Heir of the Eyrie: Isle and Eyrie, #2

By J. C. McKenzie

No one wants to get away from the Eyrie more than Alexandria.

 

Away from responsibilities. Away from the fawning crowds. But most of all, away from him.

 

Lexa needs to complete a year-long sojourn on the Isle of Man to learn more about their customs and renew confidence in the alliance brokered by her parents and the human king. But really, Lexa needs to figure out what kind of ruler she wants to be and how to ditch her royal babysitter.

 

Kellen won't tell her what happened a year ago, or why her existence now troubles him, but one thing is clear—he's not the sapavian she thought he was. When trouble unleashes during her trip, Lexa tumbles into a precarious position and needs to rely on the one person she sought to avoid. Kellen might be the next Captain of the Guard, but how can she trust him with her life when he destroyed her heart?

 

**Heir of the Eyrie is a standalone.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. C. McKenzie
• Release date: Mar 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781990143137

Book preview

1

Lexa

The giant sea beast burst from the frothing waves, stretching up toward the sky before slamming down on the blue-gray surface like a breeching whale. The splash of sea water misted in the air and washed over Alexandria’s face. The wind whipped her white hair in front of her eyes and played with the white silk dress she wore, plastering the thin material to her cold legs. She stood on the rocky shore with her guards and watched the sea beast open his giant maw to bellow at the sky.

God, I hate it when he does that, Kellen’s familiar yet unexpected voice spoke behind her.

She stiffened before pulling her wings tightly to her back. Every inch of her wanted to ignore her guards as witnesses and race into Kellen’s arms. But then other memories surged forward and reminded her why she shouldn’t. Why she couldn’t. Why her heart felt as though it had been ripped in two.

She dug her nails into her palms and refused to turn around. When did you get back?

Would he appear haggard and exhausted, or would he have taken time to shower, shave and dress in his armour to display the full splendour of a hawk male in his prime.

Yesterday, came his reply.

His single word response fell on her ears like a death knell. Yesterday. He’d been home for an entire day, and he only now spoke to her. Lexa’s heart sunk. He hadn’t sought her out to explain his actions. Nor had anyone else seen fit to inform the heir of the Eyrie that her childhood friend and one-time confidant had returned after a year-long mission. Any hope that he had some reason for his quick departure from the Eyrie and lack of correspondence withered and died away.

Message received.

She took a long shaky breath in. Another memory unfolded with delicious tenderness, and she stuffed it down. She couldn’t let him see how much he hurt her. She had to be strong. Welcome back.

He grunted in response.

Without looking at him, she hoisted the hem of her silky dress and made her way down the rocks to meet the giant sea beast. Her guards muttered and moved to follow. She waved at them to stay and ignored their sighs of relief. Not everyone enjoyed getting close to the sea beast or clambering over large rocks covered with seaweed and brine.

Uncle Darryl had finished his transformation into his more human form and dressed in the clothes they always kept for his visits.

How long will you be? Kellen called out from above, presumably alongside her guards who would remain where she left them.

As long as I want, she shouted back. Childish, sure, but also the truth. She didn’t get to see her uncle as often as she’d like.

The wind whipped by and drowned out any response.

Darryl smiled and started making his way toward her. No one would look at Darryl and assume he was a human despite his humanoid features in this form. Seven feet of solid muscle, his skin had a grayish-blue tint, and he radiated power. Her body hummed with recognition. Family.

She smiled in greeting.

Darryl’s sea-green eyes sparkled in response and did nothing to hide his quick wit. No one knew exactly how old Darryl was, including Darryl himself. He’d spent many generations in a haze, hunting in the ocean. He spoke of a time when the sea held more of his kind, but none of the Eyrie’s records documented an era with more than one sea beast.

Lexa suspected Darryl arose from the original nuclear cascades and might outlive them all. The point was hardly worth arguing, though. Darryl had outlived so many sapavian generations already and hadn’t aged much during the soon to be twenty-five years she’d known him. His dark hair had a few more grays, but that was about it.

Why do they always have you wearing ridiculous dresses? Darryl held his hands out toward her.

She placed her hands in his, and he pulled her into a hug. She’d grown up with the feared sea beast acting as her benevolent guardian, and she wouldn’t change a thing. The same power that thrummed with delight inside her also raced through Darryl and her mom—Cora Cormorant, Queen of the Eyrie.

Years ago, Darryl had gifted some of his essence to Lexa’s maternal grandmother who had been pregnant with Cora at the time. The gift passed to Cora, and subsequently, to Lexa and her siblings. None of them could shift into a giant sea beast like Darryl, nor did they have his grayish-blue skin, but the magic had some perks. All of which her family kept hush hush because sapavians as a whole still struggled to accept those who were different. Only a few outside the family knew the true relationship between Cora and the beast.

Her family’s unique abilities probably had a scientific explanation—something to do with the nuclear cascades that rampaged the land hundreds of years before her birth, and something to do with the extensive genetic modification scientists used to create her people prior to the nuclear apocalypse. But all the scientists were dead, and most people veered away from any ancient texts that survived those volatile times.

So she called it magic, because that’s what it felt like when she submerged herself in water and embraced her essence to heal her wounds. Sheer joy. Elation. Wonder.

We had our formal farewell party for Prince Alaric today, she told Darryl.

Ah, so the human prince will be returning to the Isle of Man. He kept his tone light, but his keen gaze watched her as if expecting a different response. And you will travel with him?

She ignored his narrowing gaze and nodded. Mom and Dad thought it would be prudent for us to travel together. Alaric will complete his fledging as I start mine.

Darryl’s face darkened. I do not like the Isle of Man.

We’ve been at peace for twenty-seven years, Uncle.

In her youth, Mom had been the best messenger on the Eyrie. Only she had the skill to cross the Carrion Channel to reach Iom instead of island hopping through the Waystations. Her success had less to do with her wings and stamina, and more to do with her ability to anticipate scipers, thanks to Darryl’s shared essence. No one knew about their connection at the time, though, including Cora.

Scipers, short for scientific experimentations, referred to groups of living organisms created by humans prior to the nuclear apocalypse. Some scipers like sapavians, bearcats and the infamous unicorn survived the cascades relatively unscathed, but some scipers, like thunderbirds, became twisted shells of their former selves from the radiation. These nuwaps, or nuclear warped, creatures were deadly and fearsome to behold.

Her parents had been attacked by thunderbirds. They survived thanks to Darryl’s intervention. The attack had only been the first of many on that trip. Lexa’s paternal grandfather, the previous king of the Eyrie had tasked Cora with taking his son, the prince, to Iom for a secret meeting with the human king to broker peace between their two nations. Unfortunately, it had been a set-up, and Mom and the prince endured a harrowing journey to reach safety and fell in love in the process. Despite the happy ending with Mom, parts of this story pained Dad to tell, and a shadow crossed his face every time. He’d lost his father and sister, and the betrayal that had led to their deaths still visibly haunted him. He visited the grave that marked their resting place every year.

Peace doesn’t automatically make Iom a safe place for you, sunshine, Darryl interrupted her thoughts. He reached out and tugged her hair. A year ago, it had been black as midnight, like her mother’s, but like all descendants of the Eagle Clan, her hair had turned white, signalling her entrance into official adulthood.

The wind ruffled her feathers. She unfurled her wings a little to refold them. We’ve been over this. All sapavian youth must make the trip to the Isle of Man before their twenty-fifth birthday. Just as the humans must come here for their fledging. It strengthens our ties and understanding between the two realms. What kind of leaders would my parents be if they required it from everyone except their own children? What kind of leader will I make if I try to excuse myself from one of our most basic requirements for citizenship?

Do you want to go? Darryl asked, voice flat.

She shivered and crossed her arms over her chest. Yes and no. Part of me wants to stay, but… She glanced up the rocky shore where Kellen now stood alone. He wore his armour and the silver and gold glinted in the sunlight. The intricate patterns and red cape marked him as a king’s guard. More specifically, he was the captain of the guard’s protégé, and he must’ve pulled rank to dismiss her guards. The other men and women were nowhere in sight, including Amy.

Ugh. Avoiding him now would be impossible.

The hard set of his square jaw and the stubborn slant of his dark brow told her he was prepared to wait her out.

Maybe leaving would be a good thing, she said. I need to get away from the Eyrie and all the responsibilities for a bit. I’ve never really been on my own. What kind of person am I? What kind of ruler will I be? I need to go, and I need to get away from him.

Kellen had disappeared a year ago, opting to complete his fledging without her and without informing her beforehand. One night, they were kissing and the next he was gone. He hadn’t left a note, nor did he feel it necessary to send her a letter.

When did he get back? Darryl asked.

Yesterday.

Have you spoken to him?

Not really.

Darryl sighed, and she turned to find his expression softening. Maybe you should.

From the look of things, I don’t think I’ll have a choice. He couldn’t say anything that would make it hurt less.

We all have choices, love. Maybe you should tell him how you feel.

She grunted. That was the last thing she wanted to do. She’d already told him exactly how she felt and who she wanted in that kiss a year ago, and he’d responded by running away. If that wasn’t a hint, she didn’t know what was.

I don’t make a habit of intentionally seeking ways to hurt myself, she muttered.

Darryl laughed and shook his head. Stubborn like your father.

His words brought a genuine smile to her face. They both knew her mother was equally, if not more, stubborn than King Ronin.

Who will be accompanying you to Iom? Darryl asked.

My personal guard and Gabriel.

The captain?

Lexa nodded. Though nerves still threatened to overwhelm her, knowing the experienced guard who’d been a constant reassuring presence in her life was coming with her, made the idea of leaving the nest a little more manageable. He’d grown up with Mom and Dad and treated her with respect. And as family.

I’m glad he’ll be with you, Darryl said.

Me, too.

Are you excited at all? Darryl asked.

I am, though I know my visit carries more risk and more weight. My every move will be watched and judged. I can’t afford any missteps. You’re lucky you don’t have to sit in the briefings Tadric makes me attend.

He’s your advisor. He means well.

She nodded. That didn’t make the meetings any less boring.

We know not all humans or sapavians have accepted the alliance and there I’ll be, the heir of the Eyrie, away from the protection of my home. I don’t want to be used to incite a war. I’d be a turkey to think I’m not in danger of that very possible outcome.

His expression closed off, his gaze flashing. Then it’s a good thing you’ll have Gabriel by your side. And never forget, sunshine. I’m only a step in the ocean away.

2

Lexa

Lexa reluctantly made her way back up the wet rocks to where Kellen waited in all his armoured glory. The sun glinted off his metal breastplate while wind played with the tawny feathers of his wings and ruffled his long brown hair. Part of her wanted to veer off to the right and aim for another route, one farther away, but Mom raised her to confront problems head on.

And Kellen was definitely a problem.

Kellen back on the Eyrie was a problem.

Kellen looking like a hero from a romance novel in his shiny armour was a problem.

And the thundering in her chest at the sight of him was the biggest problem of all.

At six and a half feet, Kellen Hawk was a prime example of everything the Hawk Clan had to offer—tall and powerful with a keen eye for catching details and a natural fortitude for weapons training. Clan Hawk and Clan Eagle, from which her father hailed, had been inextricably linked over many generations through alliances and marriages. So much so, many hawks had the white wings and hair colouring of the Eagle Clan like her.

One day, Lexa hoped there’d be no distinctions between the clans, that all sapavians would just be sapavian.

Kellen stretched out his giant tawny wings before refolding them behind his back, something he did when he felt uncomfortable or bored.

Your hair finally turned white, he said by way of greeting.

She flipped her hair off her shoulders. She’d grown up with black hair common to the Cormorant Clan, a group often despised or looked down on for their common roots and work in the fishing industry. Few outside the castle knew Lexa’s grandfather, the queen’s father, was the spymaster for the Eyrie. Now slowing down after a long career, her grandfather spent his time lecturing Lexa about flying, scipers, and nuwaps while training his two nephews who’d technically already replaced him.

The twins made it their life’s mission to frustrate Grandpa, but they were incredibly competent at their roles. They could’ve taken over years ago, but Grandpa was stubborn and wasn’t quite ready to let go.

A lot of things have changed, she said, brushing by him to continue picking her path up the rocky shore.

I see you’ve taken to wearing dresses. He fell in line with her.

A flash of annoyance streaked through her. Her wardrobe wasn’t even on the same scale as the changes she referred to, and Kellen knew that perfectly well. If you arrived yesterday, you already know we had a celebration for Prince Alaric today. Hence, the dress. She grabbed a bunch of silk and waved the skirt around to emphasize her point.

Kellen grunted and held out his hand to help her over a larger rock. Your advisor is an idiot.

That goes without saying. She’d never liked her advisor Tadric, but he excelled in court customs. Mom and Lexa constantly made him cringe, but at least they were aware of the customs before they broke them.

Lexa ignored Kellen’s offered hand. Hoisting her dress more, she placed her free hand on the rock and pulled herself up, scrambling to get her feet under her.

Still stubborn, Kellen remarked. Not everything has changed.

She gnashed her teeth together and brushed her hands on her skirt. He did not get to walk back into her life after a year-long absence as if they were still friends and nothing had changed between them. Why did you dismiss my guards?

I wanted to talk to you privately before we returned to court.

She tensed and made the mistake of looking over at him. His golden gaze flashed with emotion, but the hard set of his jaw said more than any words.

She braced for more rejection.

He’d come here to turn her down, like disappearing for a year without speaking to her or sending word hadn’t already passed along the message. At this point, why bother?

She lifted her chin. There’s nothing for us to discuss.

He cleared his throat and looked away. His normally pale skin had developed a tan. He must’ve spent a lot of time in the sun and in the skies. Actually, there is.

We kissed and you ran away, Kellen. I’m not an idiot. I know what that means.

Ran away? His mouth tightened. Is that what you think I did?

She frowned. What would you call it?

My duty, he said. I will be the captain of the guards. Your guards.

Seriously? If father could marry a non-royal, surely, Kellen wouldn’t be stupid enough to think his position in society made a difference to her. I don’t care about that.

I do, he said. But that’s not what I wish to speak to you about.

He continued as if his dismissal of their potential relationship meant nothing. It should’ve been her with a heart of steel. She should be the cold, dismissive one. Not him. His rejection shouldn’t mean anything to her anymore. Not after she already had a year to come to terms with it.

But the rejection still hurt.

And it made her hate him even more.

She took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back once again. He wanted to dismiss her feelings? He wanted to be her future captain with no more than a professional relationship between them?

Fine.

She would become the steel everyone expected her to be.

Then you shall have your wish, she said. Report, guard.

He recoiled as if she’d slapped him.

Good. She hoped it stung.

I’m here to discuss your travel plans for tomorrow, he said.

That’s no concern of yours.

It is now.

She stopped and turned to him again. The sun hit his armour at an angle that threatened to blind her where she stood. She held a hand up to block the light, but it didn’t help. She couldn’t see his face or expression.

Explain.

I will be accompanying you and the prince to Iom.

Like hell you are. She had to look away, the glare from his armour too bright. Gabriel will not support it. She’d stop by the captain’s rooms and end this nonsense. The captain of the guard might be grooming Kellen for his position, and Lexa wasn’t petty enough to try to get in the way of Kellen’s advancement, but that didn’t mean she had to endure an uncomfortable situation for a year or tolerate Kellen’s presence on her fledging.

Gabriel ordered it, he said, tone grim.

She missed a step, stumbling forward.

Kellen reached out, lightning fast and steadied her before she had a chance to fall on her face.

As soon as she regained her footing, he snatched his hand back as if burned.

Her mind still reeled.

Kellen didn’t want to go on her fledging any more than she wanted him there. This wasn’t some way to regain their friendship and certainly not to rekindle their romance. This really was just business.

I see. She drew herself up, again, lifted her hem and continued walking. She