That was what worried Ryleigh. The first time she’d been forced to kill a man had left her sick to her stomach. It was much easier said than done. “What about the phantoms? How will we fight those?”
He shook his head. “Hopefully, we won’t have to.”
“What if Thaddeus invades while we’re in the throne room?”
“We’ll know immediately.”
She tried to shrug off her growing apprehension as she crossed the chamber, ascended the platform, and took her place on the throne at Jackson’s side. She left her crown where it was on the table beside the throne. She couldn’t get used to wearing it during any but the most formal affairs.
Max settled beside her, offering comfort and strength.
The door opened, and two guards strode through with Lucas between them.
Ryleigh shifted in her seat. This was not something they should have to deal with right now. She couldn’t understand why Lucas would push now, when it couldn’t possibly end well for him. Jackson was way too stressed to give him any sort of fair trial.
Ryleigh looked past Lucas. Kiara was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she didn’t agree with whatever decision Lucas had made. Or maybe she’d just gone to tend Sadie and stay with her and the other children.
Lucas bowed. “Your Majesties.”
Jackson remained silent, his posture rigid.
“Sir. I’ve come to ask a favor.”
Jackson’s jaw clenched.
“I want to fight.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not asking for a hearing right now or any special treatment. If I survive the coming battle, you can return me to the dungeon, continue with my trial, and carry out my execution. But…please, Jackson. Let me fight. You’re short soldiers as it is. I’m fully trained. I’m a good soldier, and you know it. You have my word I remain loyal to Cymmera.”
Jackson sat perfectly straight. His neutral expression gave nothing away.
Ryleigh held her breath.
“I can’t, Lucas.”
“You have to, Jackson.” He lowered his face into his shackled hands and shook his head, then looked back up at Jackson. “Kiara is fighting. My mate, who has never been trained in battle, who has spent her entire existence healing people, will stand beside other men and women who’ve never been trained as soldiers. Who have never had to take a life. And they will fight. Don’t ask me to sit here while she does, Jackson. I can’t do that. Please.”
Jackson lowered his head and clasped his hands behind it. “Lucas—”
“I’ll answer your questions, Jackson. All of them. But I can’t let Kiara fight alone. I can’t risk her being attacked by one of those creatures and having it tunnel into her head.” Lucas lurched forward.
A guard yanked him back.
“Don’t ask that of me, Jackson. If you won’t let me fight, then have mercy and kill me now.”
Ryleigh gasped, then covered her mouth.
Jackson sat, staring hard at Lucas. “Very well.”
Ryleigh jerked back.
Lucas’s mouth dropped open.
“You can fight. We’ll straighten the rest out after.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed, and a tremor tore through him.
“Thank you for your service, Lucas.” Jackson gestured toward the shackles. “Remove those, please.”
A guard complied instantly.
Lucas turned to go.
“Lucas.”
“Sir?”
“If you survive the battle, you will still have to answer for your crimes.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Very well. Go prepare.”
Ryleigh waited for him and the guards to leave. As soon as the door clanged shut, she pounced. “Do you trust him?”
“Yes. For this I do.”
“I’m not saying I don’t trust him. I’m just curious why you do.”
Jackson ran a hand over his mouth. “There’s no way he could hurt his mate. He will give his life defending her. Of that I am absolutely certain. Plus, he’s right. I don’t have enough soldiers. We have no idea how extensive Thaddeus’s army is. We may very well be leading our people into a slaughter.” He stared right at her, his expression somber. “If that’s the case, it really won’t matter whether or not Lucas fights.”
“You can’t possibly think that’s going to happen.”
“It is what it is, Ryleigh. We can’t go into this blind.”
No, they couldn’t.
* * * *
The door opened again, and Harrison strode through. The child held his head high, trying to balance a too big helmet that had cocked to one side. He held the handle of the sword sheathed on his belt. He lifted it out of the way and lowered himself to one knee in greeting. “Your Majesties.”
“Harrison. How are your sisters doing?”
“Very well, sir, thank you. And we found Trey and my mom.” He stood at attention, hands clasped behind his back, expression serious. “They’ve gone to a safe haven.”
“Why didn’t you go with them?”
“I’ve decided to stay and fight, sir. I’d like permission to join the Cymmeran Guard.”
Tears shimmered in Ryleigh’s eyes. Thankfully, she kept them from falling.
Jackson wanted nothing more in that moment than to coddle Harrison, to keep him from growing up too fast. What had his kingdom come to when a little boy would come to him and pledge to fight?
The fear in Harrison’s eyes told Jackson the boy understood the potential consequences. The determination told him it didn’t matter. “I accept your offer to join the Cymmeran Guard.”
“Jackson.” Ryleigh’s tone held a note of warning.
She needn’t worry. The day had not yet come that he’d send a child to war.
“I am assigning you a very important duty.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You must keep this secret.”
He straightened and lifted his chin. “Yes, sir.”
“The children have been evacuated to another realm. No one knows where so we can keep them safe. Several Cymmeran soldiers are on duty protecting them, but there are just not enough. I need you to take your place protecting the children of Cymmera. Can you do that?”
“Yes, sir, I can.”
“Very well. I’ll have someone escort you to your post. Thank you for your service.” Jackson bowed his head.
Harrison grinned, looking exactly like the not quite innocent enough child he was. “Thank you, sir.” He bowed and strode from the chamber.
Vaughn walked in before Ryleigh could compose herself enough to say anything.
Better that way.
“Sir.”
Jackson went to him, pulled him into a bear hug. “It’s good to see you up and around.”
“Thanks, Jackson.”
He clapped him on the back and released him. “What are you doing here? I was going to come to you as soon as I finished up in here.”
“I’m ready to resume my place.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
His pale complexion, sunken eyes, and the way he leaned slightly to the right belied the sentiment.
Jackson had no choice but to ignore it. “Very well. Let’s go.”
The three of them strode toward the courtyard where his army waited. He hadn’t had another minute alone with Ryleigh to discuss her place in the coming war. He couldn’t think about it right now. It probably didn’t matter, anyway. Jackson shoved the double doors open.
The courtyard was packed full of people wearing armor and carrying weapons. Somehow they’d managed to convince many citizens of Argonas to join them in the fight. Perhaps it had been the promise of freedom.
Caleb winked. All of the remaining Cymmeran Guard stood at attention.
The Death Dealers and the Queen’s Army made up the front line.
Jackson and Ryleigh entered the courtyard.
>
Everyone dropped to their knees.
“Please, rise. Thank you.” Touched by the gesture and the outpouring of support, Jackson swallowed the lump blocking his throat. What more could he say. “It’s time.”
Applause thundered through the courtyard. Then everyone turned and marched toward the gates.
Ryleigh started away.
“Ryleigh?”
She turned back.
“Leave Max here.” A battle of this magnitude was no place for him.
She looked down at the big wolf, who was always attached to her side, and nodded, then moved off.
Noah moved with the crowd.
“Noah.”
He stopped and turned.
“Could I talk to you a minute, please?”
He said something to Tristan, then turned back. Noah strode toward him, his bearing confident. He’d grown since he’d come to Cymmera. In many ways. “What’s up?”
Jackson wanted to ask if that was any way to address his king, but he refrained. Noah had become a friend, of sorts. An ally at the least.
Jackson led him to the throne room and waited until the heavy doors banged shut before speaking. “I have a favor to ask you.”
Noah shrugged. “Sure, what do you need?”
“You are aware of most of the battle plan.”
He cocked his head to the side and frowned. “Most?”
“The Death Dealers and the Queen’s Army will be on the battlefield.”
He held up a hand.
Ahh…the fight Jackson expected.
His eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“What do you mean?” Better to play innocent for now. Soon enough he’d have to defend actions he didn’t agree with.
“You know exactly what I mean, Jackson. Don’t play games with me.”
He was right. He deserved honesty, had earned it. “She’s fighting, Noah.”
“Are you out of your mind!”
“Who knows?” Jackson paced the platform. “Probably.”
“You can’t be serious. We can’t protect her there. There’s no way.”
“I know that.” The pain that shot through him rivaled the worst he’d ever known.
“How can you do this? You ripped me from my realm, brought me here, and charged me with protecting the queen.” Three long strides landed him inches from Jackson. He leaned closer, right in his face, and lifted a finger. “My sole existence revolves around keeping Ryleigh safe. You did that.” Noah punctuated each word with a poke to Jackson’s chest. “You. Brought. Me. Here.”
“I didn’t know, Noah.”
“You didn’t know what?”
“I didn’t know about your history with Ryleigh. I didn’t know you were destined to be part of her army. I didn’t know any of it when I took you.”
“That’s just great. You ripped me from my life, took everything from me, gave me only one responsibility…” Tenderness flickered across his expression, softening it, bringing back some sign of the boy he’d been. The boy who had…no, still loved Ryleigh. “And now, you want me to shirk even that. How can you ask that of me?”
“I’m not asking.” He stared hard at Noah. “It’s her right, Noah.”
“She’ll get killed.”
Jackson turned away, desperate to reign in his temper. Noah’s argument too closely reflected Jackson’s feelings. He spread his hands wide, slammed them onto the table, and lowered his head. His decisions were too heavy a burden. “Dammit, Noah. She’s had more training than most of the people on that field. It’s her duty. She is queen of this kingdom, and as such she has a responsibility to fight for her people.” He spun on Noah. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but there is no other choice. How can I ask every other man and woman to fight for this kingdom and then not allow Ryleigh the right?” He heaved in deep breaths, struggling for control, praying Noah would come up with an argument he’d missed. Knowing he wouldn’t.
“Allow?” Noah lifted a brow and shot him a strained grin. “I wouldn’t let her hear you say that.”
Some of the tension seeped from him. “If there were any other choice…”
“Yeah, I know.” Noah raked a hand through his hair. “I’ll do my best to protect her.”
Jackson took a deep steadying breath, so unsure of his decisions. “I know you would.”
“Would?”
“Caleb and Darius will ride as a team with the Death Dealers. Vaughn is back with Ranger.”
“I heard he was up and around. I’m glad.”
Jackson nodded. It had been way too close a call. “I told you I had a favor to ask.”
This was his last chance to back out. He could still go alone, but it would decrease his chances of succeeding. Hell, he couldn’t do it alone, plain and simple. He needed a partner.
Noah waited.
“Will you ride as my partner?”
“What happened to Dakota?”
“Look, Noah, I’m trusting you with Dakota’s life right now.”
He nodded once, his expression somber.
“Dakota is going after the Book of the Ancients. With the knowledge contained in that book, Mia might be able to destroy Thaddeus and his creatures. No one else can know that.”
He studied Jackson, his expression neutral, then opened his mouth to answer.
“Wait.” Jackson stopped him. “Before you answer. I have to be honest with you about exactly what it entails. Come.” He sat and gestured to Ryleigh’s throne. “Sit.”
Noah moved tentatively and took the offered seat, obviously realizing the situation was direr than he’d first anticipated. “What’s going on Jackson?”
“Ryleigh will fight alongside everyone else. And you’re right; you can’t protect her on the battlefield. I have to trust her training has been strong enough to give her a chance. But reality is, we’re going to lose people. Nothing will change that.”
“Yeah.”
“But we might be able to lower the casualties.”
Noah leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped between them. “How?”
“We’ll fight with everyone else, until Dakota spots Thaddeus, then, well, we have to give him the best chance at getting that book and getting to Mia.”
“How do you propose we do that?”
“A distraction. If most of Thaddeus’s attention is focused on me, Dakota may be able to slip in unnoticed and get the book. And his attention will be on me. Thaddeus will fully expect me to go head to head with him. Controlling the creatures will require his full concentration. I don’t think he’ll expect anyone to go after the book.”
“So you want to be bait?”
Jackson shrugged. “Pretty much.”
“And you want me to go with you?”
“If you will.”
Noah slumped in the throne. “It’s crazy.”
“Possibly. But from what I understand, his hold on those phantoms he unleashed from the Realm of the Dead is precarious at best. Controlling them requires a hundred percent of his focus.”
“Are those the creatures you were talking about with Ranger in Argonas? What exactly can they do?”
Jackson hadn’t realized Noah didn’t know what the phantoms were capable of. He’d forgotten he wasn’t in the caves when Jackson had been attacked and had not been included in the conversation among the Death Dealers afterward. “What have you heard?”
He slid up a little straighter. “Supposedly, they invaded Lucas’s mind and stole information about his daughter. His fear for her made him help Chayce.”
Hmm… That was about the most accurate Cymmeran gossip he’d ever heard.
“Understandable.” Noah didn’t offer any more than that, but it said enough.
Apparently, the soldiers could understand, if not condone, his decision.
“They look like black smoke.”
“How can you fight smoke?”
“You
can’t. It’s almost impossible to keep those things out. Actually, it is probably impossible to keep them out of your head, but I was able to keep it from gaining the knowledge it sought when it invaded my mind.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “When?”
“When we were in the dragon tunnels, one of them…” How could he describe the feeling of that thing inside his head, his throat? Choking him, gagging him, strangling him. “It would have killed me for sure, but I’d have died to keep the information secure.”
“How will we keep them from gaining information from our soldiers on the field?”
“Easy. I’m the only one who knows everything, and I already know I can keep my secrets.”
The door eased open, and a guard poked his head into the throne room. “It’s time, Your Majesty. The Guardsmen have sounded the alarm. Thaddeus and his army entered Cymmera at the base of the mountain. They are marching toward us.”
A dramatic move on Thaddeus’s part, but so be it. They were ready. “Thank you.”
The guard bowed and left, letting the door bang shut.
He leaned forward. A new sense of urgency rode him. He needed Noah’s help, and they didn’t have much time. “I’ve given each person their own mission, with strict instructions not to share. No one knows the entire plan. Except me. And now you.”
“You mean you haven’t told Ryleigh you plan to sacrifice yourself and me to give Dakota the time he needs?”
Jackson laughed. “I guess I forgot to mention that.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Noah shook his head.
He couldn’t refuse. And if he did, Jackson would have to leave him behind. He couldn’t have that knowledge on the battlefield for Thaddeus to find. Noah had to understand and agree he’d die with the knowledge protected.
“I don’t know, Jackson. What if it got information from me about Ryleigh? It’s no secret…you know…how I feel about her.” Red patches flared on his cheeks. “What if it got information from me that could hurt her?”
“It won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You’re a good soldier, Noah. Hell, a great soldier. You’re strong, loyal, brave.” Jackson couldn’t help smiling at the absurdity of the situation. “And you love her.”
Battle for Cymmera Page 22