by J. L. Madore
The soft clop of cloven hooves followed us as we led them out of the barn and onto the walk. I skipped to Roch's side readying to mount.
"May I aide you?" Galan asked, his hands coming to rest on my hips. "Roch is slightly larger than your cat."
Ignoring the fact that I'd been able to mount a horse since I was twelve, I bent my knee for a leg up. "That's very thoughtful."
Galan mounted Celeb in one lithe spring and sank deep. The tension in Galan's brow eased, giving him the first look of semi-calm I'd seen in days. I bit my lip and took in the sight. In doeskin pants, no shirt and an open suede vest, it was hard to miss the flex and shift of Galan's muscles as he moved.
Mhmm. My new-found lust was responsible for overheating my body as much as the tropical climate. I shifted, suddenly very aware that the friction of fabric against my tacky skin was bringing me toward the edge of combustion. Gods, what I wouldn't give to be back in that waterfall pool with him naked against me.
I swallowed and shook my head. He was dealing with a lot and had been understandably moody and withdrawn since Lia was taken. I'd waited twenty-five years to feel sexual attraction, surely, I could rein in my hormones a while longer.
A soupy breeze stirred around us as the renier ambled beyond the boundaries of the village. Roch's wide body swayed like a ship at sea, plodding along the sandy path. Galan and I shared an easy silence, taking in the brilliance of the forest, the shrill cries of birds above and the pungent sweetness of blooms. When she thought I wasn't paying attention, Roch munched on a passing shrub. It soon became clear she was a problem nibbler when traveling at a slow pace.
"You'll get a belly ache if you eat too many." I pulled at my ropes, tugging her head out of an overgrown elderberry bush. "She seems to have a soft spot for berries."
Galan smiled, reaching over to pat Roch's neck. "I cannot blame you, wen, I suffer the same affliction."
"You don't eat the bush, do you?"
He chuckled. "No. I detest brambles in my teeth."
Laughing, I tied my hair back and untucked the blouse Tham loaned me from his mother's closet. Highborne linen was thinner than what Lexi and I wore and we were thankful for a change of clothes. Although Lexi was tiny and could fit into the size zeros or twos the Elven women wore, I needed something roomier in the curves. Even this blouse was straining across my chest. Unhooking the bottom fasteners, I tied the ends in a knot above my naval.
In my periphery, I noticed Galan's head tilt in my direction. Was he watching me? I might have imagined it. Stretching my hand forward, I stroked a woolly curl that hung down Roch's forelock and slid my glance sideways. Yes, he was watching me. A rush of heat raced across my skin. My damned red hair made it impossible to hide my blush so I urged Roch to a trot.
"How did you end up with a mount?" Galan chuckled when he caught up with me.
"He was a gift."
"Naith is Elvish. Did you name him?"
I hesitated, having a silent conversation with myself. His one eyebrow rose and I spoke in a rush. "A former patient of mine was a Dark Elf soldier. You met him a few days ago. Actually, you shot an arrow through his chest."
Galan's expression hardened. "Bloodvine? The one who escaped our battle?"
I nodded and swallowed hard past the lump in my throat. "I'm sorry. It was before he became Scourge. About four years ago he ran into some trouble and needed medical attention. He was denied care in a couple villages and when he arrived at Haven, he was in rough shape. As a sanctuary, Haven offers aid to anyone who asks."
Galan glared into the trees, the muscle in his jaw twitching.
"I, uh, I healed him, but his recovery was slow."
"Had you seen him since?"
"No, not until the clearing at Dragon's Peak." Reaching to a branch as we passed I twisted off a bloom and raised the orange flower to my nose. Again, I was faced with the repercussions of that split second decision. Had I killed him, would Lia be missing? Would Aust's father be dead?
"While he was recuperating, his mount bore a cub. He gave Naith to me as a parting gift."
"Naith is not fond of me . . . though I cannot blame him."
I chuckled, revisiting the image of Galan sprawled out in the clearing with Naith standing over him. "You need to avoid first impressions. You're more of an acquired taste."
He pegged me with a sinful look. "Have you acquired that taste, Blossom?"
I blushed again. "It's too soon to tell."
He adjusted his ropes as we crested a small hill and approached the forest. His gaze returned to mine. "Well, be sure to let me know if you hunger for more than just a taste."
When Caleb jolted into a canter, Roch and I matched their gait and crested the next rise, nose to nose. Galan glanced sideways, a hint of daring in his expression. "Azaa!" he cried, leaning forward over the horn of his saddle.
I laughed and pressed my heels into Roch's padded side. When I shifted forward, she lunged into a full-on gallop. We raced across the green hillside, the drumming of eight padded hooves thundering up from the earth, vibrating in my chest. I squeezed my knees, pushing Roch forward toward the wooden bridge which led over the river. The scent of summer wildflowers filled my senses while cool wind whistled in my ears and cooled my skin.
Roch and I hit the bridge an instant before Galan, and I cut in front of him, clattering across. He tugged his reins to the side and turned his beast to the open river bed. Celeb's nostrils flared. His soft, round ears laid back as he and Galan cleared the babbling waters. They landed sure-footed with a cathud on the opposite bank and tightened behind Roch's hindquarters. Galan attempted to pass, but the lack of space kept him right where he was. In. My. Dust.
Musical laughter echoed amongst the trees.
I set the pace through the narrow forest path. The protective umbrella above held the day's unrelenting heat at bay. Strobe-light patterns flashed over us where the sun penetrated the canopy. We wove and dipped along the trail, under low branches and over fallen debris.
Roch huffed and snorted, invigorated by our pace. I knew how he felt. It had been too long since I'd ridden full-out. The wind pulled at my hair and ignited my senses. My blood fired, lit by Roch's thundering power beneath me.
Galan's expression spoke volumes, enthralled among the blur of green and brown. The golden light of afternoon filtered through the trees ahead. Roch broke free of the woods and continued along the western crest of the mountain.
The turquoise sky swirled, entwined with the amber glow of the sun. Galan leaned back, hauling on his ropes. Both renier braced their stride, slowing to a stop. We stared out at what was probably the most perfect scenery on Earth, landscape painted by a master's brush.
"Behold, the Western Summit." Galan swept his hand toward the mountain range beyond.
"It's breathtaking."
"I agree," Galan murmured. "Utterly breathtaking."
Our eyes met. Galan wasn't admiring the skyline. I half expected him to look away once I'd caught him staring. He didn't. The hunger in his gaze radiated sex and my body knew it. Warmth flushed through me and I fought to look away. I could almost feel him kissing the insides of my thighs, nipping and caressing me in places no man had ever touched.
Roch waggled her head from side to side, stomping her hoof into the soft ground. As her adrenaline settled, her muscles pinched and twitched. I sighed, thankful for the distraction. "Uh, the animals will need a drink after that run."
Galan chuckled, reining away from the edge. "Over here."
Roch and I followed down the slope to where the water snaked its way across our path. I bit my lip as Galan dismounted. His hair had come loose and swung free as he strode to my side. When his hands reached for me, I kicked my leg over Roch's rump and let him ease me down against his front. At first his hands gripped my hips. In the course of setting me onto the ground my shirt rucked up and they found their way to the skin of my waist.
That inexplicable electrical current snapped between us again. The jolting affect o
f his skin touching mine raised the hair on the nape of my neck. As quickly as the frenzy invaded, it ceased when Galan pulled his hands away.
I turned so we stood face to face. We were close enough for the warmth of his breath to tickle my neck. Close enough for him to dip his head and claim my mouth . . . or for me to step up on my toes and claim his. My arms reached around his neck with every intention of kissing him senseless.
"Jade—" He shook his head and backed away.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong. I simply remember your passion from the grotto. For today, I have too much on my mind to try to be sensible for the both of us."
What? "Do you honestly think I don't know that? That I can't control myself? I'm not some hormonal seductress who'd force myself on you against your will."
He scrubbed his fingers through his hair leaving it tussled. "Of course not. And though I would be bodily willing, it would be a mistake to allow you to—"
"Allow me to what? You arrogant bastard." I threw up my hands and stepped away. Marching to the water's edge, I glared at a group of black birds holding their wings out to dry in the sun. "You're right bringing you out here was a mistake."
Strong fingers on my shoulder had me turning. Though he was still glaring, he had the decency to look abashed. "Apologies. I should have chosen my words more carefully. I never meant to hurt you."
"I'm not hurt, Galan. I'm pissed off. I was only going to kiss you." I let out my breath in a deep sigh. "Look, on the quest I was never sure if you wanted to kiss me or kill me, but I thought we were beyond that."
"We were . . . we are. Things are different now."
"Why?" I lifted my chin and poked my finger at his chest. "Is this really about Lia or did you get back to your village and realize I didn't fit the mold? I'm not some Elven Barbie doll. I'm not skinny or blonde or elegant. I'm a size 10, warrior's daughter. I argue, curse and am—"
"—nonsensical, trying and infuriatingly daft—" Galan's fingers clamped around my arms. "I adore the ways you differ from other females. We are simply not a good fit as a coupling."
"Says who?" I struggled against his hold. When it only proved to rattle my own teeth, I stilled. "We could be magical."
His expression and his grip softened as his mouth twitched up in a weak smile. "Or we could be a cataclysmic event of momentous proportions."
"That's a possibility too." I exhaled. "I thought Tham said you were good with women."
"Elven females," he said.
"Not so much with the humans, eh?"
"Obviously not." He smoothed the frown line from my brow and sighed. "I am sorry I vexed you. However, in all honesty, I did warn you of my mood."
I nodded. "You did at that."
Galan managed a weak smile and led the animals, knee deep into the sparkling water while I headed to the shelter of a massive cashew tree near the bank. Once he tied our sweaty beasts of burden he sprang up the slope to join me. After wiping his forearm across his brow, he cleared his throat and picked at the grass. "You ride well."
"For a girl?"
"No." He fought his smile. "I shall never underestimate you due to gender again."
"See. I told Lexi you could be trained." I knocked my shoulder against his and laughed. "Are you surprised I can ride?"
"Mayhap a little, yet you constantly challenge my understanding. It is enormously difficult, not to mention frustrating, to unravel the mystery of what is Jade Glaster."
"Maybe you should stop trying."
"Where is the rise in that?" Galan untied his boots and stripped off his vest. Scooping up a handful of pebbles, he waded into the creek and tossed them one-by-one. The slow current of the water broke around his knees sending ripples downstream. After a while his fist tightened, and he threw the pebbles. Stone projectiles ricocheted off trees down the river.
"I want her back!" He yelled. "Gods, forgive me, I should never have left her."
When he'd worn himself out I waved him back to the bank and led him into my shady spot under the cashew tree. "We'll find her."
Settling onto my side, I pulled him down so we were face to face. His body was rigid, his muscles tense. With the back of my fingers I drew my hand slowly down his cheek and neck. His tension eased a little.
"Galan, I know what it feels like to have someone you love stolen by the Scourge, to ask why the soldiers walked through a village full of people and pointed their claws at your family, to suffocate with guilt because you are the one left standing.
His eyes closed. "Does it get easier?"
"Yes . . . and no. The anger fades, but the injustice of it, of why my parents were killed, why I was the one to survive. No. That knot tightens in my gut and worsens every summer solstice. I have the right to avenge them, but I want answers and may never find them." I flopped onto my back. Lifting his hand, I watched how perfectly our fingers meshed together. "You still have a chance to get her back."
"What if you are mistaken?" he whispered.
"I'm not." I nuzzled closer and laid my head on his shoulder. "Reign has made locating her the Talon's first priority. It's just a big world out there. They could be anywhere."
Galan bit his lip and sighed.
"Hey, tell me about her . . . something happy."
He kissed the top of my head and drew a deep breath. "Near a decade past, Lia set herself on the task to find my perfect mate." He chuckled and his chest jiggled against me.
"I cannot count the times she and I looked up at the stars as she listed the available love interests in our village. With such a small community, the prospects do not change. She created new criteria to be weighed and measured. She pointed out which characteristics would be a logical match and which would simply prove to annoy me over time. In the end, she would sigh and say, 'No brother mine, she is not the right one for forever.'"
A warm wind stirred the leaves above us, lifting our hair so it tickled my face. Birds spanning every color of the spectrum, bounced between branches above, chirping and plucking at blossoms as they swayed.
"Lia is charisma, happiness and sunshine combined in one incredibly beautiful package. From the day of her birth she was the centre of my world. My universe created a new star and I was drawn into her orbit. Back then, my father was a compassionate man. He and my mother had been perfectly suited and blissfully happy for two centuries.
"Was it the loss of your mother that changed him?"
He nodded. "When he lost her during Lia's birthing, his soul shattered. My sister reminds him of all he believes she cost him. He cannot understand how I demean myself to raise her. He told me if I took on the task he would never offer me aid. True to his word, he never did."
"So, you and Lia were alone in the world?"
"My eda kept up pretenses of being a supportive patriarch, though behind closed doors he was lost to us. No matter. Lia and I fared well on our own while our father focused on community matters and working with the Elders Council. When Tham's parents died, he was alone as well and joined our duo.
"Tham lost his parents too?"
Galan nodded. "He was reared by the naneth of his naneth, but while he was young she too slipped Behind the Veil."
I was envisioning Tham losing his parents and then his grandmother when Galan's touch brushed my chin. A gentle finger lifted my mouth and he touched his lips to mine. My body burst to life, heart thrumming, skin tingling with heat. It was the taste of him, the scent of clean sweat and wildflowers, the warmth of his arms encircling me. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" His eyes sparkled, church-glass blue.
"One touch and I'm completely unraveled."
He chuckled, stroking my jaw with his lips. "I rather like you unraveled."
I moaned as Galan rolled over me and pressed me into the long, thick grass. Morning flowed effortlessly into midday and midday into afternoon. Under the shade of the tree we looked up at the sky as it peeked through leaves and covered every topic imaginable: friends, memories, dreams, loves, r
egrets.
When we returned to the village and stabled the renier it seemed a lifetime had passed.
Galan caressed my hand like I was made of the most delicate porcelain. "Gratitude, Jade. For letting me speak and laugh and breathe for a few hours without feeling lost or angry."
The sun continued toward the western skyline, the orange ball of fire just visible between two distant violet peaks. The purple and tangerine sky gradually transformed into a mauve grey. It would be dusk within the hour.
"The portal mirror should be ready by morning. We'll find out about your sister."
Galan nodded. "I would like to pack a bag before we go. If we went directly, my father should be with the Elder's Council. We would have the place to ourselves."
"Well then, lead the way, Highborne."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Galan's bedroom reflected every nuance of the man: elegance, strength, an almost OCD sense of order and the best part . . . it smelled like him. A floor to ceiling, built-in ran along the long back wall. To the right, an ornate stone hearth was flanked by two arched doors. To the left, a window, covered with finely woven drapes, looked onto the forest behind the house. In the distance, raised to overlook the village, I could make out the ivory pillars of the ancient ruin site.
Fascinating how, in eight thousand years, the Highbornes had developed along much the same path as the rest of the realm. In the centre of the room stood a canopy bed draped with more of the gold sheers and a decadently thick pallet. The headboard was planed and inlaid with a carved depiction of a deer drinking from the riverbed. I sank into the fur bedcover and scrunched my fingers deep into the pelt.
"Who carved this?" I asked. "The craftsmanship is amazing."
"Iadon's cousin, Maryssa. Where he is gifted as a leather-worker and tailor, she is an inspired sculptress. Anything she sees in nature can be reproduced with perfect accuracy. When my father was in a mood, I would lay Lia in her basket and spend time in Maryssa's workshop." Looking sheepish he glided across the room. "Sculpting is a secret indulgence of mine."
