Lost Princess (13 page)

Ryleigh stuffed the stone into her pocket and stood. She swiped her arm across her brow, wiping the blood from her forehead. She concentrated on an image of Cymmera, pulled a vision of the throne room to the front of her mind. Warmth filled her core, tingled down her arms. Energy gathered. She struggled to contain it as she lifted her arms, kept it leashed until she could no longer restrain the ball of power. She ripped her hands apart. A small explosion lifted her off her feet, slammed her into the wall behind her. Red sparks showered over her, burning her skin where they landed. She brushed frantically at the embers.

Kai’s laughter filled the room, echoed inside her head. His voice was distorted, as if coming from a great distance. “Do you really think I’m foolish enough to make such a stupid mistake? Thaddeus is one of the most powerful sorcerers alive. You are no match for his magic.”

Ryleigh rubbed the back of her head, rolled her shoulder. A dull ache settled at the base of her neck. All right. She would just have to find a more conventional means of escape. Determination propelled her across the room. She tore open the heavy drapes. Bars covered the window.

“Accept your fate, Ryleigh. King Maynard will be here shortly, and I expect you to be cooperative by the time he arrives.”

Relief weighed heavily, slumping her shoulders. Of course Jackson would come for her. Had she really thought he’d leave her there? She pulled the stone from her pocket, clutched it to her chest, and continued to search for a way out.

* * * *

When Jackson entered the Council Chambers, the other ten members of the Council of Elders were already seated. He only hesitated a moment, and ran a hand over the empty seat to the right of his. The seat Kai had once occupied at the real King Maynard’s side. The one Jackson should have already filled with his most trusted advisor. Whoever that was.

He rubbed his eyes. “Please, send for Chayce.”

A guard nodded in acknowledgement and left the chamber.

Jackson took his seat at the head of the semi-circular, stone table.

Tatiana Storm, head of the Disciplinary Council, cleared her throat.

Jackson spared her a glance but said nothing.

Elijah sifted through a stack of papers.

Darius Knight, head of the Security Council, stood. “Sir, if I may?”

Jackson shot him a look of gratitude for interrupting the strained silence. This was ridiculous. He’d known these people his whole life. “Yes, Darius.”

“We were called to council but were not given a reason. Has something happened?”

Elijah drummed his fingers against the table.

Jackson worked to ignore the monotonous tapping. “The Divination Stone was stolen from Ryleigh’s room.”

The scowl Darius already wore deepened. “How could that have happened? And why wasn’t I informed?”

Another reminder that Jackson sucked at being a king. He hadn’t even followed the proper protocol when an intruder had obviously gained access to the future queen’s room. “Forgive me, Darius. Things have been a little chaotic lately—”

Tatiana’s very unladylike snort interrupted him.

He ignored her. “But, I am trying to get control now.”

Darius rolled his shoulders. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, and explain what’s going on?”

Jackson had no doubt the other man was angry, and rightfully so, but at least he would give Jackson a chance.

“Sit, please, Darius. This doesn’t have to be so formal. Let’s just work together to figure out what’s going on and fix it. All right?” He met each of the council members’ stares, one by one, and held them. If he couldn’t gain their respect, the Kingdom of Cymmera would surely fall.

Tatiana leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, as she twirled a thin scroll between her fingers. “Sure, Jackson. What ca—”

“Is that any way to address your king?” Chayce strode through the doorway, frown firmly in place.

Tatiana huffed out a breath, tossed the scroll onto the table, and sat back with her arms folded.

Jackson sighed. “There’s no need for formalities here, Chayce. We’ve all known each other forever. Tatiana and I were good friends growing up. As far as I know, we still are.” He checked her expression for any sign she disagreed with him but found nothing. “I don’t expect any of you to address me as anything other than Jackson while we’re in private council.”

Chayce’s sneer made Jackson re-think the offer he was about to make. Maybe his brother held too much animosity toward him for this to work.

“You sent for me, Your Majesty?”

The mocking attitude grated on Jackson’s last nerve. “Look, Chayce. I’ve already asked you to be one of my advisors; it only makes sense for you to head the Advisory Council at this time.”

Chayce simply took his seat without another word.

“All right.” Enough petty arguing. Jackson summoned patience. “Where were we?”

“You were about to tell us what is going on.” Frustration harshened Darius’s words.

Urgency beat at Jackson. “Look. The bottom line is, the Divination Stone was stolen from Ryleigh’s room, and Ryleigh went in search of it.”

“Alone?” Darius gripped the edge of the table and shot to his feet.

Jackson spared Elijah a scathing look. “Yes. Alone. I must go find her, but there are things here that have to be attended to first.” No matter how badly he wanted to dump it all and run after her. “By the way, where’s Mia?”

Elijah stood. “I sent her with Dakota Knight to the human realm, sir.”

“Do you think that’s the safest place for her?”

“I have no idea at this point, sir.” The prophet lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender.

So much for an informal meeting. Jackson’s tightly corralled patience threatened to escape.

“You can’t possibly think you’re going after Ryleigh alone?” The look Darius pinned him with told him that wasn’t happening, no matter what Jackson had in mind.

“I hadn’t thought about it yet, Darius.” Liar.

“Jackson, you are now the leader of this kingdom. You can’t simply run off, alone, on some suicide mission.”

The truth of his words didn’t soften the blow. If anything, the stark reality of them hit him even harder. But who could he trust enough to take with him? He couldn’t very well engage in a battle with his enemy with a traitor at his back.

“I’ll go with you.”

He studied Chayce for a moment, trying to judge the sincerity in his offer, then shook his head. It didn’t matter, anyway. “With me and Ryleigh both gone, you’ll be left in charge.” The reality of that statement slammed into him like a wave of ice water. What was he thinking?

Darius rounded the table and faced Jackson. He put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll go instead of you, Jackson.” Darius headed the Security Council, had ridden with the Death Dealers, was his best friend’s father. Darius was loyal to a fault.

Jackson wanted nothing more than to trust this man, but with Ryleigh’s life possibly hanging in the balance, Jackson just couldn’t bring himself to trust anyone else.

“Jackson.” Elijah spoke calmly. “Please, hear me out. This is Ryleigh’s quest. Not yours. She will return when her task is completed.”

“How can you know that?”

The seer rolled his eyes.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Elijah.” Or was it? “I just can’t leave her out there alone.”

“My King…” Respect and frustration marked his words. He looked to the other Council Members for support.

None was forthcoming. What would become of a land where the rulers couldn’t seem to agree on anything?

Elijah sighed and spread his hands wide, then pressed them flat on the table. “How can you ask Miss Ryleigh to become your queen, to rule at your side, maybe even in your stead at some point, if you can’t trust her?”

It didn’t matter that Elijah was right. Jackson still couldn’t leave her on her own. Elijah could have sent her into a trap. Elijah was with her when she’d been abducted from the family tunnels. He was one of the only people Jackson knew of who was aware of their existence.

“I’m sorry, Elijah. I just don’t know who to trust anymore.” Jackson studied the backs of his hands, unwilling to witness the hurt he’d find in Elijah’s eyes if he looked up.

Silence descended on the chamber. Tension weighed heavily in the air. Did they all think he was crazy? Or did they too suffer from a lack of trust in each other?

“Jackson.”

“Yes, Chayce?”

“If I might make a suggestion?”

“Sure. Why not.”

Chayce spoke softly. “I would prefer to have Mia in Cymmera while there is so much…uncertainty. Why don’t you allow me to provide security for Mia? Then you and Dakota can go after Ryleigh.”

Jackson hesitated. Could he trust anyone with Mia? He had to trust someone with something. Unless he could figure out a way to do everything himself.

“I’ll take care of her, Jackson. I promise. I’ll make sure everything here runs as smoothly as possible while you’re gone. It makes the most sense to take Dakota with you. He rides as your partner. He’s your best friend, Jackson. He’ll have your back.”

Jackson nodded slowly. There really was no other choice.

“Your Majesty. Please. I urge you to reconsider,” Elijah pleaded.

“I’m sorry, Elijah. I can’t. So be it. Chayce, could you please go yourself to get Dakota and Mia?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. The Council of Elders is officially adjourned. Thank you.” Jackson sat with his elbows on the table, his head lowered, and his hands clasped together over the back of his head. He had no idea if he was doing the right thing.

Chairs scraped against the stone floor. Papers crinkled with more force than necessary. The guards acknowledged each council member as they filed out one by one, leaving Jackson alone with his insecurities.

“Sir.”

What now? “What is it?”

“I must implore you one last time. Please, allow Miss Ryleigh to complete her task. She is quite capable, and she has her own lessons to learn, her own journey to complete…and…well, sir…” Elijah cleared his throat. “Quite honestly, you have responsibilities here that you have no business shirking.”

Jackson lunged to his feet, slamming his palms down on the stone tabletop. The sting ran halfway up his arms. “That will be enough, Elijah. I am well aware of my responsibilities. Trust me, I’m practically suffocating beneath them.”

The already firm line of Elijah’s mouth hardened. “Jackson.”

Jackson squared his shoulders, bracing himself for the speech about how irresponsible he was being, ready to counter any argument the seer could launch.

“Your kingdom could come under attack at any moment, you have prisoners in the dungeon who must be talked to, and let’s face it, the possibility of a traitor among our people is highly likely. No matter how much we don’t want to admit it.”

No kidding. He choked the words back. Better to wait and see where Elijah was going with all of this.

Elijah swallowed hard. “Is there anything I can say to convince you to stay?”

He searched the seer’s ice blue eyes, searched for insight, for guidance, for truth. “No, Elijah. I’m sorry.”

“Very well, sir.” He stepped forward and pulled Jackson into an embrace. “Go in peace, my son.” Elijah headed for the door. His slumped shoulders touched a part of Jackson he thought long hardened.

Jackson willed him to stop, to turn, to offer his support. “I will see to the prisoners before I go.”

Elijah simply nodded and kept walking.

Crap. Loyalty to a man he’d known his entire existence battled suspicion for a man who’d had every opportunity to betray him. “Elijah.”

He paused but didn’t turn.

“Thank you.”

The door fell shut behind him, an all too firm echo of finality in the empty council chambers.

Jackson propped his elbows on the hard stone table. He lowered his head and cradled it between his hands, squeezing hard enough to dull the constant throbbing at his temples. He needed some sort of release. Chayce would return soon with Mia and Dakota. They didn’t have a lot of time to waste. The urge to run hammered him. A freestyle run, with no boundaries, no limitations. He closed his eyes, imagined the focus a freestyle run would bring, the adrenaline rush that would chase away even the most diligent of worries. He rubbed his hands over his eyes. His new role didn’t allow for such frivolous indulgences.

Pounding against the door punctuated the observation.

“Enter.”

“Sir.” Lucas paused.

Jackson sat up straighter. “What is it, Lucas?”

“One of the prisoners has been asking to see you. Elijah said it would be okay to bring him in.”

“Sure.” Jackson waved a hand in a come ahead gesture as he stood.

Lucas escorted the shackled prisoner into the council chambers. Noah. Of course. He should have known. Lucas placed Noah at one of the smaller tables within the horseshoe created by the council table.

The last thing Jackson felt like doing right now was being civil to this man. If he didn’t relieve some of his tension soon, he was going to burst. “Sit, please.”

Noah hoisted himself onto the table and sat with his cuffed hands dangling between his shackled legs.

“Thank you, Lucas. You may leave us.”

“Yes, sir.” He bowed and left the chamber.

Jackson rounded the huge council table. He approached the prisoner with no hesitation. Was the challenge evident in his eyes? Perhaps. Probably.

Noah didn’t even flinch beneath his stare.

Jackson held his gaze for another long moment, then hopped up to sit on another table facing his prisoner. He made sure to stay within striking distance. If the prisoner attacked this time, there would be a much different outcome. A good fight might be just the stress reliever Jackson needed.

Noah grinned.

Jackson stiffened.

“You’re kingdom is a mess.” Noah used the back of his wrist to wipe a bead of sweat from the side of his face. Maybe he was a little nervous after all. Good. There was no doubt from the look in the other man’s eye that he wanted something.

Jackson counted silently until he could speak with the detached calm he’d need to bargain with this man. He made it way past ten. “Do you want something, Noah? I’m kind of in a hurry.”