Flames of Auriel (A Caeles Adventure Book 1) (26 page)

Asher watched the exchange, wondering once again what exactly her uncle had whispered to her. He cursed Zoe for not wearing a sword. She only had a dagger. How was she going to defend herself against all these men, let alone him?

“But don’t you see?” He gestured to the soldiers surrounding them. “That’s exactly what you are.”

“Not for long she isn’t.” The room turned in unison at the sound of Sir Walter and his men stepping out of the shadows of the room.

“What is the meaning of this Sir Walter? Get back to your posts!”

Armanel glowered at the disturbance as he stood before the group. His usual arrogant drawl faded from his face as the men and women of the court surrounding Sir Walter drew their weapons. The arrival of Sir Walter and his men had Armanel and the Camelian soldiers outnumbered.

Sir Walter held his palms up, “We don’t take orders from you anymore.”

The king’s voice rose in pitch and he spun around the room. “Have you all gone mad? I am your king! Me! What are you going to do without a leader?” He waved his hands in the air. “Who do you think is keeping Dederic from taking us over completely?”

Zoe gestured to the men and women that formed a semicircle around them. “These are my soldiers, my people. You have missed many things in your travels but I have been here learning and fighting alongside each and every one of this kingdom’s protectors since I was small. They will never bow to you.”

Armanel’s eyes searched the nobility looking for any sign of loyalty. “Are you going to let this little girl, this childish excuse for royalty run this kingdom into the ground? You can’t expect her to protect you from Dederic’s wrath!”

The sudden arrival of Sir Walter’s army and Armanel’s mention of their desert king caused the Camelian soldiers to lose their cool composer. With a high-pitched cry the men attacked the nearest armed foe, causing the rest of the room to break out into a panic. Metal clashed against each other as the armed nobles jumped into the fray. They were not ones to be left out of a battle.

Zoe watched as the men and women of her country held their own against the southern warriors. When one of the dark-skinned soldiers got away and started toward her, she turned to take on the attacker, but Asher drew his sword and pounced.

“Why don’t you let me protect you for once?” He called over his shoulder as he disarmed his opponent with a flick of his wrist. His sword was soon followed by a fist to the assailant’s face. He whipped around as another Camelian tried to take him from behind, his sword clashing with theirs.

Zoe let her eyes linger on the sword swinging form of her betrothed for a millisecond before turning back to her uncle. Asher in her usual element was a thrilling sight to see. It was a sight she would not soon forget. Zoe made a mental note to make him duel with her when this was all over.

She turned her attention back to her uncle who had not thought to arm himself in his own throne room was cowering amidst the fighting. “You’ve been in the desert for too long, Armanel. No Aurelian would be caught unarmed when they know there is a threat at our borders.” She saw something cross her uncle’s face and a sudden thought came to her. She took a step closer to her uncle, her dagger’s point a threatening gleam. “What did you promise Dederic that would secure Aurelius’ safety?”

He held his hands up in defense at the suspicious eyes focused on him. Armanel’s words came out broken as panic seized over him. “N…nothing. I p…promised him n…nothing. I swear!”

Asher kicked a soldier and stepped back to Zoe at her silence. He had been happy to let his betrothed take control of the situation, it was her kingdom after all, but he felt she had not quite grasped the real reason behind her uncle’s betrayal. The desert king wanted Aldabel. It had always been Aldabel. Aurelius was just a passing inconvenience.

“He wanted you to break the alliance, didn’t he?”

Zoe glanced back at Asher before she looked expectantly at her uncle, “Is this true?”

At her accusation, the quivering king stood tall and glared at her. “What do you expect? Dederic is a terrifying man. He swore our kingdom would lay in ruin if we did not break the alliance. Your fool of a father was not about to leave his friend hanging out to dry.”

He pointed a finger at her, spittle sprayed from his mouth as he talked in rapid succession. “And you! You are just like him. Always poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong. We wouldn’t have been in the last war if it hadn’t been for Brom and I wasn’t about to let us be drawn into another. Why should we help them? We could be great. We could have conquered all of Caeles. Now look at us. No fire starters. The laughing stock of the kingdoms. All because your father had gone soft.” His voice grew quiet and his eyes pled for her to see reason. “I did it for the good of the kingdom.”

“Father never wanted to rule the world, Uncle. That is what you couldn’t see. He knew what was important. Friends. Family.” She gazed around the room at all the people with whom she had grown up all fighting for their kingdom, her kingdom, and then her eyes softened as they landed on Asher. “Love.”

“How do you expect to protect your love when Dederic rains down upon them? You don’t know what he has planned. What he is capable of. What happened a decade ago was child’s play compared to what he has planned next.”

“And what would that be?” Asher stepped up to stand beside Zoe. “What does Dederic have planned?”

“I don’t know all the details. He never said.” Armanel had real fear in his eyes now. The thought of whatever the desert king had planned terrified him. “But it’s going to be more powerful than Caeles has ever seen. Not even the angels can protect us anymore.”

“What of Camael? Doesn’t Dederic fear for his wrath?” Zoe pointed her dagger at her uncle, who swallowed and gave a bitter laugh.

“Camael has fallen.”

The surrounding soldiers, even those from Camel, stopped what they were doing as if the air had been sucked from the room. No angel in their lifetime had dared to defy God. Not since Lucifer and his followers. For an angel to fall now, after so many years of peace, was unheard of.

A kingdom with no limit on their patron’s influence, no tether to keep them from seeking ultimate domination, was a terrifying concept at best. It was not just about Aldabel and Aurelius anymore. It was about everyone. All the kingdoms of Caeles were in danger.

The princess turned to the room to assess the damage. Zoe was proud to see that the majority of the Camelians had been slain or apprehended and the few that remained fighting had noticed their imminent defeat. She glanced back at her uncle and grabbed the collar of the quivering man, her voice harsh. “You are a coward. You are not fit to call yourself an Aurelian.” She threw him away from her and into the arms of one of the soldiers.

“Enough!” Her voice echoed out through the hall, her eyes filled with righteous indignation. “Though, my uncle deserves far worse for his crimes against me and our kingdom, death would be too harsh for someone only trying to protect his kingdom in the only way he knew how.” She was tempted to smile when her uncle’s face filled with relief. She looked to her old teacher’s face, unhappiness marred his face at her decision. “Sir Walter, I would have you and some of your men take my uncle back to where he feels truly at home.”

The knight furrowed his brows at her, “You want me to take him to Camel?”

“Into Dederic’s arms alone. Armanel’s punishment for dealing with the wandering king is to become a wanderer himself.” She scanned the room for their reaction. “Does anyone have any objections?”

The room filled with a deafening silence. Not even the Camelians dare protest her actions and the members of the court kept their eyes trained on the man being held captive. Many of them had never even met the man until the day their beloved king died and Armanel claimed the throne. The ones who had met him held no love for him. They found him petty and full of false promises. Even then they felt their princess would be been better off killing him than handing him into the hands of the desert king.

Armanel quaked when no one rushed to his defense. He knew that sending him to Dederic would be a fate worse than death. The finality that had settled into his niece’s eyes removed any hopes for a quick death.

Zoe leaned over her uncle and locked her eyes with his. “You will pay for the pain you have caused. If you are still loyal to Auriel, then I would beg him to take you because I doubt Dederic will be so merciful.”

Her words only caused her uncle to become more desperate for another way out. His eyes brightened when they landed on the dagger still in Zoe’s hands. Armanel jerked away from the hands holding him as he dived for the handle of the knife.

Asher saw the desperate man move before anyone else. “Watch out!”

Zoe shoved away from him as the knife pulled free of her hand. She watched in horror as Asher struggled with her uncle for the knife. She grabbed the back of her uncle’s shirt and strained to get him away from Asher. The force of her hands on him knocked Armanel off of his feet and threw Zoe to the floor below him. In an attempt to stay upright, he grabbed out and caught onto Asher’s arm but only ended up pulling him down with him.

Zoe groaned as Asher landed on top of them with a grunt. She struggled to push her uncle off of her and with him, Asher. She was relieved when Sir Walter reached a hand in and jerked Armanel out of the pile, causing Asher to be thrown a few feet away from them. Sir Walter handed the deranged man off to a few of the soldiers as she sat up gasping for breath and glared up at the cause of her turmoil.

“Get him out of my sight.”

The soldiers and Sir Walter only stared. Horror had filled their eyes at something behind her. Confused by their fear, Zoe froze at the pained groan that came from where they were looking. She turned toward the noise. She felt as if everything was moving in slow motion. Her heart beat pounded in her ears at the sight of Asher lying in a pool of his own blood, the knife stolen from her penetrated out of him.

The soldiers rushed to her prince’s side as all her breath left her lungs. She watched in a haze as they carefully picked him up and carried him toward what she could only guess was the infirmary. She was thankful she was on her knees as the world spun around her. Sir Walter knelt before her. Everything around him became darker as she fought to pull in air. The voice of her teacher was muffled as he told her to breathe before everything went dark.

The heir to Aurelius struggled against the pulls of waking. The haze that surrounded her was far more comforting than reality. There was nothing left for her now.

In her mind, she dreamed of amber flames that embraced her as a lover would. She flinched back as the flames flickered out to stroke her skin but instead of pain she felt a soothing calm envelope her. Cocooned in fire, she heard whispers in her ears, whispers of a voice both familiar and yet so foreign.

The words it spoke was things she had never told anyone in her life. The despair that threatened to consume her by all the loss she had witnessed and how she fought every day just to put one foot in front of the other. The smoke-filled voice praised Zoe for her bravery. She tried to cry out how it was not fair. It agreed with her, it was not fair. She should not have to lose so much so young.

Another voice called out to Zoe and it drew the flames away. She cried out for it not to go as her mind roused her awake. Wings of fire flickered in her vision as she was forced to open her eyes. Rebekah’s concerned face cloaked her view.

“She’s awake.”

At seeing Zoe’s eyes open, Rebekah smiled and looked over toward Garrett, who sat in a chair by the hearth. She pulled back from the bed and gave Zoe room to sit up. She shook her head as Zoe scanned the room.

“You gave everyone quite a scare back there. You aren’t supposed to pass out after you save the day. Not very heroic of you.”

The familiar surroundings filled Zoe with elation. She was happy to be back in her bedroom; she had missed the comfort of her own bed. She plopped back down on the bed and relaxed into the smell of her bed sheets. She let her mind wander back to her dream and her eyes started to slide close.

“Hey! Don’t go back to sleep now.” Rebekah shook her shoulders and then jerked the covers off of her, exposing her to the cold chamber air. “Don’t you want to know about Asher?”

Zoe threw herself out of the bed and shoved Rebekah out of the way. The cold stone bit into her bare feet as she padded toward the door. Garrett moved to stand in front of the door, successfully blocking her path.

“Get out of my way, Garrett.”

Her friend just scanned her up and down and smirked, “Are you going to parade through the halls dressed like that?”

She glanced down at herself and scowled at the red dress she was still wearing. She contemplated if it was worth the scandal she would cause dressed in a harlot’s attire outside the ruse. Zoe crossed her arms over her chest and turned back to Rebekah.

“Where are my clothes?”

Rebekah giggled and bounced on the bed as she pointed toward a bundle of clothes laying on a chair by her wardrobe. Zoe hesitated. The clothes laying there were not what she had in mind but at the moment she could only think of Asher. She grabbed the pink frilly atrocity and jumped behind the changing screen.

She shoved the red gown off of her body and adjusted the chemise beneath. Her lips curled in disgust at the many straps and ties to the gown. Could they have picked anything worse? Zoe’s ears peaked with interest at the sound of the young girl speaking to Garrett.

“You owe me five silver.”

Rebekah held out her hand to the bodyguard who stared at the screen in disbelief. He shoved a hand through his hair and grunted before he pulled the coins out of his bag and tossed them on the bed. He could have sworn Zoe would have rather marched through the halls naked before touching the clothing laid out for her. That would teach him not to gamble with a gypsy.

“I still think you cheated.”

Rebekah grinned and pocketed the coins. “You are the one who didn’t specify the where or when I had to convince her. I simply took advantage of a distraught friend so I could capitalize on her pain.”

Zoe stalked out from the curtain, disgust clear on her face. “You bet on what clothing I would wear?”

Garrett had the humility to blush, but Rebekah only bounced on her bed and nodded her head in vigor. “I take it back, Garrett. You two are perfect for each other.”

She grabbed the dress and marched to the door and yanked it open. Her lips curved into a playful grin as she looked back at them. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She closed the door behind her and locked it for good measure.

She chuckled to herself at the sound of Garrett banging on her door and walked toward the infirmary. It would serve them right to use her for their petty amusement. She glared down at the rose-colored gown, if the low neckline were not enough of a reason to hate it, the frills lining every inch of it pushed her over the limit.

Once she found out how Asher was doing, she was burning the dress. She did not care if she had to be naked to do it. She had no doubt Rebekah had hid all of her clothing to make sure she won her bet. Zoe laughed at the thought. Garrett really did not know what he had gotten himself into.

“I see Rebekah won.”

Zoe looked up at the voice and saw Sir Walter leaning against the wall outside the infirmary door. She made a face at her teacher at the reference to her attire. So everyone was in on it.

“Yes, well they are being punished as we speak.” Her eyes darted toward the infirmary door. “How is he?”

Sir Walter gave her a small smile, “He’s a lucky bastard that prince of yours. The knife went straight through his side, only catching muscle. The physician is in there with him now, changing his bandages.”

“Can I see him?”

“I don’t see why not. He’s been asking for you in any case.” The old man chuckled, “Wouldn’t believe us when we said you fainted.”

Great. The princess grimaced at the thought of her acting like one of those whimpering ladies of the court she had always despised. Just what she needed to start her reign off with. She made a note to herself to make a spectacle of beating the guards in the training grounds the next chance she got. That ought to squash any thoughts her subjects would have of her as some delicate flower.

“Well, don’t get used to it. It will never happen again.”

Sir Walter bowed to her and grinned. “Of course, your highness.”

“And what of my uncle?”

“He is being held in the dungeons until after your coronation and then I will personally deliver him to the doorstep of Dederic himself.” He shifted on his feet uncomfortably. “Are you sure this is what you want? Dederic is not a forgiving man. Especially, after what your uncle said about Camael.”

Zoe approached the door of the infirmary and placed a hand on the wood panel. “I will not start my reign with death on my hands. My uncle chose his path and now he must pay for it.” She turned the handle of the door as her former teacher bowed once more.

“As you wish, your highness.”

***

The smell of herbs and boiling fluids permeated the room. Zoe fought the urge to sneeze and scanned the room for her prince. She caught sight of an older woman leaning over a groaning patient. She giggled when she recognized the cursing that came from the bed. Her prince was such a wimp.

Asher groaned at the familiar giggle that followed the door opening. “Go away, Zoe.”

The older woman placed a bandage on him harder than was necessary, “Do not talk to her highness with such disrespect.” She turned to bow to Zoe. A kind smile creased the wrinkles around her mouth.

Zoe nodded to the woman and approached them. “How is he doing, Gail?”

“He is doing well, your highness.” Gail glanced down at the prince who groaned. “He’s more dramatic than I expected.”

“Hey! I’m right here you know?” Asher sat up but winced at the pain that shot through him and lay back down.

Gail gave him a stern look. “And stubborn.”

The princess laughed at the scowl Asher was giving the old woman. He could not be that hurt if he had the energy to be offended. She gazed down at his shirtless form; bandages covered his left side and she could see the blood that had tried to seep back out of the wound. To think she almost lost him too. Her eyes started to well up. She did not know what she would have done if he had died.

“Come now, don’t look at me like that. I’m not dead.”

Asher waved Gail’s picking hands away and gestured Zoe to come closer. He grabbed her hand in his and drew her down to sit on the bed. Asher glared at Gail when she held her hands up to stop him as he reached up toward Zoe.

“Just give us a minute, will you?”

He watched Gail glance at Zoe for a brief second before she left the room with a disapproving frown. With their chaperone gone, Asher reached up and stroked his thumb over her cheek to catch the moisture falling down. He cupped her face with his hand and drew her face up to look at him.

“Since when do you cry?” He frowned when his words only seemed to make her cry harder. “I’m right here, Zoe. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Asher quirked his lips at the small smile that appeared on her face. “There’s my girl.”

Zoe grasped the hand on her face and held it to her. “You stupid man. You’re part of me now. I couldn’t get rid of you even if I wanted to.”

He used the hand she held to bring her face closer to his. “Good. Cause even the wrath of Auriel couldn’t keep me from you.”

The princess laughed as the heat in her flickered playfully at the fire angel’s name. “You don’t have to worry about that. I think he’s rather fond of you.”

Asher paused her descent and quirked an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

Zoe lowered her mouth down to his, her words came out a whisper against his lips. “You tamed his biggest flame of all.”

The grin on his face broadened as Asher captured her mouth with his. He poured all of the feelings he had accumulated for her over the years into that kiss. He was just about to deepen the kiss when Zoe jerked away with a gasp.

“Garrett! Rebekah!” Zoe cried out as she searched for an excuse to put some distance between them. Though Asher put on a brave face, she could tell by the tension in his shoulders he was in pain.

“Uh, I’m not sure you are supposed to call out other people’s names at a time like this. I mean Garrett I get, but Rebekah? Really, Zoe? She’s sixteen.” He chuckled when she shoved him and groaned as his side shouted at him in protest.

“That’s not what I meant.” Zoe moved to stand but Asher grabbed her around the waist to keep her in place. She pushed at the hands holding her there but threw her hands up in defeat when he did not budge. She tried to give him an irritated look but found a smile curling onto her face.

“Let me go! I have to go let them out of my room.”

“Why are they in your room?”

Zoe wrung her hands together and looked away, a blush spread across her face. “I kind of locked them in there.” She scowled when his inquisitive eyes focused on her.

“I had to. They’re the reason for this monstrosity.” She gestured down to the gown she was wearing. She jerked at a loose string on the skirt of the gown, her desire to destroy it clear in her eyes.

“Well then, let’s get you out of it shall we?”

Asher smirked and snuck his arms around her back. A mischievous grin filled his face as he pulled at the ties at the back of the gown. His smile widened and slid his hands inside the back when the back of it came undone easier than he anticipated.

Zoe laughed and tried to push his wandering hands away. “I can’t. I have to go let them out. Besides you are supposed to be resting.”

“I’m fine, besides –” His hand pulled the skirt up her legs and slid along the skin beneath. “– they’re not going anywhere.”

She pushed his hands away with a smile. “I hardly think now is the time.”

“Why not? We won the fight. Your kingdom is saved and now we can get married and have lots of redheaded babies. Just like you.” He gave her a boyish smirk.

“The fight isn’t done yet. We still have Dederic to deal with.” Zoe frowned, remembering her uncle’s words. Camael had fallen. It did not bode well. If Auriel had not taken their magic it would not have been such a problem, but with only their strength and wits, they were going to need more than just them to take the Camelians on in the coming war.

Zoe turned in his arms, a serious strain on her face. “I only know one thing for certain.”

“What’s that?”

Her face broke out in a lopsided grin, “You’re never going to live down those gypsy pants.”