The Dark King (25 page)

She held up her makeshift weapon. It wasn't nearly as effective as a wooden sword, but it was better than nothing. Taylor jumped over the crates and grabbed a handful of clothes as she went. She threw them into Opal's face, but it barely slowed the Phantom woman down.

Opal lunged, her sword jabbing forward. She sliced through the material, cutting her way to Taylor’s arm.

Taylor cried out and staggered back.

Blood welled from the wound, but Taylor's grip on her weapon remained firm. She saw movement outside the door. Had the Slavers returned? Her heart slammed against her ribs, but she didn't dare take her eyes off Opal. She needed a sword or a longer weapon. Anything to give her a fighting chance.

"Why did you do it?" Taylor asked again to buy herself some time. She kept the crates between them as Opal tried to reposition herself for a kill shot.

"I told you," Opal said. "I did it for the King, for the Phantom people. Now stop stalling. You are only delaying the inevitable. The sooner you die, the sooner things can return to what they were before you arrived." She lunged for her.

Taylor had her weapon raised and ready, but there wasn't much she could do against a sword.

A loud menacing growl filled the small compartment. The growl quickly turned into an outraged roar.

Opal stopped mid-charge. They both turned to find Hades standing in the doorway, covered in blood, his large body trembling with barely contained rage.

"Sire." Opal sheathed her sword. "As you can see, I've found her. She's alive, but appears to be suffering from delusions. She thinks I’m trying to kill her. Perhaps now that you’re here, you can talk some sense into her."

His red eyes followed her movements, then slowly shifted to Taylor. "What I see is that I've arrived just in time." His words were guttural and in no way human.

Opal’s composure cracked and she dropped to one knee. "My King, I did what was best for the people. Having a human in our court will weaken us, weaken you. Can't you see that? This foolish raid proves it. How many warriors have we lost for one Earthling? Five? Ten?"

"We wouldn't have lost any had it not been for you." Hades' fury entered the room before him. The heat from it boiled over, making it hard to breathe. He stepped forward and held out his hand. "Taylor, come to me." Bloody claws had replaced his fingertips, but she didn't hesitate.

Taylor rushed into Hades' arms. He inhaled, taking in her scent, then slowly examined every inch of her. When he reached the injury on her arm, he leaned down and licked the blood off. He cleaned the wound thoroughly, then examined it again. His eyes were glowing, when his gaze returned to Opal.

"You have betrayed me," he growled. "Betrayed my trust. Betrayed the Phantom people by working with the Slavers. What have you to say for yourself?"

Opal shook her head in denial. "Sire, I did it for you. And for the people—"

"Cease speaking this instant! I shall listen to no more of your lies. You did this…" He held up Taylor’s injured arm. “All of this, for yourself.”

"But, Sire..." Opal beseeched. “I love you.”

Hades’ gaze flicked to the dried blood on the walls. “This is not love. This is madness.”

Taylor squeezed Hades’ hand to reassure him that all was well. His touch remained gentle, but firm.

Opal rose to her feet. "Will you challenge me in the Pit?" She swallowed convulsively as she awaited his answer.

"I will," Taylor said.

Satisfaction flashed in Opal's eyes, but quickly diminished when Hades looked at her.

“No.” He slowly shook his head. "I have a better idea." Hades turned to his nearest guard. "Bring him to me."

A Phantom Warrior pushed Captain Hawk forward. Opal's eyes widened and her color drained.

"Remove the shackles from her," Hades said.

Hawk did as he asked.

Taylor rubbed her wrists. They were sore from the climb, but they didn't appear to be bruised. Not that it mattered. She'd heal.

"Because I am a fair King, I will allow you to take what is left of your people and leave this planet." Hades pointed to Opal. "You will take her with you."

"No!" Opal shouted.

Hawk gave her a feral grin. "It would be my pleasure. I'm in need of a new pet."

Hades' free hand curled into fist. "The only reason you are alive is because she is unharmed." He ran his knuckles over Taylor's uninjured arm. "If you ever return to Zaron, I will find your home planet and declare war upon it." His glacial voice cut through any remaining doubt of his sincerity. "I will not stop, until all that remains is a memory of your planet and its people. Do you understand?"

Hawk's battered gaze moved to Opal and his smile widened, making his split lip bleed even more. "Agreed," he said. "What about the others?" He indicated to the containers around them.

Hades' eyes narrowed. "The others shall be freed. They can either remain here on Zaron or they will eventually be returned to their homes. Accept my decree or die where you stand."

Hawk hesitated, then nodded. "I don't have much of a choice."

"No, you do not."

Hades' cold blue eyes pinned Opal in place as they left the compartment. Hawk raised his hand and pressed a panel on the right. Opal rushed forward as the door slammed shut.

"You can't do this. It means death. Please, Sire." Her fists pounded on the metal. The clang, clang, clang echoed in the silence.

"It is done," Hawk said.

Hades glanced one more time at the sealed compartment, then slowly turned away. He pulled Taylor close, then issued the order to leave. The Phantoms freed the enslaved women, then escorted them off the ships.

The Slavers took off an hour later.

Taylor and Hades watched them go. Even after everything she'd done to her, Taylor felt bad for Opal. She'd feel bad for anyone stuck in that horrendous chamber of horrors. As the ships left the atmosphere, she turned to Hades.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

He tensed, but didn’t look at her. "So am I."

"Do you think he'll kill her?" she asked.

Pain flashed across his face. "He had the opportunity to do so before and didn't."

Taylor glanced at him. "What does that mean?"

He met her gaze fleetingly. "It means her fate is now in his hands."

***

Hades watched the ship leave. He'd done the right thing, but couldn't stop the feelings of sorrow and guilt from carving chunks out of him. It was his fault that things had come to this point. Had he not lain with Opal, she would've never believed that there was more to their joining than just pleasure. He'd been a fool and hadn't even known it until Taylor's arrival in his Kingdom.

He did his best to hide how relieved he felt having her back in his arms. He'd come so close to losing her. Too close in his mind. When he'd seen Opal rush her, sword drawn, his hearts had stopped.

For a second, he'd thought he was too late. Even now Hades resisted the urge to crush Taylor to him. To reassure himself that she was real and not just a yearning desire that he'd somehow conjured in his mind.

It was in that moment when he realized that he might not get to her in time, that Hades had faced a hard truth about his feelings for the Earth woman.

He
loved
her. He loved her with both his hearts. It was a feeling he never thought he'd ever experience. Had never planned to experience. Even now he could barely believe what the Goddess was telling him, but Hades knew it was true.

The volatile emotion made it all the more difficult to do what must come next. Hades had failed in his duty to protect Taylor. And because of that failure, he’d nearly lost her. He could no longer guarantee her safety in the Walled City, which meant that he had to contact Linx. Taylor would be safe in New Atlantis. Safe and alive. In the end, that’s all that mattered.

***

Taylor nearly collapsed when they reached the Keep. Word had already spread about Opal's deceit. The guards’ reactions to the news and to her in general ran from blame to sympathy. Taylor bore it all as she made her way to her room. Her muscles ached and her arm stung, but those were minor concerns given the weight of what had just occurred.

Hades didn't come to her room that night. Initially, Taylor had been disappointed, but later she’d been relieved. She needed time alone to process everything that had happened. She also needed time to sort through her complicated emotions. And boy were they complicated.

She loved the Dark King. Of that there was no doubt, but Taylor had no idea what to do about it or if she should even tell him.

Hades had been through a lot. He had not only gone to battle, but he'd lost his most trusted guard to treachery. Opal had been in his life and in his bed for
years
. She’d been his ears, his eyes, and his confidant. The loss was a lot to digest for anyone, much less a King with so many responsibilities.

Taylor had been here for what, five days? And in that short period of time she’d managed to sleep with the King, get kidnapped, and start a war. Hades didn't need, nor would he appreciate, having her unrequited feelings dumped on him right now. It would not help the King’s mood or the situation. He had enough on his plate.

Hades might not blame her for this mess, but Taylor blamed herself. Had Linx not brought her here, Opal would still be on Zaron, Hades would have quickly found the Slavers, and all of his men would be alive. The Dark King wouldn't have had to rescue her and he wouldn't have lost anyone. Hades wouldn't have had to go through any of this, if she hadn't always been such a screw up.

Opal was right about one thing. Taylor was a distraction. A dangerous one.

Taylor sighed. Her life here was out of control. She wasn't a Phantom, but she no longer felt like an Earthling. Her old life seemed so far away, a hazy dream that was fading fast. Taylor couldn't imagine returning to Earth now.

In a couple of days, Linx would return to take her away, Eventually Taylor would forget all about her short time on the Slaver’ ship, the bloody container, and being shackled. But she'd never forget about the Dark King.

Hades would haunt her forever.

***

Taylor awoke the next morning to the sounds of heavy boots thudding up and down the halls. Fear enveloped her and her heart pummeled her ribcage. She glanced around wide-eyed as she searched for blood on the walls. It took her panicked brain a second to process that she was no longer on the Slaver’ ship. That she was back in her room at the Keep. Safe.

She slipped out of bed and made her way to the door. Taylor poked her head out to find Kon at his post. "What's going on? What's with all the noise?"

He watched more men race by. "The King has increased the guards on duty. Your abduction has pointed out holes in our security. They are being plugged now,” he said. “You should pack. Phantom Warrior Linx is waiting for you."

"What do you mean ‘waiting for me’?” Taylor asked. She had at least a day before she had to leave.

“The King summoned him early. He believes you’ll be safer in New Atlantis,” Kon said.

“So Hades just plans to pack me up and ship me off without saying goodbye?" The thought hurt.

Kon opened his mouth, then closed it again. "I thought after all that had occurred, you'd want to leave this place," he said cautiously.

"I did. I mean I do...just..."
Not yet.
Not like this.
Taylor's voice trailed off.

What did she want? That was the million-dollar question. She thought she'd have time to speak with Hades. Linx's early arrival changed everything.

"Where is Linx now?" She had to get to him before he spoke with the King. She didn't want him hearing about Opal and the Slavers secondhand. No telling what he'd relay to her sister, Tabby.

Kon glanced at a couple of guards who rushed past. "Phantom Warrior Linx has been temporarily confined to one of the spare chambers. He's none to happy about it, hence the extra guards and sense of urgency."

"Confined? What did he do?" Taylor asked. She wouldn’t put anything past the silly cat. Linx liked to cause trouble and walked a thin line between right and wrong, but he'd only crossed it once to her knowledge, and that had been to save her life.

Kon cocked his head and gave her a curious look. "Nothing, other than be his annoying self." He hesitated. "The Dark King summoned him, but has refused to meet with him now that he is here."

"Why?" Taylor's brows arched.

Kon mirrored her expression. "Why indeed?"

"Can he do that?" Taylor asked.

Kon snorted. "He is the Dark King. He can do whatever he likes."

"That may fly with Linx, but Hades can’t just ship me off,” she said.

“Yes, he can.” Kon gave her a pointed look.

"No, he can’t," she said, then added, “Take me to him right now.”

"I do not think that is such a good idea," Kon said. "The King's mood has been most unpleasant ever since he received word of Linx's arrival."

“Why should Monster Kitty be upset? He’s the one who called him,” she said.

“Why indeed?” There was a wealth of meaning in Kon's words.

Was it too much to hope that Hades actually cared whether she stayed or left? There had to be a way to find out quickly. Taylor slipped back into her room.

Linx was here to take her to New Atlantis because Hades didn’t think she was safe. Taylor pressed her hand to her racing heart and tried to slow her breathing. She should be thrilled. Excited even, that she'd get to see Tabby soon. But all she felt was panic. She couldn't leave here until things were settled between her and Hades, until they'd talked everything out, until they'd made love one final time.

"Hades, Hades, Hades, what am I going to do with you?" she muttered under her breath.

Don't panic. Don't panic.

Taylor ran across the room and grabbed some clean clothes out of her closet. She had to get to the Dark King before he did anything else insane. She wasn't exactly sure what she'd say to him when she saw him, but she'd think of something.