by Nina, Tara
He took a deep breath and issued each a prayer of strength. He needed to gather his calm in order to keep a clear head. She had to be here. But from one bed to the next, he didn’t find her. Fear the size of which he had never known built with each step and he suspected the worst. Sven was injured and somewhere in this ward. Tor felt it, shared his pain and knew he lived, but barely.
Instinct told him his mate was no longer in the palace or on the Isle of Avalonia. The snakes had her and he intended to get her back.
Near the back of the infirmary, Nona rushed toward him. Tears streaked her cheeks and her voice cracked. “It’s Sven and Willow. They did their best to protect her, but the snakes were too strong.”
Tor lifted his gaze and caught sight of his brother and Willow across Nona’s head. Stunned, he stepped past her and moved to stand between their beds. He felt Nona’s presence at his side, but couldn’t take his gaze away from Sven’s pale complexion. Even after his worst night of bingeing, he’d never looked this bad.
Sunken eye sockets and skin with the pallor of a translucent shade of white made Tor’s heart sink. Bandages were wrapped around his chest and a tube stuck out of his side, which drained into a container on the floor. A blood-tainted mixture oozed at a slow pace from his chest through the tube to pool in the container. Tor swallowed hard against the increased pain in his chest. Each breath was a labor and he knew the significant anguish Sven suffered.
“He battled as well as any warrior. There were just too many of them. It took two of those air-stealing constrictors to bring him down. He has multiple broken ribs. One lung was punctured. The healers have relieved the pressure and fluid. It will take time, but he will heal.”
“And Willow?” He managed to force the words from between clenched teeth.
“Poisoned by a cobra. She will heal. Her magic is strong and the healers administered the anti-potion to the cobra’s venom in time.” Nona touched Tor’s arm, causing him to lower his gaze to hers. Her jaw tightened and her eyes showed anger. “This was a planned attack. They came for one thing and when they got it, they left,” Nona said as she stood at his side.
“Deveney,” Tor stated on a heated breath. Anger brewed and the bear roared inside his head. He struggled inwardly against the urge to run and find his mate. The clan had been attacked and a precious member stolen. He had to keep his head clear if they were to rescue Deveney and seek vengeance for those who were killed or injured. His hands fisted until the beast quieted.
“Deveney,” Nona replied. “And, Tor, they used forbidden magic. She did you proud. Her magic is the strongest I’ve ever seen. But Obinu is evil. He waited for a moment of weakness and attacked her from behind. He hit her with a stinger. It must have been coated with something powerful because she sank to the ground within seconds. He and his men scooped her up and ran. There was nothing the remaining guards could do.”
“I blame myself, Nona.” Tor glanced from Willow to Sven. “I should have stayed behind. I should have been here to protect her.”
“You followed the correct path of the Ruler of the Clans, Tor. You did what you were expected to do,” Griswaldin interrupted. Neither heard him enter or walk up behind them.
Tor turned to face him.
“I have word of the events that occurred and await your council,” Griswaldin said.
“Anything from Gawyn?” Tor questioned.
“None as of yet,” Griswaldin replied with a shake of his head.
Tor hated to think what might have happened to his friend. So many had been killed or wounded. He could only hope there was an alternative answer for Gawyn’s absence.
Griswaldin turned and maneuvered from bed to bed, stopping at each fallen guard to check their status. Tor took a step to follow him, but was halted by the touch of cold fingertips to his wrist. Sven’s eyes were open and his lips trembled as he struggled to speak.
“I’m sorry, brother. I failed you.”
Tor suffered tremendous pain as he gathered his twin’s hand in his and held it to his heart. His brother had not failed him and he wanted Sven to understand that.
“No, brother. You did not fail me. You fought the gallant battle against immeasurable odds. It was just Obinu’s turn to win. But now,” Tor squeezed Sven’s hand in an effort to reinstate his confidence, “is our turn for victory. He captured my mate and I intend to take her back.”
* * * * *
Within the hour, Tor and Griswaldin sat in his office. Together they discussed the events of the attack on the palace.
“They entered on the north side. Must have burned a ton of their magical resources to come in snàmh-cèairds unnoticed,” Griswaldin stated.
“You think they cloaked them with invisibility charms?”
“I do.” Griswaldin cleared his throat, then continued. “It’s the only way they could have gotten past the guards I posted. From the positions we found them in, they never had a chance. Something beheaded them as they stood watch. I’ve only seen it done once in my lifetime, but I think they flew in low and sliced off their heads with the metal lip around the lower edge of one of their snàmh-cèairds.”
“Is that possible?” Tor’s brows bunched. He tried not to envision the event but failed. Those guards were young and full of hope of finding a mate. Now… He shook his head in despair. That would never be for them.
“It’s possible. Not sure if the snakes have the skill or just dumb luck to pull off a stunt like that,” Griswaldin snarled.
“Any way to prove they used this charm?”
“I know those snakes used invisibility charms on their snàmh-cèairds.” Griswaldin laid a handful of snake-shaped amulets on Tor’s desk. “And I’ve got the proof right here. We found these scattered inside the perimeter of the palace grounds at locations where it appears a craft landed. These reek of herbs and ancient potions. I wouldn’t put it past that old magi they’ve got in their clan to have done something like this. She’s an evil one. They probably attached them to their snàmh-cèairds and the magic lasted long enough for them to get inside the palace gates undetected.”
If they used the ancient magi of their clan in this battle, it went against clan law. But apparently Obinu didn’t care about the clans. He served one purpose—himself. Tor’s jaw tightened as Deveney filled his thoughts. Obinu had signed his death warrant without even realizing it. It didn’t matter which form he chose, man or snake, either way he was dead.
“That charm explains how they got on the palace grounds.” Tor stared at the forbidden charm on his desk. Obinu had violated the last condition of the truce he could allow. This time the Gathering of the Clans would have to render him unfit to rule the Serpentes Clan, and then he would finally be punished for his indiscretions.
A solid thump on the window grabbed both men’s attention. Gawyn hovered outside, flapping his large wings. Relief washed over Tor as he hurried and let in the giant redtail hawk. The moment he landed, he shifted into man.
“It’s good to see you are well,” Tor stated, greeting his friend in a brotherly hug. “I feared you’d fallen in the battle and your body hadn’t been found as of yet.”
Gawyn’s head shook. He straightened and accepted the robe Griswaldin handed him. In a gruff voice, the older man said, “Put this on. It’s one of the extras Tor keeps in the office in case he shifts in a rush and needs a replacement when he returns to man form.”
As Gawyn slipped it on, he briefed them on his absence.
“I am sorry for my delay. At your command, I flew directly here. My arrival was too late. The battle ended as I crossed into Bear territory. When I saw Obinu’s men carrying an unconscious woman away from the palace, I decided to follow them instead of land. From what I saw, Nona was in control and I knew she’d see to the wounded. But the prisoner needed help.”
He hurried to the map and pointed. All eyes stared at the dark-colored territory his finger touched. “I followed them all the way back to Ophidian Palace. I wanted to make sure they didn’t stash her some
where else on their lands before I returned.”
Tor looked from one man to the other. It made his heart heavy to have to make the decision necessary in this matter. War was never an easy choice. Both sides lost in Tor’s opinion. With clans hovering on extinction, even one life was too precious to lose. But Obinu’s actions were too heinous to overlook. He’d killed several good men in order to steal Deveney. But for what purpose? Didn’t Obinu realize the magic controlled the mating? Or was he after something else and planned to use Deveney as leverage?
The Mirror of Azure flashed to the forefront of his brain. There was no way he’d give that snake control of the mirror. And he had no intentions of losing Deveney at the hands of Obinu.
Heat filled his veins and hatred knotted his gut at the thought of the torture his woman might be suffering at that moment. Tor closed his eyes and prayed he wasn’t making this decision based on personal reasons. No, he decided with a low growl. This had been a long time coming for Obinu. Though it pained him to have to say the words, he had no choice.
“Obinu’s actions have left us no choice.” He sighed heavily. “Gentlemen, we must invade their lands and take back what they have stolen.”
A sinister smile appeared on Griswaldin’s lips. He said in a low, to-the-point tone, “It’s going to be a bloody battle, Tor. There is no other way to handle a snake like Obinu. Are you ready to accept there can be no peace in this matter?”
Tor nodded. A war between clans never went well. At any other time, he would have spoken for peace. But not now, not today. Not when it came to the safety of his mate. And not after all the death and destruction the Snake clan caused.
He took a deep breath and steeled his spine. Words he’d prayed never to have to say left his lips. “There can be no peace with Obinu as the leader of the Snake clan. His choices have been poor and aligned against the good of the clans as a whole. We are at war, Griswaldin. Prepare the men. We leave immediately.”
Chapter Sixteen
Unfamiliar hands touched her. Strange, unknown faces and voices whirled through her thoughts, confusing her. Where was she? Deveney couldn’t get a fix on her location as every fiber of her body hummed with an eerie sensation, adding to her confused state of mind. What was wrong with her? No amount of effort fired her magic to life. She groaned inwardly at the pain her attempts caused. Something had taken her magic. Was that possible?
Her eyesight blurred as she pried her eyes open to slender slits. Before her eyelids revolted and closed, she managed to get a look at the person nearest to her, though his features were fuzzy at best. She thought she saw a man. Big, black oval-shaped eyes stared at her and a long tongue flicked from his mouth.
It wasn’t her mate who touched her. It wasn’t Tor who caressed her. Bile rose to the back of her throat at the thought of another man’s hands on her. She struggled to push him away, but her hands wouldn’t obey. When she called for her magic, it still didn’t come. Instead, heat sizzled in her core and intense pain rattled her brain.
A sharp twinge in the back of her neck reminded her she’d been drugged. The non-responsiveness of her limbs had to be a side effect of the drug. She tried to mentally whisk the lingering fog from her brain, but it persisted in muddling her thoughts. The moment the tip of his snakelike tongue brushed across her lips, her brain burned and her stomach twisted in knots.
Oh god, the baby! She needed to keep their baby safe. Fear washed over her. Without the use of her magic, she had no defenses. Digging deep, she thought only of Tor and the baby. A flicker of hope ignited in the palms of her hands in the form of a heated itch. It was a start, but she needed more. She focused and battled against the extreme pain that riddled her body with the effort.
Keep the baby safe, repeated in her thoughts as she struggled for control over the drug.
His sinister laugh when he pried her legs apart sent a chill straight up her spine. His obnoxious declaration that he’d make her his pushed her anger past the point of no return. Fear gave way to determination. Anger rose to the forefront of her brain, overriding the remnants of the drug. What was wrong with this man? Didn’t he understand the nature of the magic? She belonged with Tor and no other. This man needed to be taught that bit of information in a way he wouldn’t forget…ever.
Pure heat with the intensity of lava boiled in her gut. It traveled at a phenomenal pace from one end of her body to the other. The heat changed to magic and encapsulated her physical form with a vibrant magical shell, bursting in a multitude of colors. His scream echoed in her head.
She heard a thud. Forcing her eyes to open, she saw her attacker on fire, right before he slithered from the room. Magical mayhem, she cried in silence. Had she done that to him?
Her heart pounded. Though she tried, she couldn’t keep her eyes open and they slammed shut against the sudden onset of pain. Oh god, had she killed someone? She swallowed hard, trying not to gag at the thought. In all her years, the uncontrolled magical bouts had never taken a life. She’d caused damage, a few minor injuries, but never killed anyone. Tears slid down her cheeks as she attempted to think it through. The details were foggy. It had to be the drug lingering in her system. The more she tried to sort it out, the worse her head throbbed.
Everything hurt as Deveney managed to open her eyes to slender slits once again. One quick glance around and she knew she wasn’t at Bjorn Palace. Cold, dark and damp surrounded her. Stale air laced each breath, making her gag. Her head spun, but she fought it and succeeded in sitting upright. Though it took tremendous effort, she pried her eyelids wider apart. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t see. Not even when she lifted her hand and touched the tip of her nose could she see the hand or fingers in front of her face.
She didn’t know where she was or how long she’d been there. Her limbs were heavy and tough to move. In a slow, tedious manner, Deveney hugged her knees to her chest. It felt as if a boulder sat on her shoulders, so she lowered her forehead to rest upon her knees. If she could get the dizziness to end, then maybe she could think straight.
She took a deep breath, even though the air held the stench of death and decay. Without lifting her head, she tried to gain some knowledge of her surroundings. One hand lowered to the area beneath her. She spread her palm flat and slid it as far as she could without lifting her head. With her forehead resting on her knees, the spin slowed so she didn’t chance trying to sit upright again. Nothing but cold, damp soil graced her hand.
She needed the light on again. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the flow of magic in her veins. A sensation similar to glass shards slicing her skin shot down her arm from her shoulder to her fingertips the moment any visible sign of blue glow started. Biting back the scream, she quickly extinguished it and the pain dissipated. Touching her arms, she realized nothing had happened. There were no wounds. It had to be a side effect of the drug.
Or was it another way for her captor to control her? Maybe this drug attached to the magic and tricked the mind into believing there was pain. That way the prisoner refrained from trying to escape by magical force. The idea hit hard and she accidentally shifted her head. She bit back the moan that threatened to escape at the renewal of the spin cycle inside her brain. Though she couldn’t see them, she suspected there were guards posted outside the door. She didn’t want them to know she was awake.
Sweat trickled from her brow. She refused to let her captor win. If he was even still alive. She shivered against the unwanted image of the snakelike man on fire in her head. When she got out of here, she’d make sure he got help for his wounds. If she got out. Deveney chewed her lower lip and contemplated her next move. Were the others captive with her?
“Nona,” Deveney whispered. She desperately needed to know if they were there. No answer. “Willow, Tiben, Horace, Sven.”
Again no answer came her way. Panic tightened her chest. What happened to them? A tear slid down her cheek as she forced her neck to comply and lifted her head. Bed spins after a night of drinking were nothing compare
d to the cyclone sensation tormenting her brain at the moment. It took a great effort, but she managed to overcome the dizziness and keep her head up. She wanted to know if her friends were locked in this dingy place with her and if they were hurt and unable to answer. Gathering as much energy as she could muster, she concentrated on the magic. Again the sensation of glass cutting her skin to shreds coated her arms, but she refused to succumb to the pain. They needed her.
A low glow emanated from her palm, then inched to her fingertips. Holding her arm out, she used the light and scanned the room. Uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks as she held the magic in place and forced her heavy head to turn. She emitted dim light, but it gave her enough to see that she was alone. An object on the wall to her left caught her eye.
Deveney gritted her teeth and lifted her glowing hand by the wrist with her other hand. Every movement increased the immense tortured sensation of her skin ripping apart, and searing heat ran up and down her spine. An invisible grip clenched her lungs, which made her take slow, stuttered breaths. She had one chance and she knew she couldn’t miss. Doing this twice wasn’t an option. The pain was too extreme to endure a second time to gain light.
For a split second, she closed her eyes and gathered the last shred of strength deep from within. Opening her eyes, she held her hand pointed at the object on the wall and sent a faint blue ball of magic in its direction. She prayed it worked. A direct hit made her sigh and drop her hand. The light fizzled and disappeared, taking her hope with it. Tears welled before a spark ignited into a low flame within the round glass sconce on the wall.
An exhausted laugh escaped her lips. She did it. With her hands at her sides, she leaned back against the cold rock wall. Relief washed over her as the pain subsided. Looking around, she confirmed she was alone in a small room with no windows and one door. The black door had a tiny square window covered by a shield.