“More than that,” she grudgingly admitted. “I can concentrate on a particular object and open a portal that will lead me to it.”
The scent of rosemary deepened. Fear, or a response to his touch? The fact he couldn’t be sure made him snap out in frustration.
“An object like a frost sprite?” he sneered.
She lowered her lashes, flinching as if he’d physically struck her.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I can connect with people as well as objects.”
Finn heaved a rough sigh. Her rare talent was clearly responsible for the disappearance of his people, but his anger was directed at his vulnerability to her feminine allure.
A waste of energy that wasn’t getting him any closer to saving his people.
He turned the conversation to more important matters. “What did your brother make you do?”
A sadness rippled over her pale face. “They demanded I focus on finding a treasure.”
“What sort of treasure?”
“They weren’t specific so I just imagined a chest filled with jewels and gold coins.” She lifted her lashes, her platinum eyes blazing with a silver shimmer in the sunlight. “I thought it might lead us to a buried pirate booty.”
He blinked. There were thousands of bank vaults spread around the world. Not to mention museums with priceless works of art. And she chose a pirate chest?
“Are you serious?”
“I like to watch old human movies,” she muttered in defensive tones.
Finn flattened his lips. Dammit. He wasn’t going to smile.
“What happened?”
She waved a hand toward the crevice. “The portal opened into this labyrinth.” She pulled away from his light grip, wrapping her arms around her waist. “I tried to warn them that it was unstable, but as soon as they entered the lower cavern they caught sight of the piles of gems buried beneath the ice. After that they wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say.” Her lips twisted into a humorless smile. “Of course, they never listen to me.”
“Gems?” Finn muttered, trying to make sense of her words.
He’d assumed the labyrinth was a strange jumble of magic that had no purpose or meaning. But if it held gems, it changed the entire purpose of the place.
She abruptly scowled, looking oddly disappointed. “Not you, too. Is there anyone not obsessed with treasure?”
Finn jerked, instantly offended by her accusation. “I have no interest in gems.”
“But you just said—”
“I was trying to figure out who created this place,” he interrupted in stern tones. “I don’t need sparkly stones to rule my people.”
She flushed. “I’m sorry. I watched you with your tribe. You’re a very good leader.”
Her confession that she’d spied on him should have been infuriating. Instead, Finn found his anger instantly fading. Hell, he was preening at her soft words of praise.
Clearly the labyrinth was turning his brains to mush.
“My only interest in the gems is whether they’re a part of the cavern or if someone brought them here to keep them safe.”
“Oh.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t think they’re an actual part of this place. They looked liked someone had deliberately piled them along the edges of the cavern and then iced them over.”
His brain raced. What sort of demon could create such an elaborate maze to hide his expensive baubles?
At last he gave a shake of his head.
The truth was that he didn’t have a clue.
“I know why your family is here, but you haven’t explained why my people are being held hostage,” he said, the words clipped.
She sent him a confused glance. As if the reason should be obvious.
“Because of the ice that covers the gems,” she told him. “We tried everything to get them loose. Fire. Explosions. Magic. Nothing would free the treasure.”
He clenched his hands at his side, a fine film of frost coating his skin. His people had been kidnapped because an idiotic family of dark fey needed money?
“Whose bright idea was it to use frost sprites to act as your personal miners?”
She nervously licked her lips. “It was my younger brother, Jarvis, who suggested your tribe might be the answer to our problem.”
“I’ll be sure and give him my personal thanks,” he growled.
She was wise enough not to try and plead for mercy for her brothers. They would have to pay for their sins.
“He assumed it would only take one sprite to destroy the ice surrounding the gems,” she instead admitted.
Like that was supposed to make it better?
“But?” he pressed.
“The sprite couldn’t penetrate more than a few layers.”
“So you kidnapped more of my people.” It was an accusation, not a question.
She gave an embarrassed nod. “Yes. Their combined magic has allowed a few of the jewels to be taken from the ice.”
“So why kidnap me?”
“There’s a large object in the floor,” she said, reminding Finn of the bulge he’d noticed in the center of the cavern. “My brothers are convinced it must be even more valuable than the treasure at the fringes.” She gave a small shake of her head.
Disbelief that the mystery item was valuable? Or that her brothers could be so stupid as to risk everything by kidnapping a prince? Finn couldn’t say.
“The sprites, however, haven’t been able to penetrate the magic that protects it.”
He flicked his brow upward. “And you assume I can?”
“We’ve seen that you’re more powerful than any of your people.”
He shrugged. There was no denying what she already knew. “What if I refuse?”
Her face paled. “They’ll kill your people one by one until you agree,” she rasped.
It was exactly what he’d expected, but his power still lashed out, icing over the stream.
The bastards.
“And if I agree?” he ground out.
“I…don’t know.” The platinum eyes darkened with distress. “I truly don’t.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Char returned to Baine’s lair and headed straight to his private rooms. His visit to the pack of trolls who were hidden in the mountains of Siberia had been…satisfying.
Usually he allowed his master’s younger guards to collect on overdue debts. It not only gave them a sense of purpose, but it offered the opportunity to release their aggressive nature. After all, the creature who was stupid enough to try and renege on a deal with a dragon needed to be taught a lesson.
On this occasion, however, Char insisted on taking care of the problem himself. His smoldering frustration at Torque’s continued absence was making him twitchy. Beating a handful of trolls into a bloody pulp was just what he needed to release some steam.
Now he was in dire need of a hot bath.
Something that was going to have to wait, he wryly accepted as soon as he felt the ground tremble beneath his feet.
Seconds later, Baine appeared from a portal.
For once, the dragon was wearing a formal robe in a dark jade color. Which meant he was just returning to the lair.
“Char,” the male said, stepping into the corridor next to him.
Char offered a bow of his head. “Master.” His nose flared as he caught the scent of Synge clinging to Baine’s robe. “Were you allowed to speak with your father?”
Baine’s eyes flared with amber heat. “For all the good it did.”
Sharp disappointment sliced through Char. “He doesn’t know where Torque is?”
“He claims he doesn’t.”
Char clenched his hands. “Do you trust him?”
Baine released a humorless laugh. “Not as far as I can throw him.”
Yeah. That was pretty much how Char felt. Synge was a cunning, greedy bastard who would happily sacrifice Torque if it would somehow be to his advantage.
“What about Rya?” he demanded. Synge might not give a s
hit about Torque, but from all reports he did have a soft spot in whatever passed as his heart for his half-breed daughter.
Baine’s expression hardened. “She’s missing as well.”
“Damn.” Smoke curled around Char’s feet as he struggled to contain his worry.
Baine reached out to lay a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve sent servants to try and locate Rya’s mother,” he assured Char. “As a Shinto she’ll have the skill to locate her daughter no matter where she might be.”
“Her mother doesn’t stay in the harem?” Char asked in confusion. Most concubines preferred to remain within the luxury of a dragon’s lair.
“No. She has a home in Hong Kong,” Baine explained.
“What if she’s not there?”
“Then I’ll send the servants to search for Rya’s grandparents.” He grimaced. “Unfortunately, that could take some time.”
Char’s brief flare of hope dimmed. Baine’s expression wasn’t encouraging.
“Why?”
“The Shinto tribe travels through the deepest forests of Asia, and they’re very good at hiding from others. Even dragons.”
Char scowled. “What do we do in the meantime?”
Baine gave his shoulder a squeeze. It was as much a warning as an offer of comfort. The older male knew Char wanted to be out there hunting for his missing friend.
“We wait,” he said in tones that told Char there was no use in arguing.
Char heaved a resigned sigh. “Great.”
***
Rya wasn’t happy.
Not an unusual occurrence when it came to her aggravating betrothed. Usually, however, it was because he was intent on ignoring her. What female wouldn’t be offended by the knowledge her potential consort couldn’t be bothered to spend five minutes in her company?
This time it was because he was deliberately putting himself in harm’s way.
Suddenly she understood why he’d been so frustrated when she’d impulsively leaped into danger. Of course, the realization did nothing to ease her temper.
Pacing the barren floor, she whirled toward the doorway when she at last heard approaching footsteps.
Seconds later, Torque returned to the main chamber, his expression impossible to read.
“Well?” she demanded, moving to stand at his side.
His lips twisted into a humorless smile. “I was right about the dragon.”
Torque wasn’t a male who easily revealed his inner emotions, but she was fairly certain he wouldn’t look quite so grim if they were about to escape.
Still, she had to ask. “Is he willing to help us?”
“It’s a she.” He gave a small lift of his hands. “And not exactly.”
Her brows drew together. He’d been out there with another female while she’d been worrying herself to death?
“This isn’t the time for puzzles,” she snapped.
He blinked, clearly startled by her sharp response. “I agree. Unfortunately, I don’t have any answers,” he admitted, his gaze sweeping over her face.
She sucked in a deep breath, telling herself that she was being ridiculous.
Of course he was talking to the female. Yeesh. How else was he supposed to communicate?
“Did you ask the dragon if she knows who is holding us captive?”
“I did.” He hesitated. Which couldn’t be good. “Unfortunately she’s clearly suffering from some sort of mental distress,” he at last said.
Rya studied him in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“She didn’t make much sense,” he said in rueful tones. “If I had to guess I’d say she’s trapped in the ice the same as we are. Perhaps for a very long time.”
Her eyes widened. “What sort of demon has the power to hold a dragon captive?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted, glancing back toward the doorway. He clearly wasn’t any happier than she was about the thought of being in the hands of a demon who could imprison a full-blooded dragon. “And she couldn’t tell me,” he continued. “She doesn’t remember how she got here. Or who was responsible. She couldn’t even remember her own name.”
A shiver inched down her spine. Until this moment, she’d been more frustrated than frightened. She’d just assumed they would find a way out of the ice. Or that someone would come in search of them.
Now…
Now it felt as if the walls were closing in on her.
“Why did she create this place for us?” she abruptly demanded.
She wouldn’t give in to panic.
Or at least she was going to pretend she wasn’t panicking.
“I think she’s trying to protect us,” Torque said, stepping closer. Had he detected the sudden leap of her pulse? “She wants us to stay here.”
“For how long?”
He shrugged. “I don’t think she knows.”
The walls inched in closer.
“So we’re supposed to sit here and wait for an unhinged dragon to tell us we can leave?”
His brows drew together at the shrill edge in her voice. “It’s certainly preferable to our previous cell.”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “That’s not the point.”
His gaze studied her tight expression. “What is the point?”
She licked her lips. She had a point. Of course she did.
“I came here to search for my mother,” she at last muttered. “It’s more important than ever that I find her.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” he pressed. “We can’t force our way through the ice, and your powers don’t work here.”
She turned on her heel, pacing toward the large fireplace. “I have to do something.”
He moved so silently she didn’t hear him. It wasn’t until she felt his fingers skim lightly up her arms that she realized he was standing directly behind her.
Astonishingly, the feel of his gentle touch sent a soothing warmth through her. As if his mere presence was enough to banish her looming freak-out.
On cue, the tension melted from her muscles and the claustrophobic fear that was gripping her began to ease.
Dear goddess. He was better than a shot of Prozac.
“Listen, we’re both exhausted. We’ll take enough time to regain our strength.” Tightening his grip on her shoulders, he firmly turned her to meet his steady gaze. “If the dragon hasn’t returned then we’ll consider how we can continue your search.”
“I…” She grimaced. Now that Torque had eased her panic attack, she could think clearly again. Which meant accepting that he was right. She was still weak from her attempt to use her shadow to find a way out of the ice. It would take time to regain command of her magic. “Fine.”
His lips twitched. “Was that so hard?”
She heaved a deep sigh. “We’ve already established that I’m not very fond of waiting.”
His hands slid beneath her hair before exploring down the curve of her spine. The dragon tattoo that spread across her back tingled. As if the mating mark recognized Torque’s touch.
“How did you spend your time in the harem?” he demanded.
The temperature in the room amped up by several degrees, evaporating any lingering anxiety. Was it her dragon or his causing the heat?
Did it matter?
Suddenly her racing heart had nothing to do with fear.
She cleared her throat, trying to ignore the fire that smoldered to life in his sapphire eyes at her ready response to his touch.
“When my mother was there she trained me to use my magic,” he told him. “I was also her scribe. She would bring me texts from endangered fey she’d studied and I would translate them so they could be preserved in the Shinto library.”
An unmistakable pleasure raced over his face at her words. “A scholar?”
“I find it fascinating to learn about other species,” she admitted. “Although I’m not sure I would qualify as a scholar.”
He gave a slow nod, his gaze resting with a brooding intensity on her lip
s.
“I would enjoy reading your mother’s stories,” he murmured. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have Baine as my master. He encourages all of us to make use of his extensive library. He believes knowledge is the greatest of weapons.”
“I’ve heard he’s dangerously intelligent.”
“Without a doubt.”
Rya had encountered Baine once. She’d been very young, but she’d never forgotten the male’s choking power when he’d entered the room. She’d been frankly terrified of him.
“What about his mate?” she abruptly asked.
“Tayla?” He looked confused. “What about her?”
“How does she deal with being mated to such a ruthless predator?” she clarified. “She’s a purebred fey. He could crush her without even trying.”
Torque’s gaze widened before he released a low chuckle. “Trust me, Baine would destroy himself before ever harming one golden hair on Tayla’s head.” He shrugged. “If anyone’s terrified, it’s poor Baine. I’ve never seen a male so anxious to ensure his mate’s happiness.”
Something perilously close to jealousy speared through Rya.
What would it feel like to know her mate was desperate to please her? That his very existence was meant to bring her joy?
“She’s a lucky female,” she muttered.
“Yes,” he agreed without hesitation. “Baine is a mate who will keep her well protected.”
She rolled her eyes. “I meant that she’s lucky to have a mate who clearly feels an affection for her. It’s what most females hope for.”
He stilled, a sudden suspicion darkening his eyes. “Did you ever leave the harem?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you travel from your father’s lair?”
“I wasn’t a prisoner,” she told him, caught off guard by the sharp edge in his question. “I often visited my mother’s tribe in Hong Kong.”
“Were there males?”
“Male Shinto?” She sent him a confused frown. “Of course.”
“Did they give you the affection you say you believe is so important?” he said in dark tones.
She jerked at the unexpected attack. Was he mocking her? Just because he was a dutiful warrior who had no interest in tender feelings didn’t mean she hadn’t hoped she would be cherished by her mate.
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