Her heart was racing again, but she wasn’t sure if it was predominantly fear or excitement from what he was suggesting. “The throne room is beautiful to look at, but I don’t need all that to be happy. I just want us to be together, just as we’ve discussed before.”
He smiled. When Elex smiled it was like the sun peeking through a grey sky, lighting it with warmth and promise. It took him from handsome to breathtaking. Rain wasn’t sure if she would ever get used to it.
“We need to leave here soon,” he told her. “The army will come, and when they do we will use them as our distraction to get away. Aziz could make it hard for us if he knows what we’re doing. At least until we can get far enough away.”
“He can’t catch us if we’re flying,” she argued.
Elex shook his head. “He can stop me from flying if he wants to. I told you before Rain, everything we eat and drink in here is laced with a special poison. In small dosages it can’t harm you, but it binds you to him. As do my tattoos. He did these when I got older. The stronger I grew, the more nervous he became that he wouldn’t be able to control me as easily. If he saw us trying to leave, he could immobilize me.”
Rain felt sick. If only she could find a way to stop eating or drinking what Aziz was feeding her this wouldn’t be a problem.
“Will he always have control over me?” she asked.
“No,” he reassured. “The further we are, the less control he has, and then the poison will eventually leave our bodies and we will be free.”
“And the tattoo?”
He hesitated. “I’m not sure. I know the amounts he puts in the food don’t have much of an effect on me. It’s why he decided to do it this way. I also know he had to use a lot for it to work. Too much and he would have killed me, as he learned once, not long after. But just the right amount and his hold over me is secure. Distance makes a difference. I know this from when I fly to watch over the King’s army. He has no control over me when I’m that far away. I think it’s why he hates it when I leave.” He grimaced before saying, “it definitely has nothing to do with missing me while I’m gone.”
Rain watched the pain fill his eyes as he became lost in thought. It was the first time she realized that Elex resented the fact that Aziz didn’t love him like a father might love a son, even though he called him that. She cupped his face in her hands bringing him back to the here and now, with her.
“I miss you when you’re gone,” she said softly. “It kills me when you’re gone for days, even back when I had myself convinced I hated you.”
He smirked. “Did you really have yourself convinced?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m still considering it.”
He laughed, grabbing her and moving until she was under him, his body stretched along every inch of hers. “We both know you don’t hate me,” he teased.
“Do we?”
He chuckled again, lowering his head until his lips met her neck. She laced her hands through his hair, holding him close. His breath tickled her skin. “We really are going to be late at this rate.”
“I no longer care,” she confessed.
He propped himself up, looking down at her in delight. “I thought you didn’t want to anger him?”
She shrugged. “Some things are worth it.” He threw his head back and laughed loudly.
“I’ve never had anyone around me that made me laugh like you.”
A pang of sadness filled her at the thought of a young, lonely Elex. “Well I had siblings for that, but they also drove me crazy,” she replied. It felt odd to talk about her family. She had never done so with Elex before, but he didn’t appear to be bothered by it.
“I had a sibling once,” he said. Rain froze in shock. There was another Elex?
“What? How?” she asked.
Suddenly he looked uncomfortable, like he really didn’t want to discuss it. She wondered why. Obviously his sibling was no longer here, so something bad must have happened. Maybe she shouldn’t ask, she thought, but curiosity blazed through her.
“He was younger than me,” he finally answered. “I really didn’t get much time with him before he was gone. I remember holding him when he was a baby,” he continued. “He was so small.” His eyes focused on something beside her head, a memory most likely. “Aziz had been so proud of him.” The sadness in his voice nearly tore her heart out.
“What happened to him?”
Elex shrugged, shaking off whatever memories haunted him. His eyes focused on hers again, clear of emotion. “He didn’t last. I guess he just wasn’t meant to be here.” He pushed off the bed in one fluid motion. Holding out a hand, he helped her up effortlessly. “Come; we’ve wasted enough time.”
Rain nodded, not willing to force the subject. She dressed quickly in her pants and blouse then followed Elex out of her rooms.
“How long do you think it has been?” Melissa asked, conversationally. They were lying beside each other, staring up at the ceiling. Well, they would be, if they could even see the ceiling. It was hard enough seeing one another in the dark cell. Ethan thought about it, thinking perhaps he’d be able to guess based on their meals. But he doubted it. Even if he could remember, he didn’t think they had been fed regularly since their capture. It was probably more of a – ‘whenever someone remembered them’ – sort of thing. Prisoners weren’t normally a priority.
“Honestly? I have no idea,” he answered.
“Me neither,” she sighed. He could hear and sense her turn onto her side so she faced him. “What would you be doing if we were home right now?”
He really did not want to play this game. Should he lie, he wondered, and make it sound like he had much more of an exciting life back home than he really did? For some reason he didn’t like the thought of lying to Melissa.
“Probably playing videogames in my basement,” he answered. “You?”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “Maybe hanging out with the girls, or going out somewhere.” Her voiced lowered as she spoke. He knew how hard this was on her. It killed him. If there was some way he could get her sent home, even if he had to stay, he’d do it in a heartbeat.
“Maybe we can go out sometime when we get back,” he blurted out. Crap. Why did he just say that? He gave himself a mental punch in the face. Just because they were close now, didn’t mean things would stay the same when they got back home. He had always known this. Why would he put himself out there like this? Melissa was super nice, and pretty, and funny, and incredibly brave, even if she didn’t think so. She also happened to be the most popular girl in their high school. There was no way she would be caught dead going out with him. She spoke to him in the halls, but actually spending time outside of school together was something completely different.
He was about to recant his statement when the sound of footsteps interrupted him. They both stilled. It was always the same reaction when a guard came to their cell. Ethan could feel the now familiar nerves wake up and prepare for whatever they might face this time. His eyes looked through the darkness to identify the outline of Lily, still sleeping on the other side of the cell.
The door opened and Ethan’s heart jumped into his throat. This was not good. Framed by the doorway and illuminated by the torches behind him, stood Aziz, his face hidden in shadow. Every instinct in Ethan told him to move to where Lily was, but he didn’t want to leave Melissa open and vulnerable.
“What is she doing?” Aziz asked, his voice filling the tiny space. Ethan cringed against the coldness in it.
“She’s sleeping,” he answered calmly. Please don’t say anything, he thought, praying the guard wouldn’t rat them out. No such luck.
“That one is always sleeping,” the guard announced, sounding annoyed.
Ethan saw Aziz’s body stiffen before he turned to face the guard. Making up his mind, Ethan moved closer to Lily.
“What do you mean she’s always sleeping?” he asked slowly. Ethan heard every note of danger in those words.
The guard shi
fted uneasily from one foot to another. “She’s always asleep when I come here,” he answered in a wavering voice.
“And you didn’t think this might be something I should have been made aware of?”
“He said she is just tired because she is being locked up. The forest people are supposed to be outdoors…” His voice trailed at the look on Aziz’s face. Aziz glanced at Ethan before turning back to the guard.
“Let me get this straight,” he began. “You noticed something unusual about one of our prisoners then took the explanation from another as fact, without once thinking maybe you should speak to me about it?”
Ethan had moved until he was now sitting in front of her sleeping body. There was a tense silence as the guard weighed his response. Ethan almost felt bad for the guy – almost.
“I didn’t want to bother y –”
His body flew back to crash into the wall behind him. Ethan heard a sickening crack before the guard’s body slipped lifelessly to the ground. Sweat trickled down his back as fear filled every inch of his body. Aziz turned back to face him, his expression a blank, cold mask.
“Move.” One word. One command. Said in a tone that left no room for argument, and yet Ethan couldn’t bring himself to obey.
“She’s just tired,” he said quickly. “There is nothing going on here. I will not let you harm her.”
A humourless chuckle surrounded him. “Boy, you are no hero. Now move aside.”
Ethan stood, his feet braced apart. “No! I will not let you hurt her. She’s done nothing wrong.”
Aziz’s hand shot out in front of him at the same moment Ethan felt his body being thrown through the small space and into the wall beside Melissa. She shrieked, calling out his name as he fell to the floor. Ethan moaned. His body felt like he had just been hit by a truck. At least he was still alive, he thought thankfully. The same couldn’t be said about the guard who just experienced the same thing, so he supposed he was lucky in that aspect.
His vision swam as he watched Aziz approach Lily. He wanted to call out, to do something to warn her, but he was at a loss. A rush of breath escaped him when Lily’s eyes flickered open. An urge to call out ‘thank you God’ filled Ethan, but he kept quiet.
“Aziz,” Lily greeted like she had just woken from a quick nap. If it was possible Ethan would have laughed right then. Too bad he felt like his insides were bleeding. Melissa had moved closer, but didn’t touch him yet. He knew she was probably freaking out.
“Get up,” Aziz ordered. Lily did so gracefully, no movement stiff. “What have you been doing, forest brat?”
Her face screwed up in confusion. Oh she’s good, Ethan thought. “I was sleeping,” she answered simply. Aziz grabbed her neck so suddenly, Melissa gasped in terror, gripping the sleeve of his shirt.
“Speak the truth!” he yelled. “Do not take me for a fool!”
“I was doing nothing,” she croaked around the pressure.
Aziz breathed deeply before speaking. “Fine. If you will not tell me here, perhaps you will speak under other circumstances.” His hand moved to grab a fistful of her hair. He dragged her out of the cell roughly. Lily didn’t let out a sound of protest. Her eyes briefly met Ethan’s, and in them he saw her message to not worry and be brave, but as her tiny body was dragged out and the door closed and locked again, Ethan was finding it extremely difficult to do so.
Rain and Elex were practicing her blocking techniques, even though she thought it was a waste of time since she had no plan on being in the actual battle. Elex seemed to think it was important though. What was the point of learning sorcery if she couldn’t use it against people, and had to resort to normal hand-to-hand combat? There was no point. Which was why all this work and her achy, protesting muscles were all for nothing. Rain’s thoughts froze as the tip of Elex’s sword rested lightly on her collarbone.
“You’re not focused,” he accused. He kept the blade where it was, making it difficult for her to move at the risk of cutting herself. Unlike the sword they had given her which was blunt, his was very sharp.
“How could you tell?” she asked dryly, eyeing the weapon. He stared at her blankly. Cocking an eyebrow, she asked, “Do you mind?”
He dropped his arm with a shake of his head. “You need to take this seriously. I need to know that you’ll be safe if something happens.”
She raised her left hand, a small ball of fire instantly forming there with little effort. She was much better than she had been only a short while ago. With a grin, she replied, “I’ll just torch ‘em”
He smiled crookedly, crossing his arms over his wide chest as he stood before her, feet braced apart. His wings were folded behind him, relaxed. “What are you going to do with that now, hot shot?” he asked, pointing his head at the ball of flame.
Huh. She hadn’t thought of that. Looking around, she saw a small section where no one was and let the flames fly. It hit the wall and extinguished without issue. “There,” she said proudly, turning back to him. His face had hardened as he watched something over her shoulder. Rain looked toward the entrance to see Aziz walking in, dragging behind the small forest girl. All her humour fled, leaving her chilled and nervous.
“How are you feeling this morning, my dear?” Aziz asked conversationally, like he didn’t have someone by their hair.
Her eyes instinctively flitted to the girl whose face was much calmer than Rain would have expected. “Uh…” she faltered, forgetting what he had asked. Shaking her head she looked back to him, his face a blank mask of civility. “I-I’m a little sore,” she replied.
“That’s normal,” he said encouragingly, not that she needed it – at least not from him. She nodded, not knowing what else to say. The forest girl’s eyes were glued to her, and it was beginning to make her nervous.
“Why is she out of her cell?” Elex asked. Rain breathed a sigh of relief that someone was going to ask about it.
“She’s up to something,” he answered.
“I am no – ah!” the girl’s head snapped back as Aziz gave it a hard tug.
“She’s up to something,” he maintained. “I’m just not sure what. I thought perhaps we could teach her what happens to those who lie to us.”
Her mouth was uncomfortably dry all of a sudden. Aziz walked over to the wall where one of the manacles that held the beasts lay empty. He secured it around her ankle before stepping back with a pleased look.
“How do you feel about burning, witch?” he sneered. “Maybe after you’re done sizzling you might feel more inclined to tell me what you were doing in that cell.”
“I was sleeping!” she insisted.
“DO NOT LIE TO ME!” His breath came out quick, angry. Turning to Rain, he nodded his head once.
She looked back and forth between the two.
“Rain,” he urged.
For whatever reason, Rain looked at Elex for – something. She wasn’t really sure what. Normally she was very careful not to look at Elex at all in front of Aziz, but especially not with any sort of emotion. There was just something so extremely nerve-wracking for her in this situation that she couldn’t help but look to him. Despite all she had said about the girl, and about revenge for the Shaman, being in the situation now – just felt wrong. For the first time since her arrival, Rain was starting to doubt her ability to become what she had dreamed of. Being cruel wasn’t something she could stomach. She wasn’t a heartless killer.
As soon as their eyes met she knew she had made a mistake. She saw it written in Elex’s eyes as if he were speaking the words to her out loud. There was the part, the hidden part only she could see because she was look for it, where Rain saw his concern and sympathy for her. Somehow he had known this was going to bother her. He knew it back in the dark cell where they had first seen one another too, and Aziz had tried to make her kill one of the men who attacked her. She couldn’t do it then, and she couldn’t do it now. And Elex knew it.
But that look was only fleeting. So quick no one else would have cau
ght it but her. Right after it came a look of warning. It said ‘don’t look to me for support. He’ll know. Look away’. But it came too late, because Rain was already looking at him for the first reaction. She was looking for someone to tell her it was okay, and that she didn’t have to do this. To make her feel strong even if she couldn’t kill so callously. By the time it registered in her head that looking to Elex had been a massive error on her part, and she was putting them both at risk right now, it had already played out. It couldn’t be taken back.
All this happened in mere seconds before Aziz bellowed, “DO NOT LOOK AT HIM!” There was sharpness in his command that hit her almost like a physical blow. Her head even snapped back at his words. She whipped her head back to him, a cold sweat breaking out in the dip of her spine. It crawled up slowly as she saw the rage in his caramel eyes.
Rain could not find her voice; could offer no explanation, or something to ease the tension. Nothing. She just froze, wide eyed and frightened. Aziz made no move toward her. No accusations were thrown at either of them. Was he going to pretend he hadn’t seen what just happened? Maybe he won’t suspect anything, she thought hopefully. Maybe she and Elex were overreacting. They always thought they couldn’t even really speak to each other when Aziz was around, in fear they’d tip him off somehow. Perhaps Aziz was so self-assured it would never have crossed his mind that Rain could be interested in anyone but him.
No, she thought, remembering how jealous he could get. He would have considered the possibility. He must have seen something in their earlier interactions to know that they both harboured an attraction for each other.
A warm feeling spread over her palm. She glanced down to see a ball of fire hovering over her hand. She gasped, moving it away from her body before she set herself on fire. Panic overwhelmed her as she looked to Aziz.
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