A low growl came from the beast, and Riven’s hands fell to where his swords should have been, only to remember that he’d left them behind in the interest of being quiet as he snuck through the princess’ room like the thief that he was.
“A half-elf with the animal traits,” Azusa squawked. “This is a rarity.”
“That’s not possible,” Riven muttered. “And you have my apologies Princess Asha. You’ll understand when I say it was not an order I enjoyed receiving.”
“You haven’t died yet so I assume you can’t have betrayed me so far.” Asha said joyfully. “I needed you more than I needed whatever information you were stealing.”
“I understand if you want to kill me for it, once you learn the gryphon language fully.”
Asha simply offered him a serene smile. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” She replied, seeming completely calm despite his betrayal. The princess had some plan in mind, and Riven was caught in fascination and morbid curiosity about what was going on in her clever little head.
In a flurry of motion, the king resumed his human form. “I shall have him escorted to the dungeon.”
“No need.” Asha said, then her face changed in that subtle way that all wytches did when they were communicating mentally.
“I see.” King Marten gave him a penetrating stare. “Good luck, Wing-Captain Riven.”
The temperature around them returned to normal and all of a sudden Riven felt more afraid than he had at his assumption of his impending death.
“Mother is searching for Aunt Silver.” Asha informed her father. “She’s been missing for over a month.”
“I see.” The king looked at Keenan, and a glimmer of hatred entered his eyes. Riven would have bet his life there was a lot of history between those two.
Romana returned to the room, and the silent battle of wills between the two men was paused. “What news?” Keenan asked, his gaze lowered to the floor now that the king was present.
So the princess-consort was the source of that history, was she? An interesting piece of information, but it was useless to anyone now that Keenan was engaged to her sister.
“Nothing of Silver to be found, but that was not unexpected; the dark wytches are talking about her absence.” Romana’s voice spoke volumes.
“Rebellion?” King Marten guessed.
“I fear so. Many lesser dark wytches believe her dead, the wytch queens know better of course, yet her continued absence will not go unnoticed in the brutal structure of her coven.” Asha visibly paled as her mother looked at her. “This is not something I can interfere with. While I will search for your aunt, the dark wytches are more likely to respond to your presence than mine.”
“But I haven’t finished my training.” Asha objected.
“The only thing truly left to your training is your induction as a wytch queen.” Romana said gently. “All that stands between you and the other wytches is a title that you will receive as soon as your aunt returns.”
“When was the last time anyone saw her?”
“We were the last ones.” Her mother informed her. “It seems she disappeared after we returned here from the Elven Forests.”
“I can’t order the dark wytches to search without alerting them that something is wrong.” Asha mumbled. “But Aunt Silver will probably kill me for allowing the light wytches help the dark.”
“Well she can kill you when she is found.” Keenan almost growled. “I’ll trade my soul to the Ancients if it will help me find her.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Marten muttered darkly, “Where was Silver the last time we spent almost a year looking for her?”
“With Gaillean,” Romana answered. “But he told Keenan he knew nothing.”
“As I recall he wasn’t particularly forthcoming the last time she disappeared either.”
Keenan glowered. “Romana, could you summon your father?”
“In theory, but he rarely talks to me. Kate is a better bet.”
“She may not know anything.” Keenan objected. “When I summoned her she seemed genuinely apologetic and confused by the news of Silver’s disappearance.”
“This is quite a wild theory.” Joanna gently nudged her way into the conversation, reminding almost everyone that she was still there. “There must be some way to ascertain if it is correct before we begin angering our, so far, benevolent Ancient benefactors.”
Romana gave a grave nod. “That is wise council indeed, old friend. Asha, you must trust us to handle this. Your first duty must be ensuring the stability of the Dark Coven until your aunt’s return. Riven will no doubt accompany you, seeing as despite his treachery his vow to guard you still stands?”
“Yes, your highness.” Riven replied. “For what it’s worth, it was nothing personal.”
Romana ignored him, hugging her daughter. “Go and gather your things, there is no time for long goodbyes.” She turned to Keenan. “Your knowledge about the Dark Coven can only benefit my daughter. Return with her, and help her.”
“Your highness, I would prefer to stay.”
“If we get any news of her whereabouts, you will know immediately.” Romana promised. “And I will personally teleport you with us on any expedition,”
“I appreciate it.” Keenan muttered.
“You would do the same for me if our positions were reversed and Marten was captured.”
There was a choking sound from the king as he finally cottoned on.
“You… and Silver?” The king looked half fascinated and half terrified. “You’re crazy.”
“No, just engaged.” Romana smiled. “But keep it to yourself darling.”
The wheels in the king’s head were turning. “That would make you soon to be my brother in law?” He choked out. “The world has gone mad.”
“Regardless, you must go now.” Romana cut across their byplay swiftly. “Good luck, all of you.”
Asha nodded, hugged her parents and Joanna, and quickly strode from the room. Rather than risk being left alone with her parents, Riven followed quickly behind her, leaving Keenan with the two royals.
“We fly.” Asha told him. “If only I could teleport, this would all be so much easier.” She groaned.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
CALLOUS
The first bite of her food let her know she was being drugged. The second cautious nibble told her it was a sedative.
She didn’t bother with a third.
Silver had been eating the food Gaillean had been giving her for the last few months mostly to keep up her strength for an escape, now as drowsiness swamped her, she wondered what had changed.
He wasn’t here; he rarely had been these past few months. How long had it been? Was Asha still alive? She had no clue, and each day that passed increased her sense of despair and desperation.
Determined to let him think his plan had worked, she ripped up the food into microscopic pieces and threw it into the bucket she’d been given to relieve herself in. Then she slumped against the bars, close enough to the door to escape should the opportunity arise, but far enough away that she was still cast in enough shadow to camouflage the occasional flicker of her eyelids should she trust herself to sneak a peek at whatever Gaillean was doing.
A thick layer of illusion covered her and cell in the next moment.
When he arrived, he was not alone.
“I too am baffled.” He was saying as he walked through the door, followed closely by Romana.
There was a moment where something shifted inside her mind, and all of a sudden her bond to Keenan snapped open. How could that be? Through her slightly parted lids she could see only two silhouettes.
“Where can she have gone that we cannot find her? Is she captive of one of the other Ancients?” Romana looked worried. “Whenever someone like Silver goes missing it is never something to be callous about!”
“I have been anything but callous.” Gaillean objected.
Silver frantically began trying to conta
ct Keenan but the damned enchantment on the cell was too strong, at most all she could get out was a vague sense of panic and anger.
“Then why have you not returned my summons?” Romana asked, sitting down on one of the benches around the forge. “I had worried you too were missing.”
“I have been contacting my brothers and sisters on the other side of the war.” Gaillean replied, “I was trying to find evidence of their involvement.”
The bond was getting stronger, which could only mean Keenan was getting closer to her. In a burst of desperation Silver opened her eyes briefly, looking for Keenan.
“Silver…” The mental communication was static, faint. More words followed though they were incomprehensible.
“Save Asha.” She frantically sent, unsure if any of it made it through.
The bond increased, he had to be close and there was a faint rattle at the keyhole. Her thief had found the bars. Of course, demons could see through illusions.
But how was he here? How was he invisible?
Romana.
The woman who had despised her from the instant Silver took over her body was facilitating her escape from the hands of her father.
Some things made no sense.
Snap!
One of Keenan’s lock picks broke. There was a long and tense moment while they both ascertained Gaillean was still oblivious and then the near silent rattling continued.
Three more lock picks broke before the rattling stopped. Romana’s conversation with Gaillean was drawing to an inevitable close. That was when she saw ice growing over the mechanism. He was freezing it for her.
He knew there was no way that he could free her in time to leave with Romana, so he was making the metal brittle enough for her to snap when he left. Leaving the forge would still be a challenge, but she would find a way. Once out from behind the bars surely her magic would work again, she could portal herself to safety.
But would the ice last until Gaillean was gone? The heat of the forge was a constant beat upon her skin. Keenan probably had better chances of picking the magically reinforced lock in the remaining seconds left to them than he did of keeping it frozen for however long it took Gaillean to leave.
“Won’t you come with me?” Romana said suddenly. “It has been long since you last rested from the sounds of things. You could visit our world; see your granddaughter.”
It seemed Keenan had relayed the futility of their situation to her sister. Silver waited with bated breath to hear Gaillean’s response.
“Perhaps some other night,” He said, with a glance in her direction. “I have things I must attend to, weapons to be forged for the war.”
“What difference will one night make to that?” Romana sulked, and Silver inwardly praised the woman’s acting skills. “We could summon a picnic; have a quiet night with my family on the shores of my isle.”
“Tomorrow,” Gaillean promised. “A few things require my attention tonight that cannot wait.”
“Save Asha.” She repeated to Keenan over and over again. If nothing else, he had to get that.
There was a touch through the bars, a fleeting caress of her cheek that she leaned into despite the risk of Gaillean noticing. When the hand moved, she resisted the urge to grasp it and keep it there. Keenan had to escape here, he had to save Asha.
*
Asha was pacing Silver’s study when her mother arrived back with Keenan.
“Well, was she there?” She demanded almost as soon as they arrived.
“She was.” Keenan replied. “I couldn’t pick the lock in time however. I froze it, but whether she can use that to her advantage and escape depends on if Gaillean leaves immediately or not. The ice won’t hold for longer than ten minutes in the heat of that forge.”
Asha groaned.
“I did all I could,” Romana said. “I still find it difficult to believe Gaillean would lie to me on a matter such as this. His reasons are beyond me.”
Keenan shook his head. “Our bond was muted because of the enchantment. But she managed to get out two words: ‘save Asha’. Could she mean that Gaillean means you harm?”
Romana became silent. “I will have one of the Light Coven assigned as your guard.” She said quickly. “Silver’s message may have been misinterpreted, but I won’t take that chance.”
“How long do you think it would take her to get back if she escaped?” Asha glanced at the clock. “And I don’t need a guard mother; it would make me look weak. As it is I’m having enough trouble trying to keep the respect of the dark wytches.”
“I don’t care if you lose their respect as long as you keep your life.” Her mother argued.
“I have Keenan and Riven.” Asha argued. “I doubt one more person would make much difference.”
“I won’t take chances with my daughter’s life.” Romana insisted. “When you leave the Dark Coven walls you will be accompanied by at least three guards. If nothing else they will serve as a distraction while you contact me.”
Keenan snorted quietly, but did not voice the arrogant thoughts Asha knew he was thinking. Yes, Keenan was the sort of man to believe he could take down the Ancient. Yet again, Ancients were afraid of demons, so perhaps he wasn’t entirely wrong.
*
Every second Gaillean lingered in the forge tormented her. Still she lay in pretend slumber, and though the illusion covering her had been dissolved, Gaillean had not once looked her way. In her mind, Silver began calculating the amount of sedative that would have been in her food. How long should she wait before pretending to stir? How long would the ice in the lock hold out under the constant heat of the forge?
Mercifully, the moment she began to move slightly, Gaillean left. The instant she saw him disappear in a teleport she was up and swinging her most powerful kick at the lock.
As luck would have it, it broke in one hit.
The moment the door was open she grabbed her equipment into a bundle and wasted no time in casting a portal to Dalmorin, a last glance had her grabbing her engagement ring and the letter before she jumped through the portal. There was no telling whether Gaillean had the door spelled to detect the lock being broken, and she had no intention of staying at the forge a moment longer than she had to.
“We have to stop bumping into each other like this.” She commented slyly, arriving in her office to find her brother-in-law and the summer fey Asha had brought home quickly spinning around to give her their backs and her niece quickly averting her wide-eyed gaze.
“For goodness sake! Put on some clothes!” Marten half yelled, half groaned, his head tilted in a way that suggested he was looking heavenward, praying for patience.
“We missed you Aunt Silver, however don’t you think you’d be a little warmer in your armour rather than just holding it?” Asha asked, still focusing intently on the paperwork in front of her.
So her niece had been doing the filing while she was away? Nothing would be where she left it, and she groaned inwardly at the thought of what all of Asha’s ‘organisation’ would mean for the rest of her things.
It would take her a century to put her books back into their carefully ordered chaos.
Just the thought of that erased any guilt she might have felt about creating a portal under Asha’s feet and letting her fall into the safe-room she’d had built on the hellhound world. A room with no doors or windows, and the location of which was known only to herself. A blink of time later and she’d donned her armour once again.
“Just where do you think you are sending my daughter!” Marten yelled as she moved around the desk, sorting quickly through papers as she went.
“She’s been targeted by Gaillean and the other Ancient’s. I don’t know why but he plans for her to die. The moment I found out, he had me locked away.” Silver replied. “Asha is now in a safe room.”
“You’re certain Gaillean won’t find her there?”
“I killed the men who built it and placed every shield spell and glamour available over it. It’s safe.
” Silver replied.
“Good.” Marten replied. “Send him there too.” He jerked a thumb at Riven. “He’ll keep her occupied learning gryphon language.”
A flick of her fingers later and Riven was gone as well.
“He’s a spy you know,” Marten commented casually.
“It wasn’t difficult to guess.” Silver said. “I knew from the moment he stepped into my presence. I was waiting to see how Asha dealt with him, if she dealt with him at all.”
“I’m sworn to secrecy on Asha’s plans.” Marten said. “Speaking of secrecy, I hear I am to gain a brother-in-law.” He looked pointedly at her left hand and the ring nestled on her finger.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Silver said dismissively, inwardly cursing as she pulled off the ring and displayed the poison mechanism. “This is just another weapon.”
“That’s not what Keenan says.” Marten replied casually.
“Keenan has some brain trauma from the attack.” Silver muttered.
Marten’s chuckle suggested he didn’t believe her, she didn’t blame him. As lies went, it was the worst she could have come up with.
“Asha did well in your absence.” Marten told her. “She held the coven together by the skin of her teeth; most wytches thought you were dead before Keenan called her in to help. The story she put out was that you were on another world. It wasn’t so much a lie that anyone on the Dark Coven would sniff it out, but not enough of the truth to cause chaos. Still, you may wish to be conveniently seen around for a while.”
Silver nodded, creating a portal. “You can go Kingling. I have work to do.” As he turned, she continued. “And the next time I need advice on running my coven, I will ask for it.” The knowledge that the light wytches had had such access to her coven made her squirm. She knew Asha would never have betrayed her, but Romana would have no qualms about a little snooping if given access to her coven.
Chapter Forty
AVAKAR
Four days in to her captivity and Asha decided she was going to murder her aunt. Not to mention her parents, because they had no doubt agreed to this plan. And if Riven didn’t stop being so stoic she might just add him to the list sooner than planned.
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