Love, Blood & Fury

by Melissa J Kincaid

  She did not know much about Valdis, but she did not get good vibes when in his presence. When Arii asked about specifics on the fortress to the North, Lorch tilted his head to her. “Bonemire? That is all run by my father,” he said as they paced below a hanging willow tree.

  Arii chewed her lip as they walked. She sensed Elijah was nearby and listening. Surprisingly though, the man cloaked in shadow did not add to their conversation.

  It was also a surprise that Valdis did not sit on the throne himself.

  His control of everything to do with the Crown explained the ravenous poverty striking the smaller towns, the small bands of rogue guards causing trouble in the inns and flaunting their royal pins to get special treatment where businesses desperately needed coin.

  Surely Lorch could see what was happening right beneath his nose?

  There was hardly a balance anymore. She supposed that balance had been teetering for as long as she could remember, perhaps since the Herington families’ death. She herself was only young when the event happened. Since then, the Courts and their rulers had begun to withdraw into their own borders, before communication became almost non-existent.

  The rogue guards were a whole other problem.

  She vividly remembered slicing the hand off a man who had kept placing it where it did not belong, on a barmaid in the local tavern that she frequented with Krepth and Nem in Colkirk. Bearing the royal pin, the man lounged and demanded free mead of the innkeeper and grabbed the young girl’s behind far too many times for Arii’s liking. She could remember his howl of anguish and the thump of his hand as it hit the tavern floor. A riot broke out and she had had several Red Guards out on their arses.

  Hell, that was a fun night.

  If Lorch took his responsibilities seriously, she believed things would be a whole lot different. If what she had seen so far were any reflection, Lorch was a surprisingly kind person. She wondered what stopped him from speaking up and making change happen in the crumbling land around him. He seemed too kind, and perhaps that was making him easily malleable.

  “All that go to Bonemire are murderers and common thieves,” he said dismissively, bringing her back from her reverie.

  Lorch placed a hand on her own and she almost jumped at the contact. They had covered so much ground, and she had been so distracted by her internal reflection that she had not noticed they were outside the royal stables.

  “Care for a ride, Miss Clearwater?” he asked, opening the door to the stables.

  Arii offered a small smile and nodded. “Alright, I guess there could be worse ways to spend a rest day.”

  Lorch’s eyes wrinkled as he smiled, motioning for her to follow him to the stall where they had met for the second time.

  Standing where she had been a little over a week ago, Day Dancer stomped her hoof and snorted a greeting. Arii took the horse’s velvet muzzle in her hands, stroking and cooing softy. Lorch sidled up beside her, a look of surprise on his face. “It never ceases to amaze me how you let your guard down around a horse, my tough little warrior.”

  Arii threw him a look, and he laughed as he went to retrieve the saddle and riding gear. Lorch began to work, and Arii found herself surveying him, again surprised that he prepared the horse himself. He hefted the saddle onto Day Dancer’s back with care, making sure not to catch her mane. He was lean, tall, and had the body of a dancer rather than that of a fighter like Elijah.

  Leading the caramel mare by her bridle, they headed to the open space just clear of the stables.

  Lorch turned to meet her gaze and his eyes twinkled, a sly smile curling his lips. He leaned towards her and she froze.

  “Let me help you up,” he breathed as he slid his hands around her waist. She knew it was not her imagination as Lorch paused, and they were suddenly eye to eye, nose to nose. His eyes flicked down to her lips, and she found herself holding still under his close observation. Lorch’s eyes grew dark as they shared breath, his lips parting ever so slightly as he leaned closer. A shiver slid down her spine, and warmth pooled in her gut. She felt blood rise into her cheeks, and suddenly she felt a slither of anger.

  A Fury does not blush.

  A throat cleared just a few feet away, and Lorch paused inches from touching his lips to hers.

  Elijah…

  Lorch sighed and pulled away slowly.

  “If I may, Your Highness…” Elijah drawled, leading a black stallion from the stalls. The man paused in front of Arii, and before she knew what he was doing, Elijah was sliding the daggers from her belt.

  “Hey!”

  “You will not be needing them on your ride,” he said simply.

  Arii’s glare could have resembled daggers. At least she had her knife lodged firmly in her boot…

  Elijah suddenly had that knife too.

  “How the f-”

  “Miss Clearwater, may I help you up?” called Lorch, all sign of their closeness a few moments ago wiped away. With a last glare at Elijah, she pushed passed him to the King. She could have sworn there was a small, mocking smile on the hooded man’s lips as she passed.

  Gods, he was infuriating.

  “Of course.” She said, allowing Lorch to help her on to Day Dancer’s saddled back. Soon he was joining her, sitting snuggly behind and leaning his arms around her body to retrieve the reins. Arii thought it strange that he would not retrieve his own horse for their ride, but as he settled behind her and draped his arms around her to clutch the reigns – she quickly figured out why.

  Beside them, Elijah mounted his own horse effortlessly. She was lightly disappointed that he was coming with them, but had she expected any different?

  Clicking his tongue and nudging the mare’s sides with his heels, Lorch moved Day Dancer to a gentle trot as they headed along a path into what looked like a small forest ahead.

  It amazed Arii how big the castle grounds truly were. The golden castle and its grounds were situated on a small island, perched on the perfect lookout on the colossal waterfall, overlooking half the land to the sea beyond. At its back and beyond the forested grounds and gardens – a small town thrived.

  Swaying as the horse moved, Arii felt the press of Lorch’s body behind her. For the first time in a long while, she felt a cloud of content settle itself upon her.

  The Three Fates would know by now that she was extending out her assignment in search of answers. Whatever was happening in the north would undoubtably affect them too. Soon she would have to return to them, convey her findings in more detail and discuss their thoughts on the issue. Despite their reputation, Arii trusted the three sisters. They had raised her for the majority of her life after all.

  Even if that majority was bathed in blood.

  Arii chewed her lip. She could use Lorch to get to Bonemire somehow. Convince him to set up some sort of expedition there. As if he sensed the shift in her thoughts, Lorch brushed a stray lock of hair from her shoulder. His fingers brushed her neck and she felt tingles left behind on her skin.

  “What is on your mind?” he said gently.

  “How lovely the castle grounds are,” she hedged quickly, peering over her shoulder at the King.

  She met his bright blue eyes. They were fixed on her, before sliding away to survey the grounds beyond the horse’s feet. Day Dancer’s tail swished, and Elijah’s stallion grunted close behind.

  “I’ve been meaning to thank you, Miss Clearwater.”

  “What for?” The words were out before she had even thought about them.

  Lorch smiled. “For saving my life yet again the other night.”

  Arii felt a fresh blush tinging her cheeks.

  “My King, that was all Elijah’s doing.”

  From behind them, the bodyguard huffed a short laugh. She hated to admit it, but it was true.

  Lorch threw a glare Elijah’
s way before continuing. “Be that as it may, you aided him then and also against the Water Nymph breach.”

  Arii was silent, eyes on her hands as they clutched Day Dancer’s golden mane. She was suddenly reminded of the golden thread of the Tapestry, safely tucked in her trunk in the barracks.

  “I was doing my job,” she said simply.

  Lorch’s finger brushed the back of her hand and she hoped he could not feel the heat radiating from her cheeks.

  “Well, thank you.”

  The words were simple, but their weight had Arii’s shoulders curling inward. Lorch did not seem to notice as he continued. “Devina Divine was a Fury, we all knew it, but she has frequented many of my parties in the past that her presence became normal.”

  Arii was again chewing her lip as Lorch said, “I believe she was sent to kill me that night. My father has said he thought there to be a Fury in the castle. Until the events of the other night – I did not believe him.”

  Arii could feel the heat rising from under her collar. Valdis was suspicious from the beginning. The man was far too cunning.

  “Devina Divine is protected by the Three Fates, but should she come anywhere near the castle grounds again, there is an order for her head. She will not be feasting in my halls ever again.”

  Arii swallowed thickly. She detected a dark tone in the King’s voice that almost resembled that of his father. Thanks to Devina, some of the suspicion of her own placement in the castle seemed to be diverted.

  For the time being anyway.

  Like a leaf floating downstream, the tone was gone as the horses began to pace down a small decline. Leaning back to better level the horse, she felt the warmth of his body and suddenly wished to press closer. Gods it felt good. She felt the little spark of unfulfilled need flicker within.

  She doused the feeling quickly, shoving it down deep.

  She could not be distracted with basic desires right now.

  Especially not with the heavy weight of Elijah’s gaze on the back of her head. Surely, he saw the King’s unhidden affections, the way he meaningfully wrapped his arms around her, and lingered when they were close.

  Despite what they had been through, Elijah still did not trust her. She was sure such a thing was near impossible to earn.

  She did not need his trust anyway.

  Soon they came to a small pool set in amongst some tall, weeping willow trees. A miniature waterfall fed the pool, the waters so crystal clear that Arii swore she could see the rock coated bottom. Leaves floated lazily down the small stream that was sure to connect to the body of water that the castle lived upon.

  Lorch pulled gently on the reins, sweeping a hand towards the pool and a serene grassy spot by the water’s edge.

  “This is the crystal pool, somewhere I like to come to relax when the life of a King gets too much. I wanted to share it with you.”

  Arii surveyed the glittering water.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said and meant it.

  “And you have my permission to come here whenever you want. Elijah likes to come here often, right Elijah?” From beside them, the cloaked man huffed in annoyance, as if revealing any hint of personal information was painful. “Yes, Your Highness,” he replied gruffly, only seeming to reply because his King wanted a confirmation. Had it been anyone else, she was sure the man would have remained silent.

  Lorch slipped from the horse’s back before turning to help Arii. She did not need his help of course but allowed the man to go through with the motions as she slid from Day Dancer’s back and found her hands on Lorch’s chest, her eyes fixed on his own. His hands remained on her hips for longer than what was probably necessary, and soon the two were parting as Elijah followed their lead.

  Gods the cloaked man really knew how to bring the mood down.

  She felt a tug of annoyance in her gut but brushed it away swiftly.

  “It’s perfect,” she agreed and offered Lorch a smile. Why was he showing her such a personal place? The area felt intimate somehow - like being let into part of his personal chambers. This place… it was so different in comparison to other parts of the North. Here, there were no dirty streets, no dry crops, dangerous and uneven streets and dark, water deprived gardens. Here, there was wealth… so much wealth. It made her feel uneasy, causing her spine to straighten as she said, “Pendle once had pools like this, just beyond the town line and in the forest. Now, you’d be lucky to see an inch of water during the winter.”

  Lorch titled his head her way, brows raised.

  From behind them, Elijah paused and turned his head ever so slightly.

  “Cannot say I have visited Pendle in… well, years actually,” said Lorch, lifting a smooth stone and surveying it critically. Arii wondered how long it had been since he had visited any of the towns that made up his Kingdom. It was strange, despite what she had seen and learned of Lorch Kruel so far – she could see he was a caring person. Either he trusted that his father was doing the right thing for the Kingdom, or he in fact did not care – despite what his mother claimed.

  She wondered if he had ever truly visited Pendle in his life.

  Feeling an unease in the air, she thought it best to liven the mood by saying, “Well, if you don’t mind dusty streets and shit mead – then by all means, visit Pendle.”

  “You judge a town by its liquor?” Lorch chuckled, lips quirking.

  Arii placed a hand on her hip and tilted her head. “The time and effort put into a town’s liquor says a lot about the town itself, I’ll have you know.”

  The King chuckled, shaking his head. “I’d picked you for more of a sweet wine kind of lady.”

  “You have much to learn about me, Your Highness. Wine gives me a killer hangover. Mead though? Much friendlier the next morning.”

  Lorch smiled, before pacing to the water’s edge and picking up another stone, tossing it in the air before catching it in his palm. He was silent for a time, and as she paused nearby – she saw him watching her from the corner of his eye.

  He seemed to be working up to something.

  Arii joined him slowly, and realised Elijah was hanging back at the horses. Had they brought her here to kill her? Slice her neck and dump her corpse in the pool? She would not put it past Elijah. Thoughts swirled in her head as Lorch glanced up at her, gazing through his thick lashes.

  Gods he was handsome. If his face was the last thing she saw, she would not be entirely disappointed.

  “May I put something to you, Miss Clearwater?” With a heavy pause, Lorch tossed the stone into the pool, before turning to her once more. Arii felt her tongue press against the roof of her mouth as she waited.

  “I’d like you to move into a room in the castle,” he said suddenly.

  Arii’s mouth popped open in a little ‘o’ of surprise. She was not expecting that. Then again, she was not sure what she had been expecting.

  “I... Erm…”

  Lorch approached, taking her hand gently.

  Blood rose to her cheeks again.

  Nyx’s arse she had to stop blushing.

  “I want you to begin training with Elijah, full time.” He paused, running a thumb over the calloused skin of her palm. A palm accustomed to the weight of a dagger, and the warm kiss of fresh lifeblood. Definitely not used to the gentle caress of a young man’s fingers. Her head tilted in Elijah’s direction, wondering what he thought of this arrangement.

  Elijah was tending to the horses, his back to them.

  Deliberate, no doubt.

  Her eyes slid back to Lorch, who was watching her now with an unreadable expression. What if she refused? Would he send her packing? Arii was sure that despite the gentleness she had seen in the King, Lorch Kruel was still used to getting his way.

  “Alright,” she agreed, before adding. “Your Highness. I would be honour
ed.”

  Lorch’s smile lit his face in the shade of the trees.

  Beneath his hood, Elijah’s lips pulled into a frown.

  ~~~

  Later that evening, Arii was escorted back to the recruit barracks by Elijah. After a few hours of sitting by the pool and nibbling on an assortment of fruit and cheese brought on Elijah’s horse, Arii felt a serene tiredness lace her bones. She had learned a lot about the King that she was not expecting.

  His favourite colour was green. He much preferred Winter to Summer (all the better to snuggle and keep warm beside a fire. That little bit of information had her fighting another stupid blush). That was odd as the North was a warm place constantly. He preferred reading a book to sparring in the training ring. And he enjoyed sweet wine over mead or beer.

  “Pack your belongings and I’ll show you to your rooms.” said Elijah, his voice gruff. He stood to the side of the barrack doors, arms crossed over his chest.

  She nodded and pressed into the barracks, soon greeted by a small sea of curious eyes.

  “Well, where have you been?” called Tikkani, standing quickly and pointing a finger into Arii’s chest. “Off gallivanting the castle grounds on your-” Tikkani’s mouth slackened as Elijah moved into the doorway behind them, a heavy waiting shadow.

  The entire room fell silent.

  Arii then realised what it looked like as Tikkani’s lips began to slide into a knowing smile, eyes narrowing and teeth flashing in a sly grin as the room began to fill with murmurs.

  The recruits all began to whisper.

  “You little hussy!”

  “No, it’s not what it looks like!”

  “Sure sure!”

  Suddenly Elijah spoke from the doorway. “I would not stoop so low.”

  The entire room fell silent, and someone exhaled a breathy ohhhh.

  Arii slapped a hand to her face, before rounding on Elijah. “Would you mind waiting outside?” she hissed. His lips twitched before he turned and exited the room.