Queen of Disaster, page 1
Queen of Disaster
Prequel to the Seeker of the Gods series
Nova Blake
Etherhart Press
Copyright © 2019by Nova Blake
Cover design by Covers by Combs
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
. Chapter
Thank you
Chapter one
This security guard was the third person to pat me down since I’d entered the palace. It seemed like there was another guy at every door I passed through waiting to put his hands on me; at least this one was cute.
I’d had to leave my partner in crime, Bran, back home in the US for this meeting, which was probably just as well because he’d be scowling up a storm by now, making ratty comments about the ridiculous levels of protection required. This was the Prince of Spain though. I understood the care taken, even if it seemed a little over the top. After all, it wasn’t like I’d asked to meet him; he’d been the one to call me.
“Does he treat all his employees with such care?” I asked as the guard moved back up my body and ran his hands down my arms. I raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“We’re just doing our jobs and hopefully making that as easy as possible for you.” He smiled back at me and looked like he wanted to say something more when his superior bustled up.
“What’s taking so long? You know he doesn’t like waiting.”
“Then perhaps he shouldn’t have such stringent protections in place, or maybe he should tell his guests to arrive a half hour early so they can get felt up at leisure.” I leveled a glare at him, and then patted the nice security guard on the arm. “Thanks for that. It was the best of the lot.” With a wink, I sashayed past him and through the open door.
Finally, I was where I needed to be.
“Make sure you remember to curtsey,” was all the information I was given. I looked up to take in the prince on his throne, stepped further into the room and onto the rug that was clearly meant for the likes of me.
I made a deep curtsey, despite my lack of skirts, and then met his gaze.
“It’s lovely to meet you, your highness. I was excited to get your request.” I offered him a smile as his gaze slid over me, assessing me, no doubt. You didn’t stay regent for long these days without a bit of smarts. He was older than I thought he’d be. His thick grey hair was gathered in a braid behind him, wisps of it curling around his crown.
“Leave us,” he pronounced with a wave of his hand, like royalty always did in the movies. I was surprised to see it echoed in real life.
“But, Sir—”
“You’ve checked her, haven’t you? Or am I to assume you’re incapable of doing your job? Leave. And send the chef.” The prince stood up and then stepped down the three stairs so that we were on the same level. He offered me a hand lined with age, and it was only now that we were closer that I could see the rest of the tell-tale signs; the yellowing whites of his eyes, the tremble of his fingers, the stoop of his shoulders.
He was getting to the end of his days. This would make him even more keen to get whatever it was he desired, which was great for my pockets.
I slipped my fingers into his and let him lead me to a smaller, more intimate area in the room with two comfy chairs and a coffee table.
“Please, sit,” he said, indicating one chair. He took the other and waited until I was settled before speaking again. “I appreciate you coming.”
“And I appreciate the invitation.” I glanced around the room, noting that the rest of it was covered in the rich tapestries one would expect in a palace, replete with statues and sculptures and other things of cultural value. Yet here in this little corner, it was decidedly plain. Sure, the rug was thick and decadent, and the furniture was plush to sit in, but it was so stripped back in comparison. “Is this your favorite corner?” I asked.
He smiled, sending a ripple of wrinkles across his face. “You’re very perceptive, though I had expected no less. I’ve done my research. I know what you can do.”
It always made me pause when they said that. Made me wonder if they were the first to actually know; the first to have figured out that it was magic rather than skill.
I mean, there was skill involved too, but the magic made it all so much easier.
“My reputation seems to precede me,” I acknowledged. “Do you want to tell me what it is you’d like me to find?” I arched an eyebrow and waited as the prince shifted in his seat. He glanced down at his hands, then folded them together to hide the tremors. He licked his lips and locked his gaze on mine.
“I need you to find the Fountain of Eternal Youth.” He said it with no pretext, but I understood immediately; he wasn’t ready to pass on.
The Fountain’s existence had been rumoured for a long time—for all of time, some might say—and the fact that no one had ever found it made me think it was probably just a legend.
“Okay,” I said slowly, exhaling a breath. “That’s a pretty tall order. Not sure I can deliver on that one, but I’m happy to take a stab at it. Any hints on where I can start?” I kept my face serious, needing him to know that I wasn’t making fun of him. If he had any clues, I genuinely wanted to know.
There was a noise from across the room and his eyes slid in that direction. I turned to see a man entering with a tray of nibbles, and what smelled like excellent coffee.
“Jacques, thank you. Just leave it here and I’ll call for you if we need anything else.” The prince gestured to the table, and his chef placed the tray down, not even glancing at me.
“Your Highness,” he said, his French accent thick. He left us to it, and it wasn’t until the door closed behind him that the prince turned his attention back to me.
Or rather, the table. He poured himself coffee, and picked a slice from the tray, nibbling at it, and gesturing for me to help myself. So, I did. It would be rude not to, right?
We sat there, eating in silence for a minute, and then he put his mug back on the table and dabbed his lips with a napkin.
“I’ve had people looking into this for several years now, and I believe I’ve found something, an angle that others haven’t looked at.”
“Do tell,” I said, raising an eyebrow and leaning forward. I couldn’t help but wonder what this monarch felt he’d discovered that no one else had.
“The small country of New Zealand has remained a relative unknown, despite global travel being a norm these days. Even pre-cataclysm, it was a place of mystery, but the fact that its known history is so short means that no one ever thinks to look there for hidden artifacts.”
“New Zealand…” Well, it would never have occurred to me either, so this was going to be interesting. “Carry on.”
“There is a legend there that speaks of a fey-like creature, with white skin and red hair and eyes. They hide in the mists, in the forests, and in the deep south of the country. Their lives were rumoured to be incredibly long and I wonder… I wonder if there is truth to that legend.”
I leaned back in my chair, assessing this slice of information. He wasn’t wrong about legends being truth sometimes… But I knew very little of New Zealand, and certainly nothing about their myths or legends.
But this was a perfect excuse to explore an unfamiliar country.
“I guess that’s as good a place to start as any,” I said. “If you’re sure.”
“Miss Moore, I’ve never been surer of anything. I’m not ready to die, and the next to take my place is unworthy of the position. If I can hold on for longer, even if it’s just a few more years…”
My stomach knotted as I watched the emotion move across his face, sorrow and anger and frustration all balled up. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to be facing the end of your days and knowing that whoever stepped into your role next would define your legacy.
“I’ll look, but I can’t promise anything. If there is a fountain to be found in New Zealand, then I will find it. Whether it’s the Fountain of Youth will remain to be seen.”
The prince relaxed into his chair. “Thank you, that’s all I ask.”
“You know my terms? I can’t be held responsible for what happens. That’s the only way I’ll take this job.”
A grin slipped across his lips. “I’ve read your terms, and I heard about Joan’s chalice. It’s not like anyone could predict a shark attack, but hopefully, nothing like that will happen on this little adventure.” He sighed. “I wish I could come with you. It’s been a long time since I ventured into the world, and I’ve missed it.” His eyes met mine, a glimmer burning in them. “But if you’re successful…”
I smiled, resisting the urge to reach out and pat his hand indulgently. He was an old man with dreams, and I was hardly going to dash them now. “Let’s hope you’re onto something then,” I said quietly. I pulled my diary from my bag and made a show of flicking through dates, though I wouldn’t have accepted his invitation if I was already booked. No one ever wanted to wait—once they hired me, they wanted their mission achieved yesterday. “I’m free to get on with your job right now, if that suits.”
He gave a nod, the n reached for a cord behind his head and tugged it. “I’ll have my administrator ensure you’re paid well for your time, and you can provide updates to him. Is there anything else I need to do?”
“Sign the contract, and we’re in business.” I slipped the folded copy from the back of my diary and presented it to him, along with a pen. He didn’t even bother to read it to see if it differed from the one I had online. He pushed it back towards me and I signed as well, returning it to the back of my diary and the safety of my bag.
“That was easy,” the prince admitted. “I’d thought there would be more convincing required. I know it’s a fool’s errand, but… Well, I’m the fool and it’s my errand.”
“I’m surprised you have trouble convincing anyone to do anything, your Highness,” I said, keeping my tone light.
He raised an eyebrow. “Because I have the funds to convince them to go along with it?”
“That,” I admitted, “but you’re also a nice person. I don’t meet a lot of royalty, but you weren’t what I was expecting. I hope I can find what you’re looking for.” I stood up, surprised when he did the same, offering me his hand to shake.
I took his fingers in mine, shocked at the feather soft skin of his palm. I rarely touched anyone, let alone old people, so it surprised me.
“I hope you do too, dear. Take care, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.” He grinned and patted me with his other hand before dropping back into his seat. He scooped up a newspaper from the side table and set about reading it, so I headed for the door, only to be intercepted by another man, this one in a well pressed black suit, replete with white shirt beneath and a nondescript tie.
“I’ll see you out, Miss Moore, and we can make sure all the details are arranged on the way.”
“Sure thing,” I said, letting him take the lead.
The sooner I was out of here, the sooner I could start planning my trip Down Under.
Chapter two
I’d caught the first flight home and let Bran know to get himself organized for the trip so that we could take off again as soon as I’d packed my bag. The trip back was uneventful—I’d slept through most of the flight, grabbed some takeout on the way back to my apartment and sunk into my couch before the door had closed.
It was a nice place. Sterile, but that came with the upper-class places, as though the more money you had the less you needed to decorate your home with, though I had to admit the prince had a far more comfortable seating arrangement than I had. At least here I never had to worry about someone coming in uninvited. Security wasn’t as tight as the prince’s palace, but it was good enough for the likes of me.
I heard the key in the lock and put my unopened Chinese to the side.
“Did you bring booze?” I asked, before Bran had even closed the door.
He offered me a brown paper bag and a grin.
“You’re the best,” I said, taking it off him and kissing him firmly on the lips. He wrapped an arm around my back and kissed me harder.
He pulled back, looking a bit abashed. “Well, you might want to hold off on any compliments just yet.”
I removed the bottle from the bag and frowned. It was my favorite rum, the most expensive kind. Which meant I wouldn’t like whatever came out of his mouth next.
“Spill,” I said, heading for the counter and dragging two glasses down. I splashed rum into both and then added ice before handing one to him and taking a sip of mine.
Oh yeah, that hit the spot.
“So, I kind of mentioned to Rocco that we were heading to New Zealand and he called in a favour… He’s coming with us.”
“What the fuck! Bran!” I flung my empty hand into the air.
He winced, but couldn’t hide his smile. “Come on, he’s getting old. Won’t be long before he retires, and it could be fun. He’s never been there before.”
I put my drink down on the bench and moved towards him. “Neither have I, and I was kind of looking forward to exploring it with you.” I walked my fingers up his chest, then slipped them beneath his shirt. He drew in a shaky breath.
“We can still explore…”
I removed my hand. “I might not be in the mood with that lecherous old bastard in tow.” I poked my tongue out at him and he laughed. Rocco wasn’t that bad, not really, but he was a dodgy one, always finding his way into someone’s bed. He was like the pirates of old with a wench in every harbour.
“It’ll be fine. I promise,” Bran said. He lifted a hand and pushed loose strands of hair back from my face. “I promise.”
I sighed. “Okay. Fine. It’s not like he’d let us leave without him now, anyway. You should have just showed up with him to the flight, or better yet, stowed him on the plane before I got there.”
“I can still do that if you’d like. Somewhere cramped and uncomfortable…”
“You know how to get a girl turned on.” I pressed against him, crushing my breasts against his chest. “Tell me more.”
Chapter three
Thankfully, it was a private flight, so they had to wait for us before they could take off, anyway. Our pre-game session had gone on a little longer than expected, which worked just fine for me because I could sleep on the flight and wake up feeling refreshed in an unfamiliar country.
Not a lot happened down in New Zealand. At least, not for the likes of me. As one of the more recently colonized countries in the world, there weren’t a lot of artifacts or relics to be found there, not like the older continents in the world.
Which wasn’t to say that it was without its magic; just that the world at large didn’t really know about them.
“Steve, hope you’re ready to get outta here,” I said as the big man exited the hangar.
“Never!” He scooped me into a hug, lifting me off the ground before depositing me unceremoniously and moving to Bran. I found my feet again and watched the two men with a smile on my face and a shake of the head. They were ridiculous when they got together.
I headed for the plane and stowed my gear. Only then did it hit me that Steve and Bran would no doubt talk the whole fucking flight and I’d be stuck with Rocco.
“Never, girl, come sit with me.”
Speak of the devil…
“Hi, Rocco. So nice of you to join us,” I said, smiling mildly as I slipped into a seat on the other side of the plane, three rows up from him.
“Oh, come on, lass, it’ll be fun. We’ve never done something like this before and I’m looking forward to seeing how the great Never Moore works. Bran won’t tell me what we’re looking for, but that doesn’t bother me.” He moved from his seat, plopping into one closer to me. “You look tired, long day already?”
I glanced over at him and saw the shit-eating grin on his face. He knew. He fucking knew. What else had Bran told him about our habits?
“You know, Bran’s cock is pretty thick, and it needs a good workout. Girl’s gotta keep her partner in crime happy, right?”
Rocco’s eyes widened. But then he realized I was joking and cracked up laughing.
“You’re a dirty old bastard,” I said with a laugh. “You’re only here because you want to get some native New Zealand pussy before you die.”
“Damn straight, girl. You know me.”
“I also know that Steve keeps the good booze up front for Bran. You should go look.” I closed my eyes, listening as he heaved himself out of his seat and moved towards the front of the plane.
If I played it right, I could look convincingly asleep by the time he got back.
Hell, maybe I actually would fall asleep. I could only hope.
Chapter four
The trip had been a long one, and I hadn’t been able to sleep through the whole thing. By the time we hit land, I was feeling a little better about having Rocco with us. He was a good guy at heart, even if he was a horn-dog. I could deal with that because he wasn’t going to try it on me, seeing as he knew Bran and I were knocking boots.
Steve brought us in on a private landing strip near Auckland. It was on a flat plain, surrounded by rounded hills that had looked like green boulders as we’d come in. He’d had a car waiting for us, another friend in another town. He had them everywhere we went, which came in handy.
