Felling Kingdoms (Book 5) (15 page)

Chapter 19

Gabriel laid alone on his side for what felt like hours. Afton had been working on loosening the muscles in his hip when a sudden blast of Shaun’s voice filled the air. It vibrated around them, and Afton lingered long enough to cover Gabriel before rushing out not to return.

He stared at the dying fire, feeling the heat of the room brush his neck, extending his awareness to any sound he could hear over the snapping flames. Panic quickly sank in. Shaun only commanded healers to the Council Hall, and Gabriel knew the man would not broadcast a message through the whole castle unless something truly terrible had happened. The suspense beat his heart rapidly, slowly driving him mad.

Relief washed over him when he heard the whisper of cloth moving on a walking body.

Shaun appeared in the door, and Gabriel had a moment of mental liberation. But it faded as soon as light caught Shaun’s clothes. Everything from the chest down was stained in blood. His knees and calves were soaked, his stomach smeared with hand prints, his lap splattered with dark droplets. Only his hands were clean, recently washed judging by the darkening on his sleeves.

Gabriel’s heart beat frantically as he waited for an explanation.

Shaun pulled up a chair beside Gabriel and bowed his head. Moments ticked by with increasing anxiety until Shaun took in a deep breath.

“T’ Council was attacked,” he said quietly. “We had a Gaelsin among our ranks who arrived a few days ago. Best we can reckon, he freed Pike and announced himself as Dorian Lark a moment before t’ey attacked. T’ two guards outside Pike’s cell were killed, as were t’ two outside t’ Council Hall.” He took in another breath, and Gabriel felt his chest tighten.

“Lewis, Penny and…and Aisling were killed,” he breathed and lowered his head further.

Gabriel’s disbelief pricked his eyes. Those were his friends; his loved ones. His mother.
‘Oh, stars. Dead? It cannot be.’

Shaun continued. “Everyone else took grievous wounds, and we do not know if Lael will live t’rough t’ night. We’re keepin’ him alive wit’ a heart-beat and a breath, but he lost most of his blood. If he lives, he won’t be able to use his left arm. Cordis’s neck was broke, and he can’t feel anyt’in’ below his collar. We…we don’t have t’ means to repair t’ nerves.”

Shaun raised his head and focused his rotating pattern on Gabriel’s face. Tears streamed over his nose and down his cheek, but his muscles were tight and demanding more.
‘What of the others?’
he willed himself to ask, but his body betrayed him.

“Adelaide was impaled but will live wit’ rest. She took t’ least of t’ wounds. Galloway’s bones from t’ hips down were pulverized, and Afton still works on him. It was extensive. Dagan…t’ey suffocated and broke horribly. His brain suffered from oxygen loss too long, and we…we do not t’ink he will wake, but t’ healers put him back toget’er.

“Markus’s chest was ripped open, and he had tremendous blood loss even before I could get to him. He remains unconscious, but t’ey t’ink he will live if he makes it t’rough t’ night. Mikelle…t’ose ruddy blighters. T’ey gutted her, cut her right down to her spine.”

Gabriel’s emotion overtook his control, and Shaun grabbed his hand to hold; both with desperation and courage Gabriel understood all too well. He never felt so useless.

“Afton worked on her first, and she has not woken, but Afton t’inks she will. But…she may not walk again.”

Tears fell with abandon down Gabriel’s face, and finally Shaun joined him though maintained his grief much better. Shaun took several minutes to compose himself as Gabriel let grief and guilt sink into him, not sure if he could take much more.

“T’ey took Challis.”

The final blow hit hard, stopping Gabriel’s tears for a moment of shock. His mind, the only part of him unbroken, raced as he put the events and their implications together. He knew what they planned now.

Systematic destruction of the kingdoms.

First they felled Jaden with a Castrofax and obliteration of the leaders. Next, Cinibar. Perhaps the problems with Robyn were directly related to their plans for Anatoly, and with Virgil in the mix, Arconia was in danger. Parion and Aidenmar were small kingdoms, so there was a chance they could avoid scathing, but at this rate no one was safe.

And Gabriel could do nothing. Burning tears flowed freely.

Shaun bowed his head in respect and let Gabriel weep, doing his very best to keep from joining him.

“I won’t let t’is castle fall,” Shaun finally whispered. “I’ve assumed control in t’ absence of leadership, and I will not rest if duty requires it of me.” He tightened his grip on Gabriel’s hand. “You saved my people. I will save ours.”

Gabriel did his best to convey gratitude and tightened his three-digit grasp on Shaun’s hand.

“I hate to bring t’is news to you, mate. I wish I had some good news in all t’is, but at least some of t’ Council will live.” He set Gabriel’s arm down beside him. “I cannot stay, but I could not keep you in suspense longer. Please forgive me for bringin’ t’is and leavin’ so soon. Would you like me to find someone to sit wit’ you?”

Gabriel closed his eyes.

“I am goin’ to announce to t’ castle what happened to prevent rumors. If t’ castle holds tonight, it will stand forever. I will be back as soon as I can.”

Shaun stood, a grim silhouette against an orange background. The lines of his body were tight and straight with the weight of leadership. Gabriel saw his own body reflected in Shaun’s. All the hope of Jaden rode on the Gaelsin’s shoulders as they once weighed Gabriel. He hoped with every dead fiber Shaun could hold the kingdom together through this tragedy.

Shaun slipped out, leaving Gabriel to his grief. Alone, Gabriel could finally let his emotions free, but the tears faded, replaced with anger and hopelessness. He wished he had the strength to handle one blow after another, but he knew it was only a matter of time before he took the last lash. After that, no amount of healing or time would renew him.

Mikelle’s eyes flew open, and she gasped. Her hands flew to her abdomen.

“Easy, easy, Councilwoman,” someone said, but she ignored the voice as she ran her hands over her stomach trying to hold her guts in.

A kindly older woman appeared in her vision and put a hand on her shoulder. “You have been mended. You will be fine.”

Mikelle loosened her tension and sank back into the sheets. “Water,” she choked. The woman filled a mug and held the back of her head as Mikelle sipped. “Shaun.”

“Mage Shaun is elsewhere, but he stayed with you for the few hours of sleep he managed last night.”

“Summon him.”

The woman stood with a respectful nod and swept out, leaving Mikelle to listen to the sounds of the infirmary. It was quiet but hummed with the whispers of many people, far too many than usual. Yellow-manteled Mages passed by the open door to her small room without paying attention to her, focused on their own tasks.

Mikelle sat up slowly, feeling the blood drain from her head. Her mind spun, and she drank more water. She moved to swing her legs over the bed, but they would not respond. Frowning, she threw back the covers to see if anything was amiss and tried again.

Panic seized her.

She screamed.

Her room instantly filled with three people all trying to console and calm while attempting to discover the source of her panic. She gripped two handfuls of whomever she could grab and pulled herself up, but the man came down to her level.

“I can’t feel my legs—oh, stars—I can’t feel my legs!” she screamed. “Bring me Afton!”

“Afton was the one who mended you.” The man took her shoulders in his hands, but she flung him off.

“Bring her to me!”

“Councilwoman,” the man said calmly, but suddenly the doorway darkened with Shaun’s frame. He cut through the healers and fell to a knee, wrapping her up tightly. She buried her face in his shoulder and burst into sobs. The healers stepped out respectfully.

“I can’t feel my legs,” she wept, and his grip tightened.

“I know,” he whispered. “Afton did everyt’in’ she could, but she cannot mend nerves.”

“Can anyone? There are Gaelsins we have not tested. There could be someone in the castle.”

“Of course,” he murmured encouragingly, but she heard the break in his voice.

She released her grip and looked at his face. His blind eyes always seemed to focus right on hers, but today they lined with exhaustion, and his hair fell unbrushed around his forehead. “What happened?” she breathed.

“T’ Arch Mages attacked you.”

“After that?”

He adjusted his grip on her, slipping a hand under her knees, and lifting her into his chest. She was no petite thing, but Shaun was much stronger than his slight figure revealed. Carrying her out into the hall, he took her to a doorway where Markus laid pale and unmoving in a bed.

“Chest wound, he will wake.”

He took her further down the hall to a room holding Galloway. His legs braced in wooden splints as two healers carefully laid healing patterns into him. “He will wake, but he will not walk.”

His voice was tight, his grip on her desperate, and took her to Adelaide’s room. The young woman was asleep, guarded by a woman reading a book by candlelight. “Impaled, she will wake.” The room beside her held Dagan, his beautiful blond hair brushed in a halo around him. A slender woman wept by his side. Mikelle recognized her from the back as Lailee, his wife. “Crushed, suffocated. If he wakes, he will not be t’ same man. His brain took t’ brunt of t’ damage.”

His voice became harder as he went down the hall and came to Lael’s room. A healer sat by his side, laying white patterns into his shoulder while another two Mages held patterns above him. “Almost lost t’ shoulder and he may still lose his life. He lost too much blood, if he wakes he may be as bad as Dagan.”

Turning, he gestured to a closed door with his head. “Cordis broke his neck. He is unresponsive from the collar down.”

Tears flowed freely down Mikelle’s cheeks, but when Shaun turned back to her room, she tightened her grip on his neck. “What of the others?”

He said nothing and returned her to her bed, closing the door behind him. “Challis was taken.” He propped pillows up behind her and sat beside her solemnly. “We lost Penny, Lewis and Aisling.”

“What?” Mikelle breathed, tears burring her eyes. “They’re dead?”

He nodded.

“Challis was taken? What—what do we do?”

“We are gathering a team to bring her back but not until Afton is rested. She’s been runnin’ t’rough t’is place all night, and we need her to search Challis. I will go wit’ t’em and bring her back.”

“No, no I need you here.” Mikelle gripped his shirt tightly. He took up her hand.

“T’ere is not one Council Member left to rule t’is place. I can only do so much.”

“You?”

“I’ve stepped up.”

She squeezed his hand with a grateful smile. “If they took Challis, Cinibar is in jeopardy. You cannot go because you will need an army.”

“We will see,” he replied quietly and kissed her knuckles. “You need your rest.”

“Take me to Gabriel.”

“He doesn’t need to see you like t’is. I wasn’t goin’ to tell him.”

She gave him a stern look. “Take me.”

“On t’is, trust me. He cannot handle more grief now. Let him come to terms and see what tomorrow holds.”

She finally nodded.

“Can I have t’ hinge ring? I need to talk with Queen Robyn about Aisling.” Mikelle slipped it off. He leaned in to kiss her. “I wish I could stay.”

“Go,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “You can do no more in here.”

“Once t’ healer releases you, I’ll see you back to your room. Please do not despair, wee one. I will love you regardless.” He stood and swept out leaving her speechless.

‘He never said he loved me before.’

Chapter 20

Robyn called for entrance. She looked up from her lunch as the handsome blond Gaelsin Shaun entered. He looked different, his shoulders tighter, his spine more ridged.

“Your Grace,” he said politely. “May we speak in private?”

How he was able to tell she was not alone baffled her as much as his ability to walk around furniture without a single bump.

She looked to Virgil, ever vigilant by her side swirling his wine.
‘Go away.’
“Darling, would you give us some privacy?”

He looked between the two of them. “Of course.” Standing, he paid her a nod and gave Shaun one of his own, and he slipped into her bedchamber. No doubt to listen in or watch through the peephole.

“Come join me, Mage Shaun. Will you take some wine?” Robyn asked.

“No, Your Grace, t’ank you,” he replied and skirted the field of furniture, pulling a chair up across from her. His fingers flicked on his spare hand. He lowered his head and interlaced them.

‘Oh stars, Gabriel?’

“Your Grace, it gives me great pain to brin’ you t’is news. But t’ Council was attacked yesterday in Jaden. Lady Aisling was killed.”

Robyn sat there in shock, expecting news of Gabriel. It took several moments to find her tongue. “What?”

“Her heart severed in two. She died almost instantly.”

“You cannot be serious.” Tension rose in her voice as tears came to her eyes. “Why did Cordis not bring me this news?”

“T’
Council
was attacked. Cordis has suffered a broken neck.”

“Mikelle?”

“Paralyzed the waist down.”

“Oh stars.” She fell forward onto a palm. “Who else? Who else did you lose?”

“Lewis and Penny.”

She covered her trembling lips, wishing she could show the gamut of emotions racing through her.

“We may lose Lael and Dagan.”

“Oh, Shaun. I do not know what to say.” They sat in silence as she worked her brain around Aisling’s death. Death was an old friend to her, but each person taken from her cut just as deeply. Aisling was her one hope against Virgil.

“Your Grace, I have raised a sound-shield to hide our conversation. Are you aware your companion is listenin’ in?”

She made no reply.

“Is everythin’ well between you two?”

“Of course, why would you think otherwise?” She dried her tears on a napkin and stuffed the emotions down where they would not release.

“Your heart is beatin’ very fast, and your breathin’ increased, so I know you’re lyin’.”

“Do not be paranoid.”

“Your Grace, we all know somet’in’ is very wrong here, and I give you my solemn vow: I will handle t’is as soon as I settle Jaden.” He fell silent, staring at her. “Gabriel is not doin’ well wit’out you.”

She yearned with every fiber to ask about him, but her shoulder shrugged reflexively.

“He lives,” she fished.

“For a week more, maybe two.”

Color drain from her lips, but they quirked dismissively. “That is something.”

He frowned, mulling over something until he finally leaned back. “I will return to help you as soon as I am able.”

“Why, Shaun, I do not need help.”

“Gabriel would want me to, regardless.”

He stood and flicked his hands. Robyn noticed sounds of the palace returned to her suddenly. “Your companion also went t’rough your clothes. Good day, Your Grace.” He gave a proper bow and swept through the room without touching a single piece of furniture.

Virgil instantly entered. “What was that about? Why are you crying?”

“Aisling has been killed,” she whispered, tears springing afresh.

Virgil looked relieved.

“I am sorry for your loss,” he replied after a moment. “Dry your eyes. We can run this kingdom without her.” Tears were the one thing he had no control over, and it became obvious she was not going to stop. He gently embraced her and let her cry onto his shoulder as he rubbed her back.

Aisling ran the palace. Robyn was just beginning to understand how it was done, and now her teacher was gone. Aisling would leave a spot no one could fill, not after nearly twenty five years as Advisor. And Gabriel—oh, Gabriel. She could lose her Advisor and her love in one week.

“Do not weep,” he said gently. “With Aisling out of the way, we can get married tomorrow morning.”

“T’ castle stands,” Shaun said as he walked into Gabriel’s bedchamber. The Head Mage lay on his back covered to his chest. His head was propped up with pillows. Afton must have stopped in that morning to adjust him. Coal splayed out between his legs twitching in his dreams.

“I expected people to flee or riot, but your Mages are good people. After a wee bit of panic, t’ey banded toget’er and are just as riled up as I am.” Shaun took a seat beside the bed. “T’ Arch Mages failed to break Jaden.”

He felt the muscles around Gabriel’s eyes tighten to a smile and his breath flutter in his chest emotionally before smoothing back out.

“Mikelle is awake, as is Adelaide. I t’ink both should be well enough to return to t’eir rooms tonight. T’ rest are unresponsive, but Afton is keeping Galloway asleep until she can be sure everyt’in’ is attached properly. I wish I had better news.”

He leaned over to scratch the cat’s belly and narrowly escaped a punctured hand.

“Will you have a drink with me? I could use somet’in’ stiff.”

Gabriel blinked, so Shaun jumped up and retrieved a bottle from the hidden cabinet. He sniffed it to catch hints of citrus and butter. “I don’t know what t’is is, but it smells lethal.” He poured a small cup and perched it on Gabriel’s lips, tipping it back.
‘I’ll get you to stay alive if it kills me, mate,’
he thought deviously.

He refilled the cup and took his own swig, shivering. “T’at’s bloody good.” He took another shot and gave Gabriel one more, sealing his lips closed again.

“You’re gettin’ skinny, mate. Much more, and you’ll match me.” Shaun usually ignored the air between people’s clothes for fear of feeling more than he wanted, but he extended his awareness to the air between the sheets, feeling the lack of fleshy give Gabriel’s body pressed against the mattress. The man was wasting away. Yet, Afton’s constant renewal of his muscles left him even more muscular than before.

“I visited Robyn today. She knows somet’in’ is wrong but is prevented from speakin’ of it. Can…can a body copy be made? She looks herself, but she does not act it. I will have to ask Afton if Void allows for duplication of a person.” He turned Gabriel’s head to face him as he regained his seat. “I expected her to be more emotional over our tragedy, but she was subdued. Is t’at normal?”

Gabriel closed his eyes.

“I’ve known enough women to know t’ey are never so cold. Not
known
, mind you, not in
t’at
sense. Ah, I say too much.”

Gabriel smiled with his eyes.

“I will get to t’ Robyn’s issue as soon as I can. I promise. I won’t let t’at edjit get her. He was tryin’ to listen to our conversation t’ whole time, t’en went riflin’ t’rough her clothes. I don’t like him.”

Gabriel blinked in agreement.

Shaun did not know how to tell him the truth. He had listened to the conversation as he left the Queen’s chambers. He knew Virgil planned for them we to wed the following day, but he lacked the heart to deliver that blow just yet.

“More of t’is?” he asked and shook the bottle.
No.
“Water?”
No.
“Anyt’in’ else?”
No.
“Very well, mate. I’ll be back in t’ mornin’ when I can.” He stood and turned Gabriel’s head back to stare at the canopy. “Don’t go anywhere until t’en.”

Gabriel smiled with his eyes.

Shaun patted his shoulder and returned the bottle to its hidden cabinet. He made his way to the infirmary. Many people stopped him along the way with questions, but he knew they were looking for comfort and assurances more than anything else. He gripped forearms, patted backs, and held hands, knowing physical contact was the easiest way to make someone trust him. There was power in physical touch.

The infirmary had quieted down from the day before. The Council, while still requiring attention, did not need four healers apiece, and the Mages now worked in quarter-day shifts. Shaun received a full report from a solemn man who walked beside him as he went to Mikelle’s room.

“Lael’s heart started beating, but he still requires breath. We want to keep Cordis for more for observation, but there is nothing more we can do for him. His neck is severed, and he is not taking the grief of Aisling’s death well. Adelaide has already returned to her rooms. Afton woke Galloway. He can actually feel his legs but is unable to move just yet and is still in terrible pain. Markus and Dagan remain unconscious.”

“Is Mikelle able to return to her rooms?”

“She is.”

Shaun gripped the man’s shoulder. “Cheers, mate, I’ll take it from here.”

They had moved Mikelle to a bright room with windows. She casted her gaze outside longingly. His heart ached for her and felt guilty walking in on two perfect legs.

“Ready to go, my darlin’?” he asked quietly as he stepped up.

She gave a halfhearted smile. “I am.”

He bundled her up in the blanket and scooped her into his arms. She was so much tinier than she looked, especially in her sullen manner. She held his neck tightly, leaning her head against his. They had dressed her in a simple gray gown synched at the waist that was anything but flattering, but he loved her in or out of it.

He carried her out of the infirmary and into the Lodge. Mikelle hid her face in his neck as they passed people even though some paused to pay her respects. The truth of the damage done slowly spread throughout the castle, and if they did not know she was unable to walk, they would now.

He kicked open the door to their rooms and pushed it closed, thankful for the thick walls to drown out the castle’s noises.

“Will you set me in the bath?” she asked.

He took her to the washroom and sat her down, drawing the taps and helping her strip.

“What will it be tonight?” He cracked open ceramic jars and sniffing them. “Orange? Peppermint? Stars—what is t’is?”

“Bergamot.”

“Aren’t you supposed to drink t’at? Apple? No, we’re goin’ wit’ orange.” He took a handful of salts and sprinkled it in the bath as it filled with water. He noticed the awkward way Mikelle sat up and felt helpless.

He knelt beside the bath and stretched both arms over, running one hand down her back. Her back was perfectly aligned, even more so after Afton adjusted it. “Where does feelin’ stop?”

He slowly slipped his fingers down her spine until he almost reached her pelvis. She whispered, “there,” and stared at her legs with a clenched jaw and tight eyes.

“My darlin’,” he whispered and brought her head closer to his, putting a kiss on her temple. “Do not worry, I will take care of you.”

She nodded, fighting the tears. “Just let me be.”

He stood and brushed his fingers down her cheek, leaving her to her tangled emotions.