The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) Page 16

  "Okay," Faedra said, as she turned and wandered back towards the dining room. She stood in the doorway, not really wanting to enter, and watched the conversation hypnotically.

  "How much of Azran is under Zaven's control?" Draconis asked Faen.

  "The castle and Azran City are completely under siege and surrounded," Faen explained. "All inhabitants are frozen, although, I do not believe them to be lost. Outside of the city he has constructed a perimeter of ice. From above, it looks as if anyone who were to step foot on it would be ensnared and frozen, making it very difficult to get close to him and take him out. I would imagine his plan is to freeze Azran piece by piece until he finds a way to get through to the World of Men."

  "The only thing to melt this much ice," Rowan interjected, "would be the queen's power, but since that is no longer available to us..." he looked to Draconis, "...are there enough of your kind to thaw it?"

  Draconis steepled his fingers in front of his mouth and tapped his little fingers together. He looked around the table at the expectant faces. Faedra held her breath.

  "I do not believe so, no," Draconis said after a long moment of deliberation. Our kind would be good for one-on-one surprise attacks, but as soon as the element of surprise was lost, they would be able to overpower us. Our heat only lasts for so long before we need a period of time to bank the fire, so to speak."

  Groans reverberated around the table, as many of the occupants rested a forehead in hand.

  "Excuse me, darling," Henry said, shuffling past Faedra with a big dish full of steaming potatoes. Faedra stepped inside the room to get out of her dad's way.

  "That was not the answer I was hoping for," Rowan said, a slightly deflated tone to his voice. "If we don't have enough heat to defeat Zaven's men, and we can't use Faedra's powers, what else will melt ice?"

  Henry leaned in between the vicar and a Messenger to put the bowl on the table. "Salt melts ice," he said as if he'd just told them the football results and not potentially found a solution to liberate Azran from a psychotic Jack Frost.

  The occupants of the table looked at Faedra's dad in stunned disbelief.

  Henry straightened and flushed. "It does," he insisted. "They put it on the roads here in the winter to melt the ice so it's not too slippery for our cars to drive on."

  "Of course," Faedra said. "Dad, you're a genius!" She walked over to her dad and threw her arms around him.

  "He's right," Faedra addressed the table at large. "Salt does melt ice. We just need to figure out how we get enough of it into Azran to melt a whole city."

  "And what kind of delivery system we can employ," Alaris added.

  People filtered in from the kitchen and placed more bowls and plates of food on the dining table before joining the occupants already there. Voices around the table started chattering with feverish excitement as everyone started tucking into the food Faedra's dad and her friends had prepared. She looked over at him, pride swelling in her heart.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Faedra pushed her food around her plate with a fork as ideas were tossed about the table. Even her uncle, and more surprisingly, her friend Amy, had thrown a couple of possibilities into the pot. But the same problem kept coming up. How were they going to get enough salt to melt an army, and what kind of delivery system could they use? As Faedra churned those quandaries over in her mind, time must have slipped by, because she didn't even notice that everyone else had finished eating until Zoe nudged her on the arm. Faedra looked up at her friend who was standing to one side of her. Zoe's other hand was holding several empty plates, and she was leaning in to take Faedra's.

  "Oh, Fae. Are you not going to eat anything?" she asked.

  Faedra shook her head. "Not hungry."

  "Do you want me to get this out of your way then?"

  "Yes, please do."

  Zoe's eyes were full of empathy as she looked down at Faedra. She offered her friend a smile before picking her plate off the table and scooting into the kitchen.

  Rowan stood, and the room fell into quiet. The only sound was the chinking of plates and clanking of pans as someone loaded the dishwasher.

  "Your Highness," he addressed Faedra. "If you are in agreement, I believe it is time we paid our final respects to your father and give him the funeral he deserves."

  Faedra was dreading this moment. Her throat dried up as she glanced around the table at all the consoling looks boring deep into her soul. She turned to face Faen, who grabbed her hand and squeezed it, silently giving her the strength to get through the next little while. Faedra looked down at the table for an instant, biting back the tears. Pulling in a deep breath, she turned to Rowan and nodded.

  "Vicar, will you perform the ceremony?" Rowan asked.

  "It will be my honor," the vicar replied.

  "Draconis, Ignis," Rowan acknowledged the two dragons. "I believe you have agreed to light the pyre."

  The black and red dragons inclined their heads.

  "Very well, let us proceed."

  Everyone stood. One by one they filed out of the dining room and through the living room to the outside. Faedra, probably breaking with protocol, waited until it was just her and her closest friends and family left to exit.

  She clung to Faen's hand as though it were a lifeline. Her dad rubbed her on the shoulder.

  "Are you ready to do this, love?"

  "I-I think so."

  Faen led her towards the door. Her friends and family close behind. A thought pricked her mind, and she looked up at Faen. "Do you think the dragons will...?"

  Faen looked down at her. After a second, he comprehended her question and looked over his shoulder at the humans following them.

  "Yes, I believe they will," he said, looking back to her.

  "We better warn them, then," Faedra said.

  "I believe that would be a good idea."

  Faedra paused. How was she going to explain that in just a few moments her family and friends would get to witness a couple of fire breathing dragons in her back yard. She decided to treat it like a Band-Aid and rip it off quickly.

  At least her uncle didn't let any expletives fly this time. No, instead, he just buried his forehead in his palm and shook his head. Her dad had seen Draconis in all his fiery glory at the tournament just recently, so she wasn't concerned about his reaction. The girls, however. They just looked downright excited, which was not quite the reaction she was expecting.

  They stepped outside and wandered down to the grass where everyone had gathered around the pyre. The atmosphere was somber and Faedra noticed Janessa was nestled against her husband's side, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Rowan had wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders and was whispering softly to her. She had never seen him so compassionate before, and it made her heart melt.

  Other couples around the pyre were also finding solace in each others arms. She joined them by accepting Faen's comfort.

  The vicar stepped forward. After the first few words left his mouth, Faedra no longer heard what he was saying. She knew it would be something respectful and fitting for a king, but her mind was numb. She couldn't take her eyes off the regal man that lay atop the platform of branches and logs. His velvet cloak was wrapped around his body, his arms crossed over his chest. A tear slid down Faedra's cheek; she never even got the chance to really know him. She felt a sensation on the back of her hand and looked down. Faen was rubbing his thumb along her skin, she drew her eyes up and caught him watching her. The last time he was at a funeral with her, she was six and had buried her face in his soft fur. She read the emotion in his eyes; she didn't need her powers to sense that he was thinking exactly the same thing.

  The vicar finished his speech. Faedra tore her gaze from her husband's to look towards the pyre. Her heart pounded as she watched Draconis and Ignis change into their true forms. Her uncle gasped, and murmurs of "Oh, my God," and "No way," escaped the lips of Nicki, Amy and Zoe, who were standing to one side of her.

  Ignis, in all h
is ruby red beauty, walked to one end of the pyre, and the immense regal black dragon moved around to the other. They both looked to the vicar, who took several steps back. When he was at a safe distance, the vicar gave a subtle nod of his head.

  The dragons drew their heads back on long elegant necks, before thrusting their faces towards the stack of wood. Fire roared from their open mouths, igniting the pyre like a furnace and lighting up the suffocating darkness that surrounded the small group of mourners.

  Faedra felt the heat on her cheeks. Trying to hold it together, she bit her trembling lip. Within minutes, the flames were licking around her father's body; Faedra could watch no longer. She turned and buried her face in Faen's shoulder. Strong arms wrapped around her as he kissed the top of her head, murmuring soothing words into her hair while sobs wracked her body.

  ***

  The cottage was eerily quiet considering the amount of people that were now sheltering under its roof. Faedra was curled against her husband, her back to his front. She could feel Faen's soft breath on the back of her neck as he slept, a protective arm wrapped around her, holding her to him. They were nestled together on one of the camp cots her uncle had provided. It wasn't the most comfortable thing she'd ever slept on, but there was no way she was setting foot back in her bedroom. She doubted there would ever be a time when she'd be able to do that. No, Faedra had already accepted the fact that she had lost her bedroom for good. She had offered the spare bedroom to Rowan and Janessa, preferring to bunk with everyone else downstairs.

  Unable to sleep, Faedra lifted her head. The moon shone through the windows and cast its mystical light upon the other inhabitants bunking down in her dad's living room. Etyran and Jocelyn slept soundly on a cot to one side of her, Alaris and Alyssa to the other side. She let her gaze roam about the room. The vicar shuffled in his cot, turning onto his back. An errant arm flopped to one side and hung off the edge of his bed. He snored, then grunted a little before turning onto his other side, tucking his arm to his chest. Draconis and Ignis took up another couple of cots. Faedra looked through the open door into the next room, also full to bursting with camp cots. The Messengers, Bedowen, and her two best human friends were all sleeping soundly, their breathing soft and peaceful. Her eyes stopped wandering when they fell on a figure that was sitting up, another one lay curled around it, still sleeping soundly. It was her uncle.

  Faedra softly pulled Faen's arm from where it lay across her waist. He groaned, but didn't wake as she laid it along his side and eased herself out of his embrace. She padded through the living room to where her uncle sat, staring out of the window up at the stars.

  "Hey," she whispered.

  He turned his head to face her. "Hey."

  "Can't sleep either?" Faedra asked.

  "Nope. Every time I close my eyes..." He raked a hand through his hair before allowing it fall to his lap.

  Faedra's eyes fell to the floor for a second before looking up into her uncle's again. Gently, she moved Nicki's feet back and took a seat next to him. "It's a lot to take in, Fae," he murmured, looking back at the stars.

  Faedra placed her hand over her uncle's. "Yeah... it is."

  They sat in silence for a moment. Faedra followed her uncle's line of sight, looking up through the window at the mass of stars that twinkled across the night sky .

  "Pretty sky tonight," she commented.

  He cocked his head to look at her again. A smile quirked the edge of his lips at her odd remark. "Yeah...it is."

  Faedra dragged her gaze from the stars and looked at her uncle.

  He looked thoughtful for a moment. "How on earth did you get yourself tangled up in all this?" he whispered.

  "Didn't really have a choice," Faedra replied pulling the amulet out from under her t-shirt. She dangled it in front of her.

  Leo wrapped his arm around his niece's shoulders and pulled her to him. Faedra nestled into his side and rested her head against his shoulder.

  "Well, it looks like you have quite a following," he said, shooting a glance around the room. "And I promise, I'll do whatever I can to help you get Arran...Ozarn..."

  "Azran, Uncle Leo."

  "Azran, that's it. I'll do whatever I can to help you get Azran back."

  Faedra smiled and looked up at her uncle. "Thanks, Uncle Leo."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  "Wake up, sleepy head." Faedra heard the whisper penetrate the thick fluffy blanket that her consciousness was snuggled in and didn't want to leave any time soon. She stirred, turning over in her cot away from the person who was giving her shoulder a gentle shake. She kept her eyes squeezed shut, holding onto the darkness with all her might. It was warm and safe where she was. Why would someone be so mean as to try and tear her from it?

  "Go away," Faedra groaned, pushing towards the whisper with her hand. When it pressed against something warm and solid, she stilled. The darkness slipped from her grasp and consciousness came flooding back with a vengeance, bringing with it every gory detail from the day before.

  She pulled the blanket down off her face and squinted at the bright sunlight that was now spilling through the living room windows. Faedra sat up with a start and looked around the room. All the cots were empty. Her eyes fell on her husband who was crouched beside their cot.

  "I'm up," she stated, smoothing down her hair before scrubbing her face with the palms of her hands.

  Faen smiled. He pushed himself up, then leaned over to plant a kiss on Faedra's forehead. "Good morning, beautiful. Breakfast is ready."

  Faedra looked up at him, discarding the blanket to one side as she swung her legs over the side of the cot. "What time is it?" she asked, a crease forming in her brow.

  Faen ran his fingers down her cheek and under her chin, tilting her head up until their faces were just an inch apart. "Don't worry, it is only seven o'clock. No one has been up too long. I knew you didn't sleep last night, so when you finally came back to bed, I wanted you to sleep for at least a little while." He brushed his lips to hers and Faedra closed her eyes. When he pulled away, he offered her his hand, which she took. "Come, Father is already rallying the 'troops'. Your input is needed."

  Yeah, like she had anything to offer. She chewed on her bottom lip. Obviously, no one had taken the time to read her resume.

  Sensing her self-doubt, Faen said. "Come on, now. Don't look like that. Your queen was only a little older than you when her father died. Look at the amazing job she has done.

  Faedra gave him a considering look as they walked towards the dining room. "Yeah, but I don't think she's ever had to defend her realm against an army of frozen people who can turn everything to ice."

  "No, maybe not. But I'm sure there were many other things that she has had to overcome during her reign."

  As they got closer to the dining room, Faedra could hear Rowan's voice. "Henry, you will travel with Etyran to Asgard and ask Odin for his help. Ask for as many Valkyries and winged horses as he can spare."

  "What? No!" Faedra exclaimed as she stepped through the doorway.

  All heads turned to face her. She zeroed her surprised glare in on Rowan who was sitting at the end of the table.

  "You can't send my dad to see Odin," she said incredulously.

  "But why ever not, darling?" Henry asked.

  Faedra's glare turned to an expression of disbelief when it fell on her dad. Was she really having to explain this? "Because he's the God of War," she said, as if that should explain her aversion perfectly.

  "Seemed like a nice enough fellow to me. Got to know him quite well over a few beers after our darts match."

  Faedra's eyes widened. Were they really having this conversation? "He's the God. Of. War." she said again, as if she were trying to explain something complicated to a three year old.

  "Meh," Henry said, waving his hand in front of his face like he was batting away a pesky fly. "He's a pussycat. And besides, he told me I could drop in and visit if I was ever in the neighborhood."

  Pussycat? In the neig
hborhood? Oh, God, her dad had lost it. She turned to Faen. "Please, Faen. Will you talk some sense into him?"

  Faen looked a little uncomfortable and dropped his gaze to the floor.

  Faedra narrowed her eyes. "What?" she asked, a cautious tone to her voice.

  "Well, Odin did seem very taken with your dad. Henry made him laugh. We need his resources, Adkara, and he's not usually very forthcoming with them unless it benefits him."

  "You're pinning my dad's safety on the fact that he made the God of War laugh?" Faedra asked, her voice becoming high pitched and squeaky. "I've just lost one father, for goodness sake, you think I'm going to risk losing them both?"

  "Faedra," Henry interrupted. Faedra turned her disbelieving glare on her dad. "I want to do this."

  "But, Dad..."

  Henry put his finger up to silence his daughter. "Darling, I'll be fine. Let me do this."

  Faedra drew in a long, considering breath. "Okay, but don't call him that to his face."

  Henry pinched his brow.

  "I somehow don't think he'd appreciate being called a pussycat, Dad. He's got a reputation to uphold."

  Henry smiled. Then did a motion with his fingers like he was zipping his lips closed and throwing away the key.

  "I don't understand," Leo blurted suddenly, causing everyone's attention to turn on him. Leo looked around at the occupants of the newly appointed battle headquarters. "What do they want with our world anyway?"

  "Why does anyone want to take possession of someone else's world...?" Rowan answered. "Resources."

  Leo turned to face Rowan. "But we don't have any resources they would want."

  "Am I not correct in thinking that seventy percent of the surface of your world is covered in water? They use water to build, to thrive, to mold their homes and create new members of their race." Rowan continued.

  "Yes, you are correct," Leo stated. "But ninety seven percent of that is salt water. Wouldn't it be useless to them? Maybe even fatal?"

  Faedra's eyes widened as she looked at her uncle. "Uncle Leo, you did it!"