QueensQuest (17 page)

He leaped to his feet and performed the semblance of a
salute. “All quiet, sir.”

Storne affected a casual mien. “Abovestairs?”

“The communications spire continues to broadcast on all
frequencies, calling to the Progenitors to return. Weapons stores are secure
and ready.”

“Go enjoy yourself with the others.” Storne flipped a
Lightsider coin in the youngling’s direction.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir!” He trotted out without a
backward look.

Maia slithered to the yellow stone floor, stretched and reassumed
her normal guise. “That was a stroke of luck.”

“Bless the three moons, it was.” I strode toward the broad
stone staircase, the others following.

Maia quickly overtook me, transforming as she ran into a
four-footed reptilian creature, sinuous and swift. Dark leathery wings remained
tucked by her side, and her long claws scraped the sandstone stairs as she
climbed. An elongated snout belched sulfurous flames as she rushed up the
stairs.

Her fiery breath made short work of the Lightsider armory,
unguarded as it was. I caught only the briefest look at a square room, with
shelves arrayed with scimitars, whips, knives, and the Lightsider boxes, neatly
stacked. Before I could snatch even one of the boxlike weapons, she had
incinerated them all.

Damn. I had wanted one to study, possibly to imitate. But
Maia in her impetuous fury seemed determined to destroy the entire contents of
the fortress. The place would have been an inferno but for the pyramide’s stone
walls and floor.

With an inarticulate roar, she ran on those sharp, fearsome
talons up the next flight of stairs to the upper level, following the fire
streaming from her jaws.

We dashed after her to gain a brief glance at an angular
room filled with the same unnatural, purplish light we’d seen tipping the
pyramide. It seemed to be generated from a machine in the center of the floor
beneath the spire, which was open to the sky. The machine steadily pulsed
violet rays into the heavens.

I wanted to look more, but Maia didn’t give me the chance.
Fire blasted from her open, massive jaws, melting everything in the room.

We retreated to the relative safety of the stony stairwell
while she vented her rage. What had ignited her temper? I had never seen her
angry, not even irritated. But now, one sweep of her tail smashed the remains
of the light machine to flinders before she stretched black, scaled wings and
leaped into the sky.

Coughing, we fled down the stairs to escape the foul reek of
the flames she’d belched. Back on the lower level, Storne and I stared at each
other, open-mouthed. I finally said, “I had no idea she could do that.”

“There are legends,” he said. “Legends that the primal forms
of the Chimaerae are great, dark dragons.”

“Dragons,” I repeated thoughtfully. “I have heard of them.
Old Terran myths. Discredited, I believe.”

“But widespread, so much so that one wonders if there is not
a germ of truth hidden somewhere back in the mists of time.”

“Can you imagine? The sky of Janus dark with flocks of
Chimaerae?” I shivered. “Why does she not hate us?”

“That’s not her nature,” he said.

“But what she just did…”

“I understand why she would not want the return of the
Progenitors. They destroyed the natural order of things on Janus, which
dispossessed her species.”

An aching hollowness surrounded my heart. “I hope she
returns.”

“Even if she doesn’t, we must continue.” Storne sounded
brisk. “Let’s go.”

“What about Maia?” I nodded upward.

“I think she’ll find us if she wants to.”

I breathed into the hollow place in my chest. “I hope she
wants to. I wish Maia would return. We could ride on her to the Lands of
Shadow. I feel great urgency to return.”

He glanced at me thoughtfully. “I also noticed the empty
chrysalis. The idea that a clone is even now attempting to supplant you on the
Golden Throne is…disquieting.”

“Disquieting?” I raised a brow.

“Disquieting, but by no means truly troublesome. We will
retake Castle Remarck, by force if necessary.”

The aching weight in my chest increased. “We have known
peace for many generations.”

“Not anymore.” Storne was both grim and definite. “These
acts of the Lightsiders cannot remain unanswered. They mean to dominate Janus
by any means, fair or no.”

“I know.” I shivered, foreseeing doom, then straightened my
back. “Very well, then. Let us seek food, water and transportation.”

Upon hearing an odd scraping from the outside of the
pyramide, I wrinkled my brow and ran up to the topmost room again. Though dust
hung in the air, which reeked, I could see that Maia had returned. Still in the
form of a great dragon, she poked her head through the open ceiling. Great
claws clung to the blocks rimming the angular hole; she left huge gouges in the
stones, producing the noise.

Her voice sounded in my mind.
Hello.
She sounded
hesitant, as though unsure of her welcome.

I smiled, greatly relieved. “Hello.” I reached my arms up
toward her, beckoning. She fitted herself through the gap and dropped to the
floor.

I crossed the room and leaned against her dark bulk. She
felt both familiar and strange.

An odd chittering noise, almost like a purr, emanated from
her throat.

It
was
a purr. She was glad to see me. I relaxed,
allowing tears of relief to flood my eyes.

Are you ready to go?

“Yes,” I said.

“I wish someone would let me in on the conversation.”
Fortunately, Storne sounded amused, not annoyed.

“It is time to go home.” I smiled at him.

Maia stretched her wings. A grating voice emanated from her
throat. “Climb on.”

“Can you carry both of us?” he asked her.

“Yes. I am quite strong in this, my natural form.” She beat
her tail against the floor and danced with impatience. Her talons scored the
pale tiles.

Storne had been right. Maia was a dragon. I beheld her with
admiration and astonishment, but before I could fully absorb her grandeur, she
said, “Get on,” and extended her wings.

“Wh-where?” I stuttered.

“Me. Hold on to my neck, in front of my wing joints. Now.
There is no time to waste.”

I exchanged a worried glance with Storne and obeyed.

As Maia flew, the moons shifted, and the sun again ignited
Lightside’s deserts with a brilliant golden glow. For my part I wished never to
see this hellhole again, and my heart lifted to see the land quickly shift and
darken into the cool greens of the WestMarch.

She landed near a still pond, and after allowing us to
dismount, waded into the water up to her sinuous neck, drinking greedily. I
stripped and followed her. Though she’d stirred up the muddy bottom, the warm
water was cleansing and refreshing.

Storne was not so hasty. He remained on the bank as a
lookout, weapons at the ready. When I returned, I reached for my robes, but he
stopped me with one sinewy hand on my arm. “Don’t bother,” he said.

I looked into his face. Dust had settled into the creases
near his gray eyes, so evident when he smiled. And he was smiling, an intimate
smile that promised bliss.

My breath came short. How much time had passed since we’d
joined? Since I could not remember, ’twas too long, I decided.

I found a flat, dry spot near the water and spread out our
robes while he bathed. When he returned to me, Maia still was in the middle of
the mere, delighting in the water. She flung great jawfuls of it onto her wide,
scaly back and rolled around in the pond, catching the glittering spray she
splashed in her talons.

I was sprawled out on the robes, resting, when Storne
approached me. His flesh was darker than I remembered, for the Lightside sun
had bronzed him while lightening his hair just a bit. I liked the effect,
especially with shining water sluicing off the carved planes of his golden
body. He was already hard, his erection vertical, the round dark cap of his
cock head shining with viscous liquid.

I wanted him inside me more than I could express. My desire
robbed me of words. I lay gaping stupidly at his beauty.

He sat next to me and ran a hand over my belly. “Warm and
soft,” he murmured into my ear. He stretched out, laying his long lean body
close to mine. His warmth engulfed me, his heat feeding mine. I felt moisture
bedewing me, softening my labia, readying for him.

He leaned over and kissed me. He was as sweet and gentle as
I remembered, first tenderly caressing my lips with his, then easing in his
tongue to pleasure us both. His hand slid down to my delta, his fingers
stroking my stubbly muff. He tugged softly as we continued to exchange deep
soul-kisses. This time, he did not tarry, but rolled on top of me and swung his
hips to and fro, encouraging me to open to him.

I complied, my excitement and need equaling his. I grasped
his cock and encircled his rod before swirling my finger in the thick liquid at
the tip, spreading it. He stroked up my body, plucking my nipples to tingling
points.

I gasped. “Careful.”

He stopped. “Sensitive today?”

“Yes. I think I may be increasing.”

“Already?” Pleasure infused his voice. “Yours is indeed a
fertile house.”

“I’ve got a stud on my side.” I grinned at him.

“Ah, Audryn.” He sighed and framed my face in his hands.
“Audryn.” His voice was husky.

“What?”

“Nothing…just Audryn. I like to say your name.”

“Storne.” I pushed his hair behind his ears and lifted my
head to caress his cheek with mine. He was rough and stubbly…wonderful. I
kissed his cheek, then down, then along his jaw, glorying in the roughness of
his stubble on my lips, the contrast with his soft mouth and tongue.

We kissed, the touch of his tongue against mine enticing,
enchanting. When my breath came short, he reached down to rub the head of his
penis against my clitoris. Ahhh… Heat enveloped me as he pushed down and
inside.

The sensation of being opened, pierced, taken, overtook me
and I cried out, lifting my knees to wrap my legs around him. He thrust deeper
until I felt his balls touch my flesh.

In and out, in and out…the rhythm lovely and familiar, but
so intense because Storne and I were still new lovers. I breathed deeply,
inhaling the sweet scents of greenery, the freshness of water, the aroma of his
hair as he loved me.

A deep chuckled rumbled in my ear. “Moonrise sex,” said
Storne.

“What?”

“You have a reputation for preferring all manner of exotic
sex acts and positions. And now you seem quite happy with just an ordinary
fuck. We call that moonrise sex—a quick bout at dawn.”

His manner of speaking was different from ours,
straightforward and refreshing. I replied, “It’s us. You and me. Everything
feels good.”

Thrumming with energy, I stretched, enjoying the pull of
muscle and sinew. As Storne continued making love, a hot, delicious languor
overtook me, wrapping me in sultry bliss as we rocked against each other. Our
rhythm slowed until we were barely moving, locked together, one being united in
love. Long, low moans came from deep within my soul as I came, his seed bathing
my womb.

* * * * *

I wanted to fly immediately to Castle Remarck, but Storne,
backed by Maia, prevailed. So after our peaceful interlude in the WestMarch, we
flew high over the lands, finding our forces and gathering them at Windrush.
Storne’s experienced warriors were combined with my personal guard. Our
toughest and staunchest troops, they were swiftly outfitted for a quick-march
to Remarck.

Storne, Maia and I rested at Windrush, engaging in many a
discussion of tactics and strategy. One day, seated around a table in the
Dining Hall after a late-evening sup, I said to her, “We owe you much.”

She smiled before shaking her head. “Audryn, what I have
done, I have done for love. Long has your family sheltered me and enabled my
people to occupy the Marches without interference.” She glanced at Storne.

“Ah,” he said. “Well, I am prepared to continue the
Shadowlander policy of non-interference in the Marches and will inform the
FireMountain Clan thereof.”

“That is satisfactory,” Maia said.

“We shall make it official once we have ascended the Golden
Throne together.” I smiled at her.

“Um, what does that entail?” Storne asked.

“Just what you fear.” I laughed.

“Public sex.” He winced.

“There’s more.” I grinned at him. After I told him what he’d
have to endure, his eyes widened.

* * * * *

We flew reconnaissance daily, but of Kaldir and the other
Children of Light there was no sign, and I worried. I thought surely he would
take the clone to Castle Remarck, the seat of government, and ascend the
throne.

How they’d eluded us I had no idea.

* * * * *

As we flew through the cool, beautiful skies of the
Shadowlands toward Remarck, I noted with curiosity and growing alarm that my
country appeared to be deserted. Fields that should have been busy with yoked
oxen working the land were tilled, though quiet. Roads that should have been
jammed with foot-traffic, horses and carts, were empty.

We descended toward Castle Remarck, my stronghold. Joy
filled my heart at the thought of home before I noticed crowds filling the
lawns between the castle walls and my home. What were they watching?

A roar burst from Maia’s maw as she belched angry fire. She
dropped precipitously out of the sky and I clutched her neck to stay aboard.
Then I saw to my horror that a great bed had been set up on the same terrace
where Frayn had taken my virginity on that long-ago Exhibition Day. We flew
closer and something gleaming seized my attention, a personage whose glow
rivaled the Lightside sun. Torchlight glinted off the flowing, dark-blonde hair
and elaborate attire of a woman. She—
it
was seated on the Golden Throne,
my
Golden Throne, wearing one of my finest gowns, a heavy white brocade
embroidered with gold thread, bearing a jeweled crown on its head and a scepter
in its hand.

My hands clenched on Maia’s scales. “Do you see that?” I
shouted, my throat thickening.

Maia’s thoughts thundered through my brain.
I see it. I
see the thing that would take our land.

“It will not happen,” Storne stated simply.

The creature descended from the Golden Throne, which today
was draped with chains, and gave its free hand to…to Kaldir. Or at least, one
of the many Kaldirs in attendance. It led him to the bed.

They were about to consummate their marriage in public, as
required by the law and custom of our realm. If that happened, the Lightsiders
would have stolen the throne. My throne, my land.

Rage overtook me, the same terrible and terrifying rage that
had seized me in the cloning room. Only Storne’s arm holding me close stopped
me from leaping from Maia’s back a hundred feet down to the terrace.

She flew high, her bulk crossing the moons. As she impeded
their reflected light, heads turned from watching the clone-Audryn and looked
up. I saw the Ten, all of them, Frayn and his father included. Mouths dropped
open in shock. Gasps and cries of surprise reached us even through the heavy
beat of Maia’s leathery wings.

I felt their fear and gloried in it.
Yes,
I thought
grimly,
they should fear me and my wrath.
If their loyalties had
switched, my retribution would be severe.

Maia landed on the terrace, and as she transformed back into
her usual state, I turned to face my people, my mate by my side.

Silence born of shock blanketed the scene.

I strode forward, feeling the swish of my long, elaborately
embroidered skirts around my heels. I also had dressed for the occasion, but
with additions I hoped the clone did not wear.

I clouted the clone across the face and the jewels embedded
in my gloves were not kind. Blood spurted from its ruined nose and split lip. Crying
out, it fled to hide behind Kaldir. His soldiers stirred and deadly black boxes
appeared in many a Lightsider hand.

I regarded them. “You cannot prevail,” I stated. “Kaldir,
look around you. Call off your dogs.”

He stared at me, his expression blank.

“Look around you!” I shouted. I circled the terrace, my arms
spread wide, fingers pointing.

Our warriors spilled into the keep, surrounding the castle
in a deadly ring five-deep. Their armor glinted dully in the pale light
reflected by the three moons. Drawn swords rattled against scabbards, their
scrape drawing a shiver along my backbone. The combined forces of Shadow and
Darkness stood ready for battle against the Children of Light, and I prayed to
whatever gods there were that my people, my realm, would survive.

Silence again, during which only one man stirred. Geoman strode
out of the group of Ten Ministers and knelt before me. “Forgive me, my queen,
for I was deceived.” He buried his head in his hands, dropping his forehead to
the stones beneath.

Caducia followed, as did Parlous, Mercourie, all of them, with
tears falling from old Lord Kloutt’s eyes. Were those tears real? Would he now
weep for me if he’d plotted my family’s deaths? Perhaps the drownings had been
a tragic accident, and the story told by the elderly lake-man fantasy born of
too much toreed.

Or perhaps he wept in fear. Even so, I caressed his head,
and said, “Rise, for you are forgiven.” His arthritis was severe and I did not
desire him to pain himself.

“A touching sight,” Kaldir said. He and his men still had
their evil little weapons trained on us.

“Shoot if you must,” I said tranquilly. “Think you to evade
my warriors?” While we talked, they’d drawn closer. Our personal guard,
including Rall, Parron and Hode, now mounted the steps leading from the lawns
to the terrace.

Storne loomed behind Kaldir, wrapping one arm in a chokehold
around Kaldir’s throat, pressing a knife to his neck. The silver blade dug deep
into Kaldir’s dark skin. “Or me?” Storne said quietly into Kaldir’s ear. “Call
off your desert scum or die.”

Kaldir began to shake, and I knew that despite his plotting
and his perfidy, my initial assessment of his character was correct. He was
weak and misunderstood statecraft. I had chosen my mate wisely.

Storne’s knife pressed deeper and a thin red line appeared.
A narrow trail of blood crawled down Kaldir’s dark, sweating skin.

“Shadowlander slime! Betrayer!” Kaldir fired his weapon, not
at me but at Frayn, who with his father kneeled at my feet. A slender blast of
light jetted forth from the box, drawing a deadly line across Frayn’s back.
With a cry, he sprawled on the stones. Kloutt rushed to cradle his son’s limp
form.

Storne’s knife flashed, plowing a bloody trench in his
captive’s throat. Blood burst in a thick arc from Kaldir’s neck, splashing on
the slates beneath. Our warriors surrounded us as Kaldir’s personal guard began
shooting. Storne used the Lightside prince’s body as a shield while the Ten
Ministers stayed down, no doubt for protection.

Meanwhile I was running, with one hand fumbling for my knife
as I searched for the clone. I caught a quick flash of golden embroidery as it
disappeared into the castle.

I followed, aware I had the advantage. I did not know when
it had arrived at Remarck, but I was certain that my familiarity with the
castle, its nooks and crannies, its hidden passageways and tunnels would aid me
in my quest to slay the creature that had plotted to steal my throne.

But it was fast—as fast as I was, of course—and cunning. As
I chased after it, I stumbled over a gold-embroidered skirt discarded in the
hall. The thick cloth had hampered it, so the clone had unlaced the garment and
dropped it to impede my progress. But ’twas of no matter, for I heard the
clatter of its shoes on the slate flooring. It was heading for my suite.

As I ran, I wondered about Kaldir and Frayn.
Betrayer,
Kaldir had shouted before he’d shot Frayn. Was Frayn dead? Had they plotted? If
so, what had Frayn expected to get from the Lightsider Prince?

When I arrived at my suite the doors were locked, and I
could hear it shifting furniture to further block the entrance. I allowed a
grim smile to twist my lips as I also discarded confining clothes until I wore
only a chemise beneath a corset. I tore at the rows of lace hemming the chemise
until it was but knee-length.