Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2) (29 page)

Finally, Marik and Cyrus returned, both grave and somber.

“
What happened?”

They claimed their seats and requested refills from a waiting servant.

Cyrus spoke. “I’ve sent a message to Wren, warning him about Tamir and Nakul.”

Nadua sighed in relief. “Did you add that I’m here?”

“
I did.”

“
Good.” She was sure there was more to their chat than that, but she was determined to make Cyrus finish his story. “Can you please continue? Why did you feel you had to fabricate your own demise?”

Cyrus’s lips thinned, but he obliged. “When you first came to this planet, very few were happy about it. Fineas was a strong ally of your Father, so he didn’t hesitate to grant you his protection. But when the news spread, our people were torn. There was great fear that the Kayadon would come here and destroy us to find you. Many are still afraid.”

The drinks arrived, and both Cyrus and Marik swallowed half their glasses. Nadua took another sip of hers.

“
People fled Sori, looking to hide in case their fears were realized. Fineas truly loved his people, and hated that they were suffering beyond the walls of Sori. So this place was built.”

He gestured around the room. “A refuge of sorts. But Fineas needed to send someone of the royal blood line to represent the crown, and keep the peace. When he realized how close you and I had become, he decided it would be better for everyone if I disappeared.” He paused. “Fineas understood that if you knew I was alive, you’d come looking for me. And because there was fear in the people who lived here, that wouldn’t have been a good idea. So he told you I died.”

Tears were streaming down Nadua’s cheeks. She wanted to protest that she wouldn’t have come looking, but that would have been a lie. Cyrus had been her only real friend until Ava was born. He’d been the one to teach her to fight, and to use a bow. How to be strong in the face of the Cyrellians who looked down their noses at her. Living without him had been nearly unbearable.

“
I’ll be leaving soon,” she blurted.

“
I know. Marik told me.”

The mention of his name reminded her that he was still sitting next to her, surprisingly quiet, though she was crying for another man. His face was almost void of emotion. Only a slight tick in his jaw indicated his mood.

“
I should retire.” She stood and so did the two men. Nadua said good night to Cyrus and, as expected, Marik followed her up to her room.

A fire had been started in the stone hearth, making the room a comfortable temperature. Inside, she turned to Marik, years of loneliness crashing down upon her. Nadua found herself kissing him, loving the warmth and softness of his lips. She wanted him to dull her mind with his expert touch. But she realized he wasn’t kissing her back.

He put distance between them. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said coolly.

“
What? But I thought you would want to...you know.”

His eyes were shadowed and she couldn’t read them. “You have no idea how badly I want to.” He glanced away. “But you wouldn’t be thinking of me.”

With that, he was gone. The door closed heavily behind him.

Left to do nothing but mull over everything that had happened, Nadua’s emotions flared out of control. She was overcome with sorrow for her lost time with Cyrus. Fear over her unsure future with Marik. Worry for her people, both the Faieara and the Cyrellians, as well as for Ava. Bitterness for being left alone, not only by Cyrus, but by Fineas, and her own father and mother. Finally, guilt, for thinking badly of any of them, when they were only doing what they could to help her.

In the hallowed pit of her stomach, she felt she’d lost control over every aspect of her life. After years of holding it together, Nadua curled up on the bed and cried herself unconscious.

Sometime during that blissful oblivion, a vision came on the edge of sleep.

Once more, Marik crouched in the arena, the same brutality befalling him. This time, Nadua witnessed the aftermath. With the bleachers empty and the blood turning brown with age, Marik’s eyes finally dimmed to their natural green, marred by horror at the sight of the dead woman left behind. Cradling her broken body in his arms, his bellow echoed off the cold walls.

How could I? How could I?

It took her a moment to realize she was hearing his thoughts.

How could I do this?

Marik thought he was responsible for the woman’s fate? Did he believe that of all of them?

* * *

“
Did you sleep well?” Cyrus called from below when he spotted Nadua on the balcony. He was enjoying a morning meal alone.

“
I did,” she lied, heading down the stairs to join him. “Does no one else eat with you?”

“
They usually do.”

Ah, until she had come. These Cyrellians really did fear she’d lead the Kayadon here. Or maybe it was the demon presence that kept them away.

“
Have you seen Marik?”

She had checked his room, but he hadn’t been in it.

“
I believe he went out early this morning.”

“
Out? Why?”

“
I’m not in the habit of stopping demons for a chat when they look like they’re on a mission. How did you meet him, anyway?”

Nadua told him the story, leaving out the embarrassing intimate moments, and subsequent biting.

“
I’m glad you survived all that. I’ll get some new furs made up for you. I recall how important they are to your comfort.

“
You keep edisdons?”

“
There are some that roam free near here. They’ve come to trust us.”

“
That would be wonderful, thank you.”

He called to someone behind her. “Oh, Lidian, come here please.”

Lidian approached with a large smile on her face. At seeing Nadua, recognition flared and she bowed. “Your Highness. How are you this day?”

“
I’m good. How are you?”

“
Just fine.”

“
Are you Lidian, daughter of Rin?”

“
I am, Your Highness.”

Nadua felt a small amount of tension leave her shoulders. “Your parents are very worried about you.”

“
I can believe it. I was so frightened when the rebels took me and I remember my father had fought them. Is he well?”

“
I believe so.” She tilted her head. “Why haven’t you contacted them?”

Her cheeks darkened. “I am afraid they would demand I come home. I...” She trailed off, too embarrassed to say.

Nadua grinned. “You have a crush.”

Lidian put her hands behind her back and gave a shy shrug.

“
Well, that’s fine with me, but you should send a message to your parents. It’s not nice to leave them to worry. How would you like it if they disappeared, and then didn’t write to tell you they were okay?”

Lidian frowned and slowly nodded. “I will, Your Highness.”

When the girl scurried away, Cyrus said, “You sounded very motherly.”

“
I’ve been raising Ava since she was two.”

“
I wish I could have been there for her birth. How is she?”

“
She’s brilliant. Sweet. Tougher than you could imagine.” Nadua grinned. “She could use you there, you know, once I’m gone. Her only family are those vapid aunts of hers.”

“
You mean my sisters?”

“
Sorry, your vapid sisters.”

They both laughed.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Marik watching them. He stood across the room. Snowflakes were still melting in his hair. Again, she couldn’t read his expression.

Cyrus craned his head to see what she was looking at, and as he did, Marik started up the stairs toward his room.

In a low voice, Cyrus asked, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on between the two of you?”

The last thing she wanted was to speak with Cyrus about her very strange, very complicated relationship with Marik. She shook her head.

“
Well, just so you know, I like him.”

“
You do?” She replied with more skepticism in her voice than she had intended.

“
Yes. From what you’ve told me, he’s done everything he can to protect you. He inadvertently brought you back to me so I can say a proper goodbye this time. That alone earns him my gratitude, even if I am a bit jealous.”

“
Jealous? Of what?”

Cyrus went silent for a long moment. “You both get to go have a real adventure, while I’m stuck on this cold planet.”

“
You like the cold.”

He met her eyes and his demeanor became serious. “Not always.”

It was she who looked away first.

Marik was busy pacing the room when a knock sounded. The enticing feminine scent told him it would be Nadua standing on the other side.

Reluctantly, he let her in.

“
Are you okay?” she asked.

“
Splendid.”

“
Where did you go?”

“
Hunting edisdons.”

“
Oh. Well, no need. Cyrus said—”

“
I know, I overheard. He will be providing for you.”

That was the reason he was pacing the room like a caged animal. His mate was in need of something and it wasn’t he who could supply it for her. Cyrus gave her a bed, beautiful clotting, expensive jewelry—which she was still wearing!

He tried not to eye it with anger. That, and the fact that she laughed with him, spoke to him with an ease and familiarity that was not affected by three hundred years apart.

Cyrus had said he loved her, and she obviously returned the sentiment.

“
Something’s bothering you.”

“
Aye,” he growled.

“
Well. Will you talk to me?”

“
It involves a topic you’re not fond of. So, no.”

She was quiet for a little while. “Then I have something I need to speak with you about. It’s regarding your past.”

Marik went tense. “I’ve nothing to say about that.”

“
Well, I do. You asked me about my gift, but I didn’t get a chance to tell you about it.”

Marik stopped pacing and, for some reason, a thick choking tension bubbled in his stomach.

“
I inherited part of my father’s gift for seeing the future. But lately I think I’ve been getting glimpses of the past.”

The tension turned into a heavy sick feeling that clawed at his insides.

“
My past?” His tone was sharpened with an edge of hopelessness.

“
I believe so, but I’d like to verify some things with you if you don’t mind. So I can be sure.”

“
What did you see?”

“
I witness you in...um...something that looked like a coliseum—”

“
No!” Marik’s world collapsed. Had she seen what he’d done? What he couldn’t stop himself from doing? No wonder she was so repulsed by the idea of being stuck as his mate

Marik laughed at himself for thinking that, just maybe, she had come to him to declare an inkling of feeling for him.

How delusional I am
.

Her voice was ringing in his ear. Marik realized he was on his knees, face buried in his hands. She was asking him to look at her. Never again would he soil her beauty with his gaze. She deserved so much better.

“
Marik! Look at me, please.”

He raised his gaze, but didn’t meet her eyes.

“
Please don’t do this to yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”

Of course it was his fault. If he had trained harder when he was a youth, he could have controlled himself. He could have mastered the Edge, and restrained himself from hurting anyone. Perhaps he could have even saved his sister and kept them both from being slaves in the first place. If only he had been stronger.

“
Those women’s deaths weren’t—”

“
Enough,” he bellowed. “Get out!”

“
No. I need you to understand.”