Jillyan pulled away. She straightened the skewed fabric of her gown, pushing her breasts back into place. Trying not watch, I took a guess. “Stones?”
“I took them from Sienn’s belongings. I know you are on Kayn’l, but hopefully someone in there with you has a spell they can access to open this door.” A bag sat on the floor beside her. Bending to open the flap, Jillyan pulled out Tam’s journal. “You will need this.”
“Thanks. But a sword might be more effective.”
“It wouldn’t fit in my gown.” She passed the book through the bars. “I believe you want to concentrate on the back section. The last few entries, in particular.”
I squinted at her. “Sounds like you’ve read them.”
“How could I when the words appear only to those carrying Reth blood? Jarryd said the information you need is in the back of the book. A name, I believe?” Jillyan barely gave me time to nod. “Elayna is preparing a banquet for Elek’s warriors. They will be plied with food, drink, and dance. By the time they are returning to their ship, they will be in no shape to even remember your name. That gives you several hours to perform the oracle spell. Sufficient time, I should think. As long as you do not waste it by quarrelling with me as you did Jarryd.”
“You want me to do the spell here?”
“Why not? What real magic can you offer Malaq’s fight until you stop the progression of these scars? More importantly, what chance do you have to wrest Lirih from your father? Use the stones I brought you, put your time in there to good use, and find those tablets.”
“I’m starting to think arguing with you is like arguing with your brother.” I tucked the book under my arm. “How is he?”
“Not good. If Malaq does not wake soon, Elek’s cleric fears he might never.” Jillyan’s brow softened. “He is an awful sight, Ian. He needs Sienn.”
“He’ll pull through.” He has to, I thought, refusing to believe my vision could be wrong for the one time I desperately needed it to be right.
“Bartlett is donating a cask of his homemade Arullan ale to the cause. Krillos has publicly suggested its potency surpasses the original. Elek’s men are vying to sample it and prove him wrong. If Malaq is not conscious by the time the warriors have gorged themselves of their meal, the ale will be offered as a last round. With an added ingredient, it will ensure they sleep soundly.”
“They drink enough of it they won’t need an added ingredient.”
Her lips played with a smile. “A pitcher will be brought for your guards. When they drop off, make your way up. Malaq’s chamber can be entered through the servant’s stairs. Searching Jarryd’s memories will find you the nearest entrance. After Sienn’s healing is done, return to the caves. Elek’s men have yet to discover the labyrinth. You should be safe there.”
“Is Elayna sure about this? If Elek discovers she’s involved, he’ll have cause to withdraw from the alliance. Isn’t that what she’s trying to avoid?”
“If all goes as planned, Malaq will be awake by morning to deal with any repercussions. Until then, I will handle Elek.”
“Handle him how?”
“What have I told you about a woman and her secrets, Shinree?” As I tried to decide what that meant, and if it bothered me, Jillyan retrieved her bag from the floor. Her pink dress swirled as she spun around to leave. “And the next time you presume to know my motivation or how I might regard you,” Jillyan glanced back. Her dark eyes tightened. “Don’t.”
FIFTEEN
“Son of a bitch.”
Sitting beside me on the floor, Sienn jumped at my sudden exclamation. “Did you find something?”
I closed the book resting on my drawn up knees. “You won’t believe it.”
When I didn’t elaborate, her brows lifted. “Well…?”
“The man Emperor Tam was planning to meet is Raan Brielle’atroy.”
“Brielle’atroy? That was the given name of your mother’s line.” Excitement thinned her voice. “Ian, if your ancestor is in possession of the tablets, you can inhabit him in the vision. You can search his mind for the information instead of having to coerce it out of a stranger.”
“There’s something else.” I hesitated, longer this time. There were implications to what I was about to say; even more to what I thought to propose. “The woman he asked Tam for permission to marry is Karis Nam’arelle. Apparently, our ancestors were in love.”
Tension seized Sienn’s entire body. She swallowed like a lump the size of an egg had sprouted in her throat. “It is understandable,” she said, laboring to rationalize whatever awkward thoughts were bouncing in her head. “Our families have rich histories. They came from important lines. They were bound to know each other to some degree.”
“This is a pretty big degree.”
Sienn glanced at the floor like she wished for more space between us. “I suppose.”
“It’s also the perfect opportunity.”
She gave me a dubious glance. “For what?”
“For you to come with me.”
“I doubt that would be necessary. You have details of your destination, and guides are used most often for visions of the future, not the past.”
“I’m not asking you to go as my guide.”
I was staring at her. She stared back, trying to glean my intention. When she did, Sienn’s comprehension came out as a gasp. “You want me to go as her? You want me to inhabit the mind of my ancestor, as you inhabit yours? At the same time?”
“You have to see it, Sienn. The sights, the smells…”
“This is not a pleasure trip, Ian.”
“No, it’s a chance that might never come again. We have names, Sienn, names of our ancestors who knew each other and lived in the empire before it fell. Not only that, we have an event to lock onto. We can go back to the day of their wedding, early in the morning. There’ll be less people on the street. No one will question seeing us together. Not when Raan and Karis are betrothed.”
“You want to invade their minds on their wedding day? Ian, that’s terrible.”
“We won’t stay long. I’ll search Raan’s mind for the information then we’ll take a quick look around. I want to get back, too. Elek’s weapon is important. But Malaq’s life is more so.”
“What of the Kayn’l in your blood? My magic can’t penetrate it.”
“If the stress I’m getting from Jarryd is any indication,” I said, shoving some composure at him, “the drug has about run its course.”
Hesitation still ruled her eyes as she tried to find another reason not to go.
I didn’t give her time. “You told me you practiced oracle spells after Jem set you free. Spells of the future,” I said, knowing I’d sent her thoughts in the same direction as mine, to a particular vision she once described to me. It was an intimate moment between us, one she had clearly cherished. It was also a moment my father had played on, using Sienn’s emotions to manipulate her into seducing me. “How many trips to the past have you taken?”
“For myself? None.”
“Didn’t you ever want to go back?”
“The Shinree have been on Kayn’l for five hundred years. What was there to go back to?”
“When we first met, you talked about nothing but freeing our people. That came from you, Sienn, not Jem. You followed my father because you thought he’d make it happen. You believed he could restore the empire and make us free. Now, you sit in those caves, doling out teachings and burying yourself in daily tasks. I can’t even remember when you last spoke of having a home. Whatever Jem is creating, it isn’t that. It isn’t what you wanted. But,” I slid a hand on top of hers, “if we stop him, someday it might be.”
“How, Ian? At this moment, Rella’s streets are wet with the blood of our people. Those that lived are stuffed into the hold of a ship bound for your father’s doorstep. They will add to those already being tr
ained to fight mindlessly in his army where they will die a gruesome death when Malaq’s men are forced to cut them down. Our present makes what you describe of the past seem far from real, and impossible for us to ever achieve again.”
“That’s why you need to do this. You need to believe in our people again, Sienn. You need to believe in something.”
She rose with purpose. “I will facilitate the spell. But I’m staying here.”
“What are you afraid of, that you’ll be disappointed?”
“No, Ian. I’m scared it will be exactly as you said, with fountains and flowers, exotic foods and beautiful clothes. The streets will be full of laughter and free Shinree, using magic as they please. It will be the most wondrous thing I have ever seen. And then I will come back to this and…” Sienn’s voice caught in her throat. She swallowed, trying to shove the emotion away. “Maybe I was that strong once, but not anymore.”
I stood beside her. “I know what Jem took from you is far more than magic. I know you’re scared to hope you’ll get it back, to even think it will get better. But if you let fear guide your steps you’ll never get anywhere.”
“This from a man who spent ten years wallowing in the bottom of a bottle?”
“Which makes me kind of an expert.”
Sienn flashed a drawn smile. “I’m sorry, Ian. But I can’t go with you. Before we start, take a moment to still your mind. If your focus is as shaky as last time, you won’t be going anywhere either.”
SIXTEEN
Of all the trips I’d taken to the past, this was by far the most interesting. The body I was in was young, healthy, and naked. The bed beneath me was large and soft. The young Shinree woman on top of me had full breasts and amazing hair; a wild, white, curly cloud that bounced up around her square face as she bounced down, riding me with great enthusiasm.
I had little choice but to let her.
The same went for the second woman kneeling beside me. Langorian, in her mid-thirties, with long dark braids, tanned skin, and wide hips, the naked slave was taking turns running her mouth over my chest and down my stomach. Turning to Raan’s bride-to-be, she followed the same path in reverse, gliding up her slender stomach and across her chest. The slave made her pass between us a time or two before lingering on Karis. Working her way up, she made a show of tasting the Shinree woman’s pale, glistening skin; greedily devouring her breasts and slender neck. Her tongue darted out and they kissed.
It was a sensual, energetic embrace. Hair, dark and light, slid over their faces. Breasts brushed together; plump and buoyant. Hands slid, cupping curves and penetrating wet, inviting places.
Watching the two women ravage each other, the heart I was using raced. The cock that was temporarily mine throbbed as Karis bobbed on top of it; faster as the slave’s fingers explored the edge of her soft downy folds.
Their bodies broke apart. The Langorian woman’s attention returned to me. She shoved her supple breasts in my face. I played along, caressing one while pulling the other into my mouth. She moaned as I bit gently down, but I doubted her response was real. A slave’s duty was to please, not enjoy. The man whose body I was occupying wasn’t bothered by that notion.
I was.
Turning my head, I ejected the slave’s nipple from my mouth. “Stop.”
“Hmmm?” She rubbed soft skin over my lips, trying to entice me.
“I said, stop.”
Abruptly, she sat up. Worry tinged her dark eyes. “My Lord?”
Knowing what I did of the empire, it was safe to assume Raan’s speech was on the formal side. Still, I kept my response brief to avoid suspicion. “You may go.”
“My apologies.” The slave lowered her head. “Whatever I have done to offend—”
I lifted her chin. “Nothing. I simply wish to spend time alone with my wife to be.”
“Yes, My Lord.” The slave scooted off the bed. Picking a red robe up off the floor, she covered her shapely form and crossed the room. The door closed behind her a moment later.
“She could have stayed,” Karis said then. “Geena is one of your favorites.”
The anticipation in her white eyes told me what she wanted to hear. “You are my favorite.”
Laughing, Karis bent down and kissed me. It was a hard, enthusiastic collision with her legs tightening around me and her fingers clutching. Inspired, I sank my hands into her tempest of curls. I rolled her abruptly across the bed, and she laughed against my lips in delight. Unfamiliar with the environment, and consumed by the beauty in my arms, I didn’t notice how close we were to the edge of the bed—until we were falling off it.
Legs finding only empty air, Karis gave a yelp and grabbed onto my arms. I slipped out of her as she clung to me, giggling too hard to help anything as I hauled us both back onto the middle of the bed. She collapsed on the tousled covers, breathless and grinning. “Pace yourself, Raan Brielle’atroy. Dawn has barely broken. If you continue in this manner you will be of no use to me later. And I will not have you flopping about in our marriage bed like some tired, old fish.”
I laughed as I dropped down beside her. “I doubt that will be a problem.”
“Good. A wife expects a certain level of energy from her husband on her wedding night.”
I ran a hand over the front of her, navigating firm, round breasts, the planes of her stomach and curve of her hips. She shivered as a faraway smile of contentment hooked her lips. Her large, white eyes were heavy with passion and love. The look sparked an acute reaction deep in Raan’s belly.
Karis was all he ever wanted.
Not even my habitation could dampen his desire. It was so strong, his want of the woman had become my own. The feel of it was intoxicating; the feel of her even more so.
I let out a desperate, rattling breath. “A man would have to be dead not to muster energy for you.”
“Hmmm… That is somewhat morbid as compliments go, Lord Raan, but…” she smiled playfully. “I like it.” Laughing, Karis kissed me again. Our tongues intertwined. She shifted onto her side to face me. As I brushed a hand down her back, my fingertips met something peculiar.
I broke off the kiss and rose onto my elbow. Gently, I guided Karis over onto her stomach. She stretched out before me, and it was hard not to let my surprise show, or my appreciation, for what was the most amazing display of worn stones I had ever seen. They ran the entire length of her spine, embedded into her skin from the base of her neck to the small arch of her back. Varied in color, with none bigger than an apple seed; morning light hit the stones and they glimmered like tiny stars.
Mesmerized, I ran a slow finger up the line, making the stones pulse one by one. When I reached the top I bent over and kissed my way back down. The vibrations they were giving off were as delicious as the woman wearing them.
Karis giggled. “We only have till morning bells.”
“I thought we had the rest of our lives. Or have you changed your mind?”
She sat up and turned to face me. Wiping the sweat off Raan’s brow, Karis ran a hand over his short, straight hair. “Not even the gods themselves could take my mind off you.”
I was sure Raan would have something eloquent to say in reply, but I was tongue tied. The love coming off her was staggering. Still, as Karis opened her arms and beckoned me, I wavered. It was her betrothed she was offering herself to, not me. Then her hand folded around Raan’s stiffening cock and pleasure dissolved the distinction.
Her stroke started slow and methodical. Karis lifted her gaze to watch my reaction as she pumped faster, working me until my breathing picked up. When a groan escaped me she let go and lay back on the bed. Opening her knees, her eyes held mine. I entered Karis slowly, and a blissful breath fled her lungs. Hips arching, her hands slid with the sweat on my skin. Her legs wrapped around me. As she returned my steadily deepening thrusts, pining radiated from Karis. Yet her longing wasn’t fueled by de
speration, or even carnal lust. It was powered by love, by promise and hope and possibility.
It was foreign to feel such an abundance of those sentiments in a woman’s touch. It made me think: if such a thing as luck existed; Raan had more than his fair share.
Blood rushing fiercely through my veins, I moved faster. Karis tightened her grip. Her body molded against mine and we rocked in unison. She fit perfectly against me, clinging as if this moment was the most important there ever was. As if she were to let go it would fade, and we might never touch again. It was a fearfulness that put me in mind of Sienn.
And once the thought was planted—once she was in my mind, I couldn’t banish her.
It was odd. Sienn was nothing like the woman beneath me. She was older, taller, and slimmer. Her hair was straight and long, not short and curly. She had a uniquely beautiful face with none of the feisty, sultry features of the woman beneath me. Except, there was something in the way Karis prodded her tongue in my mouth. It was in the rhythm of her tattered breath as she gripped me. Her fingers sifted through Raan’s short strands with what seemed like impatience, like she expected more to grab onto; like she wanted there to be.
Karis lifted her legs. I pushed them higher, and a beautiful sound came out of her. With each sharp fall into her depths my cock throbbed harder. With each slow climb back out, her fingernails raked the sheets. Her reactions had complexity, as if every thrust suddenly had meaning. Every stroke conveyed some unexplored emotion.
An abrupt tension gripped her muscles. Her body arched. I felt the wave of quakes take her. Amid Karis’ waning tremors, I released the seed from Raan’s body. As it flooded in, she pulled my face close. She stared into my eyes with tender affection and kissed me until I was empty. I had little breath to spare, but in that moment I would have given her my last one.
The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne Page 14