by KC Kingmaker
All of this skulking around was making my blood boil, but I only had myself to blame. I’d let my emotions get the better of me last night, killing that drunkard, and now the town guard was on full alert.
And to think, my emotions had exploded because I’d felt the need to defend this stranger’s honor.
Unbelievable.
I wasn’t scared of the guards, of course—the mere thought that Unscaled guards could ever best me made me scoff. But I also didn’t want more blood on my hands than necessary.
Plus, witnesses from the tavern were likely giving their descriptions of me even now.
I simply had to find the location of my heirloom and retrieve it. The wretched chieftain of this hamlet was evidently the man I needed to speak to.
I spent the majority of the morning in the alley, watching heavily armed men and women making their way onto the chieftain’s land. They were mercenaries of no repute, with piecemeal equipment, and most of them posed little threat to my endeavor.
Without fail, the men and women would disappear into the large house atop the hill, then reappear and make their way back into town, meandering past the alleyway where I hid.
Many of the bounty hunters were solitary and quiet, but a few walked in pairs and chatted. From them I could glean information.
By the time the silver vision and her friend made their way past my hideaway, I had pieced together enough to start me on my quest.
“Cerophus City. Damn.” The tall silver one was shaking her head as she passed the mouth of the alley, sounding defeated. It disappointed me that she already seemed on the verge of giving up.
From what I’d heard around town, she was supposed to be one of the most promising prospects.
“Yeah, it’s far,” the shorter black-haired one replied. “But don’t worry, Levy, we’ll make it.” She put a hand on her friend’s shoulder for comfort.
How weak. Do these women really need to work in pairs to get anything done?
I shook my head at the idea but couldn’t tear my eyes away from the women after they’d passed. I poked my head out from the alley to keep watching . . . Levy.
“I know,” Levy said, her voice starting to trail off in the distance. “But there’s something I need to discuss with you when we get home. Something I’ve been thinking a lot about . . .”
I couldn’t hear anymore from her, even with my heightened senses.
I need to remain on task, anyway. Let them have their little “girl talk” while I plan my next move. By all indications, Cerophus City is where I must go. It’s a far trek, nearly a hundred miles to the east.
If only I could focus enough to shift for an extended period of time . . .
As my thoughts trailed off, I snarled. I hated feeling feeble.
I lowered my hood and ran a hand through my wavy hair, leaning my head against the stone wall behind me with a sigh. With wings, I could make this trek in a fraction of the time.
Even as I thought that, I had to grimace away a surge of fire that inched up my spine as purple eyes and silver hair flashed in my brain.
My logical mind told me the less people who knew me in Belfue, the better.
But my dragon’s mind burned for this one to know about me. It was an animalistic draw I felt toward her, and it nearly had me walking dazedly out of the alley to follow her back to her decrepit house full of shrieking women.
Tightening my jaw, I balled my hands into fists to keep my lust buried. I took a few deep breaths to compose myself then pulled my cloak tighter around my body.
With this newfound information, I didn’t even need to meet with Chief Garnu, which helped my plan of staying incognito.
I hadn’t wanted to be known as one of the “bounty hunters” searching for the sword anyway, because that would put me in with a mix of derelicts. Also, their different names might be passing between their lips as competition to look out for.
My covert operation was more efficient. Let these men and women squabble and fight each other for the Scraps. Meanwhile, I would swoop in, pluck my family heirloom, and be off to the Emberlands with my mission accomplished.
I should be able to make short work of this quest. Then I will set things right in my homeland once more.
I peeked around the alley and saw Levy and her friend round a building out of my field of vision.
A pang of loss spread through me, my heart thudding.
By Fernus’ veiny wings, just who is this creature?
I needed to disregard all thoughts of lust and passion. While heat was in my blood, no good could come of it. Not here.
I tried to settle my thoughts—to tell myself this woman was just an obstacle. Perhaps she was even sent by some greater deity to block my path.
There was no time for distractions in my life. The impending conflict in the Emberlands couldn’t wait.
If this woman—this silver-haired vision—was a test of some kind, I would shrug it aside and power through, like I always did.
I would not let this Levy affect my thoughts, heart, or loins. As long as I could keep away from her, I wouldn’t act out.
But what were the chances of me staying away from her during this entire quest, when we were searching for the same thing?
7
Levia
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about?” Blythe asked at the dinner table.
I sat over a bowl of slop, dipping hard bread into it and gazing out the window at the warm, sunny day. The ladies often left out communal pots of stew for the refuge during the day, and we could help ourselves to it as we pleased. It was a nice change of pace from watery soup, even if I wasn’t sure what kind of mystery meat this particular stew had in it.
“Alondra made a good point last night while you were putting the kids to bed,” I said, turning to her.
She narrowed her eyes. “Oh gods, I hope you’re not taking advice from that old crone, Levy.”
“She’s older and wiser than us, Bly.”
“Older, surely. The other thing . . . I’m not sold.”
I bit off a chunk of bread. Around the mouthful, I said, “She pointed out the refuge will be in danger without us.”
“Interesting you mention that now when we’re set to go on our epic adventure.”
“It needs mentioning. With guards on the loose and men wreaking havoc around town, decapitating drunks and such, we have to be careful.”
Blythe leaned forward, framing her elbows over her bowl of stew. “What do you have in mind?”
I took a deep breath. “I mentioned that as long as one of us is here to protect the girls, the refuge should be safe. It’s our main priority, after all.”
“Of course.”
“Then we’re in agreement,” I added, hoping to skirt the meat of the conversation.
Blythe wouldn’t let it slide that easily. “Um, about what?” She rested her chin on her knuckles.
“One of us has to stay behind for this mission. The distance we have to travel is too far and we can’t risk leaving the refuge alone for that long.”
“Ha!” she barked incredulously, leaning back. “Getting cold feet, girl?”
“No.” I sighed. “I propose the person that stays behind is you.”
She locked her jaw, one eye twitching.
Uh oh, I’ve awakened the beast.
“Bullshit!” she yelled, slapping her palm on the table.
I flinched.
Blythe swept her hand out toward the hall. “You heard that weasel say how dangerous the quest will be. We need to watch each other’s backs out there in the great wide wilderness! And why should it be me?”
I knew she wouldn’t take my proposition well. Trying to calm my nerves, I said, “Because you don’t have as much experience, Bly. You’ve never been that far out of Belfue.”
She launched up from the table, nearly kicking her chair out. “Neither have you!”
I grimaced. It sucked getting into arguments with my best friend. “Chief Garnu wanted me for the job.” I felt se
lfish saying it, but it needed to be said. “I’ve done hundreds of these retrieval missions over the years.”
“And each one could be your last!”
Her words brought our argument to a screeching halt.
I gulped and felt a lump forming in my throat as I studied her twisted face and stiff shoulders.
I blinked away tears. “I can’t imagine the thought of losing you, Blythe, if you want the truth. You’re all I have. And at least if you’re here I know you’ll be somewhat safe.”
Blythe Telvis had been around since I was young. I didn’t remember my earliest days—some sort of amnesia I could never understand—but I could remember Blythe back when we were both adolescents.
Back when I first became an orphan.
We had looked out for each other for nearly ten years. Grown up alongside one another. Watched each other flower into womanhood. And through all our petty squabbles, it became painfully obvious she was the closest thing I’d ever have to a sister.
Her face softened. It was the vulnerable kind of look she gave me when she needed to cry on my shoulder about some lost lover, of which there had been many.
“You idiot,” she said quietly. “Can’t you see I feel the same way? I can’t lose you, Levy. What am I supposed to do here without you?”
“Watch the refuge,” I said firmly, though inside I felt shaky, like I was about to fall apart. “The girls here need you more than I do, hun.”
Her head lurched back, mouth falling open.
I realized the stupidity of my words and how hurtful they sounded as they came out of my mouth. I tried to ease the blow by adding, “Just this once, I mean.”
It didn’t help. The damage was done, thanks to my stupid, venomous tongue.
Damn myself for speaking so bluntly without thinking of the impact of my words. It was a serious problem of mine.
Blythe sniffled as she spun around so I couldn’t see her face. She stormed out of the room, down a hall.
I stood but didn’t follow her. “Bly, wait! That came out wrong! I swear it’s not what I meant!”
With the room silent, I bowed my head and sighed deeply. “Nice job, asshole. You’ve alienated the one person who cares about you.”
A squeaking floorboard had me whipping my head around.
Pearl Chornlotter stood in the archway of the hall, holding her jutting elbows in front of her frail body. She looked sickly, but even so she gave me a slight smile.
“Sounds like my house, Vera Sunfall,” she murmured.
I clenched my jaw and waved her in. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Enough. I’m sure the whole refuge heard it.”
I tried to make light of it as she sat at the table. “It’s okay. Blythe is my sister. It’s what sisters do.”
She chuckled and eyed the pot of stew on the counter behind me.
I turned and poured some of the slop into an empty bowl, then slid it her way. “Here, eat. You need to get some meat on those bones. We’ll get you strong again.”
“Thank you, Vera.”
“Call me Levia, Pearl. Please. We’re family now.”
She looked up at that, a sparkle in her dewy eyes as she looked at me like I was a divine being.
I had to turn away. Damn, why is everyone getting so sentimental? I guess I should expect nothing less being surrounded by a bunch of recovering women all day.
“How has your stay been so far? Is everyone treating you all right?” I asked, taking a seat across from her.
“Absolutely. The ladies have been wonderful. The elder, Alondra, she’s a bit stern. But I think that’s what I need right now.”
I chuckled, already feeling a bit better. I needed to stay strong for this woman despite my tiff with Blythe. “Yes, she’s the resident taskmaster. But she has a soft heart once she gets to know you.”
Pearl dipped some bread in the stew and ate. It gave me an opportunity to admire her beauty, even through the bruises. She was cleaned up now, her lanky blonde locks brilliant in the sunlight slicing across the top of her face. High cheekbones, a small chin and nose . . . I could see why Grefon Chornlotter had fallen for this one.
“When I found you, Pearl, I didn’t notice any children,” I said, remembering my duty. “Do you have any?”
She gulped down her food and quickly shook her head. “No,” she said, then hesitated and blinked a few times. “I think that’s part of the reason why Grefon hurts me. I’m barren.”
“I’m so sorry, Pearl.”
“It’s not your fault.”
True, but I still felt terrible on her behalf.
A measure of companionable silence passed over us.
“I still wonder what happened to Grefon,” she finally said. “You say you don’t know?”
I scratched the back of my scalp. “No. But I’ll find out from Blythe, once this blows over.”
“Are you sure it will?”
My brow creased, surprised at the question. “Yes. We have these squabbles all the time, Pearl, but it’s never anything we can’t work through. We just care about one another and we’re both as stubborn as Merlog’s beard.”
Her chuckle was a light, airy sound that made me smile. “It sounds like you’re very close.”
“I’ve known her since we were unruly street kids. When we got older, she helped me find other runaway girls, and years later we have this to show for it.” I stretched my arms out wide, gesturing vaguely at the dilapidated walls of the refuge.
“Amazing,” Pearl said. There was true wonder in her eyes.
I didn’t think of it like that. Necessity had brought Blythe and me together. But Pearl’s reverent tone made me blush nonetheless.
She hesitated again, until I fixed my eyes on her.
“Do you mind if I ask what, um, what turned you into a ‘street kid’?” she asked. “Were you always an orphan?”
I cleared my throat as dark memories swirled in my mind—the earliest memories I had, really. Ones I tried to forget, but never could.
My voice came out raspy. “I’d rather not speak on it, Pearl, if it’s all the same to you. Perhaps when I return from my trip.”
She nodded fervently. “Oh, yes, right,” she said shyly, her cheeks burning red. “My apologies, L-Levia. I didn’t mean to pry.”
I smiled and stood from the table. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” I said, then rounded the table and put a hand on her shoulder.
This time when I did it, she didn’t flinch.
We were already making progress.
“Just eat, rest, and get your strength back, please,” I said with a warm smile. “I need to go check on my sister.”
BLYTHE WASN’T IN HER room. Then again, I hadn’t expected she would be.
She wouldn’t be anywhere else in the refuge, either. She was probably taking a nice sunny walk to clear her head, or perhaps having mindless sex somewhere to make herself feel better. It was one of her coping mechanisms, and I’d long ago decided it wasn’t worth chastising.
Though my best friend could be loud, stubborn, and snarky, she was also a sensual woman who’d grown up with a wandering eye.
Perhaps she was secretly trying to find someone to fill her heart, but in the meantime she found people to fill other parts of her. I didn’t pry too much except when she inevitably came crying to me, crestfallen about her latest abandoned lover.
Whether it was men or women, Blythe didn’t discriminate. She was somewhat of a pioneer in that respect, at least in Belfue. I had to imagine there were other parts of the world I’d never heard of where every woman had ten husbands and ten wives or something.
The idea made me laugh. Blythe would be walking on clouds in such a magical fairyland. Shit, I would too.
Even Blythe’s namesake—blithe—seemed like a misnomer for a careless, cheerful, lighthearted person.
It made my heavy words to her that much more despicable.
I mean, I had sprung the idea of one of us staying behind quite abruptly.
I hadn’t thought it through completely. It just seemed if we were both out in the wilderness, we’d constantly be worrying about the refuge back home.
Didn’t she realize I said what I said because I respected her so much? Because she was the only person I trusted with the safety of the shelter?
I took a midday nap to get over my depression, and when I awoke it was twilight. The dark red and pink brushstrokes of the fiery horizon oozed in through my window.
When I turned to my door, Blythe was standing there with her arms folded under her breasts, leaning against the frame.
I choked back my surprise. “Were you, er, watching me sleep?”
“Maybe.”
“Where’d you go today?”
“Out.”
Oh, great, this is going to be a one-word-answer conversation.
I studied her pursed lips. She was trying to keep it together . . .
She finally let out a shuddering breath and deflated in the doorway, hurrying inside. She took a seat at the edge of my bed. “I thought about what you said—”
“I swear, Blythe, I didn’t mean to—”
She raised a hand and cut me off. “I know. I know. And I guess you’re right. One of us should stay behind to make sure the refuge is safe.”
I sighed with relief. Oh, thank the gods.
“And what would I do without Trevion?” she asked, “. . . and Reny, and Jasent, and Silmaria.”
My mouth popped open as she rattled off her army of lovers. I tilted my head and blushed. “Silmaria? Haven’t heard that one before.”
“She’s new.”
“Oh?”
Her fair cheeks brightened as she turned away. She wasn’t usually timid, so this was juicy.
“Met her today,” she explained.
I threw my head back and cackled.
“Even so!” Blythe said, raising a finger. “I’m not just going to give this to you.”
My laugh fell away. “What do you mean?”
“We’re going to draw sticks. Short one goes, long one stays.”
“Blythe . . .”
Dammit. Were we back to square one? Why was she making this so difficult, especially if she now understood my reasoning? I was the experienced one. She had her gaggle of cocks and cunnies she didn’t want to leave behind.