Beneath the Broken

by James Cox

I gave him a single nod. He really was the better man. “Thanks be to you.” I muttered.

  Aralynn shook her head and blinked rapidly.

  “What’s wrong?” Joen instantly placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

  “Um, a-a memory. I think. A little blonde girl looking up at me crying.”

  A fleeting glimpse at her daughter, Aneen, no doubt. I wasn’t ready to open that particular bag of shit tonight. “Will you allow us to stay?” Or would he turn us in the first moment he could? Perhaps he was waiting for a bigger reward.

  “Considering you look like you’re going to fall down and she’s still needs care for that wound … yes. You can stay.” Joen grabbed the broken chair and started hauling it toward the fireplace. In a quiet mutter he added, “I’m probably going to regret this.”

  Yes, he probably would. There were assassins and guards still searching for us.

  Chapter Six

  Aralynn stared out the window with her arms wrapped around her body. She looked so vulnerable.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? About the potion?”

  “You didn’t ask and I wasn’t about to tell the queen’s assassin that I created the potion that took her memories.” He wiggled his fingers in front of his face. “If you’ve forgotten, my previous experience with you guys was a bad one.”

  “The queen’s assassin?” Aralynn turned to face us, the two moons lighting her from behind. “Why was I like that? I must have been full of anger.” She glanced at the front door. “I keep getting flashes of things. So much anger. I can feel that coldness right under my skin.”

  “Everybody gets angry.” I said.

  “Enough to be a queen and hated by all? Enough to order five guards to beat up a stranger for some vial of herbs?”

  “Five?”

  Aralynn nodded. “I remember giving the order. What was I going to use that for?”

  Joen remained silent. He still had his hood up. It covered all of his hair and most of the top of his face so I couldn’t see his expression.

  “Does it matter?” I tried to wiggle out of that corner without lying to her.

  Aralynn narrowed her eyes. “The fact that you keep avoiding answers means they do matter. I’ve lost my memory. I’m not stupid.”

  I grinned, loving her tongue lashing. It reminded me of my queen.

  “I want these answers.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Ah, Dullahan’s dick.”

  “Who is this Dullahan and why are you talking about him so … intimately?” She asked.

  Fuck me, she knew nothing about Otherworld. “How fucking strong was that potion?” I quietly asked Joen. But he never got a chance to speak. A shadow passed by the window. If I hadn’t been looking in that direction, I would never have noticed the subtle shift of darkness. “Joen get behind the table with Aralynn. Now.”

  Both their eyes went wide before they scurried to obey. Aralynn was slower, like she found the order degrading, then she wisely knocked the table over to shield them.

  I licked the silver piercing in my lip and laid my hand on my sword. With the other, I grabbed a knife from the table. The front door flew open and I freed my weapon. The man I faced I’d seen before.

  His expression went slack when he saw me. “Y-you’re dead.”

  I smiled, baring fangs. With a snarl I threw the knife. He jerked to the right and the knife missed as I knew it would. I was already charging toward him. My sword met his, dragging both the points downward. I shoved my claws into his neck. Blood welled. He grabbed at my wrist with useless human hands. The sword clanged to the floor.

  “P-Please. My family.” He struggled.

  I growled, pulling him closer and digging my claws deeper into his flesh. “Who sent you?” I needed him to confirm that Queen Aneen and her kings were behind this. Or perhaps a third party? The Aos Si or the Banshees lost a lot in the battle.

  He stuttered.

  I tightened my grip. Blood flowered faster, dripping down his neck in long streams. “Who. Sent. You?”

  “Fuck you.” He gurgled blood. “You’re going to kill me anyway.”

  Well, he was right about that. “Your answer tells me how slowly I’ll kill you.” My voice was low and angry. How fucking dare he go after Aralynn! The coward was going to take her away from me to a terrible fate and I knew he wouldn’t think twice about her suffering. “Last chance…” I growled.

  “Fuck y—”

  I ripped his throat out. The blood sprayed my face in a warm splatter. Eh, he probably wouldn’t have told me anyway. We also didn’t have time or seclusion for me to torture it out of him. “Time to leave.” I spun around.

  Joen’s mouth was hanging open. “You … you killed him.” He’d gone a pale color. “What are you?” His gaze shifted to my claws.

  It was Aralynn, staring at the body, that spoke. “My assassin.”

  Memories must be surfacing. I wondered which ones. Did she recall the times I spent pleasuring others for her view? Did she remember the quiet, passionate looks that passed between us? “Out. Now.” I retracted my claws and canines.

  “This is my home!” Joen shouted.

  “There’ll be more.” I wasn’t sure how they found us. I wiped at my face with a nearby shirt. Yeah, I did feel a bit guilty about that. “If you stay they’ll hurt you to find out where we’ve gone. Even if you don’t know.”

  Aralynn held out her hand to Joen.

  “But… I can’t…” He stuttered. No doubt thinking of a way to untangle himself from us.

  “Joen” Aralynn gently took his hand. “Please. Let me make amends by keeping you safe now.”

  He closed his fingers around hers. “You don’t know we’ll be safe.”

  “With Darrow we will be.” Our eyes locked. “I remember that much.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Why would Aneen and her kings kidnap her? They already had her.” Joen asked as we rushed through Fairaine among the darkness of night.

  I hated that his question made sense. “Then it’s another group wishing to kill her … but they will not get the chance.”

  Joen had his colorful hair tucked beneath his hood. Not that there was much light here. Whores lingered in front of the buildings and a few stores still had candles lit inside. I hadn’t seen any guards, but that didn’t mean they weren’t around. “Through the window.” I pushed up the glass, checking behind us, but Bolvark’s place had good coverage.

  “What?” Joen hesitated.

  “Through the fucking window.” I glanced left then right. When I looked back Joen still hadn’t moved. “Do you need a fucking push? Up. Now.”

  It was Aralynn who grabbed the sill and began hauling herself up. She flashed her calves, beautiful creamy skin, then tumbled into the room.

  “Your turn.”

  “I’m not comfortable breaking into…”

  “Joen!” Aralynn whispered.

  “Dullahan’s dick.” He sighed then hauled himself up.

  I gave his ass a shove with a smirk. He cursed as he tumbled inside. One last glance around and I joined them. The room was dark even with the moons’ light streaming in. I could make out both Aralynn and Joen hugging the wall. Although I couldn’t see in the dark like that fucker king of ours, my eyesight was better than theirs. “We’re alone.”

  “For how long?” Joen whispered angrily. “Bedrooms in a whorehouse aren’t exactly a great place to hide.”

  “Don’t get your dick in a knot.” I quickly made my way to the door and eased it open. The sounds of pleasure were distinct. I could smell the effect it was having on Joen or maybe it was the adrenaline of being a bad boy and breaking the rules. “Stay here.”

  Joen grabbed my forearm. “You better not be going out there as a customer.”

  I snorted at that. “Your ass is much nicer.”

  He blushed a bit at the compliment and let go.

  “Stay quiet, too.”

  “Oh? I was planning to run out there nak
ed and start reciting poetry.” He said.

  A giggle sounded from behind us.

  “I’d love to see that … later.” The heavy flirting was stale on my tongue. I couldn’t remember the last time I tried to tease someone. “Keep her safe.” I glanced at Aralynn. “Keep him safe.” I left them by walking stealthily past several closed doors with moaning behind them. It was early in the night and I banked on Bolvark still gorging his face, not his dick. Music drifted from the main room along with drunken laughter and seductive giggles. I quickly rushed past the opening to the front and toward the back room. Food and stale beer assaulted my senses. “Miss me?”

  Bolvark jerked up from the food he’d been scarfing down. “You almost scared me enough to choke!”

  Pity. “I’m using your room.”

  He wiped food from his lips. “How long?”

  I jerked my gaze to his.

  “Use it as long as you like.”

  I nodded, grabbed a bottle of ale and paused on the threshold. “You never saw me.”

  He nodded.

  I didn’t trust that bastard completely. I’d be a fool to do that. I slipped inside the room, locked it and faced them. “We’re safe for tonight.”

  “And what about tomorrow? Or the day after that?” Joen lit a candle and placed it beside a small bed.

  “Are you going to bitch the whole time?” I asked.

  “I just want to know the plan. You kill somebody in my house, make us all leave and bring us to a fucking whorehouse.”

  “I could have left you with the dead body.”

  Aralynn gasped and fell back to the wall.

  “Aralynn?” I dropped the bottle and ran to her. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

  “I-I remember meeting you.” She glanced up at me, strands of blonde falling into her face.

  “You do?” I grinned.

  “You were fighting … fighting my men.” She glanced at the floor. “I remember you standing over their bodies. You had blood on your face and I asked you if your win was just luck.”

  “What did I reply?” I leaned closer, watching her lips move and the slight tilt to them.

  “You said…” She laughed. “You said, ‘baby, I have skill you haven’t even seen yet’.” She looked at me. “You were such a cocky shit.”

  I snickered. “Yes, I was. I am. Then I asked if you wanted to see my skills in bed and you punched me.”

  Aralynn mouth fell open. “I did?”

  “Yup. I knew right there and then I was going to join you.”

  “I saw you standing there and it popped into my head.” She grabbed my forearms. “I remember!”

  A shout filtered through the walls. “Oh, yeah, harder! Harder!”

  Aralynn covered her laughter with her hand.

  “I guess we’ll be hearing that a lot during our stay.” Joen grabbed the ale and sat on the edge of the bed.

  His hood was still up. It made me wonder why his hair was that color and why he was so intent on hiding it. “Just tonight. I trust Bolvark about as much as I trust that bed to be clean…”

  Joen instantly sat up. “Yeah, but is the floor of a whorehouse cleaner than its beds?”

  “I’ll find some blankets or something.” Aralynn tip toed to the other side of the room.

  “You do have a plan, right? Other than keeping us alive?” Joen whispered after he moved beside me.

  “I know a guy that might take us in.” Maybe. If we caught him on a good day. The problem was I heard rumors that Kierce fought against my side during the big battle. If that was the case he might just kill us on sight.

  “And this friend is where?”

  “I didn’t say he was a friend and far away.” I sighed. “Past Breen Swamp.”

  Joen’s eyes practically bulged. “That’s days from here.”

  “I’ll keep you safe.”

  He sputtered. “Keep me safe? All you care about is Aralynn. My ass is going get killed and you’ll probably step over my body to get away.”

  The problem was he was right. Almost. Aralynn was my main concern, but Joen wasn’t exactly worthless . “Joen…” I grabbed the front of his shirt. “I’ll keep you safe. Stop bitching.”

  “Keep me safe.” He mocked. “‘Oh, hey, a sword, whoops, there goes Joen. Oh, well’.”

  I kept switching between wanting to hit him and needing to kiss him. There was a genuine struggle going on when Aralynn paused on the other side of the bed. She was watching us closely. Maybe seeing me kiss someone would trigger another memory. Many times she brought in whores for me to occupy while she watched. I tightened my hold on Joen and planted my lips on his. Maybe she’d feel that lustful stir that always went on between us.

  Joen kissed me back.

  I was actually surprised by how his tongue swept along my lips and the smell of his arousal filled the air. I opened, pushing my tongue inside his mouth. He submitted almost instantly, letting me in and giving me full access. Along his teeth, licking, nipping. My silver lip piercing was cold between our hot skin. Our mouths became this intense clash that honestly swept my breath away. When I finally pulled away, our eyes locked and his lips were red.

  “Okay.” He whispered. “I believe you’ll keep me safe.”

  I chuckled, letting go of his shirt and glancing at Aralynn.

  She blushed, taking a keen interest in spreading blankets on the floor.

  “Now that my life is in your hands.” Joen began as he walked to help her. “And…and maybe another kiss. I’d like to know what the fuck you are.”

  “No.” I took the bottle of ale and placed it in front of the door tilting toward it.

  “No?”

  “No.” That should give us a heads up if Bolvark tries to get in. I had no doubt whatsoever he had a spare key. It was also a fact that if he tried to get in here, I’d kill him a heartbeat later.

  “Do I know what you are?” Aralynn asked as she took the part of the blanket tucked in the corner of the room.

  “Yes. You did.”

  She pinched her lips together and frowned. “Are you sure? Memories are coming back kind of quickly, but I don’t recall what species you are.”

  “Oh, you know.” I grinned and bent a bit toward her. “When you found out you wanted to see all my abilities … naked.”

  Her cheeks pinked. “I did not!”

  The smile lingered on my lips. “You sure?”

  “I-I … there’s…” She shook her head. “Damn, I can’t remember.”

  I chuckled. It wasn’t a true story, but I think the fun was going to try to get her to remember. I leaned over them, Joen sat beside her, and closed the window’s curtain. The room was cast in the glow of a single candle. “Want me to jog your memory?” I began removing my shirt. Joen instantly began to harden. I knew by the bulge in his trousers and the smell of lust in the air.

  Aralynn blushed harder, but refused to look away. She watched me with a mix of determination and interest. “Nudity won’t shock me. We’re in a whorehouse.”

  Ah, but her pulse had kicked up and she smelled sweet like a ripe berry.

  I peeled my shirt over my head. My muscles were honed from my rough childhood and years trying to stay alive. The scars also proved that. I had them all over my body. Some small, some long, others, like the most recent, were still red. Joen’s eyes immediately went to my chest. The silver piercings dangled from my nipples like beacons in the darkened room. I licked the one at my lip, enjoying their gazes. Aralynn had swept her gaze over my chest, swallowed hard, and then brought her eyes back up to meet mine. That was my girl. Fearless. Tough. Unabashed. I slid my hand to my hip and eased my trousers down. Okay, more than I had to. The hairy dark line of hair that stopped at my dick caught her gaze. Then her mouth dropped open. She saw it.

  “That’s … my name.”

  That tattoo was one of many. It was just color from various plants or bugs added to broken skin to create lasting designs. I had them all over my body. My shoulder, part of my chest, belo
w my navel, each tattoo had a meaning to me, but the most was this one. Her name was in an elegant script on my hip. The edges darkened and the center a soft red. “Do you remember this?”

  She shook her head.

  “Dullahan’s dick!” Joen shot to his feet. “You’re a werewolf, aren’t you?”

  Well. Fuck.

  “I’m such an idiot. The claws, the healing, the sniffing.” Joen’s eyes went wide. “Fuck me … you’re a werewolf.”

  I growled. “Keep it to yourself.” Damn it, now he was a liability.

  “I’ve never met one. I don’t know anyone who’s met one.”

  “Because we tend to eat anyone we meet.”

  Joen slowly grinned, “I kissed a werewolf.”

  Aralynn giggled.

  I glanced down at her, struck by how beautiful she was no matter the light. “You want to join that exclusive group, Aralynn?”

  Her expression never wavered. “Werewolves are too hairy for me.”

  Joen laughed.

  I lowered to my knees before her. “It gives you something to hold on to when I’m making you scream with pleasure.”

  Aralynn grinned, “Does that shit talk actually work for you?”

  I smiled back, unable to stop myself. There was nothing I wanted more than to lean forward and finally, finally kiss her. The urge was like an itch just under my skin. I glanced at her lips, aware that Joen had gone quiet beside us.

  Aralynn shifted away. “Best we get some sleep.”

  “Coward.” I whispered the word so only she could hear.

  Aralynn shuffled to her side and curled up. Joen took the spot next to her and I sat on the bed staring out the sliver of window. I took my time putting my shirt back on. The word seemed to echo in the room. Several times she nibbled on her lower lip and looked at me. I kept still, not wanting to spook her like some wild, timid animal.

  “Oh, fuck it!” Aralynn shot to her feet and charged toward me like a beast. She grabbed handfuls of my shirt and tugged me toward her. Our lips met in an angry press that quickly turned sweet.

  I was kissing her. I was kissing Aralynn. The thought warmed every inch of my flesh and made my cock swell. When I went to take the kiss further she pulled away.