Seared

by Bethany Adams

  As Ralan turned back to the door, he noticed the altar set under the window. He let out a soft curse—but not a blasphemous one, at least. He hadn’t lit the incense this morning or made any observance. Though there were many degrees of piety on Moranaia, he was a seer and the crown prince. It was part of his duty.

  How had he lost his faith so thoroughly during his time away from home?

  He checked the water clock dripping away by the door. In a few marks, they’d expect him below, but they’d have to wait. Ralan strode to the altar and sank to his knees. With a quick spell, he lit the incense. And for the first time in centuries, he truly began to pray.

  Chapter 5

  It was just after midnight by the time Ralan reached Chattanooga, but the streets still echoed with music and the hum of voices from nearby bars and restaurants. At least none of the bar hoppers noticed them. Inona had cast a light cloaking spell over them in a tingle of power, but it didn’t block them from the world, only diverted human attention. With the Sidhe possibly nearby, it was best to avoid drawing notice by using too much power.

  Ralan peered into the glass window of The Magic Touch. Streetlights lent a yellow-gray tone to the simple floral wrap dress draped over a mannequin and cast the clothing racks beyond into shadow. Even with his keen eyesight, he couldn’t make out much. Maybe a shelf of purses on one wall. He found himself eager to see inside during the day.

  His last career on Earth had been a fashion designer, and his potential bonded owned a clothing shop. The universe had its own kind of humor.

  “I’ve done a mental scan of the area and found no sign of Patrick,” Delbin sent. “I’d recognize his energy anywhere.”

  “Gone already?” Ralan huffed out a breath. “Figures.”

  “I take it you were eager for a confrontation.”

  “Cora is my soulbonded,” Ralan said, his mental tone calmer than he felt. “He threatened her. Even if I never join with her, I’ll see her safe.”

  “Your…” All hint of sarcasm faded from Delbin’s voice. “We’ll find him.”

  With a quick stretch of his power, Ralan connected Inona to their mental conversation. “Since there’s no sign of him, I suggest we look for somewhere close to stay. There are several hotels nearby.”

  Delbin’s brows lifted. “It’s summer. Tourist season. You want a room in one of these hotels, you’ll have to pay a fortune.”

  “Good thing I have one,” Ralan answered with a grin.

  “Lucky you,” Delbin said. “Hope you didn’t use your talen—”

  “A room would be nice,” Inona interrupted. She gave Delbin a light shove and a sizeable glare. “If Delbin can stop being rude.”

  But Ralan found himself chuckling. “He’s just mad that he was living in a tent.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “Of course not,” Ralan answered. “I did my fair share of that when it was needed.”

  Delbin turned toward the nearest hotel, its bright sign beckoning against the dark skyline. “Then why’d you give me a hard time?”

  “Eh, it’s the best part of having a student.”

  The music and voices faded as they headed down a darkened street. Ralan sent his senses out around them, seeking any minds full of ill intent, but the sidewalk remained empty for a solid two blocks. With one block to go, a small group of drunk men stumbled out of a dive bar, but none looked their way.

  As Ralan paused beyond the lights spilling from the hotel entrance, he reminded Inona to remove the spell cloaking them. It might have been amusing to watch the desk clerk struggle to notice their presence, but he hadn’t fallen to that level of jerk.

  Since there weren’t any two room suites available—he was not sharing with a new couple—Ralan booked the hotel’s best two connecting rooms. He listened to the spiel about the rooms’ features before he slipped into the clerk’s mind. Ah, good. Not many complaints of cleanliness issues, and the housekeeping staff did a fair job. That was more important than the whirlpool tub.

  He handed Delbin and Inona their key cards as they headed for the elevator. Delbin smirked. “What, no top-level penthouse?”

  Ralan made a rude gesture. “There wasn’t one available, so you’ll have to be content with the fancy bathroom.”

  “Joking,” Delbin muttered.

  Ralan smirked as he pushed the button to the elevator. “I know.”

  The doors opened, and Inona’s sharp laugh startled the young man about to exit into the lobby. Ralan shook his head in mock dismay as the man sidled around them. “Really, Delbin. See what you’ve done?”

  “What I’ve—”

  “Are you two going to do this the entire trip?” Inona asked, her voice full of amusement.

  Grin widening, Ralan pressed the button for their floor. “Maybe.”

  They parted at their respective doors, and as Ralan dropped his backpack on the king-sized bed, his good humor began to fade. Sighing, he ambled to the window and pulled back the curtain. In the distance, he could make out the silver gleam of the nearby river, and more of the buildings in the city had gone dark.

  Closing time.

  Lyr stared at the carved arch and tried not to shudder. The last time he’d passed through the portal linking all Moranaian estates, he’d been captured by Allafon and almost killed. Worse, his mother had nearly been murdered in his absence. And although Allafon had been dead for a couple of months, the thought of traveling to Oria still had his stomach wanting to consume itself. Every time he thought he was past the ordeal, another reminder hit. Dealing with the trauma was the main reason he’d decided to go instead of calling Moren to Braelyn.

  It was time.

  “Myern?” Kera asked.

  Swallowing hard, he glanced at his guard and assistant. “Forgive me for delaying us. I was considering…”

  “Lord Lyr,” she said softly, “you do not have to pretend. I’ve never been in battle, but we were both trained about the burdens warriors must bear.”

  He let out a breath. “Shouldn’t it have been long enough?”

  “The mind takes as long to heal as it wants, I’ve found.”

  “For certain,” he responded.

  Lyr straightened, bolstered by Kera’s quiet reassurance. He could do this. Kai and Arlyn weren’t coming with him this time, so there would be no repeat of their capture. Meli and his mother were in the library with Lial. Elite guards had been stationed everywhere, and five of his own bodyguards stood behind him and Kera.

  And this time, he had not dressed for diplomacy, even if that was his mission. He would not be caught unarmed again.

  With a nod, he stepped forward and activated the spell that linked Braelyn with Oria. He hadn’t warned Moren that he was coming, so when the image of the great hall coalesced, it revealed the stunned faces of several guards. They unsheathed their swords before they caught sight of Lyr on the other side.

  Lyr’s chest squeezed, and he took another deep breath before gesturing Kera and the others forward. Kera smiled as she moved past, but her hand settled on the hilt of her sword as she walked through the portal first. Lyr’s heart pounded, and he forced his feet to move. He could do this. He would.

  His head spun slightly and a tingle passed over his skin as he stepped through to Oria. Lyr blinked against the shift in light, then blinked again. Moren had certainly changed things. Before, elaborate red tapestries had lined the walls, but no other decorations had cheered the room. Anything else might have distracted from the huge dais, complete with massive stone throne, at the far end, and Allafon wouldn’t have allowed that.

  Not so anymore.

  Most of the tapestries had been removed, replaced here and there with soothing paintings of nature scenes. Comfortable seats had been situated all about, and ample mage lights dangled from delicate chains. And while a colorful carpet still led to a small dais, the throne in the center was now more of an elaborate chair in warm-toned wood. This place had never been such a…well, a home.

  Had
Kai returned to Oria? If so, he hadn’t bothered to mention the changes.

  “Myern Lyrnis,” one of the guards said. Rehn, if he recalled correctly. “Please forgive us. We were unaware of your imminent arrival. I have sent for Lord Moren.”

  “Rehn?” Lyr asked. At the guard’s nod, he continued. “It is I who must ask forgiveness, Rehn, as we have traveled here without any warning. You have my thanks for notifying Moren of our presence.”

  Moren’s voice sounded from the other side of the room. “I detected the portal’s activation and was already on the way.”

  Besides having blond hair instead of black, Moren looked remarkably like Kai even though they were only half-brothers. Their mother’s bone structure, Lyr thought as he studied the approaching elf, although Moren had inherited Allafon’s pale hair and skin tone.

  Now that he’d met Naomh, Lyr could see the source of Kai’s differences.

  The elf in question stopped in front of Lyr and saluted. “Lord Lyr, you honor us with your presence.”

  “You will not find it an honor by the time I leave,” Lyr replied. “Do you have…another place we might discuss this in private?”

  Moren’s expression blanked. “Milord?”

  “Do you have a separate study from the one your father used?”

  “Of course,” the other elf answered, his mouth tightening at the mention of Allafon. “I do no business from that space.”

  Lyr inclined his head. “Then let us adjourn to yours.”

  Though Moren’s face had gone tight and his eyes had grown shadowed with worry, he made no further comment as he led Lyr and Kera, the bodyguards trailing, from the great hall. When they reached the door to Moren’s study, Lyr ordered his guards to remain outside, bringing only Kera with him. The other elf entered alone, a clear sign of trust and loyalty. But when the door had closed behind him, Moren let his confusion—and a hint of annoyance—show.

  “I have given my loyalty in the ancient way, Myern,” Moren began. “A blood oath. I have reported faithfully on each of my father’s nefarious dealings as I have discovered them. I must confess I am not certain what I could have done to earn your ire.”

  Lyr’s brows rose. “Careful of your tone, Morenial. I’ve discovered one issue you were less than forthcoming about. Care to explain Delbin Rayac?”

  “Clechtan,” Moren breathed. “I forgot to get Delbin. He’ll be elated that—”

  “I’m more interested in why you exiled a sixteen-year-old child to another world,” Lyr snapped. “Without a word to my father or myself.”

  Moren’s throat bobbed. “I didn’t have enough evidence. I told you before that I had found no sign of any plots against your House, and that was the truth. Yet I knew that leaving a telepath of Delbin’s power in my father’s sphere of influence would be a terrible mistake. It was to everyone’s benefit that Delbin be nowhere near my father, but I didn’t have the evidence I needed to bring you. How could I explain that with nothing to go on?”

  “Sixteen. Years. Old,” Lyr ground out. “How many others have you sent to Earth under false pretenses?”

  “Only three,” Moren answered at once.

  As though such a small number wasn’t just as terrible.

  “You will have a list containing all details at once, and you will bring all three home as soon as possible.” Lyr turned for the door, then glanced back. “And Moren? If there’s anything else you’ve forgotten, I suggest you send a report with the list. My patience is beyond thin.”

  Cora closed the cash register with a click and boosted herself onto her wooden stool. “I need more coffee.”

  Beside her, Maddy laughed as she arranged new stock on the countertop jewelry stand. “I bet you can fit in your fourth cup before we open. If you hurry. You’ve got ten minutes.”

  “Too much effort. I’ll live,” Cora mumbled as she straightened the decorative flowers in their vase.

  Her tolerance for caffeine was higher than her half-human friend, so she often didn’t bother. But when she’d hit a solid spurt of inspiration the previous night, she hadn’t been able to stop herself from sketching until the wee hours. It had been just what she needed to shake her glum mood. And yesterday’s mystery visitor would be well-outfitted. She’d lose a great deal more sleep in the sewing since she only worked on her side business at home, but she didn’t mind.

  Maddy made an odd noise, and Cora looked over to see her friend staring at the window with wide eyes. “What…?”

  Then Cora looked for herself, and she couldn’t help but agree with Maddy’s whispered holy shit.

  Long black hair, model-worthy cheekbones, kissable lips, leanly muscled body? Yum. But… Her brow furrowed. Did she know him? He seemed oddly familiar, though she was certain he’d never visited her shop before. Aside from Maddy, Jase, and a handful of clients, Cora didn’t socialize much. Where could she have seen him?

  “Anna’s lucky that I’m a faithful woman,” Maddy said, her tone somehow full of both cheer and regret.

  Cora gave an absent nod to her friend, her focus on the stranger peering at her window display. Surely she would remember if she’d ever encountered him. Her heart thumped, and her body heated at the thought. Yeah, she wouldn’t be able to forget exchanging words with this particular man. A local celebrity? Chattanooga didn’t have many. It was hardly New York, where many of her fashion idols lived.

  When realization hit, Cora almost smacked her palm against her forehead.

  “Roland Morne,” she whispered.

  Maddy’s eyebrow lifted. “You want to talk fashion now?”

  “That’s him,” Cora said. Her throat went dry, her voice scratchy. “Roland Morne is standing outside of my shop.”

  What was a famous designer doing in Chattanooga checking out a small local store? Oh, Great Divine. He couldn’t have heard of her. She’d never dressed anyone famous. Well, except for a couple of fae nobles and one princess over a century ago, but he obviously wouldn’t know about them. Unless…

  Cora let her senses sweep out, subtle as a soft breeze, until they brushed against his energy. Only to pull back at once as his gaze connected with hers through the glass. He’d noticed—and no wonder. Fashion designer or no, Roland Morne wasn’t human.

  His energy was pure elf.

  “One of his friends looks like Delbin, but I haven’t heard about him being in town,” Maddy said. “He’s already noticed us, so I might as well let them in. Only five minutes until we open, anyway.”

  Cora’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t form either an assent or a denial. She’d barely even registered the man and woman beside the elf. Her gaze was captured by his. Brown. Were his eyes brown? At this distance, it was difficult to tell, but for some reason, the answer became vitally important. She wanted to know everything about him.

  He was hers.

  Stifling a gasp, Cora looked away. Hers? What was wrong with her? Laying claim to strange men—or familiar ones—wasn’t her style. She hadn’t had a serious date in…five years? A decade? Relationships were not a priority, not when Orn might try to cause her grief.

  The click of opening locks hit Cora’s heart like gunfire, and the jingling bell over the door made her flinch. How was she supposed to carry on a normal conversation with a hot, famous elf she’d placed mental dibs on? As Maddy’s welcome rang out, Cora sat up straighter on the stool and lifted her chin. She glanced up as Roland Morne answered, his voice warm and deep. Cora gave an involuntary shiver at the rich sound.

  Of course he noticed. He smiled, a wicked, knowing curve. “Forgive me if my staring worried you.”

  “Staring?” she asked, all attention on his eyes.

  Gold. In the light, they were gold. Like rich amber.

  “In your shop window. I didn’t mean to arrive before you opened.”

  “Oh.” Swallowing hard, Cora tried to look away but ended up studying his mouth. Which wasn’t particularly better for her state of mind. “It happens sometimes. I’m sure people line up outside your st
ore every day.”

  “You recognize me.”

  She frowned at the odd, disappointed tone to his voice. “I make clothes. You’re a famous designer. Why wouldn’t I have?”

  “I thought…” His lips firmed into a line. “Never mind. You seemed jumpy when I entered, so I feared that I disturbed you. My friend here tells me you get a wide variety of clientele.”

  He gestured at the man beside him, and for the first time, Cora truly noticed him. Short blond hair. Rakish smile. “Delbin!”

  “Hey, beautiful.” His grin widened. “You look great.”

  Maddy leaned against the counter. “It is you. I shouldn’t have doubted my instincts.”

  “When did you get in town?” Cora asked.

  Wincing, Delbin ran his hand across his hair. “That’s a long story.”

  “One we’re not telling out here.” Her brows rose at the sour expression that crossed Roland Morne’s face as he glanced at Delbin. “You didn’t mention that you knew her personally.”

  The woman beside Delbin wrapped her hand around his wrist and tugged. “You didn’t mention that to me, either.”

  Delbin’s grin slipped at the woman’s rebuke, and Cora chuckled low. She doubted the striking blond who’d captured his attention had anything to worry about, but a pal in need…

  “We’re just friends,” Cora announced. She tensed as Roland’s gaze returned to her face. “Although why Mr. Morne cares, I couldn’t say.”

  “I—” His mouth snapped shut. But after a moment, he let out a sigh. “Please, call me Ralan. If you have someplace private, I’ll explain.”

  Cora peered at him for a moment, considering. Finally, she nodded. “Fine. Since you’re with Delbin, I’ll even waive the password.”

  She caught Maddy’s eye and gave the signal for her to take over the shop. Then Cora led the others toward the back room. So Roland Morne’s real name is Ralan, she pondered as the group followed her in. Interesting. But she had a feeling that was the least of what she would learn this day.