Transcender Trilogy Complete Box Set

by Vicky Savage

  He winces when I allude to his attempt to kidnap me to pressure my mother to negotiate for the relocation of the Unicoi. “I’ve hurt you in so many ways,” he says. “I shall spend my life making it up to you.”

  “Don’t, love. Let’s not do that today. As far as I’m concerned, the past is wiped away. We’re starting fresh from this moment on. Our life together is going to be amazing.”

  He drapes an arm around my shoulder and kisses me gently, easing me down onto the blanket. Pushing a few strands of hair away from my face, he kisses me again, first on each eyelid, then each earlobe, and finally on the lips. His hair tumbles down around my face, and my heart beats low and hard in my chest.

  After a moment, he pulls away and sits up again. I whimper softly. Getting to his feet, he holds out a hand. “Will you walk with me?”

  Walk? Actually, I was hoping to just lie on the blanket and make out for a while, but I reluctantly take his hand, shaking the crumbs from my dress.

  We stroll along the lake path holding hands. All is peaceful and serene. The water sparkles silver-blue. Wildflowers dot the meadow with crimson and gold. When the shimmering waterfall comes into view, I’m reminded of the small alcove tucked behind the falls where Ryder and I shared a few steamy kisses and some secret parts of our souls. On that day, I discovered that he feels a kind of magnetic attraction for me that allows him to find me almost anywhere. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I have the same thing for him. Ralston says it goes along with the perpetual contract between us. I cut my eyes to Ryder, wondering if he’s thinking of that day too.

  He veers off the path, and I follow him into a small clearing with a large, flat tree stump in the center. I recognize the place immediately. We shared our first kiss here. The memory of it warms me.

  “Please sit,” he says, motioning to the stump. He did the same thing on that day, before confessing to me that he’d been in love with me, well Princess Jaden actually, since the first day they’d met. She was twelve, and he was fifteen.

  Leaning up against a tree, he crosses his arms and gazes at me.

  I sit smiling at him, noticing how well the clothes fit his incredible body, marveling at his nearly flawless skin, and appreciating how nicely the whole man is put together. After a minute or two, I start to squirm a little under his gaze.

  “What?” I say. “What are you thinking?”

  “I am locking this moment into my memory,” he says. “The way your eyes shine when you look at me, the way your hair falls across your shoulders, the curve of your mouth. It is all precious to me. I never wish to forget it. When I thought I had lost you in the fire, I cursed myself for not having appreciated the fleeting hours we shared. Now that we’re together once again, my heart wishes to devour and savor each moment, each second with you.”

  No one has ever spoken such lovely words to me. I strain to swallow the lump in my throat. He kneels by my side, lifting my hand and placing it against his warm cheek. I smooth his silken hair with my other hand, overwhelmed with inexpressible gratitude at having found him again … my forever love.

  “That’s so beautiful, Ryder,” I whisper. “Thank you for loving me so sweetly.”

  He peers up at me, eyes a bottomless mountain lake. “I have something for you.” Reaching into his pocket, he brings out a small black pouch. Untying the string, he removes the contents, and holds it up for me to see.

  It’s a ring. A dazzling, breathtaking, mystical ring. The band is platinum, the setting an infinity symbol formed by tiny diamonds, with two round-cut emeralds mounted inside the sworls.

  “Oh god, Ryder. It’s gorgeous.”

  He smiles. “Do you like it? I designed it when we first became engaged. Lady Lorelei crafted it for me, but I never had the opportunity to give it to you. The symbol is for our love. The emeralds are for your eyes.”

  “I love it,” I say, throwing my arms around his neck. Laughing. Crying. Disbelieving my own good fortune.

  He rises to his feet and lifts me up so I’m standing atop the stump, making me nearly as tall as he is. “Put it on,” he says.

  I slip it on my finger. A perfect fit. Stretching out my hand, the silver light spins out in a thousand directions from the glittering stones. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever owned. Joyfully twining my arms around him again, I plant a sweet, lingering kiss on his luscious mouth. Mmm, feels great to be this close once more.

  “Would you like to go for a short swim?” he asks, when we finally break for air. “We have time before the rains.”

  “I’d love—” I begin, but my eye is caught by a movement in the trees behind Ryder.

  “What is it, love?” He pivots quickly.

  “I don’t know. Something in the trees. A deer maybe.”

  “Shall I go and look for it?”

  At that moment, Patrick calls, “Chief Blackthorn.”

  Hopping down from the stump I follow Ryder back to the path. Patrick waves as we emerge from the trees. Liam and Adahy, the Unicoi trackers are standing at the foot of the road.

  “I’d better go and see why they’re here,” Ryder says. “Perhaps there is news of the Skorplings.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute,” I say. “I’m just going to check out that thing I saw in the trees.”

  “I wish you would wait for me, Jade. But I know you will not, so be careful.” He kisses my cheek.

  Instead of going back through the clearing, I ease myself into the trees and wind my way around behind the spot where I saw the movement. The foliage is dense with brush and undergrowth, but I can make out the silhouette of a person still peering in the direction of the clearing. Silently, I steal closer. As I draw near the silhouette, I see that it’s a woman wearing a fitted dark uniform and knee boots. A black leather holster is slung low around her hips, a gun strapped to her thigh. Slowly drawing my sword, I hold it with both hands at shoulder height.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask gruffly.

  The woman jumps about a foot in the air, issuing a small yelp. As she turns toward me, her hand goes for her heart, not her gun.

  “Scheisse!” she says. “Scare people much?”

  “I asked what you’re doing here.” I eye her warily.

  She smiles. “I came to meet you, Jaden. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.”

  I squint at her. She’s pretty, petite, and pixyish, with short, spiky white-blond hair, large, luminous, blue eyes, and a smattering of freckles across a turned-up nose. She’s maybe a couple of years younger than I am.

  “What are you talking about? Who are you?” I ask.

  She makes a move in my direction. “Whoa. Hold it right there, Hit Girl,” I say pointing my katana at her. “Don’t come any closer. Answer my questions.”

  “I’m Eve. I’m a Transcender, like you. See?” She twists her torso slightly and taps a frosty green nail against her shoulder patch. It’s the Transcender symbol, three shooting stars.

  “Geeze, you people have uniforms?” I ask.

  “These are my traveling clothes. I’m supposed to be on exploration, but I took a little detour to see you. Kind of an unofficial, and most definitely unauthorized, visit.”

  “I’ve never seen Asher dress like that,” I say skeptically.

  She snorts a little laugh. “Asher dresses for you, earth girl. In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s in love with you.”

  “I doubt that. Besides it doesn’t matter, I’m engaged.” I casually flash my new ring. “Ryder and I …”

  “Have a perpetual contract. I know. I saw you two swapping saliva back there. Uk.” She wrinkles up her pert little nose. “I’d never do that. I don’t mean the kissing part. I’d do that if given the opportunity. Especially with someone who looks like your Mr. Dreamcicle. But I’d never agree to be with the same guy for all of eternity. Bo-ring.”

  “Why are you here?” I ask, putting my katana away. Eve seems harmless, if annoying.

  “I wanted to meet the new girl Asher’s been slobber
ing about. He said you’re coming to Arumel soon, but I’d never been to this earth before, so I thought I’d pop in and introduce myself.”

  Oh Great! That’s all I need, a rogue Transcender showing up unexpectedly. “You know you can’t be here,” I say. “Especially dressed like that. People will think you’re a spy or something and try to throw you in prison, or worse.”

  She shrugs. “If anyone comes after me, I’ll just shift back to my exploration. Not a problem.”

  “Well, it’s a problem for me. I can’t risk being seen with you, so please leave now and don’t ever come here again. I have a deal going with IUGA, and I don’t want to screw that up. Nice meeting you, though.” I turn and push aside the bushes.

  “Wait. I know where your talking monkey-bears are.”

  I swivel around. “The Skorplings?”

  “Yes.”

  Scowling, I say, “Wait right here.”

  Threading my way through the trees, I step out onto the lake path where Ryder, Patrick, and the two trackers appear to be in deep discussion. Ryder raises his eyes to me. Smiling, I wave at him. “Be right there,” I shout. Nodding, he continues his conversation.

  Eve’s gone when I reach the spot where I left her. I find her in the little clearing, sitting on the stump. “I told you to wait in the trees,” I say, irritated.

  “I’m tired. It’s been a rough exploration.”

  “How do you know where the Skorplings are?”

  “I saw the sitzprobes who took them.”

  “When was this?”

  “Two nights ago at the palace. I was waiting for you. Your boyfriend brought you home, but then he never left. So, your mother doesn’t care if you have a guy spend the night?”

  “She probably would if she knew, but stick to the story. What did you see exactly?”

  “I was loitering around the back stairs waiting for your perpetual love slave to leave. Anyway these two guys slipped in through a back door and absconded with the Skorplings squirming and squealing in their arms. I’m surprised that butler who hangs out in your hallway didn’t do anything. I mean, he had to have heard the commotion. Anyway, by that time, I figured you and Adonis were making some magic, if you know what I mean, so I followed them.”

  “Where did they go?”

  “I don’t have a street address or anything, but I can show you.”

  “Now’s not a good time,” I tell her. “Can you come to my room tonight, around midnight? Will you show me then?”

  She angles an impish look at me and smirks. “I don’t know, earth girl. What’s it worth to you? I’m already off the reservation as it is. Not sure I can chance it again tonight.”

  I roll my eyes. “Well how about this, Tinker Bell, you agree to come to the palace tonight and help me get the Skorplings back, and I won’t report you to Asher.”

  She stands legs apart, hands on her hips. “Don’t get all huffy on me, earthie. I’ll be there tonight, but not because you threatened me. I’m coming because it’ll be fun rescuing those weird little freaks. They kind of fascinate-scare me, if you know what I mean.”

  “I’ll see you at midnight, then. Bring your gun,” I say. “And quit calling me earth girl. You don’t look like an alien to me.”

  “Ooh, prickly. It’s just, an expression. Kind of like home girl where you come from.” She waggles her fingers at me. “Ta,” she says and vanishes before I can blink.

  That was bizarre. It’s great that she knows where Fred and Ethel are, but, man, Eve’s a piece of work. Talk about weird little freaks. Turning to make my way back to the path, I nearly bump into Ryder. My heart stops beating for a nanosecond. What did he see?

  “Hi,” I say weakly.

  “Did you find anything?” he asks.

  Whew. “No. Nothing. Probably my imagination. What did the trackers have to say?”

  “They’ve made some progress in their investigation. It appears the Skorplings did not escape on their own, but were taken by two men. They were able to isolate the boot imprints belonging to the men, but the trail was lost soon after the men mounted horses. The direction of the escape is toward Warrington Village. Efforts have begun to locate them. If they’re still in the area, we will find them, I promise you.”

  “You think they may have been taken somewhere else?”

  “Unless the thieves intend to ransom them—which is unlikely since they have made no demand as yet—they would be forced to smuggle them out of Domerica in order to sell them. Nobody here will touch them.”

  That hadn’t occurred to me. Now I wish I’d found a way to have gone with Eve this afternoon. “I just hope we’re not too late.” I slip my arm around Ryder’s waist. “Do we still have time for a swim?”

  “We’d better not, love. I’m sorry.” He places a finger under my chin, raising my face to his. “We must start our journey home if we wish to avoid the rain.” Kissing me lightly, he says, “It has been a wonderful afternoon.”

  “Yes it has.” Glancing down at my ring for the hundredth time in the last half hour, I ask, “Will you stay for dinner tonight?”

  “I did not bring a change of clothing. Perhaps tomorrow night would be better.”

  It’s kind of a let-down, but may be for the best since Eve is coming later to help me carry out Operation Skorpling Rescue.

  THIRTY-ONE

  Mother’s not feeling well enough to eat in the family dining room this evening. It seems the day, chock full of wedding arrangements, exhausted her. Her pale skin and taut facial muscles tell me the pain is getting the better of her tonight. The doctor gives her an injection he promises will help her sleep comfortably.

  “Perhaps Her Majesty will feel better in the morning.” He snaps his medical bag closed. “These things are unpredictable.”

  I cradle Mother’s frail hand until she is sleeping soundly. General LeGare keeps his usual vigil at her bedside, reading by the dim lamplight. I’m told he’s resumed some of his normal duties, now that I’ve returned and am spending more time with Mother.

  “Charles, why don’t you come and have some dinner?” I say getting out of my chair.

  Saving his page with his finger, he stands and bows. “I believe I’ll sit just a bit longer. Thank you, Your Highness.”

  The thought of eating with the palace groupies tonight makes me want to start a new diet. And I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to keep my cool if I bump into Uncle Harold—not until the Skorplings are safely back in their nursery. So I order a light dinner in my room and relish the fact that I don’t have to dress up for a change. Snacking on the delectables Cook sent up, I read for a bit, and then take a long soak in a hot tub. A fresh robe hangs ready for me on the door hook.

  At times like these, when I’m alone in my room, I miss having my music or TV, or some other mindless distraction to relax by. They say solitude is good for reflection, so I just relive the afternoon over and over again, savoring the moment when Ryder gave me his ring, shaking my head at the audacity of my new friend, Eve, and anxiously anticipating recovering Fred and Ethel.

  Earlier in the evening, a maid delivered a towering stack of things Mother wants me to look over for my wedding. I’m mentally exhausted, but I can’t avoid going through it any longer. Many decisions must be made quickly in order for this to come together in a few weeks.

  A creamy white card, with an engraved golden crown sits on top of the stack. It reads:

  Her Majesty, the Queen

  and

  Governor Jonathan Edward Beckett

  invite you to attend

  the marriage of their daughter,

  Her Royal Highness,

  The Crown Princess Jaden Beckett to

  Chief Ryder Fitzgerald Blackthorn

  on the ….

  A cloud of butterflies explodes inside me when I see the invitation. This is really happening. But, am I really ready? Am I ready to kiss my old life in Connecticut goodbye? Am I ready to relinquish life as a Transcender and commit to remaining earthbound in Domerica
for as long as I live? All I know for certain is that life without Ryder Blackthorn is no life at all for me. If the choice is whether or not to be with him, the answer is crystal clear: I choose Ryder.

  The realization takes me a little by surprise. That’s it then. Internally, I’ve made my decision. I guess I can’t actually make it official until after I’ve visited with the Transcenders. Joining them was one of the options presented to me. I need to be able to say I’ve considered all options carefully and made the best decision for me.