Geared for Pleasure

by Rachel Grace

  Cyrus glanced at Iacchus and saw him wiping the sweat off his brow, his attention riveted on the scene despite his illness. Had this been his life’s work? His mission?

  Dare tilted her head, sensing something only she could. “You do not believe the queen kept her oath.”

  The Peacemaker appeared startled, but she nodded faintly. “Having no war is far different from living in peace. Many who travel hidden by the veil have returned with claims that war can be bloodless. War can be captivity with the excuse of protection. War can be isolation wrapped in the lie of freedom. The men who followed Stet, who has been banished for his cowardice, believe the queen’s immortality is her weapon. That she would live to see us all die a slow death. They are not alone in their beliefs.”

  Dare reached out, holding one edge of the bowl with one hand and cradling the edge of the dagger with the other, connected now to the Peacemaker. “She is not responsible for the treatment you have seen. I did not realize it, but I know now she was imprisoned long before she was taken from us. I’m not sure how or why, but it is true. I have felt her sorrow for the Felidae. Her anger at those who would harm them all of my life.”

  Phina spoke quietly, but with vehemence from her perch on Cyrus’s lap. “I am Felidae and I have lived in the settlements. Those atrocities are not hers. She saved me from them. She would save all of us if she could.”

  The Peacemaker beamed at them, tears filling her eyes. “Then my hope is restored. It will be difficult, but if you make the blood oath with me, with this dagger that holds the true moonfire, I and all who follow me will stand at your side, at the queen’s side, should you have need.”

  The matriarch bent and set the bowl at their feet between them, held the dagger in her hand, and cut her palm. Cyrus watched as the innocent girl he had grown up with stood proudly, following the actions of the Felidae leader. Dare held her hand out, not flinching when the blade sliced open her flesh.

  Her blood must not be spilled. She is precious, not to be harmed.

  How often had that mantra been beaten into his skull? He had believed he protected her because of her weakness, soft heart, and vulnerable size. He’d had no idea.

  Bodhan, as well, did not seem pleased with seeing Dare’s blood. His expression was protective. Watchful. Suspicious. A man after his own paranoid heart. He knew no harm would come to her if Bodhan had his way.

  The two women pressed their bleeding hands together, the blade and stone between them. Blood dripped into the green bowl, onto the image of the blue scarab Cyrus could now see sitting at the center, at the heart of it all.

  The hair on the back of his neck began to rise and he could feel it—a strange static charge building around them. The forest and the Felidae went eerily quiet. They felt what he did.

  Dare gasped softly, “It is hot.”

  The Peacemaker lifted her other hand, covering Dare’s firmly. “It will get hotter. The oath will burn into our blood, that we will never forget.”

  Cyrus watched the dagger begin to emit a silvery blue glow. Dare was shaking but shrugged off Bodhan’s hands when he tried to touch her.

  They all stood. Even Iacchus had gotten to his feet in concern. This was more than a bloodletting ritual. Much more.

  He could have sworn he saw a flash of the moonfire flame spark between their fingers, and then it was over.

  The Peacemaker wrapped her arms around Dare for a moment and murmured, “The blood of the Chalice. Truly you represent the eternal queen. The oath is restored.”

  She slipped the dagger into her belt and picked up the bowl. Walking past them, out into the middle of the milling crowd, she held the bowl above her head.

  Silence.

  Her voice, when it came, seemed to tremble with power and authority. “The heart of the blue beetle sings and the truth is revealed to us. The moonfire has been restored and the blood oath of old renewed. Those who would have faith in me, prepare for what is to come. Those who follow another path, the path that leads to the Lord of Blood, can dwell with us no more.” The murmur of the voices grew louder, drifting down from the houses above. “Spread the word. Lift the spirit veils throughout the mountainside and tell them what you have heard here. Revenge has no refuge amongst our people. Malice no home. The first Peacemaker unites us all once more.”

  A cheer broke out and traveled, causing Cyrus and the others to watch in awe. He had seen this in the painting. How had the queen known?

  Cyrus watched the Felidae men who headed deeper into the forest, past the village. What appeared to be vines gave way to ropes and pulleys that they began to work, revealing more dodge. More illusion. This small community was not small. He could see dozens of dwellings spiraling up massive trees far in the distance. Gliders drifted in the distant skyline, from one tree to another.

  This part of the journey had brought more questions than answers. He had believed he understood what was at stake. Now he was not so sure.

  The Khepri had a few things to answer for. He needed to speak to the commander. Perhaps he knew where the mysterious hand of the queen could be found.

  The Peacemaker came toward them quickly, gently cradling her palm. Cyrus could see the cut had been sealed closed by the heat the ritual had created. “The gliders told me you were searching for a tower beside the lake,” she said. “Is that true?”

  The captain came forward, nodding. “The queen left us a message, telling us to find it.”

  “It is not a place easily seen. I will send you with one who will show you, but you should go now. My people need to adjust to this news without interference from outsiders.”

  Cyrus cringed a bit with his first few steps but shook his head when the others looked on in concern. “I’ve survived worse.” He glanced at Dare and offered her a playful, apologetic smile. “Perhaps I was chosen because I can take a beating?”

  “No.” Commander Iacchus was lying down in his hammock once more, clutching his chest.

  Cyrus moved toward him as the others gathered themselves together. “Then why? What in the name of the queen did you see in me that made you think I was meant to be the Queen’s Sword? At this time? With this Chalice?”

  Iacchus tried to smile. “Honor. It is, sadly, a trait many Wode seem to lack in their inheritance. I do not believe we started out that way, but that is where we have ended up. You were so determined to prove your honor, to prove your worth, never knowing that desire alone made you the only choice. I am as proud as a father could be of you both.”

  His expression grew regretful, painful in its intensity. “Tell Demeter… she will not look at me. Go to her. Make her understand that I was proud. That she is my daughter in my heart. Even if she was never really mine.”

  Cyrus reached for the older man’s hand and looked over his shoulder. Bodhan held Dare’s hand in his own, studying the wound, but she was looking toward her father with sorrow and regret. With confusion. “You know what she can do. What she can feel. She knows, Commander. If you feel it, she knows.” He looked down at his mentor for a long, silent moment. “You are staying here?”

  “Iacchus is one of us.” The Peacemaker came to stand beside the hammock, stroking his faded blue hair fondly. “He honors our ways and wishes to die as he lived, connected.”

  Cyrus nodded and sent the man the salute of the Wode, knowing it was, perhaps, the last time he would see his face.

  Phina was waiting for him, lagging behind as the others followed their Felidae guide. He was drawn once more to the brightly colored fabric she’d replaced her corset with. She had wrapped the soft, brilliantly patterned sarong around her breasts and tied the strands jauntily on one side, drawing his attention to the bare skin between it and her leather pants.

  She was breathtaking.

  “Are you sad to leave?” He had to know. These Felidae were free, honoring ways that were ancient to her kind. Even he would be tempted.

  “Are you mad?” Her disbelieving expression made him smile and she made a face. “They are fascinati
ng and wonderful and I will make great use of the glider I slipped in Freeman’s pack before we left—but I have no desire to live in a tree and sing songs about how everything is connected. I would much rather stay with you and save the queen.” She shrugged her bare shoulders, distracting him. “The Deviant is my home now.”

  He stopped and tugged her arm until she faced him. “You stole a glider?”

  She grinned. “It should not be called stealing. I am Felidae. It is my birthright. And I cannot wait to try it.”

  He wanted to explain why stealing was wrong, but he couldn’t seem to work himself up into a good bout of righteous anger.

  She’d said she would rather stay with him.

  Chapter Ten

  It was disturbing, how alive she felt. How happy. Phina knew the situation was dire and her new friend Dare was suffering with the shock of their strange discovery, her mysterious inheritance. With each passing day it seemed, the conspiracy against their missing queen grew and twisted and bound them in further confusion.

  Yet what occupied her thoughts above all of these worries, was Cyrus. Her Wode had just claimed her and—the elder had been correct—his claiming had eased her fire.

  She still wanted him even now. But what she had felt before? She never knew that existed. It was wild and untamed, an old instinct from a long-forgotten heritage.

  She glanced back at the trees, wondering if anyone was watching them leave behind their spirit veil. Not completely forgotten, it seemed.

  Nephi would love to hear this story. Would want to know all about her encounter with the hidden tribe, the claiming battle and Dare’s sacred moon’s blood oath with a legendary dagger. When this was done she would make Bodhan take them to Aaru, so she could tell her everything.

  When this was done. When the queen was safe.

  They reached the lake again as the sun began to set. Had so little time passed? It felt like they had been gone for days.

  The male voice ahead was loud with relief. “There you are. I left the others guarding the ship so I could look for you. I just checked those trees, I was sure I did. Where did you run off to?”

  Captain Amaranthe tapped her booted foot, waiting for Stacy to finish. Phina tugged Cyrus impatiently, knowingly, wanting a closer look at the exchange.

  “Mr. Stacy, did I tell you that if you were needed we would light our beacon?” Her voice was cold.

  James Stacy swallowed. “Yes, Captain Amaranthe.”

  “And did I also order you to stay with the ship until and unless that beacon was lit?”

  Phina smiled as they came to stand beside Wulf and Freeman.

  “Yes, Captain Amaranthe.” James Stacy was looking decidedly green around the edges.

  The captain tilted her chin toward Dare and Bodhan, her dark hair gliding like silk along the back of her long jacket. “Bodhan, hand me your pistol.”

  Phina chuckled. It was soft, but the men around her heard it.

  “I enjoy sport at the expense of others as much as the next man,” Wulfric mumbled through the side of his mouth, taking off his shaded spectacles to rub them on his vest. “Not sure why you’re laughing, though. I like James, myself.”

  Phina leaned in and caught his pale green gaze as Bodhan argued for his young guard’s life in playful banter with the captain. “You still haven’t learned have you, Wulfric the Modest?” she said. “She likes our young Jamie. If she didn’t, she would not say a word. And he would already be dead.”

  “Fascinating.”

  Phina pretended she did not see Freeman’s uncharacteristic glare at Wulf’s besotted tone while James Stacy was sent back to the ship, his boots near flying across the ground.

  Wulf chuckled. She wondered how long Bodhan’s friend was staying on board. Too much longer and there would be trouble. She knew it. Freeman would make sure of it.

  Cyrus’s hand was warm on her back. Comforting. He smiled at her and shook his head. “What?”

  “Nothing,” he assured her. “Just pondering the fact that I have claimed a handful of a woman. You do love trouble. I can see I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you.”

  She lifted her chin in mocking defiance. “You can try, Sword. At least you’ll enjoy the view while you work.”

  Seraphina was distracted from their interplay when the Felidae the matriarch had sent with them walked to the edge of the lake and knelt beside it.

  Her hand slid out of Cyrus’s and she walked forward to join the captain and Dare, who’d both moved closer to see what the guide was doing.

  He lifted several small stones, none of them looking any different to Phina than the others that rimmed the unique lake. She saw heat waves coming up from beneath them and she crouched beside the Felidae. “What is it?”

  The young man looked up at her with sparkling black eyes. “It is a different kind of spirit veil. Older than our time. The way to the lotus.”

  His hand disappeared into a hidden compartment in the soil. His arm twisted forward, then back again.

  He removed his hand and began to replace the rocks and pebbles until they looked as undisturbed as the rest. Was that it? She thought he was taking them to the tower.

  Dare’s voice startled Phina into glancing up. “Look there! In the middle of the lake.”

  Phina saw a device rising from the lake’s center. A thick rod as big as a tree with several slender rods attached to its sides. A large globe-like piece was fastened at the apex of the contraption, its function unclear. She did not readily recognize the metal, a feat that should be simple for her considering her formative years in the mines. It was like iron, but not. Like silver, but not.

  It began to spin slowly and she saw that the rods were churning the water, exciting the glowing algae that dwelt in the lake.

  They shone, growing brighter and brighter. She could see the energy rising off the lake, forming ripples in the air.

  Then she felt it.

  The ground beneath her feet shook. She looked toward their Felidae guide for assurance, but he was gone. He’d disappeared and left them to—whatever this was.

  Her claws came out and her stance widened. “The earth is quaking. We should get to safety.”

  Dare gripped Phina’s hand with her own, their shared scars soothing her in a way. “We are fine.” She’d raised her voice to be heard over the noise erupting from the ground. “I believe this is supposed to happen.”

  Phina, careful of her extended natural weapons, squeezed Dare’s hand. “Fair Dare of the bright blue hair is comforting me? Will the wonders never cease?”

  She heard Dare laugh, heard the sadness in it that Phina wished she could take away from her. “Not any time soon, my friend. Not if the queen’s stories were true.”

  “The hillside.”

  Phina followed the captain’s gaze. The Deviant hovered beyond the single rocky rise around the green sanctuary that housed the Lake of Light. And now, it seemed, that rise was moving. Shifting, but in a slow, controlled manner that seemed… impossible. They had walked over that ground only hours before. James Stacy himself must have trod it on his way back to the ship.

  Segments of the rise separated in a way that reminded Phina of the first time she had seen the cargo lift on the Deviant. One moment a deck, the next, a lift. What was the hillside becoming? What was waiting for them inside?

  An enormous white oval dome, its color reflecting off the charged plant life in the lake, began to rise from the black rocks. Higher and higher until it looked like the bud of a ship-sized flower.

  It settled with a mechanical thunk. This was a machine? How large must it be to have moved the very ground beneath their feet?

  The churning rods, Phina saw from the corner of her awestruck gaze, had stopped spinning and begun to sink beneath the water’s surface once more.

  “What on Theorrey?” Cyrus sounded as bewildered as the others looked.

  But it wasn’t over.

  What had looked to be a sealed bud had long, perfect petals. The odd buil
ding of white metal bloomed in the sun’s dying light. A lotus tower.

  Phina could detect now the telling sound of machinery as its silvery petals spread out to frame a more recognizable building with windows, a large set of double doors, and a dome roof made entirely of glass.

  Tower Orr.

  The clapping had Phina and the others turning toward Wulf.

  “What?” He shrugged off their confounded expressions, his smile transcendent. “The marvel of invention must be praised. In a few days I have gone from an airship with a dual steam and theorrite engine, to a tribe of Felidae who live in trees but somehow have the capacity to power their dodge, as you call it, without an obvious source of energy. Now cleverly concealed hydraulics reveal what is obviously an astronomical observatory instead of common rock.” He turned to Bodhan. “This impresses no one else? Apparently I need to spend more time topside if this is normal to the rest of you.”

  Bodhan grinned ruefully and patted Wulf on the shoulder. “This is not normal, friend. And around here, neither are you.”

  Phina watched Freeman bite his cheek to suppress his grin and she met Cyrus’s gaze. “I believe we found the tower.”

  Dare nodded beside her, a wistful smile on her lips. “The tower was a lotus and the lotus held the universe inside its petals.”

  “The queen’s fairy tale,” Cyrus added. “But we do not need the universe. We just need answers. More, it seems, than we did before.”

  A voice broke through the quickening darkness. “You found what He wanted you to find. The only answers you need are His.”

  A man with his arm in a sling and his hair wild stepped out from another large outcropping of rock between them and the tower. Phina snarled, taking several steps toward him, instinctively protecting Dare and the others. “Stet.” She spat his name. “Your people do not want you, and I will kill you if you come closer.”

  She cocked her head and grinned malevolently, jangling her bracelet. “In fact, I would take pleasure in killing you. Almost as much pleasure as I took when I watched my Sword beat you unconscious.”