His mouth curved as he trailed the rosebud across her cheek and down her neck, easing forward to kiss her as he did so. The kiss was as soft and gentle as the touch of the rose, and just as alluring.
Leaning back, Kael broke off the kiss to watch her as he slowly pulled the blankets off her bare form. A low groan of approval sounded in his chest as he dragged the flower across her shoulder and down to the mound of her breast. Taking his time, he used the silky petals to tease and pleasure her, exploring the length of her body with the touch of the flower alone, causing her skin to flush and her breathing to become heavy. And then he gently used his hands and mouth to roam and caress until she became lost in a cloud of sensations.
Kael used all of his senses to appreciate what he had before him; drinking in her beautiful body with his eyes, consuming her fragrances with his nose, sipping the succulent taste of her mouth with his, swallowing her curves with his hands, and feeding off her whimpers with his ears.
Anya arched against the press of his long, hard body and they wrapped around each other, holding the other close as they savored every touch, every moan, every gasp of pleasure. Their breathing hitched, their vision blurred. The sensations quivered, and then rolled through their fevered bodies.
Kael entwined his fingers with hers and held tight, anchoring himself as she lifted her hips to meet him and he slipped into her warmth. They joined in a slow, sweet seduction laced with building passion and dormant desires being reawakened. He took her slowly, tenderly, as she rode the soft waves rippling through her, threatening to take her under and leave her numb and breathless.
Anya rocked him closer, took him deeper within her. Clinging to him desperately, she bit her lip to silence her cry as she flew off the edge of her release, pulling him along to meet his own.
Chapter 42
Just as he had promised, Caleb knocked on their door early the next morning, long before the sun rose over the horizon. Providing the trio with fresh clothing, he urged them to move with due haste and report to the dining hall.
It was not long before a small contingency of rebels was assembled in the hall, and they formulated a plan for deployment. Although there was safety in numbers, they would leave in small-numbered groups to avoid possible suspicion as they crept through the slumbering city, and would meet up at the designated camp area deep in the thick of the forest.
Kael, Anya, Gerhard, Caleb and Roarke comprised the final group that slipped into the pre-dawn darkness, and they maintained absolute silence until they began picking their way into the woods. When they were long out of earshot of the city, Kael began filling the others in on the conversation he overheard between Zabela and Malik.
“Unfortunately, that does not give us much to go on. It just makes it all the more urgent we study that scroll the moment camp is established.” Caleb looked at Anya and brushed her arm lightly. “I know it must be frightening for you, Milady. But rest assured, they will not have you.”
“I know, but thank you for stating it aloud. It is a comfort to me.”
He nodded and strode ahead of Kael and Anya, taking point between Gerhard and Roarke.
Anya took Kael’s hand in hers. “I cannot believe they drugged you to sleep with her.” She was clearly appalled, although privately there was a measure of relief that there was a catalyst behind his indiscretions.
“I should have seen it.”
“How could you have?”
“It did not make sense to me then that I would be drawn to her when my thoughts were only of you. Even given the distance between us, you were all I ever wanted.”
She squeezed his hand as she leaned her head onto his bicep. “I wish you had never left Liberwood at all.” She felt his muscles tense against her. “I do not blame you, Kael. I simply wish we had never been apart.”
“There was a reason I left, Anya. A reason I have not yet shared with you.”
“What is it?”
“Your father asked me to come to Decessus.”
“Yes, I know that.”
“But you do not know why.”
“To protect me if I came here.”
“Please, Anya, let me speak. There is more to it than that.” They stopped and he brushed his fingers across her cheek and down to her amulet, clutching it in his fist before releasing it. “Come. We must keep moving.”
They began walking again and he lightly cleared his throat before speaking. “A long time ago, when I first began spending time with you in Liberwood, your father pulled me aside and explained my role to me. I was to protect you from any and all harm, for it was foreseen there was great danger in your future.”
“Foreseen? By whom? What danger?”
“He did not tell me at the time, and I did not ask. But when he requested I go to Decessus, he shared everything he knew.” Kael glanced to Anya. “You are aware your mother was a powerful woman, strong with magic.”
“Of course.”
“It was she who foresaw the danger in your life. That was why she blessed Tajvek over to you. You always believed she had done so on her sickbed, when in reality, it was long before that. She did everything within her power to keep you safe, and Chiberus took it a step further when he saw how close we had become while growing up. He enlisted me in weapons training, more so because he knew I would keep you safe, rather than to provide me with any sort of opportunities. Wherever you went, I went, so why not train me and make me useful?”
He chuckled under his breath. “I was more than agreeable to learn a skill. I had always imagined us being married one day, and I would then have the means to support a family. And, of course, I wanted to be there to protect you, should that foretold danger ever arise.
“Then the day after that first ball, I met with him. You remember, yes?”
“Very much so,” she whispered. “I was crushed you had left, especially since you had not said your farewells.”
“I had to leave. I had to be in a position to protect you if you had decided to come to Decessus.” He paused. “I did not know how to say goodbye to you, Anya. To do so would have killed me.”
“I regret accepting his proposal, Kael.” Her voice trembled as she said his name, and she endeavored to control it. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“We have both been manipulated, both by people and by circumstances. We are together now, and that is all that matters.”
Anya smiled as she arched her neck to kiss him. “I love you.”
“And I love you, as well. We will never be apart, Anya. I promise you that.” He kissed her again, then his expression turned serious. “I want you to do something for me.”
“Anything.”
He slowed and pulled a sheathed dagger from his back pocket. “I want you to start carrying a weapon. Do not argue with me. You are well versed on how to defend yourself. Now you just need the conviction to use it against another.”
She stared at him doubtfully before taking the dagger. “And where am I supposed to put it?”
His lips lifted into a mischievous smile and he pulled her to a stop. “I can help with that.” He got down on bended knee, and strapped it to her thigh, being sure to brush and stroke her leg in the process.
“Kael…”
“There. I had to be sure it was secure.”
“And is it?” She fought the urge to smile.
“I believe so.” He looked down at her legs as he stood. “But I can check it again.”
She laughed at the smirk on his face and swatted his arm. “Only you could make me laugh at a time like this.”
“And I am more than happy to do so. I love the sound of your laugh, almost as much as I love the flare of your eyes when you are irritated by me.”
“You do realize that happens quite often.”
“And I relish every moment of it. It does help to know how to set you off, though. You do have a variety of triggers to choose from. I have been tempted to start using pet names for you, but I figure you have had enough of that by now.”
&nb
sp; Anya balled up her fists and muffled a frustrated scream into one of them. “By the gods, I hated it when that man used monikers for me. I am fine with someone thinking them, but to say it… My love. My precious.”
“I must admit, it was amusing to watch you put up with it. I was certain one of these days you would burst into a tirade about it.”
“I nearly did on several occasions. But I always…” She waved her hand in the air as if clearing her thoughts away. “It does not matter. But should you ever call me something other than Anya, be prepared to run for your life.”
“Nothing other than Anya? Ever?”
“Never,” she growled.
“What about love of my life or my exotic beauty?”
“Kael.” She shot him an appreciative, although threatening, glance.
“Or how about my betrothed or my wife? Would those be acceptable?”
She grinned as she wrapped her arms around him. “Those are acceptable, and mandatory.” Then she pointed a stern finger in his face. “But only those.”
Kael laughed as they picked their way through the forest once more, light in his heart as every other part of him, as always, remained fully alert.
All the rebels—Anya, Kael and Gerhard now included under that label—spent a better part of the morning converging and coming together at a clearing deep in the forest. And then spent the rest of the day setting up a secure camp—establishing a patrol around the perimeter, as well as sending Roarke to watch for Merivic’s return to the castle.
In a tent serving as their headquarters, Caleb spread their main piece of information—the scroll—across the table. He and countless others poured over it, comparing the linguistics with other scrolls of known ancient languages, and little by little, they began translating it. The rest of the day and long after night arrived, they studied and deciphered the text, and the pieces slowly came together.
“Caleb!” Roarke called out breathlessly as he barged into the tent. “Merivic has been spotted outside the city wall. He will arrive at his castle within the hour.”
“Thank you, Roarke.” Caleb glanced to Kael and Anya. “Our time is running short. Given the late hour, he probably will not discover your absence this night, but be sure he will know by morning. We must focus and find the specifics we need to plan our attack.”
*****
Merivic felt a curious pull toward the outskirts of the city as he traveled directly through it. He thought it odd, but ignored it as he approached the castle gate, assuming it to be a byproduct of the latest rounds of rituals and preparations he had just been subjected to. Sometimes they left him disconcerted and paranoid.
When he got to the stable, he slid off his horse and handed the reins to an older man with a hunched back. Again, he felt an odd sensation and he almost asked the man where Caleb was, but then dismissed the notion as quickly as it had come. After all, it was late. Surely, the stable boy was sleeping.
Once inside, Merivic descended deep into the bowels of the castle to Malik’s quarters, eager to begin their preparations.
“What took you so long?” Malik demanded.
“Relax, Malik. We have plenty of time. The moon is not even halfway into the sky yet.”
“Easy for you to say,” he mumbled.
“How did we make it this far with all your sniveling?”
“We have a schedule to keep, Sire. You will do well to remember that.” Malik eyed him up. “What is wrong with you? You are fidgeting.”
“The rituals… They leave me hazy, muddled.”
“Well, that will not do. You need to be clear-headed for tonight.”
Malik threw a few powders together in a pouch, and then dripped a drop of liquid from a vial onto the side of it. He pressed the pouch between his palms and murmured a soft chant as he approached the lord, then dumped the contents into his hand. Sprinkling the concoction over Merivic’s shoulders, he completed the chant and then blew the powder away.
“There. That should take care of any remnant effects.”
“Yes. I feel much clearer already. I…” His expression went slack. “She is gone.”
“Who—”
“Anya! She has left the castle! Left me!” He glanced around with wild, red eyes and launched himself toward the scrying bowl, half-concealed under the table. He grabbed it and spun, throwing it hard across the room and impaling it into the stone wall. “I trusted you to be my eyes and you fail me?!” He advanced on Malik.
Malik knew better than to point out Merivic had told him it was no longer necessary. He watched with stunning fear as Merivic’s face contorted, fighting to revert to his true form. His body rippled and bulged, pulling his clothes at the seams as he stalked nearer.
“How can you know?”
“I have shared my power with her, you idiot! I can sense it in her, sense her presence, and she is not here! Besides that, I can feel our link and she has severed it—denied me!”
“Perhaps she will return,” he stuttered hopefully, finally backing into the wall.
“It is the middle of the night and my betrothed is not in her bed, not in her home. Do you truly think she will actually return by her own free will?” He leaned into the Malik, breathing his hot breath on his face.
“She could not have gone far,” Malik meekly pointed out.
“No.” Merivic straightened and calmed himself. “No, she has not. Come, Malik. Gather what we need for the blessing. Once all is prepared, I will seek out my betrothed and make sure she is in attendance.”
Chapter 43
Anya stood near the entrance of the tent, listening as the men discussed the final translation of the scroll and what to make of it. A strong breeze began to swirl through the camp behind her, brushing against the thick material of the structures and flinging her hair to the side. Her ears perked as she heard a mumbled whisper being carried on the breeze.
She stepped out of the tent. Anya stood still, straining with her ears to make out the voice she heard, but she could not pinpoint its location. Taking another step, she finally made out a child’s voice. Although she could not discern the words, there was a definite sorrow to his tone and it made her heart ache.
Gerhard watched as Anya walked away into the night. She disappeared from his sight when she ducked between two tents, and he abandoned his translation to find her and bring her back.
Anya looked around with wide, concerned eyes, certain she was heading in the right direction, but still unable to find the babe now calling for help. As she stepped behind a tent and moved closer to the woods, the voice abruptly cut off and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
A wry smile consumed Merivic’s face as he descended upon his betrothed. Coming up from behind, he blew a cloud of powder around her, temporarily disenchanting her amulet, and then threw a capsule at his feet, sealing them in an invisible bubble of space.
“Ahh. Here you are.” Merivic put his hands on Anya’s hips and pulled her to him.
Anya shuddered from his touch, and a chill consumed her body. “How…”
“You have my power in you.” He snaked a hand across her abdomen. “We are linked. I could find you anywhere, my love. There is no escaping me.”
He reached up and grabbed her necklace, ripping it from her throat and throwing it to the side. A light flashed in the air where the amulet breached the shield around them, and Anya started from the brilliance of it, breaking her from the trance of fear that had overcome her.
“What have you done?” she asked, hoping to distract him as she reached to her thigh.
“I do love Malik’s little spells. They come in so handy sometimes.”
With a scream lodged in her throat, Anya pulled the blade free and spun, plunging it into Merivic’s neck. Wide-eyed and terrified by the gore, she backed away only to be stopped by an invisible wall. She turned and tried to flee again, slamming uselessly against the barrier as her scream finally tore loose.
Merivic laughed, and she whipped back around to witness him
pulling the dagger from his neck. Her head swam at the sight of the blood running back up to his neck and into the wound before it closed, leaving not a trace behind. She swayed on her feet as darkness threatened to take her.
He grabbed her and shook her hard before slapping her across the face. “You do not get to escape your fate so easily, my precious Anya. No. You will remain awake through it all.”
She jerked in his arms as the sting on her cheek spread, and his words sunk in.
“Anya!” Gerhard called out.
“Here! I am right here!” she hollered, watching helplessly as Gerhard looked right past the invisible bubble and shouted her name again.
“He cannot hear you. Yell all you like, scream if you will. No one will hear you but me.” His arms slithered tightly around her as he palmed one of her breasts. “But be sure, my lovely Anya, you will scream for me later.”
Gerhard was about to turn away to continue his search elsewhere when something caught his eye—a gleam nestled amongst the leaves on the ground. He leaned down and snatched it up, his breath catching as he figured out what it was.
“Anya!” He clutched her amulet tight in his hand and he looked around wildly, then raced between the next set of tents, continually shouting her name as he did.
“I do hope he alerts your lover,” Merivic hissed, fondling her as his nose trailed up her neck. She let out a small whimper. “I can smell him on you, Anya. You will pay for letting him have you, as will he—slowly and painfully.” He knotted his hand in her hair and jerked her head back, causing her to gasp in pain. “Let us go, my beautiful Anya. The time for the blessing has arrived.”
*****
“It says here he has to take her to the apex of power, the exact coordinates aligning the full moon with the doorway to the lower planes of Hell, and all on the eve of the spring equinox.” Caleb’s brow furrowed with his concentration.
“That is tonight,” Gerhard stated.
“Yes. We know that!” Kael snapped, pacing back and forth as he rubbed Anya’s amulet between his palms. “But where? Damn it!” He suddenly stopped. “Wait. I remember Lenna telling me the old legends of Decessus. One in particular grabbed my attention, the one about the sacrificial altar in the heart of the mountain. The one about the conduit for power being created during a ritual. A dark blessing.”
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