by Jane Godman
As he struggled to remain upright, she came at him again. Crashing into him with brutal force, she bared her teeth, aiming for his throat. Ged managed to dodge out of her way and she growled in fury. As he straightened, she struck him across the face with her claws and he felt warm blood gush from his nose.
He had to stop this. Although he couldn’t fight back, at this rate, the woman he loved was going to kill him. She was totally focused on her target—him—and he could feel anger and determination coming off her in waves.
When she lunged at him again, he wrapped his front paws around her, drawing her into a classic bear hug. As she struggled wildly, he backed her up against the wall. Usually, when he was in bear form, he retained an element of his human senses while his animal instincts took over. This time, his mortal self remained in complete control. With a pang of regret, he tipped Lidi back, reining in his bear strength so that her head hit the brickwork with just the right amount of force.
Knock her out. Don’t crush her skull.
As he lowered her carefully to the floor, Ged changed back into human form. Through the chaos around him, he caught sight of Mikhail and signaled to him to shift. When the steward reached his side, Ged had to shout to be heard.
“It’s Lidi.” He indicated the unconscious bear at his feet. “Vasily has her under some sort of spell. When she regains consciousness, she will fight you. Take her to Zoya’s house and tie her up.” It hurt his heart almost more than he could stand to say those words. “Then stay with her until I get back.”
“What will you do now?” Mikhail asked.
“Me? I’m going to kill Vasily.”
Once he was sure Lidi had been safely removed from the fight, Ged scanned the room for his stepbrother. All around him, the air was filled with the sights and sounds of shifters fighting. Teeth, claws and scales glinted, fur flew, and blood arced. Screams, growls and grunts punctuated the tearing, slashing and occasional bursts of fire.
It was impossible to tell which side was winning, although Ged was hopeful that the presence of two dragons would swing the outcome in his favor. No matter which direction he looked, he couldn’t see Vasily. It wasn’t an entirely unexpected outcome. There was a reason why Vasily surrounded himself with thugs who did his bullying for him. The Usurper was a coward.
As he continued to scan the room, he caught a glimpse of a figure sidling toward the door. In bear form, as in human, Vasily was slightly smaller and darker than most Callistoyan bears. For that reason, as well as the fact that he wasn’t fighting, he was unmistakable.
Ged shifted back into bear form and took off at a sprint toward his stepbrother, dodging fighting and fallen shifters as he ran. When Vasily saw him coming, he stopped dead in his tracks and rose on all fours, pressing his back tight against the wall. Ged didn’t slow his pace. Instead, he headed straight for him, teeth bared as he aimed for his stepbrother’s throat.
He had a second to exult in the fear in Vasily’s eyes before he crashed into him with a roar like thunder. Vasily was thrown off balance and they rolled around on the floor, with Ged’s teeth snapping while Vasily held him off with his paws.
Ged moved to one side, sinking his teeth into Vasily’s shoulder. His stepbrother’s yelp was loud enough to be heard above the fire and fury raging around them. Fighting back in desperation now, he rolled over, pinning Ged down. The move was bold, but the triumph was short-lived. A growl rippled deep in Ged’s chest, and using his superior strength, he yanked the lighter bear off him. Throwing Vasily to one side, he sprang to his feet and drew himself up to his full height.
Without giving Vasily time to catch his breath, Ged slammed him into the wall, clamping his jaws onto the other bear’s front leg, close to the shoulder. Shaking his head from side to side, he tore off a chunk of flesh with his teeth. Blood sprayed in an arc, coating them both, and Vasily howled in agony.
Using his uninjured front paw, Vasily swiped Ged’s face. His claws didn’t sink in, but Ged’s nose had already been injured by Lidi and he grunted. The pain was enough to send a fresh charge of adrenaline powering through his veins, and he charged Vasily, sending him flying through the air and crashing to the floor.
Vasily landed on his back, the worst possible position for a bear in a fight, and Ged didn’t give him time to get up. He threw himself on top of his stepbrother, pinning him down and ripping into his chest with his claws.
Vasily’s squeals reminded him of an angry pig, and Ged toyed with the idea of making him suffer. Torturing him was appealing. For those who had died in the massacre. For the damage done to Callistoya. For himself and Andrei. And now, for Lidi...the thought of her tied up in Zoya’s cottage saddened and enraged him all over again.
Finish this.
So he did. With one final deep gouge with his talons into Vasily’s chest, he tore deep through bone and muscle right into his stepbrother’s black heart. Blood gushed from the wound, pooling on the floor around them. With a final shudder, Vasily stiffened, then stilled.
Killing never felt good, but Ged had wondered what his emotions would be if this moment ever came. Would he experience triumph? A release of the pent-up hurt and anger that had held him in their grip for so long? Would there be a sense of relief that it was finally all over? Instead he was gripped by a crushing emptiness. Vasily was gone, but he had left a legacy of pain and destruction. Reversing that was now Ged’s responsibility.
Getting to his feet, Ged looked around. At first glance it appeared his supporters had staged a complete victory with very few casualties. While it was a positive outcome, there was no opportunity to celebrate. He needed to join the resistance troops on the southern plain.
Chapter 22
In his bear form, Ged could outrun the fastest human on earth and then keep going. But why waste time and energy when he had the perfect method of transport right here in the palace grounds?
As he shifted back into human form and exited the building, Torque was already waiting for him. Ged’s dragon friend was a magnificent creature, with wings that spanned the courtyard. When he lifted them, they billowed and created an updraft that rivaled the wildest Callistoyan winter gale. His claws were like giant scimitars, scraping over the cobbles as he moved. Sleek, iridescent scales covered his muscular body, pulsing in time with his dragon breath, and wisps of smoke curled from his nostrils.
With his neck stretched out and wings held high, Torque crouched low, waiting for Ged. Catching hold of a wing, Ged levered himself onto the dragon’s back and settled into position between Torque’s powerful neck and the front of his wings.
Once Ged was securely in position, Torque spread his wings and tensed his muscles. His mighty feet pounded across the ground as he broke into a run before launching into flight. Beneath them, the palace dropped away, and in minutes they were soaring over the mountain peaks before swooping low over valleys and plains.
Another dragon joined them. Hollie, who was smaller and sleeker than Torque, had scales the color of aquamarine and eyes that glinted like emeralds. When she soared high, her camouflage caused her scales to match the silver of the moonlit clouds. Dropping lower, she blended into the dark surface of the mountain lakes.
When they reached the south plain, the full moon gave Ged a clear view of the battle taking place below him. From his vantage point, he could see that his uncle’s troops had taken Vasily’s army by surprise. Wave upon wave of resistance bear shifters surged into the makeshift living quarters on the plain in an organized attack, scattering their startled opponents, most of them still in human form, before them.
Vasily’s commanders took control, organizing their forces and staging a counterattack. Two relentless groups of werebears plowed into each other in a bloody head-on battle. As Torque swept low, Ged could see his uncle and the Earl of Vitchenko. They had positioned themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield and were coordinating the action.
T
he resistance forces were unyielding. Having waited this long for their opportunity, they were clearly determined to see it through. Each time Vasily’s men appeared to gain the upper hand, Eduard or Vitchenko triggered a fresh assault. They even had a team at work dragging the injured free of the danger zone.
As Torque tilted his wings in preparation for landing, Ged caught a glimpse of Khan, Diablo, Dev, Finglas and Sarange joining the fray. Three big cats and two werewolves would add a new dimension to the resistance team. The addition of two dragons would increase their fire power even further.
As soon as Torque’s giant claws hit the ground, Ged was clambering from his back. He shifted as he ran, his sensitive ears ringing with the sounds of battle. Screeching, growling, yelping and grunting. The crash of giant bodies slamming together and the clashing of razor sharp teeth and lethal claws. And now the roar of dragon fire was added to the mix. The coppery scent of blood was so strong he could taste it.
The ground shook as opposing forces streamed past him. Ged’s aim was to reach Eduard, but his progress was slowed by the skirmishes going on around him. Driven onward by sheer determination, he barged, slashed and bit his way past any of Vasily’s men who blocked his way.
Torque and Hollie cleared a path ahead of him. Wings flapped. Roars echoed off the mountain side. Boulders vibrated, and cinders rained down on the grass around him. Incinerated bear-shifter bodies lined his route.
Eduard grunted a greeting as Ged approached. From this viewpoint, the whole battlefield was lit by the full moon. Vasily’s men were losing badly. The bodies of their dead and dying lay trampled in the mud as the battle continued around them. Even so, they continued to fight bravely. They were bears. Brave, loyal and intelligent. It wasn’t their fault they had chosen to follow a villain.
With his empathy aroused, Ged signaled to Eduard and the two men shifted into human form.
“Speak to their leaders. Tell them Vasily is dead and they are fighting for a lost cause,” Ged said. “If they surrender now, we will give them amnesty.”
Eduard placed a hand on his shoulder. “Your father would be proud of you.”
Ged managed a grim smile. “There are enough bodies to dispose of, including Vasily’s. Once we call a truce here, there is a huge task to be undertaken. We cannot leave our fellow bear shifters in an undead state. Their bodies may have been destroyed, but only silver or decapitation can kill their souls. Our final responsibility is to lay them to rest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Your Majesty. Ged was naked, bloodstained and sweaty, and his nose felt like it had swelled to twice its normal size. He had never felt less majestic, but his physical state wasn’t the only reason why he felt so distant from his royal status.
His duty was here on this battlefield, but his heart was in Zoya’s cottage. After thirteen years of waiting, he had finally regained his crown. Was it wrong to wish he could put his royal duties on hold for a few more hours while he focused on the important business of restoring Lidi’s memory?
* * *
Several hours passed before Ged was finally able to leave the battlefield. Weary and dirty, he headed for the palace. When he got there, the first person he saw was Khan. He eyed his tiger friend thoughtfully. “Give me your clothes.”
Khan snorted with laughter. “It may have escaped your attention, but sometimes size does matter.”
“Shut up and undress. I have to go to Lidi.”
Khan must have heard the desperation in his voice, because he removed his T-shirt and sweatpants without further comment. Ged struggled into them. Both items were stretched impossibly tightly over his muscles, and the pants only reached to midcalf, but at least he was covered up. He gripped Khan’s hand briefly before leaving the building.
As he headed for Zoya’s cottage, his anxiety levels were off the scale. What would he find when he arrived? Would Lidi still want to kill him? Was it possible her memory had returned? What the hell had Vasily done to her to bring about such a change?
When he entered the cottage, the silence hit him. A quick glance around showed him Lidi was in human form. She wasn’t tied up or restrained in any way. Instead, she was wrapped in a blanket and sitting quietly on the opposite side of the fire to Zoya.
“Lidi—” He started toward her, relief flooding through him.
Mikhail stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. “Take care. She is calm now, but she had to be restrained for a few hours after she regained consciousness. She still doesn’t remember anything except that she is supposed to be marrying Vasily.”
“She’ll remember me,” Ged said. The words were more for himself than for anyone else. “She has to.”
He knelt at Lidi’s side. As he reached for her hand, she jerked it away. Her eyes raked his face, but all he saw in their depths was suspicion. “You are the one who knocked me out.”
“Lidi, it’s me. It’s Ged.”
“My name is Lidiya.” She stared around the cottage in confusion. “Where is Vasily? Today is our wedding day.”
Ged made another attempt to take her hand. “Lidi, you don’t love Vasily. You love me.”
She shrank back in her chair. “I don’t know you.”
Ged turned his head toward Zoya. “Is she under a spell?”
“I think so.” Her voice was sad. “But it is not one I know, and I suspect it can only be undone by the person who cast it.”
“But Vasily is dead. How does that work? Are you telling me she will never remember me?” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t speak roughly to you. I know it’s not your fault.”
“I wish I could help.” Zoya’s shoulders slumped in defeat and Ged’s hopes plummeted at the same time.
He made another attempt to get through to Lidi. “Please try to remember. I love you...”
She covered her face with her hands. “Leave me alone.”
Wearily, he got to his feet. He had regained his kingdom. Would anyone believe him if he said he would give it away in exchange for Lidi?
“I will never stop trying to find a way to get you back.”
It felt like an empty promise, but he meant it. As he moved to the door, it opened and a familiar bark attracted his attention. Bruno bounded into the room slightly ahead of Andrei and Sasha.
“When I saw the palace, some of my memories started to return.” Andrei’s happiness was in direct contrast to Ged’s despair. “What have we missed?”
Although Ged clutched his brother’s hand in greeting, he pressed a finger to his lips and indicated Lidi, who was now staring into the fire. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
The tone of his voice must have been enough to deter Andrei and Sasha from asking questions. But it was not enough to stop Bruno, who, after a quick greeting to Ged, bounded over to Lidi and jumped onto her knee. As he attempted to lick her face, she recoiled in horror.
“Get it away from me.”
Ged lifted Bruno down and placed him on the floor, but the dog refused to be discouraged. Burrowing under the blanket that enveloped Lidi, he began to tug at something on her leg. No matter how much she pulled her foot away, he kept returning, determinedly biting at the item that was tied around her ankle.
“I’m sorry.” Ged knelt on the floor and tried to grab the squirming dog. “He really wants to get rid of this piece of twine.”
“Twine?” Zoya asked, her voice becoming intent. “Lidi, why do you have a piece of twine tied around your ankle?”
“My name is Lidiya and I don’t know. Will someone get this creature off me?” Lidi drew her legs up onto the chair and tucked them under her.
“Gerald, get rid of that twine.” Zoya spoke urgently. “It could be the source of the spell.”
Without hesitation, Ged grabbed Lidi’s ankle. It was chafed and red. It looked like she had been wearing the twine when she shifted and it h
ad cut into her flesh. Was it possible Zoya was right and Vasily had tied the knotted length around her ankle before the Christmas-Eve ball? If that was the case, maybe the thread was the source of the magic. He was almost afraid to hope.
Ignoring Lidi’s protests, Ged snapped the twine and threw it into the fire. Resisting the urge to grab her and kiss her until she remembered him, he watched Lidi’s face. There was no change in the blank, lost look she wore. Sinking back into her seat, she resumed her contemplation of the fire.
“I guess the twine wasn’t the source after all,” he said to Zoya. He scooped up Bruno. “Nice try, mutt.”
The dog licked his hand as though offering him a sympathetic gesture and they headed toward the door.
“Wait.” Although Lidi’s voice was soft and hesitant, there was something in her tone that caused a tiny flare to ignite deep within Ged. He turned to face her, his heart pounding. Bright tears shone in her eyes and a tiny smile trembled on her lips. “What happened to the ‘no licking rule’?”
* * *
“Your father is fine, but a little weak,” Ged said as he carried Lidi past the line of nobles who were trying to attract his attention. “A doctor has seen him, and he’s been given a sedative. Although he’s sleeping now, I’ve sent a message to the nurse who’s with him to say you’ll visit him later.”
Her emotions were still raw and she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. After everything they’d been through, she could hardly believe it was true. Vasily was dead. Her father was safe. The horrible darkness that had invaded her mind was gone. She was in Ged’s arms.
There was just one problem...she buried her face in his neck in an attempt to block out the curious stares. “I think all these people want to speak to you.”