A tussle outside the door draws my attention, my stiff neck angling toward the sound of grunts and two thuds as if a couple of bodies have hit the floor. The familiar beeps of the panel go off before the automated door slides open. My eyes squint at the figures appearing in the light cast from the hallway.
As they come near, recognition lifts the weight of death from my chest. Pollo squats down next to me, putting a hand under my neck to raise me. Placing a canister to my lips, he gives me water, quenching my severe thirst. More Anaukin arms men enter the room, creating a protective barrier between the hallway and us.
“How?” I rasp.
“King Ryker. I’m sorry it took us so long, brother. We did not know you were alive until he contacted us. As soon as we knew, we started plans for your rescue.”
“Fiora?”
“King Ryker won’t be leaving here without her. He assured us. If he does not follow through on his plans, we have reinforcements on standby, ready to attack.”
“She’ll need to know I’ve been rescued. Belore is using me against her.”
“How so?”
“I love her, Pollo. I’ve always loved her.”
“And she loves you?”
“Yes.”
In the bit of light from the hallway, I can see his brows pinch inward, worry tightening his mouth, adding to the creases his many years of duty have created.
“That could cause problems during the negotiation.”
“Can you get word to her or Ryker?”
Shaking his head, he moves his body, putting one of my arms around his shoulder.
“Plans are already in place, brother.” He waves another arms man over to assist him. “We must wait now and hope our Queen succeeds.”
Both men carry me out the door. In the hallway, two Iowan soldiers lie still, blood seeping from the wounds on their throats and stomachs. As we walk down the hall, the Anaukin arms men circle around me, their laser guns raised and ready to shoot anything that moves. An automated door opens to a staff room. The dark-haired woman looks at us with wide eyes before quickly returning inside her room. There’s no movement the rest of the way down the hall, no voices or soldiers running toward us as we descend the stairs.
At the bottom of the steps, among several dead Iowan arms men, two petite females—one in a black dress, one in blue—huddle together, holding each other. As they hear us come down the steps, their eager eyes glisten, hope filling them as they stare at us. I recognize them, two of Belore’s mistresses. They stand as we near, still holding on to each other.
“Can we come with you?” The fearful voice of the shorter, brunette woman is pleading. “We hate it here, what he does to us. We hate him.” Her sad eyes look directly into mine. She’s the young woman Fiora spoke to, who brought us food.
“Let them come,” I tell Pollo.
With a skeptical gaze, he looks them up and down before looking to me.
“Are you sure we can trust them?”
“Yes. Queen Fiora trusted her.” I gesture toward the shorter female.
Another arms man gently takes her arm, moving them inside the inner circle.
“We can help you get out,” the taller blond woman tells us.
Pollo chuckles. “We’re walking out the front door, miss. Belore left only a few men to protect his palace. They’re all dead now.”
“They aren’t,” she warns us. “The front door is locked. We tried the panel. It didn’t work. Either someone secured it before you killed them, or there are still arms men in the palace and they’ve locked us in.”
“Control room?” I ask, grimacing through the pain. The scorching wound on my back reminds me it’s there with each breath I take.
“Already killed them,” Pollo assures me.
I clench my teeth as another wave of pain courses through my body. Pollo and Clarence hold my weight steady as I struggle to stay standing.
“I need a healing chamber…soon.”
“How can you help us get out?” Pollo asks, his tone urgent.
“Ariana, another one of Belore’s mistresses, is waiting by a secret exit. It took us a long time to do it, but we managed to get a passcode from an arms man. We were already planning our escape.”
I can only imagine what these women had to endure to acquire that code.
“Which way?” Pollo asks.
The taller woman points toward a hall. Pollo and I look at one another, knowing we’re taking a great risk trusting these women, but it’s the only choice we have.
CHAPTER SEVEN
FIORA
With my hand looped in Belore’s arm, he holds his hand over it, leading me into the building. Inside, it is decorated beautifully, it’s purpose clearly for grand events. Elegant flower arrangements are in tall vases along the walls, the ceiling covered with more flowering plants suspended from silver cords. It’s an extreme contrast from Belore’s cold, masculine palace.
Through another set of doors, we enter into a grand dining room with a long, white and glass dining table at the center. My breath catches at the site of Ryker standing between a dozen arms men, his black suit and serious expression striking to see even in this tense situation.
Eyes meeting mine, he stares at me. Head slightly tilted, his dark eyes share every emotion he can’t. As Belore brings me closer, Ryker studies every detail of my features, every movement of my face.
I love you. The silent words escape my lips without a single thought or regret.
Reading my lips, I watch his part, the lower one quivering the tiniest bit as if the same words are fighting to escape, and he’s struggling to keep them in.
Attention switching to Belore, his gaze and tight mouth become frighteningly stern.
“King Belore,” he greets.
Belore gestures to the table.
“Let’s sit and discuss what we need to.”
Belore escorts me to the end chair on one side of the table. Forcefully pushing on my shoulder, he ensures I sit. He takes the head seat at the table, while Ryker sits across from me. Several Iowan arms men come closer, keeping a watchful eye on me.
“I’m pleased with your choice to negotiate. I knew the video would be enlightening.”
“Video?” I ask, worry clenching my chest.
Everett steps forward, handing Ryker the same black handheld monitor I saw Belore give to him before he took me from Stalwargth. Ryker presses a button on it then slides it across the table at me. The image of Matheas making love to me comes into view. The shock is overwhelming, my jaw falling as I watch the scene before me.
Seeing the hurt in Ryker’s eyes is like the claws of a feral animal digging at my heart. Tears fall, and my eyes pinch close as I realize what Belore has done, that Ryker’s feelings for me might now be destroyed. How could I be so foolish? Belore’s been the puppet master all this time, and I’m the silly puppet, naïve to his manipulation.
“Is there anything you’d like to say, Fiora?” Belore’s mocking tone brings my attention to him. Gaze fierce, I take slow, calming breaths, my fists clenching in my lap. I want to scream, fight, tell Ryker the truth, ask his forgiveness, tell him I want to leave with him, that Belore is using Matheas as leverage, but how can I when Matheas will suffer for it?
Slow, quiet tears roll down my cheeks, my gaze switching between Belore and Ryker. Eyes settling on Ryker, I plead with him, hoping he can see what I’m feeling.
“I never intended to hurt you.”
His own eyes glisten, emotion filling them.
“I believe you.”
Belore’s attention whips to him. “She doesn’t love you. She’ll always choose Matheas,” he snaps.
“If you know this to be true, why do you want her?”
Belore laughs. “I don’t need her love as you do. I want her obedience.” Green eyes flicker to me, his nostrils flaring, his narrowed lids warning me. “Now, what is it you want to negotiate?” Returning his attention to Ryker, he awaits what he has to say.
Ryker leans bac
k in the chair, hands intertwined in front of him.
“You release Fiora, and we’ll split Anauka in half between us.”
Belore leans forward, his hands steepled, his index fingers tapping his thin mouth.
“No. Fiora stays, and we split Anauka in half between us. I’ll take the northern half that borders Iowan.”
My hand slams down on the table. “Neither of you have a right to make any negotiations on behalf of my territory. I’ll stay in Iowan, Anauka will go to King Ryker in its entirety.”
Surprise fills Ryker’s face.
Belore tsk-tsks, his expression smug. “You thought she’d return with you. How unfortunate. Do you see now, Ryker? She loves Matheas more and will always choose him over you. You should accept my counteroffer. She stays, we split Anauka.”
Ryker looks across the table at me, his brows and jaw tightening, the hurt in his eyes saddening.
“Is this true, Fiora? Are you choosing to remain here in Iowan of your own free will?”
Lifting the handheld monitor, tears pool in my eyes as the video replays Matheas and me. I press the button to turn it off and feel something on the back of it. My finger runs along the short, sharp blade. Bringing the monitor to my lap, I put two fingers on the dagger’s two-loop handle. Looking up at Ryker, I slowly smile.
“No. He’s manipulating both of us and using Matheas as leverage to force me to do what he wants. I want to leave with you, but I also want to protect Matheas.”
Belore’s chair flies backward as he rises, anger inflating his chest and broadening his shoulders.
“You rotten whore! Matheas will die for your betrayal.” Raising his soul band, he clicks a button. “Kill him.”
No one answers on the other end, and his eyes narrow in confusion.
“Now!” Ryker shouts.
The Free territory arms men raise their laser guns toward the Iowan soldiers as more arms men billow into the room, their maroon uniforms displaying the Rakia emblem. On either side, the Iowan soldiers are now surrounded and outnumbered.
Ryker stands from the table, his deadly gaze meeting Belore’s.
“You made your first mistake taking the woman I love from me.” Ryker walks around Belore, stalking him like a predator about to devour its prey. “You made your second mistake leaving your palace with limited arms men.” Gesturing his hand, the Freean and Rakian arms men move in on the Iowan soldiers, forcing them to drop their weapons. “You made your third mistake believing I’d come without reinforcements. But your biggest mistake was believing I would abandon Fiora.”
Coming to me, he puts out his hand for me to take it. Rising from the chair, I intertwine my fingers in his warm hand. Ryker brings me to his chest, wrapping his strong arms around me. I breathe in his rich woody scent, squeezing him as I lay my head against his chest.
“I’m aware she loves Matheas, but she also loves me, and I’ll do anything to protect her and the love we share.”
Releasing me, he takes several quick steps toward Belore. With unexpected speed, he punches Belore in the face. Belore’s hand goes to his bloody nose. A growl tears from his chest as he comes at Ryker. Ryker blocks his punch and slams another fist into Belore’s ribs.
“That’s for the marks on her face and neck.”
With Belore bent over, Ryker slams an elbow into Belore’s back, grabs his shoulders and puts a knee into his gut.
“You don’t take my fiancée hostage, strike her, torment her, and use her without paying for it.”
Belore stumbles backward, trying to avoid another hit from Ryker. Ryker’s arm rises, intent on another blow.
“Ryker,” I call to him, and he lowers his fist, glancing at me over his shoulder. Reluctantly, he takes a step back. As I come forward, he caresses along my back and gives me a nod of approval.
“I believe you and my fiancée have unfinished business.”
Without a word, I come forward and shove the dagger into Belore’s gut, blood coating my hand as the white of his eyes expand, his breath coming in gulps. Pulling it out, I stab again, no pity for the pain and fear I see in his cruel green eyes.
“You murdered my mother, tortured everyone I love.” I stab again, slamming him into the wall. “Had me whipped, violated my body, and never felt an ounce of remorse for any of it. You deserve what you’ve brought on yourself.” Coming in close, I whisper in his ear, “You should have known this day would come.” Twisting the blade, I hold his weak body against the wall. “I want you to leave this world knowing I’m going to take possession of your territory and give it the ruler it deserves.”
Pulling the blade out, I release him, and he collapses, his hands holding his gut as his last breath leaves his body.
Ryker places his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him. Putting his arms around me, he holds me against his chest as the tears fall and my emotions release. The dagger tings on the floor as I release it, wrapping my arms around him.
“Take photos of his body, then burn it. Send the photos to the Global Journal with a message that this is what will come of any ruler who has the intention of harming my Queen.”
“Consider it done, my King.” Everett and two other arms men approach Belore’s body and remove it. The Iowan arms men are ushered out, guns held at their heads.
Collecting my emotions, I wipe at my tears.
“We need to deal with His Majesty King Beckett and King Stuart.”
“We’ve captured them at King Beckett’s estate. They’ll both be beheaded for their treason.”
“Thank you for coming for me, for not giving up on me.”
Placing his hands on each side of my face, he looks me in the eyes, his filled with an emotion I’m thankful to see.
“I hated seeing that video, but I also understand what you were feeling at that moment. I assure you, seeing it hasn’t changed my love for you.”
Taking his hand in mine, I kiss his palm. His pupils dilate, his smile upturned.
“I love you, Fiora.” He rests his head against mine. “I’ve wanted you to know how I felt since the moment the words left your lips. All this time I’ve been planning your rescue, I’ve been mad with worry about what Belore could be doing to you, how he could be hurting you. My rage was uncontrollable at times. Beneath the rage, I also feared, once I got you back, you wouldn’t want me anymore.”
Touching his cheek, our eyes meet, his flickering with unease.
“Do you? Still want me?”
“Yes.”
Leaning down, he kisses me. With my arms around his neck, I give in to his kiss, having missed the rush I receive when his lips touch mine. Breathing in his scent, I feel the magnitude of our emotions, the passion we’re suppressing. Ryker scoops me up in his arms, kissing my forehead, his lips lingering.
“It’s time I take you home.”
“Not yet, I need to return to the palace. Matheas is being held captive there, and there’s a man named Richter and Belore’s mistresses I need to help.”
“All right, I’ll take you there, but after, you’re coming home with me.”
When I don’t argue, he kisses me, his happiness radiating off him. Carrying me out of the building, he keeps my body warm against the cold. My eyes are drawn to the Iowan arms men on their knees in the snow, twelve of them lined up in a row, the others being escorted to the same line-up.
“What do you intend to do with them?”
“I can’t trust men who were loyal to Belore. They’ll all be executed.”
“I don’t believe all were loyal to him. The man I want to find wasn’t loyal to Belore. He helped me. He’ll know who is and isn’t loyal. We can save innocent lives.”
Ryker turns in their direction.
“Hold your fire. Secure all of them and transport them to the palace.” His gaze sweeps the Iowan soldiers. “Luckily for you men, Queen Fiora wants to save some of you. Don’t disappoint her. Any of you attack one of our arms men, you’ll be killed on the spot. Understood?”
Many of them
nod and answer in unison. I catch the gaze of the pervert who assaulted me, his cruel stare centered on me and Ryker.
“Everett.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“These six,” I point to skinny pervert, the man who whipped me, and the other four who tortured Matheas and me. “Execute them.”
The wind up of laser guns is the response I receive. The blasts hit their backs, and the men fall forward into the snow, crimson red bleeding into the white powder.
“Did they hurt you?” Ryker asks.
“Yes.” Tears pool in my eyes as he tightens his hold, bringing me as close to his chest as he can.
“Never again, Fiora.” There’s a mixture of pain and guilt in his eyes, and in his voice, powerful conviction. “I promise you, I’ll never let another man hurt you.”
“I believe you.”
Kissing my forehead, he continues to the rover craft. Inside, he holds me on his lap, giving me repeated kisses as he strokes my hair and back. A few arms men join us, and the rover craft ascends into the air. I lie against his shoulder, finally feeling safe.
“Did Belore rap…” he struggles to say the words, choking on them, his eyes filling with moisture.
“No. He didn’t get the chance to. The first time he tried, he was drugged. I tried to strangle him and was caught. His soldiers whipped me for it.”
Anger twitches his jaw, and beneath me, his muscles tense. Stroking my back, he kisses my hair.
“And when he tried again?”
“You arrived in Iowan. The things he did and planned to do were horrible. I can’t even say them aloud.”
“You don’t have to, but if you ever want to, I will hold you in my arms and listen to every word. I’ll bear the burden with you.” Fingers lacing through my hair, he massages my head and neck as I rest in his arms.
“I’ve missed you.”
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