Tor Lir tensed and then relaxed. “Citrine has her ways, but she won’t speak to me about her plans. I worry she’s caught up in the growing unrest sweeping through Sanga Sang.”
Hava lifted her hand and waved at the barmaid, gesturing for another drink. She leaned forward, her voice dropping. “What are you going to do about it? You know they are searching for treasure, but should it fall into the wrong hands…” she trailed off.
Tor Lir held up his fingers, ticking them off as he spoke. “We know Citrine and Zilpha are searching for the treasure. Zilpha is working with Lord Nodin who might be working with your father. And they are doing something suspicious to cause unrest in the city, but where the beast of shadows comes in, I don’t know.”
“I should go to the temple,” Hava said. “They will let me in and I can ask about the knowledge they keep there. One day I wish to study there, to become a priestess.” She flushed. She was spilling secrets like wine poured out of a jug.
Tor Lir hummed. “While you are at the temple, I will follow Citrine and Zilpha and see where they go tomorrow. Let’s meet again and share what secrets we discover.”
Hava smiled, her face lighting up and her eyes glistening in the dim light. The maid plunked a mug of spiced wine down in front of her and she nodded, brushing the maid away without words. “Tor Lir, I’m glad we met,” Hava said. “You are unlike anyone I’ve encountered in this city. There are many people here, with many motives, but although we share a common goal, I’m finding I like you more. You are honest, trustworthy, and you have a true desire to help where others have secret motives. The friars of the temple tell us not to trust people who are different from us, for an uprising could begin again. They take care of the disciples who follow in the ways of the Creator, focusing on helping the needy, being kind to the poor, and staying away from any hint of power that cannot be explained. They say they must keep an eye out and watch for the rise of evil, for some believe it was not truly vanquished during the war between the mortals and immortals. But I think evil has left this world, and you are proof.”
Tor Lir took a long sip of wine, his ears burning at her words. For a brief moment, a shimmer of green flickered in front of him and he saw the green giantess who raised him, standing in front of him. Her transparent hair shimmered blond in the light of the forest, but behind the luminosity of her skin was something darker, a shadowed past. His heart beat faster and then he forced himself up and out of the vision, away from the knowledge that frightened him.
Putting down his mug he reached across the table and took Hava’s hand. He smiled at her, hiding his mixed feelings. There was only one thing that would bring him comfort in that moment, and he leaned over, until his face was close to hers, and the light scent of jasmine floated to his nostrils. “I’ve never met anyone like you,” he whispered, echoing her words. And then, even though he knew he shouldn’t, he lowered his face to hers, and kissed her.
19
Indecent Acts
“I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon,” Lord Nodin’s gruff tones vibrated in her ear.
Despite her mixed feelings, Zilpha was grateful he had shown up when he had. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his slender fingers gently guiding her out of the tavern. Zilpha, exhausted from the events of the day, leaned in to his caress, finding relief in his manly presence.
“I…I came to seek wisdom from the herb lady,” Zilpha blurted out. “And then those two cornered me. Do you know who they are?”
His grip tightened on her shoulder at the question, and Zilpha heard a distinctly unfriendly tone in his words. “I am a Lord. Of course I know who they are. The question is, do you? And pray tell what exactly did they want with you?”
Zilpha pulled back, stung, as they walked outside. Nodin had been a close friend before he’d left. At times, Zilpha suspected she had fallen hard for his charms, although she was unsure whether it was love or the desire for attention. Now that he’d returned, she felt the same mixed feelings surge up again—a desperate desire to gain his approval and a fleeting fear something terrible was about to transpire. His amber eyes glowed at her in the dim light from the port. Her hand went to her neck. “I suppose they want the same thing you want, but they aren’t as close. They don’t know what they seek yet.”
Lord Nodin’s hand closed around her upper arm, steering her across the dirt street to a corner where horses were tied up. “And what did you tell them?” he asked, looping the reins from around his horse’s neck and leading it out so Zilpha could mount.
“Nothing,” Zilpha responded. “I told them nothing because then you were there before Lady Hava could knife me.”
Lord Nodin gave a rough laugh. His hands gripped her waist, and he swung her up on the horse, side saddle. Zilpha tensed as he leaped up behind her. His legs pressed around her bottom, and an arm tucked around her waist, his hand sinking lower for a moment until he seemed to shake himself. Zilpha’s heartbeat pulsed unsteadily at his indecent touch, but words of reproach died on her lips. Lifting the reins in his gloved hands, Nodin clucked to the horse who set off at an even pace. “Lady Hava is harmless. As dangerous as she looks, it’s all for show. She needs to look the part if she hopes to escape from under her father’s rule.”
Zilpha stiffened. “Escape? She and her father are thick as thieves. I saw him give her a bag of silver just the other day.”
“Appearances aren’t everything. You can’t always trust what your eyes see,” Nodin corrected her, his arm tightening about her waist. “Now tell me, what are you doing on this side of town and what did you find out?”
Zilpha, seeing no use in lying, quickly told her story. “I went to see the herb lady for help to recall my memories. Tomorrow I’ll begin my search. I’ll find the object for you.”
“Ah, small steps. They shall be rewarded.” Lord Nodin clucked again to the horse who moved into a rolling canter, and Zilpha found the rest of her words snatched by the cool night air.
If she hadn’t been in a turmoil about what to do, she might have enjoyed their quick ride through the city. The wind tussled her wavy hair like an unruly child without care and the winking lights of the city seemed more mischievous and less frightening as they breezed through. Nodin’s arm around her waist felt familiar and comforting, and after a few moments Zilpha allowed herself to sink into the security of his embrace.
Nodin. They’d met years ago when she’d first come to the city, lost, destitute and in need of a place to call home. Nodin hadn’t been a Lord back then. He was a trader and had a gang that ran the streets, bringing news to his ears. His skill-set was in the realm of tools and weapons. Although he was not a blacksmith, he had one of the more popular booths in the marketplace. It was in the marketplace where she and Bram had bumped into him, and he’d taken an immediate interest in their plight. It was Nodin who had told her about Lord Arden and encouraged her to make something of herself, reminding her she could work with her hands and become whoever she wished to be.
Just when she’d thought they were coming to an understanding, and when her heart might have belonged to him, he’d revealed that dastardly object—the crystal winged horse—and everything had changed. He’d told her about its properties—something magical and potent. It was the reason why he was so blessed and lucky in the marketplace, but he wanted to be rid of it. She’d watched, confusion mounting, until he left and left the treasure under her care. His mannerisms, always demanding respect, had pulled her into his vortex of confusion. She’d watched, unable to do anything, until the day he gave her the treasure and the key and walked away, forsaking everything. By then, Zilpha had determined to take the loan from Lord Arden and begin again. Her thoughts flew to Nodin now and then, but she understood that door had been shut. Until now. He returned with threats and, perhaps, a solution.
“Halt,” Lord Nodin commanded, pulling the reins and swinging off the horse.
Zilpha jerked out of her hazy thoughts and held out her hands. Lord Nodin’s fingers wrapped aro
und her waist, holding firm as he pulled her off the horse, bringing her body far too close to his as her feet met the ground. She let herself relax in his arms, and looked up into his unreadable amber eyes. “Thank you,” she murmured, squeezing his arms, hoping he would let her go.
He released her quickly, reached for the horse’s reins, and led it up to the door. “Is your brother home?”
“Nay. He is getting married you know.” Zilpha could not keep the bitterness out of her tone. Her brother had found happiness while she struggled alone to undo what had been done.
Nodin’s lip curled as he ushered her to the door, tying his horse at the nearby silo. “So, you are alone here? Again?”
A sudden chill went down Zilpha’s spine, and she frowned. “I…I’m not alone…” She trailed off when she saw the glint in Lord Nodin’s amber eyes. A cool darkness poured out of the hut when she opened the door and hurried inside. He followed her, lighting candles.
The candles danced like lovers, illuminating just how small and dingy the quarters of the hut were. Aware of the dirt that covered her skin, Zilpha went to the wash bucket and scrubbed the grime from her face. She listened to Lord Nodin’s soft footfalls over the dirt. He put his heavy satchel on the table with a resounding thump. Opening it, he rummaged around in the bag.
Zilpha dried her wet face off and turned to study him, very aware of his strong male presence in her home. Her body shivered with anticipation of the unknown. She felt torn. Part of her wanted him to leave, and the other part held onto the strings of curiosity. His presence made her feel safe and less alone. He knew her struggles, and yet he did not reject her but enlisted her support in his quest. What did it mean? Why was he here now?
“Nodin. What brought you back to this city? When you left, I thought you meant never to return.”
Lord Nodin frowned and turned his back to her, preoccupied with whatever was in his bag. After a moment, he faced her, holding a piece of fruit in each hand. Oranges. He’d remembered. The delectable fruit grew in Ellsmore, but she hadn’t had any since she was young. They were sold in the marketplace, but she never had extra coin for sweets and treats.
“I came back because of an opportunity,” Nodin said, tossing one orange to her.
She caught it in both hands, the sweet tang rising from the skin. Piercing it with her fingernail, she peeled the fruit, the sweet elixir of its juice running off her fingertips. The first bite burst in her mouth with a kick of citrus. Glimpses of happiness shot through her mind—laughing with her brothers and sisters, running through the fields outside the city, chasing each other around the water fountain that graced the middle of the city. But then war had come and brought death and devastation to the city.
Lord Nodin glided across the floor without making a sound. His hands cupped hers as he took the fruit from her hands and placed it on the table. Lifting the cloth, she’d used to wash her face, he wiped the sticky fruit off her fingers as if she were a child. Zilpha’s mouth watered as her eyes drifted back to the oranges sitting on the table. Nodin towered over her. He smelled like citrus and one of the delicate spices of the city. Cinnamon. One of his slender fingers snaked out, and her breath caught as he lifted her chin and forced her to look up at him. His fingers dropped down her neck, his feather-light touch caressing her smooth skin. “There are riches and rewards waiting when you succeed in finding the treasure. You told me you will meet with the herb lady tomorrow and she will guide you. What did you see in her presence? What visions did she conjure?”
Zilpha blinked, snapping back to the present and her unpleasant situation. Memories of the strange drink and the out-of-body experience wavered in her mind. She blanched. “I…I took it to the Jaded Sea and dropped it over the edge. I just knew the waves would carry it away. Forever.”
Nodin’s grip tightened around her neck. Displeasure.
She swallowed hard. “Somehow it didn’t follow the waves. The rocks caught it and washed it up in a cave along the coast. At least, that’s what the vision showed me.”
He studied her and let his hands drop to her shoulders, sliding down to her waist until he pulled her to him, their bodies connecting.
Warning sensations rushed through Zilpha’s body, but she ignored them, knowing Nodin was there with her at that very moment. And he wanted her. Just her. “Nodin,” she whispered. “Will you come with me tomorrow? To find it?”
He lifted a hand and ran it through her wind-blown hair before cupping her cheek with his hand. Bending his head, he grazed her lips with his, the soft hints of an unspoken promise.
The moment his lips touched hers, Zilpha felt everything she was holding back stripped away. She let go of her concerns and uncertainties regarding him. With everything she had, she leaned into his caress, wrapping her arms around his waist and clinging on as if he were the only rock left to hold on to in a tormented sea. He pulled her toward him and crushed her lips with his, gentleness giving way to passion. Zilpha breathed in, intoxicated. Closing her eyes, she moved her lips against his, giving in to the warmth of his touch, the softness of his lips, and then the wetness of his tongue, strong and insistent as it moved into her mouth, dragging passion out of her. She gasped as one of his hands dropped lower, and suddenly he pulled back, leaving her hanging. Zilpha blushed, the flush rising from her neck and covering her cheeks with warmth. Lord Nodin regarded her, a cocky expression of his face. He reached up to the neck of her dress. “Let’s get you out of this dress.”
He bunched the skirt of her shift in his hands and pulled it up, revealing her slender legs. He pulled the dress over her head, opening her body to his wishes. She succumbed to the darkness and let herself be washed away on a sea of passion-fueled lust.
20
Don't Worry
Zilpha stretched in the shadows of sunrise, a satisfied smile touching her pink lips. Even though he was gone, slipping out in the early morning dawn, she still felt his arms circling her body, holding her close while she slept. Before he left, he’d whispered in her ear, his lips peppering her cheek with tiny kisses. “Will you do whatever it takes?”
“I will,” she’d agreed.
“I must go do my business in the city. I will meet you here, tonight, just past sundown.”
“What if I run into trouble?”
“I recall you being extremely resourceful.” One of his hands had drifted down to her hips, stroking her curves. His fingers promised future endearments.
Then he’d gone, and she missed him instantly. The feeling of safety and heedless decisions had evaporated even though a smile lingered on her lips. She rose and tugged on her dress and shoes.
It was quiet as she strode outside and almost collided with her brother. “Bram,” she exclaimed, unsure whether to be excited or distraught. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned at her. “I live here, right?”
Zilpha narrowed her eyes at him, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “Not recently.”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry. Okay. I didn’t know you were in trouble. I was thinking, perhaps today I could go with you to meet Lord Arden and negotiate something. I’ll have extra coin after harvest day to help pay off the debt. I did not understand. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Zilpha rubbed her hands over her arms, and forgiveness enveloped her. Her tone turned meek. “No, you weren’t supposed to know. It was my burden to carry, and it still is.” She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice. “You have Mathilda now and a home. I’ve got this taken care of. I’m not as helpless as you think I am.”
“I don’t think you’re helpless. Zilpha, I’m very aware of what you’ve done to help us! You make baskets and have your own booth in the marketplace. Because of you we have this hut to live in and you know this, but Mathilda appreciates your friendship. You don’t see the effects of what you’ve done, but I see it and I am thankful. I wish there was a way for me to pay you back.”
“You don’t have to pay me back. You’re my brother, remember. I appreciate you
r words, but I must go before I’m late. I have a way to take care of this.”
He lifted an eyebrow, a goofy look coming to his face. “Do you? Will you come by the farm and tell me? Tonight?”
“Tonight will be tough, likely the night after. Don’t worry about me, Bram. I’ll find you when the debt is cleared.”
“I hope you’re not doing something illegal…”
Zilpha reached over to hug him. “Nothing illegal. Don’t worry about me. I have this taken care of.”
“All right then. I trust you. I’ll go back to work.”
21
Reckless Behavior
Citrine leaned against the door to her herb shop and crossed her arms, waiting for the slight female, Zilpha, to appear. The dual lights—the sun and the Green Light—cast a web of beauty over the waves of the Jaded Sea. The waters glistened with promise, and a dull roar crept to her ears, clear and glorious in the early morning. A hint of morning fog remained, but Citrine hoped the warmth of the light would dash it away. She did not need the treasure hunt to be waylaid by imperfect weather. Her lip curled, and she tapped her foot, a combination of impatience and anticipation making her jittery. I don’t want the treasure, she told herself. I want to see it and touch it before handing it over.
Zilpha reminded her of herself, before she’d met her lover, Hansel, and settled in the village on the edge of the Boundary Line Forest. She was young, headstrong, and kept her secret from her lover, causing their relationship to explode when he’d found out. A nagging feeling settled on her shoulders like an insistent fly that would not go away.
Pushing away memories of the past, she turned her thoughts to Tor Lir, wondering what he was up to. She’d seen him the evening before, leaving the tavern with the bright-haired merchant’s daughter. Lady Hava. She was slim, beautiful, and carried two blades on her back. Her long glossy hair was always captured in two perfect braids, and the way her mouth curved looked like someone who needed a kiss. An unintentional seductress. Citrine was unsure why she felt jealousy, especially since she intended to leave Tor Lir behind when she went to hunt the stone that matched her eyes.
Legend of the Nameless One Boxset Page 27
