Evander (Stratham Shifters Book 4)

by Sarah J. Stone

  She didn't really believe that herself, though. As she approached, she wasn't sure what she was going to find.

  He was pacing, growling, as if he were a caged animal. In a lot of ways, he was a caged animal. His eyes were back to brown, the magic blocked from them. His face was torn up, although he didn't seem to be in any pain. Thomas was used to being beaten and mistreated. Her heart always broke at that thought. She had thought he was strong, but it was different. He didn't know love or kindness until he came to the Donizettis. They had taught him the way a person should be treated, and Yvette had shown him a love that didn't involve leading an army to their death.

  “Hi,” she said softly, staring right at him. He turned, facing her full on. She could see the extent of the damage to his face and winced.

  “Get me out of here,” he said, snarling at her. “How can you stand there and watch them lock me up like this?”

  “Thomas,” she said, softly. “Did you know I was in the mall?”

  “What kind of question is that? This cage will kill me if I'm in here long enough. Yvette, get me out, unless you want to watch me die.”

  “Did you know I was there?” she repeated. Still, he refused to answer.

  “You know what happens when they keep someone like me blocked of magic for too long. Didn't you see what happened to Alexander? He looks a shell of his former self, and yet he won't give up that carapace wench.”

  “You will not speak unkindly of my brother or sister in law,” she snapped at him. That stopped him cold. And then he laughed.

  “You married him?” he asked. “Of course, you did. You got taken by all the glamour and glitz, all the majesty. What was wrong with me, Yvette? Was I not enough for you? Was a step up from your trailer park life not good enough? You had to go the whole nine yards with a dragon you've known half a second?”

  “Thomas, I was never yours,” she said, softly.

  He stopped at that, staring her in the eye. His silence spoke volumes.

  “And you know I was never yours,” she said. “What we had was special. What we had killed time. I don't know. I did enjoy it and I did…I do love you.”

  “But you love Peter more,” he answered. “It makes so much sense. He is a king, did he make you queen?”

  “We aren't married yet,” she replied. “But we will be. He asked me.”

  “Where's your ring?”

  “He didn't…” Yvette realized how things were happening. “I just know.”

  She couldn't give Peter an answer five minutes ago, lying on the bed. She didn't know where her heart lay or what her next move was going to be then. But now, she felt like the path ahead was so obvious and so clear.

  “Really?” Thomas asked, crossing his arms. “What else do you think you know?”

  “That you knew I was in that mall,” she said. “And you sent the old king anyway, to kill Peter, and maybe me as a bystander. Or a target.”

  “Yes,” he finally admitted. “Yes, I knew you were in that mall. But I knew I could save you if something happened.”

  “Something did happen, Thomas!” she cried. “And you were nowhere to be found.”

  To that, he had no answer, looking down at his feet. She put her hands to her mouth, fighting back tears.

  “You would have let me die if it weren't for Peter. Another moment and I wouldn't have been able to get out of there at all. And all the innocent people who died, for what? For what?”

  “There are always casualties when justice is trying to be done,” he said. “The lives of the few do not compare against the lives of the many.”

  “No, every life matters,” she screamed at him. “Every life. Mine, the mall workers, the dragons, the bears, the wolves, it doesn't matter. You don't get to choose who lives and dies.”

  “I do not,” Thomas said. “But the king does. And King Richard will reign again. A much better rule than this cobbled together disaster.”

  “Peter is–”

  “Peter wanted to die, Yvette,” Thomas said. “Wake up. Even when I lived here, he wanted to die. He looked for ways. He was accident prone on purpose. He hoped someone would run him through with a spear. Richard was sick, and life was taken from him too early. Does that sound familiar?” It was as if he had ripped into her very soul. “Would you not want a second chance if that was the case?”

  “I…” her heart nearly stopped.

  “All you've ever wanted was a second chance, isn't it?” his voice grew softer. “ A do-over, a chance to live and be healthy. I understand that. And I didn't understand it before. I'm sorry. Life was ripped from me, but I was a warrior, I was prepared for it at any moment. When I met Richard, I understood how not being prepared can leave you pacing, praying, hoping in agony.” He held out his hand to her. “Come home with me, Yvette. I'll spring free, and Armand can give you that life.”

  She didn't move, but she was listening.

  “You know that he can,” Thomas said. “He's the best doctor there is. If anyone can help you, it's him. And we can have a beautiful life together on Earth, you and I. Everything is familiar there, everything is safe there. Isn't that what you really want?”

  Yvette met his eyes.

  “I can take care of you,” he took a step closer, as close as the bars would allow. “Is that what you crave? You don't even know him, Yvette, and the queens of the dragon world do not have as glamorous of life as you might think. Help me.”

  His extended hand stretched further.

  She wanted so badly to take it. Thomas was her first love, her first kiss. He had taught her everything there was to romance and to lust. He had held her when she had been ill, and reclined her on nights she had not. Like him, she hadn't known much kindness or a family until she came to the Donizettis.

  Their house, their ways, and their family was life changing. If she walked away from him, she'd be walking away from Armand and from Evelyn, who had become like parents to her. She'd be betraying them when they had shown her nothing but love.

  Thomas had said he was going to save her, didn't he? They had been together a year, which seemed like a lifetime in her young mind.

  “Yvette,” he said, opening and closing his hand. “Come.”

  But what about the mall? What about the destruction? What about all the other crimes they claim he had committed? Everyone thought they were fighting for the right thing; no one saw themselves as evil or wrong. Everyone had a cause, a passion. She could forgive him for being on what she thought was the wrong side of things. The dragon world was not her place; she did not know the politics, the ins or outs of it.

  But she did know basic humanity and basic kindness. Armand had taught her that when he took her in.

  Yvette took a tiny step back, although it nearly killed her.

  Thomas' hand retracted.

  “Really? After all Armand did for you?”

  “Because of what Armand did for me,” she said. “Because he taught me right from wrong in a world where I thought nobody cared. Because he showed me a random act of kindness in a place where no one looked twice. Does he know what you have done, Thomas?” she asked. “Does he know what you tried to kill? Hope. You tried to kill hope in a world that was dying to be set free.”

  And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

  Her footsteps echoed down the cement hallway. When she reached the end, the guards pulled open the gate. Peter was standing on the other side of it, his eyes wide.

  “You heard that?” she asked, although she knew that he had.

  “Every bit,” he answered. “I um…”

  She put her hand in his.

  “I only have one request,” she said. “For the trial. Please bring Armand here.”

  “I can do that,” Peter said. “But why?”

  “I know that you and the others had questions about Armand's treatment of Thomas, how he tried to keep him balanced and sane. That was what the drugs were for. And for years, Thomas never lashed out, at least not like this. Armand is n
ot the bad guy, and if anyone can set this right, it's him.”

  “Or he could be behind it all,” Peter said, but Yvette shook her head.

  “He isn't. I bet my heart on it.”

  “Fine,” Peter promised her. “Did he reveal where my father is?”

  “No,” she sighed. “I didn't think to answer. But I'm not sure he knows. He's fighting for a cause, Peter, that's all. He's not orchestrating everything. He's a soldier, not a leader.”

  “The trial will prove that,” Peter replied. “You look exhausted.”

  “Well, it has been quite the night,” she leaned against his chest, comforted by the beating of his heart. “I didn't mean to blurt all of that out to Thomas. I just realize what you were saying back there.”

  “And is it what you want, my love?” he asked her.

  “Yes, it is,” she turned to look at him. “We had a rocky start, but everything happens for a reason.”

  “And you know what marrying me could mean?” he asked.

  “That I will be queen?”

  He laughed.

  “Yes, my darling, it will mean that. But the consequences may be much more dire,” he brushed a strand a hair back from her face. “We don't know that dragons who have returned from Other are here to stay for good.”

  “Peter,” she stopped him. “All my life people told me I was going to die. Or they told me that I would never have a real chance at a real life. Either one of us could drop dead tomorrow and disappear. But we have today, so let's be grateful for that.”

  “Yes,” he said, looking down upon her with love in his eyes. “Let's focus on today.”

  He leaned down to kiss her, and she felt shivers go down her spine. Today might not be enough for her swelling heart, but she'd start with it and see where the future led.

  Chapter 13

  “I think it will be much like your human trials on Earth,” Alexander said to Yvette two days later. It was the morning of the trial, and she was nervous. They had gone to Armand, who agreed without a fight to attend. He was arriving momentarily, and she desperately wanted to see him. She hadn't been down to the jail at all to see Thomas, knowing that her heart couldn't take it.

  She hated herself for it, for she knew that he must be going through hell down there. Ariel had assured her that Alexander's diminished strength was due to eleven years of exposure to the most powerful carapace on Earth, and then several attacks from a group of them at once. The jail for a few days would do nothing to Thomas that his body wouldn't repair the second he stepped out of the cells.

  “His crimes will be presented, and he'll have a chance to defend himself. Peter will hear the evidence, and then decide on the verdict.”

  “Which might be death?” she asked, almost afraid to speak.

  “It might be,” he answered. “You do not want that? Even though he tried to kill you.”

  “I don't,” she said.

  “Have you told Peter this?”

  “No,” she looked up at him in surprise “I mean, not in so many words. He is king, and I don't want to sway his verdict with my emotion. I know he will be just.”

  Alexander smiled at her.

  “You sound like a queen already. And you will make a great one.”

  “So you heard,” Yvette replied. “I didn't know that he was telling people. I mean, I don't mind. I just thought we were going to wait until all of this was over.”

  “Announcing the marriage of a king is more than a casual conversation,” Alexander said. “He had to tell us, by law, and we had to approve.”

  “Oh,” she replied. “And?”

  “Of course we approve,” Alexander said. “Did you think otherwise?”

  “Thank you,” she blushed.

  “You will be my sister, Yvette, and I couldn't be prouder. Now,” he cocked his ear. “I believe Nicholas has returned with Armand. I hear the commotion. Shall we?”

  “Please,” she followed Alexander down the hall, her heart in her throat.

  As soon as she saw Armand, she threw herself at him.

  “I'm sorry,” she sobbed. “I'm sorry.”

  “Yvette,” Armand's calm, gentle smile overtook her. He bent down to her level, looking her in the eye. “None of this is your fault.”

  “But you know what might happen to him,” she said. “And it's all because of me.”

  “It is not because of you,” he answered. “Thomas has always had a difficult heart. And as a parent – well, at least a parent figure – we do the best we can. But ultimately, there is free will.”

  “Yes, and Thomas did not exercise his well,” she replied. He gave her a hug.

  “Show me,” he said. “Show me where you have been living, for it has been a long time since I've been here.”

  It was a moment of normalcy, a moment of happiness in the dark day. She showed Armand where she had taught Peter, where they had sat on the windowsill, and where her rooms were. He noted that they were conjoined with Peter's, but he said nothing, waiting for her to tell him.

  “We thought, when this is all over,” she said. “I don't know how long after. I guess it depends how it goes.”

  “I am happy for you,” he replied. “And I'm sure Evelyn will be as well.”

  “Oh, you have to come,” she spoke before she thought. “That is, if you will still want to.”

  “We would be honored,” he said, and she gave him one last hug. They only had an hour before the trial, and she wanted to savior this moment. But eventually, she let him go.

  “You'll want to see Thomas,” she said. “I can show you the way.”

  “I can see it troubles you,” he answered. “And I remember the way. But you'll be there?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I owe him at least that.”

  “Then I will see you soon,” he gave her a fatherly kiss on the head and then left the room, leaving Yvette alone. She took a deep, shuddering breath, looking in the mirror.

  The girl that looked back at her surprised her. She seemed strong, fierce. She had put on some weight, and there was color in her cheeks. Her eyes were sharp, and her hair was adorned with jewels. The dragon dresses didn't quite fit her – they always underestimated how small she was – but she felt like they would soon.

  She looked healthy and ready for whatever the day would bring. And more than looking it; she felt strong, and healthy, too. It was something that she had never experienced before. For once, she wasn't grasping for a chair, aching for a nap, hoping for some alone time. She wanted to be with people doing things. She wanted to be inspiring change whatever way she could.

  And this was the world she could do it in.

  She left to find Peter and to speak to him. She had a voice; she was going to be queen, and she needed to use it. Everyone deserved to be redeemed; everyone deserved a second chance.

  By the time the trial commenced, the throne room was packed. Yvette stood off to the side, not wanting to get in the way of the order of the day. She also didn't want to look Thomas in the eye. She knew if she did, her heart might break.

  The crowd parted when he was brought in. She heard the clink of the chains and looked at her feet. She knew it was necessary; she knew how strong he was. But still, she wished that there was a better way.

  She looked up at Peter instead, and Ariel sitting on the throne beside him. Yvette could make a better way when that chair was hers.

  “Thomas Donizetti,” Peter's voice boomed across the throne room, sounding more kingly now than he ever had. “Do you understand the crimes in which you are being tried for?”

  “Of course, I understand them,” Thomas smirked. “I did them, didn't I?”

  “Curb your tongue,” Ariel snapped at him. “Or I will make that prison permanent for you.”

  Thomas was smart enough to say nothing to that, mostly because Armand gave him a little swat. Standing beside him, Armand looked like an embarrassed parent at the school principal's office.

  “For my first witness, I call,” Peter looked up.
“My brother, Cole, prince of the realm.”

  Yvette's eyes lit up. He was taking her suggestion after all. He had listened when she had frantically whispered to him not half an hour ago.

  “Cole,” Peter said, as Cole stepped forward. “You and Thomas are of the same breed, are you not?”

  “We are,” Cole said. “Half dragon, half magic, an identity that was mostly hidden from us until late in our lives.”

  “And you both fought in the old king's army?”

  “We did,” Cole said, glaring out at the confused crowd. They were trying to figure out what Cole's story had to do with Thomas' crimes. As supporters of King Peter, they just wanted Thomas to pay for what he did.

  “And Dr. Donizetti,” Peter said. “You have treated my brother Cole in the past.”

  “I have,” Dr. Donizetti answered.

  “And in your medical opinion, what difficulty has these events and this state done to him?”

  Dr. Donizetti cleared his throat. “Descendants of two races often have trouble finding a place to fit in. They are sometimes abused for their abilities, and that can leave them with lasting damage, physically and emotionally.”

  “But as you see, Cole has fit in just fine here, despite the crimes he had committed,” Peter said.

  “I am reformed!” Cole grinned. “Thanks to my beautiful wife.”

  On the other side of the throne, Enya blushed.

  “Yes, of course,” Dr. Donizetti replied. “There is little damage that is done that cannot be undone, with love, kindness, and the right treatments.”

  “So, you believe,” Peter stated, “that one who has committed such crimes can in fact not re-offend?”

  “Of course,” Dr. Donizetti said.

  “Thomas must pay for his crimes!” came a cry for the audience, but Peter waived his hands.

  “Of course, he must pay,” he said. “An eye for an eye.”

  Yvette felt her heart dip. Was Peter going to give him a death sentence, after all that?

  “Unless…” Peter said. “There is a cause, Thomas, that you are crucial to? A cause where you must save lives, rather than take them? Cole is forgiven for his crimes in lieu of giving his life to care for his wife, who needs his magic.”