Unlit_A Kingdoms of Earth & Air Novel

by Keri Arthur

  “You will. And be careful, Neve.”

  “Always.”

  I headed out. Trey was waiting near the secondary gatehouse. The carriage that had initially taken us into the Upper Reaches was waiting on the other side of the gate. “Did you find any dead patches?”

  He fell in step beside me. “Not in the immediate vicinity, but there is a reluctance in the earth’s voice, so something is near.”

  “According to April, the Adlin who attacked us appeared on the sensors at about half a mile out.” I gave him the coordinates. “If that’s the case, then the tunnel has progressed half a mile in about nine days. And that means we still have some time to stop them.”

  “But it is totally dependent on just how many earth-capable children they are willing to deplete unto death to get that sort of speed.” Once we’d climbed into the carriage, he gave the order to move, then picked up the clothes that sat neatly folded on the seat next to him. “We both need to change. Kiro doesn’t want anyone suspecting anything untoward has happened.”

  I accepted my dress but didn’t immediately start stripping off. “Why? They’d have to be aware of the Adlin attack, even if they had no idea what else might be going on. And as an outpost commander, wouldn’t they think it natural for you to seek out details of such an attack?”

  “Yes, but I’d hardly take my lover to such a meeting, hence the need to pretend it was nothing more than a brief outing.”

  “Brief?” I snorted. “Anyone with any sort of eyes would know otherwise. We’ve been missing half the night and most of the day.”

  “Which is very easily explained away, given it was the night of the masque reveal and a time when alliances—new or old—are sexually celebrated.”

  “Meaning I missed out on the fun again?” I mused. “Damn.”

  “Indeed.” His gaze swept me, and the heat of his desire washed tantalizingly across my skin. But he didn’t move—didn’t reach for me. Instead, he resolutely pulled his gaze away and began stripping off.

  Stone by name, stone by nature. At least when it came to giving way to any attraction to me.

  “So is he planning to tell the Forum about the attack on Blacklake?” I leaned down to untie my boots, and then shucked them and my socks off.

  “He’ll have to once we’ve shown him the Irkallan’s head. I guess the timing of the revelation will depend on whether he’s uncovered any other traitors aside from the three women.”

  “Hence the need for an update before we attend the masque.” I pulled off my shirt then undid my bra, tossing it onto the pile of clothes.

  “Yes.”

  He continued stripping off, and it wasn’t very long before we were both naked. The heat in the air had increased to the point it felt like I was being bathed in desire, but he still refused to look at me or even acknowledge what was rising between us.

  “And there is good reason for that, Neve,” he said softly.

  “Then tell me what it is.” My voice held an edge of anger that was not quite contained. “Make me believe it’s not my stains or my station.”

  His gaze jumped to mine at that and there was no hiding either his desire or surprise. “Knowing what you know about me, how can you even think that?”

  “Then what the hell is it?”

  He sighed and thrust a hand through his hair. “It’s the connection we formed when we did the ceremony. There’s the possibility of it getting stronger if we continue to be sexually involved. I thought it best not to risk forming an unwanted, permanent attachment.”

  Unwanted. The story of my entire life. Bitterness swirled but I somehow kept it contained and simply asked, “How serious an attachment are we talking about? More than just reading minds?”

  He shrugged, frustration evident in his expression. “Possibly. It’s rare for the ceremony to be performed by someone not trained, and there’s really only vague warnings about permanent connections being formed.”

  “Meaning the risk is one of both mind and heart if we’re sexually active over a period of time?”

  “Yes, although how long that period needs to be is also rather vague.”

  “Is it just you that runs this risk? It can’t be one-sided surely.”

  “It’s not, but—”

  “And is there a cure for this connection?” I cut in. “If it does indeed form?”

  “Distance, according to the texts I’ve since read. But that doesn’t mean we should take such a risk until we’re sure it’s something neither of us fear.”

  I leaned closer. He didn’t retreat, but he didn’t reach for me, either. The earthy energy that seemed to arise whenever we were too close burned the air, and it was a force that certainly seemed to be for a liaison rather than against it. “Commander, isn’t the possibility of one partner falling for the other and not having their affections returned something all lovers face?”

  “Yes, but—”

  I raised a finger to silence him, but he caught it, kissed it. “Neve, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not afraid of a connection forming, but I don’t want you trapped in a relationship you don’t want and couldn’t ever be comfortable with.”

  I stared at him for a minute, unable to believe what I was hearing. It wasn’t a rejection—quite the opposite, in fact. Happiness surged and a silly grin split my lips. “I’ve thought myself in love before, Commander, and survived the fallout when it became obvious it was very one-sided. I’m willing to take that chance again, but only if you are.”

  With a sigh that was almost relief, he wrapped a hand around my waist, pulled me against him, and kissed me. There was nothing cautious about this kiss, nothing gentle; it was heated and hungry, filled with all passion that had been simmering between us since the ceremony. And it made my pulse race and my heart sing.

  This time, he didn’t stop or pull away. The kiss gave way to caresses, and swiftly became a heated exploration of each other’s bodies, one that involved both hands and tongue. We tasted and teased, caressed and kissed, as much as the confines of time, urgency, and the small carriage would allow, until the scent of need was so sweet and heavy on the air it was almost liquid. When I could no longer stand the glorious torture, I pushed him back onto the seat and straddled him. But he gripped my hips, preventing me from fully capturing him, his gaze on mine and his expression serious.

  “Never, ever, believe that I haven’t wanted you,” he murmured. “Ever since that very first night in my suite at Blacklake it has been so.”

  With that, he released me, and I thrust down onto him. And oh, it was such a moment of utter perfection, where everything was as it should be, that neither us of dared move.

  Then desire surged, and his groan was one I echoed as we began a dance as old as time and life itself. Slowly at first, and then with increasing urgency. Pleasure curled through my body, shaking me with its power, until the growing need for completion had my body wound so tight it felt like I would surely shatter. And then I did shatter, as did he, the force of it so strong it tore gargled screams from both our throats.

  For several seconds after, we simply sat there, our bodies locked together. That odd, earthy energy continued to surge around us, a force that remained more than just sexual, and one that for the first time seemed completely united. It was almost as if two halves had now been made whole, and that energy—be it of earth or something far more basic—was now satisfied.

  He dropped a kiss on my forehead and said, “I would love to take you to bed right now and more thoroughly risk that connection we spoke about, but I can’t.”

  “No.” I climbed off his lap. “I don’t suppose you have towels and water in this carriage, do you?”

  “Indeed do we do.” His mouth twitched as he opened a compartment to the left of my seat. It revealed a small sink, tap, and above it, some towels. “This isn’t the first time carriages have been used for such pursuits.”

  I laughed and quickly cleaned myself up. He did the same, and by the time we’d both dressed, the carriage was pu
lling to a halt outside Rossi House.

  Our door was opened and once again, Trey exited first. I handed him the still-wrapped Irkallan’s head and my sword—my knife was once again strapped to my thigh, its presence concealed by the flowing skirt—and then accepted his help down. My gaze immediately went the white stone and silver metal façade of the fantastical building. Nothing seemed to have changed, and that seemed rather weird given all that had happened since we’d left.

  A liveried pageboy came down the steps as we began to climb them, meeting us halfway. “Lord Kiro waits for you in your quarters, Lord Trey.”

  The wind stirred around me as he spoke, whispering of dark deeds being done. With it came the urgent need to go check on Saska. I glanced at Trey. “You go. I really need to go check on Saska.”

  He frowned. “I don’t think that’d be wise—”

  “The wind would suggest otherwise.”

  “Which means it’s a suggestion we dare not deny.” He caught my hand and raised it to his lips. “Meet me back in our suite once you’ve finished. And be careful.”

  “People keep telling me that.” Amusement twitched my lips. “Anyone would think I’m the careless sort or something.”

  He laughed and released me. I watched him stride after the page for a second, and then headed left, following the wide patio around to the rear of the huge house. I eventually entered via a side entrance then walked down the silent halls to Saska’s suite. Ava and a golden-haired man I only vaguely knew were standing either side of the doorway.

  “Neve,” Ava said, delight creasing her features. “You didn’t get dead.”

  “Not through lack of trying—at least if you believe what others might be saying.” I glanced at the other guard. “How are you, Ranel?”

  “I’ll be better when our shift is over. It’s almost as boring standing here as it is on the wall.”

  “Trust me, boring is probably better than the alternatives right now.” I glanced back at Ava. “Anyone come in or out?”

  “Other than Lord Kiro, no.” She hesitated. “And he didn’t look pleased when he left.”

  I smiled. “He never looks pleased.”

  “Yeah, but considering they had sex, I would have thought he’d at least be a little happier.”

  Meaning Kiro had used the full extent of his talents on Saska again. “How long ago was this?”

  “Around lunchtime.”

  Which was about the time the pleasurable sensations had hit me in the shower. For whatever reason, a link had definitely been formed between Saska and me.

  But I had to wonder what being seduced in such a way—even if Kiro had taken the time to make it pleasurable for her—would have done to her already unstable state.

  “Has there been much movement since then?”

  “No,” Ava said. “But she must have the side doors open, because the force of wind has been strong enough to rattle this door.”

  Given Saska’s propensity to stand outside in the wild weather, that wasn’t entirely surprising. Yet unease stirred. “Do you know if there’s anyone stationed on the balcony exit?”

  “Yes, there is.” She glanced at Ranel, who said, “I believe Gen and Luc are currently assigned there.”

  Two people I wasn’t familiar with, which suggested they were newer recruits. “And Saska hasn’t come out?”

  “No.”

  Which didn’t mean she was still there. Not given the stunt she’d pulled in Tenterra. “I need to get inside to talk to her. What’s the procedure?”

  “You were given all-hours access. Everyone else has to be cleared through Lord Kiro.”

  “Ah. Good.”

  Ava opened the door and I stepped through. Once it was closed again, I paused and scanned the suite. Nothing appeared to have changed since I was last here, although the force of the wind coming in through the open patio doors was strong enough that the curtains were flying like flags. The air in the room was also bitterly cold, suggesting the doors had been open for a while.

  “Abee?” I had to raise my voice to be heard against the howl of the wind. “Are you here?”

  There was no response, either from Saska’s maidservant or from the two Nightwatch who were supposed to be stationed outside the patio doors. Maybe they simply couldn’t hear me over all the noise. I walked across to the doors, caught the end of one of the violently flapping curtains, and pushed it further aside before stepping through the door. The wind skirted around me rather than hit me full force, but I nevertheless felt the anger within it. I scanned the balcony, but other than a few upended chairs, there didn’t appear to be anyone out here.

  Where the hell were the Nightwatch officers? They wouldn’t have abandoned their posts—not without good reason, and certainly not without telling anyone. Even if they did have reason to leave, Ava and Ranel would have been informed.

  I stepped farther out into the balcony. The wind continued to move around me but the urgency beating through it was growing stronger. I did a full circuit of the patio, my unease growing with each step. There was no one here and no indication of any sort of disturbance or fight. Both the Nightwatch and Saska had disappeared and while the latter’s absence didn’t really surprise me, the former filled me with growing trepidation.

  I walked back into Saska’s suite and looked around. Again, there was little sign of any sort of disturbance, but I found Abee in small butler’s pantry next to the bathroom, unconscious on the floor and bleeding from a long gash on the side of her head. I swore and quickly felt for a pulse. It was rapid and faint, but it was at least there. She wasn’t dead.

  But I feared the same would not be said of the Nightwatch officers.

  I thrust up and ran back to the front door. Both Ava and Ranel swung around as I flung it open. “Are either of you in direct contact with Lord Kiro?”

  “He’s in direct control of all the seconded Nightwatch, and our earwigs have been retuned to a communicator that accompanies him,” Ava said. “Why?”

  “I need you to tell him that he, Commander Trey, and a healer are to get here ASAP. Saska’s maid is unconscious, and Saska and the two Nightwatch officers are missing.”

  Ranel swore and immediately pressed his earwig. As he began relaying information, I added, “Roughly what time did the wind get really strong?”

  Ava hesitated. “It would have been about five and a half hours ago.”

  Which was roughly the time Trey and I had left Blacklake. I had a bad feeling it wasn’t a coincidence. “And there was no indication from either Gen or Luc that there was anything untoward happening?”

  “Gen was bitching about how fierce and cold the wind was, but was bluntly told to keep off the line—that we were only to contact each other if there was something wrong.”

  “So there’s been no word from either of them since then?”

  “No. And we’re not due for a shift change until nine.”

  “How long are the shifts?”

  “Twelve, as usual.”

  “Lord Kiro is on his way,” Ranel said. “He wants you to wait for him.”

  “Tell him I can’t. Tell him I’m going after Saska.”

  Ranel nodded and began to relay the information. Ava’s expression became troubled. “I suspect I know how you intend to find her, but be wary. The source of your information cannot be trusted when you’re using it as a means to track down a powerful air witch.”

  “I know.”

  I squeezed her arm and then spun and ran back to the patio. The wind’s violence had not abated and the voices within her were mute. But the concern remained, and it was growing stronger. Whatever Saska was up to, whatever she’d done or was doing, the wind did not approve.

  It was also interesting to note she was more vocal—and more willing to help me—beyond Winterborne. Obviously, the binding of three that was preventing her from either speaking to me or helping me more greatly wasn’t so restricting once we’d moved into Tenterra.

  My skirt flew every which way as I steppe
d onto the patio again but this time, the wind wasn’t avoiding me. Instead, she urged me on, toward the outer edge. Darkness was gathering along the horizon and the sea far below was as violent as the wind, casting foamy fingers high enough up the sheer cliff face that I could not only see it, but also taste the salt of it. Yet there was far more to be seen than heaving seas if the wind was to be believed.

  I gripped the nearby capstone with one hand and carefully leaned over the edge. On the rocks far below, held in place against the violence of the seas by the thin fingers of rocks that had skewered their bodies, were the missing Nightwatch officers.

  Saska—and the wind—had murdered them.

  Anger stormed through me as I raised my face to the skies and the wind. “Damn it, why didn’t you stop her?”

  The rule of three means we have to abide by orders given whilst one is still alive. We had no choice but to do this foul deed.

  I swore and pushed away from the edge. “Can you tell me where Saska currently is?”

  We have been forbidden to tell you. But we can show you, if you trust.

  Trepidation stirred through me. The last time I’d been asked to trust the air, they’d told me to leap off a wall. I had a bad feeling that’s exactly what they intended now. “Why can’t you simply guide me through the halls of this place?”

  Because that will not be fast enough. She teeters on the edge.

  I took a deep breath and released it slowly. It didn’t do much to calm the inner butterflies. The wind had admitted it could not go against direct orders—what if one of them had been to kill me?

  If that had been so, we could have simply tossed you down the cliff or even drawn the air from your lungs until you suffocated.

  Both of which was not only true, but would also be a very nasty way to go. “What do you want me to do?”

  Move to the far side of the patio and stand upon the wall. We will lift you, as we lifted you both in Tenterra.

  That lift had left Saska shaking with weakness, and would undoubtedly do the same to me. But it wasn’t like I had a lot of choice—the urgency beating around me suggested there was very little time left.