by T. A. White
Ryu stepped closer, his body looming over hers as he bent and said in a voice only meant for her ears, “Because there are always spies making note of who travels on those ships and where they go. Lyre didn’t want his presence here remarked upon or anticipated.”
Tate leaned back a little so she could meet his gaze.
“And you’re alright with being part of whatever he or the Luciuses are plotting?”
Ryu didn’t answer, a lightning quick smile spreading across his face before it was smothered. His serious expression didn’t quite mask the twinkle in his eyes.
Tate made an irritated sound. Of course, Ryu was probably neck deep in whatever Blade was up to. She wouldn’t be surprised if the other man was acting on his orders.
Dewdrop snorted next to her as if in agreement.
In the next second, he elbowed her and nodded at a couple down the dock as they sliced through the crowd. The woman’s hair was a tumultuous mass of curls. Gold, black and every shade of brown you could imagine, in hair memorable even from the briefest of glances.
Gabriella looked up toward them and waved. Her face held a sharp, refined beauty, rather than softer features. It hit you on the head and made it impossible to dismiss. A hint of the wild lurked in her bearing.
Her companion's hair was nearly as beautiful. Sunshine had been distilled into every strand of hair, the bright amber of his eyes a perfect complement.
Their clothes were casual, loose and breezy, their arms bare—perfect for the heat. Aurelia might be transitioning into fall, but the further south they traveled, the warmer it had grown. Fall hadn't even begun its first dance here in Auburn. Tate wasn't convinced the city even knew what winter was, with their wide windows and doors.
Tate and the others headed for the gangplank, reaching the dock as Gabriella and her partner did.
"Gabriella," Tate said in genuine pleasure. She nodded at the other man, his name already decided. “Sunshine.”
Sunshine blinked at her in startlement. "Pardon me?”
Tate flushed. Ah, that’s right. He wouldn’t be familiar with her odd tendency of providing nicknames for people.
Dewdrop’s shoulders shook as he snickered at her expense. When he’d finally calmed enough to speak with a straight face, he lifted his head and addressed the Silva man. “She tends to give people nicknames. You get used to it.”
"I like it," Sunshine said unexpectedly, giving his companion a catty smile. "Some might even say it suits me."
Gabriella scoffed even as she focused on Tate. "What's my nickname?"
Tate froze. Of course, she'd ask that. "Um, you don't exactly have one."
Gabriella blinked as Sunshine hooted with laughter.
"I saved your life. You’ve barely exchanged two words with him. How does he warrant a nickname and I don't?" Gabriella asked in outrage.
Tate shrugged. "Some people don't have nicknames. I can make up one for you if it's really that important."
Gabriella shook her head at Tate. "Unbelievable."
Tate's smile held a touch of guilt. If she'd known how badly Gabriella wanted a nickname, she would have come up with one beforehand.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the type of thing you pulled out of thin air. The nicknames occurred to her randomly. She couldn't even articulate why one person was graced with one and another wasn't.
Ryu shifted next to her, his impenetrable gaze focused on the two in front of Tate.
The two Silva straightened, alert and attentive in a way they hadn't been with Tate. Ryu possessed a charisma and power lacking in others. You couldn't help but pay attention to him.
To compound things, the Silva were predatory by nature. They recognized a threat when they saw one. Ryu might be playing diplomat for the moment, but everyone on the dock knew he was the biggest, baddest thing out there.
"Lord Ryuji," Gabriella said in greeting.
Ryu inclined his head. "Lady Gabriella. I didn't expect Clan Fireday to serve as our welcome party."
Gabriella grimaced before shooting Tate a half-smile. "The Harridan felt since I had a history with Lady Fisher, I'd be the best one to serve as her escort to the city."
"We're not having the talks here?" Ryu asked.
Gabriella and Sunshine exchanged a glance. "The Harridan has been unwell. We thought it best she not travel."
There was a slight pause before the word unwell. It was almost as if they had to consider the best way to phrase the situation without giving too much away.
A thoughtful noise escaped Ryu.
"It's good to see you again, Gabriella," Tate said.
"Hopefully this time we won't stumble on any traps left by the ancients." Gabriella’s expression sobered as her words turned formal. "My doyenne wanted me to tell you, welcome to our lands. We're glad you could come."
Gabriella's easy expression faded as her gaze locked on something over Tate's shoulder.
It took a moment for Tate to figure out what had put the fierce look in her eyes. Behind them, Jost's crew worked to offload their luggage and the cargo they had on board, Jacob supervising them.
Roslyn stood on the ship, her attention directed toward Tate and the others.
That wasn't what had caused the Silva to become wary and stoic.
Tate sighed as movement drew her gaze to Vale as he made his way down the gangplank, the two from the Black Order shadowing him.
Sunshine stiffened, a bit of the predator inside peeking out.
Oh boy. It looked like it was time to get to work.
Her smile was strained as she glanced at the two Silva. "We thought it best if everyone traveled together."
Night chose that moment to rise to his feet and pad forward several steps, bumping his head against Gabriella's leg while letting out a small sound that could almost be called a purr.
"It is good to see you too," Gabriella said, her expression lightening, as a smile crossed her face.
Gabriella looked up, her earlier hostility hidden as her expression remained pleasant. "Come, Clan Fireday has agreed to offer you the use of our city house for the night. All of you are welcome."
Her strained smile was directed in the general direction of the other three.
"We're not going directly to the city?" Tate asked.
Gabriella shook her head. "We'll stay here for a couple of days while we gather supplies. The journey to the Harridan's city is a long one. It's best to acclimate to the heat and recover from your time at sea before we set off."
"Leave your bags," Sunshine ordered. "Several from our house will be by to gather them and take them to our lodgings."
That sounded good to Tate. While she hadn't packed a lot, with the heat a cloying, wet blanket around them, the prospect of carrying the bag through the city was unappealing. If the Silva wanted to do the work for her, she was happy to let them.
"We'd prefer to keep our bags with us," Prefect Ward said.
Gabriella's expression was stiff as she shrugged. "Suit yourself. We have quite the walk ahead of us."
"Can't we take a carriage?" Vale asked, lifting his head.
"No carriages or horses are allowed in many parts of the city," Roslyn said from behind them. She moved slowly down the gangplank, one hand trailing along the rope. "The translation for Auburn, means 'to live a life without distraction.' The Silva find carriages unsightly and prefer their absence. Unless you are in the outer ring of the city, you must use your own two feet to travel. They think it provides a more relaxed atmosphere."
"Ridiculous. How do they expect to offload cargo and move it through the city?" Ward muttered.
"Our bodies are strong. We have no need for such things," Gabriella said in an even voice.
Tate smothered a smile at the implied insult against the weakness of human bodies as Roslyn stopped beside her.
Roslyn tilted her head, slightly exposing her throat as she murmured several words in another language.
Sunshine's expression brightened. "Ah, you're familiar with our customs."<
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Ward snorted from behind them.
Roslyn's smile remained easy as it warmed her eyes. "My father had several contacts among the Silva. They were very kind to teach me some of their customs."
"They did a good job. Your greeting was elegant and your pronunciation perfect," he said.
Roslyn's smile widened, pleasure suffusing her face. "I confess I'm looking forward to putting some of their teachings into practice."
Sunshine gestured toward the city. "Shall we?"
Roslyn nodded as she stepped up beside him, the two leading the way from the docks and into the city.
Tate followed quietly behind, content to let Roslyn be the center of attention as she studied her surroundings.
You could learn a lot from listening. When you were too busy listening to yourself talk, you missed important clues and nuances.
"Your first time in our territory?" Sunshine asked Roslyn, as Tate and Ryu fell into step with Gabriella.
"Yes, I've never had the opportunity to come this far south before."
"Hopefully your visit is a pleasant one," Sunshine said.
"Is Tala here in the city?" Ryu asked.
Gabriella nodded. "The doyenne wanted to be here to greet you but another matter called her away. She should join us for dinner where she will brief you about the situation. I thought you would like to see more of the city before we head to the House."
Tate nodded eagerly. "I'd like that."
Auburn was fascinating, and not just because of the exoticness of its architecture. It held an easiness to it that spoke to Tate's soul. From what she could see, the city was unique, drawing her attention like a moth to the flame.
Most of the structures they passed were various shades of beige and red. A few were painted bright blue, with mosaic tiles on the steps and entrances. The buildings were full of arched entries and windows, different from the squares and rectangles Aurelia seemed to favor.
While many roofs were flat, still others had a slender dome capping them—cupulas, Tate thought they were called. The buildings were designed to embody grace, everything built with an eye to the lifestyles of those residing in the city.
Balconies adorned nearly every window, creating a maze above the city streets. Some were built so close together only inches separated them. Tate spotted more than one youth stretched out along a railing, like giant lizards hoping to soak up a little more sun as they ignored the very real possibility of plummeting to their death if they rolled over.
Throughout the city, animals seemed to have free rein above and below. No one shouted or shooed them away, even as Tate saw a little furry hind leg disappear into an open doorway.
Plants sprouted from pots on balconies and by entrances to houses. They were bright spots of green against the otherwise monotonous color of the street.
Curtains drifted and floated in a stray breeze.
As much as Tate was enjoying the circuitous walk, Ward and James were not. Their faces were sweaty and red as they tried to keep up with the rest of them, their bags slung over their shoulder.
Tate stifled a laugh at the sight. Served them right. They should have been sensible and left their bags with the rest. Paranoid jackasses.
Dewdrop groaned next to her, the sound small and almost nonexistent.
"What's wrong?" she asked him in a low voice.
"I thought being on land would be better." His face was waxy and pale. "Why do I feel like I'm still on the ocean?"
"We call it getting your land legs. After being on the sea, sometimes people have trouble once they're back on dry ground. Give it a few hours. Your body should get used to it again soon enough," Sunshine said.
Tate winced at the expression on Dewdrop's face, like someone had just punched him in the gut. She sympathized.
He looked her in the eye. "We're taking the land route back to Aurelia."
"That's a four-month journey," Gabriella pointed out.
He shook his head. "I don't care. It's that, or I'm never leaving Silvain.”
Night chuffed from his spot beside them, the sound curiously close to a snicker.
Tate pressed her lips together to resist letting loose a smile, knowing if Dewdrop saw it, he would dig his heels in harder.
Ryu's shoulder bumped against hers. She looked up to find him watching their surroundings, his expression hard to read.
She hesitated, wanting to ask what had put the bittersweet look in his eyes. She wasn’t sure they had the type of relationship where such a question would be welcome.
"You seemed surprised they're taking us to the Harridan's city," Tate said instead.
"Not many have been invited to visit. They restrict access; only a very few ever cross its borders," he said.
Sensing an opening, she asked, "Have you been here before?"
He spoke with a familiarity that suggested a long relationship with the city.
"I have many fond memories of Auburn. It's the first place I was sent when I recovered from my descent into the dragon." His gaze was wistful as he took in the buildings and people moving at a sedate pace around them. "So much has changed, and yet in many ways its exactly the same."
Tate tried to see the city through the same filter as Ryu. What must it be like to visit a place you once loved and see it so different? Would she one day see Aurelia shift and evolve into something she barely recognized?
Ryu and the other dragons were careful not to mention how the passage of time must weigh on them. To see the people and places you love age, sometimes withering away in the span of a few years, must be heartbreaking. She already struggled with the knowledge of the people she’d lost, the friends she couldn't truly remember. In this, perhaps she had been lucky. How much worse would things be if she had the sting of memories to keep her company on her sleepless nights?
"How long has it been since you've been back?"
His expression became pensive as he considered. "Over a hundred and fifty years."
"Why so long?"
An ache touched his face, his pain naked and tangible. For several steps, Tate thought he would leave the question unanswered
"The people who made this place a home are no longer here. There didn't seem much point visiting after that."
There was a startling depth of emotion behind his statement. It reminded her how short their acquaintance was. It was really just a blink of an eye in the centuries he'd spent walking the world’s surface. He'd lived entire lifetimes before her arrival. Loved and lost, over and over again. It put things into perspective.
As much as she wanted to know him inside and out, it was impossible. Such a connection took countless years. It wasn't something you could take a shortcut to achieve. It was born of many interactions, a slow deepening of knowledge layered one on top of the other, until you were so intertwined there was no escaping.
Ryu and she might someday achieve that, but not for many, many years.
A man who'd lived as long as he had would be amazingly complicated. She doubted she'd be able to unravel the puzzle of Ryu even if she had decades. For someone with minor trust issues, that would be a difficult fact to accept—especially with Jost’s words still ringing in her ears.
She parted her lips to ask if the person who'd left had been a woman, but she bit back the question. There were some things better left alone. She didn't need to know if Ryu had lost a former love here.
Ignorance might not be a state she embraced, given how much she still didn't know about this world, but she also saw no need to purposely hurt herself or him by prying at sore memories.
A man narrowly missed running into her as he passed, reminding Tate of where she was. The rest of their group had continued on without them, unaware of their preoccupation, and were now several feet ahead.
The foot traffic was beginning to pick up as they ventured further into the city. Despite that, it didn't possess the frenetic chaos Aurelia seemed to thrive on.
Ryu's hand brushed hers as she started forward. Tate glanced up
to find his eyes fastened on hers, with the intense focus of a predator. It wasn't intimidating, more like she was the only thing he cared to see. There was gratitude in his eyes, warmth and something else. Something that made the breath still in her lungs as she wished for impossible things.
A shoulder jostled hers, abruptly ending the moment.
A sharp rebuke jumped to her lips then stalled as she looked over to find a familiar pair of brown eyes.
She sucked in a sharp breath, forgetting what she'd been about to say as recognition lanced through her.
He started to mouth. 'You should be more careful.'
Tate lunged forward. Brown Eyes wasn't getting away this time.
He pointed at one of the buildings and mouthed, 'Boom.'
An explosion rocked the street. Tate ducked instinctively, covering her head and neck with her hands, conscious of Dewdrop and Ryu doing the same beside her.
Night hugged the ground, his ears and fur going flat as he looked around with wild eyes.
Screams filled the air as pandemonium descended, the previously relaxed atmosphere becoming violent as fear took hold.
Vale cowered next to Tate, curling in on himself. Next to him, Ward and James had crouched low as they watched their surroundings with suspicion and caution.
"What the fuck is going on?" Ward snarled.
There was no time to answer as Gabriella and Sunshine shouted instructions to their people. Ryu grabbed her arm.
"Let's go. We can't stay here," he said.
Tate agreed. Knowing Brown Eyes, the chances of secondary explosions were high.
"Jacob, find us a path," Ryu roared.
The other dragon-ridden had been quiet until now, trailing the rest of them, not interacting, content to be their shadow.
Now, he straightened as he searched the chaos. It wasn't easy as those present fled the scene of devastation. "There." He pointed across the street to a small opening which led into an ally.
"Let's move," Ryu called.
"Go," Tate shouted at Night and Dewdrop. They didn't hesitate, Dewdrop grabbing Roslyn and dragging her after him. The three darted across the street after Jacob as the bigger man cleared a path. Scales showed on his hands and face as his dragon struggled to push its way to ascendency.
