A Warrior's Quest Read online

  It was one reason why his father had chosen Ren’s mother to consort with for a time. Her people were stronger allies in whatever war his father was facing at the time just before Ren’s birth.

  Not that it mattered; his mother had abandoned him at the age of twenty to his father’s keeping, much as Danae’s mother had her. And Cerridwen’s her.

  There was a common theme among his family, apparently.

  But not him, he would never abandon his child. Not for anything. He was honor bound—to himself—not to. He’d long made that vow to any offspring.

  His sister’s suite was directly next to the healer girl’s. Ren knew it was deliberate. They had bonded during their time in the twins’ captivity. Grown closer than Ren thought possible; but they were of an age and had shared a traumatic experience. And somehow they had kept each other alive in a situation where that shouldn’t have been possible. He was appreciative of what the healer girl had done for his sister every day. If the healer girl had not been taken just after Danae disappeared, what would have happened to his precious sister? He had other sisters—probably close to forty or fifty—but none were as part of his family as Danae. He cared for his little sister. And he’d protect her, and her spawn.

  From whomever she needed protected from.

  The door to the healer girl’s suite was open and he could see his cousin Phelius and the warrior girl tending to the healer girl. She still slept on. She was far smaller than Aureliana, barely bigger than a half-grown spawn of his world. Had he ever seen a full blooded adult Dardaptoan that small?

  Koios stepped into the girl’s suite, despite Ren’s warning. Ren followed, ready to make good on his earlier threat. “Out.”

  “Is she well?” Koios demanded of Phelius, ignoring Ren. “Why is she so pale? What has happened to her?”

  Aureliana showed no fear of the Warrior who was more than a foot taller and one hundred pounds heavier. Who had just threatened her. Was he always to find her in face-to-face challenges with males who could kill her with barely a sweat? Ren wrapped his hands around her waist from behind and lifted her out of the way.

  She barely looked at Koios, and when she did it was with annoyance. “What do you think happened to her? You did! She’s never been strong; I don’t know how many times I nearly lost her as a babe. If her brother hadn’t been the Second Healer of our people, she would have died. And whatever hells she went through in your damned tower have damaged her so badly I am afraid we will lose her soon anyway.”

  “What? Why?” Koios stepped around Aureliana and sank to the side of the bed. His hands were gentle when they rolled Bronwen to her back. She still slept on. Pale, weak, fragile. Not really fitting to be a servila to a king at all. Surely Koios saw what Ren did? This girl would fare so far worse as slave. It would be criminal to make one such as she servila. “She’s lost pounds, hasn’t she? She was not this frail when last I saw her. Nor as pale.”

  Aureliana stood over him. “She’s been ill. With what we do not know. What in the three hells happened to her with you?”

  “I…do not…know. I don’t know everything that happened. She would not tell me. But know you this—I will be finding out. And I…I am sorry. She sought only to help me, and I took her for a prize. It was dishonorable of me. And I shall not forget that. Consider my bid to have her returned to be voided. Keep her well; keep her safe.”

  Shame was in his eyes; shame Ren understood. He felt it every single damned time he thought of running his blade through Aureliana’s side. He’d acted hastily, foolishly, from anger and arrogance. She had paid the price, and had nearly paid with her very life. He’d never be so careless with her again.

  ***

  Aureliana wasn’t certain how she felt about the warrior male. She doubted he meant Bronwen any more harm; but what had happened when Bronwen was in his keeping? And why didn’t he, the goddess damned King, know?

  “She’ll be safe with us. And when she’s ready, she’ll be returning to her home. Her brothers love her very much. They will take care of her, help her recover.” Aureliana put her hand on the Koios’s shoulder when he leaned over Bronwen again. “But the mere thought of you terrifies her. She will not speak of it, of you, without shaking. You have great amends to make to her someday.”

  He touched Bronwen, running his hand down her cheek. Bronwen turned toward him and nuzzled his palm. He stared at Bronwen for a long moment. Aureliana almost thought he looked like he was grieving. Did he have strong feelings for Bronwen? Feelings that Bronwen knew nothing about, or had chosen not to mention?

  What had happened in Lothicano?

  “She’ll be waking soon. You need to go before she does. It will only upset her to know you are here.” She was blunt with her words and felt only a moment’s remorse when his eyes showed a bit of hurt. He was Warrior Demon, was he not? And wasn’t he the one proclaiming just moments earlier that Bronwen was fit only for slavery?

  Had he just been blustering like another royal Warrior Demon was known to do?

  Ren was still at her back, big and threatening to those who might look at her wrong. What was he doing? Why was he acting that way? She didn’t need him to guard dog her. He should have been in with Danae and the babe, not hovering over her.

  She told him as much and it was evident that he didn’t like that. “I choose where I go and who I defend.”

  “I’m a big girl, Renakletos. And not your responsibility. Go away. I’m going to sit with Bronwen a while. Go.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Bronwen slept for two days, and Aureliana stayed with the girl as much as possible. What plagued Bronwen so badly that she was wasting away right before their eyes? Was there anything that could be done? Aureliana spent several hours with Kindara discussing just that. She knew Kinney felt the same worry she did.

  She finally bullied both Kindara and Bronwen to join her in the courtyard. It was warm out there, and Dardaptoans far preferred warm weather to the chill that was hitting Colorado this time of year. It would do them both good to get outside for a while.

  Kindara, especially, was far grumpier than normal. And no wonder; her due date was still a month or more away, and the babe showed no signs of arriving early. Kindara spent most of her time horribly uncomfortable.

  But Aureliana understood the fear Kindara hadn’t mentioned. The babe would most likely live through delivery, but would Kindara?

  That had a chill shaking Aureliana’s body despite the near eighty degree heat. She spread the blanket out over the warm grass and Kindara sank to it. Bronwen felt her way around until she too was spread over the cloth.

  Aureliana remained standing for a moment. The castle inner grounds were beautiful. The land surrounding Rathan’s castle, yet still within the walls, was well tended and picturesque with park like areas and secluded picnic spots all around. A grotto, complete with decorative stone arch, housed several unusual species of fish. Cerridwen especially liked to watch the fish swim around in that grotto. And Aureliana had taken a short swim in it a time or two since being in Relaklonos.

  But not today. Today she was all about her friends. They worried her so…

  Childish squeals had her turning toward the back gate. Cerridwen was there, and Aureliana smiled. The girl was so happy, so bright. Beautiful.

  Her nurse Isolde trailed behind her, quiet and meek as always. At first Aureliana had found the woman—close to herself in age—to be too cool for her liking. But it had quickly become apparent that Isolde was just a timid soul, and that she loved Cerridwen immensely. She was very good with the little girl, and Cerridwen loved her in return.

  Cerridwen ran to her father where he stood with some of his men practicing their sword skills. Ren had stripped down to his breeches, and every muscle glistened with sweat.

  Every purple muscle, dammit. Would she ever get used to that? His battle color was purple. When not fighting his skin tone was mostly tan. Sometimes it was blue, but only when he was feeling particularly arrogant. She’d seen him
blue, black, purple, and red more than she’d seen his natural skin tone. She never knew what color he would be; she half thought he liked that idea, and that was why he did it. He scooped his daughter up and cuddled her. He softened when the girl was around.

  Did he even realize he did that? Aureliana smiled as she watched him. He sat Cerridwen on the ground and bent over, pulling something white and wiggly from behind a large plant.

  It barked and ran around the little girl’s knees. Aureliana laughed outright when Cerridwen giggled and fell to the ground. The puppy—she assumed it was a dog of some sort—jumped on Cerridwen and the two were off, running around, shrieking and barking.

  “That’s what I want.” Kindara pointed to the girl. “I want this babe to have that. To have laughter and love. I don’t want him threatened by wars he cannot understand. Promise me, Auri, that if I don’t…If I don’t live past his birth you will see to it that this war does not touch him.”

  Aureliana wrapped her hand around Kindara’s. “I promise, Kinney. I’ll take care of him. You have my word.”

  Her heart was heavy as she sat on her corner of the blanket and watched the males practicing their techniques. She wanted to join them but knew that in this world such a thing would be scandalous. She was considered too weak for what they were doing—too small and fragile. She smirked at that. If it weren’t for Ren’s large size, she could take him down anytime. But he was far bigger than any of his men. Than any of the men she had seen around the castle.

  Was that because of his halfling heritage? She studied him in comparison with the six males surrounding him. He was bigger. More sure with the sword. Far more arrogant.

  Why did that both drive her crazy and pull her attention toward him?

  She’d never liked arrogant men before. She honestly preferred the quieter males of her acquaintance, like Belnus or Bronwen’s oldest brother Theodoric. Her brother and Kinney’s were both very arrogant men at times, though neither held the same degree of it as the purple warrior demon.

  Although Aodhan had certainly come close a time or two. A pang of homesickness so sharp she thought she was going to be sick hit her. He, more than anyone else in her home realm, was who she missed. Longed for him. They’d spent almost four hundred years as each other’s only family. To not see him every day hurt. Too much at times. At least he had his Rajni now. The once-human Mallory was good for her brother. And Aureliana genuinely liked Mal. And was glad they’d found each other. Aodhan had deserved someone to love him.

  Kindara rolled to her side and Aureliana looked at her friend. Some days it seemed that there was more belly than woman with Kindara now. Kindara was awake and watching her. “Heavy thoughts, my friend?”

  “Missing my brother. And home.”

  “I know. I miss it, too. Especially now. Rathan says there’s war coming. And soon.”

  “Here?” She’d known there were battles brewing around this realm. But for some reason had thought that Rathan’s castle would be protected. His direct lands, at least, would be a save haven. “When?”

  “He does not know. He thinks it’s more than just minor territorial battles. The Wolf god and the Goddess are coming soon to discuss what they know.” Kindara tried to roll herself up into a seated position but failed. She took Aureliana’s hand, and Aureliana pulled her up. “So it’s not just here.”

  “Colorado?”

  “Uncertain. That’s one of the things Rathan will be discussing with them.” Kindara studied Aureliana for a moment. “Promise me, Auri. Swear it on everything you have that you won’t go seeking battle in Gaia. I know you want to go home. But the Beansidhe…she waits for you. I cannot lose you, too.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not stupid, Kinney. And besides, I promised to protect your babe, remember? How can I do that if I’m not in his future kingdom?” She knew what the worry in Kindara’s words was. But if war did break out in her realm—here, or in Levia—how could she not go fight, protect those she loved?

  She was an Adrastos, and they were warriors, sworn to protect.

  And Aureliana would do just that. She grabbed the sword she carried with her everywhere from where she’d sat it on the edge of the blanket. Renakletos and his medieval buddies would just have to accept it; if war was coming she’d be ready.

  And to be ready, she’d have to pick up her sword.

  ***

  Ren saw her walking across the castle inner grounds with clear determination in her stride. Why did she always seem so small when she held that little blade of hers? It was half the size of his bastard sword, yet she wielded it with far more skill than he’d ever seen a female possess. But that skill just made her all the more vulnerable; didn’t she realize that? She belonged someplace safe, protected. Did she not realize how vital she was?

  How could the Wolf god and the Girl Goddess not tell her of her fate? What had they been thinking? Did they not realize she would continue to put herself in positions of great vulnerability?

  She paused when Cerridwen ran across her path, the gracklecollie pup on her heels. She brushed Cerridwen’s hair with the hand not holding the sword, then bent down and rubbed the dog’s head.

  But when she looked up at Ren the determination was stronger than before.

  She stepped away from his daughter just as a large popping sounded around them. Surprise marred her face and she froze. Cerridwen’s pup barked wildly and his daughter raced after the animal, darting past the warrior girl’s legs.

  Straight toward the thirty plus Shojo demons who’d flashed into his brother’s inner grounds.

  Ren bellowed and drew his sword, giving the command to the men he’d been training with. They were not his best, but it was all he had. “Protect the Dardaptoan females and the heirs!”

  Chapter Twelve

  Aureliana had seen these beasts before; when she and Jierra had been kidnapped by Redd Gothan Lupoiux several months ago they’d been surrounded by nearly two dozen of these creatures. No one knew what those two dozen Shojo demons had been after, but she and Jierra had been fighting a losing battle until Rand and Renakletos had arrived. They were small—barely four and a half feet tall—but they had been vicious. Ren had told her they rarely attacked in larger numbers the way they had that day. But she still remembered how to kill them.

  She pulled her sword and swung it wide. It caught one Shojo in its side. It squealed, but didn’t go down. Aureliana grabbed Cerridwen and pulled her with her, toward Cerridwen’s father. If she could get the little girl to Ren he could protect Cerridwen. Knew he was trying to do just that. Where were Kindara and Bronwen? Had they made it back inside the walls of Rathan’s home? Were they also surrounded by these things? She knew that Rathan had defenses in place to keep demons from flashing inside the walls of the castle; why not inside the outer walls, as well? Would Kindara and Bronwen be safe inside, if they could get into the inner walls?

  Ren was too far away. The Shojo had converged on him and her. Why? What were they after?

  Ren’s men, the six he’d been working with earlier, were coming toward her. They fought the Shojo, but it was evident they weren’t the strongest or best of Ren’s warriors. Where were the others, the rest of Ren’s fighters? Why weren’t they coming to help? There should have been dozens of demon males ready to dispatch these invading things.

  Someone was screaming and it took Aureliana a moment to realize it was Isolde, yelling for Cerridwen. Aureliana blocked the sounds out and forced herself to remember her years of training.

  For every Shojo Aureliana was able to cut down, four more popped into its place. How were they getting in? More and more were appearing from out of nowhere. How were they to defend against them, when they were flashing themselves wherever they wanted to be?

  What were they after? Who?

  One of Ren’s men was next to her, and he tried to use his larger body to protect her. It was futile; three Shojo flashed behind her, bypassing the large male. She didn’t even know his name, but when at least six
of the red demons attacked him, she knew she’d never forget his face as he died trying to protect her.

  She’d never forget.

  She jumped over his body and spun, sending her sword in a deadly arch that cut the nearest demon in half. She hadn’t spent all of those years training to sit by and meekly allow others to die protecting her. That was not the Adrastos way. And it never would be.

  She fought, cutting the beasts enough to send them backing away from her. She was pulled to the ground by a trio or more, but she was able to get her sword in front of herself and defend her position until she could get back on her feet.

  Down on the ground increased the chances of death; she knew that. She would die with her sword in her hand at some point; but damned if it would be today.

  Not with little Cerridwen behind her. Not with Kindara and Bronwen, little Zephra and Danae, Ren and Rathan in this castle. No, she’d do whatever she had to in order to defend the ones she loved.

  She went in to an intricate move that Rodulus had designed and taught her. It hurt her; put strain on her muscles in a way that was entirely unnatural, but it would do maximum damage to at least four surrounding enemies. And she’d practiced the move until she could do it in her sleep.

  She cut down three Shojo in seconds. Two more replaced them.

  As she faced them a thought occurred to her.

  These demons weren’t fighting with all they had. At least, they weren’t fighting her with all of their weapons. Why?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ren understood the Shojo strategy less than a moment after he realized that the little red bastards had deliberately cut the warrior girl and his spawn off from him and his men. The Shojo were either after one or the other of the two females he would protect at all costs. Why? Was it because of the Wolf god’s warning?