Earth Bound

by Avril Sabine

  “Where is she?”

  They both turned to face Garnet who had burst into the room.

  Garnet’s eyes were drawn first to Brianne and then to Talon. “Oh, sorry. It’s just that our father came home and asked if you’d gotten rid of Lacey yet. I thought-” She stopped abruptly, her gaze falling to their hands. “Oh.” Her hands rose, pressing against her mouth.

  Talon shook his head. “No, Garnet.”

  Brianne looked from one to the other. It wasn’t possible, was it? “Where did this come from?”

  “I found it,” Garnet blurted out. She pointed towards the window. “Out there. Past the city walls when I was out riding on my own. I wasn’t meant to be there on my own. Please don’t tell anyone.”

  Brianne tugged her hand away from Talon. This time he let her go. “Did you see what it came from?”

  Garnet shook her head, her gaze sliding to Talon and then back again.

  “Are you sure?” Brianne ran a finger along the feather, her gaze still on Garnet.

  Garnet nodded, another glance at Talon.

  There was definitely something she wasn’t saying and Brianne was determined to find out, but she knew that sometimes retreat was the best strategy. She smiled slightly. “Can I keep it, please? It’s so beautiful. I only wish I knew what sort of creature it came from. It must be majestic.” Her eyes were drawn to the feather and she ran a finger down the centre of it. Her voice dropped. “Beautiful.” How she wished she owned wings of her own, filled with feathers like these. Even black wings would be better than no wings. Although knowing her people they’d probably still think her an abomination. Wings were meant to be white. A sound from Talon drew her gaze. She stared at him, trying to figure out what his expression meant.

  “Keep it, but get out. I was in the middle of painting.” His voice was harsh.

  “You paint?” She couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.

  “He paints all the time. He hates being disturbed when he’s creating a masterpiece,” Garnet said.

  She didn’t believe them. “Maybe I can have a look at it when it’s finished.”

  “I’ll never get it finished if people don’t stop annoying me,” Talon growled.

  “Do you want me to help you figure out what you need for your room?” Garnet asked. “Guest rooms are very boring and very basic so you’re sure to need something.”

  Brianne nodded, not wanting to alienate her only ally. “A thicker blanket would be good.” She followed Garnet from the room, glancing over her shoulder at Talon who remained motionless, as if movement was too painful. Closing the door behind her, she let Garnet’s chatter wash over her.

  She had to figure out what they were hiding. Was one of her people captive here? But why a black feather? Maybe that’s what vieteh berries did to feathers. Although surely not. Wouldn’t she have seen someone with black wings before now if that was the case? She didn’t have a clue, but she was going to find out. Somehow.

  Chapter Ten

  Talon

  Talon still felt tired. He’d tossed and turned all night. His wings had woken him. He’d tried to keep them retracted, but it had been impossible. While he’d lain awake in pain, he’d thought of Lacey and the way she’d caressed his feather. Majestic. What did she know? She didn’t have to live with them.

  Standing in the empty corridor, he knocked on Lacey’s door for the second time, louder than before. She didn’t answer. He tried the door and it swung open. The room was empty. Where was she? After a quick look in the two trunks and finding nothing out of the ordinary, he headed off to search for her. He didn’t get far before he was stopped by a boy holding out what he guessed was a summons from his father.

  “What does he want now?”

  The boy took a hurried step back at his tone, the folded paper still held out.

  Talon sighed heavily and took the paper, glancing over it before he shoved it back at the boy. What did his father want now? More strays for him to look after? What was wrong with Bellamy babysitting? Ignoring the boy who trotted at his side, Talon strode towards his father’s office. Annoyed by his constant demands, he didn’t bother knocking. The boy stayed in the corridor, obviously smarter than he looked.

  “What do you want now?”

  Barrett looked up from his paperwork. “If you had bothered to join us for the morning meal you’d already know.”

  His jaw clenched and his back tightened as he thought of his morning. Kneeling on the cold floor, head thrown back as pain racked his body, wings outstretched after being retracted part of the night. His sleep was always broken, fear bringing him awake regularly, the bandages preventing his wings from spreading out in his sleep until pain forced him to set them free.

  “What do you want?”

  “What have you learned about the girl?”

  He should have known his father would expect a report. “Nothing.”

  “Why not?”

  “I was busy separating her from Garnet. Wasn’t that the main priority?”

  “Then you didn’t do a very good job, she complained all morning about going with her mother. Said she’d made plans to spend the day with the stray. Looney or whatever she calls her.”

  “Lacey.”

  “Find out who she is. Ask her questions. Watch what she does. Where is she right now?”

  His back tightened as his hands became fists. “How in the Infernal World would I know? I can’t be in two places at once.”

  “Then get out there and find her if you’ve nothing useful to tell me.” Barrett made a sharp gesture towards the door.

  Talon glared at his father a moment longer before he spun on his heel and marched from the room, slamming the door behind him. He couldn’t even dredge up a smile as his father’s curses rang out behind him.

  It took him nearly an hour to find Lacey and when she saw him, there was a moment of fear before she walked towards him with a smile.

  “Thank the Lord and Lady. I’m so lost I haven’t a clue where I am.” Her expression froze.

  “Did you remember something?”

  “No, I mean, yes, but-” she made a vague gesture with her hand.

  “Maybe I should take you to the House of the Lord and Lady since they seem to have something to do with your memory.”

  “The House…” her words trailed away.

  He tried to interpret her expression. “Yes, do you remember something about it?”

  She shook her head. “No, but something about it sounds familiar. Could you take me there?”

  Talon wanted to say no, but his father had ordered him to watch her. He didn’t know how he was expected to do that with the amount of time he spent in his room every day. His back tightened slightly and he wondered if he should make an excuse so he could stretch his wings before he took her there. Surely he’d be fine for a while. It wasn’t that long since he’d stretched them. “Just a quick visit.”

  “Thank you. You can’t imagine how much it means to me that you and your sister are willing to help me try and regain my memories.”

  Feeling uncomfortable at her praise, he gave her a curt nod before he silently led the way through the corridors. Once outside, he increased his pace as they headed down the street.

  “Lacey!”

  Talon turned at the shout and scowled at the sight of Bellamy across the street waving at her.

  She stopped with a smile, returning the wave.

  Talon fought to keep his wings retracted. “Are we going to the House? I don’t have all day to show you around.” He fell silent as Bellamy drew closer.

  Lacey turned to Talon, her smile still in place. “Only a moment. I want to thank him for bringing me back. I was in so much pain I don’t think I remembered to.”

  Bellamy reached them before Talon could reply. His grin became a sneer as he turned towards Talon, a nod in his direction. “Talon.”

  “Bellamy.” He bit the word out, not even bothering with a polite nod.

  “How are you faring, Lacey?�
�� The curt tone left Bellamy’s voice.

  When Lacey smiled up at Bellamy, Talon felt his anger and pain increase. “How do you know her name?” His hand ached for the sword he’d stopped wearing the day he’d quit the army.

  “Garnet told me this morning.”

  “What were you doing talking to Garnet?” Bellamy had no business being around his sister.

  Bellamy’s smile remained in place, becoming a touch insolent. “She was with the General this morning when I was receiving new orders.”

  Lacey took a step forward, her shoulder separating them as she reached out to clasp Bellamy’s hand. “I wanted to thank you for rescuing me.”

  “It was a pleasure.”

  “I’ll say a prayer for you while I’m at the House of the Lord and Lady.”

  “You’re going there now?” Bellamy glanced up the road in the direction they’d been travelling. “I have some time spare if you’d like company.”

  Talon nearly growled. Bellamy always had to push in and take what wasn’t his. “She already has company.” He grabbed Lacey’s hand, fighting against the pain as he strode up the street, pulling Lacey with him.

  Chapter Eleven

  Brianne

  Brianne tugged her hand from Talon’s grip, annoyed he’d chased Bellamy away. How was she meant to find useful information if he kept getting in the way? Did he suspect something? Had that been why he’d come looking for her? She had to be more careful, he’d nearly caught her entering a door she’d had no business opening. While exploring, she’d watched a boy take a stack of papers from the General’s office and drop them in the room Talon had found her near. She’d search it later. There might be important information in some of those papers.

  For now she’d make do with learning where different areas were. “Can you slow down? This pace is making my head ache.” It wasn’t effecting the dull ache she’d had all day, but hopefully her comment would make him feel guilty enough to walk slower so she could check the area.

  Talon slowed. “It’s not bandaged anymore.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s stopped aching.” He seemed a little more sympathetic and was now walking slow enough so she could take in more of her surroundings.

  “Do you remember anything from before your injury?” Talon gestured towards her head.

  “No. My dreams last night were filled with vague images, but nothing clear. All they did was disturb my sleep.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She met his gaze, surprised to find not the sympathy she had expected, but understanding. She frowned. “Are you well?” He didn’t look as bad as he had yesterday, but it looked like he wasn’t far off it.

  “Why do you keep asking me that? I’m fine. Come on, I haven’t got all day.”

  Brianne glared at his back as he strode ahead of her. That was the last time she’d bother. Not if he was going to act like that. Looking past him, her mouth dropped open and she stared at the House of the Lord and Lady, the building so familiar she might as well have been at home. Closing her mouth, she glanced around to make sure no one had noticed her standing there like an idiot. Ahead of her, Talon stopped and turned to face her, his arms crossing his chest when he spotted her. She hurried forward.

  “Do you remember it?” Talon demanded as she reached him.

  It took her long moments to figure out an answer as she met his gaze. “It feels very familiar.” She walked towards the entrance, pausing in the doorway. “Very familiar.” Her words were softer this time.

  Beneath her feet the dark polished timber floor was streaked with colour from the stained glass windows. Her eyes were drawn upwards to see the familiar robed figures with hands cupped and raised in supplication in the stained glass. Ahead of her was the altar, white marble draped in a white silk cloth. Several slow steps forward brought her to the pews. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers touching the honeyed tones of the fine-grained wood that had been worn by centuries of use. The only difference to the carved ends was that the figures had no wings.

  She sat heavily in the closest pew before her knees gave out. Her mind swam as she tried to figure out what it meant. The only contact their two countries had had for the past several centuries was through weapons. How was it possible they worshipped the same gods and built the same buildings for them? What else was the same? And why?

  Talon sat beside her, a wry smile twisting his lips. “Will you snarl at me if I ask you if you’re well?”

  Brianne smiled weakly. “Where is the earthly dwelling of the Master of the Infernal World?” She almost held her breath as she waited for his answer.

  “In the southern most point of the city.”

  She fought to remain calm, clasping her hands together.

  “Don’t tell me you worship him. You’re a soldier.”

  Shaking her head, she gripped her hands tighter when she noticed the tremble in them. “No. I’m trying to make sense of the jumble of words and images in my head.” Tying to make sense of the entire situation. A sound from behind drew her attention and panic hit as she saw the reddish-brown robed penitent walking towards them. A quick glance around showed nowhere to hide. “I… I… my family…” she took deep gulps of air, as the penitent came closer. “I want to know who I am.” She reached out for Talon, her hands grasping his shoulders as she pressed her head against his chest, her face turned away from the aisle.

  After a moment, Talon patted her back. “I’m sure it’ll all come back to you. Give it time.”

  Her face hidden, panic receded and Brianne realised that the robed penitent wouldn’t be someone she knew. The facelessness of the hooded figure had reminded her so much of the ones from home she’d momentarily feared she was caught. But it was too late to change tactics now. “It’s taking too long.” She kept her face pressed against his chest, lowering her hands. One she rested near her face on his chest the other started to encircle him.

  Talon pushed her away, grabbing her hand from his side. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

  She was about to argue when she noticed he looked more unwell, sweat beading his upper lip and forehead, his jaw clenched tight. He reminded her of the old men who’d been injured in battle, particularly when a storm was due, and they fought against the pain from injuries the doctors had never been able to completely heal. “Are you injured?”

  Rising to his feet, Talon shook his head, holding out his hand, remaining silent.

  It was a moment before she took the offered hand and rose to her feet, the heat of his hand unnaturally warm. The journey back to her room was rushed and several times Talon’s grip on her hand tightened, but she held back the questions she wanted to ask. When they reached her room he nearly pushed her into it, striding to his own and slamming the door behind him.

  Stepping into the corridor, Brianne stared at his closed door. What was his problem? She took a deep breath to calm herself. It had been a long morning, but she still hadn’t found anything useful. Maybe now was the time. She would return to the room she’d been about to enter when Talon had caught her earlier.

  Chapter Twelve

  Talon

  Talon fought against the pain as he lay half curled on the stone floor of his room. He gasped as he held back the roar that hovered at the back of his throat. Lacey was next door. He couldn’t make a sound. What stupid idea had possessed him to put her there? A drawn out groan escaped and he closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain. Eventually he was left panting on the floor, his wings retracting as he rolled onto his side. He wasn’t going to survive much more of this. The pain seemed to be getting worse. How did those infernal birds cope?

  He staggered to his feet and began the process of bandaging himself and getting out another shirt. Bundling up the one now missing buttons, he shoved it in the bottom of his trunk with the other ones he needed to fix. Soon he’d have none left.

  Running a hand over the dark stubble on his head he took a deep breath and looked towards his door. He guessed it was time he retu
rned to spying on Lacey. The memory of her hand sliding along his side headed for his back came to mind. It had been a long time since he’d made the mistake of letting someone get close enough to discover his secret. Garnet didn’t count. She’d been in the wrong place and he’d been in too much pain to even think of checking his room.

  He paused at his door, resting his head against the timber as he tried to convince himself he needed to keep an eye on Lacey. If it wasn’t for her involvement with Garnet, he’d have told his father to find someone else to investigate her. An image of Lacey holding Bellamy’s hand had him straightening his shoulders and marching to her room. Knocking brought no answer. He didn’t bother knocking a second time, just opened the door. Like earlier, the room was empty.

  Turning on his heel he strode though corridors, annoyed he had to once again look for her. He found her headed down the same corridor he’d caught her in last time. Trying to remain quiet so he could see what she was up to, he moved closer.

  Lacey spun to face him, her hand going to her side as if she reached for a sword. Her wary expression relaxed and she smiled at him. “What were you doing sneaking up on me? You’re lucky I didn’t have a sword.”

  “What are you doing here again?”

  “Again?” She frowned as she glanced around. “Oh, you’re right. I thought it looked familiar, but I thought that was because I was headed for the main exit.” She sighed. “I wonder if I’ve always had such a terrible sense of direction.” Another smile. “Maybe I need a map.”

  The smile made his back tighten and he nearly cursed. Terrific. That was all he needed. Writhing on the ground in pain again. “Where were you going?”

  Lacey shrugged. “Out. I don’t know.” She shrugged again. “I thought maybe something might look familiar if I explored a bit.”

  Talon stared at her, trying to decide if she spoke the truth. It was impossible to tell. Maybe he could follow her more successfully around the city. “I’ll show you where the exit is and leave you to explore on your own. I have other things I need to do this afternoon.”