by Ali Vali
Charlie had polished the silver on the ornate piece and left it on the desk in the library, but she stopped dead as she began to remove it from its sheath. Someone was outside and it couldn’t be Charlie, who’d called from the stables a minute before. She stepped out to the large porch in front with the naked blade in her hand and closed her eyes, but all she heard was the wind through the leaves, traffic, and the clop of horse hooves.
“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked when he was close enough.
“Did you see anyone out here?”
“Just you looking like a badass from the past.”
“You’re a funny guy, and I’m getting funny in the head since I thought I heard something.” She put the sword away and took the reins from him.
“You want me to take a walk and check the area?”
“And get all sweaty before you pick up your date, Prince Alar?”
“It’s been decades since I’ve heard that name.”
“With any luck, you’ll hear it screamed plenty tonight, if your date has any sense.”
“Yeah, right,” he said as he ran his hand down Ruda’s neck. “I’m skipping the horse and taking the BMW, so I’ll see you later.”
She watched him go but still concentrated on the trees behind her to try to pick up the anomaly she’d heard. Despite the overwhelming sense someone was watching, she tied Ruda to the stair railing so she could finish dressing. When they got back she’d take him for a ride around the property as a precaution.
She finished by tying her hair back with a black silk ribbon and fastening her cape in place. “This is a fashion item I don’t miss,” she said as she pulled the material back to mount Ruda. She got in the saddle without damaging the bouquet of daffodils she’d ordered and headed next door at a trot. With her last glance back from the gate she didn’t spot anything or anyone that didn’t belong, but it didn’t mean the scene was as peaceful as it seemed.
*
“Meet me at the oasis an hour past sunrise.” Travis stood at the line of pay phones at the airport. He was taking a huge risk flying commercial with the package in his carry-on, but his large bribes had gotten him through security so far. It’d only get easier when he landed in Egypt, where he had contacts everywhere who always needed money.
“Did you find it?” Bailey asked.
“Rolla’s map was pretty accurate once you deciphered it, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
He hung up and shouldered his pack, curious as to how this experiment would turn out. Rolla wouldn’t find out about it until it was too late, but Travis was sure he’d be fascinated with the results. He and Bailey were about to test the limits of the elixir like never before—at least, Bailey hadn’t found any records of such a test in Rolla’s library, so they were sure they were breaking new ground.
“Let’s hope we don’t lose our heads over it if it doesn’t work,” he said, and laughed when he patted the top of the bag.
*
“Piper, either that’s your date at the front of the drive or it’s a ploy to make Kendal jealous.” Molly pointed outside through Piper’s window. “If you don’t know who it is, and they’re available, I’m dumping your grandfather if they agree to take me.”
Mac laughed as he stepped behind his wife. “Hell, that costume’s so authentic I might go with her.”
“How can you be sure it’s her?” Piper asked as she finished her makeup. She’d decided to get dressed at Riverbend so Kendal could surprise her with her transformation.
“No matter how many times we’ve met or whatever the circumstances, she always carries herself the way she’s sitting in that saddle.” Mac and Molly took turns hugging Piper. “I’m glad she’s on our side, because if she wasn’t, I think she would’ve gotten this house too, along with my toothbrush. Now I believe she’d give up everything she had to make sure you’re okay.”
“I know that, but what makes you so sure?” Piper asked.
“At first it was because she stood and fought Kenny Delaney for the sake of your honor. Don’t get me wrong, I knew she helped us so you’d get to keep the company, but I think shutting Kenny up and dropping him in a hole was a motivation too. Besides, it’s not every day someone gets their head flushed in the toilet at the Piquant.”
“You heard about that?” She wished Kendal had taken a picture of the asshole when she’d finished with him in the bathroom.
“A friend of ours was arriving for an early dinner and saw Kenny on the way out, soaking wet. The staff never usually talks about any of their guests, but they made an exception for that rude son of a gun.”
“Kendal and I had a talk about Kenny and why she’d come to our rescue, and it made me feel cared for. It’s nice to have someone I can count on aside from you guys.”
“That’s what I see whenever Kendal looks at you. No matter what happens to us, you have someone who’ll hold you through the bad times and, more importantly, help you enjoy the hell out of the good times. She loves you, my sweet girl, and that makes us both happy.”
Piper waited until they’d left the room before opening the doors out to the veranda. Like Oakgrove, Riverbend had a large wraparound front porch and matching veranda on the second floor. At night the upper level of the house had a nice breeze from the river, but all she cared about now was that the design gave her a good view of Kendal riding toward her.
She twitched the fabric of her dress into place, glad she’d done so much research before she’d made her selection. The top of the midnight-blue dress was tight, showing a fair amount of what she hoped Kendal thought would be enticing cleavage, while the bottom flared out, leaving the shape of her hips a mystery.
“I forgot to ask one thing,” Kendal said before the horse came to a stop.
“What?”
“Do you speak Italian?” Kendal smiled up at Piper. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Piper and how she looked in that dress.
“No, but I’m sure you’ll muddle through somehow and figure out how to be romantic in English.”
Kendal laughed and shook her head. She’d never met anyone like Piper. No matter how many years or centuries they spent together, she was positive she’d never be bored. With a quick tug, the cape rippled behind her without tangling when she dismounted as gracefully as she could, then sent Ruda home to the groomer with a slap to his rump.
“Buonanotte, bella Piper,” she said as she bowed deeply at the waist, holding the flowers up and behind her. “I hope you’re well this evening.” She lowered her voice to the timbre she’d used whenever she’d had to don a male façade.
“I’m fabulous, but I’d really like to see those pants up close. Can you come up here in them?”
It took less than a minute to make the climb, and Piper kissed her when she handed her the daffodils. “You’re beautiful.”
“Would I have interested you, Antonio?” Piper asked as she unbuttoned Kendal’s jacket so she could slip her hand inside her shirt.
“Had you lived back then our history would be much longer than the months we’ve been together.” She put her hand at the base of Piper’s throat and slowly moved it down. “I’ve enjoyed my life, but I’ve never felt blessed for the thousands of days they’ve gifted me with until I met you.”
“If Gran and Pops weren’t downstairs waiting on us, we’d be late.”
She offered Piper her arm after another kiss and gladly accepted the hugs Mac and Molly gave her when they made it down.
“You two should win best costume tonight,” Mac said as he helped Molly put her coat on.
“The only prize I’m after is getting Piper to dance with me.”
“Don’t overdo the sappy,” Piper said with a pinch to her side.
The limousine Kendal had ordered was waiting outside, and they allowed Mac and Molly the most comfortable seats. She unstrapped the sword from her waist and scanned the area again before getting in after Piper. She was positive someone was out there watching and waiting, but for what?
“I think you’ll like this ball, Kendal,” Molly said as Kendal opened the bottle of champagne she’d gotten from the cellar at Oakgrove and had the driver chill. “When we were younger, we never missed it.”
“Sounds fun,” she said as she handed out glasses. “Here’s to a great time.”
The rest of the ride was pleasant as they talked about nothing important. When they arrived, the ballroom was already crowded, and the Marmandes seemed to enjoy introducing her to a few of their friends on the way to their table.
“Would you care to dance, madam?” Kendal offered Molly her hand. The music had changed to an old-fashioned waltz that’d made Molly start to sway in time with the tune.
“I’d love to.”
Molly was a great dancer, and as much fun as Kendal was having getting to know her through small talk, a flash of color dragged her attention away. As she and Molly neared Piper and Mac, Piper’s expression signaled that she’d noticed the same thing. Their fun was about to be cut short.
*
“So much for leaving her alone like they promised,” Piper said as she watched Kendal and Gran.
“Did you say something?” Mac asked.
“Only that Gran is monopolizing my dance partner. Let’s go cut in.” She took his arm and his lead until they were close to Kendal and Gran.
“May we cut in?” Mac asked.
“Notice anything out of place?” Piper asked when Kendal held her and twirled her around the floor; she almost wanted to pretend she was ignorant of unwelcome guests.
“Besides you in this sexy dress?” Kendal glanced at the bandstand. “Yes, but it doesn’t make sense.”
“Why not?”
“Because while you might recognize Cleopatra over there, I’m sure you missed the four others she brought with her.” Kendal held her closer as the music changed again to a ballad. “It seems like a summons they expect me to reject so they brought muscle, but that’s not the usual style. Maybe you should take your grandparents back and let me deal with this.”
When Piper tugged on Kendal’s goatee to force her to look at her, she hoped the glue Kendal had used would hold. “I’m not a piece of fluff on your arm, and I’m never going to play that part. Do you understand me?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever treated you like that.”
Another tug made Kendal tense in her arms from what seemed to be annoyance. “That you just dismissed me makes me think so. What, if something hard or dangerous comes along I’m supposed to run and hide until you take care of it?”
She caressed Kendal’s cheek and brought back her smile. “My friends bought white dresses and made their intentions known at the end of an aisle. I drank from a cup to bind my life to yours forever—literally. That makes me your wife in a way more binding than anyone here can imagine, so don’t ever shut me out.”
They’d stopped moving even though they were in the middle of the dance floor, and Kendal shielded her from the other dancers.
“I love you, and because you’re mine, it’s my job to protect you from the evils I know exist. With more time you’ll realize the monsters aren’t simply fairy tales to frighten small children, and I want to shield you from all that as long as I can.” Kendal kissed her and held her so she could whisper in her ear. “Don’t hate me because I do.”
“I could never hate you, but I want you to promise me you won’t ask me to leave your side. It’s where I belong.”
“You might want to wait before you ask me that. I don’t mean any disrespect, but you don’t know yet what that might mean.” The way Kendal said it made her sound as if the admission had pained her.
“I just need to know that you want me in your life…all aspects of it, and that’ll be good enough for me. You’ve walked alone long enough, Asra. You don’t have to anymore. It’s why you big silent types take wives. I should correct that assumption now, in case you thought it was because you were expecting me to do dishes or something,” she teased, trying to get Kendal to smile again.
“I love you, Piper, and I’ll promise you whatever you want.” Kendal kissed her again before taking her hand and leading her to the back of the room through a series of doors to an outside patio.
“Antonio De Cristo, that was an interesting choice,” a masked figure said.
“Are you here for a reason, or are you here to play guessing games with me?” Kendal asked.
“I’m not your enemy, Asra, try to remember that. In the coming days you’ll need as many of us who care about you on your side as you can get. It’s why I’ve assembled the group I did to deliver the Elders’ message.” Morgaine was dressed as Cleopatra but had skipped the black wig.
“I did my job and asked to be released from my commitment. My brother and that unnatural bitch that made him are both dead, and I’ve given them three thousand years of loyalty. What else do they want?”
“Remember, in your position you’re not supposed to question. You are to follow and do the will of the Clan. It is the price of your gift, the same gift they know you’ve now shared with another,” Lenore said. “I came to verify that Morgaine’s done her job and given you the invitation. At the next full moon you are expected, Asra, and I beg you to comply. You may not gain release from your obligation to the Elders.”
“And if she doesn’t comply?” Piper asked.
“I’m sure she’s told you what happens if the sun is taken away from us. It’s the fate of those who disobey.” Morgaine moved closer and lowered her voice. “We share a commitment to keep Asra whole, so accept my apology for intruding, but I have no choice. It looks as if you are doing well, though, and you found what you were searching for in Italy, Piper.”
“I did, and thank you for your help, but I hope these Elders don’t mind if she brings guests. She’s not going alone.”
Morgaine nodded and smiled, then opened her mouth in apparent shock. “Lenore, come and see.”
Piper barely recognized Lenore in the gypsy costume she was wearing, but she managed a warm smile when she moved closer. Had Piper talked only to Morgaine, she probably wouldn’t have been convinced of Kendal’s epic story. Lenore had written Asra’s story and retold it with such passion Piper couldn’t help but believe it.
She was about to ask why Lenore had paled considerably, but when Lenore took her hands, her world went instantly black and silent. She started to go down, almost like a balloon that someone had stuck with a pin, and the last thing she remembered was Kendal grabbing her before she hit the ground.
“What did you do to her?” Kendal yelled as she cradled Piper gently. She’d been dazed in battle but never, unless by choice, lost complete consciousness. Seeing Piper limp in her arms scared her more than anything she’d ever faced.
“You know I’d never harm her, Asra, and you also know the legend as well as I do.” Lenore dropped to her knees and ran her hand over Piper’s head.
“Do you seriously think the prophecies were waiting for a sarcastic boatbuilder from New Orleans?” Kendal regretted the flip question as soon as it left her mouth when she felt the hard pinch to her thigh.
“And what the hell is wrong with being a boatbuilder from New Orleans?” Piper asked before she pinched her harder. “You think I’m sarcastic?”
“It’s the reason I fell in love with you, so I never want to change that about you.” Relief flooded through her so quickly she came close to collapsing next to Piper. “Are you all right?”
“You have a little explaining to do, but I’m fine. I know we haven’t been together long enough for me to know all your expressions and what they mean, but you look scared. Are you all right?”
“I’m just worried about you, my love.”
Piper tugged her closer as if wanting a little privacy. “That wasn’t supposed to happen, was it?”
“No, it wasn’t. Did it feel like you fainted?”
“It was more like a current ran up my arms when Lenore touched me.”
Morgaine and Lenore moved closer, interrupting their whispered
conversation. “Then what happened?” Morgaine asked.
“It was weird,” Piper replied, her answer loud enough for all of them to hear, but her eyes never leaving Kendal’s.
“Elaboration would be good,” Morgaine said with a little impatience.
“I love you, but back off,” Kendal warned her.
“It’s all right,” Piper said softly, smiling at her in gentle affection. “I promise I’m fine.” She turned to face Morgaine and Lenore. “I know you probably have a logical explanation for what happened, but to answer your question, I had the most vivid dream ever. It seemed so real but it couldn’t have been.”
“Why do you think so?” Lenore asked with a huge smile.
“It was about Kendal, but from the way she was dressed, I shouldn’t have a mental reference for that level of detail. You did a great job when you told me her story, but this was like a clip from a movie.”
“How was I dressed?” Kendal asked.
“You looked almost like a savage, and you were getting off a large black horse covered in as much armor as you were.”
Morgaine fell back until her butt hit the floor. “Oh, gods.”
“Think, love, the sword at my side, what did it look like?” Kendal asked, fascinated with what Piper had said so far.
“It was a dream, baby, what does it matter?”
“Try to answer her question, Piper. Trust me, it’s important.” Lenore reached out to touch Piper again, but pulled back at the last moment.
“It was very different from the ones I’ve seen you carry, and it was the only thing out of place, considering how you looked.”
“What does that mean?” Morgaine asked.
“While Kendal looked wild, the weapon looked delicate. The handle appeared to be white ivory and…” Piper closed her eyes as if to remember better.