Shadow Fire (29 page)

"I doubt it," Zane says laughing. "I think he hides his compassionate nature behind a carefully built facade. You don't think I'd allow a moronic lecher to accompany us do you?"

The ship suddenly lurches, and I fall into Zane. He catches me, but we both tumble to the floor when the ship shakes again. We jump to our feet, running out to the deck. Taranis is on the starboard side, yelling a string of curses.

"What's wrong?" Zane yells.

"Kraken," he replies, "we need to take it out before it destroys the ship!"

Leaning out over the rail, I'm astonished at the creature in the water. It's an enormous, blue squid-like monstrosity with two large eyes, black as pitch, each at least as large as Freya. Multiple tentacles flail around smashing into the water while several wrap around the ship. In all my life I've never seen a being this massive, as tall as the tallest tree in the forest and as wide as a house.

"Everyone get down below!" Taranis orders. The crew obeys, fleeing to the aft stairwell. "Okay, Zane, help me destroy this thing!"

"Kraken's are highly aligned with darkness. Ashlyn, attack it with your light magic," Zane orders, his eyes meeting mine.

I gape at him.
What if I fail?
I'm not sure I can attack since I have yet to practice.

"Now! Don't think, just do it! Taranis and I will protect you. You're stronger than you realize. Concentrate and destroy that thing before it hurts one of the boys down below."

Gathering my energy, I picture the weapon I thought of several nights ago. Chambering my right hand against my body, I build the energy around me until I can feel it tingling against my skin. Then I thrust my right hand forward, palm toward the monster.

"Prism spear!" I shout.

The light magic gathers into a multicolored lance that flies through the air and pierces the kraken through the body, blinding us with a brilliant flash of light. When the light fades, the kraken sinks back into the depths of the ocean, tentacles thrashing in a wild dance before ceasing all movement. I'm winded from the amount of energy I expended. When I glance over at Zane, he has an awestruck expression on his face. He picks me up and spins around on the deck with me in his arms.

"That was amazing! No, it was astounding!" He laughs. "Delistaire won't stand a chance against an attack like that."

The rest of the crew starts filtering back onto the deck now that the ship is no longer shaking. Throwing my arms around Zane's neck, I lean into him still dizzy from the spinning.

"You may thank your savior," Taranis informs his crew. "Ashlyn took the monster out single handedly and with only one hit."

There's excited chatter as the story spreads among the crew. I spend the rest of the afternoon sitting on a blanket next to the helm, while watching Taranis and Zane continue to spar with swords, daggers, and the occasional magic spell. Crew members come to sit with me whenever they get a break from their duties. Each one showers me with thanks and adoration. However, the most enjoyable part of the whole afternoon is listening to the story of my conquest grow wilder and wilder with each retelling. Well that and the chocolate cookies Hanna baked to celebrate my victory.

****

The rest of the week aboard the pirate ship flies by in a fantastic blur. I can't remember ever having this much fun my entire life. The days are filled with sparring and magic practice. My control has continued to improve much to my constant amazement. The light magic just seems to flow from within, almost like an extension of myself. Zane and I spend the evenings in Taranis's quarters. We stay up late into the night talking and laughing.

Taranis still acts the lecher at times, but now I find it humorous and only a tad irritating. It seems almost like a bad habit, an old defense mechanism. Perhaps we can break him of it over time. Tonight's our last night on the ship. Taranis expects to dock in Karina tomorrow in the early morning.

Zane and I are seated on the sofa in Taranis's room when he bursts through the door, an excited look on his face.

"So I heard from a certain persistent creature that today is your birthday, my fiery vixen," Taranis says, crossing the cabin with his hands behind his back.

"I'm sorry," I say, shaking my head in confusion. "What creature?"

"Shadow stalked me all afternoon until I finally understood the images he was projecting to me," Taranis replies with a smirk.

"Is this true?" Zane asks me, smiling as he caresses my cheek.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that Shadow is communicating something as inconsequential as my birthday to Taranis?

When I nod, he says, "Happy Birthday, Love." Zane's kiss is soft and gentle, yet it still leaves me a bit breathless.

"Well, since he probably won't let me kiss you, I brought some Meriban wine to celebrate," Taranis says as he displays the bottle with a puffed out chest. "It's the finest wine on the continent."

"And the strongest," Zane warns. "Take it easy with that stuff."

After Hanna drops off the evening meal, the captain opens the bottle of wine. I've never had wine before and find the woodsy berry flavor quite enjoyable. Taranis keeps my glass full, and it's not long before my head starts feeling strange. I'm having quite a bit of difficulty focusing my eyes.

When Taranis calls out to me, I whip my head around only to see two of him. That's just plain scary seeing as one is already more than I can handle. The strangest part is everything just seems so hilarious. I can't stop laughing at anything and everything. I lurch to my feet, falling into Zane’s waiting arms as everything fades to black around me.

****

It's morning. The light against my closed eyes is too bright, and my head is throbbing like a second heartbeat. As I sit up, I try to recall the events of the previous evening.
Why does my head feel like someone's stabbing it over and over?
When I crack an eye open, I realize I'm in Taranis's bed.

Holy Goddess, what am I doing here?

At least I'm alone and fully clothed. Breathing a huge sigh of relief, I flop back down onto the bed, grimacing when blinding pains shoot through my head again. Now the room won't stop spinning. I throw my arm over my face to block out the annoying light. The door opens, and I listen to soft footsteps crossing the room, followed by a tiny clatter over by the sofa.

"All right, dear," Hanna says in a cheerful voice that turns my stomach. "It's time to get up and have some tea and toast."

My stomach rebels at the thought of food. I groan at the mere idea of eating.

"Oh, you poor thing, Taranis told me what he did to you last night."

Dear Goddess, what did he do to me?

"I've told that boy more than once to stay away from Meriban wine, potent stuff that wine is. Now get over here and eat young lady," she orders.

"Okay, I'm coming."

I drag myself off the bed, collapsing on the sofa. Hanna hands me an herb, and I gobble it down, ignoring the bitter taste. Deciding I can choke down toast, I take a few small nibbles, followed by a sip of tea. The tea is heaven sent. I start feeling better almost immediately.

"Where are Zane and Taranis?"

"They're locked up in separate cells in the brig," she says with a chuckle. "It took most of the crew to corral Taranis. Zane simply asked to be locked up away from you. He was spouting something about you having to remain pure for your quest."

Warmth floods my cheeks. To my horror, she continues the tale.

"He screamed that he couldn't resist you any longer and said we needed to lock him up to save your virtue."

Dear Goddess, it just keeps getting worse.

"Why'd you have to lock up Taranis?" I ask, already fearing the answer.

"After we locked up Zane, Taranis declared you were now fair game. I was honestly afraid that man of yours was gonna break down the bars of his cell."

Unable to face Hanna any longer, I hide my scarlet face in my hands.

"Some of the crew tackled the captain before he could make it back to you. Funny thing is you slept through the whole thing. I haven't laughed so hard in ages!"

"Why are they still locked up?" I ask, choosing to ignore her boisterous laughter.

"None of us are brave enough to let them out so we decided to let you do it," she says through bits of laughter. "Come, if you've finished breakfast it's time to let the ogres out of their cells."

She rises and I follow her from the room without a word. When we reach the deck, everyone stops to stare at me. Trying to ignore the blatant curiosity, I follow Hanna down the aft stairs to the brig. Zane and Taranis occupy cells across from each other. They're both sitting on the floor glaring daggers at each other. Hanna hands the key to me and slips away. Inching closer, I'm careful to remain out of reach of the two prisoners. As soon as they see me, both men jump up and start talking over each other.

"Ashlyn! How are you feeling, Love?" Zane asks.

"Ashlyn, my fiery angel, you are a ray of sunshine in this dank prison!" Taranis says.

"I'm gonna let you both out, if, and only if, you promise to behave," I threaten. Both men nod their agreement. "That means no fighting. It also means we never, and I mean
never
, speak of what happened last night." When I get no argument, I free Zane first and then Taranis.

"Do you even know what happened last night?" Zane asks, taking me into his arms. I stand rigid in his embrace, not sure if I'm ready to forgive him quite yet.

"Only what Hanna told me," I snap at him.

"I saved your virtue from this raving lunatic," Taranis says, pointing at Zane.

"Then you decided to take it for yourself!" Zane yells back at him.

"Did you not hear me?" I shout. Pulling myself from Zane's embrace, I back up and glare at both men. "No speaking of last night. Period. End of discussion."

"Yes, Love," Zane replies.

"Yes, virtuous virgin," Taranis replies.

"Taranis!" I release a menacing growl, and wince when my right eye starts to tic.

"Yes?" he asks, eyes full of mock innocence.

"Run," Zane says.

Taranis listens to Zane's advice and takes off up the stairs to the deck with me hot on his heels.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Karina

It feels strange to be on solid ground again after being on a ship for five days. There's a constant sensation of the ground moving beneath my feet, resulting in a nauseating feeling of vertigo. Of course, I don't know if it's caused by my hangover or "land sickness", as Taranis calls it. I'm taking perverse pleasure in the fact that Zane and Taranis seem to be suffering as much as I am.

We're walking down the main street of Karina, and I'm awed by the stunning beauty. Colorful row houses decorate each side of the pristine cobblestone streets. Nobody in this town is shy about decorating their houses with as much color and individuality as they can. For the most part it's nice, but every now and then we pass a house where the residents went overboard in the color scheme. Rainbow shouldn't be a paint theme for one's home. Another interesting house had numerous statues of the Goddess all over the walkway, lawn, porch, anywhere a statue could perch. For a brief moment I wonder if I could just grab one of them and head back to Verdane.
As if that would ever work.
Though, the thought does make me laugh when I picture Mayor Franklin accepting the bright orange and green statue prominently displayed by the front door, all the while expressing his never ending gratitude for my efforts.

Townsfolk are rushing here and there. Everyone acts like they're late, tearing through the streets in fast blurs. Truth be told, just watching them is exhausting. Taranis seems to have something complimentary to say to every pretty female we pass, no matter how young or old. Zane ignores the rogue's blatant behavior. I think he's just relieved to see the lecherous captain's affections no longer directed at me. We stop at a couple of shops to stock up on food and healing elixirs before heading to the main gate. Taranis haggles better than anyone I've ever met. We end up leaving the shops having only paid half price for everything.

The sun is high in the sky when we reach the main gate out of Karina. As we exit the city, I stop for a moment, taken aback by the terrain. An immense marsh extends from the city out as far as the eye can see. Though a wide river winds along to our left, I don't see any sign of a bridge. Beyond the river in the far distance is a tall ebony tower, menace seeping from it in waves. My eyes start to burn the longer I stare at the black monstrosity.

"Is that…" I ask, trailing off, pointing to the large tower in the distance.

"Yes, it's Delistaire's laboratory," Zane replies. "Don't look at it. It'll be out of sight soon enough."

He takes my chin in his hand, forcing my eyes away from the tower. The painful burning fades away once my eyes are averted.

"Is he there?" I ask, not knowing if I want the answer.

"I have no idea," Zane says. "My guess is yes. Come, we need to cross this marsh to reach the bridge spanning the river."

My gaze returns to the endless marsh. There's no way I'm sloshing through a swamp. Zane leads us to the edge of the marsh, stopping in front of a series of floating bridges offering passage over the wetlands. He starts walking out onto the bridge and I gulp before following behind him. My held breath comes out in a relieved
whoosh
when I realize the bridge is sturdier than it appears. The water is brackish, and I have no desire to go for a swim. Taranis walks behind me followed by Shadow.

Freya soars in the air above us. She returned from her hunt yesterday injured. Whatever prey she was after must've fought back. I have no idea what could be strong enough to injure a griffin. Hanna treated and bound the long gash on her flank. Freya seems to be on the road to recovery, but we can't ride her until she heals. For some reason, our healing magic didn't work on her. Zane was unable to offer an explanation other than a griffin's natural resistance to magic.

"We should reach the bridge leading to the plains by late afternoon," Zane calls out over his shoulder.