The Lost Alliance (The Nihryst Book 3) Read online

  Splinters went flying through the air as the mast snapped in two. Lee let out a curse while pulling Ada down and shielding her with his body.

  “We’re like sitting ducks out here,” he said before standing and bellowing out orders. “Off the ship, now!”

  She’d never seen the crew move so quickly. They’d already geared up before reaching the port, thank the stars. The gangway was all but thrown down to the wooden plank below. Then, they were running. Lee grabbed Ada’s hand and dragged her down the steps from the helm. They waited until the last crew member was on the dock to follow.

  Another cannonball hit the next platform over. People in the streets screamed, running for cover in their homes. Ada didn’t let go of Lee’s hand. He was right. On the docks, they were open targets, but in the streets of Senfyr, they could hide and blend in. Michel’s men wouldn’t dare fire into their own village.

  Or so she thought.

  A large, brick building ahead shattered upon impact. Lee yelled out for them to turn west, away from the hills. As they reached the nearest building and ducked around the corner, it was Ada’s turn to curse.

  In one swift movement, Lee released her hand and they both unsheathed their swords, ready to face the soldiers charging them. Cannons, they couldn’t fight, but men? Against equal weapons, they stood a chance. Ada tightened her grip on her blade and widened her stance. Fighting alongside the once-immortal warriors, she felt as if she’d stepped right into one of her fairy tales.

  Chapter 23

  Shane

  A hand brushed Shane’s at his side. He didn’t need to look over. He simply hooked a finger around one of Phillip’s as they stood near the cabin of the large warship. No one paid them any attention. Soldiers moved about, preparing the longboats and weapons.

  “It’s strange seeing you dressed as a soldier,” Phillip said.

  Shane had changed from his regal attire to plain, navy blue clothes covered in light chainmail. With a sword strapped around his waist and a few smaller blades along his body, it made it all the more real. Despite his insistence to stay with Phillip, however, Shane was going in one of the last boats and heading farther east than the others. “I should be going with you.”

  “No, you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t be going at all.” Phillip turned to face him. “I have to go with the first crew because I’m the captain, Shane.”

  “And I’m the king,” he hissed out of the side of his mouth. He still wouldn’t look at his husband. It hurt too much—the thought of leaving him, of heading into a potential battle separated.

  “Which is why you need to stay safe.”

  At that, Shane finally turned. “You need to stay safe too.”

  “I’m replaceable—”

  “Not to me!”

  A few men paused to look at them, but Shane no longer cared.

  “Get back to work,” Phillip hollered. They obeyed, but Shane knew they were still being watched. Phillip took a half-step closer and lowered his voice. “This is my job, Shane. One you gave me, if you recall. You may be the king, but unless you strip me of my title as Captain, I’m in charge here. And if you replace me, I can guarantee the next person won’t let you anywhere near the open shore until those cannons are taken out.”

  Shane clenched his jaw. Around them, the world began to darken as the sun sank below the horizon. Lanterns were lit, but they were still out of firing range. As soon as it was time to leave, the lights would be extinguished, they’d sail a little farther east to change their location, and then lower the longboats.

  Shane stared at Phillip, unsure what to say. Anger rolled through him. Not at Phillip, but at this entire situation. They rarely argued—he couldn’t remember the last time they fought—and to do so the day after tying their lives together… it hurt.

  “Captain isn’t your only title anymore,” he said.

  Phillip paled, opening and closing his mouth.

  Shane lowered his voice. “You are Prince Consort now. That means your safety is a priority as well.”

  Phillip looked as if he was about to argue, but someone called out that the boats and men were ready. He thanked them, telling them he’d be with them in a moment before turning back to Shane.

  “I hate this too,” Phillip whispered, as if he could read Shane’s thoughts. “I’ll find you when we get to shore.”

  Shane simply shook his head, his stomach twisting in knots. He couldn’t bring himself to speak. All he could think was, if we make it to shore. Or rather, if Phillip made it. Shane’s boat had a higher chance as the others took the focus of anyone looking.

  “I love you,” Phillip said, brushing a hand down Shane’s arm, squeezing his fingers once and then turning away.

  Shane’s chest tightened as he watched him walk toward the nearest boat. Phillip talked to a couple of the men and motioned for the boats to begin lowering. They lined the side of the ship facing away from Rayerna, and they were far enough that no one would be able to make out the movements, even with a telescope.

  “Your Majesty, we need to get going so they can extinguish the lights,” a man said, approaching him.

  But Shane’s eyes were still on Phillip directing their soldiers. His feet were moving before he could register what he was doing. Phillip put one foot over the rail, ready to step into the boat.

  “Wait,” Shane said, the word croaking out in no more than a whisper across the wind. That couldn’t be their last conversation. Phillip couldn’t leave thinking he was mad at him, not when tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed. “Wait!”

  Phillip stilled, the chatter among the others around him halting. Shane reached him but hesitated. He wanted to pull the man to him, tell him how much he loved him, but he wouldn’t in front of everyone before Phillip was ready for them to know. No matter how much it made him ache inside.

  “I…” He glanced around at the boat filled with men and women. Then, he met those hazel eyes boring into him. He cleared his throat. “You’re right.”

  By the smirk growing on Phillip’s face, he knew the simple words conveyed all he’d wanted to say.

  Well, not everything.

  “I do too,” he added, tilting his head forward.

  Phillip lifted his leg back over the rail and stood to his full height. “I’m always right.”

  Shane nearly laughed. “Stay safe, Captain.” He emphasized the word, hoping Phillip knew he understood the duty he felt to his men, the pride he had in that title. Shane gave him one last nod before he started moving toward his own boat farther down the deck.

  “Shane.”

  The king turned, trying to hide the grin threatening to form at being called out informally while surrounded by so many others. Whispers started, but he didn’t care. Here, as they all headed into war, his title meant little. It wouldn’t protect him more than the others, no matter how much they tried to make it.

  “I’ll see you on shore,” Phillip said with a pointed look.

  Shane bit the inside of his bottom lip and nodded. When he hesitated, Phillip closed the distance between them, pulling him into a quick hug. It was no secret they were best friends, but Shane knew some would make assumptions with the gesture. Especially if there were already rumors.

  “I love you,” Shane whispered, squeezing him tight. He lingered a second longer than he should have.

  “Remember to breathe.” Clearing his throat, Phillip pulled away. “I’ll see you soon. I promise.”

  Shane wanted to tell him not to make such promises in these times, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak the words. Instead, he patted Phillip on the shoulder, turned around, and walked to his boat, preparing to head into a fight he wasn’t sure they could win.

  Chapter 24

  Loxley

  Rubble scattered through the air, bricks and dust flying. Lee held Ada against his chest, bending to cover her body with his. When the street stilled, he blinked away the dirt and grime and stood. He relaxed his hold on Ada enough so they could both turn toward the eerie quietn
ess. Even through the smoky ash covering everything, he could see the blood. The unmoving bodies.

  Ada took a step forward, but Lee couldn’t. His heart raced, his head swirling with images. The attack was too similar to that final day of war so long ago. His crew had made it through, of course, but Prince Louis had not. Though his brother, King Henri, had been the one to curse the Nihryst and forced them into battle—after marrying the woman Lee loved—Lee had no qualms with the young prince. Louis had been like a brother to Lee, just as Henri was once upon a time.

  When Louis was killed in this very village, while accompanying the Nihryst to obtain a prisoner, it had been the last straw. The war ended, but instead of freeing Lee and his crew as promised, Henri had them taken and left on Cyfrin—the lost island of the south.

  “Loxley.” Blue eyes met his as two small hands tilted his face up. By the concerned tone and use of his full name, he knew Ada had called for him more than once. Her thumb brushed along his cheek as she whispered, “Breathe.”

  He did, and then he glanced around. The loss of Prince Louis had hurt, but that pain wasn’t what had stopped him. Reaching for Ada’s hand, he took a hesitant step forward and began searching for his crew. His friends who were no longer immortal.

  In fighting off the Rayernan soldiers, they’d split up in their attempt to both reach the castle and the cannons on the hillside. He saw a few in their group emerge from a nearby alley where they’d taken cover. A couple sat up from the rubble, covered in dust but seemingly unharmed. Someone was crying at the end of the street—a citizen caught up in the attack, kneeling over another.

  Lee turned on the spot. He counted his crew once, twice.

  “Brienne,” he choked out. When no one responded, he yelled her name again, not caring if it attracted more enemy forces.

  “Lee.” George waved him over to a pile of bricks and ash, and his heart nearly stopped. Releasing Lee’s hand, Ada ran to the spot. Lee sheathed his sword while closing the distance. As he got closer, he saw his best friend’s messy curls amongst the blood. He dropped to his knees, helping the others move away the bits of stone covering Brienne.

  “Brienne, please,” Lee whispered, placing two fingers at the side of her throat. A faint heartbeat met his fingertips, and he let out a breath. He looked her over, scanning for major injuries. Blood trickled from a cut in her temple, but other than some scratches and no doubt future bruises, she appeared to be whole. None of her limbs seemed out of place at least. He put a palm on her cheek. “Brienne.”

  Her eyelids fluttered. “Can’t get rid of me that easily.”

  Something between a sob and a laugh left Ada’s mouth across from him. She reached over and grabbed the dagger always waiting in Lee’s boot, and she used it to cut into the hem of her shirt before ripping off a small strip. Folding the cloth so the cleaner side was facing out, Ada placed it against Brienne’s head.

  “Can you sit?” Lee asked. When Brienne nodded, he slid an arm beneath her shoulders and helped her up.

  “Déjà vu much?” Brienne lifted her hand to take over holding the makeshift bandage.

  “Not funny.” He took the dagger from Ada, put it back in its place, and stood. Glancing around, he asked, “Everyone else all right?”

  The crew gathered around, mumbling their yeses as they took up defensive stances. No other soldiers appeared though, and the cannons had ceased for now. They were likely reloading and waiting for signs of movement.

  “Ada, can you get us into the castle grounds without being seen from the eastern hills?” Lee looked around for the other half of their crew. Sure enough, the sound of another cannonball hitting several streets away let him know Rayerna was still fighting.

  With one hand still on Brienne’s shoulder, Ada met his eyes. They needed to take out those cannons. If they were causing this much disaster on their own village, what would they do to those approaching the shores? The sun was starting to set, meaning her brother and those at sea would move soon.

  “Is there another way in besides the main gates and the forest opening to the gardens?” he asked. Going all the way around and in through Shirewood would take too long. They didn’t have that kind of time.

  “The service entrance is close by,” Ada said after a moment. “If we can make it there, it’s a straight shot to the castle behind the high walls.”

  “How close?”

  She looked from one end of the street to the other, as if gauging their location since the nearest street sign had been lost in the hit. “Maybe a couple blocks.”

  “That will have to do.” Lee held out both hands to Brienne. “Can you stand?”

  “Yes,” she said, accepting his help. Between him and Ada, they got her up and brushed off some of the dust. She swayed on her feet a bit, but Lee didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled her into a hug.

  “I’m glad you’re all right,” he said against the top of her head.

  She nodded and leaned back. “Let’s go find this damned, wannabe king and get you that throne.”

  Smiling, he snatched up her sword that had fallen nearby and handed it to her before pulling out his own. Together, they followed Ada through the streets, sticking to the shadows of the stone buildings. Occasionally, another group of soldiers appeared, but just as they had over a century earlier, the Nihryst fought as if unstoppable. They appeared as an undefeatable force as they made their way to the western wall of the castle grounds.

  But Lee knew better. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone on his crew was injured or worse. No one was safe in this war. No one except him and the woman he loved.

  Ada held up a hand at the next corner and peered around the wall with George at her side. Lee fought the instinct to go to her—to be the first into the street. But he stayed with Brienne near the back, ready to help her if needed and to guard their rear. Besides, Ada might not have been in a war before, but she was smart and a natural at strategizing. Even before she began training with Ren and Brienne months ago, he’d seen the strength and fierceness she possessed with a blade. Though he would have been terrified if she was still mortal, he knew she could hold her own, regardless.

  Ada motioned to wait and whispered back, “There are a handful of guards near the entrance.”

  Their tired crew straightened, preparing for the next fight. Lee nodded to Ada when she met his eyes. Then, she turned and headed across the street. Lee heard the shouts of alarm before he saw the men.

  “Go,” Brienne hissed. “I’m fine. Go with her.”

  His second had limped along slowly, but her sword was as steady as ever. With her free hand, she shoved him toward the others.

  “I’ll be a few steps behind,” she said.

  He didn’t want to leave her—his best friend for nearly one hundred and thirty years. But when a bell began ringing and a cannonball slammed into the wall they were attempting to breach, he knew he needed to.

  “Stay here until it’s clear.” Before she could argue, he added, “Watch our backs and wait for my signal. That’s an order.”

  Sighing, she nodded in understanding. And then, he was running.

  The chaos nearly stunned him. It wasn’t a handful of men like Ada had warned. Swarms of soldiers spilled out of the castle grounds through the wall that now sat wide open. Lee tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and moved. He crossed the street, trying to see if everyone on his side was still alive while taking down one Rayernan after the other. The thought made him sick. These were technically his men too. As the rightful king, he wanted to protect them. Which was why he’d given the demand on the ship to avoid fatal strikes if possible.

  Killing was inevitable though. There was no way to spare each person, not as his small crew was overwhelmed and outnumbered. Only experience was on their side.

  A large silhouette appeared in the hole in the wall. The man was so tall, so broad, that he blocked out any light coming from the grounds. He stepped through the rubble, holding a longsword in one hand and a mace in th
e other.

  Lee yelled a warning, but of course, the only one to hear him was Ada, as if she was especially attuned to his voice even over the rest of the noise. She looked from Lee to the beast of a man approaching their crew. Lee’s experienced men wouldn’t stand a chance against this soldier, let alone her standing at half his size.

  “No!” Lee ran but knew he wouldn’t reach her in time. Immortal or not, she could still be injured to the point of not continuing for a good day or so. They didn’t have that kind of time. And he didn’t think he could stomach seeing her die again, even if it was only temporary.

  Ada held her sword high in defiance, her face donning that look of pure stubbornness that he loved so much. Swinging the mace around, the soldier went toward her with a wicked grin spreading. Lee fought off three guards on his way to the princess, keeping one eye on her at all times. She ducked and made her advance. The man deflected her with his sword as if she was nothing but a nuisance, knocking her weapon from her hand.

  Her eyes widened as her sword clattered to the ground feet away. She visibly swallowed and began retreating, hands out to her sides. Lee growled at the men surrounding him, pulling in that rage he’d felt the day she’d collapsed in his arms weeks ago. His blade pierced through a soldier’s abdomen, and Lee shoved him away, into another oncoming attacker.

  With them thrown off, he used the distraction to close the remaining distance to Ada. The large man lifted his sword high in the air, as if he planned to swing it straight down through her. Lee didn’t breathe. He couldn’t. They were immortal, but how would she come back from something so extreme?

  “Ada, move!” He was still too far away.

  She looked around for something to block the blow or fight back; Lee could see it in her eyes. But he could also see the fear.

  “Ada!”

  Light glinted off the blade as the man brought it down.

  Only to be knocked off course by an arrow to his hand. The man grunted in pain and turned to find the archer, and it was all the time Lee needed. His sword went up through the man’s torso. Lee twisted, pushing it as far as he could to make sure it reached the heart. Gasping for air, the soldier fell to his knees, blood pooling beneath him. Lee’s blade slid free, and he stood panting, staring at the man for a long moment.