She had to, somehow, talk Jackson out of killing him, but now just wasn’t the time.
“He’s a good man. A good mate. A good father. And a good friend. He made a mistake. He shouldn’t have had any involvement with Chayce, and he freely admits that. But he didn’t have any knowledge of the letter’s content.”
Ryleigh lifted Max’s head and pulled her chair closer to Kiara’s. She gripped Kiara’s clasped hands in hers. “Please, Kiara. We’ll sort it out. Let’s just get through this mess we’re in right now, and then we’ll straighten everything else out. I’ll talk to Jackson. I can’t promise Lucas won’t stand trial or be found guilty or be punished for his crimes. But I can promise you, we’ll all listen to everything he has to say before any decisions are made.”
Kiara nodded and squeezed Ryleigh’s hands.
“But you have to do me a favor.”
Kiara looked Ryleigh straight in the eyes. “Anything.”
“You have to talk Lucas into telling the Council of Elders exactly what happened. I can’t help him if he won’t help himself, Kiara. You have to understand that.”
“Yes. I understand. He’ll testify. I promise you that.” She wiped her eyes and sat back. “I’m so torn. I want, need really, to stay with Lucas, but I’m worried sick about Sadie. She’s never been away from me before. Do you think it’s safe to bring her here?”
The fact Kiara had to ask spoke volumes for why Lucas had made the decision he had. They couldn’t protect their people. Plain and simple. She couldn’t allay Kiara’s fears, because they were well founded. Truth was, it was probably not safe to bring Sadie back to Cymmera, not even to the castle.
The chair creaked as Ryleigh rocked back and forth, staring hard into the flames, searching for answers. Visions of Elijah taunted her. Would he have lived if not for that letter? Would things have played out differently? Mia seemed to think Elijah would have sent Jackson away regardless, determined to change Jackson’s fate. Had the letter not been delivered, had Elijah not been offered that excuse, would he have found another reason to send Jackson away? And what if he hadn’t? What if Jackson had been in the castle when Chayce had attacked? Would he have died in Elijah’s place?
The questions battered her, relentless in their intensity, demanding answers she didn’t have. She massaged her throbbing temples.
Hurried footsteps pounded down the corridor. The door burst open.
Max jumped up and growled.
Ryleigh shot to her feet.
Tristan barreled through the doorway. “Ryleigh.” He glanced at Kiara and skidded to a stop. “Uh…I mean, Your Majesty.”
“What’s wrong, Tristan?”
“People are pouring into the courtyard.”
“People?”
“Cymmeran citizens. They’re saying the Death Dealers freed them from an underground prison in Argonas.”
Ryleigh headed for the door. “Will you stay with Vaughn until Mia comes back?”
“Of course,” Kiara called after her.
She took off down the corridor with Tristan and Max. “Are you sure they’re citizens?”
“Darius and Tatiana are there. They recognized many of them, but Darius said to send for you before we do anything.”
“Thank you.” They ran into the courtyard.
Hundreds of people stood around the clearing. Darius stood at the far side of the courtyard beside an open portal talking to several men. Tristan took her arm and guided her through the chaos. Max kept pace beside her.
Men and women ran through the portal into Cymmera. Many of them kept running toward the castle.
Darius spotted her and waved her over.
“What’s going on, Darius? Where are the Death Dealers?
“They are still fighting in the prison.”
“Are you going to help them?”
“No.”
“No?” She had to trust the head of the Security Council’s decision, but she didn’t have to like it.
People returned to the courtyard, stacks of weapons cradled in their arms. Women rushed groups of children toward the castle while the remaining adults handed out weapons.
Darius grabbed a couple of weapons. “We’re distributing weapons from the armory. We will make a stand here. There are only about thirty or forty guards in the prison. No sign of Thaddeus.”
“What about the Death Dealers?”
“They’ll handle their responsibility.” He shoved a flail into her hand. “Jackson wouldn’t expect us to come to their rescue. They will complete their mission. He will expect us to secure the castle, keep the children safe, and defend our kingdom.”
That was exactly what Jackson would expect. Knowing that didn’t make it any easier to leave him there.
“The kids are not safe here.”
“If we put them in the castle, we might—”
“No.” No way she’d risk subjecting children to a phantom’s mind invasion.
“Well, what do you suggest we do?” Frustration shortened his tone.
“We’ll take them to the faeries. I’ll see if Cyenne and Mia can open a portal and talk to Queen Allura. Maybe she’ll agree to keep the children safe if we send a few soldiers with them to offer protection in her realm.”
Darius was already nodding. “Yeah. It would be a relief to know the kids were safe.”
“Choose a few soldiers to go with them if Allura agrees. Keep the remaining men and women here to fight.” Though she couldn’t explain the feeling in her gut, she didn’t dare ignore it. Something evil was coming. The urge to send Mia with the children to the Realm of the Fae overwhelmed her. The image of Mia, arms raised, shadows consuming her brought bile up her throat.
She dismissed the instinct to hide her. Mia would play a role in this battle. The only thing Ryleigh could do was keep an eye on her.
* * * *
Jackson entered the castle in Argonas with Dakota, Ranger, and Noah.
The remaining Death Dealers fanned out and took up positions outside the castle doors.
Jackson headed straight for the throne room, where he’d sent word for Caleb to meet him. He didn’t have much time. Things were moving quickly, and he had to get back to Cymmera and prepare.
No doubt Thaddeus already knew his soldiers in the prison had been destroyed and his prisoners freed. His attack would come soon. It made no sense for him to wait. Jackson’s army would only gain strength as time went on.
He strode through the doors into an angry mob. Heated voices assailed him.
“Your Majesty?”
“Sir?”
“I need to talk to you.”
He held up his hands. “Wait a minute. I’ll answer your questions.”
Ranger and Noah moved in front of him, clearing a path among the people.
Dakota had his back.
Jackson strode through the crowd and ascended the throne platform. “Please. I don’t have much time. I will answer your questions and address your concerns, but give me a moment to speak with the head of my War Council.”
Caleb entered the platform with twenty or so men. They all bowed.
“Your Majesty.” Caleb stood. “As you know, Argonas has no army.”
True enough, the savages had been the only army Chayce needed. They were much more easily controlled than men.
“These men are willing to take positions among the Cymmeran Guard and fight for Cymmera and Argonas. Most are prisoners the Death Dealers freed from the mountainside.”
“Thank you, gentlemen.” He bowed his head in acknowledgment of the sacrifice they were willing to make. “What about the others?”
Caleb shook his head. “We couldn’t talk any others into joining. They’re afraid, Jackson. They want to stay here and defend their homes, not wage a war in Cymmera.”
“Do they understand defeating Thaddeus is imperative if we are to keep Argonas safe?”
“I’ve tried to explain.” Caleb lowered his voice
and leaned close. “You’ve got to understand, Jackson. These people have been kept down, tortured even, first by Daygan and then by Chayce. Thaddeus stood at both their sides. They fear him.”
Understandable. “Okay. I only have a minute. As soon as we’re done here, I have to go. I’ll meet you in Cymmera with any soldiers you can find who are willing to fight.”
“Very well, sir.” Caleb bowed.
“Give any who aren’t here a message, though.”
“Sir?”
“Tell them I’m willing to grant them freedom in exchange for their willingness to fight. When this is all over, Cymmera will offer protection until they choose a king.”
“Or queen.” Noah grinned.
Jackson shot him a glare.
“Be happy. I just saved you a tongue lashing from Ryleigh. Show a little more appreciation when someone saves your ass.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Jackson left Ranger huddled with Caleb and the others, and moved to the center of the platform.
Dakota and Noah took positions on either side of him.
A tense hush fell over the chamber.
“People of Argonas. First, let me confirm Chayce Maynard has been defeated.”
An excited mumble rushed through the crowd.
“However, a tremendous threat still exists. Cymmera is about to engage in battle with Thaddeus, one of the strongest sorcerers in existence, and the massive armies he’s created. We cannot defeat him alone. We are asking for your help. I am willing to offer you our protection, but we also ask you to defend yourselves. Come to Cymmera. Fight with us. In return I will offer you freedom. Argonas will remain under my protection until you choose a king. Or queen.”
He turned away. Let them make their decisions.
Noah smirked.
Jackson couldn’t help but like the other man, even though he really tried not to.
Chapter 12
Jackson walked toward Ryleigh, his expression hard.
She threw her arms around his neck. She’d waited patiently while he set the dragons free, then again while he spoke to Darius and Tatiana about setting up appointments so those who needed to see Jackson and Ryleigh could do so, before the fight came.
He nuzzled her neck. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She lowered her head. She was going to have to tell him she’d decided to fight, but she wasn’t quite ready for the argument.
He took her hand and started down the corridor. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like Mia being in harm’s way.”
“Me neither, but we’ll do the best we can to protect her. I haven’t discussed our strategy with anyone yet, and no one will know everything.”
Ryleigh cleared her throat. If he thought he was going to keep secrets from her, especially where Mia was concerned, he could forget it.
“Not even you, Ryleigh. I’m sorry. It’s the only way to protect everyone from the phantoms to the best of my ability and to ensure Dakota and Mia’s success. You had one of those things in your head. It’s not easy to hide anything from them.”
True enough. “Dakota and Mia?”
“They will both play a role. Dakota will go after the Book of the Ancients. Once he retrieves it, he’ll get it to Mia, who will be near enough but not on the battlefield.”
“Who will be with her?”
Jackson stopped halfway to the throne room. “What do you mean? You’ll be with her.”
Ryleigh faced him. She’d expected an argument, but she was hoping it would wait until later. So be it. Might as well get it over with. “As much as I’d like to stay with Mia and hold her hand, I can’t. We don’t have enough soldiers. I’ve already decided and spoken to Darius about it. I’ll fight with our army.”
Jackson laughed.
Ryleigh bristled. She’d expected an argument, not his laughter.
“You decided that, huh?”
She yanked her hand from his and folded her arms across her chest. “Yes.”
Jackson propped his hand on his sword handle. “Ryleigh, you can’t fight in a war.”
“Why not?”
He pursed his lips. “We can discuss it later.”
She bit back a retort and held his stare. It didn’t matter to her. This was one argument he was going to lose. Whether they had it now or later made no difference.
He huffed. “Is there any way I can talk you out of this?”
“No.”
“Fine.” He grabbed her hand and changed direction, heading the opposite way down the corridor. “We’ll have to do this quickly. I don’t know how much time we have. Tell me what’s going on here.”
“We’ve moved the children to the Realm of the Fae. Queen Allura has agreed to see to their safety.”
He rubbed his thumb up and down hers.
“I sent a handful of soldiers to protect the children and the faeries if need be.”
“Good.” He lifted her hand to his lips and grazed her knuckles. “Darius set up a perimeter?”
“Yes.”
“How’s Vaughn?”
“He’s doing better. Cyenne is pretty sure he’s going to make it. She’s working on getting him on his feet now.”
“I’ll go see him as soon as we’re done here.” He shoved open the training room door and led her inside. “You’re sure I can’t change your mind about this?”
She reigned in her temper. She couldn’t blame him for trying to talk her out of joining the battle, but she didn’t want to spend whatever little bit of time they might have fighting. At least not with each other. “I’m sure.”
He nodded and stopped in front of a large weapon rack.
Ryleigh stretched, working kinks from her muscles, searching for the calm that would allow her to concentrate on the coming training session.
“Here.” Jackson handed her a slim bow, then slung a quiver of arrows over her shoulder.
She frowned. “I’ve already trained extensively with a bow and arrow.”
“I know, but there are a few things you’ll need to know to fight the ice creatures Thaddeus has created. The savages can be taken down with an arrow or two, but those creatures can’t.”
She resisted the urge to swallow the lump in her throat. No sense letting him see her nerves. “Okay. What do I have to do?”
He stood behind her, pulling her back against his chest. His touch lingered as he ran his hand down her arm, then cupped her hand in his. “First…” He nuzzled her neck, his warm breath a gentle caress. “You have to conjure a ball of fire. Do you remember how?”
Heat exploded through her. She ignored it, or at least tried to ignore it. It wasn’t easy. Forming fire had been one of the first lessons when she’d begun magic training. She concentrated all of her energy on her hand. A flame flickered to life in her palm.
“Very good.” He pulled back a little. “Now, pull your arrow and touch the tip to the flame.”
She tried to juggle the bow, the flame, and the arrow without dropping anything. “You need three hands for this.”
He backed up a little. “Try to focus. Once you’re on Kalayah, you’ll be able to shoot the arrow through the stream of fire she throws, but you may have to rely on this if you end up on the ground.”
“All right.” She moved the fireball to the tips of her fingers, gripped the bow with her thumb, and used her free hand to pull the arrow and touch it to the flame. “Got it.”
“Good. Now, nock the arrow and see if you can hit the target.” He pointed toward the row of targets at the far end of the room.
She was good with a bow and arrow. The skill had come naturally when she’d first started training. But Jackson’s proximity threw her off, and the arrow missed the bullseye by a few inches. Not much in target practice, but possibly the difference between life and death on the battlefield. She elbowed him back. “Back up a little. You’re making it hard to concentrate.”
He smiled but did as she asked.
/>
She focused and tried again. This time, she was able to light the flame more quickly and the arrow hit dead center.
“Nice shot.”
She extinguished the flame and turned to him. “I can do this, Jackson.”
“I know.” He slid his fingers along her collarbone, then dipped them lower.
Her heart kicked into overdrive. “Do you?”
“Yes.” His lips followed the trail of his fingers, then stopped. He lifted his head. The intensity in his dark eyes brought a rush of heat. “But just because I have faith in your ability, doesn’t mean I want to see you fight.”
She nodded. What could she say? She understood his feelings.
He leaned into her, molding his body against hers, and kissed her. Gentle at first, then growing more urgent.
A knock on the door interrupted.
“Yes?” Jackson stared deep into her eyes, the power of his emotions overwhelming her.
Darius pushed the door open. “Sir?”
“What is it?”
“We’re ready.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Yes, sir.” He backed out and pulled the door shut.
All signs of tenderness fled. “You understand what you have to do?”
Ryleigh nodded, still caught up in the moment of passion.
“Okay.” He took her hand—sparks flared—and started toward the throne room. “Riding Kalayah in battle will be different from what you’re used to. She’s a primitive beast, and while her duty is to you, she will still have primal instincts to fight and to evade danger. You must stay harnessed to her at all times, or you could be thrown.”
She nodded. Ball of fire for the ice creatures and stay harnessed. She could do this. “Got it.”
“We’ll also review strategy after we’ve seen the people who are requesting to see us.”
“Do we really have to take time for this right now?” Their time was so limited, it seemed foolish to waste time talking to a few people with the threat of war hanging over them. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to give our people a crash course on how to fight these creatures?”
“Preparations are still being made, and it won’t take long to address a few issues before anything begins. Our soldiers are training everyone. They have all been trained how to use weapons, some how to use magic. They just need guidance to fight these specific creatures. And the will to take a life.”
Battle for Cymmera Page 21