Chapter 5
S taring at her birthright, Celina’s fingers trembled as she ran them over the steel dagger her mother had carried constantly. A royal amethyst stone studded the hilt, the dark purple glinting ominously from its leather binding.
A similar dagger had been given to the matriarch of each of the ancient families, passed down through the generations. Only this one held the signature amethyst gemstone of the crown, though, as befitting the royal matriarch. Though Celina had accepted the title when she’d come of age, and the responsibilities long before, she’d never been able to bring herself to carry her mother’s dagger. The weight of it was too much for her to bear.
Celina placed a hand on the heirloom trunk, images of the sturdy case at the foot of her mother’s bed filling her mind. The roughhewn edges had stood in valiant confidence at the center of the room, defying the soft colors and textures adorning the matriarch’s suite.
Her mother’s personal body armor lay on top, guarding the weapons beneath. The long sword that had once been strapped to the lid was gone, presented to her brother, Connor, at his acceptance into the elite ranks of the Lightning Forces many years ago.
The storm that had hounded her since Connor had gone missing grew in force, pelting her with hail. Ice tightened around her heart, choking the emotion in her chest. Part of her had been waiting for this to happen since the day he had left for his first mission.
While she’d fought to stay her original path and become a healer, he’d done the opposite, changing course to follow their mother’s footsteps through the warrior ranks after her death. He’d trained with a fervor that belied his gentle, joyful personality and had risen quickly into the Lightning Forces, intentionally vying to work undercover in the realm where their mother had been killed.
It was a choice Celina couldn’t fathom and had protested vehemently, but he’d been determined. She hadn’t stopped Connor, and now Cat was following in dangerous footsteps, albeit without a sword. She’d been discouraging Cat’s political yearnings for years, ever since Cat had done the math and realized the timeline would be in her favor when their great-aunt retired.
Why were both of her siblings intent on worrying her to death with their career choices? Connor following in their mother’s military footsteps and Cat’s desire to be a leader in government. A faint light flickered inside her, yearning to follow her siblings into such meaningful work.
Those musings would have to wait for another time. Once they were all home together and safe.
She held the dagger tightly, blocking memories of her mother’s fierce movements with the blade in the pine-filled clearing, thunder echoing around them as she defended an innocent refugee child with her life.
She hadn’t been able to save her mother that day. But she would do everything she could to save Connor. She pictured her brother’s laughing eyes and broad grin the last time she’d seen him. She refused to add his things to this room of memories.
It was time to bring him home.
P eering through the window of his room, Rodric watched the busy Calderran town wake with life. Natural sunlight sparkled off the unlit glass orbs that had brightened the dance floor the night before as they swung from nearly invisible wire. Early risers cut across the courtyard, shortening their paths as they tightened their cloaks against the chill of the wind.
Warriors, growers, and staff of all kinds from the nearby keep bustled about, distinguishable by the hint of dark purple insignia on their clothing. At a glance, it was no different than Eldridge’s bustling towns. Until one noticed the unique Magic Assessment business across the street. The clear day provided an easy view into the glass-fronted office, where a young girl was being tested for magic, her father standing nervously by her side.
Sweat broke out on Rodric’s neck as he pulled away from the scene. Witnessing magic was more than he could take, especially now that Brenna was in such a dangerous position. Channeling all the turbulent energy into a tight fist, he stared hard at the white scar across his hand and pushed the thoughts back behind the locked gates in his mind. He just needed to find her, that’s all. One problem at a time.
Grabbing his coat, he exited his room and headed down the stairs. Though he was not looking forward to announcing his presence at the foreign keep, it was his only lead to find Brenna. Nodding to the innkeeper, he passed through the tavern to the door. Breakfast would have to wait. He didn’t want to chance missing his quarry at the keep.
Following the directions he’d received from the barkeeper the night before, he wound his way through town to the grand estate standing protectively at the base of the mountains. Curious glances made his shoulder blades itch, but no one stopped him from walking up to the central building. Anticipation made him tense as he observed the home of the family who might help him rescue Brenna.
A whisper of movement made him snap his attention to the side, where a familiar figure hurried out of a side passage. The elegant dress from the night before was gone, but the air of authority still cloaked her. She was dressed for riding, her hair pulled back in a tight braid.
He caught her hand with ease.
“Good morning, Celina.” His fingers tightened from polite support to familiarity as her warm vanilla and citrus scent reached him.
Her eyes lit in delight, though her frame was tight with tension that hadn’t been there the night before, and she gripped a sheathed dagger in her other hand. “I was just coming to find you. What are you doing here?”
“I was told to speak with someone from the Blackwood family—that’s you, isn’t it? That sneaky barkeep,” he said, realizing that he’d been set up in more ways than one.
Celina chuckled. “Drake is definitely that. Come with me, and we’ll talk.”
Taking his arm, she led him down a garden passage to a secluded spot that held a bench. It was private enough, and no one could approach them without their notice. He waited for Celina to take a seat before joining her.
“So you’re—”
“Matriarch Blackwood,” Celina said, inclining her head.
Calderran societal structure was a mystery to him beyond the basics—that they were ruled by a queen and their noble families were headed by matriarchs. But his instincts had been right about her being a noble.
Celina fiddled with the dagger on her lap. Did the nervous movement have to do with him or the blade? Although she handled it safely, she seemed uncomfortable with the weapon.
“Planning to attack me?”
“No! Of course not. It’s a family heirloom. Not one I usually carry.” She clasped her hands tightly and cleared her throat. “I didn’t get a chance to ask your name when we danced.”
“Lord Rodric Velton of Eldridge.”
“Rodric.” She said his name as if tasting the finest dessert on her tongue.
The sensuous tone sent a wave of euphoric energy down his spine, and he fought the desire to ask her to say it again.
She smiled at him before her expression turned more serious. “If what you shared last night was true, I believe we can help each other find our missing loved ones. But before we go further, I need to know how you feel about magic.”
Rodric froze. Magic wasn’t outlawed here, but still, her asking about it so openly made his breath still in his lungs. Studying Celina made him realize this was a crucial question, not one of idle curiosity.
“Magic is dangerous. It gets innocent people killed and should be left alone at all costs. I’d prefer not to have anything to do with it. But I also don’t think anyone should be taken, tortured, or killed for it. That’s cruel, despicable, and what I’m trying to rescue Brenna from.” He took her hand. “I’ll do anything to bring her home, Celina. Can you really help me?”
Celina watched him intently before she voiced her decision. “My brother is a warrior in our Lightning Forces, part of an elite reconnaissance team that makes rescuing children like Brenna possible. He was injured on a mission recently, and the military is refusing to retrieve him. They declared him dead, actually. That’s why I was called away last night.”
“Celina…” His heart ached for her, his thumb tracing a soothing path along her hand as his mind worked the final pieces of the puzzle into place. “I’m sorry about your brother. You believe he’s still alive? Do you have a way to find him?”
“I do. Our bond as kin holds us together. It’s how I know he’s still alive. I’m certain I can find him through it, but only if I’m physically close. I need someone—you—to get me close enough so that I can track his lifeforce. You have skills I don’t, and you know the territory in Eldridge.”
“You’re certain he’s in Eldridge?”
“Yes. And he will have the information you need to find Brenna.”
“Let’s say he does. What type of man is he? Will he be willing to help me?”
“Connor is a man of strong character, full of compassion and integrity. He wouldn’t let a child suffer if he had information that would provide immediate help. He’ll understand what’s at stake.”
He hadn’t realized how alone he’d felt, how much he needed the support of someone who fully understood. Her compassion warmed him, physically expanding in his chest to melt the remainder of his tension, a measure of hope taking its place.
“Celina, I’d like to join forces with you, but what if Connor was nowhere near where I lost her trail? His mission could have taken him in the opposite direction of where Brenna was taken. Eldridge is a huge realm, over twice the size of Calderre. If that’s the case, it may be too late by the time we get to her.”
“Yes, that is a possibility.” She surprised him by agreeing with the worst-case scenario. “Come with me to the center of operations for the refugee program.”
By heritage alone, he was not exactly a friend to their goals. She would be taking a huge risk by bringing him to the compound.
“I know one of the commanders there. Let him vet my plan and confirm that Connor was in proximity to where you lost Brenna’s trail. That’s where anyone helping you would need to start.”
“And if he deems it not worthwhile or your brother was elsewhere?”
“Then I’ll convince him to put a Lightning Team on your case. They’re your best chance to save her, and he has the authority to do it. But Rodric, if they take it on as an official mission, they won’t let you assist them. The military has strict protocols.”
That was exactly what he was afraid of. He needed to be on the ground searching for her, not waiting on someone else, elite military or not. If Celina’s plan failed, he could set her up with Sev as a guide in Eldridge easily enough. But what would he do about Brenna? Hiring someone with usable skills but no knowledge of the way these kidnappers worked wouldn’t do him much good.
Celina and her brother might be his best option. His only option if he wanted to be the one hunting for Brenna.
Every heartbeat of time was a weight in his chest. Celina was watching him with a shuttered, hopeful expression. Her nerves were only noticeable through the erratic beat of her pulse under his fingers.
Trust. That’s what it came down to.
Banishing logic, he took a moment to breathe and just feel, letting his instincts speak to him. Opening eyes he hadn’t realized he’d closed, he found her intense, focused gaze on him, waiting for his decision.
“Alright. Let’s go see your friend.”
“Thank you, Rodric.” Celina’s face opened into the first full smile he’d seen from her. It felt like a sweet embrace and warmed his soul.