“You made me look like some kind of hero.”
I thought about it for a moment. “I suppose I did, but I don’t see you complaining… not that it really matters.”
Raikidan muttered something in his tongue. I shrugged it off and listened to the patter of the rain now falling from the sky until it soothed me into unconsciousness.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Heaviness permeated my mind as I roused from my slumber. The sound of the rain quietly enveloped my ears. Something felt different about my sleeping arrangement, but my groggy mind couldn’t place it. Is it warmer in here? Why does my bed feel less soft? Stretching, I realized there was something definitely different. My bed didn’t just feel harder—it was. The air was also quieter than usual. There wasn’t the normal heavy breathing of a large dragon in the room. Instead, there was the sound of steady human breathing. And it’s close.
I opened my eyes and found I wasn’t facing down on my bed, but curled up against a body—Raikidan’s body. I bolted upright.
He chuckled. “Morning.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and forced myself to stay calm. “What… is… your… problem?”
He held up a hand in defense. “Hey, don’t go pointing fingers at me. I just relaxed here after I couldn’t sleep anymore. You’re the one who curled up to me in your sleep.”
“I told you to stay off my bed!”
“Why should you be the only who can lay on something so comfortable?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose again. “You have your own bed in your own room. Use that.”
He smirked. “That’s not as fun. Especially with the way you react.”
I glared at him. “If you want entertainment, go watch TV.”
Raikidan sat up. “I had thought about it, but Blaze brought a friend home, and neither seemed interested in going to his room.”
I hid my face in my hand. “You didn’t just tell me Blaze was messing around with some bar floozy in the living room.”
“Not familiar with that term, but if you mean he’s pinning the woman to the wall and mauling her face with that thing you call a kiss, then yes, I did just tell you that.”
I groaned. “That didn’t mean you were supposed to tell me!”
Raikidan chuckled. “Your reactions to such things never cease to amuse me.”
I glowered at him. “You know what? For that comment, you’re getting mandatory training with Ryoko for the next two weeks.”
His expression dropped to a scowl. “No. We had an agreement the one time would be it.”
“You’re right, we did agree, but you’re being an asshole, and there are plenty of benefits to you fighting her.”
He held his stance. “I don’t fight females. There’s no negotiating this.”
I relaxed my shoulders and rested my hands in my lap, trying to keep myself from blowing up at him. He was as stubborn as me, and that wouldn’t do in this situation. “Raikidan, that’s the problem here. I’m not telling you to do this because it’ll keep you in shape. I’m telling you to do this, because you need to learn how to fight women. There will be a time where a battle will force you to decide to take a women’s life, or risk losing your life, or the life of a comrade you’re sworn to protect.”
I tilted my head when he looked away. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes.”
“But you’re still not going to budge on this, are you?”
His lips pressed into a thin line. “You don’t understand just how difficult it is to say yes to this idea.”
“You’re right, I don’t.”
He looked at me, his brow raised.
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t try. Besides, this is a good way to get to know Ryoko, too.” I chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll enjoy going shopping with her, so this really is your only option right now.”
“You want me to know her?”
“It can’t hurt to make a friend or two.” I shook my head. “Even if you don’t want human friends, getting to know everyone should be on your to-do list. It’ll make it easier for you to work with them.”
Raikidan stared at me and then sighed. “Fine, I’ll try this, but on one condition.”
I pursed my lips. “What’s that?”
A smirk spread across his face, and a dreadful knot formed in my stomach. It made him look appealing, and dangerous.
Raikidan leaned closer, reaching out and lifting my chin with his index finger. The touch brought my heart to a screeching halt. “Blaze and his ‘friend’ reminded me I still haven’t found out what a kiss is like.”
My heart’s pace kicked back into gear, skipping right into a racing speed that thundered in my ears. He did not— I shoved him away. “Nope. You’re not going to find out with me. Not happening.”
Raikidan frowned, his brow creasing. “Why not?”
“Because I said so.” I climbed out of bed. “If you want a kiss so bad, go find a hooker, or better yet, go ask Ryoko. She’d be more than happy to oblige.”
“But not you.”
“I will not be involved in your little experimenting phase. So, do not ask again.”
My artificial clothes changed into typical day wear, and I left my room before Raikidan could make this even more awkward. The nerve of him!
“I told you not to trust him.”
He could ask anyone else for that and wouldn’t have an issue. So why did he have to pick me? With those striking eyes, and strong jawline, he could just… lean in and—heat flared in my core when the image of him leaning in close to me entered my mind. I shoved the image away. Snap out of it!
What the hell was wrong with me? This had never been an issue before. These thoughts… I shut it all out. I couldn’t go there. Not with a human, and most definitely not with some dragon. That would be the most stupid decision I could ever make. I knew better than to make that mistake…
I entered the kitchen, looking for something to eat. I wasn’t hungry, but I hadn’t eaten much yesterday, and I needed to eat something. Small feet pattered on the floor down the hall, and before I knew it, Genesis poked her head around the corner into the kitchen.
“Ah, you are awake,” she said.
I pulled out a bowl for some cereal. “What’s up?”
“I got a call from Council member Hanama. The assassins are running low on supplies for poisons and other such materials, and our usual supply locations for the more exotic items are tapped out at the moment. Do you think shamans would carry anything we could use?”
I leaned against the counter. “Depending on what it is, they may have to bring some in, but they would carry a lot of what the assassins use for natural-based concoctions. Of course, they’d only sell those kinds of herbs to a shaman, so I’d have to obtain them.”
Genesis nodded. “I’ll write up a list and get the funds ready for you.”
“Take your time. I need to eat first anyway. Plus, I’d like to add to the list, as I’ve learned a few concoctions in my absence.”
“See me when you’re ready to add to the list.” Genesis ran off, and I finished prepping my quick meal.
As I placed the empty used cereal bowl in the sink, Raikidan came out of my room, clothed in his Guard outfit. “I overheard your conversation with Genesis. I figured you’d ask me to join you for this new task of yours.”
“Thank you for saving me time.” I walked past him, pushing away a strange feeling that flared up into me when my arm brushed his by accident. “I’ll be ready in a moment.”
The sun had reached its zenith by the time Raikidan and I made it to the sector where the shamans should be selling their wares. It took me three different soldiers to find anyone with relative knowledge of their current whereabouts. Now we just have to track them down.
The clopping of hooves on asphalt caught my ears. I turned to find a small covered wagon pulled by two large horses, coming down the quiet road. Two cloaked figures sat on the driver’s seat. Oh, finally!
&nb
sp; One of them waved to us and I waved back, waiting for them to draw closer. Once they came into better view, I identified them both as male, one a Guard, one not, both from the North Tribe.
The non-guard pulled the wagon to a halt in front of us. “Good afternoon. Are the two of you looking for the rest of the caravans?”
I nodded. “We are. I needed to gather a few supplies, and I’ve forgotten where the setup was for today.”
He chuckled. “I know who you are, Laz’shika. You’re going to be out of the loop a lot, with how often we move around these days.” Well, at least my name is known in a way that isn’t causing them to tell me to get lost. The man gestured to the back. “My wagon is full of new supplies, so I can’t offer you a comfortable seat, but you and your Guard are welcome to hitch a ride on my back step.”
I smiled. “I appreciate the offer.”
Raikidan and I made our way to the back, hopping up on the steps leading into the closed-up back. Raikidan tapped the side of the wagon when we were ready, and the wooden vehicle lurched forward.
The city rolled by, everything rather quiet. A few civilians poked their heads out of windows or turned to stare as we passed, their eyes curious about the wagon, but none bothered us. When I started to think this driver was as lost as me, we turned a corner and came to a street filled with wooden wagons. Some looked bundled up tight, while others were open for customers to buy or trade.
Our wagon pulled to a halt and the two of us jumped down, making our way to the front. The shaman driving the wagon was just hopping down as we made it to him.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said. “I do appreciate it.”
He smiled. “I’m happy to assist. If you need any more help, you know we’ll be more than willing.”
I caught the implications from his tone. He had to be one of the North shamans siding with Fe’teline. Not wanting to entice any unwanted excitement, I pulled out the list of items Genesis gave me, and held the paper up. “I could use some assistance, actually. I need to find some herbs that are hard to obtain in this city. Do you know who can assist me?”
The shaman took the paper and read it over. His expression didn’t change, so he either had no idea what I needed them for, or didn’t care. “There’s only one person here who will have even half of these. Her name is Se’lata. She’s a spice trader from the East Tribe.”
The man handed the paper back to me. “You’ll find her halfway down this street. Your nose will find her before your eyes do.”
I chuckled. “Thank you. Have a wonderful day.”
“And you, Laz’shika.” He grinned. “And as I said before, if you ever need any assistance, call on us.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
I led Raikidan down the bustling street, taking in everything going on. Civilians mingled about with shamans, buying, bartering, even arguing. Shamans did the same with each other. It was an interesting sight to see. The shamans had done well over the decades, integrating with the cities and towns on this side of Lumaraeon.
They could be a valuable asset in defeating— No, don’t go there, Eira. I knew better than to involve them in this.
Raikidan nudged me and then pointed. Following his gesture, I spotted a covered wagon set up with plants on display as well as some bottles with sticks burning in them. A moment later the strong scent of burning incense slammed into my nose. It wasn’t a pleasant mix, either.
I scrunched my nose. “I think we found her.”
“You don’t like the smell?” Raikidan asked.
My brow rose and I looked at him. “You do?”
He nodded. “I think it’s nice.”
“To each their own, I guess.”
We approached the wagon just as a cloaked woman with dark skin exited the back. The ornate designs on her cloak, and the way vines and flowers clung to her and her cloak, screamed East Tribe. They were known to be a bit… eccentric.
She smiled when she spotted us. “Oh, hello there. May I help you?”
I did my best to ignore the smell of her burning products. “Hi. My name is Laz’shika, and this is my guard Raikidan. Would you happen to be Se’lata?”
“Yes, I am she.” She frowned. “Are you all right, dear? Are my incenses bothering you?”
“Just a little bit, but I’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry. Most love this mix.”
I gestured to Raikidan. “He likes it, so don’t worry about it too much.”
“If you say so.” She clapped her hands together. “What can I do for you?”
I held up my shopping list. “I was told you may be able to help me track down these herbs.”
Se’lata took the list and read it. “Some very exotic and unusual requests.”
I was struck with the realization that not all shamans would be okay with providing such ingredients. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t thought of it. Probably because I’m so used to the laid-back attitude of the herbalists in the West Tribe. I had worked with many of them, even having had the chance to teach them what I knew. The open exchange had been nice, but easy to take for granted.
Se’lata smirked. “But I wouldn’t expect much different from the infamous Laz’shika.”
I choked. “Infamous? Since when?”
She chuckled and turned to look through her stock. “I’ve heard the rumors. A protégé fire elementalist. One of a kind.”
My gaze faltered. “I wouldn’t agree, but that’s what’s been said in the past.”
“Humble, too. The tales don’t lie. I’m interested to see you grow. But enough about that. I happen to have all of these ingredients. Some are rare, so they cost a pretty copper.”
I nodded. “I assumed as much.”
“Good, good. Let me retrieve the requested quantities.”
Se’lata disappeared into the wagon. I waited patiently, while Raikidan found interest in her offered products. I used the time to analyze his curious nature and those around us. Raikidan proved more interesting, with his constant inspection of plants and his desire to pick up every spice jar to get a better look at the contents.
Se’lata returned after some time, a large leather sack in her arms. “Here it is. I did not have a high enough stock of everything requested, so I’ve added larger quantities of other items on the list of similar or equal value.” She then took interest in Raikidan’s search. “Need something, dear?”
“I’m just looking at the moment.”
“Very well.” She focused back on me. “Now, let’s discuss payment.”
She explained what she’d changed for quantities on my list and then we discussed cost. Her first offer came in much less than Genesis’ calculation, but higher than mine. We went back and forth with the haggling until we came to an agreed two hundred gold price. A lot for herbs, but not only had I acquired a lot, some were highly lethal on their own—so much so that she probably shouldn’t even have brought them into the city.
Once the exchange had been completed, we focused on Raikidan, who now looked at a small container of ground red spice. He looked at us when he realized we’d stopped speaking. “Um, I’d like to purchase this as well.”
This piqued my interest. “I’m sure I have enough to spot you the money.”
Raikidan came over and held out the jar for Se’lata to see. She nodded. “That’s not a commonly purchased spice in these parts. Am I safe to assume you’ve come from the West side of Lumaraeon?”
I looked to Raikidan. Knowing this kind of insight would be helpful for me.
“No, but close,” he said. “I grew up right against the Larkian mountains, on the East side.”
Se’lata nodded. “That explains it. A great deal of cultural crossover on both sides of those mountains.”
I found myself a bit disappointed. I’d really hoped he’d been from that side. There wasn’t a lot of communication between the two halves of Lumaraeon because of those mountains. I’d been out West once, during my stay with the West Tribe, and it’d been quite the eye-o
pening experience.
Se’lata handed the spice jar back to Raikidan. “A jar that size is ten gold.”
Raikidan looked to me and I nodded, digging out the ten gold from my pouch. No need to haggle that price. Se’lata had been more than generous to sell me my poison herbs and not make as large of a profit she could have with a less experienced haggler.
She took the money, and a warm smile spread across her lips. “A pleasure doing business with you both. Take care now.”
Raikidan and I thanked her one last time, Raikidan taking the large sack from me to carry, and we headed off.
“So—curious inquiry—what was with the spice purchase?” I asked Raikidan once we’d left the crowded street.
“My mother liked to mingle with humans, and would bring back trinkets of all sorts to share with me. This spice is one of the edible ones she’d obtain as a treat. It’s been a while since I’ve had it.”
His mother mingled with humans? Then why didn’t he know anything about us? “Very interesting. If you’re not sure how to cook with it, talk to Ryoko or Seda. They’re both good cooks.”
“What about you?”
I snorted. “Trust me, you don’t want my cooking. I’d be better at poisoning someone than satisfying them.”
“I doubt that’s true.”
“Ask anyone I know, and they’ll give you the same warning. Trust me.”
“Trust a protégé fire elementalist, she can’t cook?”
I chuckled. “I’m really not that special. People just like to talk.”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen what you can do with fire, and I’ve got a feeling that’s only been scratching the surface.”
A tinge of warmth fell on my cheeks. Dammit, him and that well-timed flattery of his. “Trying to butter me up? Won’t work.”
He chuckled. “Was worth a shot.”
“Careful, don’t end up on my bad side now.”
“I thought I was always on your bad side.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh. He had a bit of a point. He did seem to be feeling my wrath a lot. But if he didn’t push my buttons so often, it wouldn’t have been the case.
Destiny (Experimental Heart Book 1) Page 46