His broad shoulders rippled as he drew his strong, sure hand back from the golden hilt of the sword on his waist. His chest was defined, but not overly muscled, more like the natural cut of a swimmer and her heart fluttered wildly for several beats. Sweat that had nothing to do with the jungle humidity collected in her armpits and trickled down her sides.
Anything beyond, ‘Hi there, thanks for coming…’ flew right out of her head on the breeze that swept across the sand. She smiled, looking and feeling like a total goof as she couldn’t even remember her own name right about then.
His head tilted up a bit and his lips parted, exposing teeth that nearly blinded her in the shadows. “Thank you for inviting me.”
She hadn’t, not really but couldn’t find a way to respond.
They stared at each other for several more heartbeats and Furiem saved her from saying something utterly stupid.
“Yes, well, we should get started I think.”
They should, totally should! Clearing her throat, she found her voice again. “Did you bring the whales?”
He started walking for the beach. “What do you intend for them to do?”
She caught up to him at the waterline. “Make Golix’s life a living nightmare, I hope.”
He cut a look down, something smoldering through his eyes. “And how do you plan to do that?”
She smiled widely. “You’ll see…”
***
And with that she waded out into the waves and dove under. Mithrin watched her go and had to jerk himself into action. When she’d smiled, her eyes sparkling with whatever plan she had, every inch of his skin vibrated in response.
Swimming out in her wake, he arrived at the circling whales to find her treading water near one of the Matriarchs. They stared at one another for a long heartbeat and she finally lifted a hand.
The Black blew out a long huff of air but inched closer and then closer still until her snout rested under Lanni’s outstretched palm. The woman’s eyes closed and if he didn’t see it with his own, he’d never have believed it.
A brief spark of lightening passed from her palm to the creature, who let out a deep thrum of vocals in response. The rest of her Pod, which had been slowly swimming through the waves, turned inward and formed a semi-circle around the pair. Another brief spark and the Matriarch let out a high-pitched squeal. The rest of the Pod nodded, their long heads slapping the water. A third spark to which the Matriarch hummed yet again before she pushed back and dove beneath the surface.
Lanni swam back to where he’d waited.
“What did you do?”
She shrugged, the water sluicing off her shoulders and dripping from her hair. “Just showed them what I wanted.”
He’d never heard of such a thing. Ever. Not even his own people could communicate with mammals in such a way. “What do you mean, showed them?”
He’d no sooner said the words than one of the ships anchored nearby began to move.
On its own.
Sinking beneath the surface, he watched in utter fascination as two of the Pod swam up under the large boat and began to ease it forward. When they’d created enough slack in the chain, a third swam close and took it in his large mouth.
Wriggling back and forth, he dislodged the anchor from the sea bed. Keeping a hold of it, he turned and casually headed for the pitch black depths.
Mithrin Sylor had seen many things in his life but watching a massive whale drag a ship out to sea at the behest of someone, was a first…
Chapter Ten
Sometimes, it’s the little things that bring the most pleasure in a situation…
Lanni sat, her back against the bars, eyes half-closed, watching chaos reign on the beach.
Again.
Just like it had for the last three mornings.
She could time it like clockwork too.
About the time the sun rose, Golix would stride from a cave at the other end. Head up and chest out, he would walk the line of workers, only to stop somewhere along the way when he’d find two, or more of the Satyr’s curiously scratching their heads.
What followed made her want to laugh…
She didn’t, but she wanted too.
Golix would stare at a cracked vat, watching the contents slosh out of the bottom and soak into the sand. And he’d start yelling at the poor helpless looking minions.
So far, they’d managed to destroy six of them over the last three nights.
Who knew a Basilisk’s skin was acidic in this world…
But, it was and they were quite prevalent in the nearby jungle.
Furiem, when he’d left her that first night, rounded up six of the little darlings and had them stashed close by. Each night, she’d carefully pick one out and set it on the beach, asking it to run up under the nearest unlit vat.
They were nice enough to follow her request and when the Satyr’s lit the logs the next morning, within an hour or so, the acid they left behind boiled through the metal, spilling the contents and ruining the device for future use.
After that, he’d notice at least one of his fleet missing and would bellow for his minions to go looking. The problem here was none of them were capable of piloting the bigger ships. They’d either have to row out in the dinghies or cut the loss.
So far, they’d only retrieved one of the four she’d asked the whales to drag away during the night. And that was only because it had drifted back on an unexpected tide change.
Of course, the minions were still trying to figure out how to unravel the mess she and Mithrin had made of the rudder when they wrapped a ton of seaweed around it along with the anchor and its chain…
But, that was neither here nor there.
She figured she’d set him back by at least a week by now, if not longer.
The 23 remaining ships were only about half covered with the metal plates and he was now down six vats, which seemed to double the work on the remaining 30 or so. Not to mention the ingredients he’d lost…
“I know this was you.”
His voice jerked her out of her thoughts. She blinked and remained unmoving. “What are you talking about asshole?”
He twisted his snout back in the direction of the work crews. “This, this destruction, the missing ships. It was you!”
She pushed off the sand and strode across the cage, giving the locked door a hard yank. “Sorry buddy, I’ve been right here.”
“Search her.”
Two of the beasties entered, pushed her back and proceeded to pat her down.
She assumed the position, arms out and tapped a foot.
“Thoroughly,” Golix growled.
She quirked an eyebrow as the Satyr’s ripped what remained of her clothes off her body. “You know, as a redhead, my skin is very fair. I’m gonna burn like a crispy critter and then where will you be, hmmm?”
The Unicorn snorted and pawed the ground, kicking up a wave of sand. One of the others tossed her a flimsy white robe of sorts, which she slipped over her head without argument. She hadn’t been lying. She would burn, always had and a small part of her was grateful the bastard saw the reason in her words.
Crossing her arms, she waited while the beasties tore through her clothing.
One of them took a knee, holding out her ruined garments. “Sorry Master, there is nothing here.”
He muttered something and the pile burst into flames, turning to ash in seconds. Golix’s eyes narrowed, blazing a dark red as they locked with hers. “How did you do it?”
She shrugged. “Do what?”
“Get, out, of, the, cage!”
She couldn’t help herself and smiled smugly. “I have been right here, where you left me.”
He turned toward the two who’d dropped the smoldering pile of cloth. “Where is the key?”
One of them pointed a shaky finger toward the food hut, and the key ring hanging sedately from the pole. Right where it should be.
He growled, deep and low and slung up more sand with a hoof. “Bind h
er!”
She sighed, expecting this and calmly held out her hands, wrists together. When they left a few minutes later, she hopped back to the place she’d been sitting and sank down.
The rest of the day passed with Golix and crew trying to fix the damage and she continued smiling on the inside.
It was a start and she was well pleased with the efforts of the whales, Furiem, the Basalisk’s and Mithrin.
What she wasn’t ready for was the fury in Mithrin’s eyes when he returned that night. The sun set and most of the work crew, as usual, wandered off into the jungle. Long after they’d left, she saw him crouched in the trees.
When she didn’t move, she felt his curiosity pulse across the space. Furiem must have caught him up on the days events, because he ducked his head out, watched for a minute then darted to the cage.
His sea-blue eyes took in the ropes around her wrists and ankles and a dangerous glint of anger rolled through their surfaces. One hand slipped through the bars and curved around her cheek. “What has he done?” he growled.
She clasped his forearm, leaning into his touch. “It’s ok. I knew this might happen. I’m fine.”
His fingers tightened against her jaw. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, closing her eyes, thankful he hadn’t been nearby when they stripped her. She could only imagine what he might have done…and blown the whole thing by exposing his presence. “I’m fine,” she said again and meant it.
Other than the lack of mobility, she was. No harm, no foul.
Opening her eyes, she caught his. “Continue with the plan. It’s working. He only did this,” she held up her wrists. “Because he’s pissed.”
He grumbled something unintelligible, but nodded. “I will return before the daylight and spend some time with you.”
She tightened her grip a bit. “Don’t worry about me, now go, before you’re seen.”
She watched him disappear into the waves and within 30 minutes, another of the fleet was drifting out to sea.
She chuckled as four of the Basalisk’s scurried across the sand and up under four of the vats. She normally did just one and could only guess Furiem or Mithrin was a little miffed over Golix’s response.
Not that she could blame them, she was too, even though she’d expected the evil bastard to eventually react the way he had.
An hour or so after the little beasts returned to the jungle, Mithrin appeared, clutching a small bag. Sitting next to the cage, he pulled a dagger from this belt and proceeded to cut open a mango. He passed half of it through the bars. “Sir Furiem said they did not feed you today.”
She took the gift. “Nope. Golix probably figures I’ll fess up if I’m hungry enough.”
He growled, again, and his hand tightened around the hilt of the dagger.
She really would have to watch what she said around him. Apparently he had the same sort of protective streak as Arin. Her heart tightened a bit and she asked about him for two reasons. One, to distract the frown creasing Mithrin’s forehead and two, because she was curious.
“Have you heard from Phara? Was she able to find Arin?”
He’d told her, two nights ago, that his sister had rushed off after asking him to bring the whales. He swallowed a mouthful. “Not as of yet. I would not worry. I am sure all is fine. My sister, is,” He paused as if searching for the right word.
“Tenacious?” she supplied helpfully.
One corner of his mouth lifted, exposing those blindingly white teeth again and her pulse thumped in her ears. “Does that mean dogged, or bull-headed, or stubborn where you come from?”
She chuckled, wiping a dribble of juice off her chin. “Among others.”
“Then, yes, she is tenacious. If anyone can rescue Manus, it would be her.”
That made her feel slightly better. Arin deserved someone from his world, not her, who was absolutely clueless about the way things worked around here.
She was learning, but still, he was better off continuing to think she was dead.
Was she justifying?
Maybe, just a little.
The days she’d spent with Arin had been wild, crazy even, bordering on manic as they went from one crisis to another. And then she died, literally, and during the time she’d recovered in that cave, she’d had a lot of time to think it through.
Notwithstanding the hole in her soul from the broken connection with her twin, the feelings she thought she had for the Chimera just weren’t there.
Not anymore.
Now, whether they’d been ripped away in the wake of her death, or had been part of the spell she was under at the time, she had no way to know. Probably never would.
Not that it mattered. She cared for him, he’d been a good friend but thinking back on it as she healed, that’s all he’d been.
Her heart hadn’t sped up when she looked at him…
Her palms didn’t sweat at the thought of touching him, or not touching him…
Her legs didn’t shake when he was near…
Her stomach didn’t do that weird little flippity-flop when she thought about him…
Not like now.
Not like when she looked at Mithrin…
She sucked another bit of fruit off the rind in her hands and he stopped dead, a hard gulp echoing across the air. She wiped her lips with a finger and he gulped, again. “What?”
He set the mango aside and reached down between his own legs to shift a certain body part. Ducking a bit, a twinge of color darkened the shadows of his throat as he cleared it. “I apologize. My thoughts are not very gentlemanly right now.”
She laughed and had to bite down on a knuckle to stifle it. He snorted, incensed and she placating his ego. “No, Mithrin, I’m not laughing at you. But, somehow, I doubt you’re much of a gentleman.”
He sniffed and tilted his head regally. “I most certainly am, Miss. I will have you know, my Father’s court thinks I am quite cavalier.”
Maybe it was the tension of the last couple of days, or the situation, she wasn’t really sure, but the giggles bubbled up from her throat and she had to bite harder on the knuckle to keep it quiet.
His hand wrapped around the nearest rung and he pushed up to stand.
She dropped the fruit and clutched his fingers. “No, wait, I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time imagining you all fancified.” He dropped back to the sand, the look on his face still a bit miffed and she smiled, stroking his fingers when they remained under hers. “Really, I’m sorry. You will have to show me this court of yours someday,” she offered.
He gripped the metal. “I would gladly. Right now.” There was pleading look in his eyes as he flipped his hand over and stroked a finger against her skin. “Let me take you from this place, Lanni. Tonight.” His eyes dropped to the ropes and his forehead creased again. “You have done enough.”
She’d love it, but they hadn’t done enough, not yet.
Yes, they’d delayed things, but only by a week. They weren’t anywhere near stopping this. And until they were, or she had some way to alert the others, she was needed right here, doing exactly what she was doing.
She stroked the inner side of his arm, feeling his pulse thrum under her touch. “No, it’s too soon. If I leave without knowing his end game or a real way to counter whatever he’s doing, he’ll only speed it up. I can’t take that chance.”
His other hand came through the bars, a knuckle roaming across her cheek. He cupped her face and slid his thumb across her lips. “I understand. Give me credit for trying?”
She laughed softly and purely on impulse, kissed the pad as it paused on her lips. “I do,” she whispered. “And I promise you can be the one to rescue me to your heart’s content…when the time is right. Fair enough?”
He smiled another of those brilliant, sexy smiles. “Fair enough.” The shadows at his back had begun to lighten and he cut a look over his shoulder. “I should go.”
That was the farthest thing from what she wanted, but, she couldn’t be
selfish and pushed his hand gently back through the bars. “You should. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
He slid the remaining fruit and dagger into the cage. She maneuvered both close and leaned into his touch when his hand caressed through her hair.
“On the darkfall,” he whispered.
She smiled, hoping she hid her feelings behind it. “See you then.”
He sighed, sounding like the entirety of the universe sat squarely on his shoulders for a heartbeat, then pushed off and walked to the waterline. He paused, twisted a look back and their eyes locked.
In that moment, as the ocean breeze rifled through his long, gorgeous hair, she knew without a doubt, he would be back…
And he would, indeed, rescue her, when the time was right.
He didn’t need to speak the words, they were right there in the glittering blue of his eyes as they caught the first rays of sunlight.
She lifted her hands and waved.
He returned it then disappeared into the surf.
With a heavy sigh, she scooted across the sand and buried the dagger in one corner. She could use it to cut the ropes, but that would only lead to more trouble.
Whistling softly, Furiem responded and scurried out of the foliage. She held out the bag of fruit. “Did you find it?”
The ferret nodded slowly. “Indeed. It was in the nearby village.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I have it hidden away.”
“Good.” She touched his tiny little arm with a finger. “Thank you, for everything.”
He gave a sweeping, gallant bow. “It is my pleasure to aid you, M’lady.”
He sounded so damn formal that she had to stifle another giggle. “Stop it. I’m no lady. Now, go on. Stay hidden and I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
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