by LJ Andrews
“Mage have always remained with the warriors,” Yaba said.
“Why?” asked Athika. “Why would you leave the High Priestess?”
Leoch ushered us to a space near the bottom of the cave, ignoring the question. It was a pit surrounded by large stones, with encircling logs and boulders. “Here, sit. We will get you warmed up.” In a few seconds, a white warrior dragon with red eyes came by. “Naveen, fire?”
Naveen snorted a cloud of smoke, but moved toward the pit and breathed a fierce stream of blue flames until a remarkable blue-green fire roared to life.
“Don’t be so anxious to help next time,” Leoch scoffed when Naveen briskly flew to the top of the cavern. “So, you asked a question? I’m sorry, I forgot what you asked.”
Athika scooted closer to him. “I asked Yaba why the mage would leave the High Priestess.”
“Ah, well I think I’ll let Thane explain what he will about the mage and the High Priestess,” Leoch said. “But I am interested in a few things, Teagan. I’m curious what you know of your lineage.”
I sighed, feeling weary explaining myself to every new person I met. “I don’t know anything. I went to Wyvern Willows because I broke the law. I was raised by a witch.”
“So, you remember nothing of childhood?”
“Not really. I sort of thought Thane might be willing to answer a few questions. He knows the High Priestess.”
Leoch nodded but didn’t respond. He only looked up and shot to his feet. “Welcome back.”
I whipped my head around and held my breath as Thane approached, a man once again. His eyes found me in the dim light, and he was followed closely by Raffi, who also returned to his human form.
“I was getting to know our guests a little more,” Leoch finished with a bit of pride.
Thane nodded and took Leoch’s place across from me. His eyes pierced mine through the flames. We stared at each other for a long pause. Thane seemed like he could be maybe fifteen years older than me, but, in truth, probably centuries my senior.
Clearing his throat, he offered a brief smile and tried to relax his shoulders. “Forgive my swift departure. Your arrival comes as a bit of a shock.”
I nodded. The fire chased away the final bits of cold and now drew small beads of sweat along my forehead. I tugged my sleeves up once more, unintentionally revealing the jade marks. I thought I heard Thane gasp, but when I looked at him, he studied the fire.
“We are grateful to find you,” Athika began. “We need the warriors to reunite and fight for the elementals. But we also need the mage. It’s clear you know the High Priestess. We need to find where they’ve been hiding.”
Thane peeled his eyes from the flames, studied Athika for a time, and nodded. “I recognize you.”
Athika nodded. “And I, you. I know you fought bravely when Nag killed the jade king. Of course, I was much younger then.”
“We all were,” Thane said, his eyes falling back to me. “Your name is . . . Teagan?” I nodded. Thane swallowed with notable effort. “I know the High Priestess. Her name is Gaia, and she never betrayed anyone. She remains loyal to the royals and to the mage people to this day.”
I leaned forward so the fire nearly burned my face. A weight lifted from my shoulders. Even though no one had told me she was certainly my mother, I believed it to be true. The idea that she was loyal to Jade and her bloodline brought a rush of relief.
“You know where to find her?”
Thane sighed and leaned back against the wall, his eyes taking on a heartbreaking dull. “No. Gaia and the rest of the mage are lost to us. I thought I sensed her not long ago, but I can see I must have sensed you, Teagan. The jade bloodline rarely escapes my notice.”
“Wait, how are most of the mages lost to you?” Athika interrupted. I wanted him to speak more about his knowledge of the jade bloodline, but Thane already changed directions.
“We once were all together, waiting, planning, and preparing for the time when the war would begin again. Then, we were discovered—by the dark High Priest. He fought for Gaia, wanting to claim her as his once more. There was a battle, it’s where I earned this cursed mark,” Thane said, trailing a finger along the scar on his neck. “Eventually, Gaia and most of the mage were shielded from us. Some of her people were blocked from her as well and joined us here in our exile. We couldn’t find them. Bron locked her away, so only he knows where she might be. I am ashamed to say I thought we might never find them. I am not one to lose hope, but after so long—well, I won’t doubt again.”
“You think we can find them now?” I asked.
Thane smiled, and he looked youthful when his teeth showed. “Yes,” he said. “I was close to finding where they were trapped. But now, with your help, Teagan, we will find Gaia—and we’ll finally get rid of the dark High Priest.”
Chapter 20
Raffi was directly adjacent to my shoulder as we followed Thane and Leoch through an upper tunnel in the cave. The warrior beamed stupidly and had been for over an hour.
I nudged his shoulder and scoffed when he drew his eyes off Thane’s back and met my eye. “What’s your deal? You’re ogling the man.”
“I am not,” Raffi snapped. “I’m respecting his position.”
I shook my head, keeping my voice in a low whisper. “You’re sort of pathetic.”
“Shut up. This is like meeting the king of warriors. I’m allowed a little bit of awe.”
I rolled my eyes and glanced over my shoulder at Mitch who simply took in the entire aura of the cave. “You’re handling everything like it’s nothing out of the norm.”
Mitch shrugged, but I heard the distance in his voice when he spoke. “Oh, I’m overwhelmed. I’m just really good at hiding my true feelings and I sort of think I’m in a crazy-long fae sleep—those are real—but I’m not sure I want to wake up.”
I laughed, drawing Thane to look back at the three of us for a moment. Hushing my voice again, I slung my arm around Mitch’s neck. “I promise you’re definitely not in a magical sleep.”
Thane and Leoch stopped at the wide opening of a tunnel that billowed with steam.
“Here,” Thane said, his voice boomed even when it appeared he tried to whisper. “You can wash here. I’m certain you’ve been traveling long and hard to find us.”
“That sounds amazing,” Mitch sighed, tugging at the hem of his shirt before he was halfway into the tunnel.
Thane smiled, the grin peeling years off his face. “Teagan, I thought when you’re done you might want to meet some of the mages. You are their High Priest, after all. I’m sure many would be anxious to meet you. I can show you around.”
“Raffi,” Leoch interjected when Raffi’s mouth opened—probably to invite himself to hang with Thane. “We would like you to join us in the battle den. It’s been far too long since we’ve faced each other.”
Raffi was appeased and snorted a laugh. “I’m afraid you will once again get used to losing, Leoch.”
Thane lingered for a moment. He seemed uncomfortable, and I had the sense he wanted to say something. With a grunt deep in his throat, he nodded and walked away before uttering another word.
“I feel like we make Thane nervous,” I said once we found the steaming hot pools tucked in the back of the tunnel. Mitch had already sunk low into the bubbling water and used the pungent bars of homemade soap to cleanse away days of traveling.
“As Leoch said, the warriors are all surprised, that’s all. No one makes Thane nervous,” Raffi said.
Raffi had little modesty and proudly marched into the pool, dipping his entire head underwater before taking a new bar of woodsy soap. The water soothed muscles I didn’t know were sore. I leaned forward in the warm water and sighed. Raffi glanced at the seal on my back, his face growing somber.
“Teagan, do you feel anything about Jade?”
I bit back the stinging emotion behind my eyes and splashed water over my face before shaking my head.
“No,” I admitted, my voice tight
and direct. “She’s cut off from me.”
“You know we’ll find her, right?”
“I’ll never stop until I die,” I said. “As stupid as that might sound, I won’t. I don’t think it’s possible. Eisha was worried Thane might think Jade was a traitor—what do you think?”
Raffi slipped into the water until it covered his chin. “Thane is incredibly loyal to the crown. I think even if he disagrees with how Jade went about protecting her people, he will fight to protect the jade bloodline.”
Rapid footsteps drew our attention to the mouth of the tunnel.
“Athika!” Mitch shouted, and all three of us dipped lower in the water.
“Oh, relax. I’ve healed many warriors in the past—I’ve seen it all.” She drifted to the back of the room. Athika was wearing a fresh gown made of crimson silk that flowed nicely around her curves. “I’m just bringing you some fresh clothes. Unless you all want to get back in those sweaty messes.”
“I’m probably going to be in wyvern form for most of the stay,” Raffi said arrogantly.
“Well, either way, here are some pants,” she said. “Teagan, have you asked Thane about the High Priestess?”
I shook my head. “Only what he told us earlier. I’m going to meet some of the mage after this with him. I’ll ask him some questions then.”
Athika nodded and smirked when she stepped closer to the edge of the pool. I was certain she did it just to make us dip lower in the water at once. “Good. I’ve heard there are some mage that are anxious to meet the new High Priest.”
When I was positive Athika had left the tunnel completely, I pulled myself out of the pool and quickly tugged on a pair of tight but surprisingly comfortable pants and grabbed a long-sleeved black shirt. I smelled better, felt better, and was ready to gather the support of the wyvern warriors. The sooner they were behind us, the sooner Jade could be found.
“Hey, tell Thane I’d be happy to join any rank he needs,” Raffi said, leaning his elbows on the edge of the pool before I left the room.
“I’ll be sure to let him know you don’t want to join any of the ranks. He’ll understand.”
“That’s not what I said,” he shouted. “Teagan!”
I chuckled and jogged away without responding. It was good to let Raffi fret a little.
Thane stood outside the tunnel, his back to me, but he turned the moment I stepped into the lantern light. I eyed him nervously, comfortable and uneasy at the same time. Thane had removed the fur from his shoulders and wore a simple gray shirt that hugged his arms like a new layer of skin.
The scar was more visible now, and I could see how deep it dug into his skin. I hadn’t noticed it when he’d shifted, but Thane said it was a cursed mark. I’m certain it had caused him a great deal of pain, especially if it had come from Bron. Tugging the shirt over my head, I unknowingly gave Thane a solid glance at Jade’s seal coating my entire backside.
“Leoch said you had sealed to the queen,” Thane said softly. His eyes were burdened as he watched me tug the shirt over the seal. “I suppose it’s true.”
“It’s true.”
“And what of the queen?” Thane asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Has she sealed to you?”
I gaped at the question, my voice lost for a few seconds. I shook my head simply to gather my thoughts again. “Sorry, it’s just no one has asked me that before. Everyone thinks it’s all impossible. Yes,” I breathed out, fearing my voice would be lost again. “She did. Right here on her arm.”
I pointed to my forearm. Thane smiled, still sad and distant. What did the warrior know? I was more intrigued the longer I was around the great Thane.
“I’m sorry she was taken from you, then. I have also lost a mate before.”
I shouldn’t grin, it wasn’t a happy comment, but he insinuated Jade was my mate—she was mine and I was hers. Not officially mated, but when I saw her again it would be at the top of my list.
“I’m sorry. What happened?” I asked, trying to imagine Thane with a great warrior queen of sorts.
Thane sighed and looked to the rounded top of the cave. “Bron happened.” The way his sharp blue eyes locked with mine, his agony at her loss coiled around my heart. Raw and sharp. “He took her from me when we were forced into exile. I know most people don’t believe wyvern—especially warriors—can feel deep emotions, but I loved her. Fiercely. I still do, and I feel your ache at the loss of the queen. I just thought you should know I understand.”
I didn’t know what to say. He smiled softly at me before he motioned with his arm to walk down one of the sloping tunnels toward the lower areas in the cave. “I’ll show you some of the mage, as promised.”
I kept my pace at his side, and we didn’t say anything for a moment. Athika’s questions, Mitch’s voice, and my own curiosity finally broke through the silence and I dared speak. “So, do you mind if I . . . ask you a few questions?”
Thane nodded, though he didn’t look at me. “I don’t mind and I will try to answer what I can.”
“You knew the High Priestess—”
Thane cleared his throat bringing me to a pause. “I know the High Priestess. She is not dead.”
“Sorry,” I corrected, trying to quicken my pace to keep up. “You’re positive she has always remained loyal to the royals?”
“I would place my life on her loyalty.”
“So then you would know . . .” I didn’t know how to ask. The words formed on my tongue then quickly evaporated into nothing when I opened my mouth.
Thane stopped and faced me. I found myself feeling a wave of comfort when he grinned at me. “You want to know if she’s your mother.”
“Yes,” I whispered, cowering like a frightened child.
Thane’s heavy, powerful hand gripped my shoulder. I found myself empowered by the fierce warrior, a feeling I thought lost when Jade left with Prince Ced. “Teagan, I can tell you with a surety, Gaia is your mother.”
“Gaia,” I repeated her name softly.
“Yes, she prefers to be called by her name.” My brow furrowed, and I leaned my head against the rocky wall. Thane lowered his hand and studied me for a long time. “What are you thinking?”
“I don’t really know,” I admitted. Thane watched intently as if he could read my thoughts. “You speak so highly of her, but if she is this great mage, why did she leave me? I’ve seen the note to return me after ten years. Why did it matter if I was gone for ten years?”
Thane ran a hand through his hair and glanced toward the bustling center of the cave. “That is a difficult question to answer.”
“Will you try? Because out of everything, I want to know why I was left behind.”
“Teagan, it was to save your life,” Thane said. He had a sharpness in his tone, yet it was still kind and relaxed. I liked Thane—that was easy to admit—and I was glad I met him first before meeting Gaia. If anyone could give me answers straight, if anyone could heal the wounds from my lost parents, Thane would be the one to do it.
“To save my life from what?”
Thane leaned against the wall so we were standing right next to each another. He was several inches taller than me, but didn’t treat me like an inferior. I was his equal in his own cave.
“Gaia was threatened. You were kept a secret. Times after the fall of King Lux and the wyvern royals were strange. The council ruled with an iron thumb, and any threat to their people was obliterated immediately.”
“The council didn’t want her to have a child?” I asked.
Thane shook his head. “No. She was the wife of their enemy.”
“But she fought against Bron.”
Thane nodded, the muscles in his jaw pulsing, and I thought his skin flushed a shade darker. “She did. Gaia lost more than anyone the night Bron betrayed us. She lost her bond, her family, her standing. She refused to lose her child, too. At first, the plan was to simply go deeper into hiding with you to keep the council out of her life, but somehow
Bron discovered you existed.”
I swallowed hard and glanced to Thane. I needed to know here and now. “He told me—the first time we met—he told me he was my father.”
Thane’s eyes narrowed dangerously for a fleeting moment, but then a kind smile spread over his features. “Answer this for me, Teagan, do you think you have the heart of a coward?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that.”
Thane nodded. “Nor would I. I’d say you have a fighter’s heart, like a warrior. Like your mother. A coward like Bron could not create someone like you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “So, he’s not my father.”
Thane shook his head. “No, Bron is not your father.”
“But you know him,” I asked quickly, suddenly desperate to know everything.
Thane clapped my shoulder again and chuckled. He led me across a rope bridge to a distant side of the cave before responding. “Yes, I knew your father.”
“You said knew that time.”
“Teagan, I don’t want to cause you anymore pain, but your father was lost the day Bron attacked and trapped the mages away.”
The ache in his voice cut through my soul. I don’t know why losing a father affected me so much. I’d always believed my father was dead, but it was like losing a family all over again.
“I understand,” I muttered. “So, Bron attacked Gaia because of me?”
Thane shook his head. “No, Bron attacked and tried to take what little Gaia had left because he is distorted and evil. It was because of him, not you. When Gaia learned Bron was after her, it was decided you had to be hidden away from her energy. Ten years from that time meant your own mage power would be mature. You would be able to learn and to grow so you could defend yourself if needed against the dark High Priest. That was why she asked you to be returned, but by then Gaia was lost. We all were lost. I know you lived without your mother, but I was pleased when Raffi told me you were brought up by a good woman. It would seem Gaia protected you well if Bron didn’t find you until years later.”