The Playful Prince (20 page)

“How long have you known for sure?” Quinn asked, hard. His heart beat in fear--fear for Tori, fear for his people. How could he choose between the two? His heart instantly said her, but he’d seen the way she mourned for Dr. Simon. If he saved her, only to watch everything else he loved die, she would die as well. She would never live with the guilt, and she’d possibly never forgive him. That quality, that selflessness, was one of the reasons he loved her.

Quinn froze. He felt the color drain from his face. Love? Did he...? He took a deep breath, then another.

Yes. He loved her. He did. He loved her. The truth smacked him in the chest for a fool. He should’ve known it all along, ever since the hall when she walked in on him and Linzi. He hadn’t been able to think of another woman since. It explained why he was crazy with thoughts of her, why she invaded every one of his dreams. He loved her. And he wasn’t able to save her.

“After the initial tests we ran on the black moss came back, we suspected it was a threat, but we weren’t sure how bad or where it came from. We thought it might be an ecological mutation which usually are harmless if not a little annoying. Ecological mutations are usually the cause of a natural imbalance that’s easily corrected. But, then, when we saw the cave, we knew it was man-made.” Vitto crossed over to the table and lifted the up a stack of data. “Here’s all the information you need.”

“But,” Quinn said, feeling helpless. He loved her. He loved Dr. Tori Elliot. He was going to lose her. His brain ran rampant as he tried to concentrate. He tried to focus, tried to push her from his heart, but she wouldn’t go. This is what his father had meant. This was the insanity King Attor had always warned his sons about. Reaching forward, he took the data from Vitto, unable to read it as it blurred before his eyes.

“We can’t risk her life, not for this. There has to be another way.”

“Not in the time frame we have,” Vitto answered. The man looked pained by the admission. Quinn noticed his pale face and his shaking hands. This man cared for Tori, deeply. He’d been too jealous to realize the depth of it before.

Reid stepped forward and gave him a questioning look. Quinn shook his head and refused to answer it.

Now was not the time for one of Reid’s lectures. Lifting his chin and steeling himself, Quinn demanded,

“Tell us everything.”

* * * *

Tori stared at the underground lab, absently feeling the dried blood on her cheek. The wound was superficial, but it still ached. The moss looked thicker, blacker, than the last time she’d seen it. A strange smell was in the air. She was almost afraid to walk inside.

“I’m curious, doctor, what is it they were working on for me?” Lord Myrddin asked, coming up behind her. He studied his hand, watching his claw grow and retract before his eyes. “Darts? A pill?”

Tori took a deep breath, and whispered honestly, “Death.”

Lord Myrddin laughed.

“Death of your whole planet.” Tori turned to him. The guard was outside, watching the entrance to the cave, so they were alone. “Unless I stop it, this whole planet will die and all that will be left for you to rule will be a wasteland of your own making.”

“You fail to see the grand design, Dr. Elliot. Those who swear allegiance to me will live. That’s why I need an antidote as well as the disease.” His eyes turned to her, piercing into her, making her feel ill.

“Diseases such as these can never be contained. They mutate, lay dormant for years. Soon the cure we have won’t be the right one.” Tori’s gaze pleaded with him. She moved as if to touch him, but pulled back. “Please, reconsider.”

“Unless you help me, all your friends will die. Think of the hero’s welcome you’ll receive as you work for me, curing the poor Var peasants of their sickness. You’ll be famous, revered as a savior. You’ll have more power and respect than you could ever dream possible.” Lord Myrddin walked past her and a predatory growl sounded in the back of his throat. She blinked, watching as a computer screen flipped over in the wall. It stood white and clean against the mossy background. The Var growled again, speaking in his native language. The computer turned on. Then, gesturing for her to proceed, he moved back.

Tori’s steps were hesitant as she crossed over the floor. Her body shook. All around her the moss felt alive, like it twitched, straining for them. Lord Myrddin’s hand lifted to touch her cheek. He stroked her gently, running his fingers over her hair. His lips brushed over the cut, kissing it lightly. “Do this, Dr. Elliot, and you will have my protection. I will be king and you will live like a queen.”

“I can’t concentrate with you talking,” she said darkly, staring at the screen so hard she couldn’t see it.

Lord Myrddin chuckled and turned his back on her, obviously confident that she wasn’t a threat.

Tori glanced around for a weapon. Seeing a long bar on the ground, she grabbed it. Without a moment’s hesitation, she swung for Myrddin’s head. Mid-swing, he turned, but was too late. The bar hit him in the temple. He stumbled to the side but righted himself. Tori swung again and again, thinking of Quinn trapped in the prison, as she hit him in the shoulder, the ribs, the wrist. She heard a bone crack and stopped.

Lord Myrddin fell to his knees, dripping with blood. Tori gasped for breath, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Myrddin’s eyes were glazed when he looked up at her. Hesitating slightly, she swung again, hitting his head. She heard a crack, before watching him fall to the floor.

“Oh, God,” she gasped, getting nauseous. She panted, shaking violently at what she had done. The metal bar slipped from her fingers. She’d never hurt another living thing in her life. She didn’t think she had it in her. “Oh, oh, God, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Swallowing, she hurried before the computer and skimmed through the data until she found was she was looking for. The scientists had known what they’d done and had left her the clues to the cure. She glanced over her shoulder, making sure Lord Myrddin was still down.

“A ring? They left a ring?” she mumbled, confused. Then, she remembered having taken a large metal circle off one of the desks. It would be at the palace.

Lord Myrddin moaned behind her. She spun on her heels to look down at him. His hand shot out to grab her ankle. He moaned again. To her horror, the black moss spread over his face and body, drawn to the wounds on him. She kicked and his weakened grip loosened. He screamed, as the moss ate him alive.

Tori ran from the lab, blindingly trying to see across the darkened cave. Hearing footsteps approaching, she hid behind a rock. The guard passed her, his body outlined by the light coming from the lab as he moved inside. Tori made a run for it, bumping and tripping her way until she saw the lighted entrance.

Her limbs shook as she pulled herself up through the hole.

“Stop!” the guard shouted behind her. Tori ran harder, trying to make the entrance to the cave. She stumbled through the large cavern to the narrow opening that would lead outside. “You
gwobr,
get back here!”

Tori paused at the entrance. It was a long way down. Before she could turn back around a hand pushed at her from behind, knocking her out of the cave. She fell through the air, screaming as she plummeted to her death.

* * * *

Quinn heard the sound of Tori’s cry through the forest. He ran faster, his body sleek as it stretched out on all four paws. Thankfully, his brother had not listened to him and sent Treven back with Falke. He could’ve kissed Kirill as he unlocked the cell door. Instead, he’d run past, instantly following the trail of Lord Myrddin and Tori.

Quinn knew it was wrong, but he chose Tori. He chose her life over everything else he held dear.

Together they would find a way to fight whatever madness Myrddin had started. But, he chose to save her. How could he do anything less? He’d just have to pray to all their gods that after she was safe, she could reverse whatever Lord Myrddin had done.

His heart pounded. The screaming didn’t stop. Coming to the cave entrance, he saw Tori falling, her arm flailing in the air. His heart stopped beating. He surged forth, shifting in mid jump as he reached for her.

Her body jolted, knocking hard into him, cracking his rib as they collided. Tori landed on his stomach as they hit the ground.

Quinn touched her face and then looked up at the cave. He saw Lord Myrddin’s man looking down at them.

“Myrddin?” he growled, assessing that she was all right.

“Dead,” she whispered, her lips trembling, her eyes glazed.

“Don’t move,” Quinn ordered. “The others are behind me.”

Tori nodded, shaken, scared, and confused. Quinn shifted, climbing easily up the rocky incline. The guard dropped a rock, barely missing him. She watched Quinn’s body go over the side, into the cave.

Shouts sounded overhead, but she could barely make them out through her numbed brain.

Tori trembled, unable to move. Her legs were like jelly. Quinn had saved her. But it wasn’t just nearly dying that frightened her. When she looked at her hands, she saw blood--Myrddin’s blood. It was dotted over her. Tears filled her eyes.

“Dr. Elliot?”

She blinked, looking up. Reid stared at her from swollen eyes filled with concern. Kirill was behind him.

Her hands shaking, she pointed up, barely able to make the gesture from her place on the ground. Kirill and Reid shifted, dropping their clothes as they climbed up to join their brother.

The guard’s body was thrown out of the cave before the cats reached the top. Tori heard him thud behind her. She felt dizzy, faint. Blackness swam in her head and she welcomed it, falling over onto her side.

Chapter Thirteen

Quinn watched Tori as she slept. His body lounged next to her on the bed. They were in her suite and he refused to leave her side once the castle physicians were finished examining her. He would’ve stayed for the examination, but they kicked him out for hovering as they worked.

He ran a light hand over the bandage on her cheek. The cut was clean and would heal. It had been sealed with a medical laser. Aside from a few bruises and the trauma of what she’d been through, she was fine. Tori hadn’t stirred since he carried her home. It had been quite a sight, the naked prince carrying the fallen doctor through the front gates of the palace. He chuckled lightly, remembering the stunned faces and hurried whispers.

Falke was in bed. He’d been cut up pretty badly, but would mend with time. Reid was up and around, though the last Quinn had seen him he was being attended by two harem girls, whining like a baby for attention. He smiled at that. Reid would never change. Dr. Vitto and Dr. Grant were given medical attention as well. They were a little sore, but would mend.

As he stared at Tori, Quinn knew what he felt for her was real. He’d been willing to risk his people to save her. They might still be at risk. Closing his eyes, he whispered, “Please, Tori. Wake up, baby, wake up.”

A soft knock sounded on the door. Quinn sat up on the bed and looked across the suite. Vitto came in, his arm in a sling. The prince nodded at him in silent greeting.

“How is she?” Vitto asked, his voice soft with concern. “Has she moved?”

Quinn shook his head in denial. He watched the worry and stress pass over the man’s face. It was clear he cared for her. Moving to stand, he said, “I’ll leave you two alone.”

Vitto nodded. He went to the bed, sitting by Tori’s side. His hand reached out to stroke the bandage over her cheek.

Walking out of the room was hard, but Quinn forced himself to go. As he shut the door, he heard Vitto whisper, “I love you, Tor, but so help me if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I’m going to make you rue the day you were born.”

* * * *

Tori yawned, blinking as thick velvet drapes came into focus. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up. A moment’s confusion passed through her, until she remembered the caves. She glanced down at her hands, surprised to find them clean.

Shaking, she looked around and threw the covers off her legs. She was alone and she was naked.

Weakly, she crawled to the end of the bed, moving to grab a pile of clothes that had been left for her.

The cross laced shirt of blue with gold embroidery fit snug to her skin, but she didn’t care.

She slipped into the pants as she stood from the edge of the bed, lacing them as she stumbled barefoot across the suite. Her mind focused, grasping at the work she must do so she didn’t have to stop and think of other things.

“Siren,” she called, her voice hoarse. “I need you to page Dr. Vitto and Dr. Grant. Tell them I require their immediate assistance.”

“Yes, Dr. Elliot,” the sultry mainframe answered. “Locating Dr. Vitto and Dr. Grant. Page complete.”

“Thanks,” Tori answered in growing distraction. “And, Siren, one more thing?”

“Yes, Dr. Elliot?”

“Prince Quinn, is he ... hurt?”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Elliot, that information is restricted to Level one security clearance.”

“Damn it, Siren! Just tell me,” Tori yelled. “Are his life functions normal?”

There was no answer.

“Fine, I’ll go find out for myself.” Tori stormed across the suite and moved to pull open the door. It wouldn’t budge. She flicked the lock, locking and then unlocking it. She pulled the handle. It still didn’t move.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Elliot,” Siren purred. “But, you’re not very polite. I believe you owe me an apology.

And, just between us girls, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you. I’m programmed with advanced psychiatric functions.”

Tori would’ve laughed if she wasn’t trapped in a room, held hostage by a sensitive computer who wanted to psychoanalyze her. Could this assignment get any more bizarre? Suddenly, she did laugh.

“Okay, Siren, fine. You want to talk, let’s talk. But first, I want DNA access.”

“Granted, Dr. Elliot,” Siren answered.

Tori smiled in grim satisfaction. She walked over to her bags and pulled out a sheet of paper. It was Quinn’s DNA sequencing. She’d taken it from Grant’s room and kept it. She knew it was a little strange, but to a scientist it was almost as good as a picture of him.