The Stone Eater (The Magic Eaters Trilogy Book 3)

by Carol Beth Anderson

  Amazing what a difference air travel made. After an easy trip of several hours, Osmius and Vin landed outside Tirra, dropping off their passengers. As Nora walked toward the city with Krey on one side and Zeisha on the other, her stomach clenched, and she couldn’t pin down why. Maybe because she’d met Mayor Ashler of Tirra on her trip here nearly a year ago, and the woman had seemed to be a big fan of the king.

  She suspected, however, that her nerves had a different source. She might meet Krey’s aunts today. The opinions of two random women in a small city shouldn’t concern her. But for some reason, she wanted the women who’d raised Krey to like her. Needed them to like her.

  Focus. All that’s secondary. Tertiary, even. Or more. Quadrary? Quadratic? Doesn’t matter. Focus on getting support. On taking down the king.

  Her gut twisted further.

  As they entered the town, Nora’s mind returned to her first trip here, in her father’s steamcar. People had lined the streets, cheering them on. Today, she, Krey, and Zeisha—the three who might be recognized—wore hooded coats and kept their eyes down. No one paid them any mind.

  In the town square, they turned toward Mayor Ashler’s office, where Ovrun and other guards had whisked Nora after Krey interrupted their royal ceremony by flying above it. He’d then built a huge ice slide . . . and fallen when it broke to pieces beneath him. Nora snorted at the memory.

  “What’s so funny?” Krey asked.

  “That slide you made. And how you fell when it broke.”

  He glowered at her. “That was a serious injury. My ass still aches on damp days.”

  She sobered immediately. “Seriously?”

  He broke out in a loud laugh. “No!”

  Nora shoved him and continued toward the office.

  Mayor Ashler wasn’t as enthusiastic as some of the other mayors had been, but she came around when Krey and Zeisha spoke. In the end, she agreed to spread the word to her own people and those in nearby communities, encouraging anyone willing to fight for Nora to travel to the capital. The journey would take at least a week, longer for those without orsas. Hopefully Nora’s fight with her father would be over by then. But if it wasn’t, she’d certainly need the reinforcements.

  The mayor walked her guests back to the lobby, where three women and one man, all middle-aged, waited. Behind them stood two young men.

  A joyful shriek exited Zeisha’s mouth. At the same time, Krey drew in a gasp. Zeisha rushed to the man and woman on the right, while Krey practically tackled the two women on the left.

  In between giddy greetings, Zeisha’s dad explained that one of the mayor’s assistants had come to fetch them. When the initial thrill died down, one of Krey’s aunts, a plump woman with short, tight black curls, smiled broadly. “Dinner is at our place tonight.”

  Nora caught Krey’s gaze. Aunt Min? she mouthed.

  Beaming, he nodded.

  Dinner was as amazing as Krey had predicted. Aunt Min and Aunt Evie—who insisted on being called by those names—welcomed them warmly. Zeisha’s family was quieter than Krey’s, but they couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces all night.

  The house where Krey had lived after his parents’ deaths was beautiful. Bookshelves lined the walls of the dining room, living room, and hallway. Nora was almost surprised not to see any in the bathroom. Evie was a fashion designer, and the classic lines and exquisite details of the window coverings, furniture, and artwork conveyed her aesthetic. The whole house even had electric lights, having recently been connected to the town’s wind power.

  After dinner, they spread out in the large living room. Nora settled in a cozy chair by the fireplace, enjoying the loud conversation and laughter.

  Her eyes drifted to Ovrun. Since escaping, he’d been quieter than usual. His eyes often took on a haunted look, and Nora knew that was when he was remembering her father’s torture.

  She’d had several good conversations with him, keeping her commitment to rebuild their friendship. But Joli had been there for him even more consistently, talking softly with him long after sundown each night. The two of them had clearly worked out some of their issues while Nora had traveled to the farms. Now, they were sitting on a small couch together, chatting with Zeisha’s brothers.

  The joyful atmosphere abated when Krey announced that they’d have to leave before midnight to get back to the capital while it was still dark. Nora braced herself, expecting the two families to beg them to stay longer.

  Krey’s Aunt Evie, a slender, tall woman with long, glossy, black hair, spoke. “If you’re planning to travel for much of the night, you should get some rest now.” Her smile was a little wobbly, and Nora appreciated her all the more for the effort.

  Zeisha left with her family, along with Kebi. Krey showed Nora, Joli, and Ovrun to separate guest rooms, explaining that his aunts had expanded the house years ago so they could host groups of traveling scholars.

  As Nora waited for her turn in the bathroom she and Joli were sharing, someone tapped on her bedroom door. “Come in,” she said.

  Evie entered and set a large, wooden box on the desk next to the door. “Nora,” she said, since Nora had put a stop to all the Your Highnesses hours ago, “Krey told me you enjoy wearing my designs.”

  A slow smile spread across Nora’s face. Yes, she’d told him that, way back when they’d first met, when he thought she was nothing more than a spoiled brat. He remembered? “I do.”

  “If you have room in your pack, I’d love to send you home with a couple of pieces.”

  Delight surged through Nora. During her nine months away from the palace, she’d slept on a warehouse floor, in an abandoned home, in tents, and on the ground. Makeup hadn’t touched her face in months. She’d gotten way too good at peeing outside, and she’d even suffered through her period last week while camping. All in all, she’d adjusted to life on the run better than she would’ve ever expected.

  But damn, she missed shopping.

  Just then, Joli tapped on the open door. “I’m done in the bathroom.”

  Evie turned. “Nora’s about to choose some clothes to take with her. I was headed to your room next. Would you like to go through them together?”

  Joli’s cheeks dimpled. “Sure!”

  “If you find something you love and it’s the wrong size, let me know. I may have smaller or larger options in another box. Take as much as you like.” Evie closed the door behind her.

  Nora pulled the lid off the box and dug her hands into the soft fabrics, letting out a blissful groan. Thank the stone they’d taken baths before dinner; she’d never have dared put her stinky, dusty limbs in these clothes.

  She and Joli each found a top and bottom to take with them. After changing into the pajamas Min had loaned her, Nora held a pair of exquisitely soft leggings to her cheek, sighing. She’d never take fine textiles for granted again.

  “I’d better get some sleep,” Joli said, slipping out.

  Nora brought the clothes back to Aunt Evie in the living room. She went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then returned to her room.

  But when she opened the door, the walls were light gray instead of bright yellow. The bed had a red blanket on it, not a green one. And Krey was standing there, wearing pajama bottoms and an unbuttoned pajama top.

  “Oh—I—oops!” Nora sputtered. “I’m so sorry. Wrong room.”

  She started to pull the door closed, but Krey grabbed the edge of it. “Wait,” he said quietly. “I was just thinking about . . . well . . . can you come in for a minute?”

  Her upper chest went tight, and an inexplicable flush found her neck and cheeks. “Sure.” She stepped past him into the room.

  Nora had seen Krey without a shirt on before, but this felt different. He began buttoning it from the bottom up, and her eyes drifted to the space between the two pieces of fabric. His skin looked so smooth, stretching over lean muscles she could barely see the edges of.

  Nora told herself she should look away, but her eyes remained fixed on
him, shifting from his chest to his slender fingers as he finished the task. She lifted her gaze and found him watching her, a tiny smirk on his lips, one of his brows lifted. Nora coughed and crossed her arms. “What did you . . . uh . . . want to talk about?”

  In a low voice, he said, “Things are gonna get intense in the coming days. And I wanted to tell you, I appreciate you letting me be part of this.”

  Her brows drew together. “Part of what?”

  “Everything. Reading old books and traveling and strategizing with you. It’s been really . . . really good. Thank you.”

  A short laugh exited her mouth. “Why wouldn’t I want someone who’s smart and insightful on my team?”

  He sighed. “I fell into the exact trap your father did. After I ate those shimshim brains, I didn’t think you’d ever trust me again.”

  She stepped closer, eyes locked onto his, shocked at the shame she saw there. Her hand found his, and she squeezed it tightly. “Krey West, you are not my father.”

  “Clearly not, I was only a few months old when you were born, and—”

  “Shut up, I’m being serious.” She waited for the little smile to leave his mouth. “You do realize you did everything right, right? Or—not everything. Eating those shimshim brains was stupid. But after that, you were honest with all of us. You’ve told us when you’re struggling with cravings. You even gave me that piece of the stone because you wanted to be sure you didn’t misuse it.”

  He interrupted, “Yeah, but I—”

  “No, no buts! Your buts will be the same ones we all have—but I could’ve done better. But I’m not perfect. I don’t care about all that. You’re one of the most trustworthy people I know. Let go of your shame, Krey. You’ve earned my confidence.”

  He blinked and swallowed hard. “Do you mean that?” he asked, his voice low and throaty.

  “Without a doubt.”

  One of Krey’s hands still held hers, but he lifted the other to cup her cheek. She pressed into his palm, soaking up his warmth. Suddenly, she was ultra aware of the open door behind him, of how easily someone could walk by and see them. But she couldn’t bring herself to move.

  “You have no idea what that means to me.” Krey’s eyes dropped to her mouth. His thumb traced her bottom lip. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Her heart pumped wildly. Where had that come from? When Krey’s eyes found hers and she saw the unmistakable heat in them, she let out a whispered curse.

  Krey laughed softly, and it was somehow the sexiest sound ever. “What’s wrong?”

  She covered the hand on her cheek with her own. “What’s wrong is, if all goes according to plan, I’m going to be queen.”

  “And that’s a problem because . . . ?”

  Nora pulled his hand off her face. She kept hold of him, her thumb brushing across his knuckles. Not because it was a good idea, but because she couldn’t bring herself to let go of him entirely. “Because if—hypothetically—I had feelings for someone, someone who was intelligent and strong and an amazing leader in his own right—hypothetically, if that happened, I could never act on it.”

  He released her hand, then brought both his own hands up, resting his fingertips just below her ears. His touch slid gently across her skin, stopping at the back of her neck, where he rubbed her tight muscles. The action was exactly what she needed and exactly what she shouldn’t allow. Yet here she was. Unmoving.

  “Hypothetically,” Krey said, “why couldn’t you act on it?”

  “Because next time I get into a relationship, I’ll go into it actually thinking about my future.”

  Krey moved his hands inside the collar of her pajamas to press his fingers into the knotted muscles at the base of her neck.

  Trying to ignore how good it felt—and failing utterly—Nora continued, “Eventually, I’ll get married. My husband will be my subject. There’s no marriage of equals when you’re a monarch. I would never do that to—” She almost said you but caught herself. “To someone I cared about.”

  Krey dropped his hands to his sides. His eyes remained on her face, his thoughts swirling in them. The building tension had nearly driven Nora mad by the time he spoke again. “If I’m honest with you, will you do me the same favor?”

  She didn’t like where this was going. But she’d just told him she trusted him, so she nodded.

  “Here’s my honesty.” Though they weren’t touching, his intense gaze warmed her skin, her eyes, her very bones. “You’re beautiful and smart and funny, and I’ve tried to think of you as just my best friend, but it’s no good. If friendship is all you want from me, fine. But I’m telling you right now, I want to give you more.”

  She could hardly breathe but managed to whisper, “What do you mean by more?”

  That smile she loved came over his face. “Did I say more? I meant everything.”

  Nora stopped breathing.

  Krey’s smile faded. “Your turn. Tell me the truth, is it just me? Or have you fallen as hard as I have?” His eyes begged her to say yes.

  Her throat was tight. She couldn’t remember how to speak. She nodded and managed a strangled, “Mmm hmm.”

  A small laugh rumbled in Krey’s chest. He stepped even closer, and his voice took on the firm confidence she knew so well. “Your Highness, I’m secure in who I am. I fully trust your leadership ability. When you become queen, I’ll gladly be your subject. I’ll bow to you and serve you and do absolutely anything I can to support you.” His eyes took on a passionate intensity, and without looking away from her, he lifted his right foot and kicked. It connected with the bedroom door, which swung shut with a click. He lowered his voice. “As long as we’re equals behind closed doors.”

  His words—their pure logic and tempting promise—took her breath away. It couldn’t be that simple, could it? But why not? Who was telling her she couldn’t truly love, couldn’t have an equal partner? Was she still listening to Sharai? And her father?

  Why should someone else determine the most important relationship in her life?

  “Oh, Krey,” she breathed.

  His slow grin was sweet and more than a little cocky. “Yeah?”

  “I would tell you how perfect what you said was, but your head would get too big.”

  He threw that very head back and laughed. Nora joined him. Then a beautiful silence, taut with possibility, replaced their laughter. In one quick movement, Krey grabbed Nora’s waist and pulled her close.

  Her breaths quickened. She laid her hands on his chest, slowly sliding them up until they were behind his neck. His lips were temptingly close, and she nearly closed the gap and kissed him—but all at once, she stopped herself.

  Nora had been kissing boys for years. The groom’s son, and a young ash lyster who’d visited the palace, and that one grandson of a diplomat, and, of course, a certain royal guard.

  She’d even tried to kiss Krey once. But that was before . . . everything. Before traveling and fighting and reading and laughing together.

  Before he’d become her best friend.

  Krey’s eyes were deep pools of longing. Nora dropped her gaze.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  She looked up at him again. “This is just so . . . weird.”

  His lips curved into a little smile. “I know, right? Let’s try something. Put your hand on my heart.”

  She trailed the fingers of her right hand lightly along his neck, taking her time, holding back a giggle when he drew in a quick breath. Then she pressed her palm on the left side of his firm chest. His heart was beating so fast, she was surprised his shirt didn’t tremble with it.

  His right hand slid up her back, teasing her neck just as she’d done to him, and when she shivered, he didn’t suppress his own laughter. He hovered his palm over her upper chest. “May I?”

  “Yes.” It was more a breath than a word.

  He pressed his hand over her racing heart and gave her a delighted smile. “Close your eyes.”

  She did.

  “
Just breathe,” Krey said.

  Nora pulled in a deep breath. She’d never taken much notice of Krey’s scent, but now, she couldn’t get enough of it. Beneath the soap from his bath was something familiar and alien and altogether tantalizing, something purely Krey.

  As she continued to inhale his scent, she became aware of his warm breath, falling on her lips. The awkwardness she’d felt dissolved into mist, replaced by a deep need—to know Krey in ways she’d hardly dared dream of. To pair the smell of him with the taste of him.

  “Nora,” he murmured.

  His mouth on hers caught her by surprise, but she recovered instantly, softening her lips to match his. And oh, by the sky, his mouth was warm and urgent, generous and demanding. Krey’s hand left her heart and slid around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

  She tangled her fingers in his hair and teased his bottom lip with her tongue. He responded with a low moan, deepening the kiss, and she lost herself in the taste of him. When he guided her farther into the room, it was like a dance, and when he pressed her to the wall, she barely noticed the painting that rattled against the plaster.

  Krey’s lips left hers, finding her ear, her neck, the hollow between her collarbones. Nora briefly tried to catch her breath, before resigning herself to never breathing normally again. She gave in to the giddiness, running her fingers along his back and neck and through his hair. Then his mouth found hers again, and they drowned in another kiss, more delicious than the first.

  They were both panting when he pulled his lips off hers and pressed their foreheads together. Then he tugged her away from the wall and drew her into a tight, perfect embrace, burying his head in her neck. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for months now,” he murmured. “I tried really hard to convince myself it was a bad idea.”

  “That makes two of us.” Arms still around his neck, she stepped back, putting a few simmets of space between them. For several long seconds, she drank him in—his body, slim yet trained for endurance through his frequent runs; his eyes, full of trust and intelligence; the stubborn, firm set of his shoulders. “Krey, you’re so . . .” She paused, then smiled. “Striking.”