by Terah Edun
She felt Thanar smile. It was disconcerting. She was standing right next to Sebastian. Even though barely an inch separated them, he was concentrating so hard on the nobles around him that he barely had a thought to spare in his mind for Ciardis. But Thanar was different. She was his sole focus. He wasn’t thinking of anyone else. She could feel his protective instincts rising. But she didn’t want his protective nature surrounding her like a cloak. She wanted the man beside her.
Unfortunately the more she thought about Thanar, the worse their connection grew. It got to the point that she could see out of his eyes and watch as the sea of pressing nobles around her and Sebastian grew. The crush wasn’t deadly...yet. Just dratted uncomfortable. What made it worse was that she couldn’t stop imagining a noble with a more sinister purpose trying to press closer. There were so many bodies near them that a single one could slip a knife into Sebastian’s side and she wouldn’t have a clue who did it. Vana was nearby in the crowd, Ciardis knew. But she was doing more crowd control than body guarding.
Her panic started to grow. In response, Ciardis felt her magic flare out in a surge of power. But this surge wasn’t anything like what she was used to. She could feel that the golden energy with black and silver swirls representing her two bond mates was eager to strike out. What or how, she had no clue. It didn’t seem to have a direction but neither was she giving it instructions. It felt foreign. Like it didn’t belong to her. Then she realized why. As she searched the core hesitantly, she realized that her magic was no longer an active agent that only surged when she called it, it had become reactive. That scared her. How did it escape her core without her will? What would it strike or enhance without her consent?
Thanar, she said with a panicked voice. Something’s wrong.
Nothing’s wrong. I told you—your magic has been unlocked. This is merely the first time you’ve been aware of it.
No, this can’t be happening now. It needs to stop. I need to stop it, she said.
Now is perfect. Some of those nobles deserve to have their asses fried. Turncoats, the lot of them.
Look at who’s talking! she snapped. Her magic dissipated in a poof. As if her anger had stopped it, when it was usually quite the opposite. Unfortunately, her claustrophobia only grew with the pressing of the crowds and no way out.
Thanar’s presence withdrew. She could see him hovering over the crowds like a dark specter. Occasionally, a noble next to her would even look up at him in fear. But none of them turned and ran. They had fought tooth and nail to get within inches of the prince heir; they weren’t giving up their coveted spots now.
Thanar, you’re being vindictive.
Still silence.
Okay, I’m sorry! Please get us out of here? Please?
Ciardis had never been sorrier that she wasn’t wearing her knife or gripping her glaive. If she had been, she would have started stabbing her way out. She already knew elbowing wouldn’t do. She’d seen a duchess flat-out punch a woman who’d tried to force her way into the middle of her breathless conversation with Sebastian.
Desperate, Ciardis pleaded, Remember, I said anything.
Anything? His voice was back. Wary. Interested.
Within reason, she hurried to amend.
What do you consider reasonable?
No kissing, no touching, no mind-raping, she said. She should have been ashamed that she immediately listed all of those, but come on, it was Thanar. He had no boundaries. If she hadn’t listed them, she knew he would have gone for the gold.
She felt him smile in her head. He was enjoying her being at his mercy. But she could also feel his anger building. Not at her. At the pushing and shoving ingrates around her.
Finally he said, A massage.
She blinked wondering if she had misheard. A what?
A massage, he reiterated. A non-sexual one, if that’s what you’re worried about.
She blushed fiery red through her bronzed skin.
What about—
No, he interrupted coldly. I have tried to abide by your silly rules. I even refrained from demanding kisses. But you will do this for me.
Why should I?
For a moment he hesitated. Then he spoke. Because you treat me like scrapped goods while Sebastian is your feast. If I am to save you, I demand my own version of equal treatment.
Equal treatment? We’re not...
We are trapped together for eternity, he said flatly, whether you realize that or not. If not love, then I want affection.
You’re joking, right?
Deadly serious. Massage and I’ll get you out of there quickly without bloodshed. No massage and a good number of those fools will die when they get in my way.
Well, now that sounded like the Thanar she knew. So she had a devil’s dilemma. Give him what he wanted and save lives. Or say screw it and let some nobles die while still getting what she wanted.
Ciardis sighed and grumbled. No one had ever accused her of being selfish. If there was a way to sacrifice and save lives...then she would do it.
The only other problem was the doubt that weighed down her mind.
A massage, really? But she also felt besieged by guilt. What he had said was true. As much as she loathed him and resented him for trapping her, she could feel him in every breath she took, in the back of every thought she made and she felt his resentment. More than that she felt his sorrow.
He’s a cold-blooded killer, woman, she thought to herself, Snap out of it.
Her magic flared again and her decision was made. If Thanar didn’t get her out of here on his terms, it would take too long. Either the nobles would die by his hand or her rogue magic.
With limitations, she frantically said.
Such as?
Your feet only, she said without really thinking.
My...feet? he said in an odd voice.
Yes, she said uneasily. She couldn’t take it back now.
Done.
And no gloating to Sebastian! Swear it, Thanar.
And ruin my fun?
Swear it or the deal is off.
Fine. I swear.
Good, now get down here!
Your wish is my command, the daemoni prince said he dove straight for Ciardis. As he did, Ciardis saw Vana running for them with knives in hand.
Uh-oh, thought Ciardis. She probably thinks we’re under attack.
Before him Thanar called on his trademark dark winds which none too kindly swooped in and swirled around Ciardis, Sebastian and Vana like a summer’s gale storm. It forced the nobles to fall back and flung some off of their feet. Landing in the midst of them, Thanar turned off the winds while brilliantly snapping open his wings.
“What was that for?” Sebastian hissed in frustration.
Thanar turned his beautiful eyes, like dark molten amber, on Sebastian’s furious green orbs and said, “Your wife-to-be was getting claustrophobic.”
Sebastian clenched a fist and looked over at Ciardis.
“She looks fine,” he said tersely.
Anger lit Ciardis’s eyes. “Well, I’m not. If you weren’t so enamored with your constituents you would have seen that.’
Sebastian turned to her with shocked hurt in his eyes. As if he couldn’t believe she would take Thanar’s side.
Ciardis sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
Wisely Vana stepped in, “It’s almost eight. You both have been going since yesterday. It’s time we went home.”
Sebastian walked over to Ciardis with a tense jaw. With a hesitant look, he reached up and pushed a curl back on her face. As he did so, he said, “I’m sorry, too. We’re all tired. Forgive me?”
She nodded and they hugged. While her chin was on Sebastian’s shoulders her eyes met Thanar’s. He raised a sarcastic eyebrow and gave a half bow. As if mocking them both.
She turned away and stepped back from Sebastian at the same time.
“Forgiven,” she mumbled. “Let’s just go home.”
“Home,” laughed Sebastian. “Where is that?”
Ciardis stared at him stumped for a moment. He was right. Was home the imperial palace in the empress’s quarters? They’d only been there under duress. Was home the caves of the underground city where they’d been forced to relocate while under attack?
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
Vana rolled her eyes and put a hand on either of their shoulders while forcing them towards the edge of the broad circle Thanar had cleared.
“Home is where our asses are safe, our allies are numerous, and we can get a decent night’s rest,” Vana intoned dryly.
Ciardis put a tired game face on. “Sounds like the perfect definition.”
As they walked forward the nobles silently gathered, like a herd of sheep not ready to see their shepherd go.
Ciardis rolled her eyes as she muttered, “They turned from ravenous wolves to mindless sheep pretty quick.”
Sebastian ignored her comment as he said one last time, “Sonorous on.”
“My people, we have much to prepare for and little time,” he said.
Sebastian looked for and found Lord Crassius near Barnaren’s body. Guarding it.
He beckoned him over. Crassius came and Sebastian said, “Lord Crassius is my eyes and ears in the north. Tell him your thoughts, tell him your ideas. He will come to me tomorrow with three of your representatives who will be included in all council meetings for the bluttgott war.”
Excited murmurs ran throughout the crowd.
“I bid you goodnight and I hope, like many of you, that we can head off this evil before it becomes a full-fledged threat,” Sebastian said softly.
He turned to Crassius and clasped a hand on his shoulder, “Crassius, I leave them to your capable hands.”
Crassius nodded and banged a fisted salute against his chest. “Your Imperial Highness.”
Sebastian started to leave and hesitated just before he turned away. He looked directly at General Barnaren’s body and the crowd in front of the body parted silently.
Finally Sebastian said, “Our fallen general deserves a hero’s send-off.”
He turned and shouted, “Tomorrow, we will send off General Barnaren with the full praise he deserves. Tomorrow on the river, we will light the torch which signifies the first of many flames against the blutgott.”
“Hail His Imperial Highness,” shouted Lord Crassius.
“All hail!” screamed numerous voices.
Ciardis almost rolled her eyes. Nobles loved their dramatic scenes. Put a sword in their hands and two-thirds would turn tail screaming on the battlefield.
She knew Sebastian heard her thoughts. Because his hand was stiff when he gripped hers and they walked out of the arena. When they exited the door and it closed behind them, she turned half-afraid to see his face would be frozen with fury at her callousness.
Instead he doubled over with laughter. He was so loud that Thanar hurried to put up a sight and sound shield around them all before curious onlookers could see that it was their venerated prince heir who was making a fool of himself in the hallway.
When the laughter continued as Sebastian stayed crouched with his face in his hands minutes later, Ciardis put a hesitant on his shoulder.
“Are you all right, my love?”
He didn’t answer.
Then Vana strode forward with a no-nonsense look on her face. She sheathed her knives and crouched before Sebastian to grab his wrists.
In a gentle voice she said, “There’s no shame in being afraid.”
Ciardis blinked as Sebastian lifted a tear-streaked face with chuckles still emitting from his mouth. She hadn’t known he’d been crying.
He looked at Vana alone and said, “I’m not afraid.”
She raised an unconvinced eyebrow.
Softly, he explained, “I’m terrified.”
Ciardis crouched down while Thanar looked on with his arms crossed unimpressed.
“Why?” Ciardis whispered.
Sebastian turned puffy eyes to her. “All of those people are looking to me for solutions, for answers when I have none. What will they think when they find that out?”
“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Vana assured him. “We’ll find our way.”
“How?” said Sebastian. “How do you fight a god?”
Vana and Ciardis exchanged glances before Ciardis said, “I don’t know.”
“Then what do I tell them? They will know I’m a fool.”
“You’re not a fool,” stressed Vana. “You’re just young and inexperienced.”
“But I doubt anyone is experienced in fighting a god,” Ciardis said hastily.
Sebastian coughed. “Neither of you are helping.”
Ciardis gulped and took his hand. “Just know you’re not alone. We’re here. We’re fighting this together.”
Sebastian smiled gently. “I’m not sure that’s enough.”
For once, Ciardis was speechless. How do you convince a prince heir when you weren’t certain yourself?”
Then Thanar spoke with an odd tilt of his head. “The trick isn’t defeating a god.”
Then all looked up at him from their crouched forms.
“Well,” said Vana. “Go on.”
Thanar smiled. “The trick is to make sure you don’t have to fight a god.”
Ciardis stood slowly. “What do you mean?”
Thanar looked away and back. “You know I don’t like this quest. I think it’s foolish and I think humans should suffer for what they’ve done to these lands.”
“We know,” three long-suffering voices echoed.
Thanar glared at them. “But I don’t want to die, either, and I know if he comes through it’s inevitable.”
Sebastian and Vana slowly rose.
“So?” said Sebastian. His eyes were oddly shiny, even hopeful.
Ciardis gulped. Hoping, praying really, that Thanar wouldn’t dash that hope.
“The trick is to make sure he never comes through that gate,” said Thanar. “Shut it down before he emerges and he will never be seen in these lands again.”
The three looked at each other and then back at Thanar.
“And how...do we do that?”
“The dragons,” said Thanar with distant eyes. “During the wars long ago, the dragons created a device which limited the powers of the gods. It was powerful enough to defeat the blutgott once before and banished him from these lands.”
“Can they recreate it?” said Ciardis with anxious eyes.
“I would think not,” said Thanar, “since it took ten dead dragons the last time and they care a lot less about you humans now than they did three hundred years ago.”
“Then what are you suggesting?” said Sebastian.
Vana didn’t ask him, but Ciardis could see that her thoughts were whirling in her head. She knew something. Ciardis didn’t know how she knew, but she did.
Thanar sighed. “I’m suggesting we go to Kifar and retrieve it, defeat that nasty surprise the princess heir had stored there, and hopefully not die while getting to it.”
“Die?” echoed Sebastian and Ciardis.
“The Collar of Diamis,” whispered Vana.
Thanar ignored Sebastian and Ciardis while turning an impressed look on Vana. “Most humans haven’t heard of it.”
Vana smiled. “Most humans aren’t me.”
Ciardis asked. “So we get this collar and—”
“It’s not that simple,” Vana said hurriedly. “We need the collar and the wearer.”
“A volunteer?” Sebastian said.
“The person is special.”
“Wait,” murmured Ciardis. “Hibblebottom said she had an shaman who could lead us to a special person. Maybe that is what she meant?”
“Undoubtedly possible,” said Thanar. “Oracles, shamans, and mystics are notoriously unreliable.”
They all looked at him doubtfully.
“But we’ve certainly gallivanted off on a lot less substantial theories,
so why not this?” the daemoni prince said.
“Besides,” Ciardis murmured, “that’s three.”
“Three?” Sebastian asked.
“Three times we’ve been told to go to Kifar,” Ciardis said. “I’m beginning to think it isn’t coincidence. It’s fate.”
Chapter 23
A few minutes later as they began to walk down the hallway, a man hurried toward them from the opposite direction. A man Ciardis recognized, followed by several people calling her name.
When Terris spotted Ciardis behind Vana, she said, “Thank the gods.”
Soon Ciardis was enveloped in a hug by both her friend and the lord chamberlain who followed close behind.
Immediately after Terris pushed her to arm’s length as she said, “We heard about the ambush outside the Duke of Carne’s castle. I’ve been searching high and low for you all day. As soon as we got to one location, we were told you have moved on.”
Ciardis smiled. “It’s been that kind of day.”
“You look exhausted, my dear, but well,” said the lord chamberlain.
“I am exhausted,” Ciardis replied simply. “But alive.”
Lord Meres said grimly to Sebastian, “Good to see you again, Prince Heir.”
“And you,” said Sebastian while straightening and wiping his face hastily.
“Did you come to escort us back to the underground city?” said Ciardis to turn attention away from Sebastian’s reddening face.
“Yes,” said Lord Meres.
“No,” said the imperial chamberlain.
“Well, which is it?” Lady Vana.
Lord Meres and the lord chamberlain exchanged glances while Meres held out a hand to cede the floor.
The lord chamberlain nodded gratefully. “I received a message from His Imperial Majesty. He requests an audience with you posthaste.”
“Another one,” Ciardis muttered, her shoulders drooping. She really was tired.
“Does it have to be tonight?” said Lady Vana sharply.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her but if it was Thanar who explained the tense situation.
“I would wonder what’s so urgent that the emperor requests an immediate audience,” Thanar murmured. “Whatever it is, can’t be good.”