by Eve Langlais
“You should leave.”
“I don’t think so.” Theona shook her head. “You owe me.”
“Owe you? For what?”
“For not being the grand prize I’d hoped for. I came here to spy on the Pretender, the one who would call himself king.”
“As a joke.” It happened during a solstice celebration. There might have been a crown. Lots of intoxicants and long drunken speeches were involved.
“Joke or not, the Enclave wanted to know more about this so-called Marsh king, so they sent me.”
“But I found you.”
“On purpose. Someone told me where you’d be.”
“You mean the accident was staged?” He’d suspected it and pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to paranoia.
“I needed something to get your attention.”
It was almost shameful for him to realize how well it worked. “To do what?” he asked stupidly, even as many things began to make sense.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
The sudden meow at his feet had him looking down, and without thinking, he bent down to scoop up Sachi. A good thing he did.
The shot missed him. It was then he caught movement at the alley mouths at her back. The clank of metal out of place in the Marshes. Their minds encased in a type of helmet he couldn’t penetrate. Not easily at any rate. However, he could tickle the minds of others. He sent a simple basic thought.
Invaders in Eden.
“Why are you here, Theona?” Because it certainly wasn’t for love of him or their child.
“I’m here for the baby of course. You should see the price I got for her.”
His blood ran cold. “Excuse me?”
“Surely you didn’t think someone of my genetic caliber would have intentionally fornicated with someone like you.” Her nose wrinkled. “I lay with you so I would have something exotic to sell. I was offered a fair bit for the child, but once I realized how eager they were, I delayed the sale, waiting to see if they’d go higher. That’s the only reason I left her with you.”
Sachi squirmed free when he shifted the baby to his shoulder. He looked Theona in the face and realized just how falsely she’d played him. “How did you hide your perfidy?”
“You mean the mind shield?” She let it fall, and her true hatred of him spilled forth, rabid in its disdain. It slammed shut again. “Basic Enclave teachings. Can’t have the family secrets bandied around.”
“You’re…” He shook his head. “You lied to me this entire time.”
“And you fell for it.” Her lips curled. “I still can’t believe you fell for the sham. I’d heard you were supposed to be smart. It’s why there was worry. We kept hearing the rumors of a Marsh king banding people together and building himself a city in the swamp. Exaggerations as it turns out.”
“You want to stop me.”
“No, the Enclave wants to stop you. Me, I wanted the see the man the stories claimed could control the mind and the elements. Did you think no one noticed? You’re a legend in the city. A bogeyman to put the children to bed. Don’t stay up or the Marsh king will take you and grind your bones into dust.”
“A lie you could have rectified.” Because he’d never actually used his powers in front of Theona. He always tried to be sparing with them.
“Why would I refute the lie when your reputation served my purpose? Why do you think the brat is worth so much?”
“Who thinks to buy my daughter?” he asked, not without some curiosity. Did someone honestly believe they could take her and not have him retaliate?
“Someone very rich.” Over her shoulder, she said, “Take the girl.”
That more than anything caused him to snap. “Don’t you touch my princess.”
“The princess has a new owner she can call Daddy.” Theona’s evil smile was peppered with the sound of weapons firing.
Instinct made him fling up power to form a shield. All the projectiles clattered to the ground, the vial of sedative on one dart cracking enough to leak on the ground.
Theona gaped. “I didn’t know you could do that.”
Turned out she didn’t know a lot of things he could do. Weaving small, short shields, he managed to get close to the Centurions, which were harder to kill than the average swamp beast. But once reinforcements arrived in the forms of the people who’d declared him king, they gained the upper hand.
Soon the soldiers—the two left alive at any rate—hit their knees with metal-covered hands laced over their heads. Theona looked astonished and angry.
He saw it the moment the calculation took in the situation and adapted to it. Her expression turned frightened and teary eyed, much like the first time they’d met. Only this time he saw through it.
She came to him with a trembling lower lip. “Please, Roark. Don’t kill me. I had no choice.”
“Liar.” He glanced away from Theona to see Charlie tottering toward him. The shield he’d maintained around her collapsed as his strength ebbed.
Looking at his daughter, he knew he couldn’t kill the mother. Until she left him no choice. When she pulled that knife and held it to her own daughter’s throat…
There wasn’t a mind shield strong enough to keep him from saving his little girl.
Chapter 13
Roark ended the story with the death she’d seen coming from the moment he started. Casey eyed him, her words soft given his daughter slept across the room. “You were the one who killed Charlie’s mother.”
He hung his head. “She didn’t give me much choice.”
“I’m not disagreeing with what you did. I’d have done the same. She played you. She would have betrayed you again if given a chance. I’m going to guess Charlie doesn’t know.”
He shook his head. “She was a baby when it happened. It served no purpose to inform her that her mother was evil.”
“Sounds like the Enclave I know in Emerald.”
“To this day I don’t know how I didn’t realize she was Enclave born. Highly placed in the Sapphire court, too.”
“Could the attacks be a form of belated revenge?” Her mind worked through the possible ramifications.
“It’s possible, although I would have expected it to come much sooner before we got so strong.”
“Who might have taken offense at her death? Could it be the Sapphire king?”
“She and her family weren’t well liked by him.”
“Who is she related to?” Casey asked.
“They might not be involved.”
“And if they are? Give me the names.”
“To do what?”
“Put a stop to it.”
“Even if it turns out they’re behind the attacks, eliminating them won’t stop the threat. I’m king. I’ll always have enemies.”
“Unless they fear you.”
“They already do. I’ve got a reputation.”
She eyed him. “How much of it is true?”
“Depends what you heard.”
“You wrestle swamp monsters bare-handed. Took on a squad of Centurions on your own and sank them in the marsh. Sweet talked pirates into smuggling goods over the cliffs.”
“All true.”
“So what’s false?”
He ticked off a finger. “I wasn’t born in the belly of a Reed Beast. I don’t drink the blood of my enemies, unless it’s something I’ve hunted on four to eight legs. Then I use it to make a gravy if we’re camping outside overnight.”
“You can make gravy with blood?” she mused aloud. “I wonder if Benny’s tried it.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about the magic? How much of it is exaggerated?”
She waved a hand. “No need. I’ve seen what you can do. And I have a feeling there’s more still that I haven’t.”
“You’re astute.” He yawned, fatigue in his features.
“Go to bed.”
“A good plan. We’ve a long road tomorrow.”
He rose and moved across the room, only to stop by the e
dge of the mattress. He glanced at her. “Where are you sleeping?”
“Right here.” She snuggled in the chair.
“That’s not a bed.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. You’ll be sore in the morning. Come,” he ordered.
She smirked. “I am not sleeping with you.”
“Don’t be stubborn. The bed is huge. If you’re worried about your virtue, then might I remind you Charlie will serve as the perfect buffer.”
The offer tempted. How long since she’d slept in a real bed? The last few nights she’d spent guarding the princess, she alternated between on a pallet made of blankets on the floor and a chair. Accepting his offer would put her close by should they require protection.
She climbed into the bed very much aware he was on the opposite side. She would have probably slept better in the chair given her body tensed every time someone moved. Which was often. Charlie travelled in her sleep.
She did eventually manage to doze off until dawn, whereupon a certain princess wasn’t perturbed at all to find them all in bed together.
“Morning!” Charlie chirped, her tone bright and sunny.
Bleary-eyed, Casey wondered if it was wrong to gag happy children who woke too early.
“Hey, stinkweed. How you feeling this morning?” Roark’s voice softened.
“Good. I gotta pee.” Charlie bounced off with too much energy, and Casey glanced over the bed to see an equally tired-looking Roark.
Fatigued or not, he winked. “Morning, my lady.”
He was entirely too roguishly charming and suddenly made her rethink her decision to leave. She’d be travelling alone with Roark. A man who’d kissed her. A man she wanted to kiss again.
Was Cam right? Did she lust after the king?
So what if she did? She was a grown woman. A woman who had no problem sating her needs. Which didn’t happen often. But when it did, she handled it.
As a trio, Charlie skipping between them, they headed to breakfast. She ran into Cam in the dining room, the glower on his face a reminder of the things they’d said to each other the night before.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, choosing a seat beside him that was far from Roark but in sight of the princess. Until she departed, that little girl was still her job.
“For what? Freeing me?” He sneered, but she saw the pain in his eyes. “Did it ever occur to you that I wanted to do my own thing? Now I can.”
“Yes, you can.” Seeing him in obvious pain made her want to hug him and declare they would be partners again. But that would only mean she’d eventually blow up, perhaps even more nastily than before. She put her hand over his. “You’ll always be my brother.”
He tensed before relaxing enough to say, “Be careful.”
After breakfast, she sought out Titan, who glowered at a bunch of people but not her. He showed concern. “Are you sure you should be going?”
It riled her enough that she was tart in replying. “Are you trying to infer that Cam is the better choice to guard your precious king?”
“Of course not. I’m wondering more what you can accomplish.”
“Maybe nothing. But I do know we won’t resolve the issue by hiding here.”
Titan rubbed his face. “Port City isn’t going to be easy to search.”
“We just need one loose tongue. We’ll start in the tavern most likely.”
“Taverns,” he corrected. “I don’t think you grasp the size of the place you’re visiting. You’ve seen Eden by now, know how big it is. Port City is even larger.”
“Bigger than this?” She couldn’t help a high note.
“Much. I am not ashamed to admit it intimidated me.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not scared.”
“Nor are you city savvy.” He shook his head.
“Roark is,” she stated. “He’ll guide and get us into the places we need to go, and I’ll keep him safe.” She’d also listen from the shadows and learn everything she could.
He snorted. “I’m not worried about his safety. I’ve seen him fight. But you’re going to stick out.”
“Have you forgotten my ability?”
“You’re going to a place where powerful people thrive. They won’t be fooled or intimidated.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Glancing across the hall and seeing Cam stalk in a different direction, she said softly, “I have to go.”
Titan followed her gaze. “He’s not happy.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“Fuck me, he better,” Titan huffed noisily. “I hate dealing with your brother when he’s in one of his moods.”
“He needs to get laid,” she remarked.
Titan almost choked. “Casey! Really.”
“Well he does. Don’t be a prude.”
“He’s like family to me. Just like you are.” He eyed her. “Just because we’re not hanging out often doesn’t mean I stopped caring.”
“I know.” She’d go to many lengths to help Titan if she knew he was in danger. Just like he’d help her. If either of them wasn’t too proud to ask. “Which way do you recommend we go?”
“Personally, I’d take the cliff route down to the city. It’s a little more boring and the hunting is shit, but you’ll make better time.”
“What other routes are there?”
“The actual road winds through the forest. Then there’s the river. You can sail it past Haven, but that’s a roundabout path.”
“Are the woods dangerous at night?” When in Emerald, she’d had to sneak through the Seimor before its roots and branches quested for blood. Even the darkest pockets didn’t completely hide her.
“The forest by the bluffs is pretty tame. Only some giant nut things that like to drop and explode. They’re big enough to crush a skull.”
“I am not wearing a helmet.”
“Then it’s a good thing I need practice wiping drool off a chin,” he said, referring to Riella’s pregnancy. Approaching the midpoint, she’d remained slim thus far, making it hard to remember she carried a child and that Titan was going to be a father.
“This place is nice for kids, isn’t it?” Casey said.
The observation was based on what she’d seen thus far. At seven years old, this was the only home Charlie had known. She’d never had to move around, hide in bunkers or up in a tree so things on the ground couldn’t eat her. Other than Haven’s new home, it was the best place Casey had ever experienced.
“I think this is as close to perfect as it gets,” Titan admitted.
“Which is why I’m going with him,” she said softly.
There was something about Eden. A perfection that she recognized as both beautiful and vulnerable. How much of it relied on Roark?
Too much she feared. So long as assassins kept arriving, there was a possibility it could all fall down. She couldn’t let that happen. Couldn’t let the princess be kidnapped or killed. Nor could she let down the king.
Roark approached, a knapsack slung over his shoulder, looking casual and disreputable in leather pants that molded to his thighs and tucked into boots. He wore a heavy jacket, undone in the middle, the exterior a tough shell. Hanging low on his left hip, a holster, a gun nestled within. A sword rested in a sheath at his back, the pommel only visible when he shifted.
He looked… capable. A city king turned citizen.
“Ready?” he asked.
She was as ready as she’d ever be. They’d have to walk out of the city. The use of motor vehicles was kept at a minimum to avoid problems in the streets.
He didn’t hide himself as they left, his face in full view as he greeted people loud and clear. Making himself noticed. Telling everyone he was going on a trip.
Was it obvious he did his best to lead any enemies away?
She could only hope it didn’t make Charlie appear as an easier target.
“You’re worried,” he stated softly as they neared the city wall.
“Get out of my head.”
“I’m not in your head. You’re chewing your lip.”
She immediately stopped. “I’m worried about the princess.”
“I thought your brother capable.”
“He is!”
“And he’s not alone. He’s got Anita and my brother helping him.”
“I didn’t meet your brother.” She’d not gotten a chance to take his measure.
“Much as it galls me to admit, he’s a capable guy.”
“You like him?”
He shrugged. “We don’t see each other often, but I do.”
“And you truly didn’t learn about him until later in life?”
“Finding out your father had another secret family isn’t exactly something you want to explore much. Especially when your mother took it so hard.”
“But you ended up meeting?”
“Eventually.”
The exited the city walls with other foot traffic. Happy people, tough people, who eyed the woman by their king’s side more with curiosity than malice. She was getting used to having strangers around her.
They veered from where the majority headed, and while she didn’t mind walking, she knew they had far to go. “I thought you said we’d be grabbing a ride.” She kept pace with his long stride, appreciating and hating the way he didn’t shorten it for her, didn’t try and give her an advantage she didn’t need.
“Two wheels only. I hope that’s not a problem.” He flashed her a grin.
“Just try and keep up.”
“Very well. Last one to the rooted tree makes camp, and that includes dinner.”
She arched a brow. “You should know I never learned to cook.” She smiled. “And I don’t plan on starting.”
The bet was on. The rivalry allowed them an ease that they had failed to recapture from the night before. She wasn’t sure why. Too aware of each other perhaps.
The wager, though, let them say the most outrageous things. Needle each other. She smiled a few too many times. Laughed, too.
Cam was so right. She was hot for the king. And they were going to be alone tonight, just not above ground as expected.
They exited the city, and Roark veered away from the beaten path. Literally. The road cut a swath through reeds. They didn’t follow that easy trail but veered and somehow managed to keep their feet dry on the most obscure path.