A Kingdom of Iron & Wine : New Adult Fantasy Romance (The Ironworld Series Book 1)

by Candace Osmond

  As the faint shapes of houses–sub-divisions–came into view, I knew we were close, and I cursed myself for not cleaning my goggles before we left. My brown leather gloves crunched around the handlebars as I turned to follow Tess around an exit. We entered through Hammonds Plains and made our way through Bedford. The scenic route, Tess always called it. She loved to see architecture. The parks. The beautiful landscaping brightened every crook and corner. The closer we got to downtown Halifax, the faster my heart beat. This was it. The last drive I’ll make to the city as a country girl. I was a city woman now. As corny as it sounded in my mind, it felt…nice. Hope filled my chest in a dizzy twirl, and my wind-beaten lips slightly cracked as I smiled.

  I thought about the few trips Julie and I spent time here. With her parents. How many afternoons I’d snuck off with Julie without them. How many trips I’d made to Halifax for art shows and exhibits with Tess.

  Now it was my home.

  We were nearing downtown. I could see the bustling waterfront in the distance. I followed Tess’s car up and down a few narrow streets–the ancient, historic downtown never made sense to me, but there was beauty in it. The random streets, the stunning architecture, the art. Live acoustic music along the boardwalk. As nervous as I was, I knew… this was where I belonged.

  I pulled up to the one parking spot Julie and I shared across from the coffee shop. It banked the edge of a vast field of grass. A thick forest on one side, flower arrangements, and benches along the other. I smiled as I saw myself sitting there with my sketch pad in hand.

  I removed my helmet and goggles. Tess was still looking for parking. Probably the biggest downfall of city life. Parking was a privilege you had to fight for. I stepped off my bike and leaned against it. Let the warmth of the motor seep into my chilled legs. I couldn’t stop staring at the park. I’d never seen it at night, with streetlights and solar bulbs trailing whimsical designs all over the place.

  Something moved in the distance through a patch of light. Shadow to shadow. I blinked and tried to follow the slight flicker of darkness that fleeted across the park lawn before me. My heart sprung into a panic, and I froze. Unable to move, unable to blink.

  And that’s when I heard it again. The voice. The whispers. Just like in the fountain, in the garden, and in my dreams ever since. This time, the tone felt more sinister as it vibrated in my chest with a deep purr. The shadowed being slinked across the grass, making its way toward me like a sheet of black silk, its voice in the breeze. Behind it, a tiny blue light, a spec, formed in the dense bushes of young trees. It floated around like a firefly, and I heard the voice again. Clearer.

  Avery…

  My stomach clenched. It knew my name now.

  A hand clasped around my shoulder, and I let out a stark yelp as I nearly knocked over my bike.

  “Avery!” Julie said, her face alight with joy. She’d been looking forward to this night for so long. “I called out to you from across the street like ten times. You okay?”

  I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I am not losing my mind. “Yeah, I’m good. Just a long drive.”

  “Come on.” She waved for me to follow as she turned toward the coffee shop. “Tess is waiting inside.”

  I glanced up at the mint green sign above the door and front windows. The Chocolate Kettle. The menu offered every kind of tea imaginable. Plus, all sorts of coffees and lattes and cappuccinos. But the baked goods were the best part. Baked in-house, and as simple as a few muffins and bagels, some cookies and pastries, but almost everything was chocolate. Chocolate of all sorts.

  They purposely mismatched the tables to give the place a boho vibe inside. Deep wood tones. Woven fabrics of jewel tones hung around windows. A few rustic chessboards sat about for people to play, and nineties Alanis cooed in the background. An old metal spiral staircase led to our apartment above. But there was also a private entrance at the back of the building. This was the fifth Chocolate Kettle location Julie’s dad had opened in Nova Scotia, and he apparently had plans to expand outside the province next year. Julie never really let on, but I could tell she was proud.

  Tess stood near the front counter with three lidded coffee-to-go cups stacked under her chin. She walked toward us, and I took a long stride and relieved her of two cups. I handed one to Julie.

  “Hey, Julie!” the male barista behind the counter greeted with an eager smile. His wide, up-swept eyes practically sparkled at her.

  She soaked it up and tucked her hair behind her ear with a grin. “Hey! I didn’t know you were working tonight.”

  “Yeah, just got here,” the guy replied. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since we walked in.

  I bit back a chuckle and nudged her arm. “Oh, uh, guys, this is Tomas. The new evening manager for the café.” Julie motioned to Tess and me. “And Tomas, this is my best friend Av’ and her aunt Tess.”

  “Aunt?” His dark eyebrows raised under the bit of floppy black hair that dangled across his forehead. “You’re not a student?”

  Tess rolled her eyes. But I knew she loved the compliment. “Nope, just this one.” She pointed a thumb at me.

  Tomas adjusted his black apron. “Avery, right?” He held out a hand.

  I shook it with a nod. “The one and only.”

  He had a charming laugh. “I feel like I already know you,” he said. “Julie talks about you all the time.”

  “Well, that’s unfortunate,” I kidded. “Are you going to school?”

  Tomas wiped down the counter in front of him and smiled at the patrons enjoying their coffees. “Media Arts at NSCAD.”

  “No way,” I replied. “I’m doing my Foundation year.”

  “Cool,” he said. “I finished mine last year. You’ll love it there.”

  Some customers came in, and we waved to Tomas as we took our seats near the front window. It felt good knowing that there’d be a somewhat familiar face at my school. I took a sip of my coffee as Tess pulled out two small pink boxes, gift wrapped with tiny bows. She handed one to each of us.

  “A house-warming slash starting school gift from me,” Tess said.

  I moaned. “You didn’t have to–”

  “Open it.”

  I looked at Julie, and she gave a shrug as she lifted the lid of hers. It was a bracelet. I opened my lid to find the same thing; beautiful woven leather straps held beads of earthy green placed every few inches along the length.

  “Those beads are made of pressed thyme,” Tess said. “It’s supposed to be good for protection.”

  Julie already had hers on, and she admired it in the dim lamplight that hung over the table. “Thanks, Tess! I’ve been looking for something just like this.”

  I ignored Julie’s overt enthusiasm and hugged my aunt. “Thanks.”

  When I pulled away, she thrust two more things at us. Mace bottles.

  “Tess!”

  “Take them,” she insisted. She held them out until we each wrapped our hands around them. She pulled us both close. “Never walk alone in the forest or the parks, do you hear me?”

  The light mood darkened, and I nodded solemnly. Julie did too. We all knew how my parents died. Murdered in the park during the night. Right here, right downtown. Tess was with them, and she barely got away from the attackers with infant me in her arms.

  I took the mace from her and stuffed it in my shoulder bag. “Thanks for everything. I mean it.”

  After Tess headed home, Julie and I grabbed the few things from my bike and headed for the private entrance meant for us. Julie twisted the key in the lock and pushed open the heavy front door. We stepped inside, and I set down my things to take it all in.

  The space was meant for storage, but Julie’s dad had converted it into an apartment for us. A small kitchenette lined a back wall, a bathroom next to it, and it faced the rest of the open apartment. A round, second-hand dining table anchored the space, with a comfy living room on the other side. On the back wall, there were three mismatched doors. My room, Julie’s, and a tini
er, spare bedroom we planned to use for storage.

  A modest balcony jutted off the living room, barely big enough for a couple of chairs and a folding end table. It was no castle, but Julie had given it as much character as possible. Plants of all kinds littered the entire apartment.

  Ivies draped over the windows and doors, some of my paintings hung on the walls, the old sofa we’d found at a yard sale was cleaned up and covered in mountains of throw pillows that spilled onto the floor. An enormous basket of fruit sat on the table and a card balanced on top. Julie grabbed it and flipped it open with a smile.

  “Your parents?” I asked and fetched my bags from the porch.

  Her pale cheeks flushed, and she tucked the note in her pocket. “Tomas.”

  I shot her a devious grin. “And? When were you going to tell me about him?”

  Julie shrugged and helped me with my things. “Nothing to tell. Dad hired him at the beginning of the summer to train the new staff before the opening. I came in a few times to learn and help.” When she saw the look on my face, she rolled her eyes. “He’s… nice.”

  “Nice?”

  “I’m not looking to start anything right now,” she replied. “I have… other things to focus on.”

  “Sure, sure,” I said mockingly and brought all my stuff into my room.

  One wall of white painted brick held my bed, an end table, a small armchair. An old white dresser on the other side. A large window divided the space, the old-fashioned kind that moaned on its rusty slides when I lifted it open.

  The view of the park was spectacular. The room wasn’t much, but it was all mine, and a sense of satisfaction sat heavy in my gut. I set my things down and removed my jacket before heading back out to the apartment.

  Julie stood near the balcony door with a bottle of wine in her hand. Same as the one we drank on my birthday. She waggled it and nudged her head toward the door. “Care for a celebratory drink?”

  “What are we celebrating?”

  The old metal screen door creaked as she shoved it open. “Our freedom.”

  Always with the dramatic. I chuckled and shook my head. “Fine. But just one. I don’t want to end up falling off the balcony or something.”

  We sat in the folding chairs and looked out over the city. Our city.

  “Yeah, apparently, the first bottle of any batch is a bit strong,” she said as she poured us two cups of her spicy wine. “Did you have crazy dreams that night?” If she noticed the way my face paled, she said nothing. “Reminds me of that time we drank the absinthe I’d snuck back from my senior trip to Quebec.”

  I remembered that trip. Not going on it, of course. But I remembered being so jealous of Julie and missing her like crazy while she was gone. Being home-schooled, I’d missed out on all the fun high school events and trips like that. Senior trips, high school guys, dating, clubs, sports teams. But now I was starting new, an adult who could decide the path her life could take. Would take. I never wanted to miss another thing.

  We clinked our glasses together and sipped gently as the sounds of the city played for us. Cars and people. Music from the downtown streets was nothing more than rows of Irish pubs.

  “This is it, Av’,” Julie said with a sense of finality. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as her head tipped back. When she opened them, she turned to look at me. “This is how it starts.”

  “What does?” I took another sip of wine. The burn on my throat was oddly comforting. Despite being so strong, the wine was delicious, like a basket of fruit chased with hot sauce.

  “Life,” she replied. “Our life.” She topped up her glass. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years.”

  I couldn’t help but think of that lingering nagging feeling in the back of my mind. I wanted to be as confident of everything as Julie seemed to be. But the vivid nightmares of the last few days haunted my thoughts. And as much as I fought to push them away, they were there. Taunting, making me question my own sanity. Was I just scaring myself out of settling here?

  Julie must have read my face. She leaned forward in her chair. “Look, I know this is hard for you. You have no idea how much it means to me that you’re here, too. I can’t imagine doing this without you.”

  I gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m totally fine, Jules. You just know how I am. Fear of the unknown and all that.” Her expression said, you think? “I mean, you at least would come in and hang out here all the time. You know people.”

  She had a knowing look on her face. “You will, too. In no time.” She set her glass down and leaned over to fetch a bag I hadn’t noticed was sitting on the floor between us. She pulled out a slender rectangle wrapped in brown paper and handed it to me.

  “What’s this?” I asked and took it in my hands.

  She beamed. “Belated birthday gift.”

  I peeled back the carefully wrapped paper to reveal a pallet of paints. But not just any paints. I stared down at the rows of colors, unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Purple that shimmered in the light and changed to green. Gold so faceted it looked like actual gold dust. My eyes brimmed with tears, and warmth rushed up through my body at the gift.

  “Where on earth did you get this?” I asked, my voice cracking with emotion.

  “I had them made.” She seemed unbothered by it, as it were no big deal. But I knew these must have cost a small fortune.

  I tipped my head to the side. “Julie–”

  “Don’t. I wanted to. You’re such a good friend to me, Av’. You deserve the world. We both do.” She stopped to take a sip of wine. “I think the city will be good for you.”

  I drank a mouthful and let it heat my belly. Maybe she was right. About everything. Perhaps this was the beginning. I could already feel the weight of worry melting away as I let myself relax.

  A blank canvas.

  ***

  Wednesday came fast, and with it, Orientation Day at my school. Julie walked with me to the historic brick building that housed the infamous NSCAD and hovered outside the front doors while I grabbed two coffees from a rolling coffee cart. The vendor was young and looked like he was still recovering from a weekend on the town. Which he probably was. Halifax was an artsy city but also known for its university life. St. Mary’s, Dalhousie, NSCAD, and a plethora of community colleges. Downtown comprised three kinds of people: bustling business types, tourists, and university students.

  I handed Julie a coffee. “Aren’t you going to be late?”

  She shook her head, unable to look at me as she focused on people passing by. “My orientation doesn’t start for another half an hour.”

  I sipped my too-hot coffee and seethed as it burned my tongue. “Sure you’re not here to glimpse a particular hottie barista?

  She gave me a playful shove. “Bitch.” I laughed and watched her step down onto the street, and she turned to me before crossing. “I’ll see you later.”

  I waved her off before heading inside the large double glass doors. When they closed behind me, all sounds of the city cut off, and I was suddenly immersed by all there was to look at. The school side that faced the street outside was made almost entirely of arched windows, which let a ton of natural light fill the creative spaces. Walls of rough stone painted white in some places, left untouched in others.

  A front desk sat in the middle of the entryway with a busy receptionist behind it with a tight look on her face as she managed an endless stream of incoming calls. I’d no idea where I was supposed to go, but I didn’t want to bother her, so I wandered. Smells of paints and clay and other mediums filled my nose, and I inhaled deeply. Students and faculty busied about, headed for their tasks for the day.

  I pulled out my welcome package and rifled through the papers until I found the campus map. Just when I thought I turned down the correct hallway, I stopped and groaned at the rows of black unmarked doors. How did anyone get around here?

  “Lost already?” spoke a familiar voice, and I turned to find Tomas. His dark brown hair was swept ba
ck neatly, and he wore a casual outfit of jeans and a white t-shirt.

  I blew out a breath and held up the map. “This is useless.”

  “Come on.” He laughed. An oddly comforting sound. Like holding a warm cup of tea. “You were headed in the right direction. Orientations for Foundation year students are usually right down here. They just haven’t marked any of the doors yet.”

  I followed him to the end of the hall, where a set of double doors waited. I could see why Julie liked him. Tomas was sweet and kind and comforting just to be around. He exuded a calm presence. When he stopped and peeked in through the small window, he looked at me with a nod.

  “Here you go.”

  “Thanks,” I replied and stuffed my map back in my bag. “Hey. Uh, what are you doing tonight?” He gave me a curious look. “I don’t know how appropriate this is, considering you’re kind of my boss, but do you want to hang with Julie and me? If you’re free? Just hordes of junk food and terrible movies.” I shrugged. “Probably some drinks.”

  Tomas thought for a moment. “I’m working tonight. At my parent’s Korean restaurant in Dartmouth. But maybe another time?”

  Julie would probably kill me. “Deal.”

  He left me to head off to his class, and I entered through one of the swinging doors to find a packed room. Orientation had already begun, and all heads turned to gawk at me. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. The prof at the front paid me no attention as I lowered my head and found an empty seat near the back. But immediately regretted it when I caught the death glare from the girl I sat next to.

  She wore a permanent scowl on her stunningly perfect face. Framed by long braids, entwined with gold threads, each one flawless. Her features, deep and sharp against the dark tones of her skin, made her terrifying and lovely at the same time. If I were to put her on canvas, I’d call the painting Nightshade.