Archdruid Read online

  “You have good knees.” Ed smirked. “We’re lucky Ann keeps extra clothes in her bag. It makes it much easier for us to get in and out.” He still didn’t like the thought of Ann going off on her own with Ceara. Although he had come to trust the Gliss again, he hated the thought of not being there if something went wrong.

  Jax scowled. “Where does she get all these clothes? I haven’t seen her with anyone. Did she pick up a lot of different men during your time on the run?”

  Ed’s smile faded as he remembered seeing her kissing Jerome. He pushed that thought away. It didn’t matter, especially not now.

  “Why couldn’t Ann make you dress like the village idiot?” Jax grumbled. “How come all of her male clothing seems to fit you?”

  He shrugged. “We’ve moved around a lot over the past few years. We picked up different clothes along the way.” He chuckled. “Stop complaining. We need to blend in.”

  “I’m never gonna blend in looking like this. I would have preferred to have been shackled and tortured by a Gliss than look like this.” Jax tried to pull the ill-fitting trousers down over his knees.

  “Careful, you might get your wish.”

  They followed the crowd, trying to mingle and look inconspicuous. The road was a well-worn dirt track surrounded by heavy trees on either side. The great palace loomed like a white jewel glistening on the landscape. It rose, surrounded by trees as it perched on the cliffside. Its great towers loomed like silent sentinels reaching the heavens. The blue tiles covering the roof glistened like sapphires. Its tiny windows were like a thousand eyes looking down, watching them. Great trees reached up, trying to match the palace in height and splendour.

  This sight had once been so familiar to him, yet it felt strange being back here. He’d called this place home for most of his life.

  Other people travelled along the road, some riding horses, others sitting on wagons or passing by in great carriages. The palace road hadn’t been this busy since Darius’ time. Whatever Urien had planned, it couldn’t be good. He and Jax had to get inside to make sure Ann and Ceara stayed safe, no matter what.

  Ed recognised some of the leaders. Many of them had come here during Darius’ reign. He hoped no one recognised him or Jax from their days as Ann’s bodyguards. They couldn’t risk activating their glamours, as Urien would have enchantments against such things.

  The beast clawed at the cage of his mind, restless and uneasy. It didn’t like being apart from Ann. Ed couldn’t blame it. He didn’t like it either.

  “You think Ceara will come through for us?” Jax asked, dodging out of the way of a horse that nearly knocked into him.

  Ed shrugged. “Ann thinks she’s loyal, and she has fought with us against Urien. I think she hates Urien enough to help Ann.”

  “Yeah, but she also loved the guy. If big brother curls his finger, she’ll go running back to him.”

  Maybe, maybe not. Urien had proved he didn’t give a damn about anyone but himself. Somehow, Ed didn’t think Ceara would go back to him now. She’d had every chance to turn against them during their stay in Trewa. She had been genuinely grief-stricken at Flora’s death. He doubted Ceara would ever forgive Urien for killing their mother.

  “I can’t believe how many people are here,” he remarked. “I’m surprised they’d all come. Most of the leaders despised Orla as much as we do.”

  “Yeah, all lambs to the slaughter.”

  “I haven’t seen them all come together like this since Darius was alive. Orla never managed to do it,” Ed said. “Ann said Darius had a device to summon people to him. I don’t want to think about what else Urien managed to get his hands on inside the palace.”

  “Let’s hope Ann can prove she is the archdruid and stop Urien from parading himself as one.”

  “Urien wants to be the archdruid. It’s why he killed Darius and Deanna.”

  They moved through the crowd. Several people shot glances Jax’s way—much to his annoyance. Ed and Jax pushed their way through the crowd of oncoming travellers and headed straight for the gates that led inside the palace.

  Two guards stood by the open gateway, both wearing black armour. It appeared different to what he and Jax had once worn during their days in the Black. The first guard was a man with long black hair and dark eyes, the other blonde and blue-eyed.

  Ed gave the guards a nod and waited as they approached. “Where are your papers?” the dark-haired man barked. “All guests must show identification and be checked for weapons.”

  Ah shit. He’d expected to be checked for weapons, but not identification. He glanced at Jax who had turned his staff into a walking stick.

  “We’re just humble servants.” Ed bowed his head. “We have—”

  A pretty redheaded woman pushed through the crowd. With her emerald eyes and low-cut bodice, she turned a few heads.

  Ed stared at her and the beast perked up, excitement rushing through him. Kin, it whispered.

  Kin? What does that mean? He averted his gaze to the ground. Servants weren’t supposed to look at their superiors, and he didn’t want to attract anymore unwanted attention.

  “They’re with me,” she said in a low, sultry voice.

  “And you are?” The dark-haired guard’s eyes gleamed with lust.

  “Lord Urien is expecting me.” She handed over a roll of parchment.

  The guard examined it his eyes narrowed. “Why don’t they have identification?”

  The woman rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip. “They’re servants, they can’t even read,” she scoffed. “Why would they need to? They’re here to serve our needs.”

  The guards chuckled and nodded in agreement. They checked Ed and Jax over for weapons then finally let them pass.

  The woman sauntered past the guards with Ed and Jax trailing behind her.

  “Phew, that was close,” Jax muttered. Who is this woman, and why did she just help us? He asked in thought. Why do you look so flustered?

  Ed took hold of the woman’s arm, and a jolt of recognition shot through him. “Have we met before? You seem familiar.” He couldn’t place her face.

  Her lips curved into a smile. “Perhaps. My name is Jessa. And you are?”

  “Why did you help us?” Jax frowned. “What are you after?”

  Her smile widened. “You’re welcome. I only helped you because I could see they wouldn’t let you pass without you producing the necessary identification.”

  Jax’s own eyes narrowed and he turned to Ed. “Do you—?” The woman vanished in a blur. One second, she had been there, the next, gone. “Where did she go?” His frown deepened. “Did she just blur like you do?”

  Ed shook his head. “I don’t know. She just vanished.”

  “What is with you acting so strange around her?” Jax asked. “I’ve never seen you act that strange around a woman before…Well, except a certain blonde one we all know and love.” He bit back a smile.

  “I don’t know. I felt like I knew her from somewhere.” He shrugged and shook his head. Ed couldn’t explain the strange feeling he’d felt toward the stranger. Some part of him had been drawn to her in a way he’d never experienced before.

  “Yeah, well, let’s get this over with.”

  They headed down the corridor, only to be confronted by two Gliss as they approached the Great Hall.

  Not again. Ed glanced around for any sign of the redhead. No such luck this time.

  “What are you two doing loitering in the hall?” the blonde haired Gliss asked. Her hand went to one of her shock rods.

  Ed suppressed a shudder, and the beast began to claw at the edge of his mind again. It wanted control. It wanted to get out, but he knew that was the last thing he could afford to do whilst here. He had to act normal, like a human. No one could know what he really was.

  “We are looking for our mistress,” Ed blurted out. “We can’t seem to find her, and we got lost.”

  The other Gliss, a raven-haired woman, narrowed her eyes at them. “A likely stor
y. Show us your identification papers. No one gets in or out without them.”

  Ah, what is it with them and papers? Papers could easily be forged, and they would be easy enough to come by in certain parts of the five lands.

  Ed spotted something in his belt, a rolled-up piece of parchment. Strange, he hadn’t noticed that earlier. Had the woman slipped it on him before she disappeared? He pulled it out and handed it to the Gliss.

  The blonde Gliss snatched it, then unrolled it. Her eyes narrowed as she examined the scroll’s contents.

  After a moment’s hesitation, she shoved the scroll back into his hand and waved them through.

  That was close, Jax said as they followed the crowd of people toward the great hall. What’s on that scroll and where did it come from?

  Ed shrugged. That woman must have given it to us. Although I can’t imagine why.

  Silence descended over the crowd as Urien led Ceara out onto the dais. Ed’s heart stopped when he saw her. Well, at least they knew she had made it in safely. But where was Ann?

  Urien dragged her down the steps of the grand staircase. She now wore a long white robe and looked every inch the archdruid.

  Ed sighed. Thank the spirits she’s alright.

  “Welcome, everyone,” Urien said, taking his place on the dais. “I called you here today in an effort to bring the lands together.”

  Orla appeared by his side. “After five years of being banished, it’s time for my son to take his true place as the—”

  Someone started clapping in the background, and a figure emerged from the shadows: Darius. With his dark blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, he commanded the same presence in death as he had in life. Blood covered his shirt and dripped from his mouth. “Well done for bringing all these people together, boy.” He laughed.

  What is that? Jax asked. Darius died five years ago. We both saw it.

  Must be a spell. Ann must have cast an illusion spell to make Urien think it’s Darius’ spirit, Ed replied. I saw Darius die. It’s not him.

  Urien turned pale as all colour drained from his face. “You…You’re dead,” he gasped.

  “You’re no archdruid. Rhiannon always had my power, even before you killed me,” Darius said. “You killed me and my wife. You don’t deserve sit in my seat, and you’ll never take my place.”

  Urien raised his hand and threw a fireball at Darius. “You’re dead! You’re dead!” he screamed. “Why can’t you stay that way? How many times do I have to kill you?”

  The leaders gasped and murmured to each other.

  Orla grabbed Urien’s arm. “Stop, it’s a trick.” She glanced at Ann. “This is your doing.”

  Ann raised her hand, sending the demon crashing across the room as Darius vanished. “I’m the archdruid.” Her eyes flashed with fire. “One way or another, I’ll rip you out of Xander’s body and send you straight back to where I banished you to.”

  Urien glowered at her. “You’re supposed to be powerless.”

  “Yeah, well, I told you you’d regret turning on me.” Ceara grabbed Constance and shoved a rod into her neck.

  Urien threw a fireball at the crowd, who screamed and scattered. It bounced off a glowing shield of energy. All at once, the image of Ann faded as Urien hurled a fireball at her.

  Ed grinned. Time for the games to begin.

  Chapter 23

  Ann watched from the balcony as her illusion spell played out. Watching Urien cower at the sight of their father made her smile. If Urien wanted to talk, fine. But she wouldn’t be doing it as a prisoner.

  Time he and everyone else in the five lands knew who the real archdruid was.

  Ann swept down the steps, her long white gown billowing as she moved.

  She muttered words of power. Magical vines twisted and wrapped themselves around Orla, trapping her in place.

  “How dare you?” Orla screeched.

  “Silence. You don’t get to speak here,” Ann snapped. Her eyes blazed with blue light as she let her power roam free.

  Ann prayed her spell would be enough to protect them. If not, Ed, Jax, and Ceara would be ready.

  Ann raised her hand. Urien screamed as Xander’s body was blown apart in a burst of black. She stopped on the steps of the dais and waited. In a blur of black and with an anguished cry Urien began to reform.

  Ann headed up the steps. Her father’s throne looked just as she remembered. The seat of the archdruid. It blazed with light at her approach, as if welcoming her.

  She took a seat on the throne. If anyone doubted her claim to be the archdruid, there would be no room for doubt now. The ancient wood felt strong and powerful as she sat down. The light emanating from the throne bathed her in a white glow.

  “Brother.” She flashed him a smile.

  Urien gasped as Xander’s body became whole once more. “Sister.”

  “You wanted to talk, so here I am.” If he thought he could drag her down in shackles, he’d have to think again. “Although I can’t imagine what there is for us to discuss.”

  “You killed me,” Urien growled.

  “Oh, don’t be so melodramatic, brother. I didn’t kill you. I just blew you up for a moment.” Her smile widened. “We can’t kill each other, remember?” She flicked a glance toward the leaders. “Was it really necessary to drag all these people here?”

  Urien patted himself down as if to make sure he was whole. “I need you here, and we have much to discuss.”

  “Still claiming to be the archdruid, I see.” Ann rose and the throne blazed with power. “Papa always said lies have a way of coming out.”

  “Ironic, given how much he lied to us both,” Urien said.

  “Well, I’m here, so talk. Are you going to confess in front of everyone how you and your bitch of a mother killed our father and my mother?” Her eyes flared with power. “Or are you going to give Xander back? Because I doubt we have anything else to discuss but that.”

  “No, sister. I won’t give up Xander unless you give me my own body back.” Urien took the steps up to the dais. “As for our father, well, I doubt many in this room miss him.”

  Ann’s grip on the throne tightened, and the throne’s light blazed a fiery red.

  Urien came and sat beside her, at her right hand. The place she’d once sat at her father’s side.

  Ann kept her face impassive. She wouldn’t dare show a hint of emotion. Not around him. “What is it you want, then? If it’s oblivion, I’ll be glad to send you back to it.”

  “Come now, Rhiannon. We shouldn’t be fighting. We’re together again. I told you I never wanted to hurt you. We should be working together to restore the five lands, so I have a proposition for you.”

  She bit back a laugh. “What could you ever have to offer me?”

  “Freedom, for one thing. A chance for you to no longer have to run around and hide who you are.”

  “Who’s hiding? I’ve been doing my best to fight your mother for the last five years.” She rested her chin on her hand as if bored.

  “Don’t you want people to know your innocence?” Urien asked. “You must be tired of living in the shadows. If you joined me, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore.”

  She rolled her eyes and rose. “Why would I ever join you?”

  “Because despite everything, we were family once. You, me, and Xander could be again.”

  Ann gritted her teeth and crossed her arms. “You killed our father right in front of me. What makes you think I could ever forgive you for that?”

  “Because I want my family back. It was Father’s desire to divide us. Don’t let him do that. I want you and Xander here again, with me.” Urien stood and moved closer to her.

  Ann burst out laughing. “You don’t want me, Urien. You need me,” she hissed. “You need the power of the archdruid by your side. No doubt whatever power helped you and Orla take over won’t help. Why don’t you tell me who that was?”

  Urien’s jaw tightened. “You have no idea who or what you’re dealing with. They’re m
ore powerful than anything you’ve faced before.”

  “You mean the elders, then?” She’d always suspected they might be involved.

  He gritted his teeth. “Don’t think you can take them on.”

  “They won’t help you anymore, will they?” Ann didn’t need to hear the answer to know the truth. “You should know I’d never join you.”

  “Do you really think you can take the elders on alone? You’ll die,” Urien scoffed. “The archdruid’s place has always been working for them. That’s the way it’s always been. You can run around with your rogues, but deep down you know this is where you belong.”

  “I can’t die, remember? Thanks to Papa’s spell. Besides, I’m not alone. I have a family. One you’ll never part of again.” Her hands clenched into fists. “My place has never been here. Things need to change. The five lands have been in chaos long enough, I’ll do everything in my power to bring about that change.” She raised her hands to blast him again.

  Urien raised his own hand, deflecting her magic right toward Orla.

  Orla screamed as her body erupted in flames. The fire ripped her body apart. Lightning flashed and exploded. The force of the explosion reverberated around the room, making Ann and the others stumble.

  Ann caught hold of the edge of her father’s throne.

  Urien smiled. “Thank you, sister. I’ve been wanting to get rid of her for weeks now. If I’m to rule, I’ll never share my power with anyone. Besides, she was only a means to an end. She stood in my way, just like our father.”

  Ann raised her hand and began to chant the spell she’d been working on for the past few months.

  Urien staggered and his eyes flashed with power. He sent a bolt of lightning toward her.

  Ann dove out of the way and returned fire, sending a column of flame at him. The ground trembled as their magic clashed.

  People screamed as the chandelier came crashing down, sending glass and crystal everywhere.