Born of Magic: Gargoyle Masters, Book 2 (14 page)

This took a moment for the room to absorb, but there was more to come. “I didn’t know what caused them to attack, or who they were until recently.” She glanced at Kephas. “When we journeyed through Keva, I noticed the same style of dress as those women wore. I kept quiet in Keva and stayed close to Kephas, but no one seemed to know who I was.”

Rage filled Kephas’ soul, but it was nothing compared to what he spied on his King’s face. The man might be old, and human, but wasn’t King by chance. He had always been a great and mighty warrior when the occasion called for it. Having the gargoyles at his beck and call had softened him a bit physically, but his countenance would never change.

“You’re saying that two
Kevan
warriors murdered my wife?”

His voice was nearly a whisper, yet everyone at the table held their breath.

“Y-yes,” Theda replied.

“Describe them,” Berlios said.

“Um…they were attractive, as all Kevan seem to be now that I’ve visited their land. And they were strong. They looked like warriors once they flung off their cloaks to attack. One of them had fiery red hair, the other golden.”

“Iva and Kalypso,” Steinn said suddenly. “They were banished after it was revealed how they’d kidnapped Nel. It’s possible they traveled to the Rim.”

“But for what purpose?” Goran asked. “Why would they attack the Queen?”

“Why would they help Albain in his plot to gain the Wizard Stone?” Kephas asked. “Why would they do any of the things they’ve done that go against our treaties with Keva?”

“They’re no longer considered Kevan,” King Kadmos said. “That alone may have inspired their actions, though why they would go after my family is a mystery. And how did they find them?” He glanced around the table at each of the gargoyles present. “I want those mysteries solved quickly.”

The brothers nodded their acceptance of this task. Kephas looked to Theda once more. “Tell him of Albain.”

The King’s attention shot back to her. A low grumble sounded around the table from every mouth.

“Um. Albain was just an old man we’d met in the village. He came to my mother on one or two occasions for herbs. But we thought it was really to flirt with her more than anything else.”

The King growled low, an impressive tone for such an old human, it almost sounded gargoyle.

“Did he carry a staff?” Berlios asked.

“Yes. He only used it to walk, as far as I could tell. When I fled home, I found him in the woods and he shared his dinner. He offered to escort me to Halstrid, but shortly after setting out we were overcome by bandits. One grabbed my bag and they ran. Albain gave chase. Then Kephas found me.”

“I never saw him,” Kephas confessed.

“Did he ever give you reason to believe he knew you were the Princess?” Bastien asked.

“No. But now that I think back on it, he did give my mother a lot of attention and acted more familiar with her than their time together warranted. I don’t know if she really noticed. She did what she could not to encourage his attention. I think his visits made her uncomfortable.”

“She didn’t know he was a wizard of Halstrid?” the King asked.

“Not that she ever said. But…” She ducked her head as if embarrassed. “We didn’t speak of Halstrid often. It always caused an argument between us, as did many things.” She faced her father again. “I wanted to come, to meet you. She refused to speak of it.”

The King’s face showed his pain but he simply nodded. Theda placed her hand on top of Kephas’, where it still rested on her leg, and squeezed.

“I want two Masters to travel to Keva and speak to Iva’s former housemates,” the King said. “Find out if any of them know of a reason she would attack me personally. Any old grudge or repressed anger over anything I may have said or done.”

Steinn and Goran stood. “We will go.”

“Good. For now, my daughter will stay here under the protection of the Twenty. The rest of you will schedule your patrols for the castle accordingly.”

He stood and everyone followed suit, then slowly filed out of the room. The King looked at Theda where she remained beside Kephas.

“Daughter, would you come to my chambers for tea? I’d like to sit and talk…if you’ll allow it.”

She tensed and then looked up at Kephas.

“I’ll remain right outside the chamber doors,” he said.

She didn’t look completely happy with that arrangement, but nodded and stepped away. “All right. Lead the way.”

Chapter Fourteen

Zephara labored for breath as her muscles strained and sweat rolled into her eyes. Beneath her, the trembling muscles of her eternal-mate quivered and he growled in anger. He tried to buck her off his back again but she held on as if riding a wild beast. She kept the leash of her magic wound tightly around his neck, applying pressure to the point that would help him lose consciousness, but not his life.

“Please, please, please,” she whispered as she waited for her magic to work.

She had tried everything. Calling out his name hadn’t worked, begging him to see her hadn’t worked. Brute strength and all of the weapons at her disposal had given her an edge, but she couldn’t bring herself to physically hurt him. Knocking him out was her only option. It was clear he couldn’t see her for who she truly was. She had used some of her power to dip into his mind as much as she could and realized he saw her as an enemy. Her power for mind-reading never lasted long and she wasn’t able to unwind the magic veil over his eyes.

Just as she thought her strength would fail her he began to weaken. She waited until he slumped beneath her before allowing her leash to go slack. Her panting breaths sounded loud in the silence now that his growls no longer echoed around them. She rested against his warm, slick skin a moment before rolling off him and onto the ground. Her eyes slid closed as she waited for her breathing to slow to normal. Then she opened her eyes to find an enraged gargoyle above her.

“Wynn, no!”

The world shook around her and then lightened as she finally opened her eyes. Her eternal-mate stared at her with a grief-stricken expression as he stopped shaking her shoulders.

“It’s all right now, my love,” he said. “You’re safe. It’s over.”

It took a moment for all of her memories to return: fighting with Wynn as he attacked her like an enemy, attempting to knock him out only to fail miserably, his final attack and her internal reaction to blast him with her magic. Then the aftermath: him lying dead on the ground as she sobbed over his large body, her carrying him over her shoulders into the wizard’s castle and begging for help. Finally, her resolve at losing her eternal-mate and her conviction to be the best wizard the Twenty had ever seen.

Then their revelation that Wynn wasn’t dead after all…and she had passed their damnable test.

She hadn’t lasted much longer after that, not even long enough for Wynn to wake from their spell. She had fallen into a deep, healing sleep until this moment.

“Wynn?” she whispered.

He nodded but seemed incapable of speech as he slid his thumbs beneath her eyes. Was she crying? Of course she was. Had been, in fact, since the moment she thought she had killed him. Never would she have thought it possible to kill her eternal-mate, even in self-defense. But her instincts had been too strong, and too fast, to fight.

She lifted a trembling hand to rest on the side of his face and he closed his eyes.

“You’re alive,” she whispered. “They told me you were, but…”

He opened his eyes and gave a weak smile. “I’m alive, and well. At first I didn’t remember anything after you left me to take your final test. They wanted to spare my feelings, I suppose, but I insisted they let me know what had happened. After much arguing they finally gave me the full of my memories.” He swallowed loudly. “I attacked you.”

The shame in his voice and the look in his eyes had her throwing her arms around him and pulling him against her. “It wasn’t your fault, Wynn. They bewitched you to test me. They had to know I would defend myself and the kingdom against any threat, even you.”

He held her just as tightly and groaned. “I know. But I could still strangle every one of them for this.”

“It’s over. Just as you said. It’s done.”

“Yes.” He sighed and moved up on his elbows to see her better. “They said you’ve passed your test. You’re one of the Twenty now.”

The thrill she had expected to feel at such news was noticeably absent. She had wanted to be a part of the prestigious group for years, but never at such a cost, even if that cost had been an illusion.

“Yes, I am. Or, I will be, if you’ll allow it.”

Shock registered on his face. “Me? I neither allow nor deny you anything, Zephara. You are very much your own woman.”

“I want to be
your
woman, Wynn. Your partner, your equal. But I never imagined they would use you against me like that.”

He shook his head. “Neither did I, but it is understandable. They have to know your weaknesses. Your love for me is a weakness to everyone but us. But now they know that even when tested, you will always be the wizard you were meant to be.”

Her emotions had tears spilling over again. It no longer mattered if he saw them.

“You are my woman, my love.” He punctuated his statement with a soft kiss. “I want you to be happy. If it’s as part of the Twenty, then that is what you must do.”

She ran her hand over one side of his handsome face and tried to shake away the memory of it in death. A tremor went through her at the thought.

“So long as I never have to kill you again, for any reason. I’d rather kill myself first.”

He quickly covered her lips with one finger. “Shhh. Never say that. I don’t want to even imagine your death.”

“And yet I was forced to witness yours and bear the weight of it. It was horrible.”

He kissed her again. “I’m sorry. But I’m not sorry you defeated me, and would never ask for it to be any different. If I ever hurt you, my love, it would be the death of me.”

“And I thought it would be the same for me, but I fought thoughts of death in the face of the wizards. It seems that was the right thing to do.”

“You would live for me, for the kingdom. You would live to protect those who need you. Promise me.”

She shook her head and he squeezed her shoulder.

“Promise me, Zephara.”

“Promise I’ll never have to battle you again.”

He seemed to think it over for a moment. “If I am able to control myself enough to stop, then I promise you will never have to battle me. But if I ever do attack you, you must defend yourself.”

She knew it was the best she would get out of him, and finally nodded in acceptance. He relaxed against her and kissed her again.

“My beautiful woman, my eternal-mate, my wizard. I’m so happy you found me.”

“As am I.”

He made love to her, careful of her fading bruises and scrapes. When they fell asleep in each other’s arms she dreamt of his death no more.

They woke the next day and held council with the wizards. Everyone planned to journey to the King’s castle immediately to help protect the Princess. Zephara seemed angry but Wynn didn’t want to question her in front of everyone. He was answered when she stood to gain everyone’s attention as the meeting was about to end.

“And my brother’s attackers?” she asked with confidence and authority. “What news of them?”

“We’ve been unable to locate any of the Varish,” Corbin admitted.

“And who will be looking if everyone is protecting the Princess?”

Kephas started at her tone and placed his hand on her arm but she ignored him. Her tense body spoke of her annoyance.

“Do not forget that one of our Masters was also attacked,” Frederik said, nodding to Wynn. “We have humans who keep an eye on things in every village. You will soon begin to meet them as you tour the kingdom. For now, please be assured that we haven’t forgotten about either of your brothers and we do plan to address it. A message has been sent to the Varish, but they rarely allow outsiders onto their shores. Whether it will reach their leader or not, and whether he will care to address it, is anyone’s guess.”

She nodded, still unsatisfied, and sat back down. That seemed to be the signal the wizards were waiting for as they filed out of the room.

“Are you all right?” Kephas asked.

She huffed. “Not quite. I want our brothers to have justice. I want Steinn to know it wasn’t his fault or Zephyr’s that they were attacked.”

“I’ll talk to him. As soon as we arrive at the King’s castle, I’ll find him and tell him what we’ve learned.”

“I hope it makes a difference. Oh.” She appeared worried all of a sudden.

“What?”

“He’ll be at the King’s castle, where Zephyr has been for his own protection. I wonder if they’ve already spoken.”

“I don’t know.” Wynn ran a hand over her back in comfort. “All we can do is help them as they’ll allow. The rest is up to them.”

She sighed deeply. “I know. I love Zephyr and want to ease his pain. I just wish Steinn wasn’t being so difficult.”

Wynn chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Perhaps he’ll come around. But he’ll have to do that on his own and in his own time.”

She nodded and allowed him to pull her up with him when he stood.

“For now, we need to pack our things and head to the King’s castle.”

“Yes, but shouldn’t you return home first to be near the Stone for a bit?”

He concentrated on how he felt for a moment. “No. Right now I’m fine. I believe whatever magic they used to have me test you also returned my strength.”

She closed her eyes as if the thought of their fight still pained her. It did bother him but he was trying to act nonchalant in the hopes it would ease her mind.

“All right,” she said. “Let’s gather our things.”

* * * * *

Kephas paced outside the King’s chambers, trying to ignore his compulsion to storm through the doors. Theda was safe within. Of course she was. Her father would never allow anything to happen to her.

Yet, even knowing this to be fact, an irrational urge to break down the door ate at him. It wasn’t locked. He wouldn’t even need to use force. All he had to do was push the latch down and allow the door to swing open. He would see his love having tea with her father in the small antechamber and his unease would be settled.

He was about to do just that when his brother cleared his throat.

“You promised to wait,” Dunstan said.

Kephas scowled. “It’s been two hours.”

“And he hasn’t seen her in over twenty years. Give them time, Kephas. She won’t forget about you.”

He growled at the truth in his brother’s words and resumed pacing.

“You’re going to wear the carpet.”

“If it bothers you so much then go away.”

Dunstan had the audacity to laugh. “I truly hope I don’t turn into a blithering idiot when I find my woman. Orestes almost struck me when I hugged Astrid yesterday. And poor Phaidra. I don’t think Nel has allowed her out of their room in a week.”

Curiosity got the best of him. “Why?”

“Weird things began to happen. Steinn and Zephyr were attacked. The princess has suddenly been found. Some old woman in the village told Nel she’d dreamed of Phaidra covered in blood. He growled at the woman until she cried and flew Phaidra back to the castle. I haven’t seen her since.”

“But she is well?”

“Yes. Nel admitted she’s bored out of her mind, but other than that she is well.”

“Good. Strange things are happening, and now that Albain has resurfaced we must be on our guard. If I had been faster on my journey south I might have arrived before the Queen was attacked. I might have prevented her death.”

Dunstan stepped forward and grabbed his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. You didn’t even know which village she called home, or know they were in danger. You travelled as quickly as you could, and it was sheer luck you discovered the Princess along the way.”

Kephas grudgingly nodded. He hadn’t rushed, but he certainly hadn’t lingered even when tempted to in Keva.

“Then you have no reason to blame yourself,” Dunstan said.

“I just wish I could take away her pain,” he said. “She’s so young to have gone through so much.”

“But she’s strong. Just like Astrid and Phaidra. Remember what they went through? I’m finding that the women we’re drawn to are all exceptionally strong in their own way.”

He couldn’t argue that point and patted Dunstan’s hand where it still rested on his shoulder. His brother stepped back.

“You’re right,” said Kephas. “But you’ll learn when you find the woman made for you that their strength is hard to remember when you think they’re in danger, or hurting for any reason.”

“I’m sure.”

Kephas started pacing again. Dunstan returned to his post beside the door.

* * * * *

Theda tried to smother a yawn and was surprised to notice the darkness outside the window. They sat across the room from it for safety’s sake, but her father had kept the curtains open as they talked.

“You should rest now,” he said. “I’m sorry to have kept you here so late.”

She waved his apology away. “No, it’s fine. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”

“As have I.” He stood and held his hand out for her. “I’m sure your gargoyle is waiting impatiently for you to emerge.”

A blush warmed her cheeks as she took his hand and stood. She studied his smiling face. “You don’t…mind? I mean about Kephas and I.”

He chuckled. “You are a woman full grown and more than capable of choosing your own man. However, if I had to choose someone for you I can’t think of one better to protect you. I had a say in their creation and was there the day they were formed. I may not spend much time with them now, but I’ve kept up with them through the Twenty and I trust each of them implicitly. Even with my most precious creation.”

He cupped her cheek with one hand and she covered it with her own. The frail bones were covered in leathery skin that told of his age and strength. She frowned at the thought.

“They were created over seventy years ago, and you were there?”

He grinned. “Oh yes. I was a young king, but already tired of the fighting and constant threats to my kingdom. I already had the Twenty, who have been in place long before the time of my greatest grandfathers. We discussed ways to bring peace to the kingdom and decided immortal protectors given human traits and sensibilities would be good protection and an even better deterrent to any who would try to bring war against us.

“In the process, for reasons even the wizards don’t know, I was granted a longer life. No one can say how much longer, but I’ve been very slow to age. I was already in my seventies when I married your mother, but appeared half that. Only she knew the truth, though some in the kingdom remember. Most just don’t speak of it.”