Awakening (Birthright Trilogy #2) Read online

  Catherine (Cat, Kitty-Cat)—One of the four main girls Fire Elemental

  Sian (Sianny, Sianus)—One of the four main girls Water Elemental

  Kassandra (Kassie, Kass)—One of the four main girls Air Elemental

  Laura (Loi)—One of the four main girls Earth Elemental

  Alek—Head of Griffon Guard, heir to the throne - rides Loushka, a female griffon with red undertones

  Daron—Member of Griffon Guard, rides Nesha, a male griffon with blue undertones

  Sabyn—Member of Griffon Guard, rides Tomiar, a female griffon with green undertones

  Rumal—Member of Griffon Guard, rides Kerak, a male griffon with gold undertones

  Gredel—Member of Griffon Guard, rides Phroma, a female griffon with violet undertones

  Citaan—Gredel's wife

  Elena—The Sorceress of Elion

  Yakov—The late King's adviser

  Leseach—A Northerner

  Lieutenant Ignatius (Iggy)—A Lieutenant of the General Guard

  Lieutenant Rashid—A Lieutenant of the General Guard

  Lieutenant Patel—A Lieutenant of the General Guard

  Lieutenant Belsesus—A Lieutenant of the Centaur Cavalry, Aswaran Division

  Lieutenant Larvaste—A Lieutenant of the Centaur Cavalry, Aswaran Division

  Lieutenant Chaieth—A Lieutenant of the Centaur Cavalry, Aswaran Division

  Oomoth—A soldier in the Centaur Cavalry, Aswaran Division

  Jenviet—The Sorceress of Vo'Arum (also known as The South)

  A note to the reader, this book utilizes multiple points of view. A full line space between text denotes a change in point of view.

  The laughter, light and joyful, echoed beguilingly, skipping off the bedchamber walls. Loi woke with a gasp.

  Was that Cat?

  Sabyn snored quietly as she lay tense, waiting for another hint of it.

  Oh, stuff it.

  She slipped out of the warm sheets and quietly lifted her robe from the chair. The silky fabric whispered around her shoulders as she tied it firmly at the waist before easing the door open and sneaking out. The corridor was silent and the white stone walls appeared almost silver in the dull light as she hurried along, bare feet slapping against the smooth wooden floor. Around the corner, the guards on either side of the Royal Chamber doors exchanged a glance when they spotted her. Audrey, who'd been dozing at their feet, sat up wagging her tail in greeting. Loi gave the dog's head a quick pat and nodded to the men before easing one of the doors open.

  As soon as it clicked shut, she knew she was wrong.

  The two figures lay prone on the ornate beds, and the only sound in the large room was the exhalations of Cat and Alek. With an exhausted sob Loi slumped back against the door and slid down to the floor, elbows on her knees, head buried in her arms.

  Sabyn tried to open one of the doors, but something held it closed. He carefully opened the other and peeked in. The sight of her, hunched against the door with tear-streaked cheeks as she stared at the floor, made his heart squeeze tight. Sabyn stepped into the room and closed the door, then sat beside her.

  'I'm so sorry, I really thought…' she whispered in a broken voice.

  He reached over and pulled her into his arms, cradling her as she began to weep again.

  'I know, love.'

  Words muffled against his chest and he shushed her when she tried to speak. Sabyn tucked her into his arms tighter and stroked that ebony mane.

  It was the third midnight run this week, the most so far. Ever since Cat and Alek had been put in here, two long months ago, Loi had been waking up convinced she'd heard Catherine. The abrupt, late night exits had begun to take a toll on them both. Loi had permanent dark circles under her eyes, and they'd both lost several kilos. Staying conscious in the Council meetings, which were tedious on the best of days, was more challenging than ever for Sabyn.

  Unfortunately, there was little that could be done. Elena had tried giving Loi sleep potions, but her elemental energy burned through the medicinal properties before they could be of use. It appeared that until Cat and Alek woke from their deep sleeps, this would be the norm.

  The last two months had been like a waking nightmare. Keeping a semblance of normality at the castle was a constant challenge after such a major attack. Twenty important guests had been killed, and dozens more injured. On top of all that, the Crown Prince lay unconscious still, having just announced his betrothal prior to the attack. Dignitaries, heads of state, Royalty from other nations, and Elion's citizens were demanding answers.

  Elena and Yakov had so far managed to keep things under control. The Centaur Cavalry and General Guard were spread wide throughout the realm keeping watch.

  Now, it was just the waiting. Waiting for them to wake.

  Loi sighed against Sabyn's chest and wiped away the hair that had stuck to her damp cheeks.

  Alek was Sabyn's cousin but more like a brother to him, and she knew how hard this was for him. The normal lightness in his tone had vanished after that awful night, and she knew he came to see Alek often.

  Yet he had no idea what was coming when Cat and Alek woke. After the attack Elena had taken Sian, Kassie, and Loi aside and fully explained their role on Gar'nyse. The shocking and unexpected revelation had felt like the ultimate betrayal. Elena had forbidden the girls to speak about it, so she hadn't even been able to turn to Sabyn, to buttress the pain.

  Loi understood it was because Cat was most affected by it all. But having such knowledge and not really being able to discuss it? It only made her tenser and more stressed, if that were possible.

  Both Sian and Kassie had taken the news stoically and accepted Elena's advice, leaving the castle for the time being. Elena had urged Loi to do the same, to go and stay with Sabyn's family, but she just couldn't. The sight of her friend lying there, pale and unconscious, kept her here. She couldn't abandon Cat when she was so defenseless.

  The castle seemed horribly large and imposing with her friends gone. Elena had said it would take a good two months before the couple woke. So Loi waited while feeling as if on a knife edge. Wishing Cat would wake, and then dreading the day she did.

  Because once Cat woke, their lives would be forever altered.

  Sabyn lifted Loi to her feet, and led her back to their chambers. Standing beside the bed, he watched as Loi removed her robe and felt desire rise at the sight of her, naked, dark hair hanging past her waist allowing a glimpse of derriere. The timing was inappropriate and he wouldn't use her in that manner.

  Seeing his cousin laying there in the dimly lit room unnerved him each time he walked in. The almost stale air in that large room, and the still figures, were a constant reminder of his own mortality.

  It left Sabyn with the urge to run, to call Tomiar and take Loi far, far away from all this. That of course, was out of the question as Loi refused to leave. She knew he found it hard to stay and had used sex as a diversion for the last month. As distracted as he was, Sabyn hadn't realized at first. He shuddered at the memory of the vacant glaze in her eyes. It had the same effect as a bucket of ice cold water and promptly stopped any intimate relations between them for the time being. As much as Sabyn desired Loi, he loved her more.

  Leaving his night shorts on, he climbed into bed beside her while inwardly growling at his cousin.

  Hurry up Alek—there's only so much a guy can handle.

  'Siiiaaannn?'

  'Coming!' Sian answered automatically and sat up in bed, blinking.

  Oh shoot, I've overslept again.

  Throwing some clothes on, she hurried to Citaan and Gredel's bedroom. As she entered the room Sian found her blue-haired friend struggling to get slippers
on.

  'Don't! Let me,' Sian said, while fumbling for the slippers.

  Once they were on, she stood and offered both hands to Citaan, carefully easing the woman up from the bed, then helped her to the bathroom.

  You wouldn't believe Citaan is seven months pregnant, Sian thought. Not that the end is far away, but she looks huge.

  But if you consider Gredel's height and build, as well as Citaan's siblings and father, it isn't surprising that the baby is big.

  Sian had met the whole family the previous month at a ceremony for the unborn child. Every culture had its own traditions and for those of water-sprite heritage, like Citaan, a blessing ritual when the mother-to-be was six months along, was required.

  Meeting all of Citaan's family had been daunting. Sian finally understood Gredel's apprehension when it came to Citaan's father. A large, imposing figure, he looked more than capable of putting even Gredel in place if he suspected his darling daughter wasn't happy. Citaan's five sisters and her mother, however, were very welcoming and plainly adored Gredel. Brece, Citaan's brother and Melanite's husband, was such a contrast to the father—easy going and talkative.

  The family had stayed at the estate for close to a month, and it had made the spacious manor feel small. Gredel was fussed over by Citaan's sisters to the extent that he took to attending Council meetings to get away from it all. Daron had been very amused. Usually, no one attended the meetings voluntary. But then, with Alek and Cat unconscious, the men were taking their roles even more seriously than normal.

  The image of Cat and Alek, laying as still as corpses within the Royal Chamber, caused Sian to shudder. The memory was seared in her mind.

  I hope they wake soon, she thought. It feels as if we're treading water at the moment, just waiting. The bathroom door opened and Sian forced a smile, 'How are you feeling this morning?'

  'How are you friend?' Nesha thought.

  It was a while before Daron finally responded.

  'Fine.'

  Nesha waited for him to continue but he didn't. A wind current hit them, and Nesha and Loushka rose with it, Daron and Gredel shifting in their saddles as they dropped lower again.

  'Sorry, Loushka, he's really hard to get anything out of at the moment.' Nesha thought.

  'It's okay. I'm just trying to keep a track on them all. Does he have any idea what it is that Elena's told the girls'?'

  'Honestly, I don't know if he's even paying attention to Sian at the moment. He gets very withdrawn when worried.'

  'That must be hard on Sian.'

  'She's throwing herself into nurse duties, and is at Citaan's side constantly. It seems to be a good distraction for her.'

  'That's true. I think Alek and Cat might wake soon.' Loushka sounded optimistic.

  'Oh?'

  'Their energies are showing stronger, and Elena is beginning to get that look.'

  'What look?'

  'The one that means she's getting ready to deliver bad news. That's why I hoped you might know something.'

  Nesha glanced at Loushka.

  'So you don't think they'll just wake up and all will be well?'

  'No. Something's up.'

  The griffons stopped the conversation as they searched for a landing spot. Daron and Gredel were visiting a neighboring town to sort out a land dispute. Phroma refused to leave Citaan at this late stage of her pregnancy, so Loushka had offered to take Gredel.

  Townspeople waited to greet them and as soon as Gredel's feet hit the ground the crowd rushed forward, voices loud and angry as they each made their perspectives clear.

  Gredel glanced at Daron.

  'Rumal would have been handy for this.'

  Daron nodded in agreement and said wryly, 'It's a little too far from Delanta to travel for a basic land dispute though.'

  The two men made their way to the town hall, pointedly ignoring those crowding them. The townspeople took the hint, dropping back, and followed quietly. A makeshift court had been arranged in the hall, and Daron and Gredel sat at the head of the room while the defendants and the accused debated. Gredel resisted a groan when he recognized the white haired man who lurched toward the desk before them.

  'They haven't asked my permission, ever!' The old man gestured wildly with the gnarled length of wood that served as his walking stick. 'They just marched in and built it. I demand that it be removed!' Spittle sprayed the desk as he yelled and gestured, while the accused flushed an ugly purple shade and stood, about to yell.

  'Peace!' Gredel's voice boomed and the old man's eyes widened. He sat down quietly and so did all the others.

  With an even tone Gredel began the questioning.

  The argument was ridiculous, nothing more than a squabble regarding fence and boundary lines. A frustrating waste of half a day.

  'You'd think that they could have figured it out for themselves,' Daron mumbled to Gredel as they walked back to the griffons.

  Gredel snorted. 'Yes, and if it were anyone but Old Tearn, they would have. You know he's as grouchy as a dragon with wind.'

  Gredel was grateful to be back on Loushka. He looked forward to getting home to the manor. With Citaan's family gone for the moment the house was wonderfully peaceful. He meant to enjoy every moment he could with his beautiful wife before she gave birth and her family invaded again. Not that Gredel didn't like Citaan's family. He did, most certainly, it's just that they seemed to carry such an air of frenetic energy with them that their visits always left him exhausted. With all the extra duties they were shouldering at the moment, any peace was most welcome.

  His mind drifted back to Citaan. She was so full with the babe that he was half terrified she'd go into labor while he was away. He was again grateful that Sian and Daron had decided to stay to help out, though he wished the circumstances were different.

  I hope Alek and Cat wake soon, Gredel thought. I'd really like them here to offer their blessing when the babe arrives.

  Aside from that somewhat selfish reason, it would also make everyone happier. The castle and its inhabitants all carried an aura of gloom at the moment. It had made the days he'd attended Council even more dreary than usual, and roused an unpleasant guilty feeling. Gredel was worried about Alek and Cat, but Elena said they'd be fine, and he was far more worried about Citaan and the baby. With everyone acting as though the end of the world was nigh, he had to contain his enthusiasm and those moments where he wanted to dance around in joy.

  A baby. His baby. That thought sent contradicting shivers of excitement and terror through him yet again.

  I'm going to be a father!

  'Zeynon, NO!' Kassie shrieked, as Rumal's little brother hurled himself off the roof of the shed.

  With a flick of her fingers, mind focused, she caught him mid-air with her energy and carefully lowered the little imp to the ground.

  As soon as his feet touched the dirt Zeynon made to flee, but was caught by his brother who rounded the corner at just the right moment.

  'Zeynon,' Rumal looked very unimpressed. 'We've had this conversation before. Kassandra's gift is NOT a toy. Now get on, you can help muck out the stalls.'

  'Awww, Rumal,' whined Zeynon.

  'Get going. You knew the consequences after last time.'

  The child hung his head as he trudged off, but Kassie caught the mischievous glance he shot her, his lips trembling with suppressed laughter.

  I'll bet I'll end up having to do that again, Kassie thought while exchanging an exasperated look with Rumal.

  The last time had been off the cliffs by the beach.

  Since arriving at the family estate on Delanta, Kassie had been riding daily. After Rumal had seen her lack of confidence on a horse, he'd set out to turn her into a top equestrian. Or whatever the equivalent of that was here, on Gar'nyse.

  On that particularly memorable day they had been riding along the beach. The soft sand had been a new challenge for Kassie, and she'd been focused on her horse when she heard Rumal's gasp. When she glanced up, the mocha skinned man had b
een remarkably pale and was staring up at the cliffs that overhung the beach. Following his gaze, she saw a tiny figure standing there, observing. She'd extended her gift and "recognized" Zeynon.

  Kassie had been puzzled.

  'What's he doing?'

  Then a change in air made her look up again, just in time to see Zeynon hurtling through the air with his arms outstretched like Sian had done that time off Nesha.

  Except of course, there was no griffon to snatch him up.

  Rumal had cried out in horror. Without thinking about it, Kassie urged her horse forward while stretching up out of the saddle to catch the boy with her gift. The child's delighted laughter had echoed off the battered limestone cliff face, as she lowered him to his big brother's waiting arms. As soon as he had a grip on the little fiend, Rumal had excused himself and dragged Zeynon off behind a bush to tan his hide. Trembling, Kassie had slipped down from the saddle and staggered to the water's edge, then thrown up repeatedly. And she'd thought horse riding was scary!

  'Kassandra.'

  Breaking from her thoughts, Kassie turned to find Rumal's mother, Lady Br'Laan, walking toward them with a smile gracing her elegant face.

  'Nalimi.'

  'Is my little darling teasing you again?'

  Rumal snorted. Kassie laughed and took Nalimi's extended hands, pressing her cheek to the older woman's.

  'Only a little.'

  Nalimi smiled at Rumal, who offered them both an arm to lead them to the house.

  'Well I'm sure your father and grandfather will appreciate the extra help. They've scarcely seen Zeynon since Kassie's arrived. I think they're actually missing him.'

  'It makes a change from their moaning about him,' Rumal said.

  After dinner that evening, Rumal and Kassie lay sprawled across the cover of Rumal's large bed. The man petted Lucky in an absentminded manner as they chatted about the day. The cat purred furiously as he stroked the soft white fur on her belly, and he smiled, reaching a finger up to tickle Lucky's chin. It was a while before Rumal realized that Kassie had fallen silent, staring at the bed.