Earth

by Rosie Scott

  He was pleading to me. He knew he couldn't stop me from making this decision anymore than anyone else. But he'd run out of options, and was terrified of losing me.

  I took a step toward him. “You sound desperate, Cerin.”

  His shoulders visibly slumped a bit at hearing that. “I am desperate, Kai. I cannot lose you.”

  “That's quite the development, considering you tried to flee from Sera and me just this past winter,” I mused, walking even closer.

  Cerin's nostrils flared as I neared him. “It should not be a surprise, Kai. We've talked about how we feel.” His voice was jumpy with nerves.

  “Have we?” I retorted, closing our distance. I let my hands move to the thick fabric of either side of his cloak, my fingers running down over its stitches. Cerin watched with shallow breaths.

  “Yes...I think.” His nerves were getting the best of him.

  “Hmm. Well, I seem to have forgotten. I'm afraid I must simply believe you are acting, Cerin.” It was a reference to his own words long ago. My heart thudded in my chest, in anticipation. I wanted to cut through all of this bullshit and finally admit we wanted one another. If I were to die in a week, I might as well go for it.

  “I...am not.” His voice was lowered, watching as I slowly pulled his cloak back from his armor, loosing it from his arms.

  “Then tell me,” I said, lifting the cloak's hood from his head, and letting the garment fall to the floor. Cerin's chest rose and fell sharply as his face came into full view, without his protective hood. “Tell me how you feel about me.”

  He could have said it should be obvious, or even have turned the question around on me. Despite his shyness, even he understood it was now or never. As I let my hands move to his chest armor, preparing to take it off, he blurted, “I am in love with you.”

  My hands hesitated, because hearing it was such a shock. A pleasurable one, but a shock all the same. I hadn't really expected Cerin to say that in particular. I expected him to concede to attraction, or even admit he was falling in love. But that? It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard. Even throughout last year's trip to Whispermere, that was all I wanted. I wanted to be desired. I wanted to be loved.

  I let my eyes move up, past his armor, and meet his own. The silver orbs were vulnerable in mine, yet somehow still showcased his strength. I thought about repeating the words back to him, because I felt them. Instead, I simply grabbed the back of his neck, and pulled him to me, joining our lips in a kiss which was long overdue. Cerin's lips were just as plush as they looked, as I finally claimed them with the energy of attraction that had been begging to be set free. I felt warmth at the underside of the back of my head, and realized he had his hands in my hair. Even when it was sopping wet, he was attracted to it.

  I set about removing his armor as if I was mad at it, ripping pieces of it off and letting it fall heavily to the ground. Cerin finally pulled his hands off me, helping me undress him, all the while keeping his lips locked to mine. It was like getting over that initial hurdle of shyness for him had been all he needed. He knew, now, that I wanted this as much as he did, and neither of us were stupid enough to try to stop it from happening.

  We were making a trail of armor and clothing as I pushed him back toward my bed, our breaths casting heat and moisture over each other's faces. We were both in our underclothes by the time the back of his legs hit the edge of the bed, and I quickly fixed that, pulling my shirt off over my head in a rush before embarrassment could make me pause.

  Cerin's silver eyes were dilated with attraction as his eyes rolled over me, before he set about taking his own shirt off over his head. His chest was practically muscled, and was a continuation of his Icilic skin, the glow of it almost silver.

  “You're so fucking gorgeous,” I blurted, letting my hands run down his chest, before they tugged at his trousers.

  Cerin leaned into me, letting his lips trail hot saliva down my neck, even as I rendered him fully naked. “You, Kai...” he argued, his hands pulling at the last article clothing of my own which fought to withhold him from seeing everything, “Your beauty is transcendent.”

  “Stop making up words and lay down,” I rambled, pushing against his chest toward the bed. It was somewhat of a jest; I understood his compliment. It was simply overwhelming, and my entire body was shaking impatiently with need of him.

  Cerin did as I asked, lying back on the bed, completely vulnerable to me, his eyes feasting over my nakedness. I followed, climbing on top of him, and planting kisses over his face. “Perhaps this would be the best time to tell you I return your feelings,” I murmured against his face, feeling his reaction against my thigh.

  One of his hands went to the back of my head again, where he grabbed a handful of my hair with desire, pulling my face back from his, forcing our eyes to meet. A shiver of pleasure rolled down my spine at his move. “You made me say it,” he said, his rough voice expectant.

  A teasing smile lifted up one side of my lips. “I love you,” I admitted, watching the words sink into his thoughts. He shivered beneath me, and loosened his grip on my hair.

  I let my lips and tongue taste his unique skin, moving down the indent at the middle of his chest, even as it rose and fell with his breathing. My hand found him between us, and he shuddered with surprise.

  I stared directly in his eyes as I joined us, taking immense satisfaction in watching his face contort with the pleasure. I knew this was his first time, and I wanted it to be memorable. Though I had once been lovers with Silas, I hadn't been with a man in over two years at this point. I had forgotten how wonderful being like this with someone I loved was. I took the time to kiss Cerin, again, even before I began to move over him. I wanted to savor this.

  When I finally did begin to love him, I let my teeth graze down his neck, hearing the rough noises of pleasure he made directly by my ear, driving me crazy. “I've wanted you for so long,” I admitted roughly, my voice labored at his ear.

  His hands grazed down the sides of my body, finding new places and exploring them. “Next time, don't wait so long, then,” he murmured, teasingly.

  Perhaps I could have teased him back for being so shy around me a lot of the time, but I didn't. I simply kept up the pace, until Cerin looked ready to explode, and then slowed to a stop, just to lift up from him and reach down between us, moving myself to climax. Cerin watched me pleasure myself, creases between his black eyebrows from the desire, his hands squeezing at my thighs, since I sat so far up from his reach. When I finally released above him, my throaty moans echoing against the walls of the room, he lifted up just enough to grab me, pulling me over him as if he couldn't stand it anymore.

  Cerin held my head with both hands, kissing along my exhausted face. “I felt that,” he breathed, sounding as if he'd made a discovery. “By the gods, I felt that.”

  “I wanted you to,” I murmured, my face hot with sweat. I felt Cerin lift up my body from beneath both thighs, and he took over, thrusting up inside me as he still held my face, landing labored kisses over me until he could no more. He finally broke, his moans escaping through his beautiful lips in a cascade of heat over my face, and he released himself into me, many seasons of pent up attraction behind his thrusts.

  We breathed heavily together, both shaking in the aftermath of our lovemaking. Cerin continued to pet my hair back from my face with his hands, obsessed with it, though he spoke no words yet.

  “Now...let's forget this ever happened,” I breathed, watching as his silver eyes opened and looked over me. “Let's forget it, act like it's been forever, and we have no idea how we feel about each other, and then, boom, it can happen again tomorrow.”

  Cerin chuckled roughly, moving his head upward to kiss me. “Or we can remember it, and forever try to recreate it.”

  “Or that,” I said, laughing softly.

  His fingers brushed back more hair from my face, getting caught in a wet tangle. I shivered as he slowly worked his way through it, his eyes on the sea of red. “
I am sorry I've been a coward when it comes to you,” he said, finally freeing his hands of my hair and letting his fingers run down my shoulders and upper arms.

  “It's okay,” I encouraged, leaning forward to land another kiss on his chest. “I think we're over that now. Let's embrace it.”

  There was conflict behind his silver eyes. “I am uncertain if I can embrace it. Six days from now, will I even have you?”

  An exhale blew out through my lips as I pulled my body from his, collapsing on the bed beside him. We were both wet messes from our lovemaking, but I reveled in it.

  “Help me prepare, Cerin,” I murmured, watching him as I laid by his side.

  The necromancer sighed laboriously, because he knew my words meant I still planned on fighting Gavriel. “Kai, please...please think this through.” He turned to his side, facing me. “For me.”

  “I have thought it through,” I replied, keeping my gaze on his. “I need to do this. And I can. Believe in me, Cerin.” I reached out, letting my fingers run through his long black hair, which laid softly against the pillow. “Believe in me, and help me.”

  Cerin's nostrils widened as he exhaled loudly through them. “I really do love you, Kai. I wasn't just saying that because I felt you asked for it.”

  I smiled, despite our situation. “I believed you, Cerin. And I heard you.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you knew.” His eyes sat upon me with a sadness of uncertainty. I realized, then, that he truly believed my chances were slim. He was making sure that if I were dead within the week, I would know I was loved for sure. It was a kind gesture, if a bit depressing.

  “I know. And you can tell me again next week, and the next.”

  Cerin blinked softly at me, resigned to the decisions I made for myself. “I will,” he said, though it didn't sound as certain as my words. “What do you need help with?”

  “That spell book we bought in Comercio,” I began, my eyes flicking back and forth between his own. “I need to learn the spells within. Practice them.”

  “You will be using death magic before a crowd of witnesses,” he said, mirroring Theron's previous concerns.

  “Yes, but I will be petitioning to King Adar tomorrow about having the field battle. I am going to ask him about this. He will know who I am, so the use of death magic shouldn't be surprising to him.” I paused. “I promise you, Cerin, if he forbids death magic from being used in battle, I will rescind my participation. I cannot win without it.”

  Cerin stayed quiet, though he nodded, agreeing with me.

  “The battle will be hard, but I will win it,” I encouraged him. “I have to. I can free Anto and win the support of King Adar, all in one battle. Then, it is only a matter of time until we can find our way back to Chairel and remove Sirius from power.”

  “I have a feeling it will be more complicated than that,” Cerin mused, softly.

  “Then you have a feeling I will win the battle, because I will be there to meet those hurdles,” I retorted, with a small smile.

  Cerin returned my smile, despite his anxieties. “I hope that is the case.”

  *

  The rattling of the inn door woke Cerin and I up the next morning, with Nyx calling my name from outside. It confused me, given we had fallen asleep in the room Nyx and I shared, so if she needed in, she could have simply used her own key.

  I hurried to get dressed and go to the door, where Nyx and a messenger were waiting on the other side.

  The messenger handed me a scroll. “I come as a messenger from Ali Sarraf,” he explained, as I opened up the scroll.

  Kai Sera:

  Gavriel the “Undefeated Bringer of Death” has accepted your proposal, with a counter-proposal. He wants both you and Anto to be there, though he has agreed to fight you first. Only upon your defeat will he fight Anto. I have already sent an affirmation to him via messenger, given this is what we figured he would do.

  Now that the plans are set, I suggest you see a man by the name of Seyyid Cham, who deals in gladiatorial affairs at the castle. He will tell you what you need to know to prepare for battle, and have you sign the necessary forms. Your fight is scheduled for the 79th of High Star. Please be prepared and at the coliseum at first light.

  Upon your win, we will meet with the officials and split the reward as agreed, and I will have Anto's papers prepared. Upon your defeat, the fight will go on with Anto and I will expect nothing further from your companions.

  I wish you nothing but the best of luck, Kai Sera, and may the gods have mercy on you.

  -Ali Sarraf

  There was a sinking feeling in my gut as I read the man's words, because it was now set in stone. I swallowed my nerves and thanked the messenger, who asked me to sign the scroll so Ali would know it had been delivered. After signing it beside the inkwell at the table in my room, I handed it to him, and he was on his way.

  “I hope you don't mind,” Nyx was saying to Cerin, as I watched the messenger disappear down the hall, “but I hijacked your room.”

  “Where did you get the key?” He replied.

  “I didn't.” She turned to me. The last time we had spoken was when she'd stormed off. “I came back last night to have a good night's rest, and lo and behold, I hear what sounds like you two having immense fun. I figured the least I could do was steal Cerin's room, since you two kicked me out of mine.”

  Despite his embarrassment, Cerin jested, “It is the better room, anyway.”

  “That it is.” Nyx looked back to me, her black eyes still conflicted, but humble. Without another word, she grabbed me into a bear hug. “Congrats, friend. It is about time you had a good fucking.”

  I snorted a laugh beside her ear, even as I held her close to me. “I swear, you never disappoint.”

  “I hope the same can be said of Cerin,” she commented, as we parted. Cerin barely batted an eye at the Alderi. Perhaps he knew to expect jests like this. Nyx kept her eyes on my own. “I'm sorry, Kai. I said some pretty terrible things to you yesterday.”

  “Maybe I deserved them,” I replied, introspective.

  “No. You didn't.” Nyx patted my arm. “You did not drag me here just to die. I followed you because you are my best friend, and I will go wherever you do, because though you make some dumb ass decisions, we always end up having a shit ton of fun working through the consequences. Fighting this god is one of those stupid decisions, but I will try my best to come to terms with it.”

  “I will win,” I assured her.

  “Oh, you better,” she retorted, “Or else I will commit suicide just to follow you to the depths of hell and scream I-told-you-sos in your ear for the rest of eternity.”

  “That sounds like hell,” Cerin commented, making both of us laugh.

  “Well, she can avoid it,” Nyx said, watching me carefully. “If she just wins.”

  The three of us gathered Jakan and Theron, before heading to the royal castle of T'ahal, both to petition King Adar and get my things situated with the man Ali had told me to go to. The castle loomed high in the sky above us, surrounded by guards who watched us approach with curious eyes.

  “Names, please,” one of the guards requested, just at the entrance, where the thick iron gate of the castle was rolled up into the sandstone's embrace.

  “Kai Sera,” I said, before turning to my friends, who all introduced themselves.

  The other guard leaned toward the one we spoke to. “This is the one King Adar requested.”

  My heart picked up its pace. So the king was already aware I was here, and had requested me himself. I waited as both guards looked me over. “King Adar has sent out messengers to try to find you. Evidently they have not succeeded yet?”

  “No, but I am here to see him all the same,” I replied. The guards were pleased with this answer, though their eyes were distrusting upon Nyx.

  “We will let you in to see him, but you and your friends must leave any weapons at the door,” the one guard told me.

  We did as he requested, removing
all of our offensive gear and watching as it was tagged and put into a locked chest within a small room just inside the entrance. Once we were prepared for entry, the guard directed us inside, where he told us to speak to the man in the main hall.

  The main hall of T'ahal's castle was magnificent. It reminded me of the hall of the Seran University, with an open ceiling which stood at least three stories high over our heads. Though the castle itself was made of sandstone, the floors and much of the furniture was imported marble, like we had seen at Ali's home. A large, heavy steel chandelier hung from the tall ceiling, dozens of candles lighting up the walls surrounding it. A staircase carved directly out of the golden sandstone aligned both walls of the main hall, both leading up to a high balcony that oversaw the entrance, guards standing against the walls of the upper floors with arms crossed lazily before their stomachs.

  Beneath that overhang, however, was an opening which led directly into a huge serving hall, with a gigantic, elaborately carved fireplace directly at the opposite end of the castle from us, fresh and colorful pink and orange desert flowers sitting in expensive pots on the mantle above. Paintings adorned what little of the walls of the room I could see, some of them appearing to be larger than full grown men.

  We didn't need to ask for anyone, for the man we'd been told to see came directly to us. The castle here was not busy. It was clear King Adar did not open his castle up freely like the Seran University. Entry was only allowed through invitation, it appeared.

  “How may I direct you?” The man asked, his long robes swishing across the polished floors as he hurried to us.

  “I am Kai Sera, and these are my companions. King Adar requested my presence.”

  “Ah, yes. I know who you are. Follow me, please.” The man hurried to the left staircase, pulling his robes up ever so slightly as he began moving up the stairs, keeping from tripping over himself. We filed up the stairs behind him and to the third floor balcony. From here, I could feel the heat of the chandelier, which sat just a few feet away from the balcony railing. The balcony also served as a long hallway, with walls separating the inner rooms of the castle from the peering eyes of visitors below. Under our boots, thick carpets made of a deep, royal blue with golden twirls and designs sunk with our weight.