I looked heavenward and prayed for strength. I hoped God could hear me because I certainly needed an added boost for what was to come.
I sat in silence, eating a small meal Bertha had prepared for me, attempting to rein in my temper. My companions had left me alone to brood, possibly for their own safety. I was in no mood to deal with them at present. I needed to think and form a plan in order to rescue my sister and prevent Julius from invading my kingdom.
My father was dying and that thought alone nearly killed me. I wasn’t quite sure how I would be able to deal with losing him. With the threat of war looming over me, I knew I had to remain strong. Bertha’s words rang in mind: I must let go of my fear and accept my destiny. And in order to do that I had a choice to make. My sister’s life was hanging in the balance and resting squarely on my shoulders.
I knew Bertha was right. I hated to admit it, but I couldn’t deny that fate or destiny or whatever had brought the dhampir brothers into my life. Each of them had their own enduring qualities, well, I was still wondering about James. He was somewhat of a mystery and one I wasn’t certain I would like to investigate further. Tobias was my friend and a wonderful man but nothing more. And that left Eric.
My heart sang when he was near, even when I wanted to punch him. I knew Eric would always stand by my side, however, he tended to be a bit overprotective. Maybe it was just a dhampir trait. I had no idea. Either way, I knew what I had to do, but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. The only thing I was certain of, was that Lucy was running out time; I needed to go back for her sooner rather than later. I also knew my dhampir companions would help me in my quest without reservation.
“Catherine, I’m sorry to disturb you, but we need to talk.” Eric’s smooth voice interrupted my thoughts and I turned to look at him.
“All right, have a seat.” I motioned toward the chair opposite me.
Once he was seated, he clasped his hands together and looked at me. “I understand you’re upset but we need to have our plans in order soon before Julius makes his next move.”
I nodded, setting my fork on the table. “Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking about. Tobias must use his magic to unlock Lucy’s cage, but the problem is, now Julius knows I’m here.”
Eric leaned forward and grasped my hand in his own. My heart began racing because I knew I had to choose soon. “This is true. I was speaking with Tobias and he has an idea. Something about using an invisibility spell, however, without knowing if Lucy has been moved, it may be somewhat tricky.”
“Yes, I can see how that might get in the way. I have an idea and something to tell you—all of you.” I took a measured breath. “Would you mind gathering the other two and meeting me back here?”
Eric narrowed his eyes. “What’s this about, Catherine?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re all here. I do not wish to repeat myself.”
He ran his hand through his sexy black hair and sighed. “Very well. I’ll be back shortly.” Then he stood from the table and headed for the stairs.
I smiled, knowing what I was about to tell them would render them speechless, and possibly cause them to rethink their behaviour. It would also fall in line with my plans to storm the Drakin castle. I was truly wicked indeed.
Several minutes later, the boys returned looking sullen and I tried not to giggle. They had no idea what I was about to tell them; the miserable expressions on their faces told me they thought I was going to deliver bad news. They were certainly in for a surprise. This was going to be fun!
“Hello, gentlemen. Please, have a seat.” I glanced between the three of them, narrowing my eyes for a more dramatic effect.
“Catherine, if this is about that night in the woods—”
“You may shut your mouth now, James, and take your damned seat.” Why did he have to bring that up? Well, we would have a chat about that, too; maybe with everyone present if he didn’t watch his tone.
He quickly closed his mouth and sat in the chair opposite me. Eric sat next to me on the right while Tobias was on my left.
Eric cleared his throat. “Have we done something wrong? If this is about Lucy, you know we’re going to do everything in our power to save her and your kingdom.”
I glanced at him and then patted his hand. “No, Eric. It’s not about Lucy.” Clasping my hands in front of me on the table, I continued, “It has come to my attention that someone has been holding back extremely important information about themselves. I find this quite disconcerting and I’m wondering if any of you can be trusted.”
Oh, shit. Murderous looks were exchanged, and I was finding it extremely hard to keep a straight face. This little game might not end well for me.
“Who?” Eric demanded. “Which one of you has lied to her or hurt her?” His eyes began to glow and, damn, I’d never seen that happen before. Alrighty then.
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” James said and pointed toward me. “She enjoyed every minute of it.”
Oh, my God. I was going to kill him. He just turned my little game into a, well—I was going to kill him! His remark was simply uncalled for and highly inappropriate, I might add.
“Shut the fuck up, James, before I murder you where you sit.” I stood from my seat. “Stop growling, Eric. I can handle this.” I then walked around to where James was sitting and leaned down to where we were eye level. “If you ever presume I enjoy being drugged into a sexual encounter again, I will not hesitate to relieve you of your head. And furthermore, I am no one’s whore and will not be treated as such.” My tone was even and deadly. I would kill him or maim him, I wasn’t quite certain, but I was well and truly pissed right the hell off.
James’s eyes were wide as dinner plates. Everyone else was silent. “Catherine, I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put that sleeping potion in your drink.”
“So, you admit it, then. I’m happy to have cleared that up.” I slapped him on the back, quite hard I might add, and then returned to my seat.
“You son of bitch! I’ll kill you!” Eric shouted, reaching for his brother, but Tobias stopped him. “Not here.”
“Thank you, Tobias. So, where was I? Trust. Yes, that was it.” I smiled, looking between the three of them, seeing just the person I needed out of the corner of my eye. “Ah, Bertha, there you are, dear. Come join us for a bit.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” James shouted, getting up.
“Oh, sit down James and stop your whining.” I glanced at him briefly until Bertha arrived at the table. “Hello, Bertha. I was just about to tell these fine gentlemen about our earlier conversation. I thought maybe you would like to join us.”
Bertha gave me a mischievous grin. “That would suit me just fine. Thank you, Catherine.” She pulled up a chair next to a red-faced James. “Not to worry, James. I don’t bite.” I had a laugh at that.
“Very well. Now that we’re all here, I’d like to introduce you—”
“Just why the hell was Tobias in your chamber while you were in the bath?” James demanded, and my eyes narrowed dangerously. This was it. I was definitely going to kill him.
“What the fuck, Tobias?” Eric jumped from his seat and went for his brother’s throat while James smirked. He was a right bastard.
Well, damn. It seemed my little game of fun and planning had turned into a full-on brothel brawl. I was becoming quite good at starting fights in public places it would appear. I leaned back in my chair and heaved a dramatic sigh. This certainly wasn’t going to end well. Damn the luck.
Chapter 24
Bertha stood, having had enough of her brothel being destroyed, I could only assume, and grabbed Eric by the scruff of his shirt and then tossed him into his chair. “Sit down, young prince and control yourself.”
Oh, damn. Eric was huge, standing at least a foot taller than Bertha. Magic was afoot. I just knew it.
“And you, Jameson, sit your arse down before I make you.” Then fiery magic exploded from her hands. My and my companions’ mouths dropped
open in shock. James sat his arse right the hell down.
“I knew it,” Tobias said. “I could sense your magic, but your aura reads as a human. Quite peculiar.” He smiled widely. “Well done, Bertha.”
“Bertha, dear, do you think you can put out the fire?” I enquired. “I believe you’re drawing a bit of a crowd.”
“I’m drawing a crowd?” she demanded incredulously. “These imbeciles can’t go a day without pounding the hell out of each other and they broke two of my damned tables. I was willing to let the hole in the wall slide but I will not allow a disturbance amongst my clientele.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. They are quite juvenile.” I turned toward their shocked faces. “You see, boys, Bertha was my big surprise, but you ruined it. I was only teasing you a bit before we discussed our plans to get back into the castle.” I eyed them all as a mother would her naughty children. “Now, if you’re done beating the shit out of one another, do you think we may continue?”
They rightfully seemed ashamed of themselves. “Yes, we’re sorry for our behaviour, Bertha, and we’ll pay for the damages,” Eric answered for them all.
“Damn right, you will.” Bertha scoffed, putting out the fire that was raging around her hands.
Quite strange indeed.
I looked at James and he seemed to be properly scolded. Good. I didn’t really want to kill him, but he needed a lesson in manners. He could be a right arsehole at times.
“Right, then,” I said. “Bertha, dear, have a seat so we can get started; that is, if you don’t mind?”
“I’m all set.” She pulled up a chair next to James and gave him a sideways glance. “Did you apologise to her for the sleeping potion?”
Oh, damn. What didn’t Bertha know?
James hung his head. “Yes, I did, and, I truly am sorry. I thought, well, it doesn’t matter. It was a poor decision on my part.” He looked at me with a sad expression. “Forgive me, Catherine.”
I waved my hand in dismissal. “James, while I disagree with your tactics, you do still have a few redeeming qualities. Please, do try never to insult me again.” I let my statement hang in the air for a bit. “But you’re forgiven.”
Eric muttered something under his breath, and I kicked him beneath the table. No need to start fussing over it all again now. It was done and dusted.
James nodded. “Thank you, Catherine.”
“Well, can we now discuss saving my sister, since it is the reason we’re all here?”
A loud crash sounded behind us, and I jumped from the table, unsheathing my sword. “Drakin.” I narrowed my eyes in a deadly stare. He would soon be a dead dragon.
Rushing toward the front, the ladies were screaming and running for the stairs. I assumed it was my sword. I’d have to apologise later.
“You.” I raised my sword to the Drakin’s throat, stopping him a few feet from the entrance. “Why are you here?” He was medium height with light brown hair and golden eyes. What struck me as odd was the fact that he didn’t fight back. He flinched. What the hell?
He raised his hands in surrender. “My apologies, Princess. I need to speak to you and Tobias urgently. It’s about your sister and Julius.”
“What? Who are you?” I continued holding my sword to his throat. I never trusted a Drakin.
“My name is Gregory and—”
“Catherine, stop!” Tobias shouted, running toward me. “Don’t kill him. He’s not like the others.”
I lowered my sword. “What do you mean, he’s not like the others? He’s a Drakin, Tobias. They’re all the same! And they have my sister!”
Eric and James came rushing to stand near Tobias. “What he says is true, Catherine,” Eric informed me. “Gregory has always been on our side.”
Well, damn. Wouldn’t this little tidbit of information have been helpful a teeny bit earlier? I nearly removed his head from his shoulders. I still didn’t trust him, though.
“It is not a lie, Catherine.” Bertha placed her hand on my shoulder. “Remember the crossroads I was telling you about? This is part of it. The time has come.”
This was just shit. Crossroads. I was beginning to despise that word.
“Very well. He can live. Let’s see what he has to say.” I turned on my heel and headed back toward the table.
Once we were all gathered around the table, and the commotion in brothel was sufficiently cleared up, Tobias asked Gregory what had happened.
Gregory glanced at me and then back to Tobias. “I’m sorry to have barged in so quickly but it seems Julius has moved up his timeline. He sent word to the Southern Kingdom just this morning.”
“What do you mean, he moved up his timeline?” I stood from the table to pace. “What has he done with my sister?” Dear God. I wasn’t sure my heart could take anymore. My thoughts quickly raced to my father and then back to Lucy.
“Julius moved your sister’s cage to eastern tower, Princess, and he’s expected to invade the Southern Kingdom within the week.” He cleared his throat and glanced between the brothers. “And that’s not all, I’m afraid. He knows of your alliance with the dhampirs and has now put a price on their heads.”
I stopped pacing and looked directly at Eric. My heart leapt in my throat at the thought of anyone harming him or his brothers for that matter. But Eric, no. That simply wouldn’t do. I knew then what Bertha had been trying to tell me. Eric was part of my destiny; he needed me as much as I needed him. We would be stronger together, just as she had said. I was a warrior princess, not a queen, but I did in fact have the ability to lead. I just hadn’t realised it until this very moment.
“Eric, James, Tobias.” I walked back toward the table to grab their attention. “This will not stand. You have my and my kingdom’s support. We will put a stop to Julius’s invasion, save my sister and stop his reign of terror once and for all.” I placed my hands on the table and leaned forward with a wicked grin. “And you, my princes; you will never have to worry about anyone removing your heads… except me.”
Everyone had a bit of a chuckle at that.
“I knew you had it in you,” Bertha said. “I will also be of assistance, but we must hurry. I’m afraid time is not on our side.” She stood from the table and went to the bar.
Cryptic as always but she was right: we needed to devise a plan and fast.
Gregory raised his hand. “If I may, I have a suggestion.”
I folded my arms against my chest. “Go on.”
“Now that I’m here it would seem my place among the clan is no more. I’ll help you get into the castle, but I’m afraid I may need to seek sanctuary in one of your kingdoms once this is all over.”
Bertha interrupted, setting a tray on the table. “Here you are; pints for everyone. I’m afraid we’ll need them to get through this night.”
“Thank you kindly, Bertha.” I picked up my pint and then turned toward Gregory who was also grabbing one for himself. “If you help us save my sister, then I will forever be in your debt and you may seek sanctuary in my kingdom.” I held my pint out toward him and then took a long unladylike gulp.
I hoped I didn’t belch. Now, that would have been rude indeed.
“Thank you, Princess,” Gregory said. “We need to leave at nightfall.”
Damn. That didn’t give us much time. An hour and a half, maybe two at best. “All right. If we’re all in agreement, then?”
Everyone nodded, and I slid into my seat next to Eric.
“What do you have in mind?” James enquired toward Gregory. “If there is a price on our heads, then anyone from your clan would surely recognise us and turn us in.”
Eric and Tobias seconded his concern.
“This is where I come in, gentleman,” Bertha interjected. “I’ll change your appearances so only those you are with will be able to recognise you. Not to worry.”
That sounded like a mighty fine plan indeed.
Gregory nodded his thanks and continued, “I’ll shift into my dragon and carry the four of you on
my back to the eastern tower, where Tobias will be able to counter the spell on Princess Lucy’s cage. In the cover of darkness, you’re not as likely to be spotted.”
“I like this plan except the flying part. Is it safe?” I enquired. “I’d rather not die falling from a dragon’s back after coming all this way.”
Gregory chuckled and shook his head after taking a drink from his pint. “No, Princess, it’s safe. I won’t allow you to fall to your death.”
My companions broke out into a fit of laughter. I, on the other hand, thought it was a serious question and not funny at all. I had no intention of dying just yet. I sipped my pint, ignoring them all until their laughter subsided. Arseholes.
Eric placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed. Did he not remember the stabbing incident? Where was a good fork when you needed one? I pushed his hand away. Now was not the time nor the place. We had a quest to complete. Highly inappropriate indeed!
However, I may let him touch me later. I’d just have to see how the night went. Oh, my! Naughty thoughts crossed my mind… Hussy Catherine was back, it seemed. She had the most dreadful timing. Sigh.
Chapter 25
“Bertha, have you lost your mind? I will most certainly not be wearing a dress!” I was seething and couldn’t believe she thought it necessary for me to fight in a godforsaken dress. “I’m wearing trousers and that’s final.”
I stormed across the attic floor to take my leave, but Bertha stopped me. “Not tonight, Princess. Tonight, you fight like the warrior queen you will become.” And the attic door slammed in face of its own accord. Magic again. Dammit. “I have just the perfect thing for you.”
I folded my arms against my chest and huffed out a frustrated sigh. This was not what I had expected when she asked me to follow her to the attic. I thought she was going to help me with another disguise, not a damned dress. I was drawing the line at corsets. I’d slice it up with my sword if she dared suggest it.