Lost Princess (23 page)

Noah propped the sword against the gate, took the boots, and stepped into them.

“Elijah, what about Jackson? Someone has to find him.”

“Yes, My Queen.” He turned and gestured toward a dark corner.

Alec Ranger stepped forward and bowed. “I would be honored if you would allow me the privilege of riding with the Queen’s Army, Your Majesty.” He rose to his feet. “I will ride with you to Argonas, then go after Jackson.”

Ryleigh stiffened. She couldn’t help it. She tried to relax her stance, but she couldn’t trust him. “How will you find him?”

Ranger’s eyes darkened. “The prisoners are typically kept in a tower, and I’m sure you’ll find the princess there.”

“What about Jackson? Won’t he be there too?”

“Probably not, My Queen.”

“I don’t understand. Where will he be?”

Ranger shifted uncomfortably. “I was a…guest…of Daygan’s at one time, many hundreds of years ago. There are certain prisoners at certain times who are kept below ground. In the dungeons.”

“Why?”

He glanced at Elijah.

Ryleigh bristled. “I asked you a question, soldier.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’m sorry.” He inclined his head. “Some prisoners are kept in the torture chambers below ground. I’m quite certain that’s where I’ll find Jackson.”

She fought the tears, kept her back straight, but couldn’t keep the tremor from her voice. “Will you be able to get in?”

“Yes.”

She nodded. “Very well, thank you.”

Ranger moved toward the pens.

Elijah joined him as the others returned and led the men toward the pens.

Noah leaned close to her. “You okay?”

Warmth emanated from him, chasing away the chill.

She nodded.

“Do you trust him?”

Did she? Who knew? “I don’t trust anyone at this point.”

He moved around and faced her. “You trust me, right?”

“Of course, I do.”

He blew out a breath. “I’ll go with him.”

“Are you serious? You’d do that for Jackson?”

His gaze clamped onto hers. “I’d do it for you.” He grinned, the same grin he’d always given her when he wanted something from her. “But you’ll owe me one.” His laughter followed him toward the pens as he walked away. “Dragons, huh? Not gonna lie, this is so cool.”

He joined his team as Elijah, Darius, and Caleb helped everyone onto the dragons and explained everything they needed to know.

Ryleigh climbed onto Kalayah.

Conversation stopped. Everyone stared at her.

“Excuse me, My Queen.” Caleb looked around before continuing. Maybe looking for support. “Where are you going?”

“I’m leading my army, Caleb.”

Murmurs ran through the small group, but she lifted a hand to halt their protests before they could voice them. “I’m going after my sister, Caleb. Period. That’s non-negotiable.” Dismissing the warrior, she turned to Elijah. “Now. Why are there ten dragons, when I only have nine men? Will you be riding with us?”

“No. Not me.”

“I don’t understand. Who—?”

“I will ride with you, Your Majesty.” Dakota jogged toward the pens. “If you’ll have me.”

A genuine smile warmed Ryleigh’s heart. She jumped down, ran to him, and threw her arms around his neck. “You’re okay.” She gripped both his upper arms and held him away from her. She couldn’t see much beneath the armor, but his coloring was a lot better than last time she’d seen him.

He shook a lock of hair out of his face and blushed even deeper. “I’m good, thanks to you.” He bowed. “Please, allow me to ride with you, My Queen.”

“Of course, Dakota. I’d be honored to have you. Thank you.”

He ran to the last dragon and climbed up. He studied each of the other men who sat watching him. “Chayce Maynard is mine.” He squeezed the dragon’s sides between his knees, and she lifted through the opening and into the sky.

The others followed. Whoops and hollers drifted back to her as the men first started to fly.

Elijah approached Ryleigh and studied her a moment before lifting a white breastplate trimmed in gold. The same purple and white design that encircled her arm adorned the front of the armor. “The Queen’s armor, Your Majesty.”

Ryleigh slid down and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Elijah. For everything.”

Elijah helped her fit the snug armor over the black sweatshirt.

She pulled the bottom of the sweatshirt down a bit, smoothed it along her leg. A bump in her jean’s pocket caught her attention. “Oh, Elijah. Could you do me a favor, please?”

“Of course, My Queen.” He strapped a white metal plate to her leg.

She pulled the Divination Stone from her pocket. “Would you please return this to the pedestal?” She held the stone out to him. It pulsed once, a deep purple flicker of light.

Elijah closed her fingers over the stone and covered her closed fist with his hand. “Keep it, My Queen. The Divination Stone may be separated from the base and will continue to grow in power, as long as it is in the queen’s possession.” He cupped his hands and boosted Ryleigh onto Kalayah’s back, then patted the dragon’s head. “Be careful, Your Majesty. Caleb and Darius have left, and they will cause the distraction you need to get in. But still, watch your backs.” He rubbed a hand down the dragon’s snout and stepped back.

“Thank you, Elijah. For everything.”

Kalayah lifted into the sky. Ryleigh watched for a moment as her men plunged and turned, learning to maneuver the dragon’s they straddled. When they noticed her, they moved into a V, and waited while she took her place at the front of the formation.

* * * *

Jackson floated in a haze of pain and peace. He was so close. All he had to do was let go, and the pain would end.

Oblivion beckoned.

He slid further from reality.

Only Ryleigh’s image kept him in this world. He couldn’t find peace until he knew her fate. If only he knew she was all right, he’d give up now. He longed for the peaceful obscurity death offered.

He’d used every last ounce of his strength trying to heal his injuries, grave injuries that would have been difficult to heal under the best of circumstances. Current conditions made healing impossible.

Trying to shift positions sent waves of agony through every inch of his body. With his eyes swollen completely shut, he couldn’t see. His shoulders burned, an ache he couldn’t relieve with his entire body weight hanging from the shackles binding his wrists. He lacked the strength to stand and ease the pressure.

Death called. Louder this time. More insistent.

Perhaps it was time to answer.

Voices.

In his head?

Hurried footsteps.

His body stiffened. Pain tore through him.

No. He couldn’t take another moment of torture. He’d fought as long as he was able, endured once he could no longer fight. But he was done now. He would die with the knowledge of the ancients locked firmly in his mind. No matter what, Chayce couldn’t take that from him. Even as Jackson surrendered, the thought comforted him.

“I love you, Ryleigh. I’m sorry,” he whispered, then relinquished his tentative hold as blackness claimed him.

Ryleigh lifted the latch on the door handle. She and Dakota had left the others a safe distance away with the dragons while they crept toward the tower where Ryleigh had been imprisoned. With all of the savages fighting the Cymmeran Guard and the Death Dealers, they’d pretty much strolled right in. The latch gave, but the door stuck.

“Here, let me help.” Dakota reached past her and gripped the handle.

Together, they wrestled the door open.

Dakota hunched against the ice covered wall of the castle, his breathing harsh, plumes of vapor rushing from his mouth into the cold.

“Are you all right?” Slipping a hand beneath his arm, Ryleigh helped him stand.

He nodded and gestured for her to move through the doorway then followed her.

The click of the latch falling into place as the door shut echoed like a gunshot in the silence. Of course, there were no guns in Cymmera. “Do you want to wait here?”

Dakota looked up the curved staircase to the tower ceiling but shook his head. “I’ll be all right. I just needed to catch my breath.”

“There were no guards last time I was here.” She shivered at the memory.

“Go. I’ll be fine. I’m not sending you up there alone. Besides, Mia might need help.”

The young man barely had the strength to stand, yet sheer determination propelled him up the stairs. Dakota’s feelings for Mia wouldn’t allow him to give up. He remained silent, pain carved in every line of his face, as he trudged forward.

She increased her pace. If Dakota fell behind, she and Mia could catch up to him on the way down.

He didn’t.

They jogged up the remaining stairs, Ryleigh holding the heavy sword still to keep it from making noise and giving away their position. At the top, she paused and listened.

Nothing.

Small circles of light held back the shadows as she crept down the empty hallway toward the last door. Silence echoed loudly, ringing in her ears. She resisted the temptation to run. Better to make sure the other rooms were clear before freeing Mia. They’d still have to pass them on their way out.

She faced Dakota across the hallway, though she couldn’t make out his features in the shadows. He gestured her forward with a hand, and she peeked around the corner into an open doorway. Darkness beckoned. She ignored it. If there was something in there, leave it be. She just wanted to get Mia and get out.

Dakota checked the doorway on his side, but shook his head a moment later. Either it was clear, or he couldn’t see into the room. Either way, he moved forward past the opening. All stealth forgotten, he lunged toward the doorway at the end of the hall and flung the last door open.

Ryleigh surged through the doorway on his heels. “Mia?”

Light from the lanterns flickered in the chamber, illuminating enough of her surroundings to see the room was empty. And trashed.

“Mia?” She kept her voice low, but she was on the verge of screaming.

The overturned, shredded furniture was the least of the destruction. Splinters of the table she’d smacked her head on lay scattered across the room. The bars on the windows had been mangled and ripped from the walls. They lay in a twisted heap in the corner. Even the stone walls hadn’t been spared. Chips and chunks of stone littered the floor.

“I don’t think she was ever here.” Dakota rubbed a soothing hand up and down her arm. He kicked some of the rubble aside. “But it looks like somebody was pretty pissed off you escaped.” He shot her a quick grin that didn’t hold any real humor. “Let’s go, we’ll have to figure out another plan. She’s got to be somewhere.”

Okay, think. Where would Chayce have taken her?

“Come on.” Dakota took Ryleigh’s arm. “Let’s not waste time.”

She stared at him, unable to move. She’d been so certain she’d find Mia in the chamber.

“She’s not here, Ryleigh. Come on.” He guided her gently but firmly toward the door. “Hurry.”

Abandoning all caution, they fled back the way they’d come, jogging until they reached the bottom of the stairway, only pausing a moment before shoving the heavy door open and diving out into the cold. They crossed the clearing and slid into the woods undetected. Cold wind battered her, snow swirled around her, limiting visibility. She lowered her head and trudged through thigh deep drifts. They reached the clearing on the small plateau where they’d left the dragons and Dakota whistled.

The men emerged from behind trees and beneath brush and mounds of snow. They shook the snow from their clothing and sheathed their weapons, as they approached Ryleigh and Dakota.

“What happened? Where is the girl?” The older man, Tristan, the leader of Noah’s team, stepped forward.

“She wasn’t there.” Dakota kicked a mound of the wet heavy snow. “We’ll have to try something else.”

Tristan removed a glove and brushed the snow from his graying crew cut. “Any idea where else she might be imprisoned?”

Dakota shrugged. “Ranger mentioned the tortu…uh…chambers in the dungeon, but I don’t know how to find them. Besides, if she’s down there, Ranger will find her. No way he’ll leave without checking every chamber for prisoners.”

Jimmy shook his head. “Noah wouldn’t either. Even if they find Jackson right away, he’ll do a thorough search.”

“So what do we do now?” Ryleigh was perilously close to whining, and she tried to firm her voice. “I’m not leaving here without Mia.”

Dakota gripped her shoulder, squeezed. “Don’t worry, Ryleigh. She’s not getting left behind.” He frowned and lowered his hand to his side. “But we might have to change our tactics.”

He stared at Tristan as if sizing up the other man. “If we can’t find Mia…” He only hesitated a moment, his gaze drifting past the edge of the plateau to the snowcapped mountains. “We’ll find Chayce, instead.” He returned his gaze to Tristan’s. “I’m pretty sure I can get him to tell us where she is.”

“How will you find him? In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s an all-out war raging down there.” Tristan gestured over the cliff toward the sounds of battle.

Dakota walked forward, patted his dragon on the way past, then stood at the edge looking down. His shoulders slumped.

The other men waited, Jimmy and Tristan talking quietly.

Visions of Mia being tortured haunted Ryleigh.

Dakota had tried to be kind, to censor his words, but Ryleigh wasn’t stupid. She forced the images of Mia away. She had to blank her mind or think of something else, anything else, or she would surely go insane.

At a loss for what else to do, Ryleigh simply waited. She had no other choice. She had no clue how to lead an army, didn’t even know what to do next. She would have to appoint a leader. Someone had to be in charge.

She studied the men. Her men. Tristan was obviously used to being in command, and his men looked to him when it came time to make a decision. But he knew nothing of their world.

Then again, what did she know about being a queen?

Dakota turned and moved back toward them, strength and determination hardening his eyes. Could he lead an army? He appeared to be a child. Well, not really a child, but young. Like Mia. Yet, he’d lived in Cymmera for hundreds of years, trained to battle the creatures they’d now face, understood the dangers they’d come up against.