12. Vale

Chapter 12

Vale

" C ome to me."

The loud demand from King Idris startled me out of a dead sleep as I shoved myself from the plush mattress. Heart thundering in my chest, I took stock, and nearly hid my head under a pillow in embarrassment. Naked and alone, my actions from the night before settled into the flaming blush on my cheeks.

A part of me wished it all could have been a remarkably good dream, but my lack of clothing and heady scent of desire perfuming the air told another story. That said nothing of the needy ache between my legs when I remembered Kian's face, Xavier's moans, my screams. My entire body throbbed with equal parts need and…

Not shame, but something like it.

I couldn't be sure who had started the heavy petting, but I had a feeling whatever had happened in my dream with Idris threw everything into motion. I was almost positive it had been me who'd attacked them , leading to the most satisfaction I'd ever had and best sleep I'd ever gotten. As well as a morning after that had me more confused than anything else.

The dream with Idris was branded into my brain, but I couldn't tell if it had been an actual dream or if it had been something else. And in dissecting it, his insistence that I would be in his bed gave me the tiniest bit of guilt. Well, until I remembered that Idris hadn't bothered to ask me if I wanted to be in his bed at all. He might have assumed, and he might be King, but that didn't mean I had to give him my body on top of breaking the curse.

Plus, I could very well die before the day was over. I had no call to be ashamed of my actions the night before or how I acted in a dream of all things. The thought of Idris' lips and fangs at my neck sent a throb of want to my sex.

No. This is how you ended up in between two dragon shifters last night. Get yourself together.

Get myself together. That, I could do.

Shoving myself up from the mattress, I pulled my wild hair out of my face. I hadn't bothered to brush it after my bath, and the wavy mass had likely doubled in size. At first, I'd been embarrassed, but now I was glad I was alone. Lighting the bedside lantern, I searched for my nightgown and underwear.

Both were draped over the foot of the bed along with a pretty vibrantly pink flower and a note in a swooping, barely legible scrawl.

You were too peaceful to wake.

We'll be back soon.

—K&X

A faint smile graced my lips at the sweet scent of the flower, my blush burning my cheeks as the shame dwindled into nothing. I'd needed that comfort last night, and they had gladly obliged. We were all consenting adults, and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Donning my nightgown, I pulled back the curtain, allowing the rays of sunlight to warm me to the bone. Sunlight wasn't a common commodity under the mountain, and a gust of a sigh fell from my lips as I allowed myself that additional comfort. Beyond the rooftops, a large castle took up most of the eastern sky. The castle rose up like a mountain in the distance, and almost as though Idris was in the room next to me, his order shook me to my knees.

"Come to me, Vale."

The demand got louder, more insistent, and I knew it couldn't be a dream. The king was speaking inside my head just as he had on the mountain, and the order was one I would have to follow.

"Fine. I'm coming. Settle down."

Before long, I had handled my morning business and set out to tame my hair. The wavy tresses fell about my shoulders and down my back, and I attacked the mass of it with a pretty silver brush and comb Kian brought me.

Catching glimpses of myself in the dressing table mirror, I marveled how much difference a day made. My skin was clean with a rosy hue from last night's romp as well as a decent meal and rest in a comfortable bed. The creamy fabric caressed my modest curves, and even though my hair was a mass of waves, I felt almost pretty.

Soon the mass was in a passable braid, and I inspected the pile of undergarments that seemed to go with the beautiful garment that couldn't be called "just a dress." Its color wasn't simply blue, either. It was indigo, rich and almost royal, edged in woven golden flowers and vines that made the color pop. The fabric was heavy and thick, far more luxurious and beautiful than anything I'd ever worn, and I didn't know if it was fit for the likes of me.

Who was I, really? A girl from nowhere with no real family, no money, plucked from a mountaintop, saved from execution. How was I supposed to break a curse? I barely knew how to dress myself. Once upon a time, my mother had taught me the proper way to dress, but it had been so long since I'd had quality clothing that wasn't falling apart, nothing was as I remembered.

But just like with this stupid curse, I'd figure it out. By the time I'd secured my stockings and sheathed the jeweled dagger to my thigh, I felt like a whole new person. I would figure it out.

Lacing the heeled boot up my calf, I made up my mind. I could walk into the kingdom and face the first trial. I would survive it, too. I would make sure Nyrah never had to walk this same path or breathe one day longer in captivity than she had to. I would pass these stupid tests. I would break the curse. And I would do whatever it took to survive.

Somehow.

The door opened, and the nerves I'd been stomping down roared back to life as Kian and Xavier strode through the entrance. The room seemed to shrink as they filled the space, the echoes of last night thrumming through my body as their stares pinned me to the spot. I straightened, standing tall even though I felt anything but confident, waiting to see what their reactions would be in the light of day.

Kian's amber gaze smoldered as he looked me over, his pupils narrowing to the slits of his dragon as a steady rumble vibrated from his chest. In fact, his entire body was vibrating, as if the scent in the room and the memory of what we did was affecting him like it was affecting me.

Just the sight of him reminded me of how he'd yanked my hair, of how the sting of it heated my whole body as Xavier devoured me. Xavier's pale-blue eyes flared, glowing with power as he strode forward, his fingers finding the end of my braid.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, his low growl sending a shiver of desire racing down my spine, even though he wasn't touching anything but the ends of my hair. "And you smell like heaven. Did you miss us?"

I fought off the urge to deny his words, and settled on a whispered, "Yes."

Xavier's fingertips lifted my chin, and he slowly lowered his lips to mine, the softest of brushes melting me with its sweetness. "How are you feeling this morning?"

That blush I'd managed to tamp down rose like a brush fire in my cheeks. I swallowed a titter of shyness. "I'm fine."

Kian appeared at my right, his imposing presence not the threat it used to be. Now it just made me want to climb him like a tree.

"Fine?" he rumbled, his nose dipping down to scent my neck. "The way you screamed should amount for far more than just a ‘ fine ,' my little witch."

If I let him kiss me like Xavier had we'd never leave this room. We'd end up doing a hell of a lot more than what we'd done last night. Imagining it had me swallowing a moan, and I squeezed my legs together to stop the ache.

"Don't be rude," I chided, stepping away from the cage their bodies made. Already their scents, their heat, their presence made it hard to think.

But Kian wasn't one to let me go so easily. He followed me, stalking me until my back was against the wall and he'd fit his thick thigh between mine, pressing against the ache as if he knew exactly what I needed.

"I think you like me rude." He tucked a finger into the low neckline of my dress, the tip of his nail transforming into a sharp talon that gently scraped the tender flesh. "Want to see how rude I can be?"

My nipples tightened under my chemise as my skin pebbled, and I nearly gave in. If Xavier hadn't cleared his throat, I would have.

"You know we don't have time for this. The ferry will leave soon."

That brought me up short, my desire cooling instantly. "Ferry? What ferry?"

Kian brought his forehead to mine, seeming to calm himself before stepping away. "The ferry that will take us off this continent," he murmured, gauging my reaction as if he were prepared for me to lose my mind. "After what happened last night, we can't in good conscience take you to the king."

A pit of dread opened up in my belly. "What do you mean?"

This time, Kian's body vibrated for a whole new reason, and he cupped my cheeks in his hands, his touch gentle, although his words were not. "I won't let you put yourself in that kind of danger, Vale. Not a single Luxa has survived the trials, and I'm not going to watch you die. Not you."

My heart twisted in my chest as I pulled away and stared at them both, my gaze shifting from Kian to Xavier and back again. They cared for me, of that I was certain. I had no illusions about that. But what they didn't understand was that I wasn't just doing this impossible task just for me. I was doing it for my sister. And taking me off continent wouldn't change the fact that she was still in danger.

That this plan that they had concocted without asking me, never once accounted for her.

Kian's shoulders were set, his jaw like granite, and I knew no amount of talking or pleading would change his mind. He would put me on that ferry whether I wanted him to or not. My gaze fell on Xavier. His jaw was just as hard, his eyes just as determined, his shoulders just as set.

They were immovable, twin mountains of granite. The only thing I could do was nod.

"The boat leaves in an hour," Kian whispered, reaching for my hand. He laced his fingers with mine before kissing the inside of my wrist. "Grab whatever you think you'll need, and we'll go. I promise to take care of you, Vale. We both do."

The hard part was, I believed him. Kian and Xavier would likely do whatever they had to do to protect me.

But that left Nyrah alone in the world. I swore the day my parents died that I would keep her safe. If I let them have their way, I was sentencing her to either a life of fear or death.

Xavier settled the fur-lined cloak over my shoulders as I got my heart under control, and Kian snatched up the comb and brush before stuffing it into his pack. That was likely everything I owned, and I couldn't stall even a moment to think.

"That's everything I have," I whispered, my mind racing as I plotted how to fix this.

"We'll get breakfast on the way, but we'll have to hurry," Xavier said, and I nodded again, following behind him as we swept down the hall.

I tensed at the stairs, a plan forming in my head as I tried not to think of falling from the top as the heaviness of my skirts tangled in my legs. Kian snatched up my hand, squeezing it reassuringly, and I let out a tense sigh.

Come to me, my brave one.

This time the words were faint as if they were a memory, rather than Idris speaking inside my head. I had to go to the castle. I couldn't allow them to take me off continent. I had no money to get back, no options.

Kian led us outside, where a porter was finishing saddling two glossy black horses. He handed Xavier the reins and tipped his hat when Kian flipped him a golden coin. Then a stroke of genius hit me.

I gasped, patting down my body. "I forgot the dagger," I moaned, allowing the distress of the situation to help sell it. "It's so beautiful, I don't want to leave it behind. Can you go back for it?"

Kian dipped his head and nipped at my throat. "Of course."

He hefted to pack off his back, handing it to Xavier. Xavier donned the leather bag and then lifted me onto the back of the first horse. I adjusted the skirt of my dress, and smiled as my stomach chose to grace me with another stroke of luck.

Xavier's eyebrows hit his hairline. "How about I get you some bread for the road. I don't want you uncomfortable."

I bent, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you. I know we're in a hurry, but…"

"It's no problem."

My heart thudded in my chest as he turned his back, afraid he would figure out my plans before I did. The door to the inn closed behind him, and my fingers tightened on the reins. My legs squeezed, and the animal underneath me got the message, taking off as if he knew the way.

I held on for dear life as the horse raced down the lane in the direction of the looming castle. I did little but try not to fall off as we cut through the streets, nearly trampling people as we barreled through the city until the buildings gave way to a wide-open cobblestone lane, leading up a sharp incline toward the one place I needed to be.

"Come to me, my Queen."

That voice grew louder, rougher, more insistent. And worse, calling me "my Queen" gave me more than a little bit of pause. I wouldn't be a queen. I would be a curse breaker at best, and at worst I'd be roadkill trampled under the circumstances of my birth. But not a queen, of that, I was certain.

Once the path was open, the horse picked up speed, galloping as if something was chasing him. It was as if he knew that we only had so much time before Kian and Xavier figured out what I had done and why I'd done it. As if he knew I couldn't let them find me on this road.

I passed several townspeople on the path, their drawn faces full of anger, and it wasn't until I approached a wide bridge leading to the gate bisecting the castle wall, did I see a mob of them shouting at palace guards. They demanded to be let past the gate, tossing perfectly good food at the guards, wasting it.

The starving girl in me wanted to scream at them, but I didn't—couldn't. They had the freedom to rise up, to make their grievances known. I sort of had to admire them for that, and I hoped the people under the mountain had done the same.

There would be no way past them, and definitely no way past the guards. Their faces were drawn and fierce, and I knew it would be a lost cause pleading my case to them.

"Come to me, my Queen."

The demand rattled inside my head, nearly knocking me off the horse. It sent a sharp spike of pain right between my eyes as bile raced up my throat.

"I'd love to," I growled through gritted teeth. "How in the hell am I supposed to get past the mob outside your door?"

A man startled next to me, his scrutiny sharp as though I'd been talking to myself. Granted, he didn't realize an angry king was yelling inside my head, so I couldn't exactly fault him for it.

"I will show you the way," he growled, his voice so much louder than before. "Get off the road. There's a way around the bridge."

I pulled the reins to the left, guiding the horse off the path. It veered into the thick brush that led to a dense forest. The trees were wide and tall, blocking out the morning light, and instantly, I shivered at the sudden drop in temperature.

"Lose the horse," he ordered, and a faint thread of trepidation made me pause.

What if this was a trap? What if it wasn't the right way? What if it wasn't Idris inside my head, but someone else? I didn't want to leave the road, and I certainly did not want to leave the horse.

A distant screeching roar hit my ears then, and I knew without a doubt that Kian and Xavier had figured out that I wasn't at the inn anymore. Hastily, I dismounted, slapping the horse's rump so he would run back to the road. Then I drew the dagger from the sheath at my thigh.

If this was a trap, at the very least I was armed.

"Fine. I'm officially off the road and have lost the horse. Now what?"

"Head in the direction of the castle but remain in the shadows. There are guards patrolling the forests for trespassers. Follow my voice."

A tremble of fear had my knees knocking together, but I steeled my spine and marched forward, my fingers fisting on the hilt of the dagger. The closer I got to the castle, the darker and denser the forest became, the cold seeping into my bones, even under the fur-lined cloak and thick stockings and boots.

"This way," he called, and it was almost as if I could hear him for real and not just inside my head.

I adjusted my course to the north just a bit, and the ground sloped sharply, plunging into a darkened rocky crevasse that nearly stole every bit of my breath. I caught myself on the trunk of a gnarled tree, its roots clinging precariously to the hillside as I swallowed down a scream.

The last thing I needed was to freeze here, but I was petrified.

I can't. I can't. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I trembled, every death I'd witnessed dancing through my head. Their screams. Their pleas for help. I'd done nothing for them—too scared to lose my own life or my sister's. I cursed Orrus in my head, blaming him for every single needless death. I cursed him for my impending one, too, angry at the god for stealing so much.

It was too easy to lose a life, the fleeting breath of it so ephemeral, so brief.

Nyrah. You do it for Nyrah. One step at a time, until it's done.

Whimpering, I hesitantly tucked the jeweled dagger back into the sheath at my thigh. I needed both hands free if I planned on surviving this. Then, I grabbed a thick root, clinging to it as the soft ground abraded away under my feet, the thick layer of fallen leaves and loose soil almost like quicksand. That screeching roar grew louder, moving me faster than I wanted to go. With no other choices left, I grabbed the next branch, the next root, the next rock, slowly climbing down the hill toward the hidden underbelly of the castle.

When I reached the bottom, I took a second to breathe, resting on a boulder as I craned my head to stare at the rough stone base of the castle. It was massive, and I really hoped I wouldn't have to climb anything, because I doubted I could move another inch.

Trembling, I wiped at my tear-stained cheeks until I heard the roar of my name from Kian's lips.

"Vale," he thundered, so close it was as though he knew exactly where I was. "Stop where you are."

I flew to my feet, indecision pulling me in two. There was an opening in the castle wall, small, rough, but there all the same. I could go there, find my way to the king, plead my case, face the first trial.

Or I could let Kian and Xavier find me. Maybe we could get Nyrah together. We could?—

"Come to me, my Queen. Move faster. They will be upon you too soon if you do not move."

Swallowing my fear, I ran for the rough cave-like opening, knowing that there was no way I could infiltrate the guild on my own. I also knew Kian and Xavier would never do it with me. There wasn't another option.

I ducked through the opening, crawling through the tunnel until it yawned into a colossal cavern, the ceiling lost to the darkness as a faint buzzing thrummed through my very bones. Shimmering spikes hung from the murky ceiling like the teeth of a great beast, and I worried if I had been too trusting of the voice in my head.

That faint buzzing grew louder, vibrating the slick ground beneath me. I took the dagger, slicing the delicate skin of my wrist just so I could get some light. My power bloomed, spilling out of me, illuminating the darkness like a torch.

"Almost there, my Queen. Closer. Let me look at you."

Fear drummed to the beat of my heart, the wrongness of the voice finally registering. Idris hadn't sounded like this in my dream. His voice had been smooth, a gentle caress. This one was rougher, harder, louder.

"Vale," Xavier roared. "Get out of there."

"Vale, please. Please, turn around," Kian pleaded, but it was already too late.

Slithering in the darkness where my light barely touched was a great beast, its scales red as blood. And like the beacon I was, it drew closer, barreling toward me faster than I could blink.

And it wasn't until it rose up to its full height, did I realize just what it was.

A dragon—larger than Kian and Xavier by far—with fire rising in its throat, its wide-open mouth growing wider as it ate up the space between us.

And its gaze was set right on me.