The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey

by Melissa Myers

Eyes closed she listened as he left the room and slowly rose from the bed herself. Listening, she recognized Havoc’s voice and Finn’s angry response. Hearing his cousin she knew without a doubt he wouldn’t be coming back to bed. If it had been one of their friends from the Academy he might have simply sent them away. Frowning, she looked down at the discarded wedding clothes and realized she had no other clothes here. Still too tired to summon magical ones she moved to his closet and pushed the door back. With little discrimination other than length she chose one of his shirts at random and pulled it on. With a cursory glance in the mirror to make sure everything that needed to be covered, was covered, she left the room, taking the back way for the kitchen. By the sounds of the voices, Finn and Havoc were in the living room and from the sound of Finn’s voice, Havoc hadn’t had a chance to voice what he had come for.

  Scanning the kitchen, she located the cold box and peaked inside, not really expecting to find anything. Apparently Finn had thought of everything. Three different bottles of juice and a jug of fresh milk rested on the top shelf while the bottom shelves of the device held various fruits and meats. Selecting a bottle at random she sniffed daintily at its contents and poured three glasses. She wasn’t sure exactly what type of juice it was other than dark in color and sweet smelling.

  Balancing the glasses carefully, she pushed through the door and into the living room, her bare feet barely making a sound as she crossed the room. Havoc was leaning against a wall near the door and Finn was sitting on the couch his expression torn between annoyance and anger. Wordlessly, she handed Havoc a glass of the juice and crossed to Finn taking a seat on his lap. They had fallen silent when she entered and both men watched her. She offered Finn a glass of the juice and he took it. Still silent, his gaze locked on her bare legs and slowly climbed to her face.

  “I hate you, Havoc,” he said finally, his voice hoarse.

  Havoc gave a slow nod watching her sip from her glass. “I’d hate me too. I begged them to send someone else. They unanimously agreed I should be the one to wake you.”

  Lowering the glass, Jala licked her lips and smiled. “Grape. I really didn’t expect something so simple. Very good though.” Looking up at Havoc she gave him a sweet smile. “Now tell me in a quick simple fashion why I’m not going to let Finn kill you?” she said pleasantly.

  “Because Lutheron sent me to wake you. Because it wasn’t my fault. If Finn is going to kill anyone it should be Lutheron. Ever heard the expression ‘don’t shoot the messenger?’” Havoc began.

  “Right, right, so what exactly was so bloody damned important that we needed to be woken less than three hours after we actually went to sleep the day after our wedding? Bear in mind that if Finn is too tired, I do have a Bendazzi somewhere nearby so make the answer a good one,” Jala asked, her tone still sweet.

  “I love you so much right now,” Finn murmured and kissed her on the cheek.

  Havoc sighed and looked at the two of them. “I’m sorry, I really am. Symphony spoke with your friends from the Academy last night after the wedding feast. Somehow during the conversation she arranged for a meeting of the High Lords here today. Well, some of the Lords anyway, one of them being Lord Zachary from Oblivion. I believe you needed to speak with him, Jala, from what Wisp says anyway. She wants you there and these are not the sort of people you gather often,” Havoc explained.

  “Damn.” Jala sighed the word and leaned back against Finn. “We can’t kill him now, love, or Lutheron. He is right, I do need to speak with Lord Zachary,” she said, the sweetness gone from her voice and replaced with disappointment.

  “You don’t have to sound so unhappy about not killing me,” Havoc complained.

  Finn let his head fall forward gently resting it against her shoulder and let out a long sigh. “She is upset that we do actually have to leave the house. So am I. I was very close to telling you to go bugger yourself at the door. The only thing that stopped me was guessing you would just start knocking again,” he said, his voice muffled slightly by her shirt.

  “When are we expected to be there?” Jala asked in resignation.

  “Lunch, it’s to be held at the palace, obviously, and not many know about it. Arjuna doesn’t want to explain why High Lord Arovan is here to any of his people,” Havoc replied.

  Finn’s head snapped up and he looked at Havoc in shock. “Arovan? Who else?” he asked.

  “Han’shy, Delvayon’s Heir, Faydwer, and that’s it as far as I know, aside from the Lord of Oblivion,” Havoc explained.

  “And they want her to let all of those lords know she is Lady Merrodin? Are we supposed to simply trust them with that knowledge?” Finn demanded.

  “From what I understand, there will be an Oathkeeper present,” Havoc said in a calming voice.

  “A Temple Oathkeeper?” Jala asked in shock. She had only met one before and that was a brief meeting. According to what Father Belson had told her, an Oathkeeper served all of the Aspects and to give your word before one was to hold to it or anger all of the gods. To be out of favor with one Aspect was one thing, to have all of them out for your blood was something most people could not survive.

  Havoc nodded. “An Oathkeeper from the Temple of Honor in Faydwer, if I have it correctly,” he clarified.

  “Well, I can’t really argue with that. If anyone is fool enough to lie to an Oathkeeper, I won’t have to worry about them long,” Finn relented and rested his head against Jala’s shoulder again.

  Taking another drink from her juice, Jala considered his words and glanced outside one of the windows. Realizing she couldn’t get a good look at the sun’s position without moving from Finn’s lap she looked back to Havoc. “How long does that give us before the meeting? I’m not even sure what time it is now,” she asked.

  “Roughly three hours. Lutheron wanted you to have plenty of notice. He wanted me to come earlier but I refused,” Havoc answered.

  “Get out. We love you Havoc, but get out now,” she said pointing toward the door. “We will be there when we are supposed to, but I’m not sacrificing anymore of my time to this than I have to,” she added as Havoc sat the glass of juice down with a muffled chuckle. He gave her a nod and left quickly and quietly.

  She felt Finn shaking slightly behind her and realized he was laughing silently. Lifting his head from her shoulder he gave her a huge grin. “You are so perfect,” he said and carefully took the juice from her hand. Setting it down on the table beside him, he leaned back fully against the couch.

  Turning to face him she straddled his lap and gazed down at his tanned chest and tousled hair and smiled. His green eyes were alert but slightly bloodshot and there was a faint trace of darkness under them from lack of sleep, but he was still perfect in her eyes. “That sentiment is shared completely,” she said tracing a finger down his chest. Raising her hands to her shirt she began to slowly undo the buttons, his eyes following her every movement. “We have to go back to Sanctuary tonight, don’t we?” she asked quietly.

  He gave a wordless nod, his eyes still locked on her progress with the buttons. His own hands rose to rest on her bare hips and she could feel his anticipation and lust through the link they shared. “School tomorrow, lots to catch up on,” he said absently.

  “And these meetings will likely take the rest of the day once they begin,” she said shrugging her shoulders from the shirt and letting it fall to the floor behind her. “So all we really have is about two hours before we have to get ready to go to the palace.”

  His hands slid up her sides and then back down to her hips pulling her closer to him. “Two and a half, maybe two and three quarters. I dress fast,” he murmured and began unlacing his pants far more quickly than he had put them on.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him lightly just below the ear. “Two and a half then, I need time to summon clothes,” she whispered in agreement.

  They headed up the steps to the palace side by side. Finn was moving far better than she had expected him to, given that
his eyes seemed fixed on her rather than where he walked. She had chosen a more Firym style of clothing when she summoned the new clothes and the dark purple dress was split to the hip on both sides fastened with silver lacing. The top part was sleeveless and cut far deeper in the front than anything she had ever worn before, giving an ample view of the mark of Fortune as well as her other gifts from Fortune.

  Sovann was waiting for them at the top of the stairs but remained silent as they approached, his gaze going from the high heeled boots she wore that rose to just above her knee to the top of her head. She had left her hair down, not wanting to bother with pins and such with so little sleep. He seemed about to speak but closed his mouth again.

  “Have you seen Marrow?” she asked when it became apparent that he was going to simply remain silent.

  “He is inside sleeping by the fountain. He stayed near me for most of the night,” Sovann replied and cleared his throat. “You…uhh…you look very nice,” he said at last as if finally giving up on searching for proper words.

  “She looks too bloody good to take into a room filled with men,” Finn agreed with a bit of a frown.

  Glancing back at him, she smiled. “Neph says nine tenths of power is the appearance of power. He also says when you cannot portray power you should distract them from your true nature. I do not radiate power yet, Finn, so I’m distracting. Judging by your reaction it should work nicely,” she explained and moved past Sovann to locate Marrow.

  “Very distracting,” Finn agreed, following her in.

  “They are gathered in the war room,” Sovann said as he followed into step by his brother. “What did you do to her, Finn? She was sweet when I left her yesterday,” Sovann whispered, obviously not expecting her to overhear.

  “He did about what any man does on his marriage night, Sovann,” she replied with a smile. “And he did it very, very well,” she added, amused to see the blush on Sovann’s face at her words. It was rather nice to see someone other than herself blush.

  “There is always room for improvement, I’d like to prove I can be better,” Finn offered with a smile. “Let’s skip this meeting and I’ll get right to that,” he suggested with a nod back toward the way they had come.

  Stopping by where Marrow was sprawled on his side, Jala leaned over and scratched the Bendazzi behind the ears. Wake up, I need you with me, Marrow, she said gently. Opening one yellow eye to regard her, the Bendazzi yawned and stretched, flexing his long claws as he did so. With a muffled grumble he rose to his feet and stretched again.

  Need me for what? he asked curiously.

  We have a council meeting with the High Lords. I need you beside me for it, she explained.

  To scare the bloody hell out of them if needed, Marrow reasoned and seemed amused when she nodded her agreement. Between myself and your mate I believe we can intimidate, though he doesn’t look too intimidating right now. What did you do to him?

  Jala glanced back at Finn who was leaning against a wall waiting patiently, a look of remorse on his face. I told him we had to get out of bed, she answered quietly and shrugged.

  My sympathy would be much greater if I hadn’t had to spend the night watching Sovann play with little glowing rocks. At least the two of you enjoyed the night, Marrow said with another yawn.

  “You have been playing with glowing rocks, Sovann?” Jala asked as she crossed the room to stand by the brothers once more.

  “Focus stones actually and yes they do faintly glow. I was planning to show them to you when we got back to Sanctuary. I’d like you to have some,” Sovann clarified.

  “What do they do?” she asked curiously, falling into step beside Sovann and Finn as they led the way toward Arjuna’s war room.

  “Do you remember when I was separating the magic from the sword the night we met?” Sovann asked quickly warming to the topic. Beyond everything else, she had found Sovann cherished talk about his work and studies the most.

  She nodded. “The crystals you were filling, yes I remember.”

  “I’ve broken them down more perfectly,” he explained and held out his open palm to her. He concentrated for a moment and the faint glow of blue and green and then red came from just beneath the skin in a circle on his palm. “The blue is for water, green is earth, and red is fire obviously. They enhance magic from any of those schools. Since I’m so wretched at battle magic, I chose to use elemental stones to enhance my weak areas. Elemental magic is quite effective in any fight,” he explained.

  She took his hand and ran a finger across one of the glowing circles. “Does it hurt?” she asked curiously. To her amazement, even Finn had stopped and was looking closely at Sovann’s hand with interest. Finn rarely showed interest in anything magical in nature unless it was a weapon.

  Shaking his head Sovann smiled at her. “No, not at all, and I’ve saved some stones for you. The ones I thought you would like. There is arcane, healing, spirit, and all four of the elemental ones I have so far. You could put three in one hand and four in the other for now. I will have other stones worked up later but I’m not sure how many you can safely place in a palm without disturbing the muscles and bones. They are small but I’d rather not risk limiting your mobility.” He fished into his pocket and pulled out the stones to show her. Each one was perfectly cut and smaller than her little fingernail. At a glance, they resembled little more than gem stones ready to be set in jewelry.

  She offered her hand to Sovann and nodded toward the stones. “Put them in,” she suggested.

  “Wait,” Finn broke in and looked at his brother closely. “Have you tested these?” he asked watching Sovann’s face.

  Sovann shrugged and gave a slight nod. “No serious breaking point testing but yes I’ve used them with average magics. As long as she doesn’t decide to move mountains I don’t think there is any danger,” he replied.

  “You don’t think there is any? Think? If you are going to put your magical creations anywhere on my wife let alone under her skin, you had better be sure,” Finn snapped.

  “Well, go on then,” Jala urged, waving her palm at Sovann.

  Finn’s gaze abruptly snapped to her and he shook his head. “Uh, no. You just heard him say he didn’t think they were dangerous,” he said, emphasizing the word think far more than needed.

  “Finn, don’t be like this. We don’t have time to argue over this now.” Jala gave him a kiss on the cheek and nodded to Sovann. “C’mon then, I trust your work.” She waved her palm once ore and Sovann took it hesitantly his gaze fixed on Finn and wary. “Finn, tell your brother you aren’t going to stop him because I want him to do this,” Jala said rolling her eyes and looking to Finn.

  “I won’t stop you from doing this, but if those stones explode or injure her in any way I’ll remove your legs and drop you in the middle of a Genji hive,” Finn agreed with a smile that held no warmth at all.

  Sighing heavily, Sovann flicked his gaze up to Jala. “This is why I was going to wait and tell you in Sanctuary,” he admitted and began resting the stones in a triangle pattern on her palm.

  He muttered a few words under his breath and waved his hand over the stones. There was a slight tingle and then they seemed to melt down into her flesh. She watched in amazement absently handing him her other hand for the remaining four stones. Flexing her free hand a few times, she held it up to the light and tried to find the stones beneath her skin.

  “You can’t see them unless they are in use,” Sovann explained before muttering the incantation once again.

  She looked over in time to see the remaining four gems disappear under her skin and nodded slightly. “How do I use them?” she asked.

  “Why did you have to wait to ask that until he had already set them into your skin?” Finn asked with a sigh.

  “Focus on the corresponding stone and prepare a spell in that school,” Sovann explained ignoring his brother as usual. “The stone will light up if you have done it properly. Go ahead and give it a try. You can always drop the spell without f
inishing it and the stone will return to a dormant state.”

  Holding up the hand with the three stones, Jala did as directed and smiled at the bright white light shining through her skin. “Very nice, Sovann, thank you,” she said with a smile.

  Reaching over to take her hand, Finn ran a finger across the point of light and shook his head. “Well, at the very least you won’t be stumbling around in the dark anymore, your hand is a bloody mage light now,” he said with a bit of disgust toward his brother.

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Jala said happily and gave him another kiss on the cheek. “Excellent suggestions, love.”

  Finn regarded her dryly and she snickered in response. “Shall we continue to the war room?” he asked. She gave a nod and he stalked off down the hall with a muttered comment about Sovann’s true genetics.

  “You aren’t really spawned by Kali are you?” Jala asked conversationally as they followed after Finn.

  Sovann gave her a smile and a shake of the head. “No, not that I’m aware of, but that’s much better than when I was smaller and Finn tried to convince me I was a goblin orphan. It might have worked too, given how young I was, but Mother caught him at it and he spent the next few hours bitching about the taste of soap.”

  “When we have kids I will never make them place soap in their mouths,” Finn called over his shoulder with his tone firm. He continued walking, his stride relaxing and his muttering changing to soap rather than his brother.

  “Between the age of five and twelve, Finn tasted every type of soap available in Avanti,” Sovann explained, his tone mild.

  “To this day I still hate lavender, chamomile, and lilac,” Finn muttered a bit louder.

  “If you will notice he normally favors unscented soap,” Sovann added with a grin that disappeared completely when Finn glanced over his shoulder with a dark look.

  “I have never actually tasted soap,” Jala said with a smile. “Perhaps our children will take after me and be sweet and innocent,” she suggested and Finn snickered. She frowned at his back and glanced to Sovann. “I think he might have just suggested I wasn’t a sweet child,” she said with a sniff.