Loi sighed and dropped her chin, staring at the seat.
‘And she doesn’t care about us?’ she asked quietly.
He pushed the mass of hair aside to kiss the soft pale skin of her nape.
‘No, goddess, she cares. You have to remember, Elena is very old. She outlives most she knows and loves. It makes her more pragmatic than most. She sacrificed her own energy and strength to see you four safe.’
‘It’s an enormous risk.’
‘I think you can do it.’
‘I don’t know,’ she whispered, barely audible. ‘I don’t feel ready.’
Fear; he remembered feeling that before his first few battles. It kept you alive, kept you moving quickly, all senses on high alert. But nothing relieved it. Reassurances were pointless and no one could promise the outcome of such a battle. Sabyn could only offer honesty and support.
‘Tomiar and I will be right alongside you. We have the very best warriors on Gar’nyse. I can’t say it will be easy; but we’re going to do this, Loi.’
Strangely enough, saying that out loud helped him too. We’ll tear that witch and her castle to pieces, Al, Sabyn thought and anticipation built. I’ll damn well make sure of it. The sense of helplessness at his cousin’s death hadn’t diminished, but now he felt ready to move it to the back of his mind, to focus on the task at hand. In a way he relished knowing that for every enemy he brought down, his cousin and uncle—where ever they waited in the afterlife—would roar their support at each stroke. This fight wasn’t about loss anymore, now victory beckoned, the end of the tyrant who threatened this world. The familiar drive returned when he recalled discussing the trip South with the other men of the guard and that hunger for the battle. It stung, so damn deep, to know Alek wouldn’t fight alongside him in this battle. But if not in body, he’ll be there in spirit, Sabyn thought. Watching my back.
His arms held her tight, mouth resting against the back of her neck and Loi tipped her head back to study him. His forehead wrinkled a little and he stared back, a smile developing.
‘What?’
She reached to run a hand through his hair, loose on his shoulders and Sabyn arched an eyebrow then released an arm and caught her hand, pressing a kiss to the palm and nipped her wrist. His blue eyes flashed in amusement when she flinched and she wrinkled her nose then tugged his hair.
‘You seem better,’ she tentatively said, noticing the lack of anxious energy.
Sabyn smiled again, a slow teasing smile, her body recognizing that look in an instant.
‘Want to join me in the cabin?’ he murmured in her ear.
Loi stared for a second then jumped up from the seat. Sabyn chuckled and stood. She winked at him.
‘You don’t have to ask me twice.’
Slinging an arm around her, Sabyn slid his hand into her back pocket and they made their way to the lower decks.
* * *
I’ve had enough, Sian thought ironically. Stop the ride I want to get off.
It felt truly bizarre to think of what lay ahead. Part of her accepted the task, understanding what risk and danger stood before them. The other part of her felt completely detached like they acted out roles in a strange, surreal play. Sian’s mind varied from wanting to scream and panic, to hide under the covers and refuse to come out; to wanting to stick a motor on this bloody boat, get there, deal to the bitch and go home.
The frustration at the contradicting thoughts made her flip over in bed and huff a sigh out. Beside her Daron lay silent and she watched the moonlight flickering on the ceiling, reflecting off the water. I know Alek and Yakov are dead, she thought in an attempt to get her head in the right space. Tears welled in her eyes while she stared at the low ceiling of the berth bed. I know we head to a war zone, I know we will fight Jenviet and I know we have to win.
Then why doesn’t it feel like it!
Her hands clenched to fists when she tried to get it to feel right in her head. To feel real.
A large hand gently covered one of hers.
‘This’ll sound silly,’ she tried to say it lightly but her throat thickened and she croaked the words. ‘But it still doesn’t feel real, properly real.’
Daron let go of her hand and reached over, dragging her closer. Sian twisted, nose to his chest and arms pressed to her chest between them.
Daron shifted her so to slip his other arm around her tiny frame. He didn’t feel like saying anything while he cradled her; words always felt so pointless at these times, but he made the effort for her.
‘It’s not silly.’
‘Will it ever feel real?’
Real. Hell, knowing that Alek and Yakov had died still didn’t feel real. Reality appeared to have left this journey that morning they set sail. Daron couldn’t begin to explain to Sian how close he’d been to Alek, how close he and the others were. Over a decade of working alongside each other, learning, fighting, and protecting each other. Long sleepless nights when they fought horrendous creations from that witch. The constant threat of death that they’d always managed to evade. Somehow. No matter the odds. So many times where one of them was assumed dead and yet the Griffon Guard always pulled through.
‘When we reach the South, perhaps. Or the castle. Whenever we encounter her, or the armies she’s amassing.’
‘How do they get there?’
Daron glanced down.
‘Who?’
‘The creatures in Elion. In Lothost they said something attracted them to the South in hoards. How would they have crossed?’
‘Some more of her creations, probably. Jenviet and her family enjoy messing with creatures, recreating them for their own purposes.’
‘Like what,’ she asked.
Daron’s mind went blank at first, not able to pick just one.
Sian waited, watching a tiny bug crawl across one of the glass windows.
‘Shadow creatures.’
‘What are they?’
Daron sighed.
‘The native cave dwellers of Vo’Arum. Their natural skills of climbing and stealth made them prime targets. The DeNaga’s did horrific things to them, changing them from shy night creatures to mindless vicious hunters. With the speed of airenils and the strength of forghna. No creature in the South is safe from the DeNaga reach.’
Sian stared at Daron and asked with apprehension, ‘Why are they called shadow creatures?’
‘Their natural skills were enhanced. They aren’t simply stealthy, they merge with the shadows themselves, able to hide anywhere there is a shadow. And they climb better and quicker than anything you’ll ever see.’
‘And that’s just one of the creatures we’re likely to meet?’
‘Yes. And you will meet them.’
She let out a long slow breath as her heart started to race.
‘When do we reach land?’
‘The Draoths expect we’ll sight it in a couple of days.’
‘Oh goody…’
The wormel, Ignatius thought, I’m sure it’s the wormel. He nodded to himself while watching Catherine wake, or rather half-wake, with that gorgeous smile and delighted eyes.
‘Al?’
The moonlight made her pale skin glow, reminding him of the time he’d watched her with Alek in the woods. He smiled, reaching for her when she clambered over the covers toward him.
‘Al?’ she said louder.
‘Hush, kitten, remember?’
She froze eyes wide and scared and he coaxed her through the routine again.
‘We need to be quiet, because?’ he whispered.
Those eyes filled with tears when she nodded, whispering.
‘You’ll leave otherwise.’
He nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt at the tears running down her pale cheeks.
‘I’ll be quiet,’ she promised brokenly and he moved then, sliding his arms around her, drawing her mouth to his.
‘And I’ll stay, kitten. I’ll stay.’
Morning felt more and more disconcerting and I lay there, blinki
ng at the low ceiling in the berth while waiting for my mind to return to the present.
You’re so real in my dreams.
I wished I could remember them more clearly yet once I woke they started to fade. The feel of his mouth on mine, of his skin against mine; all a vague yet intoxicating memory.
One I apparently can’t get enough of, I thought, a little disconcerted at the unexpected sensations running through my body. God I hope I don’t talk in my sleep, I don’t think I’d ever be able to face Ignatius again. Shaking off those thoughts I climbed out the berth and hunted out some clothes, not bothering to wait for Ignatius for breakfast. I needed fresh air.
When I climbed the wide stairs and walked out of the hatch, I found everyone crowded on the top deck. Stunned at the mass of bodies and unable to remember if I’d seen them all up on deck at once before, I twisted, looking for Kassie. The hum of excitement in the air made me curious, everyone jostling and shouting.
‘Your Highness!’
Belsesus pushed through the crowd and grinned at me, a vicious smile then gestured ahead.
‘Land!’
The crowd before me separated, leaving a direct line to the head of the ship. The dark stretch of land visible beyond that made my heart drum.
We’re here. Vo’Arum.
Everyone watched me avidly, waiting for a reaction and I echoed Belsesus’ smile, feeling a vindictive anticipation. The fire within ignited, rushing through my veins while I stared at the slowly widening stretch of land, fury replacing grief, and the fire exploded out. Those watching roared in approval as I stood flaming with fists clenched and that brutal smile.
Ready or not, Jenviet. Here I come.
*~*~*
Chapter Nine
High up on the second mast Sian wriggled on her perch, trying to get some feeling back into her numb ass.
‘Pix!’ Daron bellowed from the foot of the mast, standing close to Sito’s stomach. ‘Don’t you think you should come down now?’
Sito, stretched out around the base of the mast, glanced quizzically up at her.
‘Why is he so bothered?’
‘Probably because we’re so close to land, he’s worried I’ll do something silly like fall.’
‘Oh,’ Sito went quiet then thought with an anxious tone, ‘Don’t do that.’
Sian laughed. ‘I won’t, Sito. I promise.’
She could see the cliffs now, massive raw looking faces with waves dashing against the foot of them. White caps showed a fair way out from the cliff too, revealing the coast to be rocky.
Rocks everywhere, she thought in concern. Hope the Draoths can handle it. A voice chimed in her mind.
Got a nice view at this height, huh?
Sian grinned.
It is, Loi, how do you find it?
Strange. I’m getting a sense of a cave or something.
That’s right, Kassie’s voice popped in. The maps were riddled with canyons, remember?
An odd chime rang out the instant before Cat’s voice sounded with her unusual hum of energy.
How long before we reach the shore?
I don’t know, Sian thought. It isn’t that far visibly but the rocks could be a real challenge.
I can’t believe we’re so close!
I know, Loi agreed with Kassie. It’s felt like forever getting here.
Gredel’s ship sat right in the way of my view. I wrinkled my nose at it and leaned precariously over the rail, trying to get another glimpse of those intimidating cliffs.
‘Why don’t you climb the mast and see?’ Loushka deadpanned.
I twisted to give her a look
‘Cheeky,’ I thought unable to repress a grin. My heart fluttered with excitement and a weird sense of delight, the corners of my mouth constantly tugging in a strange fiendish smile. The fear of losing Alek that had tormented me at the castle was gone, having lost him already. Nothing to fear and nothing to lose and finally we’d arrived. If only we could get off this damn ship! I leaned out for another look.
‘Your Highness?’ Rashid stood beside Loushka. ‘If we could have your company?’
I blinked at the urgent tone.
‘Uh, sure.’
He led me to the middle of the deck, the crowds parting when I walked through; bowing low. The casual attitude toward me appeared gone and the anticipatory nearly hungry looks on all those faces caused a shudder while I made the appropriate nods. A table brought up from below was strewn with maps of Vo’Arum and all the leaders and Lieutenants looked up at my approach, eyes and faces alight.
‘Highness, we’re looking at entering this inlet here,’ Belsesus indicated the map. ‘It should provide a sheltered spot for the ships to wait.’
I nodded, intensely glad for my Earth father and his love of tramping; the maps at least made some sense to me.
‘How long will it take to reach the inlet?’
‘We hope to enter it tomorrow and to disembark the following morning.’
Behind us, a roar of excitement rose from the soldiers listening, and Rashid waited for the noise to settle down before continuing.
‘We’ll aim for the cave system here for the first night. It’ll be a hard day’s ride, if you can handle it,’ he addressed the centaurs with a mocking tone and grinned when they roared and stamped their feet, rocking the ship.
‘Then I guess we’d better begin preparing,’ I suggested while looking at the map.
Kassie dodged a couple of goblins and a Nyjen, then flattened herself against the corridor wall when three Aswaran centaurs trotted briskly past.
‘Thanks guys,’ she called in a sarcastic voice, receiving a sheepish grin from one that glanced back but they didn’t slow down.
That first shout of ‘Land!’ rid the ship of any sense of gloom. Feet pounded the decks above and below and voices bellowed. The population aboard felt like it had exploded, from four hundred to a thousand. Reaching the cabin she shared with Rumal, Kassie dived in when more centaurs charged past.
‘Yikes!’
‘Crazy, huh.’ Rumal, already in the midst of packing, paused to flash her a smile and she leaned against the door, nodding. The sense of quiet when the door closed gave the moments peace she needed and she walked to the table where he stood, deftly rolling items and stuffing them into a small bag.
‘What is there to pack?’
‘That’s it,’ Rumal said and he pulled the drawstring on the pack. The small bag contained just a few pieces of clothing and a small medicine kit.
‘Will you need the kit?’ Kassie asked. ‘You’ll have me.’
Rumal glanced at her then tossed the bag on the bed and walked over, enfolding her in his arms.
‘I do have you,’ he said and bent to kiss her.
Kassie slid her arms up, hooking them around his neck and drew Rumal closer. He chuckled against her mouth and without breaking from the kiss, scooped her up and sat at the table, running his hands down those just plump thighs. When the kiss finished she glared at him, pushing away from his chest with both hands.
‘What?’ Rumal asked in surprise, wondering how he’d offended her.
‘Screw that bitch! We’re having that ceremony when we get home. You don’t die and I won’t!’ She scowled fiercely. He couldn’t help but laugh, partly relieved. Kassie lost the fierce expression and swatted at him.
‘Don’t laugh!’
He caught her hand before she did it again, sensing she verged on tears and kissed the offending palm.
‘I’m sorry, love. It just took me by surprise. Is Delanta home now?’
The small nod and genuine look of shock at his question touched his heart.
‘Yes.’
‘And you promise not to die?’ he teased.
‘Only if you promise as well,’ she said, her voice wobbling.
Cupping her heart-shaped face with both hands, Rumal touched his forehead to hers, their eyes meeting.
‘I promise to do my best,’ he said before their lips touched.
At
the very bottom of the trunk I found a tiny drawstring bag. Setting aside the clothes I’d sorted through, I reached for the bag and sat back against the trunk while I worked at the knot in the drawstring. Untangling the cord the thick fabric opened and I tipped the contents out on my palm and felt my breath catch.
The green tourmaline winked in the light from the windows and the diamonds sparkled as the thin silver chain, threaded through the ring, slipped over my wrist. A piece of paper with scrawled writing I instantly recognized was wrapped around the white ring band. With trembling fingers I carefully undid the paper and smoothed it out on a knee.
For luck, my love.
When had he done this? I swallowed hard while tears welled up, and slipped my engagement ring on, ignoring the chain for the moment. I remembered putting it on the dresser at the castle after mentioning I shouldn’t wear it. The beautiful tourmaline brought back so many things and I forgot the task at hand, sitting there cocooned in those lovely memories.
A rap on the door distracted me.
‘Come in,’ I called, and folding the note, I slipped it back in the bag.
Ignatius entered and stared as Catherine fastened a chain around her neck.
‘What’s that?’
She glanced at him with a dreamy smile, her eyes soft.
‘My engagement ring. Al hid it at the bottom of the trunk.’
The unexpected surge of hot jealousy stunned him. Ignatius nodded then cleared his throat and stepped to the table, pretending to study the map while avoiding her gaze.
‘Are you done packing?’
It came out sterner than he intended but it still didn’t wipe that stupid look from her face. His neck grew hot and the muscles within went stiff with anger.
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