Betha was silent for a moment. “They rule the Arc, Clisantha, especially in trade and business. Find a top House to support you. It may help.”
“Would you recommend anyone?”
“House Arayon helped Father a few times,” Betha said.
Clisantha nodded. “Remind me, what does your father do?”
“He’s a food merchant.” Betha took a large sip from her glass. A question seemed to hang in the silence that followed.
“I haven’t yet had any dealings with him,” Clisantha said, hoping she had answered it. “But I have come across a Thaide Oskern in paperwork.”
Betha closed her eyes as she grinned, turning her back to the view and leaning against the balcony. “It’s good to hear he’s a Thaide. I’m sure Father is proud of him, if he isn’t yet in the Sovereign’s Haven.”
Clisantha turned to her. “Do you miss the Arc?”
Betha smiled, the sparkle of moisture in her eyes. “How can I?” she said, tilting her head towards her home. “I’m surrounded by it.”
When Clisantha returned to the lounge everyone had moved back over to the soft-seats. The girls giggled in merry spirits, retelling stories and competing to be heard, for the benefit of Riyen it seemed. He sat back in the soft-seat with a vynth in hand and a smile on his face. He looked at Clisantha and winked at her as she approached but she ignored him. If he was willing to put her reputation in Telmar’s hands, he clearly had no real interest in her well-being. Their arrangement had only been to benefit himself.
“Ladies, I must go,” she announced.
Their voices rose even louder in a chorus of complaints but Clisantha insisted. “I have an incredibly busy day tomorrow. Enjoy dessert.”
Via grabbed her forearm. “At least tell us who he is.”
Clisantha frowned. “Who?”
“The man you are going home to bed of course,” Rona said, her face flush. “You always wear these daring dresses when you have a meeting with a man.”
Clisantha looked down. She wore a long cream dress with a mesh neckline that dipped between her breasts to her bellybutton. She looked at Rona. “And how would you know that?”
Rona’s face dropped and she sat back in the soft-seat.
Clisantha walked to her and hugged her, while the others tried to guess the name of the dress designer.
“If you continue to talk to Telmar about me,” Clisantha whispered into Rona’s ear, “I’ll make sure the city and your husband learn that you have numerous lovers.”
She pulled back and grinned at Rona, who had paled.
“Enjoy the rest of the evening,” Clisantha called to them all, before an aide escorted her to the door.
“Enjoy your dessert,” Via yelled, after her. “Tell us the stories next time.”
***
Clisantha lifted her head. Silence surrounded her. What had disturbed her sleep? She heard it again, three firm knocks. A small round tube ran from the front door along the top of the walls in every room, echoing each knock around her home. Kicking off her bedding, she pulled on her night robes and padded to the door.
“Who is it?”
“Riyen.”
Clisantha clenched her jaw. He had to be mad to be arriving at her home during the hours of the moon. Telmar’s spies could be anywhere at any time. “What are you doing here?”
“Open the door.” He sounded annoyed and a little drunk.
Clisantha placed a hand on the door handle and hesitated. When had it become a good idea to allow a drunk blackmailing Elementyth into her home after sun-fall?
“I’m doing you a courtesy by not breaking this door down,” he called.
Clisantha accessed her Gift and felt for him. He was not accessing it. She pulled the door open.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, following him as marched past her. “Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer but walked into every room.
“Riyen,” she snapped at him. “What do you want? Has something happened?”
When they reached her private rooms he looked in the washroom and the clothing stalls before rounding on her. “Who are you bedding?”
Confusion flooded Clisantha. “What?”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “Are you awake, Clisantha? I want to know who you’re bedding!”
Instinctively, she pulled energy, created a small striker and launched it. It hit him in the stomach and he flew backwards, landing on the floor with a thud. At the same instant she drew a shield around her, held a palm up and steadied herself in a bent stance.
He caught his breath and looked at her, shocked. “You’re using your Gift?”
“It… I just… I reacted. What do you want?”
Riyen stilled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He staggered up from the floor and collapsed onto the chair in front of her desk, maintaining eye contact with her.
She realized she was breathing heavily and had readied her stance to fight as Father had taught her. She lowered her hand and straightened her knees.
“After you left, your friends went on for a while about your… conquests,” Riyen said, ruefully. “They were convinced you would be bedding someone tonight. I had to be sure if you were and who it was.”
Unbelievable. She should have guessed the friendly, amenable Riyen would not last for long.
“Not only have you come to my home at almost moon-arc uninvited,” Clisantha said, disbelief raging through her, “but you storm in and attack me because of some unreliable information a couple of gossips gave you about a part of my life that’s none of your concern. Are you insane?”
“Clisantha I—”
“No!” Fury engulfed her. “You don’t have a right to walk in here whenever you please for any reason without my invitation. How dare you!”
He tried to sit up and winced, holding his stomach.
“Do you think just because we have an agreement that you have the right to know everything about my life? How does my sexual activities have anything to do with your illegal ones?”
“Keep your voice down,” Riyen ordered. “You’ll wake the entire road.”
Clisantha reeled at his audacity and found herself speechless.
He rose from the chair and straightened. “You’re right.” The feel of his vibration amplified and he walked closer to her, stopping just a hand from her shield. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t control it.”
“Control what?” Clisantha asked, shaking her head. “Have I ever given you the impression that I invite spectators to my rooms?”
Riyen’s shirt had crumpled around him and the area around where the striker hit had shredded revealing a small raw patch of skin on his stomach. Some of his braids had loosened on one side and his trousers twisted around his hips. The expression on his face… His eyes grabbed hers with an intense gaze that caught her in the stomach and the anger within her melted.
“I came to see what kind of man captures your attention,” he said softly.
“No one has my attention right now,” Clisantha said, her voice trembling with sudden wariness. “Riyen, I wouldn’t tell anyone anything. We have a deal and I will honor it.”
“Do you think that’s my concern?”
Clisantha hesitated.
“Release your shield.”
He looked calmer, his expression wistful. He didn’t seem like the serious Elementyth she had met so long ago or the annoying playful Riyen that teased her every day. She pulled her shield closer in towards her and he walked forward and stopped a hand from her shield again.
“Release your shield.”
She couldn’t look away from his eyes. She pulled her shield as tight as she could to her body and he stepped closer still.
“Release it, Clisantha,” he whispered.
She released her shield and looked up into his face as he came close. His expression did not change and he pulled her to him, touching his lips to hers. A rush of emotions exploded in her stomach. She pulled back from
him but he twirled his hand around her hair and eased her head back, exposing her neck.
“Relax, Clisantha,” he said, into her ear. “I’m not going to hurt to you.”
He kissed her neck and she shivered, an overwhelming desire expanding as her body reacted to his touch. He kissed along her jaw and back up to her mouth, this time kissing her deep and strong. He ran his other hand along her lower back pulling her closer still. She tasted the vynth and lemon on his tongue and breathed in his familiar woody scent, her senses intoxicated. She remembered her initial thought about his motivations for their agreement and eased him away.
“This isn’t part of our arrangement,” she said, catching her breath.
He took a step back, frowning. “Of course it isn’t. What kind of man—”
“You’re with Ketzia,” she interrupted.
“She’s nothing. She only exists for me as a reason to see and hear about you more often. I haven’t bedded her. Did you truly believe the act tonight?”
Clisantha swallowed. “I’m about to become Telmar’s wife—”
“You’re not,” Riyen said, his voice firm. “I will deal with him.”
“How?”
“You don’t need to know the details.”
Clisantha exhaled. “It’s my reputation he’s threatening. I need the details.”
“All you need to know,” said Riyen, “is that you won’t be marrying him.” His expression was sincere and for a moment Clisantha allowed hope to blossom, but there was so much she didn’t know about him.
“You and me,” she said, hesitantly. “It will complicate things.”
Riyen smiled. “So?”
“I don’t know anything about who you really are or why you have me running these secretive errands,” Clisantha said, feeling a stronger resolve.
“You have secrets too, Clisantha,” Riyen said. “I just don’t press you to know them.”
“You tried to kill me at the Journey Grounds.”
Riyen sighed. He looked around the room and the back at her. “Would you like me to go?”
Panic grabbed her, followed by a desperate longing. She had concentrated so single-mindedly on expanding her business and finding out more about Father that she hadn’t taken any lovers in the past three months, which was unlike her. She had told herself it was because she had become too busy but now she wasn’t so sure. She looked forward to training with Riyen in the evenings, sometimes postponing dinners and drink meetings to ensure she spent time with him.
“What is the reason you’re seeking excuses?” he asked, after her silence grew. “Do you truly not trust me? Or is your need for control forcing you to reject this.”
“I don’t need to be in control,” Clisantha argued. But even as she spoke she wondered if he had a point. The men she bed did not really know anything about her other than what she wanted the city to see. Riyen knew more about her than anyone else, even her own mother. But what could come of this? He held something over her and that fact could destroy any kind of relationship.
“I’m not in control either.” He stepped closer to her and ran a finger over her cheek and along her mouth. “We both have something to lose. We’re equal.”
He tilted her chin back up towards him and this time she reached up to touch his face. His moist skin felt warm under her fingertips. He kissed her again and she responded, pulling him close. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hand over his chest as he untied her robe. Taking her hand, he led her to her bed.
***
“Oof!”
“Sorry,” Riyen panted, rolling off her and onto the bed.
“I thought you were going to lower us to the bed this time?” Clisantha asked between breaths.
Riyen laughed. “You can try maintaining the platform next time.” He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her forehead.
Clisantha pressed her body to his, reveling in the fading tingling that seemed to bounce between their bodies. “Why do we always climax at the same time?”
“Our energy releases feel and affect each other,” he murmured. “That’s why it’s so intense.”
“So I’ve been doing this all wrong,” Clisantha laughed.
“It’s better with another Giftborn. Citizens’ releases are weaker.”
Clisantha tilted her head upwards and her nose pressed against his chin. “Are you talking from experience?”
Riyen chuckled. He dipped his head and kissed her, pulling her tighter.
As their breathing calmed, Clisantha glanced at the sky through her window.
“The sun will be rising soon.”
“Don’t work today. Say you’re ill.”
“I can’t, Riyen.”
“Why?”
“I can’t allow my business to languish for even one day. I have yet to meet the High Priest’s targets.” She kissed his collarbone. “I will see you later at the factory though.”
Riyen grunted in agreement. “Actually it’s better if we don’t bed each other here. The factory is the best place.”
“Why?”
“It’s protected. Magiens can’t detect anyone inside it. That’s why I train you there. If we’re here, anyone patrolling could detect us both.”
Clisantha tilted her head up again. “Why did you conceal that factory over my others? Do they think it’s unused?”
“I doubt they realize they have never felt anyone moving in there. It looks like it could be unused.”
Clisantha laughed. “Yes, I suppose it could do with some work.” She paused. “Are you going to tell me what you’re going to do about Telmar? I’m supposed to be announcing our engagement in the next couple of months.”
Riyen sighed. “Can’t you just trust that I will handle it? You don’t need to be in control of everything.”
“Anything you do, Telmar will think it’s me,” Clisantha said. “So I have to know. I have to be prepared, can’t you see that? It’s not about control.”
Riyen was silent for a moment. “I’m going to kill him.”
Clisantha stilled, a shiver of both excitement and dread ran down her spine. Kill Telmar.
Riyen squeezed her tighter. “So he won’t think of you at all because he’ll be dead. You don’t have to worry.”
She pressed her face against his chest. Life without Telmar would be wonderful. She wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder or deal with him on a daily basis. Getting him killed would also be a suitable revenge for Orna and Father. Clisantha bit her lip. But they had to be realistic.
She pulled herself out of Riyen’s hold and lay on her stomach, propping herself up on both elbows. “You won’t get away with it, Riyen. The Thaide will catch you.”
Riyen stroked her hair. “I have ways of dealing with the Thaide.”
“Have you killed before?”
“Yes.”
Clisantha swallowed. It wasn’t a surprise considering his position against the Thaide but hearing him say it made her almost breathless. “Have you ever killed a respectable lord in Torak before?”
“No.”
“So how do you plan to do it?”
Riyen pushed himself up and kissed her. He looked her in the eye. “Trust me, Clisantha.”
He looked so sure of himself, and so sincere, that the flourishing hope returned. “I want to help,” she said.
Riyen groaned and fell back onto the bed, rolling onto his back.
“You don’t know Telmar like I do, Riyen,” Clisantha said. “If you’re going to kill him, I need to be involved.”
Riyen stared up at the ceiling, seeming to consider her request. “I don’t think the High Priest will believe him, you know,” he said, after a long moment.
“Why wouldn’t he?”
Riyen looked at her, a smile spreading on his face. “The High Priest adores you. He won’t believe anything that Telmar says, even if he has significant proof.”
Clisantha grimaced. “The High Priest doesn’t adore me.”
“Of course he does,” Riyen said
, rolling back to her. “Do you think he would allow anyone else to expand their business to the Arc? Especially an unmarried woman? He’s a traditionalist. You must have impressed him.”
Clisantha pulled a face. “So why do you want to kill Telmar if his accusations are no real threat?”
Riyen’s face straightened. He pulled her back down into his arms and murmured into her ear. “I hate that he’s trying to enslave you. I hate that he has such hostility for your father that he would take everything you have worked for and I hate that he did that to your mother. People like that are never satisfied. It’s better that they die.”
The raw worry that had plagued Clisantha since Telmar’s visit began to fade, and a warmth spread through her. Riyen understood. And he was right. Telmar would never be satisfied unless he controlled her completely.
“If you want to help, you can,” Riyen added, “but I won’t put you in harm’s way.”
Clisantha closed her eyes, comforted by his arms and his smell, and fell into a light sleep, content.
As sunrise approached, she untangled herself from Riyen and prepared for the day.
“You haven’t given me any messages or errands to run for you lately,” she said, sitting at her desk and parting her hair.
“No,” Riyen said, watching her twist a thick black strand. “I have some information about your mind pains.”
Clisantha pinned the twist to her scalp. “What’s causing it?”
Riyen sat up, the bedding falling to his hips and revealing the pink patch of skin where her striker hit. “You have a mind-web attached to your some of your memories.”
She paused and turned to him. “A what?”
“A mind-web. It holds onto selected memories and prevents you from accessing them.”
Clisantha stared at him. “How, in all the Realms, do I have a mind-web in my head?”
Riyen hesitated.
“Tell me.”
He threw the bedding off and got to his feet. Desire stirred between Clisantha’s legs, snaking up into her stomach, as he reached his full height. “Considering your background, the only way it could have been installed without your knowledge is if the Arc put it there.”
The High Priest’s face flashed up in Clisantha’s mind. “Why would they do that?”
Deviants of Giftborn (The Etherya Series Book 1) Page 22