“So I heard.” She leaned her cheek against his. “Do you mind if I take a look at her?”
Her touch appeared to unravel his anger. He swept his arm toward me. “Go have your look.”
Wary of her interest in me, I braced for the worst. When her gentle fingers touched my cheek and her deep green eyes cut across my body, inspecting my every ailment, recognition caused my lungs to seize. “Gods’ web, you’re the Mimetidae maven?”
Kokyangwmana—Mana—was a walker, a spiritual leader for the Salticidae people. Her clansmen were peaceful farmers. Mimetidae were mercenary cannibals.
Did nothing in the second world make sense? Had madness overtaken every clan? What but desperation explained their bizarre pairing? Why else would such a gentle soul wed a cruel one?
“Kaidi.” Confusion and awe warred in her tone. “It really is you.”
“Kaidi,” Murdoch echoed, as if memorizing the word.
“You know her?” Curiosity led Vaughn closer. “She told Murdoch her name was Imani.”
Eager to avoid increasing his interest, I blurted to Mana, “Why did you come?”
The males’ reactions told me that neither knew how to proceed while Mana was present.
She tugged my earlobe. “Murdoch mentioned your earring when he petitioned Vaughn.”
“It could have been a customer of mine.” Once I had prided myself on their number.
“True.” Her features softened. “But once Murdoch mentioned you, I became curious. I asked myself what the odds were of a Segestriidae female wearing one of your earrings arriving in Cathis. I considered the name you gave—Imani—which is the same name as my dear friend Kaidi’s varanus, a hatching I gave her. Knowing all that, how could you be anyone other than Kaidi?”
The scope of my carelessness was a slap to the face. How I meant to continue outrunning Hishima if I dropped him such fat breadcrumbs to follow was beyond me. Exhaustion was taking its toll on me. I had not slept, and I could not afford to rest. “I never expected to find you here.”
The look she turned on Vaughn made me squirm. “It’s a recent development.”
I had to know. “Are you happy?”
“I am.”
“And your family?” I nudged. “They approve?”
“They do.” Her smile was tight. “Some more than others.” She pegged me with a hard stare. “On the topic of family, your uncle wrote me weeks ago and said you succumbed to the plague.”
Hearing her news loosened the knot in my chest. “It’s better for him if he believes that.”
“I thought you had no family?” Murdoch growled.
“I don’t.” My voice cracked. “You heard her. I’m dead to him.”
I had an uncle, one single male relative left. The others had tied their life threads to those of their wives. When the plague overcame Titania and the infected females died, the males did too.
My family was fortunate to be wealthy enough we could marry for love.
And those bonds had shattered us all.
Mana grasped my shoulder. “Kaidi—”
I rolled from beneath her touch, turning my back on her.
A soothing hand settled on my hip. “What about Hishima?”
Panic made me tremble. “My paladin has no cause for concern.”
“When I visited Ghubari last, he crowed about your betrothal. He was thrilled you had found love with such a gifted artisan, not to mention the honor of tying your family to the ruling lines.”
Her words conjured my uncle, short and round, balding, with a smile that lit up a room and a laugh that made even the hardened cynics smile. Of course Ghubari had been proud of my catch.
“Things with Hishima…” Ended the night he introduced me to his mother.
Or what the plague had left of her.
“She is betrothed to the Segestriidae paladin?” Murdoch’s irritation stung my spine.
Why Murdoch cared was no problem of mine. Probably concerned I would run to Hishima with a tear in my eye, sobbing for him my story of woe from when I was captured by Mimetidae.
Little did Murdoch suspect that Hishima would throttle me if I dared to leap into his arms.
“You failed to mention her status to me, little mouse.” Vaughn sounded closer.
Skin crawling, I twisted enough I could pinpoint him over my shoulder.
Mana dismissed him with a wave. “I wanted to see her for myself before alarming you.”
One of his dark brows rose. “Do I look alarmed?”
Murdoch cut in, “Why was the future Segestriidae maven traveling alone?”
I pinched my lips closed before I spilled the sordid tale at Mana’s feet, but Vaughn eyed me like I had become of sudden interest to him while Murdoch’s tight expression just made me tired.
“How long has it been since you slept?” Mana rubbed the smudges under my eyes.
Actual sleep…in a bed…my head on a pillow…covers to nestle into… “I don’t know.”
Murdoch chose that moment to contribute, “She was napping when I caught her.”
“You fell asleep after…?” Mana must have been imagining me, dozing among their dead, to achieve the flicker of shock leaching bronze from her skin. “We’ll talk later, after you’ve eaten and bathed.”
“Later? No.” Vaughn caged her wrist and pulled her hand from my cheek. “We’ll talk now.”
“Look at her,” Mana demanded. “She’s half-starved, filthy and shivering.”
“She’s also a threat to this clan.” His fingers meshed with hers. “I can’t overlook that.”
Her brow puckered. “Kaidi has—”
“Given us a perfect opportunity.” His thumb smoothed over her lips. “Hishima is the golden son of the crystal city. His people are weak. They couldn’t hold Titania for a day on their own.”
My heart clenched. “What are you saying?”
“Titania stands unguarded against her easternmost rivals. Hishima dismissed the Theridiidae guards after their clan’s betrayal of the Araneidae came to light.” Vaughn’s lips quirked up at the corners. “Hishima knows the Araneidae can afford the best of everything. After the Theridiidae’s defection, the Araneidae enlisted the Mimetidae as their guardians. Their endorsement sealed our status in his eyes. He wants what they have. He wants us. What he doesn’t want is to pay for our services. But you are the perfect bait to lure Hishima into Cathis, where we can settle this matter without the fanfare of messengers and his flowery letters of intent he has yet to follow through on.”
“You said he dismissed the Theridiidae.” I swallowed hard. “Is the city…? Are they…?”
“I protect my investments.” His frown hinted that I should know this. “There are Mimetidae guarding the border Cathis shares with Titania now. A word from Hishima and they can be his.”
It choked me to be polite. “Thank you for that.”
“Don’t thank me. My mercy is conditional.” He pointed at me. “Remember that.”
“Vaughn.” Mana touched his arm. “If she ran from him, there must be a reason.”
“I agree.” He flashed his teeth. “That means he will be eager to get her back.”
“You aren’t interested in what made her leave?” Murdoch asked, leaning against the wall.
“She ought to be thankful I’m willing to overlook her indiscretions in exchange for smoothing this transaction between our clans.” Vaughn shared a look with Mana. “Fine. Murdoch, have something brought up for Kaidi. She can eat while we talk. A bath can wait. She’s gone this long without one.”
“Thank you.” Mana pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Think nothing of it.” The smile he cast me was one of pure calculation. “I’m sure her betrothed is concerned with her whereabouts, and he will be comforted to learn Kaidi is under our protection and enjoying our hospitality.”
Panic swelled in my chest until I thought for certain it would burst. Hishima would come for me. Despite whatever reservations he might have over the cost of hiring the Mim
etidae, he could afford them, whatever Vaughn’s price. Few things outstretched Hishima’s reach if he wanted to possess them badly enough. I ought to know. I was once a clueless girl crushed within his grasp.
Chapter Three
Stabbing pain woke me. Blinking into the morning light, I groaned when I spotted Murdoch looming over me. He jabbed me again with his finger until my vision cleared. “Are you hungry?”
I yawned. “It depends.”
“On how stubborn you are?” He rubbed his bruised face. “Your stomach growled from the time you crawled into my bed last night until I woke you just now. Do you want food or don’t you?”
Though my pride tempted me to say no, my treacherous stomach grumbled in answer for me.
His gaze dipped to my navel. “At least some part of you is honest.”
“You’re a very rude male.” Not my wittiest retort, but gods it was early.
He rolled his shoulders. “I find my manners reflect those of the company I keep.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from commenting on the quality of his companions.
“Wait here,” he ordered, as if I had a choice. He spared me one last glance. “I’ll return soon.”
“Take your time.” I would savor being free of his watchful eyes.
He paused with a foot over the threshold and a palm gripping the door. “I don’t like the way you’re smiling.” His gaze slid over the room, as if he hoped to see what I did. “Behave yourself.”
“I always do.”
“If that’s the case,” he said in parting, “then why have I yet to see it?”
Once his footsteps faded, I allowed myself a real smile. “I can’t show you all my tricks yet.”
Hard raps on the door rang through the room. “Can’t keep your mouth shut, either.”
Crushing my eyes closed, I rolled onto my back. Figured he would wait outside the door and see what mischief I was up to. I pictured him stomping his feet with a smirk on his face, so sure I would do something foolish and he would be there to catch me in the act. Well I had, and he did. His slyness and wit did not endear him to me. I was feeling less guilty for his wound all the time.
If he kept taunting me, I might be tempted to give him a matched set.
I’m not sure how long I lay there, gazing at his ceiling, before sleep snagged my ankles and dragged me down into slumber.
My respite was short-lived.
Shooting pangs between my shoulder blades sent me rolling across the mattress in the hope I might escape the latest in a catalogue of twinges earned after a night with my arms and legs tied in awkward poses. Burying my face in the soft quilt beneath me, I screamed out my frustrations.
“Should I come back later?”
The sound of Murdoch’s voice made me pop my head up so quickly, I wrenched what must have been the last untwisted section in my back. As the familiar sting from pulled muscle set in, I forced myself onto my side so that I stared up at my captor, who appeared too occupied with the rise and fall of my breasts to notice when I bent my knees, a smile of retribution curving my lips.
When his focus shifted from the bunched neckline of my shirt, which had ridden down while I slept, to my mouth, I froze. His gaze slid down the length of my body, over my legs, to my feet.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He eased three steps out of my reach.
“You wouldn’t have to.” I flopped like a salmo out of water. “You’re free to do as you like.”
“Most Araneaeans are until they break the law.” His even voice grated on my ears.
I mustered up my most commanding tone. “Get out.”
He tilted his head. “I didn’t see it at first, beneath all the gore and mud, but there is a maven under that mop of hair, isn’t there? Were you taught from birth how to affect that imperial tone?”
My chin shot up before I could stop myself. “I am not a maven, and I do not sound imperial.”
“If I had been standing any closer, that pointed chin of yours would have gouged out my eye on its way up.” His bark of laughter surprised me. “Has your paladin seen this side of you? Or is that vicious streak what attracted him to you in the first place? He must like living dangerously.”
“Says the Mimetidae during a plague,” I mocked. “Does that yellow pus weeping from the corpses better their flavor? Is it sweet or savory? Do tell me, have you ever gone to bed hungry?”
His hand flashed out, fisting my shirt and hoisting me upright. “I have gone months with my stomach touching my spine, and I have slept with my gut full of the male I once raised a hand in greeting to every morning for ten years when he lived across from me. I have known hunger your kind can’t fathom, Maven. I have seen things that still dance behind my eyelids after they close.”
Head swimming from the rush of being forced upright, I met his gaze. “Well, so have I.”
He studied me for long moments while my temples throbbed. “I almost believe you.”
Snorting, I had no one but myself to blame for that. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” He turned and headed for his bureau. “Not if it flies past your lips.”
Metal scraped in front of him. His shoulders bunched in a sawing motion.
“What are you doing?” Had Vaughn decided to torment rather than trade me after all?
“Don’t work yourself into a lather.” He glanced back at me. “You wanted food, remember?”
My eager stomach clenched when I glimpsed the platter before him.
“What is that?” I saw eggs, a chunk of roasted meat and rolls smeared with honey.
“I assume you mean the meat?” He shook his head. “It’s lepus. See?” He took a bite, and my fingers curled into my palms. “It’s safe to eat.” He chewed and swallowed as my mouth watered.
“Your endorsement hardly counts.” I envied the flex of his jaw. “You’d eat it regardless.”
“True.” He lifted a roll to his nose, inhaling the freshly baked scent before biting down.
If he moved any closer, I would have been tempted to lick the honey from his chin, to suckle his fingers and lap at his palm until I cleaned him of the sheen of grease turning me lightheaded.
His fork clattered to the plate. “It’s dangerous to stare at a male that way.”
No. Dangerous was eating in front of a ravenous female. “Take your meal elsewhere.”
He tore a hunk of bread and popped it into his mouth. “Was that an order, Maven?”
“I’m not a—” I clamped my mouth shut. “Is this some new form of torture?”
After breaking open the remaining bun, he situated a sliver of roasted lepus in the center and folded his meal in half. “What are you blathering about now? You aren’t being tortured, Maven.”
“Forcing me to watch you eat?” While I salivated, he gulped down the remaining contents of his plate. He hadn’t saved me a bite. Not one forkful. Even the juices he sopped up with his roll. Instead of caving to despair, I imagined the one thing I counted on to ruin my appetite on days when the best supper I could forage on the road was grass and muddy water.
I pictured my favorite cousin, Maier, as she had been in life. Tall. Graceful. Periwinkle eyes reminiscent of her father’s. With her hair brighter than rays of sunlight, so like my aunt’s. The torturous ache swelled my throat shut, shattering the comforting illusion with how I saw her last.
Rain battered my cheeks, mingled with my tears as I knelt between stones, each etched with the name of a family member. Gone. The plague ripped them all from my grasp. My mother. My sisters. My cousins. My aunts. My nieces. Reaching out, I touched a chill tomb, traced the names I would never speak again. Dropping my face into my hands, I wept until my voice went hoarse.
“Help.”
I sucked in a breath and held it.
“Help me.”
Fingers trembling, I peered between my knuckles.
A dozen steps away, a pale hand shot from the ground, fingers clawing at t
he moonlight.
Hope set my pulse hammering. I slid through muck and grasped the icy hand. Dainty fingers wrapped around mine, yanking with supernatural strength. Her desperation to be freed left me mired in dreck. I was sinking into the mud faster than I could scoop it. Sludge squished through my hands as I discovered an elbow, clasped a shoulder. Picked slush from an ear, a nose, and then a gaping mouth. With the head cleared of muck, I stared into a face I never expected to see again.
Mud turned her hair stringy, clay dyed it red. Her eyes were milky white and empty, her skin stained. The plague had left her cadaverous. Her nails were jagged from digging out her grave.
“Maier,” I breathed her name.
Her head cocked to one side, and she lifted her other hand skyward. “Help me.”
“I’m here now.” I ran my palm over her hair. “It’s all right. I’ll take you home.”
She planted her palms on the ground and grunted, pushing until her knees cleared the slush. She flung her head back and issued a keening cry that broke my heart. Then she backhanded me. Blood exploded in my mouth as I flew backward. While I lay wheezing on the ground, she raised her hand to strike again. Before she swung, a low buzz began vibrating my teeth until they throbbed.
Then it occurred to me…if Maier’s mouth had been buried, then who had cried for help?
“Lepus turns chewy if you let it get cold.”
I shivered free of the past. “What?”
Murdoch wiped his mouth with a crumpled scrap of fabric. “Are you eating or aren’t you?”
My stomach tightened at the memory of Maier’s emaciated face. “No.”
Carrying a plate to the bed, he sat beside me and speared a hunk of meat. He pressed against my lips when my mouth stayed shut. Steam rose to tickle my nostrils. I coughed and dry heaved.
“My nephew knows that trick too.” Murdoch pinched a roll and held it out for me. “He used it when his mother cooked a meal he didn’t like. Though he sticks a finger down his throat first.”
Being compared to an unruly child tempted me to act like one, but if I opened my mouth, he would stuff it full of roll. Instead, I ignored him in favor of the hall. He’d left the door open, and I had a view of the room across the way. Leaned against its frame was Lleu, who blew me a kiss.
A Time of Dying (Araneae Nation) Page 3