Goddess of War

  Raina’s eyes widened in wonder when she saw the open arches all around the tower’s circular wall. She stepped to one of the arches and looked out upon the entire city.

  “This is incredible,” she said as her eyes took in the wonder before her. She could see far over the capital city, and even past it where the mountains stood in the distance.

  The silence behind her made her turn around.

  Prince Aric stood right behind her. She took a step back, her bottom pressed against the wall, the cool breeze from outside billowing her cloak.

  His eyes. They were green.

  She could get lost within them.

  When he reached out to touch her, she tensed. It was as if her body refused to move, and so she stood there as he brushed her bangs from her eyes.

  Her heart thumped when he narrowed his eyes to get a better look at the tattoo on her forehead.

  “Interesting,” he said as he traced the symbol with his finger.

  Tears stung Raina’s eyes. Panic filled her. “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  Aric’s brows furrowed as he looked down at her face. “What is there to tell?”

  Raina turned away and wiped her eyes. For a moment she remembered the horrors of the Vault, and what Litha could do to them if they were found.

  She and Allan couldn’t afford to grow complacent and forget their goal.

  Home. They had to get home.

  “Nothing,” she said, sniffling. She had to compose herself.

  Aric’s voice came out a bit gentler than before. Less suave. Genuine.

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he whispered, moving to stand beside her.

  Raina glanced at him. She struggled to make sense of why he paid her any attention at all.

  “It’s okay.”

  “No,” he said. He looked out to the city. “I had no right to touch you. I really don’t know what came over me. I assure you I didn’t bring you up here to seduce you. I simply wanted to learn a bit more about you before I leave.”

  “You’re leaving?” Why should she care? He was a human. He had nothing to do with their plan.

  Except…Raina remembered Errison mentioning that the prince needed their protection. He did have god-like power that made him a target from others as well.

  Raina couldn’t tell if she was rationalizing being alone with the prince for his sake or her own.

  He nodded. “Yes. I start my travels in a few days.”

  “How long will you be away?”

  He sighed and leaned his shoulder against the wall. “The journey takes three years.”

  Three years?

  Raina tried to hide her disappointment. “That’s a long time.”

  He smiled. “You look as though you’ll miss me.”

  “I don’t even know you.”

  “But I’d like to change that,” Aric said. “If that is all right with you.”

  Before she could stop herself, Raina nodded. “Yes.”

  “There’s something about you. Something draws me to you…like we’ve known each other much longer than just today.”

  “I feel it too,” Raina whispered.

  Her heart thumped in her chest as Aric moved closer to her again. He took her hand in his.

  Oh my. What is happening, Desi?

  Get out of there, Raina. Desi’s voice seemed to come from far away. Stay focused.

  “Can I get to know you, Raina?”

  Involuntarily…she nodded. Desi’s voice faded.

  He put an arm up above her head, steadying himself as he leaned down to her. He tilted her chin with his finger.

  “Can I kiss you?”

  Kiss?

  “Yes.”

  Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips pressed against hers, sending electric shocks more powerful than the harnessing of lightning bolts.

  Pure magic.

  The kiss deepened, and Aric caught her in an embrace, holding her tight to his hard chest.

  Raina couldn’t breathe. She didn’t want to. All she wanted was to kiss Aric into the late hours of the night, and never leave his side.

  When he pulled away, he lingered, pressing his forehead to hers.

  Together they caught their breaths.

  “Raina,” he said.

  “Yes,” she replied, desperate for more of his mouth upon hers.

  “Promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “In three years, you and I can get to know each other better. Can we? I’ve been with other girls before…I won’t lie to you, but I’ve never felt such a need to be near someone before you.”

  “I feel it too.” Raina swallowed. In three years she and Allan would need to leave this world.

  How could she keep such a promise?

  She spoke before she could think the situation through.

  It didn’t really matter.

  She was infatuated with him the instant their eyes locked the night before.

  She clutched her necklace as she looked into his eyes. “I’ll be here.”

  THE YEARS SEEMED to pass as quickly as a spring storm. Life in the human world was much more tolerable than Allan and Raina ever anticipated.

  With their approaching birthdays brought a sense of urgency and excitement to the twins.

  But their birthdays weren’t cause for celebration just yet. A grand party for Princess Arela’s fourteenth birthday awaited them in the evening. With the annual festivals occurring at the same time, all of Rhene was in a frenzy of joy and excitement.

  Ambassadors and royalty from the nine kingdoms were assembled, all with their champions set to compete and bring honor and glory to their homelands.

  “Is this the one you wanted?” Eryon held up a beautiful mask, the sun’s rays catching on it, making it glitter.

  “It is,” Raina said.

  Raina, Prince Eryon, and Allan stood before a cart filled with rolls of exotic, silks and masks made specifically for Arela’s birthday celebration. She declared that everyone must wear costumes and masks. Not because she was particularly keen on dressing up in disguise, but she wanted to make sure Raina and Allan could attend her party without defying their oaths to conceal their looks.

  She touched the smooth texture of the silver and crystals on the mask.

  “Look, your gray eyes are almost silver. They will match the jewels perfectly,” the shopkeeper said.

  Standing little more than four feet tall, the woman smiled at Raina. “You would be the most beautiful maiden at the princess’ party this evening.”

  Allan nudged Raina, grinning. “The most beautiful maiden indeed,” he said with a smirk.

  Raina returned the grin.

  The idea of attending the party as Eryon’s guest brought a smile to Raina’s mouth. She imagined blending in with the elite in the beautiful silk gown Arela commissioned Olia to make for her.

  Her little pupil was growing up. She’d grown to love Arela like a sister and a close friend. The princess would be greatly missed.

  The shopkeeper held up the mask in both hands. “Three gold coins and it’s all yours.”

  Raina looked to Eryon. “Thank you for this,” she said.

  She knew that three gold coins was an expensive price for something she’d only wear once, but she could not attend without one, and she wanted to pick out her own.

  Eryon didn’t flinch at the price. He handed the shopkeeper the three gold coins from his waist purse. At a year older than Raina and Allan, Eryon was also a close friend, one that related to Allan more than she due to his love for knowledge.

  Beaming with joy, Raina watched as her new mask was wrapped and placed in a pretty purple box. She took Eryon’s hand into her own gloved hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “Thank you,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

  A quick nod was all he gave her. He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact but not letting her hand go.

  “Let’s go. I don’t want to miss Aric’s appearan
ce at the coliseum today,” Eryon said.

  It was apparent that Prince Eryon looked up to his older brother, trying to emulate him in all that he did. He’d even grown out his auburn hair the same length as Aric’s, and wore styled the same way.

  “Thank you,” Raina said to the shopkeeper as they walked away. She glanced up at Eryon, pulling her hand away as they stepped along the stone walkway along the side of the road.

  Seers don’t show affection in public. She recited Errison’s words to herself.

  Allan walked a little ahead of them. “I wish I could have seen more of the world.”

  “You can,” Eryon said. “Won’t you have a chance to change stations soon?”

  Allan shrugged, glancing at Raina. “I suppose.”

  Going back home was the only change they foresaw for themselves. Standing up to Litha and reclaiming their rightful place as rulers awaited them.

  Somehow, neither option seemed as appealing as when they’d first started their time in the human world.

  Raina looked at the shop fronts they passed along their right, wishing they could linger awhile longer and browse the beautiful things that were sold. She had visited one of the shops earlier; one that sold more than jewels and garments.

  Parties and festivities weren’t the only thing on her mind.

  Prince Aric was returning to Rhene after three years abroad.

  There had to be more than just passing looks between them. Even though she was leaving for Aden soon, Raina had to be sure.

  Her heart deserved it.

  She had a plan that would definitely get his attention.

  “I will meet you at the palace at sunset, and we can all go to Arela’s party together,” Raina said before turning to walk the other direction.

  Allan frowned. “Where are you going?”

  Raina avoided his eyes. “I need to make sure my dress is ready. I won’t bother you men with such silly lady tasks.”

  Allan watched her hurry away. She was sure he didn’t believe a word she said, so she didn’t linger and give him the chance to stop her.

  She bit back a smile as she heading toward the shop.

  They held something for her.

  Something that would help her reconnect with the power she suppressed, the power that begged to be set free.

  Be careful, Raina.

  Raina clutched her necklace. “I know what I’m doing, Desi. Trust me.”

  I really hope you do.

  FULL ARMOR SHIELDED Raina from the eyes of the crowd. So far everything went according to plan. No one knew who she was. Her helmet covered her face, only revealing her eyes.

  No one suspected a thing.

  Except Prince Aric.

  She could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew that something wasn’t right.

  He stood in the colliseum across from her, sword and shield in hand. Loose strands of his blond hair were caught with the swift breeze, whipping around his face as he stared at her.

  When their eyes met, Raina almost turned the other way and left. Something about them made her feel torn between getting lost in his gaze or hiding from it.

  “Who are you?”

  Raina swallowed as he searched her eyes.

  He was as handsome as she remembered from that special night years ago.

  Too late to back out now. She gave him a wink and drew two swords that crisscrossed behind her.

  The crowd roared when she ran the steel of one along the other, sending sparks into the air.

  Aric eyed her swords.

  “Come now, Prince. You aren’t afraid of a woman, are you?”

  His jaw clenched. “Of course not. I’m just thinking of how much I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Raina grinned, and readied herself. “Funny. I was just wondering the same thing.”

  He straightened his shoulders at her words.

  “Begin,” King Lavi said, his voice echoing along the entire colliseum.

  Raina didn’t waste a second. She charged at Aric with every ounce of energy and strength that had been bottled up for far too long.

  Aric’s eyes widened at her skill as she spun and swung her swords in ways the humans had never seen.

  “Show me, Aric,” she said in between strikes. “Show me the power you’ve inherited.”

  “What? What are you doing?”

  Raina closed her eyes. “Practicing,” she said, and kicked him in the chest with one long powerful leg. She sent him crashing into the floor.

  Queen Nevah shot to her feet. “Show the crowd your power, Aric. Do not hold back!”

  Raina grinned. The queen did not sound pleased with her son’s performance.

  To her surprise, Aric didn’t hesitate to heighten the intensity. His body vanished before her eyes.

  For a moment, Raina had to straighten up and focus on finding him. It didn’t take long. Her senses did the work. She heard him, felt his presence, and before long she saw the outline of his body against the air.

  She stretched her neck, and with a surge of power she crashed into him, sending him flying across the colliseum and into one of the walls. She pressed her breastplate to his and looked him in the eyes.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Breathless, and stunned that she had beaten him, he looked down at her with widened eyes.

  “For what?”

  Raina closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. “For reminding me of who I am.”

  NINE MEN HAD been defeated by Raina and her specially crafted swords.

  The satisfaction of a successful day was apparent on her face, but mistaken for excitement for Arela’s grand party.

  Raina, Eryon, and Allan headed to Olia’s dress shop. Allan led the way, already dressed for the party. He kept his cloak secured over his elaborate suit.

  Eryon did the same. They didn’t want it known that the prince was out in the city without a guard.

  “You really didn’t have to come all the way to the Lower City with us, Prince Eryon,” Allan said.

  “It’s fine. I wanted to make sure you made it safely. This part of the city can be quite dangerous.”

  Raina smiled up at him. “I’m lucky to have such a nice prince to protect me,” she said.

  He gave her a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth lifting into a half smile. “You are lucky.”

  Eryon scanned the crowds with his eyes.

  “In just an hour’s time we will be dancing the night away with royalty from all over the world,” Raina said, her mind only on Prince Aric.

  Her eyes looked upward at the Upper City. She liked to call it the silver city because it seemed to glisten under the sun’s light. The palace was prominent toward the back of the enclosed stone circle, seeming to look down on them from its spot on the raised plateau.

  Soldiers patrolled the roads but crime was more prominent in Olia’s part of town. Raina didn’t care. She wanted her dress to be made by the best, and to her Olia’s gowns seemed to be spun from pure magic.

  The path to Olia’s dress shop was crowded with excited young folk as they headed from their studies in the trade school at the end of the alley. Raina smiled at them as they passed her by, missing a time when she and Allan could go about their lives without worry.

  Past the groups of students Raina saw someone watching her. She tensed when their eyes met. He was tall, and wore a black cloak that matched the same shade of his long hair. His eyes studied her, unashamed that he’d been caught staring.

  She didn’t say anything to the others as they walked past him. She looked away, feeling that something was wrong, but unsure of what exactly bothered about him.

  Once they reached Olia’s shop door she figured the stranger was just another citizen of the Lower City. That was until she glanced over her shoulder to see him standing right behind her.

  Raina stopped and turned to him.

  Her eyes narrowed as they stood face to face.

  Eryon stopped beside her, looking from the stranger to Raina
. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword that rested at his hip. “Is something wrong?”

  The stranger didn’t break his gaze with Raina, but a thin-lipped smirk came to his face.

  Raina’s body went cold as she looked into his blue eyes. They were so blue that they mocked the sky on a clear summer day.

  He took in a breath, as if smelling her, and his smirk widened. His eyes flickered up to Eryon.

  “No, Prince Eryon. Everything is completely right,” he said and walked away as if nothing odd had just happened.

  Raina stood there, a sick feeling entering her stomach as she watched him walk away and blend into the crowd.

  She folded her arms and rubbed them against the sudden cold she felt.

  “What was that?” Seeing that she was cold, Eryon risked being recognized and took his cloak off. He wrapped it around Raina, and smoothed it over her arms to warm her.

  “That was odd,” Allan said, his eyes following Raina’s gaze. “Do you know him?”

  Raina still shivered despite wearing Eryon’s cloak. She looked to Allan and Eryon.

  “No,” she said. “But I have a feeling we will.”

  OLIA LOOKED UP from her scrolls when they entered her shop. The shop was empty of customers. Bookshelves filled with scrolls, pots of herbs, flower petals, and various spools of fabric, thread, and needles were everywhere.

  Olia’s grin faded when she saw the looks on their faces.

  “What is it?” Her thin blue eyes looked behind them. “Has something happened?”

  Raina closed the door behind them, glancing out the window that looked out to the alley where she’d encountered the stranger.

  “I’m not quite sure what just happened,” Allan said, sniffing the various herbs Olia had on her work table.

  Eryon still had his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’m not either. Maybe we should hurry to the party. I didn’t like the look of that man.”

  Olia looked alarmed. “What man is he talking about, Allan?”

  Raina turned to her. “No need to worry,” she said, shaking her head. “We are fine. Everything is fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Olia’s eyes questioned Raina about more than she could say in front of Eryon.