A Soul of Ash and Blood A Blood and Ash Novel (Blood And Ash Series Book 5

RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONERichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEASoulofAshand
Blood
ABloodandAsh
Novel
ByJenniferL.
Armentrout
Copyright2023
JenniferL.Armentrout
ISBN:978-1-957568461
Publishedby
BlueBoxPress,animprintofEvilEyeConcepts,Incorporated
Coverdesignby
HangLe
Allrights
reserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,ordistributedin
anyprintedorelectronicformwithoutpermission.Pleasedonotparticipatein
orencouragepiracyofcopyrightedmaterialsinviolationoftheauthor’s
rights.
Thisisawork
offiction.Names,places,charactersandincidents
aretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationandarefictitious.Anyresemblance
toactualpersons,livingordead,eventsorestablishmentsissolelycoincidental.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEBOOK
DESCRIPTION
ASoulofAshandBlood
ABloodandAshNovel
ByJenniferL.Armentrout
Onlyhismemoriescansaveher…
Agreatprimalpowerhasrisen.TheQueenof
FleshandFirehasbecomethePrimalofBloodandBone—thetruePrimalofLife
andDeath.AndthebattleCasteel,Poppy,andtheirallieshavebeenfighting
hasonlyjustbegun.GodsareawakeningacrossIliseeumandthemortalrealm,readyingforthewartocome.
ButwhenPoppyfallsintostasis,Casfaces
theveryrealpossibilitythatthedire,unexpectedconsequencesofwhatsheis
becomingcouldtakeherawayfromhim.Casisgivensomeadvice,
though—somethingheplanstoclingtoashewaitstoseeherbeautifuleyes
openoncemore:Talktoher.
Andso,hedoes.HeremindsPoppyhowtheir
journeybegan,revealingthingsabouthimselfthatonlyKieranknowsinthe
process.Butit’sanybody’sguesswhatshe’llwaketoorexactlyhowmuchof
therealmandCaswillhavechangedwhenshedoes.
#1NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthor
JenniferL.ArmentroutrevisitsPoppyandCasteel’sepiclovestoryinthenext
installmentoftheBloodandAshseries.Butthistime,Hawkegetstotellthe
tale.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEABOUTJENNIFERL.ARMENTROUT
#1NewYorkTimesand#1
InternationalBestsellingauthorJenniferL.ArmentroutlivesinShepherdstown,
WestVirginia.Alltherumorsyou’veheardaboutherstatearen’ttrue.When
she’snothardatworkwriting,shespendshertimereading,watchingreallybadzombiemovies,pretendingtowrite,hangingout
withherhusband,herBorderJack—Apollo,BorderCollie—Artemis,sixjudgmental
alpacas,tworudegoats,andfivefluffysheep.Inearly2015,Jenniferwas
diagnosedwithretinitispigmentosa,agroupofraregeneticdisordersthat
involveabreakdownanddeathofcellsintheretina,eventuallyresultingin
visionloss,amongothercomplications.Duetothisdiagnosis,educatingpeople
onthevaryingdegreesofblindnesshasbecomeanotherpassionforher,right
alongsidewriting,whichsheplanstodoforaslongasshecan.
Herdreamsofbecominganauthor
startedinalgebraclass,whereshespentmostofhertimewritingshort
stories…whichexplainsherdismalgradesinmath.Jenniferwrites
youngadult,paranormal,sciencefiction,fantasy,andcontemporaryromance.
SheispublishedwithTor,HarperCollinsAvonandWilliamMorrow,Entangled
TeenandBrazen,Disney/Hyperion,HarlequinTeen,andBlueBoxPress;andPassionFlixrecentlymadeherWickedseriesintoafeature
film.Jenniferhaswonnumerousawards,includingthe2020GoodreadsChoice
AwardinRomanceforheradultfantasy,FromBloodandAsh.Shehasalso
writtenAdultandNewAdultcontemporaryandparanormalromanceunderthename
J.Lynn.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEALSOFROMJENNIFERL.ARMENTROUT
FallWithMe
DreamofYou(a1001
DarkNightsNovel)
ForeverWithYou
FireinYou
ByJ.Lynn
WaitforYou
BewithMe
StaywithMe
TheBloodandAshSeries
FromBloodandAsh
AKingdomofFleshand
Fire
TheCrownofGilded
Bones
TheWarofTwoQueens
ASoulofAshandBlood
VisionsofFleshandBlood:ABloodand
Ash/FleshandFireCompendium
TheFleshandFireSeries
AShadowintheEmber
ALightintheFlame
AFireintheFlesh
FallofRuinandWrath
Series
FallofRuinandWrath
TheCovenantSeries
Half-Blood
Pure
Deity
Apollyon
Sentinel
TheLuxSeries
Shadows
Obsidian
Onyx
Opal
Origin
Opposition
Oblivion
TheOriginSeries
TheDarkestStar
TheBurningShadow
TheBrightestNight
TheDarkElements
BitterSweetLove
WhiteHotKiss
StoneColdTouch
Every
LastBreath
TheHarbingerSeries
StormandFury
RageandRuin
GraceandGlory
TheTitanSeries
TheReturn
ThePower
TheStruggle
TheProphecy
TheWickedSeries
Wicked
Torn
Brave
ThePrince
(a1001DarkNightsNovella)
TheKing(a1001Dark
NightsNovella)
TheQueen(a1001Dark
NightsNovella)
GambleBrothersSeries
TemptingtheBestMan
TemptingthePlayer
TemptingtheBodyguard
AdeVincentNovelSeries
MoonlightSins
MoonlightSeduction
MoonlightScandals
StandaloneNovels
Obsession
Frigid
Scorched
Cursed
Don’tLookBack
TheDeadList
TillDeath
TheProblemwithForever
IfThere’sNoTomorrow
Anthologies
MeetCute
LifeInsideMyMind
FiftyFirstTimesRichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Behindeverybookisateamof
peoplewhohelpedmakeitpossible.ThankyoutoBlueBoxPress—LizBerry,
JillianStein,MJRose,ChelleOlson,KimGuidroz,
JessicaSaunders,TanakaKangara,theamazingediting
andproofreadingteam,andMichaelPerlman,alongwiththeentireteamat
S&Sfortheirhardcoverdistributionsupportandexpertise.Also,ahuge
thankstoHangLeforherincredibletalentatdesign;myagentsKevanLyonand
TarynFagerness;myassistant,MalissaCoy;shop
managerJenFisher;andthebrainbehindApollyCon
andmore:StephBrown,alongwithVickyandMatt.Also,theJLAnders
mods,VonettaYoungandMonaAwad.
Thankyouallforbeingthemostamazing,supportiveteamanauthorcouldwant,
formakingsurethesebooksarereadallacrossthe
world,creatingmerch,helpingwithplotissues,andmore.
Ialsoneedtothankthose
who’vehelpedmekeepmyheadabovewater,eitherbyhelpingmeworkmywayout
ofaplotcornerorjustbybeingtheretomakemelaugh,beaninspiration,or
togetmeinoroutoftrouble—KATucker,KristenAshley,JRWard,SarahJ.
Maas,SteveBerryforstorytimes,AndreaJoan,StaceyMorgan,MargoLipschultz,andsomanymore.
AbigthankyoutoJLAndersforalwayscreatingafunandoftenhilarious
placetochill.AndtotheARCteamforyourhonestreviewsandsupport.
Mostimportantly,noneofthis
wouldbepossiblewithoutyou,thereader.Ihopeyourealizehowmuchyoumean
tome.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETABLEOFCONTENTS
BOOKDESCRIPTION
ABOUTJENNIFERL.ARMENTROUT
ALSOFROMJENNIFERL.ARMENTROUT
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DEDICATION
MAP
PRONUNCIATIONGUIDE
NOTETOREADER
PRESENTI
ONTHERISE
THESCENTOFROT
HEDIEDWITHHISDREAMS
ANOMEN
PRESENTII
WHOIWAS
THEONLYWAYIKNEWHOW
THEMAIDENANDTHEREDPEARL
TOOBRIEFMOMENTS
NECESSARYSUPPLIES
HUNTED
HAUNTED
PRESENTIII
EMPTYGARDEN
ITISDONE
HEEARNEDIT
AGOODMAN
WHATWASNECESSARY
MEETINGWITHTHEDUKE
NATURALORDEROFTHINGS
THEMAIDENUNVEILED
POPPY
ARROGANTANDCOCKY
MADEANEWFRIEND
PRESENTIV
THEMAIDENSPEAKS
ATWISTEDIRONYOFSORTS
PRESENTV
THEMONSTERINME
YOU’REANABSOLUTELYSTUNNING,MURDEROUSLITTLE
CREATURE
THATDRESSWILLBETHEDEATHOFME
GOODGRACES
FROMBLOODANDASH
THEREISACHOICE
ATOUCHOFPEACE
WHOIWASBECOMING
PRESENTVI
HOT,HEAVYWANTING
PLANSHAVENOTCHANGED
MISSWILLACOLYNS
JUSTANAME
PRESENTVII
THEDUKE
ILOSTMYBREATH
THEWILLOW
PRESENTVIII
NOTWHATIPLANNED
HERPAIN
HERVENGEANCE
SOILIED
THISISPROGRESS
PRESENTIX
ASIGNIFICANTMOMENT
ENCHANTED
HERPLEASURE
HOWCOULDI?
BLOODINTHEFOREST
THREERIVERS
ONTHEROAD
PRESENTX
NEWHAVEN
UNWORTHYANDUNDESERVING
THISISREAL
HIGHLYINAPPROPRIATE
ITWASOVER
ABROKENBREATH
NOTEVERYTHINGWASALIE
PRESENTXI
THEDARKONE
INTHESNOW
IWASRIGHT
PLANSHAVECHANGED
MYPRINCESS
PRESENTXII
DISCOVERMOREFROMJENNIFERL.ARMENTROUT
DISCOVER1001DARKNIGHTSCOLLECTIONTEN
SPECIALTHANKSRichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEDEDICATION
Foryou,thereader.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEMAP
Toseeafull-sizeversionofthemap,visit
https://theblueboxpress.com/books/asoabmap/RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRONUNCIATIONGUIDE
Characters
Aios–AYY-ohs
AlastirDavenwell–AL-as-tirDAV-en-well
Andreia–ahn-DRAY-ah
Arden–AHR-den
Attes–AT-tayz
Aurelia–au-REL-ee-ah
Baines–baynz
Beckett–BECK-et
Bele–bell
Blaz–blayz
BrandoleMazeen–bran-dohlmah-ZEEN
BraylonHolland–BRAY-lonHAA-luhnd
Britta–brit-tah
Callum–KAL-um
Clariza–klar-itza
Coralena–kore-a-LEE-nuh
Coulton–KOHL-ton
CasteelDa’Neer
–ka-STEELDA-neer
Crolee–KROH-lee
Dafina–dah-FEE-nuh
Davina–dah-VEE-nuh
DelanoAmicu
–dee-LAY-noAM-ik-kyoo
Dorcan–dohr-kan
DorianTeerman
–DOHR-ee-uhnTEER-man
DuchessandDukeRavarel–duch-essanddookRAV-ah-rell
Dyses–DEYE-seez
Ector–EHK-tohr
Effie–EH-fee
Ehthawn–EE-thawn
ElianDa’Neer
–EL-ee-awnDA-near
ElijahPayne–ee-LIE-jahpayn
EloanaDa’Neer–EEL-oh-nahDA-neer
Embris–EM-bris
EmilDa’Lahr
–EE-milDA-lar
Erlina–Er-LEE-nah
Ernald–ER-nald
Eythos–EE-thos
Ezmeria–ez-MARE-ee-ah
Gemma–jeh-muh
GeneralAylard
–gen-ER-alAYY-lard
GiannaDavenwell
–jee-AA-nuhDA-ven-well
GriffithJansen–grif-ITHJAN-sen
Halayna–hah-LAY-nah
Hanan–HAY-nan
HawkeFlynn–hawkflin
HisaFa’Mar
–hee-SAAFAH-mar
IanBalfour–EE-uhnBAL-fohr
Ione–EYE-on
Ivan–EYE-van
Isbeth–is-BITH
JacindaTeerman
–juh-SIN-dahTEER-man
Jadis–JAY-dis
JasperContou
–JAS-perKON-too
Jericho–JERR-i-koh
Joshalynn–josha-lynn
KayleighBalfour–KAY-lee
BAL-fohr
Keella–KEE-lah
KieranContou
–KEE-renKON-too
KingJalara
–kingjah-LAH-ruh
KingSaegar
–kingSAY-gar
KirhaContou–k-AH-ruhKON-too
Kolis–KO-lis
Kyn–kin
LadyCambria–lay-deeKAM-bree-uh
Lailah–lay-lah
Lathan–LEY-THahN
Leopold–LEE-ah-pohld
LevBarron–lehvBAIR-uhn
LizethDamron
–lih-ZEHTHDAM-ron
Loimus–loy-moos
LordAmbrose–lohrdAM-brohz
LordChaney–lohrdchay-NEE
LordGregori
–lohrdGREHG-ohr-ree
LordHaverton
–lohrdHAY-ver-ton
Loren–LOH-ren
Luddie–LUHD-dee
Lyra–lee-RAH
Mac–mack
Madis–mad-is
Magda–mahg-dah
Maia–MY-ah
MalecO’Meer–ma-LEEKO-meer
MalessaAxton–MAHL-les-sahax-TON
MalikDa’Neer
–MA-lickDA-neer
MarisolFaber–MARE-i-sohlFAY-berr
Millicent–mil-uh-SUHNT
Mycella–MY-sell-AH
Naill–NYill
Nektas–NEK-tas
Nithe–NIGHth
Noah–noh-AH
Nova–NOH-vah
Nyktos–NIK-toes
OdellCyr–OH-dellseer
Odetta–oh-DET-ah
Orphine–OR-feen
Peinea–pain-ee-yah
Penellaphe–pen-NELL-uh-fee
PenellapheBalfour–pen-NELL-uh-feeBAL-fohr
Perry–PER-ree
Perus–paehr-UHS
Phanos–FAN-ohs
Polemus–pol-he-mus
Preela–PREE-lah
PriestessAnalia–priest-essan-NAH-lee-ah
QueenCalliphe
–queenKAL-lih-fee
QueenIleana–queen
uh-lee-AH-nuh
Reaver–REE-ver
Rhahar–RUH-har
Rhain–rain
Rolf–rollf
Rune–roon
RylanKeal
–RYE-lankeel
Sage–sayj
Saion–SIGH-on
Sera–SEE-ra
SeraphenaMierel–SEE-rah-fee-nah
MEER-ehl
Sera–SEE-rah
ShaeDavenwell
–shayDAV-en-well
Sotoria–soh-TOR-ee-ah
Sven–svehn
Talia–TAH-lee-uh
Taric–tay-rik
Tavius–TAY-vee-us
TawnyLyon–TAW-neeLYE-uhn
Thad–thad
Theon–thEE-awn
Tulis[Family]–TOO-lees
ValynDa’Neer–VAH-lynnDA-neer
Veses–VES-eez
VikterWardwell–VIK-ter
WARD-well
VonettaContou–vah-NET-tahKON-too
WilhelminaColyns–wil-hel-MEE-nuhKOHL-lynz
Places
Aegea–ayy-JEE-uh
Atheneum–ath-uh-NEE-uhm
Atlantia–at-LAN-tee-ah
BarrenPlains–bar-uhnpleynz
Berkton–BERK-ton
Carsodonia–kar-so-DON-uh
CauldraManor–kall-drah[manor]
ChambersofNyktos–cheym-berzofnik-TOES
Dalos–day-lohs
ElysiumPeaks–ihl-LEES-ee-uhmpeeks
Evaemon–EHV-eh-mahn
HighHillsofThronos–hiehilzofTHROH-nohs
Iliseeum–AH-lee-see-um
IslesofBele–IGHelzofBELL
Kithreia–kith-REE-ah
Lasania–lah-SAHN-ee-uh
Lotho–LOH-thoh
Masadonia–mah-sah-DOHN-uh
Massene–mah-SEE-nuh
MountainsofNyktos–MOWNT-ehnzofnik-TOES
NewHaven–nooHAY-ven
NielValley–nilevalley
OakAmbler–ohkAM-bler
Padonia–pa-DOH-nee-ah
Pensdurth–PENS-durth
PillarsofAsphodel–
[pillarsof]AS-foe-del
Pinelands–PINE-lands
Pompay–pom-PAY
SeasofSaion
–SEEZofSIGH-on
SkotosMountains–SKOH-tohs
MOWNT-ehnz
Solis–sou-LIS
Spessa’sEnd–SPESSAHZehnd
Sirta–SIR-ta
Saion’sCove–SI-onzkohv
StygianBay–stih-JEE-uhnbey
Tadous–TAHD-oos
TempleofPerses–TEM-puhlofPUR-seez
TheThreeJackals–thuhthreeJAK-uhlz
ThreeRivers–threeRIH-verz
TritonIsles–TRY-tonIGH-elz
UndyingHills–UN-dy-inghillz
Vathi–VAY-thee
VodinaIsles–voh-DEE-nuhIGH-elz
WesternPass–WEST-tern
pass
Whitebridge–WIGHT-brij
WillowPlains–WIHL-ohpleynz
Terms
Arae–air-ree
benada–ben-NAH-dah
ceeren–SEER-rehn
Cimmerian–sim-MARE-ee-in
dakkai–DAY-kigh
demis–dem-EEZ
eather–ee-thohr
graeca–gray-kah
Gyrm-germ
imprimen–IM-prim-ehn
kardia–KAR-dee-ah
kiyouwolf/wolves–kee-yoo
[wolf/wolves]
lamaea–lahm-ee-ah
laruea–lah-ROO-ee-ah
meeyahLiessa–MEE-yahLEE-sah
notam–NOH-tam
sekya–sek-yah
sparanea–SPARE-ah-nay-ah
tulpa–tool-PAH
wivern–WY-vehrnRichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONENOTETOREADER
Whilethelivesofthosewritten
onthesepagesarefictional,whattheyexperienceoccursinlifeoutsideofthese
pages—myselfincluded.Forthatreason,pleasebe
awarethattherearediscussionssurroundingself-harmandabuse.
Pleaseknowthatyoudonotneed
tohurt
Thereishelp.
Visitcrisistextline.org
RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRESENT
I
Asweetbutstale
scentdriftedoutfromthedarkcorridor.Myheadjerkedtowardthesoundof
light,fastfootstepsasIreachedformyhip,drawingthebloodstonedagger.
Avampry
dartedbetweenthesandstonepillars,rushingintothelamplithalloftheseemingly
unendingvaultbeneathWayfairCastle,nothingmorethanaflashofstreaming
darkhair,alabasterskin,andcrimsonsilk.
Therewasnohesitation.Neither
KierannorIhadgivenanyofthemleewaysinceenteringtheunderground.
Ireleasedthedagger,sending
itflyingacrossthehall.Thebloodstonebladestrucktrue,embeddingdeeply
inthevampry’schest,cuttingofftheannoying,godsawfulshriekasitknockedtheAscendedback.Awebof
fissuresrapidlyappearedintheAscended’sflesh,
spreadingacrossitscheeksanddownitsthroat.Skincrackedandthenpeeled
back,liftingfromboneandturningtodust.Withina
heartbeat,mydaggerclangedoffthestonefloorbesidenothingmorethana
pileofsilk.
“Cas.”Itcameoutasasigh,and
mylipscurvedintoasmiledespitethefrustrationfillingthebreathyword.
Icouldn’thelpitwhenPoppy
calledmethat.Hearingitsometimesmademychesttightyetmademefeellight
asair.Othertimes,itmademehardasfuck.Butit
alwaysbroughtoutasmile.
“TheAscendeddidn’tattackus,”
Poppysaid.
“Itwasrunningatus.”Iwent
towherethedaggerlayandpickeditup.
“Orrunningfromus,”
shesuggested.
“That’sonewaytolookatit.”
Cleaningthebladeonthelegofmypants,Isheathedthedaggerandfaced
her—anddamnifIdidn’tfeelacatchinmygodsdamnbreath.
EveryinchofPoppyshowedthat
she’djustfoughtaterrifyingbattle.Bloodandgrimesmearedhercheeks,
hands,andherclothing,nottomentionwhatcoveredherbarefeet.Thebraidshe’d
forcedherunrulyhairintohadmostlycomeundone,andthestrandsgleamed
likebold,redwineinthedimlightofthegaslamps,spillingoverher
shouldersanddownherback.
Andstill,shewassodamnbeautifultome.
Myheartmate.
MyQueen.
NotagoddessbutaPrimal—the
PrimalofBloodandBone.OfLifeandDeath.
Shockrippledthroughme,nearly
causingmetostumble.Ithadbeendoingthateverycoupleofminutessinceshe
wentallPrimalontheBloodQueen.Iimagineditwouldbealongdamntimebeforeitstoppedhappening.
“Butthelastthinganyonewho
doesn’twanttoendupapileofdustshoulddoisruninyourdirection.”I
bowedatthewaist.“MyQueen.”
Poppyblinkedslowly,clearly
unimpressedbymychivalry.Thatbrightenedmysmile,andherfulllips
twitchedasshefoughtbackagrin,revealingahintofsharpcanine.
Lustpunchedstraightthroughme
asmychindipped,andmyeyeslockedwithhers.EverytimeIcaughtaglimpse
ofherfangs,Iwantedtofeeltheminmyflesh.Correction.Iwanted
tofeeltheminmyfleshwhileIwasburieddeepinsideher.
Athroat
cleared.“Maywecontinue?”araspy,flatvoiceasked.“Orwouldyoutwolikea
privatemoment?”
Poppy’scheekswarmed,flooding
herfacewithcolorthathadbeenabsentsincewe’darrivedatWayfair.Mygaze
shiftedtothespeaker.
Themassivemountainofamale
withhisblack-and-silver-streakedhairraisedabrow.
FuckingNektas,
theeldestandinarguablymostdangerousofthedraken,
wasstartingtopissmeoff
Holdinghisstare,Icheckedmy
desireformywife.Notbecauseofhispresence.Andnotevenbecausewewere
downheresearchingforherfather.ButbecauseofPoppy.
Somethingwasn’tright.
Irejoinedherandthe
ever-alertDelano,whohadbeenstickingcloseinwolven
form.“Youready?”
Nodding,shestartedwalking
again,thestonefloorlikelyicyagainstherbarefeet.I’dofferedtocarry
her.
Thelookshe’dgivenmeensured
Ididn’taskagain.Thathadn’tstoppedKieranfrommakingthesameoffer,though.
He’dreceivedasimilarlookofwarning—thekindthatmadeyouwanttocupyour
balls.Luckyforus,Poppylikelypreferreduswiththosepartsundamaged.
Ididn’ttakemyeyesoffheras
wecontinued.
OutintheBoneTemple,before
sheunleashedunholyhellontheBloodQueen,I’dwatchedinunfetteredhorror
aspurelightexplodedherarmor.AndI’dbeenunabletodoadamnthing.I’donlyeverfeltsuchfearoneothertime;
whenthebolthadstruckherintheWastelands,andI’dwatchedherlifeslipping
fromher.I’dfeltthatsameterrorearlierwhenIsawthebloodrunningfrom
hermouth.She’dchanged,evenifonlyforafewseconds,herflesh
becomingakaleidoscopeoflightandshadowwithanoutlineofwingstaking
shapeandarcingbehindher.ItremindedmeofthewingedstatuesguardingtheCityoftheGodsinIliseeum
I’dthenwatchedherdestroyIsbeth
Nooneamonguswouldmissthe
woman,buttheBloodQueenhadbeenPoppy’smother.
Atsomepoint,therealization
thatshehadtakenhermother’slifewouldhither,bringingoutalotof
messy,complicatedemotions.
AndIwouldbethereforher.
SowouldKieran.
Hewalkedonherotherside,
doingthesameasIwas.Everycoupleofmoments,heglanceddownather,a
mixtureofconcernandaweflashingacrosshisblood-streakedfeatures.
Hewasafucking
mess
SowasI.
Ourclothingandwhatremained
ofourarmorwasshreddedfromthebattle.Iknewbloodsplatteredmy
flesh—someofitmine,somefromthedakkais.The
restwasdriedspecksfromthosewho’dbeenstruckdown—thosewhohaddiedbut
hadn’tstayeddead.
IglancedtowhereDelano
prowledsilentlybehindus.Whilemostofthewolven
andtheotherswerecurrentlymovingthroughCarsodonia
insearchoftheAscendedandlookingformybrother,hehadchosentofollow
Poppy.
Therewasastrange,unnerving
sensationIcouldn’tshakeasDelanoliftedhisheadandpale,luminousblue
eyesmetmine.Iwonderediftheliferestoredtothosewho’dfalleninbattle
hadbeenagiftthatcouldbestrippedawayatanymoment.Ihadnorealreason
tofeelthatway.AccordingtoNektas,theactof
restoringlifetosomanywasnotonlyknowntothePrimals
ofLifeandofDeathbutalsoaidedbythem.
Besides,thatfeelingofunease
couldbesourcedbacktoashittonofthings.Wewere
currentlymovingabouttheenemy’snest,andwhilenoneofthemortalservants
orRoyalGuardswhoremainedatWayfairhadputupafightwhenweentered,and
therehadonlybeenthreeAscendedundergroundsofar,noneofuswere
comfortablehere.Wayfairwasn’tours.Itneverwouldbe.
Anotherthingpreyingonmymind
atthemomentwasmybrother,whowassomewhereout
there,chasingafterMillicent,whohappenedtobePoppy’ssister.Andnoneof
usknewwhereMillicentstoodinregardtotheir
mother.
Thenagain,frommypersonal
experiencewithMillie,Ididn’tthinksheknewwhereshestoodonanythinghalfthetime.
Therewasalsothefactthat
Poppy’sPrimalgrandparentswerenolongersleeping,andfromwhatIcouldfigure
out,oneofthemcouldenterthemortalrealmwhenevertheyfeltlikeit.
AndthentherewasCallum,that
goldenfuckofaRevenantwhostillneededtobedealt
with,whichbroughtmetowhatprobablyshouldbethemostdisconcertingitem
ofall.Yes,we’ddefeatedtheBloodCrown,buttherealbattleawaited.Wehad
onlypreventedKolis,theoriginalandtrue
PrimalofDeath,fromtakingfullcorporealform.Still,hewasfree,hewas
awake,andhewasn’ttheonlyone.Allthosethingswerehardcorepressing
issues,but…
MygazereturnedtoPoppy’s
profile,andmychesttightenedagain.Thethin,jaggedscaronhercheekand
theonecuttingacrossherforeheadandeyebrowstoodoutmorestarklythan
theyeverhad.Shewaspale—palerthanshe’dbeenwhenshecametoattheTemple.Andshouldn’titbetheopposite?
Shouldn’therskinhavebecomeflushed?Otherthanthepassingblushearlier,
ithadn’t,andthatworriedmemostofall.
Poppyturnedherheadinmy
direction.Ourgazesmet.Heririseswerethecolorofdewyspringgrasslaced
withvibrantstreaksofsilver—eather.
Wasitjustme,orhadthoseluminouslinesgottenbrighterinthetimeittook
ustoarriveatWayfair?Herfulllipscurvedupinareassuringsmile,andI
knewimmediatelythatshe’dpickeduponmyconcern,eitherbecauseIwas
projectingit,orshewassimplyreadingme—readingallofusaroundher.
Ireachedoutandtookherhand.
Morepressureclampeddownonmychest.Herhand,somuchsmallerthanmine,
wascold.Noticy,butalsonotwarm.
“Areyoufeelingallright?”I
asked,myvoicelowyetechoingthroughthecavernoushall.
Poppynodded.“Yes.”Herbrows
knittedashereyessearchedmine.“Areyou?”
“Always,”Imurmured,glancing
atKieran.
Therewasmoreconcernthanawe
inhisstare.Withoutmehavingtosayanything,heinchedclosertoPoppy.
Somethingwasn’tright.
StartingwithNektas,whonowwalkedsilentlyonKieran’sotherside.
Poppyhadaskedearlierifwhatshehadbecome,aPrimalthathadneverexisted
before,wasagoodthingorbad.Ialreadyknewtheanswertothat.ButNektas’sresponse?
Thatisyettobeknown.
Yeah,Ididn’tlikethatatall.
Ialsodidn’tlikehis
expressionwhenhelookedatPoppy.ItremindedmeofhowwealllookedatMalik—like
weweren’tsurewecouldtrusthim.Noonewantedadraken
lookingatthemlikethat.
Poppysuddenlystoppedattheentrance
toalong,shadowyhall.Therewasamustyscenttothisarea,onethat
threatenedtosendmymindbacktodarker,colderplaces.Istoppedthatbefore
itcouldhappen.Nowwasn’tthetimeforthatshit
Slippingherhandfrommine,
Poppyfacedus.“Okay.Whydoeseveryonekeeplookingatme?”shedemanded,
proppingherhandsonherhipsassheliftedherchin.“Hassomethingchangedabout
methatI’munawareof?”
“Otherthanyouradorable
fangs?”Ioffered.
Hereyesnarrowedonme,butI
grinnedasIsawtheskinaroundhermouthmoveassheranhertongueoverher
topteeth.Thenshewinced,likelynickinghertongueyetagain.“Otherthan
that.”
KieransaidnothingasDelano
ploppedhisassdown,thumpinghistailonthestonefloor.Iwasn’tsurewhat
thatwassupposedtotranslateto.
“Iimaginetheyarelookingat
youwithconcern,”Nektasansweredinthatgravelly
voiceofhis.
“Why?”Poppyglancedbetween
Kieranandme.“Aren’tIthelastthinganyofyoushouldbeworriedabout?”
“Well…”Nektas
drewouttheword.
Kieran’sheadcutsharplyinthe
draken’sdirection,hisnostrilsflaring,andit
remindedmeofwhatelseNektashadtoldusatthe
Temple.Theheavymeaningtohiswordsashesaidwe’dbettermakesurethat
whatPoppyhadbecomewassomethinggood.
“Iwouldn’tgosofarastosay
you’rethelastthinganyoneshouldbeworriedabout,”Nektas
continued.“You’relikelythe…secondthingtheyshouldbeworriedabout.”
“Whatisthatsupposedtomean?”
Kierandemanded.
Nektas
gavethewolvenapassingglance.“Kolisisourprimaryconcern.”Hetiltedhishead.Long,
silver-streakedstrandsslidoverabareshoulder,revealingthefaintridges
ofscales.“Andsheshouldbeyoursecond.”
Poppyfrowned.“Idisagree.I
thinkmyfatherandyourdaughteraretiedforfirstplace,thenKolis.Ishouldn’tevenbeonthelistofthingstoworry
about.”
Nektas
openedhismouth.
“I’dbecarefulhowyouanswer
that,”Iwarned.
Slowly,theancientdrakenturnedhisheadtome.Ourstareslocked.Hisvertical
pupilsconstricteduntiltheywerethinstripsofblackagainstvibrantblue.
“Interesting.”
Iarchedabrow.“Whatis?”
“You,”heanswered.Delano’s
earsflattenedinthetensesilencethatfollowedtheword.“Yousteppedin
frontofherasifyoubelievesheneedsyourprotection.”
IwascompletelyunawarethatI
had.SohadKieranandDelano.“And?”
Poppysighedfrombehindus.
“Thatiswiseofyou.Eventhe
mostpowerfulofbeingsneedprotectionattimes,”Nektas
advised.“Butthisisnotoneofthem.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”My
handrestedonthehiltofthedaggeratmyhip.Itwouldn’tdoshittoadraken,butIwouldmake
ithurt.
“Thisisallreallyunnecessary,”
Poppybegan.
“I’mnotsosureofthat,
either.”Sensingthatshewasedgingtomyright,IsidesteppedherandheldNektas’sstare.“Idon’tgivetwoshits
whoyouare.Youdon’tneedtobeworriedaboutheratall.”
Onesideofthedraken’smouthcurledup,andanothertoo-longmomentof
silencepassed.“Youarefartoomuchlikehim.”
“Likewho?”
Poppyasked.
Hispupilsdilated.“Theonehis
bloodlineisdescendedfrom.”
“Whatthefuck?”Kieranmuttered
underhisbreathandthensaidlouder,“Whowasthat?”
Ashadow
ofasmileappearedonthedraken’sface.“Youmean
toaskwhoisthat.”
Mybrowsshottogether.“I’m
goingtoneed—”
Alowrumblecutmeoff.Delano
stood,lookingaroundasthesoundincreased,becomingdeeper.Mygazeflewto
Kieran.Heturnedastheveryfloorbeneathusbegantotremble.Ispuntoward
Poppy.
Hergreenandsilvereyeswere
wide.“What?”
Cloudsofdustdriftedlikesnow
fromthehighceiling,coatingourshouldersandthefloor.Therumblegrewas
theentirecastleshook.
“It’snotme,”Poppyshouted
overthenoise,throwingupherhands.“Iswear.”
Mygazeflewtotheceiling,
wherethinfracturessuddenlyeruptedinthestone.“Shit.”
Ilaunchedforward.Delano
followedasIgrabbedholdofPoppy,cracksforminginthepillarsandquickly
racingdowntheirlengths.Afraidtheentiredamn
castlewasabouttocomedownonourheads,myfirstthoughtwasofher.I
shovedPoppybetweenKieranandmeasDelanopressedagainstherlegs.Shesqueaked
aswecagedherin,usingourbodiestoprotecthersincasetheceilingended
upontopofus.
Delanowhimperedassomething
heavytoppledsomewhereintheundergroundlair,crashingdown.Moredustfell
inthickclouds.Therumblinggrewlouderuntilnothingelsecouldbeheard,
andtheveryrealmitselfshuddered—
Thenitstopped.Allofit.
Therumbling.Thecrackingof
stoneandplaster.Thecrashingofwhatwereprobablyveryimportantthings
likesupportbeams.Italljustceasedasquicklyasithadstarted.
“Um,”camePoppy’smuffledvoice.
“Icanbarelybreathe.”
Icouldonlyseethetopofher
headbeneathKieran’sandmyarms.Iwasn’tquitereadytolowerthem.
“Thatwasn’ther,”Nektasstated,abemusedexpressiononhisface.“Thatwas
them.”
“Them?”Kieranrepeated,slowly
loweringhisarmsfromPoppy.
“Thegods,”thedrakenelaborated.“Oneofthemmust’veawakenednearby.”
Oneofthemmusthave…
Poppyshotoutfromundermeas
fastasanarrow,hereyesstillwidebutnowlitwitheagerness.“Penellaphe,”shegasped,herheaddartingbetweenKieran
andme.“Remember?YousaidthegoddessPenellaphesleepsbeneaththecity’sAtheneum!”SheshovedKieraninthearm,causinghim
tostumblebackastep.“Oops.Sorry.”
“It’sokay.”Kierancaught
himself,grinning.“And,yes,Ididsaythat.”
ShespuntowardNektas.“Canweseeher?Imeanafterwe’vefreedmyfather
andlocatedJadis.Yousee,Iwasnamed—”
“Afterthegoddesswhospokeof
yousoverylongbeforeyouwereborn,”Nektasfinished.
“WhowasthefirsttocallyoutheHarbingerandtheBringerofDeath.A
prophecyyouhavefulfilled.”
Herarmsslowlyloweredtoher
sides.“Well,whenyouputitlikethat…”Shepressedherlipstogether.“I
thinkI’vechangedmymind.”
Ineverwantedtopunchsomeone
morethanIdidthedrakenforstealingthatbrief
excitementfromPoppy.
Nektas
chuckled.“I’msureshewillbeinterestedinmeetingyou.Allofthemwillbe
whenthetimeisright,”hesaid,hisfacesofteninginawayIhadyettoseefrom
him.“Weshouldgetmovingincasetherearemorewhoslumberinthecapital.I
donotwanttobedownhereifthathappensagain.”
Hewasright.Noneofuswanted
that.
“Bytheway,”hesaid,glancing
atKieranandmeaswestarteddownthehalloncemore.“Youtwoare…adorable.”
Kieran’sforeheadscrunchedas
hebrusheddustfromhisshoulder.“Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeenreferredtoas
adorablebefore,butthanks.”Hepaused.“Ithink.”
Thedraken
chuckledoncemore.“Allthreeofyouracedtoshieldher.”Henoddedat
Delano,whotrottedbesidePoppyassheledusdownanotherhall,thisone
narrower.Acolumnhadtoppledhere,leaningagainstanother.“Theonepersonwho
wouldsurvivethecollapseofabuilding.”
Ihadn’teventhoughtofthat.
Poppygrinned.“Itwaskindofadorable.”
Kieranhuffed,andIsworeIsaw
adeepeninginthecolorofhislightbrowncheeks.
“Andunnecessaryinmoreways
thanone,”Nektaswenton.“Thethreeofyouare
Joined,areyounot?”
Delano’searsperkedasPoppy’s
headswungtowardhim.Somecolorreturnedtohercheeks.Histailwagged.
Clearly,he’dcommunicatedsomethingintriguingthroughthePrimalnotam.
I’dhavetoaskhimaboutitlater.
“Yeah,”sheanswered.“ButI
thinkit’sgoingtotakeallofusawhiletorememberthatifI’mokay,then
allthreeofusare.”
“Understatementofthecentury,”
Kieranremarked,drawingagrinfromme.
Theexpressiondisappeared,though.
Becauseassoonasherblushfaded,thepalenessofherskinwasevenmore
noticeable.
Somethingisn’tright.
Thefeelingonlyintensifiedas
wewalked,travelingdeeperintotheundergroundmazeofchambersandhalls
thatPoppyhadmovedaboutasasmallchild.Icouldn’tplacewhyIfeltthe
wayIdid.Thepressureremainedinmychestandthebackofmythroat—
Click.Click.Click.
Poppyhaltedoncemore.This
time,herhandsopenedandclosedathersides.Idraggedmygazefromherto
thehallinfrontofus.Upahead,asoftglowspilledoutintothehall,
beatingbacktheshadows.
Thatsound.Weallrecognized
it.We’dhearditbeforeinOakAmbler.Therappingofclawsagainststone.
Nektas
startedforward,hisstepsfastandsureasPoppyremainedfrozen.Itouched
hershoulder,drawingherattentiontome
“Areyouokay?”Iasked.This
time,Iwasn’ttalkingabouthowshefeltphysically.
Nodding,sheswallowedasshe
lookedatNektas.Hestoppedatthecuspofthe
light,turninghisheadbacktous.
“Yousure?”Kieranasked,his
gazesearchingPoppy’s.
“Yeah.Yes.”Sheclearedherthroat.
“It’sjustthat…that’smyfather,andIdon’tknowwhattothinkorevensay.”
Igotit.
Poppyhadafathershe
remembered:Leopold.Themanshewasabouttosetfreewasastrangertoher,
evenifshehadspenttimesearchinghimoutinheryouth—someonewhohadbeen
heldcaptivefortoolong.AndIwassureshewascaughtbetweenexcitementand
guilt,feelingasifshesomehowdishonoredLeo’smemory,andregretthatshe
hadn’trealizedwhohadbeencagedbeneathWayfairandatOakAmblerearlier.It
wasalotforanyonetothinkabout.Moretoactupon.
Cuppinghercheek,Iturnedher
facetomine.Ismiled,eventhoughtheheavinessinmychestandthroat
expanded.Herskinwassodamncold.“Youdon’thave
tofeelorthinkanythingrightnow.Allyoumustdoismakesurehe’sfreed.”
Iloweredmyvoice.“Youdon’thavetoseehimatallifyou’renotready.No
onewilljudgeyouforthat.”
Kierannoddedinagreement.
“Eitherway,we’llberighttherewithyou.”
Sheglancedbetweenus,thenturned
herattentiontoNektas.Ismoothedmythumbalong
herjaw.Afainttremorwentthroughher,andthenshedrewinadeepbreath.
Shesquaredhershoulders,andIknewwhatshehaddecidedbeforeshespoke.
“I’mready.”
“Ofcourse,”Imurmured,dipping
topressakisstohercooltemple.“Sobrave.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat,”she
saidbutnodded.“ButIwillbe.”
Kieransmiled,liftingahand.
“Asalways.”Hetouchedherothercheek,hiseyeswideningslightly.Overher
head,hisgazeshottomine.
He’dfelthowcoldherskinwas.
Igavehimacurtnodofacknowledgment.
“I’mready,”Poppyrepeated,
pullingawayfromus.ShestartedwalkingwithDelanoatherside.
Wehungbackjustforasecond.
Kieranspoke,hisvoicetoolowforhertohear.“Whyisherskinsodamn
cold?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid.“But
something—”
“Isn’tright.”
Mygazecuttohimsharply.“You
feelit,too?”
“Yeah.Inmychestandhere,”he
said,motioningtohisthroat.
Hell
Thatdidn’tmakemefeelbetter
aboutanyofthis,butnowwasn’tthetimetofigureitout.We’dtoldPoppy
we’dbebesideher,sowebothgotourassesmoving,joiningherassheand
DelanoreachedNektas’sside.
Theclickinghadpickedup.
“Iknowthisisn’teasyfor
you,”Nektassaid,lookingdownatPoppy.Hisvoice
wasbarelyaboveawhisper.“Thiswon’tbeeasyforhim,either.Ireshasalwaysbeen…”Heshookhishead.“Weshould
hurry.”
IcouldtellthatPoppywanted
toaskwhathehadbeenabouttosay,butshesteppedintothelightandturned
instead.Thescrapingofclawsagainststonestopped.Wefollowed,myheartbeat
pickingupspeedandmatchingtherateofhers.Iliftedmygazefromherto
whatwaitedbeyond.
Acagesatinthecenterofa
candlelitchamber.Behindblackbars,likelyconstructedofshadowstone,
wasalarge,grayfelinewithbrightgreeneyesfixedonPoppy—justastheyhad
beeninOakAmbler.Therewasnodoubtinmymindthathe’dknownwhoshewas
tohimthen.Probablyhadallthoseyearsago,too.
“Mygods,”gaspedNektas,hiseyeswideningastheskinaroundhismouthwent
tautatthesightofIres
Thegodhadn’tlookedthis
haggardwhenwe’dseenhimlast.Ribspressedagainsthisdullgrayfurcoat.
Hisstomachwassunken.Tendonsstrainedinhisthroatashisheadwhippedtoward
Nektas
Ires
reacteduponseeingthedraken,jumpingweaklyatthe
barsashisstill-brighteyesshotbetweenNektasand
Poppywhentheyenteredthechamber.
“Arethesewards?”Kieranasked,
noticingthemarkingsetchedintotheshadowstone
ceilingandfloor,symbolsandlettersinancientAtlantian—thelanguageofthegods.
“Yes.”Nektas
wenttothebars.“Nooneinthemortalrealmshouldbeinpossessionofthis
knowledge.”
“Callum,”Isurmised,watching
Poppykneelbeforethecage.
Nektas
nodded.“Butthat’snottheissuerightnow.”Heclaspedthebars,drawingIres’sattention,butonlyforamoment.“Hemightbea
bit…unstable,especiallyifhe’sbeeninthisstateforaslongasIfear.
He’llbemoreanimalthananything.Weneedtobecareful.”
Nooneneededtotellusthatas
Ireskeptjumpingatthebars,pressinghissidesand
headagainstthemasalownoiseradiatedfromhim,asoundthatwasacross
betweenagrowlandawhine.
IcrouchedbehindPoppy,forcing
myhandstomykneestostopmyselffromgrabbingherandhaulingherback.
“Canyougetpastthesebars?”
Poppyasked,herhandstwistingtogether,asuresignshewasanxious.“Orcan
I?”
“Youwillprobablybeableto.
Eventually,”Nektastackedon.“ButIcan.”He
focusedonIres.“You’resafenow.Ipromiseyou,”he
saidtothegod,voicethickeningwithemotion.“Ijustneedyoutostaycalm.Okay?”
Ires
leaptatthebarsagain.
“Idon’tthinkthat’sayes,”
Kierannoted,kneelingbesideme.
“It’sokay,”Nektas
toldIresonceagain,butthemorethedrakenspoke,themorethegodbehavederratically,pacingandlungingatthebars.“Dammit,he’sgoingtohurt
himself.”
“Icanbarely…barelypickup
anythingfromhim.”Poppy’sworryfloodedhertone,andIsworeIcouldfeelit
gatheringinmythroatliketoo-thickcream.“Hewasn’tlikethisbefore.”
“He’sbeeninthisformtoo
long,”Nektasanswered.“It’snotlikeus,”headded,
noddingatKieranandDelano.“Weareoftwoworlds.Heisonlyofone,and
it’sfartooeasy,evenforagodandaPrimal,tolosethemselvesiftheystay
intheiranimalformfortoolong.”
Shit.
Howlongwastoolongforagodwhenwewerelikelytalkingabout
hundredsofyears?Butanotherthoughtoccurredtome.He’dsaidifagodanda
Primalstayedintheiranimalformfortoolong.DidthatmeanPoppywould…?
Ishookmyhead.Nowwasn’tthe
timetoconsiderthat.RubbingPoppy’sback,IwatchedIres
pace,hatingthisforher—forbothofthem
“Ididn’tknowthat,”PoppyrespondedtowhatNektas
hadshared.
“NeitherdidI,”Kieranadded.
“Andontopofthat,he’sprobably
felttheothergodsawakening,”Nektasexplained.“It
wouldfeellikeanextremejoltofenergythathewouldnothavebeenprepared
for.”
KieranroseasIrespressedagainstthebarsinfrontofus.“Icantryto
distracthimwhileyou—dammit,Poppy.”
Awickedsenseofdéjàvuswept
throughmeasPoppylurchedforward.Ireachedforher,butdammit,
shewasfastwhenshewantedtobe—andevenfasternow.
“Poppy,”Ishoutedasshecrouched
andthrustherhandthroughthebars.“Don’t—”
Toolate.
Herhandwasalreadypressed
againstthesideofIres’sthroatbythetimeI
curledanarmaroundherwaist.Iresswunghishead
back,lipspeelingbackoversharpfuckingcanines.A
lowgrowlofwarningradiatedfromhim.IstartedtohaulPoppy’sassback.She
wouldbepissed,butI’dratherherbeangryatmethan
experienceexactlywhathappenedwhenaPrimallostahand.
“It’sokay,”shesaid,inhaling
deeply.“Justgivemeasecond.Please.”
Ididn’twantto,butshe’dsaid
please.Still,ittookeverythinginmetokeepfromgrabbingher
again.TheonlyreasonIdidn’tfailwasbecausePoppysucceeded.
Ires
shuddered,thelowsnarlfadingashestoodthere,panting.Iknewwhatshewas
doing,feedinggoodthoughtsandemotionsintothegod.Calminghim.
Thefirsttimeshe’ddonethat
tome,Ihadn’tknownwhatshecoulddo.Therelief—thepeace—shehad
givenmehadbeenquickandstunning.Agift.Still,Iwantedherprettyhand
asfarawayfromIresasitcouldget.Ilikedher
handsandthethingsshewaslearningtodowiththem.
Poppy’seyeswerehalf-closedas
Delanopressedagainstherside,hisstarewary,watchful,andpinnedonIres.“It’sokay.Justgivehimafewseconds.”
“Whateveryou’regoingtodo
withthesebars…”KieransaidtoNektas,adaggerin
hand—oneIknewhewouldn’thesitatetouse.“Isuggestyoudoitquick.”
“Workingonit.”Nektassteppedbackfromthebars.
AtremorwentthroughIres.Hisfurstoodonend,andPoppykeptherhandonhim
asheloweredtohisbelly.Hisearstwitched.Abrightblueflarecamefrom
ourright,lightingthechamber—drakenfire.Nektashadn’tshifted.Ifiguredwewould’vebeenawareof
ahuge-assdrakeninthe
chamberifhehad.Iwascurious,butIdidn’tdaretakemyeyesoffIresandPoppy.
Ires
begantremblingasthescentofheatedmetalfilledtheair.Silverylight
appearedinhiseyes,spreading.Hisfurretractedandfadedaspatchesof
goldenskinappeared.Musclesshrank,andbonescrackedintodifferentpositions.
Long,russet-coloredhairappeared—hairdamnnearaslongasNektas’s.Ifolded
myotherarmaroundPoppy,holdinghertightlyasherfatherstruggledthrough
thetransition.Itappearedasifhewerefightingit.Ormaybetheanimalin
himwas.Theprocesslikelytooklessthanaminute,butitlookedpainful,
unlikewhenKieranandtheothersshifted.Itwasasifhefelteveryclawsink
backintohisnailbeds.
Anotherrippleofshimmering
lightsweptoverhim,andthen,amaleappearedinthecagewherethelarge
felinehadbeen.Hewasonhisknees,hisupperbodytuckedintohislower
half.Throughclumpsofunwashedhair,hestaredatPoppy’shandrestingon
whatturnedouttobehisshoulder.
Poppyliftedherhand,herfingers
curlinginwardasshedrewherarmback.ShetightlygrippedthearmI’dput
aroundherwaist.“Hi,”shewhispered.
Thegod’sbrightgreeneyes
lockedwithPoppy’s.Eyesthatwerealmostidenticaltohers.Thesilveryglow
inhis,justbehindthepupils,wasfaint.Muchofhisfacewashidden,but
whatIcouldseewasallsharpanglesandsunkenplanes.Heshook.
“Idon’tknowifyou…ifyou
remembermeatall,”Poppybegan.Shewastrembling,too.Iheldontoher.“But
mynameisPoppy—well,it’sPenellaphe,butmy
friendscallmePoppy.I’myour…”Shetrailedoff,herbreathcatching.Iran
myhandoverherside,squeezingher.
Ires
wassilentashestaredather,seeminglyunawareofKieranandme,even
Delano,whowaspracticallystandingonusboth.Ires’sbreathingwasheavyandquick,bonyshouldersrisingwitheachinhale.
“Ires,”
Nektassaidquietly.
Hisheadjerkedashelookeddownthelengthofthecage.Nektas
hadnotonlymeltedahugeportionofthebars,henow
stoodinsidethecellwithIres
“I’mherenow,”thedrakencontinued,softerthanIwould’vethoughthim
capableofashekepthishandsathissides.“I’vecometotakeyouhome.”
AnothershudderwentthroughIres,andhiseyesdriftedshut.Nektas
carefullyinchedcloser.
“I’mgoingtoseeifIcanfind
somethingforhim.Ablanketorsomething,”Kieransaid,voicegruff.
“Thankyou.”Poppyturnedher
head,pressinghercheekagainstmychest.Therewasashimmerofdampness
beneathhereyes.Gods,ifshewaspickinguponhisemotionsnow,Icouldn’t
evenbegintoimaginewhatshefeltfromhim.
Actually,I
could.
Hewasfeelingeverythingand
nothingrightnow.Reliefbutalsoconfusion,likelyduetostarvation,andthe
godsonlyknewwhatelsethey’ddonetohim.Hehadtobeterrified.Ihadbeen
bothtimes,fearingmyrescuewasadream.Helikelyworriedthathe’dwakeup
andnoneofuswouldbehere.ThatitwouldjustbeherThem.
Tauntinghim.Terrorizinghim.He’dbeterrifieditwasn’tanillusionandbeafraid
he’dhurtthosetryingtohelphim.
“Thisisn’tadream,”Isaid.
Ires’s
chinjerked,andhiseyesmetminethroughthetangledcurtainofhair.
InoddedasIbrushedmyfingers
underPoppy’seyes,wipingawayhertears.“Thisisreal.It’sover.She’sdead.
Isbeth.Youarefreeofher—fromthis.”
AraggedbreathleftIres.Heswallowed.Isawhislipsmove,buttherewasjust
araspysoundasheseemedtostruggletogethisbodyandmindtocommunicate
sohecouldspeak.Godsonlyknewwhenhe’dspokenlast.
Kieranreturned,handingwhatappeared
tobeoneoftheblackandcrimsonclothbannerstoNektas
Thedraken
noddedhisthanks,thenkneltbesideIres.Gently,he
drapedtheclothoverIres’sshoulders.Thematerial
seemedlikeitwouldcausethegodtocollapse,butafteramoment,atoo-thin
handappeared,andfrailfingerscurledaroundtheedgesofthebanner.Heheld
thematerialtohim,andwhilethatwasonlyasmallact,itwassomething
“Iknow,”cameahoarsewhisper.
Iresliftedhisotherhand,reachingitthroughthe
bars.“Iknow…whoyouare.”
Poppyrockedback,herbody
stiffeningagainstmebeforeshepitchedforward.“Okay,”shewhispered,her
voicecracking.Sheworkedanarmfreeandbroughtherhandtohis.Their
fingersthreadedthrougheachother’s.Hershouldersrelaxed.“Okay.”
Dippingmyhead,Ikissedthe
backofhersasIresweaklysqueezedherhand.
Father.Daughter.Itdidn’tmatterthattheywerestrangers.
“Whereis…whereisshe?”Iresrasped,stillholdingontoPoppy’shand.“My…other
girl.”
“Millicent?”Poppy
swallowedthickly.“She’snothere,but…”
“She’sfine.She’swithmy
brother.”IhadnoideaifMalikhadfoundheryetorevenifitwasagood
thingforeitherofthemifhehad.ThatwasawholedifferentmessthatIresdidn’tneedtoknowabout.
Aheavyexhaleleftthegodas
heslowlyturnedhisattentiontoNektas.“I’msorry—”
“There’snoneedforthatright
now,”Nektascuthimoff.“Ineedtogetyouback
home.Youarenotwell.”
Kieranglancedatmequestioningly,
andIshookmyhead.
“Butthere…is.Ididn’tknow
this…wouldhappen.I…Iwouldneverhavebroughtherwith…meifIthought—”He
coughed,shaking.“I’msorry.”
Jadis.
TheywerespeakingofNektas’sdaughter.Damn
“She’s…”Airwheezedinandout
ofIresashishandslippedfromPoppy’s,falling
limplytohisside.Shestretchedforward,graspingthebars.“Iknowwhere…she
is.TheWillow…”Hetookashallowbreath.
“Thewillow?”Nektasasked,thelinesofhisfacetensing.
“WillowPlains,”Poppyexclaimed.
“Areyouspeakingofthetownthere?”
“Yes.Sheis…sheisthere.I’m
sorry.I’mso…damntired.Idon’tknow…”Irescavedinonhimself.Hewentdown,barelycaughtbyNektas
“No!”Poppyshottoherfeet,
graspingthebars.“Isheokay?”
“Ibelieveso.”Nektasplacedapalmagainsttheunconsciousgod’s
forehead.
“Icanhelphim,”Poppysaid,
alreadyreachingthroughthebarsoncemore.“Ijustneedtotouchhim.Ican
heal—”
“Thisisnotsomethinganother
canheal.He’sfine,”Nektasquicklyadded.“Hejust
passedout.”
“Howispassingoutfine?”Poppy
demanded.“Thatdoesn’tsoundfinetome.”
“He’sobviouslybeenunabletofeedinanyway
fortoolong.”AngerthinnedNektas’slipsevenashe
reassuredPoppy.“Heisfartooweak.”
“Areyousurethat’sallitis?”
Herworrytwistedmyinsides,chokingme.
Nektas
cradledthelimpgodtohischest.“Hejustneedstobehome,wherehecango
toground.Thatcan’thappenhere,”heexplained.“Not
withtheshadowstone.”
“Okay.Allright.”Poppytooka
deepbreath,lettinggoofthebars.“IthinkhemightbespeakingofWillow
Plains.It’seastofthecapital,abittothenorth.It’swheremostofthe
soldiersaretrained.ThereareafewTemplesthere,andifthey’reanything
like—”Shetookastepback,liftingahandtoherhead.“Whoa.”
“Whatisit?”Iwasalreadyat
herside,handsonherarms.
“Idon’tknow.”Herbrow
furrowed.“Iwasjustdizzyforamoment.”
“You’repale.”Iglancedat
Kieran.“She’sevenpaler,isn’tshe?”
Kierannodded.“Sheis.”
“Probablybecausemyhead’sbeen
aching,”shetoldus.“Itstartedalittlebitago.”
“Whydidn’tyousayanything?”I
asked,forcingmyvoicetoremaincalm,eventhoughthatwasthelastthingI
felt.
“Becauseit’sjustaheadache.”Shedrewoutthe
words.
“Justaheadache?”Irepeateddumbly.
“DoPrimalsgetheadaches?”IlookedatNektas.“Ifso,thatseemsmessedup.”
“Theycan,”thedrakenanswered.“Butthere’susuallyareasonforit.”
Wasn’ttherealwaysareasonfor
aheadache?
KieranliftedahandtoPoppy’s
cheek.“Skin’scolder.”Hisjawflexed.“Realcoldnow.”
Poppyglancedbetweenus.“What?
Idon’tfeelcold.”
Itouchedherothercheekasshe
pokedtheskinofherchin.Mystomachdipped.Colddidn’tevenbeginto
describetheicinessofherflesh.Thenithitme.“Doyouneedtofeed?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”shesaid,
brushingourhandsaway.“Andifmyskinfeelscold,it’sbecausewe’re
underground.”
“Idon’tthinkit’sbecause
we’reunderground,”Kieransaid.
Iagreedwiththat.“Youwerecold
beforeweevencamedownhere.”
Poppygaveusbothan
exasperatedlook.“Guys,Iappreciatetheconcern,butit’snotnecessary.We
havemoreimportantthingstoworryabout.”
“Disagree,”Istated.“Nooneis
moreimportantthanyou.”
“Cas,”shewarned,eyesnarrowing—eyesthatwerenowshadowed.Faintpurplebruised
theskinbeneaththem.
“Didshesleep?”Nektasasked.
Herfrowndeepened.“Uh,last
night.”
“I’mnottalkingaboutthatkind
ofsleep.”Nektasshiftedtheunconsciousgodinhis
arms.“Haveyouenteredadeepsleep?AstasisattheendofyourAscension?”
“No.”Hernosescrunched.
“Shesleptforabitatthe
start,butthatwasbecause…”KieranlookedatIres,
thenclearlychangedhismindabouthowmuchdetailhe’dgointo,eventhough
thegodwasoutcold.“No,shehasn’tsleptlikethat.”
“Well,damn.”Therewasagrim
twisttoNektas’smouth.“So,you’retellingmethat
youwentthroughtheAscensionandcompletedtheCullingwithoutgoing
intostasis?”
“Yeah.Imean,Ididpassout
thereforafewmoments,”Poppysaid.“Butyoualreadyknowthat.”
“Ireallydon’tlikewherethis
conversationisheading,”Kieranmuttered.
NeitherdidI.
“Thisisinconvenienttiming,”Nektasgrumbled.
Itensed.
“Whatis?”
“What’slikelytohappenanymoment
now,”hesaid.
“Youneedtogiveussomemoredetail,”I
said,frustrationburningitswaythroughme.
“I’mfine,”Poppyinsisted,
turningtoNektas.“Canwepleasegethimoutofthis
cage?”
Nektas
nodded.“I’mplanningtodojustthat,butIthinkyoushouldprobablysit
down.”
“Youshouldlistentohim,”
Kieranurged,hisstareintense.Theshadowswereevendarkerbeneathhereyes.
“Pleasedon’tworryaboutme,”
Poppysaid.“Ifeeltotally—”Shesuckedinasharpbreathasshepressedher
handtohertemple.
“Isityourhead?”Igraspedher
shoulders,turninghertowardmeasasharpsliceoffearcutthroughmychest
andstomach.
Hereyesweresqueezedshut.
“Yeah,it’sjustaheadache.I’m—”Herlegswentoutfromunderher.
“Poppy!”Icaughtheraroundthe
waistasKieranlurchedforward,bracingthebackofherhead.“Openyour
eyes.”Icuppedhercheek—gods,herskinwasfartoocold.Shiftingmyarm
underherlegs,Iliftedhertomychest.“Comeon.Please—”
“She’snotgoingtowake,nomatter
howmuchyoubeg.”
“Whatthefuckdoesthatmean?”
KieranwhippedhisheadtowardNektas
“ItbasicallymeansIwaswrong
inmyassumptionthatshe’sfullycompletedtheCulling.She’sgoneintostasis
tofinishit,”Nektasexplained.“I’msurprisedit
tookthislongforittohappen—orthatsheevenwokeupearlier.Isupposethe
eatherisstronginher.That’swhy—”
“Idon’tgiveafuckabouttheeatherinher,”Isnarled.“What’shappeningtoher?”
“Youshouldcareabouttheeatherinher,especiallysinceyou’veJoinedwitha
Primal.Butthat’sneitherherenorthereatthemoment,”
Nektasrespondedtoodamncalmly.“She’sinstasis,
justlikeherfather.IthappenswhenPrimals,even
gods,finishtheirCulling.Orwhenthey’reweakenedandunabletorecouptheir
strength.Youwouldknowifshewereinjuredorindangerinanyway.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
Kieranturned,hisgazefallingtoPoppyasDelanowhined,pacingnervouslyat
myside.“Howwouldweknow?”
“Theverylanditselfwouldseek
toprotecther,”Nektassaid.“Shewould—”
“Gotoground,”Imurmured,
rememberingtherootsthathadcomeoutoftheground,attemptingtocoverher
whenshewasmortallywoundedintheWastelands.Wehadn’tunderstoodwhatwas
happeningthen.
“Shesleeps,”Nektasrepeated.“Thatisall.”
Thatwasall?Ilookeddownat
Poppy.Hercheekrestedagainstmychest.Exceptforthebruisesunderhereyes
andhercoldskin,shedidlooklikeshesimplyslept.“How—?”Iclearedmy
throat.“Howlongwillshesleep?”
“ThatIcannotanswer.And,
yeah,Iknowthatdoesn’tmakeeitherofyouhappy,”hesaidasKierangrowled.
“Itcouldbeadayoracoupleofdays.Aweek.It’sdifferentforeveryone,
butit’slikelyherbodyisnowcatchingupwiththewholeprocess.She’llawaken
onceshefullyfinishestheCulling.”
Kierancursedunderhisbreath,
rubbingahandoverhishair.IstaredatPoppy,thepressureinmychest
tightening.HadthisbeenwhatbothKieranandIsensedthroughthebondwe’d
forgedduringtheJoining?Thatshewasonthevergeofgoingintostasis?Andshecouldbeoutfordays?Aweek?
“Gods,”Ibitout,feelingfuckinghelplessandhatingeverymomentofit.
“Gethersomeplacecomfortable
andwaititout.Thatisallyoucando,”Nektas
said.“I’lltakecareofIres.”
Somewherecomfortable?Here?I
sharedalookwithKieran.Poppywouldn’tbecomfortableanywhereinWayfair,
butwhatchoicedidwehave?
“We’llfindaplace,”Kieran
assured,slippingintotherolehealwaysdid.Thelogicalone.Thecalmand
supportiveonewhenshitwentsouth.ButIknewthat
wasfartoooftenafa?ade.Istartedtoturn.
“Thereisjustonethingyou
shouldbeawareof,”Nektasadded,stoppingallofus
inourtracks.“ThestasisthatcomesattheendofaCullingcanhave…unexpected
andlastingsideeffects.”
Afistseizedmyheart.
Trepidationrose.“Likewhat?”
“Lossofmemory.Lackof
knowledgeofwhotheyandthosearoundthemare,”heexplained.
Thatinvisiblefist…
Itfucking
crushedmyheart.
Kieran’sentirebodyjerkedback
afullstep.“It’spossibleshe…”Thecalmbegantocrack.“Shewon’tknowwho
sheis?Whoweare?”
“Itis,butitisveryrare.I
canonlythinkoftwicethatithashappened,”Nektas
said,tensionbracketinghismouth.“Youjustneedtobeawareofthepossibility.”
Andwhatifitbecameareality?
Kieran’sstaremetmine.Iswallowed.“Andifitdoeshappen?”
Nektas
didn’tanswerforalongmoment.“Thenshewillbeastrangertoherselfand
you.”
Kieran’seyesclosed.
Minecouldn’t.Ilookeddownat
Poppy.Shewasmyheart—myeverything.Icouldn’tevenconsiderhernotknowing
whoshewas—notknowingus
“Talktoher.”Nektas’svoicehadsoftened.“That’swhatNyktosdidwhenshewasinstasis.Idon’tknowif
sheheardhim,butIthinkithelped.”HisheadtiltedashelookeddownatIres.“Iknowithelpedhim.”
Inodded,turningfromthedraken.IknewIshould’veaskedwhenorifhe’dbeback.I
imaginedhewouldbe.Hisdaughterwasinthisrealm,butgiventhe
single-mindedbastardIwas,myonlyprioritywasto
getPoppysomewherecomfortable.Iwasn’tthinkingaboutNektas
andhisdaughter.NorPoppy’sfather,ortheCrownwe’djustoverthrown—the
kingdomwe’dconquered,yetonlyinthemosttechnicalsense.Allthosethings
wereimportant,butnoneofthemmattered.
IcarriedPoppybackthroughthe
undergroundmazeandtothefirstfloor,myheartcalmandsteadybecauseit
followedtherhythmofhers.IkeptremindingmyselfofthatasKieranwalked
aheadandDelanostuckclosetomyside.Otherthanthat,thesurroundingswere
ablur.AllIknewwasthatKieranandamemberofthecastlestaffhadahushed
conversation,andIthoughtIheardEmil’svoiceasweclimbedanarrowsetof
stairs.Ididn’tknowhowmanyfloorswewentup.Therewereonlywhitewashed
stonewallsandafewwindowsuntilweenteredanemptyhalllinedwithheavy,
blackdrapes.Adooropenedahead,andIfollowedKieranintoadarkened
chamber.Hewentstraighttotwolargewindowsframingabedandgrabbedthebrocade
curtains,tearingthemfromtheirrods.
“Thisisaguestroom,”Kieran
explained,tossingthedrapesaside.“Ithasn’tbeenusedinawhile,butit
hasbeenrecentlycleaned.”
Afaintbreezedriftedin
throughthewindowsasIlookedaround.Thechamberwasoutfittedwithseveral
couchesandchairs,andthereappearedtobeaccesstoabathingchamber.It
woulddo.
KieranfollowedmeasIcarried
Poppytothebed.Hegrabbedholdofacream-huedblanketandpulleditback.I
didn’twanttolethergo.ItwaslikeIwasphysicallyincapableofdoingso.
MyarmstrembledasIlaidherdown.
“Shehasn’tstirredonce,”I
heardmyselfsayingasIforcedmyarmsoutfromunderher.Isatbesideher,
shakingmyhead.“Hereyelasheshaven’tevenfluttered.”
“She’llbeokay,”Kieransaidas
Delanojumpedontothebedandlaydownonherothersidebyherhip,placing
hisheadbetweenhisfrontlegs.Hisgazewastrainedonthedoor.“Idon’t
thinkNektaswouldlietous.”
“Doesthatmakeyoufeelbetter
aboutthis?”
“Hell,no.”
Drawingmylowerlipbetweenmy
teeth,Ikeptshakingmyhead.Somuchshitwas
runningthroughit.“Idon’tlikebeinghere,inthisgodsforsaken
place,whenshe’sinthisvulnerablestate.”
“Iwillmakesurenostaffeven
entersthisfloor,”Emilsaidfromthedoorway.
IlookedoverattheAtlantian.I’dbeenrightabouthearinghisvoice,butI
hadn’trealizedhe’dfollowedus.Shit.Ineededto
getittogether.“Thankyou.”
Emil’sgoldeneyesflickedto
Delano.“Neitherwillhe.”
Inodded.Poppylookedsodamn…lifeless.Ibrieflyclosedmyeyes,orderingmyselfto
chillthefuckout.Shecouldn’tbecomfortablelike
this,withweaponsstrappedtoherandherfeetfilthywithbloodanddirt.I
glancedovermyshoulderatthebathingchamber.“IsHisanear?”
Iasked,speakingoftheCommanderoftheCrownGuard.
Kierannodded.“Wantmetosee
ifshecanfindsomethingforhertowear?”
“Yeah.”Clearingmythroat,I
ranmyhandovertheharnessatherthigh,undoingthesnaps.Therewassomething
strangelycalmingaboutthetask.Itmadealltheroaringthoughtsslowenough
formetorememberwhoIwas—whowewere.“Emil?”
“Yes,”heansweredimmediately.
“We’regoingtobeoutof
commissionforabit,butnooneotherthanourpeopleneeds
toknowwhy,”Ibegan,slippingtheharnessandthedaggerfromherleg.“First
thingweneedtodoismakesureWayfairissecure.”
“Alreadyonit,”Emilanswered.“The
wolvenwerealreadyguardingthepremiseswhenyou
wereallbelow,alongwithHisaandtheCrownGuard.”
“Perfect.”IwatchedKierantake
theharnessfromme,placingitonthenightstand.“Weneedtofindmybrother
and…andMillicent.”
“Naill
wentafterthem,”Emilshared.
“I…”ImetKieran’sstare.“I
don’twanteitherofthemnearthisfloor.”
“Understood,”Emilsaid.There
werenojokesorteasingfromhim.Notnow.“Andwhatdoyouwantustodo
abouttheAscended?Wehaven’tfoundanymoreinthecastle,butIhavebeen
madeawareofseveralclustersinthemanorsneartheGoldenBridgeandwithin
theGardenDistrict.”
Killthem.Thatwasmy
firstresponse.Makeitquickandneat.ButasIbrushedasmudgeof
dirtfromPoppy’shand,Iknewshewouldn’twantthat.EspeciallysinceI
couldn’tsaythatanyofthemwererunninginourdirection.“Keepthemin
theirhomes.”Thewordstastedlikeashonmytongue.“Makesureallknowthe
Ascendedarenottobeharmeduntilwediscusswhattodowiththem.”
“Willdo,”Emilanswered.There
wasapause.“Andwhatofyourfather?”
Fuck.I
hadn’teventhoughtabouthimandtheothersinPadonia
“Weneedtosendwordtohim.”
Kieranhadkneltatourside.“Lethimknowthestatus
ofeverything.Wedon’thavetotellhimaboutPoppy,though.”
“Agreed.”Iexhaledheavily,
knowinghewouldbeonhiswaythemomenthereceivedwordofoursuccess.I
didn’tknowifPoppywouldbeawakebythen.Ithoughtaboutherfriend.“Make
sureTawnycomeswithhim.”
“AndwhatofthepeopleofCarsodonia?”Emilaskedafteramoment.“Theyarestill
lockeddownintheirhomes,bychoicecurrently,butIdon’tthinkthatwill
lastforlong.”
No,Ididn’teither.
Whattodowiththemwasadamngoodquestion.“Manyofthemhavespenttheirentire
livesbelievingwe’remonsters.They’regoingtobescared.Wewill…wewillneed
toaddressthem.”
Kierannoddedhisagreement.“I
thinkwe’llhavesometimebeforethatbecomesnecessary.”
“We’llcrossthatbridgewhen
we’rereadytosetitonfire,”Isaidwithadrylaugh,draggingthebackof
myhandacrossmychin.“It’simportantthatwelocateMalik.Heknowsalotof
theDescentershere.”
“Theycouldbeofhelp.”Kieran
turnedtoEmil.“Anythingelse?”
“NothingIcanthinkof,butI’m
sureIwillinaboutfiveminutes.”Emilsteppedback,thenstopped.“Actually,
itonlytookasecondformetothinkofsomethingelse.”
Afaintsmiletuggedatmylips.
“Didyoufindhim?”Emilasked.
“Herfather?”
“Yes.”Ismiledthen,widerand
alittlestronger.“Nektaswilltakehim…home.”
“Nektas,”
Emilrepeated,lettingoutalowwhistle.“Heisonebigmotherfuckingdraken.”
Aroughlaughleftme.Yeah,he
was.
“AndIjustthoughtofsomething
else,”Emilsaid,andKierancrackedagrin.“Therewassomekindof…eventthat
occurredatthecityAtheneum,almostlikeanexplosion.It’sbeingcheckedout
now.”
“It’sfine,”Isaid,counting
Poppy’sbreaths.“It’sthegoddessPenellaphe.”
“Comeagain?”Emil’svoice
pitchedhigh.
“Youheardhimright,”Kieran
said.“Thegodsareawakening.ShewasasleepbeneaththeAtheneum.”Hepaused.
“Theremaybemorecomingawake,hereorthroughoutSolis,iftheyhaven’t
already.”
“Oh.Okay.That’sawholebunch
ofcompletelynormalandexpectedthingstospeakoutloud,”Emilreplied
slowly.“I’ll…I’llleteveryoneknow.AndI’msurenoneofthemwillhaveasingle
questionorpotentiallyoverreacttosuchnews.”Hestartedtoleave.
“Emil?”Itwistedatthewaist,
lookinghimoverandactuallypayingattention.Isaw
himstandingthere,butIcouldn’tgettheimageofseeinghimspearedthrough
thechestoutofmymind.“Howareyoufeeling?”
“I’m…”Emillookeddownatthe
jaggedtearsinhisarmor.Heswallowed,thenlookedpastmetoPoppy.“I’m
gladtobealive.Tellhershehasmyeverlastingdevotionandutter,complete
adorationwhenshewakes.”
Myeyesnarrowed.
Emilwinkedandthenturnedto
leave.
“Fucker,”Imuttered,turningto
Poppy.Iwasn’ttellinghershit
Kieranchuckled,butthesound
wasquicktofade.Gods,she’dhatethis—usstaringatherwhilesheslept.
She’dprobablystaboneorbothofusuponwaking.I
wantedtolaugh,butIcouldn’tgetthesoundout.
“She’llbefine.She’llwake,
andshe’llknowherself.She’llknowus.”Kieranplacedhishandonmy
shoulder.“Wejustneedtowait.”
“Yeah.”Thickemotion
cloggedmythroatandtightenedmychest.
Kieransqueezedmyshoulderand
thendroppedhishand.Heclearedhisthroat.“WhatdoyouthinkNektasmeantwhenhewastalkingabouttheeatherandushavingJoinedwithaPrimal?”
Irubbedmychin,needinga
momenttorecallwhathewastalkingabout.“Man,Itotallyforgotaboutthat.
Ihavenoidea.And,ofcourse,hedidn’tgointoanydetail.”
“I’mbeginningtothink
vaguenessisauniqueabilitywhenitcomestothedraken,”
Kieranmuttered.
Aroughlaughleftme.“Yeah,
butallofushadwaymoreimportantthingsonourminds.”
Westilldid.
“Talktoher.”Iglancedat
Kieran.“That’swhatNektassaid.”
“Hedid.”
ButwhatdidItalktoher
about?IshookmyheadasIstaredatherface.Shelookedtoodamnpeaceful,whenmyentirebeingfeltlikeitwasbeing
rippedapart.Iranthetipsofmyfingersoverhercoldcheek.Talktoher.
IgrazedthescarthatstartedathertempleandthoughtofthefirsttimeI’d
seenherunveiledforsomereason.
ThenIthoughtaboutthefirst
timeI’dseenher
Ididn’tknowifthatwaswhatNektashadmeant,butitwassomething.Iforcedadeep,
steadybreathasKieranstraightenedthesleeveofhershirt.“DidIevertell
youwhatitwaslikewhenIwasinMasadonia?”Isaid
toher,feelingKieran’sandDelano’sattentionmovingtome.“Ican’t
remember,butIdon’tthinkI’vetoldyouwhatitwaslikebeforeIbecameyour
guard.EverythingIdid.”AheavierbreathleftmethistimebecauseI’ddonea
lot.“Andhowitallchanged—howIchanged—becauseofyou.”
Ituckedastrandofhairbehind
herear.“ButwheredoIstart?”Isearchedmy
memories.Theywerehazyatfirst.Butthen…“IthinkI’llstartontheRise.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEONTHERISE
Achillreached
theRise,chasingawaywhatremainedofthelate-seasonwarmththathad
lingeredfarintoautumn.Thehintofcomingsnowwasinthenightair
Thatwasn’ttheonlything.
Iturnedatthewaistand
proppedabootedfootontheledge,lookingdownattheramshacklebuildingsin
theshadowofthemassivewallenclosingthecesspoolofacityknownasMasadonia.Thehomeswerealldrabshadesofgrayand
brown,stainedwithdirtandsmokeandstackedatoponeanother,leavinglittle
roomforthewagonstotravelthestreets,letaloneenoughspaceforthepeople
tobreatheanythingbutthestenchofsewageanddecay.
Anddeath.
Therewasalwaysdeathinthe
airneartheRise.
Mylip
curledindisgustasIscannedtherowsandrowsofhomesintheLowerWard.
Litbytorchesandafewsporadicallyplacedstreetlampspoweredbyoilinstead
ofelectricity,thepackedbuildingsappearedonewindgustawayfromcrumbling
inonthemselves.Clearly,DukeandDuchessTeerman,
theAscendedwhoruledMasadonia,believedonlythe
wealthydeservedsuchluxuriesascleanairandspace,electricity,andrunning
water.
Masadonia
wasoneoftheoldestcitiesinthekingdom,andIwassureithadoncebeen
beautifulwhenAtlantiaruledtheentiretyofthemortalrealm—beforetheWar
ofTwoKings,theBloodCrown,andtheRiseswereerectedaroundcitiesandvillages
asprisonstokeepouttheconsequencesoftheevilthatlivedwithin.Before
mypeopleretreatedeastoftheSkotosMountainsfor
thegreatergoodoftherealm.
Butnorealgoodhadcomeofit.
TheAscended,thosewhonow
ruledeverythingwestoftheSkotos,wereexpert
revisionists,rewritinghistorybycallingthemselvestheheroesanddamningAtlantiansasthevillains.They’dmanagedtoconvincethe
mortalstheywereBlessedbythegodsandinstalledthemselvesas
rulersofwhattheynowcalledtheKingdomofSolis.
Atoo-abruptscreamechoedfrom
theshadowsoftheLowerWard.
Thatevildidn’tfind
itswayin.Itnowlivedamongthemortals.
Mygriptightenedonthehiltof
thebroadswordatmyhipasIliftedmygazetothetwinklinglightsofRadiant
Row,seatedatthebaseofCastleTeerman.Now,the
onlybeautytobefoundwasbeyondtheheavilywoodedWisher’sGrove,wherethe
eliteofMasadonialivedinlargemanorsonsprawling
acres.MostwereAscended.Onlyafewweremortalswho’dbenefitedfrom
generationalwealth.Andtheywerelikelyawareofpreciselywhatthe
Ascendedwere.
Onewouldthinkthevampryswouldtakebettercareoftheirpeople,considering
theywouldsimplyshrivelupandwasteawaywithoutthem.However,asawhole,theAscendedappearedtolackforesightas
muchastheydidempathy.Theytreatedtheirpeoplelikecattle,keepingthem
aliveinshitconditionsuntilitwastimetobe
butchered.
“Youneverquitegetusedtothe
smellsorthesounds.”Thevoiceintrudedonmythoughts.“Notunlessyougrew
upintheLowerWard.”
IturnedmyheadtoPence.The
blond-hairedguardcouldn’tbemorethanayearortwointohisseconddecade
oflife.Idoubtedhe’dmakeitmuchfurtherifhecontinued
ontheRise.Mostoftheguardsdidn’t.“Didyougrowupdownthere?”
Inthelightofanearbytorch,
Pencenoddedashestaredatthehomeslineduplikeuneven,jaggedteeth.His
answercameasnosurprise.Therewasn’tmuchopportunityinSolisunlessone
wasbornintowealth.Youeitherworkedasyourparentsdid,barelyscraping
by,oryoujoinedtheRoyalArmyhopingtobeoneoftheluckyfoolstolive
longenoughtomoveofftheRiseandintosomethinglikeapositioninthe
RoyalGuard
Pencefrownedasseveralshouts
brokeout,comingfromanareaneartheCitadel,wherecoin
wasspentingamblingdensandhousesofpleasure.Onlythegodsknew
whatwasgoingon.Adealgonewrong?Senseless,
unprovokedmurder?TheAscendedthemselves?Thepossibilitieswereendless.
“Howaboutyou?”heasked.
“Grewuponafarmintheeast.”
Thelieslippedeasilyfrommylips,anditwasn’tjustbecauseIdid,infact,
hailfromtheeast—theFarEast—butbecauseIwasasgoodatlyingasIwasat
killing.
ThecreasebetweenPence’sbrow
deepened.“Heardyouwerefromthecapital.”
“IworkedontheRiseinCarsodonia.”Anotherlie.“ButI’mnotfromthere.”
“Ah.”Theskinbetweenhiseyes
smoothedashereturnedtostareattheLowerWardandtheplumesofsmoke
comingfromchimneys.
Iwasn’tatallsurprisedthat
hedidn’tpressharderaboutwhatI’dsaid.Mostmortalsrarelyquestioned
anything.Generationaftergenerationwasgroomedto
simplyacceptwhattheyweretold.ThatwasonethingIcouldthanktheAscended
for.ItmadewhatI’dcometodomucheasier.
“BetCarsodonia
looksnothinglikethis,”Pencesaid,soundingwistful.
Ialmostlaughed.Thecapital
wasjustlikeMasadonia,thoughevenmorestratified
andworse.ButIsquelchedthesoundthatwantedtoriseinhumor.“Thebeaches
alongtheStroudSeaare…nice.”
Abriefsmileappearedon
Pence’sface,makinghimseemevenyounger.“Neverseentheseabefore.”
Heprobablyneverwould.
Agnawingpangradiatedthrough
mychestandstomach,remindingmethatIneededtofeed.
“Mybrotherwill,though,”he
addedwithasmile.“Owenisasecondson,youknow.”
Angerreplacedtheache,
floodingmysystem,butIkeptitincheckasIturnedmyattentionbacktothe
LowerWard.“He’saLordinWait,then?”
“Yeah.He’satthecastle.Been
theresinceheturnedthirteen,learningtobeaLord.”
Ismirked.“Howdoesonelearn
tobeaLord?”
“Iimagineit’sallaboutwhich
forkandspoonisthecorrectonetoeatwith.Fancyshit
likethat.”Penceletoutaraspylaugh,remindingmethathe’donlyjust
recoveredfromoneofthemanysicknessesthatranrampantthroughtheCitadel
andtheLowerWard.“Probablyboredoutofhismindlearningthehistoriesand
howtoactright,notrealizinghowluckyheis.”
“Lucky?”Iglancedathim.
“Fuck,
yeah.Allthesecondsonsanddaughtersare.”Penceadjustedthehiltofhis
sword.“He’llneverhavetoworryaboutbeingupontheRiseorgoingout
beyondit.He’sgotitmade,Hawke.Hereallydoes.”
Istaredatthefool—no,nota
fool.Pencemaynotbeeducated—noneofthefirstsonsordaughterswereunless
theywerewealthy—butthemanwasn’tafool.He’djustbeenfedthesamebullshittheBloodCrowndoledoutinspoonfuls.
So,ofcourse,hethoughthisbrotherwasluckytobegiventotheRoyalCourt
uponhisthirteenthbirthdayduringthegodsforsakenRite—asallsecondsonsanddaughterswere.TheywereraisedatCourtandthen,
atsomepoint,receivedtheBlessingofthegods.TheywereAscended.ButI
supposedOwenwasluckierthanthethirdsonsanddaughters,thosegivenover
atinfancyduringtheRitetoservethegodsinthevariousTemplesthroughout
thekingdom.
Igroundmymolars.Thefaith
thepeoplehadintheAscendedwasstrong,wasn’tit?Intruth,theLordsand
LadiesinWaitdidn’treceivejackshitfromthegods
whentheyAscended,andthosebabesweren’tbeingraisedtoservethegods
becausethegodshadbeenrestingforcenturies.
ButmostofthepeopleofSolis
didn’tknowthat,andifIwerebeingfair,itwasn’tallthathardtounderstand
howtheAscendedhadsomanybelievinginthem.Ifone
onlylookedatthesurface,youwouldn’tdoubtthegodshadBlessedthe
Ascended.Notwhentheyappearedtohavebeengiftedstrength,
longevity,wealth,andpowerthatmortalscouldonlydreamof.However,nothing
abouttheAscended—theBloodCrownandalltheirDukesandDuchessesand
AscendedLordsandLadies—wasablessing.
Itwasallafucking
wakingnightmare.
Anoddnoisecamefrombehind
us,alowwaileasilymistakenforthewind,buteveryoneontheRisewas
trainedtolistenforthatsound.Thewarning.Weturnedatonce,facingthe
moonlight-drenchedlandsbeyondtheRise.
Icrossedtotheothersideof
thewallandlookedoutoverthebarrenlands.Cloudshadgathered,blocking
mostofthemoonlight,butmyeyesightwasfarbetterthantheothersonthe
Riseandbelow,justoutsidethewall,wherethehorseswhinniednervously,I
sawwhatthatsoundwarnedof.Beyondtherowoftorchesplacedabouthalfway
outfromtheRise,athickmistgatheredattheedgesoftheBloodForest,a
loneshadowinthemist.
Pencejoinedme,scanningthe
darkenedland.Hewaspalernow,buthisshoulderswerestraightashewithdrew
thebowstrappedtohisback.Theguardwasafraid,butthatdidn’tmakehim
anylessbrave.
TheBloodCrowndidn’tdeserve
himorthemenbelow,thosewhobeganridingforward.Someofthemwouldn’t
return.
Anotherlow,keeningcryechoed
fromtheBloodForest,andasecondshadowappearedinthemist.Thenanother.
Themistdidn’tthickenorrise,though.Theredidn’tseemtobeahorde,but
threeCravencouldbedangerousenough.
“FuckingAtlantians,”
Pencespat.
Myheadcuttohim,andIhadto
stopmyselffromknockinghisassofftheRise—orlaughing,consideringhecursed
thosewhosebloodwouldbeusedtoAscendhisbrotherwhenthetimecamesince
thegodsweren’tAscendinganyone.TheBloodCrownsimplyusedAtlantianblood.
AndtheCravenhadnothingtodo
withmypeople.Theyweren’ttheproductofourpoisonouskissasthemortals
wereledtobelieve.ThatwasjustmoreshittheBlood
CrownusedtocoveruptheirmisdeedsandmakesurethepeoplehatedAtlantiansTheyweresolelyresponsibleforthe
creaturesthatslaughteredindiscriminatelyintheirhungerforblood.
“Ireallyhopemybrother
Ascendssoon,”Pencesaid,swallowing.“He’llbesaferthen,youknow?”
Yeah,hewouldbesafer.
He’dalsobecreatingmore
CraventhatcouldonedaykillPence.
“Howoldisyourbrothernow?”I
knewtheBloodCrowndidn’ttypicallyAscendtheLordsandLadiesinWaituntil
theyreachedadulthood.
“Justturnedsixteen.”Pence
squinted.“Notsureifhe’llAscendduringtheMaiden’sAscensionorifthey’ll
wait.Butit’scomingup.Thatisifitactuallyhappens.”
Istiffened,forcingmygripon
myswordtorelax.
TheMaiden.
Breathingin
deeply,IignoredthestenchIcouldpracticallytaste.ShewasthereasonI
wasinthisshitholeofacity.HerAscensionwasto
happenwithintheyear,anditshould’vebeenthelargestonetotakeplace
sincetheendofthewarsomeseveralhundredyearsago.
Should’vebeenthekey
phrasethere.BecausePencewassmarttoquestioniftheAscensionwould
happen.
Itwouldn’t.
MyvoicewaslevelasIasked,“What
makesyouthinktheAscensionwon’thappen?”
“Seriously?Youdon’tthinktheDescenterswilltrysomething?”Hesentmeasharplookas
heloweredthebow.“TheywanttousurptheCrown.Attheveryleast,cause
trouble.PreventingtheMaiden’sAscensionwouldbeonewaytodojustthat.”
“AndwhywouldtheMaiden’s
AscensionhavethatmuchimpactontheCrown?”Iangledmybodytowardhis,
doubtinghecouldanswerwhatIoranyofmyspieshadyettofigureout.
Hiseyesnarrowed.“Becausethe
MaidenisChosenbythegods,”hesaidwiththereverencethatoftenfilledthe
voiceofanyonewhospokeabouttheMaidenandtheconfidenceofeverysingle
motherfuckerwhospewedthatbullshit.ExceptPence’s
wordsincludedatonethatsaidhethoughtmehalf-idiotictoevenaskthe
question.
ItwasagoodthingIstopped
myselffromshouting,“Why?”inhisface.WhywasthisMaiden
Chosen?TheBloodCrownneverelaboratedbeyondherAscensionusheringinanew
era.NomatterwhowequestionedorhowmanyAscendedweinterrogated,wenever
learnedthereasonbeyondthebelieforhowshewouldbethis…thisharbingerof
anewera.
“I’vebeenhearingtheDuke’sworriedabouttheupcomingRite,”Pencesaidaftera
moment,hisslenderfacedrawn.“I’mguessingthere’vebeencrediblethreats.
FeartheDarkOnewillgettheDescentershereriled
upintodoingsomething.”
TheDuke
hadeveryrighttobeconcernedabouttheupcomingRite.Onesideofmylips
twistedupasIturnedfromPence,thinkingtheguardwouldlikelypisshimselfifheknewwhohestoodbesideandspoketo.
Theso-calledDarkOne.
ThePrince
ofafallenkingdomtheBloodCrownclaimedwashellbentonmurderandmayhem.
Manybelievedthat,butthefalseKingandQueenhadn’tbeenabletoconvince
everyoneinSolis.TheDescentersknewthatthe
KingdomofAtlantiahadn’tfallen.Instead,we’dthrivedandrebuiltinthefourcenturiesfollowingthewar,
strengtheningourarmies.
IfAtlantia
invadedSolis,somethingmanywithinAtlantiawanted,
Soliswouldbetaken.Thousands,ifnotmillions,woulddieintheprocess.And
thatwasexactlywhatwouldhappenifIdidn’tgetoffthisfucking
RiseandgetmyhandsontheMaiden.
Becauseunbeknownsttothe
peopleofSolis,theBloodCrownhadstolensomeoneveryimportanttoAtlantia.NotjusttheirPrincebuttheheirtothethrone.
Ifhewasn’tfreed,therewouldbewar.Andthistime?
Thistime,therewouldbeno
retreatforthegreatergoodofthepeople.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHESCENTOFROT
Sixguardshad
riddenoutonhorsebacktotakecareoftheCravenbeforetheyreachedthe
Rise.
Threereturned.
Itwasrareforthosewhofell
outsidetheRisetobebroughtbackforburialrites.Sometimes,therewas
simplynothingleftofthebodyfortheirlovedonestomourn.Usually,itwas
allduetotheAscendednotwantingthepeopletoknowexactlyhowmanywere
lostwhilefightingtheCraven.
Inotherwords,theydidn’twant
thepeopletoknowhowlittlecontroltheyhadofthesituation.
ItensedasIwatchedoneofthe
guardsdismountjustinsidetheRise.Themanwasunsteadyonhisfeet.I
inhaleddeeply,catchingthestale-sweetscentof…rotShit.NotlikingthelookofwhatI’dseenorsmelled,I
walkedtotheedgeandwaitedfortheguardtoturn.
“HawkeFlynn.”Thehigh-pitched,
nasallyvoiceofLieutenantDolen
SmythcutthroughthelowchatterofthoseontheRise.“Youweren’tatroll
callthisafternoon.”
Pencebowedaswasrequiredfor
oneofSmyth’sposition.Ididn’t.Instead,Itracked
thedark-hairedguard’smovementsashespokewithseveralotherguardsonthe
ground.“Iwasthere.”
“IjustsaidIdidn’tseeyou,”Lieutenant
Smythsnapped,whichwasutterbullshit.He’dseenme.
Iknewhehadbecausehe’dbeeneyeballingmelikehewantedtoseemyheadon
aspike.“So,exactlyhowwereyouthere,Flynn?”
“I’mnotsurehowtoanswerthat
question.”TheguardIwastrackinghadstartedwalking,leadinghisnervous
horsetothestables.Heturnedbriefly,hisprofile
blanchedinthefirelight.Irecognizedhim.JoleCrain.Hewasyoung.Fuck,hewasyoungerthanPence.
“IthinkitwouldbeaquestionbetteraskedofaHealer.”
“Andwhythehellwouldyou
thinkthat?”LieutenantSmythdemanded.
“Becauseifyoudidn’tseeme…”
Ibegan,catchingsightofPenceoutofthecornerofmyeye.Helookedasifhe
wereattemptingtodisappearintooneofthecurvedparapets.“Thenthere
appearstobesomethingwrongwithyourvision.”IturnedtotheLieutenant
then,smilingtightly.ThewhitemantleoftheRoyalGuardflappedfromhis
slendershouldersinthewindlikeaflagofsurrender.WhileSmythlordedhis
authorityoverotherslikefartoomanyinhisposition,he’dearnedthat
covetedspotamongtheRoyalGuard.Onlythestrongandtheskilledstayed
alivelongenoughtomakeitofftheRise.“AndIwouldsuggestyouhavethat
checkedoutimmediately.”
“Thereisnothingwrongwithmy
vision.”TheblondLieutenantsputtered,andhisnormallyruddycheeksflushed
evenmoreinanger.
Iremindedmyselfthatthrowing
hisassofftheRisewouldnotdomeanyfavors.“Thenyoudidseeme.Perhaps
thereisanissuewithyourmemory,then.”
Hisnostrilsflaredashetooka
steptowardme,butthenhestoppedhimself.Theknucklesofhisrighthand
turnedwhitefromhowtightlyheclenchedthehiltofhisbroadsword.Hedidn’t
drawit.Itwasclearhewantedto,though.Whateverinstinctthemanpossessed
hadpreventedhimfrommakinganentirelyfoolishchoice.Orperhapsitwassmarts.Smythwasasintelligentashewasabastard
AndIwasbeginningtothinkhe
wasperhapstoowise.Tooobservant.
Becausehe’dbeenonmyassfrom
dayone,watchingmyeverymoveandaskingtoomanyquestions.
“Yourdisrespectwillbe
reported,”hesaidfinally,histonepitchingevenhigherthanusual.“And
we’llseewhatCommanderJansenhastosay.”
Mysmilekickedupanotch.“I
supposewewill.”
“Justsoyouknow,”hebitout,
liftinghispointedchin,“I’vegotmyeyeonyou,Flynn.”
“Mostdo,”Ireplied,then
winked.
LieutenantSmyth’sshoulders
stiffened.Itappearedasifhewantedtosaymore,butdisappointingly,he
stalkedforward,bumpingmyshoulderashecontinuedon
thepatrolpath.
Chuckling,Ilookedtowhere
Pencehadnearlyblendedintotheshadowsoftheparapet.
“Exactlyhowbigareyour
balls?”theguardasked.
Isnorted.“Normalsize,the
lastIchecked.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat.”Pence
crossedthebattlement,draggingahandthroughhiswindblownhair.“Smythisa
prick.”
“Iknowthat.”
“Thenyouhave
toknowhe’sgoingtodoexactlywhathesaid.He’llgotothe
Commander.”
“I’msurehewill,”Isaid,
straighteningthestrapofmybaldricasIglancedatwhereI’dlastseenthe
guard.“JoleCrainhasachamberinthedorms,right?”
“Yeah.He’sonthethirdfloor.”
Pence’sbrowknitted.“Whydoyouask?”
Ishrugged.
Penceeyedmeforamoment.“You
aren’tworriedatallabouttheLieutenant,areyou?”
“Notatall.”AndIwasn’t.
LieutenantSmythdidn’teven
registeronthelistofthingsIwasconcernedabout.
Iliftedmygazetothe
Citadel’sstonetowers,thenlookedfartheroutpasttheedgesoftheLower
WardandWisher’sGrove,beyondthewider,nicerstreetsandlushmanors.My
starefixedonthesprawling,archedwallsofCastleTeerman,
wheretheMaidenlikelysleptpeacefully,safeinherstoneandglasscage,out
ofreach.
Butnotforlong.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEHE
DIEDWITHHISDREAMS
Icutacrossthe
Citadel’scourtyard,wherepatchesofgrassstruggledtogrow,havingbeen
stompedoutfromyearsoftraining.
Luckyforme,onlythenew
guardstrainedattheCitadel.TheresttookpartindailysessionsatCastleTeerman.Ididn’tmindthetraining.Iactually
lookedforwardtoit.Thetimespentintheyardgavemetheopportunity
tofamiliarizemyselfwiththecastle.
Italsogavemechancestoseeher
Kindof.
TheMaidenwasn’tseeninpublic
outsidetheCityCouncilsessions.ButIhadcaughtsightofherwatchingfrom
oneofthecastle’smanyalcovesthatfacedthetrainingyard.Usually,itwas
justaglimpseofthewhiteofhergownorveil.I’dyettoseeanythingofher
featuresbeyondaslightlysharpchinandsurprisinglylushmouththecolorof
berries.Ihadn’tevenheardhervoice
Tobehonest,Iwasbeginningto
thinkshehadnovocalcordsorthatshespokeonlyinwhisperslikeamouse
terrifiedofanyloudsounds.Wouldn’tsurprisemeifthatwerethecase.After
all,theso-calledChosenhadtobeeitherasubmissive,frightenedcreatureto
allowherselftobeveiledandhaveeveryaspectofherlifecontrolled,orshe
believedthebullshitthefalseQueen—theBlood
Queen—fedher.Thelatterwasthelikeliestexplanationforherwilling
submissiveness,especiallysinceshehadabrotherwhohadAscended.
I’dseentheMaideninthealcovewiththeDuchessafewtimes,theAscendedwatching
thementrainingasifshewishedtofeastontheirfleshmorethantheirblood.
LadiesandLordsinWaitdidthesame,usuallytitteringfrombehindsilkfans
betweensendingnot-so-coyglancesatthoseonthefield.Attractiondrovethem
towatch,buttheMaiden’spresencewasanintriguingmystery,andsovery
littleintriguedmethesedays.
EveryoneinSolisknewthe
Maidenwasuntouchedinboththeliteralandfigurativesensesandwas
toremainso.Icouldn’tevenbegintofathomwhatkindofarchaicreasoning
theAscendedhadtojustifythatorwhy.Tobehonest,Icouldn’tgivetwofucks,buttherehadbeenabsolutelynogossipindicating
thattheMaidenrebelledagainstthecageshehadbeenplacedin.So,Idoubted
shewatchedforthesamereasonstheDuchessandtheothersdid.
Thenagain,therewasnoactualgossip
abouttheMaidenatall,likelyduetothefactthat
mostwereforbiddentospeaktoher.Therewereevenstoriesofguardshaving
beenrelievedoftheirpositionsordemotedtoworkbeyondtheRiseformerely
acknowledgingherpresencewithasmileoraharmlesshello.
WhatIknewofherwasminimal.
TheMaidenwassupposedlybornintheshroudofthegods,whichwasyetmore
Ascendedbullshit.Thoseoftheworkingandlower
classesharboredafondnessforher,whichwasclearinhowtheyspokeofher
inthesamereverenttonesasPencehadtheothernight.Andshewassaidtobe
kind.Howtheywouldknowthatsincetheyweren’tallowedtoacknowledgeher
wasanyone’sguess.Theirfoolishsuperstitionslikelydrovetheirloyalty,not
anythingbasedinreality
TheMaidenwaslikelyas
unworthyofthepeople’ssupportastheBloodCrownsherepresented.Becauseat
theendoftheday,therewasnowayshewasunawareofwhattheAscendedtruly
were—howtheAscensionactuallycametobeandthat
theywereresponsibleforthemonstersthathadstolensomanylives.
ShovingthoughtsoftheMaiden
aside,Ienteredthebackhallofthedormitoryandhungaleft,enteringastaircase.
Iwastired,butevenifIwasheadedtomychamber,Iwouldn’tbegoingtosleep.
Ittookseveralhoursformyheadtogetintherightspacetoshutdown,which
usuallyoccurredahandfulofhoursbeforedawn—ifIwaslucky.Hell,I
couldn’trememberthelasttimeI’dsleptanentirenight.
Tonight,Ihadarealreasonfor
avoidingthesilenceofmysinglebedchamberanditsbare,lifelesswalls.
Itookthestepsthreeata
time,wonderingwhatKieranwasupto.We’dmadeapointnottocrosspaths,
especiallysincetheLieutenantwasonmyasslikewhiteonrice.WithKieran
plantedintheCityGuard,thereweren’talotofchancesforustohappenupon
eachother.
Hehadabitmorefreedomto
moveabout,butitalsomeanthesawfarmoreshitthan
Idid.AbusesIknewhewantedtodosomethingaboutbutcouldn’twithout
drawingattentiontohimself.Andtheexploitationandmistreatmentofthemost
vulnerableinMasadoniawasonlygettingworse.
Becausethatwasalsohowthe
AscendedkeptthepeopleofSolisinlineandnotaskingquestions.Theyused
fear.
Reachingthethirdfloor,I
walkedoutintothewidehall.Itdidn’ttakelongformetofindtheroomI
waslookingfor.Thestenchofrotwouldn’tbenoticeableyettotheothers,
butitwasstronger.Icontinuedforward,wonderingexactlywhatin
thewiderealmoffucksIwasdoing.
Theproblembrewinginthishall
wasn’tmine.
Infact,itwasaboon.Icould
keepwalkingandletwhatwouldhappencometopass.Afterall,fewerguards
madeeverythingeasier.AndifIweresmart,Iwouldseeeverysinglemortal
evenlooselytiedtotheBloodCrownasanenemy.
ButIcouldhearsnorescoming
frombehindcloseddoorsandunderstoodthatmostguardswhoservedtheBlood
Crownknewnobetter.Thisfloorwasfullofinnocentmen,andifIdid
nothing,halfofthemwouldbedeadbythetimethesunrose.
Orworse.
Istoppedatthedoor,rapping
myknucklesonit.Therewassilenceandthenamuffled,“Yeah?”
Ireachedforthehandleand
turned,findingitunlocked.Pushingitopen,Isteppedinside.Myvision
immediatelyadjustedtothenarrow,dimlylitchamber,andIfoundwhoI’dcome
for.
Jole
Crainsatontheedgeofhisbedthatwasbarelymorethanaraisedcot,his
darkhairhangingforward,shieldinghisfaceasheclaspedthebackofhis
neck.Somethingaboutthewayhesatremindedmeofmybrotherafterhe
returnedfromaneveningofenjoyingfartoomanyspirits.Apainthatwasakin
toaknifewoundslicedthroughmychest.Ithadtobethehair.Mybrother’swasabitlighter,ashadestucksomewherebetween
blondandbrown,butitwasthesamelengthasJole’s
Thinkingaboutmybrotherwas
theverylastthingIneededatthismoment.
IclosedthedoorbehindmeasI
glancedaroundthechamber.Hisarmorhadbeenleftbytheentrance,
hisweaponsplacedonthechestatthefootofhisbed—allbutone.Adagger
laybesidehimontheblanket,itsbladethecolorofcrimsoninthelowlight.
Bloodstone.
Jole
liftedhishead.Sweatdampenedthewispsofhairathisforehead,asignthat
thefeverhadtakenhold.Hesquinted.Shadowshadalreadyblossomedunderhis
eyeswheretheskinwasthinandquicktodecay.
Andthatwasexactlywhatwas
happeningtoJole.Hewasdecaying.Rotting.Hewasalready
dead.
“Flynn?”heasked.
Inodded,proppingmyself
againstthewall.“SawyoureturnfromoutsidetheRise.”
“Yeah?”Hedroppedhishandto
hisknee.Hisarmtrembled.
“ThoughtI’dcheckonyouand
seehowyouweredoing.”
Jole
blinkedandthenlookedaway.“Feelingjust…peachy.”
“Yousureaboutthat?”
Heopenedhismouth,butall
thatcameoutwasaraggedlaugh.
“Youwerebitten,weren’tyou?”
Iasked.
Anotherlaughcamefromhim,but
thistimeitwasshakyandharsh.Iwaited,anditdidn’ttakelongforhimto
dotherightthing.Silently,heliftedhisleftarmandshovedupthesleeve
ofhistunic.
Thereitwas.Further
confirmationofwhatIalreadyknew.
Twojaggedindentsonhiswrist.
Thetornfleshoozedanoily,darksubstance.Reddish-bluelinesalready
radiatedfromwhatshouldbearatherminorwound,runninguphisforearmand
disappearingunderhissleeve.
Jole
wasgoingtoturn,becomingwhathe’dbeendispatchedtokill.Aviolent,
rage-fueledbeastwithahungerthatcouldn’tbesatiated,andhewoulddoit
soonerratherthanlater.
Bodieshandledtheinfection
differently.Manymadeitadayortwowithoutshowinganyobvioussigns.
Othersturnedinhours.Hewasoneofthelatter,andIbetthatwherethe
Cravenhadgottenhimhadalottodowiththat.Ithadlikelyhitaveinor
nickeditattheveryleast.
Jole
shuddered.“I’mcursed.”
“You’renot.”Itiltedmyhead.
“You’rejustunfortunate.”
Heturnedhisheadtome.The
hollowsofhischeekshaddeepened.“IfyouknewIwasbittenwhileyouwereon
theRise,youshould’vereportedme.It’streasonousnotto.”
Itwas.
Ipushedoffthewall,glancingatthe
bloodstonedagger.Thestonewasfashionedfromtheruby-redrocksthathad
litteredthecoastoftheSeasofSaioncenturies
beforeIwasborn.Asachild,myfatherhadtoldmybrotherandmethatthey
weretheangryorsadtearsofthegodslefttopetrifyinthesun.Itwasone
ofthefewthingsintherealmthatkilledaCravenorthoseinfectedbythem.
Italsokilledtheirmakers.
TheAscended.
“Youweregoingtotrytohandle
ityourself?”Inoddedatthedagger.
Hewearilyfollowedmygaze.“I
wasgoingto,butIcouldn’t.Ican’teventouchit.”
Theinfectionwouldn’tallowit.
Itwaskindofawe-inspiringtothinkabout—thatthebitecouldseizethatmuch
controlofaperson,preventingthemfromendingtheirlife.
“I…Iwasgoingtogotothe
Commander,”Joleadded,hisshouldersshaking.“ButI
satdowntotakeabreather,andI…IthoughtI’dhavemoretime.Ireallydid.
Iwasgoingtoturnmyselfin.”Hiswateryeyesmetmine.“Iswear.”
Ididn’tknowifthatwasthe
truth.Probablywasn’t,butIcouldn’tblamehim.Turninghimselfinmeantahorrific
deathsincetheAscendedlikedtomakeapublicspectacleofexecutingthe
infected.Theyburnedthemalive,whichwasonehellofawaytorespectand
honortheirsacrifice.IfIreportedJole,hisvery
lastmemory—ifhewereevenstillhimselfbythen—wouldbehisscreams.
Icametostandinfrontofhim.
“Doyouhavefamily?”
Abreathshudderedoutofhimas
heshookhishead.“MaandPabothdiedafewyearsback.Itwassomethinglike
a…acold.Theywerefine…onemomentandnotthenext.Diedthesamenight.”He
lookedupatme,lookingolderwitheachmomentthatpassed.“Ihaveno
brothersorsisters.”
Inodded,thinkingthatwasat
leastfortunate.Itwasalwaysbetterwhennoonewaslefttomourn.
“IfIdid,Iwould’vegoneto
them,”hecontinued.“They…would’veknownwhattodo.Shewould’ve…comeforme.
Givenmedignity.”
Washespeakingofsomeonewho
answeredthesilentcallofthewhitehandkerchiefshungonwindowsanddoors?
Ithadtakenagodsawfullongtimetolearnwhatthey
represented.Halfthepeopleaskedbehavedasiftheyhadnoknowledgeoftheir
existence.OnceIfoundoutwhatthosescrapsofwhitethatsporadically
appeared—onlytothenquicklydisappear—meant…I
understoodwhy.Theysignifiedthataso-calledcursedresidedwithin,one
likelyinfectedbyaCraveninthesamemannerasJole
Crainhadbeen.ThepieceofwhiteclothwasusedtoalertthosethroughoutMasadoniawhoriskedtreasontoprovidequick,dignified
deathstotheinfected.
Thefactthattheactwaseven
consideredtreasonousandthereforepunishablebydeathblewmymindbutdid
notsurpriseme.TheBloodCrownexcelledatsenselesscruelty.
“She?”Iasked.
Henodded,swallowinghard.“The
childofthegods.”
TheMaiden.Thepeoplebelieved
shewasthechildofthegods,butIhadnoideawhyhethoughthisfamily,if
they’dbeenalive,would’vegonetoher.“Andhowwouldshehavedonethat?
Givenyoudignity?”
“She…shewould’vegivenme
peace,”hetoldme.
Mybrowsliftedasanother
coughingfithithim.Givenhimpeace?Iwasn’tsure
howthatwaspossible.Theinfectionwasaddlinghis
mind.
“Whatare…yougoingtodo?”Jolewheezed,hisbreathrattlinginhischest.
Crouchinginfrontofhim,I
smiled.“Nothing.”
“W-what?Youhave
todosomething.”Confusionandahintofpanicfilledhisnow-sunken
features.“You—”Hetwistedhisnecktotheside,theveinsstandingout
starklyasheclosedhiseyes.“Youhaveto—”
“Jole,”
Isaid,claspinghisclammy,feverishcheeks.Theyoungman’sentirebodyjerked.“Openyoureyes.”
Lashesflutteredandthen
lifted.Hisiriseswereblue.Nohintofredappearinginthem.Yet.Hestarted
tolowerhislidsagain.
“Lookatme,Jole,”
Iwhispered,myvoicedroppingevenlowerastheelementalpowerofmy
ancestors—thegodsthemselves—spreadthroughme,fillingmyveins,washingover
theroomandJole.“Don’tcloseyoureyes.Keep
lookingatmeandjustbreathe.”
Jole’s
gazemetmine.
“Becalm.”Iheldhisstare.
“Justkeepbreathing.Focusonlyonthat.Inhale.Exhale.”
Along,steadybreathlefthim.
Tensioneasedfromhisrigidbody.Herelaxed.Heinhaled.
“Tellme,Jole,
whatisyourfavoriteplace?”
“Mydreams,”hemumbled.
Hisdreamswerehisfavoriteplace?Fuckinggods,whatkindoflife
wasthat?Aballofangerlodgedinmychest,butIdidn’tletitgrow.“What
isyourfavoritedream?”
Therewasnohesitation.“Riding
onhorseback,goingsofastitfeelslikeIhavewings.ThatIcantaketothe
air.”
“Closeyoureyesandgothere.Go
toyourfavoritedream,whereyouareonhorseback.”
Heobeyedwithouthesitation.
Hisjawslackenedbeneathmyhands.Therapidflickeringbehindhisclosedlids
stilled.Hisbreathsevenedoutmore,becomingdeeper.
“You’reridingsofastyouhave
wings.You’reintheair.”
JoleCrain
smiled.
Igavehisheadasharptwist.Bonecracked,severingthebrainstem.Hediedinan
instant,ashimselfandwithhisdreamsinsteadofscreams.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEAN
OMEN
Windswept
throughthefield,gustingagainstthewallsofCastleTeerman
andthroughthemanyalcovesandbalconiesoverlookingthetrainingyard.Crisp
whiterippledfromwithinthedarknessofoneofthoserecesseslikethe
spectersrumoredtohauntWisher’sGrove,butwhathadcaughtmyattentionthis
morningwasnospirithauntingthecastle.
Itwasher,likeclockwork.
TheChosen.
TheMaiden.
Sheappearedinthevarious
shadowyalcoves,usuallytwohourspastdawn.SinceIwasabettingman,Iwas
willingtowagershethoughtnoonesawher.
ButIalwaysdid.
OtherthanthetimesImanaged
tofollowherfromtheinnerwallsurroundingthecastlewhileshewalkedin
thegarden,thiswasascloseasIgottoher.
That,however,wouldchange.
Onesideofmymouthcurledas
airstirredtomyright.Ibroughtthebroadswordup,blockingtheblow.
Dippingunderthenextattack,mygazeflickedbacktotherecess.What
sunlightmanagedtopenetratethealcoveglintedoffthegoldenchainssecuring
theMaiden’sveil.
Mypartner’sfootstepsgaveaway
hismovementsbeforehestruck.Pivoting,Icuthissworddown,nearlyknocking
itfromhisgraspeventhoughIcheckedmystrength.Iglancedatthesecond
floorasIleanedback,dodgingtheswipeofathickblade.
Anotherrowofgoldenchains
glintedfromtheshadows.Shemust’veturnedherhead.Forwhat?Whoknew?She
wasalone.Well,relativelyspeaking.Noonewasrightbesideher,butRylanKeal,oneofthetwoRoyalGuardswhoservedasher
personalguardians,stoodfartherbackinthealcove.Shewasnevertrulyalone.
WhenshewaswiththeLadyinWaitthatIusuallysawherwith,aguard
followed.Whenshewasinherchambers,herdoorsweremanned.
Icouldn’tunderstandhowshe
dealtwiththat—howanyonecould.Beingconstantlysurroundedasshewaswoulddrivememad.
Thenagain,thequietwasn’tall
thatfavorableeither,nowwasit?Notwhentoomuchsilencemademethinkof
damp,coldstone,andpain.Mademethinkofmybrother.So,IguessedIwas
sortoffucked—
“Hawke,”theman
snappedasIstoppedhisbladewithminewhenitwasaboutaninchfrommy
throat.
Slowly,Iturnedmyheadtoward
mysparringpartner,givinghimwhatheapparentlydesired:myfullattention.
Uneaseflashedinthesea-blue
eyesoftheseasonedRoyalGuardwho’dlikelyseensomeshit
inhistime.Hetookaslightstepback,aninstinctivereactionhecouldn’thelp
norevenbegintounderstand.Thatgutinstinctusuallysentmostmortals
scurryingoffbeforetheycouldquestionthecause,butnothim.Hecaught
himselfbeforeheconcededfurther,theskinatthecornersofhiseyespulling
taut.Irritationquicklysettledintheweatheredfaceofthe
Maiden’sotherpersonalguard.
“Youshouldbepaying
attention,”VikterWardwellbitout,knockingbacka
strandofblondhairthathadblownacrosshisface.“Unlessyou’reinthemood
tolosealimboryourhead.”
Dustfromthepackeddirt
whippedaroundusasanothergustofwindfunneledthroughtheyard.“I’m
payingattention.”Ipaused,glancingdowntowhereourswordsremainedlocked.
Ithengavehimatight-lippedsmile.“Obviously.”
Tensionbracketedhismouth.
“Letmerephrase.Youshouldbepayingmoreattentiontothefield.”
“Versuswhat?”
“Versuswhereveryoureyesand
attentionmaybewanderingto,”hesaid,holdingmystare.Hedidn’tlookaway,
notforadamnsecond.“Masadoniaisfarmoresusceptibletoattacksthanthecapital.Theenemiesyouwillface
herewilltakefulladvantageofanydistractions.”
Mysmiledidn’tfade.Iknew
thattickedoffthepricklybastard.Ialsoknewhe
hadadamngoodideaofwheremyeyeshadwanderedto.
WhichmeantIalsohadtogivehimcreditforknowingexactlywheretheMaiden
was,eventhoughKealprotectedherrightnow.
Awhistlesounded,signalingthe
endoftraining.NeitherVikternorImoved.
“NotsureIknowwhatyouspeak
of,”Ireplied,sparingonemorelookatourswordsbeforeforcinghistiptotheground.“ButIappreciatethesageadvice,
nonetheless.”
“Gladtohear.”Amuscleticked
inhisjaw.“BecauseIhavemoresageadviceforyou.”
“Isthatso?”
Vikter
steppedin,hisheadtiltingbacktomeetmystare.Themanwasbrave,buthe
didn’trealizehewasoneoftwoobstaclesthatstoodbetweentheMaidenandme.
Andoneofthemhadtogo.
“Idon’tgivetwoshitsabout
theglowingrecommendationsyouarrivedwithfromthecapital,”hesaid.
Iarchedabrow,awarethatthe
CommanderoftheRoyalGuardswaseyeingusastheothersbeganfilingoutof
thetrainingyard.“That’syouradvice?”
Hisfreehandclenched,andI
hadafeelinghewantednothingmorethantointroducethatfisttomyface.“That
wasjustthestartofmyadvice,boy.”
Boy?Ialmostlaughed.Vikterappearedtobeinhisfourthdecadeoflife,and
whileIlookedasifIwereinmysecond,Ihadn’tbeenaboyinovertwo
centuries.Inotherwords,Iwasalreadyskilledatwieldingaswordwhenthis
manwasaswaddledbabe.
“Allittakesisasecondfor
yourenemytogaintheupperhand,”hesaid,stareunflinching.“Nothingmore
thanthelengthofaheartbeat,giventoeitherarroganceorvengeance,tolose
allwhichtrulymatters.Andifthatisn’tsomethingyou’veyetlearned,”—Viktersheathedhissword—“you
will.”
IsaidnothingasIwatchedhim
turnhisbackandstalkacrosstheyard,thecoldpressofuneasesettlingin
thecenterofmychest.
Whathe’dsaidwassomethingI’d
alreadylearnedthehardway,buthiswords…
Theyfeltlikeawarning.
Anomenofthingstocome.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRESENTII
“Vikter,”Isaid,laughingroughlyasIwrungthewaterfrom
thetowel.“HewasnotafanofmineevenbeforeIbecameyourguard.”
Silencewasmyonlyanswer.
IlookedupfromwhereIsatat
thefootofthebedtowherePoppy’sheadrestedonthepillow.Herlipswere
slightlyparted,andthethickfringeofherlashesframedtheheavilyshadowed
skinbeneathhereyes.
Therehadbeennochangein
Poppy,butithadonlybeenafewhours.
Afewhoursthatfeltlikea
lifetime.
Itremindedmeofhowdeeply
she’dsleptafterVikterwaskilled.Ifeltashelpless
thenasIdidnow.
Mygazemovedtothethin
blanketcoveringherchestandstayedthereuntilIsawitrisewithherdeep,
steadybreaths.Itwasidiotic.Iknewshewasokay.Iknewherheartbeat
calmlybecauseminedid,butIcouldn’tstopmyselffromcheckingeverysooften.
Thequietofthechamberdidn’thelpmyparanoia.
Delanowasoutinthehall,
givingussomeprivacywhileIremovedPoppy’sdirtyandbloodiedclothing.
KieranhadgonetotalktoHisawhileIdidmybesttobathethedirtandremnantsofbattlefromher.
Talktoher.
Iclearedmythroat.“Youknow,
itwasalmostlikeViktersensedmymotivationsor
somethingbecause,fromdayone,hewasnotatallimpressed.”Iranthecloth
overherfoot,payingcloseattentiontothebottom.“Butwhathesaidtome?Itfeltlikeanomen.Almostlikehewas
warningmeofwhatwastocome.Andhehad.”
Rinsingthetowel,Imovedonto
herotherfoot,placingitcarefullyinmylap.“Whenwewereinthe
Wastelands,afteryouweretaken,Iwasdistractedinthoseruins—divertedby
rageandtheneedforvengeance.Ishould’vebeenfocusedsolelyonyou,butI
wasn’t.Andyouwerehurtbecauseofit.”
Ilookedupather,seeingher
asshe’dbeenthatnight,bloodyandinpain,soafraidyetdesperatelytrying
nottoshowit.Thememorycamefartooeasily.
Iswallowed.“Lookingback,I
wonderifVikterknewwhatwouldhappen.Hewas,
well,heispartoftheArae—theFates—ina
way.Didheknowonsomeunconsciouslevel?”
Therewasn’taspeckofdirt
leftonherfeetbythetimeItuckedthembeneaththeblanketandrose.I
replacedthewaterinthebasinwithfreshbeforereturningtositatherside.
Herhandswerethelasttobecleaned.
Ipickedupherlefthand,her
skinstillsocold.Dirtandbloodsmudgedthetopand
betweenherfingers.Iturnedherhandover,drawingthetoweloverthe
shimmering,goldenswirlofthemarriageimprint.Whatif…whatifsheforgot
this?Theceremony.Everythingthatittookforustogettothatmoment.
Icutoffthosethoughts,forcing
myselftomovepastthefear.
“SomaybethatwaswhyVikterdidn’tlikemefromtheget-go,”Icontinued,
washingawaythebloodanddirtfromherpalm.“Whathewas—aviktor—couldsensewhatIwasabout.”Ismileda
little.“Iwonderwhathethinksnow?Bethehadafew
choicewordsaboutme.”
Iliftedhercleanpalmtomy
lipsandpressedakisstotheimprint.“ButIcouldn’tblamehimfornot
havingthegreatestopinionofmebackinMasadonia.
EvenifheneversuspectedwhoIwas,Iwastheretotakeyouaway.”
Loweringherhandtomylap,I
rinsedthetowelandthenmovedontoherfingers.“AndIkilledthosehe
trusted.Hannes.Rylan.”IpressedmylipstogetherasIshiftedmygazetoher
features.“Itcould’vebeenVikterthatnight.Ifhe
hadtakenRylan’splaceforwhateverreason,itwould’vebeenhim.”
Shakingmyhead,Ireturnedmy
attentiontoherhand.Icleanedthering.“Iwouldn’thavecaredthen.Imean,
Ididn’tlikeendingthelivesofgoodmen,butitwould’vebeenapassing
regret.Littletonoguilt.Ihadagoal.Thatwasallthatmattered,andI…”
Isighed,placingherhandonher
stomachasImovedontoherright.“Ididn’tknowyouyet.Ihadn’tevenheard
youspeak,andIseriouslythoughtyouwerethissubmissivecreaturewhoonly
spokeinwhispers.”Ilaughedforreal.“OrthatyouwereacohortintheAscended’splans.Gods,I
couldn’thavebeenmorewrongifItried.”
Thegrimewasfarmorestubborn
onherrighthand.“That’sthething.Ihadallthesepreconceivednotionsabout
you—onesbasedonabsolutelynothing.Becausenoonereallytalkedaboutyou.I
thinkIjust…well,Ineededyoutoeitherbetheenemyorweak.Itmade
everythingIplannedtodoeasier.”Ifrowned.“Whichactuallymakesme
theweakone.”
IfPoppywereawake,shewould
likelyagreewiththatmomentofself-realization.
Idraggedtheclothbetweenher
fingers,oddlymovedbyhowfragileherhandfeltinmine,despiteknowinghow
deadlyitcouldbe.
Lookscouldbedeceiving,
couldn’tthey?
“ButIwasabouttobegin
learningjusthowwrongIwasaboutyou,”Itoldher.“BecauseIwasaboutto
finallymeetyou,andyou…”Ilookedatherstill,serenefeatures.“Youwere
abouttomeetwhoIusedtobe.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEWHO
IWAS
“TheMaiden’s
guardsaregoodmen.”
Iliftedmygazefromtheglass
ofwhiskeyIheldtothemanstandingbytheemptyfireplace.“Goodmendieall
thetime.”
“True,”GriffithJansen,theCommander
oftheRoyalGuard,replied.He’dbeeninSolislongerthanmostAtlantianscouldtolerate,managingtokeephistrueidentityhidden.Hewastheonlyreasonmymenwerenow
firmlyrootedintheRoyalArmy,servingbothattheRiseandinthecity.But
hewouldbekilledorworseifanyoneeverlearnedwhereJansen’sloyaltieslay
orwhathewas.“ButfartoofewgoodmenareleftinSolis.”
“That,wecanagreeon.”I
watchedJansenforseveralmoments.“Isonelessgoodmangoingtobea
problem?”
Hisgazemetmine.“Ifitwasa
problem,Iwouldn’tbehere.I’mjustsayingitwillbeashametoloseoneof
them.”
“Shameornot,Ineedtoget
closetoher.”Itookadrinkofwhiskey.Thesmokyliquorwentdownfar
smootherthananyotherspiritthismiserablelandhadtooffer.“Beingonthe
Risewon’thelpme.Youknowthat.Youalsounderstandwhatisatstakehere.”
Myheadtilted.“Andsincethere’snocurrentopeninginthosewhoguardher,
weneedtomakeone.”
“Idounderstand.”Jansen
draggedahandoverhishead,hisshoulderstightundertheplainbrowntunic
hewore.“Thatdoesn’tmeanIhavetolikewhatmustbedone.”
Ismiledfaintlyathis
response.“Ifyoudid,thenyouwouldbeofbetterusetotheAscendedsince
theyenjoypainandsenselessdeath.”
Hischinroseslightlyatthe
reminderthatwemaybecasuallydiscussingthedeathofaninnocentman.
However,wewerenottheenemy.Noamountofevilfrommewouldsurpasswhat
theAscendedhaddonetoourpeopleortheirs.
Atleastthat’swhatIkept
tellingmyself.
“Whatdoyouknowofthe
Maiden?”Jansenaskedafteramoment.
Ialmostlaughedbecausewhata
sillyfuckingquestion.Therewasn’tmuchtoknow
abouther.
IknewhernamewasPenellaphe
Iknewherparentshadbeen
killedinaCravenattack.
Iknewshehadabrotherwho’dAscended—one
Ihadeyesoninthecapital.
ButwhatIknewnextwasall
thatmattered.ShewastheQueen’sfavorite,andthatmadehertheonlything
inthisentirekingdomthatcouldbeusedasleverageagainstthefalseCrown.
Shewastheonlypossibleroutetopreventingwar.
“Iknowenough,”Istated.
Jansenstretchedhisneckfrom
sidetoside.“She’sfavoredbymanypeople,notjusttheQueen.”
“Howisthatpossible?”the
otherwhostoodbythewindowasked.“Sheisrarelyseeninpublic,andeven
morerarelydoesshespeak.”
“Hemakesagoodpoint.”Which
waslikelyashocktoeveryoneinthechamber.
“Tobehonest,Idon’tknow.But
manyspeakofherkindness,”Jansenanswered.“Andherguardscareforher.
Theyprotectherbecausetheywantto,whereasmostoftheRoyalGuardsprotect
theirchargesbecauseitputsfoodontheirfamily’s
tablesandkeepstheirheadsontheirshoulders.That’saboutit.”
“Andthesamepeoplebelieveshe
wasChosenbythegods—whichwebothknowisimpossiblesincethey’vebeenat
restforseveralcenturies.I’msorryifIdon’tnecessarilytrusttheir
judgmentregardingwhattheythinkoftheMaiden.”
Jansengavemeawrygrin.“My
pointis,whenshegoesmissing,it’sgoingtocauseastir.Notjustwiththe
Ascended.Peoplewillbelookingforher.”
“Whatwillcauseagreatstiris
myfather’sarmiesdescendingonSolisandlayingwastetoeverycityand
villagehecomesacross.AllinretributionforwhattheAscendeddidtomeand
arecurrentlydoingtoPrinceMalik,”Itoldhim.“Now,tellme,whichstirwouldyourathersee?QuestionsaboutamissingMaiden?
Orwar?”
“WhatIwanttoseeisthegodsdamnAscendederadicated,”Jansensnapped.Theonlyreason
Iallowedthatwaswhatcameoutofhismouthnext.“Theykilledmychildren.
Myfirstsonandthenmysecond—”Hecuthimselfoffwithathickswallow,
brieflylookingawayashedidwhateverheneededtohelpcontainthekindof
painthatneverhealed.“Iwilldoanythingtostopthemandprotectour
kingdom.”
“ThengivemetheopeningI
need.”Idraggedmythumbovertherimofmyglass.“OnceIfreethetrue
Prince,IwillkillthefalseKingandQueen.That,Ipromise.”
Jansenexhaledroughly,andit
wasobvioushedidn’tlikethis.Myrespectforthemangrew.Noneofthis
businesswaspleasant.Ifsomeoneenjoyedanypartofthis,theywerelivingon
borrowedtime.“Shewalksthegardeneverynightatdusk,”hesaid.
“Ialreadyknowthat.”I’dstalked
herandherguardthroughthegardensmanytimesatnightfall,gettingasclose
asIcouldwithoutbeingseen.Which,unfortunately,wasn’tnearlyclose
enough
“Butdoyouknowshegoestosee
thenight-bloomingroses?”
Istilled.
Ididn’tknowthat.Oddlyunsettledbytherevelationthatshesoughtflowers
nativetoAtlantia,Ishiftedonthesettee.
Throughouttheday,I’doftenfoundmyselfwonderingwhatshefoundso
interestinginthosegardens.
Inowknew.
“Orisitthatthey’relocated
nearthejacarandatrees?”Jansenadded.
Asmileslowlytippedthe
cornersofmylips.“Whereasectionoftheinteriorwallhascollapsed.”
Jansennodded.“Thesamepart
I’vetoldtheTeermanstorepairatimeorfive
hundred.”
“Luckyforme,theyhaven’t.”
“Yes.”Jansenmovedfromthe
fireplace.“Dowhatyoumust,andIwilltakecareoftherest.”
“You’resureyoucansecurehis
spotasaRoyalGuard?”thewolven
spokeupagain,steppingoutfromtheshadows.
“Ican.”Jansenglancedatthewolvenwiththeshaggydarkhairandthenrefocusedonme.
“Youhavesuchglowingaccoladesfromthecapital,”hereplieddryly,
referencingtherecommendationshe’dfabricated.“AndtheDuchessfinds
you…pleasanttolookupon.Itwon’tbehard.”
Mylip
curledindisgustasIlookedatthewolven.“You
knowwhattodo,Jericho.”
Hesmiledandnodded.“She’llbe
lessoneguardafterhernextvisittothegarden.”
“Good.”Thesooner,the
betterwentunsaid.
“Anythingelse?”Jansenasked,
andIshookmyhead.Hesteppedforward,claspingmyforearm.“Frombloodand
ash.”
“Wewillrise,”Ipromised.
Jansenbowedhisheadslightly,
thenturned.Mygazeliftedtothemenastheyreachedthedoor.Jerichowasa
bitofawildcard,moresothanmostofhiskind,butofallthosewho’dtraveled
withme,hewasunknowntotheguards.Thewolven
wouldn’tberecognized.“NoharmcomestotheMaiden.Doyouunderstandme?”
TheCommanderremainedquietas
Jerichonodded.
Iheldthewolven’s
palebluegaze.“Imeanit,Jericho.Sheistobeunharmedinthis.”
Hisjaw,coveredwithahintof
abeard,lifted.“Messageclear.”
Watchingthemleave,Iadmitted
tomyselfthatmydemandsmadelittlesenseasIleanedbackonthesettee.
IplannedtotaketheMaiden
fromeverythingandeveryonesheknew.Kidnappingherwouldn’texactlybe
pleasantbusiness,buttheideaofharmingawomanmademyskincrawl.Even
whenIhadto.EvenwhenitwasanAscended.ButwhatIplannedforherwasfar
betterthanwhatmyfatherwoulddoifhegothishandsonher.He’dsendher
backtotheBloodCrowninpieces—andmyfatherwassomeoneCommanderJansen
wouldalsoconsideragoodman.
“Idon’tlikehim.”
Lookingupfrommyglassof
whiskey,Iraisedmybrows.
KieranContou
leanedagainstthewall;thewarmbeigebrownofhisfeaturessetinan
ever-presentmaskofindifference.Hehadbeensosilentduringthemeeting
thatIdoubtedJansenevenrealizedhewasthere.Thewolven
couldn’tlookmoreboredifhetried,butIknewbetter.I’dseenhimlookas
ifhewereaninstantawayfromfallingasleep,thenripoutthethroatofwhoever
wasspeakingasecondlater.
“Whichone?”Iasked.
Hecockedhishead.“WhywouldI
haveaproblemwiththeCommander?”
Ilifteda
shoulder.“Jansenaskedalotofquestions.”
“Ifhehadn’t,you’drethink
workingwithhim,”Kieranreplied.“Idon’tlikeJericho.”
“Whodoes?He’sreckless,buthe
hasnoqualmswhenitcomestokilling.”
“Noneofusdo.Notevenyou.”
Kieranpaused.“Atleastwhenwe’reawake.”
Butwhenweslept,afardifferent
storycouldbetold.
“IcankillJericho,”he
offered,histonethesameasifhewereaskingifIwantedtogrababiteto
eat.“Andtakecareoftheguard.”
“Idon’tthinkthat’llbe
necessary.Isuspecthe’llendupdeadatsomepointanyway.”
“Ihaveafeelingthat’strue.”
Ismirked.Kieran’sfeelings
oftenhadawayofbecomingareality.Justlikehisfather.“Besides,withyou
intheCityGuard,youriskbeingrecognizedifthingsgosouth.”
Kierannodded,andamoment
passed.“Itisashame,though.FromwhatI’veheardoftheMaiden’sguards,
Jansenisright.They’rebothgoodmen.”
“It’stheonlyway,”Irepeated,
thinkingofHannes.He’dbeentakenoutbeforeIarrivedinMasadonia.
HisreplacementhadopenedthedoorformetoentertheRiseGuard.Thedeath
ofanotherpersonalguardwassimplyonemoredooropening.
IglancedbackatKieran.We
weredressedthesame,wearingtheblackoftheRoyalArmyandcarryingweapons
bearingtheheraldryofourenemies—acirclewithanarrowpiercingthecenter.
TheRoyalCrestoftheKingdomofSolis.Supposedly,itstoodforinfinityand
power,butinancientAtlantian,inthelanguageof
thegods,thesymbolrepresentedsomethingelse.
Death.
Whichwasalsofittingforthe
BloodCrown.
“Bybecomingoneofherpersonal
guards,Iwouldhavetheclosestthingtounfetteredaccesstoher,andyou
knowwecan’tsimplygrabherandrun,”Iremindedhim.“We’dbeluckytomake
itoutofthecity.Andevenifwedid,wewouldn’tmakeitfar.”Ileaned,draping
myarmalongthebackofthesettee.“Gettingclosetoherallowsmetogain
hertrustsothatshewon’tputupafightandslowusdownwhenwedomakeour
move.”
Turninghisgazetothedarkened
citystreetsbeyondthewindow,Kieranwasquiet.Heknewifwemovednow,we
wouldn’tmakeitpasttheRiseencirclingMasadonia
beforeourdeedscametolight.Andthatmeanttheonlywayoutwaswitha
wholelotofbloodanddeath.
BecauseIwouldnotbecaptured.
Everagain.
Andifthatmeantslaughtering
innocents,thensobeit.Iwastryingtoavoidthat,though.Kieran
understood.Hewasn’tthatbloodthirsty.Jericho,ontheotherhand…
“Wedon’thavemuchlongerto
wait,”Iassuredhim.
“Iknow.TheupcomingRite.”
Inodded.TheRiteprovidedus
withtheperfectopportunitytostrike.MostoftheAscendedwouldbeatthe
castle,whichmeantthemostskilledandseasonedguardswouldbethere,
leavingtheRiseandthecitypoorlyguarded.Mylipscurved
up.Thoseguardswouldfindthemselvesoccupied,dealingwiththedistraction
theDescenterscreated,andwe’dmakeourmovethen.
ThekeywasgainingtheMaiden’strustsothatwhenI
toldherI’dbeengivenorderstoremoveherfromthecity,shewouldn’t
questionme.Eventually,shewould,butbythen,wewouldbeonourwaytoa
moresecurelocationwherewecouldnegotiatewiththeBloodCrown.
Theplanwouldwork,butit
wouldalsotaketime.
Anditwouldcostmorelives.
Kieran’sshouldersrosewitha
deepbreath.“It’sjustthat…it’stoobadsofewoftheguardscanbecalled
good,andwe’llbecausingthosenumberstobeevenless.”
Thatwewould.
“Haveyoulearnedanythingthat
explainswhytheMaidenissoimportanttotheBloodCrown?”heasked.“Other
thanhersupposedlybeingachildofthegods.”
“AllIcanfigureisthatsheis
somehowkeytotheAscensionsofallthoseLordsandLadiesinWait.Why?Not
evenJansen,whohasbeenhereforyears,cananswerthat,soyourguessisas
goodasmine.”Isnorted,knockingbackastrandofhairthathadfallen
forward.“Iassumeyouhaven’tlearnedanythingnew,either?”
“Youassumecorrectly.AnytimeI
casuallybringuptheMaiden,itincitessuspicion.You’dthinkshewassome
sortofbenevolentgoddessbasedonhowpeoplespeakofher.EventheCity
Guard.”HeglancedtowhereI’dplacedmyweaponsbythedoor.“Ithastobe
theshroud.”
Iraisedabrow.“Comeagain?”
“You’veheardthatshewasborn
inashroud.”
“Ihave.”Ifrowned.
“Thenyoualsoknowwhatthatmeans.”
ItwasbelievedthatAtlantiansborninashroudatbirth—acaul—wereChosenby
thegods.Blessed.Therehadn’tbeenanAtlantian
borninonesincethetimeofthegods.Butbesidesthat…“Shedoesn’thaveAtlantianbloodinher,Kieran.”Istatedtheobvious.
Therewasnowayshewasevenhalf-Atlantian,unless
herbrotherwasn’trelatedtoherbyblood.Butnoneofthediggingwe’ddone
hadindicatedthathewasahalf-brother.“She’smortal.”
“Noshit,”Kieranreplieddryly.
“Butwho’stosaymortalscannotbeborninsuch?”
Whowastosay?“I
supposeit’snotimpossible,”Idecided.“Butsincethevamprysarepathologicalliars,I’msurethisisyet
anotherlie.”
“True,”Kieranmurmured.“But
therehastobeareasontheykeephercloisteredandwell-guardedatall
times.”
“PerhapsthatissomethingI
willdiscoveronceIbecomeoneofherguards.”
“Iwouldfucking
hopeso.”
Icrackedagrin.“Andifnot,
maybewewillfindouranswerinoneoftheAscendedwe…befriend.”
“Befriend?”Kieranscoffed.
“Whatalovelywaytoframecapturingandtorturingvamprys
forinformation.”
“Isn’tit?”
Shakinghishead,hescratchedathisjaw.“Bytheway,exactlyhowareyougoing
toearnthetrustofsomeoneyouhaven’tevenspokento?”heasked.
“Besidesusingmyirresistible
charm?”
“Besidesthat,”hereplied
dryly.
“I’lluseanymeansnecessary.”
Kieran’sstaresharpened.“I
thinkyoumeanthat.”
Iliftedmychin.“Ido.”
“Shecouldbeinnocentinallof
this,”hestated.
Itampeddownmyrising
irritation.Kieran’swordscamefromagoodplace.Theyalmostalwaysdid.
“You’reright.Shecouldbe,butherpossibleinnocenceorevenhercomplicity
doesn’tmatter.TheonlythingthatdoesisbeingabletousehertofreeMalik
withoutsettingtheentiretyofSolisonfire.That’sallthatmatters.”
Silent,heeyedmeforseveral
moments,hisheadcocked.“SometimesIforget.”
Mybrowsknotted.“Forgetwhat?”
“ThattheDarkOnewasa
fabricationtheAscendedcreatedtofrightenthemortals.Thatyoureally
aren’tthat.”
Ilaughed,butitdidn’tsound
righttomyears.Nothingabouttherough,lownoisedid.
Ilookedaway,myjawworking.
TheBloodCrownmayhadspuntalesabouthowmurderous
andviolenttheDarkOnewasbeforeIevengottoSolis.Theycreatedashadow
figuretoholdupasanexampleofhowevilAtlantians
were,usingthemerethreatofsuchaspectertofurtherfrightenandcontrol
thekingdom’speople.
Buthowfaroffwerethey?
Myhandsweresoakedinblood.
I’drackedupmorekillsthanallmymencombined.ThoseI’dstruckdownupon
myarrivalinSolis.Thehigh-rankingguardsinCarsodonia.
ThelivesItookinthetownofThreeRivers.ThroatsIslitinallthemany
villages.Hannes.Theyetunnamedguardwhowouldalsofindtheirlifecutshort.
Someofthemdeservedit.Toomanyweresimplyintheway.
Iwantedtoregrettakingthose
lives.
Inthebrightlightofday,I
thoughtIdid.Atleastthosewhowereonlyan
obstaclebetweenmeandfreeingmybrother.Butatnight?Inthesilencewhenthere
wasnoliquortoquietthethoughtsorawarmbodytoforgetwhatI’dexperienced
andwhatI’dlostattheBloodCrown’shands?Ididn’tthinkIfeltadamnbitofguiltthen.
Anddidn’tthatmakemeatype
oftulpa—createdinthemindsofothersandthenwilledinto
existence?Becausethetruthwas,theDarkOnehadn’tbeenreal.Notinthe
beginning.
Butheexistednow.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHE
ONLYWAYIKNEWHOW
“Youokay?”Kieranasked,
eyeingmeclosely.
Nodding,Ipickeduptheglass.
“Yousureaboutthat?”
Isenthimalookofwarning.
“Don’tyouhavesomethingtodo?Orsomeone?”
Kieranhuffedoutalowlaugh.
“I’mgoingtoseeiftheothershavearrived.”Hesteppedforward.“Youstayinghere?”
“Foralittlewhile.”Iwasn’t
inthemoodtoreturntothedorm,whereIwouldlayinbed,damn
nearprayingtosleepinggodsthatIcouldfindrest.
“Expectingcompanytonight?”he
askedashemovedtothedoor.
“No.”Mygazereturnedtothe
whiskey.Tensioncreptintothemusclesofmyneck.“Nottonight.”
“TheRedPearlisastrange
placetospendone’seveningalone.”
“Isit?Iimagineyouwouldn’t
knowwhatit’sliketobeherealone.”
“Asifyoudo?”hecountered.
Atightsmiletwistedmylips,
butIstoppedashereachedthedoor.“Realquick—howisSetti?”Iasked.
Kieransmiled.“Yourhorseis
fine.ThoughIdon’tthinkhe’sallthatpleasedwiththeofferingsofhay.”
Ismiledatthat.Thathorsewas
apickybastardattimes.Iwassurprisedhehadn’t
nippedatKieranwhilehekepthimstabled
“Anythingelse?”heasked.
“Goodbye,Kieran.”
Thewolven
letoutasoft,knowinglaughasheslippedquietlyfromtheroom.Anyoneelse
would’vethoughttwiceaboutthatlaugh,butIdidn’twithKieran.
Andhewasright.
TheRed
Pearlwasastrangeplacetospendyourtimealone.Theseroomswere
usedforthekindsofmeetingsyoudidn’twantotherstoknowabout.Sometimes,
wordswereexchanged.Othertimes,adifferenttypeofcommunicationhappened,
onewithfarlessclothingthatdidn’tusuallyendwithdiscussionsofthelikelihood
ofsomeone’sdeath.Thenagain,thosetypesofmeetingshadbecomefewandfar
between,hadn’tthey?
Ifinishedoffthewhiskey,
welcomingtheburnasItippedmyheadbackagainstthesettee.Aheavy
restlessnesssettledintomybones.Istaredatthedarkceiling,wondering
exactlywhenafewhoursofmindlesspleasurestoppedhavingthedesiredeffect
ofshuttingdownmymind.
Haditeverreallyworked,
though?Forlongerthanahandfulofseconds?Icouldoccupymyhandsand
tongueandeveryotherpartofmybodywithsoftcurvesandwarm,hidden
places,butmymindwouldalwaysendupexactlywhereIsoughttoescape.
Thatdamn
cagewiththeunendinghunger.
Thefeelingofbeingdeadyet
stillbreathing.Asifeverythingthatmadelifeaboutmorethanjustexisting
wasstillinthatcage.
Evennow,Icouldfeelthecold,
bruisinghandsandhearthetauntinglaughterastheAscendedslowlysliced
awayapartofwhoIwas.AndMalik?HewaslikelyexperiencingeverythingI
hadandmore,anditwasallmyfault.
IwastheonlyreasontheBlood
Crownheldhimcaptive.TheonlyreasonAtlantiahadgonelongpastthetimeto
nameanewKing.IfIhadn’tthoughtIcouldendthethreattothewestonmy
own,hewouldbefree.Instead,he’drescuedmeatthecostofhisfreedom.
WhentheBloodQueenheldme,it
hadbeenforfivedecades.They’dhadhimtwicethatlong,andIknewexactly
whattheyweredoingtohim.
Tomybrother
Howcouldheevenstillbe
alive?
Istoppedmyself.Malikhadto
survive.Hewould.Becausehewasstrong.Iknewnoonestronger,and
Iwassoclosetofreeinghim.Ijustneeded—
Thesoundoffootstepsstopping
outsidethedoorsnappedmyheadupandmyeyesopen.Thehandleontheunlocked
doorstartedtoturn.
Imovedfast,placingtheglass
onthesmalltablebesidethesetteeandretreatingtotheshadowsclingingto
thewall.IcurledmyfingersaroundthehiltofoneoftheshortswordsI’d
leftnearthedoor.Noneofmymenwoulddaretoentertheroomwithout
knocking.NotevenKieran.
Apparently,someonehadadesire
todietonight.
Thedoorcrackedopenjust
enoughforabodytoslipthrough.Immediately,curiositywashedawaythe
tensioncreepingintomymusclesasIwatchedtheslight,hoodedfigureclose
thedoor.Thecloakwasfamiliar.Iinhaleddeeplyastheintruderbackedup,
walkingrightpastme.ThecloakbelongedtoamaidIknew,butshe—anditwas
definitelyashe—didn’tsmelllikeBritta.
Everyonehadauniquescent,somethingAtlantiansand
thewolvenweresensitiveto.Britta’sremindedmeof
roseandlavender,butthesmellthatteasedmenowwassomethingelse.
Butwhowouldbeinhercloak
andinthisroom?AnnoyanceflaredasIwatchedherlookaround,butquickon
theemotion’sheelswasaloomingrestlessness.Brittaorsomeoneelse,the
unexpectedintrusionatleastofferedentertainment.Nomatterhowfleeting,it
wasstillareprievefromallthedamnthoughtsinmy
head.
Fromthememories.
Fromthe…now
Watchingher,Iletgoofthe
sword.Shestartedtoturn,andImademymove.Evenquieterthanawolven,Iwasonherbeforesheevenhadachanceto
realizethatsomeonewasintheroomwithher.
Clampinganarmaroundher
waist,Idrewherbackagainstme.Idippedmyheadasshestiffenedandcaught
herscentagain.Itwasfresh.Sweet.“This,”Isaid,“isunexpected.”
Andthisdidn’tfeellike
Britta,either.
Themaidwasofaverageheight
foramortal,barelyreachingmychin.Butthehipundermyhandwasfuller,
andthatscent…
Itremindedmeofhoneydew.
Thenagain,itwasn’tlikeI’d
committedmuchaboutthemaidtomemory.TheamountofwhiskeyI’dconsumed
whenImetwithherlastprobablyhadn’taidedinthat.“Butit’sawelcome
surprise.”
Shespuntowardme,herright
handloweringtotheareaofherthighassheliftedherheadandfroze.The
sharpbreathshetookwasaudible.
AlongmomentstretchedasI
triedtoseewithinthedarknessofthehood.Evenwiththethickshadowsof
thecandlelitroom,myvisionsurpassedthatofamortal’s;however,Icouldn’t
makeoutherfeatures.ButIcouldfeeltheintensityofherstare,
andasfoggyasmymemorieswereofthehoursspentwithBritta,Ididnot
recallherkeepingherhoodup.
“Iwasn’texpectingyou
tonight,”Iadmitted,thinkingofwhatKieranwouldsayifhereturned.Ahalf
grinappearedonmylipswhenIheardanothersoftinhale.“It’sonlybeena
fewdays,sweetling.”
Hercloakedbodygavealittle
jerk,butshesaidnothingasshecontinuedwatchingmefromthedepthsofher
hood.
“DidPencetellyouIwashere?”
Iasked,referringtotheguardBrittaknewthatIoftenworkedwithonthe
Rise.
Amomentpassed,andsheshook
herhead.Brittawouldn’thaveknownwhatroomIcouldbefoundin.EachtimeI
washere,Irequestedadifferentone.
“Haveyoubeenwatchingforme,
then?Followingme?”Iasked,tskingsoftlyundermybreathasannoyanceflared
oncemore.“We’llhavetotalkaboutthat,won’twe?”Andwewouldbecausethat
couldnothappenagain.Butnow…?Shewashere.Thememoriesandtherestlessness
wereatbayforthemoment,andshe…shesmelledsodifferent.Good.“Butnot
tonight,itseems.You’restrangelyquiet.”
Whichwasodd.
Ididrememberthat
Brittawastheoppositeofquiet.Achatterbox.Cute,ifabitoverwhelming,
especiallyasthebottleofwhiskeyhadgrownlighter.Thiswasanentirely
differentsidetothemaid.Perhapsshesoughttobemoremysterioustonight.If
so,Iknewbetterthantolookagifthorseinthemouth.
“Wedon’thavetotalk.”Ireached
forthehemofmytunic,pullingitovermyheadandtossingitaside.
Shewasincrediblystill,but
thatfreshandsweetscentofhersheightenedandbecameheavier,strengthening
withherarousal.Thepromiseofaquiet,primalpleasurewasalurethatdrew
metowardher.
“Idon’tknowwhatkindofgame
you’reabouttonight.”Grippingthebackofherhood,Ifoldedmyotherarm
aroundherwaist,drawingheragainstme.Shegasped,andIlikedthebreathy
littlesound.“ButI’mwillingtofindout.”
Iliftedher,andherhands—hergloved
hands—landedonmyshoulders.ThetremorIfeltcoursethroughherheightened
mysenses.Everythingaboutherfeltdifferent,andIwasbeginningtowonder
exactlyhowmuchI’ddrunkthelasttimeIwaswithherasItookhertothe
bed,guidingusdownandlayingheronherback.Sinkingintoher,Iwas
suddenlycaughtoffguardbytheenticingmixtureofhardnessandsoftness
beneathme.
Thatwasanotherthing
Ididn’tremember.
IrecalledBrittabeingslim,
buttherewerecurveshere—lushonesIcouldn’twaittounwrapandexplore.
Andhell,aswrongasitwas,a
partofmewasgladI’dbeenthreesheetstothewindthelasttimeIwaswith
her.Becausethis…thisfeltnewandnotlikeachorethatwasallabouttheendresult.Thosemomentsthatwashedawaythememories.
Butalready,Iwasn’tthinkingaboutthosecold,bruisinghandsasIdippedmy
head,pouringmygratitudeintothekiss,showingmythankstheonlywayI
could.
TheonlywayIknewhow.
Hermouthwassoftandsweetundermine,andwhenshegasped,Ideepenedthekissasmuch
asIcouldwithoutrevealingwhatIwas,slippingbetweenthosepartedlipsthe
wayIhopedIwouldlaterbetweenherthighs.Iflickedmytongueoverhers,
drawingthetasteofherintomymouth.Herfingersdugintomyshouldersas
sheshudderedagainstme.Andlikelightning,ithitmethenasthescentof
herarousalrose,andIfeltwhatcouldonlybedescribedasatentativetouch
ofhertongueagainstmine.
Thebodytrulydidn’tfeellike
whatIremembered.
Thetasteonmytongue,andthe
sweet,freshscentofhoneydewwasn’tatallwhatIrecalled.
Thehesitancyofhowshereturned
thekiss.TherewasnothingevenremotelytentativeaboutthewayBritta
kissed.Thatmuch,Ididremember.Shekissedlikeshewasstarving,fromthe
momentourlipstouchedtotheverysecondourmouthsparted.Thefemaleunder
mekissedlike…
Likesomeonewhohadfarless
experiencethanthoseIusuallyspentmytimewith.
Heart
thumpingheavily,Ibrokethekissandliftedmyhead.“Whoareyou?”
Therewasnoresponse.
Irritationflared.Whatevergamethisgirlwasabout,Iwasdoneplayingit
withoutknowingwhatcardsI’dbeendealt.Ituggedthehoodback,exposingher
face—
Holyshit
Foramoment,Icouldn’tbelieve
whatIwasseeing.IwascaughtinastateofshockthatwassorareIalmost
laughed,butnosoundpartedmylipsasIstareddownatherface—atwhatI
couldseeofit,anyway.Sheworeawhitemask,asmanydidwhileintheRedPearl,
butIstillknewwhosebodycradledmine,whosetastestilltingledonmylips.
Ijustcouldn’tbelieveitasmygazetrackedoverthewidemaskthatcovered
herfromcheektobrow.
Itwasimpossible,butitwasher
I’drecognizethecurveofthatjaw
andthatmouth—thosefull,bow-shapedlipsthecolorofberries—anywhere.It
wasallthatwasevervisibleofher.AndthegodsknewI’dtriedtocatcha
glimpseofwhatshelookedlikebeneaththatfuckingveil
whenIfollowedherandherRoyalGuardsthroughthegardensorthecastleor
whenIwatchedherwithherLadyinWait.I’dseenhersmileafewtimes.I’d
seenherlipsmoveevenless,butIknewthatmouth.
ItwaswhoI’djustsatinthis
veryroomdiscussing.
Itwasher.
TheMaiden.
TheChosen.
TheQueen’sfavoriteRichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHE
MAIDENANDTHEREDPEARL
TheMaidenwas
here,inthegodsdamnRedPearl,inaroomwithme—under
me—someoneshehadtofearmorethanthegodsthemselves.Becausethere
wasnodoubtinmymindthatshe’dheardthewhispersaboutme.Thenamethe
BloodCrownhadgivenme.
ThenameI’dbecome.
I’dspentyearsplanningtotake
her,hadorchestratedmanydeathsandjustsealedthefateofanother,allsoI
couldgetcloseenoughtotakeher.Andshe’dpracticallyfallenintomylap.
OrI’dfallenintohers.
Whatever.
Anotherdisbelievinglaughbuilt
inmythroatbecausewhatinthewidekingdomoffucks
wastheunreachable,unseen,anduntouchedMaiden
doingintheRedPearl?Inaprivateroom.Kissingaman.
Thelaughwas
nevergivenlifebecausesomethingelsesnaggedmyattention.Herhair.Ithad
alwaysbeenhiddenbeneaththeveil,butinthecandlelight,Icouldtellthat
itwasthecoloroftherichestredwine.
Idrewmyhandoutfrombehind
herhead,notinghowshetensedasIpickedupastrand,drawingitout.The
tendrilwassoftasitslippedthroughmyfingers.
TheMaidenwasaredhead.
Ihadnoideawhythatsurprised
me,butitfeltlikeadiscoveryjustasstartlingasfindingherhere.
“Youaremostdefinitelynotwho
Ithoughtyouwere,”Imurmured.
“Howdidyouknow?”she
demanded.
So,shedoesspeak.Her
voicewasstrongerandearthierthanI’dexpected.
Theshockofthesituation
forcedanhonestansweroutofme.“BecausethelasttimeIkissedtheownerof
thiscloak,shedamnnearsuckedmytonguedownherthroat.”
“Oh,”shewhispered,andwhatI
couldseeofhernosewrinkled.
Mygazeflickedtohers,andI
madeanotherdiscovery.Hereyes,whichwerealwayshiddenbytheveil,werea
stunningshadeofgreen,asbrightasspringgrass.
Istareddownather,stilltrying
towrapmyheadaroundthefactthatthiswastheMaiden,andthattheMaiden
wasagreen-eyedredhead,whensomethingoccurredtome.“Haveyoubeenkissed
before?”
“Ihave!”
Onesideofmylipskickedup.
“Doyoualwayslie?”
“No!”sheexclaimed.
“Liar,”Iteased,unabletohelp
myself.
Theskinbelowthemaskdeepened
toarosycolorasshepushedagainstmychest.“Youshouldgetoff.”
“Iwasplanningto,”Imuttered,
thinkingsheprobablyhadnoideawhatthatmeant.
Butthenhereyesnarrowedbehind
themaskinawaythattoldmesheknewexactlywhatImeant,andthatwas
anothershock.
Shehad…theMaidenhadadirty
mind.
Thelaughthathadbeenbuilding
brokefree,anditwasarealonethatcamefromawarmplacethathadn’texisted
sinceImadethefoolishdecisiontogoaftertheBloodCrownmyself.Thelaugh
shockedthehelloutofme,fillingmewithemotionsI’dlongbelieveddead.
Interest.
Awe.
Genuinecuriosity.
Afeelingof…contentment.
Contentment?Wherein
thefuckdidthatevencomefrom?Ihadnoidea,butatthemoment,Ididn’tcare.Iwasinterested.And,gods,I
couldn’tevenrememberthelasttimeI’dbeenfocusedonanythingbutmy
brother.Thewarmthinmychesticedover.
“Youreallyshouldmove,”she
said.
Herdemandpulledmefromthe
disastermythoughtswereveeringtoward.“I’mquitecomfortablewhereIam.”
“Well,I’mnot.”
Icouldfeelmylipstwitch,and
Ididn’tknowifitwasthedesperationtoreclaimthosefleetingemotionsor
somethingelsethatpropelledmetobehaveasifIhadnoideawhoshewas.
“Willyoutellmewhoyouare,Princess?”
“Princess?”Sheblinked.
“Youarequitedemanding.”I
shrugged,thinkingitwasafarmorefittingnamethanMaidenorChosen.“I
imagineaPrincesstobedemanding.”
“Iamnotdemanding,”she
argued.“Getoffme.”
Iarchedabrow,feelingthat
warmthagain—that…enjoyment.“Really?”
“Tellingyoutomoveisnot
beingdemanding.”
“We’llhavetodisagreeon
that.”Ipaused.“Princess.”
Herlipscurvedandthenflattened.
“Youshouldn’tcallmethat.”
“ThenwhatshouldIcallyou?A
name,perhaps?”
“I’m…I’mnoone,”shereplied.
“NoOne?Whatastrangename.Do
girlswithanamelikethatoftenmakeahabitofwearingotherpeople’s
clothing?”
“I’mnotagirl,”shesnapped.
“Iwouldsurehopenot.”Wait.I
hadnoideawhattheMaiden’sagewas.I’dbeenteasingwhenIcalled
heragirl,but…“Howoldareyou?”
“Oldenoughtobeinhere,if
that’swhatyou’reworriedabout.”
TheamountofreliefIfeltwas
awarning.“Inotherwords,oldenoughtobemasqueradingassomeoneelse,
allowingotherstobelieveyou’reanotherpersonandthenallowingthemto
kiss—”
“Igetwhatyou’resaying,”she
interrupted,surprisingmeyetagain.“Yes,I’moldenoughforallthose
things.”
Didsheknowwhatallthose
thingswere?Truly?Ifso,therewasawholehellofalotIdidnotknow
abouttheMaiden.ButIdidn’tthinkthatwasthecase.Shedidn’tkisslike
someonewhoknewfrompersonalexperiencewhatallthosethingswere.
“I’lltellyouwhoIam,althoughIhaveafeelingyoualreadyknow.I’mHawke
Flynn.”
Shewasquietforamomentand
thensqueakedout,“Hi.”
That…Thatwascute.
Igrinned.“Thisisthepart
whereyoutellmeyourname.”Whenshesaidnothing,myinterestonlygrew.It
wasn’tlikeIexpectedhertoadmitwhoshewas,butIwasdyingtodiscover
whatshewouldshare.“ThenI’llhavetokeepcallingyouPrincess.
Theleastyoucandoistellmewhyyoudidn’tstopme.”
Remainingstubbornlyquiet,she
drewherplumplowerlipbetweenherteeth.
Everypartofmefocusedon
that—onhermouth.Andhell,thatfilledmyheadwithallkindsofthingsmy
bodywasshamefullyonboardwith.Ishiftedslightly,hidingmyreaction.“I’m
sureit’smorethanmydisarminggoodlooks.”
Hernosewrinkled.“Ofcourse.”
Ilaughed,surprisedyetagain
byher—bymyself.“Ithinkyoujustinsultedme.”
Shewinced.“That’snotwhatI
meant—”
“You’vewoundedme,Princess.”
“Ihighlydoubtthat.Youhavetobemorethanwellawareofyourappearance.”
“Iam.”Igrinnedather.“It
hasledtoquiteafewpeoplemakingquestionablelifechoices.”
Ihopeditwouldleadher
tomakesomequestionablelifechoices,which,consideringwhereshewas,shewasn’t
unfamiliarwith.
“Thenwhydidyousayyouwereinsulted—?”
Hermouthsnappedshut,andshepushedagainstmychestagain.“You’restill
lyingonme.”
“Iknow.”
“It’squiterudeofyouto
continuedoingsowhenI’vemadeitclearthatIwouldlikeforyoutomove.”
“It’squiterudeofyoutobarge
intomyroomdressedas—”
“Yourlover?”
Istaredatherforamoment.“I
wouldn’tcallherthat.”
“Whatwouldyoucallher?”
Hell,howwasIsupposedto
answerthat?“A…goodfriend.”
Shereturnedmystare.“Ididn’t
knowfriendsbehavedthisway.”
“I’mwillingtowageryoudon’t
knowmuchaboutthesesortsofthings.”
“Andyouwagerallofthison
justonekiss?”
“Justonekiss?Princess,you
canlearnawealthofthingsfromjustonekiss.”
Shequieted,andI…neededto
knowwhyshewashere,attheRedPearl,inthisroom,wearingamaid’scloak.
Andwherewereherguards?Iseriouslydoubtedthey’dallowhertocomehere.
Ifso,IneededtoknowwhichonedidsoIcouldmakesurethatwasn’ttheone
whofoundthemselvesdead.
ButIstartedwiththemost
pressingquestion.“Whydidn’tyoustopme?”
AsIwaitedforananswer,my
eyestrackedoverhermaskandthenlower,towherethecloakhadparted…
Itfeltlikeapunchtothe
chestwhenIsawwhatshewore.
Orwhatshewasn’twearing
tobemoreexact.
Thenecklinewaslow,exposing
thesurprisingswellsofherbreasts,andthegown,whateversilkymaterialit
wasmadeof,wasnowmyfavorite.Itwasnearlytransparentandthinenough
thatIthoughtforamomentthegodshadwokenfromtheirslumbertoblessme.
Orcurseme.
Butifthiswastheideaofa
curse,thenbeingdamnedwasn’tallthatbad.
However,noneofthatanswered
whytheuntouched,pureMaidenwouldbeattheRedPearl,anotoriouspleasure
houseinMasadonia,byherself.Inaroomwithaman
shebelievedthoughthertobesomeoneelse,noless.Someonewhohadkissed
herwithoutonewordofprotestfallingfromherlips.Hell,she’dkissedme
back.Startedto,atleast.Andshewasdressed…
Shewasdressedforutterdebauchery.
Itsuddenlyseemedhardto
breatheasmygazeliftedtohers.Asenseofunderstandingsweptoverme,
quicklyfollowedbydisbelief.Therewasonlyonereasonshewouldbehere.
AndIwasmoreinterestedinall
thereasonswhythanIhadbeeninterestedinanythingin…forever.I
shouldn’tbe.Ihadjustbeenhandedthegoldengoose.Thiswastheperfect
chanceformetotakeher.Icouldslipoutofthecityrightnow.
There’dbenoneedtocontinue
theruseofbeingadutifulandloyalRiseGuard.Noneedtogetclosetoher.Hell,
Icouldn’tgetanycloserthanIwasrightnow.
Well,yeah…Icould.
Icouldgetwaycloser.
ButifItookhernow,I’dnever
hearfromherlipswhyshewashere.AndIneededtoknowthat.IfImade
mymove,Iwouldlosethestrangepoundinginmychest.Thewarmth.The
enjoyment.AndIwasaselfishsonofabitchwhenit
cametosomethingIwanted.
Besides,itwasn’tmewho’d
foundher.Shehadfoundme.Andinaninstant,Iwasmorethanwillingtolet
thisplayoutforaslongaspossible.
Becauseitwouldallbeover
soonenough
“IthinkI’mbeginningto
understand,”Itoldher.
“Doesthatmeanyou’regoingto
getupsoIcanmove?”
Ishookmyhead.“Ihavea
theory.”
“I’mwaitingwithbatedbreath
forthis.”
TheMaiden…shehadamouthon
her.
Ilikedthat.
Alot.
“Ithinkyoucametothisvery
roomwithapurposeinmind,”Isaid.“It’swhyyoudidn’tspeakorattemptto
correctmyassumptionofwhoyouwere.Perhapsthecloakyouborrowedwasalso
averycalculateddecision.Youcameherebecauseyouwantsomethingfromme.”
Shedraggedthatlipbetweenher
teethagain.
Ishiftedoncemore,liftingmy
handtoherrightcheek.Thesimpletouchsentashudderthroughher.“I’m
right,aren’tI,Princess?”
“Maybe…maybeIcameherefor…for
conversation.”
“Totalk?”Ialmostlaughed
again.“Aboutwhat?”
“Lotsofthings.”
Fightingasmile,Isaid,“Like?”
Herthroatworkedonadelicate
swallow.“WhydidyouchoosetoworkontheRise?”
“Youcameheretonighttoask
that?”IaskedmoredrylythananythingKierancould’vesaid,butitwasclear
byherstarealonethatsheexpectedananswer.So,IgaveherthesameoneI
gaveanyonewhoasked.“IjoinedtheRiseforthesamereasonmostdo.”
“Andwhatisthat?”sheasked.
Theliecamealltooeasily.“My
fatherwasafarmer,andthatwasnotthelifeforme.
Therearen’tmanyotheropportunitiesofferedthanjoiningtheRoyalArmyand
protectingtheRise,Princess.”
“You’reright.”
Surpriseflickeredthroughme.
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“Imean,therearen’tmany
chancesforchildrentobecomesomethingotherthanwhattheirparentswere.”
“Youmeantherearen’tmany
chancesforchildrentoimprovetheirstationsinlife,todobetterthanthose
whocamebeforethem?”
Shegaveashortnod.“The…the
naturalorderofthingsdoesn’texactlyallowthat.Afarmer’ssonisafarmer
orthey—”
Thenaturalorderofthings?For
Solis,perhaps.“Theychoosetobecomeaguard,wheretheyrisktheirlivesfor
stablepaythattheymostlikelywon’tlivelongenoughtoenjoy.Doesn’tsound
muchlikeanoption,doesit?”
“No,”shesaid,sendingyet
anotherrippleofsurprisethroughme.Ihadn’t,evenforonemoment,
consideredthattheMaidenspentasecondthinkingaboutthosewhoguardedthe
city.NoneofthoseclosetotheBloodCrowndid.“Theremaynotbemany
choices,butIstillthink—no,Iknow—thatjoiningtheguardrequiresacertain
levelofinnatestrengthandcourage.”
“Youthinkthatofallthe
guards?Thattheyarecourageous?”
“Ido.”
“Notallguardsaregoodmen,
Princess,”Isaid,meaningthewords.
Hereyesnarrowed.“Iknowthat.
Braveryandstrengthdonotequalgoodness.”
“Wecanagreeonthat.”Mygaze
loweredtohermouth.
“You
saidyourfatherwasafarmer.Ishe…hashegonetothegods?”
Myfatherwasagodamongmento
many.“No.Heisaliveandwell.Yours?”Iasked,eventhoughIalreadyknew.
“Myfather—bothofmy
parentsaregone.”
“I’msorrytohearthat,”I
said,knowingthatherparentshaddiedmanyyearsago.“Thelossofaparent
orafamilymemberlingerslongafterthey’regone,thepainlesseningbut
neverfading.Yearslater,you’llstillfindyourselfthinkingthatyou’ddo
anythingtogetthemback.”
Hergazeflickedovermyface.
“Yousoundlikeyouknowfirsthand.”
“Ido,”Isaid,refusingto
thinkaboutanyofthat.
“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“I’m
sorryforwhoeveritisthatyou’velost.Deathis…”
Itiltedmyhead.“Deathislike
anoldfriendwhopaysavisit,sometimeswhenit’sleastexpectedandother
timeswhenyou’rewaitingforher.It’sneitherthefirstnorthelasttime
she’llpayavisit,butthatdoesn’tmakeanydeathlessharshorunforgiving.”
“Thatitis.”Sadness
coloredhertone,tuggingatapartofmethatneededtostaydeadened.
Iloweredmyhead,notingthe
catchinherbreathasmylipsnearedhers.“Idoubttheneedforconversation
ledyoutothisroom.Youdidn’tcomeheretotalkaboutsadthingsthatcannot
bechanged,Princess.”
Hereyeswidenedunderhermask,
andIfeltherstiffenunderme.Ididn’tneedtoknowherthoughtstorealize
thatshewasbattlingwhatsheknewsheshouldbedoingversuswhatshewanted.
Thatverysamebattlehad
brieflyragedinsideme,exceptrecklesscuriosityhadwonout—asdidmyselfishness.
Wouldshebetheresponsibleoneandendthis?Ifso,Iwouldwalkawayfrom
thisroom.
AndIwould.
Iwouldn’ttakehertonight,
eventhoughthatmademoresensethanleavingthisroomwithouttheoneperson
I’dcometothiskingdomfor.Whatstoppedmewassomekindoftwistedsenseof
chivalry,asridiculousasthatsounded.ButIknewwhyshewashere.
TheMaidenwantedtoknow
pleasure.
Andthatmeantmany
things—thingsIcouldn’tgiveanycriticalthoughtto.Thingsthatwouldreally
makemechangewhatIknew,orassumed,abouttheMaiden.AllIcould
acknowledgewasthattherewassomethingso…innocentbehindherreasonsfor
cominghere.Somethingcourageous.Unexpected.Ididn’tknowwhathadgoneinto
herchoicetocomehere,whatshe’dhadtodo,howshe’dpreparedherself,or
evenwhy.AndifIrevealedwhoIwas—whoshewastome—inasocietylikethe
onetheAscendedhadcreated,wherewomenneededtohidetheirfaceswhenthey
soughtpleasureandhappiness,itcouldbeseenasapunishment.Asifthiswere
whathappenedwhenyouengagedinsuchbehaviors,andI…Ididn’twanttobea
partofruiningthatforher.
Isensedthemomentshemadeup
hermind.Herbodyrelaxedundermineasshedrew
thatlowerlipbetweenherteethoncemore.
Andgods,Ididn’texpectthat.
Ifiguredshewouldendthis.Sheshouldhave.Buthell,IwasabastardbecauseIwas…toocaptivated—toointrigued—notto
followthrough.
Drawinginabreaththatfelt
strangelyshallow,Idrewafingeracrossthesatinribbonofhermask.“MayI
removethis?”
Sheshookherhead.
Disappointmentsparked.Iwanted
toseeherfaceandtheexpressionsshemade,butthatmask…itwasjustasilly
pieceofcloth.Yetsometimes,sillinessfedbravery,andwhowasItojudge?
Afterall,Iwasconstantlypretending.Mylifeinthiskingdomwasafa?ade.
Everythingaboutmewasalie.Well,mostly.
Itrailedmyfingeralongthe
lineofherjawanddownherthroat,overherwildlypoundingpulse.Myfingers
stoppedwherethecloakwasfastened.“Howaboutthis?”
Shenodded.
I’dneverremovedacloak
quickerinmylife.
TheshiverIsaw,thesudden
riseofherbreastsasIskimmedthetipofmyfingeroverthewonderfully
indecentneckline,sentaboltofraw,poundingdesirethroughme.Inaflash
ofheat,Isawthatgownofhersinshreds,andmebetweenherthighs,first
withmytongueandthenwithmycock.Andthatdesirewasnearlyaspotentas
theneedtoremainwhereIwas—warmandinterestingandalive.
Icheckedmyselfthen.
Clenchingmyjaw,Iwilledthe
gatheringthrobtocoolit.Iwaswillingtogowhereverthisled,butnotthere.
Thatwastakingtoomuch,anditdidn’tmatterifitwaswillinglygiven.Iwas
amonster,butnotthatkindofmonster.
Buttherewassomuchwecould
do.
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”I
asked,toyingwiththesmallbowbetweenthesweetswellsonherchest.“Tell
me,andI’llmakeitso.”
“Why?”sheasked.“Whywould
you…dothis?Youdon’tknowme,andyouthoughtIwassomeoneelse.”
Itwasn’tlikeIcouldanswer
thatquestionhonestly,andithadnothingtodowithwhoshewas.Ormaybeit
did.Atthismoment,Icouldn’tbesure.“Ihavenowheretobe,andI’m
intrigued.”
“Becauseyouhavenowheretobe
atthemoment?”
“WouldyouratherIwaxpoeticabout
howI’mcharmedbyyourbeauty,eventhoughIcanonlyseehalfyourface?”I
asked.“Which,bytheway,fromwhatIcanseeispleasing.WouldyouratherI
tellyouI’mcaptivatedbyyoureyes?Theyareaprettyshadeofgreenfrom
whatIcantell.”
Thecornersofherlipsturned
down.“Well,no.Idon’twantyoutolie.”
“Noneofthosethingswerea
lie.”Tuggingonthelittlebow,Idippedmyhead,brushingmylipsoverhers.
Herfreshandsweetscentheightened.“Itoldyouthetruth,Princess.I’m
intriguedbyyou,andit’sfairlyrareanyone
intriguesme.”
“So?”
“So,”Isaid,chucklingagainst
thecurveofherjaw,“you’vechangedmyevening.I’dplannedtoreturntomy
quarters.Maybegetagood—albeitboring—nightofsleep,butIhaveasuspicion
thattonightwillbeanythingbutboringifIspenditwithyou.”
Itwouldbenothingshortofa
miracle.
“Wereyou…wereyouwithsomeone
beforeme?”sheasked.
Iliftedmyhead.“That’sa
randomquestion.”
“Therearetwoglassesbythe
settee.”
“It’salsoarandom,personal
questionaskedbysomeonewhosenameIdon’tevenknow.”
Hercheekswarmed.
AndI…Icouldunderstandher
inquiry,couldn’tI?Herconcern.“Iwaswithsomeone,”Ianswered.“Afriend
whoisnotliketheownerofthecloak.OneIhadn’tseeninawhile.Wewere
catchingup,inprivate,”Iexplained,anditshockedme.Irarelyeverdid
suchathing.
Butmyresponsewasn’texactlya
lie.Ihadn’tseenKieraninafewdays,andsincewe’dbeentogethersincebirth,
thatdidfeellikeawhile.Thatwasthelongestwe’dbeenseparatedsinceI—
Icutthosethoughtsoffbefore
theycouldtakeholdandbecomesomethingdarker,hardertocastoff.“So,
Princess,willyoutellmewhatyouwantfromme?”
Herbreathcaughtagain.
“Anything?”
“Anything.”Islidmyhanddown,
cuppingthesurprisinglyfullweightofherbreast.ThewhiterobesInormally
sawherinhadhiddenalot.
Butnow,withthethinmaterial
ofhergownpulledtautagainstherskin,Icouldmakeoutthedeep,rosyhue,
andtheoh-so-very-intriguinghardenedpeak.Mythumb
followedmygaze.
Shegaspedasherbackarched,
pressingherbreastmorefirmlyintomypalm.Mychesttightenedwithasurge
ofneed.
“I’mwaiting.”Isweptmythumb
oncemore,thoroughlyenjoyingthebreathysoundshemadeandthecurlofher
body.“Tellmewhatyouenjoy,soIcanmakeyouloveit.”
“I…”Shebitdownonherlip.“I
don’tknow.”
MygazeflewtohersasIfroze.
Herwordswereareminder.Theywerealsoasparkthatlitafireunderthe
needIfelttoshowherexactlywhatshewanted.
“I’lltellyouwhatI
want.”Imovedmythumbagain,slower,harder.“Iwantyoutoremoveyour
mask.”
“I…”Herlipsparted.“Why?”
“BecauseIwanttoseeyou.”
“Youcanseemenow.”
“No,Princess.”Iloweredmyhead.
“IwanttoreallyseeyouwhenIdothiswithoutyourgownbetweenyouandmy
mouth.”
Keepingmygazeonherface
becauseIrefusedtomissamoment,Iflickedmytongueoverthetipofher
breast.Thesilkwasbarelyabarrier,andasIclosedmymouthovertheturgid
peak,Icouldeasilyimaginedoingsomethingthatrarelyeveroccurredtome
whenIwaswithamortal.
Icouldseemyselfsinkingmy
teethintotheplumpflesh,discoveringifshetastedassweetasshesmelled.
Ibetshedid.Mybodyansweredthecryofpleasurethatpartedherlips,
thickeningandhardening.
“Removeyourmask.Please.”I
slidahandoverthelushcurveofherhipanddownherthightowherethe
dressparted.Herskinfeltlikethesilkymaterial,smoothasIcurledmyfingers—around
somethinghard.“Whatthe…?”
Myhandclosedoverthehiltof
adagger.Whatinthehell?Iunsheathedtheblade,rockingbackas
shesatup,reachingfortheweapon.
TheMaidenhadadagger.Andnot
justanyordinarykind.
“Bloodstoneandwolvenbone.”
“Givethatback,”shedemanded,
scramblingtoherknees.
Mygazeshiftedfromthedagger
toher.“Thisisauniqueweapon.”
“Iknow.”Atumbleofred-wine
wavesandcurlsfellforwardoverhershoulders.
“Thekindthat’snot
inexpensive.”Andonethatcarriedaparticularpurpose.“Whyareyouin
possessionofthis,Princess?”
“Itwasagift,andI’mnot
foolishenoughtocometoaplacelikethisunarmed.”
Thatwasasmartdecision.
“Carryingaweaponandhavingnoideahowtouseitdoesn’tmakeonewise.”
Hereyesnarrowedwith
irritation.“WhatmakesyouthinkIdon’tknowhowtouseit?BecauseI’m
female?”
Istaredather.“Youcan’tbe
surprisedthatIwouldbeshocked.Learninghowtouseadaggerisn’texactly
commonforfemalesinSolis.”
“You’reright,butIdoknowhow
touseit.”
Theconfidenceinherwordstold
methatshespokenolies.So,theMaidenknewhowtowieldadagger.Thatwas
whollyandgloriouslyunexpected.Insteadofconcerningme,itmademeallthemoreinterested.
Therightsideofmylipscurved
up.“Now,I’mtrulyintrigued.”
HereyeswidenedasIthrustthe
daggerbladedownintothemattressandthenwentather.Itookherdownto
thebed,settlingbetweenherthighsandlettingherfeelexactlyhowintrigued
Iwas—
Afistpoundedonthedoor.
“Hawke?”Kieran’svoicerangout.“Youinthere?”
Ihaltedandclosedmyeyes,
tellingmyselfthatIdidnotjusthearhisvoice.
“It’sKieran.”
“AsifIdidn’tknowthat
already,”Imuttered,andasmallgigglelefther.Thesoundopenedmyeyesand
broughtagrintomylips.
“Hawke?”Kieranpoundedsome
more.
“Ithinkyoushouldanswerhim,”
shewhispered.
“Dammit.”IfIdidn’t,hewould
likelybargeinoutofconcern.“I’mthoroughly,happilybusyatthemoment.”
“Sorrytohearthat,”Kieran
repliedasIrefocusedonher.Thewolvenknocked
again.“Buttheinterruptionisunavoidable.”
“TheonlyunavoidablethingI
seeisyoursoon-to-bebrokenhandifyoupoundonthatdooronemoretime,”I
warned,causinghereyestowiden.“What,Princess?”Iloweredmyvoice.“I
toldyouIwasreallyintrigued.”
“ThenImustriskabroken
hand,”Kieranreplied,andagrowloffrustrationrumbledfromdeepwithinme.
“The…envoyhasarrived.”
Gods.
Icursedagain,undermybreath
thistime.Thiscouldn’thavehappenedataworsetime.
“An…envoy?”sheasked.
“Thesupplieswe’vebeenwaiting
for,”Iexplained,whichwassortoftrue.“Ineedtogo.”
Shenodded.
AndIdidneedtoleave,butI
didn’twantto.Ittookseveralmomentsformetoforcemyselftomove.Standing,
IgrabbedmytunicfromthefloorasItoldKieranI’dbeoutinafew.He
wouldn’tbewaitingformeinthehall.He’dgosomewherequieter.Iyankedthe
shirtovermyhead,glancingovermyshouldertoseethatshehadretrievedthe
dagger.Igrinned.
Clevergirl.
Ishruggedonabaldricand
pickedupthetwoshortswordsfromthechestnearthedoor,anditwaslikeI
hadnocontroloverwhatcameoutofmymouth.“I’llcomebackassoonasIcan.”
Isheathedthebladesflattomysides,realizingthatwhatIsaidwasthe
truth.Iwouldcomeback.“Iswear.”
Shenoddedoncemore.
Istaredather.“Tellmethat
you’llwaitforme,Princess.”
“Iwill.”
Pivoting,Iwalkedtothedoor
andthenstopped.Slowly,Iturnedbackandsoakedinthesightofher—that
surprisingmassofredwavesandthosepartedlips,thewayshesatthere,clutching
theedgesofhercloakaroundher,braveyetvulnerable.Itwasaninteresting
mix,oneIwantedtocontinueexploring.
“Ilookforwardtoreturning.”
Shewassilentagain,andIknew
itwasunlikelythatshe’dbeherewhenIreturned,butIwouldcomeback.I
wouldlookforher.Andifshewasn’there?
Iwouldfindheragain.
Soonerratherthanlater.
Shewouldbemine.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETOOBRIEFMOMENTS
Iwalkedthrough
thethicklyforestedWisher’sGroveatafastclip,wantingtogetthismeeting
overwith.Onlythethinnestsliverofmoonlightmadeitswaythroughthe
sweepingpinebranches.Thewoodswereunsettlingenoughduringtheday,eerily
silentexceptforabird’sdistant,shrillcallorthequietrustleofsome
smallwoodlandcreature.Atnight?EvenIwasuneasyhere.ButduetothefactthatveryfewenteredthispartoftheGrove
duringtheday,somethingIonlyknewoccurredbecauseofthepathwaysI’d
spottedwornintothesoil,itwasoneofthefewplacesintheentiretyofMasadoniawherewordscouldbespokenfreelywithoutthe
threatofbeingoverheard.
AndfromWisher’sGrove,it
wouldtakemeonlymereminutes,ifthat,toreturntotheRedPearl.
Toher
“Youknow,”Kieranbegan,“I
wouldn’thaveinterruptedyouifitweren’tforthis.”
Inodded.Thesesupplies
weren’texactlywhatonewouldtypicallythinkof.
“It’sbeenfartoolongsince
you’vefed,”Kieranadded.
Hiswordswerelikeasiren’s
call,reawakeningaslumberinggiant.Myupperjawthrobbedasanacheblossomed
inmygut.
“Andsinceyoudon’tliketouse
thosewhoareonlypartAtlantian—”
“Iknowmypreferences,Kieran,”
Iinterrupted.Acoldbreezestirredthebranchesoverhead,sendingafew
needlestotheground.AndheknewwhyIdidn’tlikeusingthem.Half-Atlantiansweren’taccustomedtofeeding.Theywerealsoa
hellofaloteasiertoinjure—orworse—andbecauseoftheBloodCrown,I…I’d
takenenoughlivesthatwaytolastmealifetime.Ipreferrednottorepeat
that.“Youknow,theolderyouget,themoreofamotherhenyoubecome.”
Kieransnortedbehindme.
“Someonehastomakesureyoudon’tdescendintomadness.”Hepaused.“Moreso
thannormal,thatis.”
IfheknewwhoI’dbeenwithminutesago,he
wouldthinkI’dreachedallnewheightsofmadness.
Andhe’dberight.
Thatwasexactlywhatthetime
spentwiththeMaidenhadfeltlike.Madness.
Theall-too-freshmemoryofthe
Maiden’ssoftbodyunderminetoldmeitwouldbeone
hellofawaytogo,though,andIplannedondoingjustthatafterIwasdone
here.IwouldgoalittlemadwhenIreturnedtothechamber.Thatwasifthe
Maidenhonoredherpromisetowaitformyreturn.
Shehadto.
Iclearedmythroat.“Whocame?”
“Emil,”Kierananswered.
Mybrowsshotup.“Didn’texpect
that.”
“Yeah,meneither,especially
sincehe’snotthatfamiliarwithSolis.ButNaill
couldn’tmakethetrip.”
Inodded,notlikinganyofthem
tobethisfarintoSolis,butallofthemwereloyaltome.Tooloyal.
“Yougoingtotellmewhatthat
wasallabout?”Kieranaskedafteramoment.
“Notsurewhatyou’respeaking
of.”Ikeptmygazetrainedahead,alittlesurprisedithadtakenhimsolong
toask
“Sure.”Hedrewouttheword,
walkingaheadofme.
Isaidnothing.
“Incaseyou’veforgotten,”
Kieransaid,liftingalow-hangingbranchtodipunderit,“Icansmellanother
onyou.”
Hell,Icouldstill
smelltheMaiden.Iwasdrenchedinhersweetscent—
Cursing,Icaughtthebranch
Kieranletgoofbeforeitsmackedmeintheface.“Asshole.”
“Youweren’talone,”hesaid,
glancingoverhisshoulder.“AndIdon’trecognizethatscent.”
“Doyouknowthescentof
everyoneinMasadonia?”Ibrushedpasthim.
“Iknowthescentsofthosewho
frequenttheRedPearl.”Fallenneedlesandtwigscrunchedunderoursteps.
“AndIknowthescentsofwhoyoutypicallyspendyoureveningswith.”
“Fuckingwolven
noses,”Imuttered.EvenIcoulddecipherdifferences
betweenthoseIusuallyspentmynightswith.Consideringthat,Ishould’ve
knownitwasn’tBrittathemomenttheMaidenwalkedintothatchamber.
Butneverinathousandyears
wouldIhaveguesseditwouldbeher.NorwouldIhavethoughtshehadsucha
bitingtongueonher.Andthatintriguedme.
Asdidhersympathyformewhen
Ispokeofloss.Shedidn’tknowme,nordidsheknowanythingaboutwhatI’d
lost,buthercompassionhadbeengenuine.“Cas.”
Ihalted,thenapeofmynecktightening.
Notoncesincewe’dbeenintheKingdomofSolishadKieranusedthatname.Not
eveninthesewoodsorattheRedPearl.
“Thefactthatyou’rebeingall
cageyaboutwhoyouwerewithhasmeworried.”
IslowlyfacedthewolvenI’dknownsincebirth.Hehadarighttobeworried.
Wewerebonded,butourconnectionrandeeperthanthat.Alwayshad.Ikept
nothingfromKieran.Hesharedeverythingwithme,butIfoundmyselfina
strangepositionofbeingunwillingtotellhimwhathadoccurredinthatroom
intheRedPearlandwithwhom.Ididn’tknowwhy.Itrustednoonemorethan
him,butthiswas…
Thiswasthefucking
Maiden
Anotherrippleoflingering
shockwentthroughme.IfIweren’tstillabletotastehersweetnessonmy
lips,Iwould’vebelievedI’dhallucinatedherunexpectedarrival.
Ilookedaway,myshoulders
stiffening.IfIdidn’ttellhim,hewouldn’tletitgo.Thismeetingwith
thosewho’djustarrivedwouldtakelongerthannecessary,andknowingKieran,
he’dfollowmyassbacktotheRedPearl.“IwaswiththeMaiden.”
Silence.
Absolute,deadsilence.
AndKieranalwayshada
response,nomatterwhatcameoutofmymouth.
Mygazeflickedbacktohim.He
staredatmeasifI’dspokengarbledancientAtlantian
whiledrunkoffmyass.Iarchedabrow.“Youokay?OrdidIjustfryyour
brain?”
Kieranblinked.“What.In.The.Actual.Fuck?”
Alowlaughleftme.“Yeah.
Prettymuchmythoughts.”
“You’renotbullshittingme,are
you?”Kieran’sheadtilted.“YouwerewiththeactualMaiden—”Hestopped,
inhalingdeeply.Hiseyesnarrowed.“Youwerereallyclosewiththe
actualMaiden?”
“Iwouldn’tgosofarastosay
Iwasthatclose,”Ilied,andfuckifIknew
why.“But,yeah,itwasher.”
Kieranopenedhismouth,then
closedit.Hestartedtoturnawaybutthenfacedme.“YouknowIhave
questionsaboutthis,right?”
Isighed.“Ido.”
“I’mgoingoutonalimband
assumingshewasunguarded.”
Ishothimadrolllook.“You’d
assumecorrectly.”
Oncemore,heappearedasifhe
didn’tknowwhattosay.“How?Why?Whatinthe—?”
“I’mguessingshesnuckout,”Icut
himoff.“Andbasedonhowfarshegot,Iimaginethiswasn’therfirsttime.”
“Whatinthehellwasshedoing
attheRedPearl?”Kieranasked.
Surpriseflickeredthroughmeas
abirdshriekedfromsomewhereaboveus.“That’sthequestionyou’re
goingtoask?Notwhywe’restandingherewithouther?”
“Oh,I’mgettingtothat
questionnext,butI’mjusttryingtowrapmyheadaroundwhytheuntouched
MaidenwasinaprivatechamberattheRedPearl,aknowngamblingden
andbrothel.”
She’dcometothatchamberto
learnwhatpleasurefeltlike.
She’dgonetheretonighttolive
Istillfoundthatcourageous
andboldlyinnocent.Anditwasalsoprivate.IntimateenoughthatIcouldn’t
shareitwithanyone.NotevenKieran.
“That,Icannotanswer,”Isaid,
andKieran’seyesnarrowed.“Shejustwalkedrightintothechamber.Idon’t
knowifsheknewIwasthere.”
Kieranwasquietforamoment.
“Isitpossibleshewasexpectingsomeoneelsetobethereorwentintothe
wrongroom?”
Basedonherinexperience—theinnocent
andhesitantbutveryeagerresponses—Ididn’tthinkshewastheretomeetanyoneinparticular.Icouldbewrong,though.Afterall,
I’dobviouslybeenwrongaboutafewthingsregardingthe
Maiden
“Idon’tknow.”Iscratchedmy
fingersthroughmyhair.“Wasn’tlikemypresencetherewasknowntomany.”
Kieranappearedtothinkthat
over.“Well,thereareonlyacoupleofreasonswhyshewouldbethere,andI
doubtshewouldbewillingtoriskcomingface-to-facewithaguard.Ithadto
becoincidental.”
Iobservedhim,watchingthe
cornersofhislipsturndown.“Exceptyoudon’tbelieveincoincidences.”
“Doyou?”
“There’salwaysafirsttime.”
Heshookhishead.Another
momentpassed.“Whydidn’tyoutakeher,evenwiththerisksinvolved?”
Amuscleflexedatmyjaw.
“BecauseifIdid,Iwouldhavehadtoquiether.Usedcompulsion.Andthat
wouldn’thavelastedlongenoughtogetheroutofthecity.”
Kieraneyedme.“Yousound
entirelytooreasonable.”
Idid.
Andyet,Ididn’t.
Becausethatwasn’tmyonly
reason.
ItwasalsothefactthatifI
hadtakenher,shelikelywouldhaveseenitassomesortofpunishmentfor
breakingtherulesofthesocietytheAscendedfosteredandforsteppingoutof
thecageIwasnolongersureshewillinglysubmittedto.
Andforsomereason,allowing
hertohavethoseall-too-briefmomentswasn’tsomethingIwaswillingtotaint
Atleast,fornow.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONENECESSARY
SUPPLIES
EmilDa’Lahrwasamotherfucker
Oneeitherenjoyedbeinginhis
presenceorspenttheentiretyofthattimeplottingvariouswaystomurder
him,somethingItrulybelievedbroughtEmilaperverselevelofjoy.
Eitherway,Iroutinely
alternatedbetweenthosetwostatesofbeing.
Butwhenpushcametoshove,the
auburn-hairedAtlantianhadmyback,andIhadhis.
Hewasloyal,asquickwithaswordanddaggerashewaswithhisretorts,and
althoughhehadjokesfordays,hewasabeastifcrossed.
Hewaswaitingforusonthe
bankofaquietlakenestleddeepwithintheGrove,seatedonaflatboulder.
AndEmilwasn’talone.
Crouchedathisfeetwasa
large,silver-and-whitewolven.Heroseuponour
approach,nearlyastallastheboulderEmilsatupon.Thewolven’s
sizealonewould’vestoppedtheheartofanymortaluponsight,sohewould’ve
traveledasamortal,butIbethe’dshedthatform
themomenthecould.Noneofthewolvenlikedto
remainintheirmortalformsforlongstretchesoftime,evenifitwasby
choiceorforcedbyasituation.
“Arden,”Iacknowledged,smiling.
Thewolven
trottedfromEmil’sside,brushingagainstKieran’slegsfirstandthencoming
tonudgemyhand.IranmyfingersthroughthefurbetweenhisearsasEmil
stoodandgaveanoverlyelaborate,sweepingbow.
“You’renotgoingtogreetme
withthathandsomesmileofyours?”theauburn-hairedAtlantian
askedashestraightened.“Flashthosedimples?”
“Notnow.”
Ardenletoutalowhuffing
noisethatsoundedlikealaugh.
Emilpressedahandtohis
chest.“Youwoundme.”Hepaused.“MyPrince.”
Ishothimanarrowed-eyeglare,
andtheman’ssmiledeepened.
“Sometimes,Ireallythinkyou
haveadeathwish,”Kieranmutteredunderhisbreath.
EveryonewhometEmilthought
that.
Chuckling,Emilleanedback
againsttheboulder.Therewasnoswordonhiship.Dressedashewasinthe
dullbrownbreechesofaSoliscommoner,aswordwould’vedrawntoomuch
attention.Still,Iknewhehadanarmoryofweaponsbeneaththeplainblack
coat.
“Howwasyourjourneyhere?”Iasked
asArdenturnedhisattentiontothedarkwoods.“Runintoanyproblems?”
“NothingthatArdenandI
couldn’ttakecareof.JustafewCravenandanosyguardorfive,”he
answered.“AlltheseyearsI’velived,andI’veneverseenawolvenbasicallyeatapersonbefore.”
MybrowsknittedasIglancedat
Arden.Thewolvenchuffed,keepinghisstareonthe
trees.
“Wedon’tusuallymakeahabit
ofthat,”Kieranreplied.“Mortalmeatis…gamey.”
“Mortalmeat?”I
repeatedundermybreath.
“Itwasmorbidlyfascinatingto
watch.Couldn’tlookaway.Also,verydisgusting.”Emilcrossedhisarms.He
glancedtowardtheeast.“Anyway,gottosay,I’mnotimpressedwithwhatI’ve
seenofMasadoniasofar,especiallywhatyougetan
eyefulofuponenteringthecity.”Hislipcurled.“Gods,Ican’tbelievethey
havepeoplelivinglikethat.”
“Mostwouldn’tbelieveitunless
theysawtheLowerWard.”Thenagain,eveniftheBloodCrowntookbettercare
oftheirpeople,theircitieswouldbeadullcomparisontoAtlantia
IwaseagertoreturntotheRed
Pearl,buttherewerethingsIneededtoknow.“HowarethingsinSpessa’sEnd?”IaskedoftheAtlantian
citythatsatupontheStygianBay,withinaday’srideoftheSkotosMountains.Theonce-busytradingpostwasbelieved
tohavebeendestroyedinthewar,justlikethenearbycityofPompay,andsinceitwassofareast,theBloodCrownhad
noknowledgeofthecity’scurrentstate.Ithadtostaythatway
“Good.Ithinksomeofthecrops
areabouttobeharvested.Atleastthat’swhatVonetta
wastalkingaboutwhenIleft,”hesaid,referencingKieran’ssister.“Many
morehomeshavebeenbuilt.You’llbarelyrecognizetheplacewhenyoureturn.”
Hisambergazemetmine.“Whichweallhopeissoon.Notme.Butothers,yes.
Theyhopeitwillbesoon.”
Laughing,Ishookmyheadand
thenshiftedthesubjecttoafarmoredelicateone.“AnywordfromEvaemon?”
“TheKingandQueen
are…concernedaboutyourcurrentwhereaboutsandyourmotivesforbeinggoneso
long,”heshared,thehumorfadingfromhisfeatures.“Alastir’scommentaryonthematterhasn’tbeenhelpfulineasingthoseworries.”
Draggingahandthroughmyhair,
Isighed.Iwasn’tatallsurprisedtohearthat.AstheAdvisortotheCrown,AlastirDavenwell’sdutywasto
keeptheKingandQueeninformedaboutallthings.However,theelderwolvendidverylittletoquellmyfather’stemperor
de-escalateplansforwar.HewantedtoseetheBloodCrownburn.Icouldn’t
exactlyblamehimforthat.He,likemanyothers,hadhisreasons.
“We’dbettergetonwiththis.”
EmilnoddedatArden.Iglancedatthewolven.His
earswereflatoncemoreashenervouslypacedneartheboulders.“Idon’t
believehelikesthesewoodsverymuch.Ifearhewillstarteatingoneofus.”
ArdengrowledattheAtlantian,andEmilsimplysmiled.Iimaginedtheirjourney
herehadbeen…interestingandlong.
“Badvibes,”Kieranmurmured,
turninghisstaretothestilllake.
Emilraisedhisbrowsatme.
Ishookmyhead.“Kieran
believesthesewoodsarehaunted.”
“Idon’tbelieve,”Kierancountered.
“Iknow.”
“Well,then,wereallyneedto
hurry.”Emilbeganrollingupthesleeveofhiscoat.“BecauseifIseeeven
oneghost,youwillneverseeanAtlantianrun
faster.”
Kieransmirked.“Youcan’t
outrunthedead.”
Fingershaltingaroundthesleeve,
Emilturnedhisheadtothewolven.“Thatwas
an…exceptionallycreepystatement.”
Heshrugged.“Justthetruth.”
Emilfrowned.“Thatdidn’t
help.”
“Thankyoufordoingthis,”I
cutin,stoppingthembeforetheconversationwentanyfurther.ItookEmil’s
handasIlookeddownattheslightlyshortermale.“Theriskyoutookcoming
hereisappreciated.”
“Anythingforyou.”Emilmetmy
stare.“Youknowthat.”
“Ido.”Isqueezedhishand.“I
won’ttakemorethanisneeded.”
Kieran’sstaresharpenedonme.I
knewhedidn’tlookaway.NotasIliftedEmil’swristtomymouth.I
hesitated,evenasmyjawbegantoachemorefuriously.Hisbloodwouldsurely
erasethelingeringtasteoftheMaiden,anddamnif
thatwasn’tanidioticashellthingtoeventhinkabout.
EvenmoresowasthefactthatI
hesitatedbecauseofthat.
Bitingfastandcleanwhere
Emil’spulsebeatstrongly,heonlyjerkedalittleasIquicklywithdrewmy
fangs.Ismoothedmythumbalongtheinsideofhiswrist,soothingawaythe
briefstingofpain.Feedingcouldbepainfulorbringpleasure.Itcouldalso
beasimpersonalasabusinesstransaction.ThiswasthelatterasIdrewhis
blood,hisverylifeforce,intome.Themomenttherich,earthytastehitmy
tongue,everycellinmybodyseemedtovibrate.Itwaslikegoingtoolong
withoutfoodorwater.Iwantedtogulpbutforcedmyselftotakeslow,steady
drawsasEmilstoodstill.
Feedingandbeingfedonwerequitecommonamongourkind,butifonedidn’t
trustanother,therewasaninstinctualreactionthatcouldn’tbehidden—a
physicalone.Emilshowednosignsofsuch.Hedidn’tpullaway.Hedidn’ttense
orevenmakeasound.Emiltrustedme.Irrevocably.AndIwasn’tsurewhatI’d
donetoearnthat.
AsIdrank,bitsandpiecesof
imagesformedinmymind.Thick,darkgreentrees.Thesmelloffreshlytilled
soilandsawdust.Memories.ThiswasoneofEmil’s.Iheardhisteasinglaugh
asIsawagirlwithlong,darkbraidsthatreachedherwaist,andskinthe
colorofthenight-bloomingrosestheMaidensoughtintheevenings.I
recognizedheratonce.
ItwasVonetta—Kieran’s
sister.WhythefuckwouldEmilbethinkingofher
rightnow?Well,theanswerwasanobviousone.
Igrinnedagainst
Emil’swrist.Man,hereallydidhaveadeathwish.
Severalmoremomentspassed
beforeIforcedmyselftowithdraw.Iliftedmyhead,chasingawayalonedrop
ofbloodthathaddampenedmylipasmyeyesfoundEmil’s.Iraisedabrowandgrinned.HisjawlockedasheglancedatKieran.
Mygrinspread.
“That’snotenough,”Kieran
began.
“Itwas.”Iofferedmyother
handtoKieran.“Seeforyourself.”
Hefoldedhisfingersaroundmy
wrist,histhumbpressingintomypulse.BeingthatEmilwaslikeme,oneof
theelementalbloodlinesthatcouldbetracedbacktothefirstAtlantianscreatedbythegods,hisbloodwaspureand
powerful.Already,myskinfeltwarmer.Thefaintfogginesscloudingmymind
wasgone.Myheartratehadslowed.
Kierandraggedinanaudiblebreath
ofrelief.
“Areyousure?”Emil’sgaze
searchedmine.“Ifyouneedmore,I’llbefine.”
“I’msure.”Isqueezedhishand
oncemorebeforelettinggo.“Thankyouagain.”
“Youknow,Icanstay.”Emil
beganrollingdownhissleeve.“Keepalowprofilewhiledoingsomesightseeing.
NoonewillevenknowI’mhere.”
“Ithoughtyousaidyouweren’t
impressedwiththecity.”
“I’mwillingtohangaroundand
seeifalongerlookwillchangemymind,”hesaid.
Ismiled,knowingthatEmil,
likeallofus,hadnorealdesiretospendtimeinanyplacecontrolledbythe
BloodCrown.Heofferedsohecouldbeavailablein
caseIneededtofeedagain.Hopefully,thatwouldn’tbenecessary.ElementalAtlantianscouldgoforlongperiodswithoutfeedingifwe
remaineduninjuredandkeptourselveswell-fedthroughtypicalmortalmeans.
“Iappreciatetheoffer,but
thereissomethingelseImustaskofyou.Anotherfavor,”Isaid,shiftingmy
weight.Thegrowingtensionseizingmymuscleshadalsofaded.“Iwouldlike
foryoutoreturntoAtlantiaandEvaemon.”
Emil’sheadtiltedasArden
listened.“Iassumethereisamoredetailedpurposebehindthisrequest.”
“Thereis.Iwouldlikeforyou
tokeepaneyeonAlastir.”
SurpriseflickeredacrossEmil’s
face.“Areyoususpiciousofhim?”
“No.I’veknownAlastirsinceIwasababe.He’slikeasecondyetmore
demandingfather,”Isaid,earningasnortfromKieran.“Buttheverylast
thingweneedisforhimtodiscoverwhatI’mplanning.”
“Attheveryleast,weneedto
delayhisknowledge,”Kieranadded.“Alastirhaseyes
andearseverywhere.He’sboundtofindout.”
“So,youwantmetorun
interference?”Emilsurmised,andInodded.“Icandothat.”Heglancedoverat
Arden,whowasnosingafallenleafasifitwereapitviper.“Outofcuriosity,
whydowewanttokeepAlastirinthedarkforas
longaspossible?”
“Alastir
wantswar.Possiblymoresothanevenmyfather.Ifhelearnsofmyplansto
taketheMaiden,hewillwanttousehertostrikebackattheBloodCrown.”
Justasmyfatherwould.
Emilturnedhisattentionback
tome.“Andhowdoesthatdifferfromwhatyouaredoing?”
“Idon’tplantokillher,”I
statedflatly.“Andthatisexactlywhattheywoulddo.”
TheAtlantian
saidnothingforseveralmoments.“Well,Ihopeyourplandoesn’tturnoutto
bewhatyouexpectofthem.Truly.”
“AsdoI,”Isaid.Theunease
I’dfelttheothermorningwhiletrainingwithVikter
returned,ploppingitsassonmychest,nowtoocoldandheavyforhavingjust
fed.
WishingEmilandArdensafe
travelsbacktoAtlantia,wepartedways.Kieran
returnedtothecity,whereJansenhadsethimupwithsomewhatprivatelodging
inasmallapartmentoveroneofthevariousworkshops.AndI,well,Imademy
waybacktotheRedPearl,pickingupenoughspeedthatIwasfreeoftheGrove
withinseconds.Movingtoofastformortaleyestotrack,Iforcedmyselfto
slowonceIreachedthealleyoutsidetheRedPearl.Myheartbeganpounding,
andithadnothingtodowithphysicalexertion.
Iclimbedthebacksteps,taking
threeatatimetoreachthehalloutsidethechamber.I’donlybeengonean
hour,ifthat,butbeforeIreachedthedoor,Ialreadyknew.Still,Ihadto
check.Ipushedthedooropen,findingonlyherlingeringsweetscent.Theroom
wasempty.
TheMaidenhadn’twaited.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEHUNTED
Thebittersurge
ofdisappointmentupontheMaiden’sbrokenpromise
quicklygavewaytooneofconcernasIstaredattherumpledbed.
Hernotbeingheremeantshewas
outtheresomewhere,onthetoo-often-viciousstreets,byherself,atatimeof
nightwhenthoseoftenuptonogoodroamed.Thekindofpeoplewhopreyedupon
theweakandhelpless.
ButtheMaidenwasn’texactly
helpless.Awrygrintwistedmylips.Shecarriedadagger—awolven-boneandbloodstonedagger,noless—andhandledit
insuchawaythatbackedupherclaimthatsheknewhowtouseit.
Still,Istalkedforward.
Graspingafistfuloftheblanket,Ilifteditandinhaleddeeply,takingin
thesweetandearthyscent.Honeydew.Droppingthecover,Iturnedandleftthe
RedPearl.Outside,Iscannedthedimlylitstreets,quietexceptforthemuted
humoflaughterandbawdyshoutscomingfrominsidethenumerousbusinesses.
Shecouldbeanywhereifshe
lefttheRedPearlimmediatelyuponmydeparture.Iliftedmygazetothe
distantglowoflightsradiatingfromthenumerouswindowsofCastleTeerman.Thestreetsdidn’tgetsaferthecloseronegotto
thecastle.
Theyactually
gotmoredangerousbecausemortalsnolongerpopulatedtheareas.The
closertothecastleyougot,thecloseryouweretotheAscended,andafter
sunset,theywouldbemovingaboutfreely.
Withhertravelingdressednotas
theMaidenbutasacommoner,IdoubtedanyAscendedwouldhesitatebefore
helpingthemselves.
Angertookrootinmygut,butI
wasn’texactlysurewhoitwasmeantfor.TheMaidenforfoolishlyendangering
herlife?TheAscended,whoweretrulytoblame?Or
myselffornotensuringshestayedputuntilshecouldbesafelyreturned?
TheMaidenwasentirelytoo
valuabletolosetoabloodthirstyAscended.
Crossingthestreet,Iheaded
forthebridgesandpathwaysthatcutthroughtheportionofWisher’sGrove
thathadbeenthinnedoutandusedasaparkbythemostprivilegedofMasadonia.TheentireUpperWardsurroundingRadiantRow,
thehomes,shops,andthepark,werebrimmingwithactivity,mysensitiveears
pickinguponthedistantsoundsofcarriagewheelsandchatter.Itstruckme
halfwaythere,bringingmetoacompletestop.
TheMaidenwasclever.
Shemustbeto
havesuccessfullyevadedherguardsandmadeittotheRedPearl.Ialso
doubtedthatwasherfirsttimeescapingherpersonalguardandherpretty
cage.Shewouldn’ttravelpublicroads,especially
thosethatwouldbebusywiththeAscended,whocouldonlylivetheirlives
oncethesunhadset.Shewouldn’tavoidthemoutoffearofharm,simply
becausesheknewnobetter,butratheroutofconcernof
beingfoundout.Shewould…
Outsideaquietrowofnarrow
townhomes,IlookedbacktotheedgesofwhereI’djustcomefrom.Theone
placeveryfewtraveled.
Wisher’sGrove.
Asmilespreadalongmylips.
ThedeepestpartoftheGroveledrighttotheinnerwallsofCastleTeerman
Cuttingacrossthestreet,Ihit
theshadowsofthetownhomesandstartedtorun.Ireachedthelowstonewall
separatingthehomesfromthewoodsandvaultedoverit,enteringtheGrove
oncemore.Islowed,havingmovedtoofastwhenIlefttopickuponherscent.
Istillmightnotbeabletocatchit.Thosewolven
sensesI’dbeendamningearlierwould’vecomeinhandynow.
Recallingthefainttrailswhere
thegrasshadbeenbeatendownfromthetreadoffootsteps,Icutthroughthe
trees,cominguponthewindingpathofpackedearthwithinafewmoments.
Stickingtothedarkness,Ifollowedthetrailasitcurvedcloserandcloser
totheedgesoftheareathey’dclearedforthepark.Onlyahandfulof
heartbeatslater,Ipickeduponascentthatdidn’tbelongamongthedamp,
richsoilofthewoods.
Sweet.Slightlyfruity.
MyinstinctshummedasIprowled
forward,mypaceincreasingasIscannedthetreesahead,everysenseonhigh
alert.Imovedsilentlythroughthewoodslikeapredatortrackingitsprey.It
wasoneoftheonlythingsAtlantianssharedwiththe
Ascended—thevampry.Oursingle-mindedfocuswhenwe
wereonahunt.
There.
Afiguremovedquicklyinthe
shadowsseveralyardsahead—acloakedfigure.MysmilereturnedasIhita
burstofspeed,comingwithinadozenfeetorsoof…her.Anditwasdefinitelyher.Thebreezehadherscentandwastossingit
inmyface.
Ifollowed,treadinglightlyas
Itrackedher.TheGrovewasamazeIcouldnavigatesimplybecauseofmy
vision,whichwasleaguesaboveamortal’s.HowintheworldtheMaidenfound
thispathatnightwasbeyondme,butherstepsweresure.Morethanonce,she
skirtedjuttingrocksandfallenbranchesIknewshecouldn’tsee,butshe
obviouslyknewtheywerethere.
Myhearingpickedupthelow
murmurofspeechandsofter,sultriersoundsfromthepark.NoisesIwould’ve
preferredtohearcomingfromtheMaidenifIhadmyway.
However,itwasprobablyagood
thingIhadn’t.ForIlikedtobelieveIwascapableofsuchrestraintthatI
wouldn’thavetakenthingstoofar.ThatIwasn’tthatkindofmonster.Buttruthfully?
WouldIhavestoppedifshewantedtoexperiencemore?WouldIhavebeenthe
kindofgoodmanmymotherhadraisedmetobe?OrwouldIhavebeen
selfishandgreedy?AlowrumblecamefrommythroatasIfollowedher.Even
now,therewasabaserpartofme,aprimalone,thatrodemehard,urgingme
tocrossthedistancebetweenus.Torevealmyself.Whatwouldshedo?Beangry
thatIfollowed?Pleasantlysurprised?Wouldshetalktomeaboutsadthings
thatclearlyweighedonhermind?Wouldshewelcomeme,mybodyagainsthers
oncemore?Orwouldcommonsenseprevail,asitmusthavedone
forhertoleave?Wouldsherun?Ifso,shewouldn’thaveachance.Iwould
catchher.Iwould—
Atwigsnappedtomyleft,
jerkingmyheadinthatdirection.Itwastooquietforhertohaveheard.I
scannedthecrowdedtrees,pickinguponthesoundofquick,almostsilent
footsteps.Thenoisecamefromahead,betweentheMaidenandme.
Iwasn’ttheonlyonefollowing
her.
Huntingher.
MyeyesnarrowedasIdippedunder
severalbranches,inchingcloser.Ashadowmovedtoherleft,crossingbriefly
outofthedarkness.Thethinstreamofmoonlightglancedoverlighthair;round,almostboyishfeatures,andbareshoulders.The
glimpsewasenoughformetoknowthatwhatcreptupbehindherwasnomortal
whohadrecentlyturnedCraven—somethingI’ddiscoveredwasanunfortunate
occurrencewithinaweekofbeinghere.PeoplelikeJole,
whothoughttheyhadtimetoturnthemselvesinbutdidn’tintheend.Thesame
thinghappenedinCarsodoniaandeverycitywithin
Solis.Butthethick,glossyhairandsmooth,paleskinmeantthatwhat
followedherwhilesheblissfullyforgedaheadwasadifferentsortofdeath.
AnAscended.
Onewholikelyhadnoideawho
hestalked.Andbythetimeherealizedwhohewassinkinghisteethinto,it
wouldbetoolate.OnlytheoldestamongtheAscendedcouldshowrestraintand
stopbeforetheytookthelastdropoftheirvictim’sblood.Thatwaswhyso
manyCravensurroundedthecity.Itwaswhathappenedwhenavamprydrainedamortal.
Likewithmostlies,thatbitof
historyhadstartedoutassometruth.ButtheAscendedhadtheso-called
poisonouskiss,nottheAtlantians
OnlyafewAscendedherewere
oldenoughtohavethatkindofrestraint.TheDukeandDuchess.Afewofthe
LordsI’dseencreepingaroundthegrounds.Thiswasn’toneofthem.Thisone
wouldn’tstop.Hewouldkill.
Knowingthatwewerenearingthe
sectionofthegardenwallIexploited,theoneJerichowouldsoonmakeuseof
andtheMaidenwasobviouslyfamiliarwith,mymusclestensed.
Then,Imademymove.
Iboltedthroughthenarrow
spacesbetweenthetreeslikeastreakoflightning,leapingoveratoppled
pine.AstheMaidenslippedfromtheedgeoftheGrove,wherethestoneofthe
castlewallgleameddullyinthemoonlight,IlandedbehindtheAscended.
Thevampry
spun,hispitch-blackeyesevenmorebottomlessinthedarkness.Hisfeatures
twistedintoasnarl,lipspeelingbacktorevealtwocaninessharpenedinto
finepoints.
Ibaredmyfangs.“Minearebigger.”
Thevampry’smouthopenedwider,andIknewhewasgearingupforabig-boyroar—onethat
wouldnotonlyalertanyofhisnearbyfriendsbutalsopossiblytheMaiden.
“Nope.”Igraspedhimbythe
throat,cuttingoffhisgrowl.ItcrossedmymindthatIshould
questionhimaswedidwiththosewe’dsnaggedinthepast,butIquickly
dismissedit.
Ihadbeeninthemoodfor
pleasure.
Now,Iwasinthemoodfor
violence.
Heswung,butIcaughthisarm
asIliftedhimoffhisfeetandtwisted,slamminghimtotheground.ThevampryimmediatelyjerkeduprightatthewaistasIcame
downonhim,diggingmykneeintohisstomach.Ididn’treachforthedagger
strappedtomychest—thebloodstoneblade.Muchliketheonethe
Maidencarried,exceptforthewolven-bonehilt.It
wasthecleanestwaytokillanAscended,leavingnothingbutdustbehind.
ButIwasinthemoodformessy.
Ismackedmyhanddownonhis
mouth,silencinghisscreamsasmyotherhandslammedintothevampry’schest,punchingthroughboneandcartilage.My
fingerssankintothebastard’sheart.Withasavage
yank,Itoretheorganfromhischest.TheAscendedsquirmed,hiseyeswideas
bloodgushedfromhischestandcourseddownmyarm.
“Shouldhavestayedoutofthe
woodstonight,”Isaid,squeezingtheheartuntiltherewasnothingbutgore
andmushleftbehind.Untilthevampryceasedits
uselessthrashing.
Irockedbackasclumpsof
tissuefellfrommyhand.IwipeditascleanasIcouldontheAscended’sbreeches,andthenIgrabbedthefuckerbythehairanddraggedhimtowardtheedgeofthe
Grove.Ihauledhimupandtossedhiscorpseoveroneoftheheavier,
low-hangingbranches,whereothersofhiskindwouldeventuallydiscoverhim.If
not,thesunwouldfinishhimoffwhenitrose.
Steppingback,Ireturnedtothe
wornpath,glancingatthespotwheretheMaidenhaddisappeared.Smiling,I
startedbacktowardtheCitadel,whistlingsoftly.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEHAUNTED
Sinkingintothehot
waterofthehipbath,IthoughtaboutwhatI’ddoforashower,butsinceAtlantianinfrastructurewasapparentlytheonlythingthe
Ascendedhadn’tbeenstealing,I’dhavetomakedo.
ExceptIcouldn’tevenextendmy
damnlegs.
Cursingundermybreath,Igrabbed
thesoapfromthenearbystoolandgotdowntoscrubbingitthroughmyhairand
acrossmyskin.I’dalreadygottenmostofthebloodoffsinceIwasn’tinthe
moodtosoakinwhatremainedofthevampryonmy
flesh.
Mythoughtswanderedassuds
gatheredonthesurfaceofthehip-deepwater,revisitingEmil’snewsaboutAlastirandmyparents.KnowingEmil,hewasalreadywell
onhiswayoutofthecitywithArden.HewoulddoasIasked,delayingthe
inevitabilityofAlastirdiscoveringwhatI’dbeenup
to.
WhatIwouldsoondo.
Withmykneesbent,Ileaned
backandrestedmyheadonthecopperrim.Myeyesclosed,mythoughtsveering
totheMaiden—nottowhatIplannedtodo,buttowhathadhappenedonlya
handfulofhoursago.Notthebestofdecisionssinceathrobhitmydick,thickening
it.
Iwasgettinghardthinking
abouttheMaiden.
“Gods,”Imuttered,arough
laughleavingmeasIdraggedahandovermyforehead.
Amonthago,itneverwould’ve
crossedmymind.Itwouldn’thaveevenbeenpossible,andthathadnothingto
dowiththeshapelesswhitegownsI’dseenherinorthefactthatIhadno
ideawhatshetrulylookedlike.Itwaswhatshewas.Avirginal,untouched
Maidenandnothingaboutseducingorbeingwithanactualmaidenwasmykindof
thing.Notbecauseofherlackofexperience.Icouldgivetwoshitsaboutthat.Pleasurecouldbelearned.Itwasthe
valueplaceduponsuchathing.Theideathatherentirebeingwastiedtoher
virginity.Thatpreventedmefromevenlookingatherinsuchaway.
Itwaswhatshe
symbolized.
TheAscended.
I’dassumedshewasafully
willingparticipantintherolesheplayed.Ishould’veknownbetterthanto
assumeshitbecauseI’dobviouslybeenwrong.
Myeyescrackedopenintothin
slits.ItmademewonderwhatelseIcouldbewrongaboutwhenitcametoher.
LikemaybewhatsheknewabouttheAscended.Orwhatshereallythoughtabout
howshelived.
Ishookmyhead,notwantingto
thinkaboutanyofthatbecauseitledtonowheregood.Justasthinkingabout
howshe’dfeltbeneathme,softandwarm,wasleadingnowheregood.Mydick
didn’tagreewiththat,though.Itwasallonboardwithmythoughtsand
memories,hardeningandquicklyfeelingfullandtoodamn
sensitiveasthetipjuttedfromthewater.
“Fuck,”Imuttered,runningmy
palmovermyfaceasthefingersofmyotherhandpressedintothecopperside
ofthetub.
Myhanddroppedfrommyfaceand
fellbeneaththewater.Thinkingofhowinstinctuallyandeagerlyshe’d
respondedtomytouch,Igrippedmyselfatthebaseofmyerection.Thebreath
Itookwastooshallow.She’dseemedsoshockedbytheprospectofaskingfor
anythingandreceivingit,asifdoingsohadneveroccurredtoher.Hadnever
beenpossible.Clearly,ithadn’tbecauseshehadn’tknownwhattoaskfor.She
hadn’tknownhowtoputintowordswhatherbodyachedfor.
Butshe’dshiveredin
anticipationwhenIunfastenedhercloak.Inmymind,Icouldstillseethe
sweetswellsofherchestrisingsharplyandstrainingagainstthetight
material,revealingthedarkerskinbeneath,thedeep,rosyhueofthetipsof
herbreastsclearlyvisiblethroughthethinfabricofhergown.Neverina
thousandyearswouldIhavethoughttheMaidenhadsuchgloriousbreasts,soft,
strongthighs,andablade-sharptongue.
Theboltofrawdesirereturned,
poundingthroughme.Gods,whatIwould’vegiventogetmymouthbetweenthose
thighs.MorethanwhatI’ddoforashowerbecauseIbetshetastedassweetas
shesmelled.
Ifwehadn’tbeeninterrupted,I
would’veshownherthatifallowed.Igroaned,thinkingofhowIwould’ve
tastedher,sippedfromher—notherblood,butthedampnessIknewhadbeen
gatheringbetweenthoselushthighs.
Ishouldbefindinganotherway
toslakemyneed,eitherthroughviolenceorwithanother—thosewillingwere
easytofindinMasadonia.Butneitherappealedtome
asIstrokedmyself.
Stayingwithmymemoriesappealed.
ThoseminutesinthechamberwhereIwasn’tHawkeFlynn.Wheneverythingabout
mewasn’talie,andIhadn’tbecomeaphantomofdarknessandmadnessmade
real.WhereIwasonlylivinginthemoment,notinthepastorthefuture.And
goodgods,Ihadn’texistedinthenow—Ihadn’tbeeninterestedinthatin…infuckingdecades
I’dbeoutofmymindtowantto
leavethat.
I’dbemadnottorecognizethe
dangersofremaining.
Butstillmyhandtightened,my
thoughtsneedinglittleefforttoreturntothatchamberandtoseemyself
there.Toconjureuptheimageofher,thoseberry-huedlipsparted,andgreen
eyesbrightwithdesireasmymouthclosedoverthetipofherbreast,thesilk
adecadentbarrier.
Myheadfellbackagainasmy
handpumped.IsworeIcouldhearhervoice—thatsurprising,cuttingmouthof
hersthatwasjustasarousingashersoftcurves.Thewayshe’dgrabbedthat
bloodstonedagger,yankingthebladefreeofthemattress.She’dhandledit
likesheknewhow,whichwasanothersurprisethatshouldbeconcerningyethad
theabsoluteoppositeeffect.
Thattight,curlingsensationcame
outofnowhereandhitmehard,whirlingdownmyspine.Myhipsreared,
splashingwaterontothestonefloor.IgrittedmyteethasIcame,therushof
arousalanintensewave,takingabitofmybreathwithitaspleasurerippled
throughme.
Breathingdeeply,Ilaythere,
heartslowtocalm.Damn,Ihadn’tcomethatquickly
orhardin…
FuckifIcouldremember.
Openingmyeyes,Istaredatthe
dullwhiteceiling,bodytoolaxtoevenattemptgettingoutofthetub.The
releasehadeasedthetensioninmymuscles,quietingmymind.
Itwasonlytemporary,though.
Nodifferentthanwhenthe
warmthofanotherbroughtmepleasure.Becausemythoughtswerealreadyfiring
up,driftingbacktothesameshit.Thiswasprecisely
whathappenedwhenItriedtosleep.WhyIlayinbed
forhours,doingexactlywhatIwasnow:staringatthegodsdamn
ceilingasifitcouldanswerwhatIcouldn’t.
Butthatdidn’tstopmefrom
tryingtorememberthelasttimeareleasehadn’tfeltmechanical.Justathing
mybodywantedtobedonewithwhentheneedhit.Whenwasthelasttimeit
didn’tfeellikeanythingmorethansimplygettingoff?Anall-too-brief
escape?WasitbeforeI’dsofoolishlythoughtIcouldendthethreatofthe
BloodCrownallbymyselfandgottaken?HaditbeenwhenIwaswithher—Shea?
Myhandfistedinthewateragainstmythigh.
Ididn’twantthattobetrueas
Isearchedmymemories.SexwasbothnothingandeverythingtoAtlantiansandthewolven.
Intimatelysharingoneselfwithanotherwassomethingtobecelebrated.The
pleasurecamefromtheclosenessandnotsomuchtheactualrelease.
Butthathadbecomeallkindsof
fuckedupwhiletheAscendedheldme,hadn’tit?
Takingsomethingthatwasanexpressionofmutuallustandsometimesfondness—or
evenlove—andturningitintoanacttobedreaded.Iwasn’tsurewhathadbeen
worseaboutmytimeinthatcold,dankcage.Thenumerouscutsmadealongmy
bodyastheystolemybloodfromme,pouringitintovialsandchalicesand
thenintomouths.KnowingtheywereusingapartofmetocreatemoreAscended.
ThebiteswhilethatbitchQueenandthe
bastardKingwatched,gettingoffonmypain.OrwasithowtheKingforcedme
towatchwhilehekilled,butnotbeforecommittingeveryatrociousactonecould
dotoanother?He’dletthemturnandhaveatmeuntiloneofthemfinally
endedthepoorsoul’slife.Therewerethehalf-Atlantians
theyfound,andthefull-bloodedoneswho’dremainedinSolisafterthewar,
thosethey’dkeptinothercagessincebeforeIwasevenborn.Thethingsthey
didtothem.ThebloodIhadtodrinktostayalive.Orwasitthetouching?
Thecaressesthatstartedoffcruelandthenbecametenderwithnowarning.
Thecopperbegantodentunder
myfingertipsastheimageoftheauburn-hairedbitch
formedinmymind,nomatterhowmuchIwantedtoforgetwhatshelookedlike
becausethatwasherspecialty.
QueenIleana.
TheBloodQueen.
Shewaslivingproofthatbeauty
wasnothingmorethananouterfa?adebecauseshewastheworstofthemall.
Hertouchwasscraping,sharpnailsthatcarvedintomyfleshandthenturned
toalmostlovingstrokes,alwaysseductive,alwayssovery…effective
Thatwaswhatsheenjoyedmore
thantakingmyblood:watchingmybodygiveintoherdemandswhileIcursed
herandstruggledagainstthechainsthatboundme,throwingeveryinsultI
couldthinkofather.Evenaftershegrewtiredofbeingtheonetoinflict
suchdamage,andothersjustlikeIleanatookherplace,Istillheardher
laughter,softandtinklinglikethewindchimesthatoncehunginthegardens
ofEvaemon—theonesI’dtorndowninablindrage
uponreturninghome,frighteningmymotherandleaving
myfathersilentfordays.
Fivedecadesofhavingpiecesof
whoIwasbrokenoff,bitbybit.Fivedecadesofsurvivingonthepromiseof
revenge,ofretribution,keptonthevergeofbloodlust,alwayshungry,until
thedaymybrothercameforme.Ibarelyrecognizedhim.Ibarelyrecognized
Shea.
AndInolongerknewmyself.
Loweringmygazetomyhands,I
sawthem.IsawwhatI’ddonewiththem.ThefirstactI’dcommittedaftermy
wristswerenolongerbound.Ashudderwentthroughme.Ididn’twanttothinkabout
whatSheahaddone—thebargainshe’dmadewiththeAscended.
Ididn’twanttothinkabout
whatI’ddonetoher.
Liftingmyhands,Ipressedmy
fingersagainstmytemplesinsteadofwhatIhaddoneinthepasttoomany
timestocountwhenIwasaloneandthememorieswouldn’tgoaway.Whenthe
thoughtswouldn’tstopcoming.
Pleasurewasn’ttheonly
temporaryescape.
Therewasalsopain.
Andifmyskinscarredaseasily
asamortal’s,myarmswouldbeacoarsemapthatledthewaytoallthetimes
I’dsoughttofeelsomething—anything—butwhatthosememoriesdredged
up.
Neitherthepleasurenorthe
painhadworked.Iknewthat,eventhoughtheyearsaftermyrescuewereablur
ofdoingeverythingIcouldtoforgetbyanymeansnecessary.
Myfingersslippedfromthe
sidesofmyhead.Istaredatthemoncemore,thinkingoftheunendingstretch
ofwakingnightmares.Thelongnightsofdrinking.Theevenlongerdaysof
smokingtheunripepoppyseedsuntilIwaseitherdrunkorhighenoughto
forgetwhoIwas.AndthecountlessnamelessandfacelessbodiesI’dbeenwith
inthosedarkyearsafterward.Atlantian.Mortal.
Women.Men.ThoseIfuckedjusttoprovetomyself
thatIdecidedwhotouchedme.WhoItouched.ThatIhadcontrol.ThatIcould
stillfindpleasureintheact.Buthell,I’dbeenamess.Itdidn’tmatterhow
manytimesIprovedit,howmanytimesIlookedatmyhandsasIdidnow,a
nearcenturylater,anddidn’tseechainscuttingintomyflesh.
I’dstillbeinthatheadspace
ifnotforKieranandothers.Iftheyhadn’tdoneeverythingtheycouldto
remindmewhoIwasandwho—what—Iwasn’t.Kieranhaddoneawholelot
oftheheavylifting.Damnifhestilldidn’t.But
they’dwokenmeup.They’dpulledmeoutofthedarknessandintoanewlife
thatheldonepurposeonly.
Tofreemybrother.
AndthatwaswhoI’dbecome.
AllI’dbecome.
NotexactlywhoIwasbefore.I
wouldneverbehimagain,butthiswastheclosestIwouldeverget.
Now,thenightmaresonlyreally
foundmeinsleep,andtherehadbeentimessincethenwhensexwas
aboutthepleasureofsharingmyselfwithanotherandnotaboutcontrolor
provingagodsdamnthingtoanyone—notevenmyself.A
fewmomentswhereithadbeenaboutsomethingdeeper.Buttheothertimes?
TherewerestillmanywhereIcouldn’tclearlyrecallanythingabouttheir
features.Toomany.
Therewasnofeelingofpride
accompanyingthatrealization.Nosmugsatisfactionorarrogance.Because,
truthbetold,Istillhadn’tforgottenthatdarkness.Itlingered.Haunted.
Justascoldasallthosereleases.
Justasempty.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRESENTIII
Isatwithmy
eyesclosed,backagainsttheheadboard,holdingPoppytomychest.Thetopof
herheadwastuckedagainstmyshoulder,andherhipsandlegswerenestled
betweenmine.KieranhadreturnedsometimeagowithapaleblueslipthatHisa
hadfoundforPoppy.Ithadtakensolongbecauseshehadtosearchfor
somethingthatwasn’twhite.Hisalikelyhadn’tunderstoodwhythatmattered,
butKieranhadn’twantedPoppytowakeinthecoloroftheMaiden.
Ifocusedontheweightofher
againstme.Couldshefeelmyheartbeating,eveninthisdeepsleep?This
stasis?
“Ihad…Ihadalotoftrouble
processingeverything.Thefoolishmistakesthatledtomycapture.WhatIwent
through.Shea.WhatIdidafterward.Sometimes,itwaslikeIfelttoomuch—the
rageandalsoreliefbecauseIwasfree.Andthatfelt
wrong.Therewasalsoguilt.Andallofitwassoall-consumingthatIcouldn’t
feelanythingelse.”
Ismoothedmyhandoverher
hair.“Sometimes,thesex,drugs,anddrinkingdidn’tsilencethosefeelings.The
memories.So,that’swhenI…”Itwaslikemythroatsealedup.Wordsfailedme.
No,thewordshadn’t
failedme.Theywerestillthere,pushingagainstmylips.Whatstopped
themwasthe…thegodsawfulshame,evenafterall
theseyears.EventhoughIknewthatwhatthey’ddonetomeandwhatI’dbeen
forcedtodotootherswasn’tmyfault.Iknewthat.
Butthemind,man…itlikedto
ignorethat.
Still,Iwouldn’t
forgetthattheshamewasn’tmine.
“Itwasbyaccident—thefirst
timeIrealizedthatpaincouldstopitall,justlikesex,”Iforcedmyselfto
say.Ineededhertoknow,evenifshecouldn’thearme.Ineededtohear
myselfsayitaloud.“Iwastraining,gettingmymusclestorelearnhowtobe
quickwithaswordandevenquickerwithmyfeet,butitwastoosoon.Iwas
stillstucktoodeepinmyhead.Iwasn’tthatpresent,eventhoughNaill,whowasworkingwithme,didn’tnotice.”
Adry,hatefullaughleftme.“I
learnedhowtohideitwellfromthoseIcould.So,Islippedup,andhecutmy
chest.Itwasn’tdeep,butthatbright,sharppaindidn’tthrustmebackinto
thecagelikeIthoughtitwould.Instead,itjust…itsilenced
everything.Itstunnedmeenoughthatitgotthroughallthat
shitinmyhead.Itstoppedthethoughts,andgods,justhavingaminute
ofnotbeingbackthere,notthinkingaboutMalikorwhatIdidordidn’tdo…
Justafuckingminuteofsilencewaslikegettingrelease.
Notjustaphysicalone,butamentalone.Becausetherewasthissenseofcalm
afterward.Clarity.”
Atremorwentthroughme.
“Sometimes,Iusedablade.Othertimes,myfangs.”Myjawworked.“Reliefcame
themomentIsawred.Clearness.Andittookwaylesseffortthanthesexdid.”
AnotherhardlaughleftmeasIshookmyhead.“Thething,though,Poppy?It
didn’tlast.Itwasonlyanotherescape.ExceptIwasnowhurtingmyself
insteadofanotherhurtingme.You’dthinkIwould’verealizedthatrightoff
thebat,butittookgettingitout.Talking.Iknowthatsoundsclichéasfuck,butit’sthetruth.Becausewhilethatwaspainfulin
adifferentkindofway,thereleaseofputtingallthatnastyshitintowordsactuallylasted.”
Anditreallyhad.
Ofcourse,talkinghadn’tbeen
animmediatemiraclefix.Talkingthatshitouttook
time.Awholelotofredirection.Ittookbeinghonest,whichwasn’talways
easywhenthenaturalreactionwastosaythatIwasokay,evenwhenIwasa
stormwaitingtoigniteontheinside.
Ibrushedmylipsoverthetop
ofherhead.“Nooneknowsaboutanyofthat—whatIusedtodotoescape
everything.”Mythroatfeltthick.“ExceptforKieran.Heknows.Hehadno
choicewiththebond.”Andherecametherealfucked-upthingtoacknowledge.
“WhatIwasdoingtomyselfwasweakeninghim.You’dthinkthatwould’vebeenenough
tosnapmeoutofit,seeingwhatitwasdoingtohim,butitwasn’t.Iwastoo
lostinmyhead,thoughnotlostenoughthatIdidn’tknowhowfuckingselfishitmademe.”
“Youweren’tselfish,Cas.You
wereinpain.”
Araggedbreathwentthroughme
asmyarmsreflexivelytightenedaroundPoppy.
“Please,tellmeyouknowthat
now.”
Openingmyeyes,Ilookeddown
atthehandthatheldoneofPoppy’s,onebelongingtotheonlypersonIwould
trustirrevocablytotouchherthatway—tostaywithherearlierwhileshewas
mostvulnerableasIhastilycleanedthebloodandsweatfrommyself.“Ido.”
“Really?”
Takinganotherbreath,Iturned
myheadtowhereKieransatbesideme,hisshoulderagainstmine.Helookedtoo
damnsolemn.“Iforgetthatsometimes,butIdo.”
“It’sokaytoforget,”hesaid,
hisgazesearchingmine.“Aslongasyourememberlater.”
Awrygrintuggedatmylips.
“Yeah,Iknow.”Iswallowed.“IjustwishedIhadn’tputyouthroughthat.”
“Iwishyouhadn’thadtogo
throughanyofthatshit,”hecountered.“Wecan’tchangeanything,though.”
“No,wecan’t.”
Kieranheldmystare,then
lookeddownatPoppy.“DoessheknowthetruthaboutShea?”
Ishookmyhead.
“Youevergoingtotellher?”he
asked
“Iwill.”
“She’snotgoingtojudgeyou.”He
movedhisthumboverherknucklesashisgazerosetomeetmine.“Ifanyone
understands,Ithinkitwillbeher.”
“Iknow.”Itippedmyheadback
againstthewall.“It’sjust…that’ssomethingsheneedstobeawaketolearn.”
Kieranwasquietforamoment.
“Istillcan’tbelieveyouwerewithherintheRedPearl.”Helaughedquietly.
“Shockedthehelloutofme.”
“Youandmeboth.”
Hegrinned,andalittlebitof
silenceseepedintothechamber.Itwasn’tbadlikebefore.Iwasalittlemore
relaxedwithKieranhere,knowingthateveryonewasdoingeverythingtheycould
togivePoppytime.
Time.
Itmademethinkofhowmyplans
hadbeguntosnapintomotionaftertheRedPearl.
Mymindwenttowhathad
followedthemeetingattheRedPearl.Ithoughtofthegoodmanwho’dhadto
die.Theinnocentswho’dbeenslaughtered.Thebadoneswhoneededtobe
punished.
AndthebraveryofaMaiden.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEEMPTYGARDEN
TheMaidenhad
notgoneintothegardenthepreviousnight,norhadshebeenintheshadowyalcoves
thismorningwhileItrained.Nodoubtherlate-night…adventuresexplainedher
absence.Shedidn’trealizeIknewwhoshewas,butIimaginedshe’ddoherbest
toavoidme.
However,thatwouldsoon
change—hell,itshould’vechangedalready.
ButourplansgotdelayedwhenI
receivedwordfromJerichothatshehadn’tshowninthegardenjustbefore
dusk.
Whathadpreventedherfrom
goingintothegarden?
Hadshebeencaughtuponher
returntothecastle?Ididn’tthinkso.Jansenhadn’tmentioneditwhenIsaw
himearlier.Hewould’veheardiftheMaidenhadgottenherselfintotrouble
andrelayedtheinformationtome.
Itoremyattentionfromthe
ancientwillow.Thedamnthingfascinatedme.AtlantiahadnoneofthosetreesthatIcouldrecall.Stars
blanketedtheskyasIwalkedthecastle’sinnerwall,scanningthegrounds
below.Impatiencemademyskinastightashungerdid.Thegardenwasempty,
anditshouldn’tbe.Theonlysignsoflifewereinthecourtyardnearthe
stables,whereLieutenantSmythcurrentlyberatedagroupofguardsforsomethingasirrelevantasunpolishedboots.AsiftheCravenoranyother
enemywouldnoticesomeone’sfootwear.
Myattentionflickedtothe
whitemantledrapedaroundCommanderJansen’sshoulders.HestoodwithafewRoyal
Guardsoutsideoneofthehalls.Thedoorswereopen,thebrightlightshining
out.Fromthewall,Icouldseegroupsofservantshuddledtogether.That
wasn’tsomethingIsawoften.TheTeermanswere
notoriouslydemandingwhenitcametotheirservants.Ifonewasn’tactively
busy,theyknewtoappearasiftheywere.Nonesimplystoodaround.
Somethinghadoccurred.
Atall,dark-hairedfigure
strodeoutfromthehall,dressedinallblack.My
eyesnarrowedasIgavethemale’spale,handsomefeaturesaonce-over.I
didn’tknowmuchaboutthisLord,butIknewhisname.
LordMazeen
Andhewasn’talone.
Theequallydark-hairedDuchess
JacindaTeermanwalkedbesidehim,dressedinsome
frockofcyanblue.TheAscendedwasbeautiful,noonecoulddenythat,andwhen
shesmiled,shealmostlookedmortal.Alive.Compassionate.Shewasbetterat
fakingthanmost.NearlyasgoodastheirBloodQueen,buthereyeswereas
coldandsoullessastherest.ThreeRoyalGuardsfollowedthem.
Icamedowntheinnersteps,keeping
totheshadowsofthewallastheDuchessandLordMazeen
reachedthegroupnearthedoor.Jansenandtheothersbowed,theformer’smovementsstiff.Ismirked,slippingbehindawidepillaronthe
main-levelbreezeway.Ididn’thavetogettooclosetohearthem.
“We’vesearchedtheentire
grounds,YourGrace.AsHisGracerequested,”CommanderJansensaidasIleaned
againstthecoolstone.“WehavefoundnosignsofaDescenter
oranintruderofanytype.”
TheywerelookingforaDescenter?IknewJerichohadn’tbeenspotted.Hewould’ve
alertedmeifthatwerethecase.
“Someonemusthavebeenhere,”
theDuchesssaidastheLordhungback,hervoicedeceptivelysoft.“Thatneck
didn’tbreakitself.”
Behindher,theLordletouta
lowlaugh
“Iwouldthinknot,”Jansen
replied,histoneallpolitenessandprofessionalism.“Butnoonesawanything.
We’llquestionthoseassignedtothemainflooroncemore,butIdoubttheir
answerswillchange.”
“Descenters
areascleverastheyareviolent,CommanderJansen.Youknowthis.”Shelooked
upattheCommander,herhandsclaspedprimlyatherstomach.“Wecouldhave
themworkingamongusrightnow,asourguardsorinourhome.”
Theymostcertainlycould.They
did.ThoughIhadnoideawhotheyspokeof,norwhyaDescenter
wouldattackwhoIassumedwasamortal.ContrarytowhattheAscendedclaimed
orlikedtobelieve,thoughIwasn’tawareofalltheirplotsandploys,they
didn’toftenattackothers,eventhoseclosetotheAscended.
“Andifanyare,wewill
discoverthem,”theCommanderassuredher,sogenuinelyIalmostbelievedhim.
“ButI’mnotsureifaDescenterisresponsiblefor
thisattack.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”theDuchess
said,herbrowsknittingasLieutenantSmythcrossedtheyardtojointhem.
“Didyou…?”CommanderJansen
clearedhisthroat,appearingunwillingtoaskwhatheneededto.Whata
consummateactor,hewas.“Didyouseethebody,Your
Grace?Orhearofhercondition?”
“Isawherbodybriefly.”She
tiltedherhead,sendingcurlyravenhairspillingoveroneshoulder.“Long
enoughtoknowsheisnolongerofthisrealm.”
“Therewerepuncturewoundson
herthroat,”Jansenshared.“Deepones.”
Everymuscleinmybodywent
rigidastheDuchessfeignedshock—andshewasdefinitely
fakingthatgaspiftherewerefuckingbitemarksonthewoman’sthroat.
Thebrokennecknowmadesense.Thewoman’sbloodhadprobablybeendrained,
andherneckthenbrokentoensureshediedbeforesheturnedCravenwithinthe
castlewalls
“I’msorrytobetheoneto
sharethisnewswithyou,”Jansensaid,knowingdamn
welltherewasnowayshe’dmissedthat,nomatterhowbrieflyshe’dseenthe
body.“ADescenterwouldhavenoreasontodraina
mortalofblood.”
“No,theystringbodiesfromtrees,”
LordMazeenspoke.“Likeone
ofthemdidtoLordPrestonatsomepointlastnight.”
Mylipscurved
upinasmile.So,hewasfoundbeforethesungothim.Thatgaveme
savagesatisfaction.
“Butthatdoesn’tmeanthey
can’tmakeitseemlikesomeoneelseisculpable,”LieutenantSmythsuggested,
provingexactlywhatafuckingimbecilethemanwas.
“Unlesssomeonewasrunningaround
withanicepickoranothersmall,sharpobject,Ifindthatunlikely,”Jansen
replieddryly.
LieutenantSmythhuffed.“I’m
justsayingit’snotimpossible.”
TheDuchessstaredatJansenfor
longenoughthatwarinessbrewedinmychest,butherexpressionsmoothedout.
“No,it’snot,butitisunlikely.Thatleavesuswithonlyoneothersuspect.”
Them?
“AnAtlantian,”
Smythsurmised—incorrectyetagain.
Becauseoutsideofmy
ass,nootherfull-bloodedAtlantianswereroaming
anywhereevenclosetothecastle.Besidesthat,wecoulddrinkfrommortals,
andsometimesithappenedduringheated,passionatemoments,butmortalblood
providednosustenance.Itwasn’tsomethingwesought
out.
“TheDarkOne,”theDuchess
whispered.
Oh,comethefuck
on.
Jansen’sexpressionwasdevoid
ofemotionashesaid,“Wewillcheckthegroundsoncemore,YourGrace.”He
turnedtoSmyth.“AlerttheRiseandCityGuardstobeonthelookoutforany
signsorevidenceoftheDarkOnehavingarrivedinMasadonia.”
LieutenantSmythnodded,then
bowedtotheDuchessandLordbeforehurryingofftodojustthat.Theman
walkedasfastashisknobbylegswouldcarryhim,alltooeagertodotheAscended’sbidding.
Alltoohappytoignorethe
obviousandspreadfalsitiesthatwouldinevitablyleadtoinnocentpeoplebeing
accusedofcrimestheyhadtakennopartinnorhadanyknowledgeof.Because
heknewexactlywhattheAscendedwere.Theydidn’thidetheirtruenatures
fromtheuppercrustoftheRoyalGuard.I’dlearnedthatfrommytimein
captivityinthecapital.
Afterall,thosewithinthe
RoyalGuardusuallydisposedofthebodieswhentheAscendeddrainedthem,leaving
themtoturnCravenoutsidethecitywalls.
Butthiswashowtheyoperated,
blamingtheircrimesonDescenters,theDarkOne,and
Atlantians.Theygavethepeoplesomethingtofearso
theydidn’tlooktoocloselyatthem.IeyedSmythasheclimbedthe
Rise.MortalswhoaidedintheAscended’sdeception
wereauniquebreedofevilfuckery.
“Wemustmakesuresomething
likethisdoesn’thappenagain,”theDuchesssaidtoJansen,puttingonanact
fortheotherguardswhoflankedtheCommander.Oneswhowereunawareofthe
truth.Hopefully,shewouldhavethissameconversationwiththeotherAscended
sinceoneofthemhadendedthewoman’slife.“Itmustbesafefortheupcoming
Rite.Butmostimportantly,itmustbesafefortheMaiden.”
TheMaiden.
Istiffened.
“Ofcourse.Sheisfartoo
important,”Jansenanswered,thistimespeakinghonestly.“Hersafetyisalways
paramount.”
Exceptthatnoneofthem,not
evenJansen,realizedhowcloseshe’dcometoharmlastnight.
Theypartedwaysthen,Jansenturning
hisheadslightlyinmydirection.Heeithersensedmypresenceorsawme.
Therewasjustaslightupwardturnofhislipsbeforehedisappearedinside
CastleTeerman
DuchessTeerman
andLordMazeenwentintheoppositedirection,heading
towardthegatesleadingtoRadiantRow.Neithertheynortheirguardswere
awareofmeastheynearedthespotwhereIremainedhiddenintheshadows.
Istiffenedagain.
MygazefixedontheLordand
narrowedashepassed.MostAscendedhadthesamescent,butLordMazeensmelleddifferenttonight.Beneaththatstale-sweet
scenttheyusuallyhadwasahintofjasmine,iron,and…somethingelse.It
wasn’ttheflowerysmellorthefainttraceofbloodthatIpickedupfromhim
thatcausedmyhandtotightenaroundthehiltofmybroadsword,andit
should’ve,consideringwhatthey’djustbeendiscussing.Itwasthesweeter,
slightlyearthyscentthatcausedmynostrilstoflareandalowgrowlto
rumblefrommychest.Hecarriedherscentonhim.
TheMaiden’s.
Soft,quickfootstepscamefrom
myleftasIwatchedtheLorddisappearintothenight.
“Hawke?”cameasoftvoice.“Is
thatyou?”
DraggingmyfocusfromwhereI
lastsawtheLord,IturnedtoseeBrittainchingherwayalongthewall.
“IthoughtIwaswellhidden,”I
answered.
“Itisyou,”shesaid,herarms
foldedtightlyoverherchest.“Isawyoufromupthere.”Shetippedher
roundedchintooneofthewindowsonthesecondfloor.“IthoughtI’dsayhi.”
Tampingdownmyirritation,I
smiledasherscentreachedme.Itwastart.Lemony.Mygazedriftedoverher
willowyframeasshedrewnear.HowIhadn’timmediatelyrecognizeditwasn’t
herlastnightwasbeyondme.Itwaslikelyduetomyneedingtofeed.Our
sensesweakenedwhenwewenttoolong,butdamn.Britta
wasabeauty,butshewasn’tanythingliketheMaiden
“Somethinghappentonight?”I
asked,usingtheinterruptiontomybenefit.
Severalflaxencurlsbounced
frombelowtheedgesofhercapasshenodded.“Therewasadeath.”Onehandwent
toherslenderthroat.“A…amurder.”
“That’swhatIheard.”Iglanced
atthegates.TheLordandDuchesswerelonggone.“Wasitaservant?”
“No.ItwasMalessa
Axton.”Brittaloweredhervoiceandsteppedincloseenoughthatwe
nearlysharedthesamebreaths.Consideringhowquietlyshespoke,thelatter
hadlittletodowithwhatshesaid.“Sheisthewidowofoneofthemerchants
andfairlyclosetoLadyIsherwood.”
“WassheherewiththeLady?”
Brittashookherheadasshe
leanedin,herchestbrushingmyarm.“AsfarasIknow,LadyIsherwoodisn’t
heretonight.”Herheadtiltedbackasshelookedupatmewithcornflower-blue
eyes.“Mrs.Axtonwasalone…”
Thewayshetrailedofftoldme
sheknewmorethanwhatshewassaying.But,thenagain,Brittaalwaysknewa
lotabouteverything.
ExceptfortheMaiden.
WhenIaskedBrittaabouther,
shehadverylittleinformationtoshare.Thatwasnodifferentthananyother
person,buthowdidtheMaidengetherhandsonBritta’scloak?
Iangledmybodytowardher,
notinghowherbreathcaughtasmyarmdraggedacrossherchest.Idippedmy
chin,watchingherlashessweepdown.“IheardaDescenter
wasatfault.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat.”The
handatherthroatlowered.Herfingerscurledaroundthecollarofthemaroon
uniformtheservantswore.
“Becauseshewasn’talone?”I
pressed
“No.”Reachingoutwithher
otherhand,shefixedthestrapofmybaldricthatdidn’tneedfixingasshe
drewherlowerlipbetweenherteeth.Herlasheslifted.Littleflirt.“Iheard
shewasinoneofthesittingroomswithaLord.”Herfingerlingeredonthe
strapthatcrossedmychest.“Thechambershewasfoundin.Herneckwasbroken.”
“Andshewasdrainedofblood?”
Herpertnosescrunched.“I
hadn’theardthat.Onlyaboutherneck.”Swallowing,shedrewherhandback.
“Herbloodwasdrained?”
“That’swhatIheard,butI
couldbemistaken,”Iadded,notwantingtodisturbher.“DoyouknowwhatLord
shewaswith?”
“LordMazeen,”
sheanswered.
Itookabreath.“Idon’tknow
muchabouthim.”ThatwasallIsaid.Ifellquiet,
givinghertheopportunitytoelaborate.
Brittatookit.“Hecanbe…very
friendly,”shesaidtentatively,cautiously.Theservants,evenher,knew
betterthantospeakilloftheAscended.Herthroatworkedonanotherswallow.
“Somewouldsayalittletoofriendly.”
IlikedthathesmelledoftheMaidenevenless.“Isthissomethingyou’vehadpersonal
experiencewith?”
“ItendtomakesureI’mvery
busywhenhe’snear.”
“Clevergirl,”Iremarked,and
shegavemeagrin.“Isheatthecastleoften?”
Shelifteda
shoulder.“Notanymorethantheothers,butheisusuallywiththeDuke.Theyaregoodfriends.”
DukeDorianTeerman
ThatAscendedwaspartghost.I
rarelysawhim.
Icouldn’toutrightaskBritta
ifLordMazeenwasoftentoofriendlywiththe
Maiden.“Anddoesheshowthesame…attentiontoothersinthecastle?The
Duchess?LadiesorLordsinWait…?”
“Idon’tknow,butheseemsto
havelittleawarenessofpersonalspacewithwhomeverhecomesintocontact
with,”shesaid,hersmilestrainedasshegaveavisibleshakeofherhead.
Prettyblueeyesmetmineoncemore.“WillyoubevisitingtheRedPearlsoon?”
Mysmilewasalittlemore
genuine.“Perhaps.”
“Good.”Shesteppedback,
glancingoverhershoulder.“I’llkeepaneyeoutforyou.Goodevening.”
“Goodevening,”Imurmured,
watchinghermakeherwaybackintothecastlebeforereturningmygazetothegate,
havingnointentionofreturningtotheRedPearlanytimesoon.
OrkeepinganeyeoutforBritta.
Whichmadelittlesense.Brittawasagoodtime,andsometimes,liketonight,herchattiness
cameinhandy.Buttheideaofthatkindofagoodtimeleftme…disinterested.
Mygazeflickedtothegarden
wall,wheretheMaidenshould’vebeentonight.Now,Iknewwhyshewasabsent.
ButIdidn’tknowwhytheLord,
whowaslikelyresponsibleforwhathadhappenedwiththisAxtonwoman,smelled
oftheMaiden.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEITISDONE
“Itisdone.”
Istoppedatthetopofthe
Rise,facingthemoonlight-drenched-crimsonleavesoftheBloodForest.I
didn’tnecessarilyfeelsatisfactionorreliefuponlearningofanotherdeath,
onethathadhappeneduponmyorders.Ionlyfeltdetermination.
“Whichone?”Iasked.
“Keal.”
Jansen’stoneandthewayhechewed
uptheguard’snameandthenspititoutcausedthebackofmynecktotighten.
“Whathappened?”
Thechangelingexhaledharshly.
“Didtheplanschange?”
MybrowssnappedtogetherasI
lookedovermyshoulder.“Whatdoyoumean?”
TheCommanderstoodafewfeet
behindme,buthestaredoutoverthecity.“AsfarasIrecall,theplanswere
toopenapositionamongtheMaiden’spersonalguards.Nottoattempttotake
theMaiden.Therewastobenocontactwithher.”
Sonofabitch
Istretchedmynecktotheleft
andthentheright.“Thatwouldbecorrect.”
Therewasapauseasheangled
hisbodycloser,awareoftheothersontheRise.“Hetriedtotakeher.”
Angerheatedmybloodsofast
thatittookamomentformetofullyrealizewhathe’dsaid.Jerichohadtried
totakeher.“Hefailed?”
“Shefoughtback.”
Myheadsnappedtohisasicy
shockdousedsomeoftheanger.“Explain.”
“Shecuthim.Gothimgoodin
thesidebasedontheamountofbloodheleftbehind.Theonlyreasonshe
remainssafelyinthecastleisbecauseshefoughtback.Ifshehadn’t,the
guardswouldn’thavearrivedintimetostophimfromtakingher.”Hisgaze
brieflymetmine.“Orcausinghermoreharm.”
Iwentcompletelystill.
Everythinginme.“Heharmedher?”
“Hestruckher.”Jansenlooked
away,andIstoppedseeinghimatthatpoint.“Would’velikelydoneitagainif
Kieranhadn’tsignaledtohim.”
Darknessdescendedasafloodof
icyragerosewithinme.Jericho,thatmotherfucker,
literallyhadonejob:Takeoutoneofherguardsanddosowithoutbeingseen.
HewasnottointeractwiththeMaiden.Hehadbeenwarnednottotouchher.
Nottoharmher.
“Coverforme.”Ipivotedand
startedwalking.“ThereissomethingImustattendto.”
Jansenwasonmyheels,keeping
hisvoicelow.“Hawke—”
Istoppedlongenoughtomeet
hisstare.
Whateverhesawcausedhimtodrawupshort.Hegavemeacurtnod.“I’llcoverforyou.”
Sayingnothingmore,Ileftthe
Rise,comingdownbyoneofthegatehouses.Afewguardslingerednear,but
nonelookedatmeasIgrabbedoneofthecloakslefthanging.Donningit,I
didn’tcarewhoorhowmanyhadwornitlast.Iliftedthehoodandquickly
blendedintothedarknessofthosewholivedintheshadowsoftheRise.
KnowingexactlywhereJericho
wouldbe,Iwastednotimecrossingthesmoke-and-sewage-riddledstreetsofthe
LowerWard,myrageincreasingwitheachstepasInearedtheThreeJackals,a
gamblingdenknownforitsbloodsportsandviolentclientele.
Iwasabouttobecomethemost
violentpatronthey’deverseen.
Ashadowpeeledawayfromthe
walls,driftingquietlypastanunconsciousmanonthesidewalk.Kieran
approachedmeinthedimlightofthelanternsthatframedthewindowless
entry,dressedinthedullbrowntrousersandwornjacketofacommoner,acap
pulledlowtohidehisfeatures.“Iknowyouwanttodosomethingirresponsible
andreckless,butyoucan’tkillhim,”hesaid.Therewasnogreeting.Noneed
toaskquestions.HeknewwhyIwashere.
“I’mnotgoingtokillhim,”Ireplied.
“I’monlygoingtomurderhim.”
Kieransidestepped,blockingme.
“That’sthesamething.”
“No,it’snot.Killingsomeone
impliesitcould’vebeenanaccident.WhatI’mabouttodowillbecompletely
intentional.”
“Igetyouranger.Ido—”
“Idon’tthinkyoudo.”Istarted
tobrushpasthim,butKieranplantedahandonmyshoulder,stoppingme.I
lookeddownathishandandthenliftedmygazetohis.“Ireally
don’tthinkyoudo.”
“Hedidn’tlisten,andhe
steppedwayoutofline.I’mpissed,too.”Hispale
blueeyesbrightenedbeneaththebrimofhiscap.“Butyoucannotmurder,kill,
orunalivehim.”
Arumbleofwarningrosefrommy
chest.“IcandowhateverIplease,”Igrowled,steppingintoKieranandforcinghisarmtobend.“Iamhisfucking
Prince,andhedisobeyedme.”
“Oh,sonowyouclaim
ownershipofthattitle?”Kierancountered,hisvoice
aslowasmine.“Bearalltheresponsibilitiesofsuch?Good.Aboutdamntime.YourparentsandAtlantia
willrejoice.Alastirwilllikelycomeinhispants
fromhappiness,andblah,blah,what-the-fuck-ever,butyouaren’tjustgoing
togointhereashisPrince.YouwillbegoinginthereasthePrinceofAtlantia—thePrincewhogovernsus
all.”
Iknockedhisarmaside.“I
can’tbelieveyou’reoutheredefendinghim.”
“Youknowdamn
wellIcan’tstandthejackass,butit’snotaboutme.It’snotaboutyou,”he
shotback.
“Theneducatemeonwhatthisis
aboutbecause,rightnow,theworldismyfuckingplayground.”
“Hewasactinguponyour
orders—and,yes,hewasn’tsupposedtoattempttotakeher.”Havingnoconcern
forhiswell-being,heclaspedmyshoulderagain.“Butdoyouthinkanyonewill
seetheharminhimattemptingtospeedthisshitup?
Evenifitwasafoolishattempt?”
“That’snottheonlyreason,”I
spat.“Youwerethere.”
“Iwas.”Hisgriponmyshoulder
firmed.“Isawwhathedid.Isawwhatshedid.Shecuthim,deeplyenoughthat
ifheweremortal,hewouldbedead.”
Myheadtilted.“DoyouthinkIgiveafuckabouthimbeingcut?Itoldhimshewastoremain
unharmed.”
“Iknow,andIknockedhimon
hisassforitalready.Buthowdoyouthinkanyofthosewithhim,thosewho
traveledintoSoliswithyouandareriskingtheirlivesforyou,willhandle
seeinghimdieattheirPrince’shands?”
“Theyareriskingtheirlives
formybrother,”Iseethed.
“Isthereadifference?”
Therewasinmymind.
Kieranleanedinuntilthebrim
ofhiscapbrushedthehoodofmycloak.“Nooneintherewillcarethathestruck
theMaiden.Rightorwrong,theydon’tseeherasaperson.Whentheylookat
her,alltheyseeisasymboloftheAscended,ofthosewhohavekilledmanyof
theirkinanddrovetheirpeopletonearextinction.Thatdoesn’tmeantheyall
agreewithwhathedid,butyouneedtothinkaboutwhatitwilldoifyouwalk
inthereandkillhim—awolvenwhodescendsfromone
oftheeldestfamilies.”
Iinhaledsharply,someofwhat
hewassayingbreakingthroughthefogofanger
“Iknowwhat’sgotyousofired
up.It’snotbecausehetriedtograbher,”Kieranrepeated,squeezingmy
shoulder.“Iknow.”
ThenextbreathItookwastoo
shallow.Theideaofharmingawomandisgustedme;however,itwassometimesan
unfortunatenecessity,evenwhenitcametotheAscended.Still,Kieranknew
mostofwhattheBloodCrownhadmademedowhentheyheldme.He’dgottena
lotofitoutofmewhenIwasononeofmybenders.HeknewthelivesI’dbeen
forcedtotake,thoseI’dhadtoendslowlyandpainfully.Mystomachchurned.
Itookastepback,exhaling
roughly.Kieranwasright.Noneoftheotherswouldexpectmetobeangry
enoughtoslaughtertheidiotwolvenforattempting
totaketheMaiden.Andhewasalsorightabouthowtheysawher
JustasIdid.
AsymbolfortheAscended,a
reminderofthebloodshedandlosswe’dalldealtwithandwerestill
experiencing.MytimewithherattheRedPearldidn’tchangethat.Neitherdid
theMaidenwantingtoexperiencepleasure.Notadamnthinghadchanged.
“Youlevel?”Kieranasked.
Inodded.“Thankyou.”
“Ididn’tdoanythingyoushould
thankmefor,”hesaid.
“Nottrue.”Imethisstare.
“Youdideverything.Likealways.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEHEEARNEDIT
Angersomewhatin
check,Icutthroughthosecrowdingtheringwheretwomendukeditouttoa
bloodyandbrokenfinish,andheadedforoneofthebackrooms.Noneofthe
workinggirlsmadeanygrabsforus,nordidanyoneattempttostopus.It
could’vebeenthewayIwalkedorthelookonKieran’sface.Whateveritwas,
everyonegaveusawideberth.
Enteringanarrowhall,we
passedmendrunkenlyreceivingpleasuretheylikelywouldn’tremember,rooms
withgambling,andchamberswherevariousweaponsweresoldtothoseforbidden
tocarry.Menandwomenweregivenlifeanddeathinthesebackspaces.
Ireachedacloseddooratthe
endofthecorridor,slammingmyhandonthecenter.
Itswungopen,bangingoffthewall.
Severalmenimmediatelyjumped
fromtheirchairs.Iquicklyscannedthem.Thetwowolven
who’dtraveledwithJericho,oneofthemthebrown-hairedRolf.TwoDescenters:ahalf-Atlantian,and
ablond-hairedmortal.MygazesettledonJerichoasKieranclosedthedoor
behindus.
Jerichostood,barefromthe
waistup.Heheldacrimson-stainedclothtohisside.Ahalf-emptybottleof
whiskeyandseveralglassessatonthetable.
JerichopaledasIstalked
forward.“Cas—”
Igrabbedhisarm,pullingit
fromhissideasImentallyrepeatedwhatKieranhadtoldmeoutsidetheThree
Jackals.Don’tkillhim.Don’tmurderhim.Don’tunalive
him.Igavetheraggedwoundabriefonce-over.Mylipstwistedintoa
satisfiedsmile.Shehadgottenhimgood,rightupundertherib,too.
Likelyhitanorgan.Thewoundwasalreadyhealing,though,barelyseeping
bloodatthispoint.
“You’lllive,”Ibitout,
loweringthehoodofmycloak.Theblondmortalswallowednervouslyashegota
lookatmyface.Levwashisname,Ibelieved.
Thereseemedtobeacollective
releaseofbreathfromthosearoundthecandlelitchamber.
“Iwill.”Jerichotossedthe
bloodiedragontothetable.Hisscruffychinlifted.“Wasn’texpectingherto
haveabladeonher.Abloodstonedaggerwithwolven
bone,atthat.”
“Iwasn’texpectingyouto
attempttotakeher,”Isaid,choosingmywordscarefully.
“Iknow,”headmitted,atleast
notattemptingtolie.“Therewerenootherguardscloseby.Isawan
opportunityandactedonit.”
Myhandcurledintoafist,and
Iforceditopen.“Ididn’taskyoutolookforopportunities.”
Jerichonodded,draggingthe
backofhishandoverhismouth.“Ifuckedup.”
“Youdid.”AwareofKieran
movingclosertomyright,Ireachedforthebottleofwhiskey.“And…you
didn’t.YoudidwhatIasked.”Ijerkedmychinatthechair.“Sit.”
Jerichowaslisteningtomenow,
sittinghisassrightdown.
“Youopenedthespotforme.”I
pouredashot’sworthofwhiskeyintoaglass.“Andforthat,Iamgrateful.”
Thewolven
eyedmefrombehindthelengthsofhisshaggyhair.
Kieraninchedevencloser.
“Yousureaboutthat?”Jericho
asked,restingbothofhisforearmsonthetable.
“Iam.Now,Iwillbeableto
proceedcorrectlyandsafelywithourplan.”Isettheglassinfrontofhim.
“Drink.You’veearnedit.”
Reliefseepedintohisfeatures,
easingthetensioninthesetofhisjaw.“Thankyou,”hesaid,reachingforthe
glass.
“Onething.”Ismiled,andhe
halted.“You’reright-handed,correct?”
“Yeah.”Warinessskittered
acrossJericho’sfeatures.“Why?”
“Justcurious,”Itoldhim,
nudgingtheglassclosertohim.“Drink.”
Iwatchedhimreachforthe
glass.KieranrealizedwhatIwasaboutasecondbeforeImoved.Hecursed
underhisbreath,butIwasfaster.Reachinginsidethecloak,Iunsheathedone
oftheshortswords.Jerichohadn’tevenpickeduptheglass—hedidn’tseeit
coming.Allhefeltwastheclean,quicksliceofmybladeasI
broughtitdownonhisleftwrist,severinghishand.Bloodspurted,spraying
acrossthetable.
“Holyfuck,”someonegasped.
Jerichojerkedbacksoquickly
heknockedoverhischairashestaredatwherehishandhadoncebeen.
“Thenexttime,doasIorder,
notasyouseefit.WeneedtheMaidenunscathedwhenItakeher.
Disobeymeagain,anditwillbeyourhead.”Ilookedaroundtheroom,meeting
stares.“Thatgoesforeveryone.”
Therewerequicknodsof
agreement.
Jerichobegantoscream.
Steppingback,Icleanedthe
bladeofmyswordonmycloakasJerichodoubledover,pressinghisarmtohis
chestashishowlsbecamepitifulwhimpers.Isheathedthesword,thenreached
fortheclothJerichohadbeenusing.“You’regoingtoneedthis.”Itossedit
athim,thenturnedandlefttheroom.
Kieranfollowed,steppingout
intothehall.Ilookedoverathim.He’dstopped,hisarmscrossedoverhis
chest.“What?”Iquestioned.“Ididn’tkillhim,andIpouredhima
drink.”
Kieran’slipstwitched.
“Iwantedtodomuchworse,”I
remindedhim.
Hesighed.“Iknow.”
“Iwanthimgonefromthecity,”
Isaid.“SendhimtoNewHaven.”
“Willdo.”Fallingquietuntil
wereachedtheoutside,Kieranthenasked,“Howinthehelldidshegether
handsonabloodstonedaggercraftedwithwolven
bone?”
“DamnifIknow.”Istoppednear
wherethemanhadbeenpassedoutuponourentry,buthewasnowgone.A
heartbeatpassed.“ShehaditwithhertheothernightattheRedPearl.”
“Really?”Hedrewouttheword.
Inodded.“Shockedthepissoutofme.Shesaidsheknewhowtouseit.”Itilted
myhead.“Guessshedoestosomeextent.”
Kieranshookhisheadashe
turnedhisstaretothemoon.“AMaidenwithawolven-bone
daggerand,attheveryleast,nofearwhenitcomestousingit?”Onesideof
hislipstippedup.“WhydoIhaveafeelingwemayhaveunderestimatedher?”
Iletoutashort,lowlaugh.
“BecauseIthinkwedid.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEAGOODMAN
Theritesof
deathinSolisweren’tallthatdifferentfromthoseheldinmyhome.Performed
eitheratduskordawn,thebodieswerecarefullywrappedandthensetonfire
asitwasrecognizedinbothkingdomsthatwhatremainedupondeathwasnothing
morethanashell.ThesoulhadalreadymovedontotheValeortheAbyss,
dependingonwhatkindoflifeonelived.
TheAscendedhadn’tcompletely
butcheredthat,atleast.
Themaindifferenceswerethat
thosewhostoodinattendanceasthesunbeganitsclimbabovetheUndying
Hills,itsbrightglarereflectingofftheblackstoneoftheTemplewallscelebrating
Rhahar,theEternalGod;andIone,theGoddessof
Rebirth,believedRhaharwaswaitingforRylanKeal’s
soul.Rhahar,likeIoneandalltheothergods,even
theKingofGodsandhisConsort,slept.Ihadnoideahowsoulswereushered,
butonewouldthinktheyhadsomeprocessinplacebeforetheywenttosleep.
Theseconddifferencewasthat
noonerepresentingtheCrownwasinattendance.Athome,theKingandQueen,
alongwiththeCouncilofElderswhoaidedinrulingAtlantia,attendedthe
lastritesofalltheguardswhoservedthem.Inothercities,theLordsand
Ladiestendedtothefunerals,payingtherespectdue
toalifeeitherservedorendedinserviceofthekingdom.Here,noonefrom
theCrownattended.NottheDuchess,theDuke,northenumerousmembersof
Court.Granted,noneofthemcouldstepfootinsunlightwithoutgoingupin
flames.Ofcourse,theyhadanexcuseforthat,claimingtheycouldn’twalkin
thesunbecausethegodscouldn’t.
Whichhadtobethemost
uncreativeexcuseever.
Theycould’veheldthefunerals
atdusk.Or,attheveryleast,sentLordsandLadiesinWait,thosewhohadn’t
yetAscended.
However,theyhadn’t.
Theydidn’tcareenough.
Irubbedahandonthebackof
myneckasIstoodamongtheotherguards,fullyawareofthehypocrisyofmy
irritationregardingtheBloodCrown’slackofrespectwhenIwasattendingthe
lastritesofamanwhosedeathI’dordered.
Onewhowassaidtobegood.
Whodidn’tdeservetodie.
Whosebloodwouldforeverstain
myhands
Ahushedmurmursweptthrough
thelineofguardsbeforeme,drawingmefrommythoughts.Afewturned,
lookingovertheirshoulders.Browsfurrowing,I
followedtheirstares.
Mylipspartedasshockrippled
throughme.Iblinked,thinkingIwashallucinating,likelyduetothesingle
hourofsleepI’dgotten,courtesyofoldmemoriesdecidingtopayavisit.It
wastheonlylogicalexplanationforwhatIsaw.Orwho.
TheMaiden
ShewalkedbesideVikterinher
whiterobesandveil,thegoldenchainsholdingthelatterinplacegleamingin
therisingsun.
Istared,asdumbfoundedasthe
othersclearlywere.Nooneexpectedhertoattend.Isureashellhadn’t.It
didn’tmatterthatRylanKealhadbeenherguard.TheMaidenwasneverseenin
publiclikethis,notwithouttheDukeorDuchess.IwatchedherandVikter
cometoastopnearthebackofthecrowd.Hestaredstraightahead.Shestood
withherchinbowedslightly,handsclasped.
Iquicklylookedawayasthemurmurings
quieted.AnoddfeelinghitmeasIstoodtherewhileKeal’slinen-wrappedbody
wascarriedforthandliftedontothepyre.Itwas…achurninginmygutand
chest.Herpresenceunsettledme.
Therespectsheshowedthe
fallenguard.
Iglancedoverather,myheart
thumping.ShestoodsostillIwould’vethoughther
oneofthestatuesliningthegardensshelikedtovisitatdusk.Idoubtedshe
couldseemuchofthepyrefromherposition,asnearlyallthosewhostood
beforeherweretaller.AstheMaiden,shecould’ve
walkedrighttothefrontandstoodamongtheRoyalGuards.Thatwaswhere
Viktershouldbe,butheremainedaffixedtoherside.Shecouldsitatthe
feetofthatdamnpyreifshewantedto,butIthought
herquietarrivalrightbeforethebeginningoftheservicesaidshedidn’twant
todrawtoomuchattention.
Thatsheknewthiswasn’tabout
herpresenceanddidn’twantittoturnintothat.
Unlikeme,whereIhadmadelast
nightaboutmyanger.
Well,ifIwerebeingfairto
myself,myangerhadbeenmoreaboutherbeingstruck
thanithadbeenaboutJerichodisobeyingmyorders.MygazenarrowedonwhatIcouldseeofherface,justthelowerhalf.Anger
flaredbacktolifeasmyeyesnarrowedmore.Theskinatthecornerofherlip
wasredandafaintblue.
Ishould’vecutoffhisfuckinghead,butthatwould’vebeenirresponsibleand
reckless,atleastaccordingtoKieran.
Iwatchedherasoneofthe
white-robedPriestsbeganspeakingmonotonously,goingthroughtheritesasif
hewerehalf-asleep.Heflungsaltandoilontothepyre,theairfillingwith
asweetscent.
Thenshemoved.
Notalot.Aslightjerkasshe
glancedatVikterandthenbacktoKeal’sbody.Herhandsunclaspedandthencameback
together.
Atthepyre,mygazeskipped
fromLieutenantSmythtowhereJansenwaited,thebreezestirringhiswhitemantle
asheheldatorch.Hewaslookingat…
Vikter
Shit
Thetraditionamongtheguards
dictatedthattheonewhoworkedclosestwiththe
deceasedshouldbegiventhehonoroflightingthepyre,butasVikterstartedtotakeastepforward,hestoppedand
returnedhisattentiontotheMaiden.Iunderstoodwhatshehadalsorealized.
Vikter
wouldn’tleaveherunprotected.
TheMaiden’shandstwistedasshe
shiftedfromonefoottotheother,herstancepracticallyvibratingwith
anxietyafterstandingsostill.
IwasmovingbeforeIrealized
whatIwasdoing,silentlycuttinginandoutoftheguards.Thefactthatit
wasforbiddenforguardsotherthanherpersonalonestoapproachherdidn’t
stopme.
Comingupbehindthem,Ikeptmy
voicelowasIsaid,“Ihaveher.”
TheMaidenwentincrediblystill
again,somuchsothatIwonderedifshehadstoppedbreathing.Vikter’sgazeliftedtomine.Forabrief
moment,Ithoughtofwhathe’dsaidtometheothermorningduringtraining.
Thecoldpressofuneasereturned.
“Doyou?”Vikter
asked.
ImovedtostandattheMaiden’s
side,speakingthewordsthatbelongedtoAtlantiaandhadsincebeenstolenbytheAscended.“Withmyswordandwithmylife.”
Herchestrosesuddenlyanddeeply,
confirmingthatshedid,infact,stillbreathe.Thankthegods.
“TheCommandertellsmeyou’re
oneofthebestontheRise.Saidhehasn’tseenyourlevelofskillwithabow
orswordintoomanyyears,”Viktersaid.
Ialreadyknewwhathethoughtof
allofthat.He’dmadeitclearthemorningwetrainedtogether.ButI
answered,nonetheless.Nowwasn’tthetimeformetobeanasshole.
“I’mgoodatwhatIdo.”
“Andwhatisthat?”he
countered.
“Killing,”Iansweredwiththe
truth.I’dalwaysbeengoodatthat,evenbeforemycaptivity.I’djustgottenbettersince.
“Sheisthefutureofthis
kingdom,”Viktersaidafteramoment,andoutofthe
cornerofmyeye,IsawtheMaidentwistingherhandssofiercelyitwouldn’t
havesurprisedmeifshebruisedherself.“Thatiswhoyoustandbeside.”
SomethingabouthowViktersaidthatstruckanerve.Didhesayitbecauseof
whoshewasorwhatshesymbolized?Iwasn’tsurewhyitevenmattered,butinthatmoment,itdidtome.“IknowwhoIstandbeside.”
Vikter
saidnothing.
ThenIspokemyfirstlieof
whatIwassurewouldbemany.“Sheissafewithme.”
ViktergotdoneeyeballingmeandthenturnedtotheMaiden.Iquicklyrealizedthat
hewaswaitingforhertotellhimitwasokay.
Damn
Ihonestlyhadnoideahowshe
wouldhandlethis.Iwouldn’thaveknownevenbeforeherlittleadventureat
theRedPearl,butitcouldgoeitherwaynow.Itdidn’tmatterthatshewas
unawarethatIknewithadbeenher.Sheknewitwasme,andIimaginedthat
wassomewhat…awkwardforher.
TheMaidennodded.
Alittlesurprised,Ibarely
caughtthelookofwarningViktersentmebeforehe
turnedandwenttoJansen.Itwasanotherreminderthatshewasn’therefor
herself.She’dcometoshowRylanKealtherespecthe
deserved.Ifsheprotested,itwould’vedrawnattentionandwould’vepreventedVikterfromhonoringthemanhe’dservedbeside.
Ikeptmyheadfacingforward,
butIstillcaughttheslightturnofhers.Shewaslookingatme.Ihadno
ideawhatshesaw.I’dwonderedmorethanoncehowmuchshecouldseethrough
theveil,butIfeltherstare,asstrangeasthatsounded.
Shewasn’ttheonlyonewhoeyed
me.TheLieutenantdid,too,andhelookedpissed,asifhewereontheverge
ofstalkingthroughtheguardsandsquirminghisbodybetweentheMaiden’sand
mine.Buthecouldgofuckhimself.
AsVikter
tookthetorch,theMaidencontinuedlookingatme.WasshewonderingwhyIhad
steppedforward?OrdidsheworrythatIrecognizedher?Hadshebelievedmewhen
I’dtoldVikterthatshewassafewithme?
Sheshouldn’thave,notwhenthe
onlyreasonshewasstandingherewasbecauseofme.Astonesanktothepitof
mystomach.Itfeltlikeguilt.Thatmuscleinmyjawtickedmore.
TheMaiden’sattentionshiftedaway
frommethen,justasIturnedtolookdownather.Theveilrippledinthe
breeze,givingmejustaglimpseofonenostril.Mygazelowered,fixatingon
thecornerofhermouth.Myhandclosedintoafistatmyside.The
reddish-bluebruisemarringherskinwasn’tsofainttomenow,notwhenI
stoodsoclose.
Ididn’tfeelanounceofguilt
forchoppingoffJericho’shand.Notadamnbit.
Atthepyre,Vikter
loweredthetorch.I’dexpectedtheMaidentolookaway,butshedidn’t.She
breathedindeeply,watched,and…
Rightthenandthere,Istoppedexpecting.
Stoppedassuming.Kieranhadsaidwemight’veunderestimatedthe
Maiden,andI’dagreed,butitdidn’thitmeuntilrightnowthatwetrulyhad.
ItwasclearIhadnoclueaboutwhowasbeneaththatveil.Ionlyhadthescant
knowledgeofherI’dgained,andnowwhatIhadlearned.
TheMaidenwasadeptatsneaking
out.Sheclearlydidn’twanttoremainallthatuntouched.Shecarriedawolven-boneandbloodstonedaggerandhadeithergottenlucky
withitwhenJerichoattackedorknewthebasics.Sheclearlywasn’tlikethe
Ascendedhere,atleastnotwhenitcametoshowingtheguardsthemostbasicrespect.
TheMaidendrewinashaky
breathasfireignitedonthepyre,quicklysweepingoverthelinen-wrapped
body.
Didsheknowwhatitprobably
meanttotheotherguardsthatshewashere?EventheRoyalGuards?Ifnot,she
shouldknow.
“Youdohimagreathonorby
beinghere,”ItoldherasVikterkneltatthepyre.
Herattentioncuttome,andshetiltedherheadback.Theedgeoftheveil
dancedabovehermouth.“Youdousallagreathonorbybeinghere.”
Herlipsparted,and…fuckme,Iheldmybreath,waitingtohearifhervoicewas
assmokyandwarmasIremembereditbeingattheRedPearl.
Butshedidn’tspeak.
Shewasn’tallowed.
Hermouthclosed,oncemore
drawingmyattentiontothemarkmyordershadinadvertentlyleftbehind.“You
werehurt,”Isaid,tampingdownthefurythatwasfartooeasytoignite.“You
canbeassuredthatwillneverhappenagain.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEWHAT
WASNECESSARY
Muffled
conversationsechoedfromtherowsofcloseddoorsasIfollowedKieranthrough
thenarrow,crampedhallofthelow-risebuildingnearthewarehousedistrict.
Thecloyingscentofsandalwoodwasheavyintheair,smotheringthestenchof
toomanypeoplecrammedintoonespot.Itwasthebestthepeopleofthe
tenementhousingcoulddo.
WordhadgottentoJansenthat
somethinghadgonedowninthehousingbuilding—somethingtheyhadn’tseen
before.Andbasedonthetelltalescentofdeaththatnoincensecouldcover,I
knewitwassomethingbad.
Atthebackofthedarkhall,
LevBarronwaited,abrowncappulledlow.ThemortalDescenter
pushedoffthewalluponourapproach.AlthoughKieranandIbothworecloakshiding
ourgarbofguardandpatrol,herecognizedusatonce.
“What’sgoingon?”Kieranasked.
“It’ssomethingyouhaveto
see,”Levanswered,hisgazedartingbetweenus.Themortal,who’dlostone
brothertoafeverandanothertotheRite,reekedofanxiety.“Ican’t…”He
clearedhisthroat.“Ican’tputitintowords.”
Kieranexchangedalookwithme.
Isteppedforward,keepingmyvoicelow.“Showus.”
Nodding,Levdraggedthebackof
hishandoverhischinandthencrossedthehall,reachingforthehandle.The
doorbesidehiminchedopen.“There’snothingtoseehere,Maddie,”Levsaidto
thesmallfigurewhoappearedinthecrackofthedoor.“Gobacktoyour
momma.”
Levwaiteduntilthechild
closedthedoorandthenopenedtheonewestoodinfrontof.Thesmellof
deathaboutknockedmeover.
“Gods,”Kieranmuttered,
loweringahandtothehiltofhisshortsword.
Levsteppedinside,stoppingto
turnonanearbygaslamp.Dullyellowlightflickeredtolife,castingafaint
glowacrossthefrontroom.Abodylayonthefloor,wrappedinwhitelinen.
“Whoisthat?”Iasked,eyeing
thepoolofredthathadcoagulatedonthewoodfloorbeneaththehead.
“WernerArgus,”Levsaid,his
handpressedtohisnostrils.“HeturnedCraven.”
“Washeaguard?”Kieranasked
asafaintsoundcamefromthebackoftheapartment.“AHuntsmen?”
Levshookhishead.“Fromwhat
theneighborssay,hewasasweeper—cleaningthestreets.Bornandraisedhere.
Neverbeenoutofthecity.Notonce.”
“Sohewasfedonandleftto
turnhere?”Kieransurmised,histonethickwith
disgust.“Thevamprysaregettingevensloppier.”
LevsaidnothingasIstepped
overthepoorsoulwho’dspenthisdayscleaningthestreetsofallmannerofshitfortheoneswhoinevitablyslaughteredhim.
Iglancedintothesmallcooking
area.Thecountertopswereclear,thefirelongextinguishedinthehearth.I
checkedthekettle,findingbroththathadcooled.Therewasnomess.The
peoplewho’dlivedheredidtheirbesttokeeptheplacetidy.Thesoundcame
again,drawingmyattentiontothecloseddoorofthebackarea,likelythe
bedchamber.Icouldn’tquiteplacetheodd…gurglingsound.
“Whereisthewife?”Iasked,
knowingdamnwellthatLevwouldn’thavesummoned
anyoneforamortalbeingturnedwithinthecity.Sure,itwasalwayssomewhat
shockingthattheAscendedweresodamnreckless,but
itwasn’tthatuncommon.
“Throughthere.”Levnoddedat
thecloseddoor.“She’sdeadinthere.”Hewipedapalmacrossthelinenshirt
andvesthewore.Hishandshook.“With…withit.”
“It?”Kieranrepeated.
Iapproachedthedoor,noting
thatLevdidn’tmoveanyfarther.AdeadCravenoravictimofonewouldn’t
havecausedthemantolingerbackashewas.Hisreluctancehadtodowith
whateveritwas.
Ipushedopenthedoor,lowering
ahandtothedaggeratmyhip.Thefoulodorofrot
nearlygaggedmeasIscannedtheone-windowedchamberlitbymutedsunlight.
“Shit,”Kierancursedfrom
behindme,pickingupsomethingfromthefloor.Itrattled.“There’sababe
here?”
Isteppedinsidethechamberand
lookedtothesideofthebed.I’dfoundthewife.She
laycurledinafetalpositiononthefloor,herbrownhairmattedtotheside
ofherface.Onearmwasoutstretched,baringdeep
scratches.Herfingerscurledasifshe’ddiedreachingforthe…
Asmallbassinetlayuponthefloor.Inside,alumpywhiteblanket
stainedbyarustybrownsubstancestirred
Andthatsoundcameagain—asoft
gurglingnoisethatgavewaytoalow,keeningwailfrominsidethebassinet.
Thehaironthenapeofmyneckrose.
Iwentstill,staringatthe
fallencrib,unabletomoveforwhatfeltlikeaneternity.Itwasn’tuntilIfelt
KierandrawnearthatIcouldevenspeak.“Please,tellmethatisn’twhatI
thinkitis.”
“I…IwishIcould,”Kieransaid,
soundinghoarse.“ButI’mlikelythinkingthesameasyou.”
Neitherofusbudgedaswhat
appearedtobetwoarmsbeneaththeblanketmoved.Twosmallarms.Tinyones.
“Theyhadababe,”Levsaidfrom
beyondtheopendoor.He’dcomecloseenoughtobeseen.Nottoofar,though.I
couldn’tblamehim.“Alittle…Alittlegirl.Lessthanayearold,according
toMaddie’smomma.”
“There’snoway,”Kierandenied.
“Theywouldn’thave…”
“Iwanttobelievethat.”I
swallowed.“Thatnoteventhevampryscouldbethat
depravedandcruel,butIwouldbelying.”
Iforcedmyselfforward,walking
aroundthemother.Agutturalnoisecamefrombeneaththeblanket,adistorted
cooingsound.Mygods,IthoughtasIreacheddown,takingholdofthe
edgeoftheonceplushblanketwithglovedfingers.Itoreitaside.
“Fuckinggods.”Kieranstaggered
back,hishandfallingfromthehiltofhisshortsword.
Ahalf-swaddledbabestaredup
atmewitheyesthecolorofblood,thesocketslikethedarkestnightsetin
ghastlypalechubbycheeksstreakedindriedblood.Itstrained,liftingthose
smallarmstowardme,almostasifitwantedmetopickitup.Butthosetiny
fingershadsharpfingernails—clawsthathaddugatitsskin.
Thebabe
hissedandwhined,openingitsmouthwide.Therewereonlytwobottom
teeth—incisorsthathadsharpened.Theyappearedfragile,nothingmorethan
grotesquelydisfiguredbabyteeth,buttheywerestrongenoughtotearinto
flesh.Toinfect.
Itiltedmyhead,seeingthemarks
ononeinnerarm,attheinsideoftheelbow.Puncturewounds.Justtwoof
them.ThearmwastoosmallfortheCraventolodge
allfourcaninesintoit.Thathadn’tbeennecessary,though.
“Thebabewasdrainedandleft
toturn,”Istatedflatly,keepingmyselfincheck,lockeddown.“Anditdid.”
“That’swhatIthink,”Levsaid.
“Thebabeinfectedthefatherand…”
Andtherestwashistory.
Thechildsquirmed,thrashingat
theair.Iturnedmyhead,closingmyeyes.I’dseenalotofmessed-upshit.ThingsIthoughtcouldneverbetopped.Butthis?This
wassomethingelseentirely.
Feedingonbabeswasn’tanything
new,assickasitwas.ItwaswhattheydidintheTemplestoallthethird
sonsanddaughters—toLev’sbrother.Butlettingthemturn?Therewerenowords.
None
Iopenedmyeyesatthelow,
softersoundofaCraven’swail.
“Theyhavetobestopped.”Lev
tookoffhishat,thrustingahandthroughhisblondhair.“Theyhavetobe.”
“Theywillbe,”Kieranswore.
“Andtheywillpayforthis.”
Ilookedbackatthebabe,anger
tighteningmygut.DidtheMaidenhaveanyknowledgeofthis?Thatthiskindof
horroroccurredwhileshewassneakingofftotheRedPearlortakingher
lessonswiththePriestess?
Ididn’tknow.
Anditdidn’tmatterasIwithdrew
thebloodstonedaggeranddidwhatIhadto.Whatwasnecessary.
JustlikeIwouldcontinueto
do.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEMEETING
WITHTHEDUKE
“So,thisisthe
HawkeFlynnI’vebeenhearingabout,”DorianTeerman,
theDukeofMasadonia,observedfromwherehesat
uponasetteeofcrimsonvelvet.
“Ihopeyou’veheardonlygood
things,”IrepliedasIeyedthevamprybeforeme.
Withtheheavycurtainsdrawn
overthewindowstoblockoutthefadingafternoonsunandthechamberlitby
onlyafewscatteredoillamps,Teermanlookedabout
asbloodlessasonecouldget.Evenhishair,soblondthatitwasnearly
white,wasdevoidofcolor—oflife.
Ididn’tliketheman.
Itwasn’tjustbecausehewasan
Ascended—anoldonethatmusthavebeencreatedshortlyafterthewar.
Thepredatorinmerecognizedthe
predatorinhim.
AnditwantedatTeerman
Ididn’tshowitasIstoodina
chamberconnectedtotheTeermans’privatequarters,
whichseemedtohavebeenconstructedentirelyofmahogany.Thewalls.Thedesk.
Thecredenzastockedwithdecantersofliquor.There
wereseveralcanesproppedagainstonewall,allbutonemadeofmahogany.The
otherwasadeep,darkredandappearedtohavebeenfashionedfromthewoodof
aBloodForesttree.
“Glowingrecommendationsfromboth
thecapitalandtheCommander,”hesaid,hisobsidiangazebrieflyflickingto
whereJansenstoodbesideme.“Andmydearwife.”
Itiltedmyheadtotheside,
thinkingofthefamilyinthetenements.Thebabe.DidtheDukeevenknowthat
oneofhisvampryswasleavinginfantstoturnCraven?
Ifso,Idoubtedthebastardcared.
“Shelikestolookatyou,”he
added,sippingfromhisglassofwhiskey.HowalcoholaffectedtheAscended
alwaysamusedme.Despitenolongerneedingfoodorwaterfortheirbodiesto
survive,theAscendedhadtoenjoylibationscarefullyastheywerefarmore
susceptibletotheeffectsofliquor.“ThoughIimaginethat’ssomethingyou’re
notentirelysurprisedtohear.”
Iwonderedhowcarefulhewas
beingwiththatwhiskeytoday,especiallyaheadoftheCityCouncilsession
thatwouldbeheldshortly.“Itisnot.”
Teerman
chuckled,thesmoothskinathiseyesnoteven
crinkling.Thesoundwasascoldastheclose-lippedsmileIwassurehe
believedwaswarmandfriendly.Instead,thecurveofhislipsremindedmeofa
pitviper.Ihalf-expectedaforkedtonguetoappear.
“Nofalsemodesty?Refreshing.I
approve.”Heinclinedhischin.“I’moftheopinionthatthosewhodenywhatis
obvioustoallaroundaremostdisingenuous.”
Icouldgivetwofucksabouthisopinions.
“Andthattakesassertiveness
andconfidence,”hecontinued.“TwothingsneededifyouaretojointheRoyal
GuardasoneoftheMaiden’spersonalguards.Butoneneedsmorethanjust
that.”
Idoubtedheknewwhatittook
toprotectanewbornhare,letaloneanactualperson,butthatdidn’tstophim
fromdetailingwhathebelieved.OnethingmostAscendedhadincommon—theyso
enjoyedhearingthemselvesspeak.
“Oneneedsnotonlymasteryofa
weaponandstrengthbutalsotheskilltoforeseeanypossiblethreats.The
latterwassomethingRyanKeal,unfortunately,did
notpossess.”
Wait.Mybrowsknitted.Keal’sfirstnamewasRylan.NotRyan.However,Iwasnoteven
remotelysurprisedtohearthatTeermandidn’tknow
theman’sfirstname.
“Butmoreisneededifoneisto
takeonthedutyofprotectingoneofthemostvaluableassetstothekingdom.
NothingyouhaveaccomplishedorwillisasimportantaswhattheMaidenwill
doforourkingdom.Shewillusherinanewera,”hewenton,andofcourse,he
didn’telaborateonexactlywhatthisnewerawasorhowitwouldbe
accomplished.“AnywhoguardtheMaidenmustbe
willingtoforsaketheirlivesforherswithouthesitation.Theymusthaveno
fearofdeath.”
“Idisagreewiththat,”Isaid.
ThepatheticexcuseofasmilefrozeasJansentensedbesideme.“Withalldue
respect,YourGrace,”Iadded,holdinghisdark,bottomlessstare,“ifonedoes
notfeardeath,thentheydonotfearfailure.Theyrelytooheavilyonbeing
rewardedwithahero’swelcomeuponthatdeath.Ifeardeath,asitmeansI
havefailed.”
Teerman’s
headcockedtotheright.
“Ialsobelievethatthedutyof
guardingtheMaidendoesnotrequireonetosacrificetheirlife,”Isaid.“As
thosewhoguardhershouldbeskilledenoughtodefendtheirlifeaswellas
hers.”
“Interesting,”Teermanmurmured,fallingquietashetookashortdrinkof
hiswhiskey.“Andhowwouldyouhavehandledwhatoccurredinthegardens?”
Theironythatitwouldn’thave
evenhappenedifI’dbeentheredidn’tpassmeby.“Theattempttotakethe
Maidenoccurredwherethenightrosesbloom,correct?”Ialreadyknewthe
answerbutwaitedforhisnod.“Thatisalsowherethejacarandatreeshave
damagedtheinnercurtainwallofCastleTeerman,a
locationinthegardenthatisparticularlydangerous.”
“So,youwouldnotallowherto
viewtheroses,then,”Teermansurmised.
“Restrictingheraccesstowhere
shewouldliketogointhegardenisunnecessary,”Isaid.“Iwouldsimplyposition
hersothatsheremainedoutofsightofanyoneseekingtoexploitthat
weakness.”
“Youwouldthentakethearrow
inplaceofher,asKealdid?”Teerman
smirked.“Didyounotjustsaysacrificewasunnecessary?”
“Positioninghersoshecannot
bestruckfromafardoesnotequatetomebeingfelledbyanarrow,”I
countered.“Therearewaystoviewthoserosesthatrequireneitherofustobe
indanger.”
Teerman’s
stareshiftedtoJansen.
“Heiscorrect,YourGrace,”
Jansenspoke.“Thereareseveralnaturalbarriersthat
would’vemadeanyattackdifficult.Unfortunately,Keal
mayhavegrown…tooateaseguardingtheMaidensincenoattemptshavebeenmade
againsther.”
“Andthatiswhyheisdead,”Teermanstated.“HeforgotthatthethreatoftheDarkOne
hasnotlessenedandpaidthatpriceinblood.”Hisattentionreturnedtome.
“Andyoubelievethat’snotapriceyouwillinevitablypay?”
“Yes,”Iansweredwithoutso
muchasahintofamusement.
Teerman
shifted,restinganankleontheoppositeknee.“WiththeupcomingRite,there
arealreadyheightenedconcernsregardingtheDescenters
andtheDarkOne.AndasshenearsherAscension,therewilllikelybemoreattempts.”
“Theremostdefinitelywillbe,”
Iagreed.“Afterall,ifwhatpeoplebelieveistrue,andtheDarkOnewishes
tostopherAscension,thenwhatoccurredinthegardenisonlythebeginning.”
“Itistrue,”theDukeconfirmed.“Thearrowusedwasengravedwiththeir…”
Hislipcurled.“Withtheirrallycry.Or,moreaccurately,theirdyingwhimper.”
Ismiled.“Frombloodandash?”
“Wewillrise,”theDukefinishedforme,muchtomyamusement.Hewassilentas
hisfingerstappedthecalfofhisboot.“Withtherecentattempttotakethe
Maidenandthegrowing…unresthere,itislikelythatKingJalara
andQueenIleanawillrequesttheMaidenbebroughtbacktothecapital.Which
means,youcouldberequiredtoleaveandmakethejourneytoCarsodoniaatanytime.”
Itwouldbeadamn
blessingifsuchathingoccurred.Beinggrantedpermissiontoleavewiththe
Maidenwasahellofaloteasierthanabscondingwithherthroughthecity.
ButIwouldn’tbetravelingalone.There’dbeateamofguards,whichwould
presentanissue.
“Wouldthatbeaproblem?”theDukeasked.
“Ihavenotieshere,”Ianswered.
“Yousayalltherightthings,
Hawke,”hesaidafteramoment.“AndCommanderJansenbelievesyou’renotonly
qualifiedbutalsoreadyforsuchanenormousduty.However,Iadmittedlyhave
concerns.Youwouldbeconsideredyoungforsuchaposition,andIfindithard
tobelievethatnoneolderarebettersuited.ThoughI
dorecognizethatisnotnecessarilyadetriment.Younger,freshereyescarry
differentexperiences.Butyouarealsohandsome.”
“Thankyou,”Ireplied.
Afaintsmileappeared.“TheMaiden
isnochild.Sheisayoungwomanwithverylittleexperienceandknowledgeof
theworld.”
Ialmostlaughedathow
incorrecthewas.
Hisfingerscontinuedtapping.
“Norhassheinteractedcloselywithamanofherage.”
“Ihavenointerestinseducing
theMaidenifthatiswhatconcernsyou,YourGrace.”
Teerman
laughedwithadismissivewaveofhishand.“I’mnotconcernedaboutthat,”he
said,leavingmetowonderexactlywhyhewassoconfident.“Iammore
concernedwithhergettinginfatuatedandthereforebecomingadistraction.She
doeshavea…habitofnotsettingboundariesbetweenherandothers.”
Whathesaidandwhathehadn’t
stokedmycuriosity.“Ialsohavenointentionofbecomingacompanionor
friendtoher.”
Heraisedabrow.“Shecanbe
surprisinglycharming—herinnocence,thatis.”
Whilehewascorrectabouther
beingcharming,ithadnothingtodowithherinnocence.“SheandIwouldhave
absolutelynothingincommontobondoverorevenspeakof.”Thatwasthetruth.
“Sheisajob.Aduty.OneIwouldbehonoredtohave,butnothingmore.”
“Allright,then,”Teermandrawled.“IhavesomethingsIneedtodiscusswith
theCommander.Hewillletyouknowmydecision.”
“Thankyou,YourGrace.”I
bowed,thenstraightenedandturnedforthedoor.
“Onemorething,”Teermancalledout.
Ifacedhim.“Yes,YourGrace?”
“IfyoudobecometheMaiden’s
guard,youneedtoknowthatifsheweretobecomeharmedwhileunderyourcare…”
Thelamplightreflectedoffhisblackeyes.“Youwouldbeflayedaliveandhung
sotheentirecitycouldbearwitnesstoyourfailure.”
Inodded.“Iwouldexpect
nothingless.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONENATURAL
ORDEROFTHINGS
EverytimeI
lookedattheelevengodspaintedacrosstheceilingoftheGreatHall,Ihadquestions.
Startingwithwhointhefuckwasthepale,white-hairedGodofRitesandProsperity?
TheAscendedcalledhimPerus,buthe’dnever
existed.IsupposedtheyhadtomakeupagodfortheirRites
Mygazesweptovertheceiling
ascityfolkenteredthelong,whitechamberofmarbleandgold,carefully
navigatingthesilverurnsfullofwhiteandpurplejasmineflowers.Whoever
hadpaintedthishadtalent,capturingthesomberexpressionsofIone,Rhahar,andthenRhain,theGod
ofCommonMenandEndingsoftendepictedinAtlantia.
TheredhairofAios,theGoddessofLove,Fertility,
andBeauty,wasasvibrantasfire,nothavingfadedintheyearssincetheceiling
waspainted.Penellaphe,theGoddessofWisdom,
Loyalty,andDuty,appearedpeacefulandserene,whileBele,
theGoddessoftheHunt,lookedasIimaginedshewouldifawake:likeshewas
abouttowhacksomeoneacrosstheheadwithherbow.Eventhedifferentshades
ofskin,fromtherich-brown-huedTheon,theGodofAccordandWar,andhis
twin,Lailah,theGoddessofPeaceandVengeance,to
thedeeper,coolerblackskinofSaion,theGodof
SkyandSoil,wererenderedwithexquisitedetail.Itmademethinktheartist
hadbeenanAtlantian,oratleastonewho’ddescended
fromAtlantia
ButNyktos,
theKingofGods,waspaintedashewasthroughouttheentiretyofSolis,his
faceandformshowingonlyassilverymoonlight.Whytheyhidhimwasbeyond
me,aswasthefacttheAscendedappearedtohave
erasedeverymentionofhisConsort.Hernameandvisageweren’tevenknownto
us,butweknewofherexistence.LegendsaidithadtodowithNyktosbeingoverlyprotectiveofhisQueen,butforthe
Ascendedtocompletelycutheroutalwaysstruckmeasapurposefulact.Anodd
one,justasthedecisiontohideNyktos’sappearance
was.TherehadtobeareasonAlastirhadoncesaid
itwasbecause,deepdown,theAscendedfearedthewrathoftheKingofGods
andcouldn’tbringthemselvestolookuponhim.Andmaybethatwastrue,butit
didn’texplainremovingallrecordofhisConsort,to
thepointwheremostwithinSolishadnoknowledgeofher.
Mygazelowered,skippingover
thewhitebannersbearingthegoldenRoyalCrestthathungfromtheceilingto
thefloor,betweenthenumerouswindowsthatlinedtheentiretyoftheHall.
Oldangerfestered.WhiteandgoldwerethecolorsofAtlantia’s
sigil.Modelingtheirsafterourswasalsopurposeful.
Eyesnarrowing,Ilookedatthe
raiseddaisasthehumofconversationfilledthechamber.FromwhereIstood
inthealcove,Ihadanunobstructedview.SeveralRoyalGuardsalreadyflanked
thetwochairstheDukeandDuchesswouldsoonsitupon.Ileanedagainsta
marblepillar,wonderingwhatthissessionwouldbring.Usually,itwasnothing
morethanashowofthewealthykissingtheAscended’sasses.AsaRiseGuard,Ididn’thaveto
attendtheseevents,butIdidbecausetheMaidenattended.Itwasthesamereason
somanyofthosecrowdingthemainfloorcameeachweekyetneverspoke.
Theywerehereforher,too.
Likelybecausetheybelievedshe
wasevenclosertothegodsthantheAscended.Iwonderedwhatshethoughtof
that.Didshebelieveit?ThatthegodshadChosenher?Ahandfulofdaysago,
Iwould’veassumedshedid.Ihadassumedmanythings—
Thecrowdquieted.
TheDukeandDuchessenteredtoawaveofapplausethatwasnotablyhalfhearted.
Interesting.MyattentionremainedonthesidedoorastheAscendedtooktheirseats.
Vikter
cameoutfirst,hishandonthehiltofhissword,alertnessetchedintoevery
lineofhisweatheredface.
Thenthecrowdwentcompletely
silentandstillastheMaidenappeared.Therewasn’tasinglesound,noteven
acough,asshewalkedtostandtotheleftofthechairs.Thesilencewasone
of…IquicklyscannedthefacesIcouldsee.Allstaredupatthedais,focused
onher,eventhemembersoftheCourt—theAscendedandtheLordsandLadiesin
Waitthatstoodatthefront.IrecognizedtheLadyinWaitoftenseenwiththe
Maiden,theonewiththewarmbrownskinandcurlyhair.Shelooked
half-asleep.Themortals,though,theysmiled.Some
lookedclosetojoyoustears.Othersjuststaredinopen-mouthedawe.The
smileswereonesofreverence.
Gods.
TheDuke
spoke,startingashealwaysdidbyreadingalettersentfromthecapital.Idoubted
KingJalaraorQueenIleanahadwrittenit.Theywere
toobusybeingabsolutemenaces.
TheMaidenwasasstillasshe
hadbeenthemorningbeforewhileKealwaslaidtorest.
Spinestraight,lookingstraightahead,andhandsclaspedatherwaist.That
changedonceoneoftheDuke’sstewardsannounced
thoseinattendanceandsummonedthemtostepforwardtospeak.Itstartedwith
hershiftingherhands,movingherleftatoptherightandthenbacktothe
rightatoptheleft.MybrowsknittedasIwatchedher.Whilepeoplebeganthe
weeklytraditionofass-kissing,sheshiftedfromfoottofootwhilestanding
inplace.Shefidgetedduringthesesessionsattimes,butusuallyatthevery
beginning,andthenshealwaysseemedtocalm.Wassheuncomfortable?Anxious?
OrwasitthelingeringeffectsofwhathadhappenedtoKeal?
Clearly,she’dlikedthemanenoughtohonorhimbyattendinghisfuneral.
Vikter
leanedinbehindher,whisperingsomething.TheMaidennodded,thenstilled.I
glancedoutatthecrowd,seeingthatmanyweren’tpayingattentiontowhatthe
peoplesaidtotheDukeandDuchess.Instead,theywereasfocusedonherasI
was.Wasthathersourceofdiscomfort?Butwhywoulditbemoreofa
bothertohertodaythananytimebefore?Mygaze
incheditswaytotheceilingandhernamesake.Penellaphe.
Iknewnooneelsenamedafterthegods.NooneinAtlantiawouldevendaretodoso.Herparentshad,andIwassurehernamingwasone
morepurposefulactinitiatedbytheBloodCrown—
“AreyoufuckingtheDuchess?”
LieutenantSmyth’slow,nasallyvoicecamefrombehindme.
Ismiledathisquestion,
keepingmystareonthedais.OntheMaiden.“NotthatI’mawareof.”
Therewasabeatofsilence,and
IknewmyrefusaltoturntohimhadtheLieutenantburstingwithquietrage.
Smythmovedtostandatmyside.
“ThenhowinthehellwereyounominatedtoreplaceKeal?”
“You’llhavetoasktheCommander
that,”Ireplied.
“Idid,”hesnapped.“Allhe
wouldsaywasthatyouwerethebestqualified.”
“Well,thereyougo.Youhave
youranswer.”
“That’sabunchofbullshit.You’veonlybeenhereafewmonths.Thereare
plentywhoaremorequalified.”
Ilookedathimthen.“Like
you?”
Hisruddycheeksdeepenedin
color.Hedidn’tanswer.Didn’tneedto.Ismiled,returningmyattentionto
thedais.Toher.TheMaidenwasbeginningtofidgetagain.
Smythleanedincloseenough
thathisshouldertouchedmine.Iwantednothingmorethantoturnandsnaphis
neck.Itwasn’tmoralitythatstoppedme,eventhoughthatshould’vebeenwhy.
Killingpeoplebecausetheywereannoyinglikelywasn’tconsideredagood
enoughreason.Helivedonlybecausemurderinghiminfrontofhundredsofpeople
wouldcauseabitofunnecessarydrama.
“Somethingaboutthisisn’tright,”
Smythhissed.“AndIwillgettothebottomofit.”
“Goodluckwiththat,”I
murmured.
Hecursedunderhisbreathand
turnedfromme,sulkingashemovedalongtheedgeofthealcove.Iwatched
him,thinkingtherewasagoodchancehewouldhavetodie.
Oh,well.
Ireturnedmyattentiontothe
Maiden.SomemanspokeofhowgreattheDuke’sandDuchess’sleadershipwas.
Sheturnedherheadslightly
towardwhereIstood,andthoughIcouldn’tseehereyes,Iknewourgazeslocked.
Thenapeofmynecktingledasthestrangestdamn
feelinghitme.Icouldfeelherstarepeelingawaythelayersofwho
Iwas.Musclestensedthroughoutmybody.Severalmomentspassed,andthenher
headtiltedaway.Asacoupleapproachedthedais,theinexplicableand
undeniablysillysensationwasslowtopass.Ilookedatthemortals.I
believedthestewardhadintroducedthemastheTulises
IcontinuedstudyingtheMaidenasthecouplespoke.She’dfoundmeinthecrowd,
andthatwasintriguing.
BecauseIhadliedtoDukeTeermanaboutmanythingsduringourmeeting,including
whatmyrelationswithherwouldentail.
Ifullyplannedongettingas
closetoheraspossible.Gaininghertrustwasasnecessaryasreceiving
theirs.Iwoulduseanytactic.Friendship?Aconfidante?More?Afaintsmile
tuggedatmylips.DespitewhatIhadsaidtoKieranthenightattheRed
Pearl,I’dhadnorealplansofseducingtheMaiden—oranyinterest—butthat
wasbeforemeetingher.Tastingherlips.Feelingherbeneathme.Seductionwas
definitelynotoffthetable.
“Isheyourfirstson?”theDukeasked,drawingmefrommythoughts.Hespoketothe
coupleatthefootofthedais.Thewomanheldasmallbundletoherchest—a
babe.
Mr.Tulis
swallowed.“No,YourGrace,heisn’t.He’sourthirdson.”
Fuck
Animageofthebabeinthe
tenementformed.
TheDuchesshadtheabsolute
oppositereaction,clappingjoyfully.“ThenTobiasisatrueblessing,onewho
willreceivethehonorofservingthegods.”
“That’swhywe’rehere,Your
Grace.”Mr.Tulisslippedhisarmfromaroundhis
wife.“Ourfirstson—ourdearJamie—he…hepassednomorethanthreemonths
ago.”Heclearedhisthroatofemotion.“Itwasasicknessoftheblood,theHealerstoldus.Itcameonrealquick,yousee.Oneday,hewasfine,chasing
aroundandgettingintoallkindsoftrouble.Andthen,thefollowingmorning,
hedidn’twakeup.Helingeredforafewdays,butheleftus.”
Sicknessoftheblood?The
ever-presentangerboileddeep.TheonlysicknesswastheAscendedwhopreyedupon
mortalsatnightwhiletheyslept.ItwaslikelywhathadtakenJoleCrain’sparents.Itwaswhathadturnedthatbabe.Neithertheyoungnortheoldunderstoodthatwhatvisited
theminthenightwasnophantomordream.
“I’mincrediblysorrytohear
that,”theDuchesssaidasshesettledbackinherseat,herdelicatefeatures
fixedinsympathy.“Andwhatofthesecondson?”
“Welosthimtothesamesickness
thattookJamie,”themotheranswered.“Nomorethanayearintohislife.”
Fuck
“Thatistrulyatragedy,”the
Duchesssaid.“IhopeyoufindsolaceintheknowledgethatyourdearJamieis
withthegods,alongwithyoursecondborn.”
“Wedo,”Mrs.Tulisshared.“It’swhat’sgottenusthroughhisloss.We
cometodaytohope,toask…”
Oh,fuck
Iknewitbeforetheyeven
spoke.Iknewwhattheywereabouttoaskfor.
“Wecameheretodaytoaskthat
oursonnotbeconsideredfortheRitewhenhecomesofage,”Mr.Tulissaid,andarollinggasphittheGreatHall.His
shoulderstensed,buthepressedon.“Iknowthatit’salottoaskofyouand
thegods.Heisourthirdson,butwelostourfirsttwo,andmywife,asmuch
asshedesiresmorebabes,theHealerssaidsheshouldn’thavemore.Heisour
onlyremainingchild.Hewillbeourlast.”
“Butheisstillyourthird
son,”DukeTeermanresponded.“Whetheryourfirst
thrivedornotdoesn’tchangethatyoursecondsonandnowyourthirdarefated
toservethegods.”
“Butwehavenootherchild,Your
Grace.”Mrs.Tulis’svoicetrembledasherchestrose.
“IfIweretogetpregnant,Icoulddie.We—”
“Iunderstandthat,”
DukeTeermaninterrupted.“Andyoudounderstandthat
whilewe’vebeengivengreatpowerandauthoritybythegods,theissueofthe
Riteisnotsomethingwecanchange.”
“Butyoucanspeakwiththe
gods.”Mr.Tulissteppedcloserbutstoppedwhen
severalRoyalGuardsshiftedforward.
Thiswas…
Itwasfucking
heartbreaking
“Youcanspeakwiththegodsonour
behalf.Couldn’tyou?”Mr.Tulis’svoiceroughened.
“Wearegoodpeople.”
Ofcourse,theywere.
Itjustdidn’tmattertotheAscended.Theyneededthatsmallbundleheldinthe
mother’sarmstofeedupon.
“Please.”Mrs.Tuliscriedopenly,hercheeksstreaked
withtears.“Webegofyoutoatleasttry.Weknowthegodsaremerciful.WehaveprayedtoAiosandNyktoseverymorningandeverynightforthisgift.Allwe
askisthat—”
“Whatyouaskcannotbegranted.
Tobiasisyourthirdson,andthisisthenaturalorderofthings,”theDuchess
cutin,drawingabrokensobfromthemotherthatcutupmychest.“Iknowit’s
hard,andithurtsnow,butyoursonisagifttothegods,notagiftfrom
them.Thatiswhywewouldneveraskthatofthem.”
Therewasnothingnaturalabout
this,andasIglancedoverthecrowd,IsawthatIwasn’ttheonlyone
thinkingthat.Manyintheaudiencestoodinshock,unabletobelievetheTuliseswoulddaretomakesucharequest.Butotherswatched
thehorrorunfold,theirfacesfullofsympathyandbarelyleashedangeras
theystaredupatthedais—attheAscendedandtheMaiden.Myhandclenched
intoafistasIpushedoffthepillar.Vikter
steppedinclosertoher,likelysensingthebrimminganger.
Andshe—theMaiden—lookeduncomfortable.
Herfingersweretwistingincessantly,andherchestmovedrapidly.She
appearedasifshewereonthevergeofrunningaway…
Orsteppingforward.
“Please.Ibegofyou.Ibeg,”
Mr.Tulispleaded,droppingtohisknees.
Thiswas…gods,thiswasoneof
theworstthingsI’deverwitnessed,andI’dseensomeshit.
Donesomeofit.Butseeingafatherandmotherbegforthechancetokeep
theirchildwassomethingelseentirely.
Turningfromthenightmare,I
slippedthroughthecrowdinthealcoveandmademywaytowardtheexit.Ihad
tobecauseIwasonthevergeofdoingsomethingextremelyirresponsibleand
reckless.
LikeslaughteringtheAscended
rightthenandthere.
ButtherewassomethingIcould
do.PurposefilledmeasIlefttheGreatHall.Somethingthathadnothingto
dowithmybrother.IcouldmakesuretheTulis
familyremainedwholeandtogetherandthatTobiasdidn’tbecomeyetanother
victimoftheAscended.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHE
MAIDENUNVEILED
Aftershowingme
mynewlivingquartersintheservants’wingofthecastle,afloorbelowthe
Maiden’s,CommanderJansenandIcrossedthegrandfoyer.Accordingtohim,I
stillhadaroomatthedormitory,buttheMaiden’spersonalguardstendedto
stayinthecastle.Thatwasfinebyme.
“Justsoyouknow,”Jansensaid,
hisvoicelow,“theDukeagreedtomakeyouoneofthe
Maiden’sguards,buthewasstillhesitant.Hewillhaveotherswatchingyou.”
Inoddedaswepassedthe
limestonestatuesofthegoddessPenellapheandthe
godRhain.Iwasn’tsurprisedtohearthat,nordid
itdoanythingtohinderthesurgeofsatisfactionatfinallygettingwhatI
wanted.Oratleastbeingonthepathtodoingso.“IimagineSmythwillbeone
ofthoseobsessivelytrackingmymovements.”
“Youwouldbecorrect.”
Iwasquietaswewalkedthrough
thearchway,whereservantsdressedinmaroongownsandtunicswithwhitecaps
hunganivygarland.Adark-hairedwomanstopped,herhandstangledingreenery
asshecaughtmygazeandsmiled,leavingmetowonderaswewalkedonifI
knewher—ifshewasoneofthosenameless,facelesspeopleI’dspenttimewith.
Ipushedthataside.“He’s
becomingaproblem.”
“Iknow.”
IglancedatJansenasmore
castlestaffhurriedbyonallsides,carryingbasketsoffreshlinenanddirty
glassware.“Hewilllikelyneedtobedealtwithatsomepoint.”
“Figured,”theCommander
answered,notbotheringtoargueashehadthenightattheRedPearl.Heknew
Smythwasn’tagoodman.
Thebanquethallwaslessbusy.
Onlyanolderwomanwithgrayhaircurlingaroundtheedgesofhercaparranged
night-bloomingrosesinagoldenvaseuponthelongtable.“Didyoucheckon
whatIasked?”
Henodded.“We’llgetthemout
beforetheRite,”Jansenassuredme.“MovethemtoNewHaven.Theycandecide
whattheywanttodofromthere.”
“Thankyou.”Iallowedmyselfto
feelabitofreliefatknowingthatwhatwasleftoftheTulis
familywouldremaintogether.
“Noneedtothankme,”he
repliedgruffly,dragginghishandoverhischin.
Hewaswrong.SettinguptheTulises’escapefromthecitycamewithgreatrisk,butIgot
whyhedidn’twantanyone’sgratitudefordoingwhatfeltlikethebarest
expressionofcommondecency.
“Ready?”Jansenaskedaswecame
upononeofthemanymeetingspacesonthemainfloor.
“Beenready,myfriend.”
Aquickgrinappeared,something
rarefromthechangeling,thenheopenedthedoor.Havingneverbeeninthis
spacebefore,Iquicklyglancedoverthemarblewalls,bareexceptforthe
blackchairrailsandtheRoyalCrestpaintedinwhiteandgoldbehindwhere
theDukesatataslick,shinyblackdesk.TheDuchess
satinacreamchairnearhim,andbeforethemwerethreerowsoflimestone
benches.
BothJansenandIstoppedupon
enteringandbowed.
TheDuchesssmiled.“Please,rise.”
Awareofherstare,I
straightened.“Youlooklovelytoday,YourGrace,”Isaid,thelieslipping
smoothlyfrommylips.Ofcourse,theDuchesswaslovely,butitwasbarely
skin-deep.
“Youarefartookind,”she
replied,risingaswecameforward.Sheclaspedherhandsatherwaistina
mannerthatcausedherbreaststostrainagainstthetightsatinofherbodice.
Ihalf-expectedoneofthepearlbuttonstosnapoffandtakeoutoneofour
eyes.
Herhusbandgaveabaresmile.
“Theotherswillbejoiningusveryshortly.Wouldeitherofyoucarefor
somethingtodrink?”
“Thankyou,butthatwon’tbe
necessary,”Jansenanswered,movingtostandattheDuchess’sside.Ifollowed.
Shemust’venearlydrownedherselfingardeniabecauseIalmost
couldn’tdetectthesweetandstalescentoftheAscended.“HastheMaidenbeen
informed?”
TheDuke
leanedbackinhischair.“Shewillbeinafewmoments.”
Myattentionsharpenedonhim.
Therewasanodd,eagerglinttohiseyes,whichwerelikeshardsofobsidian
asheeyedthedoor.Hegavemethedistinctimpressionthathewasuptosomething
whiletheDuchessspoketoJansenaboutthenextsetofguardswhowouldbe
leavingtrainingsoon.TheDukewasn’tpaying
attentiontotheconversation,insteadreturninghisgazetothepapersonhis
desk.Thenagain,itwassuspectedthathehadlittleinterestinrunningthe
castleorthecity.
Approachingfootstepsfrom
outsidethechambercaughtmyattention,butIgavenosignofitasaspirited
burstofanticipationbuzzedthroughme.IhadnoideahowtheMaidenwould
takethis.
Thedooropened,andshe
entered.Immediately,herstepsfaltered.Thoughmostofherfacewashidden,
theshockwasevidentinthepartingofherlips.
TawnyLyon,thetallandlithe
LadyinWaitoftenseenwithher,enterednext.Shecametoacompletestopthe
momentherdark-eyedgazelandedonme.Surpriseflickeredacrossherrich
brownfeaturesasherheadjerkedback,causinggoldandbrowncurlstobounce.
TawnyquicklylookedtotheMaiden,thecornersofherlipstiltingup
slightly.
TheMaidenstillhadn’tproceeded
anyfarther.Herchestunderthewhiterobesrosesharply,andherrighthand
twitched,repeatedlyopeningandclosingatherside,whereherdaggerhadbeen
sheathedthenightshe’dcometotheRedPearl.
Wasshecarryingitnow?
Heathitmybloodasmygaze
shiftedtotheshapelessbottomhalfofherrobes.Thequickpoundingpulseof
arousalwasextremelyproblematic.
“Please,”theDukespoke.“Closethedoor,Vikter.”
Hewaitedastheguardfulfilledhisrequest.“Thankyou.”Teerman
loweredthepaperashisattentionshiftedtotheMaiden.Thatodd,eagerglint
returnedtohiseyesashemotionedherforward.“Pleasesit,Penellaphe.”
Penellaphe
Myheadgaveaslightjerk.
Obviously,Iknewhername,butI’dneverheardanyonespeakit.Isilently
repeatedit,preferringittotheMaiden.Immediately,Irecognized
thatwasanirrelevantpreference.
TheMaidencameforwardwitha
cautiousnessthathadn’tbeenpresentwhileshewasattheRedPearl.Nolonger
lookinginmydirection,shesatontheedgeofthemiddlebench,herposture
impossiblyrigidassheplacedherfoldedhandsinherlap.TheLadyinWait
situatedherselfbehindtheMaiden.Vikter,however,
movedtotheMaiden’simmediateright,almostasifattemptingtoputhimself
betweenherandme.
“Ihopeyou’refeelingwell,Penellaphe?”theDuchessspokeas
shereturnedtothechairbesidethedesk.
TheMaidennodded.
“I’mrelievedtohearthat.I
wasworriedthatattendingtheCityCouncilsosoonafteryourattackwouldbe
toomuch,”theDuchesscontinued,soundingsurprisinglygenuine.
TheMaiden’sresponsewas
minimal,aslightinclineofherhead.
“Whathappenedinthegardenis
whywe’reallhere,”DukeTeermansteppedin,and
eventhoughitseemedimpossible,theMaiden’sposturebecameevenstiffer.
“Withthedeathof…”Hisbrowfurrowed.“Whatwashisname?”heaskedofhis
wife,whosebrowspinchedinconfusion.“Theguard?”
Washefucking
serious?
“RylanKeal,
YourGrace,”Vikteransweredflatly.
TheDuke
snappedhisfingers.“Ah,yes.Ryan,”hesaid.
TheMaidenreactedthen.I
doubtedanyoneelsenoticedbecausenoonewatchedherasintentlyasIdidatthemoment.Herhandsballedintofists—tightonesthat
bleachedtheknucklesofherhandswhite.
“WithRyan’sdeath,youaredown
oneguard.Again,”theDukeadded,smirking.“Two
guardslostinoneyear.Ihopethisisn’tbecomingahabit.”
Well,hewouldbedisappointed
becauseitlikelywouldbe.
“Anyway,withtheupcomingRite,
andasyoudrawclosertoyourAscension,Vikter
cannotbeexpectedtobetheonlyonekeepingaclosewatchonyou,”theDukesaid.“WeneedtoreplaceRyan.”
Amuscleatthecurveofherjaw
flexed.
“Which,asIamsureyourealize
now,explainswhyCommanderJansenandGuardFlynnarehere.”
TheMaidengavenosignofeven
hearinghim.
“GuardFlynnwilltakeRyan’s
place,effectiveimmediately,”theDukeannounced.
“I’msurethisissurprising,ashe’snewtoourcityandquiteyoungfora
memberoftheRoyalGuard.”
Thecornersofmylipstwitched.
“ThereareseveralRiseGuards
inlinetobepromoted,andbringingonHawkeisnoslighttothem.”TheDukeleanedback,crossingonelegovertheother.“Butthe
CommanderhasassuredusthatHawkeisbettersuitedtothistask.”
“GuardFlynnmaybenewtothe
city,butthatisn’taweakness.He’sabletolookatpossiblethreatswith
fresheyes,”Jansenspokethen,mostlyforVikter’s
benefit,Iguessed.“Anynumberofguardswould’veoverlookedthepotentialof
abreachoccurringintheQueen’sGardens.Notduetolackofskill—”
Icould’veswornIheardDukeTeermanmurmur,“Debatable.”
“Butbecausethereisafalse
senseofsecurityandcomplacencythatoftencomeswithbeingwithinonecity
fortoolong,”Jansencontinued.“Hawkedoesnothavesuchfamiliarity.”
MyeyebrowroseathowJansen
addressedme,usingmyfirstname.Settingatone.Smart.
“Healsohasrecentexperience
withthedangersoutsidetheRise,”theDuchessadded.“YourAscensionisa
littlelessthanayearfromnow,butevenifyou’resummonedsoonerthan
expectedoratthetimeofyourAscension,havingsomeonewiththatkindof
experienceisinvaluable.Wewon’thavetopullfromourHuntsmentoensure
thatyourtraveltothecapitalisassafeaspossible,”shesaid,referencing
thosewhosetaskitwastoescorttravelersfromcitytocity.“TheDescentersandtheDarkOnearenottheonlythingstofear
outthere,asyouknow.”
Shewasright.
YetIdidn’tthinktheMaiden
realizedwhowasthetruedangerinthischamberorinthecityandbeyond.
“Thepossibilityofyoubeing
summonedtothecapitalunexpectedlyplayedaroleinmydecision,”Jansen
explained.“WeplantripsoutsidetheRiseatleastsixmonthsinadvance,and
therecouldbeachancethatwhenandiftheQueenrequestsyourpresencein
thecapital,we’dhavetowaitfortheHuntsmentoreturn.WithHawkebeing
assignedtoyou,wewouldbeable,forthemostpart,toavoidthatsituation.”
TheMaiden’sheadmovedthento
whereIstood.Thenapeofmyneckprickled.Herclenchedhandsrelaxed,the
fingersstraightening.Iinclinedmyhead,watchingthepaceofherbreath
quicken.
“AsamemberoftheMaiden’s
personalRoyalGuard,itislikelythatasituationmayoccurwhereyouwill
seeherunveiled.”TheDuchessspoke,buthertonegavemepause.Hervoicewas
alwayssoft,buttherewassympathytherenow.“Itcanbedistracting,seeing
someone’sfaceforthefirsttime,especiallyaChosen,andthatcould
interferewith
Myattentionflewbacktothe
Maiden,andmydamnheartgaveanunsteadyskip.Holyshit,Iwasgoingtoseeherwithnoveilandwithoutamask.
“CommanderJansen,ifyouwill
pleasestepoutside,”theDukeasked.
Jansennodded,quicklyobeying
therequest.TheeagerlookintheDuke’seyeswasnow
inhissmile,anditstruckmewhathe’dsaidthedaybefore.Howconfident
he’dbeenwhenhesaidthathewasn’tconcernedaboutmehavinganysortof
interestintheMaiden.
“Youareabouttobearwitness
towhatonlyaselectfewhaveseen,”theDukesaid,
hisgazeonher.“AnunveiledMaiden.”
TheMaiden’shandstrembledin
herlap.
“Penellaphe,
pleaserevealyourself,”theDukerequested,andhis
fuckingsmilehadwarningbellsringing.
Somethingwasoff.
Shedidn’tmoveforseveral
seconds.Noonedid.Mygazeflewtohercompanion.Tawnyhadclosedhereyes,
andwhentheyreopened,Isawafaintsheentothem.IglancedatVikter.Helookedstoicashestareddownather.
TheMaidenstillhadn’tmoved.
“Penellaphe,”
theDukewarned,andmyhandsfisted.“Wedonothave
allday.”
“Giveheramoment,Dorian.”The
Duchesstwistedtohim.“Youknowwhyshehesitates.Wehavetime.”
Whatintheactualfuckwasgoingonhere?
Thelowerhalfofherface
turnedpink,butthatslightlypointedchinofherslifted,juttingout
stoically.SheroseatthesametimeTawnydid.Hercompanionreachedforthe
chainsandclasps,buttheMaidengottothemfirst.
MyskinstartedtochillasI
watchedheryankthechainsapart,hermovementsquickandjerky.The
materialloosened,thenslipped.Tawnycaughtit,easingtheveiloff.
Thentheentirerightsideofher
facewasrevealedtome.
Itwasoval-shaped,cheekbones
highanddefined,theoneeyebrowboldandnaturallyarched.Therewasthatred
hairI’dglimpsedattheRedPearl,wrappedinsomesortofcomplicatedbraided
knotthatlookedlikeittookwaytoofuckinglongto
create.Withtheveilgoneandinthewell-litchamber,thestrandsgleamed
withadeep,red-winehue.Herprofilewasstrong.
Beautiful.
Onesideofherlipstippedup
asshestaredattheDuke.Justasmallbit,afaint
smile,butmystomachclenched.
Tawnyreturnedtoherseat,
holdingtheveilastheMaidenfacedme.
Fully.
AndIsaw.
Theentiretyofherfullmouth.
Thestubbornchinandsharpcurveofherjaw.Hernosedippedatthebridge,
andthetipwasslightlyupturned.Bothbrowscarriedthatnaturalarch,
framingcleargreeneyes.
Thatwaswherethesimilarities
betweenthetwosidesofherfaceended.
Therewasalingeringbruise
fromJericho,oneIdoubtedwasnoticeabletoanyoneelse,buttherewasalsoa
jaggedstreakofflesh,apinkabitpalerthanherskin.Itstartedbelowher
hairlineandslicedacrosshertemple,comingdamn
closetoherlefteye,thenendingatthesideofhernose.Ashorter,
long-since-healedgougecutacrosstheleftsideofherforeheadandhereyebrow,
rightthroughthatarch.Again,sodamnclosetothat
emeraldeye.
Mygods,shewassodamnluckytohavebothofhereyes.Butthepainthewounds
thatleftthosescarslikelycaused…Itmusthavebeenunbearable.Especially
thosekind.BecauseIknewwhathadcausedthosescars.TheCraven.I’dfelt
thoseclawsdigintomybodymoretimesthanIcouldcount,buttheonly
differencewasthatmyfleshalmostalwayshealed.Amortal’swould
not.Butgodsdamn.Theinnerstrengthshemusthaveto
survivesuchanattackwasinconceivable.
TheMaidenhadstrength.
Aninnerkindofresiliencythatmanydidn’thave.Shewasalso…fuckme.Shewasbeautiful
Andthosetwothingsfeltlikea
problem.Abigone.
PinkcreptoverhercheeksasI
continuedstaringather.Herlowerliptrembledbeforeshepressedboth
together.Oureyeslocked.Hergazewasunflinching,andtherewasnoignoring
herobviousdiscomfort.Ididn’tgetit.Shewaslovely,andthosescarsdidn’t
detractfromthat.Fuck,theyactuallyaddedtoherfeatures,
but…
Butshelivedintheworldof
theAscended.
Onewhereflawlessbeautywas
covetedandworshiped.Aworldwheresomewouldonlyseethoseflaws,butnot
all.NoteveneveryAscendedwouldseenothingbut
thosescars.Butthosewhodid…
Suddenly,IunderstoodwhytheDukehadsaidwhathedidaboutmyinterestintheMaiden.I
figuredoutthatfuckingnastyeagernessinhisstare
andsmilebecausehe,too,sawhowuncomfortableshewas.Everyoneinthedamnchamberdid.Buthereveledinit.
“She’strulyunique,”DukeTeermansaidpleasantly.“Isn’tshe?Halfofherfaceisa
masterpiece,”hewenton,drawingatremorfromher.“Theotherhalfa
nightmare.”
Foramoment,Inolongersaw
her,eventhoughIhadn’ttakenmyeyesoffher.AllIsawinmymindwastheDukeandmyfistpunchingrepeatedlyintohisfuckingface.
Isawmyselfrippingoutthattongueandthenshovingitdownhisthroatsohe
choked.Hiscommentarywasunnecessary.TheDukewasfuckingunnecessary.
“Thescarsaren’tanightmare,”
theDuchesssaid.“Theyare…theyarejustabadmemory.”
Theyweren’tanightmareora
badmemory.Theywereproofofwhatshe’dsurvived.Badgesofstrength.There
wasnothingwrongwiththemorher.
Isteppedforward,absolutely
donewiththesecomments.“Bothhalvesareasbeautifulasthewhole.”
TheMaiden’slipspartedona
sharpinhaleasshewatchedmeplacemyhandonthehiltofmybroadsword.I
bowed,mygazestillholdinghersasIrecitedthepledgegivenbytheRoyal
GuardsthatJansenhadinstructedmetospeakearlier—thevowIalreadyknew
becauseitwaspartofthosespokenbytheKingandQueenofAtlantiatotheirsubjects.
“Withmyswordandwithmylife,
Ivowtokeepyousafe,Penellaphe.”Speakingher
namecausedthatprickleatthenapeofmynecktoreturnandspreadacrossmy
shouldersanddownmyspine.Inthebackofmymind,IknewIshouldn’thave
saidit,butitwasimportantthatsheknewsomeonesawherinthis
momentwhentheDukesoughttohumiliateher.Ithad
nothingtodowithmyplansandmaybeabittodowiththefactthatIknew
exactlywhatitwasliketobestrippedofeverythingthatmadeyouwhoyou
were,becomingnotsomeonebutsomething.Andmaybeitalsohadtodo
withwantinghertoknowthatIfoundherutterlyexquisitebecausemytone
deepened,andIhearditinmyvoice.“Fromthismomentuntilthelastmoment,
Iamyours.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPOPPY
Therewasno
easingintothetransitionfromRiseGuardtooneguardingtheMaiden.Mynew
rolekickedoffimmediatelyasVikterandIaccompanied
PenellapheandTawnyto…
Actually,I
reallydidn’tknow.
Thefourofushadwalkedoutof
thechamberandwerecurrentlymakingourwaythroughthedininghall.
Stopping,Ifacedthem.The
MaidenandLadyhalted.Vikter’sstarenarrowed.Her
companion’seyeswerewide,andshehadbothlipssuckedbetweenherteeth,
appearingasifshe’dbeencaughtdoingsomethingsheshouldn’t.TheMaidenwas
oncemoreveiled,hiddenagain.
“Wherewouldyouliketogo?”Iasked
her.
TheMaidensaidnothingasVikter’seyesslittedevenmore.
Hersilenceremindedmeofwhenshe’dfirstenteredtheRedPearl,backwhenI
thoughtherincapableofspeakingaboveawhisper.ButInowknewbetter.She
couldspeakquiteclearlyandsharply.
Whenshewantedto.
Secondstickedbyin
increasinglystrainedsilence,andithitmethateverythingthathadgonedown
inthatchamberhadfollowedusouthere.Iwantedhertoanswer,tospeakto
me,butshewasclearlystilltroubled.
IglancedatTawny.
Herlipspoppedoutfrombetween
herteeth.“Herchambers…”Shepaused.“Mr.Flynn.”
Onesideofmylipskickedup.
“Hawkeisfine.”
Asmileappearedassheglanced
attheMaiden.“Wewouldliketoreturntoherchambers,Hawke.”
“Thatallrightwithyou?”I
askedtheMaiden.
Shenoddedquicklyandthen
hurriedpast,leavingbehindafainttraceofherfresh,sweetscent.Tawny
walkedmuchmoresedately,hersmileeasingintoagrin.Vikter
wastheonlyonewhodidn’tseemtobeabletowalkpastmewithoutmaking
contact.Hisshoulderbumpedmine.IbitbackalaughasIfellintostep
behindthem.
Weenteredthefoyer,andright
off,Igotasmalltasteofwhatitwasliketobeinthepresenceofthe
Maiden.Twowomenweredustingthestatues,talkingamongthemselves.Uponour
arrival,bothstopped,theireyeswideningandchatterceasing.Onedroppedher
featherduster.Theirgazesfollowedaswemadeourwaytothemainstaircase
thatledtothefloorsabove.Theservantswepassedonthestepsdidthesame,
allstaringattheMaiden,nottakingtheireyesoffheruntilshewasno
longerinview.Itwaslikeshehadsomespecialpowerthatfrozepeopleupon
sightofher
Mybrowspulledtogether.While
Iwasusedtodrawingsomelevelofattentionfromwomenandmen,youngand
old,thiswasdifferent.Iknewthosewholookedatme,thosewhohadnoidea
whoIwas,stillsawmeasaperson.Usually,someonetheywantedtowastea
fewhourswith.ButwhentheylookedattheMaiden,theyclearlyonlysawwhat
shewas—theMaiden—andwhatshesymbolizedtothem—theoneChosenbythe
gods.
JustlikewhentheKingand
Queenhadmecagedandchained,theAscendedhadonlyseenwhatI
was—thePrinceofakingdomtheywanteddestroyed—andwhat
Isymbolizedtothem—thevesselthatcarriedthebloodtheyneededtosurvive
andmultiply.
Ieyedherhands.Theywere
claspedinfrontofher,butIbetshewastwistingthemasshehadinthe
GreatHall.Shewasawareofwhatherpresenceinvoked.
Butwassheawarethatthey
didn’tseeher?Theyonlysawwhatsherepresented
Ididn’tknow.
Wefinallyreachedherfloor.
Whyshewashousedinthevacantwingofthecastle,oneoftheoldestpartsof
thestructure,wasbeyondme.Thehallsupherewerenarrower,andIbetthe
chambersweredraftyinthewinter.Theonlysoundwasourfootsteps.EvenIcouldn’thearthenear-constantflutterofactivity
thatpervadedeveryotherfloorandwing.
Ididn’thaveachancetosay
muchwhenwereachedthedoortoherchambersbeforesheopeneditand
practicallyflewinside.Ionlycaughtabriefglimpseofbarestonefloorsand
achairbeforeTawnygaveusapartingnod.Then,Iwasleftstaringatthe
closeddoortothechamberIneededtogetinside.TheMaidenhadbeenableto
getoutofthatroomandmakeherwaytotheRedPearl.Idoubtedshe’dwalked
outthisdoortodoit.
Myheadcockedtothesideat
thesoundofasoftthudagainstsaiddoor.“Shouldwebeworriedaboutthat?”
IaskedasIturnedtothemanIknewwasn’tmyfan.
“They’refine.”Hegloweredat
mefrombehindalockofsandyhair.“IneedtospeakwiththeCommander,which
meansyouwillbeguardingtheMaiden.”
Inodded.
“Fromthehall,”headdedasif
thatwerenecessary.“Anddon’tleaveyourstation.Notforanyoneor
anything.”
“Understood.”
“Notevenforthegods,”he
insisted.
“Iknowwhat’sexpectedofme.”
Imethisglare.“BothofthemaresafewhileI’mhere.”
Vikter
lookedlikehewantedtosaysomethingmore,buthemust’vedecideditwasn’tworth
it.Heturnedstiffly,stalkingdownthelengthofthehall.Ifiguredhewanted
toseeJansentobitchaboutmyappointment.
Wouldn’tdohimanygood.
IstartedtomovesoIfacedthe
doorwhenIheardTawny’sfaint,muffledvoice.
“HawkeFlynnisyourguard,
Poppy.”
Mybrowsflewup.Poppy?
ThatwaswhatTawnycalledher?NotPenellaphe.
But…Poppy.ThepoppyfieldsofSpessa’sEndflashed
inmymind.
“Iknow,”camethesofter,even
faintervoice.
Thatwasher.Poppy.
Theprickleatmynapecameoncemore.Ihadn’theardhervoicesincethenight
oftheRedPearl.
“Poppy!”Tawny’svoicewasloudenough
thatIblinked.“Thatisyourguard!”
Thecornersofmylipscurvedup
asIshiftedsoIstoodevenclosertothedoor.
“Keepyourvoicedown,”theMaiden
saidasIdrewmylowerlipbetweenmyteeth.They’dhavetowhisperformenot
tohearthem,andasIheardtheirfootstepsretreating,Ireallyhopedher
companioncontinuedtopracticallyshout.“He’sprobablystandingoutside—”
“Asyourpersonalguard,”Tawny
interrupted.
“Iknow,”camethe
exasperatedresponse.
“AndIknowthatthisisgoingto
soundterrible,”IheardTawnysayasIangledmyheadcloser,neverhaving
beenmorethankfulformyheightenedhearingthannow.“ButIhavetosayit.I
can’tcontainit.It’savastimprovement.”
Asilentlaughleftme.
“Tawny.”
“Iknow.Irecognizethatitwas
terrible,butIhadtosayit,”shereplied.“He’squite…excitingtolookat.”
Igrinned.
“Andhe’sclearlyinterestedin
movingupintheranks,”theMaidencountered.
Thecurveofmylipsflattened.
Didshenotagreewithhercompanion?Shehadto.IknewIwasquiteexcitingtolookat.
“Whywouldyousaythat?”
Therewasabeatofsilence.
“HaveyoueverheardofaRoyalGuardthatyoung?”
Well,Icouldn’tfaultherfor
sayingthat.Itwasavalidquestion.
“No.Youhaven’t.That’swhat
befriendingtheCommanderoftheRoyalGuardwilldoforyou,”theMaidensaid.
And,man,shedidn’tknowhowrightshewas.“Icannotbelievethattherewasno
otherRoyalGuardjustasqualified.”
Tawnydidn’trespondforafew
moments.“You’rehavingaverystrange,unexpectedreaction.”
Crossingmyarms,Ihada
feelingherresponsehadmoretodowithwhathadhappenedattheRedPearl
thanitdidwithanythingelse.
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,”
theMaidensaid.
Sure,Ithought,
smirking.
“Youdon’t?”Tawny,whowas
quicklybecomingoneofmyfavoritepeopleinthekingdom,challenged.“You’ve
watchedhimtrainintheyard—”
“Ihavenot!”TheMaiden’svoice
rose
Suchalittleliar.Shetotally
hadbeen
Tawnyhadmyback,evenifshe
didn’tknowit.“I’vebeenwithyouonmorethanoneoccasionasyouwatched
theguardstrainfromthebalcony,andyouweren’twatchingjustanyguard.You
werewatchinghim.”
IreallylikedthisTawny.
“Youseemalmostangryabouthim
beingnamedyourguard,”Tawnycontinued.“Andunlessthere’ssomethingyou
haven’ttoldme,thenIhavenoideawhy.”
Therewassilence.
“Whathaven’tyoutoldme?”
TawnydemandedasitbecamecleartheMaidenhadn’tshareddetailsabouther
triptotheRedPearlwithhercompanion.“Hashesaidsomethingtoyou
before?”
Mylipspursed.Whataratheruncalled-for
leapoflogic.
“WhenwouldIhavehadachance
forhimtospeaktome?”theMaidensaid.
“Asmuchasyoucreeparound
thiscastle,I’msurethereisalotyouoverhearthatdoesn’tactuallyrequire
youspeakingtosomeone,”Tawnysaid,sharinganotherinterestingtidbitwhile
provingoneofmysuspicionscorrect.OnethatsaidtheMaidenhadahabitof
sneakingaround.“Didyouoverhearhimsaysomethingbad?”
Myeyesnarrowed.Tawnywasquickly
losingthatcovetedspotinmyfavorites.
“Poppy…”
Therewasalongstretchof
silencewhereIbrieflyconsideredmovingfartherfromthedoorsoIwasn’t
eavesdropping,butIquicklydismissedthatidea.
ThentheMaidenannounced,“I
kissedhim.”
Myjawunlockedasmyheadcut
tothedoor.Icouldn’tbelieveshe’dactuallyadmitted
it.
“What?”Tawnysaid.
“Orhekissedme,”theMaiden
addedasabitofconcernstartedtoblossominmychest.Wasthiswiseofher?
CouldshetrustthisLadyinWaitwithsuchinformation?Isureasfuckhopedso.NotonlydiditjeopardizewhatI’dbeen
workingtoward,IdoubtedtheTeermanswouldtake
kindlytolearningsuchinformation.However,thewayTawnyspoketotheMaiden
saidtherewasalevelofclosenessthere.“Well,wekissedeachother.There
wasmutualkiss—”
“Igetit!”Tawnyshrieked,
causingmetoblinkasIglanceddowntheemptyhall.
“Whendidthishappen?Howdidthishappen?AndwhyamIjustnowhearingabout
this?”
Thesoundoffootstepscameagain,
andthentheMaidenshared,“Itwas…itwasthenightIwenttotheRedPearl.”
“Iknewit.”Therewasanother
thud,thistimesoundinglikesomeone,whoIguessedwasTawny,stompingtheir
foot.“Iknewsomethingelsehadhappened.Youwereactingtooweird—too
worriedaboutbeingintrouble.Oh!Iwanttothrowsomethingatyou.Ican’t
believeyouhaven’tsaidanything.Iwouldbescreamingthisfromthetopof
thecastle.”
Okay.Iwasflattered,andTawny
wasnowworkingherwaybackintomyfavorite-personspot.
“You’dbescreamingitbecause
youcould,”theMaidenrepliedwryly.“Nothingwouldhappentoyou.Butme?”
Whatexactlywouldhappentoher?
Shedidn’telaborate,andtheirvoicesdisappointedlydroppedtoolowformeto
hear,butIdidpickuptheMaiden’svoiceafew
momentslater.
“It’sjustthat…I’vedonealot
ofthingsIshouldn’tdo,butthis…thisisdifferent,”shesaid,andIwondered
whattheotherthingswere.“IthoughtifIdidn’tsayanything,it
would,Idon’tknow…”
“Goaway?Thatthegodswouldn’t
know?”Tawnysaid,andmyeyesrolled.“Ifthegodsknownow,theyknewthen,
Poppy.”
Shehadapoint.Exceptthegods
didn’tknowshit,andiftheydid,thiswholeMaiden
andChosenbusinesswasaloadofbullshitanyway.DespitewhattheAscendedsaid.DespiteevenwhatKieranwonderedabout
thewholeshroudcrap
IftheMaidenresponded,I
didn’thearher,butIheardTawnyasifshewerestandingnexttome.
“I’llforgiveyoufornot
tellingmeifyoutellmewhathappenedinvery,verygraphicdetail.”
Iwaitedwithbatedbreathto
hearexactlywhatshesaid.
“Iwantedto,youknow,
experiencesomething—anything—andIthoughtthatwouldbethebestplace.Isaw
Vikterthere,”theMaidenshared.WhileIwasn’tsurprised
tohearthat,I’dseenhimtheremyself,Iwassurprisedtohearhercallhim
byhisfirstname.“Sotherewasthisladythere,andsherecognizedme.”
“What?”Tawnynearlyyelledagain.
“Idon’tknow,”theMaidensaid.
“ButIthinkshewaslikea…aSeerorsomething.”
Huh.Ifrowned.Therewereno
SeersthatIknewofinMasadonia.Orchangelings
otherthanJansen.
“Icouldbewrong,though.Maybe
shejustrecognizedmesomewayelse,”theMaidensaid.Thathadtobeit
becausetherewasdefinitelynoSeerattheRedPearl.
Iwouldknow.“Iwasprobablyjustsoawkwarditbecameobvious.Anyway,Iwent
intothischamberIthoughtwasempty,andhe…hewasinthere.”
“And?”Tawnypressed.
“HethoughtIwasBritta.”
“Youlooknothinglikeher,”
Tawnyexplained.Apause.“Hercloak.Youwerewearingit.”
“Iguesstherumorsaboutthem
aretrue,becausehegrabbedme—notinabadway,ina…passionate,familiarway,”
shesaid,hervoiceloweringtothepointwhereIhadtoreallystraintohear
her.WhichmeantIwasreallyeavesdroppingnow.
Itwaswrong.Iknewthat.
ButIrarelybehavedright,so
hereIwas.
“Itwas…itwasmyfirstkiss,”
shesaid.
Everymuscleinmybodytensed.
Iknewthatalreadybuthearinghersayitnow…Itmademychestfeeloff.
Lightandheavyatthesametime.
“Anddidhecontinuedoingso
whilethinkingyouweresomeoneelse?”Tawnyasked.“Ifso,I’mgoingtobe
thoroughlydisappointed.”
“Inme?”Hervoicepeakedthen.
“No,athim.AndI’llalsobe
concernedforyoursafetyifhedidn’trealizeaftergettingallupinyour
personalspacethatyouweren’tBritta.Nicetolookatornot,heshouldn’tbe
yourguardifthat’sthecase.”
Icrackedagrin.Shewasright.
“Herealizedpretty
quicklythatIwasn’ther.Ididn’ttellhimwhoIwas,buthe…Ithink
hemust’vesensedthatIwasn’t,youknow,thatexperienced.Hedidn’tlike
tucktailandrun.Instead,he…”TheMaiden’svoiceloweredagain.“Heoffered
todoanythingIwanted.”
“Oh,”Tawnyuttered.“Oh,my.
Anything?”
“Anything,”theMaidenconfirmed.
AndIwouldhavedonenearly
anythingshewantedofme.Whowouldn’twhentheyhadhersoft,warmbody
beneaththeirs,herlipsplumpfromkissing,andhereyesbrightwithdesire?
Dammit.
Apulseofwantpoundedthrough
me,hittingmycockjustenoughforittostir.
Ishouldstoplistening.It
wouldbereallyawkwardifVikterarrivedandIwasrockingahard-on.
“Wejustkissed.That’sall,”the
Maidensaid.Butthatwasn’tall.I’dkissedherelsewhere.
NotthatIneededtothinkabout
thatatthemoment.Ishiftedmystance,wideningmy
legsasIfrowned.Forfuck’ssake,hertalkingaboutkissing,andmethinking
aboutwhathadhonestlybeenverytameactivities,
shouldn’tbegettingmehard.
“Oh,mygods,Poppy,”Tawnysaid
afterafewmoments.“Isowishyou’dstayed.”
“Tawny,”shesaidwithasigh.
“What?Youcan’tsayyoudon’t
wishyou’dstayed.Notjustalittlebit.”
Itiltedmyheadagain,
waiting…andwaiting.
“Ibetyouwouldn’tbeamaiden
anylongerifyouhad,”Tawnyremarked.
No,shewouldstillbeone.I
wouldn’thavecrossedthatlineinagodsdamn
brothel.Iwouldn’thavecrossedthatlinewithheranywhere.
“Tawny!”Iheardhershockand
mylipstwitched.
“What?”Tawnylaughed.“I’m
kidding,butIbetyou’dbarelybeamaiden,”sheadded,andyeah,she
would’vebarelybeenthat.“Tellme,didyou…enjoyit?
Thekissing?”
“Yes,”camethe
almost-too-quiet-to-hearreply.“Idid.”
Iknewthat,butIstillsmiled.
“Thenwhyareyousoupsetthat
he’syourguard?”Tawnyasked.
“Why?”Disbeliefdimmedthe
Maiden’svoice.“Yourhormonesmustbecloudingyourrationalthought.”
“Myhormonesarealwaysclouding
myrationalthought,thankyouverymuch.”
Ichuckledundermybreath.
“He’sgoingtorecognizeme,”
theMaidensaid.“Hehastooncehehearsmespeak,right?”
Toolateforthoseconcerns.
“Iimagine,”herfriendreplied.
“WhatifhegoestotheDukeandtellshimthatIwasattheRedPearl?”theMaidenwondered,clearlyworried,butshedidn’tneedto
be.“ThatI…allowedhimtokissme?Hehastobeone
oftheyoungestRoyalGuards,ifnottheyoungest.It’sclearhe’s
interestedinadvancement,andwhatbetterwaytosecurethatthantogaintheDuke’sfavor?Youknowhowhisfavoriteguardsorstaffare
treated!They’repracticallytreatedbetterthanthoseontheCourt.”
Thatwastheutterlastthing
shehadtoworryaboutwhenitcametome.
“Idon’tthinkhehasaninterest
ingainingHisGrace’sfavor,”Tawnyargued.“Hesaidyou
werebeautiful.”
“I’msurehewasjustbeingkind.”
Myeyesnarrowed.Iwasnot.It
wasoneoftheraretimesI’dbeentellingthetruthsinceIreturnedtothisshitholekingdom.Shewasstunning.
“Firstoff,”Tawnybegan,“you
arebeautiful.Youknowthat—”
“I’mnotsayingthattofishfor
compliments.”
“Iknow,butIfeltthe
overwhelmingneedtoremindyouofsuch,”Tawnycountered,andIwasgladshe
did.“Hedidn’thavetosayanythinginresponsetotheDuke
beingageneralass.”
Tawnywasdefinitely
backinmyfavorite-personspot.
“Hecould’vejustignoredit,”
shecontinued.“AndproceededontotheRoyalGuardoath,which,bytheway,he
madesoundlike…sex.”
Ismiled.
“Yes,”theMaidenagreed.“Yes,
hedid.”
Thecurveofmylipsspread
wider,revealingahintofmyfangstotheemptyhall.
“Ialmostneededtofanmyself,
justsoyouknow,”Tawnysaid.“Butbacktothemoreimportantpartofthis
development.Doyouthinkhe’salreadyrecognizedyou?”
“Idon’tknow.Iworeamask
thatnight,andhedidn’tremoveit,butIthinkIwouldrecognizesomeonein
oroutofamask.”
“IwouldliketothinkthatI
would,andIwoulddefinitelyhopethataRoyalGuardwould,”Tawnyretorted.
“Thenthatmeanshechosenotto
sayanything,”theMaidenmused.“Although,hemightnothaverecognizedme.It
wasdimlylitinthatroom.”
Iwouldrecognizeheranywhere.
“Ifhedidn’t,thenIimaginehe
willwhenyouspeak,asyousaid.It’snotlikeyoucanbecompletelysilent
everytimeyou’rearoundhim,”Tawnystated.“Thatwouldbesuspicious.”
“Obviously.”
“Andodd.”
“Agreed,”theMaidensaid.“I
don’tknow.Eitherhedidn’t,orhedidandchosenottosayanything.Maybe
he’splanningtolorditovermyheadorsomething.”
“You’reanincrediblysuspicious
person.”
Damnstraight,shewas.
“Heprobablyjustdidn’t
recognizeme.”TheMaidenwassilentandthensaid,“Youknowwhat?”
“What?”
“Idon’tknowifI’mrelievedor
disappointedthathedidn’trecognizeme.OrifI’mexcitedthathemight
have.”Therewasasoftlaugh.“Ijustdon’tknow,butitdoesn’tmatter.
What…whathappenedbetweenuswasonetimeonly.Itwasjustthis…thing.It
can’thappenagain.NotthatI’meventhinkinghe’dwanttodoanyof
thatagain,especiallynowthatheknowsitwasme.Ifhedoes.”
“Uh-huh,”Tawnysaid.
“ButwhatI’mtryingtosayis
thatit’snotathingtoevenconsider,”theMaidenforgedon.“Whathedoes
withtheknowledgeistheonlythingthatmatters.”
“YouknowwhatIthink?”Tawny
said.
“I’mhalf-afraidtohearit.”
Iwasn’t.
“Thingsareabouttogetsomuch
moreexcitingaroundhere.”
Tippingmyheadback,Ismiled
asIstaredatthebareraftersoftheceiling.Yes,thingsweredefinitelyabouttobecomemoreexciting.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEARROGANT
ANDCOCKY
VikterreturnednotlongafterTawnyhadenteredherroom
throughaconnectingdoorwithintheMaiden’schambers.Hestrodedownthehall
withawhiteclothclenchedinhisgrip,whichheallbutshovedintomyhands.
Glancingdownatthecrispwhite
withitsgleamofgold,IcouldbarelycontainmydisgustasIrealizeditwas
themantleoftheRoyalGuard.“Thanks,”Imuttered.
“Trynottolooktoothrilled,”Vikterreplied.
Iliftedmygazetohim.“The
samecouldbesaidaboutyou.”
Hestoodacrossfromme,the
faintlightcatchingthenicksandgroovesintheblackarmorcoveringhis
chest.“WouldyoupreferthatIpretendIapproveofthisdecision?”
“No.”Itossedthemantleover
oneshoulder,wonderingifhecalledtheMaidenPoppy.
“Aslongasyouunderstandthatnomatterhowmanytimesyoucomplaintothe
Commander,itwon’tundohisdecision.”
Vikter
huffedoutashortlaugh.“YouthinkI’mnotawareofthat?”
“YouthinkIbelieveyouwentto
seetheCommanderjusttograciouslyretrievethemantleforme?”
“Idon’tgivetwoshitswhatyou
think,”Vikterretorted.
“Well,”Idrawled,myhead
tilting,“won’tthatmakeworkingtogetherabitdifficult?”
“Nah.”Heshookhishead,hisblue
eyesascoldastheicethatcappedtheHighHillsofThronos
nearEvaemon.“Idon’tneedtoknowwhatyouthink
foreitherofustocarryoutourduties.Ialreadyknowenough.”
“Andwhatisitthatyouknow?”
Iasked.
“TheCommanderthinksyou’renot
onlyreadybutalsocapableenoughtotakeonthisresponsibility.You’re
obviouslyskilled,quickwithasword,andstrongasanox.”
“Flattered,”Imurmured.
Ablade-sharpsmileappeared.
“Andyou’realsoarrogantandcocky.”
Iarchedabrow.“Idobelieve
theyarethesamething.”
“Andasmartass,”Vikteradded.
Mylipstwitchedasunwanted
respectgrewfortheman.Somethingwarnedhimtobewaryofme.Aninnate
instinct,whichwasspot-on.“Youforgottoaddwickedlyhandsome.”
Hehuffedabreath.“WhatI
forgotwasthatyoudon’tknowwhentoshutyourmouth,butthat’ssomething
you’regoingtolearn.”
Bitingbackalaugh,Iturnedmy
headtofacetheendofthehall,wherespecksofdustcaughtinthefading
sunlightcomingthroughasmallwindow.“Youwouldn’t
bethefirsttowishI’dlearnhowtodothat.”
“Notsurprisedatalltohear
that,”hesaid.“Thedifferencewithmeisthatyoueitherlearntheeasyway
orthehardway.”
Agrinsnuckfree.
“YouthinkI’mfuckingwith
you?”Viktersneered.“Accidentshaveawayofhappening
aroundhere,evenwithRoyalGuards—evenwithnewlypromotedRoyalGuards.”
Myheadturnedbacktohim.Was
heactuallythreateningme?Theburstofdisbelief
gavewaytoanotherrippleofamusement.“I’mnotfucking
withyou,Vikter.YoujustremindmeofsomeoneI
know.”
“Doubtful,”hemuttered.
“Letmeguess,thehardway
involvesbreakingmyjaworworse?”AshortlaughleftmeasVikter’seyesnarrowed.“So,I’mright.He’ssaidthesame
thingquiteafewtimes.”
Vikter
wassilentforamoment.“Andwhoisthisclearlyastuteperson?”
“Afatherofafriend.”Imet
hisstare,myhumorfading.“Look,wedon’thavetolikeeachother.Wedon’t
evenreallyneedtogetalong.Youhaveyourduty,andIhavemine,andweshare
thatresponsibility.Iwillnotfailher.That’sallyouneedtoknow.”
Heheldmygaze,thenletouta
low,gruffnoiseashisattentionshiftedovermyshouldertothedoor.A
momentpassed.“IsTawnystillinthere?”
“No,sheleftalittlebitago.”
Irestedmyhandonthehiltofthebroadsword,assumingwe’dreachedsomesort
ofunderstanding.“WilltheMaidenremaininherchambersfortherestofthe
day?”
“Ifthatiswhatshechooses,”
hereplied.“WhatdidtheCommanderprepareyouforintermsofyourrole?”
“Thebasics,”Ianswered.“As
forherschedule,hedidn’tgointothatmuchdetailonwhat’sprohibitedand
not.”
Vikter
nodded.“Wewillalternatedaysandnights.That’swhatwe’vealwaysdone,”he
explained,someofthetensioneasingfromhisshoulders.“Thereissomething
youshouldknow—toprepareforwhenyouguardheratnight.Sometimes,shehas…unpleasant
dreams.”
Thetautnessthatlefthim
seizedme.“Nightmares?”IthoughtofwhatI’dseenwhenshewasunveiled.
“Whatcausesthem?”
Hejuststaredatme.
“Aretheyabouthowshewas
scarred?”Isurmised.
Silence.
Ipushedbackthefrustration.
“Look,Igetyou’reprotectiveofher.EvenmoresothanI’dexpectaguardto
be,”Isaid,andhiseyesnarrowed.“ButIneedtoknoweverythingaboutherto
domyjob.”
“Youdon’tneedtoknowanything
toprotectherotherthanwhatyourdamnjobis,”hesnapped,thencursedlow.
“Shegotthescarswhenshewasachild.Sixyears
old.InaCravenattackthatkilledherparentsandnearlyendedherlife.”
“Fuck,”Irasped,rubbingmy
handovermychin.IknewabouttheCravenattack,butIhadn’theardthis,and
ifIhad,Imust’veforgottenit.“Shewassix?Howthefuckdidshesurvive?”
“She’sChosen,”heanswered.
Ilookedathim,shakingmy
head.“Shemustbe,”Imuttered,glancingovermyshoulder.She’dbeensixyears
old?Goodgods.“Nowondershehasnightmares.”
“Yeah.”Heclearedhisthroat.
“Youmayhearherscream,”hesaid,eachwordstatedslowlyasifhewere
takingthetimetochoosethem.“Shewillbefine,butIaskyounottobring
ituptoher.”
Assomeonewhohadspentwaytoo
manydecadeswithunpleasantdreams,Iquicklyunderstoodwhathewassaying.
Hedidn’twantherembarrassed.Icouldrespectthat,except…
“HowamItoknowwhenascream
isduetoanightmareorherbeingunderduress?”
Vikter
snorted.“Shewon’tscreamifshe’sunderduress,”hesaid,leavingme
wonderingexactlywhatthefuckhemeantbythatashe
wenton.“Intermsofherschedule,sheisnottobedisturbedintheearlyhours
ofthemorning.Thattimeisforprayersandmeditation.Shenormallytakesher
mealsinherchambers.”Hegavetheroughtimesforwhenthestaffservedthem,
usuallyhandingthemealovertowhoeverguardedherdoor.“Servantsgenerally
enterherchamberstocleanwhensheistakingherlessonswithPriestess
Analia,whichyouwillattendonthedaysyou’reguardingher.Sometimes,she
willbepresentwhentheservantsneedaccess.Wetrytoavoidthat,but…”He
trailedoff,clearinghisthroat.“Sheistobeveiledduringthosetimes,and
youwillberequiredtoenterherchambersifsheispresentwhenservantsor
anyoftheotherstaffarethere.Theonlyonesallowedtobeinherchambers
withoutyouaretheTeermansandTawny.Asfar—”
“Wait,”Iinterrupted.“Doesthe
Dukevisitherchambers?”
“Hehasn’t,butitisnotan
impossibility.”AmuscletickedinVikter’sjaw,and
Ididn’tlikethelooksofit.Hequicklymovedon.
“Shewillsometimessitintheatrium,usuallyintheearlyafternoonswhen
it’sempty.Shealsolikestotakewalksonthecastlegroundsinthemornings,
andespeciallyaftersupper.Whensheismovingaboutthegrounds,shewillnot
interactwithothers…”
Mybrowsinchedcloserand
closertogetherashespokeandhadtobenearlyconnectedbythetimehe
reachedtheveryshortlistofthingstheMaidendid.Thatcouldn’tbeit,but
somethinghesaidmademethinkofLordMazeen
“WhatabouttheLordsand
Ladies?”Iasked.“Dotheyinteractwithher?”
“Somedo,”heconfirmed.“They
donotseeherunveiled.”
“Butisshetobealonewith
them?”Ipressed.
“Notusually.Theycould,of
course,requesttospeakwithherinprivate,butthatisrare.”Hestudiedme.
“Whydoyouask?”
“JustwanttomakesureIknow
exactlywhatisandisn’tallowed.”Ifoldedmyarms.“AndI’veheardthatsome
oftheLordsandLadiesareknowntodisrespectpersonalboundaries.”
Vikter’s
lefteyesquinted.“Afewareknownforthat.”
“AnythatIshouldbeawareof
whenitcomestotheMaiden?”
Amomentpassed.“Idonotlet
theMaidenstraytoofarinLordMazeen’spresence.”
Myjawtightened.FortheLord
tohavecarriedtheMaiden’sscent,someonehadallowedit,butIdidn’t
believeitwasVikter.“Ishea…problem?”
“Hecanbe.”Hedrewahandover
hisarmoredchest.“Butonlytothepointwherehemakesanuisanceof
himself.”
FromwhatBrittahadshared,I
wouldn’tconsiderLordMazeen’sbehavioranuisance.
ButtherewasonlysomuchViktercouldsayaboutthe
Ascended—orwould,consideringhedidn’texactlytrustme.
ButIknewenoughtoknowto
keepaneyeonLordMazeen.Ichangedthesubject.
“So,that’sallshedoes?”
“OtherthanattendingtheCity
Councils,that’saboutit,”Vikterconfirmed.“She
doesn’tgooutinpublic.”
Oh,yesshedid,butthatwas
besidethepoint.IglancedatthecloseddoorsbehindmeasViktercontinuedonwithamuch
longerlistofthingsshecouldn’tdo.Shewasnottospeaktoothers,eat
amongcompany,leavethecastlegrounds—thelistwentonandonuntilIwondered
ifshewasallowedtovisitthebathingchamberswithoutpermissionforfuck’ssake.“Whatdoesshedowiththerestofhertime?”
Hefrowned.“Whydoyouask?”
“Why?”Ifacedhim.Washe
serious?“Shespendsthemajorityofhertimeinherchambers?
Alone?”
Thatmusclewasticking
double-timenow.“Yes,andotherthanthesituationsIlistedabove,itwillbe
rareforyoutofindyourselfinherchambers.”Hischindipped.“Very
rare.Andwhenyoudo,thedoorsshouldbeleftopen.Sheisawareofthis.”
Ididn’trespondtohisclear
warning,andsilencedescendedbetweenus.Iwasstuckonthefactthatthe
Maidentrulyspenttheentiretyofhertimealoneorbeingwatched.I’dknown
thelatter,butI’dassumedherdayswerespentdoing…well,whateveritwasthe
so-calledMaidendid.
Apparently,this…thiswasit.
Damn.I
draggedahandovermyhead.Herexistencehadtobealonelyone.Damn
“Youusedhername.”
Myattentioncut
totheRoyalGuard.“What?”
“Whenyouspokeyourvow,”Viktersaid,“youusedhergivenname.Why?”
Aslewofliesrosetothetip
ofmytongue.IcouldjustclaimthatIdidn’tknowwhy,butafterwhatI’dlearned?“Ijustwantedhertoknowthatsomeonesawher.”
Vikter
inclinedhishead,buttherewasnootheracknowledgment.Noreprimand,either.
Ididn’tthinkhehadanissuewithit,andmyreluctantrespectforhimgrew.
Andthatwasadamnshame.
Becauseifweweresummonedto
thecapital,hewouldbeoneoftheguardsescortingher.Whichmeantitwas
likelythatVikterWardwellwouldhavetodieforme
tosucceedinwhatI’dcometodo.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEMADEANEWFRIEND
Theacridscent
ofcold-cutsteelfilledtheairasIliftedaglovedhandandremovedthe
loosenedbrickontheblacksmith’sshop.Aslipofparchmentpassedthroughan
intricatechainofsupportersandspieshadbeentuckedbehindthelooseblock.
Itwasunsignedandincludedonlyfivewords.
I’vemadeanewfriend.
MylipscurledasItuckedthe
noteintotheinteriorpocketofmycloak.I’ddestroyitlater,leavingno
traceofitsexistence.Imademywaytothemouthofthealley,wherepuddles
fromthequick,drenchingdownpourformednarrowstreamsinthepitted
cobblestones.
Iquicklyslippedinwiththe
throngofpeoplehurryingthroughthecloggedstreetsatdusk,someheading
homewhileotherswerejuststartingtheirdays.Therewasachillintheair,
somanywerecloakedlikeme.Iblendedin,unseenorforgottenthemomentI
passedanotherasIcrossedthetwisted,convolutednetworkofstreetsinthe
LowerWard.TherewasalwaysgloomintheshadowsoftheRise,butevenmoreso
withthickcloudschokingoutthesunearlierandnowthemoon.
Itooknoteofthewhite
handkerchiefstackedontothedoorsofthesquat,narrowhouses—threeofthem.
Myjawclenched,butIforcedmyselftokeepgoing,tellingmyselfthatsomeone
wouldanswerthesilentcalls.IthoughtofwhatJole
hadsaidabouttheMaidenandshookmyhead.
Cuttingbetweentwotarp-covered
wagons,Icrossedthestreetandwassuddenlyswallowedbythestenchof
slaughterandanimals.Onesmelledthemeatpackingdistrictbeforetheyactuallyenteredit.Theraindidnothingtoquellthe
scents.Manyoftheshopsheredidn’tcloseforthenight,sothestreetswere
justasfilledwithcommonersandtheunhoused.
SinceI’dbeenhere,thenumber
ofthosewithoutshelterhaddoubled,ifnottripled.TheBloodCrowndid
nothingforthem,notevenasthecoldestmonthsapproached.InAtlantia,everyonewhowantedahomehadone.Providingfor
thosewhowereunabletodosothemselvesforwhateverreasonwasn’teasy,but
itwasn’timpossible.Atlantiahadalwaysdoneit,
evenwhenweruledtheentirecontinent.
Iskirtedavendorhawking
smokedpork,reachingatightlanebetweentwosmoke-stainedwarehouses.Inthe
flickeringyellowglowofthestreetlampsasIheadedforthesideentranceto
oneofthebuildings,Ialmostdidn’tseethetwosmall,youngchildren—aboy
andagirl.Theycouldn’thaveseenmorethantheirtenthyearoflife.Theirfaces
weresmudgedwithdirt,theirbodiesslenderbeneaththeirtoo-thinshirtsand
pants.Theyhadmanagedtopressthemselvesintoanunusedstoop,theireyes
sunken,buttheystillwatchedthoseonthesidewalkwiththewarinessofan
adultwho’dseenwar.
Gods,theyweretooyoungfor
thiskindoflife.
Slowingmysteps,Ipivotedand
returnedtothevendor,buyingapackageofpork.
Oneofthechildrenleaned
forward,usingtheirbodytoshieldtheotherasIapproached.Werethey
siblingsbybloodorcircumstance?
Iknelt,keepingmyselfatarm’s
lengthsoIwouldn’tfrightenthem.Thoughalltheysawwasacloakedandhooded
figureinblack,crouchingbeforethem,soIdoubtedmuchIdidwouldn’tscarethem.
“Here.”Iextendedthepackage.
Theonewho’dleanedforwardwatchedmewithbrowneyes.Behindhim,theother
childpeeredoverhisshoulder.“It’syours.”
Theboylookedatthepackage,
hungersparklinginhishollowfeatures.Hedidn’ttakethepork,though.I
didn’tblamehim.Nothingonthestreetswasgivenforfree.
Exceptfortonight.
Iplacedthepackagebythe
child’sdirtyboots,thensayingnomore,Iroseandbackedoff.Asecond
passed,andthentheboysnatchedupthepackagebeforedisappearingintothe
shadowsofthestoop.Theporkwassalty,likelytastedlikeshit,
andnotthehealthiest,butitwasbetterthananemptybelly,andsmarterthan
handingovercoin,whichwouldonlymakethematarget.ItwasthebestIcould
do.
Fornow.
Walkingthroughthebuilding’s
sideentrance,Ienteredthebusywarehouse.Woodencratesthumpedofftables,
andsharpenedcleaversslicedthroughboneandtissue.HeadsroseasIstrode
betweenthetables,discardedparchmentwrappingcrinklingbeneathmyboots.
Therewereafewsmiles.Noonesaidaword.They’dseenmebefore.
TheycouldguesswhoIwas.
Atthebackofthespace,a
largemanIonlyknewasMacsatonastoolbyacloseddoor,headbaldand
apronstainedwithdriedblood.He,too,saidnothing,buthedidnod.Heknew
whoIwas,andIknewexactlywhohewas.Hewastheunofficialleader
oftheDescentershere.
Ipushedopenthedoor.Thehall
wascrampedwithunusedcrates,andthesoundofpigsrootingaroundinthe
outdoorpenssilencedthesoundsofthemeatpackingfloor.Twodoorswereat
theend,andoneledoutside.Itooktheothertotheright,goingdowna
steep,unlitsetofstairsthatonewithoutlightormyvisionwouldbreak
theirnecksattemptingtodescend.Therewasonemoredoor,anddullyellow
lightandcoldairseepedoutfromtheframe.Pushingitopen,Ienteredthe
undergroundicecellarpackedwithlargeblocksofthefrozenwaterusedto
keeptheslaughteredmeathangingfromtheraftersfreshforlongenoughitcould
bepackagedonthefloorabove.Thespotwascoldandsmelledlikefreshkill,
butwhathappeneddownherewasn’theardabove.
“Abouttime,”IheardKieransay
asIwalkedbetweentwoslabsofhangingmeat.“Ithinkallmybitsareabout
tofreezeoff.”
Isnorted,knowingKieranwas
fine.Wolven’sbodiesranhotterthananyIknew.It
wouldtakealotlongerforthesekindsoftempstodoanyrealdamagetohim.
IreachedthepoolofyellowlightandfoundKieranleaningagainstabare
woodentable,hisarmscrossed.HewasdressedasIwas,minusthehood.Ileft
mineup.Ithadprovenscarierthatway.Myattentionshiftedtothemaleslumped
inthechairhewastiedto.
“I’mpleasedtointroduceyouto
LordHaleDevries,”Kieranannounced,followingmygaze.“HewasarrivingfromPensdurth,”hesaid,referencingthenearbyportcity.“But
heisfromCarsodonia,andaccordingtoallwhohadto
listentohisinsufferableboastingduringthetriphere,heiswellconnected
totheBloodCrown.”
IsmiledasIeyedthe
unconsciousvampry.Hewasdark-hairedandappeared
somewhereinhissecondorthirddecadeoflife,butI’dbethewasafewdecades
older.“Gods,howIloveaboaster.”WehadDescenters
intheGuardandamongthoseescortingtravelersamongthecities.Notmany,
butenoughthatafewAscendedfoundtheirwaydownhere.Iprowledaroundthe
Lord,spottinganastybluish-purplebruiseonhistemple.“Howlonghashe
beenout?”
“Sincehewasdumpedhere.Want
metowakehim?”
“Sure.”Icametostandbehind
him.
Kieranpushedoffthetableand
dippedbelowtowhereabucketsatbeneathit.Heliftedalargeladle.Sending
meagrin,hewenttowheretheAscendedsatlimply.“Wakey.Wakey,”he
murmured,dumpingacup’sworthoficywateratoptheAscended’s
head.
Thevampry
cameawakewithagasp,shakinghisheadandsendingdropsofwatersprayingin
everydirection.“Whatthe—?”WhatevertheLordhadbeenabouttosay,itdied
ahundreddeathswhenhespottedKieranstandinginfrontofhim.
“Hello.”Kierantossedtheladle
ontothetable.“Didyouhaveanicenap?”
“Who…whoareyou?”theLord
demandedasheturnedhisheadleftandright,hisbodygoingrigidashesaw
theslabsofhangingmeat.“WhereamI?”
“Ithinkitshouldbeobvious
whereyouare.”Kieran’sfacewasdevoidofemotion,buthiseyeswereabright,
luminousblue.“Andyoushouldn’tbeconcernedwithme.Youshouldbeasking
abouttheonebehindyou.”
TheLord’sheadjerkedtothe
side.“Who’sthere—?”
Plantingmyhandonthetopof
hishead,Istoppedhim.“I’msogladtomakeyouracquaintance,LordDevries.
IhaveafewquestionsforyouthatIdohopeyoucananswer.”
“Howdareyou?”hesputtered.
IgrinnedasIpressedmygloved
fingersintohishead.“HowdareI?”
“DoyouknowwhoIam?”theLord
demanded.
“Ibelievethat’sbeen
established,”Kieranstated.
“Idoubtyouunderstand—”
“Lookathimwhenyouspeak,”I
turnedhisheadsohefacedKieran.
TheLordfoughtbutlost.He
endeduplookingrightatKieranashewarned,“I’maLord,amemberofthe
RoyalCourt,andyouhavemadeagravemistake.”Devriesspatonthefloor.“Descenter.”
Kieranraisedabrow.
“Whatisityouwantthathasdriven
youtomakesuchpoorchoices?”Devriesdemandedinthatannoyingairofhaughtiness
allAscendedseemedtocomeequippedwith.“Land?Coin?”
“Wehavenoneedofyourcoin,”
Kieransaid.“Theland,though?Yes,butthatwillhavetowait.”
Ichuckled.
“Youlaughnow,butyouriskthe
wrathofthegods,”Devrieshissed,pushinghisheadagainstmygripashe
triedtoturntowardme.“YouriskbringingtheCrowndownuponyourhead.”
IbentsoIwasclosetohisear
asIwhispered,“FucktheCrown.”
“Boldwordsfromthecowardwho
standsbehindme,”theLordsnapped.
Grinning,Ishovedhisheadand
steppedback.Hecursedasheandthechairtoppledforward.Kierancaughthim
withaboottothechest,andIprowledaroundhim,settingthechairtorights
“Youstupidheathen.Youwill
burn…”HetrailedoffasIcameintoview.Pitch-blackeyeswidenedashe
watchedmestandinfrontofhim.
“DoyouknowwhoIam?”Iasked.
Hetookintheblackcloak,the
heavyhoodthathidmyfeatures,andmyglovedhands.Thatalonewouldnotbe
ofconcern,butcombinedwiththepredicamenthefoundhimselfin,ittookno
timeforhimtofigureitout.
TheLord’sheadsnappedforward,
andhislipspeeledbackoverhisteeth,allpretensevanishinginaninstant
ashebaredsharpenedcanines.“DarkOne.”
Ibowed.“Atyourservice.”
“Dramatic,”Kieranmuttered.
Smiling,Istraightened.“AsI
wassayingbeforeyouhadyourlittlemeetandgreet,Ihavequestionsfor
you.”
“Fuckyourquestions,”he
snapped.“You’regoingtodie.”
“Letmecutinheresinceit’s
fuckingcoldanditstinks,”Kieraninterjected.“You’regoingtothreatenus.
We’regoingtolaugh.You’regoingtoswearyouwon’tanswerourquestions,but
we’llmakeyou.”
TheLord’sheadswiveledinthewolven’sdirection.
“Andrightnow,youthink
there’snopointincooperatingsinceyouknowyou’renotwalkingoutofhere,”
Kieranwenton.“Butwhathasn’tsunkinyetisthatthereisadifference
betweendyingandaverylong,drawn-out,andpainfuldeath.”
Devries’nostrilsflaredashis
gazedartedbetweenus.
“AndifIhave
tostaydownherelongerthannecessary?Icanpromiseyouwillbegfor
death,”Kierancontinued.“Youhaveachoice.”
“Hespeaksthetruth,”Isaid,
myeyesnarrowingonDevries.“Iwanttoknowwherethey’rekeepingPrince
Malik.”
“IknownothingaboutPrince
Malik,”hegrowled,hisarmsflexing.
“Butyoutoldeveryoneonthe
journeyhereyouwerewellconnectedwiththeCrown,”Kieransaid.
Vamprys
werestrong—strongenoughtobreaktheropesholdinghiminplace.
Isighed.“He’sgoingtochoose
unwisely.”
Thebindingssnapped,andthevamprycameoutofthechairfasterthanamortalcouldmove.
Butnotfasterthanawolven
Kierancaughthimbythe
shoulders,holdingthevampryback.“Whydotheyalways
dothis?”heaskedashischindipped.
“Maybetheythinkit’sfun,”I
mused.
“It’snot.”Agrowlrumbledup
fromKieran’schestashisnostrilsflattenedandtheskinofhisfeatures
thinned.ThehandontheAscendedshoulderslengthened,thenailsgrowingand
sharpening,plungingdeepintothevampry’sshoulder.
TheLordhowledasKieranclawed
throughfleshandmuscle.HethrewDevriestothecold,stonefloor,sending
himskiddingbackintoahunkofmeat.“You’rea…”Hegasped,clutchinghis
mangledshoulder.“Wolven.”
“Youcancallmethat.”Kieran
inhaleddeeply,reininghimselfbackin.Hisskinfilledout,hishand
returningtoitsnormalsize.Bloodandtissuedrippedfromhisfingertips.“Or
youcancallmedeath.Whicheveryou’dprefer.”
Iglancedathim.“Betyou’ve
beenwaitingalldaytosaythat.”
Kieranliftedabloodymiddle
finger.
“HowaboutIcallyouafilthy
dog?”Devriesretorted.
Isnappedforward,bringingmy
bootdownonhisruinedshoulder.TheLordscreamed.“Thatwasrude.”Ikept
pressing.“Apologize.”
“Fuckyou.”
“Apologize.”Idugmyfootin,
crackingbone.“Youhaveahellofalotmorebonesto
go.”
Heswungwithhisotherhand,
reachingformylegsIsupposed,butIwasn’tsurewhathethoughtthatwould
accomplish.Kieraneasilycaughthisarm,snappingitbackandcrackingthe
boneintheprocess.Devrieshowled,kickinghisfootatKieranashejerked
upright,fangsbaredashewentformythigh.
Isighed.
Thiscontinuedforawhile,
provingthattheLordwasnotallthatwise.Bothlegswerebrokenwhenhe
finallystoppedtryingtobiteus.Sowashisleftarm.Therighthungonfordear
life.Hewasamessyheapoffleshandbone,leakingalloverthefloor.
Cleanupwouldbeabitch
“TellmewherePrinceMalikisbeing
kept,”Isaidforwhathadtobethehundredthtime.
“ThereisnokeptPrince,”thevamprymoaned,andthatwas,atleastanimprovementover
tellingmetogofuckmyself.
Ikickedhiminthechest,
knockinghimflatonhisback.
“Motherfucker.”Devriesgroaned.
“Whereishebeingheld?”I
repeated.
“Nowhere,”thevampryroared,spittingbloodandsaliva.
Furyerupted.Movingtowardhim,
Iraisedmyleg,butKierangrabbedmyarm,stoppingmebeforeIbroughtmyboot
downonthevampry’shead.
“Youlevel?”Kieranasked.
Inhalingdeeply,Isteppedback
andnodded.Ididn’tevenknowwhatlevelmeantatthemoment.
“Okay.Movingon,Devries.IwantyoutotellmeabouttheMaiden.”
TheLordmoaned,rollingonto
hisside.
“Whyissheimportanttothe
BloodCrown?”
“She’sChosen,”thevamprygroaned.“BytheQueen.Bythegods.”
Kieranlookedoveratme.
“Youforgetwhoyou’respeaking
to,”Iadvised.“WeknowthegodshaveChosennoone,leastofallamortal
girl.”
“SheisChosen,youfool.
Thebringerofanewera,”hegasped,palefeaturescontortinginpain.“And
youareafool.”
“Ithinkhewantstodie,”
Kieranremarked,hisbrowraised.
Oneblackeyeopenedandfixed
onme.“I…Irememberwhenyouwantedtodie.When…whenyoubeggedforit.”
Mychestlurched.
Kieran’sheadwhippedbackto
thevampry.“Whatdidyousay?”
“Hedoesn’trecognizeme.Do
you?Ofcourse,not.”LordDevries’laughwasbloodyandwet.“Youwereoutof
it,screamingandbitingattheaironesecond…”
Istiffened.
WhattheLordspokeofhit
Kieraninaninstant.“Shutup.”
“Thenpleadingfordeaththenext,”
theLordsaid,laughingasheeasedontohisback.“Iwasthereinthecapital
whentheyhadyou.”
I’d
frozen,butmychestmovedwitheachrapidbreath.
“Shutthefuckup,”Kieran
growled.
“Irememberwheretheykeptyou
undergroundandinthatcage.”Hisarmsfloppeduselesslyathissidesasimages
ofthosedampbarsflashedinmymind.Glimpsesofbloodlessskin.Darkeyes.
Sharpnails.“Howyouwrithedinpainandthenecstasy—”
LordDevries’wordsendedina
gurgle,startlingme.Iblinked,mysurroundingscomingbackintoview.The
hungmeat.Thethickblocksofice.Bloodandclumpsofmatterstrewnacross
thestone.LordDevries’bodytwitchedasKieranmovedback,hisstepssmearing
gore.
“Cas?”
WhenIdidn’tanswer,Kieran
claspedmyshoulder.“Youokay?”
Iclosedmyeyesandnodded,but
Iwasn’t.Kieranknewthat.NomatterhowmanytimesIsaidIwas,Iwasn’t.
Ineverwouldbe.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRESENTIV
“I’dforgottenall
aboutthat,”Isaid,eyeingtheelegantcurvesofherjawandthenthebrave
linescutthroughhercheekandbrow.“LordDevries.Whathesaidaboutyou.”I
draggedinaraggedbreath.“Whathesaidtome.”
Itwaslate,sometimeinthemiddle
ofthenight.Kieranhadlefttocheckonthings.Ilaybesidehernow,mybody
cradlinghers.Therewasn’tevenaninchofspacebetweenus.Ifoundherhands
inthecandlelitchamberwithouttakingmyeyesoffherface.Theyrestedon
herstomach,justbelowherchest.Iranmyfingersoverhers.Theywere
incrediblystillbetweenmine,smooth.Thebonesbeneathfeltsodamnfragile.
Herskinwasstillicy.
“Hewasright,youknow?About
youbeingChosen.NeitherKierannorIgotitthen.”Ithreadedmyfingersthrough
hers.Secondstickedby,turningintominutes.“Ithinkwebothblockedthat
wholethingout.I…IdidbecauseitwassomethingIdidn’twanttoremember.
Kieranwould’vedonethesamebecauseheknewitcausedmepain.”
Iwantedtoclosemyeyes.Itwas
hardthinkingaboutmytimeincaptivity,letalonespeakingaboutit.Itwas
thatlingeringshame.StillasdifficulttotalkaboutasitwastoadmitI’d
hurtmyself.
“Ididn’trecognizehim,Poppy,
andIthoughtIwouldn’tforgetasinglefaceofthosewhohadtakenpart.But
Idid,andit…itfuckedwithmyhead.Mademewonder
howmanyI’dblockedout.Idon’tevenknowwhyitmattered.Idon’tthinkit
doesnow.”Mygazeflickeredoverherprofile.“Butitgetstome,youknow?
ThatIcan’trememberwhatthisLordborewitnessto.Didheseemeused?Washe
therewhenIhurtothers—whenIfedfromthemuntiltherewasnothingleft?Was
hetherewithMalikinthebeginning?”
Idraggedmythumboverthetop
ofherhand.“HewasalsorightaboutMalik.”Alow,roughlaughleftme.“He
said,‘ThereisnokeptPrince,’andhe’dspokenthetruth.”
Inthesilence,Ihadtoaskifthat
reallywasthetruth.
Malikmaynothavebeenkeptin
acageandchainedtheentiretimehewaswiththeBloodQueen,buthehadbeen
kept
“Hischainswereinvisible,”I
saidaloud,glancingtowardtheclosedchamberdoor.“Andthosechainshada
name.”
Millicent.
Hisheartmate.
IlookedatPoppyanddidn’t
evenwanttoimagineourrolesreversed.PoppyinplaceofMillie.Meinstead
ofMalik.ButIknewonething.“I’dgladlyserveanymonstrousbeing
ifitmeantyouweresafe.Ican’tfaulthimforthat.Ireallycan’t.But…”My
gazereturnedtohercheek.Tothosescars.Ileanedover,kissingtheoneon
hertemple.“Idon’tknowhowIcanforgivehimforwhatheplannedtodotoyou.
Hemaynothaveharmedyouwithhisownhands,buthisactionslefttheirmarks
onyou.”
Marksthatwerebothphysical
andemotional.Onesshestillcarriedandlikelyalwayswould.
“Youprobablywantmetoforgive
him.Iwantto,but…”ButIneededtime.Ineededtotalktohim.Ineededto
understand,andnoneofthatwouldhappenrightnow.Still,Iwantedto.
BecauseI’dseenMalikdiein
theBoneTemple.Struckdown.And,fuck.Thathadtaken
apartofmeoutthere.Hewasmybrother,fucked-upchoices
andall.
PushingthemesswithMalik
aside,afaintsmilereturnedasIthoughtofmyfirstdayguardingPoppy.“Do
yourememberwhenyoufinallyspoketome?Itwasafteryouwereintheatrium.”
MysmilequicklyfadedwhenI
thoughtofwhatcamenext.
TheDuke
Andhernightmares.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHEMAIDENSPEAKS
Thefollowing
afternoon,theMaidenwasquietaswestoodoutsideoneofthehallsthatled
tothekitchens,waitingforTawnytoreturn.
Shestoodasquietasever,her
chindipped,andherhandsclaspedlooselyatherwaist.“Isthereanythingyou
needwhilewewait?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Didyourestwelllastnight?”
Shenodded.
Ibittheinsideofmycheek.
ThatwashowsherespondedtoanyquestionIasked.Anodorashakeofthe
head.Shehadn’tspokentome.Norhadshetalkedinfrontofme.
ThinkingaboutwhatI’d
overheardherandTawnydiscussing,Ifoughtagrin.Shewouldhavetospeakin
mypresenceatsomepoint.Shehadtoknowthat.
TawnyreturnedbeforeIcould
pesterherwithanymoreinanequestions,theedgesof
herskirtsnappingatherheels.Sheliftedaplateofslicedsandwiches.“Look
whatIgot!”sheexclaimed.“Yourfavorite.”
TheMaidensmiled.Kindof.The
cornersofherlipsatleastcurvedupward.
“What’syourfavorite?”Iasked,
myhandrestingonthehiltofmysword.
TheMaidenquicklyturnedher
headaway.
“Cucumber,”Tawnyanswered,
severaltight,caramel-huedcurlsslippingfreeoftheirtwisttofalloverher
shoulderassheshotanot-so-covert,narrowed-eyelookattheMaidenasshe
startedwalkingdownyetanotherhall.“What’syourfavorite,Hawke?”
“Myfavoritesandwich?”I
pondered,noticinghowtheMaidentiltedherheadslightlytolisten.“I’mnot
sureIhaveone.”
“Everyonehasafavorite
sandwich,”Tawnyinsisted.“Mineissalmon-cucumber,whichPoppythinksisdisgusting.”
Poppy.Thatnickname
was…cute.FittinginanoddwaysincetheMaidenwasn’texactlysomeoneI’dthink
ofasbeingcute.Althoughherrefusingtospeakinfrontofme
was…decidedlyadorable.“Ihavetoagreewithher.”
Tawnyscoffed,herlipspursing.
“Haveyoutriedit?”
Ishookmyhead.“AndIdon’t
planto.”
TheMaiden’slipstwitched,but
therewasnosmile.
“Thenwhatisyourfavorite?”
TawnyaskedaftergivingaratherdramaticsighthatevenEmilwould’vefound
impressive.
“Isupposeanythingwithmeat,”
Idecided,shruggingtheweightofwhatIlikedtorefertoasmy
how-to-get-yourself-killed-quickly-in-battlemantleovermyshoulder.IfIwere
fightingsomeonewearingone,itwouldbethefirstthingIgrabbed.
“Well,thatisthemosttypical
guythingI’veeverheard,”Tawnyretorted.
Chuckling,Itrailedafterthem,
andlikethedaybefore,anyservantormemberofthehouseholdstaffwepassed
stoppedintheirtracksandstared.TawnyandtheMaidenproceededasifunaware,
buttherewasnowaytheydidn’tnotice.Unlesstheyhadgrownaccustomedto
it.
Enteringahallwithshimmering
whiteandgoldtapestries,weendedupinthebright,airyatriumWardwellhad
saidtheMaidenpreferred.IchoseapositionwhereI
hadaviewoftheentirespaceandthesectionofthegardenitoverlooked.
Tawnydidmostof—ifnotall—thetalkingwhiletheypickedatthesandwiches.
ShespokeabouttheupcomingRiteandthenrelativelyharmlessgossipabout
whichLordsandLadiesweresuspectedofsneakingofftogether.Allthewhile,
IkeptmyfocusontheMaiden.Shewasmeticulouswhileeating,eachsmallmovement
seemingthoughtoutbeforehand,evenifitweretosipfromherteaorhandle
thelinennapkins.
Footstepsandthesoundof
gigglesdrewmyattentiontotheentryway.TwoyoungLadiesinWaitappeared,
onedark-hairedandcarryingapouch,andtheotherblond.I’dseenthemonthe
castlegroundsafewtimes,watchingtheguardstraining.Whatweretheir
names?LorenandDafina?Ithoughtso,butwhichwas
whichwasbeyondme.And,honestly,itdidn’tmatterasmyattentionshiftedto
theMaiden.
Icloselywatchedasthetwo
LadiesinWaittookthechairsneartheMaiden,warinesscreepingitsway
throughme.FromwhatWardwellhadexplained,theMaidenwasn’ttointeract
withothersexceptforTawny,butneitherattemptedtoleave.
Ihadachoice.Icouldeither
behaveasherguardandescortherbacktoherchambers,whereshewouldlikely
stayforwhoknewhowlong,orIcouldfollowherleadonthis.AndsinceI
thoughttheruleswerealoadofcrap,Iwentwiththe
latter.
Apartofmeregretteditwithin
thefirstfewminutesafterthetwoLadiesinWaitarrived.
Theyquicklybecamequite
the…handful,prattlingexcitedlyandloudlyabouteverything.YetIsomehowhad
noideawhatitwastheyspokeabout.Thethreadoftheirconversationwashard
tofollow.
ButwhatIdidtakenoteofwas
thesubtlechangethatcameovertheMaiden.Icouldn’tsayshehadappeared
allthatrelaxedwhenitwasjustherandTawny,butshehadatleastbeen…comfortable,
Isupposed.Herposturenotnearlyasrigidasitwasnow.Icouldn’teven
fathomhowsomeonesatthatstraightandstill.Wassheforcedtowearoneof
thosebonecorsetsIknewmanyofthewealthyfavoredbeneaththegown?The
dresssheworetodaywasdifferentthantheonethedaybefore.Moreelaborate.
Hersleeveswerelongandflowing,leavingmetowonderhowshemanagednotto
dragthemacrossthesandwicheseachtimeshestretchedforhertea.Thegown’s
necklinedamnnearreachedherneck,causingmythroat
toitch.Mygazedroppedtohershouldersandthebeadedbodice.Thematerial
appearedthin,soIdoubtedacorsetwasbeneathit.Theposturewasallher.I
eyedherlowerhalf.Herhandswerefoldedinherlap.
Wasshecarryingthatdagger?
Ishiftedmystance,then
noticedthatherwhite-slipperedfeethaddisappeared
beneaththehemofhergown.Thewayshesatmadeitappearasifshehadno
handsorfeet.
Theblondesnappedherfan,reflexively
catchingmyattention.ThatwaslikelyoneofthereasonsIfoundithardto
decipherwhattheyspokeabout.Shepeeredatmefrombehindthelacededgesof
herfan,herlargeblueeyesfilledwithmorethanjustawelcome.Itwasa
promise.
LadiesinWaitweren’trequired
tobeallthatstrictwithwhomtheyspenttheirtimeorhowtheychosetodo
so,butIwasalreadyverywellawareofthat.
Thedark-hairedonecouldnot
stayseated,leavingthemaskshehadbeensewingtinyjewelsontoonthetable
asshepeeredoutintothegarden,watchingsomebirdoutside.Shewaslikely
onlyatthewindowsforafewmomentsbeforeasoftthumpandthesubsequent
tinkleofcrystalscouldbeheard.Ilookedtoseejewelsofallcolorsunder
thesunspilloutfromthepouchthedark-hairedonehadbeencarryingforsome
reason
“Oh,no!”shegasped,staringat
themessinsuchadesperate,helplessmanneronewould’vethoughtshe’d
droppedababe.“Mycrystals!”
“Thatwasentirelyclumsyof
you,Loren,”Tawnydrawledfromwhereshesatwatchingher.
“Iknow!”Lorenkneltina
dramaticflourishofsilkandlaceandbeganpickingupeachcrystal,oneby
one.
“Allowmetobeofaid.”I
strodeforward.
“Oh,thatissokindofyou,”
Lorenbeamed,straightening.“You’resoincrediblygallant.”
“Itry,”Imurmured,scoopingup
thecrystalsanddumpingthemintothepouch.Rising,Ioffereditbacktoher.
“Thankyou.”Lorentookthebag,
herhandglidingovermineintheprocess.“Thankyousoverymuch.”
Fightingagrin,Inoddedand
gaveheracurtbowbeforereturningtomycorner.Iwasn’ttherelongbefore
theblondehaltedmidwaytothetablewithrefreshments.
“Oh,my.”Dafina
liftedalimphandtoherforehead.“Ifeelsodizzy.”Shebegantosway.
Goodgods…
Iwenttohersidebeforeshe
endedupinapileofbluesilk,likethecrystals
scattereduponthefloor.“Here.”Itookholdofherelbow,andsheallbut
fellintomyside.“Youshouldsit,”Iadvised,leadingherbacktothechaise
neartheMaiden.“Wouldyoulikemetoretrieveadrinkforyou?”
“Ifyou’dbesokind.”Dafinabattedherthicklylashedeyes.“Mintwater,ifyou
could.”Shelookedattheothers,wavingherfan.“Itissoterriblywarmin
here,isitnot?”
“Notreally.”Tawnylookedon,unimpressed.
IhadnoideawhattheMaiden
thoughtasIpouredaglassofthemintwater.
“Itmustbethewarmththathas
mademesoclumsy,”LorenchimedinasIhandedthewatertotheotherLadyin
Wait,oncemorehavingmyhandtouchedinawaythatfeltmorelikefondling.
Lorenhadnowsprawledherselfacrossthechaise,curvingherbodysoonewould
havetobeutterlyunobservantnottonoticehowlow-cuthergownhad
become.Howsuddenlylow-cutbothoftheirgownshadbecome.“Ido
say,ithasgivenmesuchafrighteningheadache.”
Tawnysighed,rollinghereyes.
Besideher,theMaidendipped
herchin.
Unperturbed,Lorenpressedtwo
delicatefingerstohertemple,andIsuspectedshewasonthevergeof
slippingfromthechaise.
“ThenIsuggestyoumakesure
youstayseated,”Isaid,thinkingtonipanyattemptsofherrisinginthe
bud.Igaveherasmilethathadopenedmanycloseddoorstomeinthepast,
flashingadimple.“Allright?”
Lorenstaredatmymouthasshe
droppedherhandfromhertempletothelaceofherbodice,herboldness
amusing.Shenodded.
Givingthemallonemoresmile,
Ireturnedtomystation.WhenbothLadiesturnedtheirattentiontoTawny,I
breathedasmallsighofrelief.
“YouknowwhatIheard?”Dafinaasked,snappingherfanassheglancedinmy
direction.Sheloweredhervoice,butIeasilyheardeverythingshesaid.“Someone
hasbeenaratherfrequentvisitorofoneofthose…oneofthosedensinthe
city.”
“Dens?”Tawnyasked,andI
realizedthiswasthefirsttimeshe’dinteractedwiththemoutsideofcommenting
ontheirclumsinessandapparentweakconstitution.
Dafina
tippedherupperbodyforward.“Youknowthekind,wheremenandwomenoftengo
toplaycardsandothergames.”
Tawnyliftedherbrows.“You’re
talkingabouttheRedPearl?”
TheMaidensatasstillasthe
limestonestatuesIcouldseeinthegarden.
“Iwastryingtobediscreet.”Dafinasighed,lookingattheMaiden.“But,
yes.”
Ibittheinsideofmymouthas
Ibrieflyshiftedmyattentiontotheglasspanelsaboveus.
“Andwhathaveyouheardhedoes
atsuchaplace?”Tawnyasked,theskirtofhergownmovingandthetoeofher
slipperappearing—
TheMaidenjerkedslightly.
DidTawnyjustkickthe
Maidenunderthetable?
“Iimaginehe’stheretoplaycards,
right?Ordoyou…?”Tawnypressedahandtoherchest,leaningbackinherchair.
“Ordoyouthinkheengagesinothermoreillicit…games?”
“I’msureplayingcardsisall
hedoes.”Lorenraisedaneyebrowasshepressedherfanagainstherchest.“If
thatisallhedoes,thenthatwouldbea…disappointment.”
Ididn’tthinkshe’dbedisappointed.
Mostly.
Ihadn’treturnedtotheRed
PearlsincethenighttheMaidenwasthere,andIhadbeentherenearlyevery
nightbeforethat.
“Iimaginehedoeswhateveryone
doeswhentheygothere,”Tawnysaid.“Findssomeonetospend…qualitytimewith.”
ShetiltedherheadslightlytotheMaiden.
Ihadtobiteharderonthe
insideofmylip.
“Youshouldn’tsuggestsuch
thingsincurrentcompany,”Dafina
admonished.
TawnychokedonherteawhileI
almostchokedonmybreath.
“IimagineifMissWillawere
alivetoday,shewould’vesnaredhiminherweb,”Lorensaid.“Andthenwroteabout
himinherdiary.”
WhowasthisMissWilla?
“Iheardthatsheonlywrote
abouthermostskilled…partners,”Dafina
added,laughingsoftly.“So,ifhemadeitontothosepages,youknowwhatthat
means.”
Iwasflatteredthey’dalready
decidedIwouldbeskilledenoughtomakeitintothisdiary.
Unfortunately,their
conversationmovedonfrommyperceivedskillstotheRite,thoughI
stilloccupiedtheirthoughtsbasedonhowLorenandDafina
continuedstealingglancesinmydirection.
Buttheyweren’ttheonlyones.
TheMaidenlooked,too.
Icouldn’tseehereyes,but
therewasaslighttiltofherheadinmydirection.Whatreallyletmeknow
wastheoddprickleatthenapeofmyneckthatIwouldnotaskKieranabout
because,knowinghim,he’dprobablysayitwasmyconscience.
“Idohopeyou-know-whoisn’tin
thecitylikesomearesaying,”Dafinasaid.“Ifso,
theymaycanceltheRite.”
“Theywon’tcanceltheRite,”
Lorenassured.“AndIdon’tthinkit’sanif.”SheglancedattheMaiden,then
sentherfriendameaningfullook.“Youknowthatithastomeanthathe’s
near.”Herchinlifted.“PrinceCasteel.”
Damn
Didshejustsaymyactualname?
Usually,IwasonlyreferredtoastheDarkOne.
Dafina
frowned.“Becauseofthe…”Sheglancednot-so-coylyattheMaiden.“Becauseof
theattack?”
“Besidesthat.”Loren’sattention
returnedtothemaskshewascurrentlysewingaredcrystalto.Thecornersof
mylipsturneddown.Howmanydamncolorswereonthat
thing?“IoverheardBrittasayingsothismorning.”
“Themaid?”Dafina
scoffed.
“Yes,themaid.”Lorenlifted
herchinevenhigher.“Theyknoweverything.”
Thatwastrue.
Mostly.
Dafina
laughed.“Everything?”
Shenodded.“Peoplespeakaboutanything
infrontofthem.Nomatterhowintimateorprivate.It’salmostliketheyare
ghostsinaroom.Thereisnothingtheydon’toverhear.”
“WhatdidBrittasay?”Tawny
placedhercupdown.
“ShesaidthatPrinceCasteel
hadbeenspottedinThreeRivers,”Lorensaid.“Thatitwashewhostartedthe
firethattookDukeEverton’slife.”
Ididstartthefire.
ButDukeEvertonwasalready
deadbythen.
“Howcouldanyoneclaimthat?”
Tawnydemanded.“NoonewhohaseverseentheDarkOnewillspeakofwhathe
lookslikeorhaslivedlongenoughtogiveanydescriptionofhim.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat,”Dafinacountered.“IheardfromRamseythatheisbaldand
haspointyears,andispale,justlike…youknowwhat.”
Well,thatwas…offensive.Idid
notlooklikeaCraven,whichwaswhattheyinsinuated.
“Ramsey?OneofHisGrace’s
stewards?”Tawnychallenged.“Ishould’vestated,howcouldanyonecredible
claimthat?”
“Brittaclaimsthatthefewwho’ve
seenPrinceCasteelsayhe’sactuallyquitehandsome,”Lorentackedon.
“Oh,really?”Dafinamurmured.
Lorennodded.“ShesaidthatwashowhegainedaccesstoGoldcrestManor.That
DuchessEvertondevelopedarelationshipofaphysicalnaturewithhimwithout
realizingwhohewas,andthatwashowhewasabletomovefreelythroughthe
manor.”
Partofthatwastrue.Myappearance
hadgottenmeeasyaccesstothemanor.Thatwasabout
it,though.
“Nearlyallofwhatshesays
turnsouttobetrue.”Lorenshrugged,pickingupagreenjewel,anemeraldone
thatremindedmeoftheMaiden’seyes.“So,shecould
berightaboutPrinceCasteel.”
“Youshouldreallystopsaying
thatname.”Tawnysmiledthinlyasthetwofocusedonher.“Ifsomeone
overhearsyou,you’llbesenttotheTemplesfasterthanyoucansay‘Iknewbetter.’”
Lorenlaughed.“I’mnotworried.
I’mnotfoolishenoughtosaysuchthingswhereIcanbeoverheard,andIdoubt
anyonepresentwillsayanything.”
“What…whatifhewasactually
here?”Lorenshuddered.“Inthecitynow?Whatifthatwashowhegainedaccess
toCastleTeerman?”Somethingakintoexcitementfilled
hertone.“BefriendedsomeonehereorperhapsevenpoorMalessa.”
“Youdon’tsoundallthat
concernedbytheprospect,”Tawnypointedout,pickinguphercup.“Tobe
blunt,yousoundexcited.”
“Excited?No.Intrigued?Possibly.”
Sheloweredthemasktoherlap,sighing.Mybrowsrose.“Somedaysarejustso
dreadfullydull.”
“So,agoodoldrebellionmay
liventhingsupforyou?Deadmenandwomenandchildrenareasourceof
entertainment?”
ThelooksofsurpriseonLoren’s
andDafina’sfacessurelymirroredmineasshock
rolledthroughme.IslowlyturnedmyheadtotheMaiden.Thathadbeenher.
Shehadspoken.Finally
Lorenrecoveredfirst.“I
supposeI…Imight’vemisspoken,Maiden.Iapologize.”
“PleaseignoreLoren,”beggedDafina.“Sometimes,shespeakswithoutanythoughtand
meansnothingbyit.”
Lorennoddedemphatically.
TheMaidensaidnothingasher
headremainedturnedintheirdirection.However,therewasnodoubtinmymind
theyfeltthathiddenstarebecausetheyquicklydepartedafterthat.
“Ithinkyouscaredthem,”Tawny
remarked.
TheMaidentookadrink,andmy
eyesnarrowedathowherhandtrembledslightly.Istiffened,glancingatthe
door.
“Poppy.”Tawnytouchedherarm.
“Areyouokay?”
Shenodded,placingthecupon
thetable.“Yes,I’mjust…”Sheseemedunsurewhattosayinthosemoments.
IimaginedthatDafina’sandLoren’scarelesswordshadmadeherthinkofKeal.Myjawflexed.
“I’mokay,”theMaiden
continued,hervoicelow.“Ijustcan’tbelievewhatLorensaid.”
“NeithercanI,”Tawnyagreed.
“Butshe’salwaysbeen…amusedbythemostmorbidthings.LikeDafinasaid,shemeansnothingbyit.”
Shenodded.
Tawnyleanedtowardher.“What
areyougoingtodo?”Tawnywhispered.
“AbouttheDarkOnepossibly
beinginthecity?”TheMaidensoundedconfused.
“What?No.”Tawnysqueezedher
arm.“Abouthim.”
“Him?”
Me?
TheMaiden’sheadtiltedinmy
direction.
“Yes.Him.”Tawnyletgoofher
arm.“Unlessthere’sanotherguyyou’vemadeoutwithwhileyouridentitywas
concealed.”
Okay,thiswasafarbetter
conversation
“Yes.Therearemany.Theyhave
anactualclub,”theMaidenrepliedwiththedrynessI’dheardinhervoiceat
theRedPearl.“There’snothingformetodo.”
“Haveyouevenspokentohim?”Tawny
asked.
“No.”
“Youdorealizeyouwillhavetoactually
speakinfrontofhimatsomepoint,”Tawnyinformedher,andyetagain,she
provedshewasmyfavoritepersoninthekingdom.
“I’mspeakingrightnow,”the
Maidenargued,andIswallowedalaugh.ShewasspeakingsolowIknewshe
believedIcouldn’thearher.
Tawnycalledheroutonthatin
thenextheartbeat.“You’rewhispering,PoppyIcanbarelyhearyou.”
“Youcanhearmejustfine.”
Tawnyshookherhead.“Ihaveno
ideahowyouhaven’tconfrontedhimyet.Iunderstandtherisksinvolved,butI
wouldhavetoknowifherecognizedme.Andifhedid,whyhasn’thesaid
anything?”
“It’snotlikeIdon’twantto
know,butthere’s…”Shetrailedoff,herveiledfaceturningtomine.
Again,Ifeltthatstare,and
theoddprickleatthenapeofmyneckworkeditswaydownmyspine.Andas
crazyasitallsounded,Ididn’tseethatdamnveil.
Isawher:facebare,stubbornandproud,
withherchinlifted.
Leftuneasybytheintensityof
thatvisionandirritatedwithmyselfforstandingtherethinkingidiotic
things,IlookedattheentrywhenIheardsomeoneapproaching.Oneofthe
Duke’sRoyalGuardsappeared.Hegaveacurtliftof
hischin.Glancingoveratthetwowomen,Iquicklymademywaytothedoors.
“HisGracehassummonedthe
Maidentohisofficesonthefourthfloor.”
“Understood.”Iturnedfromthe
RoyalGuard,wonderingwhattheDukecouldwant.
“He’sjustdoinghisjob,”the
Maidenwassaying.“AndI…IjustlosttrackofwhatIwassaying.”
“Isthatso?”Tawnyreplied,
toneasdryastheWastelandsoftheeast.
“Ofcourse.”Shesmoothedher
handsoverthelapofhergown.
“So,hewasjustmakingsure
you’restillaliveand—”
“Breathing?”Isuggested,comingtostandbytheirtable.Bothjumped
slightly.“SinceIamresponsibleforkeepingheralive,makingsureshe’s
breathingwouldbeapriority.”
TheMaidenstiffened.
Tawnyliftedanapkintoher
mouth,appearingasifshewereattemptingtosmotherherself.“I’mrelievedto
hearthat,”shemanaged.
Igrinnedather.“Ifnot,I’d
beremissinmyduty,wouldInot?”
“Ah,yes,yourduty.”Tawny
removedhernapkin.“BetweenprotectingPoppywithyourlifeandlimband
gatheringspilledcrystals,you’reverybusy.”
“Don’tforgetassistingweak
LadiesinWaittothenearestchairbeforetheyfaint,”Iadded,glancingat
theMaidenandinnohurrytoanswertheDuke’s
summons.“Iamamanofmanytalents.”
“I’msureyouare.”Tawny
returnedmygrin.
“Yourfaithinmyskillswarms
myheart.”IlookedattheMaiden.“Poppy?”
Hermouthclampedshutso
quickly,Iwonderedifshecrackedamolar.
“It’shernickname,”Tawny
explained.“Onlyherfriendscallherthat.Andherbrother.”
“Ah,theonewholivesinthe
capital?”Iaskedofher—theMaiden.
Thetensioninherjaweaseda
bit,andthenshenodded.
“Poppy,”Irepeated.“Ilike
it.”
Thecornersofherlipsturned
up.Itwasn’tmuchofasmile,butitwassomething.
“Isthereathreatofstray
crystalsweneedtobeawareof,oristheresomethingyouneed,Hawke?”Tawny
asked.
“TherearemanythingsI’min
needof,”Isaid,givingtheMaidenagrin.Iwasimmediatelyrewardedwitha
faintflushspreadingacrossherjaw.“Butwe’llneedtodiscussthatlater.
You’vebeensummonedbytheDuke,Penellaphe.I’mto
escortyoutohimatonce.”
Ihadn’tbeenaroundthetwo
thatlong,butInoticedtheirmoodschangeimmediately.Tawny’steasing
vanished,asdidhergrin.TheMaidenhadstilledagainforafewheartbeats,
andthenasmileappearedassherose.Atight,practicedsmile.
“I’llawaityouinyour
chambers,”Tawnytoldher.
Theirreactionshadalarmbellsringing
astheMaideneasedpastme.Ifollowedbehindand
walkedslightlyathersideasweenteredthefoyer.Herhandsweretwisting
oncemore,butnoservantsmovedaboutaswenearedthestaircase.Thealarms
continuedgoingoff.
“Areyouallright?”Iasked.
Shenodded.
Ididn’tbelievethatforone
second.“Bothyouandyourmaidseemeddisturbedbythesummons.”
“Tawnyisnotamaid,”she
respondedandimmediatelysuckedinasharpbreath
Shehadn’tmeanttorespondto
me.
Ihadn’texpectedhertobeso
defensiveregardinghercompanion.Herfriend.IthoughtofhowtheDukehadclaimedtheMaidenhadahabitofnotsetting
boundaries.Iwasreallygladtohearthatwas
apparentlythetruth.Itmadethingseasierforme.Butwhyinthewholewide
realmoffucksdiditmatteriftheMaidenhada
friend?
Eitherway,Iwantedtoshoutin
triumphthatI’dgottenhertospeaktomeandnowknewhowtogetherto
respond.
Irritateher,andthattongueof
herswouldmove.
IkeptmyexpressionblankasI
asked,“Isshenot?ShemaybeaLadyinWait,butIwasadvisedthatshewas
duty-boundtobeyourlady’smaid.”Ihadbeentoldnosuchthing,andIalso
knewthedifferencebetweenamaidandalady’smaid.Thelatterheldrank.The
otherdidn’t.“Yourcompanion.”
“Sheis,butshe’snot.She’s…”
Sheturnedherheadinmydirectionasthestaircasecurved.“Itdoesn’t
matter.Nothingiswrong.”
Ilookeddownather,abrowraising.
“What—?”Herfootsnaggedonthe
gown,causinghertomisstep.Icaughtherbytheelbow,steadyingher.“Thank
you,”shemuttered.
Therewasthat…spunky
attitude—thefireI’dseeninher.“Noinsincerethanksarerequiredorneeded.
Itismydutytokeepyousafe.Evenfromtreacherousstaircases.”
Shedrewinadeep,audiblebreath.
“Mygratitudewasnotinsincere.”
Notingtheirritationinher
tone,Igrinned.“Myapologies,then.”
Wereachedthethird-floor
landing,takingtheleftthatledtothecastle’snewerwing.Shewasquiet
oncemore,asusual,andIusedthetimetoplotwhattosaytohernext.She
wasclearlyworriedI’drecognizedherandwouldreportit,whichwasjustsilly.
ButdidshereallybelieveIdidn’trecognizehervoice?Orhadn’tseenenough
ofherfeaturesthatnightattheRedPearltoknowitwasherwhenshewas
unveiled?Shedidn’tstrikemeasbeingthatfoolish.Perhapsshewanted
tobelieveIhadn’trecognizedher,despitewhatshehadsaidtoTawny.
Reachingthewide,woodendoors
attheendofthehall,IpurposelymadesuremyarmbrushedhersasIopened
oneside.Herlipspartedslightlyinresponse.Iheldthedoorforher,
waitingforhertoenter.
“Watchyourstep,”Isaid,eventhough
thespiralstaircasewaswell-litfromthenumerousoval-shapedwindowsalong
thewall.Ididn’tthinkshe’dtripagain,butIwasconfidentI’dgetanother
responseoutofher.“Youtripandfallhere,you’relikelytotakemeouton
yourwaydown.”
Shehuffed.“Iwon’ttrip.”
“Butyoujustdid.”
“Thatwasararity.”
“Well,then,Ifeelhonoredthat
Iborewitnesstoit.”Ieasedpasther,fightingalaugh.“I’veseenyou
before,youknow.”
Herbreathhitched.
“I’veseenyouonthelower
balconies.”Iheldopenthedoortothefourthfloor.“Watchingmetrain.”
“Iwasn’twatchingyou.Iwas—”
“Takinginthefreshair?
Waitingforyourlady’smaid,whoisnotamaid?”Icaughtherelbowoncemore,
stoppingher.IloweredmyheaduntilIwasafewinchesfromherveil-covered
ear.“PerhapsIwasmistaken,”Ispoke,myvoicelow.“Anditwasn’tyou.”
Thereitwasagain,thecatchin
herbreath.Thosetinyreactionswereagoodsign.“Youaremistaken,”she
said,hervoicesofterbutnotinthatsubmissiveway.
Onesideofmylipstippedupas
Iletgoofherarm.Thatveiledheadtiltedtowardmine,aghostofasmileon
herlips.Onenotastight.Noraspracticed.Isteppedintothehall,spotting
twoRoyalGuardsstationedoutsidethequarterswhereI’dfirstspokentotheDuke.Iwaitedforher,butshehadgonestillagain.I
lookeddown,findingthatshewasn’tlookingatmebutatthetwoRoyalGuards
downthehall.
“Penellaphe?”
Iquestioned.
Shejerkedslightlyandthen
tookanotherdeepbreath.Sheclaspedherhandstogetherandmovedforward.The
twoRoyalGuardsstaredahead,notlookingatherasshestoppedbeforethem.
Onestartedtoopenthedoor,butsheturnedherheadbacktome.
Somethingaboutthatmademe
wishIcouldseeallofherface.Thosewarningbells
renewedasmygazeflickedtothedoorsoftheDuke’s
office.
“I’llwaitforyouhere,”Iassured
her.
Therewasamomentofhesitation,
andthenshenodded,turningaway.TheRoyalGuardopenedthedoorwideenough
forhertoenter,justenoughfortheAscended’s
faint,stale-sweetscenttowaftout.Assheleftmylineofsight,theurgeto
followhithardandunexpectedly.MoreofthosewarningbellsI’dbeen
experiencing.Theywereevenloudernow.
Istrainedtohearanythingbeyond
thedoors,buttherewasnothing.Thewallsinthenewerpartsofthecastle
werethicker.
Myhandtightenedonthehiltof
theswordasIeyedthetwoRoyalGuards.Ididn’trecognizeeitherofthem.
“Isthiscommon?”Iasked,noddingatthedoor.
Thedarker-skinnedoneansweredafteramoment.“Nottoocommon.”
Thatwasn’tmuchofananswer.
“Howlongdothese…meetingstake?”
Again,theonewhospokehesitated.
“Depends.”
Iglancedattheotherguard.He
staredstraightaheadasifheheardnothingoftheconversation.Ilookedbetween
thetwo,suretheyhadwitnessedsomehorrificshit
Atrocitiestheyhaddecidedthey
couldlivewithknowing.
Icouldforcethemtotellme
whatthey’dseen—thethingsinvolvingher—butusingcompulsionwastoogreatarisk.
Somemortalswereresistant,rememberingeverythingtheywerecompelledtodo.
Instead,Isentastewardtoget
Vikter.Maybehecouldtellmewhatwasgoingon.
Amuscletickedinmyjaw,as
didthetimewhileIcommittedbothguards’facestomemory.Abouttenminutes
passedbeforethedoorsattheendofthehallswungopen,andWardwell
entered,hiswhitemantlestreamingbehindhim.Hemotionedmeforwardashe
stoppedseveralfeetaway.
Ididn’tmove.Notforseveral
seconds.Itwaslikemydamnfeetwererootedtothe
floor.GlancingatthedoorstotheDuke’soffice,I
forcedmyselftomoveandjoinWardwell.
“Howlonghasshebeenin
there?”heasked,draggingahandoverthesandystrandsofhishair.
“Alittleovertenminutes,”I
answered,notinghowthecreasesatthecornersofhiseyeshaddeepened.“What
doestheDukewantwithher?”
“Helikelywantedtodiscussher
upcomingAscension,”heanswered,attentionfocusedonthedoorsbehindme.“I
willtakeoverfromhereandcontinuefortherestoftheday.”
Everythinginmewentonalert.
“Myshiftdoesn’tendforseveralhours.”
“Iknow.”Hisgazeshiftedto
mine.“ButI’mherenow.Yougotaproblemwiththat,takeitupwiththeDuke.”
Irritationflareddeep,and
energyrampedupinmycore.Ifeltthecompulsiontomakehimtellmewhatwas
goingonbuildinginmeasIsnaggedWardwell’sgaze.Ihadtofightitback.
Knowingmyluck,thisfuckerwouldbeonewho
rememberedeverythingtheydidwhileundercompulsion.
Takingadeepbreath,Ipushed
theurgedown.Ilookedovermyshoulderatthosecloseddoors.“She…”
“Shewhat?”he
pushedwhenIdidn’tfinish.
She’dlookedatmeasifsheneeded
assurancethatI’dbeouthere,waitingforher.
Andthatshould’vepleasedme.
Itmeantthatshewasalreadystartingtotrustme,despitemyshorttimeas
herguard.IfiguredtheRedPearlhadalottodowiththat,buteitherway,I
neededitfromher.Trust.However,nothingaboutthissatrightwithme.
“Hawke,”Wardwellsnapped.
“Nothing,”Isaid,tearingmy
gazefromthedoors.IsmiledattheolderRoyalGuard.“Goodday.”
ThenIwalkedaway.
Ileftthefourthfloor.
IlefttheMaiden.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEA
TWISTEDIRONYOFSORTS
Thereasonfor
themeetingbetweentheDukeandtheMaidenremainedamystery,muchtomy
ever-growingdispleasure.
EspeciallywhenVikterchanged
uptheschedule,movingmetoguardoverherthefollowingnightwhenIwas
supposedtobewatchingoverherthatday.He’ddonethesametoday,andwhenI
demandedtoknowwhy,he’dpulledrankwhilecallingmeaboy.I
wasn’tsurewhichofthosetwothingsirritatedmethemostasIstoodoutside
theMaiden’schambers,thedarkhalllitbyafewscatteredwallsconces.
Ihadn’tseentheMaidensince
I’dleftherintheDuke’soffice,andasfarasI
knew,shehadn’tleftherchambers.Tawnyhadbeenwithher,though,lateinto
thenightbothyesterdayandtoday.
“She’sfeelingundertheweather,”
TawnyhadclaimedwhenIaskedhowtheMaidenwas.Then,she’dhastilyentered
heradjoiningchambers,notlingeringlongenoughformetoaskanythingelse.
IfistedandflexedmyhandasI
toldmyselfmyirritationhadeverythingtodowithyetanotherdelayinmy
plans.TheRitewouldbeheresoonerratherthanlater,andIneededtheMaiden’sirrevocabletrustbythen—forhertobeata
pointwhereshedidn’tquestionordersorsuspectanything.Weweren’tthere.
Weweren’tanywherenearthere.AndIwouldn’tdelaywhatwastocome
Malikdidn’thavethetime.
Thatwasthesourceofmy
frustration.Ithadnothingtodowithhowshehadturned
tolookatmeoutsidetheDuke’sofficesorthe
feelingthatshesoughtreassurance.
Cursingundermybreath,I
peeredatthesmallwindowattheendofthehall.Thefaint,acridscentof
smokereachedme.Therehadbeenfiresearlierintheday.Oneofthehomesin
RadiantRowhadburnedtothefoundation,thankstoagroupofDescenters.Asmiletuggedatmymouth.Theyhadgottena
fewoftheAscended,notthattheTeermanswouldfess
uptotheloss.
Fools.
Theycould’veusedthoselossesasawaytofuelhatredandfear.Instead,theydidn’twant
theirweaknessesknown.Theywantedtobeseenasgodlike.Immortal.
TheDescenters
hadactedontheirown,propelledbywhathadoccurredatthelastCityCouncil.
TheTulises’plightnotonlyhadthosewho’dbeen
againsttheAscendedseekingrevenge,butithadalsochangedafewminds.More
andmorenolongershudderedinfearuponhearingabouttheDarkOne.Instead,
resolvehadreplacedthefear,asdidhopefora
different,betterfuture.Iwantedittocontinuebeyondfreeingmybrother.
IwantedthepeopleofSolisto
fightback.
TheyjustneededtoknowtheAscended
werenotwhotheyclaimed.Thegodshadn’tBlessedthem,andtheentirekingdom
wasbuiltonafoundationoflies.FreeingMalikwouldbethefirstcrack.
Withouthim,therewouldbenomoreAscensions,andbecauseofwhatthey’dled
theirpeopletobelieve,itwouldlooklikethegodshadturnedontheAscended.
Afterall,theBloodCrowncouldn’tadmitthattheyusedthebloodofthose
theyhadmadevillainsfortheirAscensions.Theirlieswouldbetheir
downfall
Butthatdidn’tfixeverything.
Notinmyfather’sorAlastir’seyes.
ThereweretheAscendedwho
stillruled—QueenIleanaandKingJalara,
andalltheirDukes,Duchesses,Lords,andLadiesthatwouldneedtobedealt
with.TherewasstillthefactthatAtlantiawasrunningoutoflandandonthe
brinkofbeingoverfarmedandoverpopulated.Wehadtime,
butnotalot.Nota—
Asudden,abruptscreamjerked
myheadtotheMaiden’sdoor.Baddreams.Vikterhadwarnedme,butIwasn’t
willingtoriskthat.
Withdrawingthedaggerstrapped
tomyhip,IopenedthedoortotheMaiden’sdark
chambers.Itwasacloudynight,leavingnomoonlighttofinditswayin
throughthewindows,butIimmediatelyfoundherinthedarkness.
Shewasinherbed,lyingonher
side,asleepandalone.Clearly,shewasn’tbeingattacked.
AtleastnotbyanythingIcould
see.
Herhandsopenedandclosed
wheretheylayafewinchesfromherpartedlips.Onlyacheekwasvisible,the
leftone.TheoneIthoughtwasjustasbeautifulastheother.Itwasdamp,
glistening.Tears.Shemoaned,shiftingontoherback.Hergaspshatteredthe
silence.
Itwastheonlywarning.
Fuck
Imovedlightning-fast,pressing
myselfagainstthewallwheretheshadowsofthenightwerethedeepestand
clungtheheaviest.
Thickhairfellforwardasshe
jerkedbackontoherside,risingononeelbow.Herbreaths
wereragged.Iheldmyselfcompletelystillassheliftedatrembling
handandshovedthehairbackfromherface.
Myheartlurched.
Shewasstaringrightinmy
direction,butIknewshecouldn’tseeme.
ButIsawher—andthehorrorin
hereyes.Pureterror.
“Justadream,”shewhispered,
settlingontohersideagain.Herbodycurledinward,armsandlegstucked
close.Hereyesremainedopenasshelaythere,gentlyrockingherselfbackand
forth.Eachtimehereyesclosed,ittooklongerfor
themtoreopen.
Iknewwhatshewasdoing—fightingfallingbacktosleep.Gods,I’ddonethat
moretimesthanIcouldcount.Severalminutespassedbeforeshefinallylost
thebattle,slippingbacktosleep.Ididn’tmove,though.Ijust…watchedher.
Likeacreep.Aslightlaughshookme.Iwasactuallydoing
theleastcreepythingI’ddoneinalongtime;however,Ihadnogoodreason
towatchhernow.TheMaidenwasfine.
TheMaiden.
Shehasaname,an
unwantedvoiceinthebackofmyheadremindedme.Penellaphe.
TheDukeandDuchesscalledherthat,butaccordingtoTawny,herfriends
calledherPoppy.ButshewasjusttheMaidentome.
Shewon’tscreamifshe’s
underduress
StillhavingnocluewhatVikter
hadmeantbythat,Iapproachedherbed.Theblankethadgatheredatherwaist,
exposingthelong-sleevedrobeshemusthavefallenasleepinornormallywore
tobed.Iwouldn’tbesurprised.Iglancedaroundthebedchamber—thesparse,
chillybedchamber.Therewashardlyanythinginhere.Atable.Achest.A
wardrobe.Ifrowned.Nopersonalitemstospeakof.I’dseenthepoorestofthe
kingdomhavemorethingsintheirhomes.
Wasthatanotherprohibited
thing?Personalitems?Myattentionshiftedbacktoher.Shewasbreathing
deeply,ifabitunevenly,asifshewerewaryofthoseunpleasantdreams
returning,eveninsleep.Didsherememberthemwhenshewoke?Ididn’talways.
Sometimes,therewasjustageneralsenseofapprehensionuponwaking,a
feelingofdreadthatlingeredallday.
Ibent,catchingthescentof
pineandsage,remindingmeofarnica—aplantusedtotreatallmannerof
things.Icarefullyliftedtheblanket,placingitoverhershoulders.I
glancedatherface.Thoseeyeswereclosed,lipsrelaxed.Isawthescarsand
thoughtofthesourceofhernightmares.
Backingaway,Ileftthe
bedchamber,findingatwistedsenseofironyinthefactthatthesamepeople
wereresponsibleforwhatfoundusbothinthedarkesthoursofthenight.RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONEPRESENTV
“Idon’tthink
I’veevertoldyouaboutthat.Itwasn’tthatIwashidingitfromyou.Ijust
didn’twantyoutofeelembarrassed,”ItoldPoppyassheslept,curlingmyarm
aroundherwaist.“Ialsofiguredyou’dprobablystabmeifyoueverlearnedI
hadbeeninyourbedchamberwhileyouslept.”Ipaused.“Morethanonce.”
Mylaughstirredthewispsof
hairathertemple,butmyamusementfaded.“Ididn’tknowabouttheDuke.Ijustknewsomethingwasup.ThewayyouandTawny
responded.HowVikterwaswhenheshowedup.Now,Iknowwhyhedismissedme.
Heknewyouwouldn’thavewantedme—oranyonereally—toseeyouafteryou
finishedwithyourlesson.Hewasprotectingyouthebesthecould.”
Hisbestwasn’tgoodenoughin
myopinion.He’dknownwhatwasbeingdonetoher,yethestoodby.ButIkept
thatopiniontomyself.Shedidn’tneedtohearit.
Istaredather.Dawnquickly
approached.IshouldtrytosleepwhileDelanowashere,restingatthefootof
thebedinhiswolvenform.Icouldtrytofindher
inourdreams.Butmymindwasn’tshuttingdown,andmaybeIwastooafraidthat
wewouldn’tfindeachother.Neitherofusknewhowtowalkineach
other’sdreams—ifitwassomethingthathappenednaturallywhenwebothslept
orifoneofusinitiatedit.Butthiswasn’tnormalsleep.Shewasinstasis.
Still,restingwouldbewise
eitherway.Ineededit.ExcepttherewasnowayIcoulduntilsheopenedthose
beautifuleyesofhersandknewme.Knewherself.
Andshewould.
Ibelievedthat.
Becauseshewasstrongandstubborn
ashell.Shewasbrave.
Ihadn’talwaysknownjusthowstrong
shewas.
AsmiletuggedatmylipsasI
thoughtofthefirsttimeI’dtrulygraspedhowbraveandskilledshewas.
“WhenwewereattheRedPearl,andIfoundthatdagger?Yousaidyouknewhow
touseit.Iwasn’tsureIbelievedyou.WhywouldI?YouweretheMaiden,but
thenyoucutJericho,andIshould’verealizedthenthatyouwerenothinglike
Iexpected.Nothingatall.”
Idippedmyhead,kissingthe
bareskinofhershoulderbesidethethinstrapofthegownVonettahadfound
forher.“ButthenightontheRise,whentheCravenattacked,Irealizedthen
thatKieranandIreallyhadunderestimatedyou.”Inmymind,Icould
seehernow,hercloakbillowingaroundherinthewindrightbeforeshethrew
adaggeratme.“Thatwaswhenitbegantochange—howIthoughtofyou.Sawyou.YouwerenolongertheMaiden.Youwerebecoming…
YouwerebecomingPoppy.”RichardStocktonNormalJacobGuidroz222023-03-20T19:12:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z2023-04-19T22:42:00Z11568588940941030246474502097104885516.00CleanCleanfalsefalsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONETHEMONSTERINME
Theatmosphere
shifted.
IfeltitintheairasIwalked
theRiseafterVikterrelievedme.Iwasalreadyonedge,brimmingwithunspent
energy.Partofitwasduetothefrustrationofitgoingontheseconddayof
theMaidenbeinganabsoluteno-show.WhateverthatshitwaswiththeDuke.Hernightmares.Mine.Thatfucking
deadLordDevries.
Butwhatcausedthesmallhairs
allovermybodytorisewassomethingelseentirely.
ThesilenceontheRisewas
unsettlingasIstalkedtowardthefront,thecoldbreezecatchingthegodsdamnmantle.Upahead,Isawawholedamn
lineofguardsstaringoutoverthebarrenlands.SpottingPence’sfairhead,I
wentuptowherehestoodatanarcher’snest,bowinhand.“What’sgoing…?”I
trailedoffasmygazelefthispalefaceandfocusedbeyondtheRiseandthe
steelrowoflittorches.
Then,Ididn’tneedananswer.
Isawit.
Themist.
Itwassothickthatitnearly
obscuredtheBloodForest,anditmovedunderthemoonlight,churningand
slippingacrossthegroundinawaythatwasnotatalltypical.
“Fuck,”Imuttered.
“Yeah,”Pencerasped.“Themist
wasnormal,youknow?Justafootorsoabovetheground,butthenitstarted
thickeningandmoving.It’salreadytripledinsizeinthelastthreeminutes.”
Thatwasundoubtedlynotagood
sign.
EveryoneontheRiseknew
that—knewwhatwasinthatmist.
TheCraven.
Ihadn’tseenitgetlikethis
here,butitremindedmeofthePrimalmistthatblanketedtheSkotosMountainsintheeast—themagicofthegodsthat
shieldedtheKingdomofAtlantia.Anditwasall
kindsoffucked-uphowthatmagichadsomehowbecomesodistortedhere.Howit
protectedthemonsterstheAscendedcreated.
Noonecouldreallyanswerwhy
themistbehavedthiswayinSolis.NoteventheEldersinAtlantia.
Butthereasonwasn’tthemostpressingissueatthemoment.
Themisthadalreadyspreadoutonbothsidesasfarastheeyecouldsee,and
whilethedistancebetweentheRiseandthemistwasaboutthewidthandlength
oftheLowerWard,itwasnotfarenoughasIwatchedtendrilsseepout,
stretchingyardsahead.ItwaslikeacollectivebreathwasheldontheRiseas
themistreachedthestandingtorches.
Thebreezestilled.
Buttheflamesbegantoflickerand
thendancewildly,thefirecastingfrenziedshadowsacrosstheground.WhatI
wouldn’tgiveforoneofourAtlantiancrossbows.
Theywerefarsuperioranddidahellofalotmoredamagethantherecurvebows.Ireachedforthehiltofmybroadsword.
Themiddletorchwasthefirst
togoout.Therestfollowedrapidly,plungingthelandoutsidetheRiseinto
utterdarkness.
“Lightitup!”Lieutenant
Smyth’scommandcrackedthesilence.
AlldowntheRise,guards
hurriedforwardwitharrowtipswrappedintightclothcontainingagunpowdermixture
behindthearrowheads.Oneafteranother,firesparked.Thentheywerereleased,
slicingthroughthenightskyandsharplyveering
down,slammingintoatinder-filledtrench.Flameseruptedfromthefurrow,casting
awide,orangey-redglowacrossthelandandthemist.
Silencefelloncemorealongthe
Riseasthemistrushedforward.Thecloseritgot,themoresoliditbecame.I
squintedasitseepedintothetrenchandbeneaththetinder,crawlingabove
it,smotheringtheflameswithinmomentsofthembeinglit.
Dark,silvery-moonlitshapes
couldbeseeninthemist.Twistedbodies.Theentiretyofthemistwasfilledwith
them.
“Soundthealarms,”someone
shoutedfromthegroundbelow.“Soundthealarms.”
Hornswentoffatthefour
cornersoftheRise,signalingtheimpendingattackonthecity.Morelikea
siegeasIturnedandheadedforthenearbystairs.Withinmoments,lightswere
extinguishedallthroughoutMasadoniaashomesand
still-openbusinesseswentdark—allexceptfortheTemples—theairgoingquiet
withfear.
BecauseCravenhordeshad
breachedthecitiesbefore,andevenifnonemadeitpasttheRise,manyfamilies
wouldloselovedonestonight.
Asarcherswereorderedtofire,
Iheardadistantrumble,thegrindingofironagainststone.Icastaglance
atthecastle.Thickandheavyirondoorswerealreadybeginningtheirdescent
ateveryentrypointtothestronghold.Everyoneinsidewouldbesafe—most
importantly,theMaiden.Shewouldbebehindfeetof
stoneandironinafewminutes,andVikterwaswith
her.
“Whereareyougoing?”Pence
calledashegrabbedaquiverofarrows.
“Tofight.”
Knowingwhatthatmeant,Pence’s
mouthdroppedopen.“Youdon’thaveto.You’reaRoyalGuard.You’retheMaiden’s—”
Icuthimoff.“Iknow.”AsI
reachedthestairs,Iadded,“Stayalive.”
PencestooddumbfoundedasI
wentdownthenarrowsteps.Icouldn’tblamehim.Nooneintheirrightmind
wouldwanttogobeyondtheRiseonagoodday,letalonenow,butwhilethe
Ascendedcoweredintheirfancyhomes,Ididn’tfearaCraven’sbite.NoAtlantiandid.Ithadnoeffectonus.
ButIwasalsonotoftheright
mindonmostdays,becauseaCravencouldstillfuck
anAtlantianup.Theycouldevenkilloneiftheygained
theupperhand.
Ididn’tplanonthathappening.
Instead,Iintendedtoworkout
somepent-upaggression,anditlookedlikeIwouldbeabletodojustthat
basedonthesizeofthehorde.Therewasnowaythearcherswouldbeableto
takethemallout.
Onceonsolidground,Ikeptto
theshadowsoftheRiseasIunclaspedthemantle.Nearingthegatehouse,Itossed
itontooneofthebenchesandquicklyjoinedthegroupofaboutahundred
guardswhowaitedattheRisegates.
Ididn’tlookatanyofthemas
arrowswhizzedthroughtheair.Ihadnoneedtoseethefacesofthosewho
wouldn’treturn.Manyblackflagswouldberaised
tomorrow.
Secondstickedintominutesas
theanxietyofthosewaitingaroundmerampedup.Ireacheddownatmysidesand
unhookedtheshortswords,theirslightlycurvedbladesglisteninglikeblood
inthemoonlight.Besideme,aguardtrembledashemurmuredaprayerunderhis
breath.
“Wearetheonlyonesstanding
betweenthefailureoftheRise,”CommanderJansenyelledfromabove,“andthe
beastsinthemistwhowishtofeastuponyourfleshandblood.Theytakeus,
theytaketheRise.Andthenthecity.WillwegladlymeetthegodRhaintonight?”
Denialthunderedallaroundme
ashiltsofswordsthumpedoffshieldsandchests.
“ThenwewilldefendtheRise
andthelivesbeyonditwithourshields,arrows,andswords.”Jansenthrusthis
bladeintothesky.“Goforthanddountothemastheywoulddountoyouand
yours,forthegodsTheonandLailahrideatyoursides.Splittheirrotten
fleshandsoakthegroundwiththeirblood.”
Inanyothersituation,I
would’velaughedatJansentalkingofthegodslikethat,butnotnow.Notas
bloodthirstyroarsechoedalongthewall.
“Openthegates,”Lieutenant
SmythorderedfromdowntheRise.“Open!”
Ironcreakedandgroaned,
unlatching.Noneofthewaitingguardsspokeasthegapbetweenthegatesgrew
wider.Footbyfoot,thelandbeyondwasrevealed,andtherewasnothingbut
thick,rapidlyapproachingmistandthebodieswithinit.
“Maythegodsbewithyou!”
shoutedtheCommander.“Andmaythegodswelcomethosewhocomeintotheir
embracesasheroes!”
Notasingleguardhesitated.No
matterhowpaletheirfaceswereorhowbadlythey’dshakensecondsago.They
ranforward,swordsdrawnandbattlecriessplittingtheair,headedoutintothe
landjustbeyondtheRise.Asthegatesslammedshutbehindus,andarrows
continuedrainingdownahead,strikingthemonstersinthemist,severallines
ofguardsformed.Theybracedthemselves,manywhoIknewhadneverseenbattle
before.WhowerelikelyfacingtheirfirstCraven.
Iwaited,
eyestrainedonthemist—ontheformsinsideit.
Ididn’thavetowaitlong.
Asoundcamenext.Thelow,
keeningwailoftheCravenrisinginacrescendothatevensentachilldownmy
spineasthearchersreleasedanothervolleyoflitarrows,reignitingthe
trench.
Islowlystretchedmyneckfrom
lefttoright,firmingmygripontheswords.
Thentheycame,pouringoutof
themist,theirbodiesinvariousstatesofdecomposition.Somewerefresh,
stillmostlydressedintheclothingtheyworewhentheyturned,theirfaces
pale.OthershadbeenCravenforawhile,theirclothinghanginginragsfrom
milky-whitebodies,armsandlegsasthinasthebones
beneath,facesevenmoresunkenandskeletal.
Allof
theireyesburnedcrimson.
Theyfloodedthegroundand
swampeduswithinseconds,clawingwithelongatedfingersandnailsas
sharpasthetwosetsofjaggedfangs.Clawsthathadlefttheirmarkbehindon
theMaiden.Clawsthathaddugintomyskin.
Thehordeswallowedthefirst
lineofguards,themendriventothegroundinscreamsandspraysofblood.
Thesecondlineengaged,andthentherewasnomorewaiting.TheCravenwere
everywhere.
Itwastimetoletmymonster
out.
Ishotforward,launchingovera
fallenguardasIswipedoutwiththeshortsword,cleavingtheheadfromthe
shouldersofanearbyCraven.
Spinning,Ibroughttheother
swordup,catchinganotheratthegroinandsplittingitstraightupthe
middle.Rotteninsidesspilled,splatteringofftheground.Thestenchofdecay
andthatstalesweetnessincreasedasIjerkedback.AnotherCravenhadtaken
thespotoftheonebeforeme,itsclawedhandscrapingoffthearmorofmy
chest.
Bastard.
KickingtheCraveninthe
sternum,Iknockeditback.Anothercameatmefromtheside.Iswungthesword
acrossitsneckasItwisted,bringingmyotherbladearoundasotherguards
fought,holdingtheirground.Somefell,andnotevenI,asfastasIwas,
couldreachthembeforetheCravensmotheredthem.
Therewerenomorewildvolleysofarrows,butskilled,purposefulshots.
Sharpenedarrowheadsthatflewbetweenguards,strikingtheCraven.
Butforthoseofusoutbeyond
theRise,therewasnoskillinthiskindofbattle.Noart.Therewasno
thinking,andinaway,itwaskindofarelease.Itwasallaboutmoving.
Stayingonyourfeet.Keepingoutofreach.Itwashackingandcleavingmyway
throughwhatseemedlikeanendlesswaveofdry,grayflesh.Ichoppedofflimbs.Toreskinopen.Dark,oilyichorflowed,joiningthe
brighter,redderbloodspillingacrossthepackedground.Therewasnowaytotell
howmanyItookdown.Adozen.Two?Three?Still,itgotmyheartandblood
pumping.
Itsilencedmymind.
Ispun,slammingmyelbowintoaCraven’sface,feelingthebonescaveinasIsnappedforward,
kickinganotheroffafallenguard.Amortalbroughthisbroadsworddownonthe
Craven,aflashofwhitesnaggingmyattention.Myheadjerkedupjustasan
arrowwhizzedpastme,slammingintotheskullofaCravensneakingupona
guard.
ARoyalGuard
Vikter
Hestoodseveralfeetaway,his
cheekssplatteredinbloodasheturnedtotheRise.Therewasthismoment—a
briefone—whereIknewIcouldstrikenowandtakehimout,woundhimenough
thataCravenwouldquicklyfinishhimoff.Itwasnecessarybecausethenhe
wouldn’tbearoundwhenitcametimeformetotaketheMaidenoutofthecity.
Thiswasmychance.Aperfectone.Myfingerstwitchedaroundthehiltofa
sword.Noonewouldknow.Noonewouldsuspectathing.
ButIdidn’t.
Ididn’tevenknowwhy.
Vikter
turnedbackaroundandspottedmealmostinstantly.Ourgazeslockedforaheartbeat,anditwasasifwebothrealizedthesamething
inthatinstant.
Ifhewasouthere,andsowas
I,thatmeant…
Motherfucker,
Viktermouthed.
“Shit.”Ispun,sheathingone
sword.
Iboltedovertheslippery,
body-cloggedcrowd.TheMaidenwassafelytuckedawayinthecastle,whereno
Cravencouldreachher,butthatdidn’tmeanshewassafe.
Especiallysinceshewaslocked
awaywiththeAscended,andeventhoughshewasimportanttothem,Ididn’t
trustasingleone
Grabbingthehalf-torntunicof
aCraven,Itossedittothegroundandbroughtthebloodstonesworddown,
straightthroughitschest.Cursing,Iwithdrewthebladeandpressedon.I
didn’tlikeleavingthefight,notwhenadecentnumberofthehordewasstill
standing,buttheMaidenwasunguarded,andknowingmyluck…
NearthefootoftheRise,a
guarddrewhisbladefreeofaCraven’schest.Theman
stumbledback,liftinghisswordarm.Theskinofhishandwasamangledmess.
He’dbeenbitten.
Theguardturned,andinthe
chaosofthebattle,hiswidegazecollidedwithmine.Ididn’trecognizehim.
Hadnoideawhohewas,butIknewheunderstoodwhatwascomingforhimnow.
Onebite.Itwasallittook.Hisjawsetindetermination.
Themandroppedhisswordand
withdrewthedaggerattachedtohiship.Iknewimmediatelywhathewasabout
todo.Hedidn’thesitate.Notforadamnsecond,and
hecouldn’tifhehopedtofinishthis.Thebitewouldmakeit
impossibleinminutes.
Themortalguardshowedmore
honorinthatmomentthanmostwerecapableof—morethantheAscendedeverdeserved.