by Apryl Baker
“Leave her be,” Tobias said quietly. “This is something she must work through herself.”
Her body hummed, energized. This…this…power. All her life, she’d searched for a sense of peace, of feeling safe and protected. She’d been forced to fend for herself growing up. Learned tricks to ensure she wasn’t caught unawares with any of the men in Madame’s brothel. The townspeople hadn’t cared about that. She’d been made to feel like a whore even though that was the farthest thing from the truth. She hated them all—the town, Madame, her family for selling her into such a place.
Now, though, the ability to make them pay lived within her. It would be easy to unleash her anger on them all, to destroy everything that had tried to destroy her. It would be so simple. To never have to worry about anything. She would take what she wanted, destroy anything that could potentially hurt her. No need to live in fear. Did she really care about finding Atlantis now? The things she could do, the havoc, the…power.
A smile teased her lips. The crew stared up at her, afraid. She relished it. Fear was the only thing all people understood. Fear woke you up, made you pay attention. People respected fear and those who inspired it. The Emerald Queen already inspired the emotion. Merchants, pirates, and even Royal Navy airships fled in her wake. She was Emerald, the most notorious pirate alive. With her magic, the ship could give her all she ever wanted or desired. Peace and protection.
Fear would ensure that.
She closed her eyes and let the power overwhelm her, let it invade everything that made her who she was. To make her stronger. To make her invincible. Nothing would ever harm her again. No one could touch her. She would have it all. And anyone who got in her way would suffer the same fate as those creatures who’d attacked her crew.
All those years of suffering, of searching for something she knew she’d never really find, only to discover everything she ever craved was buried inside. Everyone who had ever hurt her, ever demeaned her, ever made her feel worthless, all those people would suffer. She’d make them suffer just as she had. Her magic swelled, feeling her excitement at the thought of the punishment she would dish out. It ached to be free, to do her bidding. Almost as much as she ached to feel their bones crush beneath her feet, to hear them beg for forgiveness, to take everything they had from them.
The utter quiet broke through her thoughts. She let her gaze roam over the crew. They stared back, tense, afraid. Why were they afraid? She’d eliminated the threat. She turned her head, searching for what could make them look so fearful. The cavern was clear of any incoming threat. So why were they…wait. Were they staring at her?
Valeria frowned. Why would they be staring at her like she was a threat? She’d done nothing but protect them. They were her family. They had no reason to fear her. If anything, they owed her for saving them. Ungrateful. Staring at her like she was some kind of monstrosity herself instead of their salvation. She should just get rid of the lot of them start over from scratch. A new her, a new crew.
Yes, the idea set rather well with her.
Until she looked into the eyes of her crew.
These people were her family, and she was actually thinking about blasting them into nothingness? Part of her glowered in horrified anger, but another part of her laughed in glee at the thought. It wanted to cause destruction and mayhem, even at the cost of the people who had stuck by her through all her crazy, insane schemes. These people followed her into the bowels of the Crucible not because of adventure or what loot could be gained. They followed her because they believed in her. Because they were family.
Valeria knew a darkness lived inside of her. She felt it sometimes in the middle of a battle or when she outmaneuvered a foe. It lit up, eager to see the destruction she wrought. It had been born of out of the rage of a small child tossed away by the very people supposed to love her. Born out of the anger, the pain, and the constant fear living in a bordello. A person didn’t walk away from that without scars. She relished being able to hold power over those who would hurt her. As a little girl, that control had been stripped from her. Control was what made her strong, what made her able to cope with all that rage.
She’d never acknowledged it before, though. It was there, and she let it be, but now that darkness tempted her. Everything she ever wanted lay spread out before her. She could have it. Her magic could give it to her. Could she give in? Embrace the darkest part of herself?
Yes. In a heartbeat.
But would she? She looked out over the people who trusted her. What kind of person could just turn on the very people they counted on? The kind of person she’d fought all her life. The very idea of becoming one of those people set her teeth gnashing. That wasn’t her. It wasn’t who she ever wanted to be.
The magic might be able to grant her heart’s desire, but if it meant destroying the people she loved, she wanted no part of it. Having everything meant nothing unless you had family, people to share it with. Family meant more to Valeria than most. It meant more to her than any perceived advantages the magic could provide.
Lose her family or give in to the darkness and reap the rewards?
There wasn’t an option. She’d never lose her family.
The cavern they were in shifted, the walls dissolving around them. Bright blue skies blinded the crew, and Valeria shielded her eyes from the sun. It took a moment for her vision to adjust, but when she looked around again, shock coursed through her.
The cave had been replaced by a long, narrow path, one that left little room to navigate. It opened into a wider area, the clear depths of the ocean beneath them, the sky beckoning above. Only there was no way of reaching the clouds. A netting of sorts covered the sky, allowing her ship to hover just above the water, but to go no higher.
What just happened? She turned to Tobias for answers and found him grinning like a fool. “What is wrong with you? And where did the cave go?”
“You passed the first trial. I thought for a moment, there, we lost you, but you did it!” Pride glowed in the fiercest expression she’d ever seen cross his face.
“I don’t understand. What trial did I just pass?”
“The trial of courage. Everyone who seeks entrance to Atlantis must face it. You saw the darkness the magic can bring forth. Some it consumes, and once you succumb, there is no turning back from the foul infestation of your soul. You looked at the darkness, faced it, accepted it, and chose to not embrace it. That was the first test. The courage to face our innermost demons—power, greed, and seduction.”
Her eyes widened, and she once again looked out at her crew. They’d saved her. Again. Her family.
Gazing down at them, she realized something. No matter what she found in Atlantis, she’d been searching for something she’d had all this time. Family. This ragtag band of misfit pirates were the people who loved her. Would always be there. Her crew, her family.
She turned to Tobias, a light, airy feeling seeping into her bones. “What’s next?”
Chapter Six
For Kronos, remembering the past was as important as setting goals for the future. His humble beginnings were public knowledge in Atlantis. It endeared him to the people and solidified his bond as their king with uncommon strength.
His frequent visits to his childhood neighborhood served to rally his people. It offered a deep connection with his subjects as they witnessed him walk amongst them. However, ensuring the people’s love and support was not the only reason for such visits.
This time as he came to stand in front of the small home that marked his entrance into the world, it wasn’t for pomp and show. It was for more than just memories. The memories that fueled him to be the leader he needed to be, the leader Atlantis needed him to be, whether the nation knew it or not.
It was dark now. Atlantians slept in their beds, content to allow the night to pass in peace and slumber. Kronos pulled his dark cloak tighter around his shoulders in case sleep evaded a wandering eye. The building he called home as a child now stood as a national monum
ent to his name.
The stone walkway that led to his childhood home felt rigid and familiar under his sandaled feet. With each step, the building wrapped in shadows took clearer shape—although, Kronos didn’t require light to discern the house’s features. Each paint color, doorframe, and room was etched into his mind like a brand on cattle.
Kronos paused at the door to look at the plaque that explained to newcomers what the building had once been. In big bold letters, it read:
Ahab Orphanage,
Home of King Kronos Alexander.
May It Remind the People of Atlantis
That Where Your Journey Begins is Irrelevant.
The Truth of Life is Where You End.
Kronos allowed his hand to run over the cool metal inscription. Memories of fights in the yard and generic, bland meals touched his consciousness. For Kronos, abandoned by his parents, life had been hard. The fact that he had been born with square pupils had been a curse as a child but something that set him apart as an adult.
More than one nose had been bloodied in this home when other children ridiculed him because of his birth defect. The cruelty of children was a mysterious thing. Even now, as much as Kronos told himself he was over the injustices, he knew he never would be able to forget it completely. Whether that made him stronger or weaker remained a mystery yet to be solved.
But these were memories for another time. Kronos removed his hand from the plaque and crested the few steps to the building’s doors. He produced a key from within his robes and inserted it into the lock. A familiar click met his ears as he entered the building and closed the door behind him.
“Your Majesty.” The stoic voice drifted to him from the shadows. “I must remind you again of the security issues meeting in such a place provides. If I would only be allowed to secure the perimeter with a squadron of my soldiers.”
“We’ve been over this before, Commander.” Kronos waved the request away with an outstretched hand. “Bringing soldiers would only call attention. It’s imperative these meetings take place in utter secrecy if our plans are to move forward. No one in the Senate can know until it is already too late.”
Ajax was the commander of the Atlantian forces and a true patriot. It had taken years to gain the man’s trust, but once Kronos had it, it was as unwavering as an iron hammer. The final guest in the room, however, was the polar opposite of the Atlantian army’s leader.
Kronos had to crane his neck forward, sifting through the chamber's shadows to see her. Although the front room the trio stood in was anything but large, the woman seemed to find the deepest part of the darkness to cloak herself. She was much too young to hold her position, but through careful manipulation and murder, she had climbed the ranks of the Atlantian underground quickly.
Her brown hair was long. It fell behind her back in a single straight cord. Her physique, much like her eyes, was firm and unrelenting. Although no weapons were visible, Kronos had no doubt she had half a dozen or more carefully concealed on her person.
“Ileana.” Kronos acknowledged the woman with a tilt of his chin. “Thank you for attending.”
“Of course.” She gave an awkward curtsy in the king’s direction. “I see you took your time coming. It was about to get dicey in here with just me and your guard dog waiting.”
“You insolent who—”
“Peace, Ajax.” Kronos sent a firm look in the commander’s direction. Of all the admirable traits Ajax possessed, verbal sparring was not one of them. “Without Ileana’s help with the underground, we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in today.”
Although the darkness hampered Kronos’ view of the commander’s exact expression, he knew the man was close to the edge. Ajax’s meaty hand clenched the saber at his side as if it were his only lifeline keeping his composure.
Instead of bringing more attention to the already tense situation, Kronos began the meeting. “Thank you both for meeting me here. I know it would be much easier to gather in a room at the palace, but, Ileana, no offense, your status as a wanted criminal denies we do so.”
“I don’t mind.” Ileana stepped into the sparse light provided by a half-drawn curtain alongside the only window in the barren room. The yellow light of a street lamp outside splayed across her face, revealing a beautiful woman in her late twenties. “But perhaps you should remind your commander why I’m here, why you need me, and how much I have done for the Atlantian cause already.”
“Oh, I know.” Menace vibrated in Ajax’s deep voice. “I understand the necessary evil you are.”
It would have been easier to move a mountain than to get Ajax to see why Ileana was so important to their plans. But in time he had. As the leader of the underground trade in Atlantis, Ileana had access to information and resources even the crown could only dream of. She had provided them with not only the science for Hera’s Titan Project and technology for Ajax’s army, but information on who in the Senate would oppose the plan for invading DeCadia when the time came.
“We all have responsibilities to attend to,” Kronos said, taking the reins of the conversation once again. “Ajax, our men are ready? You have all the necessary information and equipment from Ileana?”
“They are ready for the invasion, and, yes, I have what I need.”
“Perfect.” Kronos turned to the woman. “And you, Ileana. Your men are in place?”
“I have the list of Senate members who will try to oppose you. They will be met with death if they try to organize a coup against your rule.”
“Remember,” Kronos said, ignoring the bloodlust he heard in the woman’s voice, “people respond remarkably well to examples. Every member in the Senate who would oppose an invasion on DeCadia need not die. Choose a handful of the leaders and then make it bloody.”
“I can do bloody.” Ileana’s tongue snaked from her mouth and ran across her teeth as though she were tasting something pleasurable. “I like bloody.”
Kronos could sense his commander’s unease at the turn the conversation had taken. “You are dismissed, Commander.”
As though he were relieved to withdraw from the woman’s presence, Ajax saluted Kronos and left without a backward glance in Ileana’s direction.
“He really doesn’t like me,” Ileana said with a huff of her full lips. She batted her eyes at Kronos seductively. “Why doesn’t he like me?”
“The same reason I don’t like you.” Kronos ignored the way she looked at him. “Because you can’t be trusted.”
“That’s not true.” Ileana moved forward until she was standing right in front of the king. She placed a hand on his chest. “You trust me.”
“I have something you want.” Kronos lifted her wrist and removed her palm from his chest. “It’s not the same thing. When the war is over, and it will be over quickly, we’ll part ways.”
“As you wish, my Lord, but I will expect you to remember our deal. When DeCadia belongs to Atlantis, I want my land and a title. It should be something important, duchess or baroness or something like that.”
“You’ll have it as we agreed.” Kronos turned to go, but paused to look back at the woman. “Just come through on your end, and I’ll do the same on mine.”
“No questions on the ship?” Ileana tossed the question at Kronos’ retreating back. “I thought for sure you’d want to know.”
Kronos hesitated at the door. One of his hands reached for the knob. Without turning around, he said, “We’ve been monitoring the ship’s progress through the Crucible. They’ve made it through the first test.”
“Hmmmm, yes—they—have.” Ileana drew out each word to make them last. “Makes you wonder who’s on board, does it not?”
It was like an itch Kronos couldn’t scratch. The idea of Tobias returning was utterly insane. However, it was impossible to know for certain without expending resources to intercept the ship. He had more important things to do now than worry about who may or may not make it through the Crucible.
“It doesn’t matter.” Kronos op
ened the door to leave. “Whoever it is won’t make it past the second test.”
Chapter Seven
The gentle sway of the ship soothed Ryder more than it did most of the crew. It reminded her of being in the air, her wings spread, feeling the rush of wind as she gathered it beneath her wings. She stood, staring up at the blue sky, remembering what it felt like to fly. It was the only time she felt free. Not the princess who would inherit the crown. Not the girl who had to defend her human half to a people who denied that part of themselves. Not the girl who was so torn about her heritage that she ended up in tears most days. No, when she was flying, she was just a creature meant to be in the skies, meant to soar and dive, meant to be free.
She missed her Dragon so much. She felt it shifting under her skin, demanding to be set loose. As much as she wanted to give in, there was no way she could do it now. Maybe in the cavern. It would have been tight, but she’d have fit. With this cage around them, it allowed no room. Even this boat had issues trying to stay out of its snare. The mammoth of a man who ruled the big wheel up top had cursed more in the last hour than she’d thought anyone was capable of. New words now littered her vocabulary. Her brothers would not be pleased.
Her family. As much as they were a source of pain for her, they were still her family. She loved them, and she missed them terribly. They’d be furious with her, especially since they understood the price she paid for being here in the human world. Her Dragon sensed it; of that, she was sure. It was why it was so incessant about getting out.
The price to live in the human world was one none had paid in a thousand years. One incomprehensible to any sane Dragon. Maybe Ryder wasn’t sane. She’d wondered it often enough since she fled her home and escaped onto this boat where the very sight of her brought hatred into the eyes of the men and women around her.
“What troubles you?”