Mikail knew that was precisely the reason, asking, “How did you stop them?”
“I didn't. Someone else showed up, and the group backed off. One of them even found me in the square this morning and apologized, saying they only wanted to scare me.”
He nearly growled in anger, knowing that wasn't likely to be entirely true. Still, he swallowed his ire to consider the rest of her story, asking, “Who showed up?”
“Arias,” she returned, her expression curious. “Do you know him?”
Mikail's eyes widened in surprise. Of everyone she could've named, the last he expected to hear was Arias. The Ancient Perosian didn't live in Satorala, and usually only visited to offer news and insight into important events, particularly those concerning Perosia.
The thought reminded him of how the prophecy concerning Perosia's Steward seemed to be on the verge of coming true, begging the question of whether Arias' visit was related.
But Mikail supposed only time would tell, and thought his answer over before supplying, “All Dok'aal know of him. Arias is an Ancient who brought our people to this place nearly a thousand years ago after the Perosian Imperial Family was assassinated, and he's helped us ever since.”
Leaning her arms against her thighs, Kivsey asked, “An Ancient? Doesn't that mean he's really old?”
“Yes,” Mikail confirmed. Perosians over a thousand years of age were referred to as Ancients, and one of the things that set them off from the rest was that their strength had grown to the point that they could potentially survive decapitation.
At his confirmation, she mentioned, “I noticed a halo of light in his eyes, which I think is a sign of divine influence. Do you know if he has any … religious connections?”
“Not for sure. He's a visionary who's predicted a lot of events, but whether he's somehow touched by Divinity is anyone's guess. Personally, I think he has the same kind of connection as divinians.”
Kivsey pursed her lips in thought, then qualified, “He denied being a divinian, and I know he could've been lying, but he didn't seem to appreciate the comparison. Still, I suppose it's possible that some deity marked him the way divinians are.”
Mikail shrugged, qualifying, “It doesn't make much difference either way. All that matters to us is the help he's provided, and many would lay down their lives to protect him. So if people saw you together, it's not surprising that you're experiencing a general lack of enmity now. Most likely, everyone believes you have his favor, so in turn, you have theirs, at least to an extent.”
She considered his explanation with a thoughtful look, mentioning, “I'd suspected he took me to the square so people would see us together. But why would he help me like that?”
Again, Mikail shrugged. As far as he knew, Arias did nothing without cause. So perhaps he thought Kivsey needed to be accepted, but determining why was a different story entirely—the Ancient was nothing if not mysterious.
Kivsey didn't seem to appreciate that explanation, however, muttering, “Greeeat. He said my thanks was enough, but this makes it sound like he's eventually gonna come after my firstborn or something.”
Mikail grinned. “I really doubt that. He doesn't like children.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he's said so. Numerous times.”
Kivsey conceded his point with a nod, mentioning, “That's good I suppose, and I am grateful for his help. So if he ever asks for anything, I'll have to do my best to return the favor. Oh, and before I forget, I actually have something I want to give you.”
Turning to the boxes on the coffee table, Kivsey rummaged through them until she found a small stack of papers and a graphite pencil. Then, pressing down on the table's surface, she started writing on the top sheet, and Mikail was too curious to know what she was doing not to join her on the chaise and watch.
After a few minutes passed, she'd drawn a grid and written letters into every box, then turned to hand him the pencil.
Taking it, he asked, “What?”
“I had an idea while I was out that might help you learn the script I write in a little better. I call it Kivsey's dirty alphabet sheet.”
He eyed her quizzically. “Dirty?”
“Mm-hmm,” she confirmed with a sly smile, explaining, “the best way to learn any language is by learning the dirty words first. I figure this includes learning the letters, so … ”
Pointing beneath the first letter, she directed, “In your own script, I want you to write the word for ass here.”
“Why ass?”
“Because ass starts with the letter A, being this letter.”
Mikail found himself grinning, and did as she suggested. Once finished, she turned the paper and wrote ass in her own script beneath his, then explained the letter's sound before moving onto the second.
Pointing at it, he said, “I know this one, it's … B.”
“Yep, and it has a lot of possibilities, so let's go with … breasts.”
Mikail smirked, writing her suggestion down while resisting the urge to gaze at the sizable swells her caftan so shamelessly outlined. But it wasn't entirely easy as, in repeating the process for subsequent letters, most of her suggestions had his mind racing with erotic thoughts, listing words such as cock, damn, ejaculation, fuck, G Spot, hard on, intercourse, and jerking off.
The activity was equal parts amusing and frustrating. They joked over the various words, and working on the sheet in such close proximity, his desire to kiss her senseless grew stronger by the second.
Again, he was stunned by the need to show her such affection, and almost wanted their interactions to end as much as he needed them to continue.
Yet, when they reached K, Kivsey scratched her head and shrugged.
“Okay, I got nothing right now, so it might be a good idea to stop here.”
“Stop?” Mikail asked, too entertained not to suggest, “We're just getting started.”
“I know, but I was hoping to see more of Satorala while I have the chance. So can we get back to it later?”
He had to admit, she made a good point, and he'd wanted to spend time getting to know her better anyway. Besides, now that he knew the people wouldn't object to her presence thanks to Arias, more options were open than simply walking around looking at the sights.
So he agreed, setting the pencil down with the question, “Are you hungry?”
She eyed him curiously, admitting, “I could go for something. Why?”
Smirking, Mikail stood and offered his hand with the words, “Because you'll enjoy touring more if I take you out to eat first.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
♦
The moment Mikail suggested going out to eat, Kivsey knew her reputation in Satorala wasn't the only thing that had changed.
Maybe he was simply grateful to be back, or he just enjoyed having a chance to show off his home to someone who'd never seen it—it was doubtful such an opportunity rose often in a place kept secret from outsiders. But ever since their arrival in the city, the Warlord was a completely different person.
Admittedly, his attitude had changed the moment they'd shared a playful kiss in that cavern, but Kivsey hadn't quite expected to be shown the sights so enthusiastically.
Furthermore, she learned almost as much about him as she did of the city.
The two spent all afternoon touring together, and she definitely enjoyed herself. The people hadn't changed their attitude toward her entirely, but most were polite, and some even made suggestions for places to visit.
Their first stop was a restaurant where she put her trust in Mikail's ability to order a dish she wouldn't hate, and wound up with some type of pasta that apparently possessed chunks of wyrm meat. Tastes like chicken.
During their meal, they swapped random stories, and she learned that her host was thirty-nine years old, and had no family to speak of. The information called to mind his negative reaction to the question about his parents' whereabouts after they first met, and she reluctantly inquired
over the subject again.
This time, Mikail offered an answer, though she could tell it wasn't his favorite subject, and rightfully so—his parents were killed during an attempt to free Dok'aal slaves from Perosia when he was only five years old.
Back then, he hadn't fully understood why they'd never returned, but their fate inspired him to undertake the training of a Warlord once he was older. Not only had he desired to protect those that couldn't protect themselves, he also wanted to follow in his parents' footsteps and help free his people from Perosia whenever possible.
Kivsey had no idea what to say. His devotion was admirable, as were his reasons, and she could feel her heart softening toward him—an unwanted development. Indeed, the more she got to know Mikail, the more she liked him, and the harder it became to consider the fact that their association was only temporary.
So she was more than happy to take her mind off the matter by sharing her own stories when asked—and he seemed particularly interested in her love life.
She explained that her last relationship ended three years prior, and ever since, she'd had a few crushes, but nothing ever came of them. Working for The Bastion didn't allow for much social time, and the people she usually ran into on the job were either taken, or had problems of their own.
The best example was Stephan Forrester, a good friend and former coworker that Kivsey couldn't say she was never attracted to. But he was so focused on getting justice for his family after vampires attacked them that it quickly became evident nothing would ever work out.
So their relationship remained platonic, and she hadn't seen him in over half a year, anyway. Seven months ago, he'd disappeared with a vampire named Maddox during a personal investigation, and Kivsey could only hope that, wherever he'd gone, he'd found his answers—and at least a sliver of happiness with his companion. Vampire hater or not, Maddox was a charmer.
She departed the restaurant with Mikail while speaking of them, and from there, the conversation turned to the various areas they visited. One of her favorites was a geothermal spring his people used for leisure she would've loved to take advantage of, but the most impressive part of their tour was the Temple of Satora.
The building wasn't as large as the Council Chamber, but it was just as elaborate, with what she would've described as gothic style windows sporting painted glass that reflected light in various colors and patterns. No services were being given that day, leaving the surrounding area quiet, but in passing the open doors, a handful of people were visible inside with their heads bowed in prayer to the Goddess of Wisdom.
It was ethereally serene, and adding to the mysticism of the temple were the stone carvings gracing the surrounding rock walls. Several images featured the same characters, and two carvings left of the entryway captured her full attention.
Side by side, the first panel showed a woman being pulled down from on high by a hooded figure with horns. But in the second, she was walking hand in hand with the same figure, apparently happy.
Studying the images for a moment, Kivsey finally asked, “Mikail, I've seen a lot carvings in the walls around the city that feature similar images, and I was wondering what they depict?”
He glanced over to see what she was talking about, answering, “Most tell our history, but the ones around the temple tell the story of Satora and what we've learned from her Divinity Scrolls.”
“Divinity Scrolls?”
He nodded. “They're old texts people think were passed down from The Pantheon itself that tell stories of the gods and their intentions.”
Nodding, Kivsey waved her hand at the image and asked, “What are these about? It looks like someone's being kidnapped, but here, she seems happy.”
“The woman is Satora,” he started. “She's been silent for nearly a thousand years, but we're unsure why, and these images are suggestions of her true fate. The horned figure is Peros, the God of Darkness. Some people think he was in love with Satora, but was separated from her when he was cast out of Divinity. So in the first carving, he's kidnapping her because he desired her companionship, but in the second, she willingly left Divinity to be with him.”
A whimsical smile curved her mouth. “Did Satora love him back?”
“No one knows. I'm not even sure I believe he loved her, so it's anyone's guess.”
Taking the images in with his explanation, she suggested, “Still, it's romantic.”
Mikail seemed confused. “Kidnapping is romantic?”
“Not that,” she countered. “I mean if she willingly left Divinity for him because she felt the same way.”
Looking the images over, the Warlord sounded skeptical in remarking, “I don't know. Romantic maybe, but that would mean we didn't matter to her as much as Peros.”
“Not necessarily,” Kivsey countered. “She may have left to try bringing him back to Divinity.”
“I've heard that possibility, too,” he admitted. “Still, it's hard to imagine loving someone so absolutely you'd leave heaven to be with them.”
“What about your mate?” Turning from the images to face Mikail, she inquired, “Wouldn't you do anything to have her in your life?”
The Warlord was silent for a thoughtful moment, as if realizing he'd spoken without considering the possibility—and the look he gave with his response had a shiver rushing through her body.
“I'm no deity, so I can't speak for leaving Divinity. But I'd move it to make her happy.”
The words sounded like a promise, and maybe she was crazy, but the way he spoke felt as if he wanted her to know the lengths he'd go to for his mate specifically.
Yet it had to be her imagination. She hadn't been in a decent relationship in several years, and now, a sexy Warlord was promising to move heaven itself if it meant making his mate happy.
What woman wouldn't want to hear such things?
Still, she and Mikail were nowhere near that level of closeness, and she highly doubted they ever would be. Saying a relationship was even a possibility, there was much standing between them—worlds of difference, in fact.
Yet, the thought evoked a particular question that had her wondering. What if Mikail bonded with … me?
He wasn't mated, so it was possible, wasn't it? Ever since their kiss in that cave, she'd felt … drawn to him in a way she couldn't describe, and tried to imagine having a man like him in her life. If their time together that day alone was any indication, she had to admit, she could do a hell of a lot worse. He was truly devoted to those he cared for, with a sense of humor she could appreciate.
But … where would they live? Kivsey knew he wouldn't prefer Terra because of the bright daylight there, meaning she'd likely have to move to Satorala, which would be a huge undertaking.
And yet, the idea held merit.
The city was beautiful, and even if the people weren't entirely friendly with her now, that could change over time—thanks to Arias, such change had already begun. But could she leave her family and friends behind? Her job? Those questions were harder to answer, though the sole reason she'd become stranded in Ithelyon from the start was because she'd been stuck in a rut and needed something new.
Her job was enjoyable, but the same old same old had grown tiresome, and the idea of moving to a new world altogether and finding a brand new path seemed promising.
Still, even if she were ready to jump ship, there was a downside that made her reluctant to consider the possibility of bonding with Mikail at all—his mortality.
Like elves, Dok'aal gained immortality when they bonded, but if their partner was mortal, their life would end when their mate's did. It was a facet of the bonding process she couldn't ignore, unable to bear the thought that her mortal lifespan might eventually bring Mikail to his own end.
As it stood, the only way such a fate wouldn't come to pass was if she'd inherited the elven ability to bond as well, and gained her own immortality. But she wouldn't know that until she started dreaming of Mikail relentlessly and felt some kind of connection to him in the
pit of her very soul.
And it didn't seem worth the risk to find out.
So she pushed the whimsical thoughts away and remarked, “I'd like to think love could move mountains if it's genuine, and if Satora and Peros are together now, I hope they're happy.”
Mikail nodded in agreement, but for some reason, his expression grew distasteful.
“What's wrong?”
Looking up at the shifting lights in the cavern's dome over Satorala, he explained, “It's getting late, and I have a competition to attend tonight.”
Kivsey gazed up at the dome lights in turn. Earlier, Nevan informed her that they were enchanted to shift colors and intensity with the time of day, and currently, the color was a warm orange, suggesting the sun was setting.
But she'd been so enthralled by her tour she'd completely forgotten about Mikail's impending engagement that evening—and he seemed reluctant to draw their activities to a close.
Still, he started walking in the direction of the square, and Kivsey followed, asking, “What's this competition about, anyway? I asked Nevan earlier, and she only said you'll see.”
Mikail smirked, asking, “How much do you like wrestling?”
“I'm not a huge fan. Why? Is that what you'll be doing?”
He nodded without offering more information. So she prodded, “What do you get for winning?”
“If all goes well, a mate.”
“A mate?”
“Yes. The wrestling matches were set up solely for Dok'aal males having prophetic dreams, the idea being to show off strength and skill for the audience. Then, after the matches are over, contenders meet with everyone in the arena to … socialize.”
That was a clever set up. Not only did it give the audience a chance to eye up the bachelors, it was possible to meet with their favorite participant so the bonding process could begin—saying it was meant to be.
Also, judging by Mikail's description of the way a male Dok'aal's prophetic dreams changed to reveal his mate once they'd met, the socializing was probably the most important part.
Cast Into Shadow Page 13
