by JL Madore
My stomach knotted at the thought. Did my mother know Rowan helped with Tham or was she randy and looking to hit the horizontal? Between one heartbeat and the next, my insides were consumed by a surge of hatred. “I should go too. If it’s me she wants, Elani might already be in danger.”
“You stay out of sight. I’ll feel out the Queen and see what she knows.”
Feel her out or feel her up? Fighting back the urge to chain Rowan to the nearest tree, I reminded myself I had no right to the fury burning through my blood, no right to forbid him going into her den of depravity. It took all my inner strength not to scream as vile, unwanted images flooded through my mind. My mother’s lips touching his . . . his calloused, strong hands touching—
“Lexi.” Rowan stared at me like I’d just punched him in the stomach. “Don’t.”
I swallowed the bile burning the lining of my throat and forced my expression to relax. Registering the pain in my right hand, I realized I was choking the life out of my knife. On a deep exhale, I slid the gleaming blade into its sheath and pried my fingers off the hilt one by one.
Annnnd there we go. I’m calm. S’all good.
“Fine. Go,” I said, thankful that my voice held steady. “But don’t plan any trips down suicide alley, Doc. If you’re in a jam, protect you and yours. If it comes down to Elani or me, I can take care of myself, she can’t.”
Cue crickets in the background.
Rowan cursed, his face going grim. “You say that, like you actually believe I could throw you to the sharks.”
“I’m telling you to. I mean it. If it comes down to a choice, choose her.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“You are a phenom, little man.” I patted Coal’s head as his smile lit as bright as the iridescent field arching above. The kid was a natural at weaving through the night unseen. I tried not to think of how he’d grown to be so proficient on the streets but because of his mad skills, we’d skirted through the market center, past the canals of the commercial districts, and into a residential sector without coming across a single soul.
My only concern was that he might not know where Rowan’s house was because we’d passed the modest two-bedroom row houses, we’d skipped around the larger detached homes with the fenced front yards and now we were into the estate section of Attalos.
“Are we sure we know where we’re at?” I asked. “Cause we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
“Of course not, Princess,” Terran said with a sideways glance. “We’re in Attalos.”
“No, I . . .” I waved away his confusion and let Coal tug me alongside a tall, metal retaining wall. The thing must have risen a solid twenty feet from the ground. The Orichalcum vibrated into my palm as my fingers skimmed the smooth surface.
I’d never been anything close to a tree hugger, but found it strange that in a city this size there weren’t any green areas. Within the first ring of Attalos there were courtyards, fountains, metal walls and canals. No trees lined the streets, no shrubs or flowerbeds landscaped the lawns.
With my mind wandering and my feet trudging along on autopilot, I almost knocked Coal flying when he stopped right in front of me. I caught him as he flew forward and righted him. “Sorry, buddy. What’s up?”
Ydorus, Eury, and Terran took up the rear more gracefully.
I scanned the street. We were standing in shadow of a—
“Holy shit. Is it a house or a mausoleum?” I stared open mouthed at a stone mansion that looked to be the much-older-yet-slightly-smaller-brother of Jade’s mansion. Except this one wasn’t poofed here by Castian, God of gods. Men had slugged these chunks of rock here and built this sucker one hernia at a time.
“Do you think there’s a hunchback in that bell tower?” I asked, staring up—way up. It was magnificent, tall windows reflecting the glow of the moon’s light, and ornate wrought iron balcony railings guarding the black alcoves behind them. High above, three stories, maybe four, the roofline followed undulating turrets, more windows, more balconies and a bunch of wide stone chimneys. “Did Rowan’s parents own a fricken quarry?”
“No,” Terran said, accepting the key card from Eury. He slid it through the security box and a loud clack echoed into the quiet night. “They own the fifth sector of the city and all its wares. Now, with his parents dead, Rowan does.”
“What?” My mouth hung open as someone pressed a firm hand on my back and pushed me through the open gate. “I thought he . . . he’s a swordsmith and a doctor.”
The backyard was completely enclosed and the security wall reached high enough we were guaranteed our privacy. Ydorus secured the gate behind us. “He is, Princess, but his birthright is that of the son of the fifth house.”
“Rowan’s a Noble?”
Terran shrugged, guiding us around a dry fountain in the center of a courtyard. I imagined the last time the peaceful sounds of falling water filled this area would have been when Rowan’s parents still lived here with Elani.
“I’m not sure how it works now that his family is shamed,” Terran muttered. “The Laws are absolute. Rowan’s rights—”
The brilliance of the light cutting from the house across our group had us blinking and shading our eyes. Coal tucked tight to my side.
“Princess Grace?” The whispered voice came from an ebony silhouette blocking the open doorway. It was impossible to make out any features against the light of the backdrop, but the slender frame of the man seemed relaxed and unassuming. “Master Rowan told me to expect you. Please, come out of the night air.”
“Ydorus, would you mind?” I raised my chin toward the open door and waited for our escort to take point. Eury stayed behind us and we drew our weapons and moved as one. I tucked Coal behind my back and smiled at the tug of his fingers lacing though my belt loop “Stay close little man.”
The lush décor of the living room stood in direct contrast to the drab façade of the house exterior. Rose-colored stucco walls set off the sapphire, ruby and emerald décor which spilled across the overstuffed sofas, thick draperies and broad swaths of buttermilk marble.
A genuine warmth oozed from the scattered array of family photos to the books and possessions piled haphazardly on surfaces around the room. The family Rowan lost.
“If it pleases you, Princess,” the old guy said. “Let us begin your welcome in the front atrium and greet you properly.” He scooted down a candlelit hallway with more spring than I would have thought possible. Eury took one last look into the moon-washed courtyard, then locked the back door and we hustled to catch up.
I could see why Rowan’s butler wanted to begin in the main foyer the moment we arrived. The wall of the three-story atrium was a back-lit, tiered, glass fountain. Water trickled and splashed down the textured contours, falling from the top floor to pool into the tropical grotto below. Lit from beneath the champagne surface, schools of multi-colored fish lazed and swam in and amongst a rainbow of anemone.
“Welcome to the home of Lir-Rowan, of the Fifth house. I am Jonash and anything you need is my pleasure to provide. Shall I give you a tour of the manse?”
I didn’t want to burst the old guy’s bubble, but I was d-o-n-e—done. “I’m thinking: booze, bath and then bed.”
His lips tightened. “I shall have Leta draw you a bath, Princess. Would you like something to eat first?”
I shook my head and glanced to where the stairs disappeared. “No thanks. I’ll be good ‘till morning.” Jonash milled his long, slender hands. What was it about the people of Attalos and their weird preoccupation with feeding me?
I cast a glance over to Ydorus and Eury. “My escorts haven’t eaten. Could I ask for something for them?”
“Of course, Princess.” He bowed deep at the waist. “If you’ll give me a moment, gentlemen, I’ll show Princess Grace to her room and be down to tend to your needs directly.”
“We’d rather escort the Princess—”
“Thanks boys,” I said raising a hand, “but I’m beat. Terran will see me up. You tw
o should take off and get some rest. And thanks for everything.”
“If it’s all the same, Princess. We’d prefer to secure the house.”
I cast a glance at the mansion sprawling in all directions, three stories above and more below to be sure. I tilted my head back, scanning all the way up to the third floor. I was much too tired to argue. “We’re only here a few days. You might not get done.”
The two soldiers chuckled, but after Ydorus checked the locks on the front door he and Eury marched off through the dimly lit wing on the right.
With lead legs, I shuffled toward the stairs while Jonash bounced up the steps in the lead. “I will show you to your rooms and then bring up a tray in the event you change your mind about the food.”
“Sounds great.”
The four of us trudged up the plush runner covering the hardwood stairs all the way to the third floor. The landing sported a wide window seat and a floor to ceiling bookshelf chocked full of spines standing at attention. Jonash was practically skipping down the left corridor while Terran, Coal and I struggled to keep up.
“How long have you been with Rowan and his family?” I asked, only to slow the man to a less obscene pace.
“Oh, my ancestors have served the Nobles of the Fifth house since the time of separation.” He paused next to an alcove with a nude marble statue of a Fae god.
Oh, please, let it not be Castian. The last thing I needed was to go to sleep with erotic images of Jade’s father in my head. I tried not to look, but was drawn to satisfy my curiosity. Thankfully it wasn’t Castian. It looked more like his brother Dane.
Coal noticed me eyeing the statue and giggled.
Yes. Naked was funny to an eight-year-old.
“Here you are, Princess.” Jonash said from a short way down the hall. “I’m certain you’ll be comfortable here and the two rooms across the hall have been readied for your guests.”
Coal’s eyes flared and I squeezed his hand.
Terran eyed the door across the hall and I realized that both Coal and I had taken naps, while he had been going full tilt since yesterday. “Terran, go. Get some sleep. We’ll meet in the garden at dawn for training.”
If I’d had the energy, I would have laughed at Terran’s expression. As it was, I just shoved his shoulder and pushed him into the room. “Go. That’s an order.”
He yawned. “See you at the crevice of dawn.”
I laughed. “Crack, Terran. See you at the crack of dawn. And Terran?” He stopped and met my gaze. “Thank you. For Tham, and taking us to your home and . . . yeah, well, today.”
He eased the door closed. “Sleep well, Princess.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The moment the dream morphed into something sinister, I was aware. One of the more peculiar side effects of being a conduit for visions was having a body and mind acutely attuned when reality collided with what would be considered by normal people as other.
Running through the Haven forest with Tham at my side and the wolves at our heels, I could almost breathe again. With every fiber of my being, I clung to the fruitless hope that this was reality and yesterday had been the nightmare. Even as we ran, chuckling about stupid everyday drama from the Academy, the Talon, and of course our collective family, I knew in the pit of my gut it wasn’t real.
The shadow edging into my dream, however, was. Subtle at first, it was a rumble in the distance. A feather brushing the synapses of my mind. A prodding finger testing the waters. I gave no indication I was aware of the intrusion, entranced by the joy of spending time, however imagined, with Tham.
The shadow edged further. My heart raced in my ears, thundering like hooves against packed earth.
What was it? Or rather . . . who?
I leapt over a large rock and grappled Tham right before we turned the bend toward the main path. The two of us toppled toward the brush. He rolled mid-air, at the last minute pulling me against him to absorb the blow of the forest floor. Laughing, the two of us crashed in a tangle of legs and elbows and giggles.
Breathing deep, I relished the scent of him—suede, outdoors and Elven male.
The entity pushed further.
No longer just the sense of someone probing my subconscious mind, the slither of an icy awareness snaked through my skull, down my nape and into my chest.
Tham sat up, his brow pulled tight, the deep furrow between his blue eyes a rare sight. “You need to go, neelan. It’s not safe for you here.”
The warrior’s voice in my mind agreed. I had lingered long enough in fantasy.
Telling myself to wake up, I tried to open my eyes. They wouldn’t open. Whatever it was . . . whoever was inching inside of me had taken hold. I fought against my insides.
No, no, no. This was wrong. Way wrong.
Tham leaned over me, shaking my shoulders. “Wake up, Lexi. Fight.”
My teeth clacked together as Tham shook me harder.
“Go, Lexi. Open your eyes. You must go.”
The slither of icy evil grew as it spread. My vision dimmed, a damp fog covering my mind. I couldn’t breathe, suffocating on the frigid cold as it leached through my lungs into my arms . . . my legs . . . my—
My hands came up as I launched off the bed and landed in a crouch. Wide black eyes fixed on me from a bed the size of a football field. The room was mostly dark, the only light coming from the soft illumination escaping the adjoining bathroom. I sucked oxygen into my heaving lungs. The room was secure. Just me and Coal, sawin’ logs in the guest suite of Rowan’s mansion.
“It’s okay, buddy,” I breathed. In. Out. “Just a bad dream.” I forced myself to straighten, my hands shaking like leaves in a hurricane. I tugged down the front of my shirt and pressed it flat. “Just a bad dream.”
I crawled back under the covers and opened my arms for Coal to cuddle in. Chilled to the marrow, I gave thanks to have my own personal space heater bunking with me. Did all Fire Faery run hot? A few minutes with Coal snuggled against me and my quakes started to settle. After a minute, he pulled back and looked at me. I could read the frustration in his face. He had something to say, but couldn’t get it out there.
“Am I all right?” I asked, taking a guess.
He nodded.
“Yeah. Fine. You? Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He shook his head, his shaggy ginger hair standing up in every direction like cockerel tails. He still wanted to say something. His lips pressed into a scowl and he growled low in his throat. I propped him up on the pillows and thought about what it must be like to not be able to express myself. No sarcasm. No venting. No way to laugh or yell or tell a joke.
“Do you remember I mentioned my friend, Savage?”
After the confusion drained from his expression, he held his hands wide, then reached high over his head and scowled.
“Yeah, the big, scary warrior who can’t speak.”
He pointed to his mouth and throat, and then shrugged.
“I’m not sure why, exactly. He’s never shared his personal deets and no one has balls big enough to ask.”
He smiled at the mention of balls and I rolled my eyes. “Well, he always wears a spiked dog collar or bandana tied around his throat, but once, after a particularly ugly battle, my sister, Jade, had to take it off so she could heal his neck.”
Coal’s eyebrows disappeared under a fringe of bangs.
“He had a terrible scar from here . . . all the way over to here.” I dragged my fingers across the velvet pile of my mourning band from one side of my throat to the other. “It was a nasty wound. Hamburger. It looked like someone ripped his voice box right out.”
Coal bit on his bottom lip, his gaze locked on mine.
“The reason I brought it up is that when we’re on a mission we need to be able to communicate. The Scourge—that’s our enemy—well, they love to ambush, so a lot of what we do is sneaking around. We communicate what we see and what’s coming at us without using our voices. It doesn’t even matter that Savage can’t speak.
”
Coal propped himself onto a spindly arm and rested his head in his palm.
“So, when we’re on a mission, we use hand signals. Some are from something the Modern Realm calls sign language and some we adapted ourselves. I was wondering if that might be something you’d want to learn?”
Cue the bright-eyed head bobbing.
“It’ll be confusing at first, but if we practice, you’ll be able to tell me exactly what you’re thinking.” The hug was all I needed to wipe the last of my unease away. I set him back on his pillow and held up my hands so they caught the light from the bathroom. “Cool. So, here’s an easy one.”
Lying half buried in the rolling plains of an overstuffed duvet and navy satin sheets, I watched Coal’s tiny chest rise and fall, slow and deep. Up. Down. Up. After learning dozens of signs, his eyes had grown so heavy I told him to close them. Two seconds later, he was gone. Now, lost in what I hoped was a kinder world, he was free to be a kid. I, myself, after my last brush with dreamland, might never sleep again.
The crevice of dawn—I think Terran had something with that one—came an hour or so after Coal drifted back to sleep. I’d told him not to panic if he woke up and I was gone. I’d be in the garden working out. After assuring him that he and I were a team now, he relaxed but still made me promise I wouldn’t go anywhere beyond the grounds without him.
I slid out of bed with my plan. Shower. Dress. Back garden.
Except—once I was face-to-face with the stone tile and shiny bathroom fixtures I had no idea how to make the shower work. The mechanics of the nozzles and drain were different from the palace. No matter what I tried, no water came.
Okay, so work out, then shower.
I fingered through the basket of toiletries Jonash had provided and did my best impression of ready for my day. Not for the first time I wondered about Rowan. How had it gone with the Queen? Did he come back here last night or stay at the swordsmith shop? Terran said he’d lived there since his family was destroyed. Or, maybe he was still at the palace.