Of Silver and Beasts (11 page)

He checks the receiving room, making sure we’re clear of Otherworlders before he lowers himself on to one knee beside her. Then he shrugs off his cloak and places it under her head.

“Kaliope,” Carina whispers. I stop long enough to hear her strained words. “Traitor . . .” They trail off, and I squint, trying to figure out why she’s calling me a traitor. But my mind quickly returns to my empress. I hear Prince Caben’s muffled voice reassuring Carina with mistruths as I rush toward Empress Iana.

She cannot be dead. My whole being is connected to her—through the goddesses; through the bond. I would have felt her slip from this world. I would have known the moment she was taken. I believe this with stone conviction.

As I reach her, I notice the rise and fall of her chest, and I drop to my knees. “Goddesses, thank you.” I lift Empress Iana’s head and place my palm underneath, giving her support. I search her body for wounds, but there are none. The blood soaking the floor isn’t hers.

Her eyes blink open. “Protector Kaliope,” she whispers.

I nod, my head nearly bouncing off my shoulders with relief. “You’re not mortally injured, empress. But can you tell me where it hurts?”

Shaking her head against my palm, she says, “They do not need to kill me as they know I’ll be dead within days, anyway.”

My breath knots in my chest. “What are you saying?”

“The crystalline relic . . .” She pauses, gasps in a breath. “It’s what protects Cavan and blesses us with mercury—it’s what bonds the Nactue to the empress. Farrah bestowed it to the first empress, infusing her life force inside. Every empress to follow shares her life force with the crystal. If it’s not returned to Cavan—to
me
—then our country will fall.” Her warm amethyst eyes glisten, and she averts her gaze to the alter that held the relic. “And I with it.”

Shaking my head, I say, “No. The goddess wouldn’t allow that. We’ll take you to the temple and pray. We’ll pray damn hard. Farrah won’t allow you to die. She’d never let the Otherworlders conquer—”

“Protector,” she says, halting my hysterical rant. “They have already conquered.”

What she says is true. Shouts and clangs from the battle raging outside the palace rings in my ears. I look around, searching frantically for a way to save her.

Councilor Herna rushes into the quarter, a unit of protectors trailing her. The protectors check and secure the rooms, and Councilor Herna advances toward us. “Empress,” she says, kneeling next to her. “The full evacuation has been ordered.” She takes the empress’s hand as the rest of the Cavan Council enters the room. “We must move you. It’s time.”

“I won’t leave until I know my people are safe,” the empress says.

“Protector Kaliope.” Councilor Herna looks at me, and I meet her dark eyes. “You’re to help oversee the evacuation and make sure Cavan and the surrounding cities cross into Laryn.”

My pulse jumps against my veins. “But I’m a Nactue. I and the rest of the Nactue should be the ones to escort Empress Iana to—”

“Most of the Nactue have been slaughtered,” she blurts. “And the other few—taken. I’m sorry, Kaliope, but look around. We don’t have much time. The Otherworlders are invading all of Cavan.”

Lilly and Willa
. My chest tightens, and I force a sputtering breath past my lips. I glance over to Carina, her life fading, and assure myself the rest of my Nactue are still alive. They have to be. Lilly and Willa have been captured—but they’re still alive.

Then Councilor Herna’s words drive deep into my heart like a knife.

My mother.

The Otherworlders are capturing citizens—taking slaves. The ward will be of the first to be evacuated. My father should be safe. But my mother’s alone with no protection.

“I’ll contact the army leader and move out with them.” I stand, already reaching for my transmitter and turning to leave when the councilor waves her hand, stopping me.

“Our communications have been shut down. Our army has infiltrated the city and is already moving people out. Help with the evacuation and then meet up with Commander Corvin at the west border. Once you see your convoy safely to Laryn, we’ll meet at King Dallion’s palace.” She inhales a sharp breath. “We’ve already arranged sanctuary there.” She glances toward the hallway, a frown drawing the corners of her mouth down. “Send Prince Caben in on your way out. He’ll travel with us to Laryn.”

Tucking my transmitter back into my harness, I nod once. “Yes, ma’am.” With one last look at the wilting empress, I bow my head, and hurry from the room.

Prince Caben still hovers next to Carina. I maneuver through the protectors and stop to look down at Carina, her eyes open but unseeing.

“She’s gone,” he says, then runs his hand over her face, closing her eyes. “The empress?”

“I’m not sure.” I glance behind me, and back to him. “The Council is taking her to Laryn, and you’re to go with them. Looks like you got your wish; you’re going back to your people.” I nod my head. “Good luck, Prince Caben.” I look once more at Carina’s motionless body, say a quick prayer to the goddesses to welcome her home, then sidestep the prince.

“Wait,” he calls. “Where are you going? Are you not coming with us?”

“I don’t have time for your questions, Your Highness. Cavan in under evacuation and I have to get—” I stop short of telling him about my mother. “I have to make sure as many as possible get out safely.”

“I’ll come with you.” He grabs up my sword and tucks it into his belt.

“What—Why?”

His eyes meet mine, determined. “Because there is a war going on and I don’t plan to run from it.”

I huff out an annoyed sigh. “That’s very noble of you, prince. But you’re royalty, and the last of your line. You need to—” I groan. “I don’t have time! Just go with them so that you’re safe.” I pivot toward the stairway. “I cannot do my duty if I’m looking after you.”

He catches my arm, and I turn on him, my pulse slamming against my veins. “Your protectors pulled me out before I could avenge my father,” he says. “I was going back to Perinya to face the enemy, but now they’re here.” His wide eyes plead. “I’ll not be forced to run again.”

Damnit.
I rub my forehead, feeling an aching pressure building behind my skull. “Prince,” I say, more patiently this time. “I understand—but you have to leave with the Council. Don’t ignore your father’s wishes, or his sacrifice.” I pull out of his hold. “The mission is to save people. Not go on a wild killing spree seeking vengeance. Now go. Lead your people.”

Anger flares in his eyes at the mention of his father. But it’s quickly replaced with something else—regret? He cocks his head. “Then maybe I’ll see you again on another battlefield one day, Protector Kaliope.”

Holding his blue gaze, I say, “I pray that day never comes.” Then I turn away from his heated stare and march down the stairs.

I push the palace doors open and take in the demolished courtyard. They’ve torn down the gatehouse, and the battle is now working its way into the city.

I run, dodging the smoking embers from overturned burners, my words to Prince Caben heavy on my mind. My heart wants to drive my blade through every Otherworlder I see. They’ve taken my protector family—my best friends and sisters—and killed the other Nactue. They’ve stolen our sacred relic and endangered my empress’s life. She may not survive if the Council doesn’t retrieve it. But I can’t allow my emotions to rule my head.

My thoughts plague me, making it difficult to focus on my duty—to follow the orders given to me by the councilor. If I get my mother to the convoy quickly, could I find the Nactue? And if I discover where they are, could I steal back the relic?

A spiked mace sweeps the air before me, and I stumble back. Righting myself, I duck the next blow targeted at my head. The Otherworlder roars and smashes the head of his weapon into the ground. I bound up from a crouch and knock his bony chin with my hilt. His teeth shatter, and blood spills down the crease of his mouth. Before he pulls his mace free of the stone, I lunge and drive my sword through his chest. He crumples to the earth.

Sidestepping his limp body, I extend my crimson-stained sword toward the bars of the wrecked gate. The hum is gone, but I want to make sure it’s completely off before chancing stepping through.

A loud
boom
sounds, rocking the ground beneath my feet. I grab ahold of the bars for support and immediately release them, stumbling backward. I’m not fried. I sigh with relief, then squeeze past the bars of the gate.

My mouth falls open.

Massive metal machines roll down the streets, their giant cogged wheels kicking up dust. Steam billows from copper pipes on their backs, and gears turn along their bodies, stacking cannonballs into tube chambers.

Another
boom
rattles my eardrums as cannons fire on the city.

Otherworlders march behind the steam-powered machines in rows, their weapons held to their chests. They will annihilate Cavan in as little as an hour if we don’t stop them.

Dipping toward the ground, I scoop a handful of sand and rub my palms together, scrubbing the sweat and blood away. I stand and grip my hilt, twist my palms until I get a good hold, and then move.

As I maneuver along the side of the street, hunkering behind buildings and dodging the stomping, grunting Otherworlders, I pray to Alyah to keep my mother safe. My apartment isn’t too far from here, and it looks like the Otherworlders’ mission is the mercury plant. They’re tearing down sections of buildings in their wake, but not looting. They’ve come for mercury—and for slaves. It’s possible they’ve skipped our crummy apartment building completely.

But do they mean to take over and stay, or are they bent on destruction and a power source only? I can’t process anything right now. I shake away my cluttered thoughts and head deeper into downtown, avoiding their army.

When I turn down Straver street, I spot a group of Otherworlders wrestling citizens into one of their war machines. Shit. I can’t overpower five of them.

Rolling my shoulders back, I suck in a breath and groan. Then I charge. If I’m going to die today, then I’ll at least take as many of these ugly bastards as I can with me. One’s head snaps in my direction and a wicked sneer splits his face. He raises his sword and our blades clang together.

The Otherworlders behind him ignore our fight as they continue to chain citizens and force them into their machine. Thankful for their lack of appreciation for the protectors of Cavan, I smile and slice a deep cut into the Otherworlder’s arm. He balks, grabs the wounded flesh, and growls.

I spin and jab my elbow into his rib cage, then raise my sword and angle the blade toward him. Before I connect with his stomach, he twists and grabs a handful of my hair, yanking my head back.