Traitor's Crown (Stones of Terrene Book 3) Read online

  Krista pulled away from Briar just long enough to glare at her father, then she reached out and grabbed Briar’s shirt in her fist, tugging him to her.

  Jade whooped as they kissed and sealed their marriage contract.

  Every day was uncertain, but for this perfect moment, she was thrilled for her friends.

  “And two lives are now one!” William boomed, a slight catch in his voice. “May you settle your roots somewhere fertile, may the sun ever shine upon your leaves, and may you two grow together into a tree that blesses all around you.”

  “Let it be so,” everyone chorused around Krista and Briar.

  Samantha and Weston released Jade’s hands, and she stretched her fingers, relishing the sensation of freedom.

  Krista flung her arm up in the air. “To the party!”

  Jade laughed aloud as Krista and Briar led the way to the banquet table that Francene had set up on the patio earlier. Fresh breads, mounds of roasted vegetables, tender meats, and a tray of cheeses lavished every available space on the table, and a server handed a white plate to each Briar and Krista, letting them go first. Briar snatched a strawberry off a silver platter and held it out for Krista to bite into. Amusement bubbled within Jade as Krista did the same for him, and Jade glanced away, casually scanning the garden as an excuse to find Zak.

  Her mother and Aunt Garnet hung back, talking with William while Brandon stood awkwardly under a crepe myrtle, his gaze distant as he stared up into the branches. Weston was just a few steps away from Jade, and Zak was unexpectedly right behind her.

  He gave her a gentle smile, and she could read in the set of his shoulders, the muscle in his jaw, the way his hands clenched, that he wanted to reach out to her but knew he shouldn’t. Zak’s smile looked almost like a grimace, and he nodded at the table. “After you.”

  “Thanks.” She hesitated for just a moment, and Weston swooped before her, accepting a plate from a server and holding it out for her. She reached for it and he tugged it back, shaking his head. His fingers fiddled with the hem of his vest for all of a second before he flattened them to his body.

  “No, I’ll hold it for you,” Weston dipped his head in a friendly nod and motioned with the plate. “Let me serve you, please.”

  She knew better than to refuse the offer of her supposed beau serving her in such a gentlemanly fashion. She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She let him carry her plate and pile it high before he left her at one of the low tables meant for guests to sit around and eat. Zak lingered by her side, and it took all her willpower to ignore him there. She picked at her plate, finally pulling an apple slice out from under a small mound of orange-and-white cheese cubes.

  Her resolve broke a moment later. It was unfair, being at a celebration for their mutual friends of so many years, and unable to rejoice together. She looked over her shoulder just in time to hear Zak mutter a low, “Oh no.”

  She whirled around on the squat bench, following his gaze. Weston stood at the banquet table, saying something to Krista that, to Jade’s astonishment, had Krista laughing a moment later. But that wasn’t what had drawn Zak’s attention. Brandon. Her father stalked up to Weston, his expression as if carved in stone. He tapped Weston’s shoulder.

  Jade tensed at the same time as Zak, and they exchanged looks of concern. What did Brandon want to say to Weston? Brandon had already made it abundantly clear to everyone else that he didn’t want her marrying the Aerugan prince, and while she wholeheartedly agreed with not wanting to marry him, Brandon hadn’t exactly left her with much of a choice.

  Bitterness robbed the flavor of her slice of apple, and she tossed it on her plate, watching cautiously as Brandon hitched a thumb over his shoulder. Weston nodded, and the two moved aside to a less-busy corner of the party. Jade clenched her jaw. What did that self-entitled, selfish, uncaring man want now?

  Chapter Three

  Weston

  Someone tapped Weston’s shoulder, and he turned then nearly stepped back into the table. Brandon of Doldra. Long-lost king. Jade’s father. The former berserker. A slight chill ran along Weston’s nerves, but he could see Niles just beyond Brandon, and while Niles watched, he didn’t seem concerned.

  Weston cleared his throat and tried for a smile that wasn’t too nervous-looking. “Can I help you?”

  Jade’s father studied him for an awkward moment. “I’d like to have a word with you.” He gestured to the side, away from those gathered around the tables, yet still within sight of Niles. “If you don’t mind?” His tone brooked no room for declining.

  Weston dipped his head in agreement and let Brandon lead them to stand under a tree with pink blossoms. Brandon crossed his arms over his gray vest and stared at Weston. “I heard that you’re engaged to my daughter.”

  Weston’s gaze darted to the side where he’d left Jade and her plate of food, and found that both she and Zak were watching their exchange. A faint crease in Zak’s brow and Jade’s thinned lips didn’t reassure Weston any.

  He cleared his throat and met Brandon’s piercing eyes. “That is, um, currently correct. Yes, sir.”

  Weston’s stomach clenched. There were very few people in the world that he would say “yes sir” to. Andre, out of respect. His father, out of fear, and now Brandon. But this was a different fear. One that he neither recognized not had the luxury of examining right now.

  Brandon stilled as his eyes narrowed. “Currently correct?”

  “Yes, sir.” Weston desperately wanted to back up a few steps, but didn’t want to be seen giving ground to Brandon. Was this a test? Did Brandon want to kill him because of the engagement?

  “Explain yourself.”

  Weston straightened, reaching for the calm that he didn’t really have. “We’re working together to find a way to unite our kingdoms that doesn’t require marriage.”

  Brandon didn’t blink. “But you like her.”

  The man had only been here a full day, and he already knew that? Just how observant was he?

  Weston frowned. “I do, yes. But her heart belongs to another, and when the day comes that I marry, I would like to avoid an arrangement that is as toxic as my parents’.” He nodded back to where Briar and Krista had been for their ceremony. “I know it’s idealistic of me, but something like what they have would be preferred.”

  This was the first wedding he’d attended that was for love and not a means to a political end, and the simple service with the evident joy and happiness in both the bride and groom resounded in him. He wasn’t a fool—he knew that if the treaty failed, and he and Jade had to marry for the sake of their kingdoms, they wouldn’t have that same aura. He’d try to nurture that in their marriage, but it wouldn’t be there at the beginning.

  And he wanted what he saw—that joy in marriage.

  They had to buy time. They had to make the treaty work.

  If he wanted to stand a chance with Jade, it had to be on her terms. Not forced.

  At that, Brandon’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. The hardness in his face softened and he looked around the garden setup before raising his face up at the tree branches above them. “Do you know what kind of tree this is?”

  Weston didn’t know what to make of that. He also glanced up, frantically trying to correlate the two subjects in his mind. “I don’t, but I can find ou—”

  “It’s a crepe myrtle,” Brandon supplied, frankly admiring the waning flowers. “My wife and I used to walk the garden in Doldra, and we’d state the names of the plants as we went along.” He dropped his gaze back to Weston. “We married for love. I want the same for my daughter.”

  Weston swallowed hard and nodded. He studied the silver buttons on Brandon’s vest for an eternally long heartbeat. Brandon’s message was clear—he didn’t approve of Weston, but he approved of Zak. But he hadn’t directly threatened Weston, which left him in a quandary. Did he assume that her father was out for him, or was he just giving a friendly warning?

  He breathed deep before responding. “Have you ta
lked to Jade, sir?”

  A sound akin to a growl came from Brandon, and Weston allowed himself a small half step back.

  Brandon shook his head. “She’s inherited her mother’s stubbornness.”

  Weston grimaced. “Have you talked to my father?”

  “No,” Brandon drawled out the word as he smirked. “I told his messenger that I’d see him when I was ready to talk to him.”

  Weston’s jaw dropped open, and he closed it hard enough that his teeth clicked together. A sense of awe rippled through him. He had never, never witnessed anyone who’d spoken to his father like that. Let alone anyone who’d say something like that and live. If Brandon was confident enough in himself to turn down Everett, what would he say to Everett’s demands in regards to Weston and Jade?

  “There’s something you must know, then, sir.” He took a deep breath at Brandon’s expectant expression. “My father has declared that she and I must marry. He wants your land and your military to remain under his control, and he thinks that if I wed her, he’ll have it. And—” Weston glanced back at Jade and felt a small jolt of surprise to realize that she and Zak were still watching him, concern evident in both of them. “My father has threatened Zak’s life, if I don’t claim her.”

  A storm of anger seemed to redden Brandon’s face, and Weston belatedly realized his poor word choice.

  “Claim her in the sense of win her.” Weston tried again, desperate to explain before Brandon decided to take the easy road and just kill him. Though that probably didn’t sound much better. “I’ve already warned Jade and Zak, and we’re going to play along to keep my father appeased, but I know and they know that she and Zak are together.”

  Whales, he hoped that made sense.

  Brandon’s eyes narrowed, and the veins in his neck stopped throbbing. “You haven’t touched my daughter?”

  “No!” Weston silently prayed that Brandon hadn’t heard of the incident that happened so long ago. “I haven’t done anything improper to her at all since this all started! Promise!”

  Danger seemed to radiate off Brandon, and Weston caught motion just over Brandon’s shoulder––Niles was coming toward them, his hand on his hilt. Weston raised his hand to halt him.

  Brandon’s jaw clenched. “Swear it.”

  What could he swear on that Brandon would respect? “I swear on my memory of Andre.”

  Brandon blinked and rocked back on his heels. “Andre?”

  “My tutor, mentor, and friend,” Weston’s heart spasmed in sorrow, and he inhaled sharply. Andre had told Weston about his time as Prince Brandon’s bodyguard. That had to count for something. “Sir Andre Catalina, one of the most honorable men I have ever known in my life.”

  Something like hope shone in Brandon’s face. “Is Andre here?”

  “No, sir.” Weston closed his eyes, tasting the bitter tang of grief. “My father had him executed in the Hollows for being a traitor.”

  “I see.” Brandon’s expression hardened, as if a door had closed, leaving his face blank. He dropped his hands to his side and nodded stiffly. “We’ll talk more later.” He spun on his heel and shouldered past Niles, his steps swift as he clattered up the steps leading to a walkway out of the garden.

  Niles practically hovered over Weston. “Are you alright, Your Highness? Did he threaten you?”

  “No.” Weston stared at Brandon’s back. “But I think I just made a fresh enemy for my father.”

  Chapter Four

  Ben

  The happy babble of the patrons at the Tipsy Paladin tavern seemed almost like an affront to Ben’s slowly fraying nerves. It was a relief to be out of the Phoenix and in Lucrum, but lying low at the bar didn’t cure his itch for movement, for being out there, a part of the search—anything that would be a step closer to finding Raine. It was incomprehensible to Ben how Finn could return to the airship and stay sane there.

  Finn’s feverish studying of his notes for the sake of finding a cure for the blood-bond or for a way to get the barrier back up was of the utmost importance, but his concern for his granddaughter leaked out of his scholarly façade in bursts of irritability and snappiness. It shocked Ben that Finn hadn’t jumped at the chance to ask Jade for help.

  And along the lines of asking for help, why hadn’t he asked Finn more about finding a way home? Sara had been alone for nearly a year, by his best guess. It felt like one thing after another kept preventing him from throwing his all into returning to his sister. But how could he turn his back on his friends here? How could he turn his back on Raine?

  And there was that tiny doubt that whispered in the back of his mind: what if there was no way to return to Earth? What if he had to make this place his new life?

  Ben cast a furtive glance over his shoulder to where Michael and Rebecca sat in a shadowed booth, having returned from searching the shipyards. Geist’s skullduggery may have gotten them all in, but that was only the beginning of their mission. When Rebecca had asked Geist about the secret tunnel leading into the city, he’d merely answered, “it’s a long story” and muttered something like “never trust a bard.” But getting in was only part of the challenges they faced. They now had confirmation that the Sapphire was docked there, but no one at the yards would tell them where the Doldran princess was.

  Both Ben and Geist had to fight to restrain their tempers at that bit of news. Geist left soon after to go skulking for news from denizens who wouldn’t want to talk to a group.

  Whether that meant actual criminal activity or muscling answers out of people didn’t matter to Ben at this point. They had to find Jade and get whatever help she was able to offer. He had to get Raine out. And he had to somehow protect the innocent lives of the terrified countries in Terrene, all while getting home to Sara. Somehow.

  And right now he had to wait. Again. Geist hadn’t specified when he’d return, and the seconds dragged by with a slowness that left Ben jittering in his skin. His military training for staying still under pressure seemed worlds away.

  Maybe it was. Literally.

  Ben hunched over the polished bar and ran his knuckles over the smooth wood. It glimmered under the orbed gaslights, and if he leaned forward, he’d be able to see his reflection in the surface that the barmaid kept so spotless. Raine had been sitting here the first time he’d met her in his disastrous attempt at flirting like Briar. Back in the simpler days. When he hadn’t known he was a Void Born. When he didn’t have to fear for his life. Back when she was safe with Finn and not anywhere near the Hollows. The worst prison in the entirety of southern Terrene. Ben gripped his mug of ale but didn’t lift it. Raine was strong. She was a fighter, and a darn good one at that. She’d be fine.

  Geist had told him about the Hollows. How it was both a prison and a working mine that eroded away the lives of the prisoners due to the hard labor. Apparently, the conditions there were survivable, but those living there made it less so. Rumor had it that the strongest prisoners or those with the most clout were safe, but anyone deemed soft or a target wasn’t.

  The memory of Sara’s bruises flashed on the backs of his eyelids, and he took a gulp of ale that seared his throat. Sara hadn’t been prepared for that supposedly safe home. She hadn’t had a chance. Raine did.

  But they knew Raine was a Void Born.

  Ben dropped his face into his hand and knuckled his eyes. It wasn’t going to do anyone any good if he kept worrying.

  “Ben.” Geist eased into Ben’s peripheral. An expression mixed with both self-congratulations and concern gave creases to Geist’s sun-tanned face. “I found a lead.”

  Ben perked up and tossed back another swig of ale. “Let’s go. Where to?”

  A crooked smile lightened Geist’s face, and he nodded to something behind Ben. “I’m not the one to ask.”

  Impatient curiosity had Ben pushing his drink away and turning from his seat. He stopped and blinked before hopping off his stool and surging forward to the dark-garbed figure. “Zak?”

  Zak Monomi grasped Ben�
�s forearm and pulled him into a one-armed hug, complete with an eye-watering back slap.

  Relief and incredulity burst out of Ben in a short laugh that shook off some of the shadows haunting him. He grinned, feeling like things may turn around. “Is it good to see you! Where’s Jade?”

  The light in Zak’s eyes dimmed ever so slightly. “She’s at the marchioness’s. And I have a lot to fill you in on.”

  Misgivings dampened the warmth of Ben’s brief excitement and he sobered. “Sounds good.”

  He looked to the corner where Michael and Rebecca sat and caught Michael’s eye. Ben tilted his head toward Zak and Michael’s face lit up. He nudged Rebecca, and she visibly startled, then broke into a wide smile. They slid out of their booth and made their way over to them.

  Zak led them out of the warmth of the bar and into the cool breeze of the autumn evening. He waited for Ben, Geist, and the Worthington’s to draw near before setting a quick pace to the east. Leaves drifted down from trees lining the road, and Zak swatted at one that drifted in front of his face. “So there’s a few things you need to know before we get there.”

  Zak’s quick, concise explanation of Victor’s message and choice of delivery, Everett’s blackmail for Jade, and Weston’s willingness to help them in any capacity left Ben reeling with shock, anger, and a new sense of desire to see Jade. She’d been through a whole different type of “difficult” in the last few months.

  And she might not have the ability to assist them as they’d dared to hope—if what Zak was explaining was accurate.

  “So Brandon made it here, right? What is he doing now?” Ben scratched his beard as he walked. The simple cobblestone road split into two different paths, and Zak veered to the left, everything in his stride speaking volumes of his comfortableness at this new place. Ivy of some sort grew on a large wall, running as far as Ben could see down the road, the leaves tinged with reds and browns that fluttered in the breeze.

  Zak’s jaw clenched as he shrugged. “Not much good, is what he’s doing.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “He showed up on the palace doorstep and essentially demanded to speak to Queen Violet—not Everett. Violet. That caused a quite a commotion. Then he showed up at Francene’s and demanded to speak to Jade.” Zak’s drummed his fingers on the hilt of his sword. “You can imagine her reaction to that.”