Claimed: (The Land of Schism Book 1) Epic Fantasy Novel for Young and New Adults

by Nicole Adamz

  I could establish a Blood-Bond, and pull on the connection to receive more energy, but I had no idea how to use the extra power. Trapped. I felt trapped. Breathing heavily, the crowd blurred, fading in and out. Was this his plan all along? I thought in panic.

  Jerking away, I broke Greerson’s grip. Stepping on my hem, I tripped before a pair of masculine arms wearing green caught me. Hope flared in my chest. Niles?

  When I turned, Lord Ralston’s silvered head angled toward me, his green leather mask barely covering his face. A puzzled smile lit his face while he steadied me, and his confused eyes dipped to my stomach. Alarm buzzed across my skin.

  “Lord Ralston! What a pleasure to see you.” I said brightly.

  Lord Ralston grinned, “The pleasure is mine, Caelum Maewyn. I almost didn’t recognize you, but I suppose that’s the point of the Accolade of Blooms. New beginnings and all.”

  Greerson possessively grabbed my hand, frowning at Lord Ralston. Answering unwanted questions wasn’t something I wanted to do with Greerson at my side, so I laughed. Men always assumed they’d said something witty when a woman laughed.

  Lord Ralston preened, and I chuckled. His green overcoat ended in points with jingling bells that tinkled with every step. His navy tunic had a cravat with a large red ruby in the center, and the leather mask on half his face was tooled into a smiling guise. There was no rhyme or reason for the costumes Elysian donned tonight, but it was fun.

  Lord Ralston’s smile widened, and he executed an exaggerated bow. “Mirth, at your service.”

  Taking my hand, he kissed it with exaggerated fervor. I giggled until Greerson’s fingers crushed mine. He sniffed disdainfully, pulling me out of Lord Ralston’s reach.

  Lord Ralston bowed to Greerson, taking his hand and showering it with fervent kisses too. The couples around us chuckled, but Greerson’s jaw tightened distastefully. I smiled at his obvious irritation.

  “Lord Ralston,” Greerson hissed, “What are you doing?”

  Lord Ralston straightened, patting Greerson’s shoulder, “I’m Mirth! Don’t fret, Greerson. A smile won’t crack your face.”

  “Caelum Greerson,” Greerson corrected cuttingly.

  Straightening his cravat, Lord Ralston frowned dramatically. “Yes, how could I forget. Caelum Greerson, the man who can’t forget his title because he never lets anyone else forget it either!”

  The crowd roared with laughter, and Greerson glowered ominously. He snapped coldly, “Don’t forget your place. I can always arrange to have it changed.”

  Lord Ralston sobered, giving a slight bow. “You’re correct. My apologies, Caelum Greerson. I meant no harm. Just wanted to see the beautiful lady smile. She didn’t look like she was having fun.”

  Greerson looked at me, his eyes furious. I frowned. The two were obviously acquainted, but how close were they? Had Lord Ralston guessed my secret? More importantly, would he tell Greerson? Forcing a smile, I thrust my shoulders back. Hoping Lord Ralston would understand me, I chose my words carefully.

  “Some ladies are a bit squeamish at the idea of being Life-Bonded, Lord Ralston. It means we have to give up all our secrets,” I said with a playful wink.

  I refrained from emphasizing any words because Greerson would pick up on it. If he knew I was hiding this secret, he would manipulate and blemish the miracle inside of me. Lord Ralston’s eyelids barely flickered.

  “But then we come up with new ones!” called a woman behind us.

  Everyone howled with gaiety, and the line moved forward another step. I swallowed, subtly wiping a sweating palm on my dress. I don’t want to do this, I thought fearfully.

  “Some secrets can’t be kept for long,” Lord Ralston murmured.

  I grimaced, but before I could comment he departed, blending into the crowd. I turned toward Greerson, watching his narrowed gaze follow Lord Ralston. He doesn’t like Lord Ralston. Processing this information, I didn’t notice when Greerson and I stood at the bottom of the platform. It loomed before me, taunting me. I squeezed my eyes shut, controlling my breathing. Passing out wouldn’t save me.

  Nothing would save me now. When the couple before us on the stage repeated the ending words of the Life-Bonding ceremony they launched into the sky. Greerson hauled on my arm, propelling me up the stairs. I stumbled and regained my footing, each step a death knoll. There were twenty stairs. I counted. One for every decade in an Elysian lifespan. Please, Aeolus, what do I do?

  There was no response—but I wasn’t surprised. Aeolus gave up on me when I was born into the Ambire family. We didn’t pray for guidance because Ambires made their own futures. Except we didn’t. Father carefully crafted our futures for us, sending gold to the Temple to help things go smoothly.

  Greerson’s grip tightened as we approached Aerial Prelate Ragnor and the altar. My current fate would be cut into my hands as surely as being Claimed had. I have nowhere to hide from my family and what they will do if I refuse. Aerial Prelate Ragnor’s dark blue robes fluttered in a breeze.

  A large tome was split open on an altar before him, the pages pinned beneath the weight of a golden seal. A registry of names bled down its length, and Aerial Prelate Ragnor dipped his stylus, readying another entry. Two shallow gold bowls, one filled with water and the other empty, lay beside the tome with a gilded knife, waiting for the ritual to commence.

  When we stepped forward, a slight smile tugged at Aerial Prelate Ragnor’s lips. Did he recognize me? No, I’m wearing a mask, and there’s no reason for him to remember me.

  He coughed, clearing his throat, “Do you both freely enter this union knowing your life energy will be Bonded until death and together your souls will ascend to Welkin or Gehenna?”

  “Yes,” Greerson snapped impatiently.

  Silence stood where my consent should have been. Aerial Prelate Ragnor looked at me sharply. “Well?” he demanded.

  Greerson’s sharp nails dug into me, making me wince. I bit my lip, pulling at the extra energy floating inside of me for comfort. I can be the one in control, I reminded myself. If I refuse, I know the consequences, but if I agree I can manipulate what happens afterward.

  Taking a deep breath, I answered faintly, “Yes.”

  Chapter 40

  Ari

  GRUMBLING AT THE SNEAKY pebble that found its way into a hole of my boot, I shook my leg to dislodge it. Instead, I almost kicked someone. They barked at me, and I mimed an apology. I wasn’t successful, but I didn’t care. I was here for the food and company Niles had promised me. However, I hadn’t seen him among the costumed crowd squeezing between the stalls. So much for food and fun, I thought irritably.

  Niles had sent a letter asking me to join him at the festival this year. Every year my response was the same: no. I wasn’t keen on attending a festival whose primary purpose was geared toward Life-Bonding. Reading dusty tomes in the Great Library was more appealing. With all the giggling couples milling around I thought my absence was perfectly understandable.

  Frowning at the giddiness surrounding me, I sourly marched through the crowd. I’ll never have a Life-Bond, I thought acerbically. Niles had a different view. He’d scratched a response guaranteed to infuriate me, and I’d squelched the urge to add another hole to his too pretty face. However, he’d promised to spend the evening doting on me, and making sure I had fun. I’d reluctantly agreed to attend.

  Which is why I’m playing push-and-shove now, I thought impatiently. Looking around again, I tried spotting Niles’s blonde hair and uniform. In this crowd it was impossible. Firelight bounced off vividly hued costumes that made me want to tear my eyeballs out before permanent damage was done, and the noise was deafening.

  I’d never seen so many outlandish outfits, even at all the Revues I’d attended the past year. Everyone’s wings were tucked tightly against their backs to accommodate the mass of people and their ridiculous costumes. Some people made Anomalies heft part of their costume and others were barely dressed.

  A variety of masks were on every
face—even my own. I wasn’t sure why wearing a mask was a tradition, but I didn’t think it had anything to do with the festival. Probably a fad that started and never left, I thought cynically.

  My fingers prodded the simple scrap of fabric I’d cut holes into before leaving Ascension. While I could participate in the festival, Ascension still frowned on Tyro wearing anything except the regulation uniform. Maewyn might be comfortable flouting the rules, but I wasn’t.

  I scowled. Ever since Maewyn had yelled at me things were more strained and awkward. I completed my duties as a Tyro, except for helping her dress, but we weren’t friends anymore. She knew my secret, and after everything that had happened, I didn’t think I could trust her with it. If she tells anyone, they’ll come for me. And if they come for me, they’ll get Zora. One way or another.

  Coloring Maewyn’s feathers black tonight, an unusual color for her, was excruciating. The thick silence could have been sliced with a knife, and Maewyn was sullen and tense. My daily life was peaceful, if dull, without her vibrant chatter and outbursts. I’d wanted to comfort her but had glared at my scarred hand instead.

  When I donned my black uniform, a color matching my irritable mood, Maewyn was gone when I came out. Her dismissal of our friendship stung, but I wasn’t going to let it get in my way. Somehow, I would figure out how to protect Zora in a city that was hunting for people like us.

  I sighed, shifting against the hard-stone wall I’d chosen next to an archway. I hated this festival. There were too many people dressed in ridiculous costumes, it was too loud, and all the jubilance in the air was annoying. At least, that’s what I told myself. A small part of me protested, but I squished it back into place. Where it belongs, I sniffed.

  What if the silver eyed merchant asked you to the festival? whispered an amused inner voice. Growling, I scanned the meeting spot again. Niles had told me to meet him beneath this archway. Unless someone was flying into their home, the skies were reserved for newly Life-Bonded couples and Warders tonight.

  I glanced into the Main Holding. The large Life-Bonding platform was a small speck where I stood, but it was the main event of the Accolade of Blooms. Anyone not shopping would periodically stop and watch couples ascending the stairs. The current couple wore stark black and silver, contrasting in a simple and complimentary way.

  Envying the masked couple lifting into the sky after their Life-Bonding ceremony, I looked away. It was a waste of energy to mope over the fact that I wouldn’t step foot on that platform. When I turned to scan the crowd again a man stepped toward me, leering behind a grey wolf mask.

  His sleeveless vest bared his chest, and the large fur collar brushed his ears. Dark grey leggings and fur boots hugged muscular legs, and I crushed his instep, making him howl. I smirked.

  Niles Marcher, like I wouldn’t recognize your overconfident swagger. Niles hissed, shaking his aching foot. His predatory costume blended with the shadows.

  Shaking his head, Niles growled, “Such a short temper. I only made you wait a little bit.”

  I crossed my arms pointedly and Niles grinned sheepishly. I huffed. A sheep in wolf’s clothing, I thought with a grin. Shaking my head, I dropped my arms.

  Niles cocked his head, “What are you supposed to be? That’s the worst mask I’ve ever seen.”

  I stuck out my tongue and added an eye roll. It was obvious Niles had prepared himself for the prowl, but I didn’t miss the daggers discreetly tucked into his waistband. Curious, I pursed my lips and walked around him. Does he have a tail? Craning his head to watch me, Niles laughed.

  “I wouldn’t be much of a wolf if I didn’t have one,” he said, wiggling the long tail attached to his pants. Amused, I tugged on it.

  “Why Ari,” Niles said, lifting his mask and wagging his brows suggestively, “I didn’t know you felt that way about me.”

  Cuffing him on the ear, I sniffed the air suggestively. Smelling a familiar aroma, I turned. My stomach growled, and Niles sighed. Grinning, I suggestively jiggled the scant amount of dosh I’d brought. He had coaxed me out here.

  “Fine, but then we’re fixing your poor excuse of a mask.” he said.

  I rolled my eyes. My mask was fine. Not waiting for Niles, I squeezed into the throng of people. Merchants had a plethora of customers tonight, so suppliers with stores above Ash Path also had booths for the evening. I found the stall I wanted, and saliva pooled in my mouth.

  Shimmying behind the last person in line, I searched for Niles and grinned widely. His eyes had turned suspicious behind the wolf mask. Tonight, the burly baker had an assistant, a fledgling racing to and from double ovens.

  Rows of buns lay on trays with placards, safely out of reach. I quickly made my choices. The baker barely glanced at me before asking for our order, and I was grateful he couldn’t recognize me. Niles didn’t need more ammunition for his little quips about my eyes. He was the only one to laugh at my odd eyes without malice.

  Poking Niles in the arm, I gestured to the Bursting Buns I wanted and held up my fingers, so he could give our order. I didn’t reach for my sachet, and Niles sighed woefully, paying for our food. The baker quickly wrapped our purchases, and I scooped up the four I’d made Niles buy for making me wait.

  Biting into the soft bread, I almost groaned at the cheese, corn, and venison on my tongue. I finished my first Bursting Bun and was on my second before Niles bit into his.

  “Skies!” he cried, “These might be better than women!”

  My eyes narrowed dangerously. I gave him a hard look before rolling my eyes. Uh huh, I thought mockingly.

  “What?” he said innocently. “Drag your mind from the dung heap, Ari. I don’t know why you would think so ill of me,” he grumbled around a mouthful of food.

  I scoffed. Niles grinned and we ate while weaving through the crowd. We browsed some of the wares, but mostly stayed away from the crowd. It was uncomfortable to press against so many people.

  At a booth selling masks and other trinkets, I looked around a bit more. The trinkets were earthier. The masks were imitations of animals, leather necklaces were strung with bear claws, sheep horns were made into flasks, and there were other furry and leathery goods. Many of the items, especially the furs, were currently popular in Summit.

  The merchant briefly watched me from behind a white fox mask before walking over to Niles. His booth wasn’t busy, but it wasn’t lacking customers either. One item caught my interest. I could purchase it as a thank you for Niles after the incident at Larrikin, and it matched his costume. Glancing at him, I watched him busily pick through a group of masks with the merchant.

  I touched the claws hanging from the stall’s pole, imagining the strength it must have taken to kill the beast. Wolves were predatory and lethal, and they were never alone. Successfully killing one was a group effort for Warders.

  Unhooking the leather strap, I weighed the claws in my hand. They were smooth and full of strength. A residual echo of the wolf they had belonged to, fighting for survival with its pack, resided in them. Looking at Niles, I understood why he’d chosen his costume. He leads a unit of Warders on the hunt when they go past the Barrier; like a pack of wolves.

  “A pretty trinket for a pretty lady,” murmured a silky voice.

  Startled, I looked at the merchant. Amused silver eyes gleamed behind the white fox mask. It fit pertly against his face, and the rest of his costume similarly matched. I wondered if he had a tail too, blushing at the thought of looking.

  I touched my mask, making sure it covered my face before lifting my chin. The merchant couldn’t have recognized me. Sensing my thoughts, the merchant chuckled, “Your hands give you away, pretty lady.”

  My damaged hand convulsed around the leather string of wolf claws, and my lips tightened. Of course, I thought. There aren’t any other Tyro with a damaged hand. Before I could pursue that course of thought, the merchant gestured toward Niles with a toss of his head.

  “And your friend. Says he knows a Tyro with very poor taste in c
lothing,” he said impishly.

  Niles rounded the booth with two masks in his hands, “Ari, look at these! I think you look a bit more like the goat, but your uniform matches the owl mask. What do you think?”

  I stared at the masks in Niles’s hands. One was…odd. That was the only way I could describe it. It looked like a person’s face but had horns and slits for the nose. Chuckling, Niles held the owl mask beside my face.

  “Your left eye could pass for an owl eye. Plus, the brown and black feathering matches. I’m buying it and you’re wearing it,” Niles said archly.

  I shook my head. I wasn’t wearing anything I didn’t want to and wasn’t going to wear a mask for Niles’s amusement. Remembering the necklace in my hand, I split a bar of dosh at the marked price, placing it on the counter without bartering. I couldn’t save enough dosh to purchase Zora anyway, but Willow might have enough. Turning to leave, the merchant’s quiet voice reached my ears.

  “It suits you,” he murmured.

  I turned back with a questioning expression.

  “The owl. It suits you. Quiet and assessing, carefully choosing before committing itself to an endeavor. Not wasting energy on something unbeneficial.” The merchant said with a half-smile.

  I considered the mask, noticing the thin strips of leather worked and notched to emulate feathers spreading out from the beaked bridge of the nose and wide eyes. Tufts of large, leather feathers curved into the air around the wearer’s face. Beneath the wide eye holes were tiny black stones that shone in the lantern light.

  The mask was simple and clever, with sparse adornment, and created with a familiarity of the creature’s haunting nighttime beauty. I considered the mask while the merchant’s words whispered into my mind. Quiet and assessing.

  I casually shrugged at Niles, letting him know I’d wear it. Niles whooped triumphantly and bartered with the merchant before settling the purchase. I was still mulling over the merchant’s words when the scrap piece of cloth on my face was yanked away. Agitated, I glared at Niles while he settled the owl mask against my face. The leather molded perfectly to my face as though made for me. I gently touched one of the notched feathers and turned, unconsciously seeking the merchant’s opinion.