by Aspose
The woman’s eyes went wide with artificial dismay. “I didn’t know she was your wife, my lord!”
“Ignorance is no excuse,” Nitro said coldly. He sent a killing blast of wind at the woman, but she spun at the last second and disappeared into a portal. He bared his teeth in a snarl.
“I had her,” Gale growled, tugging savagely against his hold. The power had been perfect, addicting, and in another moment, the woman would have been dead.
He restrained her easily. “You had her and half of Alaska. Another moment and your family would have been dead.”
She froze, horrified, and he took the opportunity to take her through a portal. Once in the palace infirmary, he set her gently on a hospital bed and summoned a guard. He gave the man terse instructions and sent him away, then began to patch up Gale. “You should have begun healing this,” he growled. The flesh over her stomach began to seal as he closed it from the inside.
She shook her head, stunned at the idea of destroying her home state. “I’m not used to being able to do that. Could I really have…?”
“Yes. Thankfully, I sensed the disturbance and was ready to act even before the messenger wind reached me. You weren’t exactly subtle.”
She winced as he gently examined the steam seeping from her cut arm. It still seemed surreal, not something that was as deadly as a spill of blood. Pain leaked through her shock, and she groaned as her back and left shoulder caught fire. “Ow.”
Suddenly dizzy, she blinked away stars and carefully lay down. Nitro helped, noting her shortness of breath. “Careful. Your shoulder and ribs aren’t in top form.”
“Yeah,” she gasped as medical personnel poured in to tend to her. “Thanks for stopping me,” she told him, ignoring the others. “Appreciate…ow!” she yelled as one of the doctors moved her shoulder, making something grate.
“We’ll talk later. Let them help you,” Nitro ordered and strode from the room. He was tense with rage, furious someone would dare to bait her. He was certain it was an attempt to ferret out her power, possibly an attempt to get Gale to do the Air lords’ dirty work for them. If they tricked her into an explosion of power she would do in an hour what would take years of effort otherwise.
He didn’t appreciate anyone using his wife. If she harmed her family, she’d never recover.
If he allowed harm to them, she would never forgive him.
He brushed that thought away and concentrated on summoning his chief of security. The faction that wanted to freeze the North might not realize it, but they just lost any chance of an alliance. No one threatened his wife with impunity.
Gale felt grumpy and sore. She could move her shoulder, but it hurt like crazy. The doctors assured her it would be several days before it knit, and the sling was a huge inconvenience. They’d given her something last night that put her to sleep and left her groggy this morning. She was nursing a mug of wake-up tea as she hunted for Nitro. It wasn’t hard when she remembered to listen to the whispers on the wind. It was amazing the amount of information it brought her. For instance, she knew they were expecting guests and that Nitro had just exited the dojo. He was talking to someone around the corner, and looked up without surprise when she rounded it.
“Good morning. Should you be up?” he asked as he looked her over carefully.
“Yes.” She nodded to the personal assistant at Nitro’s side. It amazed her that the man had acquired a staff and personal guard so quickly. If she’d been asleep for centuries, she’d need more than a couple of weeks to get her life in order. The scale he operated on boggled the mind. “I’d like to speak privately with you.”
“Of course.” He sent the man off and fell into step with her. “You spoke with your parents?”
She grunted. “First thing. Dad was shaken up. He was brutally reminded that I’m not human.”
“I’m sorry.”
She waved it off. “You told that woman I was your wife. Today it’s all over the news. What gives?”
“You know my rank. It’s to be expected there would be speculation.”
“Except I’ve barely agreed to date you. You’re not even my boyfriend, let alone my fiancé.”
“Elementals see things differently. This isn’t a typical courtship, but I’m doing the best I can with what I have to work with,” he said irritably. “Forebear.”
She stopped. “See, that’s the kind of thing I’m talking about. Nobody says that anymore. You’re like, a zillion years old. Who in their right mind would think we belong together?”
“We are compatible,” he said stubbornly.
“You don’t know what music I like, my favorite color, my plans for the future…and let’s not forget I’m in the middle of a major life crisis. The last thing I need is a new relationship.”
“You can’t plan for everything. Just because you’re unable to control…”
“This isn’t about control! I haven’t had control in weeks!” she shouted.
“…doesn’t mean you can’t have calm. Be patient with yourself. You’re attempting to adapt overnight.”
She swallowed hard and looked away.
He sighed and stroked her arm, allowing his hand to fall away when she stiffened. “You love Nonna’s stinky homemade cheese, adore her fiery hot dishes and agonize over your parents. You’d rather cry alone than share your hurt, and you have a wicked temper once roused. You’re powerful and compassionate with a deep sense of family, and you’ll make an excellent mother.” He stepped closer and took her into a loose embrace. “I know the important things.”
She blew out a breath and dropped her head to his tunic, accepting his comfort as only an air elemental could. She shouldn’t crave his touch so much; she knew better than to trust him. Maybe it was more proof she wasn’t human. “I’m tired. It’s hard and it hurts.”
“Your shoulder?” he teased lightly.
“Everything,” she grumbled. “Everything hurts. I want to stick my head under a pillow and hide, but that’s not how I was raised.”
He kissed the top of her head and strolled on, keeping his arm around her shoulders. “I have something that might help. You’ve heard we’re expecting visitors? They’ve arrived.”
“I’m in the mood to chitchat,” she grumbled.
“I think you’ll change your mind once you meet them. The ladies came especially to see you. As former humans, they thought you might have questions.”
She stopped dead. “They were human? The Fates got them?”
He grimaced. “That’s not as usual as you might think. You’re the fourth one I’ve heard of, and the other three are in the grand drawing room.” That’s what he called the sitting room parked in the throne room.
Gale walked quickly, ignoring the discomfort to her injury. Former humans, here. “Why didn’t you tell me about them before?”
“You could glide and save yourself the jarring,” Nitro suggested, but didn’t push. “You had a lot to deal with, and I’ve only recently been in contact with their husbands.”
Gale blew into the throne room, hardly aware of the arctic blast that accompanied her. Her agitation made her power swirl around her, and she was irritably aware of Nitro siphoning it away, protecting those around them. She shrugged her shoulders impatiently and immediately regretted it.
Nitro put a solicitous hand on her back as he introduced Tremor and Cara Earth, Raze and Kira Fire and Surge and Alicia Water. Gale deduced from their last names and appearance that they weren’t wind elementals. Tremor was huge, a marble giant with white hair dressed in a black ski jacket, black jeans and combat boots. He would have scared her if not for his easy smile. His tall Latina wife wore a light jacket over a sweater, jeans and cute boots with a fur trim. Her smile was friendly, open.
Raze was a living coal of fire, wrapped in a long, hooded black coat that smoldered distractingly. His wife’s smoldering grey coat closed with black toggles, and she wore a red silk scarf that matched the red hair framed by her hood. Her warm blue eyes seemed human e
nough, and a ring winked in her nose.
Surge and Alicia Water were a surprise. They were made of living blue ice with white icicle hair. Gale would have expected water beings, but what did she know?
“Gale Adams,” Gale broke in quickly when Nitro began to introduce her. She ignored his raised brow and returned the other ladies’ curious looks. “So you were human?”
Kira grinned. “As human as they come. The Fates got Alicia at work, Cara on a hike and me on vacation.” Her smile became sympathetic. “We’d love to swap stories if you have time. It’s so hard to be thrown into a whole new lifestyle without support.”
Gale took a shaky breath. “This is the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me. Yeah, I’d like to talk. You want to sit down?” She gestured to the group of couches. Snacks and drinks were brought, and the women began to talk in earnest. The men remained standing in a cluster of their own.
“They won’t remember us for at least an hour,” Tremor remarked, watching his wife with a fond smile.
“It will be good for Gale,” Nitro observed the way Gale became animated, shouting “yes!” and “exactly!” as the women told their stories. “The transition has been difficult.”
Raze tilted his head. “I’ve heard reporters have already run with her story. My wife pointed out that she likes our way of dealing with them. How many have you blasted for trespassing?”
Nitro slanted him a glance and smiled darkly. He was fiercely protective of his privacy, and it only took one example to drive the rabid elemental journalistic hordes away. “Politics and gossip. We’ve had an interesting adjustment period.”
“Kira still has nightmares,” Raze said sympathetically. “And she nearly roused a super volcano,” he said thoughtfully.
“Attempted tsunami,” Surge said dryly. “Plus she’s afraid of water.” At Nitro’s startled look, he explained, “The Fates drowned her. She’s got it mostly under control, but it sneaks up on her.”
“My sympathies,” Nitro murmured. “That must be difficult.” He wondered if Gale had bad dreams. It wasn’t his nature to confide in strangers, but he admitted, “Gale has flashbacks.”
Tremor nodded. “It leaves a mark on all of them. It’s good they can get together and talk.”
“Speaking of which, shall we get reacquainted?” Nitro glanced aside and a group of comfortable arm chairs and a coffee table appeared near the women. Though the danger seemed low, he wouldn’t leave her alone with strangers. Besides, he wanted to be close in case she needed him, and this was an informal gathering. The women were free to join them as they chose.
They began with chitchat and gradually morphed into more serious conversation. Naturally, they wanted to know his position on the clans who wished to freeze the North.
“I will not join them,” Nitro said firmly. “My wife’s family lives here and I won’t endanger them. If necessary, they can be moved to safety.”
Gale heard him and smiled with obvious joy that warmed him. Unfortunately, it faded as he continued, “The Northern clans feel differently. Not all of them, but the strongest. I suspect they’ve allied with the Oracle, which is never good.”
“Who is this Oracle?” Gale asked, wandering closer. She leaned on the back of his chair, so he expanded it into a couch to accommodate her. A thought did the same for the rest of the furniture, allowing the wives to join them.
“Why are they able to use wind furniture?” Gale murmured, distracted. “Shouldn’t they fall through?”
He put an arm on the back of the couch, not quite on her shoulders. “I’m able to manipulate the air pressure in the cushions, making them super dense. Think of sitting on an air mattress. I’ll show you later.”
“Cool.” She toyed with her teacup, more for something to do than a need for liquid, he suspected. She seemed worn out with emotional release, yet still keyed up. He assumed it had been wrenching for her to share her story, but it seemed to have formed a bond between her and the others.
He liked that. It was past time she allowed others under her guard, and in time, he hoped she would form strong bonds with other air elementals. It was important to him that she bond with her own kind. She was an air elemental; a young one, and he couldn’t help viewing her as scarred. He wanted her healed.
“The Oracle is a menace,” Kira said, narrowing her eyes. “She had the hots for my man way back when, and after he spurned her, she taught her offspring to hate him. They send assassins after us every now and then.”
“Not just him,” Alicia said. “She used the sea clans to try and kill Surge and me, and she sent air elementals, too. They’re stupid to deal with her, because once she’s gotten them to weaken each other, she’ll do her best to kill them all.”
“Genocide?” Gale said doubtfully. It was hard to believe in that kind of hatred.
“She wants our power, and she has a little bit of it. None of us can destroy her alone.” Cara leaned forward. “Not without something special.”
Tremor had his arm over the back of their couch, and he tapped her shoulder lightly. “We are working on a weapon that may help.”
Cara met his gaze, then fidgeted with her jacket. She looked impatient.
“Is the Oracle indestructible?” Gale asked uncertainly. “You guys are pretty powerful. Even if you can’t use your power against her, what’s she going to do against a bullet?”
“She can see any plan hatched against her. It makes it difficult to assassinate her. Also, if she is killed, her power and her memories go to her eldest daughter. She’s always had more than enough offspring to endure.”
“Until now.” Tremor smiled, all teeth. “The last of her children died two days ago, and she has not been able to conceive.”
Nitro raised a brow. “Interesting.”
“So how is your weapon supposed to help? Is it a bomb?”
“We think it can cloak the bearer from the Oracle’s vision. At least, that’s what the dreams seem to indicate,” Raze explained. “The Fates have sent Tremor, Surge and me dreams of a weapon, which we are working on.”
Gale grimaced. “You listen to them?”
Nitro touched her hand. “The Fates are many things, but they have the Sight. There is a reason for everything they do.”
She snatched her hand away. “They’re sadists!”
“Amen, sister,” Alicia said darkly. “You’ll notice we ladies aren’t getting dreams from them. I’m not keen on hearing anything they have to say. That said, the Oracle has to go. We can hunt the Fates down after that.”
Gale looked at the ceiling. Her rage burned white hot, demanding a target. “I don’t suppose you know where they live.”
“Not now,” Nitro said firmly. “Anger is useful, but don’t let it rule you. You have plenty of enemies without raging at the Fates, too. Your family is vulnerable without your protection.”
She noticed the air around her had gone super cold. She could see the reflection of her white eyes reflected in his steady gaze. “My protection or yours?”
He considered. “You have great influence on my actions.”
She snorted and stood, frustrated with the churning emotions. “I need a walk.”
“We totally understand,” Kira said sympathetically. “Take your time.”
The angry part of her didn’t care what they thought, but Gale hated her lack of control. She needed to get a grip. She blew out the front door, ignoring the wolf winds who trailed discreetly. The wolves didn’t bother her, but she disliked the elemental guards who joined them. Were they judging her? It was none of their business if she felt emotional.
She blew past the ice cave and kept going. She needed exercise to burn off her anger.
Gale had never seen any other wind elementals cruising around the snow, so it was a shock when she was suddenly surrounded by a boisterous, joyful group of young breezes. She stiffened in dismay as they swirled around her, fluffing her hair, touching her hand, blowing through her fingers. She executed a full stop and backed away, eyes
wide. A glance told her the escort she’d been grumpy about didn’t seem concerned. What good were they if they didn’t prevent this sort of thing?
“Hi! We’re neighbors!” a cheerful voice announced as a gauzy clothed young woman with blue-white hair materialized. “I’m so glad to meet you! I’m Ici.” She swirled around Gale with dizzying speed, freaking Gale out.
“I’m Frostflower,” a girl who could have been Ici’s twin announced, brushing through Gale’s fingers and fluffing her hair. “I’m Ici’s sister. We live over there.” She sent a swirl of snow in the direction she meant.
Before Gale could comment, a third girl erupted in a burst of wind, sending flakes everywhere. She seemed to be bobbing on a private breeze, and it sent her elaborately styled white hair bouncing, too. Her dress was sky blue fading to purple, and she smiled widely. “I’m Ether, and it’s so good to meet you! Are you coming to the dance?”
Gale discreetly tried to maintain her distance, but the women kept following her. She shot a desperate look at her impassive guards. What the heck was wrong with them? “I haven’t heard about a dance.”
“It’s tonight in the city,” Icy said, swirling giddily. “Everyone’s invited, and we all wanted to meet you.” She finally picked up on the way Gale stiffened, and she frowned curiously. “What’s the matter?”
“I haven’t heard of a dance,” Gale growled. Were these really her neighbors, and was their behavior normal? She remembered the Fate who’d called them huggers. Ugh.
The girls slowed their swirling to look at her curiously. “It’s in the city, of course.” Icy flapped her hand over her shoulder. “You haven’t been to the city?” She seemed bewildered.
“No.” Gale peered at them, unsure if she should be on high alert. Could she trust her guards? She twitched her fingers and a wolf wind was instantly at her side, his head under her hand.
The girls looked wary, but they didn’t leave. What was the protocol here?
“Would you like to see it with us? We can give you a tour,” Icy said hopefully.