"What of the Isles?" King Weiland asked. "My man wins, you surrender the Black Isles along with my daughter."
Broc and Teaq exchanged a look. It was obvious that Broc was unhappy with the arrangement. But the prerequisite for a proper duel was that both parties agreed to the stakes in advance.
"Fine. Your man wins, you get your daughter as well as the Black Isles," Broc said, then turned away in disgust.
Despite their differences, these two brothers, Teaq and Broc, must have had a great amount of trust in one another.
"Don't bloody lose," Broc hissed at Teaq, who nodded briefly.
Liliwen's chest tightened as the two fighters circled one another, waiting for the countdown. She didn't know who to root for, which side to take. Too much was at stake either way.
Whatever the outcome, the duel was already a tragedy.
The counting began, backwards from ten. Liliwen held her breath and turned away, only to be shoved back into position by the guard who had dragged her up here.
"You'll watch," he spat.
Liliwen pressed her lips together and fought further tears as the count hit zero.
Cadfael was the first to attack, leaping forward at Teaq with his spear raised high. Teaq dodged him effortlessly, then flipped back around and went for his arm.
But Cadfael fought him off easily and tried to slam the back of the spear into his head.
Another miss.
Teaq growled; the sound sent shivers down Liliwen's spine. Then he jumped up toward Cadfael, aiming right at his throat. Cadfael got down on his haunches, raising his spear up. It grazed Teaq's flank.
The Merfolk watching from the water cheered.
A sharp pain pierced Liliwen's heart, watching the spray of blood emerge from Teaq's wound.
But the injury did not slow him down. He recovered immediately and snapped at Cadfael's leg, taking a small chunk out of it.
Liliwen cried out in horror, then covered her mouth with both hands. The soldiers surrounding her on the fortifications roared in excitement.
Both fighters were now staining the ground with their blood as it dripped slowly but steadily into the dust. And both were completely unfazed by the pain. As if they didn't even notice it.
Evenly matched, they circled each other, attacking and defending in a deadly dance that lasted multiple rounds.
Neither showed any sign of slowing down, no matter how many times they were hit or scraped.
So far no serious injury had been inflicted, but it was only a matter of time.
Sure enough, it was Cadfael who succeeded first, slamming the long end of his spear into Teaq's ribs so hard Liliwen could hear the crack of bone.
Teaq fell and rolled over onto his side, before jumping up again and lunging at Cadfael with his teeth out. He bit down on Cadfael's right forearm, causing him to drop the spear. It clattered to the ground and was quickly pushed away by Teaq's paw.
The rules forbade any fighter from picking up a weapon that was pushed out of the arena.
But Merfolk did not need spears to fight.
Even with a fractured arm, Cadfael's retaliation was quick. He punched Teaq in the side of his head, throwing him down and onto his back.
It only dazed him for a second, and Teaq was back on his feet and readying himself for another strike.
Both the fighters were limping now. Their skin and fur was getting covered in the same muddy red of the blood soaked ground. If one of them did not succumb to their injuries directly, blood loss would inevitably claim their strength.
Liliwen could bear it no longer.
"Stop," she whimpered. "Please, stop."
But nobody was listening.
The fight continued, on and on, until neither fighter had any unscathed body part left. Sweat, mud, blood and tears had mingled on their skin until they were barely recognizable anymore.
The fight was slowing proportionately to the amount of injuries either party had received. Their movements became clumsy, their dodges ineffective.
Would she mourn not one but both their lives tonight?
The ground was slick now. The water that lapped at the fortifications below was stained by the blood that had dripped down from the arena.
And still. Blow by blow, the two men continued to fight. Slowly. Badly. Giving it their last shred of strength.
Teaq, recovering from a blow to the rib cage, where Cadfael's spear had done its damage earlier, buckled at last.
"No!" she called out. If you don't live, neither do I!
Tears ran freely down Liliwen's face. She felt empty. Nothing left to give.
Four feet away, Liliwen's brother sunk to his knees, gasping for air. He looked up at her, mouthing just a single word.
"Sorry."
As both of them collapsed, so did Liliwen's world. A black cloud descended over her, pulling her down along with them. She did not remember anything after that.
Chapter Fourteen
Teaq tried to open his eyes, but could not see a thing. His lids were swollen shut.
He tried to move, but his limbs did not cooperate.
The pain coursing through his body was blindingly sharp, but that was not what he was most concerned about.
Liliwen!
The first thing on his mind was her. Windswept hair and cheeks streaked with tears. Broc had summoned her on King Weiland's demand. She'd seen the whole thing. How painful it must have been for her.
Where was she? More importantly, how was she? Was she safe?
He tried to open his mouth to speak, but his jaw was swollen shut. His throat was so dry, he could barely make a sound.
"Lili—" He coughed, then immediately regretted trying to speak at all. His chest was on fire, his mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood.
Of any of the battles he had been in, the duel had been in a league of its own. Lesser men might have given up sooner. But too much was at stake.
And the worst part was, he couldn't recall the outcome.
He was alive, wasn't he? Had he won? Had he capitulated?
His head was throbbing so hard, he was certain that he was shaking along with it.
Where was he?
And where was everyone else?
What of his people? Had everyone been slaughtered by King Weiland's men, and he now found himself in hell?
Before he could try to speak again, he was pulled back under. Drowned in darkness, his mind gave way again.
There were voices. Female as well as male.
And water. Waves lapped at her body, waking her gently.
Liliwen opened her eyes and could not recognize where she was. This wasn't her dark cell in the dungeon; rather, there was light all around, making it hard for her vision to focus.
Walls lined with shelves of colorful bottles. Her eyelids fell shut again.
Warm water surrounded her, coaxing her body as well as her mind back into reality.
"She's coming to," a female spoke.
"About bloody time," another responded.
Liliwen blinked a few times, and finally saw her present company.
There were two women, one with flowing red hair. Short. Dressed in the most beautiful gown Liliwen had ever seen.
Another, much harder looking female, wearing an armored bodice, short skirt and not much else.
Kelly, the human newly crowned queen, and Rhea. Teaq had spoken about them so often during his visits to the dungeon, she was certain she recognized them.
Off to the side of the room stood Broc, looking in equal parts hesitant about being here, as well as concerned.
She looked down at herself and found that she was lying in a fancy basin filled with warm water. What was this place?
"Is she in decent shape?" he asked. "We don't want any more trouble."
What was she doing here? Why were they all talking about her as if she wasn't here herself?
"How is he?" she asked, though she was unable to articulate her question as well as she'd wanted to.
"
What did she say?" the taller female, Rhea, asked.
"She asked 'how is he'," the human responded.
"Your brother will be fine. He's injured, but he will make it."
Liliwen choked back a sob. Her chest felt hollow, like someone had taken her heart and crushed it.
"She means Teaq," Kelly said.
"Oh."
Broc stepped forward. "Princess Liliwen. The challenge ended in a draw. Neither fighter could finish, so I've negotiated a compromise with your father, King Weiland."
Liliwen tried to process what he had said. A draw? Did that mean…
Teaq was still alive.
Again, tears flowed, but this time, they were tears of relief.
"You will be returned to your people as soon as King Weiland has ordered back his armies. This is how it must be."
Liliwen shook her head, then tried to raise herself out of the water, but slipped back down under. This tub was proving more effective in keeping her contained than any prison cell.
"I cannot go back," she protested.
"It's the only way. We break our word and your father invades. And with Teaq out of action, who will lead the troops?" Broc's voice trailed off.
"Will he make it?" she asked.
"Teaq? Oh yes, given a week or two, he'll be good as new."
Finally, some more good news.
But what would happen next? If the outcome of the duel required that she return to the Deep, then she had no choice but to comply.
Strangely, it had been easier for her to accept her fate as a prisoner. Having to return home and face her father… The humiliation would be immense.
And how would she face Cadfael, who had nearly given his life for her? And Cara, who had almost been widowed before ever being wed.
That wasn't even the worst part.
"Can I at least say goodbye?" Liliwen whispered.
Rhea scoffed, as did Broc.
"You seem to have forgotten that you and Teaq caused all this. He's my brother, and nearly gave his life to save these Isles, so I cannot judge him too harshly. But I have no love lost for you, Mermaid!" Broc said.
Liliwen averted her gaze. There was no arguing with his assessment. She was at fault. And now she had to face the consequences.
"I think she's well enough now. Even her color has changed back to normal," Rhea observed.
Liliwen raised her hands and looked at her skin. The warm water had undone all the damage caused by those endlessly long days spent in that dark cell. The only scars she carried now were invisible to anyone who wasn't a mind reader.
Liliwen eyed the human, Kelly, who had been silent during the final couple of exchanges.
So that was what a witch looked like. Had she already performed her magic and learned Liliwen's deepest, darkest secrets?
If she had, her expression did not let on.
"Then let's not waste any more time," Broc said. He turned around and left the room in a hurry. "Kelly, are you coming?" he called out from outside.
Kelly didn't move an inch, though. She kept on staring at Liliwen to the point of making her uncomfortable. Please don't turn me into a fish or something, Liliwen thought.
Kelly chuckled.
"What happened?" Rhea asked.
Kelly shook her head. "Just something I was thinking."
Liliwen cocked her head to the side. You're listening right now, aren't you?
Kelly turned around to check on Rhea, then made eye contact with Liliwen again and smiled briefly.
I understand, you know. The men … they're finding it more difficult.
It was the strangest feeling, having this human—a creature Liliwen had never even seen before—infiltrating her mind like this.
Teaq told me your story. So romantic. From prisoner to queen.
What about your story? From princess to prisoner.
Liliwen shrugged. "Perhaps it is all written somewhere," she whispered.
Rhea turned to face the two of them "What?" She studied both their faces, then rolled her eyes. "Up to your usual tricks, I see. Well, I don't see what's keeping me here, then."
She still hates me. Kelly smiled apologetically, then turned and watched as Rhea left the room.
I'm sure she's not too fond of me either.
Will you be alright? You'll be released soon.
Liliwen lowered herself in the basin, wetting her hair. How good it felt to do that after so many days. I'll have to be. Somehow. It was still a scary prospect. Her father would be furious. She'd be monitored day and night.
You're not giving up on him, are you? Kelly raised her eyebrows in concern. He loves you. I know he won't give up on you. I saw it in his thoughts during the fight.
Alas, a glimmer of hope. Liliwen shook her head. No, she wouldn't give up.
Kelly nodded at her encouragingly. Don't lose hope now.
I won't.
They had only just finished their exchange, when Rhea returned, along with a number of guards. "That's enough of that, you two. It is time."
Liliwen bowed her head and surrendered as Rhea picked her up out of the slippery tub and set her down on the ground beside it. Her legs were shaking a bit, but she managed to stand on her own, briefly. Then the guards took her by the arms, and dragged her out of the room, through a maze of hallways, and finally, out of the castle. It all happened in such a blur, Liliwen could hardly find her bearings. Until she found herself in a familiar place, that was.
The fortified sea wall, where the duel had taken place.
Liliwen bit her lip hard as she spotted the makeshift arena. The ground was still soaked. The smell of stale blood hung in the air.
Broc, who had already been waiting by the very edge of the wall, cleared his throat. "So, as agreed. One princess, being returned hale and hearty to King Weiland. He would be wise to respect our deal."
Liliwen also hoped that he would. Even though she would not be able to stay in the Deep for long.
The next time Teaq awoke, his eyelids opened just enough to let in the flicker of a torch some distance away. His surroundings remained a blur; nothing came into focus.
He did not recognize anything. Even his nose could not pick up any familiar scents. Perhaps he'd broken that too in the battle, along with almost everything else.
Every part of his body ached. But most of all, it was his heart that bothered him.
He had no idea how long he'd been out for.
And still he didn't know how the fight had turned out.
Where was Liliwen? Where was everyone else?
He fought the seething pain in his arms and chest and raised himself up. Now, he could get a better look at his surroundings, though his eyesight still hadn't cleared. He'd obviously received some significant hits to the head during the battle.
No problem, he'd heal. Islanders usually did.
But if Liliwen was still locked up somewhere, and there was no one looking out for her, then she might not make it that long. He had to make himself noticed. He had to know what was going on.
Teaq inhaled deeply, only to cough violently. After catching his breath, he tried again.
"Hello?" he called out.
His voice sounded pathetic. Weak, just like the rest of him.
Another coughing fit forced him onto his back.
Footsteps approached. Thankfully, his efforts hadn't been in vain.
"Come quick, I think our general has come to," someone called out.
At least he was among his own people. That was a good sign.
More voices could be heard now, approaching his position.
Teaq tried to focus again, but he could not recognize the faces that surrounded him now.
"Sir, can we get anything for you? Water? Food?" someone asked.
Teaq shook his head. "Broc. Get the King."
"What did he say?" another person said.
"The King. He means to speak with King Broc."
"No problem, Sir. We will send someone to find him immediately."
T
eaq closed his eyes and just tried to breathe deeply. Ideally he would not be talking right now. He should just surrender to the healing process. There was a reason fighters passed out, often for days, after a particularly rough battle. Islanders healed quickly, much quicker than humans or Sea Folk. But they could only do so while at rest.
The more he fought it, the bigger the risk of permanent damage.
But there was no way Teaq would allow himself to fall asleep again without finding out what had happened. He had to know if Liliwen was safe.
Footsteps could be heard moving back and forth. His attendants had dispersed again.
Perhaps they had more soldiers to look after. More casualties of battle.
Teaq didn't know how long he lay there, with his eyes closed, listening to the sounds in the rooms or halls surrounding him. Where was he, anyway?
He had almost given up, when at last, he heard a commanding voice in the vicinity. "Where is my brother? Take me to him!"
Teaq forced his eyes open just in time to see the outline of Broc's person standing in front of him. At last, he would find out the truth.
Chapter Fifteen
The swim back to the Deep was long and arduous. Not because she was physically struggling, but rather, because she dreaded it. Liliwen was accompanied by a handful of guards from the palace, not the sort of people one could have a proper conversation with.
No, she was basically on her own with her thoughts.
When the palace came into view, her heart sank even lower. She'd expected to be executed by the Others, but she'd never planned for this. Death would have been simpler. Less messy.
Liliwen and the guards had barely made it inside the strong walls, when she was almost assaulted by Cara.
"I told you! I told you not to go. Not to do anything stupid. And you had to go off anyway! How dare you!"
Liliwen froze.
Cara had obviously been crying. And why wouldn't she be? Liliwen's recklessness had affected everyone back home, especially Cara, who had no doubt been caring for an injured Cadfael since his return from the duel.
"Sorry," Liliwen whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Cara pressed her lips together and looked at her for a moment. It was the most awkward of silences. Liliwen did not know what to do with herself.
The Soldier and the Siren: A Wolf Shifter Fantasy Romance (Shifters of Black Isle Book 2) Page 9