The Nymph King

Cracked open her eyes. Never had she seen a more welcome sight. The stark walls of the cave closed around her, crimson-stained, decorated with those beautiful murals. Cool air slithered from every corner.

Home. She was home.

She heard a female moan and glanced down. Brenna was sprawled out and just opening her eyes. 'We did it,' Shaye told her. She couldn't stop grinning. 'We did it.'

Eyes lighting, Brenna eased to her feet.

The sound of angry, familiar male voices bombarded her ears, and she whipped around. The nymphs must have been placed in the cells. She motioned to Brenna to be quiet, and her friend nodded.

Just in case dragons were guarding the area, she sneaked along the walls. Brenna tiptoed behind her. They remained in the shadows. Leaning forward, she peeked at the cell. It was overcrowded, positively bursting with nymphs. She looked for Valerian, but didn't see him. Still, she didn't allow herself to become upset. He was here and he was alive. She knew it.

There was a single dragon guard, probably because the fewer men outside the cell, the fewer who could open it. She picked up the largest rock she could find and mouthed for Brenna to run for the cell and free the men. Eagerness danced through her as she silently held up her fingers. One. Two. Three. They burst inside. Shaye surprised the guard and smashed his temple with her rock.

He roared, but didn't fall. At the same time, Brenna touched the bars. They misted and the nymphs spilled out, toppling the guard.

'Brenna!' a male voice shouted.

Brenna squealed happily and rushed forward. Joachim wrapped his big arms around her. Shaye searched for Valerian. He's here, he's here, he's here. The crowd of nymphs was parting, but she didn't see him. 'Valerian? Valerian!'

Where was he?

CHAPTER 29

'VALERIAN!'

He heard his name being called, and his stomach clenched. Shaye's voice. His head shot up; his mouth fell open. 'Shaye? Where are you?' Before the last word left him, he spotted her in front of the cell. He stood and their gazes locked.

A grin split her entire face, jubilant. Radiant.

'You came back.' He pushed forward, past his men. He felt tears burn his eyes—not that he'd ever admit such a thing aloud. He thought perhaps Broderick went to free the nymphs from the other cell, but he wasn't sure. He cared only about reaching Shaye.

She met him halfway.

He grabbed her, kissing her and nipping at her face. 'I thought you were lost to me,' he said, and his voice shook.

His arms banded around her, lifting her feet off the ground. She wound her legs around his waist, kissing him with the same welcoming, relieved intensity he'd bestowed on her.

'I promised to stay, didn't I?' she said.

Valerian breathed deeply of her scent, letting it fill him, strengthen him. 'I'd planned to come for you. I was going to help my men retake the palace then go to you. Live with you up there. One day with you is better than a lifetime without.'

'I love you so much.'

'Thank the gods.' His arms tightened around her. 'I love you so much, my sweet moonbeam. I can't believe you came back to me.'

'Always.'

'What of the others?' Broderick asked her. He stood just off to the side. 'Did they return, as well?'

'No. Only Brenna and me,' Shaye told him, apologetic. 'I'm sorry.'

Broderick shrugged. 'Oh, well. Their presence would have been nice since we are about to go to battle.'

Valerian turned to his men, but didn't release Shaye. He wasn't ready to let her go, couldn't stop touching her.

'It's time we reclaimed the palace,' Shaye said before he could speak. Several of the warriors smiled at her.

Valerian flicked her a grin of his own. 'That's right. The dragons have the female nymphs, so you will not go without a woman for long, Broderick.' He placed a kiss on Shaye's soft lips, lingered far longer than he should have, savoring her taste, then sighed.

'You're going to kick dragon ass, right?' she asked.

'Absolutely.' He grinned. Despite his humor, grim determination churned inside him.

'Where are the vampires? They could help us.'

'I sent them into the city. By the time they returned, the dragons had already regained control and barred them from entering.' His stare became hard, penetrating. 'I want to leave you down here.'

'No,' she said.

'Shaye.'

'Valerian.'

'She is queen,' Broderick said, clearly entertained. 'You will not be able to command her.'

Valerian sighed. 'Promise me you will duck and hide when the fighting begins.'

'Promise,' she said.

His hand closed around hers. Gods, he loved the feel of her. 'Men, we go in hard and we go in fast.'

'Like Broderick does with his women,' someone joked.

Male chuckles abounded.

'Where is Shivawn?' Brenna asked.

'No one has seen him,' Joachim replied, hugging Brenna close. 'He probably left the palace before the dragons arrived and is sleeping off the night's excess.'

'Lucky bastard,' Broderick muttered, but he was smiling. Everyone was happy to be out of the cells.

'Try not to kill the dragons,' Shaye said. 'They could have killed us—and you—but they placed us on the surface unharmed and only locked you away. You owe them the same consideration.'

'My mate is very wise,' Valerian said. 'Listen to her.' After confining them inside the cells, Darius had looked him in the eyes and said, 'I have been ordered by the gods to execute every nymph ever created. Perhaps I bring the gods' wrath upon my own head, but I do not think your race deserves annihilation. You will remain here until I decide what to do with you.'

An honorable man such as that did not deserve to die.

As quietly as possible, he crept up the stairs, Shaye behind him, the army behind her. They were without weapons, yet they were determined. This was their home, and they weren't giving it up.

'Split,' Valerian uttered softly when they reached the top.

The men branched in every direction. Joachim had kept Brenna with him, as well, Valerian noticed. Surprise was their biggest advantage right now. Their footsteps sounded lightly, barely echoing from the walls. Torches glowed, heating the air, lighting their path.

'This way.' Valerian led his contingent into the dining hall. A group of dragons came into view. They stood at the table, discussing their best course of action.

'Kill them and be done with it,' one of them growled. 'I do not wish Poseidon's wrath upon my family.'

'If we let Poseidon's threats affect us, we give him complete control of our lives,' Darius said. 'What if he wishes us to kill our own women tomorrow?'

'If we disobey him, we may not live long enough to know.'

'There is a reason the gods have never slain us, a reason why they sent us back into this palace instead of