by RS McCoy
But Kaide would have none of it.
As soon as the door was closed and they were alone, his hands pressed on the wall on either side of her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I’d be gone so long. I didn’t mean to make you go to this event. There was nothing I could do about it.” The words tumbled out of his mouth one after the other, still tinged with anger, but at least he wasn’t using his Vice Syndicate voice anymore.
Blossom crossed her arms over the black lace bodice of her dress, refusing to let go of her wrath.
“Please don’t be angry,” he said, his eyes softening by the second. His hands tugged the hood away from her face and off her head, letting it hang loose behind her. “I already had to keep my hands off you for a full hour. That was punishment enough.” He tugged his lips up, amused by his own attempt at humor, but quickly gave up when he realized she wouldn’t budge. “Look at you. Do you even know how beautiful you look? It’s painful, really.” He pushed a hand to his chest as if he ached there.
She tightened the arms across her chest and glared, refusing to be flattered.
“Blossom. Beauty, there was nothing I could do.” Kaide pulled at the end of a ringlet hanging in her face.
“You could send a message to Raene,” she reminded him.
Kaide huffed out a long, slow sigh. “She told you? I told her not to say anything. I didn’t know what you’d think about a transmission. You’ve never seen anything like that, and I didn’t think it was fair to show you under those conditions. I’d much rather show you myself.”
“Why?” she scoffed. “I’m just some Alderwood girl you picked up, too poor and stupid to know anything about your fancy screen and recorded message?” Blossom put her hands on his chest and pushed him away, though the room was so small, he couldn’t go far.
“She showed you?” Kaide clenched his jaw and Blossom knew at once she’d gone too far. She’d promised Raene her silence, and here at the first opportunity, she’d betrayed that. So much for being sisters.
But rather than steep in his anger, Kaide moved closer. His cheek hovered so near to hers, she could feel his warmth as he said, “I’m glad you saw it. I meant every word. You are amazing and lovely. And you’re important to me. If you think for one second that I would rather be traveling the realm playing politics when I could be at home with you, then you’re not half the woman I thought you were.”
Oh.
The air rushed out of her lungs and her dress seemed heavier than ever. And much as she tried to hold onto her anger, it slipped away faster than a lightning bolt. When he stood so close and spoke that way to her, Blossom couldn’t help but feel herself sway.
“You didn’t say good bye,” she protested, a final, futile attempt. “You were just gone—”
And then his lips crashed against her, as if he could steal away her unspoken words. His hands clutched at the stiff boning that surrounded her ribs, still managing to pull her off the ground despite her cumbersome dress, and held her against his chest. Their hearts pounded in rhythm, pressed together as they were. Blossom let her arms encircle his neck as she kissed him for a good, long time.
Kaide only pulled back to catch his breath. A throaty growl erupted from his throat as he wiped at his lip and shook his head, as if he thought he could clear his thoughts that way. At last, as they both stood breathing hard in the tiny portal room, he said, “Did you think I left because of that night?”
“It crossed my mind,” she huffed.
Kaide placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her gaze up toward his eyes, burning bright-blue as they were. “If you weren’t so stubborn, I would have married you a week ago. I would have married you on the spot, and the moment you decide you’re ready, I’ll marry you right then and there. Just say the word. But don’t think that I would ever consider betraying you that way. In fact, I’m a little insulted.”
He moved his hand down to her neck, sliding his palm between her skin and the high collar of her dress. His thumb grazed across her cheek in smooth, rhythmic motions that both comforted and excited her. Blossom felt her pulse in his hand and knew he felt it, too.
“I don’t want to argue with you, and I don’t want you to be angry with me. Can we just go in there and have a good night?” His gaze softened, roaming over her face and skimming over her eyes, her mouth, her cheeks that were surely as red as sunset.
“No. As soon as we get out there you’re going to pretend you don’t know me again. You got me all dressed up like this and you wouldn’t even talk to me until we got in this tiny room.” Blossom tried to look angry but knew she came off just as hurt as she was.
Kaide’s hand moved to the wall above her shoulder. “Blossom—” He stopped and hung his head for a moment. “These people are not your friends. They’re not my friends. The Vice Syndicate and her husband came to the manor to gather information about me, and very likely, about you. Showing them how I feel about you only means they can use you against me. They are my enemies, and if you align yourself with me, they’ll also be your enemies.”
“I’m not scared of them.”
“You should be. They’re smart and cunning and ruthless. They’re just the sort of people you should be afraid of.” Kaide stared intently into her eyes, daring her to doubt him.
“You’re not scared of them.”
“No, but I’m afraid of what they’ll try to do to you.” Kaide’s voice quieted and his fingers reached up to tuck a curl behind her ear, the back of his knuckles brushing across her cheek.
Blossom’s eyes closed as she savored that small touch. She could feel his protective side rearing up. It was written all across his face. “You have to talk to me. Tell me where you are and what’s going on in your head. I can’t guess when you’re on the other side of the realm. If we’re going to do this, then I need you do it with me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do this?”
Blossom nodded. “Live together. Be together. Get dressed up and go to stupid parties together,” she said, trying to calm her pounding heart with a joke that fell flat.
Kaide rested his face against her neck, breathing hard in the crook. He worked his arms between her back and the wall and squeezed her tight, his strong embrace saying more than words ever could. Locked together, held in his arms, her feet pulled off the floor, it was impossible to doubt him.
“Now, really. We have to get going. They’ll already have noticed we’re so far behind.” Kaide returned her to the floor and kissed her forehead before pulling the copper coin from his pocket.
“How long do we have to stay?” Blossom let her hands fall from his neck to rest on his muscular arm.
“Not long. A few hours.” He deposited the coin in the slot and turned back to her. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have a good time.”
Blossom felt the room lurch, though as before, she could see no movement with her eyes. Her stomach flipped and rolled as the portal spurred into action.
“Feel sick?” Kaide asked, his voice low and his arms on either side of her, holding her in place though neither of them were moving. When Blossom put the back of her hand to her mouth and nodded, he asked, “What can I do?” Worry tinged his voice.
“Distract me,” she whispered. It had worked in the transport, at least.
Kaide succeeded in spectacular fashion. He leaned forward, only slightly, and pressed his lips to hers, gently at first, and then harder. His tongue worked her mouth open and roved inside, exploring. That alone would have been enough. It wasn’t as if she could think of anything else when his lips consumed her that way. But Kaide did one better—reaching those long arms of his down her sides, right past her waist, and around to the meat of her cheeks, filling his hands and squeezing hard.
Blossom had no idea how long the portal lasted or when it stopped moving, but by the time Kaide pulled away, they had arrived. Heat had long-since settled into her cheeks, and her chest pounded from the excitement of his touch. Kaide’s lips twisted into that mischievous grin of his, chu
ckling to himself as he wiped his lip with his thumb. “How was that? Distracting?”
She nodded in reply, wondering how she was supposed to function after that.
Kaide moved toward the door but pulled back a moment later. “One more thing.” From his pocket, he produced a hoop of alder wood, engraved with a single word: Beauty. “In the days before the war, a man would give a woman a ring if he intended to marry her. A symbol of their devotion, even before they were wed. They were usually metal and had an expensive stone, but I know none of that would suit you.” He leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. “I had this one made, just for you.”
Reaching out for her hand, Kaide held it flat before him and slid the ring on her fourth finger. It felt odd sitting on her hand that way, but the wood was warm from his pocket, and she couldn’t resist that look in his eye.
“No one else will know what it means, but you’ll know. If you doubt me, let it be a reminder that I intend to marry you. As long as you’ll have me, I’ll marry you.”
Blossom focused on her breaths, on the air going in and out of her lungs that struggled against the knot in her throat.
“What’s wrong? I thought Terras liked rings,” he teased with a hand on her cheek. “Don’t like it?”
“No, I do. I really do.” She had to work to say the words, but she couldn’t let him think such a ring didn’t change everything.
Kaide stood tall and smiled. “Now, Ms. Frane,” he said with dramatic effect as he pulled open the door. “Are you ready to meet the most powerful people in the realm?”
Festival
BLOSSOM LEFT THE portal room in a daze. She squeezed her hand into a fist and felt the pressure of the wooden ring against her fingers, marveling that it was real. So much had changed in the portal, so much more than her location within the realm.
Now, they were in Seraphine City, in the capital, in the building reserved for the elite and high-class, the four branch Syndicates and their Vice Syndicate subordinates.
But Blossom didn’t care about any of them. A week ago, she’d have been the wide-eyed girl from the Alderwood, in awe of the power and wealth before her. Now she could only think of the hand on the small of her back, the man who walked beside her, still intent to guard her despite their high-security whereabouts.
She could only feel the warm wooden hoop on her finger. The one that meant he wanted to marry her.
Her racing thoughts made it hard to concentrate on the task at hand. Kaide led her into a mirrored elevator, the glass smoother than the stillest lake. As it rose, her reflection was clearer than ever before. Kaide’s lips twisted into a knowing smile when he saw her eyes catch on her image—the dress fitted tight against her frame, her hair pulled up with cascading curls, the freckles that dotted her skin, the glints of jewelry, the ring on her finger.
“Told you,” he whispered.
In her reflection, Blossom’s cheeks flashed bright red, and realized he’d always known what he did to her. It was written all across her face every time he neared.
The elevator let out a low beep, and Kaide squeezed her waist one last time before the doors opened to reveal the grand spectacle of the festival. Low chandeliers hung across the midline of the room, at least a dozen of them, spreading a veil of dim candlelight across the cavernous space. Gentle music emerged from somewhere on the other side, and Blossom recognized it as one of the Alder Mother’s spring songs.
The official Spring Ceremony. Anyone who grew up Terra would have loved to be here, to see the sacred tree so honored during her changing of seasons. But only after Blossom gave up her forest-home and aligned herself with a Pyro politician did she have the chance to see it.
Without a doubt, it was one of the most amazing sights she’d ever seen. The walls were one big screen, floor to ceiling, with aerial visuals of clouds racing by. If Blossom looked long enough, it was possible to feel like she was flying.
“How do they do that?” she said in awe.
“Aero technology far surpasses that of the other branches. It’s one of the discrepancies I’ll work to correct when I’m Syndicate.” While Kaide sounded sour about it, Blossom could only watch the amazing spectacle as they walked further into the festival.
All across the room, a sea of upper-class patrons filled the air with chatter and laughter. Couples danced and swirled in the distance. Influential leaders clung to wine glasses with elegant hands, and around their necks hung necklaces of heavy jewels that sparkled in the low light. Like Blossom, the women wore elaborate dresses in the colors of their branches, the bright Hydra blues and summery Terra greens standing out amongst the Aero whites and Pyro blacks.
Blossom looked down and realized in the dimness, her dress appeared black as ink, the lace offering a subtle hint of texture. To anyone else, she would look Pyro.
Kaide stepped into the crowd with a quiet confidence, his hand still resting low on her back. His cloak moved in unison with the skirt of her dress, and within seconds, a waiter appeared with a white uniform and a tray of crystal glasses. “Rice mead or strawberry wine, sir?” he asked, his head bowed so low he couldn’t possibly have been able to see them.
“Amberwine?” Kaide asked.
“I’ll be right back with it for you, sir.” The waiter made to trot off but Kaide stopped him.
“No need, we’ll find it ourselves. Thank you.” Kaide and the waiter nodded in unison before he moved away to peddle his glasses to nearby attendees.
“I can drink strawberry wine,” Blossom reminded him. “I drink it at home with you.”
“But this is one of the rare opportunities to drink authentic amberwine from the Terra branch. I’ll see if I can have some imported for you.”
“You don’t need to do that,” she fussed.
“I want to. I don’t intend to have my bride missing her tastes of home.” He squeezed around her waist for emphasis as he looked down at her and smiled, his eyes dreamy.
Blossom became suddenly aware of how much she didn’t want to be there. The room was spacious and elegant, and the people were powerful and wealthy, but she wanted to go home with Kaide.
It was going to be a long night of pretending.
As Kaide led her through the crowds, he nodded at those who caught his eye and offered polite waves to others. He somehow managed to get them to the center of the room before someone stopped him.
“Ah, Vice Syndicate Landel,” the man started. “I heard you did a splendid job neutralizing the Hydra rebellions. I suppose we owe our festival to you.”
Kaide nodded politely. “Thank you. Vice Syndicate Castor, may I present Ms. Blossom Frane of the Alderwood. Blossom, I’d like you to meet the Terra Vice Syndicate, Lota Castor.”
Blossom made her best attempt at a bow, as she’d seen Raene do at the manor, but her dress was tight in all the wrong places. Instead, she ended up craning her neck and offering an awkward smile.
A Terra Vice Syndicate? One of the most powerful people in her branch, someone so far above her Alderwood clan—she’d never have thought she would actually meet him. Now here she was, attending a party with him. Blossom blinked at the surreal experience.
The man’s muddy-brown hair shone in the amber glow of the chandeliers overhead, and his moss-green cloak hugged his narrow, wiry frame. “What a lovely young woman,” Vice Syndicate Castor said with a disgusting grin, reaching out for her hand and kissing the top of it.
“Enjoy your evening,” Kaide said abruptly as he pulled her away.
“What was that about?”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t like him.”
“Because?” Blossom couldn’t figure out how Kaide had come to such a stern conclusion in the ten seconds they’d been in Vice Syndicate Castor’s presence. Either she was missing something, or Kaide was going a little overboard with the whole protective thing.
“Every branch has its flaws. Castor is well known for a certain affinity for young women. Young girls, actually. A common weakness in the upper ranks of the Terra
. Even the Alderai, the leading religious figure in the realm, isn’t at his own festival tonight because he’d rather celebrate with young girls in private.”
Blossom stared, her eyes wide and lips curled in disgust. “I would have known if that were true.”
“Would you? Isolated in your clan in the Alderwood?” He shot her a questioning glance, and Blossom decided not to push it. She didn’t want to discuss how she’d been so closed off in the forest all her life. Still the protected baby bird.
In the center of the room, the stark-white stone floors gave way to crimson, teal, and pale green. “The apex of the branches,” Kaide said, pointing in the four directions. Straight ahead was the Terra wing with draping vines, potted flowering bushes, and a mural of the Alderwood painted across the walls. To the left, the Pyro wing had larger braziers of raging fires that shone off the onyx floors. On the right were the light blues and water scenes reminiscent of the Hydra.
“Each wing serves food and drink from their respective branch. Shall we?” Kaide extended his elbow in a formal invitation as he led her toward the Terra tables. The guests all wore the Terra colors, but were far from the functional style she’d known in the Bear Clan. A woman wore a figure-hugging dress with a long slit along the side of her leg, clear up to her thigh. The man she was with wore a pressed cinnamon-colored suit with a moss-green shirt beneath. Each and every one had fistfuls of rings, but not the plain metal kind they had a home. These were all gold and copper and topped with heavy, sparkling gems.
“Come on. I want to show you something.” At first, Blossom was confused as Kaide walked past the table containing food and drinks, and instead pulled her clear to the end of the wing where tall windows overlooked the city. Only the last remnants of sunlight peaked over the horizon, casting the sky in a bright orange that melted into indigo and violet. Below, a massive alder tree grew—not straight, but gnarled and twisted. Emerald leaves shone under an array of lights aimed into her canopy, a beacon of life in the dark. It was easily ten times the size of any other, a tree with an impossibly long life, far more than the usual century.