Before she had the chance to rock herself upright, Jaden’s sad face popped through the door and looked around. She sighed. Somehow Jaden had become loyal to Angst, so much so that Rook had easily convinced him to stay by her side. He was cute, with his firm jaw, dark-rooted blond hair, and sharp blue eyes, and incredibly adept at wielding magic, but self-absorbed to the point of self-worship. Jaden and Victoria were obviously attracted to each other, and Heather really wanted them to be happy, run away together, and not come back.
He searched the room, careful not to be caught where only women were supposed to be allowed, before striding in proudly. Jaden and Alloria were the two lone survivors of Cliffview’s collapse into the ocean, and with Victoria gone, he seemed more lost than ever.
“Come in, dear,” she said politely. “Alloria and Vars argued their way out already, and she had cleared the room for quite some time.”
“I figured as much from the shouting.” Jaden’s grin was tight. “Still best of friends, those two?”
“I’m sure they’ll figure it out,” she said dryly. “Once one of them is dead.”
He smiled at this and then looked guilty as he asked, “Anything?”
“No.” She sighed. “You?”
“Still nothing. I was able to communicate with Victoria through stone a week ago, and suddenly I can’t.” He grunted. “How does magic just stop working?”
Still upset he hadn’t told her about their chats sooner, Heather could only shrug. How could they not have told anyone about the spell allowing them to communicate through stone? He could’ve passed messages to Angst. Or, even better, she could’ve learned the spell herself, just to tell Angst how much she loved him. She felt like someone had dropped her heart on the floor. Caught up in her melancholy, Jaden sat on the cracked marble floor, crossed his legs, and set his chin in his hands for a good pout. Heather rolled her eyes. Why did she have an ability that required her to be the hopeful one?
“I’m sure they’re fine,” she said, brushing away her unkempt brown, curly hair nervously. “Scar lived, which means Angst is alive, and you know he’ll keep the princess safe.”
“True,” Jaden said. “But look at what Scar’s become! The poor dog can’t control all the power Angst’s taking on.”
It was too much. Her guard instantly shattered as a dam of tears broke free. Heather couldn’t control the sobs, and so, neither could Jaden.
“I’m sorry,” he said between tears.
“Are we interrupting?” a squeaky voice said from the door.
Heather looked up to see the Meldusian and Nordruaut ambassadors enter the courtyard. The clacker of the small man’s feet echoed throughout the room as he tried keeping up with his enormous companion’s steps. She’d knelt to enter, but seemed very pleased to stand upright, until she looked around.
“This room is useless,” she grunted, stretching her broad arms.
Heather tried not to gawk at the pair, but what else could she do? The Meldusian was so tiny, so ugly he was almost cute. The Nordruaut was so...naked. Angst must’ve loved that. Heather sighed and shook her head.
“I am Jintorich, and my friend is Maarja.” He bowed then held out a small kerchief, handing it to Heather. “Are you Angst’s wife?”
“Oh, thank you.” Heather took the kerchief, which was almost half the size of Jintorich, and patted her eyes. “Yes, I’m Heather. This is our friend, Jaden.”
They both nodded at Jaden, who stood, wiping his eyes in embarrassment.
“Do you know Angst?” Heather asked.
“I met your husband,” Maarja said with a nod. “You must be a very patient woman.”
“I already like you,” Heather replied.
Jaden reached out to shake hands, but Maarja just looked at it as if wondering why it didn’t hold mead. Jintorich took several fingers and shook them politely before hopping up onto Heather’s bench. He inspected her stomach and leaned his tall ear close.
“Manners,” Maarja snapped.
“Oh, yes,” Jintorich peeped apologetically. “I used to be a physician, so I just assume. May I?”
“Um. Sure, okay,” Heather said, looking at Jaden uncertainly.
Jaden shrugged helpfully.
Jintorich’s cheek rested gently on her stomach then his ear curled around her belly like a finger grasping her waist. Her heart stuttered in surprise, but before she could shove his head away, it popped up.
“Healthy,” he said. “Quite healthy, as are you.”
“Thank you.” Heather beamed broadly enough that everyone in the room smiled.
“Have you heard from them?” Maarja asked. “Have you heard from Angst or Tarness?”
“No,” Heather said. “I have reason to believe he’s alive though.”
“Please share.” Jintorich sat on the bench, crossing his legs and placing his staff on his lap.
The Meldusian looked at her with a kind smile and waited patiently. The Nordruaut seemed less patient, but Maarja’s questions mirrored Heather’s concern for Angst.
“Why not?” Heather began, “Angst and his friends found a giant monster dog that had apparently come from the Vex’kvette. After defeating it, the monster changed into a puppy that was dying. Angst healed it with Chryslaenor, and now they share this bond. Everything that happens to Angst affects Scar. The puppy’s alive, but completely out of control.”
“I remember his dog,” Maarja said. “Where is it now?”
“Scar?” Heather asked. “He’s at our home. Why?”
“Vars tried arresting the wielders at the Wizard’s Revenge,” Jintorich explained.
“What?” Jaden said sharply.
“We helped them scare him away,” Jintorich continued. “And now the wielders are planning to gather to seek refuge on your land.”
“No!” Heather started rocking to stand. “No! Scar is confused, he doesn’t understand. He’ll hurt all of them, or worse!”
“Rook and Janda were hoping that would keep Unsel soldiers away,” Jintorich said.
“Janda should know how dangerous Scar is.” Heather stood shakily. “We have to warn them.”
“You can’t go there, Heather,” Jaden said. “It’s not safe.”
“It’s safe here?” Heather asked. “Alloria says she won’t arrest me, but I don’t trust Vars.”
“You’re safer here than with Scar acting like he is,” Jaden said firmly. “They won’t harm you as long as they need your husband.”
“You could go, Jaden,” she said. “You’re fast enough on your swifen to get there first.”
“No, I couldn’t,” Jaden said, though he beamed at the compliment. “I need to keep you safe, for Angst.”
“We will keep her safe,” Maarja promised. “No harm will come to her.”
“Yes, we are both warriors.” Jintorich stood, his staff flashing white as it struck the stone bench.
“No, really, if anything happened to you...” Jaden said. “I just wouldn’t want Angst to be upset.”
Heather gathered her emotional reserve. She thought of her baby and how excited she was to hold it. She thought of Angst coming home, and how hopeful she was that he was safe. She thought of her friends, and worried at the danger they faced at her home. She took that excitement, that hope, that worry, and with all her focus, gently held Jaden’s hand and said, “Please.”
As if jolted by lightning while being slapped across the face, Jaden took a shocked step back, holding up his hands. He was breathing rapidly, and she worried she’d pushed too much.
“Yes! Yes, you’re absolutely right!” He began to summon his swifen. “I’ll go now!”
“You should probably do that outside, dear,” Heather said with a gentle smile.
“But wait, what will we eat?” he asked. “Where will everyone sleep?”
Heather needed to keep this momentum going, not only to help everyone arriving, but to give her a break from Jaden. “You could build temporary housing from stone. Angst says there’s plenty. You can wi
eld stone, can’t you?”
“Yes, someone taught me once.” He looked confused.
“And there’s gold in a cellar under the house,” she said. “Enough to feed an army.”
“I don’t know.” He hesitated.
“Go!” she commanded.
“Going!” He spun about to face Maarja and Jintorich. “And you will keep her safe?”
Both of them nodded, their eyebrows raised high in surprise. He sprinted out of the room, a man on a mission.
Heather returned to the bench, letting her shoulders slouch with a long sigh. “Thank you,” she finally said.
“Whatever for?” Jintorich asked.
“Jaden means well, trying to keep me safe,” Heather said. “But he’s been smothering me. I’ve been trying to get rid of him for days.”
Jintorich smiled and nodded. “Would you tell us more about Angst, and his foci?”
“Of course,” Heather said, happy to talk about her husband. She reached out a hand for Maarja to come closer.
“I think I’m fine over here,” Maarja said with a wary smile.
24
Angst woke to cold, and to something pressed firmly against his mouth. He felt like he was floating and opened his eyes to a blurry darkness. He was underwater and immediately tried twisting out of an embrace so tight it could’ve crushed the life from him. His arms and legs were too weak to break free, and the sheer panic of being fully submerged made it impossible to wield magic.
He had to calm down, and tried focusing on what had happened. The element had thrown him so high that landing in the ocean had felt like hitting solid ground. Water cocooned him as he sank, filling his mouth and nose. That should’ve been it. So, why was he alive?
Angst stopped fighting because he was still breathing, and whatever was pressed against his mouth was soft and nice. The embrace became less of a grapple and more of a hug. He took a deep breath and tasted something funny. Almost...fishy. Something moist flicked playfully at his tongue, like a teenager on a first date. He jerked his tongue back and it was gone.
The strong arms pulled him up. Hesitant beams of light snuck through ocean waves as they approached the surface, making it bright enough to see Moyra’s large, dark eyes. Stopping an arm’s length from the water’s edge, the mermaid looked at him as she breathed for both of them.
“I am glad you are alive, An-gst.” Her voice echoed in his mind. “I worried you would drown.”
His breathing quickened. Had his friends been thrown into the ocean too? Were they drowning right now? He had to find them!
“You are safe. Your friends are safe. I promise.”
He glanced upward.
“We need to swim farther out,” she warned. “If the pirates see me, they will kill me.”
Angst pulled his head away to nod, hoping she understood. He was completely helpless in his heavy armor and far too exhausted to wield himself to safety. Why was he so exhausted? What had Air done?
They swam fast, and she kept her lips pressed to his, pushing air into his lungs when he wouldn’t draw it in voluntarily. It was unnatural, and Angst struggled to breathe normally. He gulped in air and tasted something else. Not fish. It tasted like...iron. He pushed away, flailing in panic. Moyra slowed, bringing them above the surface. Her lips freed his, and he breathed in as much fresh air as he could through the choppy waters. She frowned at him with her blue eyebrows and pouted with her overly full lips, even while her tongue licked the outside of his mouth.
“What?” Her voice sounded worried in his mind. “What is wrong?”
He licked his lips, cautiously. Her thin, forked tongue met his, and she smiled as if it was playtime. Now that he was thinking about it, all he could taste was iron. He must’ve gotten cut. That had to be it—this was his own blood. The tension in his shoulders melted.
“I tasted blood and thought you’d eaten someo...er, one of us,” he said awkwardly. “A human.”
Her frown returned as she tilted her head to one side. “I did.”
“What?” he shouted then looked around in case someone was nearby, listening. Much quieter, he said, “What?”
“I ate hooman.” Her face was twisted between confidence and confusion.
Blood had been in his mouth, human blood, and it wasn’t his. Her tongue continued licking his lips as though it had a mind of its own. He buried his face in the ocean as his stomach emptied. It wasn’t enough. He wanted to cry, or scream. His heart raced. He had to remain calm, Moyra was the only one who could return him to shallow waters. He pulled up, gasping for air, and his stomach lurched, giving him only seconds to shove his face under the water again. It was embarrassing to throw up in front of her. He struggled to calm the panic in his gut as he pulled his head out of the water and looked into her eyes.
He gripped her shoulders firmly. “We are not food. I’m not food.” He frowned. “Do you look at me and think food?”
“Not you.” She sucked in her lips and looked away. “But they are not you!”
“They are me! You can’t eat us,” he admonished, shaking her. “None of us! Do we eat you because you’re part fish?”
Her dark eyes were now downcast and her pouty lips trembled. She shivered, and her buoyancy waned, sinking them inches deeper. It was like she’d never been scolded, but she had to know or they couldn’t be friends. Couldn’t be anything.
“I am not a dumb fish!” she thought loud enough to make him wince. She sounded hurt.
“I’m sorry,” Angst apologized. “It was an example, a bad one. I don’t think you’re a fish.”
“You think I am a dumb fish.”
“No, I promise I don’t.” He struggled to find the words. He needed her. There was no way he could swim to shore on his own. “I think you’re a person.”
Moyra looked up from the water, her eyes filled with the contemplation of saving him or letting him sink. What could he do? Not only did he need her, he liked her. But she had also just eaten a human... He was so conflicted. Without her, he would die, and that probably had to take precedence. For now, at least.
“I like you, Moyra. I think you’re fun.” He smiled. “I want to be friends.”
She immediately smiled and pursed her lips for a kiss, her long, forked tongue dancing playfully.
“Nope,” he said, pulling away.
“Chi-cken,” she replied, her eyes thinning.
“Oh, you know what that means?” he teased.
“Water chi-cken are stupid bottom dwellers that run away from everything,” she explained. “You are chi-cken.”
“Yes, I guess I am,” he said. “Sometimes.”
“I am sorry...for the man.” She looked down.
“Please tell me he was dead,” Angst pleaded, clinging to his last vestige of hope. “When you ate him?”
She stared into his eyes, and her darker-than-dark gaze seemed honest, or at least naïve to the subtleties of human deception.
“Please.” He really wanted this to be true.
“His legs and arms were gone, he was bleeding deliciously.” She spoke quickly, her eyes wide and a smile on her face. “His heart was so slow.”
“Almost dead?” Angst asked.
“So very almost dead, An-gst,” she promised. “His breath was blood, his eyes were lost. I could not help myself. I am...I am sorry.”
“I believe you,” he said.
“I will try to do as you ask,” she said reluctantly. “But I still do not understand.”
“Would you have eaten one of your own?”
“Oh no,” she said, her nose scrunching in disgust. “We cannot.”
“Why?” he asked.
“That is wrong,” she said, her lips curling in disgust.
“Then you can’t eat one of mine,” he stressed. “If we’re going to be friends.”
“Oh.” She thought on this for a while before committing. “Okay.”
“Promise?”
She drew him closer, though he wouldn’t have thought it poss
ible. Her eyes seemed relieved. She planted her warm lips on his, and he had no choice but to meet them.
Moyra pulled away and smiled. “I am not chi-cken.”
“So I’ve noticed.” He couldn’t help the sigh. His head, free from one crisis, immediately jumped into another. “We need to get back! My friends—”
“Are safe.” She smiled.
“How do you know?” He asked.
“You talk to me in pictures, not words.” She pointed at her head. “I saw your friends and saved them.”
“So you can read my mind too?” The water suddenly felt colder. Or was that his blood?
“You mostly think of these.” She looked down while wiggling her torso, making her breasts threaten to bounce out of the ocean.
“Great,” he said, forcing eye contact. “Actually, it is great. Thank you for saving them. I should get back, they’ll be worried.”
“Go ahead and swim,” she teased.
“I don’t think I can,” he pleaded. “I’m exhausted. More than I should be.”
“Maybe you need to eat.” She feigned sincerity. “I know where you could find some fresh hooman.”
Her body shook as she laughed, her bare breasts now jiggling out of the water. She noticed him trying not to stare and, for some reason, laughed harder. “I will see you to shore, silly hooman,” she said. “So you can eat some trees and walking things.”
This really set her off, and he felt suddenly lost in her world. It was great that she had a sense of humor, but the joke baffled him. He watched her body shudder and heard her laughter in his mind. How many times in his life had he lost himself like that, to something silly that nobody else got? That trigger that was solely his own, that kept prompting more, uncontrollable giggles. It was so human, and that realization made him feel closer to her.
“Are you okay now?” he asked. “Are we?”
She sucked in her lips, as if fighting off one last bout, before nodding with mock sincerity. She pressed her mouth to his and kissed him. He knew he should stop, and guilt swelled in his chest, but it was so easy to get caught up in her. When she pulled away, he couldn’t help but grin.
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