Kiss of Embers (The Dragon Lairds #5)

Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

STRUAN

R esignation sat heavy in my gut as Zara approached the fountain. Fear followed closely on its heels.

Finn and I had lost, and I had no idea what that meant for Queen Isolde or the race. No idea what the future held—or if we even had one.

But how could I begrudge Zara her victory? I couldn’t. Not when she looked like she did, her bottom lip trembling and tears of relief welling in her eyes. She was a true leader. A great alpha. She’d hauled ass up that mountain, coming from behind and pulling off an epic victory. Not for herself. Not because she wanted to take anything from anyone. She’d done it because she put her people’s needs before her own.

Soot streaked her face. Bruises blossomed on her neck where Ashcroft had held her down and choked her. He moaned on the ground, broken teeth visible between his busted lips. My beast boiled beneath my skin, urging me to shift and put him to flame.

Soon , I told my dragon. Right now, we had to watch our woman claim her prize.

The crowd fell silent as Inessa gestured Zara toward the fountain.

“The Elixir of Vozgadach is yours.” Inessa glowed more brightly. In the space of a heartbeat, her beauty became something both compelling and terrible, her eyes like fire and her features almost too pure to look at. Her voice rose, rippling around the clearing like thunder. “Look into the water and take what’s yours.”

The fountain’s glow increased, turning night into day. Around the clearing, people shielded their eyes with their forearms. Bolveg removed his spectacles and replaced them with a pair of sunglasses. Zara’s gargoyle advisor stood just behind her, his expression tense as he looked from Zara to the fountain. I inched forward, squinting against the light so I could see the water. Beside me, Finn did the same.

Zara stopped at the fountain’s edge and leaned over, peering at the surface. The water swirled, a kaleidoscope of otherworldly light dancing among the currents. The lights coalesced to a rich, bright gold.

Zara’s reflection appeared in the water, her face clean of soot and her wheat-colored hair falling softly around her shoulders.

At the fountain’s edge, the real Zara smiled. She reached toward the surface, her fingers trembling.

Without warning, the water swirled again, obliterating Zara’s reflection. A shockwave rippled across the clearing, and screams went up as several competitors fell to the ground. I flung a hand out, steadying Finn as I managed to keep my feet.

Zara stumbled back from the fountain with a gasp. Inessa frowned, worry on her face as she stared into the water.

“This isn’t—” The goddess shot Bolveg an anxious look. “I’m not sure what’s going on.”

The water in the fountain swirled faster, ribbons of light arcing from the surface like solar flares. Power hummed in the air.

The water spun. Colors appeared—and then formed something like a scene from a movie. My breath caught as Finn appeared in the water with a wounded Zara in his arms. I knelt before them, my hand on Finn’s shoulder as a tear ran down his cheek and formed into a diamond.

In the water, I smiled as I caught it on my finger. “There,” I said, my voice distorted. I carried it to Zara’s lips and placed it on her tongue. She swallowed, and the bleeding wound on her head disappeared.

Around me, competitors gasped. Finn and I looked at each other. His gray eyes reflected my worry. Before I could say anything, the fountain glowed more brightly.

The water spun again, washing away the scene from the jungle.

“There’s another reflection!” someone shouted.

Everyone leaned forward.

The water slowed, glowing bright and golden once more. Sure enough, another face appeared on the surface.

Now, my reflection stared from the water.

Shock rooted me to the ground. I looked at Zara, who’d gone pale. She gazed at the fountain like she was going to be sick.

More gasps echoed around the clearing as something else appeared in the water. I held my breath as a figure formed under the surface. This time, it wasn’t a reflection. It was a whole damn person.

No, a demon, I realized as his head broke the surface. Gray horns curled close to his head. A long, gray beard descended to the middle of a rotund stomach. Dark blue robes fell to his toes. He hovered above the water, his robes fluttering in an invisible breeze and his body limned in golden light.

In his hand, he held a small glass vial. Golden liquid shimmered within.

“It’s the Elixir of Vozgadach,” a vampire next to me breathed.

Bolveg and the other demons fell to their knees and bowed their heads.

The demon in the fountain stared straight ahead, his face expressionless and his eyes vacant. His lips didn’t move as a low voice echoed from the fountain.

“Zara Rockford broke her vow when she used magic she did not already possess. She is disqualified. Struan MacLure has won the Elixir of Vozgadach.”

Inessa stepped toward me, her body bathed in the fountain’s golden light. “Congratulations, Struan. You’ve won the Firstborn Games. You may now claim your prize.”

My throat tightened as I looked at Zara. Her face was stunned as she continued to stare at the fountain. Gods, I was going to be sick. I’d won, but at what cost?

“Struan,” Inessa prompted, drawing my gaze. “Could you grab the elixir?” The goddess tipped her head toward Vozgadach and spoke out of the corner of her mouth. “I don’t know how long he’s gonna stick around.”

Right. Swallowing hard, I walked to the fountain. Vozgadach’s robes fluttered at my eye level. The elixir shimmered in his hand. Did I just…reach up there and grab it, or what?

“Get on with it!” someone yelled.

Bloody hell. Drawing a deep breath, I went on tiptoe and took the vial from Vozgadach’s hand. Heat suffused my palm, and a sense of well-being spread through me. The ground rumbled, and Vozgadach began to descend.

I stepped back, wariness rising in my chest. But the demon merely continued to sink into the water, his gaze straight ahead and his face unchanging. The glow dimmed as his thighs disappeared. Then his chest.

Finally, his horns dipped below the surface, swallowed by the glowing water.

The surface went still, the water ordinary once more.

Everyone stared at me.

Inessa raised her arms to the crowd. “Let’s have a round of applause for the winner of the Games!”

A halfhearted cheer went up. In the back, a group of witches made rude gestures. More than a few competitors appeared to console each other. Zara continued to stare at the fountain, her face a mask of shock.

Finn came to me and put a hand on my bicep. He spoke in Gaelic under his breath as he cast a furtive glance around the crowd. “You should drink it now before we encounter any trouble.”

I nodded, uncorking the vial. We were surrounded by powerful immortals, all of whom had put their lives on the line to win the elixir. Finn was right. We couldn’t risk someone challenging us for the prize. And we couldn’t afford to delay. But duty was a weight around my shoulders as I put the vial to my lips and tipped it back in one swift motion.

A million different flavors burst on my tongue, each one more delicious than the last. Heat blossomed and then spread through me. The sense of well-being I’d felt holding the vial multiplied, putting a laugh in my throat. Joy bubbled like a spring inside me. Everything was okay. It had always been okay.

“Struan,” Finn hissed.

I looked at him, a smile tugging at my lips. He was so good-looking, with his wavy hair and those pretty gray eyes. And just the cutest pair of fangs I’d ever seen.

Finn tightened his grip on my arm. Shook me a little. “What’s wrong with you?” he said in Gaelic. “Make your wish already.”

I blinked. “Wish? Oh, right.” Lucidity returned, my thoughts sobering. I had to save my queen. Lowering my voice, I spoke in Gaelic. “I wish for Queen Isolde to be well.”

The sense of well-being flowed back, spreading heat and joy through my veins. Around the clearing, the air seemed a little brighter. The colors richer. And Finn was just as handsome and beloved.

And now, he was safe. Our people were safe. Whatever had plagued our queen was banished, never to return.

“It’s done,” I told Finn. “I’m certain of it.”

His shoulders sagged, and he nodded. As one, we turned to Zara. She hugged her midsection, her gaze on the spot where Vozgadach had disappeared into the water.

The crowd had settled. Ashcroft still moaned on the ground. Inessa and Bolveg remained by the fountain. A hundred pairs of curious eyes moved from Zara to me and Finn. Everyone waited to see what we’d do next. Anger flared. Zara’s heartbreak wasn’t gossip fodder.

“Come on,” I said to Finn. My heart ached as we approached Zara. She held herself stiffly, her eyes red-rimmed and raw. “Zara, love,” I said softly.

She turned, hurt and disbelief in her expression. “I…” She shook her head. “I never intended to cheat.”

My heart broke into pieces as I stroked my knuckles along her soot-stained cheek. “I know.” I tipped her chin up. “We’ll find a way to save your pack. I vow it.”

Inessa drifted forward. Her gown fluttered around her ankles as she addressed the crowd. “Well, that wraps things up for me. Thanks, everyone, for coming. Before you leave, please dispose of all trash in approved containers.” A disgruntled look flashed over her face. “I don’t know where you people are getting carry-out around here, but I’ve seen an alarming amount of styrofoam.”

Bolveg turned to the members of the Rules Committee. “Everyone ready?”

Inessa gave the demons a cheery wave. “Text me if you need anything. Except don’t because I’ll be in Ibiza.”

“Wait!” Drute stepped from the crowd. His face was tinged a sickly gray, and his dark eyes were filled with anguish.

Zara roused, instant worry on her face. “Drute?”

His chest swelled as he drew a deep breath. “Zara… There’s no excuse for what I’ve done.” He looked at Ashcroft on the ground.

Zara followed the gargoyle’s gaze. Then she turned back to Drute, the color draining from her face. “What have you done?”

The gargoyle sank to his knees, his wings folded so tightly they looked ready to break. “I only wanted to help,” he croaked. “Brader seemed like a good match. Your father wanted it for years. And when the moon sickness struck, a marriage seemed like the perfect solution.”

Zara stared. And now, color rose in her cheeks. “You worked with Brader? You went behind my back?” She gasped. “Did you know he hired Galen of House Baudelaire to sabotage me in the challenges?”

Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd. Galen shoved his way to the front and stared at Drute with cold eyes.

“I never worked with this gargoyle,” he said. “Only Ashcroft. My people do business with one customer at a time.”

“Dirty business,” someone muttered.

The witch turned and glared at the crowd. “The houses offer spells to those who can pay. If you don’t like it, learn how to do witchcraft.”

Drute spoke, his stricken gaze on Zara. “The witch speaks the truth. Brader came to me just before you and I left for the Games. He and I agreed he would follow and try to persuade you to leave the competition. When that failed, he had the idea to purchase a spell to knock you out of the challenges. Brader handled the transaction. He promised you wouldn’t be harmed.”

Anger flared hot in my chest. My fingers itched to wrench the gargoyle’s head from his shoulders. But I held my tongue as Zara stood over him with clenched fists.

“You betrayed me,” she said, her voice vibrating with rage. “You were my father’s advisor! You served him for centuries! You were supposed to serve me .”

The gargoyle shook his head. Tears trickled from his eyes and rolled down his angular cheeks. “I serve the pack. And the pack needed you alive. I was so worried…” He closed his eyes on a long blink. “Brader has always championed you before the Council. I thought if you could join with the Ashcroft Pack, it would give you the resources and time you needed to figure out what was causing the moon sickness. But then…”

“Then what?” Zara demanded.

Drute looked at Ashcroft, and anger sharpened his tone. “Brader came to me yesterday, after you disappeared with the dragons. He was unhinged, ranting about the witch’s spell going haywire. He accused me of hiding you.”

Ashcroft rolled to his side. Bloody spittle flecked his lips as he glared at Drute. “You did hide her. You went back on our deal.”

“There was no deal,” the gargoyle spat. “I turned a blind eye to the witchcraft because I believed it was in the best interest of the Rockford Pack. But I would have never done that if I knew you were responsible for the moon sickness.”

Zara sucked in a breath. Shock rolled from her as she looked from Drute to Ashcroft. “Brader?”

Ashcroft moaned as he sat up. His jaw hung at an odd angle, and pleasure warmed me as I realized Finn must have broken it.

“It was my father’s doing,” Ashcroft whined. “He arranged it with one of the houses.”

Everyone looked at Galen. The witch raised his hands. “I don’t doubt it, but I have no idea what this asshole is talking about.”

Zara stared at him. “Could a witch create a curse that powerful?”

Galen nodded. “For the right amount of money? Sure. Mullo Balfour almost eradicated the dragons with his blood curse.”

Zara turned her attention to Ashcroft. “You paid to kill my people.” Her nostrils flared. “You killed my parents.”

Ashcroft sniffed. “My father did it. I inherited his mess.”

“And you said nothing.”

Ashcroft gave her a sullen look. “If you would have married me like I asked, we could have figured it out together.”

A low sound moved through the crowd. Somewhere, someone murmured, “Oh, fuck.”

The fine hairs on my body lifted as Zara stared Ashcroft down. Her eyes lightened to amber, and the air around her crackled with power.

“Finn,” she said quietly, “can I borrow a knife?”

Finn stepped beside her. “I can do one better, Alpha,” he said, drawing a broadsword from out of nowhere. He handed it to her, then stepped back.

She advanced on Ashcroft, who cowered away, then scrambled backward on his ass.

“Stop,” Zara said, the command echoing around the clearing. Ashcroft froze, his chest heaving. More blood spilled down his chin.

“You can’t kill me,” he rasped.

Zara hefted the sword. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, Brader. We should combine our packs under one mantle of leadership.” She drew the sword back. The blade glinted in the moonlight.

“Mine,” she snarled. She swung, slicing through Ashcroft’s neck in a single blow. His head bounced to the ground with a sickening squelch, his blue eyes staring at the night sky.

Nobody moved. Silence reigned over the clearing.

Zara flicked blood from the sword, then returned to Finn’s side and handed it over.

“Thanks,” she said.

“No problem.” He tucked the sword away.

A few people down from me, a fae gave an appreciative murmur. “Never seen sleight of hand magic like that.”

I leaned forward and made eye contact. “He’s a trust fund baby.”

Silence stretched. Then Inessa stepped away from the fountain. “Well, that’s certainly one way to wrap up the Games.” She frowned, then mumbled to herself. “Every time, I swear we’re not going to end with a beheading, and then it just keeps happening.”

Bolveg swiped his cloth over his forehead before turning to Inessa. “Goddess? If that’s all, we should really get going.”

She smiled. “You’re right. Let’s?—”

“Wait!” Drute called out. He rose from his knees, his gaze on Inessa.

She frowned. “Again?”

The gargoyle’s throat bobbed. “Zara wouldn’t have needed the dragon tears if she hadn’t been cursed. And she wouldn’t have been cursed if I’d spoken up sooner.”

Inessa put up a hand. “Okay. Stop. I’m going to need a flowchart or something.”

“Zara didn’t get a fair shake in the competition,” Drute said. “She needed that elixir. Her people are cursed. The moon sickness isn’t going away.”

Zara lifted her chin, her mouth tight with strain. Finn put an arm around her shoulders.

Inessa’s expression softened. “I have sympathy for the circumstances, but rules are rules, gargoyle. The bottom line is Zara used another’s magic to aid her in the competition. I can’t force the fountain to change its mind.”

Desperation flitted through Drute’s eyes. “But…you’re a goddess.”

Inessa sighed. “I know. But even goddesses have to follow the rules. I can’t just snap my fingers and change the game.” She paused. “Or Games.”

Drute’s wings sagged. Then he straightened abruptly. “You’re a goddess.”

Her brow furrowed. “We’ve covered this already.”

“You’re the goddess of victory and other sundry things. Including healing.”

Inessa studied him. “Yeah…” she said slowly. “Healing is one of my sundry things.”

“You don’t have to change the rules of the Games. You could just heal Zara’s pack. You have the power to lift the moon sickness.”

Hope trembled in my chest. Finn tightened his arm around Zara, who appeared to hold her breath as she stared at Inessa.

The goddess kept her gaze on Drute. “For what price, gargoyle? Magic demands balance. Godlike healing requires a death or sacrifice in return. An offering. What do you have to offer me?”