Queen of Monsters and Madness Read online

  “Thank you,” she said, her fingers brushing his as she clasped it closed.

  Sam yawned and slowly rose from the chair, his movements stiff.

  “What have you been up to today?” she asked. “You’re moving like an old man.”

  Her brother-in-law winced. “I’ve been training with Blaise.”

  “Truly?”

  “She walloped me today. I’ll be feeling it for quite some time.”

  Sage sniggered. She’d have loved to see that.

  Tehl pinned his brother with a serious look. “Did Lilja say anything else?”

  “Just to prepare a convincing argument.”

  Sage nodded and moved toward the door. “Tehl and I have been working on it since we spoke with Lilja.”

  “Good.”

  She yanked open the door and stepped outside, followed by the two princes. They jogged through the quiet corridors of the sleeping palace. Sage sighed when they exited the palace, inhaling the crisp night air. There was nothing like being outdoors. The knot in her chest loosened when she was outside.

  It meant freedom.

  Sage opened her eyes and trailed behind the princes. Hay and horses surrounded her when they entered the stables.

  “Horses?” she asked. The docks weren’t too far away. The walk would be easy. “They’re not really inconspicuous.”

  Sam led a dapple-gray horse from the stall. “Lilja isn’t in the port. We’ll travel about an hour and meet her.”

  “Am I to ride with you?” Sage asked turned to Tehl.

  He smiled and brushed his hand along the silky face of a mare. The bold face with the uneven stripe made for a striking contrast. With twinkling eyes, he led the mare to Sage.

  “This is your mare.”

  Sage blinked at him and then the horse. He’d purchased her a horse? She reached a hand out and let the tall mare sniff her palm. A smile curled her lips as the curious mount lipped her shirt and then headbutted her in the chest, almost toppling her.

  “She’s spirited, isn’t she?” she said, planting her feet, while stroking the mount’s velvety nose.

  Tehl ran a hand down the mare’s neck. “Just like her owner.”

  She smiled, loving the animal already. Her family had always owned a horse, but Sage had never owned one herself. “What’s her name?”

  “She doesn’t have a name.”

  Sage scowled at Tehl. “Why doesn’t she have a name?”

  “I thought you’d like to do the honors.” He avoided her gaze as he said it, focusing on the horse.

  Her heart warmed as she stared at her husband. Tehl was clueless sometimes when it came to emotions, but he made up for it by being observant and thoughtful.

  Sage placed a hand on his arm and smiled at him when he looked at her. “Thank you so much. I love her.”

  He nodded and coughed into his hand. “I’m glad.” His attention turned back to the mare. “What will you name her? She’s gone quite some time without a name.”

  She patted the horse’s neck. “I’m not sure. I’ll figure it out soon.”

  Tehl handed the reins to her and then opened the stall for the huge black war horse that had been staring at them since they’d arrived. He strode right up to Sage and blew air into her face before sniffing around her pockets. Her husband scowled.

  “Listen here, Wraith, you don’t need apples all the time. Leave the ladies alone.”

  Wraith sidled up to her mare, who eyed him suspiciously.

  Tehl chuckled and led Wraith from the stable. “Easy there, boy, or she’ll bite you again.”

  “Again?” Sage asked.

  “Wraith thinks himself the boss.” He nodded to her mare. “Your mount taught him otherwise.” He glanced at her. “Do you need help up?”

  Sage eyed the tall horse. She could manage. Barely. “I can do it.”

  Tehl said nothing for moment, staring from her to the mare, before turning his back and mounting Wraith.

  She turned to her own horse and brushed her hand along the mare’s muscular shoulder. “Hello there, pretty girl,” she whispered, stroking the horse. “My name is Sage, and you and I are going to be best friends.”

  Sage placed her foot in the stirrup and swung up onto the horse. “Easy, girl,” she murmured as the mare pranced before settling down.

  She glanced to the left. Tehl and Sam spoke quietly between the two of them.

  Sam straightened and nudged his mount with his heels. The beast responded immediately. Tehl glanced at her. “Are you ready?”

  Excitement vibrated through her. It had been ages since she’d ridden. “Let’s go.”

  She couldn’t wipe the grin from her face if she tried. Sage pulled on the reins and slowed next to Sam. He grinned at her and swung from his horse.

  “You enjoyed your ride?” he asked taking her reins from her.

  “It was invigorating.”

  Her mare was made to run. Her movements were so fluid, it was like flying. Sage had felt utterly free. Tehl stepped close as she swung her right leg over the horse, his large hands settling on her waist, lowering her to the ground. Sage grabbed his forearms to steady herself and smiled up at him.

  “So, you like her?” he asked.

  There was a hint of uncertainty to his voice. Sage popped up onto her toes and pecked his cheek. “I love Peg.”

  “Peg?”

  “Yeah,” she said, turning back to her mare. “Riding her was like flying so I thought Pegasus was an appropriate name, or Peg for short.”

  Tehl stepped around her and scratched Peg between the ears. Her mare leaned into Tehl. Sage hid her smile. It seemed that Sage wasn’t the only one who loved him.

  She stiffened as she stared at the crown prince.

  Stars above, she loved the man.

  He glanced at her and frowned. “Is something wrong?”

  “No,” she said shakily. Could he see it on her face? “Just worried about tonight.”

  He shifted, shadows covering his face, hiding his expression from her. Tehl reached out and brushed her cheek with one finger. “You’ll do just fine. You always do.”

  Sage exhaled and stuffed her new-found feelings deep. She’d deal with them later.

  Tehl

  His brother groaned. “The ship didn’t look this far away. My arms are killing me.”

  Sage smirked at Sam. “That’s all you got?”

  “Why don’t you take a turn, if it’s so easy?”

  “I’ll leave that in your capable hands,” she murmured, reaching out to touch the water.

  Tehl snapped a hand out and caught her. She glanced at him questioningly. He lifted his chin to the sleek dark fin slicing through the water.

  Sam followed his gaze and scowled. “Of course, we have to take a row boat through leviathan-infested waters,” he muttered with a curse.

  Sage pulled her hand from his and smiled. “They won’t hurt us. They’re here for Lilja.”

  “Lilja?” he asked.

  “They are her…companions of sorts.”

  Sam blinked. “Like a pet?”

  “No. A leviathan is no one’s pet.”

  “Can she control the beasts?” Tehl asked.

  “No, but she can give them her request, and they choose whether or not to follow.”

  “So, she communicates with them?” he pried. The idea intrigued him.

  “In a way,” she answered, staring out at the waves.

  The moonlight disappeared as they neared the boat. He stood and held a hand out to Sage. She placed her hand in his and carefully stepped up the rope ladder hanging over the side of the ship.

  “Be careful,” he said softly.

  “Always.”

  He watched as she nimbly climbed the ladder.

  “Now seems like the perfect time to make a comment about what a nice looking—”

  Tehl glared at his brother. “Finish that thought, and I’ll throw you into the water.”

  Sam held his hands up with a grin. “I was going to com
ment on nice form.” He wiggled his brows. “Where was your mind, dear brother?”

  On the woman above them.

  Tehl rolled his eyes at his brother and tied the dingy to the ship before climbing up. Hand over hand, he ascended the ship and hauled himself over the railing. Sage stood next to Hayjen and Lilja.

  The older man turned to him and held a hand out. Tehl clasped his hand then turned to the Sirenidae. She wore one of her complex knotted dresses with her silvery hair straight down her back. He’d never seen her hair not in a braid. “You look well.”

  Lilja inclined her head. “Thank you,” she said as Sam joined them. “They will arrive shortly, but I need to warn you about the Lure. When they arrive, you’ll be tempted to go to them, touch them.”

  “What?” Tehl demanded.

  “How?” Sam asked.

  “Pheromones. The seawater reacts with their skin, making them almost irresistible,” Hayjen muttered. “It’s disconcerting the first time. We wanted to make you aware of this before it happened.”

  “As if they needed something else to make them more desirable,” Sage grumbled.

  Lilja flashed a smile at her niece, but it melted into determination. “They’re here.”

  Tehl scanned the darkened water lit with moonlight. Nothing. “How do you know?”

  She tapped her ear. “The leviathans’ song changed.”

  “Intriguing,” Sam whispered as the group lapsed into silence.

  Tehl strained to hear something, but all he heard were the waves lapping gently against the hull. The ship creaked ominously, and a long-fingered hand curled over the deck railing edge. Startling magenta eyes peered up, over the edge. A moment passed, and then the Sirenidae catapulted herself over the railing and landed with grace. She flipped her wet, white hair over her shoulder and stood in nothing but a sealskin suit.

  Lilja glided forward and handed the girl a robe. “Mer.”

  Mer slipped the robe on and hugged Lilja. “Aunt.” She released Lilja and rushed to Hayjen, who threw his arms wide and pulled her into a hug.

  “Hello, Mer,” Hayjen said gruffly.

  The girl pulled back and turned toward him. Tehl’s knees weakened. She was beautiful, but not his taste. Despite that, he felt the need to be closer to her, to touch her skin. He managed to tear his gaze from the girl and forced his feet toward Sage.

  She glanced over her shoulder at him as he pressed himself against her back and wrapped his arms around her.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “If I do not hold on to you, I might throw myself at her,” he panted harshly.

  Sam cursed. “Bloody unfair.”

  The Sirenidae offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.” She backed away. “I’d introduce myself, but I’ll wait until I’m dry.” She whistled softly and planted herself in front of the railing.

  Even from here, Tehl wanted to grab her and hunt for the intoxicating scent. He yanked his eyes from the Sirenidae and pressed his face into Sage’s neck, pulling in deep breaths. She shivered in his arms, and his hands began to wander. Tehl curled his hands into fists. Stars above, this was brutal.

  Sage gasped. Tehl peeked over her shoulder as two males swung over the railing, both tall and muscular in a wiry sort of way. His gaze narrowed on the sealskin loin cloths. Lilja held out robes for each of the men.

  His wife shifted in his arms and arched into his body. He blinked and stared down in shock as her fingers wove through his own and pressed them harder against her body. The older Sirenidae surveyed the boat, pausing briefly on Hayjen, and then turned back to Lilja.

  “Daughter,” he said, his voice like thundering waves.

  Lilja dipped her chin. “Father.” She glanced to the other man. “Cousin.”

  “It’s been a long time,” the younger man said.

  “It has, Lareme.”

  Tehl’s shoulders drooped with relief as the burning need to get closer to the Sirenidae lessened. He lifted his head and made to step back when Sage’s fingers tightened.

  “Not yet,” she whispered, her tone panicked.

  Tehl paused and cuddled her close.

  The Sirenidae king turned in their direction, his white brows raising. “It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone able to fight the Lure.”

  Sam stumbled next to his side. “It packs a punch.”

  Lareme chuckled. “That it does.”

  Sage sighed, released her death grip on his hands, and stepped out of his embrace, her legs a little wobbly. She sank into a curtsey. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, my lord.”

  “We weren’t given much choice.” The king cast a dark look toward Lilja. “My daughter is quite persuasive when she desires to be.”

  “Then we are thankful for that as well,” Tehl said, moving to his wife’s side. He held his forearm out. “Welcome to Aermia.”

  The king eyed him and then slowly clasped his forearm. “Well met.” He cocked his head, studying Tehl’s otherworldly eyes, his white braids framing his face. The king released him and Tehl felt like he’d gone through a test, but he had no clue if he’d passed or not.

  Next, the king slowly turned his focus to Sage. A spark of pride filled Tehl at how his wife raised her chin and met the king’s gaze without flinching.

  The king eyed her. “You’ve caused quite a bit of commotion. More news has reached my ears about Sage Ramses than any other person in the last six months. You wreak havoc everywhere you go.”

  “I bring change,” Sage corrected, not batting an eye.

  The king’s lips twitched. “I can see why Lilja loves you. You’re just like her.”

  Tehl glanced at Lilja in surprise. The last part didn’t sound like a compliment, and he wasn’t the only one to notice, but Sage took it in her stride.

  “Thank you. I always hoped to be a strong, capable woman who protected the ones she loves.”

  “Loyal, as well,” the king murmured. “An admirable quality.”

  Sage dipped her chin but didn’t answer.

  The king turned on his heel and prowled back to the ship railing. “Let’s cut to the chase. I know what you want, and we cannot give it to you.”

  Mer gasped and glared at the king, but she kept silent.

  “You promised to listen,” Lilja said softly.

  “There’s no need to draw it out if we all know what you want.”

  “Then why meet?” Sage asked. “If you already had decided, why meet at all?”

  “I desired to meet the future rulers of Aermia.”

  “We won’t be ruling if you don’t unite with us,” Tehl said. “War is brewing, and, if you don’t stand with us, Aermia will fall. The kingdoms need to unite if we are to defeat the warlord. There’s no other way.”

  The king shook his head. “It’s too much risk. My people aren’t warriors. I won’t have them slaughtered for the sake of another kingdom.”

  Tehl schooled his face as Sage’s jaw clenched next to him.

  “You’re being short-sighted. The fall of Aermia might not affect you now, but it will.”

  “The damage would be minor. The Sirenidae people are completely self-sufficient, and the warlord can’t reach us,” Lareme said. It was a bald statement, said without pride. It was spoken like a fact.

  An eerie laugh erupted from Sage. A chill ran along Tehl’s arms as he turned to his wife. It was devoid of humor.

  “You’re a fool.”

  Tehl blinked at his wife. Of all of the foolish things to say…

  The king’s magenta eyes narrowed on her. “Pardon me?”

  Sage took a step forward. “You heard me.” She flung her arm out, pointing at the sea. “You’ve hidden yourself from the world for so long that reality is now out of your reach.”

  “And what reality is that? Please, enlighten me, young one.”

  “The world is ending as we know it. Change is inevitable. It is our choice, though, whether it’s for better or worse.”

  “Such idea
ls,” the king said softly. “You only see what is right in front of you. I lived many generations and have come to this knowledge; crowns rise and fall. It’s the way of life.”

  “And the annihilation of the Nagalian people? Was that a way of life?”

  “It’s the past.”

  “No.” Sage shook her head. “It’s our future. Do you really think the ocean will keep you safe?”

  “No one can breach our depths.”

  “Maybe not now, but, mark my words, if Aermia falls, so will the Sirenidae.” She glanced down at her boots. “I’m sure you’re aware that I spent time in Scythia.”

  “I am,” the king said gravely.

  “In my time there, I met a Sirenidae.”

  The king stiffened.

  “His name was Ezra,” Sage continued. “He cared for me but followed the warlord’s bidding.”

  Tehl crossed his arms and glanced at Sam, who was busy cataloguing the Sirenidae.

  “Not possible,” Lareme scoffed.

  “The warlord has many ways to control people. It is the epitome of arrogance to think yourself infallible to his machinations. Ezra was not a bad person. He was doing his best to protect his family, and he was not the only Sirenidae in his service. Your people are not safe. Some have been enslaved for years.”

  Sage bridged the space between herself and the king. Tehl admired his wife as she braced her feet and stared up at the imposing king defiantly. She pushed her hair over her shoulders exposing her neck. “Do you know how this happened?”

  The king kept silent as he stared at the healing wounds of Sage’s neck.

  “This is the product of the warlord. He collared me with a broken crown made of metal thorns. I wore that cursed collar for months.” She gingerly touched the wounds. “This will be the fate of your people. Slavery and cruelty.”

  The king stared down at Sage, his expression unreadable. “I’m sorry for what you’ve experienced. But one does not justify the many. I have a duty to my people.”

  Sage swallowed then nodded. “True. It’s one kingdom, but it’ll mean thousands of lives. I hope you can live another hundred years carrying the deaths of thousands on your shoulder, because it will be you condemning them to slavery when it was within your power to help.”