Hollow Earth (Hallowed Realms Book 2) Read online

  The queen glared at me. “Do not think me a fool, Aed. I know the thoughts that cross young men’s minds in the dark.”

  I threw my hands up. “If I wanted to seduce Taryn, I would’ve done it already. And I certainly wouldn’t have chosen to do it in the open. She deserves better than a brief romp in the hay.”

  Her mouth opened and closed. Her eyes bulged. Her skin took on a paler tone than was usual for her.

  Closing the gap between us, she jabbed a finger into my chest. “Never speak of such things again. I will not have a defiled woman at my son’s side.”

  “Defiled?” I laughed. “Why don’t you speak what you mean, Mother? We both know you hate Taryn. Nothing she can do would ever win your affections.”

  She blinked. “I do not…I never…”

  “You didn’t have to speak the words,” I snapped back. “They are written all over your devious acts. Do you think I don’t know you conspired with Nolan to lead Taryn away?”

  Her hands shook at her sides. “I did no such thing.”

  “Lies!” I raged at her. I wanted nothing more than to regain the love she once had for me, before my brother, Alroy, died, but she had pushed me too far. “One day soon, I will be king. It would be wise for you to remember that.”

  I turned and stormed towards the door.

  “Is that a threat?” she whispered.

  I looked back over my shoulder. “If it needs to be.”

  The door shook on its hinges when I slammed it behind me. I stood for a moment in the doorway, fighting to cage my ire. She had driven me mad with her rapid-fire questions. I was weighed down with exhaustion by the time Taryn and I arrived back at the manor house. The queen had seen fit to push me over that edge.

  I rubbed a hand over my face, knowing I shouldn’t have let her get to me, but it was too late. The threat had been spoken. Whether justified or not, my mother needed to understand her future place. I would not tolerate anyone threatening Taryn again.

  The halls were dimly lit with torches as I returned to my room. I acknowledged a greeting to the king’s guards and moved on. When I came to Taryn’s door, I nodded to a guard I vaguely remembered being called Tomas. It was hard to keep track of guard names these days with so many being pulled to serve in other places.

  “Evening, sire.” The boy dipped low in a formal bow.

  “Has all been calm?” I looked at Taryn’s closed door, wondering if she was still awake.

  “I haven’t seen a soul all night.”

  “Good.”

  “Did you hear anything else?”

  A light tinge of pink touched the guard’s ears. When he averted his gaze, I knew the entire house had been privy to my mother’s shouting.

  “Stand at ease,” I said. “No harm will come to you for speaking the truth.”

  He stared at me for a moment before he nodded. “I ’eard voices, sire.”

  “Voices? What sort?”

  He raised his hand to point to Taryn’s room. “From there.”

  “Did anyone enter?”

  “No, sire. I swear it.”

  “Good.” I clapped the boy on the shoulder. His exposed arms were still bare from any lorcan poison. I almost envied the boy’s innocence in such things. “I will go and check on the lady. Keep guard.”

  Tomas saluted me.

  “Taryn?” I opened her door and hurried inside. “Who’s there with you?”

  The room was dark, lit only by the moonlight streaming in through her open window. The cool breeze was a soothing balm to the humid day that had passed. From the bed, I heard moaning and the shifting of sheets. My hand fell to the hilt at my side. I would kill Nolan if he dared try to seduce Taryn again.

  But she was moaning. Did that mean this was an invited tryst? My chest clenched at the thought of what a betrayal like this would mean. Not for me, but for the throne. My mother would never allow a soiled woman to sit beside me as king. Did Taryn hate this life so much that she would go to such lengths?

  Hurrying to her bedside, I stopped short when I discovered her trapped in the throes of a nightmare. Taryn’s sweaty hair matted to her forehead as she writhed. Her legs were in a constant state of motion. Her fingers clawed at the sheets.

  The instant my hand fell on her shoulder, she went still. Her chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of sleep, but her eyes stared unblinkingly at the ceiling.

  “Taryn. Are you—”

  “Someone lost, soon to be found,” she said in a low, eerie tone.

  “Taryn, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” Her body remained entranced by her dream.

  “A kingdom in turmoil, a destiny bound,” she went on. “Balance renewed and evil foiled. For peace to reign high, a new heir is nigh.”

  I pulled back, fully hearing her words. “What did you say?”

  “Someone lost, soon to be found—”

  “Taryn!” I shook her, but she continued speaking. No amount of effort could wake her from her dream. The words she spoke sent a chill up my spine. I released my hold on her and stepped back.

  The sound of her unhinged voice echoing through the dark unnerved me. I looked back when she cut off her words. Her form lay still. Her breathing stretched out as she fell into a peaceful sleep.

  “What the bloody hell was that?” I whispered and then exited her room.

  I took hold of Tomas’s arm. “No one is to enter that room. Is that understood?”

  “Aye, sire. I swear it.”

  With a curt nod, I opened the door to my room. It was not until I turned towards the bed that I realised I was not alone.

  “I could have you arrested for entering my chambers without permission,” I said to Hadley without turning to give her my full attention.

  I knew she sat perched on my bed. One glance from the corner of my eye was enough to reveal she was indecent. I moved to a side table to splash water on my face and allow a moment of delay.

  “I’m sure your mother would be displeased with that decision. I’m the reason why you’re here, after all. To see for yourself how perfect we are for each other.”

  “Aye. You are. But not on my account, I can assure you.”

  When I turned to face her, a sexy pout drew my attention to her lips and then lower. The gown she wore pulled tight across her chest. Unlike Taryn, she had soft curves and long, graceful legs visible in the candlelight behind her sheer shift.

  Her hands looked soft and inviting. The nails on the fingers that brushed against her lips were the colour of pale rose. Someone had brought human nail polish through the veil for her. Her face was lovely and round, supple with life and vacant of scarring. She was breathtaking and she bloody well knew it.

  “Come now, Aed. We both know our pairing is an excellent match.” She slid off the bed and sauntered towards me.

  “Is it now?” I averted my gaze before it found something distracting as she moved across the light.

  “You’ve had your fun with the little street rat. I can even say I appreciate your kind heart in sparing her life, but she’s not fit to be queen.”

  My jaw clenched. “And you think you are?”

  “Of course I am. I’ve been training for the role my entire life.”

  I turned back to look at her. “Training?”

  Her laughter sounded like wind chimes. “I’ve known my place since I was a lass. I embraced the rigorous classes in etiquette and matters of the court so that one day, this day, I could prove to you I am worthy of standing at your side.” She reached out and brushed her fingers against my arm. “I learnt a good many things.”

  I snorted. “I’ll bet you have.”

  Instead of looking indignant at my crass remark, she smiled.

  May the gods save me from this temptress. Not so long ago, I wouldn’t have lingered this long on idle chatter. I would’ve swept her into my arms and claimed her right there before the hearth fire. However, as she batted her eyes at me, I was reminded I was not that man anymore.

  I pushed her hand a
way. “I think you should leave.”

  “Leave?” She laughed. “But I have yet to prove my loyalty to you.”

  When her hand fell on the pale white ribbons lacing the top of her nightdress together, I seized her wrist to stop her. “Your loyalty is not needed. Not tonight or any other night.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise. “You’re serious?”

  “Aye. I am.” I pushed her towards the door. “And I’ll be thanking you to respect my wishes on the matter. I’ll not have some woman thinking she can maneuver her way into my bed. I’m not that sort of man.”

  She shot a calculating look my way. “You used to be.”

  “No longer.” I turned my back on her. “You can see yourself out.”

  For a moment, Hadley seemed unsure of what to do. To retreat would be to admit defeat, a thing I was most certain was uncommon for the likes of her. But to remain and defy orders from her prince left her in a far worse state.

  “Your father will hear of this,” she threatened in a low voice.

  I turned back to look at her. “So he does have something to do with this. I did wonder.”

  She raised her chin in defiance. “He handpicked me for you himself.”

  “Tell me, Hadley”—I leaned towards her—“exactly how much loyalty did you show your king?”

  Her eyes flew open wide. Her face drained of colour before a vivid red raced in to replace it. “Well, I never!”

  I smirked as I watched her flounce to the door. She hit someone standing there, bounced off, and swatted the man with annoyance. Then she gathered her gown around her and hurried away.

  “I dare say you still have a way with the ladies,” my friend Cashel said as he entered my room. A light pink patch had begun to grow on his cheek from her slap.

  “Cashel!” I hurried towards him. “What are you doing here? I sent you to the Wall in search of Taryn’s cousin, Eivin.”

  “That ya did, but I was thwarted just north of here. The king’s guard caught up with me and turned me back.”

  I groaned and rubbed at the sore muscles in my neck. Would this night never end?

  “I came straight to ya, sire.”

  “And I’m grateful for it.” I smiled at my friend. “Gather a small group. No more than four loyal reapers and take them north along the Mill road under the cover of night. I’ll deal with my father.”

  Less than half an hour later, with Cashel safely away, I stormed to my father’s chambers. It was no secret that the queen and king slept separately. They had done for more years than I could count.

  “My prince.” The guard at my father’s door stood to attention from his slumped position against the wall. “The king is not to be disturbed.”

  “Step aside or I will move you by force.”

  The man took only a second to choose, and I shoved past him into the chambers of the king.

  “Father,” I called when I approached the desk where he sat. His head was bowed over a ledger I recognized as the Book of the Dead. “You’re working late. Though, I imagine you had other reasons for forgoing sleep than work.”

  The king removed the reading glasses perched on his nose and leaned back into his chair. He steepled his fingers and glared at me. “I see you tossed aside an enjoyable time with Hadley for your pathetic noble nature.”

  “How careless you are with a young lass’ heart.”

  My father waved me off. “She is the one for you, Aed. In time you’ll come to realize that and I’ll get your bloody mother off my back.”

  “And what do you get out of the deal if I went along? Free conjugal rights with my new bride?”

  The vein in my father’s forehead appeared. “How dare you take that tone with me, boy?”

  “I dare because you act like a fool.” I reached out and slammed his book closed. “Have you no respect for your duties?”

  Instead of raging, my father smiled. “Do you?”

  I gritted my teeth in response.

  “My plans for Hadley have always been based on what best suits the Hallowed Realms. Hadley at your side is what is right for our people, Aed. There was a time when you would have thanked me for my efforts.”

  “Aye. And I was wrong for it.” I spat on the floor.

  His eyes grew cold. “Watch yourself, boy.”

  I knew I was treading on thin ice. My father had a temper far worse than my mother and his love of power could see him do me harm. It was better to let the matter of Hadley drop for now and return to my purpose in this visit.

  “My man Cashel was turned away from the northern road by your orders. Why?”

  The king sat forward once more. “The roads are being prepared for your journey to Diarmuid. All travellers were refused passage.”

  “No.”

  “Excuse me?” His eyebrows rose.

  “I’m done with these games. It’s obvious that you and Mother both favor Connor’s daughter. I will not waste more time in a weapon’s forge region with a girl I know Mother will scoff at.”

  “You have two more stops, Aed. That is non-negotiable.”

  “Aye, it’s not. I will attend the ball in Odran in three days’ time, but that is the last of it.”

  The king stood and walked around the desk. “And if I allow this…diversion in our schedule, what’s in it for me?”

  The muscle along my jaw flinched. “I will announce my choice in bride at Odran.”

  “Excellent.”

  I turned my back on my father’s triumphant grin. It sickened me to give him anything, but at least I got something, too. If Cashel was redirected on his mission a second time, I would be following shortly behind. One way or another, I would find Eivin and get to the bottom of this shipwreck business.

  Chapter 7

  Devlin

  “Let me get this straight,” I said, pacing around the floor as Tris tended to a now sleeping Seamus. “You want the two of us to pretend to have died so you can act like the banshee assigned to bring our souls into Netherworld?”

  “Not exactly. Once I bring ya through the veil, we’ll be in Eimear, which is in Netherworld.”

  “I’m confused.”

  “Think of Netherworld like a country, say, like Ireland. Within Netherworld, there are smaller cities, like Moneyglass, for instance. The entire area beyond the veil is called The Hallowed Realms.”

  “Okay, so what do we do once we pass the veil?

  “We’ll enter as we left…in the woods, but this time the woods won’t look like the area you know. Things look different past the veil. It isn’t as…colourful. One human once said it reminded him of a place called Seattle?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. The only thing I knew about the US city of Seattle was that it rained a lot.

  “We shouldn’t run into any problems once we cross through. The real problem will be gettin’ on the ferry.”

  “Seamus mentioned travelling on a boat.”

  Tris nodded. “It’s the only way for banshees to get across the river.”

  “Okay, so we hop on a boat. Got it. Then what?” I asked, ready to get going.

  “It’s not any old boat. It’s a special ferry. It has one job: to ferry banshees to and from the Transition Centre.” She was pacing while she spoke, no doubt hashing out how to make this work without us getting killed.

  “Transition Centre?”

  Tris hesitated. “I dunna think ya should know too much about what happens when ya die.” She looked worried. “No. I can’t tell ya. You’ll find out how it works…eventually. For now, let’s say to get ya to my house, we need to take that boat and the ferryman needs to think you two passed on.”

  I nodded, understanding the risk she was taking for us.

  “I’m still not sure why we need to wait for Seamus’s fever to break before we go. Wouldn’t it be more believable if he was already sickly looking when we arrived?”

  “Aye, if you were playin’ dead on Earth, sure, but ya aren’t, are ya? You’re playin’ dead in Netherworld. People who have pass
ed on dunna look sick anymore once they pass the veil. They lose any evidence of what killed them. No blood, no broken bodies. Some dunna even look old anymore. They take on the image of their best self, as they want to be seen. That means they look healthy, walkin’ on their own two feet, not sweatin’ like a stuck pig,” she said, exasperated by us.

  “Okay, fine. We get him better, then we walk in, get on the boat, and we’re home free?”

  Tris pulled the covers over Seamus and kissed him on the head before answering me.

  “Not exactly. You canna act like yourselves once ya cross the veil. People will know somethin’ is up.” She bit her lip as though trying to think of the right words to say. “When we collect a soul, they are able to walk and talk on their own, but they are…disoriented at first. They are often confused about where they are and such.”

  “So, we act like tourists?”

  Tris considered that.

  “Aye, that might work. For one of ya. The bigger problem will be gettin’ ya both over there at once. While we’re assigned multiple souls in a day, we only ferry one at a time.” She glanced down at Seamus again.

  “He’s not going without me,” I said, knowing she would rather leave me behind.

  “I know. I’ll think of somethin’,” she whispered, turning her attention back to Seamus.

  Her herbs were working as far as I could tell. Already his colour had started to return and his fever was dropping.

  “How long do you think he’ll need to be well enough to make the journey?”

  “A few days, I’d wager?”

  “A few days?”

  Tris rounded her shoulders. “Aye. I’ll have to make some excuse why I’m not at work, but I can say I’m sick. I know the right herbs to give me a nasty rash if need be, but one thing’s for sure; we don’t go till I say he’s ready.”

  I let out a defeated breath. I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I needed Tris to make it through the veil.

  “Fine. We’ll wait.”

  Tris reached out and touched my hand. “You might want to take this time to make your goodbyes to your ma and da. There might not be any comin’ back from this if we’re caught.”