The Alchemy of Desire

by Crista McHugh

  “Then you know how to deal with them?” she said, ignoring his question.

  “If I have to, but I don’t think they’re real.”

  A scowl twisted Diah’s mouth. “Will one of you tell me what the hell is going on?”

  Cager poured himself another glass of scotch. “We’re talking about demons and other unholy spirits,” he said in warbling voice. “Those things Father used to try and scare us with when we misbehaved.”

  Oni was about to tell Cager how wrong he was until she noticed the tight lines on Diah’s face. At least he believed her. “There have been some instances reported in the hills, but I’ll try and steer you away from those areas as much as possible. I plan on earning my eight hundred dollars—make no mistake about that.”

  Cager grinned and cast a sideways glance at his brother. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of ways to earn it.”

  “Damn it, Cager.” Diah pounded his hand on the table. “Stop it. There’s no excuse to be crude in front of a lady.”

  “If you consider her a lady.”

  Diah’s fist tightened and he drew his arm back. “Apologize to her.”

  Oni pushed back from the table. A fight was brewing and she didn’t want to be caught in the middle. Not that she blamed Diah for getting upset, but she was surprised he would jump to her defense so quickly. It was sweet, in a violent sort of way.

  Cager raised his hands. “Fine. I’m sorry, Oni. And learn to control your temper, little brother, or I won’t be so compliant next time.”

  Oni yanked her chair back to the table. “Both of you stop it. There’s no need to fight amongst ourselves. You two want the White Buffalo and I want my money. The sooner we learn to work together, the less trouble we’ll have along the way.”

  “Agreed.” Diah unclenched his fist and waited for Cager to nod.

  “Good. Now do either of you have anything else to add?” Damn, I sound like a mother scolding two wayward boys.

  Cager pushed his plate to the side and started shuffling the deck of cards from his pocket. “Anyone up for a game or two?”

  Oni took a sip of scotch, relieved that the tension in the air had started to lift. “I’m in for a few games of five card draw.”

  They played several hands over the next hour. Cager was a skilled player, unlike his brother. Diah’s tells were so easy to figure out, she resisted the urge to giggle every time his face gave away his hand. It was a good thing they weren’t playing for money or he’d go broke.

  The only thing that kept it from being a truly pleasurable night was the increasing coil of tension tightening in her stomach. If she wasn’t careful, she’d let Diah know the naughty thoughts that filled her mind every time she saw him looking at her, every time she caught a glimpse of his shy smile. At least the attraction was mutual, although she’d probably offend him if she told him how far she was willing to act on it, especially with the scotch lowering her inhibitions. She finished her hand and stood. “I think it’s time for me to turn in, gentlemen. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

  Cager snickered. “You almost sound like the girls back home, Oni. Of course, most of them don’t drink scotch or play poker.”

  Diah rose and scowled at his brother. “May I walk you back to your room, Oni?”

  Stars above, do I dare risk it? Her heart pounded like the buffalo hide drums from her childhood. “If you’d like.”

  She caught the wink Cager gave them as Diah opened the door for her and looped her arm through his. Were her thoughts that obvious?

  Music filtered down the hallway from the dining room, and Oni pulled him toward it instead to her room. Diah appeared confused, but he followed her outside. The music grew louder as they crossed the deck, a slow melody perfect for dancing. She placed his hand on her waist while taking the other in hers. “Dance with me, please.”

  His deep blue eyes burned when he stared down at her, and he didn’t move at first. Then his hand tightened around her waist. Desire stronger than any scotch coursed through her body. She wanted to do more than dance with him.

  Diah took one step, then another. Together, they moved in harmony with the music for a few bars, but when she met his gaze, he stumbled. He pulled away and mumbled, “Sorry—two left feet. I’ve never been much of a dancer.”

  He was doing well until she distracted him. She sighed and went to the railing. Why am I trying so hard to seduce him?

  The moonlight reflected off the river below like a wrinkled satin ribbon and bathed her in its comforting glow. “What do you know of the Children of the Moon?”

  Diah’s body radiated warmth from where he stood behind her. “Isn’t that what some of the tribes call themselves?”

  She nodded. She wanted to know if he’d heard the legends about shape-shifters. Part of her wanted to tell him, but she worried he’d order her to get the hell away from him. Or worse, kill her. “What else?”

  “I’ve heard that, like us, some of them possess the ability to cast magic, but their magic is different than ours. Almost mystical.”

  “Yes, our wicasha wakan have visions of the future and see into men’s hearts. They are also more skilled at destroying things unseen.” She paused. “Is that all you know?”

  “I’ve heard some crazy stories, but I’m not sure if I can believe them.”

  Her breath caught. Did he know what she was? “Such as?”

  “I’m worried if I’ll offend you if I share them.”

  “You can try.” She turned to face him “I don’t offend easily.”

  “Well, it depends on the tribe, but everything from human sacrifices to picking the flesh off the dead to channeling animal spirits. It all seems a little uncivilized to me.”

  She inwardly winced. How uncivilized would he think she was if he learned she could shift into an animal? And why would he think it was uncivilized? It was a rare gift among her tribe. “Ah, yes, we’re nothing but savages, right?”

  Diah caught her as she walked away and wrapped his hands around her shoulders. “I thought you said you didn’t offend easily.” Despite his lopsided grin, a hint of worry filled his voice. “After all, they’re just stories. Tales told by the first explorers to justify taking their lands.” He brushed a finger across her cheek. “I don’t think there’s anything savage about you, Oni.”

  She kept waiting for him to lean in and kiss her. Her mind begged for it and, if the way he was looking at her was any indication, he wanted to as well. Desire burned in his eyes, widening his pupils so that only a thin rim of blue surrounded them.

  Her heart sank when he pulled back from her and turned away.

  Although she enjoyed the way he treated her like a lady, she cursed it at the same time. His gentlemanly behavior was holding him back. What did she need to do to convince him to give in to his feelings without throwing herself at him like all those women who crowded around his brother?

  “Come on, Diah. I’ve kept you out here long enough.” She laced her fingers through his and led him to her room.

  When they came to her door, he didn’t release her hand. Instead, he stared at it while his thumb rubbed along the side of her index finger. “I’m sorry if Cager made you feel uncomfortable earlier.”

  “Why do you think he did?” She moved closer to him, inhaling his clean, male scent.

  “He made some suggestive comments and I wanted you to know I—” Diah looked up and inhaled sharply. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now, Oni?”

  She leaned her body against his, savoring the feeling of his hard muscles along her breasts and stomach. Below her waist, his hardness pressed against her, and wetness pooled between her legs. She tilted her head and stopped her lips inches from his. “I think I might.”

  He accepted her invitation, crushing her lips. She eagerly opened her mouth for him to explore. Her tongue danced around his, coaxing him out of his shyness. He hesitated until a whimper rose from her throat. He pulled her closer, his mouth claiming hers with confidence that rose w
ith each flick of his tongue. She had never been kissed like this before—so strong, so sweet, so fierce. Her head spun from the intensity of it.

  She brought her hands up to his face and covered his cheeks. They were baby smooth and smelled like his shaving soap, just as she had imagined. His arms tightened around her waist, holding her up even as her legs weakened. Stars above, I could get drunk off him. His kiss deepened, pulling her further and further away from reality. She clung to him for dear life until he finally released her.

  Diah grinned, even though he was gulping air. “Yes, I think you know exactly what you do to me.”

  Oni stroked his cheek. “Would you like to continue this inside?” She held her breath and waited for his answer. Her body burned for his touch, to have him fill her completely. Please say yes.

  He looked over her shoulder at the bed and then back at her. There was no mistaking the hunger in his eyes. “I—” Then his brows bunched together and his arms grew lax. “I shouldn’t.” He released her and took a step back. “I’m sorry, Oni. I didn’t mean to lose control of myself like that. It was very ungentlemanly of me.”

  The ache deep inside began to throb, and she clenched her teeth to keep from screaming at him in frustration. There was nothing wrong with his behavior other than kissing her like that and leaving her wanting more, but she could tell by the way he avoided her gaze that he didn’t want to hear that.

  It took every ounce of self-control to politely bid him good-night and not slam the door shut behind her. She flipped the lock. There would be no second chances for him tonight.

  Chapter Five

  Diah wanted to kick himself as he stared the locked door. What the hell was I thinking? He leaned one arm against the wall and waited for the throbbing in his cock to subside. A fire ten times stronger than any alchemical substance he could make burned through his veins. He’d brought this torture on himself by kissing her. His fingers bunched into fists and he took a deep breath to clear his mind.

  His gaze traveled back to the door, and he wondered if he’d done the right thing in refusing her offer. He couldn’t deny he wanted her. No, he physically needed her. If he had accepted, right now he would be unbuttoning her dress, exposing her soft breasts, kissing the hollows along her neck, lowering her onto the bed, parting her legs…

  The throbbing intensified. Goddamn it! He needed to get away from her room before he kicked down the door and carried her to bed with him.

  He stomped back to his room, running his fingers through his hair and wishing he had never let lust dictate his actions. The door bore the brunt of his frustration as he banged it open and then slammed it shut behind him.

  Cager looked up from his book, and a sly grin played on his lips as if he knew exactly what had happened. “You should have fucked her while you had the chance.”

  The mocking in his voice only helped convert his frustration to anger. “Shut up, Cager.”

  “I can’t believe you turned her down.”

  “I said shut the hell up!” Diah plopped on his bed and turned so he wouldn’t have to endure the teasing glint in Cager’s eyes.

  “You’re a fool. One of these days, you’ll learn it’s better to give in to temptation,” he said with a laugh.

  “Cager!”

  “All right, I’ll leave you alone to stew in the mess your sense of honor has created for you.”

  Diah’s head pounded, but every time he closed his eyes, he remembered how her body molded to his. This was more than a simple craving. This bordered on obsession. At last, he stopped fighting his conscience and fell asleep. In his dreams, he indulged in every fantasy he had about her.

  A sudden jerk wrenched Diah from his reverie and tossed him out of his bed. He blinked, forcing his vision to adjust to the darkness. “What the hell?”

  Cager crawled to his knees nearby. “I was going to ask the same thing.”

  As they stood, an explosion ripped through the boat, knocking them both back to the floor. Silence hung in the air for a few seconds before screams and wails replaced it.

  Diah stumbled to the door and threw it open. Smoke choked the hallway. Panicked passengers fled from their rooms. “The boiler must’ve exploded.”

  Cager shoved his belongings into his bags and closed them in less than a minute. “You think?” he asked, dipping in sarcasm. “That’s the trouble with these damn converted steamboats. They were built for coal, not murcarbonite. All it takes a little too much pressure, and boom.”

  Diah’s mind immediately turned to Oni. What if her room was close the boiler? “I have to find Oni.” He ran out into the hallway, but his brother pulled him back into the room.

  “I’ll get her. You pack up what you can and meet me on deck.” Cager disappeared into the haze, taking his bags with him.

  Diah wasted no time grabbing the case with the vials of black fire. The alchemy equipment could be replaced, but he needed to get the black fire off the boat before the flames ignited it. He shivered at the thought of the devastation that would cause. He threw the rest of his things haphazardly into his bags and ran to the door. Cager waited for him on the other side.

  Diah scanned the corridor. The smoked choked his lungs and stung his eyes. “Where’s Oni?”

  “I don’t know.” Cager led them to the deck and the fresh air. “I went to her room, but she had already left. She’s probably already on the deck. Forget about her and save your own skin.”

  His heart rose into his throat as he cast a glance at the thick smoke pouring from the direction of her room. “I hope you’re right.”

  Outside, the low clouds glowed red with the dawn. Flames danced around the wreckage of the boiler. The Big Sky Belle had run aground, and the deck slanted to the nearby riverbank. Crowds of people huddled around the railings with their belongings, staring at the dark swirling water below. The crew’s shouts jabbed the high-pitched wails of the passengers like a bass drum over a piccolo’s melody. They herded the masses toward the gangplank that dove into the river and the two overcrowded rowboats that were tied to it.

  Diah searched the crowd for Oni. Fear paralyzed his body when he didn’t see the familiar contours of her face.

  “Don’t be an idiot. Get off this damn boat before that case blows up in your hands.” Cager turned and jumped into the river.

  “Diah,” a voice said behind him. He turned to see Oni standing there clad only in a thin nightgown. The wind whipped her long black hair around her shoulders, and soot streaked across her face. But she was safe. His muscles finally loosened, and he reached for her.

  She dropped her bag on top of the case of black fire. “Here, take this. I’ll get it from you once we get ashore.”

  “Oni, what the hell are you doing?”

  She disappeared into the crowd without answering, and worry whipped his heart into a frenzied pace. He didn’t want to leave without her. His arms began to ache under the weight of all the baggage. He inched closer to the edge, lingering on the boat as long as he dared.

  A dozen horses stampeded across the deck, throwing him off balance and into the river. The cold water knocked the air from his lungs. He clung to the straps of the bags, even though the current tugged at them and threatened to pull him under the surface. He’d never been a good swimmer, and the prospect of surviving the fire only to drown became all too real.

  “Diah, hold on. I’m coming,” Oni shouted from the deck. She led three horses down the gangplank, speaking to them in soothing tones while they stomped their feet and rolled their eyes in fear. Once she coaxed them into the river, she swam to him and helped him drape the heavier bags over the horses’ backs. “You all right?”

  The muddy water choked him when he tried to answer. Black spots danced in front of his eyes. She clasped his arm with her free hand and steadied him, easing his terror just from her touch.

  “Just keep kicking,” she said in the same tone she used with the horses. “We’re almost to the part where you can touch the bottom.”

  As
soon as she said that, his feet scraped along a rotting log. He took another step back and found solid ground at last. He nodded and let go of her arm.

  “Diah, you stupid son of a bitch!” Cager ran up to him and wrapped him up in fierce embrace that was followed by a slap across the back of his head. “When are you going to learn to listen to me?”

  Oni chuckled beside him as she climbed out of the water. She cast a quick glance to where most of the passengers seemed to be gathering down shore. A look of worry crossed her face for a second. “Cager, would you be so kind as to take the horses so I can change into some dry clothes?”

  He grabbed the reins from her. “These aren’t our horses.” The pinto was hers, but the other two were someone else’s.

  She pulled her bag off one of the horse’s backs “I didn’t think you’d be so particular. I hope you weren’t too fond of yours.”

  Diah exchanged glances with his brother, who nodded and led them deeper into the shadows, away from the crowds and the burning boat. The last thing they needed was to be accused of being horse thieves. “I’m grateful we have something to ride on, but they weren’t worth risking your life over.” Or risking a hangman’s noose for us.

  Oni snickered. “Oh, yes, they were. I doubt you two tenderfoots would be able to walk the whole way. Now, turn around so I can change.”

  Her wet nightgown clung to every curve of her body, and even in the early morning light, the dark shadows of her nipples filtered through the material. Her breasts bobbed up and down from her recent exertion. The blood rushed from Diah’s head to the growing bulge in his pants. How he longed to touch them, to feel the weight of their heaviness in his hands.

  He looked up and her amber eyes glowed with mirth when they met his. She hugged her bag to her chest. “Are you going to stand there and stare, or are you going to give a few minutes privacy?”

  “Sorry, Oni.” Diah’s whole body burned as he looked away. He pulled Cager to his side so they both faced the water and shielded her from anyone else who might be watching.