by Lisa Daniels
“That’s what happens when you overexert your abilities.”
Callie looked into the handsome face. Remembering what Caspian had said, she looked for signs of Caden’s age, but he looked to be only slightly older than her.
“Is something wrong?” Caden’s eyes moved to hers as he walked.
Realizing she was staring, she tried to cover for it. “What happened with the girl?”
“I was able to convince her to stop and listen. The exhaustion caught up with her about then, and she passed out. I took her to one of the other potential apothecaries for your village. With her abilities, I dare say she will make out just as well as Jade. First, he’s going to have to bring her back.”
“I guess you didn’t get her story or learn why she was running.”
Caden shook his head, “I can’t read minds, and even if I could, she had clearly been through a lot. I doubt she could string together much of a coherent thought in her state.”
Callie felt a twinge of jealousy thinking of the woman riding on Caden’s back and getting his attention. Fighting it back, she tried to smile. “I’m sure she will be grateful for what you have done.”
“I doubt she will ever find out.”
“You didn’t leave her any messages or anything? What if she wakes terrified?”
“She certainly will, but that’s why I left her with Sylvan. He can calm her and get her back on track. It will also help him out of his predicament, so two birds.”
Callie nodded, not sure what other questions to ask. Caden didn’t seem to be interested in talking. His voice was a bit harder than it had been that morning. They walked in silence until they reached a building that looked like an inn. Callie’s eyes finally began to take in her surroundings. The place wasn’t as big as Enfeh, but it was considerably bigger than the village where she had grown up. The inn, called the Hidden Gem, wasn’t nearly as nice as Enfeh’s Bliss either, although in her current state, she didn’t think that would matter much. Despite sleeping all the way there, she felt tired. She was learning just how draining magic could be based on how slow the recovery was after one use. She didn’t remember being this tired after healing Michechel, but she also found out that her fathers died shortly after. Not quite the same situation as she had cried for several days and remembered very little.
Like the day before, Caden got them a room and carried her to it. He placed her on the bed, which felt less comfortable than the one from the night before, but still more comfortable than the average bed.
Caden began pacing a bit, his eyes avoiding her.
“What is wrong?” She shifted a little, leaning forward.
Caden stopped and turned to look at her. “You know he is dangerous, don’t you?”
Callie blinked a few times. Tilting her head to the side, she expressed her confusion, “What do you mean?”
“He is an assassin. His invitation was a ploy so that if he ever gets a contract for you, it will be easy.”
Callie blinked again. “I know he is an assassin. I don’t see why you are so agitated.”
“You were responding to him, and the idea—” Caden clamped his mouth shut and turned away from her.
Callie carefully stood up and walked over to him. “You judge him too harshly.”
Caden spun around and for a moment seemed surprised by how close she was. Automatically his hand went out to her, then he pulled it back. “He kills for a living. It is all that matters to him. It is how he earns his money.”
Shaking her head, Callie began to feel defensive of Caspian. “That’s what everyone thinks. You people look down on him—”
“Of course, I look down on him!” Caden’s voice was almost a roar. He turned his face away for a moment. “He has killed people I knew.”
Noticing that he didn’t mention that he cared about the mark that had been his employer for a while, Callie pressed, “She wasn’t even your charge anymore. She fired you!”
Caden growled, “That does not mean that I wanted her to be killed by the likes of someone like that.”
“Was she a good person? Did she deserve a better end? Or was she his mark because of things she had done?”
Caden’s yellow eyes were flashing but his voice was low, “No one deserves to be assassinated. They should be tried for their crimes.”
“So you know that she was doing things she shouldn’t?” Callie’s fists were clenched as she stared at Caden.
“I was going to turn her in. I only needed two more days and she would have been brought to justice. He took her and deprived her victims of justice.”
Callie took a step back. “Perhaps that was justice to him. They don’t live like you and your Order.”
“No, they definitely don’t.” Caden’s eyes seemed to soften, then they went wide. “I apologize. I was out of line. It won’t happen again.” He led her back to the bed. “With you in such a state, it is inexcusable. I just don’t want you to think of him…”
“You don’t want me to consider him the way she did?” Callie’s voice was soft. Caden turned to look at her, his eyes full of shame. He nodded his head once.
With Caden standing so close, Callie could hear Caspian’s advice. You had best try it if you want it to go anywhere. He will never do it himself.
At first Callie couldn’t understand Caden’s emotional state, but when she thought of it in terms of what he had witnessed at Jade’s home, things started to click. Callie’s eyes looked into Caden’s as her hand moved to his face. If she didn’t know better, Callie would have thought Caden was acting jealous. Wanting to prove the thought wrong, she rested a hand on his face.
Caden’s eyes were a tumult of emotions. There was clearly fear in them, but something else that she didn’t recognize. His hand went to hers and held it for a moment. Pulling it away from his face, Caden started to take a step back.
“Please don’t leave me.” Callie’s voice was soft as her eyes pleaded with his.
“Of course. I am your guardian. I won’t leave my—” Caden stopped talking for a second. “I won’t leave my charge.”
Callie took a step toward him. “You won’t leave your what? What were you going to say?”
Caden’s breathing was shallower as he looked down at her. “Mystics and guardians are not supposed to share any relationship outside of protector and protected.”
Callie stepped forward again and rested her forehead on his chest. “I was not reacting to Caspian, Caden. I was—I am reacting to you.”
The world stopped and she could feel his heart beating rapidly. “I cannot, Callie.”
She looked up at him. “I won’t order you to. If you won’t, then you won’t. I don’t want to further complicate your life.”
Callie began to step away, but Caden’s arms encircled her. “Just a minute. I only ask for one minute.”
Callie buried her face in his chest. Uncertain, she wrapped her arms around him. He let out a low moan, and Callie looked up at him. His eyes looked into hers, then his face lowered to hers. Callie closed her eyes as his lips pressed against hers. She moved her arms until they were around his neck. Caden took a step forward, his body pressing against hers with an urgency that didn’t need words. Callie opened her mouth and felt the warmth of his tongue sliding between her lips. She moaned and pressed her body against his.
Caden’s body pressed back in response, and Callie felt herself falling onto the bed. Her hands tugged at his hair as he began to kiss her neck.
“Callie. My sweet Callie.” Caden’s words were breathless as he murmured into her neck.
Callie kissed the top of his head, then down the side of his face. Caden looked up at her, then pressed his mouth against hers. She moaned and gripped the back of his coat. In response, Caden pressed his hips into hers, his hands planted on either side of her head. Callie wrapped a leg around his and pressed her hips into his.
Caden pulled back and looked down on her, his thoughts flowing across his face. Callie reached up with a hand and gently s
troked his face, giving him a gentle smile to let him know it was alright. Slowly, he lowered his face down to hers and he gently kissed her lips. Then he kissed her again with more force. Callie grabbed the front of his coat and pulled his body against hers. His hands moved down her body and began to pull the dress up. Callie lifted her hips into his, letting him pull the dress up over her stomach. In one quick movement, he pulled it over her head and threw it on the floor. Callie’s hands worked his coat open and pushed it down his muscular arms. When he began to kiss her neck, she let out a little gasp of pleasure at the feel of his skin against hers. His hands kneaded her body as he kissed her down her neck and to her breasts. When his hand cupped her breast, Callie closed her eyes and moaned. It was all the encouragement he needed. Caden began to explore her body, at one point removing her bloomers, though she wasn’t aware of it until he appeared over her, his hand caressing her face. His hand worked against her thigh, and Callie wrapped a leg around him, pressing into him with her whole body. His hand moved to her lower back as his other hand gently massaged her breast.
Callie felt him shift her body a little, spreading her legs further apart. Slowly, he began to press into her. Callie moaned and gave his neck a little nip. A purr escaped his lips, and he slipped further into her, a little faster than he had meant to.
The pain wasn’t great, but it was unexpected. Callie’s body tensed in response, but her mind was almost immediately distracted by the feel of Caden’s hands massaging her lower back and breast. His mouth was on hers and he pulled out a little. The pain was gone, replaced by a pure pleasure. Callie let out a little scream and wrapped her legs around him. He understood her reaction, and slid a little further into her.
“I love you, Callie. I have loved you for so many years.” His voice was husky as he placed his body full against hers. Caden’s arms encircled her, and he murmured beside her ear, “I shouldn’t, but I do. Callie.”
Callie sucked on his ear and felt him harden inside of her as he pushed further in response. Unsure what to say, she let her body express what she felt.
Chapter 9
The Mad Dash and the End of the Road
When Callie woke in the morning, her body ached in a way that was entirely unfamiliar to her. Then the night before flashed through her mind. She bolted up and looked at the bed beside her.
“I have your breakfast.”
Her eyes moved to the door where Caden stood, fully dressed with another breakfast sandwich, this time with a bread she did not recognize. “We need to move because I have caused us to lose time.”
Callie moved to get out of bed, then realized that she was naked. Resisting the urge to cover up, she looked at her guardian for answers about what came next. Caspian had been right, but Callie doubted that such a realization would be welcome to Caden. According to Caspian, Caden was entirely against having a relationship with his charge.
Caden turned so that he could not see her. “I will be downstairs. If you need anything, just call my name and I will come back.” He did not wait for an answer before leaving.
Callie was at a loss for what to do. She was in way past any experience she had ever had, and none of it had been planned. Three days ago, she had never even seen Caden. The only thing that she was certain of was that she didn’t want to lose him, not even for a day. The idea of him dying to protect her was now unthinkable. Moving to where her dress had been thrown the day before, Callie found it cleaned and hanging from a nearby wardrobe.
She dressed much quicker than the previous day, not needing any assistance getting the dress on. For a moment, Callie realized that she didn’t feel tired or weak anymore, whether from the near constant sleep or something else she didn’t know. She picked up the sandwich, opened the door, then decided to try something. Closing her eyes, Callie looked for the thread to Caden. It was there, much stronger than it had been the last time she looked, but the hue had changed. Instead of a brilliant gold color, it had pinkish tones with red streaks through it. Uncertain what that meant, she followed it down the stairs.
When she got downstairs, Caden seemed to materialize beside her. “I could not get a horse, so we will have to continue as we did yesterday. I do apologize and hope that it does not make you uncomfortable now.”
“Why would I be—”
Caden shook his head and led her out the door. They walked at a very brisk pace. Callie realized that her bag was thrown over his shoulder. She hadn’t eaten a bite of the breakfast, but at the minute she didn’t feel hungry.
“Um, Caden?” Her voice was quiet as she tried to get his attention. He continued to hold her hand and walk in front of her. “Caden?” She raised her voice a little.
He turned slightly, but didn’t slow.
Callie held out the sandwich. “I'm not very hungry, but I’m pretty sure you haven’t eaten since my shop. Thank you for the food, but I’m positive you need it more than I do.”
Caden waved a hand and said nothing as he turned his head back to the dirt road. His behavior was even more unnerving than the way he had acted after the encounter with Caspian.
“Caden, I don’t want you to suffer from exhaustion.” He did not respond. “If you don’t eat, that is going to slow us down.”
That seemed to get his attention. He looked at her, then to the sandwich. Abruptly he stopped. Unable to meet her eyes, he took the sandwich, broke it in half and handed it to her. He then took her hand and began walking quickly. “Please eat, we won’t be able to stop for a while.”
Those were the last words spoken between them for several hours. Once they were out of the town, he shifted without a word. Callie carefully climbed on his back and held on as he seemed to move much faster. The world around them passed quickly and Callie was left alone with her thoughts. As worried as she felt she should be about the starving young woman, her village, Jade and her family, and Caspian, Callie’s mind couldn’t think about anything other than the situation with Caden. He was obviously upset, and that meant that they were at risk of him doing something too dangerous. Not that she was worried about herself—she was terrified what it would mean he would do to himself.
Time had no meaning as they moved, but she knew they were going faster than she had ever gone on a horse. Hoping that he wasn’t trying to kill himself through overexertion, she tried to think of a way to get him to stop.
Then suddenly, he did.
His voice spoke to her mind, “Please slide off. Quickly.”
Callie did as he asked, feeling a little dizzy from the sudden change.
He picked her up and ran into the forest. Very aware of the feel of Caden’s muscles moving against her body as he ran, Callie had trouble focusing on his words. “Not fast enough. I didn’t get us far enough, fast enough.”
They burst into a small clearing, and she began to experience déjà vu. Her head turned toward a small cluster of trees on the other side. Caden was running in that direction.
Suddenly a horse stepped out of the trees, and she saw a man who looked very familiar. Caden put her down and moved slightly in front of her.
“Well, today is just a round of pleasant surprises. I thought we were dealing with a new guardian given all of the basic mistakes.” Several more men on horses stepped out from the woods, their bows strung and ready to shoot.
Caden held an arm out in front of her, clearly trying to protect her and then it clicked. She had seen this before. The men dressed like the rider that Caden had killed when they first met. The surroundings. Everything was happening just as it had in the dream.
Caden’s voice was a snarl as he spoke to the men, “You wouldn’t dare try to shoot a mystic with arrows. That would destroy everything in the area for the next 300 years. You would die, and I know how willing your kind are to sacrifice yourselves. Turn and leave now, and I will not send someone to take care of you.”
One of the men sneered in response, “We don’t need to worry about your threats. If it is a matter of dying here and dying by the hands of our mast
er, burning alive doesn’t seem so bad.” His words seemed to be a sign to the other men. As if acting as a single unit, the five men released their arrows.
Just before they released their arrows, Callie pushed him forward. Knocked off balance, he tumbled to the ground, turning to face her. There was a look of dread on his face as he watched the arrows soar toward her. His legs moved faster than she could have imagined, knocking her off balance. Now with both on the ground, the men were muttering.
One of the arrows had grazed her shoulder. One look at the wound and Caden’s eyes almost seemed to reflect fire. The snarl was primal as he changed form. The closest man didn’t even have a chance to get his arrow out of its sheath before Caden had dragged him off his horse. Using his powerful neck, Caden threw the now limp man at the next closest horse, terrifying the creature. It reared up and threw the man from its back. There was the sickening sound of bone crunching as his head slammed into a tree and the man flopped down to the ground. Caden sprang in the other direction, dragging another man from his horse. By the time he was back on his feet, Caden turned on the last man, the one who had taunted him.
The man had had just enough time to draw an arrow. Caden growled as he looked down the shaft at the man. “Almost, Caden, you almost made up for your mistakes.” Suddenly a blast of fire flew out of the air and struck the man in the head.
Caden turned in the direction from where the fireball had come. Callie stood there, a look of fury on her face. Her voice was almost a snarl as the man burned a few hundred feet from her. “So, what do you think? Burning still seem preferable, you bastard?”
His screams seemed to disappear as the world spun and blacked out. Her last thoughts were of a warm sensation that enveloped her as her brain shut down.
Chapter 10
Beyond Danger
Her mind was fuzzy when she woke, and for a bit Callie lay still, trying to piece together everything that had happened. When her eyes fluttered open, familiar arms wrapped around her. There was a strained voice near her ear. “Thank the gods. Oh, thank the gods, I thought I had lost you. That was so foolish. What did you think you were doing?” Caden pulled away from her, and she immediately saw tear streaks down his face. “Never be that reckless again. Please promise me you won’t be that reckless ever, ever again.” He pulled her head against his chest, his hand stroking her hair.