Torrents (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 3) (30 page)

     He chuckled, but just as suddenly, his gaze was filled with a sadness I could understand. We had lost so much time; time we would never get back, but there was so much ahead, I was too afraid to regret the past.

     “I’m not the same,” he said again, his head ducking slightly so little strands of his hair fell toward his eyes. 

     “Neither am I,” I said and shrugged my shoulders. “I guess we’ll have to get used to it, because I’m just too tired of being away from you.”

     Without another word, I pulled his head toward mine and I was rewarded with a kiss more passionate than anything I had ever experienced. As his lips moved against mine, I felt his worries slip away and he placed himself in the moment. We were finding one another again, joining the past with the present, and there was nothing that would take us apart. His lips traced all over my mouth, my cheeks, my neck, and I sighed.

     “Zale,” the name passed through my lips in a sigh without thought. I froze, realizing my mistake, only to be rewarded with a wicked grin. He returned to my mouth to deepen the kiss. It was only when his mouth tightened and a smile formed beneath my own, I remembered how he used to kiss me like this. An exhale of pure delight left me and when I pulled back to bite my lip, he chuckled.

     Without saying a word, he pulled me to his chest and leaned back against the bench, his arms surrounding me in a security of warmth. I had my arms curled up before me. He was tracing circles on my wrist when his fingers stopped to brush against the hilt of my dagger.

     “I can’t believe you kept this,” he said, and I noted the way his fingers traced over the entwined mertails.

     “Of course,” I said. “At the time it had only been for protection, but then it was kind of like having a piece of you with me. It was like you were still trying to protect me.” I felt his acceptance, even though he said nothing.

     “I always will,” he gave me a squeeze.

     “I know,” I said back and nestled my head against his chest. 

      It grew quiet between us, as I was listening to the leaves rustle outside. The images and memories of our past swirled in my mind. Flashes of the dungeon and seeing him again for the first time dancing across the back of my eyelids. It all seemed to be a dream, but one I had lived, and somehow survived. His arm rubbed against my shoulder and I found my mind slowly drifting away.

     “We have to go back,” he said, breaking into my thoughts, and though I was almost asleep, I knew what he meant. The very idea was enough to make me cringe.

     “I don’t want to,” I confessed. It would be so much easier to leave all of it behind and remain on the island. To never have to worry about Morven again, or any of the Lathmorians, was a tempting idea. And still I knew it could never be possible. He was right, we would have to return.

     “I don’t either,” he said and pressed his lips against my hair.

     “Can we wait five minutes?” I asked even as a yawn passed through my lips.

     “Of course.”

     They were the fastest and most peaceful minutes of my life. As they came to an end, he unfolded me from his arms and stood to meet what lay ahead. With an extended hand, he helped me to my feet and just as I turned to leave for the door, he grasped my shoulders.

     “I want you to come with us.”

     My mouth fell open, “But you said—and Tunder won’t let me.”

     He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter now. You’re coming with us.”

     Without another word, he grabbed my hand and led us through the door toward the ocean waves. We ran into the surging foam, hand-in-hand, until the water reached our waists and we leapt into the air, transforming before crashing into the curling depths.

     Like two jet streams across a blue sky, we shot off through the water toward whatever awaited us on Lathmor.       

“Nervous?”

     “Not even a little bit.” He gave me a side grin, but I noticed the way his hands twitched. He was more on edge than he cared to admit and had been quiet ever since leaving the island. I had done little to encourage him to speak—our thoughts consumed with what lay ahead.

     The dim light from the chartreuse orb descending in the sky cast the hill leading to the palace in tinted darkness. Although I could make out the insides of some of the homes, I saw no one milling about. There was a sense of urgency in the air; something akin to how it had felt when the Hyven attacked. Only this time it would be the other way around.

     Our feet brushed against the tips of the grass, sometimes padding against soft patches of dirt, until we reached the smooth marble steps. Climbing side by side, we moved as though of one mind and I took solace in the thought of how comfortable I was beside him.

     The throne room was nearly empty, aside from various groups of Lathmorians huddled together. Their faces were haggard, and they glanced our way as we passed. Some sat near the statues, facing the throne, while others stood in circles, their arms crossed over their chests. Every single mermaid and merman I could see was garbed in black, their waists decorated with sturdy belts holding sheathed daggers. Simply seeing their worry confirmed my own, and my heart slowed as though I was seeing everything from a distance. Beside me, Patrick ducked his head, not looking any of them in the eye.

     He led the way toward Tunder and Shaylee’s chamber without asking for guidance. When we reached the top of the spiral stairs, his hand moved to push it open before I could warn him to knock.

     Elik and Tunder stood with some of the Lathmorian leaders around the table of maps. Kryssa was among them, and when she glanced my way, I noticed her arms were filled with other documents. Her brow furrowed as she took in my expression. I wanted to shout out loud Patrick remembered, but there was nothing I could do to take this moment away from him, or them.

     “Right here, we will flank inside the surf and…” Tunder’s words seemed to run together as he leaned over the table, the soldiers surrounding him in agreement. He continued to point and direct his hand over the map until all other sound in the room slowly drifted away because of our entrance.

     They turned to look in our direction, and I stared at Kryssa, waiting for her to notice. A sharp gasp issued through the room, but it wasn’t Kryssa who made the sound. 

     Instead, Shaylee’s awkward form ambled forward. Her eyes were filled with tears and when she looked between the two of us, I nodded. Kryssa dropped the stack of papers in her arms, and they cascaded to the floor while her sister tried to wrap her thin arms around Patrick; her large belly preventing her from getting too close.

     As though my acknowledgement had broken some sort of curse hanging over the room, everyone began to talk at once. Some shouted out greetings, others talked to one another. The cacophony was tremendous in comparison to the overwhelming silence.

     All the while, he remained by my side. He hugged those who offered their arms and when Nixie ran forward he scooped her up as though she was a child. Her laughter was magical, and the joy I felt inside threatened to break loose. I wasn’t the only one struggling. Kryssa continued to stare at him, her mouth frozen in a smile, and Shaylee was forced to sit down so she wouldn’t stumble through her tears. It was only when Elik came forward and offered him a handshake that I had to pull my eyes away.

     From behind the table, Tunder remained in place. There was something in his eyes which I hadn’t seen in a long time. His mouth was still turned down at the corners, but the lightness in his gaze let me know he was truly smiling in some part of him. I bit my lip and when he caught me staring, I glanced away again.

     Patrick was unfolding himself from a bone crushing hug when he looked up to the new king. He nodded in his direction and Tunder nodded back. I wanted to make them shake hands or something, but knew better than to be rash in Tunder’s presence.

     “So, you’re back?” the king asked, having to clear his throat. I nearly laughed at how casual the words sounded. Shaylee rolled her eyes.

     “Yes, sir,” Patrick replied, the term of respect sounding awkward.

    “And you remember everything?”

     “Yes,” Patrick said again. Tunder flicked his gaze to mine in confirmation. I nodded back.

     “Good,” he said and returned to the papers on the desk. “We will need your knowledge of Hyvar.” He beckoned Patrick forward with a wave of his hand.

     “Tunder,” Shaylee admonished as though astounded by his lack of warmth.

     The king pinched the bridge of his nose and took another rather large breath. Ignoring his wife, he gestured to the papers as Patrick approached. “Are these accurate?”

     Patrick took his time in answering, but in the end he nodded. “They are, except for this,” he pointed, “we won’t be able to gain entrance from the back of the island.”

     “We thought Lathmor was protected by a cliff, why can’t we send a unit to climb up the back?” Elik had approached the table, seeming to breach the distance between the new king and once-turned warrior.

     “Because the wall is riddled with fake rocks. They are impossible to decipher, and if any weight is placed on them, they shatter, revealing daggers beneath. You would never make it to the top, or even off the wall.” He painted a grotesque image and I wasn’t the only one to see the logic in it.

     Tunder nodded again, refusing to look up at Patrick. “Then the rest is accurate?”

     “Yes, and this is the best place to initiate an attack.” He pointed to a different spot on the map, drawing a line which was invisible to me from where I stood. “They will expect you to launch an attack here, or here. Instead, you should attack in the center. It’s the strongest place on the island.” He left his finger on the map as though holding the position.

     “Then why attack there?”

     “You’ll be able to get in before they can thwart you.” Patrick’s thoughts seemed to be working faster than every other mind in the room. “How many are you taking with you?”

     Tunder murmured some number to him and I found myself straining forward, as the other soldiers watched the conversation flowing between the two men. They were in a world of their own.

     “Then you’ll have enough to send a first wave in here, and here. Then launch a second one immediately after, but directly at the center. It will hit them where they are most confident, and if we’re lucky, some of the Hyven will be drawn out to help with the first attack. If we get the second unit in where they least expect it, then we will close them in, cutting off any escape.”

     “That’s the idea,” Tunder said as though thinking out loud, and the corner of Patrick’s mouth lifted.

     “Sir,” Voon spoke from across the room. I hadn’t realized his presence at first, but it made sense he would be here. “Are you certain we should take so many?”

     Tunder heaved a sigh and his shoulders seemed to slump. “We’ve been over this already.”

     “Yes,” Gendra agreed, but she shook her head in opposition. “Are you certain it is safe to only leave fifty behind?” My mouth hung open. Kryssa was serious yesterday when she said Tunder was planning to take all of Lathmor with him. With only fifty merfolk left behind, Lathmor would seemingly be abandoned. I could hardly think of what the palace would look like with so few. Thinking of the many merfolk who would be attacking the shores of Hyvar made my heart rate accelerate.

     Tunder’s eyes flashed at Gendra, and he straightened to his full height. “I understand the risk.”

     I couldn’t help looking toward Shaylee, I was certain he understood what he was risking more than anyone else. If he was wrong and the Hyven decided to attack Lathmor while we were gone, Shaylee and her unborn child would be forfeit. Even thinking of the danger made me shiver.

     “This will be a battle for the end. I’ve had enough waiting, the time is now.” As Tunder spoke, he looked pointedly at each of his leaders. I counted seven of them standing in the room. Part of me felt a little ashamed, not knowing all of their names or which units they were in charge of. “If the Hyven come here, so be it. Nothing has pointed in that direction, but we can never be sure.”

     Patrick shook his head before he spoke. “He’s waiting.” All eyes turned to him. “Morven won’t attack. Not now.”

     “What makes you so sure?” Kryssa asked. Somehow she had managed to load a tray with drinks while the conversation was taking place. She offered one to Patrick now, but he dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

     “I know him.” It was the only explanation he seemed warrant to give.

     “And you think that’s enough,” Gendra asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

     “Yes,” Patrick glared at her. “He won’t attack because he knows her voice is ready.”

     “But he will still want her,” Elik pointed out.

     “Of course, but it doesn’t mean they’ll come to Lathmor.”

     “Do you think it’s a trap?” Tunder butted in. His leaders were already beginning to doubt his plan, he needed every ally he could get.

     “No, but there’s no way around it. Sooner or later you’ll have to do this. He’ll wait as long as it takes.”

     “Then why can’t we stay here?” Gendra butted in again, and I wondered where this passionate dislike was coming from. She was obstinately against the plan.

      Patrick turned his full gaze on her. “If you want to spend years waiting in worry, then go ahead. He won’t launch a full scale attack after what just happened. But he’s patient. He knows all of you want this war to be over, but he can continue to pick Lathmorians off one by one until he gets what he wants.”

     Tunder took a glass off Kryssa’s tray as she passed by. “What would you suggest we do?’

     “Continue as planned,” he said it without faltering. “And we take her with us.” He pointed in my direction and a hush fell over the room, until one of the mermaids sighed. Others seemed to join her. Was I really such a burden?

     “No,” Tunder replied, setting the glass on the table. The red liquid sloshed for a moment before settling.

     Patrick’s back straightened, and he raised himself to his full height. Only one side of his face was visible to me, but I knew the look all too well. He had told me on the island he wasn’t the same anymore, and it was true. As much as he wanted to forget the warrior, it was still a part of him, hidden within his body. He was Patrick and Zale, all in one. His eyes flashed and the stony mask fell into place. I was expecting a harsh and straightforward statement from him and was surprised when he spoke logically.

    “You know as well as I do, she is what Morven wants. I will not leave her behind.”

     “Then why not hand her over to him on a silver platter?”

     “She is more capable than you think,” he pointed out, and I couldn’t help but feel my heart swell a little with pride. “With our combined
abilities
,” he emphasized the word, “we will be able to overtake them.”

     “They could be of use,” Gendra said, surprising everyone. Voon nodded beside her.

     “And what if you’re taken again?” The king cocked his head. “What if we do this and the next time I see you, you have no memory and become his puppet once more? Am I supposed to forget all the deaths you caused? Every battle, every scouting party came back with tales of your deeds. When I saw you on the island with Lissie, I couldn’t believe it was you, because I always trusted you were on our side. You were against Morven from the beginning, you hated him more than I did, and yet, look what he did to you. Are you really willing to place yourself within his reach again?”

     “That’s not—” I began, but Patrick held up a hand in my direction, cutting me off.

     “Say what you need to say.” He opened his arms wide, beckoning the king to chastise him further. “But you will have to come to terms with the fact I am on your side now. Ever since I first saw her, I have done everything for her. We are going, because we deserve it. ” Patrick heaved a large breath.  “I know what I did, and I will have to live with that. It torments me, even now, when I think about it. If you believe I don’t hate him more than before all of this, then you’re wrong. I want him, and I will fight him. You can’t take that away from me.”

     Silence met his words. Tunder pursed his lips. He knew what had happened to Patrick, and though he didn’t realize the exact details which caused Zale to go into such a rage during the attack, he did know part of it was due to Morven’s commands.

     “Fine,” Tunder acquiesced, but I wasn’t sure if he was agreeing to my going or accepting Patrick’s help.

     “Then she goes?” Patrick seemed to need clarification as well. I bit my lip as Tunder debated.

     “Yes,” he said, his eyes snapping to me. “But you had better do as you’re told.” He pointed a finger in my direction and I nodded immediately.

     “When has she done otherwise?” Patrick asked, and I grimaced, preferring not to go down that road. The question was innocent enough, but even after Patrick finished speaking I could almost hear the nervous shuffling of feet. Tunder scoffed in response, but he said no more on the subject. Patrick’s gaze shifted between us.