The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  “You can’t worry about them now, Nari.” Rydan took my hand as my breathing started growing rapid, fear overtaking me. “We need to get out of here. Ender needs you.”

  “He’s right. We cannot help them, love. And if King Aglar wanted them executed, he would have had them down there with you,” Mycah added, pulling me out of Rydan’s reach and laying his arm around my shoulders. He tucked me into him. “They’ll be quite alright for now. I promise you.”

  Inclining my head, I looked into his eyes and chose to trust him. He was the anchor to my soul, reeling me back in when I was about to lose it, binding me to reality. I was sure it was just one of his tricks to keep me calm, but I couldn’t exactly complain. Love was the force behind everything that entranced and bewildered us to no end, driving people toward risks they wouldn’t normally take. The radiant blue of his irises kept my gaze trapped in a spell, until an outside source broke it.

  “We need to get going. If we don’t start moving, it won’t matter anyway. We’ll be caught ourselves.” Rydan was right, so we started on our way to the Lassaira Ëlemmiire.

  “Here.” He tossed me a canteen. “Drink up. Gotta stay hydrated.”

  “Thanks,” I said between gulps.

  “Heads up,” Rydan called after he threw another one at Mycah’s head.

  Mycah caught it in the air without even turning around or looking at what he was doing. Did he have eyes in the back of his head? What the heck?

  “How kind of you, little brother,” his accented voice was definitely sarcastic as he kept his gaze straight ahead and uncorked the flask, taking a swig in one quick motion.

  “You’re welcome.” Rydan took drinks out of his as well while we walked.

  “Mm, I don’t recall saying thank you,” Mycah feigned trying to remember, tapping his chin once.

  “Ah, but it was reflected in your bubbly tone.” Rydan adjusted his handcrafted elven bow and quiver that he kept strapped to his back. He wore it proudly. From what I could tell, it was beautiful and intricate. He had explained to me where he got it when we had been looking for a safe place to take shelter during our escape from Ohtar’s hunters a few days ago, or however long it had been now. It was hard keeping track of time in this place.

  It wasn’t just any bow and quiver. It was specially and uniquely crafted just for him at the time of his birth. It was kept locked and stored, waiting for him to come of age and claim it. He appeared every bit as dangerous as Mycah did, who also had a special gift waiting for him, but he never had the chance to get what lay inside. For now, he used an ordinary sword and bow, but almost as powerful when in his possession.

  Two brothers cloaked in black hoods, fiercest warriors of the realm.

  I was a lucky girl.

  Suddenly, the ground began rumbling and shifting beneath my feet, sending me falling. Too fast for my eyes to see, Mycah snatched me by the arm, holding me up. But the crazy quaking didn’t let up. Cracks fractured the land, spreading outward like shattered glass. My heart plunged into my stomach.

  “What the hell?” Rydan shouted above the thunderous rolling. “What is that?”

  “It’s…” Mycah stalled. “Not good. Run.”

  And so run we did. But from what, I hadn’t a clue.

  “What’s happening?” Rydan was knocked backward several feet away, the ground still trembling violently. An enormous rift erupted between us, severing our close proximity to one another and putting Rydan on the opposite side. The terrain was split open, revealing hot magma far below.

  A drastic jolt whacked me off balance, tripping me over the edge of the precipice. I flailed, fear crushing my lungs, as Mycah tried catching me, but failed. His outstretched hand and wide-stare stayed frozen over the edge as I fell.

  “Nariella! How could you let her fall?!” I heard Rydan yell harshly from the other side of the cliff as I descended further.

  Despite being terrified out of my mind, there was a sense of survival that flared in my gut. It calmed me and took over my motor functions. On instinct, I clawed the side of the rock face, slowing my fall enough to guide my body to a nearby platform of stone that jutted out.

  “I didn’t! It was like she was pulled from my reach,” Mycah explained from above. His voice was distant, but it carried downward in echoes.

  Skidding to a stop, I landed rigid on my back, and all the air whooshed from my lungs. I lay paralyzed, waiting for my body to recover from the lack of oxygen.

  “Do something, you idiot!” Rydan shouted.

  “We need rope,” Mycah mused carefully. “Nariella! Are you alright?”

  At first, I wasn’t able to respond. My lungs ached, still recouping. A strong magnetic pull had me shifting my head in its direction. I lulled my head to the right, and to my surprise, saw an opening to a cave of some sort.

  I knew I needed to go in there. The burning sense of curiosity had me clambering to my knees without any other thought. I crawled through into the darkness, as if an invisible force reeled me in.

  “Nariella! Nari!” Both Mycah and Rydan’s voices mushed together, but they sounded miles away. I faintly felt Lissë’s worriment, but I couldn’t focus on it.

  Unexpectedly, a firm, inflexible grip twisted around my neck and slammed me hard into the rocky wall across the way, but it was so dark, I couldn’t make anything out.

  A sickly, creepy-crawly, rumbling voice snickered. “Ye heart I am to ate for price of trespassin’.”

  My chest caved in. And his breath was horrid. There was a presence of innumerable bodies that compacted the space around me, giving me the impression that it wasn't just scaly hands and me here. I was in severe trouble.

  “I’ll have your own heart carved out and lying at your feet before you can lick your lips,” Mycah’s beautifully accented voice threatened, and I automatically tried to take a breath in relief, but couldn’t. Whoever it was with their rock-solid grip around my throat made it impossible.

  Quiet scuffling along with a lot of loud grunting stole my attention, and then magically a light burst into glow from Mycah’s right hand. All I could see was his outstretched arm from around the towering body in my face, but it was enough to illuminate the cave to reveal a horrifying scene.

  I couldn’t actually see him, except for his arm, but I assumed by the sound of his voice and general feeling of his presence that Mycah stood behind the terrifying creature that had me pinned. It had large demon-like wings and stony face with fangs protruding from his mouth. He was enormous as he hunched over me, his thick rock-like hand clutching my delicate throat.

  Rydan was poised above several fallen carcasses of these creatures as he ripped one of his arrows from a chest, claiming it back. Dozens lay piled around his feet. My eyes stayed frozen in horror, taking it all in.

  “I will not warn you again,” Mycah bit out roughly. He must’ve pushed his sword into the monster’s back, because he arched slightly as he dropped his arm from choking me. Immediately, I slid from between the ugly creature and my place up against the cave wall, running to stand behind Mycah. I grasped his back, feeling his muscles flex, and tried to stop trembling.

  “Ye had won,” the evil voice announced, not moving an inch.

  “Yeah, we got that already, Captain Obvious,” Rydan retorted dryly. “But thanks.”

  “Forgive me.” Mycah drove his sword through the monster’s chest, impaling him swiftly. “But I can’t allow you to live after touching her that way.”

  It dropped to its knees, hitting the hard ground below in a loud crash, before falling forward on its face, sliding off Mycah’s sword. Rydan pulled me against his body, hugging me.

  “You did all this?” I asked, looking around in shock at the fallen creatures. I felt him nod against the top of my head. How was that possible? There were dozens, and he took them out in a matter of seconds. “Have you been training with Mycah or something?”

  Mycah waited nearby, wiping his sword clean. “He has. Not to mention he’s full Isil. He can see in the dark.
”

  I turned to him with shock at first, hearing this new information about my best friend that I had never known before, but I recovered quickly. It really shouldn’t have been that surprising. “So, what are these things?”

  “Gargoyles,” Mycah answered softly. “They live in the rocks, protecting rain water. They believe consuming an elda heart shall grant them a wish, so they enticed you into their trap.”

  “Oh.” A shiver ran down my spine. “For cryin’ out loud. I have to thank you for saving me again already.” I looked at both of them. I couldn’t believe gargoyles just attacked me, wanting to eat my heart, and then it was over already seconds later, as if it never even happened. This would now be like the millionth time I would’ve died if it wasn’t for Mycah and Rydan. I felt like a failure. I had to do better. I needed to learn to take care of myself out here.

  Rydan clicked his tongue and shook his head at me. “You really are becoming quite the damsel in distress.”

  I gave him a sarcastic, dry smile. Walking over to Mycah, I slid my hands around his neck. “Thank you. I’m sorry for falling for their dumb trick.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry I couldn’t catch you. I let you fall. Forgive me.”

  “Shhh,” I dismissed his apology. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “Okay, okay. Can we please cut the mushy stuff? How do we get out of here?” Rydan interrupted us impatiently. The three of us looked around for a way out. I knew Lissë was freaking out up there on the surface, but even though we were separated, she’d always be able to find me. I sent her calming thoughts, letting her know I was perfectly all right. Well, as much as one could be in a situation like this. At least we were all alive.

  “There,” Mycah announced as he pointed to a crawl space. We made our way over to a darkened hole. “Quickly. Let’s go.”

  Oh, wonderful. I couldn’t help sighing loudly. Just what I wanted to do next. But I obeyed. Getting down on my knees, I squeezed into the tight passage.

  Chapter Twelve

  ~Naminé~

  My dear family and their well-being plagued my thoughts without reprieve. Oh, how I worried over them so. Did they escape the brutal battle that had been waging in the heart of our kingdom? Barely had Rydan and I, along with Ender and our Fëa, slipped through undetected. Were they as fortunate as we had been?

  No, I mustn’t give in to doubt. Cathar had grown into quite the warrior in his time away. In my heart, I knew he was capable of protecting them. Perhaps I could connect with him in his dreams and find out for certain.

  I did so immediately. It was difficult not having Calen by my side to assist in my ability, yet I would not ask this of her. Not whilst she lay next to Lómë, mending a broken wing. I would do my best without her presence.

  Summoning Cathar’s mind to the dream I had built, I called to him exclusively. It was painful, but I was able to feel the link between us solidify. I searched for him, but I did not see his physical body anywhere. I felt he was near, and that was all I had to go on.

  “Cathar?” I shouted, but just as with Falla, I did not hear my voice. I sighed and shook my head, hating the feeling of helplessness. He suddenly came into view, and I ran to him with speed. I threw my arms around his neck, and he embraced me back. “Cathar! My dear brother.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, and exactly how I expected, there was no sound emanating from him. Nothing but silence exited his lips that had formed unknown words to me. I tried to convey to him to speak in the form of images. Closing my eyes, I pointed to my closed lids and then to my mouth, similar to how Remycah had shown me.

  Cathar shook his head, not understanding. I sent him my own images. Images of Mother and Father. An image of him and then the three of them together. Were they well? Was he well? Were all of them healthy? I wished badly I could ask him those very questions, but I had no way of doing so. Please, understand, brother.

  His only action was to shake his head at the ground with his eyes closed. What did that mean? Was he answering that their well-being was poor? Were they in trouble? Or was he simply shaking his head to signify that he did not understand what I was referring to?

  The unknown was maddening! I grasped his hands tightly and put my face close to his. Our eyes locked and I mouthed the words, “Are you hurt? Are you in trouble? Please, I must know, are you well?”

  His eyes stayed focused on mine, but there was sadness there. Once more he shook his head, and to my horror, he mouthed in return the word “no.”

  My heart crashed sickeningly. I did not understand, or perhaps I did not wish to believe that he was actually answering my questions. I prayed that he was only saying no to the fact he could not grasp the concept of what I portrayed. That had to be it. I could not endure the thought of something terrible happening to my parents or my dearest brother.

  Again, I closed my eyes and sent him thoughts in the form of images. In my mind, I showed him Mother and Father well and happy. Opening my eyes, I tried to express that he try that as well. I needed him to at least try and send me any sort of image back, anything at all that might give a clue to what was going on back home.

  He did close his eyes, and I could see the concentration on his face. And yet, nothing was happening. I did not see anything different than him standing before me in our dream. I closed my eyes and tried to relax my mind further. Perhaps I was too emotional and stressed for him to be successful.

  There was nothing. Aggravated, I threw my hands upward into the air and landed them on top my head. I couldn’t stand the unknown. It ate away at me. Something was terribly wrong; I could feel it more than anything. No, I did not want to believe it, but it was undeniable. The fear and sadness in my brother’s eyes was enough to set my nerves on edge.

  Grabbing his face in between my palms, I poured as much emotion as I could into him—Emotions that I worried over him and our parents, that I loved them with all my heart, and that I would come for them. I would find them, wherever they may be, and I would ensure their safety. I did not know if he could feel what I tried to transfer into him, yet I did not let that stop me.

  Cathar wrapped his arms around my back and embraced me with a hearty squeeze. I returned the gesture, willing myself not to cry. Good-bye for now, dear brother. I will miss you every second of every day that I spend away from your presence. I will miss and yearn for Mother and Father to no end, until that day when I will stand before them once more. Kissing his cheek gently, I gave him a brave smile. I did not want him to give up hope, or to despair over his circumstances, if they were in fact dire and troublesome.

  Waking from the dream that had provided no relief to my aching soul, I curled into myself and prayed I would not let this trouble me with no reprieve. There was nothing I could do for them, not whilst I remained hidden in the Earthly realm. And perhaps, there was nothing that needed to be done. I could very well be worried over nothing.

  One thing was for certain. I would not give up. I would find out exactly how they were, one way or another.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ~Nari~

  Oh, god. I hoped and prayed silently that there wouldn’t be any encounters with spiders or centipedes in here. I’d almost take more gargoyles than either of those things. It was dark until Mycah entered with his magical light he affixed onto the end of a long cylindrical rock, and thanks to him, I could now see in front of me. I kept an eye out for bugs.

  It seemed to take forever as we continued crawling on hands and knees through the cramped pathway. Oxygen was thinner in here, making it harder to breathe. And even worse, there was a foul smell coming from up ahead. It grew more rank the further we crawled. I tried not to gag.

  “Ouch!” I cut my knee on a sharp rock, but the space was too small for me to even look at it. Ignoring it, I kept going. I hissed as dirt and grime smeared over it, causing it to sting.

  “Nariella, extend your leg behind you,” Mycah suggested. I stopped crawling and did as he asked. “You’re bleeding.”

 
; Instantly, he took my pain away and healed it, repairing my jeans in the process. I thanked him before continuing on. I was already desperate to get out of there, not wanting to waste another second. Thankfully I wasn’t claustrophobic, but I started to wonder if I’d develop the disorder if it didn’t end soon.

  I tumbled out the other side unexpectedly with complete lack of grace and elegance. Clumsy was becoming my middle name, I feared. Was I really an elf? I tried not to shake my head at myself.

  Mycah and Rydan exited right behind me. Gazing around, we now stood in another small cave. Mycah flashed his hand-made torch around the area, displaying rock, rock, and more rock. There wasn’t much else to see, except we spotted another passageway.

  “Over here,” Rydan said as he pointed to where we needed to go. I took his hand and pulled him behind me. It was another hole, but this one was high above us. There were large stones that staggered toward the top.

  Jumping on the first one, I used it like a stair to the next, climbing up the rest like a monkey. The two boys followed suit. Once we reached the flat surface, I heard a stomach grumble.

  “Uh, are we ever gonna stop and eat?” Rydan asked. I burst out laughing, taken by surprise.

  “Good idea,” I said between laughs. “I forgot about eating.”

  “I didn’t. I’ve been starving since before Rocky back there.” Rydan tossed me an apple, referring to the gargoyle.

  “Such a glutton,” Mycah teased, shaking his head. I giggled, taking the bread he handed me.

  “Watch it. You may be King of Aselaira, but I’ll pummel your royal arse,” Rydan mimicked Mycah’s British accent as he shined his apple using the hem of his shirt. “Your Majesty.”