by Ally Shields
Kam eagerly took it and glanced at the Elfish words. “Eiyen glishne kahm.” Open to me. So simple. “Wow, Bria. I don’t believe this. How?”
“While he was reciting all the reasons I couldn’t go, he laid the paper on the table. As soon as his back was turned, I hid it in my pocket. Then I got him out of the room to walk in the garden in hopes he’d forget about it. It must have worked, because he didn’t say a thing.”
“Very clever. But don’t you think he’ll notice it’s gone?”
Bria shrugged. “Maybe. But he might not be sure or he might think someone else threw it away. I doubt if he’d even think I was capable of stealing it.”
“But eventually…” Kam wasn’t so sure Trystan wouldn’t figure it out very quickly. He could be on his way now.
“If he comes to ask, it’ll be too late.”
“Yes, you’re right. I must go quickly, but I hate for you to get into trouble. Will you be punished?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. Tryst would never harm me. And I won’t even get a scolding…because I’m going with you.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kam shook her head adamantly. “No, Bria. You can’t make that kind of decision so suddenly. You’ve never even visited New Orleans. What if you hate it? If you left here with me, you might never be able to return.”
“I know that.” Bria searched her face with an anxious look. “Please hear me out. I’ve thought about this since I met you. My world is dying. My parents are already dead. My neighbors are hoarding things, stealing from each other. They’re angry and depressed all the time. There’s nothing for me in Cyrilia. I have to make a new life somewhere if I want to survive. And sometime soon. It might as well be now.”
Kam blew out a long breath. Now what? The Cyrilian woman had caught her totally off guard. She couldn’t take Bria to New Orleans and leave her there. She’d never make it without knowing the language or the customs. But could she take her to Elvenrude? Could she even tell her about Elvenrude?
She tried again. “You have no idea what you’d be getting into. It’s not like anything you’ve known. Humans don’t know that elves exist, and they’ve never seen anyone who looks like you. No one speaks Elfish.”
“What’s wrong with the way I look?”
“Nothing. You’re beautiful. But you don’t look human. The eyes, the ears will stand out, bringing you to the immediate attention of authorities.”
“You live there,” Bria pointed out with a puzzled look.
“Blue eyes are acceptable, even this shade, and when I’m in New Orleans I hide the ears.”
“Then I could hide mine too,” Bria said reasonably. “I’ll avoid eye contact, and I can learn the language. I’m very quick at picking up new things.”
“I’m sure you are, but…” Kam stared at her helplessly. To explain the magnitude of the problem, she’d have to tell her about Elvenrude, and the portal’s adaptations, and a thousand other things.
“I wouldn’t be a bother. Really.”
“It’s not that. I’m more concerned you’ll be sorry.”
“It’s my choice. I’ll miss Cyrilia, but I have to do this. Maybe I’ll discover something there to save us, but at the very least I’ll get a new start.” Bria lifted her chin. “If you don’t take me, I know the code, and I’ll go on my own.”
And she would. Besides, Kam owed her, and her conscience would nag her if she left the young woman in a dying world. “All right. Collect whatever you need to take, but keep it to one small bag. And bring a scarf to cover your ears. We need to move quickly.”
Bria whirled around and began sorting items on her dressing stand.
“I’ll check my room a last time and meet you downstairs,” Kam said.
Ten minutes later, Bria came down the marble staircase with a bulging cloth bag in her hands. “It isn’t heavy,” she said. “Sorry I wasn’t here sooner, but I stopped to write a note for Cousin Ju. We’ve never been close, but she would wonder. She’ll find it when she realizes I haven’t come home.”
Kam noticed the tears on Bria’s lashes but didn’t say anything. Would she have the courage under these circumstances to make the same decision? Actually, she hoped so.
They set the bag outside the castle’s side door and went to tell Cousin Ju they were going for a long walk. It might gain extra time before an alarm was raised. Cousin Ju seemed startled by Bria’s fierce hug. She impatiently shooed them out the door. “Go along now. I have work to do.”
At the edge of the woods, Bria paused for a final look at her home. Then she marched down the path, refusing Kam’s help with her bag and wearing a determined look on her face.
* * *
“I don’t know my way around the swamp,” Andolf protested. He’d been sitting in the same dungy cell the past thirty-six hours, and his eyes showed the strain from lack of sleep and the frequent sessions of interrogation. His shoulders sagged; his face was ashen. “Even if I could find the portal, I’ve told you over and over, we can’t access it. Not without the keycode.”
“You must have heard the code. Haven’t you been there when they opened the portal?”
“They don’t say it aloud.” Andolf’s attitude had gone from defiant to resigned hours ago. “Do you think I like this? I can’t get home. Even if you let me go, I’d be stuck unless someone found me.”
Seth pushed off the table he’d been leaning on and walked away, glancing toward the door. They’d been taking turns questioning the Cyrilian, and Seth was about due for a break. He was bone tired and sensed his thinking had become a little desperate. His temper was on a short fuse. This was the fourth day Kam had been missing.
Brunic knocked on the door and held up a small jug of water. Seth joined him and Rhyden in the hallways.
“The guy’s like a mule, isn’t he?” Rhyden tipped his chin toward the cell.
Seth took a long drink from the jug. “He hasn’t deviated from his story in hours. Maybe he really doesn’t know how to access the portal.”
“Then what are we doing?” Rhyden asked.
Brunic scowled. “I heard a but.”
“I’m not convinced he can’t find it. And just because he can’t access it without the keycode doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I’d bet we’ve had a lot more portal experience than Andolf or most of the Cyrilians. Let’s start by locating it, and I think he can at least get us in the general vicinity.” Seth turned abruptly and pulled on the door latch. It held tight. He swore under his breath. He’d forgotten the automatic lock.
“Just wait a sec,” Brunic grumbled. He pulled the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. “What’s the sudden hurry?”
“Who knows what’s happening to Kam while we’ve been messing with this guy.” Seth yanked the cell door open. “There’s one last thing we can try. We’re taking our prisoner for an alligator tour. And just maybe he’ll show us a portal.”
* * *
After a brisk walk through the desolate forest, Kam and Bria approached the clearing where the portal stood. Only this time a large elf with broad shoulders and a longbow stood beside it. Kam pulled Bria behind a tree.
“He wasn’t here before,” she whispered. “Is it normally guarded?”
“I don’t think so,” Bria said. “Maybe they’re looking for you.”
Maybe. They shouldn’t have missed Bria yet. But it was possible Trystan had discovered the copy of the portal code was gone.
“Do you know how to cloak yourself?” Kam asked.
“Not without an invisibility ring.”
“A ring?” Kam whipped her gaze to Bria’s face. So the ability wasn’t inborn. She kept forgetting the Cyrilians were just another branch of elves. “Don’t you have one?”
Bria shook her head. “There’s only a few dozen left. All the working rings were turned over to the royal family before I was born. I’ve never had one.”
Too bad. A ring would certainly be convenient, especially for long periods of use.
“I su
ppose Trystan controls them.”
“The royal family. Him, his brother Tad, and their cousin Dreysel.”
So Tad, the snippy one, was a younger brother. How had she missed that? And the outspoken Dreysel, a cousin. Interesting family dynamics. She had the impression none of them got along that well.
Kam gave herself a mental shake. None of that mattered at the moment.
She looked over her shoulder. “Let’s get away from the path while we figure out what to do about the guard.” Kam ducked under a low branch. When they’d picked their way through several feet of dead and broken foliage, Kam perched on a fallen tree lying across another huge log. “If we keep our voices down, we should be safe here for a while.”
Bria scuffed her foot in the dirt next to the log. “I think we’re stuck, unless your amulet can hide both of us.”
“It can’t. I’ve tried before. Only one living essence at a time. But I can carry non-living things.”
“Oh, good. So if I’m dead you can carry me through.” Bria gave her a wry hint of a smile, then turned serious. “OK. You go. I’ll have to stay. I won’t jeopardize your chance to get away. But don’t be surprised if someday I look you up.”
“You won’t have to. I said I’d take you, and I will. Maybe we can steal a ring for you. Or maybe the guard’s only here during certain hours.”
Bria looked doubtful. “Do you think so?”
“He might at least take a break. We’ll find out.”
But an hour later the guard was still there, and it had been long enough Bria could be missed soon.
“I have an idea,” Kam said. “It’s not very sophisticated, but we don’t have time to plan anything elaborate. Sometimes simplicity works best. I’ll cloak myself with the amulet, and we’ll approach the portal together. When he tries to stop you, talk to him…about anything…while I invoke the keycode. As soon as the portal opens, run through. I’ll trip him or something and follow you.”
“How will I know it’s open? Doesn’t it always look the same?”
“I’ll tap your shoulder. Can you distract him long enough?”
“Sure. He’s a man, isn’t he?”
Knowing time was their greatest enemy, Kam hurried Bria back to the main path. She grabbed her amulet before they emerged, and they walked unhurriedly toward the guard.
The big man scowled at Bria. “Do you have business on the Otherside?”
“Oh, goodness, no. Why would I want to go there?” Bria smiled at him, as Kam turned toward the portal. “I’m looking for Trystan.”
“He hasn’t been here.”
“But I was told he would be. That he was searching for the escapee.”
“I’m sure he is looking for her, and frankly, it isn’t safe for you to be out by yourself.”
Bria widened her eyes. “Is she dangerous?” She looked around fearfully. “Is it safe for me to go home alone?”
The guard shifted his feet. Kam suppressed a chuckle, as she watched the scene out of the corner of her eye. Bria had this guy wrapped around her finger. He wanted to play the gallant and see her home, yet he had his orders. Just keep him off balance a few more seconds. Kam stretched her hand out to touch the portal barrier.
“Eiyen glishne kahm.” She barely breathed the words. The swirling barrier shifted under her hand and her arm slid through. She reached out to tap Bria but froze at the sound of Trystan’s voice.
“Brianya, what are you doing here?”
The prince and Tad strode toward them, followed by two of the palace guards. Before Brianya or the guard could react, Kam grabbed Bria’s arm and pulled her through the portal. The humidity of the swamp wrapped around them as they landed on the other side.
Kam pushed Bria away from the portal entrance. “Run before they catch us. But watch your feet. There’s water everywhere.”
Splashing and stumbling, Bria did her best. They came out of the first grove of trees and made a quick turn to the left, away from the city. Kam heard voices somewhere ahead. Tourists or alligator hunters. It didn’t matter. Anyone would provide them with some protection from their pursuers.
Kam touched the top of her ears as they ran. Good, the Elvenrude ear adaptation had reasserted itself as soon as she entered the human world.
“Put your scarf on,” she whispered. “I’m going to introduce you to your first humans. Don’t look at them directly, and let me do the talking.” She kept a firm grip on Bria’s hand, occasionally pulling her away from some hazard, as they flew across the soggy marshes. In spite of faint sounds of pursuit, she didn’t waste time looking back.
Their feet touched firmer ground. The strangers’ voices came from directly ahead, and Kam urged Bria forward with a sharp tug. They burst out of the tall swamp grass into a clearing with a small boathouse and dock. Four men looked up. One of them uttered an oath and took a few steps toward her.
“Kam? By the gods, can it be you?”
Her mind blanked for an instant. Seth? This must be a dream, an illusion. But the tall, gorgeous image strode toward her. Poised to throw herself into his arms, she spun around when Trystan shouted from behind her.
“Stop! Let Brianya go.”
Kam stepped in front to shield the other woman. Trystan and the three men with him drew their longbows. She darted a look over her shoulder at Seth and his companions. Brunic had his crossbow drawn; Seth and Rhyden held their guns ready to fire. The fourth man, a pale-haired Cyrilian in handcuffs, stood beside Brunic.
Kam and Bria were caught in the line of fire. She turned, guided Bria in front of her, and slowly walked toward Seth. He nodded encouragement.
“Brianya is coming with us,” Trystan said.
The young woman twisted her head to look back. “No, I’m not, Tryst. Go home. This has nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t understand. Have you been threatened?”
“You heard her,” Seth said. “She’s made her choice. I don’t know who you are, and right now, I don’t care. Back off, and we’ll end this. Your bows are no match for our guns.”
Kam reached her friends and pulled Bria behind the men.
“Look, Tryst. This scum has taken Andolf too.” Tad flashed an angry scowl at his brother.
“I see that.” Trystan’s gaze swept over the prisoner. He shifted his bow toward Seth. “Release them both. Then we will go.”
“Go now, and we will spare your lives.”
“You’ve grown into a foul breed,” Tad snarled. “Perhaps we should teach you respect for your betters.” He had a dangerous glint in his eyes. No doubt he was capable of killing them, if given a chance.
“Quiet, Tad. You’re not helping.” Trystan focused on Seth. “Are you the leader of the darkkin?”
“It doesn’t matter who we are. We’re leaving now.” Seth glanced at Kam and Brunic and lowered his voice. “The four of you head back. Rhyden and I will handle this.”
Andolf refused to budge until Brunic prodded him with his crossbow. The group slowly moved toward the trees beyond the boathouse.
“Come back here. You can’t just take them,” Trystan protested.
“Why not? You’ve shown no scruples against kidnapping,” Seth said dryly.
“I’ve had enough.” Tad increased the tension on his bow. “Let me kill him.”
Trystan clamped a hand on Tad’s bow, lowering its aim. “We’re not here to start a war.” He looked at Seth again. “What more do you want? You have the woman back.”
Kam bit her tongue but let Seth respond.
“From what I saw, that’s no thanks to you.”
She hid a smile and urged Bria, Brunic, and the prisoner to increase their pace. Once they were gone, there would be nothing to fight about. Thank the gods, Seth and Rhyden had brought their guns.
Shortly after they entered the grove of trees, Brunic dropped back beside Kam and leaned close to her ear. “Who is she?” He nodded toward Bria.
“A friend. Captain Brunic, this is Brianya from Cyrilia.” When he and Bria
had acknowledged the introduction, she added, “Who’s the prisoner?”
“Not a friend. From the same place.”
“His name is Andolf,” Bria interjected. “He’s a frequent companion of Dreysel.”
Kam nodded, understanding the significance, and glanced at the sullen captive. A proponent of theft and slavery. What had he done to run afoul of Seth and Brunic?
She’d find out later. Kam closed her eyes, listening to the familiar night sounds, and took a deep breath of the pungent swamp air. Full of life. Such a contrast to Cyrilia.
A smile curved her lips. It was good to be back…and the look on Seth’s face had made her heart sing.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kam and her companions moved swiftly through the swamp, but Seth and Rhyden caught up before they reached the outskirts of New Orleans. Seth fell into step and ran beside her.
He shot a sideways glance. “Are you really all right?”
“Yes.” She nodded and swallowed hard, not trusting herself to say more. She reached out to touch his hand, and he squeezed her fingers. A few minutes later, they entered the city streets and dropped into a walk.
“Rhyden, can you take everyone to the Ryndel Guild? Kam and I will be right behind you.”
“Sure thing.” Rhyden flashed him a grin before hustling the group in the general direction of the wharfs.
The instant they were alone, Seth turned Kam toward him and leaned forward to softly capture her mouth. Her arms curled around his neck, and he pulled her into a possessive embrace. When he finally lifted his head, they were breathless and held each other for long moments. She choked back tears.
“I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Imagining all kinds of terrible things that might have happened.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d notice I was gone.”
“Not notice? Dammit, Kam.” He sounded fierce now and loosened his hold to look at her. “We had a fight. That doesn’t change the fact I love you.”