PARADOX II

by Rosemary Laurey

  "My mother married beneath her." Her words were rusty and she was surprised at how much effort it took to form them. "You can see from this place that she grew up in relatively humble surroundings. My grandfather died when she was but a child.

  "After his death, my grandmother earned money with her sewing and embroidery. She wanted to make sure that mama had everything she'd ever need and she sacrificed a great deal for her only child." She leaned against the windowsill. "I can still see her sitting here at this window as she sewed."

  "My mother was young when she met my father. I don't know much about their relationship other than my grandmother did not support it." Her lip curled. "That fact sticks in my father's throat to this day."

  "He's still alive?"

  She snorted. "One would assume so. He's too rotten to die easily." She shrugged. "He and his brothers, sons of the magistrate from the province of Lethoria, were raised to know how to use their fists. Because they could be charming, they also learned at an early age how to scam.

  "Anyway, my parents met, they married and soon she was pregnant with me. That's when everything began to sour. My father and his brothers were arrested for cheating at cards. While it isn't a crime per se, one of their marks was the son of an Overseer." She gave a humorless chuckle. "My father never had the sense Ola gave a goat. My mother returned here and, when he was released, he came for her.

  'She gave birth to me by the side of the road." Her tone was flat. "That was the man my father was. Because of his incarceration, the Realm had seized all of their possessions, including their house, and they were forced to become Travelers."

  "What's a Traveler?"

  "Nomads. People who travel and fleece people for money and possessions, and they try to stay one step ahead of the Peacekeepers. We rarely stayed in one place for more than a fortnight and were constantly looking over our shoulders." She picked up a small pebble and rolled it between her thumb and forefinger. "My sister was born several years after me and things grew steadily worse. My mother became ill and lived for months on her back in a wagon as we kept moving. My father and his brother Jod were arrested again and we returned here.

  "This was the first and last place I ever called home." She turned and nodded toward the stone grate and oven. "My granny taught my sister and me how to cook and bake in that fireplace. She also taught us to sew and, on cold evenings, we would sit and draw pictures and Mama would read to us." She fell silent. The weight of the past swirled around her and she could almost feel those people long gone in the room with her.

  "What happened?"

  "My father returned. My grandmother begged him to leave us here but he refused. He dragged us from the house." She shook her head. "My sister was little more than a baby, really. He swore no one of his blood would ever set foot here again. My mother went only because he'd taken us. She couldn't let us go without her to take care of us." Her gaze fixed on the cold stone of the fireplace. "She never saw her mother again.

  "After a few moon-cycles on the road, my mother fell ill again. She spent the last year of her life confined to the wagon. She finally begged my father to rent a house in a city up north. And, for a while, it worked. He stayed out of trouble and we took care of Mama. But a few weeks after her death we were tossed out in the streets." She shivered, feeling again the cold winter's night and the sting of the air on her skin. Never would she forget the feeling of lying in frozen mud, a Peacekeeper standing over her, so huge in his black uniform as they threw their meager possessions out into the road.

  She shook the memories away. "And we went back to traveling and here I am."

  "Somehow I don't think that's all the story," he said.

  "Ah, you want to hear how my father sold me into slavery?" Her voice turned bitter and she saw the look of horror on his face. She flung the pebble away. "And how I was passed from man to man like some whore? Of course, not all of the men fucked me, just a few of my owners did that. One of them dressed me as a jaJin and paraded me like a pet on a leather leash. He never let his friends touch me, but they could look all the same." She waved her hand to indicate her body. "You talk about how beautiful I am, but all I see is a whore who did what she had to do to survive." She stalked past him, but he grabbed her arm. "Let go--"

  He pulled her tight against him and kissed her and, at first, she resisted. She wanted nothing of tenderness from this man and she didn't deserve it. But her fists knotted in his shirt and, almost against her will, she leaned into him, her emotions raw and heart heavy.

  He broke the kiss. "You survived." His breath was warm against her lips. "You survived and that's what counts. It doesn't matter what other men did to you, Nova. They don't matter and their actions don't either. Only you matter."

  "You're a fool." She wanted to push him away, but her heart was beating too loudly. She wanted so much to hear and believe what he was telling her, even if she was a fool for needing it.

  "I've heard that before."

  He kissed her on the forehead and she melted inside, suddenly weary. "I proved him wrong."

  "Who?"

  "My father. He said that his blood would never enter this house again. I proved him wrong. I bought it last year just to prove him a liar."

  He chuckled. "Well, you accomplished that." He propped his chin on her head and his arms tightened around her. "I think you bought it to prove he didn't break you. By selling you into slavery, he made you who you are today."

  She gave a self-deprecating snort. "And what is that? A whore who learned to fleece people better than he could?"

  "A woman who did what she had to do to survive in a cruel world."

  She closed her eyes. "My grandmother died alone."

  "And she loved you and your mother and sister. I'm sure not a day went by that you didn't think of her and she of you."

  Mute, she nodded.

  "There is no greater gift that can be given than to be remembered by those who loved you." He kissed her on the temple.

  Nova opened her eyes. The golden rays of the sun were sinking into the ocean, setting it afire with streaks of pink and gold.

  "Where is your sister?"

  "Dani?" She pulled out of his arms and scrubbed her cheeks with her hands. "I don't know. Once I was sold I never managed to track her down again. I don't know if she's dead or alive." Her heart constricted at the thought of her solemn little sister and what might have happened to her.

  "Once we get the house done, we can start tracking your sister." Wyn slid his arm around her waist and led her from the house. "But first, let's inspect that package you brought back from town."

  She couldn't help but laugh. "You only think of your stomach."

  He gave her a lecherous wink. "And a few other body parts."

  * * *

  "We found her." Ber was breathless as he raced into the room. "She's bought a house near Wryven."

  "Good work." Evi shoved the prostitute off his lap. "Go down to the kitchens and gather some supplies. We'll be off in less than an hour."

  Ignoring the pout on the beautiful whore's face, he strode to his desk. He needed to send a note to the countess informing her that a delivery would be forthcoming.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The moon was high overhead as they walked along the beach, their fingers entwined. The sand underfoot still held the warmth of the day. The ocean licked at Wyn's toes as they headed toward the house and the bonfire that still burned on the cliff.

  "Tell me of your life in the sea." Nova's voice was quiet. He knew she was still raw from her earlier confessions and he longed to hold her and tell her it didn't matter, but he knew she wouldn't hear him. Soon she'd understand what he'd said and hopefully she'd take it to heart.

  "What do you want to know?"

  "I don't know anything about your kind. Where do you live? What do you eat? How do you earn money--?"

  He turned and cut her flow of words by pressing his fingertip to her lips. In the glow of the moon, she looked like a goddess of old. Her hair
was wild about her shoulders and she was dressed in a simple white chemise. He traced her upper lip with his finger and longed to tell her what he was thinking, but it would do no good for them now.

  He let his arm drop and they continued their slow walk. "There are many clans of mer-people. Some, like me, come to the shores while others remain in the ocean all of their lives. Those clans have a tendency to live further out to sea."

  "Are there any merwomen?"

  "We call them mermaids. We live in houses or caves, we marry and have children, though not necessarily in that order." He raised her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Sound familiar?"

  She pulled away. "Are you married?"

  "No." He tugged her back. "But my parents both think it's long past time I marry."

  "And why haven't you?"

  "I guess I haven't found the right woman yet."

  She gave a grunt of acknowledgement, her head down, her long locks hiding her face from him. They both knew he'd leave and, at that moment, it was more apparent than ever.

  He pointed to the inky darkness in the south. "It's a magical place to live."

  "Why haven't I heard of this place?"

  "Very few humans have ever ventured there. It's only visible to the human eye within a few minutes of sunset."

  "Really?"

  He nodded. "As for money, we don't need much. We live off the sea and, when we need it, we make money by fishing and selling our take at the land dweller markets. Some craft jewelry from shells and others braid strong ropes of underwater vines. We aren't as different as you might think."

  She shot him a disbelieving look. "I think you're very different."

  "How? We love our families, we educate our children, we have a king, a form of government, industry...What's different other than the fact we have webbed hands and feet?"

  She ran her thumb over the webbing between his thumb and forefinger. "What's it like down there? I mean, I love to swim, but I can't go very deep. What's it like to go down so deep you think your lungs will burst?"

  "It's peaceful, quiet and a world like no other. In the daylight the water is blue- green and it's populated with beings the human eye has never seen. The pace is lazy and the wonders are endless."

  "I'd like to see this place you describe." Her tone was wistful. "This place of peace."

  He gave her hand a squeeze. There was no way he could take her to the depths. The pressure of the water would crush her lungs, but there was something he could share with her.

  "Come on." He tugged her toward the water.

  "Where are we going?"

  "I can show you some of my world."

  Her resistance faded as they entered the sea. He guided her into the water then up onto his back. He showed her how to lock her ankles around his waist and, once he was sure she was secure, they set off.

  He headed out to sea, his body easily assuming the movements that could propel him for miles without tiring. He could feel her clutching his shoulders and her shouts of laughter rang loud as they moved through the water. He took her far out, farther than any human would ever dare to swim alone, until the bonfire was but a speck on the horizon. Overhead the moon was full and stars twinkled in the ocean as well as the sky.

  Fastening her arms around his neck, he took her underwater to swim through rock formations he knew she could barely see. He showed her how to catch ticklefish and laughed when they tickled her hands with their distinctive fins. Under the light of the moon he showed her how his people sang.

  He could have stayed there forever with her.

  Only they didn't have forever.

  Swimming in a wide circle, he headed back as fast as he could, reveling in her shouts of delight as they cruised through the waves. When they neared the beach, she slid off his back and hand in hand they walked onto the beach.

  "That was magnificent." She collapsed into a breathless heap on the sand.

  No, she was magnificent.

  Suddenly ravenous for her, he grabbed her shoulders. Her laughter was cut off in mid note as their lips met. Her surprise turned to heat as their mouths devoured each other. He stroked her breasts; her nipples were hard against his palms. Without a second thought he destroyed her chemise, rending it in two to get to her warm female flesh beneath.

  She moaned as he teased her nipples and her hands stroked his chest. Her talented fingers zeroed in on his nipples as well, subjecting them to the same spine-tingling treatment. Too hungry to wait, he slid his hands up her thighs to her woman's flesh. He broke the kiss and looked down at her. On her face he saw need and heat.

  "I need you, now."

  Nova nodded, her breath coming in gasps. She opened her thighs, the moon painting her flesh silver. She slid her hands around his cock and guided him into her. Thrusting forward, he buried himself in her damp heat.

  Her slim legs twined his waist, her heels digging into his buttocks, urging him to move. Her hips arched and he pushed a bit more and, with a fierce growl, he began to move within her. She twisted on the sand, her cries increasing as she rushed toward her peak. Beneath him, she was the cool moon and the heat of the sun at all once. He took her deeper and faster than he could remember ever taking a woman.

  Her body tensed and her muscles clenched his cock. He tried to stop his forward momentum but it was too late. She convulsed and took him to the edge. He threw his head back and cried his completion to the sky.

  Slowly he sank, her body cradling his as she murmured nonsensical words into his ear. He rested his forehead on her shoulder and wondered how he could bear to ever leave this woman.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Nova stroked the fine linen skirt of a ready-made dress. The rich emerald color did little to inspire a feeling other than mild interest. To be quite honest, she really wasn't in the mood to shop. Something didn't feel right, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

  She drifted to a table of ladies' undergarments and began sifting through a pile of lacy camisoles. The memory of Wyn tossing hers into the sea caused her to wince and she turned away from the task. Maybe she'd look at drawers.

  The basket of ladies' undergarments was piled high and she bit her lip as she riffled through them. Silk, finely woven cotton, satin and lace... They were all tumbled together. Such was the way of the Wryven market.

  She turned away from that basket as well.

  Her shopping trip had been a waste of time. She didn't feel like buying anything other than the foodstuffs she'd been forced to travel for. She'd have to arrange for regular deliveries once Wyn was gone. She sighed. Even knowing that she carried enough gold coin in her pocket to buy anything she wished failed to cheer her. She moved back to the rack of ready-made clothes.

  "Are you going to buy anything, girl?" She looked up at the red-faced matron of the stall. She was a large woman with three overfed horse-faced children behind her. She cast a contemptuous glance at Nova's plain clothing. "I'll see the color of your coin now before you run your grubby hands over my wares."

  "Indeed." She fished the gold deuce out of her pocket and held it up so the woman could see its value. "I was going to shop here and now I've changed my mind." Ignoring the woman's spluttering, she turned away.

  Seething, she stomped through the marketplace. Arranged just off the main road to Wryven, the market was a sprawling warren of nooks and crannies packed with goods. Well familiar with such places, Nova was careful to remain alert and keep her money close at hand. One of the first things her father had taught her was how to pick the pocket of the unsuspecting.

  "Hey, lady, you need some pretties for your home?" a wizened woman called to her. "These were crafted by Lady Wryven herself."

  "Indeed." She couldn't prevent the answering smile. "And why would Wryven's lady need to sew for a living?"

  "She said her grandmother taught her." She beckoned Nova closer. "It keeps her hands busy, says she."

  The stall was covered in pieces of fine linen, each stitched with silken threads. The need
lework was fine, delicate and obviously the work of an accomplished needlewoman.

  "These are very beautiful." She ran her hand over a table runner with an intricate ivy design on each end.

  "Indeed. She's very talented." The woman pulled a tablecloth out from under a pile and held it out.

  Nova froze when she saw the design. The detailed pattern of waves and shells looked almost exactly like the design on the mantel of her home. It reminded her so much of her family that her heart almost broke.

  She picked up the cloth. "You said the Lady of Wryven stitched this?"

  "Aye. She married Count Haaken but a few months past and she's a welcome addition to the household, if I may be so brazen to say."

  "Where does she come from?" She touched the threads of a pale brown shell and the silks felt oddly warm.

  "No one really knows where she came from." The woman shuffled her wares, reordering the already meticulous stacks. "Lord Haaken brought her home and married her within a fortnight." She gave a wild cackle of laughter and leaned forward, her eyes alight with merriment. "He is very handsome, is our lord. She probably couldn't wait any longer than that."

  Nova smiled, though a hollowness invaded her stomach. "And her name. What is her name?"

  "Her name? Her name is Lady D--" The woman broke off just as Nova felt the prick of steel slice her shirt and cut into a few layers of skin.

  "Mistress Nova, how very good to see you again."

  Evi's cool voice sounded in her ear and she froze. Her heart thudded as he twisted the knife ever so slightly. She felt blood run down her side. Forcing herself to remain calm, she spoke. "Hello, Evi."

  He laughed and it wasn't pleasant. "I see you remember me."

  She fixed her gaze on the little woman and lowered the cloth to the pile. The woman was staring at her, all merriment gone from her expression. Her eyes were dark with fear and a touch of anger.

  "How could I forget you?" Nova asked. "Though I must say it's a surprise to see you here in Wryven. What can I do for you?"

  "I think you know what I've come for." Evi removed the knife from her side. Taking her arm, he turned her around and reached into her blouse to retrieve her bodice knife. "I'll take that for now."