Black Crown

by Kelly St Clare

  Feeling a little sheepish because what I was doing might be called that, I duck walked—still in my crouch—to the balustrade of the balcony and pressed my face between two of the pillars to glance down.

  The balcony looked down upon a room below, circular like the rest of the area, but a thick layer of glass covered the space underneath the balcony where I huddled. Whoa. That’s why I hadn’t heard anything. The muffled murmurs were only just discernible now.

  I frowned, shifting my position to see more. Lots of people down there, Azulis judging by the fabric they wore. From my current angle, I couldn’t make out more.

  I swallowed, debating my next move. But I could feel Tyrrik now, and he was closer, so I slowly stood, torn between wondering if I was moronic, courageous, or hopefully safe with my Phaeytn veil on. Maybe a mixture. I gripped the edge of the balustrade and, with only as much of my head showing as necessary, peeked over the side.

  26

  Queen Mily was in the room below as was another woman who looked vaguely familiar, probably one of the many courtiers I wished I could scrub from my memory. I grimaced, trying to make sense because the other courtier held the crown and then leaned over the queen and laughed. Queen Mily, still in her party dress, had her hands cuffed behind her back. Several other Azuli’s were lined up too. I could feel Draedyn’s power and mentally added several additional layers to my veil. I panned my vision back from the two women and saw him.

  I stared at my father, never having seen him in his human form. His hair was dark brown, almost black, but the sunlight picked up the burnt umber’s reddish hue. His face was angular and skin pale, probably from living in a cave. He had to be hundreds if not thousands of years old, and yet he appeared only a few years older than Tyrrik. The Azulis around him fidgeted incessantly as if subconsciously they knew. Prey had a natural instinct to run from their predators, and Draedyn was all predator. They were nothing, and deep down, they knew it. He sat, one leg crossed over the other, in an everyday wooden seat. He didn’t wear an aketon. He wore no trousers or boots, no hose or belt. He wore a misshapen, unadorned knee-length and sleeveless tunic. To call the garb a tunic was even a stretch. The garment was at odds with his angular and sharp appearance, and I couldn’t understand the intentional juxtaposition of it. He thrived on power. He’d killed thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands over the millennia. Why was he dressed like a pauper? Wouldn’t he want sleek clothes to match his cruel heart? Not look as though he’d crawled out of a cave?

  I tore my gaze from the conundrum and massive threat of my father, and I choked back a gasp.

  Kamini!

  I leaned farther over the railing, inching my hand to cover my mouth. Kamoi was down there, too, standing in front of the two other Phaetyn who’d been taken. They were corralled at the far end of the room, near the base of another spiral stairwell.

  Pulling back, I huddled behind the pillars of the railing once more, mind working frantically.

  Mistress Moons. Lani’s family was down there. I lifted my head. Could I save them? I had my Phaetyn veil on, but the emperor was there. Was an attempt to rescue them now too risky? Yes. There were too many down there for the disappearance of four Phaetyn prisoners to go unnoticed. And how would I get them out? We could still be caught though invisible.

  I shook my head, realizing the effort at this point was futile.

  Someone screamed below, and I jumped and then huddled over the banister again. My stomach clenched as I saw several Azulis fighting Druman captors. The mules rounded up dozens of the scantily clad humans, herding them into a corner, and then drew large swords.

  Shock seized me, rendering me immobile, and I gasped, screaming silently as the Druman slaughtered the Azulis. Blood sprayed, and I closed my eyes, bile burning the back of my throat. In my mind’s eye, I heard Arnik screaming my name. Nightmares from that past moment solidified in my mind and left me momentarily reeling.

  Ryn. Tyrrik trembled to avoid shifting and was only vaguely aware of Gairome and Zarad leaving, but through Tyrrik’s eyes, I saw the prince and his first storm off.

  I’m coming to you, Tyrrik said, moving in a blur.

  Only then did I realize he, and the few remaining members of our party, were tucked around a corner from the room below.

  No, I gasped. I’m safe. Don’t. If he did, he’d risk exposing them all. I felt his control slipping and sent him a pulse of comfort and love. Really. I’m okay.

  A lie but a necessary one. The power must’ve helped because I felt his control tighten.

  Queen Mily was on her knees, her head bowed. The courtier stood over her, speaking, and the stunning redhead brought her hands to her face. The other woman kicked the queen, the former queen, I realized. No matter what she’d been a few hours ago, it didn’t look like she was the ruler any longer.

  Draedyn approached her.

  My heart thundered against my ribs, my limbs begging to shift or fly or run. I watched, filled with terror as Draedyn’s hand shifted. His emerald talons slid out, and he crouched in front of Mily. His face was impassive as if speaking about the weather, and then his eyes flooded.

  The emperor of Draeconia slid the tip of his talon into the abdomen of the young woman.

  Mily jerked her head up, her eyes wide and her mouth opened to scream. Only nothing came out. Her hands went to Draedyn’s wrist, and she clawed and tugged, uselessly, to free herself.

  Draedyn leaned over, grabbed her hair, and yanked her head back. In one fluid movement, he pulled the embedded talon upward and then straightened and stepped back.

  Mily’s hands went to her stomach a moment too late. Her entrails spilled out in front of her. Grayish pink bowel fell to the ground, sliding out on the glass in front of her. She leaned forward, hands grabbing her insides as she scrambled to gather them back to her.

  My mind blanked, and I turned away and retched, my stomach heaving at the gruesome sight.

  Ryn!

  Tyrrik. I closed my eyes, opening them again immediately when the scene repeated in my mind. He has Kamoi and Kamini.

  I know. We’re waiting for a chance to save them.

  I waited. I can help. I can veil you.

  Tyrrik said nothing, and I was still reeling enough to glance around, and my gaze snagged on my father. Draedyn was standing. He said something to the new queen, who was wiping her mouth, and then he addressed the room. Scales rippled on his skin, crawling up his arms, and I blinked, trying to make sense as to why he, of all Drae, would have a difficult time controlling his shift.

  And then he was moving. He was moving! The muscles in my thighs tightened as I tensed to run. Downstairs. Draedyn was gone. He’d disappeared past the staircase and out of my sight. Which meant we needed to strike.

  Ryn! Tyrrik bellowed in my head, his voice filled with terror.

  What? I snapped. Draedyn just left. We need to—

  Your veil and shield are down. Why is your veil down?

  I blinked, stunned as realization pummeled me. I’d been so shocked by Draedyn’s presence and the brutality—

  Black spots flashed across my vision as pain bludgeoned my head and then my chest. Bright-green slithering power coated my mind before I even had time to close my eyes against the lancing hurt in my skull. Draedyn’s power.

  I sunk to the ground, clutching my head, neck muscles taut with silent agony. But before I could fall, liquid fire cooled me, pouring down from the crown of my head into every searing facet of my mind, calming my fear. A flood of Tyrrik’s power pushed away Draedyn’s attack, filling me until there was no room for anything or anyone else.

  I’m sorry, he said. So sorry.

  Only this time, I wasn’t mad. He’d saved me. There was a difference between helping me fight and knocking me out against my will.

  You need to get your veil back up, Tyrrik said, his voice strained. Veil first, shield second. Hurry.

  I took a deep breath, doing my best to settle my mind and my racing heart so I could concentrate. I fo
rced my attention to my energy and worked at stretching my Phaetyn veil over me. No problem there. I added a few extra layers of the mossy-green web and then focused on my Drae shield, wrapping the blue around my head like a helmet.

  All that practice, and my defenses had crumbled in a matter of minutes. I couldn’t let that happen again. Draedyn had attacked me, which meant he now knew where I was. He could be upon me any second. Actually, it was surprising he wasn’t here already with how fast Drae could move. Tears burned my eyes, and I hurried back the way I’d come. I don’t know how I dropped it.

  But I did. We both knew I was still haunted by my time in the dungeons. We both were. I’d lost my concentration, and I was furious at myself.

  Are you okay? I asked him, wrapping my arms around him when he suddenly appeared. I would never forgive myself if harm befell my mate, and that’s what I’d nearly caused.

  I’m fine. I’m just relieved you’re okay. He kissed my head. Veil me?

  I pulled the mossy net around him, clearly not thinking straight even now. I’m sorry.

  Not all your fault. Now let’s get out of here.

  Wait, I said, pulling him to a stop in the middle of the hall. What about . . . everyone else? What about the boats? What about getting the soldiers back? Tyrrik, we have to do something. If we leave them like this, the rebellion will lose.

  Tyrrik closed his eyes, his shoulders sagging in defeat. We’ve already lost. The boats are gone. They left this morning.

  My mind reeled again. How many more blows could we take? We have to go after them. We can fly—

  But could I? If I went and Draedyn followed . . . would I be an asset or a liability? You should go. It’s the only way. You go take the rest of the team, and I’ll let Lani and Zakai know what happened here. Maybe they can hold their attack until you get back.

  I was wrong. He dipped his forehead to mine. I should’ve never controlled you like that. I thought if you were unconscious with my power, we would be done here in Azule and gone before you awoke. It was a foolish, cowardly decision, my love. I’m so sorry.

  My chest filled with love for him, and I pressed my lips to his, opening my heart so he could feel the truth of my words. I forgive you. Now, let’s get out of this mess. You go get . . . anyone left, and I’m going to—

  I love you, Ryn. Be safe. He disappeared as quickly as he’d come.

  His determination drove me forward, and I scurried down the next flight of stairs, slid out into the hall, and sprinted through the passageway.

  I’ve got the assassins, Tyrrik said. How are you?

  I’m good now. On the up and up. I turned my head right and left, searching for a way out.

  Tyrrik’s power ebbed, slowly draining out of me and receding back into him. Are you out of the castle yet?

  No. Almost. I turned the corner and frowned. Everything looked the same: smoky glass and arched doorways. I looked around for the courtesans, servants, or slaves, but the hallways here were empty, the loudest sounds of humanity coming from the other side of the castle.

  Bad sign. I ducked into an arched doorway of a small bedroom, the bedding rumpled and unmade. I had no idea if and when the occupants would be back.

  I felt Tyrrik gathering his black tendrils into himself and froze. Wait! Please . . . Please don’t totally withdraw again. I could feel his hesitation and wondered . . . Why don’t you trust me to be part of you right now?

  My love, I do trust you. I also know you. Your time in Irdelron’s dungeons still affects you, and I don’t want what I’m seeing to hurt you. Or distract either of us from doing what needs to be done now.

  Okay, that was kind of thoughtful—and maybe necessary considering I’d dropped my Phaetyn veil by accident for that very reason. But wherever he went, whatever trouble he got into, I wanted to be there by his side, to help in every way I could. If that meant the tendrils had to be connecting us, then I’d have to handle anything I saw through his eyes. You said we were stronger together.

  Yes, we are. The bond is still there, Ryn. I can’t sever it. It actually takes effort to block you, but Draedyn isn’t done in Azule, and I want you out of here. I’ll leave a few more tendrils out so it’s easier to connect. But when we talk and feel each other, images can seep through.

  The problem wasn’t whether he trusted me; it was if I was willing to trust him. Was I willing to not just give orders but take some too?

  What about Dyter? Have you found him? I asked.

  Not yet.

  I thudded my head on the wall, inhaling slowly through my fear for Dyter. Where was he?

  We’ll find him, Ryn. You know Dyter can handle himself.

  I could feel Tyrrik talking with someone, but he was blocking me from whatever was happening. His weariness seeped through our bond, and I shoved a wave of energy toward him.

  I need you out of here, he said. Probably for the thousandth time.

  I poked my head into the hallway and drew back in as quickly and silently as I could. No good. Two Druman down at the far end, headed this way. I looked at the window and tried to convince myself the idea fluttering through my mind was a good one.

  How far up are you?

  Ugh, he’d already caught me. I crossed the room and looked out the window, squinting to make out any details of the people below. I’m in one of the spires.

  The window was nothing like the massive balcony in Tyrrik’s room in Verald. I heard grunting behind me, and the rancid stench of wet leather and unwashed bodies wafted through the room. Druman. Time to go.

  I pushed myself off the smoky glass ledge and launched into the air. My stomach jumped into my throat, and I clung to the green net of my Phaetyn veil first and foremost which showed just how crazy my life had become in recent months. The flow of the air seemed so natural now. My confidence that my Drae form would save me made plummeting to my death almost fun.

  Shift, Ryn, Tyrrik growled.

  Geez, let a woman have her fun. But the primal timbre of his voice called my Drae to the surface. Roaring wasn’t entirely advisable with my father around, so I only let a quarter of it out, but knowing Tyrrik’s ears, Draedyn had probably heard me shift. Why wasn’t he coming after me? Was the noise of the party covering my escape?

  He wouldn’t just let me go, would he?

  27

  The sun was well on its way to the evening horizon as I pumped my wings and headed toward the mountains of Gemond. The briny scent of the ocean faded with the setting sun. The first half-hour’s uneventfulness brought no peace. I spent just as much time looking behind me as I did in front. When memories surfaced, and my panic simmered past boiling, Tyrrik pushed calming energy through our bond. By the end of the first hour, my heart no longer raced, and the fresh mountain air beckoned me.

  True to my word, I hadn’t asked Tyrrik for any details the entire time, leaving him to concentrate on rounding any others he could find. I scouted the ground, looking for hints of shimmering gold to find Lani, and remembered I’d need to drop my Drae shield to be able to see her. Drak.

  Tyrrik?

  My concern must’ve leaked through our bond because his reply was immediate. Are you okay?

  I’m getting close, but I’ll need to drop my Drae shield to be able to see Lani’s veil.

  Bloody drak. I’ll do my best to protect you, Ryn, but we don’t know how far that part of our mate bond travels.

  Right. He’d already said that. I’d flown over an hour by now, but being fully mated had to help our bonds stretch. Giving voice to my itching curiosity, I added casually, How are things there?

  Wet. An image flashed through my bond. Dark water rippled as far as I could see. Tyrrik raised his head, and in the distance, at least a dozen boats sailed, clustered together in the water appearing black with the backlight of the dying sun.

  My jaw dropped open. You’ve almost caught up to them? I thought it would take more time to collect the others before you could leave.

  Promise you won’t turn around?

&nb
sp; I snorted with disgust, the sound coming out of my Drae snout as a chuffing noise. Yes, I promise to not turn around. Lani and Zakai need to be informed, too. I’m not going to abandon them.

  We lost Dilowa and Gairome. Zarad’s gone, too, but I think he’s still alive.

  What? I replied dully. Lost, how?

  They’re dead, my love.

  Images flashed through his mind, memories of earlier in the day. Dilowa whispering an idea to the group about the man she’d met the night before. The twin assassins and Tyrrik arguing with Zarad, and the prince storming off with Gairome. I’d seen that happen.

  The boats left at dawn. The twins found out about an hour before you awoke. The vessels are carrying young men from Verald and Gemond. The boats were about a quarter full. Zarad and Gairome wanted to talk with the harbormaster themselves. They thought with the emperor in the throne room, they could move around undetected, but they didn’t come back.

  Dilowa?

  She left to talk with Prince Marb, Mily’s brother, but didn’t come back. Nielub, Niemoj, and I got out of the castle just after you. Do you remember that platform outside?

  He showed me a mental picture of the courtyard and the raised platform near where we’d landed on arrival. Before he could block it, another image seeped through. Not just an image, a memory.

  The distance was significant, and I could only see the details because Tyrrik had partially shifted to use his Drae eyes. A crowd of Azulis surrounded the platform, dressed in clothes not quite sheer. This group reminded me of the people in the outer corridors leading up to the wild orgy.

  Queen Mily stood on the platform, wide-eyed and whole, her insides still in, although her dress was shredded and saturated with blood. Marb, Dilowa, and half a dozen other people stood near the former queen.

  Draedyn flapped his wings overhead, the massive Drae shifting in the air to land on the platform in his coarse tunic. The afternoon sun bathed the entire courtyard in golden hues, but the prisoners paled.