Page 50 of The Marked Princess

“So there was you, Suzaku, and Artemis. What was the fourth beast?”

“The wolf, Kitsune. Now, she was magnificent. Almost as fine a hunter as myself, though she allowed her warrior to ride her into battle. I found that rather demeaning, but you know how it is with dogs. Always so eager to please.”

Josselyn laughed. “You mean you're not going to let me ride you?”

Kella let out an indignant huff. “Certainly not.”

Chuckling to herself, Josselyn felt her eyes begin to grow heavy. She leaned into Kella's side, yawning loudly. “So... sleepy...” she murmured, darkness closing in as her eyelids became too heavy to keep open.

“Maybe I'll just take a little nap.”

“Another nap? Goodness, child, you've been lying there asleep for the past two hours. If you're that tired, you might as well just retire for the night.”

Josselyn sat up with a jerk, her eyes flying open.

“Luxeos?”

“Of course, dear. Who did you expect?”

She looked around, finding herself back in the clearing by Luxeos' cottage, the moon and stars already lighting up the evening sky. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her head of the thick grogginess that clung to it. Standing up slowly, she stretched her sore muscles.

“What was in that drink you gave me? That was crazy.”

“ Grated ginger root, a pinch of turmeric, dandelion greens, and a dash of magic.” Luxeos smiled, handing Josselyn another glass. “And this, my dear, is plain, old water. Drink up, you'll need to be well hydrated for tomorrow.”

Josselyn sipped the cool water, giving Luxeos a suspicious look over the rim of the glass. “Why? What's happening tomorrow?”

“Your reunion, of course,” Luxeos replied, leading the way back into the cottage. Josselyn followed her, waiting for the goddess to explain herself, but instead, the woman knelt down in front of an old chest and began pulling things out, muttering to herself as she worked. With a sigh, Josselyn dropped into a chair, tucking her legs underneath herself as she watched.

“May I ask whom I'll be reuniting with? Or is it a secret?”

Luxeos made a humming noise, placing a wrapped bundle to the side before continuing to dig around in the chest. “No secret, dear,” she replied without looking up. “I've been getting flashes of a little birdie flying our way all evening. She seems to be making her way down the Eastern Road, though not as quickly as the men who stole you away. I suspect she'll arrive at the barricade I made a few hours past sunrise. Which means you'll need to get some rest now if you're to meet her in time.”

“A bird? What in the world are you... wait, are you talking about Lily? Lily is on her way here?” Josselyn gaped at the woman in front of her as realization dawned. “You can sense her beast, can't you? Like you sensed Kella before.”

“I am connected to all of the celestial beasts, that is correct. I am, after all, their creator. Unfortunately, my powers have weakened greatly over time, given the damage to my robes, and I can only sense the beasts when they are called upon nearby. Power releases from your marks like a signal. Lily's mark has been pulsing on and off ever since you disappeared from Tallis. I imagine she's using Suzaku to search for you, although only in small increments. She has yet to tap into her beast's full power.”

Luxeos let out a triumphant cry as she pulled a sword out of the chest, the light from the fire reflecting off the gleaming blade, giving it a mysteriously dangerous appearance. She pressed the tip of her finger against it, grinning as a drop of blood appeared. “Still as sharp as the day it was forged. Reaper, the sword made especially for Fiona, Kella's original counterpart and your ancestor.” Luxeos placed the sword on top of the bundle she had set aside and turned to face Josselyn.

“I want you to have these, Fiona's sword and armor. May they protect you in battle as they did her, over two hundred years ago.”

Josselyn slid off her chair, eyes wide. She reached a tentative hand out toward the sword, jerking her hand back at the sudden spark that shot through her fingers on contact. Swallowing, she reached again, this time taking a firm hold of the sword's handle. Tingling, little sparks of electricity ran through her hand and into her forearm, where they settled, sending gentle pulses through Josselyn's claw marks.

“I feel... stronger, somehow,” she whispered, standing to her full height before sinking into a fighting stance. “It's almost as if it were a part of me, an extension of my arm rather than a weapon I'm holding. As if it were made just for me.”

“In a way, it was. It was made for the Shendri in possession of Kella, which you currently are.”

“It's perfect. Thank you, Luxeos. I know it seems like that's all I ever say, but I mean it, truly. I am indebted to you for life. If you ever need anything, anything at all, you need only ask.”

The goddess rose off the ground and placed a loving hand on Josselyn's shoulder. “All I need is for you and Kella to take your kingdom back. Bring that usurper to justice.”

Josselyn drew a deep breath, drawing in all of her newfound confidence.

“Deal.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Four days.