Goddess of War (5 page)

THE PALACE WAS
much more intimidating than Raina anticipated. Her eyes rose to the high stained glass ceiling. Not even their home in Latari was as lavish as the Rhene palace.

Mother and father lived simply by god standards. They kept a small staff and had only increased the number of guards on their property when Raina and Allan were named as the next to rule Aden.

As Raina was led to her new sleeping chambers, her mind would not let her forget the young man she’d encountered outside the palace.

There was something about him that left her feeling unsettled.

Errison and Olia were allowed to stay in the palace for the night, but Olia would have to leave in the morning to set up her new shop.

So many new opportunities had presented themselves that Raina felt a giddiness in her gut.

One day, if she and Allan survived, they would live in the Aden Imperial Palace. They would be the most powerful beings in all of the five worlds. Raina already took note of what she’d want the palace to be decorated like when she was made queen.

Just like the Rhene palace.

Two guards led her to her room. When she opened the door she lifted a brow.

Impressive
, she thought. It was much bigger than the room in the monastery, but smaller than her room back home in Latari.

Still, it was beautiful, even in its simplicity.

The moment she closed and locked the latch on her door, she called for Desi.

“Are you well, Desi?”

The fairy transformed into her normal form, but her skin looked odd. There was a gray tinge to her skin, and a droopiness to her once alert eyes.

Desi rested in Raina’s lap the moment she sat on the bed.

“I am so tired, Raina.”

Alarmed, Raina hugged Desi to her. “What can I do to help you? Will you be all right?”

Desi’s breath was shallow. “This world,” she began, closing her eyes. “It does not agree with me. I cannot stay out long, sweet Preeti.”

Raina nodded. “I understand,” she said. She gave Desi a smile. “I’m going to miss our games. When we return to Aden, promise me we can play them again.”

Desi smiled wide, her eyes brightening. “Of course sweet Preeti.”

Raina kissed her tiny forehead.

Desi looked up at her. “Do you know your name means beautiful here?”

Raina nodded. “Isn’t that something?”

“It is, because you are,” Desi said and started to transform back into the necklace, where she could rest.

“Good night, Desi.”

“Good night, sweet Preeti.”

The next evening, Errison, Raina, and Allan sat for dinner with King Lavi and his family; a beautiful wife, Nevah, his middle son, Eryon, and one young daughter named Arela. Prince Lavi had yet to make an appearance.

Never did Raina dream that the humans lived in such beautiful places. Even their clothes were worthy of the royal court in Aden. Perhaps they remembered more of the ancient times when gods roamed the Abyss alongside them.

Still astounded by the beauty and elegance of this large kingdom, Raina absorbed the festive atmosphere.

Raina enjoyed sitting next to Princess Arela. She was a pretty child, with hair the color of straw and hazel eyes full of joy and innocence.

Food.

There was so much of it spread out over the table. It was the night of one of Rhene’s annual festivals, and guests filled the seats of the long table that stretched between both ends of the massive room.

Raina chewed her roasted chicken and listened as Arela listed off the many toys she had back in her room.

“When dinner is over we can play with my dolls.” Arela lowered her voice and leaned close to Raina.

Raina leaned in, intrigued.

“They are talking dolls.”

Raina smiled at the child. “I haven’t played with dolls in so long, dear girl. They sound delightful.”

Arela nodded. “Father gets many special toys from merchants all over the world. Eryon and Aric both have those special horses that can fly. Father won’t let me have one until I get a little bigger.” She sat back in the high back wooden chair. Her eyes examined Raina’s face.

Raina looked away, hoping the girl wouldn’t notice her tattoo beneath her bangs. She wore her Seer uniform and was covered from head to toe, but the fear of discovery lingered in the forefront of her mind the entire time they were in the presence of so many people.

“I like you,” Arela said. “You have pretty eyes, and a funny accent.”

“Do I?” Raina never realized she had an accent. She decided to try to emulate the speech of the Rhene people a bit better.

“My birthday is always during the annual spring festival. Maybe you can take off that cloak and wear a pretty pink dress for my party tomorrow. I will be eleven, and eligible for my first Pegasus.”

“Maybe,” Raina said. Only three years of being little more than a governess and she and Allan could return home. It seemed so far away.

“How old are you, Raina?”

“Sixteen.”

Arela nibbled on her sweet roll and lifted a brow. “You aren’t
that
much older than I am.”

Everyone’s chatter ended and was replaced by loud cheering when a young man dressed in a white suit with golden buttons and a red sash entered the room.

When everyone stood, Raina and Allan followed their example and stood along with them.

Raina’s mouth parted as she looked at him. He took a moment to bow before his adoring admirers.

“That must be Prince Aric,” Allan whispered.

Raina swallowed when the young man’s eyes lifted and went directly to hers. It was the young man from the night before.

Her words came out soft. “Must be.”

Never had a simple look ignited such new and exciting sensations within Raina. His blond hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail. Raina’s eyes followed him to a seat across from her at the table.

She wished she could hide her reddening cheeks when he continued to stare at her with those intense eyes. His lashes were long and dark, tipped with a shade of blond lighter than his hair. He had perfectly arched brows, and a strong chin.

And he was tall. Raina never realized how much she valued height in a man. She’d never thought of a man in that way before that night.

Handsome didn’t begin to describe the young man before her.

He nodded to Raina and Allan, his eyes lifting to the king’s as everyone settled back into their seats.

“Who are the Cloaks?”

Raina figured he referred to her and Allan.

“Call them by their proper name, Aric,” King Lavi said. “They are Seers. This is Raina. She will be Arela’s tutor and Allan is the new translator of the ancient texts. They will be staying in the palace.”

Raina struggled to take her eyes off of him, but it was impossible. She couldn’t even compare his beauty to anyone back in Latari or all of Aden.

Pull yourself together
, she thought as she realized that while everyone else had sat back down, she was still standing.

She flopped back into her chair, and lowered her eyes to her plate. She no longer had an appetite. When he sat in the seat across from hers, she avoided looking at him.

“Raina, is it?”

Raina tensed at hearing him speak to her.

She nodded, looking at him as he drank from his wine goblet.

“I don’t think I’ve heard a more beautiful name,” Aric said.

A smile came to Raina’s lips. “Thank you.”

“Welcome.”

Something stirred in Raina’s belly. There was no way she could eat now.

Somehow Prince Aric’s gaze frightened her more than the thought of Litha finding them. Not because she feared him, but what he made her feel.

Something awakened within Aric as his eyes met those of the new Seer once again…something that frightened and intrigued him.

A need and a desire. One that went beyond his usual urge to simply seduce a pretty girl.

Seers weren’t supposed to have eyes like that; eyes that threatened to bend him to their will. Princess Pria and the battle earlier faded into the forgotten recesses of his mind as he drank his second goblet of wine.

Aric sat back in his chair and sighed. There was no use getting fixated on a girl had committed her life to the teaching of the gods.

Something about her presence commanded his attention. Father spoke to him. He barely heard a word, but knew better than to ignore the king.

“What was that?”

King Lavi pursed his lips. “The ship sets sail in three days. You make sure you have everything ready for the journey.”

Aric nodded, turning his attention to his father. “I will be ready.”

“Good,” King Lavi said. “Because you’ll need to be prepared for the weather and customs of all of the nine kingdoms. I remember when I went abroad for the first time. There were so many different kinds of people and cultures that I simply couldn’t appreciate without experiencing it for myself.”

“I’m certain it will be an enriching experience,” Aric said, taking a bite of smoked ham. “But do I really need to bring so many guards with me? You’ll have everyone thinking I am weak. Don’t I make it clear that I am capable of protecting myself every year during the tournaments? No one has ever defeated me. Ever.”

“It is precisely why you need more guards. Many will want to test their luck against you. You never know if a friend can turn into an assassin. There are very few people left with traces of real power, Aric. Having you rule Rhene someday poses a great threat to the other kingdoms.”

“But we are at peace right now.”

King Lavi lifted a finger. “Exactly.
Right now
.”

Aric sighed. His appetite was ravenous after constant battle in the arenas all week. He looked forward to a relaxing voyage.

But
her.

The Seer with the gray eyes that reminded him of storm clouds, took his mind off of what was to come.

Aric was drawn to her.

He had to be near her.

RAINA AND ALLAN
waited for Errison outside the banquet hall in the wide corridor.

“I’m going to check on Olia,” Allan said. “I can’t believe she couldn’t dine with us.”

Raina nodded, grinning. “Someone is smitten.”

Allan’s face turned serious. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just want to make sure she is okay waiting at that inn with all of those strange men.”

“Of course,” Raina said.

“Just wait here for Errison,” Allan said and left her.

“Sure,” Raina said to herself. “Go make sure Olia is safe with all of those strange men. Leave me here with all of these strange people.”

“So,” a male voice said from behind her.

Startled, Raina turned to face Prince Aric.

“He must be your brother,” Aric said.

Raina nodded, her eyes widened.

“I figured as much. You two look remarkably alike.”

“Yes,” she said. Her mind raced to think of something else to say, but as her mouth parted, words refused to form.

The corners of Aric’s mouth lifted into an amused smile. “Are you blushing?”

Raina straightened her back, trying to hide her embarrassment. She was a god.

Gods don’t blush.

“No.”

Aric chuckled. He ran a thumb across his bottom lip as he looked at her.

“Come with me,” he said, reaching a hand out.

Raina stared at his hand. Then she looked at her own gloved hand, not understanding.

“Why?”

Aric took two steps forward and took her hand into his. “You’re not going to deny the future king your charming company, are you?”

Raina’s brows furrowed. “Where are you taking me?”

“Patience. You’ll see soon enough.”

Raina didn’t fear for her safety with the prince. She could break him in half, after all. Besides that fact, he intrigued her, and she desperately wanted to go wherever he led her.

She quickened her pace as Aric led her down the corridor and up a flight of carpeted stairs. Soon they were farther and farther away from other people. Eventually they were all alone in a tower.

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.”