Page 61 of The Lost Nation

Chapter 26

Kali

“My queen! I’m sorry, but this woman—”

The light banter of my court came to a crashing halt as two soldiers tried (and failed) to restrain the screaming, hysterical woman that had burst into my entrance hall. Impressively she broke free, stumbling towards me with her hands held out in desperation. My eyes widened in recognition.Erik's mother.

“They took him!" She sobbed, clutching at the hem of my dress. "Theytook himin broad daylight!”

My knees hit the marble floor as I sank to the ground and embraced her. My nobles murmured in bewilderment, but I ignored them. She smelled pine and tar, like hard work and love.

“Erik is gone? Who took him?” I asked softly.

I held her tight as my soldiers approached, determined to tug the crazy woman away from me.

“The blackdraken.”She whispered with a shiver.

That was all she got out before the soldiers hauled us apart.

“Unhand her." I demanded coldly.

They dropped her like a bad habit, blinking in confusion. I pinched the excess length of my dress in my fingers, and regally descended down the rest of my dais. “This woman tells me a black draken has kidnapped a citizen of Aldur. Not any citizen, but one of my royal advisors. There is only one black draken in existence, and he doesn't share our favor or alliance with his brethren. I want that known. The drakens are our allies. This creature is not."

"Who is he?" One of the younger nobles asked. I didn't answer, but instead let the tension build. Erik's mother let out a small sob, and then Harrow reluctantly spoke.

"The self-styled Demon King. That's who you mean, isn't it?" He asked.

The whispers broke out anew, but I held up my hand. The air dampened with moisture, and silence immediately descended upon the hall. I pushed my power back, whispering towait.Not yet.“Give me my armor."

???

The army fell in line behind me, only a few hundred strong but proud as they marched with gleaming armor and banners held high. I calmed myself with the thought that they wouldn’t likely need to fight—I planned to use my powers to get Erik back, and not my men.

Erik.

Had it been a horrible coincidence that the Demon King had seized him? Or was he targeted for his association with me? I couldn’t bear it if it was the former.

Don’t think of such things now.Focus.

The entire march north I sat on my horse, tunnelling deep into my power. The sapphire on my crown burned against my scalp, but I ignored it. I was prepared to give it all to have Erik back.

The realization alarmed me, and I immediately thought of Zara. Zara, who'd left me and sailed the high seas. Zara, who seemed content to give me up and go on about her own life.

Erik hadn't given up. He'd helped me, and I'd helped him. He introduced me to his family. He let me into hislife.

My soldiers ignored how the ocean continued to encroach on the dry land to the east, almost as though it were reaching towards us. I took their indifference as a sign of trust in my abilities. I breathed out calmly, and the tide receded.

As we neared the towering mountains, a rag-tag group of thirty men and women awaited us on foot, carrying clubs and cutlasses, rapiers and daggers. My eyes went immediately to the shock of red hair that led them.

“What areyoudoing here?” I demanded, yanking on my reigns to slow my horse.

Zara’s face flushed, but her voice was strong. “I heard my queen needs aid. Don’t think I’d justleaveyou and not keep an eye on things. You will always bemyqueen.” Her eyes were earnest, and I took a breath to steady myself.

I had to transparent with her—I was done with the games and manipulations that had entertained me in the past.“You will fight for me...even when we ride off to save another lover?”

There. I’d said it.

Zara's face didn't so much as twitch. Then again, if she was keeping tabs on me like she’d said, she would have already known about Erik and I.“If he makes you happy, then yes. We both know I couldn’t stay on land for long, and you wouldn’t tolerate a life at sea.I also won't tolerate sharing, but that's my choice. It doesn't have to be yours as well. I want you to be happy."

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