"I intend to kill Vardil Cayetes," I said.
"I'd like to help," Bleek nodded.
* * *
Bleek
I watched her walk away, my child waving at her as she left our suite. I hadn't had a civilized conversation with anyone for eight years; I always treated my companions as if I expected them to shoot me in the back at any moment.
This girl had given Barc back to me, and then informed me that she wanted to kill Cayetes.
I wanted to kill him, too, for lying to me. He, his warlock and his witch had fooled me all along—by making me believe that someday Barc would be released from his coffin and made well.
They'd made sure it would never open.
Without the help of the Vampire Queen who could turn to mist, Barc would still be locked inside that box.
Without the help of Quin, who had healing talent that surpassed the fantasies written in books, he'd have died shortly after.
Many years had passed since I'd considered redirecting my rage.
I was doing so now. Cayetes and his Karathian twins should tremble. If Quin asked, I would kill them for her.
And for myself.
* * *
Lissa
"What do you mean, she had dinner with that wing-breaker?" Justis was already exercising his authority as the Avii King. He'd arrived in a snit after finding Quin gone from Avii Castle.
At least he'd allowed it to distract him from his brother's death and the memorial service the following day.
Yanzi had transported him from the glass castle, and now sat silently in a corner of my study, watching Justis just as I did.
"Don't worry, I had eyes on them the entire time," I attempted to calm Justis down. "I think it worked, too. Bleek is coming around. He wants Cayetes dead just as much as we do, now."
"Tell her that I will not allow her to break away from the Avii," Justis hissed. "She is Avii. End. Of. Statement."
"Then perhaps you need to convince your Council," I offered dryly. "Somebody's spreading poison, I know that much. Besides, Quin is her own person. Neither of us own her."
Justis' red feathers lifted and rustled at my statement, but he didn't reply.
Smart of him.
"Who's guarding Liron?" I asked.
"Daragar and Terrett," he mumbled, shaking himself and flattening his feathers.
"Cayetes doesn't give up, once he finds a target," I pointed out. "He'll be back, rest assured."
"Then tell me how to protect the boy," Justis huffed. "I'm doing the best I can."
"You know, I think I have an idea," I said, waving a finger at the Avii King.
* * *
Quin
"Come with me," I said to Bleek.
"I can't pass the threshold."
"You can this time," I held out a hand. Barc was already holding my other hand while I stood in the hall outside Bleek's suite. He was ready to go to breakfast with me. I wanted Bleek to come, too.
I could tell Bleek didn't trust my words. "I asked the Queen. She says you're welcome at the table this morning."
Bleek wanted to close his eyes as he extended his hand—he expected to be shocked the moment his fingers passed the door's edge. He'd already tried walking out the first day of his captivity. He'd received a mind-numbing shock as a result.
I gripped his hand when it passed through the door.
Nothing had happened.
Bleek's dark eyes widened in disbelief.
"I won't lie to you," I said. "I promise on my white wings."
"You don't have," he began.
"This is just a disguise," I said. "Ask Berel when you see him—he has images on a comp-vid."
Bleek stepped out of his prison. Barc giggled and grasped his father's hand. I led them to the dining hall.
I can find things, after all.
* * *
I ate breakfast, sitting between Barc and Terrett. Bleek, who sat across the table, was deep in a conversation between a former Dragon Warlord and a former Falchani General. They were discussing blade fighting.
If my eyes and ears weren't fooling me, I'd think Bleek was actually enjoying himself. I doubted he'd had the opportunity to talk sword skills with anyone since going to work for Cayetes.
By the end of the meal, both Falchani had arranged for a sparring session with Bleek using wooden practice blades.
"Don't kill anyone," I said when Bleek, a smile on his face, rose from the table.
"Yes, commander," he held one right hand over his chest while saluting me with the other.
"Now that's convenient," Lissa smiled. "Barc, do you want to go to the library or the arboretum?"
"Both," Barc grinned.
"Good choice," she held out her hand.
* * *
Avii Castle
Justis
Lissa warned me not to tell Wimla or Vorina of our plans.
I was finding it difficult not to do so. It would protect Liron; to me, that's what mattered most.
I'd already asked Ardis to investigate the rumors about Quin.
He never left my suite; he already knew.
Dena told him.
Farisa, Brown Wing Guild Master for the Artisans, had been pouring out her dissatisfaction with Quin since Jurris' death. Until that moment, Wimla, a glassmaker and Brown Wing artisan, had provided the heir to the throne.
Now, Farisa worried that the prestige that Wimla and Liron brought to the Artisan's Guild would evaporate.
Therefore, Quin had become a target. Farisa wanted to discredit Quin in any way she could, in order to push Wimla back into her elevated position as mate to the King.
I was King and I despised politics.
Therefore, I was adding to the plan Lissa had developed to protect Liron. Since Farisa was so obviously suspicious of where Quin had been for five years, I decided that she would accompany Wimla and Vorina when they left Le-Ath Veronis with Liron.
Yes, that would satisfy me and get the mouthy bitch out of the way at the same time. Her second-in-command, Gerig, would serve in her place until Cayetes was dead and it was safe to bring Liron home.
She'd be able to communicate with those she'd left behind, as would Wimla and Vorina. Where they were going, Cayetes could never go. Lissa had assured me of that much. We only had to employ a bit of subterfuge, first.
Then, all I had to do was convince Quin.
That, in my mind, might be harder than moving a mountain with my bare hands.
* * *
Puntia
Vic'Law
"How many of them are there?" Barstle whispered.
"At least twenty, so far, but I think—I think more may be coming," Barstle's valet whispered back.
"How? How is he making them?"
"I don't know. He has your entire wing locked and guarded day and night. Who knows what he has in there, now? It's uncanny—they all look exactly the same."
"If the others learn he's here," Barstle shuddered.
"Is there some way we can escape?" his valet pleaded.
"I have no idea. If you think of anything, tell me immediately."
* * *
Quin
I was at the back of the crowd at Jurris' memorial—by choice. Terrett, Berel, Kaldill, Lafe, Yanzi and Bel Erland stood with me.
Queen Lissa, as an ally and royal guest, stood near the front with Bel's father, the King of Karathia, showing their support for Justis.
I noticed Bryan Riley, the journalist, at a discreet distance, recording the event. Justis allowed him to come when he would allow no other.
I could see that Justis had respect for Bryan the vampire journalist. Bryan would only show to the Alliance what Justis approved.
A mound of flowers covered the coffin, but beside it lay a single, red, primary feather. Justis had plucked one of his to be sent to the crypt with his brother.
Wimla, Vorina and Liron stood to the left, Justis, alone, to the right. Yes, I should have been there with him, but so many Avii would have disapprove
d. Pulling my wings tighter against my body, I placed my hand inside Terrett's and sighed.
* * *
Terrett
Jurris' coffin was flown out of the throne room where the service took place, and downward, to a lower terrace. From there, he would be carried to the crypt where Avii royalty were entombed.
Any who could fly followed from a discreet distance, once Justis, Jurris' two wives and Liron followed the coffin.
Justis carried Liron himself, as if he feared for the boy.
Perhaps he was right to do so.
Do you wish to walk or fly? I turned to Quin.
"I'll walk with you," she said.
She led me out of the throne room and down wide passageways for what seemed a very long time until we came to a narrower tunnel. "I was here once before," Quin said. "I remember fainting in this tunnel after a healing," she said while touching the wall.
Someone behind us shrieked.
Quin fell through the wall, her hand jerking away from mine as the solid glass met my fingers.
* * *
Lissa
"I'll mist past the wall," I said. "If she's there, I'll bring her out."
Justis was nearby, attempting to hide his panic. Terrett did his best to remain calm; he'd informed me the moment Quin's hand was pulled from his. Still, I could see the terror in his eyes.
Bel Erland, however—he begged me with his eyes to bring her out. Like the others, he was terrified he'd never see her again.
What was it about this infernal castle, anyway? The gate lay at the bottom of it and this—nobody else could put a finger through this wall.
Somehow, Quin had fallen right through it—or, I worried—she'd been sucked into it.
"I'm going," I breathed, squaring my shoulders and turning to mist. I went right through a very thick, glass wall and into the strangest room I'd ever seen.
* * *
Quin
At least I hadn't lost consciousness this time, but I had no idea what the room's purpose was.
Piles of glass—like that the castle was made of—lay all around its smooth walls. Each piece was a perfect sphere. Like stacks of boulders, shaped round and smooth, they lay everywhere, in all sizes. Some quite small, others very large.
I knew I should go back—people would be looking for me. I knew where the exit was—it was quite apparent from this side of the room.
From the other side, nobody else could enter.
Except a Vampire Queen who could become mist, I discovered.
"Quin?" Lissa's voice disturbed the stillness of the room.
"Look at all this," I gestured with a hand. "Do you think it was leftover glass from the castle's making?"
"Perhaps, although I have to say, it's more than strange," she admitted, sweeping the piles of spheres with worried eyes. "I need to get you out of here—the others are panicking."
"I can leave anytime—through there," I pointed toward the wall.
"What? I don't see it," she said.
"It's right here. See the line of white?" I pointed. In all the glass that formed the castle, I'd never seen a white streak, before.
Perhaps it had been made just for me.
"That's strange," Lissa went to study the thin line of white. "You can go through it?"
"Yes. I can find it on the outside, too, since I can find things."
"Well, I hope you won't mind if I mist through again—I doubt it'll let me through," she blew out a breath. "Come on—you first. I'll be right behind you."
"All right." Bending down, I lifted a glass sphere half the size of my fist. "I'll take this with me, since it looks to be extra."
* * *
Lissa
I watched Quin walk right through the wall, as if it were nothing more than air. Placing my hand on the wall where she'd walked through, it was as solid as the rest of the castle.
"No idea," I muttered to myself before turning to mist and getting the hell out of there.
* * *
Quin
"Drink this," Justis thrust a glass of wine in my hands. "You probably need it. I know I do." He lifted his glass of wine and downed half of it in two swallows.
I sat in the King's sitting room where Terrett, Lafe, Lissa and the others had gathered after my reappearance in the castle's narrow tunnel leading to the royal crypt.
Alcohol had been ordered by Dena, who hovered nearby with Ardis, no doubt worried that I'd disappear through another wall.
I'm fine, I sent mindspeech to Dena. Really.
I knew tongues were wagging throughout the glass castle. Dena knew it too; I could see it in her face. My fall through a glass wall was another thing that separated me from the others. One more reason to claim I wasn't Avii.
I wondered if it would ever end, even when I was gone.
Yes, I planned to leave before Justis took his crown and the vows required by Avii law to bind him to Wimla and Vorina the following day.
I knew I couldn't bear to watch.
If I had my way, someone would take me back to Vic'Law and allow Bleek and Barc to go with me.
"Master Gurnil is here, my King," a guard appeared in the doorway.
"Good. Get him in here. Now, before she flies away again." Justice handed his empty wineglass to Dena.
"Come," Dena stood before me.
"Why?" I asked. It was a stupid question. How had this slipped past me? I felt dizzy, suddenly.
The wine.
"What did you put in here?" I demanded, my voice sounding slow. I felt as if my mouth suddenly found it difficult to form words.
"You'll be my first wife—I command it," Justis snapped. "If you fly away from me again without telling me where you're going, I will demand a feather. Of my choosing."
"No," I said.
"Tell me you don't love me. You said you did two days ago," Justis frowned.
"No," I repeated.
"Do you love me?" he asked.
"Yes." I hung my head. I think I'd loved him the moment he'd interfered when a guard pulled one of my nubs. Sadly, that came right out of my mouth after my admission of love.
"Do you want to marry me? Tell me truly," he demanded.
"Yes." I couldn't meet his eyes as I spoke the hopeless wish that was lodged in my heart.
"Then you will be my first wife. Gurnil, begin the ceremony."
* * *
I think he knew better than to ask me to share his bed. He'd drugged the wine with something that forced the truth from my lips and I was angry, even in my less-than-lucid state.
Instead, Berel was with me inside the suite next to Justis'—it was reserved for the King's favorite wife.
Once, it had been Halthea's. I'd cleaned her closet and arranged her clothing. I hoped it was all gone, now. I had no desire to see anything of hers.
"Do you know what was in that room?" I leaned back and turned wine-fogged eyes on Berel. He'd tucked my head against his shoulder while we lay, fully clothed, on the wide bed.
"No. Tell me." His smile was gentle as he leaned in to kiss me.
"This. And many more like it," I pulled the small sphere from my pocket.
"The same glass as the castle?" He took the sphere from my hand and examined it.
"I think so. Maybe it was extra," I shrugged, snuggling against him again. "Some of the spheres are nearly as tall as I am."
"Will you wear my ring, too, one day?" he asked, taking my hand and fingering the gold band I wore. I nodded, which made him smile.
"Justis is full of shit," I mumbled, closing my eyes.
Berel's chest vibrated as he laughed.
* * *
Lissa
There are times when things happen just as they should; when the guilty get their comeuppance and the ones they've harmed are there to witness it.
Those times don't come often, but they do come.
Quin was there to witness the ceremony between Justis, Wimla and Vorina. Liron was watched over by Farisa, Guild Master of the Artisans.
Ju
stis asked Quin's permission before taking those two as wives; it was his way of telling them that Quin was first and always would be.
Quin was still upset with Justis and I didn't blame her, but I watched in satisfaction as Farisa's anger grew.
When the short ceremony was over, Justis informed Wimla, Vorina and Farisa that he was sending them to Wyyld II to protect Liron's life. During the ceremony, their things had been packed and were now ready to load onto a private ship headed for Ildevar Wyyld's home. He, as founder of the Reth Alliance, had offered sanctuary for the child, his mother and two others.
Farisa was ready to explode. If she hadn't worried that she'd be sent to a cell deep in the castle, she'd have argued with the King.
I wondered what she'd say when she learned what we truly had in store for her. I wanted to laugh, but held back. My Falchani twins were with me, though, and they turned heads now and then to hide a snicker.
I could see the strain it placed on Quin, however. She could see every bad word and thought in Farisa's face.
If Farisa could have killed with a look, she'd have done exactly that.
"Hold on for a minute," I held up a hand to let my twins know not to follow me. I pitied Farisa if she attempted to strike me.
She held back—vampires terrified her, I suppose.
As they should.
"You," I said, pointing at her and placing compulsion in a soft voice, "Will never bring harm to Quin or Justis. That includes any lies you think to tell about them. Do you hear me?"
Her eyes had gone blank for just a moment before she nodded.
"Good," I said. "I think we're done here."
* * *
Quin
Justis convinced me to share his bed that night. I think he knew the rest of us would go back to Vic'Law the following day.
We'd gone to the space station orbiting Le-Ath Veronis after the ceremony, to see Wimla, Vorina, Liron and Farisa off. I was grateful they were going, if I were honest. Justis didn't need another attack at Avii Castle. Bryan Riley had come, too, making sure that the Alliance was aware that Liron was going to stay with Ildevar Wyyld to preserve his life from future attacks.
"My love," Justis half covered my body with his. "Did you really love me then?" He meant when I'd first seen him.
"I think I did," I closed my eyes with a sigh. "I could see the light shining in you."
BlackWing: First Ordinance, Book 3 Page 19