Lost Princess (27 page)

The stench of evil enveloped her. The same as it’d been in the tower. Oh, Mia. I’m so sorry I got you into this.

Her men fanned out, taking up positions throughout the corridor. Ready for an attack. An ambush that could come at any second from any direction.

She lacked the strength and courage necessary to lead these men.

They were strong and brave.

She was vomiting in a bush because she killed a man who’d given her no choice. Her stomach turned over again, and she quickly dismissed the thought.

Jackson silhouetted in the stone with is arm around some other woman brought another wave of nausea. Pressing a hand against her roiling stomach, she shied away from any thoughts of Jackson with someone else. Definitely better not to think about that.

Images of what might have happened to Mia brought bile straight up her throat and into the back of her mouth. She gagged and swallowed hard.

Procrastinating served no purpose. Unless she wanted to be sick again. If she wanted to walk in and hurl at Chayce’s feet, she was on the right track.

Time to move.

She glanced at Dakota, waiting patiently at her side, and nodded.

Reaching for her sword, she started forward. Then paused. She wiped her hands, unsheathed her sword, and straightened her back. Now she was ready.

Two of the men reached for the heavy iron rings on the doors.

She held up a hand to stop them. Better to have Chayce think she and Dakota had come alone. If he was in there.

She gripped one of the rings and pulled. The door eased smoothly open.

Laughter greeted her.

“Oh, Ryleigh. So predictable.” Chayce’s words barely registered, as her gaze shot to the throne beside him.

Mia sat, stone still, hands folded in her lap, expressionless.

Ryleigh struggled to hide her fear but couldn’t fully contain the trembling in her voice. “Mia. Are you all right?” She started toward her.

Dakota reached out an arm to block her way.

She glared at him, but he never moved his gaze from Chayce. No. Not Chayce. The gaunt man at his side. She hadn’t even noticed him when they’d entered. Thaddeus. A chill rushed up her spine. The seer gave her the creeps.

She ignored them both. “Are you all right, Mia?”

Mia nodded once, the bruises and welts covering her face revealing the lie. Her hair tumbled into her face and covered a black eye, but she made no move to push it away. Tremors rocked her. A long flowing gown covered the rest of her body, its long sleeves hiding her arms and wrists. There was no way to tell how severely injured she was.

Mia’s gaze shifted from Ryleigh to Dakota. Her mouth quivered once, then firmed into a tight line. Tears shimmered and clung to her lashes but didn’t fall. Her expression remained neutral, her posture stiff.

Ryleigh shifted her attention to Chayce. “What do you want, Chayce?”

“Excuse me?” His expression hardened, and all signs of amusement fled.

“I said, what do you want? You allowed us to get this far, you obviously want something.”

Chayce stood and pinned her with a look of pure hatred. “That’s not what I meant. I meant, what did you call me?”

She frowned. Had she called him something? She couldn’t remember, but a few choice names ran through her mind.

“Answer me, woman.” He strode toward her, Thaddeus keeping pace at his side.

Ryleigh shifted her weight, angling more toward Chayce and Thaddeus. Bracing for the oncoming attack. “I don’t remember calling you anything, Chayce.”

“What did I tell you last time we met, my dear?” He stopped, Thaddeus sticking to his hip like glue. “You know what? I’m going to forgive your lapse. Once. Since you’re clearly under an exorbitant amount of stress.” He smiled, the maniacal grin lighting his eyes with something euphoric. And evil. “From now on, my dear queen, you will address me as Your Majesty. Is that clear?”

“What do you want from me?”

Chayce took his time returning to the throne. He settled himself comfortably, sat back, rested his elbows on the molded armrests. Arrogance oozed from him as he crossed an ankle over his knee and steepled his fingers in front of him.

Ryleigh tried to shake off the anger. It would only cause her to make mistakes. She had to think clearly. Block her feelings. Bury her emotions. But she was going to wipe that smirk off his face first chance she got.

Trusting Dakota to cover her, she shifted her gaze from Chayce. Had to, if she was going to gain control.

Two enormous golden lions stood sentinel on either side of the thrones. Gold teeth bared. Ruby red eyes staring back at her. Spiked leather collars ringing their necks. Creepy. And gaudy.

“I want to offer you a choice.” Chayce grinned. “Are you willing to make a trade?”

She bit back a smart retort. “What do you want?”

“I want you in exchange for Mia, of course.” He gestured toward the younger girl. “She’s no queen, Ryleigh. But you…” He took his time as his gaze raked up and down over her. Lingered.

Her skin crawled.

“You, my dear, are a queen. Do you have the courage to trade your life for your sister’s?”

“Forget it.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “I’m taking Mia and leaving.”

He laughed, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You think so?” He slid his gaze to Dakota. “How about you, Dakota? I bet you’re willing to make a trade. What if I offer you a deal? All you have to do is walk out of here with your girlfriend. That’s it. Just take her hand and walk away.”

Ryleigh’s gaze shot to Dakota. Say yes, Dakota. Agree to it, and get Mia out of here. Please. Please. Please.

Anger colored his face. He planted his feet wide, hand resting on his sword. “Not a chance. We’re all walking out of here.”

“Oh, please.” Chayce waved a dismissive hand and returned his attention to Ryleigh. “You’ve come here with a little boy at your side and expect to walk out of here with my substitute queen? I don’t think so, Ryleigh. Unless, of course, you’d like to take her place.”

His laughter was beginning to annoy her, and his condescending attitude was scraping her last nerve raw.

“You know what? I think maybe I’ll keep this one after all.” He ran a finger down Mia’s arm from her shoulder to her wrist. “She’ll grow into her role. You, on the other hand, are just plain stupid. I’m not sure you can grow smarter.”

Thaddeus inched closer to the throne, stood at Chayce’s shoulder. What were the two of them up to?

“I haven’t come with a little boy, Chayce
.
I’ve come with a man who leads an army.” She forced a grin as she sauntered toward him. “My army.”

His mouth fell open.

If she could only get within striking distance. “Didn’t you know? Hmm…Maybe I’m not the stupid one.”

Chayce launched himself from the throne.

Ryleigh stepped back, bent her knees, and lifted her sword. Heat flared in her chest.

Thaddeus grabbed his arm, stopped him.

She relaxed her stance and risked a quick glance over her shoulder. Tristan had already entered the chamber, his men following close behind. They lined the back wall of the throne room, stood at attention, and waited.

She slid her sword into the scabbard at her side.

“The Queen’s Army? I can’t believe you managed to call them.” Chayce remained standing but made no move to advance. “It seems I’ve underestimated you, my dear.” He paced the platform the thrones sat upon, tapping his finger against his chin. “Perhaps you will make a strong queen.” He stopped and faced her. “This is the last time I’ll offer. Take your sister’s place, and send her out of here with your…boys.”

“Forget it, Chayce. Give me Mia, and we’ll all walk out of here.”

Rage distorted his features.

If she could just provoke him into coming closer. “That’s my counter offer. We’ll walk away, and as long as you stay out of Cymmera, I’ll let you have Argonas.”

Laughter incapacitated him. Tears streamed from his eyes. He bent over and clutched his stomach, then fell back onto the throne.

Ryleigh waited. She lifted a hand to keep her men in place. They wouldn’t expect the frail man at Chayce’s side could stop them before they took two steps, but she had no doubt he could.

“Let. Me?” Chayce sucked in a deep breath. “You’ll let me have Argonas?” He wheezed and swiped the tears from his face. “Oh man…” He lowered his gaze to the floor, shook his head, and sighed. “That’s priceless.”

Blackness invaded from the corners of her eyes, limiting her peripheral vision. She squeezed her eyes closed for the briefest instant, then opened them. The darkness receded, but not by much.

“You know what? I’m not even going to be mad.” He waved a hand dismissively, his gaze never faltering from hers. “I’m impressed, Ryleigh. I truly am. You’ve shown strength, courage, initiative…” He shrugged. “Granted, you’re not the sharpest tool in the arsenal, but that’s okay. As long as you’re smart enough to do what you’re told, you really don’t need to think.”

Prickles of heat exploded in her chest, surged down her arms and into her hands. “I’d be happy to ascend the throne, Chayce.” Her fingers tingled.

Dakota gasped.

Chayce grinned.

“But it will be in your stead, not at your side.”

Chayce gestured toward Thaddeus.

Clamping his hands tightly to his head, Dakota fell to his knees.

“Nooo. Stop.” Mia ran to him, threw herself down and knelt at his side, and covered his body with her own. Cradling him in her arms, she gently rocked him back and forth.

Energy built in Ryleigh.

Chayce started toward Mia.

Power churned in her gut.

Thaddeus stopped Chayce with a firm grip on his arm, his gaze riveted on Ryleigh.

Two more men fell behind her.

Thaddeus shook with the effort to sustain whatever he was doing to her men. Tremors wracked his feeble body. Still, he stood strong.

Mia clutched her head. “No. Please. Stop.” She screamed.

The sound tore through Ryleigh’s soul, unleashing power she had no hope of controlling. Violent spasms rocked her. She lifted her hands toward Chayce, extended her fingers, reached for him. She’d strangle that bastard with her bare hands. Energy rushed from her core, surged through her. An enormous ball of flames exploded from her fingers.

The shock twisting Chayce’s features disappeared behind the wave of flames that slammed into him and Thaddeus, throwing them back.

Ryleigh collapsed, the last of her energy drained as the flames fizzled and died. She lay frozen, curled in a ball, unable to move.

Chayce and Thaddeus were both gone. She hadn’t seen them disappear, hadn’t seen anything after the flames enveloped them. They were simply gone once the flames dissipated. Relief tugged at her, but she couldn’t embrace it. No matter how badly she wanted to.

Thaddeus was a powerful sorcerer as well as a prophet. He’d stuck to Chayce like glue from the time Ryleigh’d entered the chamber. Chances were, he’d anticipated an attack and disappeared with Chayce before the first flames scorched him.

“Ryleigh.”

Her body jerked at the tentative touch on her shoulder.

“Ryleigh. Are you hurt?”

She rolled onto her back and stared up into Dakota’s concerned gaze. Was she okay? Yes. Exhausted. But okay.

“Is everyone all right?”

He glanced toward the other men and nodded. “Everyone seems to be all right. Some lingering headaches, but that’s about it.”

“Mia?”

He shot a quick look toward Mia, shook his head, and shrugged. “She hasn’t said a word.” Fear etched deeper lines in his scowl. “I don’t know.”

Ryleigh sat up and stared at Mia, who sat hugging her knees, head lowered. Soft, silent cries shook her delicate shoulders.

“Let’s get her out of here.” Dakota reached out a hand.

Ryleigh accepted it, grateful for the strength he lent her. She stood, brushed herself off, and approached Mia. Squatting beside her, Ryleigh pulled her into a hug.

Mia leaned into her, rested her head against Ryleigh’s shoulder.

Ryleigh counted to ten, not ready for the answer, but knowing she had to ask the question. “Did he hurt you, Mia?” She smoothed her sister’s hair.

Mia shook her head.

“Don’t lie to me, Mia. I saw the bruises.”

She lifted her head and stared Ryleigh directly in the eye. “The bruises are left over from the men who dragged me out of the castle and brought me here.” She brushed her hair back out of her face. “Chayce never touched me.”

The air rushed from Dakota’s lungs with an audible whoosh
.
“I’m still going to kill him.” He turned and walked away, leaving the girls alone. He approached the throne where Chayce had been seated, crouched down, and ran his fingers over the seat and the floor surrounding the throne.

“Anything?” Tristan stood beside him, sword held ready.

“Nah. I’m pretty sure his sorcerer helped him escape. There’s no sign of anything else.”

Rubbing a hand over his head, Tristan turned and stared at Ryleigh. “Let’s get them out of here. Then we can go after him if you can think of a way to find him.”

Dakota nodded his agreement, stood, and brushed off his hands.

Ryleigh turned back and found Mia staring at her.

“Can we go home, now? Please?” Her hair tumbled into her eyes.

Ryleigh tucked it behind her ear, knowing full well it was just going to pop out again. “Home, home? Or Cymmera, home?”

A hint of a smile flickered. “Cymmera, home. For now, anyway.”

She gripped Mia’s hand and stood. A chill raced through her at the thought of the fate that could have befallen her. She should probably take Mia back home to the human realm. Yet, she knew she couldn’t. Not yet, anyway.

Strength shone in the young girl’s eyes, along with determination. Definitely not the vulnerable, fragile child she’d been not so long ago.

“Let’s go home.”

Her men gathered around them, constantly scanning every inch of the chamber.

She shouldn’t be able to call the portal from within the castle, but strength filled her. She didn’t feel any restrictions. The heaviness weighing on her since entering Argonas had lifted. Perhaps she was stronger now, or maybe Thaddeus’ curse disappeared when he’d fled.