by Genia Avers
“No thank you.” The softness disappeared from her expression. “The dress is quite enough.”
He stared, knowing he’d botched another truce. What female didn’t want jewelry?
“Okay, no necklace.” She must like something. He remembered the joy in her face when she’d rubbed Pollo behind his ears. “How about an equestor? Would you like a colt for your bridal gift?”
She rewarded him with a real smile—the first he’d earned outside the bedroom. He felt bedazzled. How bad could it be when he had a wife who preferred equestors to jewels?
“Truly?”
“Truly.” He grinned, exuberant that he’d finally done something right.
“But equestors are so rare.”
He shrugged. “The next colt is yours.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms across her chest and pretended to sleep.
A few seconds later, her eyes darted open. “Where did…where did you get that blood?”
He grinned, not quite ready to share that secret. “In time, I will show you.” She had reacted to his treat, but that didn’t mean she was ready to accept Gatslian ways.
“Fine, be that way.” She twisted her head and looked out the window. His bride was rather cute when she got prickly.
She turned her gaze toward him again, no trace of hostility in her serene face. “Why don’t you wear crystals?”
He huffed out a breath. Just when they were making progress, she wanted to talk about their differences.
“They…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Crystals are nothing more than pretty glass to us.”
He chanced a look at her reaction, pleased to see no judgment in her eyes.
“I don’t understand. I thought all álfar needed the magic of the earth’s sun. Even though you’re Dök…eh, Gatslain, you’re still álfar, right?”
He grinned. His wife had grown up in Mydrias, but appeared to have no prejudice, even if she found the terms uncomfortable.
“Dökkálfar is not a dirty word, Subena.”
The imp grinned at him. “If you say so.”
Kamber found himself smiling back. “I say so.”
The smile vanished from her beautiful face. “But the Dökkálfar caused our banishment from earth. Every race of álfar suffered because of your actions.”
He put his arms behind his head and leaned against the carriage wall. Having an honest wife had its drawbacks. “Yes, we’ve heard that legend in Gatsle, too. But dark doesn’t equate to evil. You’re a logical being, Bena. Think about what you’ve heard. We were banished because of Dökkálfar tricks? For creating skin rashes and causing bad dreams? Does that make sense to you? The punishment doesn’t fit the crime.”
Instead of arguing, she looked thoughtful. “Then why are we on Lanatus?”
He didn’t allow his gaze to waiver. “I don’t know.”
She sighed. “Elfin arrival on Lanatus was probably celebrated by Gatslians. This planet doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the Dökkálfar.”
He smiled but itfelt fake. Like everyone else, his wife thought him a frivolous waste of being.
“The planet does pose a threat to us. Just a different sort. Our ancestors from earth lived underground, in caves. The sun had no effect on our people. Instead, the earth’s core provided our magic.”
“And is there no substitute on Lanatus?”
“No. Not for the earth’s core. But we’ve discovered a substance that provides the life essence our magic needs. An essence that doesn’t cause damage like your crystals do.”
Her body went still. He sensed the anger flare. “I know the crystals cause damage, but what options… Wait, what provides the life essence for Gatslians?
He smiled another mirthless smile. “I think you know.”
To her credit, no look of revulsion crossed her face. After her experience with the blood, he shouldn’t have been surprised, but he felt astonished all the same. Partaking in substance deemed inappropriate usually didn’t preclude judgment.
He felt his respect for Subena grow. It wouldn’t do to start feeling anything other than lust, because a lady of her character would ultimately reject him.
“And is your…substance plentiful? You don’t fear a crisis like the crystal shortage that threatens Mydrias?”
He puffed out his cheeks, exhaling slowly while he tried to determine what to reveal and what to hide. “We already face a shortage—but it’s not yet a crisis.”
“Yet you do nothing?”
Every part of his body bristled. She displayed a hint of the judgment he’d expected. “I know you think I don’t work, but I’ve been working on a way to increase the supply. I’ll share my secret when I make some progress.”
Would he do that? Could he share anything until the uppity Mydrian understood enough not to judge him?
“And what of you, princess? Where is your crystal?”
She glanced at her neck, seeming surprised the glass didn’t hang there. “I am not as…reliant…upon the crystal. I have rarely needed its power. As you know, I am…different.”
She said no more but her gaze met his. Something had closed and he could no longer peer into her mind. His wife had to be the most intelligent creature he’d ever meet. He yearned to know what could possibly account for her insecurities, but even a dunce like him knew this was not the time to probe.
The carriage moved swiftly across the countryside, the innate object seeming to be the need for speed. The need to end the intimacy.
Neither spoke. Kamber’s heightened senses reacted to Subena’s every move. No matter what passed between them, his physical need of her would not abate. He scarcely restrained from reaching for her, but he vowed to regain her trust before he touched her again. Without trust, she would resent her own responses and dislike him even more.
Resistance proved more difficult than he’d expected. Her scent was enough to make him hard. Whenever she sighed, he’d notice her lips and want to devour them. If he ventured a glance in her direction, the nipples pressing against the velvet softness of her dress increased his desire. His arousal had become torture by the time they finally reached the inn.
He’d barely mastered his libido when the innkeeper led them to their rooms. His control crashed and burned when she asked for a bath.
“Ah, damn.”
“Did I say something wrong?” she asked, seeming oblivious to the images her request conjured in his overheated head—both of them. “Is water scarce here?”
He shook his head. How could a female so politically savvy be so naïve about men?
Chapter Fourteen
Subena sensed Kamber watching her. As her husband, she supposed he had that right, but she wanted to be alone. She needed to think about the blood, about the possibility the Dökkálfar weren’t responsible for the exodus from earth.
And Taslin.
She’d hoped to mull over the duke’s presence in the carriage, but Kamber’s proximity precluded rational thought. Taslin wouldn’t have volunteered to escort her to Gatsle if he didn’t still care. He would’ve had to request special permission from the Council. That was not a spur-of-the-moment action.
That was good, wasn’t it? Legally, she was Kamber’s wife. She had no intention of being unfaithful—not before the annulment—but Taslin’s presence would be a comfort. A friend would make her year in Gatsle easier to bear.
Maybe her feelings for Taslin ran deeper than she realized. She needed to tread carefully until she could decipher her emotions. She couldn’t risk hurting him again.
Kamber didn’t make a sound, but his presence distracted her thoughts. The man made it impossible to think. “Go away.”
He approached the tub, as usual totally disregarding her wishes. She did her best to cover herself.
“Let me wash your back, love.”
“Said the spider to the fly. No.”
He took the washcloth, ignoring her reply, and massaged the back of her neck with the cloth. “I promised to be ho
nest, can you handle it?”
“Not now. Go away.” She hoped he wouldn’t heed her words. She desperately wanted him to touch her, but she turned to glare. The breast her arm covered slipped free.
“Thanks for the view, my sweet. Is that an invitation?”
She splashed water at him and tried to think of something vile to say, but he removed the cloth from her neck and slid it down further.
He chuckled, deep and throaty. “As I was saying before you distracted me, my perfect little morsel…” He kissed her hard and she lost her breath. “I believe I was talking about being honest. I want to wash your back, but I want to wash the rest of you, too. Then…I have other plans.”
* * * *
Kamber didn’t want to leave the arms of his bride but he carefully removed her arm and crept out of bed. After dressing, he went in search of Remington.
His old pal laughed when he saw him. “I told you it wouldn’t be so hard.” The large man shook as he chuckled. “Or maybe it was so hard.”
Kamber felt his grin clear down to his boots. “I need a favor.”
After he made arrangements for additional equestors, he sent the caravan on its way. No one but Remington and the innkeeper had any idea the newlyweds weren’t in the carriage.
Kamber crawled back into the downy bed, inhaling the pleasant smell of jasmine and the musty smells of the night’s lovemaking. After a short nap, he proceeded to slowly and methodically wake his little wife. His plans for breakfast in bed evolved into lunch in the inn’s great room as morning passed all too quickly.
Over fresh dumplings, cooked in tart applesauce, he talked to Subena about the upcoming trip. “We should arrive in three days, unless we have another, um…delay.” He waggled his brows.
She punched his arm. “Tell me about your home.”
“Our home,” he corrected. “I think you will like Vomont Castle.” He leaned over to kiss her nose. “It has several wings and it’s filled with paintings and antiques. There are many places to hide.” He smiled suggestively. “I think every ancestor added to the labyrinth of secret passages. As far as I know, I’m the only person who knows where most of them are. My father was definitely never interested.”
“Why not?”
Kamber allowed the familiar anger to consume him, but only for a second. “I don’t know. When I was ten, my grandfather showed me a couple of trap doors that led into the passages and I was hooked.” He laughed at the memory. “Barkley and I spent most of our youth looking for entrances to other passages. Ronan seems to be following in our footsteps. According to folklore, an underground tunnel runs from the castle grounds to the open fields. I never found the fabled tunnel, but I did find some other hidden passageways. If you’re very, very good I’ll show them to you.” He reached over and ran his index finger along the edge of her jaw.
“No thanks.” Her face turned deathly pale.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t like tunnels.” Her hands started to shake.
He took her tiny fingers and pressed them in his palms, trying to still her trembling. “Want to tell me about it?”
“No.”
He smiled and brought her hands to his lips. “Was it the maze?”
“Who told you about that?” She pulled her hands away and sat on them. “My sisters, of course.” She looked embarrassed.
“Subena, it’s okay. Everyone has at least one phobia.”
“Really. What’s yours?”
“Oh, no. I’m not giving you that much ammunition. I’m just relieved that you’re not perfect. Flawed sod that I am, I’m already undeserving.” She didn’t respond to his teasing.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” He picked a silken strand from her shoulder and idly rubbed it against his check.
She didn’t seem to notice. “My parents had just cut the hedges into patterns,” she whispered. “I’ve never liked dark places so I refused to go in the maze. The next day, Jalakin called me a baby, so I ran into it, just to prove him wrong.”
Kamber felt his lips curve. So she’d been stubborn, even as a small nymph.
“The Sun-Star had almost set and I panicked.” Subena had a faraway look in her eyes.
“What happened?”
“I got lost. I ran wildly, not able to see where I was going. My mother had several potted urns scattered throughout the hedges and I bumped into one. It toppled over and the dirt spilled on me. It was really nothing, but I thought I was being buried alive.”
He pulled her into his lap and held her, understanding the horror a child would feel. Being buried alive was one of the few ways to kill their kind.
His touch seemed to vanquish her horror of the past. Until she realized she’d let him comfort her and wiggled out of his embrace. “Behave yourself.”
“Why? You weren’t so prickly last night.”
“About that.” She pulled her long tresses into her hand and twisted them into a knot. “I was drunk last night. The marriage has been consummated. We can’t do that again.”
He sucked in his lips to keep from grinning. Being inexperienced, she didn’t understand she suggested the impossible. “Why not?”
Before she replied, a guard stumbled into the room. The man fell to his knees, wheezing and coughing.
“Is he all right?” Subena whispered.
“Breathe, man,” he ordered.
After a few seconds, the young soldier sucked in a mouthful of air and rasped, “They attacked us. Remington sent me to warn you. I came as fast as I could.”
While he quizzed the lad, he watched Subena march across the room. Able to hear both conversations, he heard her order the innkeeper to send a runner for reinforcements. He said a silent prayer of gratitude for his sensible bride.
Kamber didn’t wait for more details. He raced from the dining hall to the stables and led his equestor out of the stall. When he reached for his saddle, he felt a hand on his shoulder. How had Subena reached him so quickly? Not possible. Unless…
“I know your first thoughts are for Remington’s safety,” she said, “but think about what you’re doing. You can’t challenge the attackers alone. I don’t especially like you, but I’m not quite ready to be a widow yet.”
“Not quite, huh?” Despite his urgency, her words stung.
He knew she was right about pursing the attackers solo, but he wasn’t in the mood for logic. It didn’t apply when Remmy faced danger. “Remmy’s my friend. I’m going.”
“I like Remmy, too, but we need a plan. My friend, Duke Taslin, is also missing.”
Anger blinded his reason. How dare she mention that popinjay? “Duke Taslin? Is that all you care about?”
“No, I...” He didn’t hear her response. He hopped astride Pollo and rode.
After a few minutes, he slowed the equestor to a trot. Subena had been right. He needed a plan. He didn’t know the area and he’d only a small weapon. What if the attack had been a ploy to get to her? He’d left her alone.
He’d been a fool.
Kamber wrestled with his decision, but continued down the road the caravan had taken. Who would attack them? And why?
Maybe someone didn’t want the treaty to work. That didn’t make sense. The only person who’d benefit by having the treaty canceled would be Lord Creshin. While the warlord might go after Mydrias, he’d never be foolish enough to risk the ire of Gatsle. At any rate, Creshin wouldn’t attack him personally.
Rekita was furious about his marriage, but she couldn’t pull off an attack of this magnitude. Could she?
He saw three riders in the distance and reined in Pollo. Kamber waited, prepared to attack, ready to retreat. He could take on three swordsmen, but there might be more men behind the ones riding toward him. He wouldn’t risk that.
He backed Pollo into the tree line, ready to take the animal off the trail. He halted. There was something familiar about the large bulk of one of the riders.
A weight lifted from his shoulders. “Remington!�
� He spurred his equestor forward, thanking the God of the Mountain.
He leaped off and slapped the big man on the thigh, spooking Remington’s mount. Only the other man’s skill kept the animal from bolting.
“I’ve never been so glad to see an ornery, cantankerous, old cur in my life. What the devil happened?” Kamber asked.
“A sniper was hidden in the trees. He killed the carriage driver. Once the driver fell, we were ambushed from both sides of the road. Everything got crazy after that. I’m guessing there were about twenty or twenty-five masked men. We regrouped, but we were only able to get off a couple of shots before half of the attackers fled north. The rest went south.
“We tried to follow the ones headed this way, but we lost them in the glen. Then we rode back to the carriage and found it destroyed. We have to face facts, laddie. You and the princess were the obvious targets. You should have been in that carriage.” Remington’s head popped up. “Kamber, where’s the princess?”
“She’s fine. How many men did we lose?”
“The driver and two of our guards. One of the Mydrian escorts was also killed.”
“And Reklaw?” Kamber spat as he said the name.
“I’m not sure what happened to him. The guards scattered when the sniper fired, but I think he rode with the team toward the south. Hell, he was the least of my worries. I’m sure we killed a couple of the attackers, but when we got back, the bodies were gone. Whoever did this, didn’t want us to know who they were. Where did you say the princess was?”
“She’s safe. I left her at the inn.”
The big man uttered a long groan that sounded more like a bear‘s roar. “And you think she’ll stay put?”
Kamber felt itchy. He growled before mounting his equestor without another word.
“God’s breath, Kamber. Sometimes I think all your brains are in your balls.”
Chapter Fifteen
Subena paced the length of the inn’s great room before she turned and repeated her march in the opposite direction. “I’m going to kill him.”
