Out of the Mountain

by Violet Chastain

  “Everyone pick a partner,” Adelaide quipped, gesturing to the selection in front of us and earning a chuckle in response. I faked a smile as I took my place between Griffin and Luca, wishing I could give Adelaide a fair chance and knowing I wasn’t nearly mature enough for it. She instructed us to begin putting the steps we used yesterday into practice, which took some getting used to. It was much different when your weapons met a solid object to keep a steady pace and balance going. Adelaide lead Briony and Finley to separate targets (a safe distance away) to practice with their bows. I was acutely aware of Rowan watching us, and how he would step in to correct our forms as he saw fit.

  When he stopped behind me I tried to keep calm, aggravated that he thought I needed instruction and wishing he would just tell me what I was doing wrong so that I could fix it. I didn’t like the feeling I got when I thought I might be found lacking in his eyes. I tried to put my thoughts aside, and he watched me for a moment before he made a comment.

  “You should hold the smaller dagger in your left hand by the hilt, so that the blade faces outward . . . like this,” he suggested as he easily adjusted my grip, and I tried to act like my belly wasn’t doing flips at the contact.

  “It makes it easier to block incoming attacks, and you can also twist your hand and sweep it down in an arch . . . like this,” he said, holding his hand over mine on the hilt to show the range of motion.

  “Yea, thanks, that helps,” I said honestly, reminding myself to keep it separate. He was showing me how to more efficiently kill someone. I shouldn’t be thinking about his hand on mine or the warmth of his skin. I cleared my throat, shaking my head, and returned to the dummy, frustration pouring over into my practice. I had to figure out some way to stop pining over Rowan. It was pitiful.

  “Bad day?” Farran appeared in front of my dummy, easily blocking my swing with his forearm.

  “Where have you been?” I scolded him in frustration.

  “Library! I’ve been trying to find something to help us out.” He sighed as if he was unsuccessful so far. I wasted no time and told him what the monks had said to me and was left blinking when he was gone again in a flash. Typical Farran.

  “Back to work,” Rowan barked, and I tried not to glare at him.

  ***

  After dinner we all gathered around Farran at Guard HQ to see what he had come up with. He had piled books all along the table, flipped open to various pages. We listened intently as he explained what the monks had told me and how he had used it to find an answer to our problem.

  “There are various places in the palace only royals have ever had access to. I made use of one of them and found a book today that I think will help us a lot.” He held up a small leatherbound book as he spoke. I took it from his hand and felt power radiating from it. I flipped through its pages and saw that it was handwritten in a language that I didn’t know. Farran plucked it out of my hands again with a wink before he stuck it back into his pocket.

  “I found a way to temporarily tie Vivi’s healing power into weapons that others can wield.”

  “Absolutely not,” Rowan growled, eyes aglow.

  “Yes, as I’m sure you are assuming, it is blood magic, and it will have consequence,” Farran answered his growl.

  “What kind of consequence?” Luca asked uneasily.

  “The magic will be taken directly from Vivi. She will be left weakened.”

  “No way,” Briony said, and I laid my hand on hers.

  “I thought the same thing until I got to thinking about Narissa’s spell on the council. How she slowly weaved it bit by bit. I think I found a way that we can drain her daily magic into one weapon each day and store it there until it needs to be used. This way, the weapons will be using stored power instead of pulling it directly from her in battle.”

  “Farran, you are a genius.” I clapped my hands.

  “That would still leave her weak and without power to train. She would not be available to the council and would be vulnerable at all times.” Rowan shook his head in disapproval.

  “That is why I also weaved the spell into a trade, power for power.” A sly smile slipped across his lips.

  “What does that mean?” I asked, confused.

  “It means that if we want to be able to use your power, we have to offer you our own.” Tasmin frowned.

  “Seems like a fair trade,” Luca replied.

  “You will only be required to give enough magic to allow Vivi to adequately train. No abilities will be traded; it will be a simple energy exchange. It will appear as if an illness is making its rounds through the guard. A day in the infirmary and all better by morning.” Farran waved his hand as if to say, No big deal.

  “That’s OK, Farran. I’ll be all right. They don’t have to do the exchange,” I offered, trying to ease the wary expressions on most of their faces.

  “The exchange happens, or there is no deal. You must learn to properly wield your weapons and you must be available for preparations of your coronation to keep suspicion at bay,” Rowan said, eyeing the others.

  “I’ll procure and prepare the weapons for the morning. You can decide among yourselves who wants to go first,” Farran said before disappearing.

  “I’ll go first, since we’re apparently bed buddies now.” Malachi purred, and I shot him a glare.

  “You will need to be available to escort her and play boy-toy.” Tamora rumbled out a laugh.

  “Very true.” I smiled at her.

  “I’ll go first,” Luca said solemnly.

  “You again, wolf? Stop stealing all her firsts,” Malachi chided, and I threw the book in front of me, nicely bouncing it off the side of his head. He jumped up, rubbing the spot, appearing surprised at the look on my face.

  “Don’t,” I warned, seething, and he put his hands up in surrender.

  “What?” Rowan looked from me to Luca to Malachi, and I watched him physically struggle to retain his composure. He knew he was my first kiss, but they didn’t. He was thinking of other firsts . . . I blushed deeply.

  “Malachi likes to poke fun at my inexperience,” I clarified, looking firmly at Luca and not Rowan. I noticed in a quick glance around the room that Adelaide was turning as red as I was, but I had a feeling our reasons were quite different.

  “I was your first kiss? That’s so sweet, Vivi,” Luca said happily, a smile lighting up his face.

  “We have better things to discuss than this,” Rowan protested, face impassive and in control again.

  “Yes, we do,” I agreed, happy to change the subject.

  “Tomorrow will mark exactly two weeks before the full moon. That’s fourteen days before the coronation. There are seventeen novices and guards in our group,” Genevieve pointed out.

  “Not enough,” I said, distraught.

  “We won’t all need blades, Vivi.” Jonah smirked.

  “Fire does work well against the Shade,” Silas commented and others agreed.

  “I actually have some ideas,” Jonah said, and all the Conduits left the room talking excitedly about ways to better equip themselves for the fight. I laid my head on the table and let out a long sigh.

  “It will all work out, Vivi,” Briony said, patting my hand.

  “It’s just a lot riding on me, you know?” I whispered to her, and she nodded.

  “I have no doubt in your capability to do what must be done. You are stronger than you think,” Rowan said kindly, and I sighed.

  “He’s right you know.” Briony smiled, and I frowned at her.

  “Weren’t you the one who told me that even when he’s right, he’s wrong?”

  “Yes, well, those rules don’t apply in cases of self-doubt, when the person you think is wrong is actually right, and you just need to realize it.”

  “I’m never going to learn all the rules and nuances to this friendship thing, am I?”

  “That’s probably because she’s making it up as she goes along,” Luca said, and we all laughed.

  Everyone split off
into conversation, trying to decide the best day for each person to do the ritual. I could feel their unease as they spoke of it; not only would they be participating in a blood ritual, but they would be sacrificing their power to me as well. It couldn’t have been easy to process, especially with me in the room.

  “Want to take a walk?” Luca asked. I nodded and let him lead me out the door. I could practically feel the tension in the air, and I was happy to step outside into the open space and clear my head. How were we going to pull this all off? It seemed impossible at the moment.

  “Don’t worry, Vivi. We’ve got this.” He bumped my arm with a smile. People were milling about, and we kept our distance just in case rumors started to spread. It seemed that I was a popular topic of gossip in Alaris. When we came to a copse of trees, I pulled him into it. Tired of walking.

  “This all started when I came here. I just don’t want to let everyone down,” I admitted, and he pulled me into a hug.

  “No one blames you for any of this, Vivi. What would we do if you weren’t here? We would have had no warning, weapons, or time to prepare. We all would have died in the confusion.” His eyes clouded, angry at the thought.

  “You would have figured it without me, I’m sure.”

  “We need you.” He smiled coyly at me from under his thick lashes. His eyes were the perfect mix of green and brown, swirling together. His gaze fell on my lips, and my heart skipped a beat in my chest, only speeding up when I realized he was leaning in slowly. My eyes slipped closed just as his lips touched mine, soft and sweet.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and let my fingers slide into his thick hair, trying to relax into the kiss as he leaned closer into me, moving his hands to the small of my back. His kiss was slowly building, and I could feel the heat deep in my belly beginning to respond to the sensual pace. His lips teased mine open, and I shivered as his tongue slid against mine, tantalizing. My heartbeat had returned to normal by the time he pulled back with a long and content sigh.

  “You’re really very good at that,” I remarked, and he laughed.

  “I could say the same about you.”

  “Don’t coddle me. I’m new at this. Why don’t you show me again?” I suggested, and a grin spread across his face as he leaned into me again.

  “You’re cheating on me?” Malachi gasped, and I groaned, leaning my head against Luca’s. He was chuckling.

  “Don’t indulge him! It makes it worse,” I grumbled, straightening my clothes and stepping out of the trees.

  “I’ll forgive you, but only if you promise to invite me next time.” He blew a kiss at Luca as he tucked me under his arm. I slapped his chest but couldn’t help a laugh.

  “Now come along, dear, so I can punish you properly,” he jested, and I growled at him.

  “See you in the morning, Vivi!” I heard Luca say, and I threw him a smile and waved.

  “You were gone for a bit there. People were starting to get antsy.” Malachi chuckled.

  “We weren’t doing anything . . .” I started, but he glanced at my lips and laughed.

  “Those nice, rosy, and swollen lips say otherwise, Vivi.” He wagged a finger at me, and I slapped it away.

  “None of your business!” I mumbled, making him laugh more.

  “There you are!” Farran took in my appearance, and then frowned at Malachi.

  “It wasn’t me!” he whined.

  “At least she had enough forethought to keep out of sight, unlike someone I saw cozying up to a blonde earlier.”

  “You cheated on me?” I mocked him, and he grinned.

  “Can we please take this elsewhere?” Rowan said from behind us, and I jumped, facing him. People were always getting the drop on me. I had to learn to hear them coming. Rowan’s eyes fell to my lips, and he quickly looked away. I busied myself pulling my hair into a knot on the top of my head.

  “Let’s go to my room.” I nodded, pulling Malachi along and allowing the others to follow.

  “When I told you to invite me next time, I didn’t mean with two other men! Vivi, add a girl, keep the playing field even.”

  “Malachi,” I whispered to shut him up.

  ***

  Back in my room, Farran conjured twelve daggers onto the desk. They were simple, no ornate carvings or symbols like mine. The hilts were wrapped in black leather, and the blades were roughly a foot long.

  “Only twelve? Genevieve said I would have fourteen days . . .” I puzzled, meeting Farran’s eyes.

  “The fourteenth day is the coronation and the full moon. You will need the full day before to regenerate your magic, as will whoever loans their energy to you.”

  “That will be more than enough.” Rowan nodded.

  “Well, if that’s all . . . the missus and I need to be heading to bed. Lots to do tomorrow.” Malachi yawned, stretching, and I nodded, still feeling awkward from earlier and wanting some privacy.

  “If I am remembering correctly, I heard that the two of you had an argument this evening and ended your relationship. Something about a blonde in the kitchens?” Rowan’s grin lit on the corner of his mouth. Farran laughed in disbelief at him.

  “Poor naïve princess, her heart is broken!” Farran gasped, and Rowan’s grin widened at Malachi’s frown.

  “Oh come on, you can’t be serious? All this because you snuck in unheard this morning?” Malachi grumbled, angry. I frowned.

  “It was my fault he was up so late, I made him keep watch over me . . .” I tried to help him out a little.

  “I wish it were that simple, but unfortunately I did overhear some gossip while looking for Vivienne in the market district this evening.” Rowan shrugged and I sighed.

  “Now everyone’s going to pity me. Thanks a lot, Malachi,” I groaned.

  “Yes, and who knows what they will do to me!” he replied, aghast.

  “Well, as much fun as it was while it lasted . . . you understand that I simply can’t just overlook your infidelity,” I joked, walking him to the door.

  “Yeah, I get it. We can’t have the next guy who comes along thinking you’re soft enough to forgive that offense.”

  “No, definitely not. I don’t share my man-candy,” I joked, and he smiled.

  “Don’t look so sad, you’re not getting rid of me that easily, woman. I’ll just keep watch from a little farther away,” he said solemnly. I hugged him quickly, and he planted a quick kiss on my forehead.

  “Hey, and technically you can claim the first person to sleep with me . . . like ever!” I laughed, and he glared at me as he sauntered out the door.

  “So Farran, you up for a slumber party?” I asked enthusiastically as I closed the door behind Malachi.

  “Unfortunately . . .” he began.

  “He will be spending the night weaving the spell into the first dagger in preparation for tomorrow,” Rowan said, and I stiffened.

  “It’s complicated magic. With the storing and sealing and exchange . . . I have to set all the limits and bind them . . .”

  “Well, can we get Briony?”

  “She is not adequately trained for this type of situation.”

  “That means that you?” I finished unintelligently, pointing to Rowan. He nodded face blank.

  “I will stand guard through the night. No one will harm you under my care,” he swore, and I gave him an awkward thumbs-up before waving to Farran and closing myself in the bathroom.

  I turned the water on in the bath and hopped in while it was filling. There was no possible way I could sleep in the same room with Rowan. If he wasn’t so oblivious to social cues, I would swear he was trying to torture me. I tried to think of Luca and the kiss we shared, but my thoughts kept bouncing to the man who was currently waiting on the other side of the bathroom door. He had made his feelings and intentions clear. I just needed to keep reminding myself of that. It was normal to be attracted to him. Every woman I had seen him interact with couldn’t help herself. It was as simple as that. I washed my hair and scrubbed my body raw before
shaving my legs and draining the water.

  I brushed and braided my hair, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. I straightened up the bottles on the counter and conjured my cotton pj’s. When I finally ran out of things to do, I sat on the side of the tub and tried to gather my courage. After a few minutes of that, there was a soft knock on the door.

  “Vinnie, are you all right?” Rowan’s voice was soft and concerned. I sighed, walking to the door and opening it.

  “Yeah, sorry. I’m just tired, I guess,” I lied, and he narrowed his eyes.

  “I’m nervous about tomorrow,” I said more honestly, and crossed the room, hopping up on the edge of my bed, folding my legs under me.

  “You have nothing to worry about. It will all go smoothly.” He sounded so sure.

  “Yeah . . . ,” I said, nervously picking at the hem of my shirt. We fell into silence.

  “What is bothering you?” he asked, sitting in the chair near my bed. I looked at him and knew he honestly didn’t understand.

  “Do you think maybe someone else should stay with me?”

  “I am blood-bound to protect you, Vinnie. None of the others have sworn any oaths to you.”

  “I know that. I just meant . . . won’t Adelaide be bothered by it?”

  “What does Adelaide have to do with anything?” he asked, perplexed, his hand scratching the blond scruff at his jaw.

  “She doesn’t seem to like me very much . . .”

  “Didn’t I tell you not to worry yourself with the opinions of others?” he replied.

  “It’s not that easy,” I complained.

  “It is,” he disagreed, and I let out a long sigh. I shifted my back against the headboard and pulled the covers over my legs.

  “So what now?” I asked, unsure.

  “Go to sleep, Vinnie.” He chuckled, turning the lights off. I heard him settle back into the chair, and I scooted down into the bed.

  “You’re going to sleep in the chair?” I asked after a few minutes of silence.

  “I’ll catnap,” he quipped, and I laughed nervously.

  “That one was definitely a joke.”

  “I have my moments.” He chuckled, and I smiled into my pillow.