Temperance

by Ella Frank

  He cocked his head to the side, and Naeve thought that he looked…boyish?

  “Why would you want to irritate your sister?” he asked.

  Feeling a strange sort of relief after all the tension of the past few hours, she let out another quick laugh and then covered her mouth when his brows winged up.

  “Sorry. It’s just… She was being annoying before we were split up.” Naeve saw his lips tighten almost as though he were trying to hold back a grin, so she asked, “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  Almost instantly, any humor that had been trying to break free disappeared and back was his usual stern expression.

  “We need to get moving. Let’s go.”

  When he advanced around her, she automatically reached for his arm, forgetting what he’d told her earlier. As her palm met the coarse material covering him, he halted, looked down at it, and then brought his eyes back to hers. He didn’t have to say it—the message was clear.

  Don’t touch me.

  Removing her hand, she muttered, “Sorry.”

  “Come. They’re just beyond this ridge.” He didn’t acknowledge her apology, and the tension that had lifted only seconds before was back, settling heavily between them.

  She watched him march away, Siobhan’s red braid hanging down in stark contrast against his black hunter gear and her pale arms thumping against his massive back.

  Yeah, no matter how hard I try to make this feel normal…there’s nothing normal about that picture. And it was about time she came to terms with that.

  * * *

  Kai took purposeful strides as he powered up the side of the bank. The woman draped over his shoulder was dead weight, and as he hefted her to a more comfortable position, he angled his head to see… Naeve following not too far behind.

  When they’d reached the West bank and she’d faced him with a small smile of triumph, Kai had felt an unexpected, and not so welcome, sense of pride. He was irrationally proud of the woman silently trailing him.

  The Taise Forest wasn’t a place for the fainthearted—and neither was he. Yet this woman had persevered with both of them. Dared to take them on.

  When they reached the top, they came to a standstill beside a towering Sequoia. Kai blinked once, a little confused with what he wasn’t seeing, as he searched the area below.

  “Where are they? You said they’d be here.”

  Good question, he thought, waiting for Bastian to appear.

  “Kai?” Naeve asked, but he said nothing as he felt the atmosphere around them…shift.

  It was as though the air had suddenly become weighted and was pressing down upon them. He tried to drag in a breath, but it was difficult—thick, as if he were trying to breathe through mud. He turned to face Naeve, who’d reached up to hold the base of her throat as her eyes watered. Apparently, she was experiencing the same difficulty he was.

  There was only one reason he could think of for the change.

  He removed the woman he was still holding and placed her down beside him. Straightening, he opened his mind and reached out, hoping to locate Bastian, and that’s when his spine stiffened and his arms were held immobile as all of his joints locked him in place.

  Empress, he thought as a debilitating pain encompassed his mind. He felt his knees give out just before he was brought down to them.

  Hello, Mala’Kai. Her throaty tone stroked over his senses.

  The only parts of his body he could move were his eyes, and they followed Naeve as she stepped in front of him, a look of panic plastered all over her face.

  It’s been a long time since you came out of hiding. But like a true man, the lure of soft, warm flesh worked on you.

  Kai’s jaw ached as he tried in vain to block her from his mind. It was of no use though. Seraphine was inside him, and as always, she made her prisoner very aware of her mark. The stinging scrape of her ever-present nail guards marred his thoughts as he remained rigid on his knees.

  Ignoring me, are you? That’s no way to treat your Empress. Maybe you need some incentive. She’s very beautiful. Wouldn’t you agree…

  As the thought trailed off, Naeve was forced to her knees before him. Her eyes frantically searched his, unsure of what was happening, and although he could see her mouth moving, nothing was coming out.

  Then, just beyond her, the Empress appeared. He reminded himself that she was only in his mind as Seraphine became a much clearer figment of his imagination.

  It’s true. I am only in your mind, but I’m there just the same. Aren’t I, Kai? Do you think she’s as soft as she looks?

  He knew that, if he gave her even an inch, she would somehow use it against him. So he remained as he was, silent and frozen. A warped chuckle echoed through his head as the woman who’d been far behind Naeve suddenly appeared as a vision by her side.

  Naeve’s hair shifted and her eyes filled with dread as Seraphine blew against her neck with a demented smile. Then Seraphine lowered her head and mouth a little closer.

  Stop it, he finally thought, remembering the fear in Naeve when she’d thought he would take her against her will.

  A trill laugh filtered through his brain. So you were ignoring me. That’s not very nice.

  If there was anything that was ever nice about me, it left at a young age. You made sure of that.

  The black eyes holding him in place seemed to glint with pleasure at the reminder. No need to hold a grudge, Kai.

  You killed my mother.

  Nooo… Oh, no. You did that, boy. All on your own.

  He held her stare as his mind was bombarded with the image of him standing above his begging mother. You vicious bitch, he cursed. Then the image was gone, and once again, he was faced with Naeve, who was kneeling before him with frightened, blue eyes.

  Unable to move, Kai could only watch as Seraphine ran the long, hooked tip of her nail over the shell of Naeve’s ear.

  Sorry to cut the walk down memory lane short, but I need something…

  His body revolted against the hold it was still under as he remained helpless to do anything. Let her go, he demanded.

  Seraphine locked her black eyes with his. Why would I do that? I brought her here, and if Li’Am thinks he can outmaneuver me with his son, Si’Bastian—interesting boy, that one—then he best think again.

  Gods, he couldn’t imagine the wrath Bastian would face when his father discovered that Seraphine knew of him.

  As a cackle escaped the Empress, Kai immediately regretted his thought.

  She didn’t comment on it though. She merely turned back to Naeve and whispered, So nice to finally meet you, niece of mine. You look just like your father. Did she ever tell you that? Then she brought a hand, which held a key, around in front of her.

  A prisoner in his own skin, Kai felt hopeless as she drew the tip of the wrought-iron key over the creamy flesh of Naeve’s cleavage. When it was nestled down between her breasts, Seraphine pressed the bit of the key against Naeve’s chest, and he was forced to merely observe as her skin gave way around the metal.

  What the—

  Four keys will open the Tower. That is where he lies. He said so. I heard.

  A bead of sweat appeared on Kai’s forehead. The Empress’s thoughts were in some sort of manic state as her delusional ramblings continued.

  Find the keys. Find the four keys. Might take years. And I did. I did find them—but he lied, she spat, and before Kai could even try anything to help Naeve, Seraphine thrust the key inside her chest until it vanished.

  A loud, agonizing scream ripped from Naeve as she squeezed her eyes shut, tears seeping from the sides.

  It’s not just the four keys, Seraphine’s thoughts sneered as she wrenched her hand free. It’s the four children, and her. It’s always been her.

  She raised her eyes back to his, and as her image flickered, Kai wondered just how much of her strength it had taken to do what she had done. She was growing weak.

  I don’t know how she got where she went, but I need Mae
ve back here. Fear of losing those you love should do the trick, and what’s stronger than a mother’s love? I will get what I want.

  Kai couldn’t help his thought any more than his useless body at that point. And what’s that?

  The one thought long gone by my dear, dear sister. The one who will rule by my side.

  And if she doesn’t come before they die?

  Oh, this won’t kill them. But it will make their hearts and souls as black as mine.

  The venomous words hissed through his head as she relinquished her hold over him and the apparition beside Naeve vanished.

  The Empress didn’t want these women. She wanted what she’d always wanted—Lach’Lan.

  Whom no one has seen for years, Kai thought, his limbs once again his own.

  There was silence, and then Naeve’s body crumbled to the ground, her eyes still closed.

  He lives, Mala’Kai. Did my brother not tell you? Seraphine’s haunting words echoed around him. Perhaps you should ask where Lach’Lan lies. Then we’ll see who’s telling the truth, won’t we?

  Before he could refute her claims, Seraphine’s weakened presence dissipated and vanished.

  He quickly bent down over Naeve, rolling her to her back. Then he brushed her hair away from her face, and there…that was when he saw it.

  An inky, dark line extended along the vein by her temple—a darkness that had not been there before.

  * * *

  Naeve remembered a woman. The same woman she’d seen back in Wilmington—back in the tarot shop. Black hair, pale skin. But this time…strange eyes. The same kind of eyes Bastian sometimes had. Black.

  She remembered looking down the hill, expecting to see her sisters and men—people who would save her—and seeing nothing.

  She could feel a dull ache in her head and a burn in her chest as she tried to open her eyes, but nothing was happening. She couldn’t do it even though she knew she was trying.

  Kai…

  A flash of memory entered her mind—Kai falling to his knees, his big arms being pinned, and his face looking strained. She remembered—he couldn’t move.

  What happened to him? Where am I? Where is he?

  “Naeve.”

  She could hear her name being said and tried again to open her eyes. Nothing. She couldn’t do it.

  Naeve, she heard again, and this time when she tried, her eyes obeyed.

  Her lids felt heavy as they lifted. She could see a flickering torch secured to a stone wall off to her side, and when she focused on the familiar face looming over her, dark, shoulder-length hair fell forward to surround them. Troubled, grey eyes searched hers as a severe set of lips grimaced, and she felt solid muscles under her where she lay across a lap.

  She was about to open her mouth and ask where she was when Kai murmured, “Hello, little rabbit.” Then he looked away from her, over his shoulder and said, “This one’s awake.”

  “Good. Now, we wait on the other.”

  Naeve didn’t recognize the second voice, but when Kai brushed a hand over her hair and a frown of consternation crossed his features, she didn’t really care. She was alive, and from the sound of things, Siobhan was here too.

  Wherever here was.

  “Bring him to me.”

  Ry’Ker stood before Li’Am and waited as one of the guards turned to fetch Si’Bastian. The sensualeer was in trouble—of the monumental kind. And as Ry’Ker stood with his arms behind his back, he wished that he could disappear from the reunion that was about to happen.

  They’d returned to L’Mere a little over an hour ago, and he’d just finished relaying the information that had been acquired. Once he’d finished, Li’Am had given an unreadable grunt, turned to the man by Ry’Ker’s side, and demanded he get his son.

  He didn’t know what the relationship was like between the two, but he knew one thing: it sure as hell wasn’t good. The most he’d ever spoken to Si’Bastian had been over these last couple of days, and it didn’t seem right that he be here for this but Li’Am had yet to dismiss him. So like the loyal guard he was, he remained.

  The sound of heavy boots indicated the return of the other man, and before he could look over his shoulder, Ry’Ker felt the air beside him shift and Si’Bastian appeared.

  Gods. He clenched his jaw, irritated that he’d been caught off guard, and looked slightly to his right.

  Instead of the shirtless man from the forest, Si’Bastian stood beside him dressed the way he imagined any royal would. Almost. Despite the black leather pants and a simple, white poet shirt, the sensualeer hadn’t bothered fastening, so it hung loosely in a disrespectful manner off his shoulder.

  Ry’Ker knew that Si’Bastian’s disregard for propriety would annoy Li’Am, but the obvious rebellion was what was on his head.

  Perched a little to the left, atop spiky, black hair, gleamed a shiny, gem-encrusted crown that was only to be worn by the select few in power, and Ry’Ker had no idea how Si’Bastian had come by it. It bore the Arcanian symbol of the sun, star, and moon. The Guardians.

  The sensualeer didn’t even spare him a glance. He merely fixated on the man standing in front of them.

  “Si’Bastian.” Li’Am’s greeting was impersonal, as though he were addressing any man, not his own flesh and blood.

  Ry’Ker could have sworn he felt Si’Bastian stiffen beside him.

  “Li’Am.” The clipped reply spoke volumes, and the air crackled with the tension thrumming in the room.

  Li’Am took a step forward and clasped his hands behind his back, similar to the way he himself was standing, before taking Si’Bastian’s measure.

  Like his son, Li’Am had coal-black hair and the same dark eyes. However, unlike the sensualeer, he was dressed in formal attire. Regal as ever in his red surcoat with the Arcanian symbol across his chest, he had a large, black robe lined with silver fox fur draped around his wide shoulders.

  His irritated eyes moved from Si’Bastian over to him, and Ry’Ker felt his dissatisfaction rolling off him in waves.

  “I’m told that one of the women remains unconscious. Is that correct?”

  Ry’Ker wasn’t sure if the question was directed at him, but when Si’Bastian remained silent, he decided that, if he didn’t say something soon, the three of them would be standing there in a stalemate for the foreseeable future.

  “Yes, Commander.”

  As his answer left his tongue and echoed through the hall, Ry’Ker heard in his head, Bravo, Guard. He was about to turn to the man beside him, but—

  Don’t. Not unless you really want to see a thunderous storm.

  Barely restraining himself, Ry’Ker continued looking at his leader.

  “Do we know what happened to her?” Li’Am asked.

  “We suspect the same thing that occurred with her sister. A key has likely been placed in or above the heart.” Ry’Ker was clear and concise with his facts and watched as Li’Am turned towards his son.

  “It’s lucky for you that she is not dead.”

  For some strange reason, Ry’Ker found himself advising the rebellious man being addressed. Don’t provoke him.

  And what do I get from that?

  You get to be the better man.

  There was a strange, uncomfortable silence and then he got an answer. You seem to have forgotten, Guard. I am not a man.

  “And why is that, Father? It seems that, as the Empress’s puppet, you should have known that she wasn’t out to kill the women.”

  It was the first time Ry’Ker had heard Si’Bastian refer to Li’Am as his father, and he knew by the way the other man reacted that he was not happy he’d done so—especially in front of his head guard.

  “So, if you can’t use that as an excuse to lock me back up, how about the fact that Seraphine now knows of me?”

  Ry’Ker willed the sensualeer to shut his mouth, but he continued.

  “Then again…you’ve never required an excuse other than my being born. So, why bother with the threat? Unless, this time,
you mean to have me beaten? Tortured? Killed perhaps?”

  Li’Am walked down the steps that led to where they were both standing and stopped in front of his son. “Do you think that you’re amusing anyone in this room, Si’Bastian?”

  “No, just myself. As always.”

  Shut up, Ry’Ker thought, hoping he would listen.

  You shut it, Guard. This isn’t your business.

  Ry’Ker squared his shoulders and wanted to tell the man that he was a horse’s ass. But since Li’Am didn’t know that Ry’Ker was saying anything, he took his own advice and shut both his mouth—and his mind.

  Li’Am was standing so close to his son that their toes almost touched, and Ry’Ker wondered if he would be so brave if he knew that his son had the power to… What? Hurt him? Kill him?

  “I’m disappointed, Si’Bastian.”

  A scoffing laugh preceded, “I couldn’t tell.”

  Ry’Ker found that he was no longer admiring Li’Am’s bravery, but his patience.

  “We needed the women alive and healthy. That was the plan. That’s why you were sent—to shield them. The four women are the only ones who can wield the keys to the Tower. She wants who is in there. I want it to restore the Twelve Lakes, the water supply that she cursed. We needed them uninfected. We needed them well. But due to your reckless actions, you’ve put the people and the land in even more danger than they were before.”

  Ry’Ker swallowed and hoped that was the end of it. He should have known better.

  “Maybe, if you had deemed me worthy enough to know this in advance, I would’ve done things differently, father.”

  “No, you wouldn’t. Everyone knows that your kind has no sense of control. Why do you think we all kowtow to the Empress? Certainly not because she is loved. Who could love such people?”

  The cruelty of the response shocked Ry’Ker. He’d never thought he’d witness this side of the man who’d practically raised him. But as he stood there, he couldn’t deny what he was hearing.

  “The problem with your kind is that, while you are given power we don’t fully understand, you’re also born with colossal egos. Ones that need constant stroking. Ones that require praise and admiration and make you think you can have anything you desire. You have the ability to lure us in, draw from our emotions and fears…yet the second you are doubted, you spin out of control and somehow manage to cock up everything around you.”