He chuckled. “I have a similar sentiment.”
* * *
Azara stared out through the trees, crouched low, Jin farther back with the horses. The road lay to their left, invisible through the forest’s underbrush. In front lay the baron’s estate. The landscape a wide green lawn empty except near the manor, where gardens sprang up.
Brown stone rose into three main stories, with decorative turrets and a large tower growing out of the back. One flag of white and red flew from the tower, the breeze of the day causing it to flap fitfully. There was no one in sight, but Azara wasn’t about to trust that enough to get any closer.
Satisfied they’d finally found their way here—they’d made two wrong turns and nearly ended up heading towards the border—Azara slipped through the trees to rejoin Jin. He handed her the reins without a word, but she could see the question on his face. “We’re in the right place. The device on the flag looks like the one you described having seen in Lound when you visited the baron. We need to find somewhere to camp, preferably with a good vantage of the road but out of sight.”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
She smiled faintly. The underbrush in the forest was heavy, which was both a blessing and a curse. Azara frowned and glanced back the way she’d come. It had been hard to tell from where she’d been, but she’d gotten the impression the ground had risen up at an angle to the near corner of the manor.
Decision made, she set off, Jin trailing behind. It was slowgoing, having to pick each step with care, the horses not particularly happy either.
The ground was rising, then with a steeper grade as they got closer. It took some walking, through the underbrush, but Azara found them a spot that had a view of the road, but was well hidden by the trees and branches, including overhead. She hadn’t forgotten about the tower.
They were situated in a little dip between two small hills. With the rocky cliff rising a short distance behind them, and a moss-covered fallen tree to the right, they had some natural protection from the elements. If there’d been a stream nearby, Azara would have thought luck was shining down on them. Or would have been distrustful of such a perfect place.
Shaking her head at her own contrary nature, she turned her attention towards the horses. While they were in the way now, their mounts could prove critical if they needed to run for the border. It took no time to get both horses tied to the trees near where there was more grass.
They would have to find water next. For now, their camp was first priority. With Jin playing willing servant, she directed him in helping her gather leaves, pine needles and thick branches, arranging them into piles. She left him to that task, clearing the area around one of the trees in a large circle before finding a sturdy branch that had a large fork at one end.
She propped it up against a strong oak, and dug a little hole for the far end, securing it in there and refilling the dirt. She wriggled the thing and found it solid. Starting with the largest branches and moving to the smallest in succession, she leaned them against her support beam and covered both sides. Once that was done, she took the leaves and pine needles and covered the ground inside with them.
Grabbing their bags, she left their supplies in a pile and shook out the waterproof canvas, securing it down on either side. Only then did she use the crystal to cut off leafy branches from some of the nearer trees. These she leaned up against their shelter to disguise it and add additional protection against any potential storms.
With their view of the road and the tower overhead, they couldn’t risk a standard fire. Keeping their shelter between the manor and it, Azara had the crystal take a shovel shape and dug a hole, enlarging the bottom by scraping out the sides. She dug a smaller hole at an angle so it joined her first at the bottom.
Finished, she filled it with kindling and some of the remaining leaves and pine needles. She looked at Jin, who was staring at her. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “You’re remarkably efficient. I don’t think you wasted a moment. Even three of the emperor’s servants couldn’t have set up his tent alone in the time it took you to finish all of that. I presume this is for our fire?”
She nodded, ignoring the faint heat in her cheeks. Jin thinking her capable was no reason to be pleased. He’d admitted as much before, but the honest admiration in his eyes made it worse this time. “Yes, it’ll hide the fire from sight and it lessens smoke.”
“I don’t have a firestriker or tinderbox. Do you?”
Azara snorted. “I may, for all intents and purposes, no longer be a fire mage, but I can still light a campfire.”
He looked startled. “I’d forgotten. You told me that before. What’s the next task?”
She couldn’t help but smile. Jin was entirely too adept at partnering with her now. It was going to be hard going back to being alone. Or maybe not entirely alone, if she could convince her siblings to join her. But they wouldn’t be Jin. The more she learned about him, the more alike she realized they were. They’d both had to survive in situations no one their age should. And they seemed to work well together, to the point where she wondered if there was a chance she could lure him away from the emperor. She shook away that line of thinking and jerked her chin the way they’d come. “Now we go find water.”
As Jin fell into step behind her, Azara had to admit that doing this with someone was better than being alone. And since the other person was Jin, she had no qualms, and in fact was pleased in a way. It meant she got to spend more time with him. She quashed that thought, not liking where it was leading her. At least, she told herself she didn’t like where it was leading her.
* * *
Jin sat in a tailor’s seat to one side of the fire pit, his stomach full and the warmth of the fire making the cool night air at his back better. Beside him, Azara leaned on her hands, eyes half-closed. The faint light of the fire below them along with the half-moon that filtered through the trees gleamed in the thick tresses of her hair and caressed the curve of her throat.
He looked away, swallowing. He needed to focus on something else. Jin glanced at the horses, tied near to their shelter, under a tree that would protect them in case of any rain, both drowsing. It had taken a while to find water, but the small stream hadn’t been too far away. Using the collapsible buckets, along with Azara’s crystal, they’d been able to bring enough in a single journey.
Azara had also been able to snare a rabbit, the remains of which she’d buried away from their camp after they’d finished eating. Between that and the bread and hard cheese they’d brought with them, they’d had a good meal. And it was nice to have a fire.
Jin thought the pit was very clever and something he hoped he could get Azara to teach others. Or he could learn enough to spread the knowledge. There were plenty of times something like it could be useful in the Empire, such as when hunting bandits, or when setting up a surprise attack against invaders.
Out here, he was only good as Azara’s assistant. He could help with a task or take a simple one over if she showed him, but the big things she did herself, moving so fluidly and confidently he couldn’t help but admire her grace. She was a special woman.
Jin only realized he was staring when he found Azara’s eyes meeting his. She raised her eyebrows. “Are you all right?”
His flush was thankfully hidden by the semi-darkness. “Yes. My apologies, I was thinking. We didn’t see much movement today.”
She nodded. “I didn’t expect too much. The servants will do most of the work outdoors earlier in the morning to avoid disturbing the use of the property by the nobles, and if there were many riders or people coming, I’d have been more concerned. It may take some time before we see anything. And that may work to our benefit, since we’ll be assumed to have long escaped by the time we make our attempt at the border.”
“You’ve watched many noble houses before?”
Azara shrugged. “A few, but I’ve seen how plenty of the wealthy act, and that’s similar whether they’re merchants, nobles or bankers. And you’ve said yourself that this baron is the type to flaunt his power, like those who are newly rich. That type always wants their servants as invisible as possible and are often the hardest on them. Older money and higher nobles are often more lenient. Though not always.”
Jin grimaced. His experiences with some of the nobly born magi-in-training agreed with that, though the worst had been a cousin of the emperor. That man had shown himself to be incompetent and had been given a position with an impressive title and no real power to keep him quiet.
Azara straightened with a sigh. “Well, we’re not likely to see anything else until daybreak, and nights are short at this time of year. Between the horses, the fact that we’re well hidden, and the crystal I’ll leave on alert, we can both sleep safely. And we should do that while we can.”
“Shall I put out the fire?”
She smiled. “It’ll be faster if I do it. You might want to grab your coat. It may get cool tonight, even with both of us and the blankets.”
He moved to grab his coat as she surrounded the fire with crystal, depriving it of air until it went black. She released the small amount of smoke slowly, so none of it could be seen in the darkness. Only then did she turn towards their shelter.
The entrance was small, but Azara slipped in with ease, crouching down and shimmying, her boots fluttering as she got all the way inside. Jin was far less graceful, twisting and scrambling. There was enough room for them and their supplies, and not much else. Azara had lined the two sides with their things to keep them out of the way and as an added buffer in case of drafts.
With the thick piling of leaves, pine needles, and the grasses, things were as comfortable as they could be outdoors. Or they would have been, if they weren’t forced into closer quarters than they had been on the boat. Azara didn’t seem the least bothered, if the way she wrapped her blanket around herself and wiggled into a comfortable position was any indication.
Of course, that movement had her repeatedly brushing up against him, first her hand sliding against his upper thigh, her face incredibly close to his, to the point where he could feel her breath against his cheek, then a breast brushing up against his arm. Jin immediately rolled onto his stomach to hide a reaction he was trying not to acknowledge.
It had been a long time since he’d had any privacy, and he’d never been so close to any one woman. Azara was all lithe muscles and deadly grace. She might not be as conventionally pretty as her sister, but her air of confidence drew attention, especially when paired with her bright smiles. The real ones, not the glassy fake ones he’d come to dislike.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” The soft hand on his shoulder had Jin almost flinching. She was not making this any easier.
“I’m quite well, thank you.”
It was hard to see in the near darkness of their shelter, but he could hear the frown in her voice. “You’re not using your blanket.”
Jin glanced over to where it sat, within reach of one hand. Snagging it, he brought it over himself and turned so he could face in her general direction. “Thank you. I was comfortable and had forgotten it was likely to get cooler.”
“Hmmm...” She stretched the word out before the rustling of leaves and brief brush of her leg against his told her she was moving. “Well, don’t think I’ll share my blanket with you if you lose yours. I only do that with men I do more than sleep beside, and then, only if they satisfy me. Good night.”
With great difficulty, Jin held back the choking noise he felt in his throat, staring at the darkness where Azara was settling down. If he’d thought sleep was going to be hard to find before, that had just multiplied the issue several times over.
Chapter Twenty: Riders
Azara finished burying the remains of their breakfast and headed towards camp. She patted her horse on the way by, frowning as she again took in the circles under Jin’s eyes. She hadn’t thought their little shelter was that uncomfortable, but she was used to roughing it. She’d have to see if there was any way she could make it better for tonight so he could get some sleep.
He’d dropped his head into both hands, not having seen her approach. He was either sleeping or deep in thought. Either way, she needed to talk with him. She approached quietly, laying a hand onto his shoulder, but he still flinched. When he met her gaze, she jerked her chin towards the estate. “We need to take turns keeping watch on the road and manor. If you’re tired, I can take the first shift, and you can try and get some more sleep. Though I don’t have anything to make it more comfortable.”
Jin stared at her before he looked away. “I’m not so tired that I can’t stay awake through the day. Two sets of eyes would be better than one.” He met her gaze on the last sentence.
Azara had to nod. They had different experiences and perspectives, so one of them could pick up what the other missed. She leaned forward with her hands on her knees, bringing them eye level with one another. “I won’t deny that it would be better, but I don’t want you so tired you can’t move later. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Jin opened his mouth then closed it. He leaned in himself, stopped, licked his lips, and ultimately shook his head. “No, this is a minor problem for myself and nothing you need to concern yourself with. I can handle it. I shouldn’t lose so much sleep tonight.”
“Well, if we come across any lavender, we can mix that in with the leaves and grasses. It’s supposed to be good for sleep. At the very worst, it’ll smell nice.” Jin gave her half a smile, which she returned with one far stronger. “Well, now that we have that settled, we should get ourselves comfortable. I feel like today’s going to be a long day of watching and getting nothing.”
Jin frowned as he followed her to where a fallen log gave a natural backrest and the best view. With the horses tethered within sight, they had nothing to worry about except what was in front of them. Which so far was nothing. An enormous stone building, a dirt road, and a whole slew of trees. No one was up yet. Or at least, not up and out where they could see them.
While they needed to keep their eyes sharp, there was no reason to sit in silence. “Do you have plans for what you’d like to do once we’re finished with this? Will the emperor reward you?”
She could just catch Jin’s grimace out of the corner of her eye. “No, the emperor won’t reward me unless I do something truly exceptional. At the moment I’m following orders and fulfilling those isn’t how you gain the emperor’s esteem. I am his chief magus, so I’m already in what is likely the highest position I can hold at court, and one I’m pleased with. Provided no one has usurped me in my absence, I will return to my work. If they have, well, I’ll ensure they don’t stay there long. I haven’t been his celestial majesty’s chief magus for the past two years for nothing.”
Azara shook her head. Jin was satisfied with so little recognition, continuing to live in a nest of snakes by choice and fighting against them whenever they bared their fangs at him. “Sounds like you’re often busy.”
“Busy enough that I rarely have time to myself. I enjoy my work, and I’ve always wanted to serve the emperor, so I’m content.”
Frowning, Azara risked a glance at Jin. “And that’s it? You intend to live your whole life for the emperor and nothing else?”
He sighed. “No, I had hoped to one day find a suitable woman, preferably with magic herself, and raise a family. But...” He trailed off, flushing.
The pieces clicked together and Azara gave him a sidelong glance. “Anali isn’t interested, is that it?”
Jin jerked around to stare at her, eyes wide. “W-what?”
She flashed him a grin before turning her attention to where she was supposed to be watching. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how you were with her
before we left. It’s obvious you have a certain amount of interest in her. You’re a good man, better than most, so I wouldn’t mind if you were to pursue her.” Azara ignored the tightness in her chest as she spoke the last words. What did it matter if Jin would turn those dark eyes and sharp mind on Anali? She was playing his wife, so she knew he’d treat her sister well, would be kind and understanding with her. He certainly was with Azara, and she was not so easy to deal with. Really, he was the kind of man she hoped Anali would settle down with. He could protect her sister. No one would try to enslave the wife of the chief magus of the Shi Guo Empire.
He shook his head. “No. No. I won’t deny that I’ve had an...interest in your sister, but I think I was more drawn to my idea of her than the reality. I know scarcely anything about her, and that is no way to start a relationship. Without a strong foundation, nothing will last. I know more about you than I do her.” Jin flushed after those last words left his lips.
Azara chuckled and playfully leaned her head onto his shoulder, glancing up at him. “That’s because you’re my darling husband. Of course we know each other well. If we didn’t, why would we have gotten married?”
Jin made a choking noise as he flushed red, making Azara laugh. “You’re entirely too innocent. I know several girls in Pocale who would delight in seeing how red they could get you.”
The colour deepened, and he looked away, staring out at the estate. Azara let him kill the conversation but continued to grin wickedly, her head still resting on his shoulder. It was comfortable, and she could see the road just fine. And there was something soothing about listening to his heartbeat.
* * *
A cold lunch of cheese and bread and watching a handful of servants in the back gardens of the manor had passed, and neither of them had seen anything of interest. Jin glanced at Azara, who sat beside him, a faint tension in her despite her relaxed posture. If they failed to get information here, it could be quite a while before they could make another attempt.
Heart of Crystal Page 18