by Nicole Adamz
“We’re here to visit Niles Marcher,” I purred. “I’m Caelum Maewyn and this is his friend, Tyro Ari.”
The man looked at us. “I’ll have to ask Niles if he was expecting visitors.”
The panel clanked shut, and it was a few moments before I heard whispering behind the door. The panel reopened, and the man gruffly said, “Niles said he was expecting a pig delivery. I don’t see a pig with either of you, ladies.”
Confused, I glanced at Ari, but she shrugged. “Did you tell Niles our names? I’m certain he’d want to see us.” I fluttered my lashes.
“No pig, no entry.” the man said solemnly.
I pouted. “Please?” I said sweetly.
A murmur made the sentry stare at me silently. He seemed to struggle with something. “Can you make a pig noise?” he choked out.
I looked at Ari in consternation. I’m not making a pig noise! Her eyes narrowed, and she kicked the gate with a menacing hiss. A guffaw escaped through the panel, piercing the air.
“I suppose a snake is good enough.” the man said quickly.
The door swung open, revealing Niles doubled over in laughter. His cohort shook his salt-and-pepper head, looking abashedly toward Welkin. “Apologies, ladies, young buck has a way of making you want to join in on the fun.”
He strolled off with a lingering look at me that I ignored. I looked at Niles’s unwavering smile as he swung a companionable arm around Ari’s shoulders. The familiarity of it struck a chord. I’ve never had a friendship like theirs.
Wanting to be part of the moment, I grabbed Niles’s free arm and looked at him. An appreciative gleam lit his eyes, and I smiled coquettishly before demurely looking at the ground. Ari stiffened, and I quietly sighed. I guess I should behave. My attraction to Niles seems to upset her, but I can have fun when she isn’t watching! A mischievous glance at Niles established that his attention was still on me. Lots of fun.
We walked around the compound, passing the training yard in the middle. Warders and Trainees were lined under a stone awning testing their abilities on varying targets. Arrows thumped steadily into stationary or swinging bales of hay.
Niles explained that Ward Units on duty shared a room inside the watchtower. Off-duty units shared quarters beside the weapons room in case of attack. While the compound was large, the personal quarters were small. I grimaced, commenting on the utilitarian environment and Niles grinned.
“Luxuries aren’t needed. I count on my Unit to help me get by. Not extravagances,” he said proudly.
I paused, considering his words. Sunlight danced on Niles’s silver badge, and I tapped the metal. Engraved on the silver wings was the number seven, and the medal sat above the stripes of his previous ranks. “What’s this?” I asked.
Niles glanced at the winged insignia, grinning awkwardly. “It’s my new rank. I’m the leader of my own Unit,” he said.
“Does that make you Captain Niles?” I murmured coyly. Ari scowled.
Niles wiggled his brows suggestively, “I’ll be your Captain.”
I laughed playfully, ignoring Ari’s pained expression. We passed a group of Green Warders, trainees without rank, and a clamor arose when I walked by. Chuckling, I flashed the men a smile, and the noise grew. They cheered when I blew a kiss.
Niles shook his head, amused, and held up an authoritative hand. He closed it into a fist and silence descended. “Greens to training or I’ll have you cleaning the waste pots with your sleep shirts,” he reprimanded.
Unrepentant, I grinned at the evocative look Niles gave me. “Can’t help yourself, can you?” he chided.
“Never,” I said brazenly, staring into his eyes. “And even if I could, why would I want to? That’s not exciting.”
Ari, radiating irritation, stiffly gestured at the training grounds and Niles nodded. “If any of the Greens or Stripes give you trouble tell them to talk to me. There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition.”
Ari marched to a small, wooded section of the training yard and I glanced at Niles questioningly. “What’s she doing?”
Niles leaned against a stone post; a hand hooked carelessly in his belt. His cropped, fawn hair fell rakishly over his face. My heart tripped. Oh, my.
“She’s going to train with the Warders in the forest simulation we have. Ari’s better than some of the men and helped me train to be a Warder since we were fledglings. In fact, she wanted to become one. She didn’t mention that?” Niles said.
“No, she never told me. It makes sense. She always wants to have a plan and makes lists. Even when studying. Why did she take the Abeyance if she wanted to be a Warder?” I said, leaning closer to Niles’s tantalizingly fresh scent.
His gaze met mine, traveling to my mouth. The memory of our first, and only, kiss popped into my mind. I bit my lip, watching the corner of his mouth quirk. Is there any chance of a repeat performance? I waited, wanting him to ask first.
“Ari’s father was a Ward General.” Niles said.
“So, she wanted to follow her father’s path?” I said, trying to sound casual. It was difficult when my mind was elsewhere.
“No, there aren’t many female Warders, so if she’d chosen that path she wouldn’t be allowed past the Barrier on hunts. Which is what she really wanted, so she decided to take the Abeyance instead.” Niles murmured, leaning closer.
“What does that have to do with anything?” I said. Please, ask me to go somewhere private so we can kiss again, I thought frantically. I licked my lips, trying to concentrate on the conversation. How many times has he played this game before? He’s so controlled. I swallowed, attempting a daring smile.
“Ari likes structure and regulation, but she also takes unexpected risks. Like taking the Abeyance and flying,” Niles’s breath whispered across my lips, his eyes locked on mine
I caved. “Speaking of taking risks…” I said, letting my suggestion fall away.
Niles’s eyebrow arched, a cocky grin splitting his face. “Yes, speaking of. Would you like to see the rest of the compound?”
An answering grin lit my face. “Is there anything of interest here to a Caelum?”
“There might be a few areas you would like to research for accuracy in future Stories,” Niles said with a wink.
“I bet you say that to all women,” I said, amused.
“Not all women.” Niles protested with a grin.
“Only the ones you flirt with?” I challenged.
“I only flirt with the ones I like.” Niles countered.
“So, you use that line on the women you like?” I said archly.
“Only women like you. Of which there is only one,” he said, roguishly wiggling his eyebrows.
I laughed at his impudence, taking his arm and walking into the compound. When we rounded a corner, I gave in to temptation. Pushing Niles against a wall, I pressed my lips against his. The spreading warmth of his return kiss was an aphrodisiac and I thrilled at the sensation. Oh my, he’s one of the best kissers I’ve encountered, I thought happily as our lips met again and again. An errant image of Ari stalking angrily away popped into my mind, but I pushed it away. She’ll get over it.
When Niles’s hand slid up my ribcage I gasped, pressing against his palm. More, I want more. My body begged for release, but I knew my family would go berserk if I created a Mate-Bond with a mere Warder. That type of Bond wouldn’t be advantageous. Which makes the fact that I want one with Niles dangerous.
If my parents found out…I kissed him again. I want him, and that could put him in danger. I was grateful when voices rang down the hallway, but I resented letting Niles go. Frustrated, I straightened my tunic and brushed back my disheveled hair.
Niles gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, I should’ve found a more discreet avenue for our…research.”
I chuckled huskily. “You mean I should’ve picked a better wall.”
Niles burst out laughing, tugging playfully at my hair. “Maybe we can continue researching another time?” he said.
> “Maybe.” I said vaguely, glancing at the sky when we walked back to the training yard. “Let’s find Ari. We should head back to Ascension.”
“Ah.” Niles thought for a moment. “Got any windows I can sneak through?”
I laughed spiritedly as we walked toward the forested area. “Don’t give me any more wicked ideas than I already have, Niles. You’re a bad influence.”
“Or a good influence in a bad way,” Niles murmured.
I grinned, letting the matter settle when we met Ari. Any future rendezvous with Niles is too risky. For both of us. If I’m successful at the Autumn Feyle, I could have him as male pretty bird on the side after I’m Life-Bonded. Like mother.
Ari gave us a disgruntled look and I smiled guilelessly. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. We walked through the large gate, despite the open sky compound. Niles informed us that no one entered or departed from the large opening unless it was an emergency. I shrugged, walking out. A few more feet didn’t make a difference to me.
“Hey, pig!” Niles called to Ari through the panel. “Don’t eat too much. I think you’ve gained a few stones!”
A rock hit the closed door with a thud, and Niles’s muffled laughter leaked out. Ari sent me a cutting look, so I stifled my giggle. Such a temper, I thought and stuck out my tongue. A corner of her mouth twitched, and I smiled. Maybe the flight back will give her time to simmer down, I thought. Hopefully.
Chapter 14
Ari
MAEWYN GIGGLED, swaying around the room like a windblown flower. A day dress hugged her curvy figure, flaring with each movement. The Autumn Feyle had arrived, and she was in high spirits. I smiled, not admitting how nervous I was. Because I’m not nervous, I told myself firmly.
Chewing my lip, I mulled over the possibility of an encounter with the High Lord. He’d always been a distant, powerful figure. Maewyn twirled by with a theatrical pose, and I smiled absently. Breathing slowly, I shook off my nerves.
Nudging Maewyn toward her chamber, I kept an eye on her while I filled a large copper pot with water and boiled it over her fireplace. A full bath was an arduous task, but Maewyn had requested one for tonight. Eyeing the tub in the corner, I sighed in resignation.
She wants to outshine every woman there. As if having silver hair and a flawless figure isn’t enough. Maewyn brushed her hair while I picked out jewelry for the gown delivered from Splendour. When the water boiled, I tipped it into a tall, slender urn and attached the urn to a chain over the tub. The air hissed as the liquid splashed down, and I repeated the process until the tub was filled.
Maewyn let her dress fall carelessly to the floor, and I quickly hung it in the armoire where it belonged. Slipping into the tub, Maewyn spread her wings over the rim, and I handed her the bathing brushes.
While Maewyn scrubbed her milky skin to a delicate pink, I poured a mixture of bathing oils into the hot water, inhaling the floral scent enviously. One day I can buy these luxuries for me and Zora if my Talent manifests. While Maewyn bathed, I sponged down in my room and chose a warm black uniform and wrapped a silver belt, a gift from Maewyn, around my waist. She borrows it more often than I’ve used it, I chuckled.
Maewyn was rinsing when I walked into her chamber, and I handed her a towel. When she finished drying by the fire, I helped her don the heavy, white velvet gown. Edged with rabbit fur for the chilly season, the collar skimmed the top of her chest. The phases of the moon were heavily embroidered on the bottom panel, making it barely recognizable as Caelum’s garb. Once the loops and ties were in place it looked magnificent.
I’m glad Maewyn decided not to dye her wings, I thought, relieved. Carefully, I opened a round, gold box of translucent, crushed pearls I’d purchased in the Market District. “Pat it everywhere and be generous. I want enough to remain from the flight that I shimmer like the coiled gems.” Maewyn said imperiously.
I rolled my eyes, dusting the powder along her wings—again. She’s told me one hundred times exactly how she wants to look. Maewyn’s eyes narrowed in her mirror. “Don’t think I can’t see you just because you’re behind my wings,” she snapped.
I stood, placing my face next to hers in the mirror and rolled my eyes again. Maewyn’s face crumpled, and guilt slid through me. I didn’t mean to make her feel bad. She’s been working hard for this Revue.
“I’m not being ridiculous, Ari.” Maewyn said in a strained voice. “I know there are instances where I can be a little over the top—instances,” she stressed when I raised an eyebrow, “However, I don’t think an appearance at the Aerie is one of them.”
I stared at the mirror, considering her words. She’s right. Any Elysian appearing in court would have the same concerns. Except me, I guess. It wouldn’t matter what I wear next to Maewyn. I fade into the background. Not that I care, I hastily assured myself. The prick of resentment I felt at her effortless beauty brought forth the image of her and Niles together.
Clenching my jaw, I dusted her with more powder. When I finished, Maewyn smiled and grabbed my hands. My stomach dropped at the hopeful, sly expression in her eyes. Oh, no. That expression never bodes well for me.
“I have a gift for you,” Maewyn said.
I blinked, taken off-guard. That expression was usually followed by a preposterous plan. Not the offering of a gift. Maewyn walked to her armoire and opened the bottom drawer, her smile widening. Inside was a wrapped package, and I stared at it suspiciously.
“Here. Open it.” she commanded.
Slowly pulling the string, I stared at the contents doubtfully. A dark, sapphire mass pooled in the paper, a shapeless garment. My lips thinned, and I shook my head. No. I’m not wearing something against Ascension protocol. Maewyn’s slender brows gathered in annoyance. I stared at her, unbending in my refusal. I’m a Tyro. Any clothing deviation is punishable.
“Ari! You can’t wear that plain, ratty uniform to the Aerie,” Maewyn said heatedly.
It’s not ratty. I’ve barely had it for three seasons, I thought while Maewyn continued her tirade. “Even the Anomalies at the Aerie will be better dressed than you if you wear that,” Maewyn said, pushing me toward the door. “Put the dress on.”
She turned to examine her appearance, assuming I’d meekly change. Barely glancing at the dress, I obstinately laid it on her bed. Catching the movement in the mirror, Maewyn whipped around. Fire snapped in her narrowed, emerald eyes.
“Put. It. On.” she said emphatically.
Her tone rankled, and I wanted to yell, tossing the gown in her face. Why does it matter what I wear? No one will pay attention to me anyway! Instead, I grit my teeth, marched to my chamber, and peeled off my warm uniform. Folding it neatly, I returned it to my dresser. I hated capitulating, but tonight wasn’t about me. Going to a Revue was never about me. It was about my Caelum. Which sucks right now, I thought furiously.
I cringed inwardly at the dress laying innocuously in its brown paper package. The folded velvet gleamed, spilling over the paper in dark, taunting waves. The dress practically mocked me; grace, beauty, charm. Things you will never have, it whispered.
The soft material brushed derisively against my hands while I determined how to put it on. Stupid gowns being stupidly complicated, I grumbled. The back and neck used a series of laces to fasten, and I untied them before stepping into the folds of the dress.
The heavy material hugged my waist and fell to my feet, and I pulled the top over my chest, securing the tie at the back of my neck. While the material was suited for the cool season, the dress was modest with a high neck but sleeveless. I frowned, smoothing the velvet down my hips. Thank the True One the important parts are covered, I thought. A jeweled belt completed the ensemble, and I tied my sachet to it, hiding my pendant and a few handkerchiefs inside.
The dark blue material glowed against my honeyed complexion, but I refused to look in the small mirror and see the garment hanging on my thin, angular frame. I yanked the door open, ready for a fight as I stalked into the common area. Maewyn�
��s eyes widened in disbelief, a single word tumbling from her mouth. “Oh.”
I suppressed the twinge of pain it caused. It’s silly to be upset. I’ve never been beautiful, and I’ve never deluded myself into thinking otherwise. Although, Maewyn is the one forcing me to wear this, I thought, wounded.
“Ari, you look…marvelous! Like a completely different Elysian!” Maewyn said, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “I knew it was a great idea to have a dress made for you!”
I grinned uncertainly. Well, at least she’s happy at my discomfort. Maewyn surveyed me, and her eyes caught on my shoes. I still wore my boots. Dismay colored her face.
“Oh, no. I forgot about the shoes! And you can’t wear any of mine. Your feet are platter sized!” Maewyn wailed in distress.
I would have laughed if she wasn’t so upset. The black boots were barely noticeable beneath the heavy gown. I don’t think it looks bad, but then, I’m not Maewyn. I wiggled my toes comfortably. Perhaps it’s a trend that will catch on. The True One knows slippers pinch the toes unbearably!
Maewyn paced around the room, and I tucked my feet beneath the hem. She took a calming breath. That’s right. It’s not a problem. Just breathe. They’re only shoes.
“It’s okay. No one will be giving you much attention.” she said. If no one looks at me, then why are you insisting I wear this? I thought ironically.
“Just…stand like that as much as you can. Make sure the dress drapes over your feet. Maybe other people won’t notice.” Maewyn fretted.
I nodded, hoping it would calm her. There isn’t time for her to continue her theatrics. I still need to put the gems in her wings and fix her hair. The boots don’t matter. When Maewyn sat at her vanity, I quickly twisted and braided her long strands into an elaborate crown. Leaving one strand to curl toward her waist, I attached a cascade of sapphire pins into the hairstyle. They looked like a small waterfall in her silver hair.
The coiled gems took longer to thread into her feathers, but the effect was breathtaking. Maewyn was a small mass of pale skin and silver hair wearing a white dress heavily embroidered in silver. The pearl dust made her skin glimmer, and she sparkled allover.