Reign of Ice (Forever Fae #4)(35)
“She’s not here,” Lukas growled. “I would think, being her guardian, that you would know how to communicate with her.”
The sorcerer laughed and used the tip of his iron dagger to scratch his chin. It was confusing seeing him as Brayden, but anyone could tell that it wasn’t my prince in there. He lowered the dagger and said, “You know very well who I am so stop messing with me. I need to find her and you’re going to tell me where she is. Or better yet, maybe your lover would be willing to tell me.”
His dark eyes gleamed with anticipation as he approached me, but I stepped back and brought up my sword, ready to fight. Lukas blocked Alasdair from getting closer. “You are not going to touch her,” he hissed.
Alasdair laughed evilly and shook his head incredulously. “I don’t think you can stop me, warrior. Or better yet, you can always try.” Everything after those words moved in slow motion. Lukas attacked at the same time I screamed for him to stop.
All it would take is one cut from that iron blade and it would be over. Being almost immortal in our land didn’t mean anything against the poison in the sorcerer’s blade. The sorcerer appeared and reappeared in a different location as Lukas tried hard to fight him off. However, I knew it was a losing battle even before I saw the sorcerer sweep his iron dagger toward Lukas’ chest.
I lunged into the fray, sword swinging to knock the dagger out of Alasdair’s hand, and immediately tried to push Lukas out of the way. I was too late. Lukas growled painfully as the iron blade grazed across his chest, and he fell to the floor, holding his hand over his wound.
“Lukas,” I cried angrily, knowing he was two minutes away from dying.
I was mad with rage, with a burning fire in my gut that wanted blood and revenge … Alasdair’s blood. Screaming out my fury, I swung my sword, blind to anything but the consuming hate. Lukas only wanted to protect me and now he was going to die. How many more people were going to lose their lives because of this atrocity of a man who wanted to steal our land?
The only thing I had was my sword, and I was up against his iron blade. One false move and everything could be lost, except I was angry and hurt, saddened by the fact that Lukas was lying there dying and was also the brother of my good friend. I was going to have to tell Kamden how I watched his brother die senselessly and how there was nothing I could do about it. I didn’t want to feel that pain, I only wanted to think of the anger, the burning rage in my soul that demanded justice.
“Ariella!” Brayden shouted.
I couldn’t respond to him. Instead, I screamed the loudest battle cry I could muster and thrust my sword into the sorcerer’s chest. Even though he had taken the form of Brayden, I didn’t let that sway me. He laughed as I pinned him up against the wall, my sword protruding out of his rib cage. My weapon was just a simple blade with no guardian qualities whatsoever, so I knew I didn’t do any damage. Durin hadn’t made my guardian sword yet for me to fight with, so I was stuck with nothing to defend myself with other than just a plain one. I could’ve wounded him if I only had what I needed.
“You are a feisty one,” Alasdair taunted. “I think I could have fun playing around with you.”
Thundering steps echoed down the hall and I knew it was Brayden and his warriors. The sorcerer slowly changed into his inky black form and escaped the clutches of my sword. “I’ll be back for the princess, and when I do I’ll come for you as well. I need someone who can keep up with me.”
I scoffed, completely disgusted, and snarled angrily, “You make me sick, sorcerer. I would rather die than be anywhere near your clutches.”
“That can be arranged, too,” he bellowed, disappearing into the shadows. When I knew he was gone for sure, I used my glamour to turn my body back to its usual self. Dropping down to the floor beside Lukas, I pulled him into my lap. I tried to transfer some of my power to him, wishing that I could heal like Meliantha could, but it didn’t work.
I inspected the gash across his chest and winced as his skin turned black with the spreading poison. “Lukas, please forgive me,” I cried. “This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for me. I thought I could help you.”
He swallowed hard and his voice came out raspy when he said, “You did help, Princess. You fought like a true warrior when you saw me in trouble. I am honored to die beside you.”
I took his hands in mine and closed my eyes, my lip trembling because I knew what was about to happen. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I gazed down at him and kissed his forehead. “As am I,” I whispered.
Lukas’ body began to shake and I held him tighter. I could feel his soul slipping away to the Hereafter, but he gazed up into my eyes and mustered up the strength to say his last words, “Will you tell Kamden farewell for me? I’ve missed him so much.”
I nodded fiercely and cried, “Of course I will, Lukas.” Before his body turned to ash, he smiled and released a final breath. “Safe journey to the Hereafter, warrior. As long as I live you will never be forgotten here.”
“Ariella,” Brayden called, storming through the rooms frantically. When he reached the room I was in, he flung open the door and rushed to my side, followed by his warriors. He crouched down where Lukas’ ashes lay helplessly on the floor and bowed his head. “I should’ve known,” he expressed helplessly. “He knew I wouldn’t want you out there fighting and he anticipated that.” When his sorrowful gaze found mine, I wanted to cling to him and let the tears fall with no shame. Being strong and being a leader meant keeping your pain hidden, and for Brayden I could see it taking its toll.