without her father’s return.

  “We will have to fly there.” They made it across the bridge. She looked at him with some concern and then it faded. He was strong, but he wasn’t sure he was strong enough. This woman was an ally but he wasn’t sure what that meant anymore.

  “Do you know the way?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then lead on.”

  They both spread their wings. Hers were finally feeling happy again. For the first time since returning they spread with all their might. It had been a long time coming and Athena reveled in the power. They were also sparkling. Darian’s black wings had an opalescence. He flapped them once very strongly and she followed suit. They were in the air in seconds. Trying desperately to stay up, her wings flapped hard. Hiver was the next kingdom over, but it was a good hundred miles from the castle to the border. Athena watched him as they flew. The tension in his shoulders was visible even now. She knew he didn’t feel comfortable, but it was the only way.

  “Tuck your skirt,” he said, turning around to look at her. She looked down and saw her belly and everything was exposed to the ground. Anyone looking would be getting a great show about now. She grabbed the back of her skirt and tucked into her waist line.

  “Thanks.”

  He slowed down a little and grabbed her hand. “No one is allowed to see that other than me.” The chuckle in his throat was very masculine and turned her on. She turned red and looked away from him. They flew together in silence for five more minutes.

  She looked down and saw they were rapidly approaching the border. Darian must have noticed too. The shield between our two lands was not penetrable. They had to be allowed in from their side. The same went for when they came to Spire. This kept the kingdoms from warring over land. The line was clearly defined and magically protected by the shield.

  “We must land,” he said.

  “Yes.”

  They floated down the edge of the shield. She tried hard not to touch but her wing clipped the edge. The resulting shock caused her to fall the rest of the way. Thankfully Darian had already landed. He caught her before she hit the ground.

  “That wasn’t graceful.” He held her in his arms and chuckled again. It seemed she was a constant source of humor for him. Then he smiled. She could forgive anything for that smile. He kissed her forehead and then set her down on the ground.

  “It hurt too.”

  “I am sure.”

  “I won’t be doing that again anytime soon.” She shook out her wings. They were not glittering now. They were quite upset with her. They furled and tucked on their own. It was almost like a puppy retreating from a beating. She laughed a little at how much they were temperamental.

  “If you are done playing around, we should find the guard and ask for entrance.”

  “Sorry.” Her cheeks turned bright red as she tried to flash him a smile. Then she looked down. Her skirt was still tucked. She unwrapped it quickly. It wouldn’t be good to find the guard station with her skirt the way it was.

  “I think we are close.”

  “We should head to the left.”

  He nodded his head and followed her. She walked slowly along the shield being careful not to touch it. They walked for five minutes before they found a guard. He stood at attention as soon as he saw them. He saluted as she stood in front of him then waved his hand. A small door opened in front of them. Athena walked through first followed by Darian. As soon as he stepped through, the door slammed behind them.

  “We have been waiting for you, Your Majesty,” the guard said.

  “Lead on,” Athena said, shivering. The land of winter was far colder than she had imagined. They should have come prepared, but neither of them thought to bring covers.

  “Here,” the guard said, putting a fur around her.

  “Thank you.”

  It amazed her how cold the air was there. Knowing this was the land of winter and experiencing it firsthand were two totally separate things. Everything was covered in ice and snow. At this point she was glad she put boots on before they left. Darian wasn’t feeling it as much as Athena. He had managed to grab a light jacket before they left. He was also dressed in jeans, boots, and a t-shirt. It was more appropriate for this environment then her skirt and wispy shirt. He was too anxious to really pay attention to what she was wearing. In fact, he hadn’t even noticed the skirt until he saw the Prins on the ground pointing. He wasn’t sure if it was her inexperience at flying or her newness to this environment, but something was causing her to make little mistakes. He would have to help her learn when they returned.

  The lay of the land was much like that of Spire. The only difference really was the temperature, which she never wanted to get used to. The trees were strong and thick. They didn’t have the leaves
she was expecting, but they wouldn’t. They were all covered in a thick, white blanket of snow. The ground crunched beneath their boots as they walked. It was truly a winter wonderland.

  We followed the guard for ten minutes before she saw the castle over the horizon. It looked like glass, but something told her it was ice. The sheer beauty of the structure spoke to both of them. Athena found her breath caught in her throat. The ice was frosty so you couldn’t see through it. They crossed an ice bridge over a ravine and entered the castle. Athena saw Elizabeth standing at the top of the stairs immediately after they entered. Darian had to control himself. He knew what this woman had put his wife through. If he thought it would help he would take her head off where she stood.

  Lady Elizabeth was wearing a long purple gown and holding a scepter in her hands. It almost looked like a wand. Her gown had pulled around the three steps beneath her. She looked very regal and all the leader she was. Even her white hair was done up in a manner befitting a Queen. Athena felt a little underdressed.

  She threw a few stray strands over her shoulder and then looked Athena in the eye. Elizabeth smiled broadly at her. For everything she had put her through, Athena shouldn’t reciprocate. She couldn’t help herself. The smile just spread across her face. There was something about Elizabeth that made her feel at ease.

  “I’m glad you could join me, Athena.” Elizabeth descended the stairs gracefully. It only took a few steps for her to reach them.

  “I don’t think I had a choice, Elizabeth.”

  “Please call me Liz,” she replied.

  “Okay. What are we doing here, Liz?”

  “Follow me and I will explain,” she said, turning and heading back up the stairs. Darian took Athena’s hand and they walked up the stairs behind her. The stairs were made of ice but covered in carpet. Darian looked down several times. Athena saw he was trying to rationalize carpet on ice stairs. Ice was usually quite slippery, so it made sense to her even if it didn’t to him. As they walked she looked around. There was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging over the stairs. It had spikes, pearls, chains, and lots of intricate snowflakes all over it. It was impressive.