by J E Reed
Slender fingers cupped Kiuno’s face. “Focus on me.”
Kiuno stared into Palindrome’s eyes, but her body still trembled.
“Breathe.”
Kiuno tried, but it caught in her chest.
“No one is going to hurt you.”
Kiuno closed her eyes. She knew that, but still. Something in her gut told her to run. It screamed for her to flee beyond the walls and seek refuge on the open plains.
Palindrome placed a light arm around Kiuno’s shoulders. “Come on. We’re almost there.”
Kiuno took a step. Then another. She focused on her shaking legs and forced her mind to ignore everything else.
What was she afraid of?
Palindrome stopped and pointed. “There.”
Kiuno’s heart jolted at the sight of him. It felt like meeting him for the first time. Like high school all over again.
Silver, her cousin, sat on a log and Elite stood with his arms crossed before the fire. Kiuno used the moment to study him. She’d known him through high school, yet he appeared so different now.
Lean muscle. Facial hair. Weapons at his side. She prayed the atrocities of this world hadn’t killed his free spirit.
“Do you want to go to him?” Palindrome asked.
Her body answered, carrying her forward before she even knew she’d moved. Palindrome didn’t follow, or if she did, Kiuno no longer noticed.
Elite’s head turned, their eyes met, and her stomach fluttered.
In seconds, Elite’s strong arms enveloped her body. Kiuno hissed at the contact and sharp pain radiated along the marks of her shoulders. Elite cupped her face with a gentle caress and pulled her into an aching kiss that sent butterflies soaring through her chest. Whistles sounded from those watching but neither cared as he twisted one hand through her wet hair and clutched it like a lifeline.
Ages had passed. Had it really been less than a year?
The two pulled away, both breathless.
Elite pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ve missed you.”
Kiuno couldn’t form words. Instead, she pressed her lips to his again and all her fears dissipated to nothing.
Elite pulled back and examined her body. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. I think.”
Somehow, she felt both awkward and satisfied, as if she didn’t know how to act in his presence yet relished in it.
Elite searched her face as he traced a mark that stopped just beneath her chin. “I searched everywhere for you.”
They stood in silence and his thumb followed her jawline in a slow back and forth motion. Elite’s gaze seemed to drift, and a haze covered his vision. His jaw clenched and she wondered if he were reliving the constant fear of death that had haunted her in their time apart.
Elite guided her to the fire and Kiuno smiled when Silver stood. He wrapped his burly arms around her body and gave a tight squeeze. She winced again.
“Good to have you back cuz.”
“Good to be here. I see you didn’t waste time with forming your own army.”
“Couldn’t afford to. You’ve seen what’s out there. I’m just happy to find you. Might have some peace and quiet for a change.” Silver glanced at Elite.
She gave Silver a playful smile. “Don’t pretend you weren’t worried about me too.”
“I wasn’t. I knew you’d be fine.” The seriousness of his words struck her. So many had faith in her when she didn’t have faith in herself.
Elite pulled her to the log and the two sat down. His hand never left hers.
Silver threw another log into the fire. “Scorpios filled us in on the trouble you’ve been causing.”
“I haven’t done anything out of the ordinary.”
Silver raised a brow. “Running headfirst into a horde of monsters is ordinary?”
“Well no—” She paused as a memory of Kikyo, Elliott, and slaves flashed through her mind. She’d been stupid back then. Overconfident. She gave them a sheepish smile.
“You could have been killed.” Elite gripped her hand tighter.
“I could say the same to you.”
The two men exchanged glances and Silver nodded to her arms. “What caused those?”
Kiuno lowered her voice. “You’ve heard about the Fire from the Sky?”
Silver nodded. “Scorpios told us about the stone, but I didn’t think it’d cause that.”
“How many know?” Elite asked.
“Our friends. And I imagine K.J.’s figured it out. Palindrome saw the stone in the bathhouse.”
Elite ran a hand over his face. “Great. Now he’ll want to use you. That’s all I need.”
“K.J. isn’t like that. You ought to put some faith in him. He did just save your lives.”
“And I’m sure we’ll pay for it in full.”
Kiuno wondered what their journey had led them through. If her experiences were anything to go by then pleasant people were few and far between.
Elite shifted and the motion caused Kiuno to cringe.
“Can’t the healers do anything about those?” he asked.
“Palindrome and Maltack tried.”
His face fell and he traced his thumb over her palm. “That magic is dangerous.”
“I know.”
A comfortable silence settled over the trio as they watched the fire. Her thoughts floated back to the battle. To the pain. She had so much to tell Elite, yet she found herself devoid of words.
Kiuno’s gaze shifted to the crowd of people. Some danced, others drank, but it seemed all forgot about the dangerous world outside the walls.
She glanced to the silhouettes standing guard at the top. With something so sturdy, what did they have to worry about?
Kiuno sighed and leaned her head against Elite’s arm.
“They gave us a room if you’re tired.”
Tired didn’t even begin to describe it.
She nodded, and Elite turned to Silver. “We’re turning in.”
Her cousin lifted his cup. “Don’t let me stop you.”
Elite helped Kiuno to her feet and she gave Silver a light hug before following her husband through the crowd.
Noise assaulted her again, but she gripped Elite’s hand and focused on her steps. He cradled her shoulder with one hand and led her through the space with the other.
Kiuno relaxed as the sounds faded and Elite guided her through the castle entrance. Fires lit their way and they passed the occasional person who seemed to wander through the halls.
The shadows twisted and tugged at her fears, but Elite never loosened his grip. He looked straight ahead and guided her through the darkness unafraid.
Elite pushed open a wooden door and the creaking hinges shattered the stillness of the hall. He lit a candle, then set himself to the task of lighting the fire.
Kiuno stood inside the doorway and glanced over the room. A small chest sat at the end of the bed with fresh folded clothes on top. The walls were bare, though she didn’t imagine decorations were on most peoples’ minds.
The bed drew her attention with soft furs promising a night of rest.
The fire cracked and smoked and Elite stood. Kiuno shivered.
He closed their door, slid the lock in place, and stepped behind her.
His warmth pressed into her back and she leaned against him, relishing in his touch.
Elite kissed the side of her neck and traced his fingertips down her arms.
Another shiver ran down her spine.
Kiuno turned and pressed her lips to his in a blaze of passion.
The fire cracked again, their clothes hit the floor, and his touch erased the stresses of the outside world.
5: Comrades
Realm: 5
Day: 230
The early sun shining through their small window woke Kiuno from her blissful sleep. She kept still and relished in Elite’s arms as he clutched her to his side.
Kiuno glanced at their door then to the tiny lock keeping the outside world at bay. She�
��d like to keep it there and never return to the promised chaos waiting on the other side.
Warm furs engulfed their bodies, but Kiuno couldn’t help running her fingers down Elite’s forearm, tracing the foreign muscles. She smiled and Elite turned sleepy eyes to her in question.
“Good morning,” she said.
He traced his fingers over her face and tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. Kiuno tried to turn over, but her stiff muscles protested, and she settled back.
She huffed. So much for a lover’s reunion.
“You’re in pain,” he said.
“Not much I can do about it.”
Elite propped himself up and placed a tender kiss on her lips. Sparks of need shot through Kiuno’s body and she wrapped one hand behind his head. His fingers twisted through her hair and their tongues met. Her heart sped, but when Elite’s hand gripped her side, pain radiated across her skin. She broke their heated embrace with a hiss of pain.
Elite pressed his forehead against hers and the two took a few moments to calm their racing hearts. “There’ll be time,” he said.
“As if being without you wasn’t torture enough.”
He kissed her forehead then stood.
Kiuno furrowed her brow. “Somewhere to go?”
“I have to see Silver and get a few things situated.”
She glanced toward the faint light shining through their window. “Is he up this early?”
“Usually earlier.”
Kiuno recalled late Saturday afternoons when her cousin slept in. She and Elite would laugh endlessly taking bets on who could wake him first. She sighed. “I guess we’ve all changed.”
Elite’s gaze ran up and down her form. “Not all changes are bad.”
She tilted her head and watched muscles ripple when he pulled a shirt over his body. “No, not all.”
Natural light guided their way to a familiar set of stairs. The pair descended and entered the main hall, then veered toward the left entryway. She noted the three grates hanging overhead and her skin crawled as she imagined the spiked ends slamming down on an invading enemy.
Last night, the cobblestone path had been empty, but with morning people lined the streets. The fresh stench of animal manure permeated the air and a distant ringing had Kiuno wondering if she were ready to face the sunrise.
Elite guided her through the inner gatehouse and to the field from last night. In place of bonfires and drunken comrades stood several dozen parties taking part in rigorous training.
She’d been unconscious when entering and riddled with anxiety last night, but with the sun Kiuno finally observed the area.
Two thick walls guarded the inner castle and armed patrols paced the top of both. The buildings stood along the inner wall, leaving the outer space open.
Kiuno examined the men stationed at the outer gate and a familiar face drew her attention. She held up a finger to Elite then darted toward her friend.
“Leaving without a goodbye?” Kiuno placed her hands on her hips.
Reece turned, a smile on his face, but it faded as his gaze dropped to her arms. He recovered and the smile returned. “Goodbye? Aren’t you coming with me?”
She hesitated, and his expression faltered. Leave? After everything she’d done to get here?
“I—”
Reece shifted the box in his arms and placed it on the wagon. “Don’t worry about it, as long as you promise to visit.”
“You aren’t upset?”
“I figured you might stay.” He wiped sweat from his brow then nodded toward her arms. “So, what happened?”
Elite joined them and Kiuno glanced at the prying eyes in the surrounding area. “I overdid it with the magic.”
Reece followed her gaze and seemed to understand. “If I’d known you were running headfirst into a fight, I never would have let you leave. Why are you so reckless?”
“You’re one to talk, cliff jumping and all.”
“Cliff jumping?” Elite raised his brow.
Reece held out his hand. “I assume you’re Elite?”
“I am.” Elite grasped Reece’s palm.
Reece tilted his head toward Kiuno. “Keep an eye on this one and call us if she gets into any more trouble.”
Reece grabbed another box and slid it beside the previous one.
“Do you have to go?” Kiuno asked. Her heart sped at the thought of matted, feral dogs and monsters lurking in the shadows.
“I’m not one to be tied down. If you were leading, I might reconsider, but as it stands I can’t let my people follow a leader I don’t know.”
Kiuno averted her gaze and Reece gave her a playful shove. “You act like we’ll never see each other again.”
“There’s just so many bad things out there. People. Monsters.”
“Cliffs,” he added.
“What if you get hurt?”
“We aren’t a group of defenseless boys.” He coiled a rope around his arm. “I’ll see you after our next hunt.”
Kiuno tried to smile. “All right. Be careful.”
He waved, hit the back end of the wagon twice, and jumped in. Several others swung into their saddles and rode ahead.
Kiuno lingered, watching them disappear through the gate with his people at his side.
Elite kissed the side of her head. “Do you worry this much over everyone?”
“Only the people that matter.”
Elite guided her back to the outer yard, and they spotted Silver through the crowd of trainees. Her cousin squared off with a young man and a semi-circle of others watched the exchange.
It hardly seemed fair. Her cousin towered over his pupil with battle ax in hand. The young man charged, but Silver parried the blow and flipped his opponent onto his back.
Silver took a few breaths and extended his hand to help the individual to his feet. “Never leave yourself open after an attack, keep your footing and be ready for a counter strike.”
“A teacher struggling to catch his breath?” Kiuno called.
Silver gave Kiuno a lopsided grin and his students snickered. “They keep me in shape.”
Silver pointed to two others and the pair entered the space to face off.
“Remember, keep your footing.”
“Maybe I should bring Liam out here to train with you.”
Silver tugged his gaze from the boys. “Who’s that?”
“Someone I picked up along the way. He’s only about twelve though.”
Silver huffed. “Don’t let age fool you. We have a few young ones who’ve brought down guys bigger than me.”
He took a drink from his waterskin and glanced at the two on the field. “I’m surprised to see you out of bed. Thought you two would hide from the world for a few days.”
“I wish.”
Silver tilted his head toward Elite. “I convinced the higher ups to let us function as our own unit. The man in charge said our numbers were perfect.”
“What’s our positioning?”
“Second line. After the first falls back to recover.”
The two prattled on about strategy and Kiuno let her gaze roam across the field. The scene reminded her of a military graduation she’d witnessed years ago.
Men and women alike jogged the inner wall’s perimeter while their peers spared one another in practiced combat. The scene took her back to Elliott’s first month of grueling sessions.
“Earth to Kiuno.” Silver waved a hand in front of her face.
She blinked. “Yeah?”
“K.J. said he wanted to see you.”
“When?”
Silver clicked his tongue. “Where did you go just now?”
Kiuno gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry, guess I spaced.”
“I said he stopped by earlier and wanted to see you sometime today.”
“What for?” Elite asked.
Silver shrugged. “I didn’t ask.”
Kiuno chewed her lip. She needed to meet with K.J., especially after the battle, but she didn’t w
ant to leave—
She startled when Elite cupped her face and drew her into a gentle kiss. “Go on ahead. I’ll stay here.”
Kiuno wrapped her hands around his. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
Kiuno turned back Silver. “Did he say where he’d be?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Kiuno hovered and watched as Elite joined Silver in their training session. She marveled at how the men responded to her husband and wondered how long they’d traveled together.
It wasn’t until Elite’s attention shifted to a young man that Kiuno headed back to the castle. Something tugged in her gut, but she fought against the rising fear. It was silly. Elite would be the last person to ever break his word.
Kiuno’s legs burned with each step, but she remembered the way to what she’d deemed K.J.’s office. Only a few met her on the stairs in passing and no one stood guard outside the room.
She peeked inside the crack of the double doors and found K.J. seated at his desk. His pen scratched across a parchment’s surface. It paused at her knock.
“Are you busy?”
“Not at all, come in.” K.J. stood, gestured her to a chair, and sat when she did. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been baked in an oven.”
He grimaced. “Sorry to hear it.”
His eyes roamed down her arm. “Palin will be around to see you again. It’s doubtful she’ll give you much peace. It irks her when she can’t fix something.”
“Sounds like someone else I know.” She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the chair. “Silver said you wanted to see me?”
He folded his hands. “About what happened on the field. I have my suspicions, but I’d rather hear things from you.”
Kiuno leaned back and untied the cloth from around her wrist, and the light from the window reflected off the blue surface.
“Just as I thought.” K.J. leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of all people, it had to be you. Scorpios was right. You are trouble.”
“You already knew that.”
He smirked. “I suppose I did.”
She tied the knot and silence filled the space. “I didn’t ask for this and honestly, I’d give it up if I could.”
