Chayce interrupted his reverie. “So why are you telling me this, Jackson? What do you want? A pat on the back?”
Jackson’s temper surfaced again, and again he wrestled it under control. Maybe he was getting better at this. Or maybe he would be the first Cymmeran ever to develop an ulcer. Either way…“I want you to be one of my advisors.”
Chayce’s face turned an angry shade of purplish-red, smoke all but pouring from his ears.
Jackson rushed on before he could explode. “You’re strengths lie in strategy and battle. Two assets that will serve our kingdom well in the coming days.” Jackson dropped any pretense of formality. “Look, Chayce. I want you to be my advisor. You will be next in line for the throne after Ryleigh.”
Interest finally piqued in Chayce’s eyes.
Jackson hesitated. Was that eagerness he saw there as well? A vision of Kai’s eyes—so eager to take over his father’s role—assailed him. He ignored it. He couldn’t go through his entire existence without trusting anyone. Chayce was his brother. Even though they’d had their differences lately, nothing could change that fact.
“Together, the three of us and Elijah will restore order to our own kingdom. Then we will invade Argonas, seek out Kai, and eliminate the threat to Cymmera once and for all.”
“As your advisor, I feel it only fair to warn you…” Sarcasm filled Chayce’s words. He shook his head. “You’ve already given Kai time to strengthen Argonas. Trust me, Jackson, he won’t have had any trouble coming to terms with his responsibilities. He’s already ahead of you in that respect. Once he healed enough, he would have immediately seized control. The instant he heard Daygan was dead. You can’t allow him much more time.”
Jackson nodded. He didn’t really want to hear it, but Chayce was right. “I agree. It won’t take long. Once Ryleigh ascends the throne, and we assure the people of our unity and strength, we will go to council and review our options.”
Chayce opened his mouth to speak again, but Jackson cut him off.
“Those are the terms, Chayce.” Take ‘em or leave ‘em. He didn’t have time to stand there and bicker with his brother all day. “Do you accept them?”
Chayce shook his head, hands on his hips, and stared at Jackson…hard. “Yeah, Jackson. I agree.” He reached out a hand.
Jackson took it, grateful to have one battle behind him. “Thank you, my brother.” He pulled Chayce into an embrace and clapped him on the back. “We’ll get through this, Chayce. We will emerge stronger once it’s done. Then no threat will loom over us, and Cymmera will be restored to her former grandeur.”
“I hope your right, Jackson. I truly hope your right.” When Chayce stepped back, his eyes had returned to their former inscrutable darkness. “I’ll go prepare for the council meeting.”
Seconds after Chayce strode from the chamber, Elijah stood in the open doorway. “Sir. I’ve been waiting to see you.”
“I’m sorry, Elijah. I had to straighten things out with Chayce. Is everything all right?”
“I—”
Lucas appeared in the gap between the open double doors. “Excuse me, sir.”
“What’s wrong, Lucas?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir, but Kiara has been waiting to see you. She has Hannah with her, and the child is very upset. I put them in a quiet room until you finished with Chayce.” He glanced apologetically at Elijah. “The child refused to speak to anyone but the queen, sir.”
“All right.” Jackson shoved a hand through his hair. He glanced at Elijah, who waited patiently with his hands folded. “Bring them in, Lucas.”
Lucas ushered his wife through the door, his hand pressed against her back, then left and closed the door behind him. Hannah clung to Kiara, arms clutched tightly around Kiara’s neck, legs wrapped around her waist. The child was sobbing uncontrollably, an occasional hiccup wracking her small frame.
Kiara glanced back and forth between Jackson and Elijah, her eyes pleading for help.
Elijah stared at Jackson.
They couldn’t possibly expect him to know what to do. Could they? “Uh…” He cleared his throat and tried again. “What’s wrong?”
Kiara shook her head and rubbed a soothing hand up and down the child’s back. “I don’t know. She’s been sobbing like this for about an hour. She keeps saying, My Queen, but nothing else. Actually, it’s the only thing she’s said since she was…umm…”
Hannah nuzzled tighter against Kiara, though Jackson couldn’t see how she could possibly get any closer.
“Hannah?” Jackson moved toward her, very careful not to startle the traumatized child. “Honey? Can you hear me?”
Hannah nodded against Kiara’s neck. Dark curls fell down her back and over her shoulders, concealing her delicate frame.
“Do you know who I am?”
She nodded again and hiccupped.
He focused on Kiara. “Did something happen?”
She shifted Hannah’s weight to her other arm. “I don’t know. She seemed agitated earlier and said, My Queen. The first words she’s uttered as far as I know. I spoke to Ryleigh, and she said she’d come sit with her for a bit after she spoke to Elijah.”
Why would Ryleigh want to speak to Elijah?
“The more time passed, the more upset Hannah became. I searched for Ryleigh and Elijah but couldn’t find them, so I came here. Lucas put us in a quiet room, so I could try to calm Hannah, but it didn’t work.”
“And she hasn’t said anything else?”
“No. She simply keeps repeating that phrase.”
Jackson rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. Silence, punctuated by Hannah’s whimpers, pressured him to do something. “Hannah?”
Hannah’s sobs had settled to sniffles.
“Do you need to talk to the queen?”
Hannah nodded.
“Is Miss Ryleigh the queen you want to talk to?”
She sniffed and nodded again.
Jackson turned to Elijah. “Could you do me a favor, and ask Lucas to send someone for Ryleigh, please?” He turned his attention back to Hannah.
Okay. Progress. “You know I’m the king, right?”
She lifted her head and stared at him, her dark blue eyes shining amid the puffy red circles surrounding them.
“That’s just like a queen, really. Well…except I’m a boy.”
A small smile played at one corner of her mouth. She sucked in a deep shaky breath.
“So maybe you could talk to me until Ryleigh gets here?” He spared Elijah a quick glance. Why was he still standing there?
Hannah shook her head, her lips clamped tightly closed.
Jackson shot Elijah a scathing look and strode toward the door. He’d go find Ryleigh himself, but this blatant disregard of his orders was going to stop. It was time to rule with a firmer hand.
“Your Majesty?”
Jackson whirled. “What is it, Elijah?”
“I’m afraid you won’t find Miss Ryleigh in the castle, sir.”
Jackson froze. Had she really left him? His blood ran cold. “What are you talking about, Elijah? Where is she?” He took a step toward the prophet.
Hannah started to cry again.
Elijah looked pointedly at Hannah from the corner of his eye.
Jackson didn’t care. “I said, where is she?”
Elijah sighed. “She’s gone on a journey, Your Majesty.”
“What are you talking about? What kind of journey?”
Hannah’s wails assaulted him, making it almost impossible to think. Where would Ryleigh have gone? Had she run from him? Guilt intruded on his growing unease. He started to shove a hand through his hair, but stopped himself, afraid he might yank out a handful in his current state.
“The Divination Stone was stolen from her room. She’s gone to retrieve it and return it to its proper place upon the pedestal.”
Jackson crossed the chamber in three long strides. He grabbed Elijah by t
he throat mid-stride, took another step, and slammed the prophet against the unforgiving stone wall. “Gone where?” The thud reverberated through Jackson’s arm into his shoulder.
Hannah screamed.
Elijah opened his mouth to speak, but only a harsh croak emerged.
Jackson loosened his grip. Barely.
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t play games with me, Elijah. I demand answers. Now. Or you will rot in the dungeon with the rest of the prisoners, if I don’t kill you first.”
Elijah’s eyes widened. “Release me.”
“No. No. No.” Hannah’s pleas grew louder. Sobs punctuated her words.
“Answer me.” Jackson’s grip tightened.
“Jackson.” Kiara’s voice barely penetrated the haze of rage.
Elijah clutched at his throat. He tugged at Jackson’s hand. “Release me if you want answers.” He gasped for breath.
The wooden doors creaked open, and Lucas stuck his head in. “What’s going on in here?”
Jackson threw Elijah to the ground. “Start talking. Now.”
Elijah pinned him with more anger than Jackson thought the delicate man capable of. He stood and brushed himself off. “This is the princess’ quest, Your Majesty.”
Though Elijah used the title, it held none of the respect the seer usually granted Jackson.
Lucas tried to usher Kiara from the room.
“Stay right there, Lucas.”
Lucas stilled.
Jackson focused his gaze on Elijah. “What are you talking about? What quest?”
“The Divination Stone cannot be parted from its pedestal. It must be returned. Only the true future queen will be able to find the stone and return it to its proper place.”
“So you sent her alone?”
Elijah nodded. Red welts ringed his neck.
“Why didn’t you come for me? How could you send her alone?”
Elijah stiffened his spine. He lifted his chin defiantly. “Regardless of what you seem to believe, sir, you have a kingdom to run. You don’t even have a second in command. I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t think you had time to play babysitter.” He spat the words with contempt.
What was going on around here? Elijah headed the Peacekeeping Council. He was the most docile man Jackson had ever met.
Sobs shook Hannah between screams. “Stop her. Stop her.”
She had to stop screaming. He wanted desperately to slap his hands over his ears and block out the sound. Over and over again, the words grated on his nerves, fraying every last one. “All right. That’s it. Hannah.” He approached the child, reigning in as much of his temper as he could corral. “Hannah. You must listen to me. Please. It’s really important.”
She stopped screaming, but the heartbreaking sobs continued. She hung her head, the curls falling over her face.
Jackson massaged the bridge of his nose. He searched deep within himself for some untapped well of patience. “Hannah. Please. You have to tell me what’s wrong. Do you understand?”
She nodded, sniffed, and struggled to control the sobs as tears poured down her raw cheeks.
He placed a finger gently beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “What do you need to see the queen about?” He had no idea why that mattered right now, except that he knew it did. The child’s distress was unnaturally severe.
She stared at him another moment, and he thought for sure she wouldn’t answer.
Her soft voice, after the violent outburst, startled him.
He leaned closer to hear her.
“I’m supposed to tell her something.” Sniff. “From Asa.”
Elijah surged toward her.
She jumped, startled.
Jackson held out a hand to stop him, grateful when the other man paused. He glanced at the prophet’s pale face. No trace of his earlier anger remained in his eyes. Stark fear replaced it.
Jackson nodded once, indicating he remembered who Asa was. The original King of Cymmera, King Raya, had a prophet. The same prophet who had foreseen the destruction of Cymmera. The same one who had hidden Ryleigh’s ancestor away to be saved. Asa. Of course, the man had been dead for thousands of years. Jackson reached for Hannah, relieved when she crawled into his arms willingly enough. He lowered himself to one knee and sat her on his other knee, bringing her face to face with him, blocking out their surroundings, creating a safe space for the child. “I’m going to find the queen.” He looked her straight in the eye, willing her to believe him. “It’s really important that she get Asa’s message. Why don’t you tell it to me? That way I can give it to Queen Ryleigh as soon as I find her. What exactly did Asa tell you?”
Hannah stared at him, soft cries still tormenting her, tremors wracking her small body. “He told me to go find the queen. He said to wait until she was getting ready to leave and then give her a message. But only when she was ready to leave. He said I’d know when. Then he helped me…” She sobbed, sniffed, glanced over her shoulder, then leaned closer to Jackson. “He helped me run away.”
“You’re safe now.” Jackson smoothed the dark curls back from her face. “What was the message, Hannah?”
Her eyes filled with pain. “Don’t go.”
Chapter 5
Ryleigh loosened her grip on Kalayah. This wasn’t so bad. She forced her tense muscles to unknot. It was almost like riding on Nahara. Almost. Snuggling down into Nahara’s soft fur brought a sense of comfort and security the sleek dragon did not.
Kalayah undulated beneath her.
Ryleigh tightened her grip just before the dragon banked toward the right. The shift in position cast a rainbow of opalescence as the multicolored stars reflected beautifully from Kalayah’s scales. The effect bordered on hypnotic. May even have been, if Ryleigh wasn’t so preoccupied with the need to find the Divination Stone.
Kalayah turned again.
Bitter cold wind slapped Ryleigh’s face, tore through her hair, and she risked releasing her hold for a quick second and pulled the sweatshirt hood over her head. The biting cold didn’t bother her that much, but the wind screaming in her ears was sheer torture. She buried her face as deeply as she could into the sweatshirt, inhaled deeply, and sought comfort in Jackson’s scent cocooning her. She couldn’t help but wonder where he was, what he was doing. Did he realize she was gone yet? Would he even care?
A single tear escaped but froze before it could complete its journey down her cheek. What was she doing here? The idea that she must be crazy danced fleetingly through her mind. She should turn around and head back to the castle. This fiasco bordered on insane. She had no business flitting through realms she had no knowledge of and didn’t understand.
She tightened her hold on Kalayah. So far, she’d simply held on tight and let the dragon decide where to go. Now it was time for Ryleigh to take control of her own fate. Ever since she’d met Jackson, she’d allowed everyone else to lead her, to talk her into following a path she was uncertain of. No more.
“Come on, girl. Let’s go ho—Huh?” The night shifted, darkened. The stars disappeared. “What the?” The wind whipped her words away even as she uttered them. She squinted into the darkness. “What happened to the stars?” She forced the words through chattering teeth. Although, whether they were chattering from cold or fear she didn’t know.
Blackness surrounded her, a physical weight pressing in on her from all sides. Heavy. Oppressive. The threat of suffocation loomed as the darkness crushed her. Pressure burned through her chest. There was no up or down, no right or left, nothing but the blackness of the void. A vacuum, sucking her in. She held on tighter, pressed her cheek against the dragon’s neck, and squeezed her eyes shut tight. The absolute entirety of the darkness too disorienting for her to bear. Millions of freezing needles pierced every inch of her exposed skin. Ice? She pulled her hands into the sweatshirt sleeves, used the hood to cover her face as best she could.
Kalayah faltered and tipped.
Ry
leigh clutched the dragon’s neck in her arms and squeezed her legs tighter in a desperate attempt to hold on to the ice coated scales.
Kalayah tumbled.
Ryleigh’s grip slipped. Wind tore between her and Kalayah, ripping Ryleigh from the dragon’s back. Bile lurched into her throat, the dizzying effect turning her stomach. Nausea threatened. Then… Nothing. Weightlessness. She was floating in a sea of darkness. Pressure built against her closed eyes. She tried to force them open. Couldn’t. Oblivion encroached. Her tentative hold on reality slipped, and she lost the battle to hold onto consciousness.
Nightmares plagued her, visions of horrors too terrifying to contemplate. Monsters, torture, pain, fear, death. Her mind skipped from one image to the next, cringing before each new hallucination, desperate for escape. Her only hold on sanity the knowledge that the images were nothing more than horrendous dreams.
Fingers of mist crept into her mind. A slimy haze that felt…evil…and intelligent…but real. Different from the imagined evil that chased her across the landscape of her nightmares. The mist bored through her brain, sifted through her memories, crawled through her every thought.
She couldn’t fight it. Each time she tried to resist, tried to keep the mist from invading her mind, tried to force it away, it slipped from her grasp. Elusive. Insubstantial. She opened her eyes. Then prayed fervently for the blackness to reclaim her.
Black smoke enveloped her. It had no odor, and yet, something repulsive filled her. She struggled to sit up, pressed her back against something hard. The cold, solid surface against her back forced her back to reality.
“Well, hello, dear.”
Kai.
“So nice of you to join us.” The warrior’s black eyes gleamed with hatred.
Ryleigh clamped her mouth closed tight, still too ensnared in the foul black mist to deal with Kai. The smoke pulled away, took shape, solidifying into an opaque mass of…something. A rippling creature stood before her, concave eyes staring through her.
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