Within Ash and Stardust

by Chani Lynn Feener

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  FOR VICKY AND WHITNEY

  CHAPTER 1

  “Delaney?”

  Warm fingers brushed lightly against her elbow, and she pulled her gaze away from the unconscious Zane. When she did, she instantly felt guilty for not having paid better attention to the man at her side.

  Ruckus was a mess, his brown hair, typically styled back, was mussed so that strands fell in front of his tired eyes. The yellow of his irises—rimmed in a dark forest green—was usually a bright, sunshiny color, but now was dull, like unpolished gold. His shoulders were hunched, and he was still in the tattered and dust-covered uniform he’d been forced to wear for the past few weeks.

  The dirty uniform Trystan had forced him to wear.

  Delaney took a deliberate step away from the bed, moving into Ruckus’s arms when he lifted them to receive her. She’d been so distracted, she hadn’t considered what he must be going through.

  “I’m sorry,” she mumbled against his chest, tightening her hold on him as she did. “About Pettus.”

  “We found the bodies half-buried in snow before we found you,” Ruckus said, dropping his chin down on the top of her head. “Every time we uncovered another, I feared…”

  “I’m fine.”

  They hadn’t really had the chance to talk, not privately. Last night she’d been too worried over the Zane, and seeming to sense that, Ruckus had respectfully remained silent at her side. But it was morning now, proof in the beams of sunlight spilling in through the room’s single window. It was deceptive, that sun, making the landscape outside seem more like a winter wonderland than the frozen death trap it could so quickly become.

  Less than forty-eight hours ago, Delaney had almost died out there.

  Trystan had as well. And he’d yet to wake up.

  Her eyes shifted back toward him, watching the barely perceptible rise and fall of his chest.

  “Did he—” Ruckus tentatively began, but she knew where he was going with his question, and stopped him with a swift shake of her head.

  “No. Pettus died saving me from Olena. Trystan didn’t touch him.” She lifted a hand to cup the side of his face. “How are you doing?”

  He hesitated, then glanced at the door. “Can we walk for a bit? I need to get moving. Standing still so long…”

  Right, she hadn’t thought of that. Being an Ander—a Vakar commander—meant he was used to constantly being in charge, always in motion, assuring things ran smoothly. Even when they’d been on Earth, he’d had a need to fill his days with activities.

  She took his hand, linking their fingers, but couldn’t get herself to move farther away from Trystan.

  Seeing her hesitation, Ruckus sighed.

  “I owe him my life,” she tried explaining. “I would never have made it out there without him.”

  “You don’t owe him anything.” Ruckus glanced the Zane’s way, his expression unreadable. “Even if you did, there’s nothing you can do here but wait.”

  “I know.” It still didn’t mean she could ignore the tiny voice in her head telling her not to go. Right now they were safe, but experience on Xenith had taught her that could change quickly, and she wasn’t willing to leave Trystan alone, just in case.

  Ruckus, realizing that she wasn’t going to be moved, shook his head in clear frustration. “Tell me about what happened.”

  “Pettus took a zee for me, and then he snapped Olena’s neck. In that order. He was pretty badass, actually.” Her voice caught at the end and she swallowed, refusing to break down right now. She and Pettus had been friends, but not like he and Ruckus had been.

  Ruckus didn’t seem to notice her slip anyway. His eyes were glazed over and he was staring straight ahead, clearly seeing something that wasn’t really there. “I’m going to miss him.”

  “Me too.” She pulled Ruckus closer, resting her head on his shoulder. Outside the door, she could see one of the two king’s guardsmen who’d been stationed there.

  Not to keep her and Ruckus in, they’d been quick to reassure, but just as a precaution should they need assistance. Under any other circumstances, Delaney probably would have found that funny. Now, though, with the words Sworn Sanzie had told her last night still ringing in her ears, laughter was the last thing she was capable of.

  According to the Sworn, Trystan had ordered that if anything should happen to him, Delaney be put in charge. She’d been a bit skeptical at first, eyeing any of the Kints who came within ten feet of her or Ruckus. But not a single one of them had stepped out of line. In fact, they’d done exactly what Sanzie had said they would, following her orders whenever she’d given them.

  Though, considering she’d only asked for a hot cup of squa, and to stay at Trystan’s bedside, that wasn’t really saying much.

  “I’ll have to mourn for him later,” Ruckus said quietly, pulling her from her thoughts. “I didn’t get a chance to last night.”

  Delaney pulled back enough to see his face. “Is there a traditional way to do that?”

  He nodded. “During the war, losing friends was common. We developed a way to honor them, and their sacrifice. Pettus deserves that. He deserved a lot of things he’ll never get now, but this I can give him.”

  “I’d like to be there, when you do”—she circled her free hand in the air—“whatever it is you’re going to do.”

  “Of course.” He smiled down at her sadly. “He would have wanted you there.”

  “Hey.” She placed her free hand on his waist. “We’re going to get Gibus back. I’m not going to let you lose another friend.”

  He started at that, began to shake his head, but suddenly one of the machines next to Trystan’s bed started beeping loudly.

  Before Delaney could even process what was happening, the door burst open and the doctor rushed in. Forced to step aside to give the older man room, she watched as he began typing away at the machine, checking the Zane in between each press of a button.

  “What’s going on?” Even after all the doctor’s assurances that he’d be fine, part of her still feared the worse, and seeing all the flashing lights suddenly flickering across the monitors wasn’t helping.

  As if in response, Trystan groaned on the bed, all eyes darting to him, watching as he slowly blinked. He winced at the harsh overhead lighting, shifting.

  “Zane.” The doctor abandoned the machines, holding his palms out to Trystan. “You should remain lying down. Let me run some tests before you risk overexerting yourself.”

  Trystan ignored the suggestion, grumbling something as he sat up. While Delaney couldn’t make out what he was saying, it was clear he was irritated. He was already in the process of yanking wires off his arms and chest, flinging the bits away from him in frustration. When he went to swing a leg over the side of the bed, the doctor waved his hands and tried desperately to get him to settle back down.

  “Please, you’ve only just woken after being in
a coma for over twenty-four hours. Zane, you must rest!” The doctor set pleading eyes on Delaney, inadvertently drawing Trystan’s attention her way as well.

  The strangled sound he emitted was so shocking, her spine actually stiffened. He was out of the bed, standing close enough that their chests practically touched, faster than she could blink.

  She heard someone shift behind her, knew without having to look that it was Ruckus about to step forward and stop this. She lifted a hand to ward him off before he could. As terrifying as the hulking mass of alien in front of her was, it was obvious by the slightly glazed look in his cornflower-blue and crimson-rimmed eyes that he wasn’t one hundred percent aware of what he was doing yet.

  Trystan didn’t seem to notice anyone else anyway, lifting his hands to delve into her hair. He was gentle, sliding his palms back to cradle the base of her skull and tip her head up. His gaze roamed over her face, probably noting the dark circles under her eyes and the cracks in her bottom lip that still hadn’t completely healed. He looked five times worse than she did, but she didn’t bother pointing that out.

  “You’re all right.” His words were breathy, and she reached up to touch his wrists, comforting him even as she eased his hands away.

  “Let’s sit down.” She guided him back toward the bed, urging him onto it.

  He allowed it, perching on the edge, but was clearly ready to spring up again at any moment. When she went to pull back, his hands tightened on hers, and his grip didn’t ease until she’d seated herself next to him.

  “The doctor is going to make sure you’re okay,” she told him, motioning with her chin for the doctor to round the bed. “You were asleep for a long time. Do you remember—”

  “You almost froze to death,” he interrupted.

  “Actually, thanks to you, she avoided that. You’re the one who came dangerously close to dying.” Sanzie appeared in the doorway, the relief on her face palpable. She’d been gone the past couple of hours, checking Inkwell’s security precautions to make sure the Rex hadn’t messed with anything vital during his stay.

  Trystan went to rise, a dangerous glint entering his eyes as he let out a low growl. He paused when Delaney tugged him back, but he didn’t try to sit up again.

  Sanzie blinked, surprised by his reaction. She turned to Delaney questioningly.

  “I think he’s still waking up,” she said. Then she addressed Trystan in a softer tone: “We’re safe right now; calm down. I’m going to need you to focus on getting back to yourself, okay?”

  He cocked his head and stared at her like she’d just said something cryptic. “You need me?”

  “Yes.” Not what she meant, but sure. “There’s a situation, and I can’t solve it without you. So take a breath and give yourself a moment to recollect, because I refuse to believe someone as hardheaded as you would allow brain damage to occur after spending just one night out in—”

  “It was very cold,” he cut her off quietly, but the look in his eyes had intensified.

  She sighed. “True. How are you now? Cold, still? I could have them bring you some squa?”

  The corner of his mouth tipped up, and he gave a slight shake of his head. “I just need another moment.”

  Delaney curled her fingers at the doctor, who’d only made it halfway around the bed before Trystan’s outburst had stopped him. Once he was close, she stood, moving away a few steps to allow him easier access to the Zane.

  “Let the doctor check you out,” she told him, crossing her arms even as Trystan scowled when the older man reached to take his arm.

  They made it silently through a good three minutes before Sanzie let out a sharp breath, drawing their attention her way.

  “There’s a ship approaching the West Gate,” she informed them.

  “We still have time.” Delaney frowned. “The Rex gave Trystan until tonight.”

  “Maybe he grew impatient?” Ruckus suggested. He was watching her with an odd look in his eyes, but she didn’t have time to decipher it.

  “Check it out”—she nodded toward Sanzie, stopping her just as she was about to follow the order—“carefully.”

  “Of course, Lissa.” Sanzie bowed her head and disappeared into the hallway.

  “He wouldn’t bother coming on his own,” Trystan said over the doctor’s shoulder. “It’s another, no doubt. Possibly a high-standing officer. He must have been waiting on Olena to call in, confirm the deed was done.”

  “You mean that Delaney was dead,” Ruckus growled, and the Zane glared at him.

  “Obviously.”

  “Well…” She did not have time for the two of them to go at each other’s throats. “I’m alive, and Olena is the one who’s dead, so we’ve got a serious problem.”

  “I’m failing to find fault with her death,” Trystan said, though it was clear he was merely being flip, and didn’t mean it. He wasn’t stupid. While it meant she was out of their way and could no longer do harm, having a dead Lissa on their hands complicated matters in other ways.

  “He’s clear.” The doctor pulled back and addressed Delaney. “But he needs to stay hydrated, and I wouldn’t recommend any sudden movements for at least the next twenty-four hours.”

  “I am sitting right here,” Trystan stated, glancing between the two of them. “Do not speak of me as if I am not.”

  “Apologies, Zane.” He bowed to Trystan and fled the room without another word.

  Delaney rolled her eyes, but before she could point out how rude the Zane had just been, Ruckus beat her to the punch.

  “Clearly someone is feeling better,” he drawled, shaking his head disapprovingly.

  Sanzie came running around the corner, slightly out of breath. “We have a problem.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.” Delaney rubbed at her temple, trying to stave off an oncoming headache.

  “It’s Rue Rantan,” Sanzie said. “He’s landed and he’s already entering the manor. I have Tellers stalling, but he’s demanded to see the Zane, in his study, within the next ten minutes.”

  “Or?” Ruckus asked, ignoring the Sworn’s glare.

  Delaney glanced between the two of them. She still didn’t know anything about their shared past, other than the fact that there apparently was one. Seeing how annoyed Sanzie got anytime Ruckus spoke to her was puzzling.

  “He’s threatened to go to the Rex and inform him there’s been a complication,” Sanzie told them.

  “So we stop him before he gets the chance.”

  “No.” Trystan ground his teeth as he stood, giving away he wasn’t feeling as well as his facial expression might have suggested. “As much as I’d like to put a zee through his brain, the Rue’s disappearance would only cause us more issues. He’s one of my father’s most trusted advisers. We’ll need to keep him alive and, ideally, under the assumption all is well here. Having him report back to the Rex in the positive will buy us more time.”

  “For?” Ruckus didn’t sound convinced.

  “Whatever our next move is.”

  “Can you do it?” Delaney asked, continuing once Trystan was looking at her. “You’ll have to convince him that everything worked out. That Olena isn’t a Popsicle out in the snow right now, and that you haven’t sworn vengeance on dear ol’ Dad.”

  He flashed her a grin, the same one that always sent a shiver of dread down her spine. “You aren’t the only good actor here, Lissa. I’ve been managing my father’s men since childhood.”

  “You’ll need an explanation,” Ruckus joined in, “a reason why the Rex hasn’t heard from either you or Olena.”

  “I can handle this, Ander.” Trystan ran his fingers down the soft material of his shirt and scowled. “But not in this. Medical wear will certainly give us away. Sworn,” he said, addressing Sanzie, “go ensure the Rue stays put. Don’t let him leave the study, for any reason. I’m going to change and get there as quickly as possible.

  “You two”—he turned to Delaney and Ruckus—“stay here. It’s imperative he a
nd the Tellers that he no doubt brought with him don’t see you.”

  “What if they do a sweep?” The Rex was the suspicious sort, Delaney knew. It was very possible he’d ordered his men to look through the manor, find visual proof of Olena.

  Trystan paused, thought it over, and then said, “I have an idea. But you aren’t going to like it.”

  * * *

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE I’m letting you talk me into this,” Ruckus said at her side as they descended the stone stairwell. “This could be a ploy, Delaney.”

  She couldn’t blame him for thinking it; hell, only three days ago, she probably would have assumed the same. Now? Things were different. She wasn’t ready to pick apart just how different, but they were.

  “Do you have any better ideas?” she asked. “I’m all ears if you do.”

  “Sure,” he said. “You and I get on a ship and get out of here.”

  “And leave Vakar to its fate? Gibus?” She reached out and linked their fingers as they came to the bottom and turned down the hall. “You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself, and you know it.”

  Delaney certainly wouldn’t be able to. Another change. After seeing firsthand what the Rex was capable of, after everything he’d done to her personally, and to the people she cared about, how could she in good conscience walk away? Wasn’t going to happen. Especially when he’d made it so abundantly clear that Earth was on the line, more so than any of them had imagined.

  They came to the end of the hall, where the last row of cells was. To his credit, Ruckus didn’t hesitate in the doorway, though she felt his fingers tighten around hers as they approached the cell he’d spent the past few weeks in.

  A Teller, who’d been introduced as Ezran, was leading them, and he was already tapping away at a clear control panel on the wall. The second the door swung open, he sent Delaney an apologetic look.

  “Don’t worry about it,” she told him, even though he hadn’t said anything out loud.

  This was Trystan’s plan: Place them in cells in case the Rex’s men came looking. They’d expect to find Ruckus down here still—because why would the Zane let him out?—but Delaney … She was an added complication.