He went to work on building a fire. His pride had been wounded this afternoon, but the sting had worn off enough by now for him to admit it. “I don’t want you to end up like Robb, either.”
Her brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, Dev. I was angry when I said that—”
“But you were right.” He stood and rested his hands on her shoulders, taking note how delicate her body seemed. “I let my guard down with him, and he ended up dead because of it. I won’t let that happen with you.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and something wrenched deep inside his chest. He felt the same way this morning when he watched her disappointment over Kell. If he could shield her from pain, he would do all in his power to do so. Instead, all he could do was pull her into his arms.
She pressed her cheek against his heart and dug her fingers into his upper back. Her chest billowed with several deep breaths, but that was the only movement she made until she said, “I know.”
The door opened, and she pulled away, finally removing her cloak as the innkeeper crowded three trenchers on the table. Dev already missed her presence, a subtle reminder of why he didn’t allow himself to get close to her anymore. If he held onto her much longer, he might’ve given into his forbidden desires.
At least he wouldn’t have to worry about Kell stealing her heart anymore. Sure, she was upset now, but in time, she’d forget about him. To help her along with the process, he said, “I know you wanted to say goodbye to Kell, but you’ll see it’s for the best that he didn’t show up this morning.”
Her blue eyes flashed. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Let’s forget that he’s a prince and you’re a barmaid. Let’s forget that you’re a witch in a kingdom that forbids magic.” He took his trencher and sat on the floor near the door. “How do you think he would feel about Loku?”
She avoided his gaze and pretended to be interested in the greasy stew that their host had provided for them. “I really can’t say.”
“Because you didn’t want to tell him about the voice in your mind, about the fate that awaits all Soulbearers.” Even as he said it, part of him dreaded the day when the insanity would claim her. It was never a question of if, but when.
“Damn it, Dev.” She shoved her food away and crossed her arms, pouting in a way that confirmed his accusation. “He wouldn’t have believed me anyway.”
He shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. The point is, he wanted you to stay, and that would’ve only made things worse.”
“How so?” Her expression softened, and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
“Even if we ignored last night’s assassination attempt, there’s still the problem of learning to control and contain Loku. The only way for you to learn that is to go to Gravaria where there are mages who specialize in that kind of magic. If you don’t, then it just hastens the process.”
“And I end up like Robb faster.” She pinched off a piece of bread, dipping it in the stew. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m surprised you came to that conclusion so easily.” He sniffed their dinner. Under the layer of grease, it smelled burned. Even Cinder lapped at it as though he were grimacing from the taste. “I expected you to be more stubborn.”
She took a bite of her meal and wrinkled her nose. “This is awful.”
“Perhaps you should ask our host for something better.”
The green circle that rimmed her irises flashed, indicating Loku had whispered something to her, and she choked back a giggle. “I think it might be best if we don’t cause any trouble on our way to Boznac.”
He didn’t even want to know what the god of chaos suggested. Loku’s ideas usually resulted in more work for him. “I agree. In the meantime, I’m going to sleep on the floor in here, just to be safe.”
“You can sleep in the bed, if you want.”
Her cheeks turned such a delicious shade of pink, he almost took her up on her offer. He missed the way her body fit so perfectly against his, the way she sighed in her sleep before she snuggled closer to him, the way her eyelids fluttered when she dreamed. Part of him still cursed that day he refused her when she asked if they could be something more.
Thankfully, Cinder hopped up on the bed and stretched out. “There doesn’t seem to be any room for me.” In more ways than one. The way she moped over Kell today told him she’d moved on. And as much as he wanted to, now was not the time to try and win her back.
“We can push him off, Dev. He’s just a wolf, after all.”
Cinder lifted his head and growled, his flash of fangs telling them he was quite comfortable where he was.
Dev cast a ward around the room and leaned his head back against the wall. Once he had her safely behind the walls of the Mages Conclave, he could sort out his feelings for her. Until then, he needed to keep his mind focused on keeping her safe. “It’s for the best.”
“Are you certain we have to go to Gravaria?”
Her question pinged around in his mind like a caged hummingbird. The raw edge to her questions revealed her uncertainty, and he tried to imagine what she was feeling. This was a girl who’d always existed on the fringe of society, who’d been abandoned by those she cared about, who was now being forced to leave everything she’d ever known behind. “Yes. You’ll see. When we get to Gravaria, you won’t be the odd person in the room. You won’t have to worry about being killed for your powers.” He thought about her Milorian heritage, even though giving her a family might prove perilous in its own way, and added, “You’ll find a place where you belong.”
She remained so quiet, he thought she’d fallen asleep. But when he looked her way, she was staring into space, her lips pursed in thought. “I hope you’re right,” she whispered before lying down and pulling the covers up to her chin.
He stared into the fire long into the night, hoping he was right, too.
Chapter 5
Arden pulled her horse to a stop on top of the ridge and gasped. The port town of Boznac sprawled below, and beyond that, the sea stretched as far she could see.
Dev rode up alongside her. “I told you the sea was as vast and blue as your eyes.”
But he wasn’t looking at her when he spoke. Instead, he stared at the expanse with a wistful expression that stirred something deep inside her chest. During the whole journey to Boznac, she mourned leaving her homeland. Now, as she watched Dev, she realized how painful it must have been for him to leave Gravaria and stay with her all winter. “You’re ready to go home, aren’t you?”
He turned to her, the pale spring sun catching on his hair and making it glow like flames. “Yes,” he replied in a raw voice that told her much more than that simple word conveyed.
She bolstered her courage and forced a smile on her face. Perhaps the change of scenery would do her good, just as Dev had promised that night two weeks ago. “Then let’s not linger here any longer.”
Ortono came up to her other side, and she rode past the city walls flanked by two men she trusted. She hadn’t felt any traces of the foreign magic since the night of the earthquake, but Dev insisted she was still in danger. And judging by the commotion they created while riding through the city streets, she could see why he was still on edge. People stared at them warily, even though this was a port city that saw foreigners coming and going on a daily basis. But then, those people rarely left the docks, and they most certainly didn’t enter the city surrounded by members of the Royal Guard.
The smell of salt and rotting fish grew stronger as they approached the water. Arden wrinkled her nose. So far, Boznac wasn’t impressive. But when they came to the edge of the buildings, her breath caught at the site of the tall-masted ships lining the harbor. “They have to be as tall as the palace towers.”
“Way to show everyone you’re a complete bumpkin,” Loku taunted. “Close your mouth before you swallow a fly.”
She snapped her jaw shut. She didn’t care what people thought of her, but the last thing she wanted was to accidently inhale one
of the insects that swarmed around them.
Ortono moved to the head of the column and led them to a man waiting at the end of a long pier. A small rowboat bounced in the waves below, manned by two sailors at the oars. Arden looked down at them, and her stomach churned.
“We are happy to welcome you on board,” the captain said with a bow. Arden wondered if it was the hefty fares he received that made him so hospitable. The King must have paid a large sum to find a boat willing to take someone like her to Gravaria this early in the season.
“This is where I must bid you farewell, Lady Arden.” Ortono stepped back awkwardly as though he wanted to offer some sign of affection but couldn’t because of propriety.
Arden grinned and hugged him. Ever since she’d saved his life, he’d been one of her most outspoken defenders next to Kell. “I’m going to miss you, too. I wish you a safe journey home to your wife and boys.”
Dev descended the narrow rope ladder ahead of her and stood in the rowboat as if it was on solid ground rather than the rough sea. Unfortunately, she lacked his sense of balance and stumbled as soon as her feet left the bottom rung. The dark blue waves mocked her, the bottom hidden below their murky depths. Her heart pounded, and she grabbed the greyed wooden slat that served as her seat for dear life.
One of the sailors laughed at her. “First time on a boat, lass?”
She nodded, keeping her mouth closed for fear she lose the contents rolling around in her stomach. When Cinder jumped down into the boat, the increased rocking sent new waves of nausea through her gut.
Dev moved to rebalance the boat and sat next to her. “Close your eyes. If you can’t see the horizon, it makes the movement less obvious.”
But even with her eyes closed, she felt every pitch and sway of the tiny vessel. Every splash of cold water that came on board heightened her oldest fear. Sweat slicked her palms, making it harder to hold on to the boat.
Then something warm and solid moved close to her. “What’s wrong, Arden?” Dev asked.
“I can’t swim,” she whispered, afraid her confession would rouse another peal of laughter from the sailors.
“Ah, I see.” He wrapped his arms around her, sending a river of calming magic through her. “Relax. I have you.”
Her fingers uncurled from around the slat, and she leaned into the warm security of his embrace. His spell washed over her, driving away nausea, and the steady beat of his heart lulled her into a dreamlike state. As long as he held her, she was safe.
“Better now?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Of course,” Loku snickered. “Everything feels better in his arms, doesn’t it?”
She refused to allow Loku’s insinuations to ruin that moment. For the rest of the ride to the ship, she would enjoy the rare show of affection that Dev offered her.
It ended sooner than she would’ve liked, and once again, she found herself climbing a rope ladder that swung from even the slightest shift of her weight. She thought that once she felt the solid wooden planks of the deck beneath her feet, her fears would ebb. Instead, the large vessel seemed to magnify the movements of the waves. Vertigo played havoc with her balance, and she found herself leaning on Dev as they crossed the ship.
“Were you always this clumsy?” he asked.
“No.” She dared not say anything else for fear she’d either punch him or vomit on him. Either way, he deserved it for asking such an asinine question.
“I hope you get your sea legs soon. It’s bad enough I’ll have to keep you from falling overboard for the next few weeks.”
She eyed the water warily. “I’m not going to fall overboard.”
“I certainly hope not. As it is, I’ll have to add swimming lessons to your ever-growing list of things I have to teach you when we get to Gravaria.”
She rolled her eyes. Everything had to wait until they got to Gravaria. Meanwhile, she was crossing a broad sea and had no idea how to begin to keep her head above water if she fell off the ship.
The captain seemed to ignore her distress and marched to the stern, holding the door open for them. “This way to your cabin.”
Inside was a spacious room with large windows looking back at Boznac. Arden looked at it longingly, wishing she was back on the putrid streets. At least, she was in her homeland and not facing the prospect of drowning if the ship went down in a storm.
“The lady can sleep in here,” the captain continued, showing her a small room off to the side with nothing in it but a bed mounted to the walls.
Dev inspected it and nodded. “I assume I’ll be sleeping in the room next to it.”
The captain, so loquacious up to this point, cleared his throat. “Um, no, that room is already taken.”
Dev closed the space between him and the captain, making his five extra inches of height that much more apparent. “By whom?”
“By me,” a familiar voice said behind them.
Arden whirled around, her vertigo forgotten. “Kell!”
She only managed a couple of steps before he had her in his arms, his lips claiming hers. Her heart beat faster, but from something other than fear now. When the kiss ended, she stared at him, still unable to believe her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I wasn’t going to let you go that easily,” he replied with his charming grin.
A warm glow filled her chest, chasing away the gloom that had surrounded her since she left Trivinus.
“And does your father know you’re here?” Dev’s question was cold and mocking, as though he was disciplining a child rather than speaking to a prince. Cinder threw in a low growl for good measure, mirroring his master’s displeasure.
Kell continued to grin in his carefree way, but Arden noticed the joy faded from this eyes. “Naturally. After all, he was the one who chartered the ship for you.”
Dev scratched Cinder’s head, his hand grazing toward the ruff in case he needed to hold the wolf back. “Yes, but that still doesn’t explain your presence here.”
“I’m here as part of a diplomatic envoy to Gravaria. It’s time we healed the wounds between our nations.”
“I don’t believe you.” Dev’s eyes narrowed, and his petting became more aggravated, ending when Cinder nipped at him.
As much as she hated to admit it, she had to agree with Dev. Kell was devoted to his homeland. If he was leaving it, it had to be for something stronger than mere diplomacy.
“Hoping if he’s coming along because of his love for you, my little Soulbearer?”
Like always, the chaos god said what she was scared to admit.
Kell, however, didn’t falter under Dev’s unrelenting glare. “Believe what you will, but the fact remains that I’ll be accompanying you to Gravaria. As for the room, I suppose I could give it up if Arden agrees to share her room with me.”
Dev’s nostrils flared, but he said nothing. He didn’t need to. The power of his carefully contained anger sent a shiver down her spine.
“I like the accommodations the way they are,” she replied, pressing her hand against Kell’s chest and pushing him back. She explored the rest of the cabin, painfully aware of how the horizon rolled from side to side. “There appears to be a small bed here, Dev. Will this work for you?”
He tossed his things on the built in bench that was long enough to serve as a third bed. “It will. This way, I can keep an eye on who’s entering your room.”
“Feeling threatened, Dev?” Kell came behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder as though he was her blood.
She shrugged it off and picked up her pack. At the rate they were going, she’d probably spend the rest of the voyage keeping them from beating the crap out of each other.
“Not by you. There are more important things for me to protect Arden from—like magic.” Dev caught her gaze. The seriousness behind his green eyes made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. “Deadly magic.”
Chapter 6
The high priest of Nelos hurried through the underground corridors
, nearly drunk from giddiness. Not only had the Tribunal of the Gods called a new meeting to discuss the Soulbearer, but he was now armed with information from Nelos himself on how to destroy Loku before the cursed god landed in Gravaria and plunged it into panic and disorder. Once chaos was vanquished, he could help usher in a new era of law and order. There would be peace and prosperity, and the people would no longer have to fear Loku gaining control of his Soulbearer and unleashing havoc on their homeland.
He was the last one to enter the temple. The woman wearing the mask of Ivis glared at him from behind her glittering mask and slammed the doors behind him with a flick of her wrist. “At last, here’s Nelos.”
He ignored the sarcasm dripping from her voice. “The law never sleeps, and neither do its servants. I was preoccupied with my many duties.” Including a summons from my god.
She turned her attention from him and addressed the room. “We have received word that an attempt was made on the life of the Soulbearer in Ranello.”
The priest forced his body to remain still, grateful for the mask that concealed his face from the others. How did she know about the attack? Or worse, was this meeting called to thwart his efforts before he struck again?
Jussip peered down the blade of his ax as though he were inspecting it for any nicks that might dull its edge. “Not surprising, considering how much those backward Ranellians fear magic. I’m more surprised she’s lived this long.”
“The attack didn’t come from the hands of her people.” Ivis wove in a pause for pure theatrical purposes. “The attack itself was magical. Someone summoned an earthquake in Trivinus.”
Her accusing gaze lingered the longest on him. If she was expecting him to confess, she would be sorely disappointed. Nelos had granted him the power to make the earth buckle and sway under Ranello’s crown city, but he refused to brag about it. Not when he’d failed to complete his objective. The god of chaos still lived, trapped in the body of a witch who fell deeper and deeper under his control with each passing second.
A Soul For Chaos (The Soulbearer Trilogy) Page 4
