by Eve Langlais
“You better not be sleeping with him,” Cam huffed.
She gaped then snapped, “Excuse me, but why would you assume I’m whoring myself out?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Yes, you fucking did,” she hissed. “As if the only reason he’d want me around is because I’m good at spreading my legs.”
“You were kissing him!” Cam shouted.
“So what?” she retorted hotly. “I am allowed to kiss whom I like.”
“How can you like him? You haven’t even been here a week!”
“I like him more than I like you right now,” she growled.
Roark wisely didn’t interfere. A good thing. Casey stood, glaring up at her brother.
Cam began to grasp he’d gone too far. “I’m just looking out for you.”
“I’m fine. Which means you don’t need to be here.”
“I can help.”
“I don’t need your help,” she replied, her exasperation boiling. It happened almost every time she talked with her brother. “I can do this job without you. Because some people recognize I’m talented.”
“I know you’re good. But we’re supposed to be a team.”
“A team where you keep treating me like your sister.”
“Because you are!”
“What if I don’t want to be?”
The expression on her brother’s face hit her in the gut.
“You don’t mean that?” he whispered.
“No,” she sighed.
“How about I promise not to hit him?” Cam jabbed a finger in the direction of the king.
“How about you promise not to hit anyone?”
“What if they deserve it?” he asked.
Roark opened his mouth. “We have no laws against a few slaps.”
“Stay out of it!” She flashed him a dark glare.
“Yeah!” Cam exclaimed.
That brought her ire back on him. “Don’t start. I want you to return to Haven.”
“Tonight?” Darkness had fallen. The Marshes might be easier to live in than the Emerald Kingdom, but dangerous nonetheless.
“No, tomorrow. And you’ll be finding your own room for the night. I’m not sharing.”
“Is this because I short-sheeted the bed last week?”
Roark snorted. “What else did you do? Put lard in her boots?”
The scowl on Cam’s face deepened, and a color lit his cheeks.
Roark opened his mouth then laughed. “Holy fuck, you did. No wonder she’d prefer to travel with me.”
Casey could have killed the king when he dropped that bombshell on Cam.
“Traveling where?”
She sighed. “To Port City. We’re going to see if the attacks on Roark are originating from there.” After all, the bounty rumors were making the rounds in the taverns.
“I’ll come.”
“No need,” she hastily said. “We just talked about this.”
To her surprise, Roark had a different reply. “That would be helpful. The road there is dangerous. We’ll take two vehicles, taking turns riding behind someone, with enough supplies we can follow the shoreline for a trip down with no stops.”
“You want him to come?” she huffed, whirling to give Roark an almost betrayed stare.
“Smart man. Knows he could use some muscle,” Cam boasted, suddenly changing his tune toward the king.
“That muscle will be useless if I put a laxative in your food,” she snarled. “So shut your mouth. I’m having a conversation.”
“Are we? Because I got the impression you were going to get mad at me,” Roark stated.
“She is,” Cam crowed, practically singing, “You’re in trouble.”
“I wouldn’t talk,” muttered Roark.
“I’m her brother. I can get away with it.” He sounded so damned smug.
“You might be my sibling, but I will still do something wretched if you keep irritating me. And you.” She glared at Roark who kept stirring things. “Stop it.”
“Stop what? Pointing out the fact I recognize your capabilities?”
“I’m capable now. In Cam’s defense, I was a scrawny and mouthy kid who needed lots of protecting.”
“Not anymore, though.”
Funny how this man, barely more than a stranger recognized something her brother couldn’t. They might have argued more but for the shriek. Three adults trying to wedge through a door might have been more amusing except for the terror in one little girl’s voice.
Roark made it to Charlie’s side first, mostly because Casey was scanning the room for danger. He scooped the girl into his arms.
Whereas Cam glared at the slack-jawed guards just inside and barked, “Talk.”
The guard with the short beard hastily began to explain, the words tumbling over each other. “We didn’t do nuthin’.”
“Swear we did nothing,” hastened to add the other.
“She just started screaming!” the bearded one exclaimed, lifting his arms.
Roark stood with Charlie in his arms. The little girl sobbed and rubbed her face into her father’s chest. “It was just a nightmare,” he advised. “Too much excitement lately. You are dismissed. She’ll sleep in my room tonight.”
Roark went ahead carrying his daughter, and Casey followed, Cam on her heels. In silence, they headed down the single flight.
It was only as she went to follow Roark inside his bedroom that her brother grabbed her by the arm and hissed, “What are you doing?”
“My job. Guarding the princess.”
“You heard her father. She’s staying with him tonight.”
“And?” she queried.
“You can’t go in there.”
“Oh yes, I can.”
“No, you’re not!”
Knowing Roark was perfectly capable of watching his child didn’t mean she appreciated her brother’s bossy demeanor.
“I thought we just had a talk about your attitude.” She stretched, and while she couldn’t meet him eye to eye, she could glare. “Listen here. You do not get to tell me what I can or cannot do. I am a grown woman. I’ve been grown for a long time now. I don’t need someone meddling.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning I can’t do this anymore, Cam. I need some time on my own.”
His expression just about killed her. “You really want me to leave.” His lips turned down, and she knew it wasn’t arrogance or misogyny that made him sad. He cared. Too much.
“You’re my brother, Cam. And I love you. But I need space.”
“Space? Is that what you call sharing the king’s bed?” The sneer was to cover up his hurt.
She knew it, but she didn’t let him get away with it. “Is this really how you want this fight to go? Going to resort to calling me a slut again?”
“You tell me. You’re the one who hasn’t actually said if you’re fucking him or not.” Cam’s brows beetled.
“Is Roark right? Are you jealous of him?”
He scoffed. “Don’t be gross. I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t trust anyone.”
“That’s not true,” Cam growled. “I trust you.”
“What about Axel? And Vera? Benny and Karlos?” She named off more people, trying to show him his family was more than just her.
When she got to Titan, he interrupted her. “Not him since it’s obvious he’s the king’s lackey now.”
“The point I was making is it doesn’t always have to be me. There are other people you can partner with. Others you can count on.”
“You want me to go home, then I will, but only after I see you and that guy”—he glared in the direction of the door—“reach that city safely.”
If she gave him this reprieve, this fight would start all over again. “You are not coming with us tomorrow.”
“I’ve heard of Port City. It’s huge and dangerous.”
“I’m dangerous. Do you really think I’m not wily enough to survive? Or is it you do think I’m inc
ompetent?”
“Stop twisting my words.”
“Then stop patronizing me,” she snapped. “I’m going. You’re not. But if you need something to do, then you can provide extra security for the princess.”
“I don’t mind princesses.”
“You will mind this one. And do so with your life. Charlie reminds me of myself at that age.” The one thing she could say that would quiet him.
“Annoying?”
Her lips gave a quirk. “Actually, she’s the nicer version.”
“Are people still trying to hurt her?”
“The night I arrived I killed a swamp golem in her room.”
His lips pressed into a tight line. “That’s not right.”
“No, it’s not. And while I don’t want to leave her, the danger won’t stop until the person going after her is taken care of. I’d feel better knowing she had you watching her.”
Cam once more eyed the door down the hall, and the pair of guards on the other side of it pretending they weren’t paying attention to their fight. She’d long ago lost her ability to care if people saw her and Cam spatting.
“Where’s her mother?”
“Dead.”
“How?” was his next question.
Her shoulders rolled. “I haven’t found out yet. It happened when this place was just starting out. Most people came after. Those from before are loyal to him and haven’t yet told me.”
“He’s hiding something.”
Her wry smile and shrug said, Aren’t we all?
Cam’s shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
“You should be. Just like you should know that if I did choose to fuck the king, I would. I’d fuck him so hard he’d walk crooked the next day. Because it would be my choice. Not yours. Mine.”
He winced. “Ew. Gross. Seriously, can’t you be a little more—”
“If you say ladylike, I will gut you. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got a job to do.”
She left her brother, feeling the weight of his sorrow and regret but knowing if she turned around now, she’d only fall back in that same trap. The one where she let herself be miserable for his sake. Perhaps without her to fall back on, he’d discover someone new to latch onto.
Entering the room, she immediately set her gaze on the bed and the amused glance of Roark.
“How much did you hear?” she muttered.
Judging by the twinkle of his eyes, it was no surprise when he said, “All of it. Your brother only wants the best for you. Your wellbeing is his main concern.” He gently rolled Charlie to the side.
“It’s his only concern, and I’m tired of it.”
Leaving Charlie in the bed, the blankets tucked tight, he moved to the far end of the room to a pair of chairs parked in front of a cold fireplace. He gestured to a seat and took the other. She tilted it first to have her back to the wall and eyes on the bed. It also provided a perfect view of the king, a coincidence of course.
“What was her nightmare about?” she asked.
“The usual. Fear she’ll lose me like her mother.”
It seemed the best time to ask. “How did her mother die?”
“Violently.” He looked away and drummed his fingers. His agitation clear.
“Did Charlie see it?”
“No.”
“But you did,” she surmised.
“Aye.” The whoosh to her right and the sudden influx of heat let her know he’d set fire in the hearth.
“Your magic is back,” Casey blurted out.
“Not really. Just flickers. It will be another few days before it’s fully recovered.”
“Days?”
He shook his finger at her. “Don’t you even say it. I am not delaying this trip.”
“I wasn’t going to suggest anything. Although I will insist you be fully armed before we leave this place.”
“Only an idiot enters the Marshes without a few weapons.”
“Says the man who walks the city without any.”
“Is that what you think?” He smiled as he laced his hands over his stomach. A stomach she recalled that had distinct lines of muscle.
She eyed him up and down, the boots that might hide one blade each, the long sleeves. “You’ll need a large-barrel gun, too, in case we need to punch a hole in something.”
“Anything else while you’re making demands?”
“Information. Who was your wife?” She pushed again, and the fire sputtered.
He went from relaxed to drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Why do you keep asking?”
“Because I understand going after you. Your death means no threat to the Enclave in power. But there’s one thing that doesn’t make sense. Kidnapping Charlie.”
“Simple. They want to use her against me.”
“Do they? Here’s the thing, taking your daughter makes too many assumptions, the first being that you’re the type to give a damn.”
“Which I do.”
“But many don’t. Children are replaceable.”
“Maybe in the Emerald Kingdom, but here they are cherished,” he said harshly.
“Here, yes. But can you say the same in the city?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted softly. “What’s the second assumption?”
“They’re assuming you won’t snap and declare war.”
“I’d never do anything to put Charlie in more danger.”
“Do they know that?”
“I assume this is leading somewhere.”
“What if taking Charlie has nothing to do with you?”
“What would be the advantage?”
Did he deliberately play stupid? She asked, “Who are your parents?”
“Simple marsh folk.”
“I highly doubt they were simple.”
He smiled. “Now who believes the Enclave propaganda that says only they can make perfect citizens?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Are you trying to tell me neither of them had the Deviant gene?”
A light shake of his head.
“What of your brother? I thought I heard someone say today he’d come to visit.”
“Darius? He might have the gene, hard to tell. We didn’t grow up together.”
“Charlie called your brother a pirate. What is that?”
“I forget your education is sorely lacking. A pirate is essentially an ocean-faring version of a marauder.”
“In other words, he steals.”
“Not always. Sometimes he raids forgotten places for the treasure left behind. And when times are tough, he’s been known to bring back a catch to tide us through rough spots.”
“You respect your brother,” she stated.
“I do, just like you respect yours, even if you don’t always agree.”
“Tell that to the man currently moping somewhere in this castle,” she mumbled.
“Your brother is happiest when he feels useful. For a while, that involved caring for you.”
“When we stumbled upon Haven, it was a blessing. He had more than just me to worry about. But ever since we moved to the Outpost, I’ve been avoiding him.”
“Because you love him but having him around too much gives you the urge to shave his head.”
“Not exactly.”
He smirked. “I might have been projecting my own desires there.”
“With everything you’ve carved for yourself, do you ever worry about your brother trying to take it?”
He laughed. “Darius, rule over a kingdom? He’d run away before they finished handing him the crown. He’s quite happy on his iron ship with his crew.”
“I hope it’s bigger than the boats we have in Haven.” Her nose wrinkled.
“Much larger. You’ll see when we reach Port City. Perhaps even book passage and explore the islands. We could find lost treasure.”
She wondered if he realized what he said, implying she’d be around that long. “Maybe once this job with the princess is done, I’ll take a wander and expl
ore. It’s interesting to me that travel is less restricted on this side of the continent.”
“It’s the port. You can’t have free people visit and not leave an influence. Luckily, the Enclave and their soldiers are mostly worried about the city. For all they care, the hamlets can fuck themselves.”
“You care.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
He didn’t give an immediate reply, nothing flippant. Rather he took the time to mull it over. “Because I remember what it’s like when there’s no one to protect the innocent. When soldiers think they can march into a village and sow violence. Take what they want. Hurt people. And I saw what happened when one man stood up to them and said no.”
“Let me guess, they were moved by his words and never bothered those people again.”
He glanced at her. “Actually, the Centurions slaughtered the man who said no, and as he begged for mercy, none would come to his aide. Not even his wife. Instead she hid away with their son and listened as he screamed.”
The story sounded much too personal. She frowned. “You were that child. The Enclave killed your father.”
“They did, for daring to tell them they couldn’t abuse a woman in our village. A girl really. He died for nothing.”
“Because they still raped her.” She understood how this harsh world worked. Apparently from one kingdom to another, some things didn’t change. “And is that when you decided to become a king?”
“I was a child then. My biggest concern was my next meal and not becoming something’s dinner.”
“I remember that feeling.” That first night in the Wasteland, barely out of the Creche, she and Cam had huddled together, terrified something with teeth and claws would come after them.
“What’s your story?” he asked.
Perhaps it was the intimacy of the fire. The fact that she still felt his kiss, but she told him something few knew. “Cam and me, we were made inside an Incubaii dome. Not a tank though. Our mother was one of the Madres used for womb breeding.”
“She was inseminated?”
“Or raped. That was never quite clear. I do know we were watched carefully in the Creche from a young age.”
“Why?”