“Isn’t it obvious?” Seleena asked. “We need to find that witch. But first we need to get Annis home.”
* * *
Seleena begrudged every minute it took them to return to the Airship, impatiently tapped her foot until they landed back on Brynn Tor.
Nardik’s magic carried the four of them to Brynn Castle.
There was a flurry of excitement when they entered the Great Hall. Amerris jumped out of her chair and ran across the room, crying and laughing at the same time as she was reunited with her youngest daughter.
She quickly instructed servants to draw a bath for Annis, to warm her bed, to prepare her favorite foods.
Once Annis was settled in her room, Amerris returned to the Great Hall to express her gratitude to Quinn and Seleena. “You found no sign of Corrie?”
Quinn shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“And no sign of your son?”
“No.”
Amerris took Nardik’s hand. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Not at this time,” Quinn said. “If you’ll excuse us...”
“I will join you in a few minutes,” Nardik said. “Wait for me outside.”
“Do we really need him?” Quinn asked as they left the Hall.
“I think so,” Seleena said. At any other time, she might have found his jealousy amusing, but not now. They needed all the help they could get. “Unless you know how to find the witch.”
Quinn scowled at her. Like it or not, she was right.
“Sorry I took so long,” Nardik said, joining them. “Are we ready?”
“The dark witch you mentioned,” Seleena said. “How do we find him?”
“Her,” Nardik said. “The witch we seek is female.”
* * *
It was all Quinn could do to keep a lid on his temper as they left Brynn Castle. It galled him that, once again, they needed Nardik’s assistance. He knew he was being foolish, childish, to resent the man’s presence when he should he grateful for all the help they could get. Instead of feeling resentful, he should be thanking his lucky stars for the wizard’s willingness to help.
After Nardik said his farewells to Amerris and the Queen, the three of them had returned to Seleena’s house where they gathered in the living room.
Now, Nardik sat hunched over the coffee table, making a list of witches he knew who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the dark witch they sought.
Seleena had settled in her rocking chair, her eyes filled with worry and doubt. Freyja lay curled on her lap, purring softly. Earlier, with Freyja’s help, she had tried to locate Annis. The cat had often assisted her in the use of her magic before, but even with the aid of her familiar, Seleena had found nothing. Wyrick was a powerful wizard, indeed.
Quinn stood near the fireplace, a glass of wine in his hand. He didn’t miss Nardik’s furtive glances in Seleena’s direction, knew that it was more than concern the wizard felt for his former lover.
Dropping his pen on the table, Nardik sat back. “To the best of my recollection, there are nine witches who might know Alexxa’s current location. Of course, I do not know if any of them will share that information.”
“So, how do we contact them?” Quinn asked. Knowing they needed Nardik’s help, he tamped down his dislike of the wizard, but it galled him to have to depend on another man for anything. Especially this man.
Nardik shrugged. “The usual way.”
“He’s going to send a message on the wind,” Seleena explained. “It’s sort of like witch air mail.”
“I am going to spend the night at the Fortress,” Nardik said. “If I hear anything, I will let you know.” A wave of his hand, and he was gone.
“I guess all we can do now is wait,” Seleena remarked glumly.
Filled with frustration, Quinn ran his fingers over the dragon tattoo. He hated waiting. He wanted to be out there, doing something -- anything but sitting here, feeling helpless.
The dragon stirred at his touch, as if it was as ready for action as he was.
With the dragon’s movement, Quinn received the strong impression that, one day soon, he would have need of the dragon’s power again.
Chapter 7
Annis stood at the window of her chamber, her arms aching for the weight of her child, her heart empty of hope. She had been kidnapped from the convent where she intended to spend her life. Bespelled into loving a man who had no true affection for her. Lost her sweet baby girl.
Opening the window, she stared down at the empty courtyard below. The wind stirred her hair as she leaned out just a little farther. What would it feel like, falling, falling, her body striking the paving stones, bones shattering? Would she die instantly?
“Annis! What are you doing?” Darting into the room, Amerris grabbed her daughter’s arm and pulled her away from the window.
Annis blinked at her mother, then dissolved into tears.
“Hush, now,” Amerris crooned, leading the girl back to her bed.
Annis burrowed into her mother’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “I’ll…I’ll never…see…her…again.”
“Of course you will.” Amerris stroked her daughter’s hair, her own heart aching with loss. “Nardik will find her. Have you ever known him to fail at anything? It might take him a little while, but I know he’ll find Corrie. And Seleena’s little boy, as well. Cook baked your favorite chocolate tarts this morning. Why don’t we get some and go sit with Marri for a little while? I know she would love to see you.”
“No!” Annis shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to see her or…or her baby!”
“Perhaps you’d like to go riding? It’s a lovely day. We could take a turn along the river.”
The river. She could ride to the old bridge…
Annis nodded slowly. “I’d like that. But I’d rather go alone, if you don’t mind.”
Amerris regarded her daughter for several moments, then nodded. “Of course. But don’t go too far.”
“I won’t.”
* * *
Clad in pants, boots, and a short-sleeved shirt, and mounted on a gentle bay mare, Annis rode along the river’s edge. The water was shallow here, near the keep, gradually growing deeper as it meandered toward the ancient wooden bridge half a league away.
In spite of her mother’s words, she had no hope that Nardik would find Corrie. She had lived with Wyrick and Rajj long enough to know that their dark magic was far more powerful -- and frightening -- than any spell or charm her step-father could conjure. She had seen things she wasn’t supposed to see -- curses and enchantments that had given her nightmares -- until she could no longer turn a blind eye to the truth.
Convinced that she was in danger, she had made a desperate attempt to escape from the citadel. And it had cost her everything.
At the bridge, she dismounted, then looped the reins over the pommel.
Leaving the horse behind, she walked to the middle of the rickety wooden structure to stare down into the swirling, dark water. Perhaps, if she hadn’t tried to run away, Rajj would not have turned against her. Yet, even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew it wasn’t true. He had never loved her. And the love she had thought she felt for him had not been real, but induced by magic.
Tears blurred her eyes as she peeled off her boots, then climbed over the railing. Praying that it would be painless and quickly over, she plunged head first into the roiling water.
* * *
Gasping for air, lungs on fire, she fought the arms that pulled her out of the water.
“Easy now, Princess,” coaxed a deep, male voice. “Just relax and take slow, deep breaths. You’ll be all right.”
Opening her eyes, Annis found herself lying on the grass beside the river, staring up at one of the Queen’s guards. Beating against his chest with her fists, she cried, “Let me go. Let me go!”
A smile crooked his lips. “I think you’ll be fine now.”
“I am not fine. And I’ll thank you to go away this inst
ant and mind your own business!”
“Ay, Princess, that’s what I’m doing. Your mother put me in charge of your safety.”
Annis glared at him. She didn’t recall seeing him before. Surely she would not have forgotten that face, those eyes.
Rising, he offered her his hand.
She hesitated several moments before reaching for it.
He pulled her gently to her feet, his gaze sweeping over her. “Can I trust you not to dive back in?” he asked.
Cold and wet from head to heel, she glowered at him.
Keeping one eye on her, he went to his horse and removed the blanket lashed behind his saddle. Shaking it out, he wrapped it around her shoulders.
Annis huddled into it, grateful for its warmth. Looking beyond her rescuer, she saw her mare grazing in a patch of sunlight.
“Let me know when you’re ready to return to the keep.”
“What if I don’t want to go back?” she asked, wringing the water from her hair.
He shook his head. “I’m afraid you have no other choice.”
“Why did my mother send you after me?”
“She feared you might do exactly what you tried back there,” he replied candidly. “Is life in the castle so dreadful that you wish to end it?”
He didn’t know about Corrie or the hell she had endured in the citadel, she thought, relieved. And she wasn’t about to tell him.
“Since you seem reluctant to return home, why don’t you sit down and rest while I build a fire?” he suggested. “I’ve some meat and cheese and a bottle of wine in my saddlebags.”
“Do you always leave the castle with provisions?” Sinking down on the grass, she watched him gather sticks and pine cones. Moments later, he had a cheery blaze going. She held her hands toward it, basking in the heat.
“It often pays to be prepared,” he said, smiling.
She couldn’t help noticing that it was a very appealing smile. As were his dark brown eyes. And the dimple in his chin.
He fetched the food and drink, then sat across from her. They made a fine pair, she thought, both dripping wet, though he wasn’t shivering.
To her surprise, Annis found her appetite had returned. In addition to meat and cheese, he had half a loaf of bread. She watched him prepare two sandwiches. It was the first time a man had ever served her and she discovered she rather liked it.
He had only one cup, and though it was unheard of for royalty to share with a servant, she nevertheless insisted they do so. It gave her an odd jolt of pleasure, watching him drink from it after she did.
“Have you a name?” she asked.
“Doesn’t everyone? Even my horse has a name.”
She made a face at him.
He laughed, a deep, rich sound that made her insides curl. “I’m Killian. And you are the Princess Annis, sister to Marri, the Queen.”
They ate in silence for several minutes. It was peaceful here, Annis thought, with only the crackle of the flames, the gurgle of the river, and the stamp of a horse’s hoof to mar the stillness. Overhead, a bird chirped.
“Would you care to talk about what troubles you?” Killian asked after a while. “I’m told I’m a very good listener.”
It was tempting, she thought, so tempting. She had told no one, not even her mother, of the horrors she had seen inflicted on others. She had always been treated well, especially once Rajj learned of her pregnancy. After all, she had been carrying Wyrick’s grandchild. But after she tried to run away, they had locked her up. She had spent day and night confined in her chambers until Corrie was born, and then she had been taken to another room, seeing no one save for the witch who brought her meals each day. All anyone at Brynn Castle knew was that she had been found, alone and near death, in the bowels of the citadel, and that Corrie had been taken from her.
She gazed into Killian’s eyes. Dare she trust him? Dare she trust her feelings? She had put her faith in Rajj and he had betrayed her in the worst way possible. Was she making the same mistake again?
“Whatever you tell me will stay with me,” Killian said. “I vow it on my honor as a knight and as your loyal servant.”
Haltingly at first, she told him of how the dark witch, Serepta, had taken her to Caynn. How Serepta had traded her to Wyrick with the promise that he would restore the witch’s magic. How Rajj had bespelled her into believing she loved him and that he loved her. Words tumbled from her lips as she told Killian of the men, women, and children who had been sacrificed to strengthen Wyrick’s dark magic. How she had feared for her own life once Corrie had been born.
She broke down then, hot tears cascading down her cheeks as she described being imprisoned in her chambers, of the long hours of childbirth, of having Corrie taken from her arms just hours after the birth.
Lost in the past, blinded by her tears, she hardly noticed when Killian took her in his arms. His voice was low, soothing, as he whispered words of hope and comfort, vowing that he would do whatever he could to help find her daughter.
Annis knew she shouldn’t let him hold her so closely, but for the first time since being rescued from the citadel, she felt safe. Protected. As if nothing could ever hurt her again as long as he was near.
Looking up, she met Killian’s gaze and knew, deep in her soul, that she could trust him with her life.
* * *
Annis found herself stealing looks at Killian time and again as they rode back to the castle. He was incredibly handsome, with his thick brown hair and deep brown eyes. She knew a moment of regret when they arrived. Although her hair and clothing had dried, she was certain that, with her muddy clothes and scraggly hair, she looked like a drowned rat. Luckily, there was no one in the stable yard to see her when they arrived.
She placed her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her from the back of her horse. He held her several seconds longer than necessary. She should have berated him for his impudence, but how could she, when she wished he had held her even longer?
“Be well, Princess,” he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze.
“Thank you for today.” She watched him lead their horses toward the stable, the warmth of his touch, the caring in his voice, etched deep in her memory.
Hurrying into the keep, she dashed into Marri’s chambers.
Marri looked up, startled, as the door burst open and Annis rushed inside. “Is something wrong?” she asked, then frowned at her sister’s appearance. “Merciful heavens, what happened to you?”
“What? Oh. I...I went riding by the river and I...I slipped on a rock and fell in.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t get hurt.”
Annis nodded. “I...um, have a request.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“I should like to have Killian posted as my personal bodyguard.”
Marri lifted one brow. She had assumed the flush in her sister’s cheeks came from the exertion of running up the stairs -- until she remembered how handsome Killian was. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“Thank you.” Annis’ excitement faded when she saw the baby cradled at Marri’s breast. Tears stung her eyes as she wondered if she would ever hold her own sweet little girl again.
“They’ll find her,” Marri said quietly. “I know they will.”
Nodding, Annis returned to her own chambers, the brief happiness she had known with Killian swept away by the pain of not knowing where Corrie was, or if she would ever see her daughter again.
Chapter 8
Marri regarded Killian, who knelt before her in the Throne Room, his head bowed. He had been in service at the castle for the past five years and though she had only seen him from a distance, his good looks were often the subject of conversation between all the single women in the keep, and some of the married ones, as well. He was even more handsome than she had supposed. “Please, rise.”
He stood in one lithe movement, a tall man, broad through the shoulders. He had a reputation as a skilled hunter and swordsman. “How may I be of service, your ma
jesty?”
“My sister asked that you be her personal bodyguard.”
Killian’s surprise was evident in his expression.
“What happened between the two of you today?”
“Your mother requested that I follow Princess Annis when she left the keep.”
“Do you know why?”
He cleared his throat as he shifted from one foot to the other “I think she feared your sister might attempt to take her own life.”
Marri leaned forward, hands gripping the arms of her chair. “And did she?”
Killian hesitated, then nodded. “She jumped off the bridge near the crossroads.”
Stunned, Marri stared at Killian. She knew Annis was horribly distressed at the loss of her daughter, but to try to take her own life! Had she truly abandoned all hope? Was that why Annis had asked that Killian be her bodyguard? Because she was afraid she might attempt to take her own life again? Or was it merely that she was young and heart-broken and Killian was a much-needed distraction?
“Majesty?”
“I had no idea Annis was so distraught. Under the circumstances, I think it wise that you take on the duties as her bodyguard. You will accompany her whenever she leaves the keep. You will stand watch outside her door. And you will let me know immediately of any suspicious behavior.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
Marri sat back, hands folded in her lap. “Do you have feelings for my sister?”
Killian’s eyes widened in shock. “I…I…” He paused as he searched for the right thing to say.
“Please, speak your mind.”
“We’ve only just met, your majesty, and not under the best of circumstances. She is a lovely young woman, and I…” He shrugged. “I would be lying if I said I was not attracted to her.”
Marri nodded. “I expect you to protect her from anyone who seeks to do her harm. Anyone, including yourself. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Majesty. Completely.”
“Very well. You may go.”
* * *
Killian breathed a sigh of relief as he left the Throne Room. Though he willingly served the Queen, he had never been in her presence before. When he had received her summons, he could think of no reason for it. Though Marri and her consort, Gryff, ruled with justice and fairness, he had always found it wise to be cautious in the presence of royalty.