“Look, I get why you’re saying all this and I understand why you’d expect me to want to hurt you, but that’s not who I am. It never was. So, let’s just keep the past in the past where it belongs.” I tapped my hand over my stomach. “Besides, I’m starving. It’s been like three hours since I ate anything.”
She laughed, holding her hand over her mouth. “Three hours?”
“I never like to wait more than two hours between meals.” My stomach growled. “It makes me cranky.”
Smiling, she nodded her head.
I scoured through room after room in search of clothing in her tiny size. Selene was built like a mortal ballerina. Most of the apparel I found would’ve fallen right off of her. Finally, I had to settle on the black uniforms the female hounds used to wear. It was a simple short-sleeved button-down shirt with matching cotton pants, and black sneakers. She didn’t complain. But it was obvious she was uncomfortable as she pressed her hands against the garments, attempting to remove the creases. She’d worn dresses with corsets for most of her life. In all the years I spent at the castle, I couldn’t remember ever seeing her in a pair of pants.
We made our way through the winding obsidian hallways and down several staircases before we reached the mess hall. It probably had some formal name, but I didn’t know it. That’s where all the hounds in the castle ate. We were always kept separate from everyone else. Not worthy of sitting with the rest of the court. And certainly not with the elementals we were assigned to protect. The food was the one thing we had that was equal. Hounds had to keep up their strength, especially the guardians. We could eat our fill of the highest quality meats, vegetables, and whatever else we desired. Naturally, we ate until we were about to explode.
I paused when I heard the hounds chattering from the other end of the hall. Laughter, the clang of silverware, and the sounds of shattering ceramic filled the air. It was nothing I wasn’t used to. Selene was another story. I doubted she’d ever been in this part of the castle. Why would she? This area was exclusive to the hounds. As we got closer, she tucked her arm into mine. I tensed. She had never touched me before. I doubted she really wanted to, but her fear had left her no choice. She was about to step into a room with creatures that despised her family. And although she’d never caused any of us harm, she wasn’t an innocent bystander. As she'd admitted upstairs, I was sure there were many instances where she could’ve shown compassion and chose not to.
The loud noise silenced within seconds of us entering the mess hall. Utensils were placed back down as we passed by the rows of metal tables and bench chairs. Every set of eyes stared at her. She was holding on to me so tightly that I wondered if she was squeezing the blood out of my arm. I put my hand on top of hers in an attempt to calm her down. Whispers and low growls filled the rectangular space.
Slavo, one of the oldest hounds, stood up. He had once been a guardian to a high-ranking fire elemental who beat him regularly. He wasn’t ever able to fight back. The scar that sliced through his cheek and into his mouth proved how brutal the situation was for him. My jaw clenched. Out of all the hounds, he hated them the most. He laughed and I nearly fell over from shock. “Marcus captured Princess Selene. And look at what she’s wearing. He put her in servants’ clothes.”
Other hounds joined him by laughing and pointing at her. Another shouted, “Make her scrub the floors with a toothbrush.” Another added, “Make her clean the bathrooms.”
I had to put an end to this. “Selene has betrayed her brother. She risked her life to bring us crucial information.” I made a point to glare at each and every one of them. “She is my personal guest and I expect her to be treated as such.”
“But she treated us like slaves,” Slavo replied. “She should be put in one of the cells with the other prisoners.”
The other hounds cheered in support. They shouted out to her, threatening her.
“Prisma made us slaves, and Selene is not Prisma. She had no control over her own life, much less ours.” I lowered the tone of my voice. “Unless you’d like to challenge me, you will follow my order. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Marcus,” Slavo replied, reluctantly.
I sat Selene next to me at the head of the largest table. A plate of food came out from the kitchen and was placed in front of her. The dish was filled with fresh fruit, tarts, and bread. A glass of red wine came out next. Clearly, someone in the kitchen had known what she liked to eat. Three more plates filled with meats, vegetables, and bread came out for me. As long as the portions were large, it wasn’t difficult to feed me. My diet was typical of most hounds. My eyes scanned the room as I ate. I trusted them, but this was an awkward situation for everyone. I didn’t want to leave myself open for any surprises.
“You didn’t have to do that for me,” Selene whispered to me. “But thank you.”
“I told you that I would keep you safe and I meant it.” I said, right before spooning a huge piece of baked potato into my mouth.
Selene spent the next hour pushing her food around her plate. I ended up eating half of what they’d brought out for her. “Where will I be sleeping tonight?”
Right, I’d almost forgotten her room was destroyed. Judging by the reaction from the hounds, it was probably best to keep her close to me. “You can stay in my room.”
Her eyes went round.
“You’ll be safest with me until I can have your quarters repaired,” I said, easing her concern. Rowan had insisted I move into one of the royal suites. There was enough space for several hounds. It actually made me feel bad to keep it all to myself. “I’ve got plenty of room.” I shrugged. “Besides, I prefer to sleep on the sofa.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“You don’t have a choice.” I waggled my eyebrows.
Glancing around, she checked to see if anyone was still watching her. Most had gone back to eating. A few cast nasty glares as they chewed their food. “What will the other hounds think?”
“If they have a problem, they can work it out with me.” The hounds had our own way of dealing with disagreements. We usually settled our disputes with violence. After a few blows, most arguments were solved. It was barbaric, but it was our way. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
After dinner, I escorted Selene back to my quarters. “I’ll talk to some of the females about getting you some more clothes.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, nervously.
“I’ve called a meeting with all the hounds,” I replied, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall. “They should all arrive within the hour. I need to update everyone with what’s happened. I’ll be back afterwards.”
Trembling, she said, “Maybe I should come with you.”
“There are only so many rules I can break in one day.” I chuckled. “Trust me, you’ll be fine up here. No one will disturb you.”
She bit her lip as she closed the door behind her.
I rubbed the back of my neck as I headed back downstairs. The meeting was being held in the throne room. It was the first time I’d met with my whole pack since I challenged my father for control. I’d never imagined I’d become the leader of the hounds. But my father had refused to join with Rowan, leaving me no other choice. Under my leadership, we vowed our allegiance to our new king. In return, we were made equal members of the fire court. No longer servants or guardians. Our new leader had delivered on all his promises. But he was more than just my king.
In all the ways that mattered, Rowan was my brother.
He was a warrior from the start. His upbringing demanded nothing less. But there was always something more in him. Something his mother never understood. Although he hid it well—from everyone except me—he had compassion for his court and wanted to help them. It was hard to believe that the youngling prince who grew up in the shadows had become the leader he was today. The elemental that unified our court, healed the relationship with the hounds, and protected the akasha that might one day save us all.
/> But I feared his greatest challenge was yet to come. Now he wasn’t fighting to save a court. He was fighting to save our world.
Chapter Six
Rowan
I’d tried and failed several times to locate the Ring of Dispel.
It made no sense. The ring belonged to the ruler of the fire court. I had the ability to sense it. To feel its energy. But I couldn’t pinpoint its whereabouts. I’d reached an epic level of frustration. When I concentrated, all I saw was an unending white tunnel. The longer I'd held onto the vision, the weaker I’d become. There had to be something blocking my power. And whatever it was had to be strong. I’d hoped that the spirits within the flames might be able to solve many of the questions I had.
Until then, I’d wait before I tried again. My power needed to be recharged.
This was the ideal time to return to the fire court. The closer I got to the eternal flame, the more power surged through me. There was the same urgency I’d experienced last time I’d came to the flame. It felt as if they knew I was coming. Almost like they were waiting for me. They were able to see what went on within the court over the centuries. They seemed to have been watching me my whole life. I sensed the connection had something to do with my being king.
Once I arrived at the fire court castle, I headed toward the hidden portal that led to the eternal flame. The caves couldn’t be accessed from the surface. Within the caves, tunnels went on for miles in every direction. It was very easy to get lost down here. Which was why most never attempted to find the eternal flame. I was one of only a few who knew the way. As I strode through the solid rock cave tunnels, the lava covered walls thumped like a heartbeat.
I stepped on piles of ash as I made my way toward the core of the planet. The sound of crackling fire permeated all around me. None of the caves had artificial light. The flames illuminated every inch of space. The temperatures rose as I got closer to the flame. Only a fire elemental could withstand this heat. Even the Gabriel Hounds had difficulty breathing down here. The energy from the flames were so strong that my body radiated with raw power. I opened my wings, spreading them wide as I soaked in the strength. Rejuvenating my body.
As I reached the end of the final tunnel, I looked upon a massive cave held up by rock pillars. The cavern was as large as a college campus and inundated by a thick layer of steam. It was like walking into a sauna. The dry heat made me thirsty. Orbs of fire shot out from an opening on the opposite side of the room. That was the entrance to the eternal flame. It was smaller than the average door, but I was able to easily fit inside. I rushed through the cavern, dodging flames as I went. The spirits weren’t attacking me.
The inferno was wild and unable to be controlled, much like the essence of my court.
I stepped through the entryway. A rush of heat as hot as the sun blew against my face. Pools of smoking red lava covered the ground. Fireballs shot up into the air like comets. There was a large flat stone in the center of the room with smaller rocks all around. I leapfrogged my way toward the surface, ducking a few times as I avoided the never-ending firestorms. I couldn’t be burned by the blaze. But I couldn’t say the same for my favorite leather jacket. A raging wall of fire rose up all around me. Sparks of yellow and orange burning light radiated all around me.
Voices faintly whispered in my head. They only spoke to me telepathically. Each time, they repeated my name. I wondered what I was supposed to call them. I bent down on one knee. “Spirits of the eternal flame, do you have a name?”
“We are all that has come before you, young prince. The life-force of the fire court. Long ago, we were once called the First Ones.”
“I came today with questions, First Ones. But I think you already know that.”
“The fire elemental known to you as Merlin still remains in a state of living.”
Merlin was a fire elemental. That I didn’t know. Throughout history he’d been known in the mortal world as some kind of magical wizard. Perhaps the mortals only knew part of his story. He must’ve been a halfling like Kalin. If he’d survived the recent centuries, he’d remained within the protection of the mist along with all the older elementals. “What do you mean by state of living?”
“He is alive. In a state of slumber.”
I just got a weird vision of Sleeping Beauty in my head. “Please don’t tell me he’s waiting for true love's kiss to wake him up.”
“He was forced into slumber by your mother and the current queen of the water court, Britta.”
Of course my mother was involved. My body tensed. I should’ve guessed. I was starting to think she had her hand in pretty much every crappy thing that happened in Avalon. This also explained why Britta left the council meeting. She probably had a premonition that involved his release. “Let me guess. Only Britta can free him.”
“You have the power to free him, young king. Your mothers’ gifts were bestowed onto you at the time of your ascension. You have much left to learn.”
This would’ve been a bad time for a Star Wars reference. But it was sitting on the tip of my tongue. “Can you tell me why I can no longer sense the Ring of Dispel?”
“The ring remains in flux within a portal.”
Valac had found a way to store the ring within a portal. That explained a lot. Within a portal, there were pathways to thousands of places. As long as he kept the sacred artifact inside, I’d never be able to locate him. Very smart move. Now I had no way of knowing when he’d come for the air court shield. This wasn’t what I was hoping for. The situation just got even more dangerous now that he had the element of surprise. “Thank you, First Ones.”
“We are always here for your council, young king. Should you ever need us.”
I left the First Ones and searched for Marcus.
First, I headed for his quarters. They were empty. Next, the throne room. The scent of hound was strong in the area. There’d definitely been activity in here, but it was currently vacant. The last place I looked was the most obvious. It was also where I found him. Marcus was in the mess hall. I should’ve checked here first. He ate more than anyone else I’d ever known in my life, and that included other hounds.
As I came down the hallway, I heard the bustle of many hounds. Roars of cheer followed by applause. Was there some kind of performance? Fighting perhaps? I didn’t rush to find out. Marcus had control over his pack. If there was a problem, I had no doubt he’d handle it. Instead, I took my time. Whatever was going on seemed to make them happy. They’d quieted down. Then, I heard it for myself. It was a female singer. Her voice was beautiful. She sang like she was the instrument itself.
Calm washed over me in waves.
It was familiar like I’d heard her before. Now I was very curious. I hurried down to see for myself. Standing at the entrance, I froze. It was Selene. As a banshee, she had the power to destroy. But few knew they could also use their voices to heal. Mother always pushed her to train as a weapon. Valac would’ve been well suited for that, but only the female banshees had that special power. And now, she sang to the hounds as they ate. The entire pack was here. Why was she wearing servants' clothing? Was she forced? No, she was smiling. This was the happiest I’d seen her. Ever.
I leaned against the frame of the entrance door, watching with amazement. She sat on top of one of the tables singing a song about lost love. Each of the gargantuan hounds was totally entranced. I’d never seen them so relaxed. She must’ve used her healing power as a means to keep them peaceful. Which explained the calming sensation I’d felt. But what surprised me more than anything else was her reaction. She’d never treated the hounds as any more than servants or guardians. Now she was entertaining them. It was the oddest thing. When she finished her song, they each stood up and applauded. Many begged for another song.
Marcus finally noticed me. I tilted my head to the side, and he followed me out. I scratched my head. “What did I just walk into?” I asked.
“It’s pretty shocking to me, too,” he replied, looking genuinely su
rprised. “After we had a pack meeting, I sent for her. She wasn’t hungry, but she came anyway. Some of the children wanted to meet her, and she mentioned she could sing.” He shrugged. “You saw the rest.”
I tried to appreciate what I saw, but I had my suspicions. I couldn’t forget that she was Valac’s sister. “Don’t let your guard down, Marcus. Never forget she’s played a part in all of this.”
“I think there’s a lot more to her than you know.” He cupped his hand around my shoulder. “You should give her a chance.”
“You’re actually taking up for her?” Smiling, I shook my head. “Every time I think I can no longer be surprised, something incredible happens that changes my mind.”
I spent the next several minutes explaining everything that had happened. Marcus was most excited about the shield. Like most elementals, he had no idea the sacred artifacts were real. The last few weeks had been an eye-opening experience for us all.
His eyebrows rose. “Does it really increase your power?”
I hesitated, sensing what he wanted. Just when I was sure he was about to start salivating, I asked, “Do you want to hold it?”
“Hell yeah, I do.” It was like watching a child with a new toy. Marcus slid his arm through the handles, and his whole body twitched. “Wow, this is no joke. This makes me feel like I do after I’ve transformed.”
I massaged the back of my neck. “It’s intense.”
He ran his palm across the three red bands. “And you’re going to use this to defeat Valac?”
“Yup.” I nodded. “Valac will come for it. It’s the missing piece he needs to cut the mist.”
Stepping back, he shifted into a fight stance and practiced maneuvering with it. “Don’t get cocky with this, Rowan. The shield can protect you to a certain extent, but there’s lot of exposed skin. Don’t forget that Valac will be stronger with Excalibur.”
I hadn’t forgotten. My attack had to be smart. Otherwise, there was a good chance that I’d be killed. “I won’t underestimate him. This time I have a plan, which means I’m going to need your help.”
Eternal Sacrifice (Mortal Enchantment Book 4) Page 5