by Leah Ross
“I’ll need supplies and one of my assistants from Terracova,” Dr. Walsh said.
“Of course,” Guinn replied. “Send for whatever and whomever you need, but I would like you to start with anything you can now. Stay in Callinar as long as it takes. I will cover your time and expenses, as agreed, for you and any assistants you need.” He handed the doctor a card. “If anything comes up that we’ve not already settled, send the bill to my accountant. He’ll make sure you’re paid immediately.”
Dr. Walsh took the card and nodded his assent. Guinn turned and left the room, striding out the back door to the ocean overlook. He needed some air. He hadn’t wanted the cost of the treatment to be an issue, which was the reason he’d arranged it in advance. Why couldn’t they see that he didn’t care about the amount? It was only money. He had more than he knew what to do with, and he wanted to do something important with it for once. He leaned on the rail and sighed.
His coat was draped over his shoulders. “I brought your coat. You’ll freeze out here.” Laria smiled at him.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said.
“Then we won’t talk about it.” She shrugged. “But I wanted to apologize for the lack of gratitude we showed you back there. I blame it on our inexperience with this kind of selfless generosity in the past. Thank you, Guinn. I wish there was something I could do for you.”
He smiled and pulled her close. “Just stay here and let me hold you.”
~*~
A week later, Rienna awoke with morning light streaming through the window. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes and mentally listing the things she needed to complete that day, a sudden realization jolted through her. She wasn’t alone in the bed as she was every morning. Looking down for confirmation, she saw Joran sprawled on his stomach, still and peaceful, the sheet tangled around his bare torso. A sickening shock of terror shot ice through her veins.
“Joran!” She shook him gently.
He grunted.
“Joran, what’s the matter?” She shook him again.
Groaning, he rolled over. “The matter is that you’re shaking me. Blast it, woman, I’m trying to sleep!”
“Are you awake?”
“I am now, thank you very much.”
She blinked at him and cocked her head at the window in confusion. “It’s after dawn and you’re still in bed.”
He looked at the window. “So it is.”
“You haven’t slept through the night since you got sick, Joran.” She placed her hand over his heart and felt his pulse strong and steady beneath her palm. “How are you feeling?”
“Well-rested for the first time in years, energized, and…”
“And what?”
He smiled mischievously. “Come here, beautiful.” He pulled her down across his body. “Let me show you just how good I’m feeling.”
~*~
Laria padded into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes, to see what her mother was making for breakfast. “Good morning… Guinn?” She frowned, confused.
“Good morning to you too. Would you mind helping me out?” He handed her a potato to chop.
She took it. “Where are my parents?”
“I haven’t yet seen them this morning. I assume they’re still in bed. That’s why I decided to start breakfast. However, I’m not a stellar chef, so I’ll need your assistance if we hope for anything edible.”
“Father’s still in bed?” She looked at the potato in front of her as if it knew the answer to her question. Then she mumbled to herself, “He hasn’t slept a full night since he fell ill.”
“What was that?” Guinn asked from in front of the stove.
“Nothing.” They each worked for several minutes, the only sounds in the room the sizzling of bacon, the popping of fried eggs, and the drip of the coffee. “Guinn? Something’s been bothering me. I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Sure.”
She bit her lip, hoping she didn’t offend him. “You sent letters to several top Terracovan healers and brought one here. You called Dr. Walsh a personal friend. If you knew these people, why didn’t you ask them to help your mother?”
He stopped what he was doing and turned to her, defeat flickering in his dark eyes. “I met them through Shana. Too late to do anything for my mother, I’m afraid. I spent my first term break at Holystorm interning with Dr. Walsh as his assistant to fulfill my program’s medical requirement. He and I have maintained contact since then.”
She nodded, and then they were interrupted by Joran and Rienna entering the room. Laria cocked a brow at them, noticing their disheveled hair and the fact that neither of them could seem to stop smiling. She also noticed the absence of her father’s cane. He was walking straight and tall, with strength and energy she hadn’t seen from him in years.
“Good morning,” they both said at the same time. Then they laughed.
Guinn grinned. “It certainly seems that way.”
“What have you two been up to?” Laria asked.
Joran’s lips lifted in a roguish smile. “We don’t speak of those things in polite company, daughter of mine, and certainly not just before eating, but suffice it to say that I’m starved, and I may very well need a nap later.” Rienna covered a giggle with her hand and blushed a deep crimson.
“Oh, gross!” Laria scrunched her nose in disgust.
Guinn roared with laughter so hard he had to brace himself against the counter.
Laria punched his shoulder. “What are you laughing at? This is all your fault!”
He snorted and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “Sweet, innocent Laria, I will gladly take the blame for this, and someday I dearly hope to show you exactly what you’re missing.”
Laria gasped and her blush climbed all the way into her hair. She was mortified that he’d said that to her in front of her parents. This time, Joran was overcome with laughter.
~*~
Joran and Rienna hugged their daughter as the train pulled in to the platform. Laria couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen them so happy. Her eyes filled with tears to see her father so healthy again. Dr. Walsh’s treatment was so successful that he’d declared Joran cured of his illness. Laria’s parents were even planning their first trip to Terracova in conjunction with one of Dr. Walsh’s follow-up appointments.
“We’re so proud of you,” Rienna said. “Don’t worry about us.”
Joran nodded in agreement. “We’ll come visit as soon as we can.” He glanced up at Guinn. “And keep this rogue in line. He needs to graduate if he’s going to build the masterpiece I designed for him.”
“I think you mean the one we designed, sir,” Guinn interrupted. He stuck out his hand to Joran, who pulled Guinn in for a hug. “Thank you, Joran.”
“Thank you, Guinn. You’ll always have a place in this family, and you’re welcome at our home anytime.”
Rienna nodded and smiled. “Watch over Laria for us, will you?”
“Of course.”
The conductor shouted the boarding call, and Guinn and Laria gathered their things. With one last hug all around, they stepped aboard. As the train’s whistle blew and they pulled out of the terminal, Guinn stared out the window at the tiny seaside town that now owned a spot in his heart as the only place that felt like home to him. Pulling Laria into his arms, he smiled as she sighed and snuggled against him. For the first time in his life, he felt perfectly content.
Chapter Eight
Ivaya
The arrival of ivaya heralded warmer days and the inevitability of graduation around every corner. The fifth-years spent almost as much time idling away their remaining days at Holystorm as they did studying and finishing their program work. There were just so many opportunities for frivolity before they had to go out into the world and do something with their lives, and they weren’t about to miss any of them.
A new tavern had just opened in town, and it was extremely popular with the Holystorm students. The establishment featured local musicians eve
ry night, and the current night’s entertainment featured a group of singers from the school. The tavern would be packed with students showing their support for their classmates.
Guinn and Laria and their whole gaggle of friends descended upon the establishment in one loud, boisterous mob, appropriating several tables and occupying an entire corner of the room. Drinks were ordered, snacks were procured, and then the lights dimmed and the show began.
William ensured that his friends saw him engaging in the festivities, situating himself at the edge of the group. Then, when the lights went down and everyone’s attention was diverted, he stealthily slipped out of the room. Keeping his profile low and not attracting any attention, he strode quickly into a dark, deserted alley.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” a low male voice rumbled from the shadows.
“I told you I would,” William responded, stepping into the safety of the darkness.
“What about your friends?”
“Busy, but we don’t have much time. Someone will notice that I’m gone eventually.”
“Then let’s not waste a moment, shall we?”
William groaned low as their mouths crashed together in a bruising kiss. Ravenous with need, their hands explored wantonly, hasty in their desire and the anxiety of getting caught. This wasn’t something in which William indulged regularly, him having a strong distaste of the thought of going to prison, but the stress of his daily life had been getting to him, and he needed some relief. He was quite fortunate to have a couple of contacts at school who were just as discreet and mindful of the risks as he was to whom he could turn for his needs. It was definitely not satisfying on a soul-deep level, but it was the best he could do given his constraints. Quieting the incessant nagging in his head, William focused on sensation instead and lost himself in the moment.
Back inside the tavern, Laria turned her gaze from the stage to observe how her friends were enjoying the show. Her brow creased in confusion when she noticed the conspicuous absence of one young man whose position in life seemed firmly rooted in the limelight. She leaned over and whispered to Guinn, “Where’s Will?”
He shrugged, completely unconcerned. “Who knows? Hannigan’s always off somewhere causing trouble.”
She rolled her eyes at him. Shana was across the room talking to a classmate, so Laria leaned across to Sean. “Sean, have you seen Will?”
“No. I’m not that boy’s keeper.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder at the door. “He’s probably outside shagging his brains out. The man could use some relief.”
Laria was becoming increasingly concerned. She’d seen how stressed William had been with graduation looming large over him. She’d tried to talk to him about it, but he always laughed it off and changed the subject. Now he was missing and none of his friends knew where he’d gone. She hoped he was all right.
“I’m going to find Will,” she said to no one in particular, rising from her chair and heading for the door. When no one responded, she made an exasperated sound and left the building.
There was no one around. It was late, and everyone was well entrenched in their evening activities. Listening hard for any sign of her friend, Laria finally picked up on some low murmurs and shuffling from an alley around the corner. She paused for only a moment to consider her protection, then crept silently toward the sounds, unsure of exactly what she walking into or if William was even there.
Peeking tentatively around the edge of a building, she stifled a gasp, eyes and mouth impossibly wide at what she could barely see in the murky back corner of the close space. William pressed another man against a wall, trapping his wrists over his head. Both men’s breeches hung open, and William was buried deep within the other man as they rocked their hips together. William’s other hand was rapidly stroking his companion’s exposed erection, the man’s head dropped back on William’s shoulder and his mouth gasping wide in pleasure.
Laria retreated and leaned back against the brick wall, her breath shallow and her mind attempting to wrap itself around her shocking discovery. She knew it was wrong. She knew the dangerous position William was in, and the one she was now too, just from knowing about it. But her parents had always taught her tolerance, and nothing—not the risk to herself, not the confusion of her feelings, not the fear of repercussion—diminished her need to support and protect William. He was still her friend.
Stepping quietly away, she intended to give the men their privacy, her mind already churning over the question of whether or not to broach the subject with William. Then heavy footfalls on the weathered stones of the street drew her attention and she froze. Snippets of loud conversation drifted to her ears, and her heart sank when she realized she didn’t recognize the voices. It sounded like two men—two very drunk men. Not wanting to be the next diversion they found, she glanced around frantically for an avenue of escape. Nothing. She would either run into the drunk men or ruin William’s night by hiding in the alley. Hoping to avoid both of those dilemmas, she took the only other option available to her.
“Davdour,” she muttered under her breath. Looking down at her body, she knew her spell had worked as the solidity of her flesh faded to reveal the stones under her feet.
The intruders strode around the corner and Laria held her breath, willing them to just move on. Invisible as she was, they passed right by her, none the wiser. Noise from the alley caught their ears, though, and they turned to investigate. Laria groaned inwardly. Glancing at the tavern, she wondered if she had time to run for help, but then her decision was made for her when loud bangs and shouts flew from the alley. She ran toward the confrontation to help William.
“Well, well, well, what have we here?” the tall, lanky drunk man drawled.
“A couple of abominations is what,” his beefy, muscled crony piped up with a nasty sneer.
The first one punched a fist against the palm of his other hand. “What say we teach these queers a lesson, Cline?”
“I was hoping to find some fun tonight. After you, Burke.” They both laughed.
William glared as he hastily righted his clothing. Then he put himself between the drunkards and his companion. “Shove off, assholes. I guarantee you’ll regret it if you piss me off.”
“Ooh…” Burke mocked, “I’m so scared! Please don’t hurt me, sissyboy!”
Laria’s heart pounded. None of the men knew she was there, so she had the element of surprise on her side. She wracked her brain for something she could do to help William. Then she smiled as a plan formed in her head. She dropped her invisibility spell to concentrate her energy and looked for the perfect moment to attack. Then she saw her chance. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind by two strong, rough arms. She struggled, but she felt herself being dragged into the alley.
“Sorry I’m late, boys,” the gruff voice behind Laria said, “But I brought you a gift.”
“Who’s this now, Lawson?” Burke snickered.
“Pretty little thing,” Cline leered, his stinking breath hot on her ear. He twisted a handful of her hair in his fist and her eyes watered.
“Laria! Leave her alone, you bastards!” William growled.
“Or what?” Cline challenged. Laria stiffened as the point of his dagger pressed against her neck.
Burke brandished his blade at William as he stepped forward, letting his eyes explore Laria’s body. “Let’s make the boy watch as we enjoy what the wench has to offer.”
“Your fight is with me!” William shouted, “Leave the girl alone!”
Lawson bared his teeth in a smug grin. “She’s yours, ain’t she?”
Burke scoffed. “Catch up, Lawson. He’s here with the other bloke.”
Lawson frowned at William, his nose wrinkling with disgust. He strode up to William and scowled down at him. Burke snickered and Lawson shoved him away. “Your kind don’t belong in civilized company,” Lawson threatened.
“Then it’s a bloody good thing I’m not in civilized company.”
“Are you trying
to seduce your way out of this situation, queer boy?”
William recoiled violently in utter disgust. “Sorry, but you’re not my type.”
Lawson snarled in rage, lunging forward and punching William savagely in the gut. Then the man drove his meaty fist into William’s face. William doubled over and coughed weakly, trying to regain his breath. Blood began to trickle from the cut above his eye and dripped onto the ground. As he dropped to his hands and knees, desperately trying to suck air into his uncooperative lungs, he mentally reached out to Guinn, planting in his best friend’s mind the urge to rush to their aid. Then, in between wheezes, he pleaded with his companion, “Curt… Please… Run, now!
“Will… I can’t just—”
“Go, godsdamn it!”
Curt hesitated another moment, then squeezed William’s shoulder and took off, sprinting from the alley.
Burke began to follow him. “He’s getting away!”
“Leave him!” Lawson commanded. He delivered a vicious kick to William’s ribs and left the man breathless and writhing on the ground. “That oughta shut you up.” He turned his attention back to Laria. “Now, pretty, what to do with you?” He held her fast with one arm and grabbed her backside with his other hand. Then he groped her breasts and she was absolutely disgusted to feel the man’s erection assaulting the small of her back.
“What do you think of that?” Cline bragged.
She glared at him. “Rakhdvavk!”
“What the hell—?”
The men screamed in pain as Laria channeled a bolt of lightning through her body and shocked them. Lawson loosed his hold on her. She tried to run, but Burke had avoided the blast and caught her again.