by Brandon Barr
Daeymara smiled warmly. “Follow me.”
Her quarters were just around a bend in the corridor. The door slid open, and she whisked past him and spun. “Let me turn down these horrid room lights. Way too bright in here.”
Aven hung by the door, watching Daeymara scurry to get something. To his surprise, Daeymara began lighting candles. The tiny flames springing to life called to him in so many ways. They reminded him of his family and life in his old hovel. As Daeymara moved about the room, lighting more candles, he was warmed by thoughts of his new farm and hovel, and how superior the firelight would be to the bland glare of the lights in the Guardian Tower.
But the lit candles called to him in other ways. He sensed the candlelight’s true purpose, amplified by the occasional glance from Daeymara, and the way her lips communicated her intentions.
She wanted to be kissed. He was almost certain of it.
Again, an inner struggle warred within him. To give in would be awfully disrespectful to Winter. Usurping her role, as well as breaking the traditions of the farmers. But then, Winter was so consumed with her destiny, and so eager to travel the stars, did she even intend to make time for matchmaking? But beyond that question was another. He barely knew Daeymara. Something about that felt improper. And…what of Arentiss?
But the desire to get to know Daeymara was undeniable.
As was the desire to kiss her.
He felt frozen.
“Room lights off,” said Daeymara.
The entire room turned to soothing shadows. One side of Daeymara’s mouth curved into a half smile. “So much better,” she said.
“This feels like my old home,” said Aven, more at ease under the gentle glow “You’ll have to take me out to buy candles. I’ll need some for my new hovel.”
“I’d love to take you. Maybe I could come over to see them lit.”
“I would like that,” said Aven.
Daeymara brushed the hair away from her eye and tucked it behind her ear. She leaned her hip against the footboard of her bed. “Are you just going to stand there in the doorway?”
The hum of tension vibrated beneath Aven’s skin. His emotions fought in his chest. He feigned a look of confusion, as if he were too innocent to know what she wanted. But then, did he really know? Did she desire something more than a kiss? He knew so little of other worlds’ customs.
He moved forward a few paces, and the door hatch he’d been standing by swooshed to a close.
Daeymara was alluring. Beautiful. Her parted lips were full and expectant, silently promising things to him.
“This button is so stubborn,” said Daeymara, her hand tugging at a button on her white Guardian shirt while her eyes stayed on his. “Could you help me with it?”
Aven took a long, deep breath.
“I should get going. It’s late,” said Aven.
The spark in Daeymara’s eyes dimmed. “You don’t want to stay?”
He hesitated. A part of him longed to stay. But if he did, he felt he would no longer be the same man, with the same goals. He wanted a wife to love. Not something less.
“I should return to my room,” said Aven.
Daeymara’s lips pinched together, and she forced a smile. “I think I understand. I have offended you, haven’t I?”
Aven smiled. “No offense. It’s just…our cultures are very different.”
“How does one get here, uh, to the bedroom, on your world?”
Aven turned his eyes up to the ceiling. “Oh, well…our parents choose a mate for us. But, in my case, my parents are gone, so it is the duty of my sister to find me a mate.”
“So if anyone wants you, they have to win her over, first.”
“Yes,” said Aven. “Winter would have to feel they were a good mate for me. A mate for life.”
Daeymara eased away from the bed and came up to Aven. “You won’t stop speaking to me after this, will you?”
“Of course not,” said Aven with a smile. “I like you.”
She stepped close and looked up at him, the one eye partially obscured by the lock of hair fallen untucked again. “On my world, the idea of mating for life is laughed at, but hearing the concept from your lips helps me see it differently. There is something romantic about that kind of faithfulness. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around, though. What do you do when you want to be intimate with someone other than your mate?”
Aven cleared his throat, the odd question banging around in his head. “We train our mind not to want that.”
“So you just shut off that desire?”
“We turn that intimacy toward our mate.”
Daeymara’s lips spread playfully. “Your farm traditions are so mysterious to me, but also intriguing. Mysterious and intriguing, like you. You said you’re not going to ignore me now, right?”
Aven laughed. “Why don’t we set a date to go buy candles? I’ll need lots for my hovel. And I’d like it if you could come over and help set them up.”
“Damn, you’re sweet,” said Daeymara. “Maybe your sister can come too. I mean, if I want to keep my options open with you, I’ve got to start with her, right? Flirting with you isn’t going to get me anywhere.” A saucy spark lit in her eye and curved the corners of her lips.
“A good strategy,” said Aven. The awkwardness seemed gone now. He reached out and took her hand. “Goodnight, Daeymara.”
“Goodnight, Aven.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
KARIENCE
Karience sat at her desk, a notice signed by Baron Rhaudius half-crushed in her hand. The fine calligraphy of the disturbing message only served to increase her fury. Nephitus stood quietly, waiting for her to speak. Beside him stood Hawth, the captain of the Royal Protectorate who had served five years heading the Guardian Tower post.
“Their heads were found in the basket with the note.”
She took a second glance at the faces wrapped in bloody cloths: Grey Bear and Rabbit, the two farmers she’d ordered the Baron to leave unharmed.
Once this world was chartered, the gruesome act before her would be murder. But until then, it remained the foul justice that ruled the day. Accompanying the heads was the notice. Baron Rhaudius must have known how her blood would curdle at the list of names and signatures penned at the bottom of the paper.
It was a short message. It detailed a grievance being filed against the Guardian order on Loam for her intrusion into the affairs of Baron Rhaudius, who had signed contracts with his farmers. Karience was being charged with breaking order eighteen of the charter.
She glared up at Captain Hawth. “Is there no one amongst the Royals who would decry this? Is this not a violation of some law here?”
The captain looked dejected. “Many would find it distasteful, but there is no violation. These two were breaking their contracts by leaving.”
“And I helped them,” said Karience. “Now they’ve been murdered!”
“There are many who look forward to the charter passing,” said Captain Hawth. “As you know, I am one of them.”
“I wish I could promise you this charter will indeed pass,” said Karience, “but you see the signatures here. The resistance is growing stronger—and now they have a legal case against us. I smell a battle coming.” She nodded at Hawth. “That will be all, Captain.”
As the door closed, she turned to Nephitus. “Aven and Winter must not find out about this…not yet, at least. I fear it would crush them. I advise that we do not tell any of the Missionaries.”
“Agreed,” said Nephitus. “I am concerned the resistance sent Pike, intending to use him as a spy.”
“Yes, there’s no question there,” said Karience. “Any discomfort I felt at wiping the boy’s brain is blown to the wind. I have half a mind to send him back to them as he is. Give them a taste of what we’re capable of.”
“I’d strongly advise against that,” said Nephitus.
“Don’t worry, Warden. I said I only had half a mind to do so. The other half knows bett
er.” She glanced again at the bloody basket on her desk. “I need to visit the Magnus Empyrean and inform him of recent events. These heads only add weight to my many other concerns.”
_____
AVEN
Aven took a bite of the sweet, chewy bread on the table as Rueik took a piece for himself and eyed him speculatively. The bright kitchen lights were almost painful to Aven’s eyes. He tore off another piece of the loaf and stared at the rising steam.
He’d awakened early and gone out to the cliff’s edge beside the portal to watch the waves crash upon the sand. So much was stirring inside him. Last night, he’d felt truly embraced by the Missionaries as they spent the evening laughing and talking and watching the strange vid screen together. Of course, last night, he’d almost been literally embraced…
Daeymara’s captivating eyes floated into his mind. He pushed the image away. Thankfully, he’d kept his head. Each Missionary had treated him and his sister with kindness, inviting them to be a part of their odd little group. A few more nights like last night, and he could call them friends. But, at the same time, he’d lost none of his suspicion of the Guardian order. The vids only served to confirm it more—their power, their influence. Each world they encountered was analyzed and strategically manipulated into joining with promises of protection from the Beasts.
As he stood looking out at the sea, taking in its sounds and smells, he thought of Daeymara and Arentiss. And then she came, her recollection rising like a treasured ghost. Harvest. He remembered being there among the sape vines, her body warm against his. And the slow, soft kisses melding into ones that betrayed urgency and a need to express so much more.
The last thing he had experienced before Rueik found him at the edge of the cliff was a welcomed peace about Winter. Her choice to become a Missionary. He still had to tell her about his farm.
“Out of all the applicants,” said Rueik, fingering another piece of bread, “why do you think you and Winter were chosen?”
Aven looked up at Rueik. When they were on board the Relic, Karience had told them they were chosen because of Winter’s gift. But she’d also told them not to tell anyone about it.
Aven shrugged. “I don’t know. How many others wanted our position?”
“At least fifty. Probably many more. It’s very unusual for someone to be chosen from the lower classes. I wish it happened more often.” He stopped and searched Aven’s face. “Pike is Baron Rhaudius’s son. I understand why he might be chosen, but not the two of you.”
“Rhaudius wanted to make a show of giving Winter and I to the Guardians. He thought it would stop a farm rebellion. I don’t know if that’s the real reason, but I suppose Rhaudius is powerful enough to have influenced the decision.”
“Powerful to you,” said Rueik, “but he’s a minnow among the Royal fish. And he couldn’t have swayed the Guardians. They choose based on mathematical calculations.”
That last phrase, mathematical calculations, came into his mind so seamlessly. He barely remembered the VOKK device was there, anymore.
Rueik lifted a pear to his mouth but didn’t bite. “There’s some deeper reason the two of you are here, and if you are in the dark about it, that makes it all the more curious.”
Aven grinned. “It’s nice knowing I’m special, even if I don’t know why.”
Rueik laughed, but the muscles on his face seemed tight. “Have you talked to Pike since he returned from the portal with Zoecara?”
“He went with me to look at farms.” Aven glanced over to the kitchen door. They were alone. “Half of me gets angry seeing him so happy. He wears that big dumb smile with no memory of his past. But then, something else in me likes that smile. We were friends, of sorts, in our childhood. Before the Baron corrupted him.”
Rueik nodded and set the pear back on the table. “I’m concerned Zoecara might have done something to Pike when they stepped through the portal together.”
Aven scowled. “What do you mean?”
“Zoecara hasn’t been acting right lately. She…” his voice trailed off, then his eyes met Aven’s and fixed there. Rueik said in a whisper, “She suspects you and your sister are Shadowmen.”
Aven tensed at the accusation. Was he joking? Rueik’s face said he wasn’t. “Why would she think that?” asked Aven.
“Do you know about the murders, yet? The three Emissaries who you replaced?”
“Yes. Karience told us.”
“Zoecara can’t figure out why you or Winter are here, so she thinks the murders were carried out to make room for the two of you. And that you’re spies for a Beast.”
“Has she told Karience this?”
Rueik folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. “No. Only me. She doesn’t trust anyone else.” He glanced at the door. “I have to tell you something, for your own safety. I’ve had this concern about Zoecara in the back of my head for a time. She and I have been together for five months now—courting—and she’s always made me uncomfortable with how close to the edge of ethical she pushes things. Snooping, stealing documents from the Royals, trying to figure out the murders, and…I honestly don’t know how far she’ll go to try to prove that you and Winter are Shadowmen.”
Something about this didn’t sit right with Aven. “Why are you telling this to me and not the Empyrean?”
Rueik leaned forward and cleared his throat. “Look, I want you and your sister to be careful. That’s all.”
“All right, we’ll be careful,” said Aven, unnerved by the intensity behind Rueik’s words.
Rueik nodded. “I just want to be sure Zoecara hasn’t tampered with Pike. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I know how desperate she is to uncover why you and Winter are really here.”
Aven watched him in silence. He couldn’t help but feel that Rueik was testing him in some way by telling him so much information. To see what he would do with it. Or maybe it was like he said, that Zoecara had made him paranoid, distrustful of all the Guardians. Aven had spent the least amount of time with Zoecara. He didn’t know anything about her.
“I’ll ask you again,” said Rueik. “Can you think of any reason at all you might have been chosen as Emissaries? If I could only give Zoecara something to calm her fears.”
Aven hated to lie to Rueik, but he had no other choice. “I have no idea,” he said.
Rueik shrugged. “Just be cautious, all right? You understand now.”
Aven nodded. He had an uncomfortable knot in his stomach. He needed to tell Winter about Zoecara’s suspicions of them. They could decide the next step together.
_____
WINTER
It’s nice seeing a light in your eyes again, tapped Aven.
I’m feeling better. I’m working with the Missionaries, now.
They stood just outside the Guardian Tower, overlooking the worn path that led to the God’s Eye portal. The cloudless sky was bright, and the warmth of midday sunlight tingled her skin.
I have a surprise to tell you, Aven tapped.
I like those.
I bought a farm.
“What?” said Winter.
“I bought a farm,” repeated Aven.
“Where? How?”
“North of here, about an hour’s walk. The land is on gently rolling hills and, best of all, it’s in a free farm region. Arentiss and Daeymara helped me get a loan. Apparently, being a Guardian means you don’t need money to buy something.”
“You bought a farm?”
Her brother nodded with a broad smile.
“So when do I get to see your land?”
“Tomorrow evening they’re handing me the papers. Then it will be mine.”
An inner excitement warred with the shadows on Aven’s face. She knew a farm was really all he wanted. That and a family. Then he could live satisfied. She pushed aside the sudden, intrusive thought of her last vision. Aven dead in the teeth of a monster. She wasn’t going to let that come to pass. She would act, the terrible future would be averted, and Aven would be
saved. Just as she had saved herself and Karience on Bridge.
“I’ll have to be on the lookout for a mate now,” said Winter. “Then you’ll have everything.”
Aven put his arm around her and tucked her close beside him. “We can buy you a farm too. Right next to mine. Then we would be neighbors.”
Winter wondered if her destiny would allow such a thing. She doubted it, but now was not the time to voice this.
Your mate would find me intolerable, tapped Winter.
Aven seemed lost for a moment in the distant crashing waves.
Whoever we choose for each other, tapped Aven, they’ll have to understand us.
Our finger talk?
“That, but also our different ways. You have an easy task in that. But how can I find a mate for a wanderer-girl like you?”
Winter was saddened at the thought. “Maybe I was meant to walk this life alone.”
Aven was quiet, as if considering the possibility.
“Don’t lose hope,” said Aven. “At the very least, I will be waiting for you when you return from your missions.” He bent and drew a heart in the dirt, then looked up at her, smiled and laughed lightly. “With the wife you’ve chosen for me, of course, and our children. Lots of children.”
“What if I can’t find another Harvest?”
The moment Winter said her name, she wished she could take it back. But to her surprise, the humor in Aven’s eyes didn’t fade away. Was he…healing?
Still, Winter whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Aven squeezed her hand. Don’t be. I can’t hold on to her forever.
I’ll find you a good mate. I promise.
Aven met her eyes.
“There’s something I have to tell you. About Pike.”
“What?”
“Something Rueik told me,” whispered Aven. “It involves Zoecara. I think we should be careful around her.”
Winter looked puzzled. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ll tell you what Rueik said, then we can figure out what we want to do.”
HEARTH
