At least he said something to her. She had expected his normal indifference. Maybe progress was being made.
After eating a quick breakfast, Ava and Carrick went straight to the Conclave Hall. Not all the members had arrived, so Ava spent some time making small talk and trying to get to know some of the members better. When the last of the Conclave members arrived, everyone took their seats and they began by Ava and Carrick recapping the prior day’s events.
The first concern was securing the Cloak. While they had easily placed improved wards to prevent tampering, they also decided to beef up soldiers on the borders of the Cloak. To do this, they would have to call in reinforcements from around the area, so Carrick sent a messenger to the other cloaked towns to gather more troops.
In Vyronas, travel by magic was easy enough to do. Most people with magic in their blood could transfer themselves to another location. For example, the messenger Carrick sent to the other towns would carry a grounding object. It was usually something small, like a stone, that had been spelled with an incantation. As long as the messenger had the grounding object with him, he would be able to successfully transfer with no issues—like leaving a body part behind.
There were some limitations, however. The messenger could not carry large objects or people on his travels. He basically had to transfer with only his grounding object and the clothes on his back. Also, the messenger that Carrick chose needed to be well traveled, because he could only magically transfer to a place that he had been to previously.
With these limitations, using the evanesce recreo spell was rarely used except in instances of brief visits. Most people still journeyed by foot or horse, although the occasional flying carpet was seen from time to time.
Carrick had a young Lieutenant who had been to all the other strongholds and his main job was to ferry messages back and forth. Once he was dispatched to gather reinforcements, the Conclave then entered further discussions on ways to defeat Ralina.
When Ava first started sitting in on the Conclave sessions, it didn’t take her long to realize that they were spinning their wheels. Talks were always centered around the knowledge the Scrinia possessed, and whether those magicks could help. The Scrinia, unfortunately, had nothing up their sleeve. Frustrations usually boiled over into arguments. No one had a clue as to what to do with Ralina and her dark arts, and it was taking its toll on everyone.
When there was a lull in the conversation, Ava spoke up. “I’ve been wondering about these blood oaths that people are giving Ralina. I understand it is how people swear allegiance to her. Do we know what happens if someone breaks that allegiance?”
Laina responded. “Yes, we’ve been told that when a blood oath is broken, the one breaking the allegiance dies. In addition, Ralina absorbs that person’s magic.”
One of the other Conclave members chimed in. “We believe that is how she originally became so powerful. Many people offered up blood oaths but when they were subjected to her tyranny, many broke the oaths without realizing the consequences. It is said that she has absorbed the magic of hundreds of people, further increasing her strength.”
“And we assume she also absorbs the magic of all her soldiers who have died furthering her cause, since they too gave a blood oath,” Carrick added.
“I’ll admit that I know next to nothing about blood magic,” Ava said, “but I’m wondering why she needs my blood. She told Snyder that she needed me alive and with most of my blood.”
Everyone was silent as they absorbed this thought.
“Well, one thing is for sure, there is no sense in continuing to have discussions over a subject that none of us are very learned about. I’m assuming any texts or tomes that we managed to take from the palace have been read?”
Laina nodded. “And they were not much help.”
“Then we must go to someone who has the knowledge about blood magic.”
“No, Ava,” Carrick said. “I know who you are talking about and there is no way in hell you are going to see him.”
Ava thought she saw some of the Conclave members looking at each other with fear in their eyes, but she dismissed it, more concerned with nipping Carrick’s domineering ways. “Let me remind you, Carrick Dunne, that you don’t own or control me. I can do what I want. I believe our best option is to go see my uncle and that is what I intend to do. You are welcome to come,” Ava said as an afterthought.
“I don’t understand,” one of the younger Conclave members asked. “Who is this uncle you are talking about?”
“My Uncle Hephastus. He lives by himself in the valley of the Rosethorn Mountains. He’s basically a hermit, but he knows about blood magic.”
“He’s not just a hermit,” Carrick interjected. “He is a certifiable nutcase. And he doesn’t just know about blood magic, he practiced it himself, doing things that your parents disapproved of and causing him to be permanently banished from Kestevayne.”
“But if he has knowledge that could help us defeat Ralina, we must try.” This came from another Conclave member, a very young man that Ava assumed was a recent addition to the group.
“Then you go see him,” Carrick snarled at the man, “but we can’t risk Ava’s life or safety.”
“I agree,” Laina added. “This is too dangerous to risk Ava’s safety. I think we should steer clear of her uncle.”
Ava sighed. “He won’t see anyone but me. I understand everyone’s concern, but I am going.”
Carrick tried another plea. “Ava, please don’t do this. I’ll go see him or anyone else on this Conclave can go, but not you. I don’t want you leaving the protection of the Cloak.”
Ava just stared stonily at Carrick. “We see how well the Cloak protected me already.”
“For magic’s sake, Ava, he could be aligned with Ralina for all we know,” Carrick tried in a last ditch attempt to change her mind.
“I’m sorry. My mind is made up. I’ll leave tomorrow and since you seem to have appointed yourself as my overprotective guard dog, I assume you will come with me?”
Carrick gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Good luck Ava. You may bring us just what we need to turn the tide,” Laina murmured.
***
Following the Conclave meeting, Carrick headed off for training with his soldiers. Ava followed since she wasn’t allowed out of his sight. The training area was impressive. They had erected a sturdy, wooden fence around a large, grassy field. It was big enough that they could train with their horses, or have several of the men performing hand to hand combat lessons as well. Beside the fenced area, practice targets were set up for soldiers to practice their spell casting aim. Ava knew how important your casting aim could be. She could produce the best energy spell in the world, but if she didn’t hit her target, it was useless. Several of the older members of the Army moved about the younger ones, helping them to hone both battle and spell skills.
Carrick had pointed to some benches that Ava could sit on while he trained. It left him in plain sight of her, and he could see her as well. Ava at first was fascinated, watching the way the soldiers trained. But after an hour, she was growing antsy. She felt useless just sitting there and was growing bored. Her sanity was once again saved when Quentin found her and sat down to talk. He looked much better than he had the day before, although he was sporting a large bandage across his head. Ava greeted him with a warm hug.
***
Carrick watched Quentin sitting with Ava. She was laughing at something he said and it made his heart lift. Damn fool. How can something as simple as a woman’s laugh have such an effect on me?
Carrick was preparing to do some sword drills when Kieran walked up to him. “Want a practice partner?”
“Sure. If you’re up for getting knocked on your ass,” Carrick replied lightly.
Kieran let out a bark of laughter. “It’s good to see you joking again, bro.”
“Who said I was joking? And what do you mean ‘again’?”
“You just seem to be in
a better mood since Ava returned.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Carrick said with utter amazement. “That woman has done nothing but drive me crazy since she came back.”
“I thought you two were getting along better?”
Carrick didn’t say anything. He acted busy by pulling down a practice sword and giving it a few test swings.
“Fess up, brother. What’s going on?”
“I’m just worried about her. After she was kidnapped and almost raped yesterday, I’m a little on edge, okay?” Carrick spat out.
Kieran gripped Carrick’s shoulder in solidarity. “I get it. You love her and you’re worried.”
“And on top of that,” Carrick continued, “she wants to go see her crazy Uncle Hephastus to learn about blood magic tomorrow. I can’t talk her out of it. Maybe you could… wait a minute. I don’t love her!”
Kieran started laughing, and couldn’t stop. He actually doubled over, holding his belly. Carrick just stared at him, murder in his eyes. Finally, Kieran’s laughs whittled down to chuckles. He had tears in his eyes when he finally stood straight.
“Carrick, you have just uttered the biggest lie I’ve ever heard. You love her and you know it. You’re just too stubborn to admit it.” Kieran walked up closer to his brother and said softly, “I’m going to give you the best advice you are ever going to hear. Open up your heart to her before it’s too late. What you and Ava had was the real deal. It can be that way again.”
Carrick looked away and glanced over at Ava. “No it can’t Kieran. What we had is gone.”
Kieran stepped back. “Well, we’ll debate this another time. Now come on, let’s see how you are going to whip my butt.”
***
That evening, Carrick and Ava ate a quiet supper together. Bing lay on the kitchen floor, happily gnawing on a bone that Sam had given him. Carrick was still angry that Ava was insisting on this trip to see her uncle.
He tried to talk her out of it one more time, but she had snapped at him. “You’re making me feel like I’m walking on eggshells around you, so give it a rest, Carrick.”
When they were done eating, Ava told Carrick she was going to take another bath to help ease some of the soreness out of her muscles. Carrick poured a cup of wine and took it into the bedroom. He got ready for bed by pulling his boots off and removing his shirt. He normally slept naked but obviously couldn’t do that with Ava in the same room. Sitting in the bedroom chair and sipping at his wine, Carrick thought about their trip tomorrow.
He had no idea what to expect from dear, old Uncle Hephastus. He had never met the man, who was reclusive even when living in Kestevayne, but he had heard stories about him from Ava and her parents.
While blood magic was not common in Vyronas, it was not prohibited either. Blood magic could be quite useful when used properly. But apparently Hephastus was using blood magic for darker purposes. Carrick new those darker purposes led to someone’s death and King Jaron banished Hephastus from Kestevayne. That was when Ava was fifteen years old and she had not seen him since then.
Even before his banishment, Ava was not particularly close to him. In fact, she confided in Carrick that he scared her when she was younger because he was always talking to himself. She told Carrick that her uncle’s hair always stood up on end as if he’d just been hit by a lightning bolt, and he had a crazy look in his eyes. But, Ava also admitted he had never harmed her or said a mean word to her. Quite the contrary, he was always very nice to her. Still, there was no telling what they were in for when they went to see him tomorrow.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Ava said.
Carrick whipped his head up and saw her standing in the doorway, fresh from her bath. How someone could look that beautiful, he had no idea. Her silky hair fell in mahogany waves around her shoulders. Her green eyes were bright, and he could smell the lavender bath salts she’d apparently used again.
“Hmmmm… no thoughts? Well, doesn’t matter. I don’t have a penny anyway.”
Ava walked over to her backpack which was on top of the dresser and pulled out her hairbrush. Carrick watched her like a hawk, and damned if she didn’t have the word “Pink” stamped across the butt of those tiny little shorts she was wearing. Carrick took the time just to enjoy the view while she brushed her hair. She probably would want her penny back if she knew where his thoughts were right now.
From the back view, he noticed the pants she wore were so short, they showed his favorite part of Ava’s body. The crease right where her ass cheek met the top of her leg. It was an area that was made to be licked. This he knew to be true.
Ava turned around and Carrick was able to withdraw his stare in time, although he was sure his face had reddened slightly.
“Carrick, I want to talk to you about this rule you have about me being with you all the time. Today was interesting, but honestly, I need to do something to keep myself from going mad from boredom. I just can’t keep following you around all the time.”
“The answer is no, Ava. I cannot take the chance when there is a price on your head. Until Ralina is dead, you are to be at my side at all times.”
Ava stomped her foot in frustration. “Does that mean you will start sleeping in the bed with me? I mean, if I’m to be at your side at all times.”
Carrick choked on his wine and looked directly at her. Setting his wine cup on the table, he said, “That’s not a good idea.”
Ava just stared at Carrick, her head tilted to the side as if she were trying to figure out something. He watched her warily. His anxiety level ratcheted upward when Ava put her brush down and walked slowly over to him. Carrick’s eyes were glued to hers as she approached him and his hands were gripping the chair arms so tight he thought they might splinter.
***
Stopping right in front of his chair, Ava nudged his legs apart with her own and stepped in closer to him. She slowly reached out and cupped his face with her hands. She noted that his eyes had gone dark and her heartbeat doubled in response.
“What are you doing?” Carrick rasped. He dropped his gaze from her face to the low cut of her tank top, hungrily taking in the swell of her breasts. Ava’s nipples hardened under his gaze.
“I’m testing a theory.”
Carrick’s eyes snapped back up to Ava’s. She held his gaze for a moment, then let her eyes drift down to his mouth. She slowly leaned in. Carrick was deathly still and Ava wasn’t even sure he was breathing. Ever so softly, Ava grazed her lips over Carrick’s. Once. Twice.
Ava pulled back to look at Carrick and his eyes were blazing. Still, he had yet to touch her in any way. Ava dipped back in and pressed her lips to his again. This time, she nudged them open and lightly ran her tongue over his. Carrick groaned and opened his mouth farther. Ava didn’t need a second invitation and deepened the kiss.
And then Ava was lost in sensation as their tongues mated and their mouths moved against each other in harmony. Both of them let out gasps of pleasure as their tongues stroked each other. Ava moved her hands from Carrick’s face. She pushed them through his hair, reveling in the softness of it, before gripping the back of his head to hold his mouth firmly to hers.
Ava felt like she was going to combust just from Carrick’s kiss. She almost didn’t want to know what would happen to her body if he touched her right now. Which made her realize…he’s not even touching me.
Ava intensified her kiss, hoping it would induce him to put his hands on her. She finally felt his arms move. Thank you, thank you, thank you. But then she felt his hands grab her wrists, and slowly remove them from his head. Carrick pulled his head back from Ava, and gently pushed her backward.
Ava’s breathing was hard and she noticed Carrick was trying to catch his breath as well. His eyes were filled with desire and she didn’t have to look down to know that he would be hard as hell. The kiss had definitely affected him and she was experiencing a lustful ache as well. She wasn’t sure why he was stopping it, but her internal pride puffed up with the k
nowledge that he wanted her.
“Why did you stop?” Ava breathed out.
Carrick stood up from the chair and Ava backed up a foot to give him some room. She couldn’t help herself and looked down at his crotch. She practically purred when she saw his erection straining the front of his pants. Unashamedly, she looked slowly back up his body, taking in his beautiful stomach and chest, then finally to his face. Oh my, he was glorious.
“We can’t do this, Ava,” Carrick said in a dead voice although his eyes were still hot.
“It looks like we were doing a pretty good job of it just now.”
“I just can’t…there isn’t room in my heart anymore for you. The only desire I have now is to see Ralina dead and this war ended.”
Ava was beyond frustrated. “But you want me… I know you do.”
Carrick grabbed her hand and put it on his crotch. Her fingers involuntarily curled around his erection and he inhaled sharply.
“Of course I want you,” Carrick snarled. “But that doesn’t mean it’s right.” Carrick pulled away from Ava and stepped a few feet backward.
“Then I don’t understand. You want me, I want you. Why is this not adding up for me?”
“Because, Ava, it would just be a casual fuck. We would be scratching an itch. Probably scratching it over and over, but that’s all it would be.”
“What if I’m okay with that?” Ava shot at him.
Carrick sighed and shook his head. “Because while that’s good enough for a lot of women, it’s not good enough for you Ava. I will never do that to you.” Carrick turned away and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Knowing the discussion was over—for now—Ava crawled into bed. Bing jumped in right behind her. A normal woman probably would have been crushed by that rejection, but not Ava. She didn’t believe a word of what Carrick said about not having room in his heart. She saw the fear and rage yesterday when she was being attacked. She saw how tenderly he treated her last night. She’d seen the evidence of his reaction to her kiss, and her body was still zinging from it as well.
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