Lost Princess (22 page)

The man rubbed his wrist, which seemed intact despite the teeth marks.

“Jimmy. Do what she says.”

She offered Noah a silent thank you, then continued pulling levers, straining the muscles in her back. Jackson had made this look so easy. Jackson. She choked back the fear. No time.

She and Jimmy worked together to free the remaining men.

Noah ran to her side. “Explain what’s going on. Quickly.”

“Come. I’ll tell you while we run. There’s a tunnel. Once this door falls shut, it’ll be pitch black. You simply go straight through the tunnel and up the stairs, then I’ll open the door at the top and we’ll be outside. There’s a small chamber containing weapons. Each of you take what you want.”

Ryleigh unlocked the door.

Jimmy held it open. “Go. I’ll hold it open so you have some light.”

“Come on, boy.” Ryleigh jogged, her lungs screaming for fresh air, her mind begging to be out from beneath the ground before darkness descended.

Max trotted beside her.

“What do you want from us?” The other older man looked over his shoulder at the men following. He was clearly in charge.

“I want nothing. If you’d like to pledge your loyalty to Cymmera, I’d be happy to have you as soldiers. If not, you’re free to go.” She started up the stairs.

“What’s the catch?”

She spared him a scathing glance he couldn’t possibly see in the dark. “There’s no catch. There’s no way for you to leave Cymmera. You are welcome to stay. Or try to go. Whatever you want to do, but I couldn’t leave you caged down here for the savages.” She stopped at the door, unlocked it, and pushed it open.

Chaos assailed her.

Dragons littered the sky. Bulky, two headed dragons, fire pouring from their snouts, savages straddling their backs.

“What the…” Noah’s breath fell hot against the back of her neck.

People running, screams, and victory calls assailed her.

She slid around the corner of the wall, opened the chamber containing the weapons, and stuck the key in her pocket. It clinked against something hard. The Divination Stone. She’d never returned it to its base. She couldn’t seem to do anything right. All right. She had to return to the castle anyway. She’d simply stop at her room and return the stone before seeking out Mia and figuring out what to do next. If she could even make it that far.

“Take what you want. I have to go.”

Noah reached for her.

She sidestepped his touch. “Take care of yourselves.” She held his gaze a moment longer then darted from the cover of the building and across the open field with Max at her flank.

The battle raged around her.

Noah and the other men kept close to the wall, moving quickly away from the worst of the fighting. Well, she’d done what she could. Hopefully, they’d make it to safety.

She ran for the closest door, gripped the handle, and pulled. Locked. Of course, it was. The castle was under attack. She had to get to Mia. Staying close to the wall, as she’d seen the soldiers do, she ducked and hurried toward the stables. If she couldn’t get into the castle, maybe she could make it to the stable. If there was a dragon in there, maybe she could get up to one of the towers and get in that way. Jackson always kept his wall of windows unlocked in case Nika and Nahara wanted to get out.

She crept to the end of the wall and peeked around the corner into hell. Bodies littered the ground, both savages and Cymmerans. Maybe they could be saved. Dakota had seemed dead, but she’d saved him.

Max nudged his head beneath her hand, offering strength and comfort.

She might be able to save a few, or even one. If the fighting ever ended. Savages and Cymmeran soldiers locked in battle. At least, she thought they might be soldiers. Many of them wore civilian clothing, and some were women.

Flames tore through the field, scorching everything in sight. Thankfully, there was no underbrush to catch or the whole castle would have gone up. Oh no. The Tree of Hope. She spun around and tried to figure where it would be in relation to where she stood. No use. The enormity of the battle raging before her overwhelmed her senses, threatened to crush her. How long could she cower against the wall and procrastinate?

A few feet away, a savage swung a huge, double-sided axe, knocking the sword from a woman’s hand.

The woman dove for it, but she was too slow.

The savage brought his heavy boot down on her hand and lifted the axe over his head.

Well, that answers that. Ryleigh yanked the sword from her scabbard as she ran, swung it back just before she reached him, and brought it down, tearing through the savage’s wrist.

The screech of pain pierced her brain as the axe fell behind him.

The woman rolled away and grabbed her sword.

Ryleigh gripped her beneath the arm and hauled her to her feet. “Go.”

A second savage attacked.

Max launched himself at the creature, tearing into his throat.

The woman fled toward the castle.

Ryleigh ran the opposite direction toward the stable, sword in hand.

A savage sprinted toward her, sword raised.

She stopped, braced herself for battle as Jackson had taught her.

The creature swung.

She lifted her sword to block. The clash sent a reverberation all the way through her arms and into her shoulders. The tingle in her fingers almost made her lose her grip on the heavy weapon.

He swung again.

No way could she block in time. She tried to evade, spun to the side.

The crash of metal on metal brought her up short.

Noah blocked again, then ran his sword through the creature’s gut. He grabbed her arm and shoved her to the center of the small group of men who’d fled with him only moments ago. “Which way?”

“There.” She gestured toward the stable across the courtyard.

“Stay in the center. Go.” They moved forward, fighting their way toward the stable.

Sleek black dragons filled the sky, sliding between the bulky, two-headed, savage dragons. They held no riders. The Death Dealers had obviously not made it this far yet. At least, that’s what she hoped. Yet the dragons still fought, spraying the ground with flames. Loyal to their kingdom, defending their territory.

Ophidian circled the tower that housed Jackson’s chambers, weaving back and forth between the spires. Searching?

Noah and his friends cleared a path to the stable, ten feet to go.

Where’s Max?

She searched the field as she ran. She had to find him. Where could he be? He was right beside her the—

Mia screamed as two men dragged her across the field.

“No.” Ryleigh charged back the way they’d come, wrestled her way between Noah and his men. “Mia. Fight.”

A savage stepped in front of Ryleigh, blocking her path.

She ran her sword through him as she passed.

The two men struggled to hold onto Mia.

Traitors.

Mia fought desperately, clawing, kicking, punching…

Ryleigh’s vision tunneled. The bedlam surrounding her receded.

Mia’s gaze caught hers. “Ryleigh.”

“Hold on, Mia.”

The ache in her legs propelled her faster. Her burning lungs pushed her harder.

A portal opened.

No. No. No. She reached for strength, urged herself to move faster.

The closing portal cut off Mia’s scream.

Ryleigh flung herself forward, but only landed sprawled on the ground. “Nooo.”

“Run.”

“Ryleigh. Run.”

“Nooo. Mia.”

Noah grabbed Ryleigh around the waist and propelled her forward. “Let’s go. Now. Pull yourself together, or you’ll be no help to her.” He shoved her through the small gap where Elijah held the stable door open.

The others followed. As they pulled the door closed, the hinges screeched. At Elijah’s orders, they dropped the heavy barricade into place, effectively closing out any intruders.

“Come, quickly.” Elijah started toward the dragon pens, then turned back to them. “You must hurry.” He jogged down the central corridor.

“Ryleigh?” Noah moved away from the huddled men. Moved tentatively toward her. “What do you want to do?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but her jaw trembled, her teeth chattered. She clenched them together, took a deep breath, and tried again. “I’m going after Mia.” She strode down the corridor toward the pens.

Noah and his men followed.

Elijah waited.

Ignoring him, she lifted the horn he’d used to call Kalayah the first time, praying the dragon had escaped Argonas, praying she’d come. She pressed the horn to her lips and blew. It sounded different. Had she done it wrong? She tried again. A beautiful note, but not the note Elijah had used. She slammed the horn to the ground. Could she do nothing right?

Pounding sounded against the door.

Ryleigh ignored it. She weaved her hands into her hair and squeezed. Tears poured down her face. Her eyes fell closed. How could Mia be gone? How could they have gotten to her? She should have been safe inside the castle. But it was men who’d taken her, not savages. Probably Cymmeran men.

When she regained control and lifted her gaze, Elijah was gone.

Noah stood facing her, his men in a line behind him. “Tell us what to do, Ryleigh?”

Confusion warred with impatience. “What are you talking about?”

Noah frowned and glanced over his shoulder.

The older man, whose name she didn’t know, nodded.

When Noah turned back to her, his expression had hardened. He gripped both of her hands in his. “We are willing to pledge allegiance to Cymmera. Or do whatever else it takes.”

A tear trickled down her cheek.

Noah reached a finger up and caught it. “We’ll help you find her, Ryleigh. We’ll get her back. I promise.”

“Thank you. All of you.” She hoped they heard the shaky whisper, because it was all she could force through her strained throat.

Elijah returned with Caleb and Darius, who stood at attention on either side of him. Together, the three of them dropped to their knees and bowed.

Noah and his men did the same.

Elijah stood, and the others followed. “What are your orders, My Queen?”

Ryleigh rubbed her eyes and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We have to find Mia and Jackson.” She searched Elijah’s gaze, stared deep into his eyes. Could she trust him? And what about Caleb and Darius?

Kalayah descended through the opening in the ceiling and landed in the pen. She lowered her head, and Ryleigh threw her arms around her. “You’re okay.”

Kalayah lifted her head, and Ryleigh stepped back. The dragon looked perfect, as gorgeous as ever.

A shadow flickered over her as another dragon set down. A white dragon with pale blue wings.

Ryleigh stared as dragons slid through the opening and lined the pens. Ten white dragons, with pastel colorings along their wings and backs, in addition to Kalayah.

Her gaze shot to Elijah. “I don’t understand.”

Pride filled his eyes. “You’ve called the Queen’s army.”

“What are you talking about?”

Caleb stepped forward. “Please, let us explain our plan, Your Majesty. Darius will lead the Death Dealer team into Argonas. Chayce will expect that.” He shifted his considerable bulk and rolled his shoulders. “I will lead the Cymmeran Guard—what’s left of them now that I’ve weeded through the traitors, anyway.” He clenched his fists, his knuckles raw and torn. “Chayce may or may not expect that. That little bastard might just be arrogant enough to think they were all loyal to him.”

Darius took over. “We’re almost positive we know where they’ll take Mia. Finding her shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Getting her back may be a little tricky.” Darius nodded to Elijah.

Elijah continued. “That’s where you come in. While the Death Dealers and the Cymmeran Guard cause a distraction, your army will slip in and retrieve the princess.” The seer held Ryleigh’s gaze. “Chayce has dismissed you as weak and ineffective. He will never in a million years expect an attack from the Queen’s Army. Won’t even believe you were able to summon them. Only the queen can summon her army, and she must do it alone.”

Ryleigh stilled. She pinned Elijah with a stare. Oh no. Her mouth went completely dry, and she licked her lips, desperate for relief. “That’s it, isn’t it?” Tremors shook her. She couldn’t utter the words, and yet, she had to know. “Was this your vision, Elijah?”

He bowed his head once in acknowledgement.

Her world spiraled out of control. She hadn’t trusted Elijah. Had made him feel so bad. Hurt him. She’d given Jackson such a hard time, argued with him, threatened to leave, begged him not to retrieve these men. The Queen’s Army. Her army. Her sister’s saviors? Eight men were taken from their world to try and save Mia. How could she be sorry for that? And yet, what about their families and their lives? Her knees buckled, the weight of responsibility driving her to her knees, the burden too much to bear.

“Come. We’ll get you what you need.” Darius led the men away.

This wouldn’t do. Pushing herself back up took all of her might. They’d worked out a plan to go after Mia, but Jackson still had to be found. She would see to it they were both found alive.

“You okay?” Noah held out a hand.

She took it and stood facing him. “I’m fine. Thank you.” She dropped her gaze, couldn’t stare into those eyes knowing his life was forever changed. “I’m sorry, Noah. For all of this.”

“It is what it is, Ryleigh.” He put a finger beneath her chin and tipped her head up until her gaze met his. “It’s not your fault. You are as much a victim here as we are.”

She shrugged and tried to look down, but he wouldn’t release his hold.

“It’s obviously what’s meant to be. We’re here now. That can’t change. We can only choose to do what we feel is right.” He leaned closer, eased her toward him.

She jumped back. “Noah.”

His laughter eased her fears. “It’s all right, Ryleigh. I understand.” He slid his fingers up her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear, then gave a little tug. “Come on, now. Don’t send me off into battle without a smile at least.”

“Send?”

“Noah.” Elijah strode toward them, his hands full. “Here.” He handed Noah a breastplate and boots. “We must hurry.”