by K. F. Breene
But if she did come back, she’d bring her circus with her. She’d been hard to manage before—with a twin and this crazy old man, she might prove to be a nuisance.
“I need to speak with Cayan.” She cleared her throat. “With the Captain. So, for now, yes. We can travel behind if you don’t want us riding amongst you.”
Sanders squinted at her face as her twin rode up. He jumped off his horse and stalked in that strangely elegant stride to reach her side. He said a few words that made her straighten up.
Sanders knew that look.
“You hurt?” he asked.
“We have some very scary Graygual on our tail,” the old man said, walking toward his horse. “They are probably on the wrong road at present, but they will come. They will come, and when they do, they will cause the uniting. We had best hurry. There is a lot of journey between now and then. A lot of stones to throw.”
The twin stared at Shanti as he said, “She is near deplete. We need tie her to her horse.”
“I’m fine, Rohnan.” Shanti waved him away.
Sanders rolled his eyes. “Same old bullshit. Let’s get moving. And I’ll help you tie her. Would a gag be out of the question?”
“I missed you, too, you ass,” Shanti said in a dry voice.
“We wait until she fall off. Reward for stubborn,” the blond—Rohnan she had called him—said.
“Even better.” Sanders stalked toward his horse to hide his smile.
She was a pain in the ass and caused him nothing but hassle. And yes, she gave him headaches constantly, messed up his training yard, and had his men looking at her with either suspicion or stars in their eyes. But he couldn’t deny he’d missed having the distraction. Whatever she was, she knew her stuff, and was never boring. Never, ever boring. In the months to come, that might be a prerequisite for survival.
As he climbed up into his saddle, Sanders couldn’t help another smile, brighter than the first. The fireworks she and the Captain would create when they inevitably butted heads would light up the sky. He couldn’t wait for the battle of wills.
Chapter Seven
Cayan sat in the park with his legs crossed and forearms resting over his knees. The cool of the night blanketed his face as he let his power bubble up and blossom out. He let out a sigh as his mind drifted. Tonight he didn’t want to play leader and protector—he just wanted to relax.
He’d spent the last couple of days in a storm of activity. The crew he wanted to take with him to find Shanti was organized, the routes mapped out. Even Daniels had agreed that the trip was the best course of action. The older Commander didn’t like the strange foreign women, as Daniels called her, but they had no other choice; not if they wanted to have a fighting chance against the Graygual.
Cayan let the stress and fatigue melt away. He rolled his neck to loosen sore muscles, then did the same thing with his arms and shoulders.
He’d trained with Lucius earlier that day, his Lieutenant and oldest friend. While Lucius was a skilled and capable fighter, he wasn’t as good as Cayan. No one in the city was. Sanders often made up for it by bringing his own vicious and brutal edge to the fight, but Cayan’s people didn’t have the inherent viciousness that could hone a warrior’s skills to a sharp edge. In his experience, only Shanti had had that. Since fighting her, no one else had been able to compare.
Cayan let his mind flit through the town briefly, ensuring that nothing was out of the ordinary. A few people blasted out the sting of rage, but he knew who those were, and if they weren’t fighting with their spouse they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves. Soon the anger would turn to another emotion just as intense, and it wasn’t one Cayan wanted to spy on.
He drifted out past the gates and checked on the sentries. All were alert and watchful, probably knowing Sanders would be home in the next couple of days and not wanting to be caught unawares.
He pushed out farther, testing his ability. Soon, though, he felt the first traces of minds, slowly making their way toward the city.
Cayan sat forward, focusing in on each mind, realizing immediately that they were his own men returning, with a few foreign minds scattered in. The Duke’s men. Sanders was back early.
Good, that’d give him more time to prep for their journey.
He sampled the emotions radiating from the group as they came further into his range. Most were tired and sore, but Cayan also felt wariness and intense relief, as though supremely glad to be home. He searched for those he recognized, before stuttering on a female. A jolt of electricity blasted through his body.
Shanti.
She’d returned!
Cayan hurried to his feet, everything in his being tugging on him to hurry to the gate. Plans and actions whirled in his mind, thoughts of what they could accomplish now that she was here, and how they would prepare for the next steps.
Then his thoughts started to slow, and reality seeped in. He sat back down slowly.
Why had she come back?
She wasn’t like other people. She could be stubborn right down to her core, and she had flat-out denied him. It would take something big to bring her running back, and if he didn’t play it just right, she’d make his life hell while walking all over him. Her soft vulnerability coupled with her cutting insight and strength were a lethal combination—one he had a hard time combating even with a level head. He would need to have his wits about him to maintain a firm hand, and a firm hand was the only way to deal with that woman.
He felt her mind notice him. Their Gifts mingled. Warmth infused his body as a unique type of strength straightened his back. Energy surged in his blood and fueled his tired body. Adrenaline kicked up, reminding him of battles won and promising of enemies yet to feel his wrath. His fingers tingled, itching for his sword.
He felt her embarrassment for the briefest of moments before she lashed out in a playful mood. She must’ve been talking to the man coloring with humor beside her, but Cayan didn’t recognize him. The interaction seemed comfortable but not sensual. Loving but not romantically so.
Before he could consider this further, his breath left his body as her Gift mingled with his. Without warning, his power answered in a growl. It bubbled, growing, and then surging higher. Their Gifts circled then entwined, boosting their individual powers into a combined might exponentially higher and stronger than he remembered. Then came that spicy quality that simmered deep in his gut. It flowered until he could almost smell it, spicy-sweet.
It took everything he had to push away the urge to meet her, and instead, sit exactly where he was and let her come to him. This meeting was on his terms—she saw to that by being the first to cave. By returning, she’d handed him the power, and he wouldn’t let her steal back the sweet victory of the upper hand without a fight. The battle for control had begun.
* * *
Shanti absently wiped at her stomach as butterflies invaded. Her chest felt tight and her head swam with the surge of power she’d felt when her Gift had flirted, then merged, with Cayan’s.
“You are nervous,” Rohnan said in their language. Thankfully he realized now wasn’t the time to embarrass her, not with Cayan’s army in earshot.
“Yes. I answered his plea for help by stealing his gold and running in the middle of the night. He has every right to deny me access to his city.”
“But, you are happy. You merged with him—I felt the huge boost in power. He must not want you out too badly.”
“He’s fickle. He probably doesn’t clearly remember what I’m like.”
She didn’t mention that, being a man, he was probably remembering that last kiss, and how she fell against his chest like a love-starved fool. His ability to charm women into bed was no secret, and Shanti believed that ability extended to charming women to get whatever else he wanted. With a heavy dose of attractiveness, a stellar physical frame, and all his other… assets, the man had a swinging door with all the women coming and going. Throw in a pair of mouthwatering dimples and the man should just be a
voided altogether. It was the safest route to take.
“You’ve stolen things all your life. It’s always been sport—why is this different?” Rohnan inquired. “Judging by the horses, their clothing and their various weaponry, the land has riches. I doubt he missed it. So why the guilt?”
“Because he saved my life and then invited me to share his home—his city. He gave me a sort of family when I had nobody. He had the chance to trade me to the Graygual, and instead he let me stay. Do you hear what I’m telling you? He found out that the most dangerous man in the land is looking for me, making his city a target, and he was prepared to shield me anyway. All he asked was time to settle things, and then let him accompany me on my journey. After all that he’d done for me, it was such a small request. My response? Cowardice. Running away like a frightened little girl. What would be the punishment for that with our people, Rohnan? For that utter lack of loyalty when he’d earned my allegiance…”
Rohnan’s lips thinned. “Being that we need you, pain so acute it would make you pass out. Otherwise, probably death, depending on the mood of the prickly yet enigmatic leader. Or don’t you remember administering such punishments yourself?”
“I really wish you knew when questions were rhetorical…” Shanti felt that heavy weight of guilt settle onto her. “I have disgraced myself. And I need to atone for it.”
“Is he the sort of leader who will punish you as he ought?”
Shanti scoffed. “These people fight well. They are brutal at times, but they are not hard. They have no reason to be. They’re pampered in wealth and luxury. What little strife they know is with a nation close by who are dirty and disheveled. They pose no real threat. No, he will not punish me. In fact, when he fights me, his thoughts often turn sexual. He humiliates me to avoid having to strike me. He will not harm a woman if he can help it.”
“You are aroused, but yet, you’ve not bedded him?”
“Would you stop using your Gift? It’s irritating! Some things are private.”
Rohnan laughed. “You have a prudish nature hiding behind that bold mouth. You gave yourself to Romie without a mating ritual—very rare. And now you are… what? Shy?” Rohnan laughed again. “Who is this girl I grew up with? She’s not the woman she tries to be.”
Shanti’s face heated with embarrassment. “This man is cunning. I would’ve been happy with Jerrol if he had defied his precious Captain. But Cayan is not someone to tamper with.”
Rohan glanced at Jerrol, the man who had entranced Shanti with his beautiful, earth-brown eyes that reminded her so closely of Romie. When he turned back, his smile had dwindled. “I can see why. It’s in the eyes.”
“Yes,” Shanti said simply.
“But Jerrol will not make the pain go away. It will probably only intensify it. Only time and loving anew will diminish that pain to a dull ache.”
“Thank you, Master All-Knowing. Wait until we get to the town; you can use needlepoint to put those words on a pillow.”
Rohnan’s voice took on a wispy quality. “I would have given myself solely to one person if I had loved. My Gift makes me feel harder, though. I may only be able to love once in my life.”
“Better once than not at all.”
“More words for this pillow. But what is needlepoint?”
Shanti laughed as they worked closer to the large wooden gates at the front of Cayan’s city. “You’d probably like it. I’ll have Junice, Sanders’ wife, show you.”
After a quiet moment, Rohnan asked, “Can this Captain fight?”
“Physically, he can outmatch me. He is a large man but extremely quick. His style is ever-changing, as well. He adapts to each new enemy, almost instantly. I’ve never seen his equal.”
“That is good. Hopefully the Graygual haven’t, either. And his Gift?”
“A little stronger than mine, but all brute force. He can only blast with a heavy hand. Maybe it’s just a lack of knowledge, or maybe his Gift is different than mine, I can’t be sure. I need to train him, though. I showed him enough to make him dangerous, and then I walked away.”
“You will need to right that wrong, Chosen, or it will eat you alive. He’ll probably only need an apology, but you will need to follow our customs for this, no matter how hard that might be.”
“Now who is constantly stating the obvious?”
“You’re slow. I must speak slowly and spell things out or you’ll continue to blunder about in the dark.”
Shanti rolled her eyes. “I should’ve left you in the Graygual camp.”
“Yes, I have found that idiots are often happier in a puddle of their own stupidity. Say no more. From now on I will simply smile and nod when you say ridiculous things.”
Shanti gave him a light shove with her mind, then envisioned giving him a tight hug. He smiled as he felt it. “I missed you, Chosen. Very much.”
“Me, too.”
“Talking in a language I don’t know is rude,” Sanders said as he pursed his lips. “Nice horse, by the way. What’d you do, steal it?”
“Yes,” Shanti replied.
Sanders grunted then braced his hand on his thigh. His eyes drifted up into the trees, making sure the sentries were doing their jobs. “They’re good animals. We need to get them into our breeding lines. That’ll wipe that smug grin off the Duke’s face. He won’t be the head in horseflesh for much longer…”
The walls of the city reached into the sky as they drew near. A guard nodded as they passed through the large, wood gates. His gaze glanced at her, paused on Rohnan for a long time, and settled back on her. She felt his suspicion.
“It hasn’t been long, but I’d forgotten how some of these people viewed outsiders,” Shanti said in a low tone. “Especially female outsiders in men’s clothing.”
“Yeah. You don’t fit in real well.” Sanders chuckled. “But don’t worry—the ones that do know you are also aware that you took off in the middle of the night after stealing all the Captain’s gold. They might not trust you so much.”
“Sanders, you are a real treat, you know that? Always with the sugar coating.” Shanti chewed her lip. As the meeting approached with Cayan, all she wanted to do was turn around and run again. Something about the man turned her into a coward, and she had no idea what it was.
* * *
Cayan still hadn’t moved from his location in the park. His assistant had checked in to briefly go over accommodations for everyone. They’d set up barracks for the new soldiers, but there were the four additional bodies, including a prisoner, to take care of. He felt Shanti and another threading their way through the trees quickly. Moments later, a small movement ruffled the leaves before Shanti stepped into the clearing.
Cayan’s breath caught. She moved with the sleek, predatory quality he remembered perfectly. Her curves defined her as woman, but the stealth in her steps and her economy of movement cried hunter. It also spoke of an unconscious sensuality.
“Hi,” she said in a low, sultry voice.
He nodded in response.
She took a step to one side. As if on cue, a man stepped through the foliage and appeared where she had been standing. His mind was that of a sensitive and caring soul and yet he moved like someone born with a sword in his hand, sleek and balanced. His gaze traveled Cayan’s limbs and paused briefly on his palms laying relaxed in his lap, cataloging. Identifying the threat.
“This is Rohnan.” Shanti ticked her head toward the man. “He is my Chance—like Lucius. Except, he has held this role since… forever. Since childhood. He is my brother in everything but blood.”
“You thought him dead…” Cayan said slowly.
“Yes.” She walked until she stood directly in front of Cayan, and then gracefully sank to the ground. Rohnan didn’t move. “He took a wound to the stomach, but as soon as he was mostly healed, he came looking for me.”
Cayan shook his head as confusion enveloped him. “Where did you find him?”
“I heard rumors of a ghost.” Doubt crossed her face. �
�I heard many rumors. I knew it must be him, though. He was likened to me—they thought there was some connection. That similarity is rare so far east.”
“So you followed his trail instead of continuing on your journey?” Cayan kept his voice level, careful not to make it sound like an accusation.
The man spoke up in a voice that almost sang even though Cayan could not understand him.
Shanti waved her brother away. “I can read him just fine, Rohnan.”
She put her hands in her lap. “The other rumor I’d heard was about the rightful Chosen. An Inkna. The duty given to me by my people has been forfeit. We were mistaken.”
“So you decided to track down a ghost, instead.”
“That’s right. Hoping it would be my brother. And it was—I freed him from a Graygual camp, even though the great lummox had put himself there in the first place. I also freed the man who is still waiting in the trees. He is the reason Rohnan was in that camp.”
Cayan felt a moment of embarrassment as he searched for the person in the trees. Embarrassment turned to confusion when he didn’t find anyone. His gaze hit Shanti’s again.
“He has a special Gift. Burson, come out please,” she said.
The trees rustled as an older man stepped into the clearing. He wore a wool sweater and a big smile. “It is wonderful to meet you, Captain. So far you live up to the records, and let me just say, I didn’t think that would be the case. The Seers were mostly women, and women… well, they can embellish when describing heroes. Remarkable.”
“He’s…” Shanti shook her head. “I’m not quite sure what he is, exactly, and he won’t say, but his Gift is one I haven’t seen. One I didn’t even know existed.”
Suddenly, Shanti’s mind disappeared. Vanished, just like the old man’s. Cayan tensed. “He can mask minds?”
“Not only that, but he can suffocate someone’s Gift, or shield people from it.” Shanti’s full lips quirked. “He was a great steal. He would’ve made it incredibly hard to kill Xandre.”