Feel the Burn

by MacDonald, Nicole

  ‘I might be joining you soon.’

  Alek paused to look at me and lowered my wrist. He reached to cup my cheek and pull me close, his eyes concerned but kind.

  ‘What do you mean, love?’

  My throat seemed thick and I avoided his gaze, tracing my fingers over his arm.

  ‘Tomorrow we fight. And I don’t think I’ll…I mean I might not…’ I couldn’t finish the sentence and looked up to him.

  Ignatius simply stared at her for a moment while he collected his thoughts. The light from the glow of the unlit lamp beside the bedroll revealed tears sliding down Cat’s cheeks and he tipped her chin up, kissing away the saltiness when the right words sprung to mind.

  ‘No, my love,’ he murmured. ‘No. You have a life to lead, a kingdom to rule. I’ll be here waiting. I’ll always be here.’

  A shudder ran through her and he realized she cried in earnest now.

  ‘But I don’t want too. I want you. I want to be with you.’

  ‘Hush.’

  He laid her back on the bedroll and bent his head, gently rubbing his nose against hers.

  ‘You have to, kitten. You’re the last of the Thalian line. I need you to do this for me. You need to be strong, as strong as I know you are. Promise me, kitten. Promise me you’ll live.’

  His tone sounded desperate but Ignatius didn’t care. There was no way he’d go home without her, and years of fighting had taught him that those who wished to die usually did. He stroked her hair back and stared into her vacant gaze.

  ‘Promise me, Cat.’

  ‘I promise,’ she whispered the words and another tear escaped each eye. Ignatius smiled at her in relief, feeling his heart lift when she smiled back, her expression transforming from the childish sad face to a sensual passionate one, pupils excessively large.

  ‘Now,’ he murmured against her lips. ‘Where were we?’

  The time constraint frustrated him, he didn’t want to rush this. Beneath his hands she sighed while he stroked then cupped each breast before bending to suck a nipple into his mouth. Cat arched her back with a whisper of a gasp, forcing the breast deeper into his mouth and slid her hand into his hair.

  ‘Harder,’ she urged with a tug, in a voice that made him harder. He complied, sinking his teeth into the plump flesh and flicking his tongue over the erect nipple. She didn’t hesitate at all, explicit in her demands, and wrapped her naked thighs around his waist, strong enough to hold there, pressed against the crotch of his night shorts. She giggled seductively when he groaned, feeling the inward pull from his aching cock where it throbbed between them.

  ‘Al,’ she half grumbled, pressing against him again.

  That word incensed him for an instant, and he tensed, waiting for it to pass—the sudden pounding fury that made him want to clutch her face, make her say his name. A careful exhale let the fury vanish. He lifted his head and bit at her lips, thrusting his tongue in her mouth and took his vengeance in that demanding forceful kiss, even though she gave it back just as hard.

  Soon it will be my name, he promised himself. My name, and I’ll make her scream it.

  Ignatius is a dithering old fool, Leseach decided as she crouched in the last of the tunnels. Yes something lived in them, but nothing that offered any threat. She’d traced each of the tunnels as far as she could and other than the recent remains of a lizard, hadn’t found anything else. With a sigh, she crouched, resting on her ankles and held the torch up while peering either way. Still nothing.

  Might as well go back, she thought, making her way out of the winding tunnel.

  I could feel my frustration building. With each touch and kiss I lost him a little more and I fought against it, clinging tighter, demanding more, hating to feel him slip through my fingers while that horrible sleep drug pulled at me. Alek appeared to realize it and kissed me gently before moving to strip his shorts off. He froze and a look of shock spread over his face, then he disappeared. My heart sunk when I fumbled at the sheets suddenly over me, trying to find him, my mouth working at his name but no sound came out and the darkness pulled me down.

  The single footstep gave him warning and in a swift move he’d flicked the covers over Cat and shifted back into the darkness, crouched and ready. His heart hammered when he watched the tent flap flick open and Leseach peer in. She couldn’t see him tucked in the dark corner. Silently, he groped for the charm and glass vial, feeling some relief at the soft feather and cool glass. He knew if she didn’t pull out soon, this would be bad.

  The long blond plait swung in and Leseach leaned in, then sniffed. His heart gave a cold thud of dread when he realized what she would smell. In a wild moment of hope, he thought she might dismiss it but she moved further in, her frown evident even in the dim light and she stared at Cat. Who mumbled in her sleep and rolled over, the cover falling off, revealing bare skin.

  With a snarl Leseach twisted his way and Ignatius gripped the charm, feeling it vibrate, and barged past the woman, racing for the tunnels.

  The instant she sighted him Ignatius vanished, literally vanished! He slammed into her side and she stumbled, mentally tracing the footsteps she heard.

  The tunnels, he’s gone there.

  With a quick glance to check no other bastard males hid in the tent, Leseach leaned over the Princess, tucking the covers around her.

  I will kill him for this, she thought, the fury mixed with despair at failing in her post, and snatching her bandi swords she slipped out the tent, running silently to the tunnels.

  Ignatius stilled his breathing when she set foot in the tunnel and froze, not wanting to make a sound. The charm obviously worked for she spun his way, eyes narrowing, but didn’t pounce. She did, however, inch closer, sniffing.

  With an inward curse he started moving away, watching where he placed his feet. He knew all too well how skilled the Northerner was at hand to hand combat, and unlike him, she carried weapons.

  But I have at least five decades on her, he estimated, I should be able to get her away from camp. Sweat gathered on his brow while he moved deeper into the tunnel, the hand with the charm groping the way along the dark walls, the only light from Leseach’s torch and he didn’t want her any closer. His other hand cradled the vial, the only possible chance for survival.

  The musky scent of that rutting bastard mixed with the scent of the Princess made him easy to follow and only served to enrage her more. Leseach let her eyes expand, stretching her abilities to their full potential in the dark tunnel, ears pricked for the slightest sound and edged further along. Then she caught it, so slight, a tiny flicker within the light of the torch—and that scent. Her lips drew back when she bared her teeth, knowing she had him against the tunnel wall.

  ‘Exactly what was your plan, Ignatius? How did you think you would get away with it? She would have known by now if she was with child, I would have known.’

  Leseach watched the section of wall and dropped the torch to the ground, fingers casually flexing while she rolled the handles of the bandi swords in either hand. The wall before her shimmered and Ignatius appeared. Without hesitation she lunged.

  The sound of glass breaking registered just before a familiar sting spread over her chest and Leseach hit stone, not feeling a thing, her vision black due to falling face down. For the first time in her life Leseach experienced a sensation of absolute terror when she realized she could feel nothing. Her brain knew she need to breathe, but her body wouldn’t respond.

  Vork venom.

  The realization didn’t help in any way and she watched it grow lighter when Ignatius flipped her over.

  ‘Powerful stuff isn’t it,’ he smirked, a malicious smile of delight spreading across his face. Fury boiled inside Leseach as she stared helplessly at that bastard’s face. He leaned over, face close to hers and she could smell his breath while he held one of the bandi swords in her face.

  ‘The mighty Northerner vanishes on the eve of battle. Taken by a carnivore? Or did she flee. Lucky that I’ll be there to
watch over the Princess.’ Ignatius put the bandi sword to her face and she didn’t feel him drag the point, she only knew when her face turned.

  ‘She’ll be so distraught to lose you, Leseach. And I intend on comforting her. In fact, I need to go finish comforting her now.’

  She raged against him in her mind as he stood and threw the bandi swords down a hole. There was a faint click while they tumbled far away and now she could only see his bare legs and shorts. Then she heard something, a shuffling noise, followed by a strange husky whine.

  ‘Ahh I thought you were here. Well look what I brought this time, enjoy.’ Ignatius laughed and his footsteps disappeared down the tunnel, the light too. The shuffling noise increased and Leseach’s head began to spin from lack of oxygen. Then she realized it wasn’t that at all; something dragged her. The snuffling creature hauled her deeper into the tunnel.

  *~*~*

  Chapter Twenty Five

  I woke then groaned when my head pounded.

  What an awful night’s sleep, such chaotic dreams.

  I struggled to sit up and realized I’d somehow half pulled my top off during the night. Wriggling it around, I went to speak but hacked, my throat so dry I couldn’t swallow and my lips felt weirdly puffy. Beside me, Leseach sat up.

  ‘Cat?’

  ‘Ignatius,’ I croaked in surprise. ‘Where’s Leseach?’

  I heard him scrub his hands through his hair before he said in a confused voice, ‘I don’t know. She was meant to wake me.’

  Outside of the tent I could hear people getting up and Ignatius thrust the tent flap open, striding off. I stumbled around in the dark because he’d taken the only torch, struggling into the chainmail and pressed my cold fingers to my lips for relief. So weird, I thought, maybe I’m allergic to something. Crawling out the tent I staggered to my feet and just stared.

  ‘Whoa.’

  The cave seethed with activity, soldiers and allies dashing back and forth with gear, and a group stood in the center. I could see Rashid and Ignatius, and heard Leseach’s name repeated, so made my way over and found Gredel, Daron, and Sabyn, there too. I saw their frowns when I approached and the stern glances while they conversed with each other.

  ‘Where is she?’

  They all turned at my question and a goblin standing beside Rashid flicked something my way. I caught it and felt the room slow and my breath catch while I stared at the coarse tangle of blond hair, long strands matted with blood. My fingers closed around its unpleasant stickiness, and I shuddered, looking up in shock.

  ‘Leseach?!’

  Gredel and Sabyn stared at me with tense hard eyes and I realized my energy hummed out.

  ‘Is she?’ I whispered disbelievingly.

  Sabyn gave a tiny nod, his cheek twitching and jaw stiff.

  ‘How far did you check,’ Rashid asked the goblin in a steady voice but with grim eyes.

  ‘As far as I could. The blood went for some distance.’

  ‘Much?’

  ‘No. Just a long line,’ the goblin said matter-of-factly, while I stared at the hair. ‘It dragged her away.’

  No one said anything, then Ignatius cleared his throat. I looked up to see him give Rashid’s shoulder a squeeze, his eyes sympathetic for an instant, before they turned hard, business like.

  ‘Let’s get moving.’

  The atmosphere felt chilling when everyone turned away, focusing on the tasks at hand. Ignatius walked back to the tent to pack it up and I just stood there, amongst all the activity, feeling like I stood in my own bubble watching it all at a distance. No one teased or chatted, the twelve hundred warriors now acted the part. Loi, Sian, and Kassie wound their way through the crowd to me, their energies humming so loudly with nerves and distress that I didn’t need to look for them. Kassie brushed my arm and I felt her gently take the knot of hair.

  Poor Leseach, she thought.

  How the hell did it happen? She was so strong!

  Loi reached out to touch the hair and winced when she did. Do you really want to know?

  Kassie shook her head and wiped at her eyes with the back of a hand.

  Another reason, though Sian.

  There are countless reasons, I thought, the dream of Alek and his words still fresh in my mind. Loi opened her arms and the four of us hugged together tight. We stayed there while the camp cleared, images of the awful things we’d seen moving through our minds, confirming our resolve.

  Deas, thought Kassie, and pretty Moright.

  Yakov and Broen, I thought. The memory of Broen’s head lying separate still haunted my sleep.

  The villagers that the guys had to clean up, thought Sian.

  The guests at the ball, added Loi. And countless others, Cat’s parents included.

  And my heart, I thought to myself, seeing Alek’s face clear for a moment. The others hugged me tighter though I hadn’t shared the thought.

  We better not let our fearless Northerner down then, I thought, in an attempt at humor.

  Hell no, she’ll deal to us on the other side if we do, Sian thought and the four of us chuckled.

  We can do it, we have to do it. And we will, Kassie thought and we nodded.

  ‘Cat.’

  We separated from the hug and I turned to Belsesus, who offered an arm to me.

  ‘Come on, you ride with me today.’

  Larvaste, Chaieth, and Oomoth stood near, waiting for the other girls.

  The army kept close today and the sounds of voices, feet, hooves and claws on stone, along with the clank of armor echoed around us. The four of us girls rode our bodyguards and it made me think back to the practices in the meadow; they felt so long ago now and here we were, finally doing what we’d practiced so hard for. My heart ached for Al and Yakov, for Leseach and for the comfort of a simpler time.

  Belsesus ran through lessons with me, describing an attack and asking the defense, while Loushka kept a running commentary of what Ignatius and Rashid discussed. They walked behind us but before the griffon.

  ‘They keep reiterating the goal of getting you four to the castle,’ Loushka thought, and I felt her anxiety. ‘The unvoiced suggestion is that a huge army awaits us. There’s no doubt Jenviet simply waits for us to walk into her arms. They wonder if Leseach was killed by her. Sounds like Ignatius and Belsesus will accompany you to the castle; and the girls’ bodyguards will accompany them.’

  The thought that Jenviet had taken Leseach rankled, I hated knowing we played straight into that witch’s hands. But what else could we do?

  ‘Catherine!’ Belsesus snapped, making me jerk to attention. ‘Are you listening? What do you do if surrounded?’

  ‘Blast the shit out of them,’ I snapped back, no longer inclined to play this game. The centaur twisted to frown at me, then gave a patronizing shrug and turned back. I sighed quietly, annoyed at myself for snapping but I wasn’t in the mood to talk yet. Nerves cramped my stomach, making riding uncomfortable and frustrating. Walking at least would give me something to do and perhaps less time to wonder about Leseach, Jenviet, and what we would soon walk into.

  Riding out in front without Rumal only added to Kassie’s anxiety. At least now, with so much practice on the ships, riding Oomoth felt easier; leaning with the centaur when he climbed up and down, picking his way over the rough path. She would have liked to have chatted with the girls, but Loi communed with the earth, lost in her own world, and Sian and Cat weren’t in chatting moods. It left her stuck in her own mind, dwelling on everything. Trying to shake it off, Kassie studied the colors of the rock, the blues and whites lending a fairy tale feel to the tunnels. If only it made it warmer, she thought with a shiver. The cold leached into her bones and usually she had Rumal and Kerak near to keep her warm. It made it easier to deal with every day underground if she at least kept warm.

  ‘Miss you guys,’ she thought to Kerak.

  ‘Miss you too, Kass. We’ll see you soon, we’re almost out.’

  We are? Kassie sat straighter then leaned, trying to
see ahead.

  ‘All right back there, Kass?’ Oomoth asked.

  ‘Yes, how close are we?’

  ‘Not long, an hour perhaps.’

  Just an hour until daylight, Kassie’s palms grew damp and she gripped the molded pommel.

  Oh wow, she gulped. Her stomach did flip-flops while she fought against the sudden urge to stop, to not go a step further. Then Leseach came to mind.

  The panic evaporated when she thought of the girl, and longed for her to be walking beside them, with that quiet stealthy stride. It felt so very wrong to go ahead without her; Leseach had been such a constant in their lives for months, training and teaching them.

  Still can’t believe she was just eighteen, Kassie thought, she did so well in watching Cat, even if she couldn’t understand Cat’s relationship with Alek. Thinking of them brought on a sudden longing for Yakov and his calm, steady council. The way he listened and saw both sides and the way he always made them laugh at themselves. Somehow with Yakov there, everything always seemed okay.

  It’s so far from okay now, Kassie thought while squeezing her eyes shut when Yakov’s smiling, teasing face came to mind, bringing tears. Miss you so much, dear man.

  The morbid thoughts triggered the darkest fears that usually haunted her at night. Having lost a love once, she knew all too well the pain. The knowledge that what she had with Rumal was so, so much more…

  I can’t lose him, she thought and her throat went unbearably tight, I can’t!

  ‘Kass? Still good?’

  She nodded automatically, the gesture pointless and cleared her throat, answering in a rough voice.

  ‘I’ll do.’

  Oomoth reached an arm back and squeezed her knee. Kassie rolled her lips together hard and patted his hand, affection for the quiet, steady soldier making her want to go to pieces all of a sudden.