An hour later, she twirled around to examine herself in the mirror again. The dress caressed her skin, giving her goose bumps. Her shoulders were exposed, framed perfectly by the crimson silk. The image on the glass showed a sensual woman, one conscious of her sexuality. She pushed her chest out and pulled the fabric away, to expose her creamy breasts.
A gentle knock on the door alarmed her. Was it time for dinner already? She quickly slipped on a pair of soft leather sandals and smiled at her reflection one last time before heading out.
A young servant lowered his eyes respectfully before her, and a tingle of joy ran through her body. The girl led her through an endless corridor to a balcony overlooking the city. A table for two had been set with beautiful china and priceless crystal glasses. Two candles burned already, even as a sliver of the sun still hung above the city. She fought the urge to pocket the silver cutlery and moved to the balcony’s edge instead.
She had never seen the city from the vantage point of the Chamber of Justice. Leaning on the railing, she took in the stunning view. The setting sun painted the city gold, dipping the rooftops in amber hues. The soft light coloured Lucas’ hexagonal structures and pods, but it was the sight of the Twelve glinting in the warm light that caught her breath. Not bad for a girl from the Slums.
A gentle cough behind her startled her, but she deliberately ignored it. After a moment, Altman slipped next to her, two filled glasses in his hands.
“Thank you, milord,” she said, coyly accepting one of the glasses. She took a quick sniff of the ruby-red liquid inside before taking a sip. The rich, sweet flavour filled her mouth. So this is what real wine tastes like. I could get used to this.
“Thank you for agreeing to see me,” the Regent said as he turned to face her, his back leaning on the railing.
She lowered her eyes. “Anything, milord.”
He lifted a gentle hand to her face. “Teo.”
A smile flashed on her lips as she met his eyes. “Teo.” She had not noticed the gold and green flecks that danced inside his brown eyes, and found herself attracted to this man like a moth to a particularly bright torch. He still had not removed his hand from her face, and she clasped it with hers before taking one of his fingers and slipping it into her mouth. She sucked it lightly, then removed it and kissed its tip. “It’s my pleasure,” she whispered with a soft sigh. She smiled at his gulp, then let his hand drop. “I’m starving,” she announced, enjoying the surprised look in his eyes.
“Of course!” He snapped back to the present and pulled a chair for her to sit on before sitting down next to her. A servant materialized out of the shadows to bring them a dish filled with roast pheasant, sweet potatoes and carrots. A bowl overflowing with aromatic gravy followed, before the man draped her knees with a satin napkin. The servant carved up the bird and placed two cuts on her plate, followed by a rich serving of vegetables. He poured gravy on top, before doing the same for the Regent.
If this is a dream, I don’t want it to end. She lost herself in the moment, drinking in every small detail, so that she could treasure it forever. She had not lied to Teo. She was hungry, but dreaded what he might think of her if she devoured the food on her plate. Her inhibitions melted away when he attacked his with an appetite as big as his midsection. She smiled and almost grabbed a cut before noticing he had used a fork and a knife. Used to eating with her fingers, she frowned as she studied his working of the cutlery, then he caught her eye. He stared at her for a moment, before abandoning his fork and grabbing a leg with his fingers.
“This is the proper way to eat this food,” he assured her and took a mouthful.
She chuckled nervously and mimicked him. After ten minutes of sheer pleasure, they had emptied their plates. He smacked his lips and wiped them with the napkin as the servant cleared the table and disappeared. “A bit dry,” Teo commented.
“It was perfect,” she blurted out.
He flashed her a wide grin. “Glad you liked it.”
The servant reappeared with two bowls of baked apple, seasoned with cloves and dressed in honey. She closed her eyes and took in the intoxicating aroma, her head spinning. Or was the wine responsible for that? They were already in their third carafe, and she had lost count of how many glasses she had had. Teo was telling a joke, and she laughed heartily, although she had barely heard him.
She mimicked Teo to cut a succulent piece with her fork. The mouth-watering apple melted in her mouth. I wish Xhi could see me now. That oaf of a husband never knew how to treat me. This is what I deserve. She took a second bite and closed her eyes in delight.
“Would you like something else?” Teo asked her when the dessert had finished. She shook her head, too overwhelmed for words. He leaned back and extended his hand in invitation. She pulled her chair closer and took it in hers. Letting his head fall back, he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “It’s not easy ruling the world, you know. Sometimes it gets pretty lonely.” She rubbed his hand with gentle fingers. His voice sent shivers up and down her entire body, like ants crawling on her skin. “I wish I had someone to share all this. But it can’t be just anyone, you know? It has to be someone brave and willing to fight with me. There are many who would take all this away from us.”
“Never,” she squeaked, then cleared her throat. “I’ll stop them,” she said in a trembling voice.
He leaned towards her and clasped her hand. “Really? You’d stand with me?”
“Always,” she whispered and leaned in to press her lips against his.
The kiss was as sweet as she expected, his full lips surprisingly soft and tender. She found herself quivering under his touch, longing for him to bed her. In the end, it became intolerable. “I need you,” she begged him, breaking their kiss. “Now.”
His eyes sparkled with desire and pleasure as he took her face in his hands. “First, I need to trust you. Will you be there when I need you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I promise.”
“There is one thing you must do for me, then we can be together.”
She gasped at the thought of spending her life with Teo. Queen of the Capital! “Anything!”
“I need you to see Xhi one last time.”
“Of…” Her half-closed eyes flew open, and she stumbled to her feet, pushing his hands away. “Xhi?” she hissed. “You want me to go back to Xhi?”
“No, I don’t,” he said, his voice soft as velvet. “I can see we two have a future together. The last thing I want to do is to jeopardise that.”
She sat back down but held her distance. “Then why?” Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared into his.
“A friend needs your help. After you’ve helped us, you hurry back so we can start our life together.”
A life together. Her head swam at the thought. Her lips trembled as she leaned forward to plant them on his. “I’ll do anything for you.” She quivered with desire when he broke their kiss to lead her to his bedroom.
Anthea
David
David played back in his mind their final words before Gella left for the barracks. “This is not goodbye,” he had promised her. “The moment I free the Dreamers, I’m back.” A promise he intended to keep, no matter what. His heart ached at the thought of being away. His guilt over abandoning his friends when they most needed him, however, tormented him even more.
A cart filled with fruit and vegetables pushed in front of him, cutting off the pebbled street and snapping him back to the present. People around him moaned and shouted at the driver. The man tried to coax his horse into manoeuvring through a narrow gate. “Just wait, eh?” he shouted, and David smiled at the thick Western accent as he slipped through, leaving the swearing crowd behind him.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught a man with a cowl raised over his head. A sudden pang of pain in David’s head made him stop, his palm clasping his bracelet.
“Oy! Stop that!” the driver shouted at a bunch of kids who jumped into the cart to grab some apples. They ran awa
y, laughing off his curses, and the hooded stranger disappeared amongst them.
Probably just another ordinary day in Anthea. David had only been there for a short while, but he already missed it. This was a lively city, with rich traditions and emotional people, always ready to burst into laughter, curses or tears. He already missed the cobblestoned alleys, the beautiful, colourful houses sprawling around the hill where a number of temples and administrative buildings lay, the hot-headed people. He missed how the sea was never far away, always enticing Antheans to sail away with promises of riches and faraway lands, or to head for a swim at one of the countless beaches that surrounded the city. And, most of all, he missed Gella.
He pushed the thoughts away from his mind as he arrived at the port, myriads of people rushing about. Most carried bags or pushed small trolleys filled with goods from the many ships coming and going. The cool sea air brought an iodine smell to his nostrils, which he drank with glee. He had been brought up in the Capital, which only had a small port overlooking a river. This was different; the sea spoke to him, enticed him. His heart drummed in his chest, listening to the water’s wooing promises of adventure, even as his thoughts lay with Gella.
He slinked the satchel with his meagre possessions farther up his shoulder as he spotted his ships. He gawked at their size. Sol had been true to her word, offering him two of the city’s larger ships, more than capable of carrying a hundred men each. He wondered what the extra ship was for as he meandered his way through the throng of people to reach the pier.
“Ah, you’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence.” The grin on Sol’s face took the sting from her words. She appeared out of nowhere to pat him on the back. “I trust you had a good night?” His mind froze and he blushed, while she burst into good-natured laughter. “Not having any second thoughts, are you?”
“No,” he blurted out. “And thank you so much for all your help with this.”
She waved dismissively as she pushed him towards a young soldier waiting at the pier. “You kept your end of the bargain, I keep mine. We’re even.”
He stopped and spun around to face her. “No, we’re not. You saved my life. I hope someday to do the same for you.”
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Just come back in one piece. I don’t think I’ll hear the end of it, should something happen to you.”
Is it that obvious? He hid his embarrassment by turning to the soldier approaching them. “And this is…?”
“Major Thomas, sir,” the man said and saluted Sol.
David felt self-conscious next to the clean-shaven man wearing a crisp uniform with a gold olive leaf on his collar. David’s eyes dropped down to his own leather vest, covering a simple shirt. While Sol saluted back, he dropped his satchel to the ground and patted his shirt down before offering his hand to Thomas. “Nice to meet you, Major.”
Thomas took his hand into a nice, firm handshake while shooting Sol a questioning glance.
Sol cleared her throat. “This is Major David Rivera. The two of you are responsible for my men. Bring them safely back, gentlemen.” Thomas arched an eyebrow, but said nothing.
She turned to leave, and David hurried behind her. “Sol, wait!” She slowed down enough for him to catch up with her, but did not stop. “Major?” he whispered as soon as he reached her.
“Surely you’ve seen your share of fighting?”
“Yes, but—”
Her eyebrow flew up. “And you’ve commanded men before?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t go around handing commands, David. I know what you’ve done. I saw how you handled the clone that came at you. And I saw you in Malekshei, remember?” She smiled at his understanding, as he remembered what he had shown her through the crystal. “There is a uniform in the ship for you. You can wear it if you wish.”
He wondered if he would. The thought of having the option to do so both amused and troubled him. A uniform implies things. “Thank you.”
“Major Rivera, I think your men await you. Be sure to keep them safe.”
He saluted her, like he had seen Thomas do, a wide grin plastered on his face. “Yes, sir. I will.” He watched her back for a moment, a feeling of unease in his gut. Is someone watching us?
His eyes darted around. Ships and boats of every size and shape filled the busy port. Workers loaded crates and hauled around luggage. Carts crawled around, the squeak from their large wheels drowning out the travellers’ excited chatter. A bright sun defied the late October chill. Not a cloud marred the blue sky. And yet, he could not shake the unmistakable feeling of hidden eyes burrowing in his skull.
He spun around and grabbed his satchel, then rushed over by Thomas.
“Major,” Thomas said with a curt nod.
David handed the satchel to one of the sailors who jumped down the steep ladder to help them. “What can you tell me about this mission?”
“Our orders are to get you safe to some old lady.” If that last part confused him, it did not show. His angular face had the stern determination of a career soldier with orders to follow. David glanced at him, wondering how much to share. The man stood a few inches above him. David’s eye caught on the man’s broad shoulders and thin frame. A swimmer, perhaps? His head was shaven on the side, leaving a bush of cropped hair standing on the top, like a bird’s nest atop a tree. David fought a giggle, and the man shot him a questioning glance.
“The Old Woman is a First oracle,” David said to hide his mirth as he followed Thomas up the ladder. “Her word carries great weight with them. She would make a useful ally.”
Thomas extended his hand to help David board the ship. “So it’s true, then? The Capital has us in its sights?”
News travels fast in Anthea. Or within any unit. “That’s above my pay grade,” he lied and jumped on the deck, ignoring Thomas’ hand. “But it helps to be prepared, right?”
Thomas flashed a grin. “Never hurt anyone. Would you like to see your quarters?”
Following him, David stepped onto a narrow ladder to clamber under the deck. He shoehorned himself into a room barely larger than a closet. Someone had already shoved his satchel under a hammock that served as a bed. “Cosy,” he said.
“At least we have privacy,” Thomas chuckled and pointed to an identical room across the tight corridor. He then nodded towards the end of the corridor, where steps led down to the cargo hold. “The men will share quarters down there.”
“Is that why we’re having two ships?” David asked. “One for the men and one for the provisions?”
“We’ll take as much food as we can carry on our ship. Moving crates won’t be easy mid-sea. The other ship is mostly for our horses.” He saw David’s questioning look. “You do know we’re cavalry, right?”
Only then did David notice a patch with a horse’s head on Thomas’ sleeve. He cursed himself for his absent-mindedness. Had he not been so preoccupied with Gella, he would have noticed it sooner. “Sorry Major, I’m not normally so flaky.”
The man laughed. A good-natured laugh, one that made David like him. “A woman, is it?”
It was David’s turn to laugh, even as he blushed. The man slapped his arm and motioned him back on deck. They passed the captain, a small, thin man with silver hair and too large a head for his body, barking orders to a hapless group of sailors who were mending old sails. David stepped to the side just in time to avoid a second group weaving its way across the obstacle course of a deck. They carried crates, bolts of canvas and coils of rigging on their broad shoulders, like ants marching into their nest.
Thomas ducked to avoid a new mast being carried on board, before guiding David to the railing. “I guess I’ll introduce you to our captain later.”
The captain bellowed an order and ropes splashed all around David. Feet patted behind them. The ship groaned and tilted momentarily, then swayed away from the pier. He listened to the keening of the wind in the halyards and the wash of the sea against the ship's hull. The port became
smaller, the houses turning into children’s toys. As the past faded away, his thoughts turned to the future and doubt gripped his heart. Would he be able to keep his promise to Gella?
Despite himself, his eyes misted.
The Marshes
Lehmor
Lehmor’s eyelids felt leaden. He stifled a yawn, wondering whether he should get some sleep. One look at Moirah’s expressionless face answered that. I won’t leave her side. He stood up and the comfortable chair folded itself and disappeared back into the wall with a muted hiss. Amazing how fast we get used to magic. He stretched his arms behind his back.
His eyes examined the small room where Moirah and Cyrus recovered. There were no tiles to count, so he had memorized everything else, from the number of vials on the table that separated the two, to the colourful, liquid-filled tubes that emerged from a silver panel on the wall to sink into the two bodies. Above each body, a second, faint one hovered, made of a soft orange light. Transparent and beating softly, it allowed knowledge of everything that happened in the broken body below it.
The twin doors to the room opened softly, and the healer walked in. Her long, red robe contrasted with the spotless white of the room, like a drop of blood in a glass of milk. He frowned, trying to remember what had happened when he had been treated by the Old Woman. It felt like a lifetime ago, but he assumed he had been brought to this very room, to have his arm amputated. Had he met this woman then? He unconsciously flexed his muscles of his new arm, Pratin’s gift. His long months with the Iotas also felt like belonging to someone else.
The woman lifted her eyes and smiled at him. “She’ll be fine.” She pinched the glowing body above Moirah’s bed. It came to life, rotating and twisting until the image of Moirah’s brain filled the space. The healer frowned and murmured something, pushing her fingers into the area above her eye, then she flashed Lehmor a wide grin. “Good news, the eye injury is healing nicely. She will see just fine.”
Pearseus Bundle: The Complete Pearseus Sci-fi/Fantasy Series Page 75