Seared

by Bethany Adams

  Layers of thin, teal fabric danced down her body, flowing like water as she shifted impatiently on her feet. Like many summer dresses on Moranaia, the fabric itself was thin enough to see through but layered and embroidered until the dress was opaque. He grinned as Cora glanced down, her lower lip caught between her teeth. She’d already complained twice about feeling naked.

  If only.

  He shifted back to the overrobe draped across a chair before he went hard. Again. He typically used dress forms to design, not real people, and he sure as hell hadn’t created a dress on his own bonded before. This was an entirely different experience. If they were alone, well… His brain wouldn’t have been able to formulate a single design. She wouldn’t have been too happy to arrive at the palace naked.

  Eri skipped into the room, further eradicating his arousal. Thank goodness. They had to leave in the morning, and Cora really did need something to wear. He would commission more for her when they arrived at the palace. From someone hopefully not so easily distracted.

  “That’s pretty,” Eri said.

  Ralan peered at the heavily embroidered overrobe and nodded. “I was lucky that I could find something that could be adapted on such short notice.”

  The robes, floor-length, sleeveless vests worn open over a dress or tunic and pants, were typically the most elaborate part of Moranaian formal wear. But they were also expensive and time-consuming to create, many kept as heirlooms and passed down over generations. Fortunately, the seamstress had one on hand from a customer who hadn’t liked the design. It needed few alterations.

  He lifted the overrobe, scanning the whirls of bronze, copper, and coral falling like abstract flowers down the back. He’d designed the teal dress to match. Now to see if his vision had been a good one. He smiled at Cora as he carried it over, revealing the design to her with a flourish.

  “Wow,” she said. “I know you didn’t have time for that piece. Surely.”

  His laughter rumbled around them. “No, not even I am that talented. Let’s see how it fits.”

  Cora held out one arm and then the other as he settled the overrobe into place. Ralan tilted his head, studying the fit. He pursed his lips and glanced over at Farac, his assistant. “Can you take in the shoulders without ruining the embroidery?”

  Farac nodded. “Certainly.”

  Ralan watched as the assistant leaned forward to alter the garment with a touch of his magic. That was a talent Ralan didn’t have—he’d created his designs the same way humans did, with needle, thread, and scissors. Without the help of Farac’s magic, he never would’ve had something ready for Cora so quickly.

  “Those colors look great together,” Eri said.

  Ralan smiled as Farac stepped back and the full outfit was finally revealed. As he’d hoped, the overrobe looked like fall flowers dancing over the clear mountain lake near the palace. He’d played for hours near that lake as a boy, but Cora’s beauty brought far from childish thoughts to mind.

  “You’re gorgeous,” Ralan said softly.

  A blush stole into her cheeks. “Thanks. I don’t suppose you’ll let me see?”

  He removed the cloth from the mirror on the wall. Then he stepped away, satisfaction filling him at her gasp. Cora stared at her reflection with wide eyes, her fingers sliding carefully over the soft teal fabric of her dress.

  “I thought for sure this would be more revealing,” she admitted.

  “The design is handy for our summer heat.” His tension eased at the awe in her reflection. “You like it?”

  A quick grin crossed her lips. “I guess it was worth bonding with you to get one of your designs.”

  Farac let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a cough. Chuckling, Ralan crossed to her side and lifted her hand. “I got the better end of the deal. I got you.”

  As Cora’s eyes softened, he heard Eri groan behind him. “If you’re going to kiss, I’m out of here.”

  Ralan grinned over his shoulder. “Fathers do tend to kiss mothers.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Eri answered, but he could tell by the gleam in her eyes that her annoyed tone was mostly for show. “I’m going to go play in my room. Would you open the door for Lady Lynia so Lial has less time to fuss at her?”

  His humor fled instantly. “Eri, you are not supposed to—”

  “Her back is hurting,” his daughter said with an unrepentant shrug. “You know how Lial is when he fusses.”

  She darted into her bedroom before he could chide her further. Dammit. Ralan rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. It didn’t matter how many times he told her not to—Eri refused to let even him guide how she used her talents. A great quality. When she was older.

  Cora caught his eye when he turned back to her. “Well. Are you going to do it?”

  With a wry shake of his head, Ralan strode across the room and pulled the door open. Almost at once, Lial’s voice echoed up the stairs. “You could have called for Ralan to meet you in the library.”

  “Feel fortunate that I allowed you to carry my book,” Lynia answered, annoyance echoing in her tone. “Otherwise, I would hit you with it.”

  Stifling a laugh, Ralan eased away from the door. He caught Farac’s gaze. “I appreciate your help today. I would not have been successful without it.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Farac answered, catching the hint at once. “If you are satisfied, I will head home.”

  Ralan nodded. “Certainly. May you have a pleasant evening.”

  And Farac would, Ralan knew. But he wasn’t going to tell the assistant that. Confidence in a future outcome was a sure way to ruin said outcome. Instead, he watched as Farac crossed paths with Lynia and Lial at the top of the stairs before heading down.

  Ralan focused on the newcomers.

  “Welcome,” he said. “Please come in.”

  The pair made it to the landing, and Ralan held out a hand a moment before Lynia stumbled, providing something for her to grab. She cast him a shocked glance after she righted herself, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she continued through the door and into the room, pausing a few steps in at the sight of Cora.

  “Forgive my interruption,” Lynia said. “I didn’t know you had a visitor.”

  He lifted his brows. “No one has told you of recent events?”

  “I’m afraid not.” Lynia’s eyes narrowed on Lial. “Some are too busy lecturing me like a child to otherwise be of use.”

  The healer’s jaw set as he scowled at the room in general. “You were supposed to come by so I could check your back.”

  “Later,” she said sharply. Then her face softened into a smile as she turned her attention to Cora. “We are being unforgivably rude. Perhaps Ralan could introduce me to his guest.”

  Ralan turned to his bemused bonded. “Cora, allow me to present Callian Myernere i Lynia Dianore nai Braelyn. You’ve already met her companion, Callian iy’dianore sebarah i Lial Caran nai Braelyn.” At her nod, he continued. “Lynia and Lial, this is Moranai Elateror i Cora Moreln se Ralantayan nai Moranaia.”

  Cora startled a bit at her formal title, decoding the meaning at the same time as the others, but Lynia was too busy giving Lial a quick glare to notice. “Elateror? I hadn’t heard that you found your soulbonded, Ralan. Congratulations,” Lynia said once she’d spun away from the healer. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Cora.”

  “Likewise, Lady Lynia. And it’s just Cora, please,” his bonded answered. Ralan peered at her, concerned by her sudden pallor, but her voice was calm as she spoke. “If you will excuse me, I believe I will go change from my formal clothing. I have a feeling you have important business to discuss.”

  “You should be included, too,” Ralan said with a frown.

  Cora paused to pat his cheek on her way to their bedroom. “I will be. I just want to get off my feet without wrinkling my formal clothes.”

  He stared after her until the door closed behind her. Then he advanced on his cousin. “What’s wrong with her? She said you told her she�
�s healthy, but she has not been the same since speaking with you.”

  Lial’s nostrils flared, his grip tightening on the large tome he held. “I will not share information on my patients to anyone except the lord or lady who outranks them, and then only as it pertains to the safety of the realm. But you know I would not have released her from my care if she were unwell.”

  “I am a prince. You may tell me—”

  “And she is your equal.” Lial tilted his head, his lips twisting. “I suppose I could share any information I might have with the king. If you’d like to get him involved?”

  Ralan’s teeth ground together. Gods, he wanted to smash his fist into his cousin’s face. “So there is something.”

  “Enough.” The anger in Lynia’s voice silenced both men. “My back hurts, and I didn’t come all this way to stand here while you two argue. Ralan, I can assure you firsthand that Lial will not leave someone alone if he believes they need his aid.”

  His cousin’s attention shifted immediately to Lynia. “Your back? I told you not to do this.”

  “Shut up, Lial.” Her lips thinned into a white line, and she held up a hand when the healer sidled nearer. “If I might sit?”

  Ralan gestured for them to take the couch and pulled over two more chairs for himself and Cora. Lynia settled to the left, her posture stiffening despite the pain it must have caused. When Lial tried to scoot closer, hand outstretched, she gave him fierce glare. One that gave even the healer pause.

  “Let me remove your pain,” Lial murmured.

  A flush rose in Lynia’s cheeks. “Not now.”

  Comprehension hit as Ralan took in her tight expression. It wasn’t that she was angry with his cousin. She was embarrassed. Why couldn’t Lial see that? The man was an excellent healer, one of the best, but sometimes he had no clue about people. And this particular lady did not enjoy showing weakness.

  The bedroom door clicked open, and Cora emerged, her face still pale. Although she smiled when she sat in the chair beside him, the motion didn’t quite reach her eyes. Ralan’s hands tightened on the armrests as he resisted the urge to question her. How could he mock Lial’s lack of knowledge when he couldn’t figure out what was wrong with his own soulbonded?

  “Please hand me the book,” Lynia said softly, though the scowl she gave Lial brooked no argument. “And if you try to tell me you’ll hold it for me, you’ll need to find a healer for yourself.”

  Ralan’s lips twitched. There was no way in hell he was stepping into that argument. Lial passed the heavy tome over without a word. It was about time his cousin found someone who wouldn’t take his shit. Who would’ve thought that person would be Lyr’s mother?

  The soft skitter of turning pages filled the room as Lynia flipped to the section she sought. A victorious gleam filled her eyes as she glanced up, her finger poking against a line of text. “It took a while, but I found it. Kien’s downfall.”

  Heart pounding, Ralan leaned forward, elbows on knees. “What do you mean?”

  “If he managed to latch himself into Earth’s energy, he could cause a great deal of damage to that energy when he dies. Even if he dies on Moranaia.” Lynia tapped the page beneath her hand. “Things didn’t get that far the last time the energy poisoning spell was used, but there was a fair amount of theorizing on the matter. When you kill Kien, you’ll have to cut off his magic instantly.”

  Beside him, Cora shifted in her seat. “Why? My people bond with a place’s energy, but that place is unharmed upon our deaths.”

  “I imagine you don’t send the full force of your power into a spell designed to kill,” Lynia retorted. “He could use this connection as leverage to save himself. Tell me, is he allergic to iron?”

  Ralan thought back to his childhood. Had his brother reacted to the metal? “I believe so. More than I am, if I recall correctly.”

  “Sensitive enough to have his energy drained by steel?”

  “I can’t be certain of that,” Ralan answered. “But I could ask Teyark. He’s older, so he might know.”

  “If he is…” Lynia paused, her shoulders stiff and her expression hard. “I want you to kill him with the sword they used on my Telien. I may not be a warrior, but I can do my best to see my love avenged.”

  Silence fell after the terse pain of her statement. The color leeched from Lial’s face as he averted his gaze. Lynia’s hands clenched together over the open book. She didn’t seem to notice the hurt simmering around the healer, but Ralan did. He doubted his cousin begrudged Lynia her grief, but that didn’t mean her words had been easy to hear.

  “I’m not the greatest swordsman,” Ralan finally said. “But I will do my best.”

  If he had to use a blade to defeat his brother, well… It was no wonder he was destined to die.

  Chapter 31

  Chest heaving, Ralan jerked upright. He blinked his eyes clear of the vision that had haunted his dreams. Blood. A blond version of Kai slumped in the middle of a stone floor, red seeping in a pool beneath him. Ralan shoved his hair out of his face and struggled to get his breathing under control.

  A soft sound from Cora drew his attention. She sat up, a disgruntled frown pinching her forehead. She’d been sleeping against his chest when he’d woken. Lost in the grip of the dream, he had barely noted her soft form sliding off of him.

  “Sorry, love,” he said, his voice rough with sleep. “Did I hurt you?”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “No. What’s wrong?”

  “We have a slight change in plans.” Ralan turned to press a kiss to her silky hair. “We have to get to the palace. Now.”

  Cora leaned back with a frown. “What?”

  “Kien made himself a new strand,” Ralan said. “I need to contact Lyr.”

  “I’ll get dressed.”

  As Cora slid off the bed, Ralan sent his mind out. He found Lyr at once, but it took a moment for his friend to wake enough to make the connection. “Ralan?”

  “Kai has a brother, doesn’t he?”

  “A… Yes. What?” Confusion and annoyance crackled along their mental link. “It’s two marks until dawn, and you want to know about Kai’s brother Moren?”

  “I just had a vision of a blond male who looks like Kai lying in a puddle of blood in a large stone room. Like a Great Hall from a medieval castle.” Ralan slipped out of bed, striding toward the dressing room as they spoke. “Sound familiar?”

  “Moren is checking on one of the small holdings to the west,” Lyr answered. “He isn’t at his estate, Oria.”

  Ralan tugged on the tunic he’d left out for their morning departure. “Something must have changed. This strand didn’t fucking exist yesterday. If Kien hasn’t found him yet, he’s about to. He’ll use the gate there to make it to the palace faster. Cora and I are preparing to go now.”

  “I’ll wake Kai and send guards through.”

  “Lyr.” Ralan stilled, hands lowering to his sides. “Now is the time for honesty. I’ve hinted as much but… I am unlikely to return this time. I don’t know how Cora will feel about raising Eri on her own. We’ve barely been together, bond or no.”

  “Miaran.” Lyr’s mental voice went gruff. “As I have promised, Eri will be cared for. You have my word. If Cora wishes to stay, she will be welcome. But Ralan? Prove that particular vision wrong.”

  “Believe me, I will try.”

  Once he’d disconnected with Lyr, Ralan finished getting dressed. Then he buckled on the sword Lynia had delivered just before bed. He hadn’t asked why she had it, though he would have assumed that Lyr would keep the dangerous weapon well-secured. It didn’t matter anyway. If Ralan could help her avenge her bonded, then he would.

  He glanced up at a flicker of bronze and teal to find Cora standing before him in her formal clothing. “I wasn’t sure what I should wear.”

  “That’s as good as anything at this time of night.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “Though you might want to brush your hair. I’m going to go say goodbye to Eri.”r />
  Her brows lowered, and her hands twisted together. “Okay.”

  A lump formed in Ralan’s throat as he turned away. Cora knew as well as he did that he hadn’t been talking about a temporary goodbye. By all the gods, how was he supposed to bid farewell to his only child, and in a few moments’ time? It was intolerable.

  Only one small reason that Kien deserved to die.

  When Ralan pushed open Eri’s door, he had to blink against the soft glow of mage light. His daughter sat cross-legged in the middle of her rumpled bed, clearly waiting for him. She tipped her head back as he approached. The gleam of her wet cheeks arrowed into his heart, searing like fire.

  “Onaial,” she whispered.

  The bed dipped as he lowered himself to the side, careful to shift the sword out of the way. His own eyes grew damp as Eri launched herself into his lap, her small arms circling his neck. She buried her face against the hollow of his shoulder, and her tears soaked through the fabric of his tunic as she sobbed.

  Ralan wrapped his arms around her back, squeezing her small form close. The berry scent of her black hair drifted up, and he closed his eyes to savor it. To take it into himself for all time. His life had been smoke and shadows before Eri had filled it with her light. He wanted to give her the world, but instead, he was giving her pain.

  “I don’t want you to go,” Eri wailed.

  His arms tightened. “Nor do I wish to leave. I love you. Always.”

  Her breath came in hiccups between her soft sobs. “I can’t tell you what I See.”

  “I know what you See,” he whispered.

  “You don’t.” Eri pushed back against his arms until she could look into his eyes. “You’ve given up. I can’t…”

  The thudding of his heart startled through him. “Are you saying there’s hope?”

  Eyes wide with fear, Eri shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen so many strands. I can’t track them on my own. Lady Megelien says I can’t say anything. Onaial, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know.”