by RS McCoy
“Is that why you left?”
Blossom shrugged. “I didn’t really have a choice. Even before he traded for me, I wanted to leave. I wanted to go see something new, anything new. But now that I’m away, I do miss it.”
“Well, of course. It’s your home.” Raene smiled sweetly. “I’m sure it was hard to leave, but Kaide and I are both happy to have you here. Especially him. I’ve never seen him like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s hard to explain. He’s just, I don’t know. Remember that transmission he sent me? Like that. He’s never like that. It’s usually all business, which I understand. He has a lot of important work to do. But with you, it’s something else. It’s like he got back to his old self, like he used to be I guess.” Raene shook her head, dissatisfied at her explanation.
Blossom wasn’t all that surprised to learn that Kaide had changed. She’d changed, too. They’d changed each other and would probably continue changing together for the rest of their lives. But the idea of him changing lead to the thoughts she’d been skirting around all day.
“Can I ask you something?” Blossom said with her gaze fixed on her wine.
“Of course. Ask me anything.” Raene sat a little taller as she waited for Blossom’s question.
“You’ll have a tiger totem, right?”
“Mmhm.”
“What would you do if you weren’t a tiger? What if you were a mouse or a snake or something else?” Blossom watched Raene’s features contort, spinning wildly between shock and confusion and humor.
“I don’t know. I never really thought about it. I’ve always known I’d be a tiger.” Raene made it sound so easy.
“Because your mother was?”
“That, and I don’t know, I always knew. I always had a connection to them. I never even considered if I’d be something else. Why?”
“Just curious.” Blossom didn’t want to explain Kaide’s sudden interest in her transformation. So instead, she threw back the rest of her wine. “I’m ready to go home now.”
Kaide’s first transmission with Pruda left him certain he was in for a long day. Again, he was tired. Again, his thoughts were focused on Blossom. And again, he was rewarded with nothing short of a crisis.
Pruda sat in her own home office, her crimson shirt too tight over her figure, pushing her chest up and out in a way she no doubt intended. Kaide couldn’t help but think it must be rather uncomfortable to be so constrained.
Her dark skin shimmered under iridescent lights, and her painted crimson lips were twisted into a smirk. “You haven’t heard the news?” Pruda crossed her arms with satisfaction.
“What news?” Kaide steeled himself, refusing to show his apprehension. It had been months since he’d taken a full day off, not checking in with work or staying up to date with events in the realm. A single day with Blossom and he was already behind.
“Oggin Waller was found dead in his home yesterday morning. He didn’t name an ascendant, so Aero is in a frenzy trying to make their claim.” Pruda rested her chin on her folded fist, looking both elegant and in control in a single motion.
Kaide’s mind raced with the implications. The Aero Syndicate dead? That would change things for him, undoubtedly, he just didn’t know how yet.
“Any news on which way it’s going?”
“My money’s on Mercer, of course. But Peppers has a nasty habit of killing off his competition. So there’s no telling yet.” Pruda shrugged as if she couldn’t be bothered with silly Aero ascensions, as if it didn’t have wide-reaching effects.
“Anything else?” Kaide wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
“Nothing critical. You?”
Kaide reached for the report on his desk. “Commissioner Sangra reported there’s been activity with the Prentis, but no word on the Milton’s whereabouts. They’ve found a half-dozen missing women who were last seen with one of their collectors. ”
For the first time that morning, Pruda looked affected by their conversation. Gone was her flippant flirtation, replaced with a scowl at mention of the Prentis. It was the one subject on which they agreed entirely.
“A half-dozen?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Move it to top priority. We haven’t had an attack in months. The Milton is our number one target until—”
Kaide put his hand up to silence her. “I understand how to proceed. It’s already been handled. I merely meant to keep you informed. As per our agreement.”
Pruda swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you, Landel,” she replied, her tone as friendly as a viper. “I’ll keep you informed on any updates with the Aero Syndicate.”
Kaide’s screen darkened a half-second later. He’d pissed her off, he knew, but he wasn’t going to tip-toe around her today. There was too much to do, and his thoughts were too strained already.
Kaide swept a weary hand across his face, smoothed out his cloak, and collapsed into his chair. Not three minutes later, his screen dinged with an incoming transmission. He allowed himself an indulgent moment to think it might be Blossom, but that was impossible. Instead, Castor’s sickening smile filled his screen.
From his sagging cheeks to his sunken eyes, Castor’s appearance was rough at best. It was no wonder that he had to purchase women to spend time with him, not that that excused his actions. Maybe if they were consenting adults, Kaide could look the other way.
“Good morning, Landel. Enjoy yourself at the festival? I heard you left early. I hope it was to take that lovely bride of yours home for the night.”
Kaide had to work to keep his expression even as Castor’s poisonous words spilled out. “It was an enjoyable evening. Is there something I can help you with?” It was days like this he regretted recruiting the Terra Vice Syndicate to his cause.
Castor leaned back in his polished alder wood chair and clasped his ringed fingers in his lap. “At the festival, Bartel told the Syndicate he’s stepping down. Nothing official, of course. But in a few months, he’ll qualify for the age waiver. Since Dormier has no intention of stepping down before then, I expect Bartel to retire quietly.”
Kaide nodded, unsure why Castor would tell him such news from inside the Terra Syndicate office.
“I was thinking, since we know Jin Nona will never use his Vice Syndicate position to further our goals, Bartel’s retirement might be an opportunity. I’ll send you a list of possible candidates, and if anyone strikes your fancy, I’ll make sure they end up as his replacement.”
For once, Kaide was impressed. Castor’s sliminess might bring him a major advantage. Within the trio of Terra Vice Syndicates, he had Castor on his side. Vice Syndicate Nona had ties to Aero and would never back any plot against them, but with Bartel out of the way, they had the chance to appoint someone else that would be an ally. “Send me the list and I’ll review it. When do you need an answer?”
Castor shrugged. “No rush. It’ll be several weeks before Bartel’s retirement is made public.”
“Very well.” Kaide ended the transmission before Castor could say anything to lessen his momentary triumph.
With a brief intermission between calls, Kaide sorted through his stack of reports that needed to be addressed before the end of the day. In addition to his plan to overthrow Aero, he had his actual Vice Syndicate duties to handle. Pruda was as capable and productive as Kaide himself, but the third Vice Syndicate, Unsel Gould, was as useless as they come. So useless, in fact, he was the only Vice Syndicate not in attendance at the Spring Ceremony. Kaide could leave nothing of importance in his sloppy hands. He needed to be sure his business was handled appropriately at this critical time.
Kaide only realized how the hours passed by when Norsa brought him a tray for lunch. Olin helped him field incoming transmissions and reminded him when he had an upcoming call scheduled. All in all, the day went smoother than he could have hoped, aside from the earlier hiccups.
That is, until he caught sight of Blossom crossing the clearing. For a moment she looked to be al
one, but Druma appeared several paces behind her. Kaide watched as they moved across the clearing, and when Blossom neared the far edge, she broke into a jog.
Kaide pulled himself from his chair and stood at the window to watch as she ran up the trunk of a sizeable alder, clutching hard to the bark before she worked her way up to the lowest branches.
Behind him, Raene raced up the steps. “She said she wanted to be alone to think,” she said as she appeared beside him.
“Did she ask you about it?”
“No, not directly. She asked about my totem.” Kaide could feel her eyes on him as she looked up and asked, “That’s what it’s about, isn’t it? Her transformation?”
Kaide nodded, his eyes locked on his bride as she settled onto a branch and started reading.
“Thank you, Rain Drop. I know I’ve asked a lot of you lately.”
“I don’t mind. Want me to stick around for tonight?”
“No, I think she got what she needed. I’ll call you in a few days for dinner.” Kaide kissed the top of her head and walked her down to the door. Olin appeared from the side of the house to walk her home, such a normal part of their routine Kaide hadn’t even had to ask.
To his left, he looked over at Blossom, a dot of red in the alder tree, Druma guarding at its base. He was tempted to join her, to ask her what she’d decided, but he knew he couldn’t. Kaide forced himself back up the stairs to finish his work for the day.
Only when the sun began to fall behind the tree line did he file his papers and start across the clearing. He was thankful he’d left his cloak hanging on his chair. The afternoon heat hung thick in the air and spotted his brow with sweat. Still, he marched on, and when he reached the base of her tree, he looked up and felt a stab of panic in his chest.
She was so incredibly high. Blossom sat on a branch so far from the ground, he knew she would be instantly killed if she fell. He wanted nothing more than to rush up the tree and bring her down.
Until he remembered she was by far the better climber.
Kaide cupped his hands around his mouth and whistled. Thankfully, Blossom’s face appeared in the falling evening light. “On my way!” she shouted back.
Kaide’s heart plummeted clear out of his chest when he saw how fast she climbed down. Her feet barely touched a branch before they were off to the next. Her hands clutched each limb for a half second, until she had nothing more than the thick trunk to grasp. Still, she descended faster than he would have thought possible, faster than he cared to watch.
At last, her bare feet sank to the thick grass, and she flung her arms around his neck. “Sorry, I didn’t realize how late it was. Is Norsa mad?”
Kaide smiled and spun her back toward the house, refusing to let her feet touch the ground. “We have other plans for dinner tonight.”
“We do?” Blossom blinked and thrust her lips into a confused pout, failing to argue about being carried.
It only made his chest ache more. “Yes, Beauty. Is that all right?”
“Of course,” she replied with a smile that was only a shade of her usual vibrance. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was busy. I’m sorry I couldn’t come out sooner.” Kaide found himself uncharacteristically torn between the work for which he was so passionate and this fiery young woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.
“It’s all right. I know you have important people to charm,” she teased him with a wink. “And I needed to have some time alone. I’m ready to tell you my decision.” Blossom’s eyes narrowed with seriousness.
Kaide sighed. “You’ve decided to travel to Seraphine City and accept your totem tomorrow.”
“You knew?”
Kaide allowed himself a small smile. “I know you, Beauty. I know who you are. And I know you couldn’t live without your totem, no matter what it is.” He pulled open the door of the manor and pushed inside, immediately starting up the stairs.
“That’s one reason.” Blossom’s lips turned down with disappointment, not because he’d known, but because she’d chosen differently than he wanted her to.
They reached the top of the stairs before he stopped, refusing to let her think she’d somehow wronged him. “I’m not disappointed in you, Beauty. I’m afraid of what this decision means, but I could never be disappointed in you.”
She tilted her head to the side and let a shy smile tug at her lips. “Do you want to hear the other reasons?”
“If you’d like. I told you it was your decision and I meant it. You don’t owe me an explanation.” Kaide didn’t mention that the fear of what would transpire during her transformation all but crippled him.
“But I want to. So you’ll know I really thought about it.” Blossom rested her hands flat on the sides of his neck, and he knew she could feel every beat of his heart.
“All right, then.” Kaide sank to the couch in his office and let her remain straddled across him. The sunset streamed in through the windows in wide, amber beams, but Kaide could see nothing but her.
For several moments, she occupied herself toying with the collar of his shirt, rolling the small button between her fingers, before finally she began. “I’m going to get my totem tomorrow because it’s my birthright, as it is for everyone in the realm.”
“You’re right, it is.” Kaide pulled at one of her curls that had gone astray.
“I’m also going because I want to know what it is. I want to know what parts of me are the strongest. I know that that might not happen, but I have to take that chance.” Her fingers moved up his neck where she idly stroked at his beard.
“You think the reward is worth the risk. Understandable.”
Kaide withered when her gaze met his, her green eyes bright and even. “I’m going because even if they turn me into something unnatural, I know that I can learn to control it. Like you learned to control yours.”
He couldn’t bring himself to argue, even though what she said was vastly untrue. Kaide felt at risk of losing what control he’d gained over his totem at any moment, but he wasn’t going to tell her that now. She’d made her decision. He wouldn’t try to talk her out of it.
“I’m going to get my totem because it will protect me in the city. I’ll be able to defend myself when you’re not around, and that will keep you from worrying.”
“Doubtful,” he said with a crooked grin. Terrified as he was for her safety in this moment, it was hard to imagine there would ever be a time he wasn’t afraid for her. But he wouldn’t let her know his fears. She didn’t need the weight of his worries in addition to her own.
“And because who I am and what I do is a reflection of you, at least in your political circles. If I don’t have a totem, I’ll always be a target to them. I’ll always be at risk, and through me, you’ll be at risk. I don’t want to be your weakness. I want to be your wife.”
“Beauty—” Kaide felt that explosion in his chest, that undeniable connection they shared, humming fast as he fell for her yet again. He cupped her cheek in his hand and closed his eyes, at a loss for what to say.
Blossom pressed her forehead to his and listened to his breath for a half a moment. “What’s wrong?”
Kaide shook his head. “I will never be comfortable with this, but I’m so—” He paused for a moment to think of the right word. “Impressed,” he said at last. “I’m impressed that you put so much thought into this, and that you considered so many different aspects. I know you didn’t take this lightly, and that gives me so much respect for your decision.”
“Does that mean you’re not angry with me?” Her voice was little more than a whisper, as if she were afraid of his answer.
“Not at all. Not for a moment. I’m horrified that I put you in danger and terrified you might live to regret your transformation, but I know this is something you have to do. I was drawn to your fire the first moment I saw you, and this is yet another part of that. You don’t have it in you to sit off to the side and let your life pass you by.” Kaide leaned forward and kissed the t
ip of her nose. “I wouldn’t have you any other way. Even if it kills me.”
Blossom harrumphed quietly. “You’re really going to say things like that forever, aren’t you?”
“Say the truth? Yes, I am.”
She only groaned in response, but he could see the corners of her mouth upturn in a girlish smile. “So what are we doing for dinner tonight?”
“We’re going to go get it from the kitchen. And then we’re going to go upstairs and put on something comfortable. And then we’re going to spend the evening surrounded by books and old-world relics. Does that suit you, future Mrs. Landel?”
“That suits me perfectly.” If Kaide had cause to disbelieve her, it was shattered when she hopped off his lap and started toward the stairs, only returning to tug at his arm to get him up from his seat.
“I’m coming,” he said, laughing as he rose, following his insistent bride all the way to the kitchen. As instructed, Norsa had set out a tray of smoked meats and cheeses, fruit cut to bite-sized morsels, and a half-dozen bowls of nuts and seeds. No heavy sauces, no buttery glazes. Plain, simple food as she liked.
“You two need anything else?” Norsa asked with a poorly-hidden smirk.
Kaide shook his head. “You’ve outdone yourself, as usual. We’ll be upstairs tonight, and we don’t want to be disturbed.”
Then, he picked up the tray and walked Blossom back up the stairs, Norsa screaming, “You two have fun, you hear?!” Her chuckles followed them all the way down the hall.
Kaide stopped to set the tray on his bed before stripping away his long-sleeved shirt and boots. Then, he turned his attention to Blossom, whose eyes were caught on his tattoos.
“Are you nervous?” he asked as he spun her around and started working to untie the straps of her shirt.
Blossom half-turned so he could see the flush in her cheeks. “That you took your shirt off? Or that you’re taking off mine? It doesn’t really matter, the answer is yes.”
Kaide stifled down a hearty laugh. “I mean, about getting a tattoo.”
“Oh, I guess I didn’t think about it. Hale said it hurt while they were doing it, but after it was fine.” He could see her eyes go distant at the memory.