by Alyssa Breck
“He left a few days ago. That means he has a head start,” Marina said. “We’d rather go straight to the Citadel instead of running after them.”
“Is there a point to going after Glenn?” Kiera asked. “We already know who hired him to attack us. We should focus on returning to our main task of finding the Legacy Stone.”
“As much as I understand your point of view,” Alayah said, “the fact is that we have no idea where the stone is, and Silver can’t find it without something to track it. We have to find Glenn and get him to tell us what powerful mage would be right for this quest as the White Mage advised us. Plus, he might have extra information that he didn’t tell his cousin.”
“Scythe Citadel is far away from where we are. We’ll be tiring the horses,” Rose mumbled with a sigh. “It’s also big, and we have no idea if Glenn is really going there or if he lied to his cousin to prevent others from finding him.”
“True,” Silver said. “But I have the means to take us to Scythe faster. We can fly there.”
Alayah looked at him. “Would you take us to Scythe?”
“Of course. I told you that I’m here to help you.” He smiled. “We want the same thing, Alay.”
Her stomach dropped at his grin, and she peeped at her companions before the heat spread to her face.
Marina spoke. “We would arrive faster if we took the aircraft.”
“And we could use more manpower,” Rose added.
“If everybody agrees, I’ll accept Silver’s help,” Alayah said.
Kiera and Lyra nodded.
“I’d rather travel comfortably,” Kiera said, unfolding her arms.
“Great.” Silver rubbed his thumb against his chin. “Scythe Citadel is well-known for its black market, and it’s a fortress. I might know someone there who can give us information about any magical item that ends up on the black market. If Glenn isn’t of any help, this person might be.”
Alayah folded her arms. “To Scythe we go then.”
Sun pushed through Silver’s shade into Alay’s eyes. They were soaring over the road, and the air felt warm on her skin. The wind tossed her hair here and there like a feather-weight pendulum.
“How much longer to our destination?”
“A few more hours.” He looked back, a smile playing on his lips. “I thought you were going to sleep right through the journey.”
Alay sighed and looked back at her friends. They were each perched behind a rider, all hovering behind Silver like a cluster of bees buzzing in the air. If the situation wasn’t a dire one, she’d recline and enjoy, in micro paces, the nuances that she was experiencing. After all, it wasn’t every day that she rode a motorcycle.
“I can’t fight the feeling that we are wasting time. But I don’t have a clue how to find the Legacy Stone, either.”
Silver cocked his head at an angle like he wanted her to say more.
She indulged him. “The elders made it seem as if the White Mage had all the answers, but he wanted nothing to do with us.”
“The White Mage has long given up on helping anyone since he joined forces with the Dark Emperor.”
“Is Elys also under his power?”
“Yes.”
“Then that explains his reluctance to help.”
“And why Glenn knew you were coming.”
“I can’t trust anyone.” She sighed, shutting her eyes for a few moments.
“You can trust me,” Silver shouted, his eyes on the road.
Alayah didn’t know how to answer his claim. She shook her head. She was tired and felt the warmth of his body under her hands. She was holding onto his chest, and her head felt heavy.
“Try to get some sleep. Lean your head against my back and close your eyes. You’ll need your strength, Alay,” Silver said as if he could read her mind.
“My body is tired, but my mind doesn’t give me a break. My head hurts, and my ears are buzzing.”
“Here,” he said, stretching his right hand to her as his left hand controlled the handlebars.
“What is that?” She looked at the sliver of paper with something inside.
“Gum. It tastes sweet. You’ll like it.”
“Should I eat it?”
“No. Just chew it. It will help with the headache and the pressure you are feeling in your ears.”
She took it and unwrapped it. “It tastes funny.”
“Berry,” he said merely as if she was supposed to understand what he meant.
She nodded. The underlying mint taste evaporated and filled her mouth like a spray of steam. But it was sweet and made her relax. She worked it from the left part of her mouth to the right and repeated like it was some kind of dance.
Silver slowed down, and the heat increased.
His voice reached her ears. “What will you do if we can’t find the stone?”
“That’s not a possibility.”
“It might be.”
“I really don’t want to think about that.”
“But imagine it happens.”
Alay projected her voice. “We won’t give up, and we’ll find the stone.”
He must have heard the rebuke in her voice because his hand touched hers. “I want this world to be saved as much as you do. Still, our mission will be dangerous, and I’ve grown … attached to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Would it be so bad if you stayed once this mission is over?”
Frowning, Alayah removed her entwined hands from his torso and moved them to his shoulders. “I have people who are waiting for my return, Silver.”
“I understand,” he mumbled.
Alayah’s heart leaped in her chest with the twinge of sadness in his voice.
The motorbike twisted, and the sun snaked into her eyes. Below them was nothing but emptiness. If she looked beneath, she'd see a far view of endless sand like a desert. Only it wasn't. The destruction had rendered cities and villages to ruin.
The wind slapping against her face acquired a soothing coolness. She knew they had changed regions. The dryness of wastelands was left behind, and several sparse lumps of green could be found beneath. The existence of flowers was new to her.
“There’s a stream of water close by. We’ll stop to eat and rest.”
She nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
He turned his face to hers and smiled. “We’ll set camp, and you can pretend I didn’t say anything.”
“About what?”
He frowned and lost his smile. “You can ride with someone else tomorrow if you feel uncomfortable.”
“I don’t.” She looked back before speaking again. “I don’t trust people easily. I’ve been hurt before. I don’t fully understand what you said to me or why you would want me to stay, but I have people who need me back home. That being said, it doesn’t mean I can’t come back. We are friends, aren’t we?”
“I believe so.”
“Do you want to be more than my friend?”
The bike bounced, and she slammed against his back and hugged him, so she didn’t fall.
“I’m sorry. There was a rock in our way, and I was a bit distracted.”
Alayah giggled. “Maybe we should talk about this when we aren’t speeding.”
“It’s probably best.”
Alayah leaned back and secured her hands on his shoulders. Silver moved his hand and grabbed one of her hands and placed it around his waist.
“It’s safer this way,” he said, caressing her hand.
Alayah secured both hands around his middle and leaned her head against the soft fabric of his clothes. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to lower her guard and silence her thoughts and doubts while she rested her eyes.
The sounds of splashes and giggles echoed in the spring that Alayah and her sirens bathed in. It had been a while since they were surrounded by that much water. The event had lifted everybody’s spirits.
Meanwhile, Silver’s men were setting up camp.
Alayah watched how Marina and
Lyra played while Kiera washed her hair and rubbed the dirt from her face.
“I hate heat and sand. I really miss the ocean,” Kiera grumbled.
Rose arrived with large buckets in her hands. “The camp is almost set, and the men are looking for branches to start a fire. They want to know if you are going to take long since they want to bathe, too.”
Alayah sat up and yawned. “We’ll be ready in a moment. Why don’t you join us? You can take the water once you’ve freshened up.”
“Someone needs to keep an eye on the men. Some might be too curious and peek at you taking a bath.”
Kiera walked to the shore. “I could use a man tonight. It’s been a while. There are some good-looking ones amongst the samurais.”
“We are here to work, not to have fun,” Marina said once she stopped splashing water at Lyra.
“That’s easy for you to say,” Kiera muttered and smirked. “You don’t like men.”
“Watch your mouth!” Marina protested, rushing to her side and pushing her back.
“Am I telling a lie? Aren’t you constantly flirting with Lyra? Aren’t you two a thing?”
Alayah looked at Lyra who hid underwater to conceal her embarrassment.
“So, what?” Alayah asked. “You are all free to do whatever you want with your spare time.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” Kiera whined. “Silver is always flirting with you. He’s the most handsome of them all. The rest of us just have the leftovers.”
“Are you insane?” Marina asked with narrowed eyes. “Are you seriously starting a fight because of men? There are plenty of them in the camp. Just pick one, end your hunger, and leave the rest of us out of your drama.”
Kiera groaned before walking to the shore and grabbing her clothes. She placed her armband and, using her magic, evaporated the water from her body before storming into the forest.
“What a cunt,” Marina grumbled. She looked at Alayah. “Don’t mind her and don’t feel guilty about Silver. He clearly fancies you a lot. It’s not because Kiera has her slutty eyes on him that you should back off.”
“I have someone back home. We have an understanding, but I don’t know if Silver would be okay with that.”
“Lots of sirens have more than one partner. His kingdom also has sirens, I’m sure he knows what polyamory is since the kings in his culture often have more than one wife.”
“It’s different when they are the ones who need to share. We all know that.”
Marina shrugged. “I like women. Since we are talking about this, Lyra and I are a couple. Do you have any problem with that, Commander?”
“It’s none of my business.” Alayah smiled. “Though, I think you are adorable together.”
Marina smiled back. “Good.”
Rose announced that she was still there. “Since we are talking about this, I like men. The bigger, the better. So, I’m not interested in the mage. He’s handsome and all, but I like my men buff.”
They all laughed.
Lyra swam closer to the other girls and mumbled with a timid voice, “I’m bisexual. Marina and I are serious about our relationship. Also, Kiera is just jealous of the prince’s attention toward you, Commander. Don’t mind her and just talk to him. Life is short. One moment we are laughing and swimming and the other we are being eaten by a titan. Just enjoy yourself while you can.”
“Point taken,” Alayah said with a nod.
Chapter 26
Silver Wind’s samurais feasted on the meat of the animals they’d hunted that day. One of the men offered a skewer to Rose. She smiled and accepted it. The fragrant scent of charred meat floated in the air, and Alayah’s stomach rumbled.
With more kebabs in hand, Silver sat beside her and handed her one.
She nodded and tore a piece off and popped it into her mouth. “Thank you.”
For being cooked over an open flame, the venison was tender and flavorful.
“This is really good.”
“My men are excellent survivalists. They can hunt, gather, and cook.”
“I’m impressed. Are you as skilled, Silver?”
He smirked as the dancing firelight cast shadows across his face. “Who do you think trained them?”
“You’re more than just a pretty face then.”
Silver wiped his mouth with a square of cloth. “You think I’m pretty?”
“Yes.”
Marina stood from beside the fire and stretched her arms up. Then, she reached for Lyra’s hand. The couple walked toward Alayah.
“We’re turning in, Commander,” said Marina.
“Goodnight, girls. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight,” they replied in unison.
Rose was sharing a kebab with her personal trainer from the firing range. His skin was dark obsidian beside her paleness.
Keira rolled her eyes when Rose put her hand on the bald man’s thigh. She got up and walked over to where the other samurais were still eating. Plopping down between two Asian men, she looked from one to the other before she started speaking.
Alayah was seated too far away to hear their conversation, but she knew Keira’s objective wasn’t conversation. Keira wanted to get laid.
“It seems a few of your girls are sweet on a few of my guys.”
“They’ve been without affection for a while. They start to get grumpy.” Alayah laughed and finished her meat.
“You’ve also been without, yes?”
“This is true.” She turned to face Silver Wind. “Go for a walk with me.”
“It would be my pleasure.” He helped her to her feet. “There’s a path down to the spring.”
“Perfect.” Alayah wouldn’t turn down any chance to be near or in the water. Her body needed it as much as she needed food and … affection.
Holding hands with Silver reminded her how much she missed Omin; the soft touch of his lips against hers and the strength in his grip on her hips when he moved inside her. She shook her head. Salacious thoughts would do her no good out in the woods with the handsome Asian mage.
Small creatures skittered through the woods, climbing trees and squeaking. A monkey jumped from one canopy to another.
They reached the clearing that bordered the spring. The moonlight reflected off the still water.
“Let’s swim,” Alayah said and squeezed his hand.
“Now? In the dark?”
She nodded. “Look at how beautiful it is. I can’t resist.”
Of course, he wouldn’t completely understand how a siren craved water. Alayah began to disrobe, and Silver followed suit.
She ran for the spring and dove in. Alayah imagined that the way water felt on her skin was akin to what a thirsty human felt when taking a drink. She kicked her legs and released some air from her gills before breaking the surface.
Silver stood waist deep in the water and ran his fingertips through it. The ripples caused the moonlight reflection to wrinkle and dance.
She laughed and waved him in. “Come on.”
Silver’s hair was secured back in a ponytail as he waded farther in. “It’s a bit cold.”
Alayah raised an eyebrow. “I promise it gets warmer after you get in.”
“I like the sound of that.” Silver dove headfirst into the water and grabbed her ankles before coming up beside her.
She giggled and swam away from him. He gave chase, and they dipped and dove through the crystal-clear water. The light from the moon shone straight through to some rocks on the floor. A small fish paddled past Alayah as she turned a flip to avoid Silver’s grasp. She didn’t need to resurface to breathe, but he did.
When he let himself resurface to catch his breath, she took the opportunity to sneak up beneath him and pinch his thigh. Silver dove back down toward her and caught her elbow. His hair floated in the weightlessness of the water. He smiled and let a few air bubbles escape.
She stared at his ethereal form in the illumination of the moon. The water made him look paler in the light. S
ilver pulled her into an embrace, and she let him hold her under the water, and it felt like home for just a few seconds. Unlike Omin, Silver had to surface again.
Alayah swam toward the waterfall on the opposite side of the spring. It poured from about fifty feet above them. She climbed onto a rock ledge and smiled down at Silver where he trod water.
“Jump. I’ll catch you.” He held his arms up out of the water.
“You couldn’t catch me.” She laughed and dove back into the pool.
Alayah surfaced just in time to see Silver climbing onto the same rock, but he jumped to the right and went through the waterfall.
She swam in that direction and dove under the water to come up on the other side of the falls. A small rock ledge butted up against the hill. Silver was seated there.
Alayah climbed out to join him. He put his arm around her, and it was comfortable to be nestled there.
“Tell me about your growing up in The Depths,” Alayah said.
Silver rubbed his fingers along her shoulder. “When I was a boy, I used to jump from the back of the house into the water. I imagined I could fly like the dragons from my history. When you’re a child, it’s easy to believe that where you live is the best place in the world. And it was. Until more Titans appeared and rain became almost non-existent. These past years, many plants have died, and a lot of the forest creatures succumbed. People I grew up with also perished from disease or fighting against the monsters. I’m sure it’s the same for you and your people as well.”
“It is. I don’t believe any kingdom or settlement went untouched in some way. That’s why I have to believe that order can be restored. If the stone doesn’t exist then neither does hope. I can’t embrace that as truth.”
“I really hope you’re right, Alayah. I really do.”
The full moon was round and bright even through the blurriness of the waterfall. A howl pierced the brief silence.
Silver sat up straight and turned his head to listen.
“Are there wolves out here?” Alayah asked.
He stood abruptly. “There shouldn’t be.”
Pop. Pop. Pop.
“That’s not good. We must get back.” Silver kissed her quickly on the cheek and dove through the waterfall.
