“She was coerced into walking off. I never believed she would have committed suicide, so I investigated it. I was so obsessed that my father got fed up with it and sent me off to serve in the army. I loved my first wife very much.” Angulus looked wistfully toward the sea, not searching for enemy fliers this time, Ridge sensed. “When I returned from five years of duty, my father had arranged a new marriage for me. He’d let me choose the first time—he always hated arranged marriages, since his own had been a shambles—but he was sick by then and wanted to make sure grandchildren were on the way to secure his legacy. Little did he know Nia would never have children.” Angulus shook his head.
“So, if the queen’s mother arranged your wife’s death, does that mean she had something to do with the new marriage?”
Angulus nodded. “Nia has never admitted to it, but I think her mother gave potions to my father and made him amenable to the idea. Nia’s mother was nothing if not ambitious, far more so than Nia was. She never actually wanted to marry me.” The king’s lips twisted, his eyes edged with bitterness. “She was seeing a young officer at the time and didn’t want to give him up. You’ve met him.”
Ridge could only lift his shoulders, not having the vaguest idea as to who he knew who might have attracted the queen’s eye more than twenty years earlier.
“Therrik,” Angulus said.
If Ridge hadn’t been strapped in, he would have fallen out of his seat. “What? Why?”
Angulus spread his palm toward the sky. “Who can understand the fancies of women?”
Ridge could only shake his head.
“I don’t think I was an… unreasonable husband, but we never loved each other, not the way my first wife and I did, and probably not the way she and her strapping young soldier did.”
“Ugh, Sire, could we not talk about Therrik’s… straps?”
“She eventually learned what her mother had done to arrange the marriage, and she’s been an advocate of destroying everyone and everything tainted with magic ever since. I didn’t realize she felt quite so strongly as to have orchestrated all of this, but when I hired Deathmaker… That may be what pushed her over the edge. I can’t say that I don’t understand our people loathing him for his crimes, but I have to make my decisions based on logic, not emotion. I have to think about what’s best for the kingdom, and I don’t have to tell you how outnumbered and outgunned we are by the Cofah. These last couple of decades have been less difficult than the previous ones, thanks to the fliers and the crystals, but now that the Cofah have figured out how to make equal—if not superior—aircraft and weapons…” Once again, his gaze drifted toward the sea where the unmanned flier had crashed. “I couldn’t pass up the chance to have a brilliant weapons maker on our side.”
Ridge wanted to object to the idea of Tolemek as brilliant, but he supposed it was true, at least insofar as making toxic death went. And hadn’t he himself sent the dragon blood to Tolemek so he could make something useful? He was making the same choice the king had. Did that make him logical? He hoped so. Sometimes, such as when Apex looked at him with feelings of hurt in his eyes, Ridge wondered if he was the one in the wrong, the one betraying his people.
“We just have to destroy all of the dragon blood they have left, Sire. All of their clever weapons—and the flier designs they stole from us—rely on using that for an energy source. We took a lot of it when we left that volcano facility, and we found the source of it so they won’t be able to get more in the future. They’ll only have what they stockpiled and stored in different facilities.” Ridge raised his eyebrows, silently asking if the king knew this much of the story. According to Apex and Kaika, the king had already been kidnapped when they had been reporting in.
“Does that mean that you or the assassin my wife hired succeeded in killing the dragon?” Angulus asked.
Ah, so he did know about the dragon. “We succeeded in freeing it from a Cofah lab, Sire.”
“So it could fly back and join forces with their army?”
“I’m hoping it’s not in the mood to join forces with their anything.” Ridge remembered the way both Tolemek’s sister and the dragon had considered his team of Iskandians to be enemies and wondered if that was a vain hope. “Its only loyalty seems to be to Tolemek’s sister.”
Angulus blinked. “It’s not here, is it?”
“On the continent? I don’t think so. They flew off across the ocean together. Sardelle did extend an invitation to the girl to come to her for instruction. Apparently, Tylie is quite the talent.”
“I’m now envisioning a girl riding a dragon landing in the castle courtyard. That will really distress the queen.”
“Would Tylie be welcome if she did come? By you?” Ridge almost asked about Phelistoth, too, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about inviting a dragon to roost here. His mother would probably try to feed it and invite it in the house with the cats.
“Better here than in Cofahre. I don’t know how to make our people accept them, but we can’t let the Cofah have any more advantages.” Angulus thumped on the side of the flier. “Get this beast in the air, Zirkander. I need to see what’s going on at home, and you need to tell me where your squadron is.”
“Yes, Sire.”
As Ridge piloted the flier off the ground, he allowed himself to feel carefully optimistic about finding a solution that would allow Sardelle to stay with him, but it was hard to think that far in the future. Not with the wreckage from that unmanned flier sitting at the bottom of the Cauldron, one of what could be hundreds of fliers poised to attack his homeland.
• • • • •
Sardelle woke slowly, aware of several voices speaking softly around her and the chirp of birds in the rafters. She had fallen asleep on the couch after healing Kaika, sending her to the bedroom to sleep, and informing Duck and Tolemek what had happened in the castle. She did not know how much time had passed, but had a sense that she had slept hard.
“I wouldn’t have expected a powerful sorceress to drool,” someone observed. Sardelle did not recognize the voice. “That’s not mentioned in the fairy tales.”
Confused and worried, she wiped her mouth and opened her eyes. Sunlight slanted in the window, framing two male figures and making it difficult to see their faces.
“She doesn’t usually.” That was Ridge. He lowered a hand, touching the top of her head gently, and her worry faded. As long as he was here, she didn’t care who the other man was. “I hear it was a rough night.”
She still couldn’t see his face. Had someone told him about Apex?
No, Kaika just woke up too. I just hinted of trouble. I didn’t think he would want to hear about dead pilots from me.
No, probably not. Sardelle supposed it was cowardly to wish that Jaxi had delivered the news, so she wouldn’t have to.
I did tell him that you were worried and that he had better stop here to see you before delivering his cargo to the capital. He came into my range earlier this afternoon, Jaxi added.
His cargo? Sardelle sat up at the same time as Ridge settled onto the couch beside her.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, resting his face against her hair. She wasn’t sure if the hug was for her sake or for his, but she returned it, sliding both arms around his waist, relieved to have him back close.
You’re canoodling in front of the king, in case you didn’t realize.
I—oh. Sardelle pulled back enough to look at Ridge’s face, then toward the stocky figure beside the couch. “You found him?”
An obvious question, she supposed, but she had just woken up. She couldn’t be expected to be at her sharpest. She shifted toward the edge of the seat, thinking she should get up and curtsy. Or genuflect. Hells, what was the proper protocol in this century?
“Yes,” Ridge said. “Kaika was relieved to see him but also distressed that she didn’t get to come along on the rescue. I explained that she wouldn’t have fit in the flier, but…” He hitched a shoulder.
&nb
sp; “All of the women here seem distressed,” the king observed, looking around the living room.
Sardelle’s first thought was that Cas had returned and that was who he was talking about, but Ridge’s mother hustled through, carrying a basket of towels, her face tense. She blurted a quick, “My liege,” before passing through into the washroom.
“That’s my fault for not warning my mother that a king was coming to visit, Sire,” Ridge said. “Apparently the snakes and spiders are further adding to her distress.”
I could have given her a couple of hours’ warning if she believed in me, Jaxi said.
Sardelle stood up and went with a curtsey, bowing her head. Genuflecting had gone out of style centuries before her time, and she took a guess toward less formality in this age rather than more. “My liege, it is an honor to meet you.” It was going to be less of an honor to explain that his wife had been buried under a pile of rubble, and that it had been a result of her snooping around in his castle.
“Is it?” The king sounded amused. King—what was his name?—Angulus. “Who ruled Iskandia in your time?”
Your time. He knew more about her than she did about him. That probably wasn’t a good thing.
“King Astarak,” Sardelle said.
“I believe he was my great, great, great and a dozen more greats uncle. Any resemblance?” Angulus turned his head from side to side, offering her a good look at his broad features. He would be handsome when he got a shave and into clothes that were not torn and didn’t smell of sweat and mildew. He was younger than she had first realized, perhaps in his late forties. With his stocky build, he looked more like a warrior or someone who did manual labor for a living, rather than a man who sat at a desk—or on a throne—all day.
“Astarak was short, skinny, and had big teeth that made people compare him to a rat,” Sardelle said, though she wasn’t comfortable with the familiarity. Even if she had been in the castle long ago and spoken to her King Astarak, this wasn’t her king or her world anymore. And as she had seen and heard all too clearly, she was not welcome here as an ally—or anything else.
“Oh,” Angulus said. “I believe I’ll hope for a lack of resemblance then.”
“He was friendly and well-liked by the people. After watching his three older brothers die to assassins, he figured he had better have the personality in the family. They were troubled times.”
Angulus sighed. “Yes, they all are.”
Ridge? I don’t know where I stand or what he knows, or… I know nothing.
Nothing at all? Ridge twitched his eyebrows upward as he stood and took her hand. Just how long were you asleep?
From his humor—and the king’s, as well—he definitely had not been told about Apex yet. Or the queen. Ridge was obviously pleased to have found Angulus and brought him back. And, if the king had been stuck in a lighthouse for weeks, that could account for the ease with which he carried himself now. He must be relieved to be free.
I need to let you know what happened last night, Ridge. It’s… not good.
Ridge’s expression sobered. I saw Duck sitting on the fence out back, staring into the mud like he’s lost his closest friend. I haven’t been out to see him yet.
Sardelle closed her eyes, not wanting to have to tell Ridge that his assessment of Duck was accurate, nor did she want to hurt him, or have him disappointed in her. Yet, she feared it was inevitable. If only we had known you had the king’s location… She frowned at him, wondering how he had found the right lighthouse. We needn’t have stayed in the castle at all. If we hadn’t gone to see the queen…
“What happened?” Ridge murmured, squeezing her hand. Silently, he added, I’m sorry I couldn’t find you to tell you I’d gotten away and that I was leaving. I was afraid there would be pursuit. There still may be. He grimaced toward the front door. I tried contacting Jaxi, in case you were monitoring me, but she must have been busy.
He was locked up in a jail cell, Jaxi said. I didn’t think anything would be worth monitoring there. Besides, we were sneaking into the castle then. I did inform him that you were here as soon as he flew back into range of my senses.
I know, Jaxi. It’s fine. Sardelle shifted her attention back to Ridge, though she glanced at the king to make sure he wasn’t looking at them suspiciously for simply staring silently at each other. Some of the cats had found him and were rubbing past his legs. He had bent to pat one.
If we can find a quiet place, I could explain, Sardelle told Ridge. Or show you what happened, I guess. I don’t know if I can explain exactly.
That bad, huh?
Sardelle could only nod.
I have bad news of my own, but I’ll let you go first. We’re not going to be able to stay here long. Need to get the king back to the castle and see if I can talk him into giving me command of my squadron again. I’m hoping that some of our fliers are already on their way home. I don’t think we’re going to have much time.
A door clicked open, and Ridge’s mother walked into the room again, this time with two neatly folded towels and a bar of cat-shaped soap on top.
“My liege,” she said and dropped to one knee, her head bowed as she held out the towels. So much for Sardelle’s guess on genuflecting. “Please accept the use of my modest bathing facilities before you return to the city.”
“Is your mother telling me that I smell, Zirkander?” Angulus asked.
“I believe so, Sire. Politely.”
“My kidnappers only had enough water for drinking. They weren’t open to bathing sessions.”
“Perfectly understandable, Sire.”
“Mrs. Zirkander, I don’t want you to go to any trouble,” Angulus said as the cat he had been petting noticed he had stopped and started bumping against his leg again. “I’d thought to have your son fly me straight back after he told his powerful allies they need to hurry back to town to help with the defenses. Assuming they’re willing to do so.” He lifted his brows toward Sardelle.
Her mouth dangled open. Was he asking for her help? Or simply acknowledging that Ridge wanted her help? She would have been honored either way, but knew his feelings would change as soon as he learned about his wife.
“Powerful allies?” Fern mouthed and frowned toward Sardelle.
“Yes, Tolemek,” Ridge said. “I’m hoping that the addition of snakes to the house is a sign that he’s been working hard on weapons to fight the Cofah, and that they’re not something you decided to add to your collection.”
“Absolutely not.” Fern sniffed—and seemed to forget that Angulus had looked at Sardelle at the mention of powerful allies.
One more omission that would come out eventually, changing the way these people looked at her. Sardelle kept her face neutral, though inside, she wilted a little more.
“Sire,” Ridge said, “I think you should take the bath offer. Your staff will be more amenable to following your orders if you smell good. Or at least less bad.”
Angulus hesitated, but then accepted the towels. Fern’s arms must have growing tired from holding them out.
He picked up the soap bar. “Is this a cat?”
“It is, Sire,” Ridge said, “and it’ll leave you smelling like flowers. I haven’t yet discussed the notion of creating some manly scents with my mom.”
“Manly scents?” Fern’s brow wrinkled.
“I was thinking of pine trees. Or gun oil. Or the smell of a cockpit.”
“What does a cockpit smell like?” Sardelle asked, drawn in, despite her grim thoughts.
“Wood, leather, sweat, desperation.”
“Sexy.”
Angulus looked dubiously at the cat soap, but let Fern lead him away to the washroom. Sardelle wondered if he usually bathed himself or had servants to handle the scrubbing. After being imprisoned in the bowels of a lighthouse for weeks, even sitting in a small tub of tepid water and self-scrubbing would probably feel like bliss.
“Sardelle?” Ridge asked softly.
“Yes, uhm.” She looked around the li
ving room, but with Tolemek banging and clanking things in the kitchen and Ridge’s mother wandering through, it would not provide as much privacy as she would like for this. Outside, the sun had broken through the clouds. It might be warm enough for sitting quietly and sharing thoughts. “Kaika is in the bedroom. Let’s go sit on that bench on the side of the house.”
Ridge kept hold of her hand as he followed her out the front door. Though he had joked easily enough with the king, now that they were alone, she could sense that his humor was more a reflex than a genuine show of pleasure or amusement. Weariness pulled at his limbs like shackles, and she felt guilty since he had come back to find her sleeping. He must have flown through the night. He probably had not slept at all since she had seen him last. And not much before then, either.
They stepped off the walkway and wandered to the flagstone patio next to the pottery shed. A stone bench, shrubs and flowers growing in ceramic pots, and a small fishpond made it a pleasant spot. Someday, Sardelle hoped to be able to share it with Ridge when there wasn’t unpleasant news to deliver.
“Are we talking?” he asked. “Or…” He pointed at her eyes, then his, then back to hers.
“I don’t think I have words for last night.” She sighed and sat on the edge of the bench.
“All right.” Ridge flopped onto the other half of it. “Not quite as comfortable as the bed for sharing thoughts.”
“No, but sharing thoughts on the bed led to sharing other things, as well.”
“You don’t think that can happen here?” Ridge nodded toward the wooden structure leaning against the house. “I’ve been having naughty thoughts involving that pottery shed since we first got back.”
Despite his smile, he appeared too tired for naughty thoughts and certainly for naughty actions. Besides, he would not be in the mood when she finished. She just hoped he would still be talking to her. She didn’t think he would blame her for what had happened, but she couldn’t help but think what a waste it had all been, since he had deduced the king’s location on his own.