Immortal sacrifice, p.10
Immortal Sacrifice, page 10
“…and how did that work out for you?”
“How did it work out for you?” She snapped.
“Well, my brother is missing, so there’s that…”
Zamara stiffened. “I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. You are the ones who brought this all into play.”
She jerked her arm out of his, “—and how do I know this isn’t all some convenient ruse? Why should I even believe you? You’re pirates.” Her voice climbed. “You lie, cheat, and steal for a living!”
Everyone along the boardwalk stopped and stared.
Sideon snaked his arm out and yanked her to him. “Listen very closely, princess.” He wrapped her braids around his fist. “Don’t presume for a second that you know anything about me,” he tugged her hair just hard enough to tilt her head back, “my people, or the way we live.” Icy breath whispered across her cheek. “We have suffered for years while you play dress up, throw feasts and drink into all hours of the night.”
“Didn’t your mother ever teach you about personal boundaries?” Zamara snapped.
“No,” Sideon dug his fingers into her arm and tightened his grip on her hair. “No, she did not.”
His eyes darkened. He searched her face then. Zamara felt the struggle inside him, radiating off him in waves.
In an instant, he let her go. She stumbled backwards.
“Do not ever speak of my mother again.” Sideon said. Pain and anger laced his voice.
…Punch him…
Something bad must have happened to his mom.
…That gives him no right to put his hands on us…
You’re right. Let’s punch him.
…Wait, wait. Don’t punch him. We are here for the amulets. That is our mission. Do not sacrifice the mission. We can kill him later…
After we get Rose back.
Zamara swallowed hard and forced herself to nod. “So, where is this note?”
“My sister has it.” Sideon grabbed her hand and tugged her toward his fort. “We must go to her.”
“Then what?” Zamara scraped the soles of her boots across the boardwalk. “After I read this note, are you going to give me the amulets so I can rescue them?”
Sideon threw his head back and laughed.
Zamara’s face heated. She glared at the back of his perfectly coiffed hair. “I am not here to waste my time, king. If you have no intention of returning what you pilfered… I will find another way.”
“Threats?” Sideon squeezed her hand and darkness descended.
She clawed at the black and clutched Sideon’s hand as if it was a lifeline. Panic gripped her throat. What if he leaves me here? They stayed that way, suspended in night, until moments later they were standing at the top of a grand staircase.
He leaned down and crooned into her ear. “You don’t have any magik and you left your pet at home. You are alone, at my mercy. You are in no position to be threatening me.” He pulled back so they were face to face and twirled one of her braids through his slender fingers, studying it. His haunting eyes snapped to hers. “We will speak with Merida. From there we will decide which course of action to take regarding our lost family members.”
He grabbed her hand and led them up the stairs into the left wing, presumably to wherever Merida was. That is why he always insists on touching me. He can teleport with another person, like Kain. It must only work if we are touching. So how do I counter that? Gloves—
“—my sister’s chambers.” Sideon brought them to a halt outside two double doors, fashioned from heavy wood. “Before we enter, I need you to understand that you are not the only one who is missing a loved one. My sister is grieving. If you upset her anymore with that smart-ass mouth of yours, I will veil-walk us onto a ship that will take you straight home. So, this will be a wasted trip. You will have nothing, no answers, no jewelry, no insight…” He pulled her to him again. “So, I suggest you behave.”
“I’m not here to pick a fight.” Zamara rested her palms on his chest and pushed out of his grasp. “I just want my amulets back.”
Sideon barked a laugh, “You have done nothing but pick a fight with me since you tumbled from the wall and into my arms. You are welcome, by the way.”
Zamara rolled her eyes. “If I was trying to pick a fight with you, you would know.”
“Stab first and ask questions later.” He grinned, “I know.”
Sideon turned and opened the door. For the third time that night, he dragged her into darkness…
“Mer?” Sideon strolled to a table nestled in the chamber’s corner. He struck a match and lit a lantern. An orange glow spread through the room. The stressed angles and planes of his handsome face in this lighting made Zamara’s heart trip over itself. “How are you doing?”
“How do you think I’m doing?” A quiet feminine voice came from a rocking chair across the room, facing the window. Zamara couldn’t see her. The back of her chair was in the way.
On the left side of the room, a gigantic bed sat on top of a dais. There was a wooden wardrobe and some side tables. A doorway rested to the side of the bed, probably leading into a bathing chamber.
Merida stood from her chair and faced them. She was a whole head taller than Zamara. Ebony hair hung past her shoulder blades in wild curls. Her eyes were the same mesmerizing shade of turquoise as Sideon’s. Hers were duller somehow. Dark circles entrenched themselves in the skin beneath her eyes. You could tell they were twins, but Merida’s features were softer, more feminine. Her face wasn’t as angular. She had curves. Even under the layers of exhaustion, her natural beauty shone through.
“Sideon, how many times have I told you not to drag your toys into my wing?” Merida sized Zamara up. “Where did you come from? You are a lot prettier than any of the tavern wenches I’ve seen.” She cocked her head. “And you don’t dress like one either.”
“Mer,” Sideon cleared his throat, “this is Queen Morgiathan, of the Mystic Lake Settlements.”
Merida’s eyes widened. She looked at her brother. “That is not funny.”
“—it’s true.” Zamara stepped forward. “My sister, Rose, was taken too. I thought you guys had something to do with it. I still don’t believe that you don’t.” Zamara eyed Sideon. “I came here to either find her or find a way to get her back.”
“That is not my problem.” Merida glared at Sideon. “Why did you bring her here?”
“To show her the note,” Sideon sighed, “Ander was taken by the same people, Mer. I believe that working together, at least until we get them back, will benefit both sides. We can set aside our differences just this once, for Ander.”
Merida crossed her arms and considered it.
She nodded. “I will jump into bed with as many enemies as it takes if it means getting my Ceterus back.”
“Not exactly a picture I want painted in my head, sis.” Sideon shook his head. “I’m going to fetch a servant to start a fire and bring us some drinks. It’s freezing in here. When I return, we will hash this out. I will only be away a few minutes. Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.”
He strode out of the room. The door clicked behind him. Silence fell over the chamber as Merida and Zamara stared at each other.
Merida broke first. “I would offer you something to eat, but that isn’t something we have the luxury of doing just for fun around here. I’m sure I could rustle up some stale flat bread if you are hungry.”
“I’m not hungry, thank you.” Zamara pressed her lips together. “I had some stale bread on the voyage here.”
Merida nodded and wrapped her arms around her middle. She shivered, turned around, walked to the window, and resumed staring out to sea.
Zamara shuffled to the fireplace and began building a fire. The wind howled through the chimney like a wailing entity.
“My brother just went to get someone to do that.”
“You are cold now.” Zamara stacked logs on top of kindling. “I don’t mind.”
Zamara dropped to her knees, wrapped stiff fingers around a box of matches on the ledge, and picked it up. She lit the tinder and brought her face level with the flame, blowing out a gentle breath.
Zamara crouched on hands and knees in front of the hearth, mesmerized, as she nurtured her infant fire into a crackling blaze, fed it some more wood, and watched it become a roaring inferno. Resting her hands on her knees for support, she popped up and bared her palms to the flames. Delicious heat seeped from the hearth, warming her hands.
Merida pulled out the chair closest to the fire and sat. “Never in a million years did I imagine the infamous queen of the Mystic Lake settlements would build me a fire.”
Zamara smirked, “Desperate times…” Speaking of desperate times. “Why don’t you guys farm?”
Merida frowned, “Nothing will grow.”
That makes little sense. “What have you tried growing?”
“Lots of stuff. Wheat, corn—”
“—have you ever tried planting fruit trees? You know, things that actually thrive in this climate?”
“What does it matter? Like you even care.” Merida snapped.
“Contrary to what you all believe, I am not a monster. I take no joy in seeing innocent people suffer. I had no idea it was this bad here. Maybe if your brother was serious about a trade agreement, instead of just trying to get close to me so he could steal from me, I would have been able to help. I have wheat and corn coming out my ears.” She grinned at Merida, proud of her pun. Merida rolled her eyes, completely unimpressed. Zamara cleared her throat and continued, “When I get home, I will send you some. Not for you guys,” She gestured toward the window, “but for the kids in the street.”
Merida narrowed her eyes, “We have nothing to trade with. The only thing we have an abundance of is sand.”
“That’s not true,” Zamara smiled. “You have my amulets… and sand has its uses. We make the glass in our Ag Tower out of sand. I could show you how to replicate it. You could build your own tower. Then you wouldn’t have to trade at all. You’d have all the fresh produce you want.” Zamara laughed, “I don’t think you realize just how much I would part with to get my amulets back. Getting them back means getting my sister back. For her, I would give my life.”
“Even if I agreed to that,” Merida crossed her arms, “It wouldn’t matter. I, personally, don’t have them. It’s not my call to make.”
I figured as much. So, I must give the idol to Sideon. I might not even need it. Zamara shrugged. “I will send some, regardless. I need nothing in return. Only your word that it will feed those kids. I will send medicine as well. Actually—thank you for the ships. Those will do fine as payment.”
They sat in tense silence, staring at the flames. Zamara did not know how much time passed.
A gentle knock sounded at the door and Sideon strolled in.
A scrawny blonde girl in a plain brown dress followed him. She discarded a tray of drinks on the table and turned to Sideon. “Can I get you anything else, your Highness?”
“No. Thank you. You may go help Celia now.” He smiled.
The girl bowed and took her leave.
“Let’s see this note then.” Zamara said.
He smiled. “Has anyone ever told you that you are incredibly impatient?”
She stared at him.
He cleared his throat. “Right. Merida?”
Merida took a worn piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Zamara.
She unfolded it and read:
Change of plans. I have Prince Ander. If you want him back in one piece, return the amulets. His life depends on it. It is the only way. You will understand in time.
Zamara looked up. “So, are you going to? Return them?”
“Do you know about it?” Sideon asked. “The Akashi stone. Do you know what it is capable of? Is that what your plan is, to combine the amulets?”
Zamara’s eyes widened. “I—”
“Good luck with that, darling.” He barked a laugh. “I, alone, know where the fourth one is.”
“So you don’t have it?” Zamara took a step towards him.
“It’s in a safe place. Far out of reach from you. What I do have, is a map that leads to it.”
“—we are going with you.” Merida jumped up.
Zamara handed her the note. “Maybe we should talk about this first, before we jump into anything.”
“She is right.” Sideon said. “We are going with you. You won’t make it without us. You need our ships and our map.”
Zamara pursed her lips. “—and would you both be agreeable with that? If I let you join me on this journey, will you let me use them? Will you help me repair the stone?”
“Since we would be using my ships, technically, you would be joining us but, yes. I will sail with you and help you acquire the Akashi Stone, if you help me get my brother-in-law back. Do we have an accord?” He raised an eyebrow and offered his hand.
She knew she was going to regret this, but what did she have to lose at this point? Zamara nodded and took his hand.
“Come with me.” Sideon pulled her to the doorway. “It’s late. You look exhausted. I had a guest room prepared for you in my wing. You should try to get some rest. We can go over all the details in the morning.”
He called across the room, “You too, Mer. This is going to work. Goodnight.”
They trudged through the darkened halls of the fortress. The only light source glowed from torches set into the wall every ten feet.
It was humid. The hairs that escaped her braids stuck up in a million directions. The entire fortress smelled of damp wood. Mosaics of shells and other ocean treasures sparkled along the corridor. They may not have an overabundance of precious stones and metals, but they made what they did have work. It was cozy.
She was exhausted. Which was a dangerous thing to be in enemy territory. Her body dragged. They wandered through halls for what felt like forever. Pressure built a home for a migraine behind her eyes.
However, it was not the state of her tired body that worried her. She could feel her mind starting to slip. Inaudible whispers danced around in her head. They blended into a background of violin music and children’s laughter. The little boy’s song was back in full force.
She couldn’t wait to face plant into a bed. They rounded another corner. Zamara noticed a beautiful dark-haired woman outside a set of doors. At least, she would be beautiful if her face wasn’t twisted into a scowl. She jabbed a pointy red nail into the air and yelled at a servant girl. Zamara could instantly tell this was not a woman she wanted to spend time around. Her energy was repulsive.
The servant girl held a tray with a tea set on top. A curtain of brown hair hung around her face. She nodded and stared at the tray.
“Are you listening to me!” The lithe woman slapped the platter out of the girl’s hand. China flew everywhere.
Zamara snarled.
The woman whipped her head in their direction and planted her hands on her hips.
“Queen Morgiathan,” Sideon rested his hand on the small of her back and gestured at the woman, “This is Francesca Drake. She is one of my advisors. Her room is next to yours. Mine is across the hall.”
“Francesca,” Sideon beamed, “may I present her royal Highness.”
“So,” Francesca narrowed her gaze, “you are the woman my husband left me in the gutters for.”
“I,” Zamara’s mouth fell open. “What?”
Sideon bounced on his toes and gave a whoop of laughter. “I told you she didn’t know.”
Zamara turned her attention to Sideon. “What in the Never are you blathering about? Know what?”
“Before you bound Cassian,” Francesca sniffed and raised her chin, “I was his wife. I was to be the next queen of Draconia, you know? He left me for you. He left me and denounced his crown. He abandoned his people to suffer for all eternity and instead gave you everything that should have been mine. He betrayed his father. King Livius blamed me for losing his favorite son. He banished me to Karth—”
“—Let me stop you right there.” Zamara raised her hand. I need a minute to wrap my head around this. Cassian is just an old friend of my father's. He protects us because it was our father’s dying wish. According to this woman, Cassian is her husband and a wayward prince. I can’t take anymore. Lies! They must be. Sideon staged this to get under my skin. Just like his fake proposal. He is trying to divide us. “That is a pretty story and all, but I didn’t bind Cassian to anything. He just showed up one day barking orders and has been a pain in my ass ever since. In all our years he has never, not even once, mentioned a wife. Nor has he mentioned that he is royalty. I think you are mistaken.”
Wife. The word curdled on her tongue.
“This just keeps getting better.” Sideon laughed.
“He wouldn’t.” Francesca grinned like a viper. “In Cassian’s eyes, nothing exists beyond you. That’s how the binding works, and you did bind him. He is the one who found you when you were an infant. You did it unwittingly, like you do most things, honestly I have no clue what any of them see in you, but make no mistake—”
“—what exactly is the reaction you were hoping to get from me? If it’s all the same to you two, let’s just skip to that part. I’m tired. I would like to get some sleep. Also, you should probably help this poor girl clean the mess you made in your glorious display of self-control.”
How am I going to get any sleep after that?
“This is not Mystic Lake,” Francesca hissed, “You would do well to remember that, your Highness. Here, you do not give orders.” She took a menacing step towards Zamara. Sideon stuck his arm out. She glared at Zamara, “Here, people who upset me don’t last very long. Rest well, girl.” She spun around and tromped into her room, slamming the door.
That woman is psychotic.
Zamara’s knees strained as she bent down and placed a broken cup and some shards of glass on the tray. She could feel Sideon’s gaze burning into her back as she caught the servant girl’s brown-eyed stare. She looked terrified and confused. Poor thing. Zamara helped the girl to her feet with the tray, cleared her throat, and addressed Sideon. “Do you mind if I borrow her for the night?”
