“I can barely run the kingdom I’m currently responsible for, what in the world would I do with another one?” The risk of someone else taking over Argonas and invading Cymmera was high. But if that happened, his armies would defend their kingdom.
“Maybe someone good will take over Argonas.”
“Perhaps. But it’s highly unlikely. Argonas is a harsh realm. Filled with savages who will need to be brought under control, tamed. It’s not likely a kind-hearted, timid leader could do that. But there’s always the possibility whoever it is will be content to conquer his own realm and leave us alone.”
“Is that likely?”
“Who knows?” Jackson took her hand. “Chayce is not aware of the prophet’s predictions. If he was, he might feel differently. Elijah has been warning of danger coming.”
Ryleigh gasped and tried to pull her hand away.
He only gripped it tighter. “Take it easy. You said earlier Mia’s been saying the same thing. It is possible she’s seeing something, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s a seer. She may just be…aware…that something might happen. After everything she’s been through, it’s not really too far-fetched for her to have bad dreams or think violence is coming. Even without any special knowledge or talents.”
Fear filled Ryleigh’s eyes. “I guess.” She ran her tongue along her lips. “Can you stop it? The danger, I mean.”
He pulled his gaze from her full lips and tamped down his desire. “If I send our armies to Argonas, men will die. Most likely a lot of men. I don’t want to lose any more of my people if I can help it.” He lowered his head and massaged his temples. Did that make him a weak leader? He had no idea, but with the threat of Kai hanging over them all, he preferred to keep his warriors in Cymmera to protect their home and their people. He’d stood outside of Kai’s chambers and overheard Kai acknowledge someone else as his King. The other voice had been so familiar, even though it was distorted through a portal. It could have been Daygan, but it didn’t feel right in his gut.
Chapter 2
Ryleigh stepped back and swung the heavy sword. A second later she lay flat on her back staring up at the elaborately carved, domed ceiling. Again. She lifted her head.
Jackson straddled her hips. The jerk wasn’t even breathing hard. “Too slow. Try again.”
She let her head fall back and closed her eyes. Try again? Was he trying to train her to fight or kill her?
His weight lifted off her. “Let’s go.”
“I can’t.” She coughed and rolled onto her side.
“You have to.” He stood over her, hand extended to help her up.
Ignoring the proffered hand, she climbed to her feet. “Ugh…”
Jackson smirked. “Are you ready?”
Since every muscle in her body screamed in protest, including the ones in her face since she’d spent so much time clenching her teeth, she did her best to glare at him. She could only hope he got the hint.
His laughter indicated he might not fully understand her frustration. Then again, it could also mean he understood perfectly and simply found her prolonged torture entertaining.
“Okay.” He held his hands up, palms toward her, his laughter fading to an amused smile. “Why are you having such a hard time with this?”
Ryleigh opened her mouth but bit back the sharp retort. Fire burned through her shoulders. “I think maybe the sword is too heavy.”
Jackson frowned. “Hmm…”
“Every time I swing it over my head, it feels like something’s pulling in my shoulders.” That was an understatement. Each time she lifted the heavy, ornate sword, her shoulders and upper back screeched in agony.
“Wait here.”
As he walked away, she studied the way the dark jeans clung to the muscles in his thighs until the door fell shut behind him. Then she sighed. The thought of dropping to the mat and laying still for a while appealed to her…until she remembered she’d only have to haul herself back up again. Instead, she hobbled to the other side of the room and lowered herself gently into a chair. Clasping her hands together, she stretched them out in front of her in an effort to ease some of the stiffness. No good. Crossing her arms to stretch her back did little to ease the tension in her muscles either. She cautiously rolled her shoulders, the stab of pain coming even sooner than she’d expected.
The door opened, the wood screeching against the stone floor.
She couldn’t take any more.
Jackson crossed the room, a large pouch cradled in his hands. Curiosity chased away some of her self-pity.
“I was saving this for something special, but it’s probably better if you train with it now anyway. So…” He knelt before her and laid the pouch across her lap. “Open it.”
She untied three leather cords and spread the cloth apart. The sword was much thinner and lighter than the one she’d been training with but just as long. She fingered the purple and clear jewels, similar to amethyst and diamonds, adorning the handle of the delicate sword, ran her fingers carefully up the blade. “It’s gorgeous.” Beside the sword lay a long strip of dark purple leather.
“I had it made special for you. It’s much lighter, so it should be easier for you to work with.”
She gripped the handle and lifted it above her head, then faltered at the twinge in her shoulder and lowered the sword to her lap.
“Here. Let me help you.” Jackson took the sword and put it back on the cloth, lifted everything from her lap and laid it all on the floor. Then he stood and moved behind her.
The pressure of his fingers against her neck sent a new wave of pain crashing through her. She started to shy away, but he only increased the pressure.
The muscles beneath his fingers tingled. Warmth heated her neck, spread steadily down through her shoulders and upper back as his attention moved lower. The pain dissipated, leaving her muscles warm and supple. Flexible.
She relaxed into his gentle touch. “Whatever you’re doing, don’t stop.”
“Now that I’m no longer banished and stripped of my powers, I’m able to heal you.”
Heat spread through her.
“You have no idea how badly it hurt me to leave you suffering when you were injured in the earthquake.” He moved his magic hands lower down her back. “You’ll have to start trying to heal on your own at some point, though.”
Ryleigh ignored the statement, not yet ready to contemplate she might actually have special powers too. She let her head drop forward as he played his fingers up and over her neck. A small moan of pleasure escaped before she could stop it.
He jumped back. “Does that feel better?”
The loss of his touch left her empty, and she ached for the flow of energy to return. She rolled her shoulders and tilted her head from side to side. “Wow. That feels amazing.” She turned on her chair to say thank you, but stopped short the instant she faced him.
Heat filled his eyes.
He tucked a few strands of long blonde hair that had come loose from her ponytail behind her ear. His fingers lingered along her neck, tracing a line over her frantically racing pulse. He leaned closer, his gaze locked on hers, the intensity burning through her.
She tamped down the flare of desire.
A small groan escaped Jackson as his eyes fell shut an instant before his lips gently caressed hers. He slid his hands around her back and pulled her up from the chair and into his embrace. His lips crashed down