The Fourth Realm (Realms Gate) Read online

  “So how come a noble woman is quite so skilled with a sword?”

  “It kind of runs in our family. Mum is an expert, so is Dad. It would be kind of embarrassing if their children were crap at fighting.”

  “I guess so. Who leads the army in Lokranor?”

  “Dad always has, even when his father was alive.”

  “Mine wishes I would but to be honest, I’d be useless. I have no idea of military strategy or even how to lead.”

  “How do you know if you’ve never tried?”

  “I can’t see our soldiers wanting to follow someone who only has that position because of his birth.”

  “Then perhaps you need to show them you deserve that chance?”

  “Meaning?”

  “Dad was apparently quite a hot head in his younger years and he learnt quite quickly that his army would rather follow a wise and stable leader than a battle-hungry man.” She glanced at Ulrik’s troubled expression. “Who would you prefer to trust, someone who is a great fighter or someone who has carefully thought out and run through a battle plan in their head?”

  “The latter I guess.”

  “It’s all about faith. But to get that, your soldiers have to see you are a controlled, well-planned out leader.”

  “Wise as well as rather gorgeous,” Ulrik sighed. “Are you available for the next fifty years?”

  Kat laughed. “Sadly I’m busy for the next few weeks.”

  “Are you going away?” Ulrik sounded disappointed.

  “No. I’ve got Arianna’s banquet in a few days’ time, not to mention my birthday.”

  “Your birthday?”

  “Yes. I turn seventeen shortly.”

  “Just seventeen,” Ulrik pulled her to him. “So young, yet so mature.”

  “Not that mature, Viking.” She made sure she highlighted that point in case he got any ideas.

  “A fact we can soon change,” he chuckled mischievously before kissing her.

  Kat was lost once more, God this guy could kiss. She buried her hands in that wonderful shaggy hair and kissed him back. As his breathing started to get more ragged, Kat thought it best to break away from him; she was only too aware how things could get out of control very quickly, especially with a Viking.

  “I tell you, Sasha, this is the first time in almost a year there has been no fights at home.” Erin was enjoying her ride through the woods with Sasha. It had been many years since they had done that together.

  “Enjoy it while it lasts,” Sasha laughed. “That could change anytime.”

  “Hopefully Arianna and Kat have finally called a truce.”

  “It cannot be easy for Arianna though, not coming into her powers.”

  “I feel totally to blame for that. I automatically assumed as I had inherited mine before my eighteenth, that she would also be gifted with some.”

  “Yeah, you’re a lousy mother.”

  “I can always rely on you to bring me back down to earth.”

  “You just need reminding that your royal status counts for nothing here.”

  “And don’t I know it. How’s Morganna and Anders.”

  “Morganna is just as outspoken and opinionated as ever. As for Anders, I occasionally have to check he is still alive; the child barely makes a sound.”

  “I guess we produce strong women here in Scotland.”

  “I ran into Kat the other day. She’s been looking much happier recently.”

  “She doesn’t talk to me anymore. Up until last year, she and Wilhelm were virtually joined at the hip, so much so there were rumours that he would make her his heir. I’m not sure what happened to break that bond. Now she won’t set foot in Lokranor. And I know he misses her but he’s too pig-headed to admit it.”

  “Who knows what goes on in the mind of teenagers. We weren’t exactly easy to manage ourselves.”

  “True. Talking of children, how is Damon?”

  “Have you not seen him recently?”

  “Yes. But I’m asking from your perspective.”

  “He is managing well, I think. He relies heavily on Magnus and Sven still. And no, I don’t think he’s dabbling in any dark arts. He has too much respect for you to do that. Saying that, he did throw Arianna in the dungeons overnight.”

  “Yes, I need to thank him for that. Our ears got a night off.”

  Sasha chuckled. “From what I heard, it was the same cell Lars got to spend time in. Such memories.”

  “That seems a lifetime ago.”

  “Yes. It was all rather complicated back then for both of us.”

  “At least you’re not dating my mortal enemy now. Although being godmother to his son is rather ironic.”

  “We’re virtually family, we need to stick together.”

  “Dare I ask if you’ve heard anything from Angus?” Erin risked broaching the subject. Sasha’s brother Angus was laird of McBride Castle, which bordered the McLomard Estate, but they had not spoken since Angus betrayed her and handed her over to Valkarin.

  “Not a great deal. His two boys are, I believe, now fourteen and twelve, and they live with his estranged wife in Edinburgh.”

  “So it’s just him on his own?”

  “Pretty much. That’s karma for betraying his sister and heritage.”

  “You Scots don’t like to forgive and forget, do you,” Erin smiled.

  “No. We love our feuds.”

  “Is that why Damon and Arianna are always at each other’s throat?”

  “No. That’s chemistry. One of these days they might realise it.”

  “Now that would be….” Erin stopped mid-sentence, her jaw hanging open. In a clearing in the distance was the unmistakable form of her daughter wrapped in the arms of quite a fit looking Viking. “Who the hell is that?” she murmured.

  “Beats me, but now you know why Kat has been smiling recently. I would if I had my tongue down the throat of someone who looked like that.”

  Erin giggled and swatted her friend’s arm. “A great help you are. You should be outraged like myself that she has not admitted she was seeing anyone.”

  “And what would you have done if she had said something? Given her the inquisition? Wanted to vet this young man? And worse, have her father come over all protective and threaten to cut off his anatomy if he even though about sleeping with his precious daughter?”

  “True,” Erin sighed. But it was a concern nonetheless. Kat was of royal blood and needed to be protected from unscrupulous men wanting to better their standing. Viking men at least. “Perhaps I might go for some subtle interrogation.”

  Sasha snorted loudly. “I didn’t think subtle was a word in your vocabulary.”

  “Just because you’re my best friend, does not mean I won’t zap you with blue energy.”

  “What it is to be loved. Now let’s head back the other way and give your poor daughter some privacy. From the looks of it, she wouldn’t welcome being disturbed. And with someone that fit, neither would I.”

  “Once a hussy, always a hussy,” Erin sighed dramatically.

  Arianna stared at her reflection in the mirror and was not altogether unsatisfied with the end result. She was wearing an aqua coloured shift dress that was cut quite low at the back, matching high heels and had pinned up her mass of golden curls. Almost lady-like.

  From the noise drifting up from the terrace, it was evident the Voktere family had arrived. Arianna smiled as she said the name in her head. Her mother never used it for either Lars or his father Jasper. Millennia ago their family had been responsible for founding Valkarin’s loyal followers, the Vokteren, and although Jasper and Lars had stood with Erin in the final battle against Valkarin, there were still some of his followers out there and the name sent shivers down her mother’s spine. But at least they had a surname. Rulers and their children never did. So at school, she was always Arianna McLomard. Damon was this same and took his mother’s surname.

  Arianna made her way down to the terrace where her family had congregated. Sasha had come
armed with presents.

  “I just hope there isn’t a repeat of what you gave me on my eighteenth,” Erin murmured to her friend.

  Sasha laughed. “By all accounts, it’s your other daughter that could do with a box. Although I’m not sure you can get them strawberry-flavoured anymore.”

  Arianna was thrilled the gifts consisted of more perfume, a spa treatment and some amazing jewellery, everything a girl would love. She glanced over at Damon who, she had to admit, looked amazing in his Scottish black tie. He might be ruler of a Viking territory but his mother was Scottish and insisted he held onto both sides of his heritage. “Let me guess, your present is in the mail?”

  “What present?” he raised an eyebrow.

  Arianna snorted. “Trust you to forget.”

  “Damon,” Sasha scolded. “Play nice.”

  “Oh alright. I left it in the conservatory. Come on inside if you want it. Irritating brat,” he grunted.

  “Toad,” Arianna retorted, teetering after him in her heels. She couldn’t see why girls like to wear them; it was near impossible to run or put someone on their butt wearing heels.

  Damon picked up a black velvet box that was lying by a palm tree in the conservatory and passed it to her.

  Not entirely trusting him, Arianna opened it gingerly. Her mouth went a little dry as she stared at the contents. Inside was a beautiful pewter wristband, engraved with a bear surrounded by two serpents. The Vasmaar crest surrounded by Lokranor’s.

  “It’s stunning,” she whispered, shocked that Damon could have thought of something so touching.

  “I’m glad you like it. It’s not often you’re virtually mute.”

  “Don’t ruin such a lovely moment,” she hissed, her finger running over the engravings.

  “Then thank me properly.”

  “Thank you, Damon, for such a wonderful gift.”

  “That’s not quite what I meant,” his voice has become decidedly husky.

  “Then what…” Arianna never got to finish as Damon’s mouth met hers. His lips were cool and soft, yet their effect devastating. His kiss was gentle, just his lips teasing hers, his hand supporting her head. Such minimal contact made the effect even stronger.

  “At least I have found a way to shut you up,” his smiled, his breathing was not as level as he would have liked.

  “Norse git,” Arianna tried to scowl, but couldn’t. Not after he had kissed her like that.

  Damon watched Arianna stalk out the conservatory, at least try to in her high heels. It was not often she dressed as a lady and he was glad of it. She looked beautiful. And tonight he could not help himself. He had a perfect excuse, it was a thank you for his gift. The only trouble was, he was not quite so unaffected as he had tried to make out. And now he had had a taste, he wanted more.

  “You seem unusually pensive,” Jasper’s voice made him jump.

  “Sorry, a lot on my mind,” he smiled.

  “Yes, she is quite a handful.”

  “Who?”

  “The one whose lipstick you’re wearing,” Jasper chuckled, handing him a tissue. “You might want to remove it before her father sees it.”

  Damon snatched the tissue from Jasper. “How has progress been in finding anything on Mallenvaar?” He tried to change the subject quickly.

  “Slow. There is not that much on it.”

  “And the stones?”

  “Tracking them should be within your power. I hate to say it but your father might be able to help with that. From what I remember, he was rather good at sorcery.”

  A hint of a smile crossed Damon’s face. Yes, Heinrekh had been pretty good. “I’ll have a chat to him tomorrow when I’m back in Vasmaar.”

  “Being dead really doesn’t count for much anymore,” Jasper shook his head.

  “Nope,” Damon grinned. “Death does not give a father the right to shirk parental duties.”

  Ulrik was sitting with his father and uncle when the guard came rushing in.

  “Sire, we’ve had word that more creatures are attacking Sorenberg,” the man panted.

  “How many?” Sigfried asked.

  “Several.”

  “Call out a section of the army,” Sigfried responded.

  “Have Oskar lead them,” Leif spoke up. “He seemed to do a good job in defeating them last time.”

  “True,” Sigfried agreed.

  “I should like to accompany Oskar,” Ulrik stood up. “I am keen to see my cousin in action outside of the arena.”

  “It is not worth risking the King’s son,” Leif attempted to talk him out of it.

  “I’m prepared to take that risk,” Ulrik nodded towards his uncle. He was suspecting all was not as it seemed. It was strange how these rather random attacks of sorcery were all suppressed by his cousin without any injury to their men. If they were real, he wanted to see it first-hand.

  He suited up and met his cousin by the stables as they were preparing to leave.

  “Ulrik,” Oskar looked at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’d like to see these attacks for myself. It is hard to advise on something I have not yet witnessed.”

  “True. But you could get injured.”

  “Then that would leave the way clear for you to become my father’s heir,” Ulrik smiled falsely. He saw the flicker of hope in his cousin’s eyes.

  “You will need to watch your own back,” Oskar grunted and ordered the troops forward.

  The troops hesitated for a moment, looking between Oskar and Ulrik, clearly expecting the order to come from Ulrik. He nodded in response, but not before he saw the look of irritation cross Oskar’s face. It made him feel good.

  The ride to Sorenberg was swift and trouble free. When they neared the town centre, Ulrik marvelled at the creatures before them. They glowed blue and moved with great speed. A dragon like thing came at Oskar; his cousin sliced its head off in one blow and the creature disappeared to ash. One of his soldiers rushed forward to cut the head off some serpent like creature. Instead of disappearing into ash, it grew another head. To his amazement, Oskar stepped in and ran the creature through the heart.

  Ulrik was fascinated. Was it just a little too convenient that his cousin knew how exactly to kill these creatures? Had he really learnt it all from his last encounter with them? Unlikely, Oskar was not that bright. Several loud screams caught his attention. He ordered the remaining troops with him to follow. Down a narrow alleyway was a huge bear-like creature. Should he ask his cousin how to kill this one or leave him to it?

  He was about to go one on one with the bear when Oskar’s voice rang out.

  “Hold up, Ulrik.” Oskar sped over to him.

  “Why? Don’t you think I can kill it?”

  “I wouldn’t want to risk your neck.”

  “Yeah right,” Ulrik smiled and rode full pelt towards the bear. At the forefront of his mind was Katya’s words. Your troops have to have faith in your ability to lead. He hoped what he was doing was good enough. When he was close, he leapt from his horse, driving his sword into the bear’s heart. As the animal fell, it did not turn to ash. Ulrik immediately sliced off its head. No ash. Finally, he swung his sword with such ferocity and cut the animal in two. The puff of ash could not have been more welcome.

  The cheer from his soldiers filled him with great pride. The scowl on his cousin’s face was the icing on the cake.

  “That was bravely done,” Oskar acknowledged begrudgingly. “Would that tantalising female have anything to do with your new-found vigour?”

  “Perhaps,” he smiled, trying his best not to think about those amber eyes of hers. He failed.

  “Are we going to see her anytime soon?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Is she of noble birth?”

  “Yes,” Ulrik tried to contain his grin. Royal blood was as high as you could get.

  “You’re being unduly secretive about this woman,” Oskar complained. “Are you worried her eyes might wander?”

 
; “No,” Ulrik laughed. “But I don’t think my father is ready yet to meet her.”

  Oskar’s eyes narrowed as he stared at his cousin. Ulrik knew he was worried. His father would have little choice in making his son heir if he married, leaving Oskar out in the cold. Whilst it was almost worth it for that fact alone, he was way off wanting to settle down with a wife. And Katya would hurt him for even suggesting such a thing.