City of Wind (Steel and Fire Book 4)

by Jordan Rivet

  Just when Selivia feared her arms would give way for good, the true dragon landed with a mighty thud. Dust bloomed around them, obscuring the sky. When a brisk wind blew the dust away once more, they stood on a plateau with no sign of Sunset City or the Soolen army in sight.

  Selivia slid off the dragon’s back and fell flat on her bottom, every limb shaking. The dragon lumbered a few feet away and collapsed too. His heavy breathing sent up dust all around him.

  Selivia looked around, feeling disoriented. There was nothing but flat desert all around her. Had they gotten that far from the city so quickly? She knew they’d been flying fast, but she expected to see the colorful awnings or the leftover smoke from her dragon’s exploits in the distance.

  And where was the Rock? That should at least tell her what direction they had gone. She turned in a full circle, noting that the sun still hovered over the eastern horizon.

  And that was when she figured it out. They hadn’t flown far away from the Rock. They were standing on top of it. The true dragon had carried her to the crown of the ancient land formation. And now the only living beings in sight were she and the first true dragon to leave the Burnt Mountains in centuries.

  34.

  The Tower

  DARA awoke in an airy room. Bright afternoon light poured over her from a tall window. Silk curtains fluttered in the breeze, which was warm and scented with salt and a hint of flowers. Her head hurt, but she couldn’t remember why.

  She felt a cool hand on her brow and looked up to find Vine staring down at her.

  Dara jolted upright, reaching for a blade, a bit of Fire, a drop of Watermight.

  “It’s okay, Dara,” Vine said, her voice a familiar singsong. “I’m sorry I had to knock you out back there. I’m still on your side.”

  “Where are we?” Dara demanded, ducking the soothing hand Vine attempted to place on her forehead. “Where is Siv?”

  “I’m here.”

  The voice came from beside her. She lay on a massive bed covered in silk blankets and dozens of pillows. Siv sat upright next to her, looking somewhat the worse for wear thanks to his silver-sealed cuts and bruises. But his eyes were bright, and he grinned at her.

  “Welcome back to the land of the conscious.”

  “What happened?” Dara demanded.

  “I had to put you to sleep for a little while to get you safely here,” Vine said. She stood beside Dara’s side of the bed, trying to dab her forehead with a cool cloth. Dara knocked it away.

  “I woke up when we were halfway here in a canal boat,” Siv said. “Had the surprise of my life when I saw Vex Rollendar standing over me.”

  “Vex!” It all came back to Dara in a rush. She scanned the room quickly, but there was no sign of the Rollendar lord. They were in an elegant bedchamber. The silk curtains and silk sheets were only the beginning. Plush carpets covered the floors, and fine paintings decorated the walls. A crystal tea set awaited them on a low table, along with plates piled with cakes and fruit. Dara’s Savven blade leaned against a porcelain vase inlaid with gold. “Where are we?” she said again, already guessing the answer.

  “The King’s Tower,” Vine said. “I can’t wait to show you around. The King of Pendark is ever so lovely.”

  “He’s been harboring Vex and his men.”

  “Well, Vex doesn’t really have men anymore,” Vine said. “His associates abandoned him after his recent change of heart.”

  “Change of heart?”

  “He has left the service of his former liege. Also, he’s desperately in love with me. Isn’t it delightful how things turn out?”

  Dara stared at her, waiting for her to say it was all a joke. Vine gazed back blandly, ignoring the absurdity of what she was saying.

  “We are free to come and go,” Vine said. “I suggest you rest for a little while, take the king up on his generous offer of hospitality. This is the only place in Pendark where we will be completely protected from all Waterworkers. I’ll leave you two to talk.”

  Vine smiled at them both and skipped across the room. “Vex and I will be dining with the king. I do hope you’ll join us.” She gave them a sunny smile and disappeared through the door. As if to demonstrate that they were free to go, she left it open a crack.

  Dara and Siv looked at each other.

  “She’s finally lost it,” Dara said.

  Siv shrugged. “Maybe. On the way over here, Vex didn’t seem interested in killing us, though. I reckon there’s more to the story.”

  “You don’t believe what she was saying about being in love, do you?”

  “I gave up on trying to understand Vine Silltine a while ago,” he said. “Has she ever let you down before?”

  “No,” Dara said. “But she’s also never knocked me out with Air before.”

  “I must have missed that part.” Siv settled back on the silk cushions, grimacing slightly. “Can’t argue with the accommodations, though.”

  “How do you feel?” Dara asked. She moved closer to him and touched one of the sealed cuts on his arm to make sure the Watermight was still firmly in place. His skin was warm against hers.

  “I’ve taken worse beatings in the pen,” Siv said. “How’s your arm?”

  “I think the bond is gone.” Dara turned the limb in question back and forth, sensing for any hint of ice or broken bones. Then she poked Siv in the ribs. “What were you thinking? You could have warned me about your plan, seeing as the whole thing relied on me breaking the bond in time.”

  “I had to take you by surprise,” Siv said. “Also, I really thought bargaining for Latch’s Watermight knowledge would work.”

  “What if it hadn’t? Wyla would have killed you, and Latch would have ended up tied to her too.”

  “I knew you could do it,” Siv said simply.

  “But—”

  “And I was right.” Siv caught her hand before she could poke him again. “You should just admit it. I’m always right.”

  “It was too much of a risk,” Dara said.

  “It wasn’t,” Siv said. “I trust you, Dara. Those aren’t just words.”

  Dara sighed, some of the anger draining away. Siv had shown utter confidence in her today, even though he was putting his own life in peril. A hot coal flared to life in her chest as Siv tightened his grip on her hand. It was irritating that he had been right, too. As if he sensed her thoughts, he grinned, and the coal became a flame.

  “Fine,” she said. “You were right. Thank you for your help.”

  Siv’s smile widened. “Any chance I could get a kiss along with that thanks?”

  Dara grinned back and leaned in.

  They walked together to meet the king, both unsteady on their feet after their ordeal. A serving woman in a white dress met them at the door to show them the way. The king’s private dining chamber was empty, and they found the king and his guests lounging on a balcony through vast double doors.

  The balcony was located near the top of the King’s Tower, the tallest building in Pendark. The view was incredible. The sun sparkled on the Black Gulf, making the water glimmer like a star-brushed sky. From way up here, the city looked almost peaceful. No sign of the conflict that had raged in the streets over the past month disturbed the tableau.

  Vine hurried forward to greet them from where she’d been whispering with Vex Rollendar. The elusive lord had a cruelly handsome face, with sandy-blond hair and sharp eyes that reminded Dara too much of his nephew Bolden. Vex’s movements were powerful and lithe, hinting at his talent as a swordsman.

  Dara was sure Vex had found some way to enchant Vine, but she saw no evidence of it. In fact, Vex was the one who appeared to be enchanted. He watched Vine’s dancing movements as if she were made of Fire and magic. Dara didn’t trust him, but at least he didn’t seem to be planning to stab anyone here and now. He must be playing a longer game. Dara would find out what it was before he hurt her friend.

  Vine drew them toward a table for six covered with a delectable spread of food at
one end of the terrace. Dara’s stomach rumbled. The dishes were a mix of local favorites and delicacies from across the Bell Sea. He may not have much power here, but the King of Pendark certainly lived well.

  The man himself sat at the head of the table. He was older than Dara had expected, with deep wrinkles and wispy hair that glowed silver in the sunlight. His hair was the exact color of Watermight, and Dara had to remind herself forcibly that this man couldn’t Wield. She felt no power in the vicinity, Watermight or Fire. The king may not be able to use the magic substances, but he knew how to protect himself from them in his tower far above the city.

  “Welcome to my home,” the king said. “I understand you’ve had an adventurous visit so far.”

  “Pendark lives up to its reputation,” Siv said. “It’s nice to meet you, Your Majesty. My father spoke highly of you.”

  “I am sorry for your loss.”

  Siv inclined his head.

  “Please sit and eat,” the king said. “You must regain your strength.”

  “Lady Silltine believes you mean to help us,” Siv said, not moving toward the chairs. He appeared calm, even grave, reminding Dara of how much he’d matured over the past year.

  “I will do what I can,” the king said. “You must know the limits of my power here, if you did your homework as a boy.”

  “I’ve read Merlin Mavril’s histories,” Siv said.

  The king chuckled. “I’m afraid Mavril paints me as a bit more bloodthirsty than I am.”

  “I understand Pendarkans like that sort of thing.”

  “They do indeed,” the king said. He reached for a tart from the rich spread before him. “They like you as well. I’ve heard of your exploits in the Steel Pentagon.”

  The king nodded pointedly at the chairs, clearly wanting to continue the conversation over a meal. Siv remained standing.

  “How long have you known I was in the city?”

  “Quite some time. I learned of you from my friend Vex here.” The king nodded toward the Rollendar lord, who had moved closer while they were speaking.

  Siv stiffened, and Dara put a hand on her Savven blade. Vex gazed at them impassively, staying on the opposite side of the table. Dara met his eyes, daring him to make a move. She remembered all too well when he had thrown a knife into her shoulder.

  A breeze whipped around the balcony, ruffling the tablecloth, but no one moved. Dara watched Vex. Siv watched the king.

  Then Vine skipped over to Vex and looped her arm through his.

  “He has promised not to tell anyone else,” she said. “Let’s not get distracted. Do sit. We’re all going to be friends.”

  “Wait,” Siv said. “Khrillin told me you were the one who trained the swordsmen for your brother’s coup. Is that true?”

  “Yes,” Vex said. He still held Dara’s eyes while he answered Siv’s query. “Von shouldn’t have trusted the Lantern Maker. My men would have won him the crown.” Dara glared back at him. He shouldn’t be so confident. Her Castle Guard had been a match for Vex’s swordsmen.

  “Many of the swordsmen were Soolens,” Siv said.

  “That’s correct.” Vex broke Dara’s gaze at last and turned to Siv, facing him across the table. “My brothers formed an alliance with Commander Brach of Soole. I left the mountain to liaise with him. I was in his company when my brother was murdered.” His eyes cut to Dara again. Right. Her parents had killed his brother Von, betraying their tenuous alliance. She wondered if he knew that his nephew had been in on it.

  Vex’s attention returned to Siv. “Brach sent me to find you after you escaped his men in Trure. He doesn’t like loose ends.”

  “You traveled across the continent to kill me,” Siv said. “And now you want to sit and chat over soldarberry tarts. Why?”

  “Well, my Lady Vine—”

  “Why else?” Siv said. Dara was glad to see he didn’t buy the story of Vex’s infatuation, no matter how charming Vine could be.

  “Revenge,” Vex said softly. “I’ll ally with whoever defeats the Lantern Maker. Based on the latest reports, I’m no longer sure Brach is the man to do it.”

  Siv rubbed a hand across his chin. Dara watched him study Vex, his expression thoughtful. She knew he’d be pacing if he didn’t have to play the dignified king right now. He must be thinking of revenge too. Revenge against the man who killed his father. Siv and Vex had an enemy in common. Dara’s father.

  Uneasiness wormed through her stomach. She agreed that they had to stop her father—especially now that he was using Fire Weapons—but she didn’t like the idea of working with someone who hated him so completely.

  She glanced at Vine and caught an unexpectedly shrewd expression on her friend’s face. It was gone so quickly that Dara wondered if she had imagined it. Vine was already back to gazing admiringly at Vex. Interesting. Was Vine working on a deeper scheme here? Dara wanted to trust her, and Vine’s strategic mind was second to none. Maybe she wasn’t the one who’d been enchanted here.

  Suddenly, the king stood up, making everyone start.

  “Friends, I think we have an opportunity to set things right and establish a new era of peace.” He was positioned between the two pairs staring each other down across the table, and he raised his arms as if to encompass them all. “I wish to help the Amintelle family regain the throne of Vertigon.”

  “Why?” Siv asked. “If I may say so, Your Majesty, it doesn’t really have anything to do with you.”

  “Not yet.” The king took a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to Siv. Dara peered over his shoulder as he read the message.

  Rallion City has burned to the ground. The Fireworkers are too strong. They march on Soole next.

  “I see,” Siv said. “You know if the Fireworkers continue their rampage, they’ll come for Pendark eventually.”

  “They must be contained,” the king said. “And there’s more. The Air Sensors have recently regained contact with their counterparts in Trure. I received word this morning that Commander Brach’s remaining forces have taken the Sunset City of the Far Plainsfolk.”

  “The Far Plainsfolk?” Siv said. “My little sister is with them.”

  “I’m afraid I have no word of her,” the king said. “But the Sensors should establish contact again in good time.”

  “I didn’t know you had such good relations with the Air Sensors,” Siv said.

  “I practice the discipline myself,” the king said. “The meditations help me sleep, and I’m a regular visitor to Pendark’s only Sensors Manor. That’s where I met Lady Vine and arranged for her to reconcile with Lord Vex.”

  Dara glanced at Vine, who was still gazing at Vex. So the Air had connected them after all. Vine hadn’t told her she’d met the king. What was she planning? No matter what happened with Vex, the King of Pendark could prove to be exactly the ally they needed. She doubted Khrillin would be as eager to leave Pendark now that he’d taken control of Wyla’s vent. Firelord, he’d just become the most powerful man in the city by a significant margin. She wondered how important his friendship with Siv’s father would seem now.

  Siv met the King of Pendark’s eyes steadily. “So you want me to go north and clean up the mess Brach and Ruminor have made and keep everyone away from your city. The Soolens will go back to Soole, and the Vertigonians will go back to Vertigon. Is that a fair summary?”

  The king nodded. “I wish to have balance in the continent. If I have learned anything after ruling Pendark, it is that we must have balance.”

  “And you’re willing to help me do it.”

  “I will give you whatever assistance you require to turn the tide against the Lantern Maker. The Amintelles must reign once more—and they must rein in the power of the mountain. The Fire is too dangerous to blaze unchecked.”

  Siv glanced at Dara, clearly wanting her opinion. She could tell he wanted to agree. It was unclear whose side Khrillin was on now, and they were running out of time to set things right in their homeland. She held his gaze for
a moment, and then she nodded. A faint smile flitted across Siv’s lips.

  “In that case,” he said, advancing to shake hands with the older king, “I think we can work together. Now, shall we have a seat and enjoy this excellent food while we get to know each other?”

  The King of Pendark smiled. “An excellent suggestion, King Sivarrion.”

  As the five of them sat to eat, Dara couldn’t help feeling troubled. Who was this man to say what the Fireworkers could do with their power? The king may want checks on the magical substances, but Fire and Watermight were the only things that could stop her father. And perhaps Air. It was proving to be more powerful than she’d realized. Could the answer to her troubles be found in all three substances?

  She remembered what she and Vine had discussed the other night and leaned over to whisper to her. “You said someone figured out how to transport Watermight.”

  “Oh yes!” Vine said. “That reminds me. Where is dear Latch?”

  “Ah,” the King of Pendark said. “I believe young Brach was taking a rest, but he—”

  “I apologize for my tardiness.” Latch strode out onto the terrace then. He was clad in a fine Pendarkan coat, looking every inch the young lord. Rumy the cur-dragon prowled at his side. “It has been a while since I had access to a proper bathing chamber.”

  “Latch here knows the secret,” Vine said. “I wasn’t sure if you figured that out during the chaos.”

  It had certainly been a surprise to see the young Soolen wielding Watermight that morning. She still didn’t know him very well.

  Latch took the final seat at the end of the table. Rumy settled between him and Siv and began poking at the food on Siv’s plate. Latch gave Vex Rollendar a wary nod before filling his own plate.

  “Thanks for your help today, Latch,” Dara said.

  Latch grunted. “Siv thinks you’re our only hope.”