by Tenaya Jayne
He shook his head. “I know, deep down, there is no hope. I have no rank or fortune. She’s a princess and I have nothing... ”
“I think I should tell you a little about myself and my profession, X. Personally, if you had some great rank and title, I would be more hesitant about you. Tesla comes from royal blood, but there is no throne waiting for her. She’s free to live her life as she pleases.”
Forest explained some of her personal history, her job as Hailemarris, and how she worked to destroy the class systems and erase the racial lines in Regia. His disposition brightened the longer she talked.
“It’s time for me to play hostess, now. I’ve enjoyed our conversation, X.”
“Thank you for telling me all that. I understand your culture much better than I did before. But I’m nervous about this party. How am I to behave?” he asked.
“This will be just family and close friends. Most of them are very laid back. It will be a casual event. Just food, conversation, and whishing Tesla a happy birthday. Gifts will be given, but I wouldn’t worry about—“
“I have a gift for her.”
“Okay. You’ll be fine.” She turned to leave the room, then stopped and looked back at him. “What kind of fighting skills do you have?”
He shrugged. “I can hold my own in a fist fight. I’m a decent shot throwing knives or hatchets.”
“Weapon of choice?”
“A bow and arrow.”
She smiled approvingly. “Nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve come across an archer.”
“Why do you ask?”
A mischievous light flashed in her eyes. “There will be a sparring element to this party. You can join in or sit out as you like. But the one thing Tesla asked for her birthday was combat training. Just warning you, it could get a little wild.”
“Wow! What if someone gets hurt?”
“Syrus is a great healer. No worries there. That being said, I wouldn’t consider it wise to go hand to hand with Netriet. She has a robotic arm that could tear your head off.”
She laughed at the expression on his face and left the room.
Chapter Ten
X watched from the living room window as the evening sky erupted in deep jeweled colors that undulated across the horizon. His nerves grew as people began to arrive at the party. All was quiet, and then the next moment, the garden was full of people. His eyes fell onto every male, scrutinizing them, wondering when he might see another guy in line for Tesla’s attention and affection. She came up beside him and looked out, too.
“What do you think?” she asked quietly.
“I’m not sure what I think.”
She pointed out a tall, slender man with long golden hair and red eyes. “That’s my grandfather, Rahaxeris. Tread lightly. And there is my other grandfather, Zeren. He used to be the king, before my parents decided to reject their thrones and turn the world on its head. He’s easy; you don’t need to worry about him. He likes everyone.”
“That must be Netriet,” X said, pointing at her.
“How did you know?”
“Your mom warned me not to spar with her because of her arm.”
“Ah, yes. Sound advice. And that’s Merick with her. They both are cool. I love hanging out with them. They have this awesome little house on a cliff overlooking the sea… Oh! Shreve and Sabra just showed up and they brought baby Sophie.”
He chuckled at her. “Like babies?”
“Yes! But it makes me so sad I can’t hold them. I can give Sophie a kiss though.”
He pulled his gloves off and held his hands up toward her. “Do you think you could hold the baby if I help you with that?”
She grabbed his hands. A strong surge went through both of them. Inside their hands, his power reached deep and twisted around hers until the blue and red mixed purple. He pulled her closer and rested his forehead against hers. Her breathing turned hard, and she looked on the verge of tears. Her expression was a gorgeous mix of pain and pleasure.
“It’s so strong, X.”
“Yes.” He was breathless, too.
“Kiss me again.”
He smiled. “I can’t. Holding hands is all we’re allowed remember?”
“Screw that.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Such language. You should mind your tongue.”
“Why don’t you get a little closer and mind it for me?”
“Oh my gosh. Look at you, bad girl.”
Tesla threw her head back and laughed. The next moment her eyes flashed dark. “Please?”
He abruptly let go of her hands and stepped back from her. “Later…And I’m going to make you regret asking for it.”
“Regret… Ruin... Passion... Pain... Torture... Pleasure... Denial... Rage...” She said each word very slowly, holding his gaze, never once blushing.
He swallowed, feeling like he was drowning in fire. “How do you do that? Why?”
She seemed to shake off the desire in her eyes, and the burning energy between them faded back. Laughter and music drifted in from outside. “Are you ready to go meet everyone?” she asked.
He slid his gloves back on and took a deep breath. “Yes, murderess.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“Because you’re going to be the death of me.”
She frowned. “Hmm…I understand. I’ll try harder to not treat you like this, but its pull is so seductive…And you’re wrong. I will bring you life.”
“Sure,” he said disbelievingly. “Then, whatever that means, your father will kill me. Either way, I feel sure I’m going to end up dead.”
A flash of lightning surged angrily over her hands. “I won’t hurt you, and I won’t let anyone else hurt you either.”
His eyes only reflected sorrow and mistrust. She absorbed the pain his distrust caused in her.
“Are you retreating from me, X? Have your feelings reversed?” She looked as though she was about to cry.
“No.” His voice was passionate.
He reached out and took her in his arms. She held herself rigid for a moment, then she exhaled. He felt her surrender. She put her head on his shoulder and he rested his head against hers.
“I don’t think we’re communicating very well,” he said gently.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I want reassurance. I’m insecure. I behave badly because of it. I’m too wild.”
“Insecure how? Reassurance of what?”
“Reassurance of you. That you really feel something for me.”
“I followed you blindly to another world. What more do you want?”
She laughed lightly. “You’re right. Sorry.”
“Do you feel better now? I think it’s time for you to join your party.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes.” She pulled away from him. “Are you ready?”
He shrugged. “I guess so.”
They stepped out the front door, and all eyes fell on them. She seemed to swell up with excitement.
“Thank you all for coming to my birthday party!” she said loudly.
Everyone gasped. For a second X was confused at their response, then he remembered none of them had ever heard her speak aloud. She pulled him into the crowd now surging around her. Everyone bombarded her with the same question. How was it possible she could talk?
She explained vaguely and introduced him to everyone in turn as they came to hug her and wish her a happy birthday. He felt like he was walking through a strange dream. There really weren’t that many people but it seemed like an ocean of eyes on him. All surprised and suspicious at his presence.
Tesla was as good as her word and didn’t leave his side.
Forest stood off to the side with Netriet, Journey, and Sabra, looking on at Tesla sitting beside X, their heads were close together, seemingly oblivious to the world.
Netriet poked Forest in the side. “So, our little Tesla has a boyfriend. That’s very interesting.”
“They’re so cute together,” Sabra added, bouncing baby Sop
hie on her hip.
“He’s fine,” Journey said boldly. They all looked at her and laughed. “What? You don’t think so?”
“No, I agree,” Netriet said. “I’d be all over that, if I was Tesla.”
“Oh, stop it,” Forest complained lightly.
“Is this really getting under your skin?” Sabra asked.
Forest took a sip of her beer. “Not that much actually. He’s been here a few hours and he’s already growing on me. Now, Syrus on the other hand…”
Across the garden, Syrus stood scowling with Shreve, Merick, and Redge.
“She’s just so young,” Syrus complained. “He’s sitting too close to her.”
“How can he even survive here?” Redge asked.
“He was cursed by a witch,” Syrus said distastefully, as though X had some communicable disease.
“Did you see that?” Merick said urgently. “He just put his hand on her knee under the table!”
“Oh, hell no,” Shreve piped up angrily. “Let’s go show that punk his place.”
Syrus and Shreve stormed toward where Tesla and X sat.
Redge chuckled and moved closer to Merick, holding up his beer in a casual toast. “You really like starting shit, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Merick said dryly. “Yes, I do.”
“Did you really see him put his hand on her knee?”
“Nope.”
Redge chuckled a little harder. “You’re a sucker.”
Merick shrugged, looking at the disruption he’d created. “Oh, shoot. The women have swooped in and come to lover boy’s rescue.”
“It’s probably a good thing. His life was just about over…In all seriousness, I don’t envy Syrus one bit right now,” Redge said. “To have a daughter that beautiful and he’s got to cope with the fact that she grew up so damn fast. Gotta be tough.”
“Yeah. It’s still fun to mess with him.”
“I’ll remember that when your turn comes around.”
“What do you mean?” Merick demanded, narrowing his eyes.
“Come on. Our women talk. Netriet’s gone clucky. I know she wants a baby.”
Merick scowled and gave a little grunt in the back of his throat. “Yeah, she’s after me all the time. Turned into a freakin’ nymphomaniac.”
“Oh, poor you,” Redge said sarcastically. “Journey and I can’t even have children. I know it makes her sad. At least it’s possible for you.”
The music playing in the background abruptly grew louder and changed to a higher tempo. Everyone looked over to where the speakers were connected to Forest’s iPhone.
“Dad, really?” Forest said to Rahaxeris as he set the phone down.
“What? You don’t like Caribou Lou? Is this a party or not?”
“All right, should we give gifts now?” Forest asked everyone.
“I think so!” Tesla said loudly, making everyone laugh.
She began opening her presents. Everyone gave her weapons, except Rahaxeris. His gift to her was a large, leather-bound book. The Book of Worlds was embossed in gold on the spine. When she opened it, the pages were all empty. She looked quizzically at her grandfather.
“I have a Book of Worlds, but I didn’t know, until recently, how limited it was. It’s for you to fill. More of a traveler’s journal than anything else…I hope you’ll let me read it one day.”
A deep flush of emotion filled her eyes, and she nodded. “Of course. Thank you.”
After she had opened everything, Syrus came forward and set a wrapped box in front of her. “From your mother and me.”
She tore it open, lifted the lid, and gasped. “Oh…wow!” She turned to X, sitting beside her. “Look.”
Inside the box were two butterfly swords made of black glass, filled with red lightning. Smaller versions of Forest’s sword. The only difference besides size, was these blades had no handles, just bare glass tangs.
“We weren’t sure what you would want for hilts, so we left them for you to choose,” Forest said.
She got up and embraced both of her parents. “Thank you so much! I love them! Now you’ll have to train me, Dad.”
“That was my plan.”
“So.” Forest put her hands together. “Who’s ready for a little friendly tournament?”
X stepped back as all the tables were moved to the sides and decided to just watch, fascinated that this was their idea of fun, and anxious to see who in the group would be the victor. The baby was handed off to Zeren as Sabra and Netriet went first. The ex-king walked over and stood beside X. The baby flailed her little fists in the air and squawked.
“You look a little discombobulated,” Zeren said amusedly.
“Yes sir,” X responded. He winced as Sabra landed a right hook to Netriet’s jaw. “Sheesh! They’re so vicious. Women in my culture don’t fight.”
“Really? That’s very odd.”
“I never thought about it, but I guess you’re right. Forest warned me to avoid fighting with Netriet. Not that I would have anyway.”
“Sabra has no fear of anything or anyone. Ohh! See that? You know that’s got to hurt.”
Netriet punched Sabra in the stomach with her black arm. She doubled over. X could feel his eyes bug as Sabra’s hands elongated and turned monstrous. Netriet moved again, but Sabra caught her robotic arm in those hideous claws and twisted it around behind her, kicking the back of her knee at the same time. Netriet went down. A whistle sounded, and Sabra let go.
Netriet got to her feet, huffing and rolling her eyes. “How did you beat me?”
Sabra laughed. “You’ve been drinking too much. You’re slower than usual.”
She gave Sabra an affectionate little shove. “Whatever, bitch. I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
“So, they fight each other a lot I take it?” X asked Zeren.
“Those two are close friends. They’re very competitive.”
“What about the rest of them?”
Tesla’s eyes captured his from across the garden. His heart stilled. All the movement and noise, all the oddity and questions about what he was really doing here vanished in that moment. It was just a chance, that was all. A slight, insubstantial chance he could reach out and claim her as his own. But as she walked to him, not flinching or blushing, connecting to him in a way beyond words, he knew he would never want anything as much as he wanted a life with her. And knowing it terrified him.
Tesla leaned down and rubbed her cheek against Sophie’s head before coming to stand next to X.
“What do you think?” she asked him.
“You all are a bunch of freaks.” He smiled and poked her in the ribs.
“Then you should fit right in.”
“Do the men fight the women?” he asked.
“Sometimes.”
“So, in this group, who’s your money on?”
“My mom. Hands down.”
“Oh yeah?” he looked over at Zeren. “Would you agree with that?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
“She can beat your dad?”
“Well, that’s arguable. They fight all the time, but it’s more like play for them. If they were both really trying, I have no idea who would win. It would probably be a toss-up because they know each other’s moves so well.”
She stared at his profile as he watched the fighting and moved closer so their sides touched.
“Do you think you’d like to fight me?” she whispered in his ear.
He looked down at her, his expression serious. “No. Never. Not like this. I couldn’t strike you. It would break my heart.”
“Does this seem barbaric to you?”
“I’m not judging it. It’s different. They are having fun. That much is obvious. Maggie told me this was a warrior culture. She surely wasn’t wrong on that.”
“You don’t consider yourself a warrior?”
“No.”
“Well, what do you think of yourself as?” she asked quietly enough Zeren couldn’t he
ar.
He smirked and leaned a little closer to her. “Yours.”
She smiled broadly. “You’re flirting again.”
“Again? Did I stop?”
She shook her head, took his hand, and turned her attention back to the fighting. He glanced at it on and off, but mostly he just looked at her in his peripheral vison. The men were at it now. X couldn’t remember their names. They were sword fighting. When one forced the other to drop their sword, he pulled a knife from his belt and threw it. They deflected, the knife hitting the sword and ricocheting right toward the baby in Zeren’s arms.
X jumped, turning as he did, using himself as a shield, and caught the knife under his left shoulder. Confusion and panic ensued as X fell to his knees, blood streaming down his back from the wound. Sabra screamed, realizing her baby had almost been hit. Everyone rushed around them.
“Dad! Help him!” Tesla cried.
“Step back,” Syrus ordered everyone. He leaned over X, putting one hand bracingly on his shoulder and grasped the knife handle with the other. “Hold still.”
X swore in pain as the knife was pulled out. Then he swore again in alarm as Syrus put his hand over the bleeding wound and zapped it. Buzzing and snapping filled his torn flesh, fusing it closed. Syrus offered him his hand. X hesitated a second, but then because he had his gloves on, he grabbed it and was pulled to his feet.
Syrus nodded approvingly at him. “Well done,” he said quietly. “Truly.”
The next second he was enveloped in the gaggle of women. Sabra about choked the life out of him, she hugged him so hard.
“Thank you! Thank you!” she sobbed. “You saved my baby’s life.”
X couldn’t say anything. He was being suffocated by everyone thanking him and hugging him. Tesla grabbed his hand and pulled him through the group. He followed her back into the house. She shut the front door and leaned against it, pulling him to her. Closer. She said in his mind.
He kissed her then, he had to. She was trapped between him and the door because she’d put herself there. She held tight around his waist. He put his hands on either side of her neck, his thumbs moving slowly back and forth in the soft hollows under her ears.
