Dev took the paper. “I will.”
The candlelight accentuated the dark circles under his father’s eyes. “I think I’m going to take a little nap, gentlemen. We have another long day ahead of us.”
The Mage Secundus rose and left the room with silent steps while the Mage Primus stretched out on the sofa.
Dev opened the seal and read the single line from Varrik di Miloria. I want to meet the Soulbearer.
Dev crumpled it up and threw it into the fire. All Varrik needed to do was take a look at her, and he’d know she was his child. The necklace would only confirm it. The question was, how would Arden react? Would she attack him with the same hatred she’d carried with her for years? Or would she give the man a chance to tell his side of the story?
“I’m sorry, Dev,” Arano said with his eyes closed. “I tried to intervene, but I think he knows.”
“The timing couldn’t be worse.”
“On the contrary, I think the timing could be perfect.” Arano yawned. “If the Milorian clan knows she’s one of theirs, they’ll protect her, too.”
“Or kill her for the taint of her mother’s blood.”
Arano chuckled. “You underestimate Varrik. Haven’t I always told you, ‘beware the quiet ones’?”
Dev stared as the flames consumed the last traces of the letter, torn between his options. Right now, they needed every ally they could get. He just prayed Arden would understand.
***
Arden awoke to a nose full of fur. She bolted up in bed, her heart pounding over her missing protector. “Dev?”
He rushed into the room dressed in clothes that were a few inches too short and closely cropped hair that made his pointed ears appear larger than before. “What’s wrong?”
She giggled. “Please say you’re not going to be dressed that way for long.”
He scowled and crossed his arms. “I fully intend to change once we get to Queembra.”
“Queembra?” She crawled out of bed, fully aware of her own soot-covered dress.
He nodded. “The Empress demands to see you immediately. We’re leaving within an hour.”
She smoothed sweaty palms over her skirt. “I’d prefer to have a day of rest after yesterday.” Not to mention a change of clothes so I don’t look like some urchin riding into the palace.
“I think you look rather darling as a blackened urchin,” Loku said.
“I have a good feeling the Empress would disagree with you.”
Dev stepped out of the room and reappeared a moment later with a clean dress. “Here—try this on. It might do for now.”
It was one of those Gravaria dresses that had no sleeves and was designed to wrap around her breasts and fall to the floor. The slit running along the side revealed her legs as she walked, forcing her to shrink her stride. But at least it was an improvement over the outfit she wore the last time she was at the palace. She stepped out of the room and modeled it for Dev. “Is this suitable?”
Dev stared at her, his lips parted. “For now.”
She came up to him and ran her fingers through his short hair. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to this.”
She accidentally grazed the tip of his ear, and he sucked in a sharp breath. His pupils grew larger.
His reaction intrigued her. “Did I hurt you?”
He shook his head, but when she tried to repeat the action, he caught her hand and pulled it away. “You should never touch an elf’s ears without permission.”
“Why?”
“Because.” He ran his finger along the side of her ear with agonizing slowness, starting at her lobe and moving up.
Something stirred inside her from his touch, forming in the deepest pit of her stomach and vibrating outwards. It was an intense pleasure that bordered on pain and took her breath away. By the time he reached the scars, she could no longer contain her whimper.
“Feels as good as sex, right?” Loku asked.
Now it was her turn to catch his hand and pull it away. If he continued, she’d drag him to bed with her and rip off those ill-fitting clothes.
“See what I mean?” he asked, his voice raw with an unspoken emotion.
She nodded, not trusting her tongue. Part of her wanted him to continue, hoping this subtle foreplay would lead to something more.
“Why don’t you kiss him and find out?”
“I can’t, Loku.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m scared.” Scared of being rejected again. Scared of ruining the precarious balance they had in their relationship. Scared of pushing him too far and having him abandon her. Scared of having her heart broken again when it had taken so long to heal.
She released his hands and turned away, not wanting to give him a glimpse into her thoughts. “I suppose we shouldn’t keep the Empress waiting.”
“I suppose you’re right.” A hint of regret seemed to edge his words. “The Empress is used to getting her way.”
“And don’t forget about your lovingly devoted prince, my little Soulbearer. I’m sure he’s dying to see you again and hear your answer to his proposal.”
Arden’s stomach twisted so tightly, she felt ill. “I’d almost forgotten about Kell.”
“I doubt he’s forgotten about you. So, what are you going to tell him? You want to let him down easy, after all.”
“When did my life become so complicated?”
Loku laughed. “Once you learn to embrace the chaos, it doesn’t seem so complicated. Just go with your heart.”
Her heart told her with every beat that she had to end things with Kell. She started forming a list of excuses why she couldn’t marry him. Her humble beginnings. Her lack of “blood” that would claim her. Her magic.
“You’re leaving out the part where you’re in love with another man.”
“And let’s not forget about the incessant ramblings of a disembodied chaos god. I think that was the deal-breaker for him.”
“You keep telling Dev you want him to be honest with you, but you can’t bring yourself to be honest with Kell. Talk about being a hypocrite.”
Arden’s cheeks burned. She was hiding the truth from Kell because she didn’t want to hurt him—the same excuse Dev had given her for keeping his secrets. She glanced over her shoulder at her protector riding behind her. Perhaps I judged him too harshly.
They were passing through the golden gates of the palace before she knew it, and her stomach tightened. She still didn’t know what she was going to tell Kell other than she couldn’t marry him. Too bad he’d want to know why.
Her feet had barely touched the ground before Kell had her in his arms. “Arden, I’ve missed you so much.”
He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head so his lips fell on her cheek. She was all too familiar with the power of his kisses, and she couldn’t afford the temptation now.
He pulled back, his brows drawn together. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” she lied. “I’m just weary from the ride and probably smell like sweaty horses.”
The corners of his normally sensuous mouth pointed down in a frown. He released her and took a step back, his gaze flickering between her and Dev. “I’ll see you later tonight then.”
Her pulse quickened. Does he already know that I’ve chosen Dev over him?
Kell turned on his heel and disappeared back into the palace without giving her another look.
Arden stood locked to the ground. Their relationship had been slowly deteriorating since the night of the whirlwind, and Kell’s dismissal tonight shook her very core. She’d wanted to be able to part as friends, but now she doubted that was even possible.
“Remember, he’s never had a woman turn him down before you. His pride is probably stinging.”
“Perhaps, Loku, but am I being naïve to think we can still be friends?”
“Who knows? Love and sex always complicate matters.”
Dev nudged her arm. “We should get you ready for the Empress.”
Arden stared at the door Kell had passed through a moment longer, her heart torn. Finally, she nodded. “I hope there’ll be something suitable to wear this time.”
His mouth twitched. “Are you saying you don’t like our Gravarian fashions?”
“Absolutely.”
“That’s a pity. They seem to suit you.”
She looked for any evidence of teasing from him as they crossed the grounds to her quarters, but saw none.
“What he’s saying is that he likes seeing you half-naked.”
“Dev doesn’t have thoughts like that.”
“Oh no? Have you forgotten the way he kissed you that night? I think he would’ve had you completely naked if you’d let him continue.”
“He was drunk.”
Loku laughed. “Actually, he was under a spell. I thought if I could get you to let go of your fears and actually show him how you felt, he’d respond appropriately. I never thought he’d be the one affected by the spell.”
She stopped. “Are you saying you were trying to get me drunk that night?”
“More like lower your inhibitions. Instead, it was Dev’s I lowered, and let me tell you, the results were far more entertaining than I could’ve ever dreamed of.”
If Loku had a body, she would have decked him. Instead, the best she could do was contain him, but with some law-loving psycho trying to kill her, he knew she wouldn’t risk losing him as a warning system. “One of these days, I swear I’m going to put you in your place.”
He laughed even louder, the sound vibrating through her body. “I’m a god, remember?”
“Yes, but I’m your Soulbearer, and I can make things miserable for you.”
Dev took her hand, pulling her away from her inner conversation. “Is he bothering you again?”
“What else is new?”
“Care to tell me what he’s saying?”
She hesitated, wondering if she should bring up the events of that night. They hadn’t spoken about it since the morning after. It became one of those subjects they’d silently agreed not to touch again. But she wanted to bring it up again, one day, when she developed the confidence to take the next step and find out how he kissed when he wasn’t under Loku’s spell.
“He’s just informing me of some past mischief he’d done. I never knew he could cast magic without me knowing.”
“Did he do it without taking control of your body?” She nodded, and Dev pressed his lips together. “As soon as we find the person behind the attacks, we need to contain him. He’s grown too bold.”
“Or perhaps too powerful for his liking,” Loku whispered.
Doubt frayed the edges of her thoughts, making her wonder if they were both right.
A blanket of warm magic wrapped around her the moment she stepped into her quarters. Although it didn’t raise her alarm like the magic of the attacks, there was still something strange and unnerving about it. She turned to Dev. “Did you feel that?”
He nodded, his hand already on his sword.
“Relax, both of you,” Loku said as though he was wrinkling his nose. “This reeks of Ivis.”
“Who’s Ivis?” she asked out loud, curious to see who would answer her question first.
Dev’s brows drew together. “She’s the goddess you call the Lady Moon. Why do you ask?”
“Because Loku said the magic here bears her mark.”
He relaxed and let his sword sink back into its scabbard. “Then we have little to fear. Perhaps she decided to intervene and give you some added protection.”
“You pray to her enough.” Jealousy laced Loku’s words. “You could consider praying to me. I can protect you, too.”
“But at what cost? With another spell to lower my inhibitions?”
“You might like the results, my little Soulbearer.”
Not likely. She went into her room where a steaming bath and clean clothes lay waiting for her. She picked up the dress from the bed and admired how the iridescent blue fabric shimmered in the candlelight. The cap sleeves and full bodice offered her some modesty while the lightweight material would keep her cool on the humid evening. All in all, a perfect blend of Ranellian and Gravarian fashions.
“Now this is a dress.”
Chapter 27
For the first time in weeks, Dev didn’t feel on edge. Whatever magic the Empress had managed to conjure up to help protect Arden was warm and soothing, just like the goddess whose signature it bore. When he added in Arden’s cool reception of Kell, he could honestly say that two of his biggest fears were alleviated—at least for now.
Of course, there was still the new problem of Loku casting magic through Arden without her knowledge. He’d have to let the Mage Primus know about that so they could figure out the best way to keep it from happening again.
“Ready?” she asked from the doorway of her bedroom.
He turned around and forgot how to speak. Unlike the last time they were here, she entered the room with confidence radiating from her. The dress accentuated her modest curves and made her blue eyes sparkle. She had finally come into her own, and he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman she’d become.
She beamed at him. “I take it you like the dress.”
He nodded. Like was an understatement.
“Then let’s not keep the Empress waiting.” She looped her arm through his. “Lead the way.”
They were halfway to the palace before he trusted his tongue. “You seem eager to meet with her this time.”
“Well, for starters, I’m not half naked.” She paused and then added, “And I think she won’t stoop to trying what she did last time. I hope we’ve reached a mutual understanding.”
“I don’t think she’s forgotten your defiance last time, which is why she asked us to join her in her private quarters.” And perhaps she’d explain the new protective spells around Arden’s quarters since they’d be behind closed doors.
The same soothing ripple of magic enveloped him as they entered the palace. Arden’s sharp intake of breath told him she felt it, too. The Empress must have employed every priestess of Ivis to cast such a spell on the two buildings. But it was an improvement over the metallic bite of the law he’d experienced with the attacks.
A guard showed them to the Empress’s office, where Marist sat talking with his father. The Lord Chamberlain was notably absent. Dev waited until the doors closed to ask, “I’m surprised your uncle didn’t join us, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“He’s quite upset to miss this meeting, but this is none of his business.”
He bowed to the Empress and— much to his relief—Arden curtsied respectfully. Dev led her to the empty chair by his father. “We came as soon as we safely could.”
She drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. “Tell me exactly what happened yesterday.”
“It was as I wrote in my letter to you, Empress Marist,” his father replied. “The protective barriers of the Conclave were compromised, and someone set fire to the Soulbearer’s room.”
Arden frowned. “That’s not exactly what happened.”
The Empress quirked a brow. “Then tell me what you experienced.”
“I can’t tell you if the barriers of the Conclave were compromised or not, but I remember feeling the same shock-like sensation I felt before the other attacks. Then the fireballs exploded into the room.”
“Did you notice the same thing, Sir Devarius?” When he nodded, she followed up by asking, “And you didn’t act upon it?”
Guilt forced him to clear his throat. “I was distracted at the time.”
“By what?”
“By me,” Arden answered. “We were having an argument at the time, and he couldn’t tell if the changes were coming from me or if they were signaling an imminent attack.”
He expected the Empress to scold him, to berate him for forgetting his duty. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Arden. “Yes, we’ve all seen what happens when your temper gets the better of you.”
Arden shrugged, no
t appearing to be the least bit intimidated by the Empress. He didn’t know if he should admire her or be on the lookout for more trouble.
“I’ve placed some extra protective measures around the complex that should protect you until the Conclave’s barriers can be reinforced,” the Empress continued. “You are to stay either in your quarters or this building until it is safe to relocate you to the Conclave. Are we clear?”
Arden nodded, but her lack of a smile showed she wasn’t happy with the plan.
Dev, on the other hand, felt a huge weight lift off of his shoulders. Limiting Arden’s movements meant she’d be less exposed and less likely to become a target.
The Empress then turned to Arano. “How long do you think it will take to add more protective spells, Mage Primus?”
“A few days, perhaps up to a week. I want to make sure I repair the weakness so something like this will not happen again.”
Marist nodded in approval. “And I expect a full investigation in to the Mage Sextus’s death.”
His father grimaced. “We are working on it. The only thing we can deduce so far is that she might have unknowingly played a part in the attack.”
“Are you telling me I can’t trust members of the Mage’s Council?”
“I said unknowingly, Empress Marist. Raggia may have had her faults, but she was loyal to both the Empire and the Mage’s Council.”
The Empress turned back to Arden. “Are you still wearing the charm he gave you?”
Arden held up her wrist to show the silver charm dangling from the leather cord. “I’ve never taken it off.”
“Mage Primus, is it still working?”
Arano held his hand under the charm and murmured a few words. The silver metal glowed with a bright blue light. “The spell remains as strong as the day I cast it. There’s no way someone can use magic to track her.”
“So it means the attacker knew exactly where she was when he cast the fire spell.” The Empress flicked her skirt to the side, exposing her legs. “He would have watched her return to her room.”
“And the last person she spoke to was Raggia.” Dev curled his fingers into his palm, annoyed that he hadn’t seen the pattern sooner. “He must have encouraged Raggia to convince Arden to return to her room and then disposed of her.”
A Soul For Chaos (The Soulbearer Trilogy) Page 24
