The Alchemy of Desire

by Crista McHugh

  The other horses appeared to be in the same condition. Her mind raced to find another solution, but the earth blew up in front of her. Esnella reared and Oni flew off her back.

  She rolled as she hit the ground and tasted dust in her mouth. When she lifted her eyes, she froze. Two sets of hooves were rushing toward her, but her body refused to move out of the way. At the last second, her arms wrapped around her head and she braced to be trampled.

  But the hooves never touched her. Diah pulled back and stopped his horse inches from her face. The Great Trickster must have been watching over her to allow her heart to still race.

  “Oni, are you all right?” Diah jumped down and ran to her side.

  His hands felt warm and comforting as he lifted her to her feet. Her body shook and it took her a few seconds to gain her balance. But after that, she nodded.

  Another cannonball hit the hillside, and rocks and other debris showered down on them. Cager, still on his horse, shielded them from some of the smaller pebbles. “Let’s get out of here now, Diah. They’re getting more accurate with each shot.”

  Oni tried to break free from Diah’s embrace, but Diah tightened his arms around her. “Let me go so I can—”

  “Oni, she’s dead.” His words were gentle, but they still drained all the warmth from her body.

  She tore herself from his arms and stared at the bloody, disemboweled mass of horseflesh in front of her. Her eyes stung with tears. No, not Esnella. She stumbled backward as Diah led her to his horse and lifted her into the saddle. They were in danger, but the world seemed to move in slow motion, as if it were all happening underwater.

  His horse’s sides heaved between her thighs as they ran deeper into the hills. The constant rumble of thunder chased them, growing louder with each cannonball.

  “We’re not going to be able to outrun them, Cager,” Diah said.

  “You think I don’t know that?”

  Her shock receded as the danger of their current situation closed in around her. “If we continue to push the horses like this, we’ll be walking to the Paha Sapa.” Her eyes scanned the landscape. “There.” She pointed to a narrow ravine filled with trees. It was just wide enough for them and their horses.

  “Let’s pray they don’t see us go in there, or we’re dead.” Cager slowed his horse and led it into the ravine.

  “Do you think this will work, Oni?” Diah’s hand tightened around hers.

  His heart pounded through his back, and she squeezed her arm around his waist. “It has to, Diah.” They dismounted and he tied the horse securely to a tree.

  Cager peered out from the branches at the airship. The top of the balloon was visible over the nearby hill. “It’s moving too fast. We need to slow it down.”

  “It’s a machine. It doesn’t tire like horses. I bet they have more than enough murcarbonite to fuel it.” Diah joined his brother. “If I had a good look at it, I might figure out how to disable it.”

  “And what are you thinking about doing? Climbing a hill and making a target of yourself?”

  “What can you remember about it from earlier?” Diah asked her.

  Oni’s heart rose into her throat. She didn’t want him endangering his life like that. “It’s steam-powered, but I have no idea where in the car the boiler is.”

  “Why don’t we just chuck some of that black fire at them?” Cager’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “It seems to be the answer to getting us out of jams.”

  Diah frowned. “If you think you can hit that ship from here, be my guest. I’d prefer not to waste my vials and give away our position.”

  Oni closed her eyes and tried to envision the airship in her mind. “Cager, can I borrow your scope again?” He handed it to her as the car rose above the hilltop. She studied the rear of the craft. “That spinning wheel in the back—it drives the ship like a paddle wheel on a steamboat.”

  Diah snatched the scope back. “If we can take it out, that’ll slow it down.”

  “So will exploding that balloon.” Cager reached for his rifle.

  The light that filtered through the trees hit his rifle, and orichalcum glowed. Another disguised wand?

  “What are you planning on doing?” she asked.

  “Using magic to see if I can rip a hole in the silk.”

  “But if you do that, you have no control over where it will crash. It could land on us.” She lowered his rifle-wand. “Diah’s idea makes more sense. If we keep it from moving, it will be left to drift in the wind.”

  His brow crinkled, but at last he nodded. “I have an idea. Oni, your element is fire, right?”

  “My element?” She had never heard anything about her magic being tied to an element.

  “Yes, the element that is easiest for you to control. All Wielders have one. I haven’t seen you cast much, but I’m guessing you’re a fire. It’s the only way you would’ve been able to withstand the choler spell as long as you did.”

  Perhaps he was right. When she was learning to wield magic, the first spell she’d mastered was starting a fire. “What do you have in mind?”

  He grinned and gave her the rifle. “That’s the spirit. I need you to heat up the propeller on the back of the airship and melt it.”

  “That sounds dangerous.” Diah stepped between them. “Why can’t you do it?”

  “Because I’m air, not fire. She’s the best one for this task. Besides, she’s already proven she’s a better shot than the both of us.” He attached the scope to the rifle-wand. “Just aim at the propeller and focus your energy into heating the metal. Picture it melting.” He raised the butt up to her shoulder and pointed it at the airship.

  Oni thought about what he said. Could she do it?

  As if he read her mind, Cager wrapped his hands around her and whispered in her ear. “I trust you, Oni. Now cast.”

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Diah’s scowl. He probably was on the verge of another jealous rage. “I’ll cast better if I have some space.”

  “As you wish, ma’am.” He backed away and Diah’s face relaxed.

  She peered through the scope, trying to line a clean shot through the branches. They’d catch on fire if she cast the spell where she was, so she stepped out of the ravine. She centered the front sight over the propeller. She’d only have one chance at this. If she missed, she’d give away their position to the enemy.

  “What are you waiting for, Oni?” Cager asked.

  “I want to make sure I have the perfect shot.”

  The entire airship now hovered overhead, giving her the clear shot she wanted. She took a deep breath and pictured a flame in her mind. Her blood warmed as the magic rushed through her arms and into the wand. It slowly welled up, waiting for her to release it. She exhaled and fired the spell.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Dear God, please don’t let them see her. Diah held his breath when she closed her eyes. The glowing wand pulsated with her magic energy. He glanced at Cager, who nodded in approval and drew his other wand. The wand never glowed like that when his brother used it. Then he realized why Cager wanted her to cast the spell. It was more than just her element being fire. She was a stronger Wielder than Cager was.

  She released the spell from the wand and the rifle recoiled just like a normal one. The propeller came to a halting stop as the metal heated and melted over the gears. Diah wanted to cheer, but another explosion drew his attention. They had been spotted and the cannon near the stern fired. A cannonball flew straight toward them.

  A smile played on Oni’s lips and he knew she didn’t see it coming for her. He called out her name and ran toward her. His pulse pounded. Please don’t let me lose her, he thought as he closed the distance between them. His arms wrapped around her. His body covered hers as they hit the ground. He heard the blast behind him and his back burned. It was Chickamauga all over again.

  “Diah!” Cager screamed.

  His skin felt like it was being torn from his body, but underneath his chest, Oni moved. As much
pain as he was in, knowing she was alive comforted him.

  She rolled him on his back. His ribs snapped and he could have sworn something stabbed him. “Cager, come help me with him.” Her amber eyes filled with tears as she leaned over him and reached for her wand.

  “In a moment.”

  Diah’s lungs could no longer hold his breath. Oni’s face swam in front of him. He reached up to touch her. She took his hand and brought it to her cheek. It felt wet and he realized she was crying. He tried to tell her to stop, but he choked on the blood that came up to his lips.

  The wind picked up around them, growing in intensity. He remembered the hurricane that had come on shore when he was a child. The winds had felt like this.

  She lifted him in her arms and shielded him from the debris. Her heart pounded in his ear, and her fingers caressed his face and ran through his hair when the storm reached its peak.

  “Cager, he’s dying.”

  If his brother responded, he didn’t hear it. He was more focused on what she’d said. Dying? Could it be possible to cheat death too many times? If this was the way he was going to leave this world, he was glad she was at his side.

  The winds died down and he heard his brother’s voice. “Let me have a look at him.”

  She loosened her hold and a pair of hands pressed against his back. The pain flared, and a scream worked its way from his mouth, followed by more blood.

  “He’s got a punctured lung, Oni.”

  “Then heal him.”

  “I can’t.” Cager’s voice shook. “I’m not that strong a Wielder, and that windstorm completely drained me. If I’d known how serious his injuries were…”

  “But I’m not a trained healer.”

  Diah stared at her face. Dear God, she’s sobbing. Sobbing over him. Maybe she really did have feelings for him.

  “You can—you have to, Oni. You’re the only one who can save his life. Remember what I taught you. Focus, layer by layer.”

  The conversation faded and his vision blurred. Sweet Jesus, he was going to die in her arms while they discussed how to heal him.

  Something cool and metallic pressed against his back, and her hand moved to his forehead. His body stiffened as the magic seared through it. He wanted to scream again, but over the pain he felt a different sensation, like the warmth of a lover’s embrace. The pain faded and he could have sworn he heard her voice in his mind. “Please hold on. I can’t lose you, Diah.”

  His pulse slowed and he put his trust in her. She cared about him. He felt like he could suffer a hundred punctured lungs so long as he knew that.

  In his mind, a connection formed with her. No other words were spoken, but in those few seconds, he knew her fear and another emotion that surprised him—love.

  She jerked away from his consciousness as soon as he discovered this and he felt as though he were plummeting down a bottomless chasm. He flung his arms out to catch something and slow his body. His fingers wrapped around what felt like a sturdy branch and he hung on to it for dear life. He opened his eyes.

  The first thing he saw was the pain in her face. Then her eyes rolled and she slumped against him.

  “What are you trying to do, Diah?” Cager asked as he caught her. “Break her arm?”

  He looked down and saw that he was gripping her arm so hard, her flesh paled beneath his hand. He released his fingers and inhaled. The air rushed into his lungs, and the injury became a distant memory. She’d healed him. But more importantly, she loved him.

  “Diah, quit grinning like a damn idiot and help me with her. I barely have the strength to keep her upright. She’s out cold.”

  He took her and stroked her cheek. She sighed in her sleep.

  “What’s wrong with her?” He checked her arms and legs for any injuries.

  Cager leaned back on his elbows. “The same thing as me. We’ve both used more magic than we’re used to. That windstorm wasn’t a simple breeze and you probably have no idea how badly injured you were, Diah.” He pushed himself off the ground. “Let’s get out of here before they come looking for us.”

  Diah carried her to the horse and put her in the saddle. He looked back at his brother. It took Cager three attempts before he mounted his horse. For once, Diah was glad to be an alchemist instead of a Wielder.

  “Are you better?” she whispered. The fatigue evidenced itself in every bit of her being, from her heavy eyelids to the sag of her shoulders.

  “I’ve never felt better. Are you well enough to ride?”

  She gave him a half smile. “I just need a nap, that’s all.”

  He climbed into the saddle in front of her. Her arms wrapped about his waist and her breasts pressed against the area of his back that had burned in agony a few minutes before. Now a new heat flooded his body, and he didn’t know how much longer he could contain his desire for her.

  He scanned the horizon as they rode out of the ravine and weaved their way through the hills, but he didn’t see the airship. “What happened to O’Kerry?”

  “I hope I blew him halfway back to Chicago. Oni destroyed their propulsion system, so there’s no way they can overcome the winds. Still, I want to keep moving, just in case they figure out a way to fix it and come after us again.”

  Diah chuckled. “I have to admit, that was a clever idea.”

  “I’m inclined to agree with you. That’s why I had Oni cast her spell to melt the propeller. First, because her element is fire. And second, because I needed all the magic I could gather to summon a decent-sized storm.”

  “I’m just glad she wasn’t killed by that last cannonball.”

  She tightened her grip on him and leaned her forehead against the back of his neck as if to confirm she was alive and well.

  “Yeah, you chivalrous idiot. Save her life and nearly lose your own in the process.”

  “We each have our priorities.” And from now on, she would be his first priority.

  The sky glowed orange by the time Cager declared they’d traveled far enough. They stopped by a small creek, where Diah wrapped Oni in the buffalo hide and let her sleep while he set up the camp. His brother collapsed in front of the fire as soon as he got it going, and Diah handed him some dried meat. “I know it’s not much—”

  “No, please, I’m too tired to wait for you to cook something. I’m going straight to bed. You could probably have her screaming in pleasure and I’d sleep through it.”

  Heat rose into his cheeks. “Will you please quit insinuating that I would be so crude as to make love to her in the middle of nowhere with you a few feet away.”

  “Listen, I don’t care what you do with her anymore. I’ve tried my best to talk sense into the two of you, but you’re both obviously pigheaded and delusional, so I wash my hands of this. Court her, woo her, fuck her—I don’t care. Anything to get her out of your system and keep you from acting like a lovesick schoolboy.”

  “Cager, what do you mean?”

  He groaned and wrapped his hide around himself. “If you can’t see it, then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. Yes, it’s all well and nice to be in love with each other out here, where no one judges you. But if you want to stay together, you’re going to have to find a place where one of you won’t be absolutely miserable. People will talk. She’s a half-breed, after all, little brother. She’d never be accepted back home and you’d go mad out here on the plains. That is, if you’d be willing to leave Mom and Hannah for her. Sorry to be so harsh, Diah, but I figured someone should tell you. Now, please let me sleep.”

  Cager rolled over on his side and Diah was left alone in front of the fire. He poked at it with a stick. Could he leave his old life behind and be happy making a life with Oni? The clean air and open sky out here appealed to him so much more than smoky, crowded cities.

  But would his mother and sister be able to take care of themselves as well Oni did? Am I being a fool to think it would ever work?

  His mind wandered for several hours until Oni yawned and stretched. “How long wa
s I asleep?” She needed to brace herself against the ground in order to sit up and her eyes still blinked away the bleariness.

  “Not long enough. Rest—you’ve had a busy day.”

  “The airship?”

  “You and Cager took care of it. I haven’t seen it since.” He knelt beside her and rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing it anytime soon.”

  “Good,” she mumbled into his jacket. Then she lifted her face. “How are you feeling?”

  He grinned. “Like a new man.”

  Her mouth rose into a slow smile. “I’m glad you’re here beside me. I was so worried…” Her fingers traced along his jaw and ended at the dimple in his chin.

  “Me, too.” He caught her hand. “Thank you for healing me.”

  “You’re the one who saved my life. It was the least I could do.” She pulled him closer and her lips brushed his.

  How many days had passed without tasting her kiss? He thought he would be ravenous for it, devouring her mouth as his passion consumed him. Instead, he savored the gentle touch and heard his pulse pound in his ears as she withdrew.

  “Mmm…” She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned against him. “Please, no more jealousy, Diah.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not stupid. Ever since we left Fort McKeen, you’ve been acting differently. How many times do I have to tell you that it’s you I want, not your brother?”

  He chuckled. “Probably a few more times. I’m notoriously stubborn.”

  Her laughter vibrated through his chest. “Maybe I can prove it to you.” Her amber eyes burned with desire when he stared into them, and the heat rushed through his body.

  “You already have.” He wanted to say more, but his tongue felt clumsy. Dear God, it was getting harder and harder to resist her when she looked at him that way. Even innocent gestures left him wanting more. But what he treasured was that brief second earlier today when he felt her love. “When you were healing me—”