Lucan

by Susan Kearney

  Lying to these men didn’t faze her. She would do whatever she must to protect her people and keep Lucan and Rion safe. “On the way here, I hid the Grail in the mountains between Avalon and Feridon.”

  “You lie.” Quentin growled. He looked to Brennon, who was clearly in charge, even if Quentin was asking most of the questions.

  Cael shrugged and held Quentin’s gaze. “While the men answered a call of nature, I buried the Grail.”

  Sir Quentin raised his eyebrows. “And after they returned, they didn’t notice the Grail was gone?”

  “They knew the military was chasing us. They feared for their lives and were in a great hurry.”

  “But the boy, Jaylon, you cured him. And witnesses saw you use—”

  “Witnesses saw me pour holy water into Jaylon’s wound. The water cured him. That healing water originally came from the Holy Grail, not the common urn they saw me use.”

  Quentin tried to punch holes in her story. “You’re saying you outwitted brilliant scientists. Rion and Lucan are geniuses and had the most innovative minds on my team.”

  The team Brennon had destroyed. Almost all of them were dead.

  While her pulse thudded with anxiety, she managed to curl her lip in a satisfied smile. “Smart men always believe they’re superior. Fooling them wasn’t difficult.” She’d set the bait. Now she had to reel them in. “I’ll take you to the Grail, but I want something in return.”

  Brennon raised his weapon and pointed it at her. “You’re in no position to bargain.”

  “The only reason this chain’s around my waist is because I allowed you to put it there.”

  Quentin gestured to the military. “You’re surrounded by men and weapons, Lady Cael.”

  “I came to you of my own free will. Nothing prevented me from flying away to safety.” Except they would have shot her down, but she ignored that truth. Better to perpetuate the aura that she was invincible. She raised a haughty eyebrow. “And I told Lucan and Rion that I wouldn’t give up the Grail’s location until they helped me save Jaylon. So we came here.” She smiled. “It worked. The boy’s well, and I expect him to make a full recovery. Thank you for your concern.”

  “Enough talking,” Quentin said gruffly. “Take us to the Grail.”

  “Of course. But in return, I want the murder charges against me dropped.”

  “Done.” Brennon had agreed too easily. He had no intention of keeping his word. But she sensed that they now believed her story—because she’d acted in a way they understood. If they’d been in her position, they would have bargained for their lives.

  “I can’t fly to the mountains with this noose around my waist.”

  “We’re not letting you out of eyesight. We’ll take a skimmer.” Brennon gestured to one of his men. “Search the medical center. I want Lucan and Rion captured.”

  Cael did her best stoic imitation. And she prayed to the Goddess that she’d bought Rion and Lucan enough time to escape.

  I shall not hand over my kingdom—for you have failed to heed the laws that have stood all my days.

  —ARTHUR PENDRAGON

  24

  Lucan awakened with a pounding head and a tongue so dry he couldn’t speak. He heard the sound of waves hitting a beach. When he opened his eyes, bright sunlight pierced his corneas and pain washed over him. He fell back to the ground, and someone placed a damp cloth on his forehead.

  The dampness felt good, and for a moment he allowed the coolness to soothe his fiery headache. What the hell had happened? Where was Cael? He recalled that they’d found the Grail. His fingers reached out and touched the artifact.

  Lucan clutched the Grail to his chest. Some healing cup. The seven lower hells of the universe had taken up residence in his skull. He held his breath and risked cracking one eyelid.

  Rion raised water to his lips, and Lucan drank. Every cell in his body craved water, and as his thirst was quenched, memories came flooding back. Cael’s sacrifice. Rion stabbing the needle into his neck. The man had betrayed him.

  Even as anger filled him, Lucan forced himself to sip slowly. “Cael?”

  “Her plan worked—at least on our end.” Rion placed the water beside Lucan. “We’re safe.”

  Lucan recalled saving Jaylon and the medical center surrounded by troops. With a groan he also remembered Cael’s plan to give herself up to Quentin and Brennon like some holy martyr. What had she been thinking?

  Damn Rion for helping her.

  Fury simmered through his veins “You got us out?”

  “Yeah. I borrowed an orderly’s tunic and pushed you out in a coffin.”

  “How long… ?”

  “Were you out? A little over six hours.”

  Lucan cursed. He shoved himself upright. Pain stabbed his temples, and he swore again. Grabbing his head to make the world stop spinning, he tried to open his eyes. The resulting light set off fireworks in his brain. “Son of a bitch. What was in that shot?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “If I felt better, I’d knock your teeth down your throat.”

  Rion laughed. “And here I thought you’d be thanking me for saving your miserable life.”

  “Cael—”

  Rion’s laughter faded. “Without her help, I’d never have gotten us out of there. I’m not sure what she said to Quentin and Brennon, but she bought me time to sneak you out.”

  “Where is she?”

  “What do you care? You have the Grail. You’re free to go save Earth.”

  Is that what Rion thought? That he cared only about Earth and the Grail? That he wasn’t worried sick over Cael in the hands of those bastards? “Damn, I’m not that cold.”

  “Hey.” Rion shrugged. “I’m just helping you get what you wanted.”

  Lucan grabbed the thermos, gritted his teeth, and poured the rest of the water over his head. The sunlight was frying him, and no wonder. They were on a beach. A very familiar beach.

  Damn it. “How did you know…”

  “My instruments picked up your spaceship when you landed.”

  “And you never said anything.”

  “You wouldn’t have trusted me. But I’ve been trying to help you ever since.”

  “Why?”

  “The Tribes have already invaded my world,” he said with obvious bitterness. “I’ve been trying to get home since I crashed. I hoped you’d give me a ride.”

  Lucan could see pain and a longing for home in Rion’s eyes. “What was your plan if I said no?”

  Rion shrugged. “I’d wait until the Tribes landed. Steal one of their ships.”

  “How come you didn’t try to steal mine?”

  “I would have considered it,” Rion said, his tone brutally honest, “but I cannot allow Earth to fall, or my world falls, too.”

  “Perhaps we’ll find a way to help your people. You’ve been planning for me to take you to Earth since—”

  “The day you landed,” Rion admitted. “Honor’s on your way to Earth. And since your ship is sitting a few hundred yards off this beach”—Rion pointed out to sea—“all we have to do is take the Grail aboard and fly home.”

  When Lucan remained silent, Rion clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll be a hero. You’ll save your people. The victory will keep the Tribes at bay. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  Lucan didn’t answer. He’d accomplished the first part of his mission. Swimming the Grail out to his ship and flying home was the next step. It should have been a piece of cake.

  All he had to do was forget he’d ever met Cael.

  AFTER FLYING IN the skimmer craft for an hour, Cael peered out the window over the mountain range, careful to keep a puzzled expression in her eyes. Quentin, Brennon, and a squad of armed soldiers had already landed on three separate ridges, but each time after surveying the terrain, she’d told them it was the wrong place. “I’m sorry. We must have set down on the tall ridge over there.” She pointed east to a steep, forbidding pinnacle where the skimmers couldn’t land. It w
ould take hours to climb on foot.

  Quentin’s communicator buzzed. “Yes?” He paused and looked over to Brennon’s skimmer, which flew alongside theirs. “No, I don’t have the Grail yet. But I promise, I’ll bring it to you soon.”

  “Why does the general want the Grail so badly?” she asked.

  “He doesn’t.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “He’s afraid that if anyone else has indestructibility, his military will lose their effectiveness.”

  Cael was surprised Quentin bought the general’s explanation. She certainly didn’t. The general didn’t just want to keep his enemies from the Grail. He was obsessed with finding it for himself. And Quentin had played right into Brennon’s hands.

  Quentin’s eyes glittered, and his greed sickened her. “Brennon’s right. Once I have the Grail, I’ll live… forever.”

  “You aren’t working together?”

  “Brennon thinks I’m working for him—the fool. But I wouldn’t risk my reputation or smear my good name just to give up such a prize to him.”

  “You started that fire? You killed Sir Shaw and all the others?”

  “For a prize I still don’t have.” Quentin glared at the mountain, his face darkening, his patience ending. Being out of his sterile laboratory was testing his composure. A quiet madness flickered in his eyes.

  Quentin pointed out the window. “You’re certain that this time, we’re in the right place?”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not certain at all. My dragon sight is sharper than my human sight, and the geography appears different.”

  Quentin raised his hand to strike her, but one of his men blocked the blow. “Sir, please. The lady’s cooperating.”

  “Is she?” Quentin spat the words in her face.

  Cael turned to the man who’d come to her rescue. “Thank you.” She nodded, and the man bowed his head. Even though she was chained, he feared her. And once Quentin learned she’d misled them, she doubted anyone would help her again.

  She was alone, with no one to count on but herself.

  These last few weeks, being with Lucan had made her feel as if she wasn’t alone. And now that he was gone, she missed knowing he would watch out for her and protect her. But most of all she missed his company. The look in his sparkling blue eyes as their gazes met across the campfire. The touch of his fingers as he smoothed hair from her face. The special telepathic connection they shared.

  Cael had her memories and more. She would never think of herself in the same way again. He’d changed her in ways she hadn’t expected. And she would never be as alone as she’d been before she’d met him.

  She hadn’t known how much it would hurt to lose him. Because even though she was trying to assure his survival, she’d lost him—if not to death, then to his mission.

  Cael longed to breathe the cold mountain air. This altitude soothed her aching hearts. Those stark, snow-covered peaks were home. If only she could lunge out of the aircraft and escape. She edged sideways, leaned toward the open door.

  Quentin seized the chain at her waist and yanked her back, then slammed his elbow into her guard. “Fool. Don’t forget she can fly. You let her leap out and she’ll remove the chain and dragonshape.”

  Cael’s hip burned where the chain bit into her tender flesh. But she kept her head raised, her back straight. Quentin was in charge of this squad, but, Goddess willing, she had an ally or two on this skimmer.

  In any case, Cael needed a plan. She could take Quentin over the side of a cliff with her. That would be satisfying. She had no use for the man who had murdered Shaw and wanted the Grail for his own greedy ends.

  The pilot set the skimmer down as close as possible to the remote site she’d indicated, and the men broke out climbing gear. Quentin held on to her chain, and she exited the vehicle with him.

  She climbed outside and shivered. One of the soldiers thrust a heavy cloak into her arms. “My lady, you’re coming with us.”

  Cael accepted the cloak and donned it, then tilted back her head and gazed at the icy cliff. Was her continued deceit necessary? Had Lucan already fired up his ship and headed for Earth? Was she endangering Quentin’s squad for no reason?

  She felt light-headed, a bit queasy. Not knowing about Lucan had her insides in knots. Even as she wished him a speedy journey, her spirit wept.

  She remembered his sensual kisses, his determination to treat her with respect. She’d never met a man like him. There wasn’t another man like him.

  Her mate.

  When she spied a dark speck flying against the gray rock, she kept her face blank, although a bit of hope lifted her spirits. At least Merlin had stuck by her side.

  LUCAN AND RION had no difficulty swimming back to his ship with the Grail. Lucan had yet to give Rion an answer about dropping him off on Honor on the way home, but he was considering it and appreciated that Rion didn’t press him. Mostly he was worried about Cael. He didn’t trust her people to treat her well.

  Once inside, Lucan headed straight to the bridge and plugged into the communications network. Rion stared out the portals, seemingly fascinated by the fish. Or maybe he was just reading Lucan’s mood—angry, frustrated, and missing Cael like hell.

  Striding to the command center, Lucan set the Grail down and ignored messages from home. He should send a reply, then power up and leave. He’d done what he’d come to do. He’d found the Grail. Taken it back to his ship. He should be celebrating.

  But how could he?

  Cael.

  God. He’d been prepared for one hell of a journey. He’d expected to get lost, suffer mechanical breakdowns, or run into vicious aliens, but never had he imagined a woman would sacrifice herself for him.

  She’d broken Dragonian taboos and given her own blood to save him. And now she’d gifted him with the Grail and sacrificed her life to keep him and his mission alive.

  He thought about how she had stood up to him with fire in her eyes. How she’d wept with happiness at Jaylon’s recovery. How she’d responded to his touch. How she’d shared her hopes and her secrets and her sweet body.

  How could he leave?

  He burned to know what was happening and booted up the computer’s language circuits. “Where’s Lady Cael, High Priestess of Avalon?”

  The computer replied, “Six hours ago I picked up the High Priestess on a traffic camera outside Feridon’s medical center.”

  Eager for a glimpse of her, Lucan ordered, “Let me see.”

  He watched the image of Cael bravely striding up to Quentin, Brennon and his armed men as if those guns couldn’t hurt her. Her face looked brave, her eyes sad. And when her lips moved, he burned to hear the conversation. “Don’t we have audio?”

  “It’s encrypted.”

  “Decode it.”

  Rion joined him and stared at the screen. “I thought we were leaving.”

  “We are.” Lucan watched as Cael stood her ground, ignoring the weapons like some high-born queen. She was so brave. So lovely. And she’d faced those armed men—for him. Tightness in his chest had him swallowing hard. Every dragon cell in him longed to fly to her side, but this event had taken place hours ago. She might already be…

  He couldn’t finish the thought. He closed his hands into fists recalling how those bastards had chained her. Tortured her. Surely after all they’d shared, he’d know if she was…

  When a man placed a chain around her waist and she did nothing to stop him, Lucan swore. Now she could no longer dragonshape and fly free. She’d surrendered her freedom so she could stall their search and give Lucan and Rion time to escape.

  “If we don’t go,” Rion said, “her sacrifice will be in vain.”

  “This happened hours ago. A lot could have happened since then. Computer—”

  “Captain, I’ve broken the code. You should hear this,” the computer said. “It’s coming live from Quentin’s private audio feed to General Brennon.”

  Quentin’s voice piped in through the speaker. �
�Once we have the Grail, we execute her as a murderer. In public.”

  “It’ll be my pleasure,” Brennon answered. “But what if we don’t find the Grail?”

  “We’ll torture the truth out of her, then execute her at sunset. The bitch is too much trouble.”

  Slamming his fist into the console, Lucan swore again, the pain in his hand nowhere near the agony in his hearts. “Does Quentin have the power to authorize her execution?”

  “General Brennon has that authority,” the computer answered.

  “Where are they holding Cael?”

  Rion clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re going after her?”

  Lucan speared him with a hard look. “You approve?”

  Rion’s gaze glinted steel. “I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

  But Lucan could see from the kindling rage in Rion’s eyes that the man was ready, perhaps as eager to do battle as Lucan was.

  The computer reported, “Quentin’s holding Cael at the High Priestess’s residence. An army surrounds her. Approach by ground is impossible. The Division of Lost Artifacts’ troops are everywhere. No skimmer can slip past the air-defense system.”

  “What about a dragon?” Lucan asked.

  “You wouldn’t arrive before sunset.”

  Lucan frowned. “Can this ship get past their missiles?”

  “Uncertain.”

  “Give me a probability.”

  “I can’t estimate without more data.”

  “But with your speed and shielding, there’s a chance we could get to her?”

  “A small chance.”

  Rion stared at him, his gaze level. “How far are you willing to go to save her?”

  Lucan clenched his fingers into fists. “I don’t know.”

  “You’re willing to risk the Grail for her life?”

  Heart pounding with dread, he spoke between teeth clenched tight. “I… don’t… know.” That was one decision Lucan didn’t want to ever have to make. Losing Cael would tear him apart. He would give his life for hers. He would give anything to protect her. But the Grail was not his. It belonged to Earth. So how could he measure her sacrifice or his pain against the survival of an entire world?