Reluctant Prince (28 page)

“Yes, sir.” He bowed his head, and Jackson continued into his rooms. He led her to the couch.

Nika and Nahara were on her instantly. Nahara nuzzled Ryleigh’s head and whined while Nika stood over her, his stance not aggressive, but definitely protective.

“It’s all right, guys. She’s going to be fine.” Jackson propped several pillows behind her and eased her back against them. He pulled a chair from the table, placed it beside the couch and sat facing her. When he clapped his hands together and rubbed them back and forth, a small ball of flame emerged. He held it cradled in his palm.

Ryleigh gasped. “How did you do that?” She watched mesmerized and he rolled the ball around his hand, then weaved it between his fingers, never faltering as the light wound its way around his hand. He tossed the light back and forth from one hand to the other.

When she was able to pull her gaze away from the light, she looked to Jackson. His familiar, cocky grin sent a surge of warmth rushing through her. She smiled back at him, couldn’t help it. She shook her head. Only Jackson could elicit such strong feelings in her amid the chaos her life had become.

“Here, relax.”

She tried to let her body relax. Loosen the knots cramping her muscles.

The light Jackson had been toying with surrounded his hands in a flaming halo. He pressed them against her injured arm.

Heat seeped into her. Not the burning pain she’d felt earlier, but a soothing warmth that eased the worst of the pain.

He caressed her cheek, leaving a trail of warmth along the path he’d followed.

He leaned toward her. His lips barely brushed hers as he shifted to sit beside her on the couch. He pulled back, looked into her eyes, searching for something. Acceptance? Whatever it was, he must have found it, because the next time his lips touched hers it was with no gentle brush. Hunger emanated from him.

Answering desire coursed through her.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer until her body pressed against the hard muscles of his chest. His heart pounded through her, keeping time with her own. He pulled away. Cradled her cheeks between his hands. “I want you, Ryleigh.” He lowered his gaze. “Every time I’m near you…” He shook his head and lifted his gaze to hers. “I can’t resist the urge to claim you much longer.”

“Jacks—”

“Jackson.” The door was flung open. “You must come.” Tears tracked down Kiara’s cheeks.

Ryleigh’s heart stopped.

“What’s happened?” Jackson pulled away from Ryleigh. He stood.

Kiara stared at him, pain carved in every line of her face. “Your father.” She lowered her head. A deep, grief filled sob wracked her small frame. “I’m so sorry.”

Jackson didn’t say a word. He clamped his teeth together and walked toward the door.

Kiara stepped aside to let him pass then she turned and followed him.

Nahara whimpered.

The sound broke the trance that had gripped Ryleigh, held her immobile. Confusion washed over her. What had happened? “It’s all right, girl.” She stood up and went to comfort the grieving hound. She pushed her fingers through the soft fur of Nahara’s head, leaned against her, and wrapped her arms around the massive neck, taking as much comfort as she gave.

“Aww…isn’t that sweet.”

Ryleigh jumped and swung around to face the door.

Kai.

She hadn’t even heard him come in.

Nika growled deep in his throat.

“Hush.”

The hound stopped growling at the sound of Kai’s voice, but didn’t relax his stance.

Nahara rose to stand beside him.

Ryleigh desperately wanted to know what was going on, but she didn’t dare ask Kai. The warrior still scared her. “Jackson’s not here, Kai.”

His gaze slid over her, landed on her arm.

Too late, she reached up and covered the mark. She started to turn back to Nahara, but Kai’s words stopped her.

“You know, with King Maynard gone, I’ll need a Queen.” Kai’s gaze slid over her.

Ryleigh shuddered. She fought the urge to tell him he wasn’t going to be king. Kept her lips pressed tightly together, the words dammed behind them.

“I suppose you’ll do. It’s obvious you are Cymmera’s newest Princess, since you somehow bear the mark of the Queen.” Kai scoffed. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re nothing more than a gold digger.” He shrugged. “Which is fine with me, but you’re barking up the wrong tree, as they say. Perhaps you’d like to be my queen.”

Ryleigh studied his intense black gaze. Disgust washed over her. She turned away and buried her face in Nahara’s thick coat.

“Is that your answer then?”

She ignored him.

His laughter seeped through her, chilling her all the way to her bones.

“That’s fine, Ryleigh.”

The sound of her name rolling off his tongue hit her like ice.

“You don’t have to answer me now. Take some time. Think about it. I need a princess to become my queen. If you’re not interested, the other one will do just fine.”

* * * *

Jackson entered his father’s chamber.

Streaks of sunlight streamed through the open drapes creating a halo around the lifeless form of his father. His King.

Jackson was alone. He’d thought Chayce might still be there, but he wasn’t. It was probably for the best. He approached his father’s bed and dropped to his knees on the floor beside him.

His father’s hand was cold when he grasped it in both of his and held it tightly. He lowered his forehead to rest on their linked hands. “I’m so sorry, Father. I feel as if I failed you.” Guilt burned a hole in his gut. He couldn’t help feeling he’d let his father down in some way. Images of his father flashed through Jackson’s mind.

A younger King Maynard, staring at the child Jackson had been, pain and grief marring his once handsome features. His father staring at Jackson as a teenager, his jaw clenched tight in anger when Jackson and Dakota had taken two of the Death Dealer’s dragons to see what it would be like.

A small jolt of humor hit him at that memory.

His father had been so angry and yet…Jackson had been sure he’d seen just a hint of pride in the old man’s eyes.

He lifted his head to look at his father, squeezed his hand, rested his lips against it.

An image of his father sitting on his throne, disappointment filling his eyes when Jackson had failed to acquire Ryleigh.

Jackson’s hands began to warm. A tingling feeling began in his fingers. It traveled up his arm to explode in a burst of warmth in his chest.

A vision of the pride on his father’s face during Jackson’s Ordination Ceremony. The mixture of happiness and sadness when he first realized Ryleigh was truly a lost Princess of Cymmera.

His father had been a good man, a strong leader.

Fear consumed Jackson. How would he ever take his father’s place? Rule with the fairness and discipline his father had balanced so well? Insecurity fueled the fear. He once again thought of allowing Kai to remain in charge.

The warrior had so much more experience, so much more confidence.

Another image came to Jackson. A battlefield. His father’s broken body lying on the ground. Kai turning his back and walking away, leaving him to his fate.

No!

He had no clue what had happened to his mentor, but you didn’t leave your King. You battled to the death to save your leader, or any man.

Jackson had been taught that lesson since he was a child. He couldn’t believe Kai had abandoned King Maynard to save his men. He’d seen the look in the eyes of every Death Dealer on that field, had met each of their stares for just an instant.

They would not have left their king, were eager to fight for him, in his honor. Even if it meant dying.

Jackson took one last look at his father. He lowered his father’s hand gently to rest on his stomach then released it. “Go in peace, Father.”

It was time. He turned and walked away. There were things to do. He opened the door and addressed the guard. “Send for Elijah.”

“With all due respect, sir. Kai ordered us to ignore your directives.” He looked to the other guard who simply nodded in agreement.

Anger swelled in Jackson’s chest. He stood straighter, gripped the bottom of his shirt in his hands, tore it over his head, and tossed it to the ground between the guards.

Both guards gasped. The one who had ignored his order paled. Stuttered. “I…uh…Kai…”

“That is a direct order, soldier.”

“Sir, yes, sir, King Maynard. My apologies.” Both men dropped to their knees and lowered their heads in deference to their new King.

Jackson strode purposefully down the corridor.

The whispers of the guards followed in his wake. Good. News would travel quickly.

Now to handle Kai. What to do with him though. He’d been a loyal second in command to King Maynard for centuries. Jackson would have to choose a successor immediately. But who? Should he ask Kai?

Great. His first decision as King, and he had no clue what to do.

Elijah was loyal, strong, well-liked. But he wasn’t a King. He often disappeared for long periods of time when visions tormented him or research was required. Elijah had his role, and it was vital to the Kingdom, but he was no king.

Chayce could assume command in the event something happened to Jackson. But Chayce’s destiny lay in a different direction. He would lead the Cymmeran Guard. It was a role he was well suited for. Besides, he didn’t have the focus or the drive necessary to lead a Kingdom.

Back to Kai. And yet…it just didn’t feel right. He stood outside Kai’s door, indecision making him hesitate.

An image of Ryleigh came unbidden. The symbol on her arm a dim glow, drawing his attention. Was she actually the rightful heir to the throne?

He dismissed the thought.

She didn’t have the knowledge necessary to rule Cymmera. Not yet, anyway. But she would learn. Would she one day rule at his side, as his queen? Every instinct he had screamed that she would.

Perhaps she was meant to be second in command.

Pain pierced Jackson’s heart.

Kai had been such a huge part of his life, had been his mentor, his friend. He would never forgive Jackson for this.

Jackson took a deep breath and braced himself for the battle to come. Even though the door was slightly ajar, Jackson still lifted a fist to knock.

“You still need to get rid of Jackson.”

He froze, his hand in the air, shock paralyzing him.

The voice was familiar, yet distorted. As if coming through a portal from another realm.

Jackson strained to listen, to identify the disembodied voice.

“I’m well aware of that, Your Majesty.” Kai’s voice was unmistakable.

Agony unlike anything Jackson had ever experienced impaled him.

“I won’t tolerate another screw up. You were ordered not to allow the old man to return to the castle. If they had been able to heal him…”

Anger crept in, slowly replacing the pain of betrayal.

“I understand that, sir. Jackson disobeyed a direct order to leave him.”

Silence.

Jackson’s rage built, tunneled his vision.

Kai had betrayed his kingdom, betrayed Jackson, and betrayed his King, a man who had trusted him enough to make him his closest advisor.

“Jackson needs to go. Have you figured out what to do with the other two?”

“Not yet, sir. The older one bears the mark of the Queen.”

A sharp intake of breath. Obviously, the speaker hadn’t known that.

“Which means she can challenge my ascension to the throne if she so chooses. I have asked her to rule beside me, but she’s a defiant one. Another Jackson.”

“Don’t play games with her then, just get rid of her.”

The rage pounded through Jackson’s head. Throbbing. Beating at him. Demanding he move.

“The younger one, though. She’s weaker, having trouble surviving in Cymmera. If I take her as my queen, she’ll do as she’s told, and no one can challenge my leadership.”

“Very well—”

Pure, primal rage catapulted Jackson through the door.

Kai turned.

A portal closed.

Jackson ignored it, fixing his full wrath on his mentor. “How dare you?”

Kai showed no remorse. No shame. Instead, a slow, malicious grin spread across the warrior’s face. “Well, well, well. You’ve just made my job easier.” His laughter crawled up Jackson’s spine.

Jackson’s entire body vibrated with anger as he reached for his sword.

Kai’s smile faltered. His mouth fell open. His gaze riveted on the mark adorning Jackson’s arm. “No.”

Kai’s harsh whisper sent a small ripple of satisfaction through Jackson. It did nothing to dilute his anger at Kai’s betrayal.

Jackson pulled the sword from its sheath. He circled Kai.

This man had taught Jackson everything he knew. He was aware of all of Jackson’s weaknesses, could most likely predict his attacks before Jackson even thought of them.

Kai pulled his own sword, recovering from his shock. The smug, self-assured smile returned. “No matter.” He shrugged. “I can take you down just as easily with a mark on your arm.”

Kai stepped forward with incredible speed. Used his sword to slice through the mark.

The red slash, the symbol of the king, opened up. Blood ran down Jackson’s arm.

He ignored the sting and circled his mentor. He chastised himself, had to stop thinking of this man as his mentor. He was a traitor. His crime punishable by death. As King, it was Jackson’s duty to carry out that punishment. Jackson searched for an opening.

Kai was strong, smart, experienced. It wouldn’t be easy to beat him. But he could beat him. Because Kai was arrogant.

“What’s the matter, boy? Have you forgotten how to fight?”

Jackson waited. Patient.

“Or do you lack the balls to come after me?”

His every instinct begged him to attack, urged him to respond to Kai’s taunts. Still, he waited.

Kai frowned.

Jackson had always been short tempered, quick to lash out in anger.

Kai straightened, relaxed his stance, ever so slightly.

Jackson pounced. He plunged the sword toward Kai’s heart.

The warrior blocked the blow, but only partially. The sword instead tore through his shoulder. Kai screamed, rage and pain driving him crazy.