Venero closed the circle on her brow, then stepped back as the markings on Gemma’s body appeared to erupt in flame. Fire blazed over her skin and she raised her hands over her head, just as Arista had done, reveling in the sensation. It seemed to him that the burn was hotter and brighter, maybe because of Gemma’s true nature. The flame leaped from her fingertips, shooting a column of fire toward the roof of the cavern. Sparks showered over them, then the marks on the walls were illuminated. The fire spread around the cavern with dizzying speed, filling it with heat and light. Venero felt as if he were in the middle of an explosion, but it built to a crescendo then faded to a glow.
Like embers in the fire.
She was a splendid warrior and he wanted to see her in her dragon form. “What color are you, as a dragon?”
“You’ll have to help me find the antidote to find out.” Gemma’s eyes shone and her smile was filled with confidence. “I want you again,” she said, and Venero felt the acceleration of her pulse, as if her desire drove his own. It was so honest and so potent, this connection between them.
Hot, unquenchable and a fire in his very soul.
If this was love, Venero only wanted more.
* * *
Their lovemaking wasn’t as leisurely as the first time, though it was just as powerful.
They didn’t linger but rose immediately to wash and dress. Gemma felt filled with purpose. She knew they were approaching danger and that they might not both survive whatever confronted them in the Queen’s Grotto.
“Will Urbanus follow us?” she asked when she was dressing.
“I’m sure he already has.” Celo had included a change of clothing in the satchel, and Venero donned that. There were shoes in addition to the boots that Gemma wore and he laced them with purpose.
“What are his powers?”
“They increase all the time. He’s studying quite intensely under my mother and she keeps giving him more.”
Gemma grimaced. “That’s not very helpful.”
Venero gave her a look. “We know he can cast spelldust, which immobilizes all it touches and makes those items or beings immune to the passage of time. We know he can concoct a spell to make you sleep. We know he blames me for Arista’s escape.”
“And we know he paid for her death. Was that because she escaped?”
“And because she stole something important.”
“You didn’t say what it was.”
“She was after my mother’s ShadowCaster.”
“I thought ShadowCasters were extinct.”
“Maybe there’s one left.”
“And she escaped with it.” Gemma cast him a look when he nodded. “I wonder what happened to it afterward.”
“I’d have to think that it was retrieved when Arista was killed.”
Now Gemma chuckled. “There’s proof that you didn’t understand Arista very well. No, once she claimed it, she would have ensured it couldn’t be taken back.”
Venero gave her a considering glance. “Could you guess where it is, then?”
“Probably not. She would have anticipated that my understanding of her character and habits would be the weak link. She would have protected me with ignorance.”
“It’s not much protection if someone were to torture you for information you don’t have.”
Gemma smiled. “You haven’t trained on Cumae. The mission is always of highest importance. Ignorance means you can’t weaken and fail. It’s a great gift.” She nodded toward the opening of the cave. “I smell the earth warming at the sun’s first touch. We should continue.”
Venero was glad of her keener senses. “Maybe you’ll smell pursuit or guards before I do,” he suggested, hefting the satchel. The pavofel watched them, then followed as he led Gemma onward. “The path goes up a little more and then descends. I don’t expect to be noticed until we round the last couple of turns, but anything is possible.”
“Can we talk?”
Venero considered that. “There could be spies.”
Gemma nodded. “It’s possible that your ability could be of use,” she said. “Can you send me a better understanding of spells and antidotes? I may have to make quick decisions once we reach our destination, and it is always best to be prepared.”
“Spoken like a Warrior Maiden striding into battle,” he couldn’t help but note.
“It’s what I am,” Gemma said and Venero realized the truth that her nature was what made him admire her so much.
Maybe he could have a future with a dragon princess.
He smiled at her and took her hand in his, then they walked onward together.
* * *
As they strode through the darkness beneath the mountain, Gemma held the lit candle ahead of them. The only sound was dripping water, their stealthy footfalls and the occasional stone they loosed by their boots. Felice stayed closer than usual, her eyes gleaming in the darkness. The tunnel rose as Venero had said, then dipped again. Once it turned downward, it twisted more often, and they made slower time, because they checked around every corner before proceeding. Gemma was alert, her dragon senses strained for any sign of guards or spies.
All the while Venero’s words spilled into her thoughts. He explained to her about the fabrication of spells, the necessary ingredients and the unnecessary additions that disguised the true intent of the spell caster. He discussed ingredients, showing an impressive knowledge of herbs and minerals. She knew he was only giving her an overview, with some examples to illustrate his points. He talked about the will of the victim, and turning it to the intent of the spell caster for, as he explained, it was easier to persuade anyone to do something he or she already desired to do—even if that desire was deeply secret.
He asked her to consider whether she had any buried urge to be rid of her dragon powers, and Gemma had to admit that as a young dragon still mastering her abilities, she had sometimes wished for a simpler life, one without such powers. She couldn’t reply to Venero, and though he’d said he couldn’t read her mind, she wasn’t sure if that was true. She guarded her thoughts carefully, even before he discussed strategies for defending one’s thoughts from sorcerers.
As they walked, she felt the Seed take root within her, her satisfaction growing with every step that she would bear Venero’s son. It wasn’t just the prospect of fulfilling her promise to her father that gave her such pleasure. No, she liked Venero. She liked that he provoked and teased her. She liked that he was clever and intrepid. Even though she hadn’t spent that much time with him, she respected that Arista had come to love him. He’d been wrong about Arista’s nature, of course, but that had simplified matters between Gemma and Venero in the end. She would have found it troubling if he’d been her friend’s lover.
Finally, he fell silent and Gemma realized how far they’d walked. They halted before a turn and she couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Felice was tired, though, twining around her ankles as she did when she wanted to be carried. Gemma paused to pick up the pavofel and tucked her under one arm.
Venero was peeking around the corner ahead. He sighed and looked back at her, sending her one last bit of information.
The antidote will look like what it does. Venero shrugged when Gemma frowned. I can’t explain it better than that, but antidotes can’t seem to fully hide what they are. There will be some kind of visual clue, probably linked to what Urbanus had in mind when he cast the spell. It might be his goal. It might be indicative of how he sees you. It might be what he fears about your ability. I just can’t explain it better than that. Venero paused. You should know that sometimes, killing the spell caster breaks the spell yet at other times, it locks the spell in place for all eternity.
“Nice,” Gemma said aloud, clearly meaning the opposite.
We’ll both look. Once we find it, grab it and run.
No. Gemma shook her head. Once she found the antidote, she was going to break the spell, breathe fire and fly. She gave Venero a crisp nod and they slipped around the corner, both watching for the ine
vitable confrontation.
Chapter Seven
It was the strangest thing.
No one blocked their progress.
No one challenged them.
The Citadel appeared to be deserted.
That was more than enough to make Venero uneasy. Gemma moved forward with confidence, but Venero didn’t believe it was possible to get this far into his mother’s sanctuary without detection.
Especially as Urbanus had to be hunting them. Someone would have told him about the pegasus, even if he hadn’t seen it in flight. Someone would have betrayed Venero and Gemma.
This was Regalia, after all.
But the gates of the Citadel stood open. The guard posts were abandoned. The late afternoon sky was clear blue and empty. It was as if a plague had swept through the land while they’d been under the mountain, and they were the last survivors.
Venero didn’t believe that. His heart was racing as they strode onward, and a trickle of sweat ran down his back. It was a trick and he knew it, but he couldn’t see what else to do other than make the most of an apparent opportunity. Gemma moved quickly, scanning their surroundings with impressive speed. They were through the empty courtyard, entering the massive open door, crossing the length of the glittering chamber when his mother received visitors.
The Citadel was as cold and silent as the grave.
He pointed to the hidden doorway and paused when he found it still locked.
He met Gemma’s gaze. It’s probably enchanted, like the saddle.
She nodded understanding and gestured impatiently to the lock. They would just have to make a run for it. Venero remembered the old code and hoped it worked. He whispered it and blew the words into the lock.
The tumblers turned.
The door seemed to ripple for a moment and he had time to fear the worst.
Then the door swung open without a sound, revealing a shadowed staircase.
Venero struck the flint and lit the last of their candles. The light didn’t seem to spread as far as he thought it should, but that didn’t surprise him. Not here.
Gemma was through the gap, watchful but fast. She claimed the candle and headed down the stairs with purpose. Venero hastened after her, scanning the stairs for watchful eyes. That he found none didn’t reassure him at all. They reached the bottom and Gemma paused in astonishment.
The Queen’s Grotto was a natural formation that had been augmented by Arcana over many years. It was an underground cave, made by water dripping on stone. Stalactites hung from the ceiling of the cavern, their crystalline points reflecting the gold of the candlelight and dripping toward the floor. Stalagmites rose from the floor of the cavern in jagged points, their roots surrounded in places by pools of black water. The formations had always looked like teeth to Venero, sharp teeth ready to shred the unwary visitor.
Like dragon teeth.
But they weren’t all natural formations. They were repositories.
Venero didn’t waste time in admiration. He started at the left and surveyed the first stalactite. When he found the symbol etched into it, he showed Gemma. She leaned closer and he wondered if she could see the antidote locked in the stone.
Then she stared in new wonder at the Grotto, her gaze darting from one symbol to another. This many spells, she mouthed, her outrage clear.
Venero sighed and nodded. Welcome to Regalia.
He was impressed that she didn’t appear to be daunted. Her eyes shone with purpose. He began to work his way around the grotto from the left, examining each rock formation in turn. Gemma worked from the right. Even as they moved deeper into the Grotto, Venero was thinking that they’d both have to make a complete circuit. Whatever marked the antidote might not be obvious to either of them.
They might have to look at them together and join forces to solve the riddle.
Venero doubted they would have that much time.
At least, if he found the antidote first, he could send her the thought of it.
Venero wasn’t going to think about what might be the consequence of that. Seeing Gemma fly free and knowing she’d conceived their son would be all the reward he needed.
He paused for a moment, considering this truth. He loved her. She really was his true love, and he, if they survived this ordeal, would willingly be her HeartKeeper. That realization gave Venero all the determination he needed to succeed.
* * *
It was obscene that a ruler could cast so many spells on her populace. Even if Arcana had used law and the courts to manage her people, this level of control was an abomination. No wonder the people were without will or purpose. They were defeated before they began. Perhaps that made them easier to govern, but it also enslaved them and cheated Regalia of the wealth and influence it might have, if its resources were encouraged to grow and prosper.
Even as she worked through the pillars of stone, Gemma felt her anger simmer. It was outrageous and it was wrong, and the planet needed to either crash into the sun or be ruled by someone utterly unlike Arcana.
Someone like Venero.
Someone who believed in progress and education, in justice and truth.
But Urbanus had cursed Venero once, and she doubted that either Urbanus or Arcana would be so lenient a second time.
Venero risked a lot in helping her.
He did it as it a matter of principle, she guessed. He would make a good king. They would make a good team ruling together, with her connections on Incendium and his vision for Regalia’s future. She just had to ensure that he survived to fulfill his destiny.
“You were slower than I expected, Venero.”
Gemma froze at the sound of a familiar and unwelcome voice.
“Perhaps your virtues are finally fading.” Urbanus clucked his tongue. “Or maybe it’s your vices growing.”
“Good to see you, brother.” Venero spoke calmly, more calmly than he had to be.
Felice eyed him, her tail swishing, and Gemma bent to pick up her pet. Felice had been sitting against a stalagmite with a symbol burned into it in blood red.
It was the insignia of Incendium.
If that stone didn’t contain the antidote for Gemma’s state, it had to be a good one to break either way. She snapped it off in the act of picking up Felice and kept it in her hand, disguising it from view with the pavofel’s long fur. Had there been a swirl of gold mist emanating from the broken stone?
She tried to shift shape, but had no more success than before.
At least she had a weapon now.
Urbanus descended the last steps and stood in the middle of the grotto. Gemma realized that it was like an arena, giving the person who stood at the middle a perfect view of the whole. Urbanus’ voice also resonated and seemed to be amplified. “I really thought you’d keep your promise more quickly, brother.”
Gemma frowned. Promise? Venero had promised Urbanus to bring her here? No! She didn’t believe it. She looked at him, but he returned her stare steadily.
She understood that Urbanus would know if Venero sent her a thought.
But it did give her an excuse to deceive Urbanus.
“Oh, Urbanus!” Gemma cooed, hurrying toward him with Felice clutched tightly against her chest. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. I was terrified when your brother took me captive!”
“He took you captive? When he was a toad?”
“Oh yes! He threatened to hit you again if I didn’t go with him. I was so frightened when I saw you on the floor of your chamber….and the blood!” She gasped as if in recollection, well aware that Urbanus was studying her closely. “I’m terrified of toads! And he could speak! I didn’t know what to do.” She flung herself against his chest and looked up at him, lashes fluttering. “But now you’re here and I’m safe.”
Urbanus smiled and put his arm around her waist. “Yes, you are.”
“Thank you, Urbanus, for saving me from the curse of my nature,” Gemma said, letting her words fall in a rush.
He preened. “I knew you’d
appreciate it, once you thought about it.”
Mother has the antidote. Venero’s words echoed clearly in Gemma’s thoughts. Marked with a flame.
A thrill coursed through Gemma. But where was Queen Arcana?
“I heard that!” Urbanus shouted and snapped his fingers.
Gemma turned in time to see Venero was encased in a bubble. It snapped around him, sealing him in place, and she guessed that he wouldn’t be able to send her any more thoughts.
His expression was grim, and Gemma realized he’d anticipated this.
He’d taken the chance, for her.
The bubble looked to be made of similar stone to the formations that surrounded them, but as Urbanus continued to murmur, its diameter kept shrinking. Venero was forced to bend and then to crouch, and she saw him grimace as the stone tightened around him. It shimmered, then clouded, leaving only a clear crystal before Venero’s face.
So he could watch. His lips set and his gaze was steady, as if he’d will Gemma to use the detail he’d sent her.
His own brother had done this to him. No wonder Venero didn’t believe in love.
Urbanus beckoned and the stone ball containing Venero teetered between the stalagmites, then tumbled toward the middle of the cavern. It bounced before it rolled to a stop before Urbanus. He halted its progress with one foot and his smile was filled with satisfaction. “Enough of your meddling, Venero. My wife and I will be happier without you around, making trouble.” His smile was so smug that she wanted to cut it free.
Or fry it off.
She remembered Venero’s warning about eliminating the spell caster. She was willing to risk it.
“Well done, husband.” Gemma kissed Urbanus’ throat and felt his resistance waver. “Let’s go back to the palace,” she purred. “Let’s make our union complete.” She felt Urbanus catch his breath. She rubbed herself against him and his hands landed on her shoulders. He bent toward her, his expression sultry and…
Felice chose that moment to protest being crushed between the pair of them. The pavofel hissed and Gemma stepped back, as if to console it. “Put down the creature, Gemma. Or better, leave it here. My mother has always wanted another pavofel. She’ll take care of it.”