“I’m going to go on soon,” Pepper puts her hand on her shoulder. “But you can watch me through there,” she opens up the tent flap and points at the tunnel.
Down the tunnel is the performers entrance into the performance tent. From the tunnel you can see half of the act presently performing. The crowd’s cheers are almost as loud as the music playing.
“I want to go with you,” Lottie pouts.
“Maybe one day when you have enough practice and you know the routine. Think of this as day one of your lessons. Watch what I do, okay?”
“Okay!” She nods.
A group of hybrids exiting from their performance walk down the tunnel, towards them, sweaty and out of breath. Pepper takes a deep breath trying to calm the queasy feeling inside her. Even after many years of performing she still gets anxious performing in front of hundreds. Her heart skips a beat and her stomach flutters with nerves.
Her show is best described as hunter versus prey. She performs with four hybrid males, two of which resemble wolves with large canine teeth and an abundance of thick dark gray hair. One comparable to Pepper with large horns extending from his temples. The last hybrid male is tall as a bear and just as vicious as one, too.
It is dark as Pepper enters the arena, she kneels on the dirt ground and waits. The crowd is talking amongst themselves and no one has noticed Pepper’s presence. The show starts off with her standing alone, the spotlight on her. The crowd goes silent. The four males stand in the four separate corners. They start to creep towards her. She slowly rises from the ground, her knees are bent and she looks around as she plays the unknowing victim.
They all pounce at once and as they have practiced many times, two of them discreetly cup their hands together enough for her to place her foot in each other their hands as they use their strength to lift her up. She jumps in the air grabbing the rope from above. She climbs it, entwining her body, pretending to slip and fall a few inches. She moves with the music, posing, hooking the rope over one of her legs so she can let go and wave her free hands.
The males catch her when she purposely falls. They fight and she flips just out of their reach, her body bending thanks to years of training to increase her flexibility. Jumping off their backs and swinging from rope to rope the crowd cheers, but she knows they are only cheering because the predators have jumped the rope with her. They climb high until one of them grabs her foot, holding her by the ankle. This stunt is a dangerous one that requires a lot of trust. One wrong move, one slip of his hand, and she will be hurtling toward the solid ground below her.
The crowd enjoys the aerial stunts but they enjoy the ending more. They are back to where they began. Her—in the middle under the spotlight, now surrounded by four hungry males. The final pounce, she crouches as they cover her with their shirtless, sweaty bodies. The spotlight is gone, the prey is dead. The crowd cheers.
A standing ovation.
Exiting in the darkness, one of them pushes Pepper causing her to trip and fall. They spit insults at her like always. Usually she would cry, but the sound of her name being called picks her back up.
“Pepper! Pepper!”
She looks down the tunnel to see Lottie jumping up and down, clapping her hands. She looks so happy and amazed. She ignores the male hybrids passing by her and runs straight into Pepper’s arms.
“You were so incredible!” She cheers.
“You think so?” Pepper holds the girl at her hip and walks down the tunnel heading into the lounging tent.
“I know so! That was the best thing I ever saw! How did you do all that? I want to climb on a rope, too!”
“If you wake up really early with me, I’ll take you to the tent and show you how.”
“You mean it?” Her eyes light up.
“If you’re serious about this.”
“I am! I am!” She says eagerly.
How can she deny Lottie when she looks so excited and determined? “Then I will teach you everything I know.”
* * *
Rowan wakes up just in time for lunch.
Shadow and Lola are the only ones who are missing from the table. Solana is sitting with Pepper who is still wearing her costume from her afternoon performance and Lottie is by her side showing off a new look—sparkling makeup the performers usually wear. Her ear-to-ear smile tells Rowan she had a great time.
Pepper, Solana, and Lottie interrogate her, asking where she’s been all night and all day. Lottie is more worried about where Shadow is and Pepper smoothly repeats the questions, thinking again, that they have spent the night together.
“It is awfully suspicious,” Solana comments. “You two have been acting weird with your touching and sneaking around with each other.”
“How come you’re not questioning Lola’s whereabouts? Maybe she’s with Shadow,” she points her fork at the two of them.
“Is she with Shadow?” Pepper raises a curious eyebrow.
“I think so,” she sighs, “Listen, I can’t give you much information, but something is going on right now. It’s kinda like a Lottie situation, but needs to be more hidden and secretive.”
“Another Lottie situation?” Solana scratches her head. “You guys found another Shevka?”
“No. Now stop asking questions. Shadow will tell you if and when he wants to. I trust you two with all my heart, but I can’t risk someone else overhearing and whispering it back to a higher power.”
“Like The Overseer?” Solana states.
“Yes,” she shushes her. “Now eat.”
She wants to tell them everything, but somehow she can’t see Shadow forgiving her for revealing pieces of his private life. Gossiping about this isn’t an option, not with how high the stakes are. It’s like Shadow said to her, The Overseer has eyes everywhere and no doubt they are on her. If it somehow got back to The Overseer that she is involved, she fears the worst.
“I’ve been working on a few new potions. I’d like to test them out on you at Madame Tallulah’s,” Solana rubs her hands together excitedly.
She quickly agrees. She hasn’t been to Madame Tallulah’s in a couple of days and really misses exploring and pushing her magic to its limit. She misses the warmth of the flame on her fingertips and the power of wielding and shaping it into whatever her mind wants. The feel of magic coursing through her veins, humming like a perfect song, is like a warm blanket on a cold day. Her flame is a friend. Ever since Madame Tallulah unlocked the amulet, she has felt like she belongs. When she’s lost in the power, it is as if nothing in the world makes sense but the fire that lives and breathes in her soul.
At Madame Tallulah’s, Solana has a handful of vials, liquids, and a written journal filled with instructions. She brews something up while Madame Tallulah has Rowan throw fire shards at a bullseye. Her aim is getting better at five feet away, but as the distance increases her aim decreases.
“Here, take this,” Solana shoves the potion in her face.
It’s red and smells spicy making her eyes water. “What is it?” She jerks her head back and holds the potion away from her nose.
“It’ll make your flame hotter.”
“How hot are we talking?”
“Instant melting,” her lip curls into a deranged smile. “What? It could be good for fighting enemies. They won’t be able to touch you, not even through fire proof armor.”
“I have just the thing,” Madame Tallulah rummages around in her trunk pulling out a silver shin plate from some soldier’s armor.
The small engraved seal at the top is unlike King Syro’s, the emblem is two smaller swords crossed, making an x and a longer sword that is on fire and going straight through the middle of the x. She doesn’t have to ask to know this piece of armor is from a time when her father ruled. She wonders who the piece belonged to.
She downs the tonic instantly feeling the heat boil her blood. She opens her mouth gasping for air as it feels like her lungs are melting. A breath of fire shoots from her mouth like a dragon. The tips of her hair are si
nged and giving off gray smoke.
“Concentrate,” Madame Tallulah instructs as she places the armor on the center of the stool.
She closes her eyes and wills the flame to cover her fist. Instead of a red flame, it is a chartreuse color. She aims and fires, the steel melting so fast the armor was there one minute and in a puddle the next.
“What was that?” She looks down at her green flame feeling different.
“I’m a genius I know,” Solana smirks. “I made your flame act like acid. It melts through the toughest steel and can damage your victims more than any third-degree burn could. This could melt not just skin but their bones!”
As amazing as the green flame is and how helpful it can act in a time of war, the thought of hurting someone so gruesomely—so painfully—makes Rowan sick to her stomach.
“Here, I have another I want to test out,” Solana grabs a vial but stops, sighing, “but we should probably wait for the potion to wear off. We don’t want to cause a reaction in your system.”
“How long is this supposed to last?” She analyzes her new green flame.
“An entire day,” Solana shrugs.
“Well, let’s practice with your aim. We don’t want to waste an entire day waiting for the potion to wear out,” Madame Tallulah sets up a new bullseye and sticks various objects in the middle for her to hit.
Reading her father’s journals she learned a lot about having patience and dissociating feelings when magic is involved. He talks about having a clear mind and focusing on a single goal instead of many. Focus on the target, nothing else. Will the magic exactly where you want it, treat the flame as if it is another body part. Guide it and it will know where to go.
With her new green flame, they go through bullseyes quickly until Madame Tallulah has her practicing on other things she can find. One thing about this tonic, it seems to deplete her magic faster, making her feel more fatigued. Madame Tallulah offers a much needed break, stating that they’ll continue tomorrow.
Rowan and Solana check Lola’s booth to see if she’s there, but she’s not. A handful of Shevka customers are lingering around her booth waiting for her to return. They check their tent next, still nothing. She knows Lola isn’t with Lottie and Pepper, Lottie is watching Pepper’s evening performance.
“Where is she? This isn’t like her,” Solana scratches her chin.
“I think I know, but she might not want anyone else to know.”
Solana shrugs her shoulders and decides to stay in for the night perfecting a potion she’s been working on for weeks now. Rowan vacates their tent and heads to where Lola and Shadow might be—Melani’s temporary tent.
“Hey,” Lola greets quietly standing from the stool she was sitting on to meet her by the entrance of the tent.
She notices Shadow is sitting on the edge of Melani’s mattress holding her hand and petting her hair. “What’s going on?”
“Melani had a panic attack, he’s been trying for an hour to calm her down. I think she’s finally fallen asleep,” Lola frowns and Rowan mimics her expression. “Did you meet with Madame Tallulah? How are things going?”
“Better. I think my father’s journals are helping me get in the right mind frame. I still don’t feel ready to be a queen though.”
Lola touches her arm and squeezes gently. “You might never feel ready, but no matter what, we’re ready to fight at your side. I’ve been working on mastering a few new spells. I think they’ll go pretty well mixed with your flame,” she winks. “Not to mention you’ll be a magnificent ruler.”
Shadow stands from his sleeping sister and silently makes his way toward them. He looks exhausted as if he hasn’t gotten any sleep at all. “I think it’s time for you to go back to your room,” Rowan suggests.
“I don’t want to leave her.”
“She’s in good hands,” Lola pats his back. “I think I’m going to get some shut eye myself in a few minutes. I think I’ll sleep here tonight to watch over her. I have a book to keep me occupied anyways,” she proposes.
“Thank you,” Shadow closes his eyes in relief. His shoulders slump and his movements are noticeably slow and weak. It seems Melani has been rather difficult today—not that Rowan can blame her. Adjusting to the outside world must be scary and confusing. After not seeing the sun for years, it would have had a toll on her eyesight if it weren’t for a spell Lola provided to keep her eyes safe.
“Let me walk you home,” Rowan wraps her arms around his waist and is surprised when he doesn’t argue with her.
It’s starting to get dark, all of the Shevka guests have gone home and the performers are returning to their tents now. Sneaking into the headquarters building at this time shouldn’t be too complicated. Blade and Knot should already be in their rooms after their evening performances. The only one they have to worry about is his father.
Shadow wraps the two of them in his shadows giving them a cloak of invisibility as they near the headquarters building. They disappear into the corridor blending in with the dark. His door is unlocked when they enter, but he locks it as soon as they’re inside. His room is spacious and filled with so many books. She has the urge to touch them and ask him if she could borrow one or two...or three or four.
He sits on the edge of his bed and puts his face in his hands. He shakes his head and she can swear he lets out a shuddering sob. She sits down next to him touching his back to let him know she’s there. He looks up from his hands so their eyes meet. She feels her heart skip a beat as she sees something new in his dark, yet soft, expression. His eyes are ablaze with something new and unfamiliar, there is a fire in his eyes that is a mixture of hungry and lustful.
“I don’t want to be alone,” he whispers to her.
They lean in closer to each other and continue to lean until there is no room between them. Until their lips are flush up against one another. Her lips are soft while his are trembling with restraint. He places his hand on her cheek, the pad of his thumb stroking her scarred skin. She wraps her arms around his waist pulling her closer to him.
Rowan is dizzy from their kiss. It is unhurried and simple, but yet it feels charged with a deadly amount of electricity. Her skin feels hypersensitive with every touch and every movement. She has never kissed a boy, she’s often dreamed of having someone to kiss her the way males kiss the beautiful heroines in stories.
Her entire body blooms with warmth. She hums with delight as their kiss goes from simple to mind-numbing. She opens her mouth wider inviting him in as he tastes her and she tastes him. He is intoxicating like the best wine she has ever had. Her eyes are closed because if they were open, surely the room would be spinning. He lays her down on his bed, his sheets smelling intoxicatingly like him. Their kiss doesn’t break as he rests his body down on top of hers. Her hands roam around his back feeling the strength of the muscles and wishing there was no clothing barrier between them. His kisses start to linger down to her neck, his lips sucking and nibbling on the sensitive skin causing her to squirm and moan. Their bodies fit together as if made for one another. The moment feels right and they begin to lose themselves in a passion-filled haze.
* * *
Shadow wakes up with Roe sleeping on top of him. Their bodies are still entwined together and the memories from last night start to flood him like a powerful wave. He smiles wistfully as he runs his hands through her fire-orange hair as his index finger trails in circles across her back. He hasn’t slept this good in a long time.
She doesn’t stir and he wishes they could stay like this forever, but he has a meeting with his father. He knows what this meeting will be about—his sister. As much as he doesn’t want to attend, he’ll look suspicious if he doesn’t.
He dematerializes out from under her and gazes at her looking so peaceful in her deep slumber. His shirt and shoes are scattered across the floor. In the midst of their heated kissing session, his shirt came off. Moving too fast, they both stopped and talked to each other for a long time. He doesn’t even remember falling a
sleep. He picks up his shoes scattered across the floor while grabbing a clean shirt and a pair of pants. Staring at her again he loves how much more relaxed she looks than she does awake.
He admires her, resisting the urge to climb back in bed and enjoy what they shared last night, again. The kiss is replaying in his mind on a loop. He can’t get her out of his head. He longs to be with her, longs to touch her. There was so much more he wanted last night, but to hold her in his arms like he did—he hadn’t had that great of a sleep in a long time. He wishes every night could be like last night.
The time shows he is five minutes late and his father hates those who aren’t punctual. Quickly lacing up his shoes, he stumbles out of his doorway, and into the room of his father’s office across the hall.
Sitting in his father’s office already are Knot and Blade. They don’t spare him a passing glance as he takes his seat next to them. His father looks vexed as he holds his writing utensil in his hand so hard, Shadow is already anticipating it to snap in half. His miffed expression makes all three of them squirm, and his father’s antagonizing silence makes him feel nervous. He looks to both Knot and Blade who keep their faces forward hiding any fear, he feels almost as if they know something he doesn’t.
“You defied me,” he finally speaks. “You defied me now? After all of this time? I did what I did to keep you motivated and you know the consequences.”
His jaw ticks, “What are you going to do? Kill her? You would kill your own daughter?”
“No,” his answer surprises him. “I’m going to show your little friends exactly who you are and what you are capable of. Have you forgotten that you are still in my control?” he motions to the collar around my neck. “Son, I know you aren’t stupid, so why are acting like an imbecile? It is because of that girl, isn’t it? Rowan?” Her name on his lips causes him to tense. His father smiles wickedly. “It is.”
Fight for the Crown Page 17