by Sharon Kay
Della sniffled and nodded. “Everyone is gathered over there…” She turned to a crowd that had assembled at one end of the square.
Males and females, young and old, stood near a white-shrouded body on the ground, surrounded with a perimeter of football-sized river rocks. On top of the shroud, placed horizontally on Nevo’s torso, was his favorite dagger. Gage, the weapons master, had crafted it especially for him.
The villagers darted curious looks to Arawn and the Watcher contingent. Ria stood by her belief that he was larger than life and that everyone knew who he was. He didn’t go out and visit the various towns and cities because he felt like being social. If he was anywhere, it was business, or a solemn occasion like this.
Arawn grabbed Ria’s hand and followed Nevo’s mother and sister to the gathered group. Ria sucked in a tiny breath and blinked, absorbing the awe of him making such a possessive gesture in front of his people.
Dozens of eyes traveled from him to her, curious but not prying. Ria squared her shoulders and looked at each of them, feeling their sadness but also their strength. The community was close-knit, just like Nevo’s Watcher family.
They stopped at the stone border. One figure stood within, a petite witch, clearly the one who would perform the burial ceremony. She couldn’t have been more than five feet tall and wore a long-sleeved loose-fitting purple gown. Black hair cascaded freely down her back, and unusual silver eyes shone from her round face.
She looked at Della, who nodded, and the witch spoke in Demonish. The ancient words were comforting to Ria, as they touched on the cycle and purpose of life. The witch walked around Nevo three times as she spoke, sprinkling sage and thistle on the ground around him. When she finished her third time, she stopped in front of Arawn and gestured for him to enter the circle.
He stepped over the stones and stood by Nevo’s head. Clasping his hands behind his back, he looked at Della and Lila, and then swept his gaze around the group. “This male.” His voice carried clearly across the crowd, which stood rapt and silent. “Gave his life in service to the Lash Watchers. His actions were noble, his loyalty unquestionable, his heart dedicated…”
Gin scooted closer to Ria, occupying the space where Arawn had been, and grabbed her hand. Ria squeezed it and smiled down at her friend. Gin had worn a black wrap dress, insisting on following Earth funeral traditions, even though on Torth, creatures didn’t necessarily choose black.
“This is beautiful,” Gin whispered. “So different from Earth and yet…not.”
Ria nodded, about to respond, when soft murmurs from the crowd behind her drew her attention. She snuck a glance over her shoulder and her eyes went wide.
“Jude.” She mouthed, and held out her hand.
The tall blond soldier squeezed through the group to get to her and gave her a quick hug.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she whispered into his shoulder.
“Ditto, Ri.” He pulled back and turned toward Arawn, who noted the activity with a quirked eyebrow. “Got here as soon as I could.”
Arawn finished his speech and gave a short nod to the witch. He walked back to Ria and stepped over the stone once again, pulling Jude into a one-armed man-hug.
Ria leaned into Gin. “This is the part I told you about.” As was the custom with the Lash, Nevo was not to be buried in the ground. Some species did this, like the plant pixies and the wood nymphs, who felt a deep connection to the land. But other species preferred the use of a magic-infused burial shroud.
Gin’s green eyes went wide and she stared at the witch, who stood at Nevo’s side and extended her arms. She spoke again in Demonish and a soft hum built in the air. Tiny pinpoints of light appeared on the shroud, flickering on and off, only to reappear on a different spot.
The effect was radiant, and if it were possible to create a picture of magical energy, this is what Ria would draw. The shroud sparkled as the witch spoke and the tiny hairs on Ria’s forearms stood up. It was like mystical static electricity.
“And it’s…he’s…um, whoa,” Gin whispered.
The shroud shimmered and then, with a gust of wind, it collapsed to the ground.
No more body to cover.
The shroud, aided by the witch’s spell, had broken down Nevo’s physical form and transferred his energy into the ether. Only the dagger remained, as would any inanimate objects.
“Oh my god,” Gin whispered.
The group was quiet, except for Della’s soft sobs.
The witch knelt on the ground next to the shroud. “Our rite has ended. We will always celebrate the life of our son, our brother, our comrade.” She bowed her head and remained quiet, unmoving.
“What’s she doing now?” Gin asked.
Ria pulled her friend back a step. “When the ceremony is over, the witch or mage stays for a bit, drawing energy from the earth back into their body and into the shroud. Sometimes the friends and family want to talk to them, especially if there isn’t a witch living nearby.”
“She re-uses the shroud?” Gin asked with a slightly horrified expression.
Mathias slid an arm around Gin. “It’s not like a coffin on Earth, where a family buys one for each person. Those shrouds are rare and costly to make, since they’re so powerful.”
“Wait.” Gin held up a hand. “That thing made Nevo…dissolve. Can those be used on living creatures?”
Arawn curled an arm around Ria’s waist, and again her heart flipped at the action that publicly staked a claim. “That would make fights a lot quicker,” he said.
“That’d be sweet, to drop shrouds on all the Ghazsuls.” Jude’s tone was light, but his face was grim.
“What? Wait, can they?” Gin looked at Mathias. “What if—”
“No, the shrouds don’t work on living things. They only break down organic material that has ceased to live,” Ria said.
Mathias gave Jude a chin lift. “Bout time you showed up.”
The blond fighter scowled. “Tell you what—”
Della hurried over to them. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, and looked at Arawn.” Can I introduce you to our village Elder?”
“Of course.” Arawn untangled his arm from Ria and set Della’s hand in the crook of his elbow. “I’d love to.”
Gin folded her arms and arched a brow at Ria. “Someone’s being very cozy.”
Mathias growled. Ria’s cheeks heated. She rolled her lips into her mouth and gave a slight shake of her head. This conversation could wait until she and Gin were alone.
Her friend’s eyes danced, but she shrugged. “I mean, wow. Who knew he had a smooth-talking, cleaned up side?”
I did. He showed this part of himself rarely, but when he did, it stemmed from an innate knowledge of what his people needed in that given moment.
“You need to spend more time here.” Ria smirked.
“I’ve been here for almost two months” Gin pouted. “He mostly swears and gives orders.”
“I can second that.” Jude raked a hand over his short blond hair.
“So, what happened to you?” Ria asked. “We started searching, but of course, we didn’t know where you—any of you—were.”
“Fuck if I know what happened.” Jude shook his head. “One minute we were fighting hellhounds at Thane’s, then I was in a portal and landed in the jungle.”
“The jungle at night?” Mathias grunted. “Shit.”
“Yeah. I spent part of the time in trees, part of it hiking. Took me thirty-six hours to get near anywhere, which turned out to be Tarsa. They took me in, and I called for a transport this morning.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Ria gave him a quick hug. “I’m sorry you had to walk for so long.” Concern for Scorpio loomed in her mind. But of all the Watchers, the former mercenary was the one who she most trusted to survive.
“Coulda been worse.” He flicked a solemn glance to the circle of stones. “Now we just need Scorp to drag his ass in.”
The crowd was breaking up as people talked
in small groups. Some stared at Arawn. Some stared at Mathias. He was essentially as well known as Arawn, though he downplayed his role so much it was almost comical. Everyone knew of the Hunter, but usually only the bad guys ever met him.
Arawn turned then and met her eyes across the scattered Watchers and villagers. A smile played across his handsome face and he started towards her.
Like a dark guardian, he kept his eyes locked on her as everyone else stepped away. Gods, he was an irresistible pull. Her feet had already started moving toward him before her mind had processed the command to take the first step. Gorgeous, diplomatic, lethal, and…
I wish he were mine.
The thought rocketed through her like a signal flare, bright and beautiful and breath stealing.
She blinked. It was way too soon to think in terms of yours and mine. Where was this coming from?
Oh, maybe the fact that he said he wants you and won’t share.
And then he was right in front of her. Intense and brooding. His scent of musk and wild grass surrounded her and she inhaled, her heart flipping and calmed at the same time.
Mere inches separated them. Heat rolled off his body and warmed her upper arms, bared by the short sleeves of her dress. “You okay?”
She nodded, caught in the trance of his presence and not sure she wanted to break the spell by talking. But they were at a public function, and swooning like a teenager wouldn’t work. “You were really sweet to Nevo’s mom and sister.”
“Sweet?” He arched a brow. “Pretty sure that’s one thing I’ve never been called.”
She stifled a giggle at his sincerity and because yeah, the word didn’t match the male. “You know what I mean.”
“You ready to go?”
She flicked a glance across the square. “You don’t need to talk to anyone else?”
He shook his head. “Only you.”
She swallowed as his words resonated in her ears and her heart beat triple time. “Me?” She was drowning in his gorgeous deep brown eyes as wordlessly she placed her hand in his.
He nodded. “I need you. Let’s go home.”
C
HAPTER 21
ARAWN WALKED CLOSE TO RIA as they entered Watcher HQ. Her shoes click-clacked on the smooth marble floors. Her silky deep red dress swished around her legs, and her heartrate had been unusually high since the end of the gathering time at Bedwyn. He knew portals made her queasy, but he guessed there was more going on.
Behind them, Gin wondered aloud at the physics of the burial shroud, suggesting hypotheses to Mathias as if he could recreate it in a nice neat experiment.
They reached the rotunda, Gin still talking as they headed for the elevator. But though his ears registered the brunette Solsti, his eyes were glued to Ria. Her long hair tumbled in loose bouncy curls down her back. The dress she’d picked managed to be classy but still show her curves.
“Gin,” Ria said to her friend, as if they’d had this conversation before. “It’s magic.”
“It’s just hard to wrap my head around.” Gin sighed.
“Says the girl who can turn fire into a lethal lasso,” Arawn drawled.
Gin frowned, then her stomach let out a loud grumble. “Wow, I’m suddenly hungry.” She turned to Mathias. “Back home, we usually have a lunch after a funeral. Come to the kitchen with me.”
“Lead the way.” Mathias grinned and gave a quick wave to Ria and Arawn.
The elevator door opened and they boarded. Arawn pushed the button for the fifth floor. His floor.
Ria scooted closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. A lock of her soft hair tickled his neck. He brushed a hand down her side and drew in her scent deeply.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Today…this whole thing…was intense.”
He tilted her chin up. “It’s never easy to lose a good soldier and I’ve done it more than I ever wanted to. With some of them, the goodbye has to come much later, after subduing the enemy. This was a good send-off for Nevo.”
Blue eyes searched his face. “It was.”
He sensed there was more. “But?”
She bit her lower lip. “Is it hard for you to be there?”
The car stopped gently and the doors slid open. They stepped onto the smooth marble floor. Arawn turned Ria to face him, taking her hands in his. “Yes. I know how his family is hurting. I’ve lived it.”
She opened her mouth but he laid a gentle finger against her lips.
“Lottie died seven hundred years ago. I’m not the same male that I was back then. Losing someone close to you is devastating, but…” He shook his head. “Death is an inevitable force. You can’t stop it, no matter how much you beg, bargain, or protest. And now I have a lot of people to look after.”
She tilted her head. “You still need someone to look after you.”
“Do I, now?” A smile tugged his lips upward.
“Everyone does.” Ria started toward the balcony, probably out of habit. She spent a lot of downtime there. But that’s not where he wanted her.
He stopped her motion with a tug on her hand, hard enough to send her body back into his. He snaked an arm around her waist. “This way.”
Her brow furrowed for a second. “What’s—” Blue eyes went saucer wide as understanding dawned. “Oh.”
He never brought anyone to his rooms. That fact was public knowledge. He guided her around to the area behind the elevators, to his carved wooden door. She traced a finger over the walnut wood relief of a dragon rising above a forest.
“Whoa,” she breathed. “Now this is a door.”
“It was a gift from the wood nymphs at Rivkin. Long time ago.”
She nodded. “They’re good people and their forest is beautiful. Think they need any Watchers to guard them?”
Her tone was light and teasing, but it ignited a flare of possessiveness. Those nymphs loved sex, as much as they could get, with males or females. And the thought of Ria on the receiving end of male nymph attention made him growl. “No.”
She raised her brows and shrugged. “Just asking.”
He pressed his hand to the sensor next to the door, and the lock disengaged. With a push, the heavy door opened and he gestured for Ria to enter.
She shot him a glance that sparkled with excitement and anticipation. “I feel so special.”
“You are special.” He smacked her sexy ass. “Get in.”
With a squeak, she walked into his living room and stopped in the center. She scanned the walls, furniture, windows. “This is so…you.”
He hooked a finger into his tie knot and loosened it in two deft pulls. He strode toward her. “What does that mean?”
“All the dark wood, the molding, it’s so masculine. No frilly stuff.”
He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and turned her to face him. “I don’t do frills.”
“I know.” Her eyes dropped to the open collar of his shirt. “You look so handsome in this.” Her hands slid up his chest to his shoulders, caressing the expensive wool of his suit jacket. “I didn’t know you owned a suit.”
“I prefer tactical gear and knives.” He set his hands on her hips and pulled her closer, drawing in the scent of orange blossoms. She was in his space and, gods help him, it felt like she belonged here. His cock roared to life.
“Me too,” she whispered. “But I can fight naked if I need to.”
He growled and squeezed her hip. “Fuck, I know it.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her neck. “Gonna make sure that never happens again.”
She sighed and angled her head, giving him full access to her throat and at the same time dropping a hand to palm his length through his trousers. A snarl escaped his lips. The woman was sex and promise and lethal power, and he couldn’t deny his growing need for more than her body.
He flexed into her and bit her neck, clamping down on the tender flesh between this teeth. She gasped as he sucked. Her grip on his shaft tightened. “Arawn,” she breathed. “Will yo
u let me be in charge right now?”
He pulled back, every nerve tuned to the glow shining from her blue eyes. Her neck was red, her breath erratic, and how did she keep getting more sexy? “Since you asked permission so nicely.” He slapped her backside hard. “Yes.”
She turned around and pulled her hair to a bunch over one shoulder. “Unzip me.”
He leaned down and kissed her nape, then slowly lowered the zipper on her dress. As it opened, it revealed a black lace bra, the silky skin of her back, and then a black lace thong. He got to the bottom and couldn’t resist sliding his hands into the tempting gap, circling her waist inside the dress. “You look fucking sexy in this.”
“Think you might like me better without it.” Her hands came up to flick the shoulders to the sides, and the dress dropped to pool around her feet.
He sucked in a breath and yanked her flush against him. Yeah, he’d seen her naked, but not when they had a time and place all to themselves, without concern of being seen or attacked. Ria should be the one carved from marble, she was that perfect. He slid his hands up to cup her breasts and she let out a soft sigh.
She turned in his arms. So beautiful. Her big breasts were barely contained by her lacy bra, and the tiny thong was no more than a postage stamp size scrap. And she still had her heels on.
“You’re about to be naked in heels again.” He traced one upper curve of her breast with one finger and dragged it down into her deep cleavage, noting with satisfaction that her bra had a front closure.
“I know you like it,” she whispered, and pushed his suit jacket off his shoulders. Her nimble fingers made quick work of his shirt buttons, and she pushed that off next.
“Fuck, yes. Your body is perfect.” With a snap, he popped the clasp of her bra.
She shrugged out of it, the action making her breasts sway enticingly. He cupped her, rubbing his thumbs across her nipples.
“Mmm.” She sighed and shifted her legs.
The spicy sweet fragrance of her arousal curled through the air, igniting a fierce need. But he’d said she could be in charge, whatever the hell that meant.
