“Better be careful, Harlan, you are liable to be tackled.”
He lowered the knife but rolled his eyes. “Sometimes it is easy to forget you are the queen. You seem just like one of us.”
I could not help the pride his comment inspired. “Thank you, Harlan. You will let me know if I let my head get too swollen?”
“Count on it.”
I pulled a clove of garlic from the cooler and inhaled deeply. It was fresh, like it had been pulled from the earth that morning. The scent was stronger than any we used to get in the City. My tongue puckered as I drew in another breath, savoring the pungent odor.
~o~
“I think you have been holding out on me,” Harlan said as he handed the spoon back to me.
“Not really. It is so easy to make. The hardest part of this meal is peeling the skin from the garlic.”
He gave me a skeptical look before turning to place the dish on the separate tray designated for Jaxson’s and my meal. I followed him and placed a cover over it to keep it warm.
“Is there anything I can do before I leave?”
He placed a basket of freshly washed vegetables on my table and went back to chopping his with a smile. I looked in to see it was mostly filled with white onions, the ones that no matter what you tried, always ended in tears.
I glared at the side of his head in vain. He would not meet my gaze. His smile spread wider telling me he saw regardless of his posture. I pulled an onion out and began to slice into it. As with the garlic, the savory scent wafting up was much stronger than anything I was used to. I would be crying before I finished with the first onion.
“How do you want these cut?”
Before he could answer, the entrance to kitchen opened quietly. We both looked up and I nearly dropped the knife when I saw Jaxson staring in at me, his face was smooth like glass, his expression completely unreadable.
“My love.” It came out more as a gasp than as words.
He smiled, but it was the kind of smile that hid what he was really feeling. A smile meant for the staff that surrounded us, polite but curt.
I turned to Harlan, wanting to escape Jaxson’s penetrating stare. “It is time for me to go.”
He nodded. His demeanor had changed from friendly kitchen staff to loyal subject. He bowed at the shoulders and I laid my knife on the wooden counter, then walked around to join Jaxson.
He took my hand without a word and led me into the hall.
“Are you angry?” I asked the moment we were fully alone.
He stopped walking and looked at me with another unreadable look. It may have just been my own fears projecting on him, but it seemed like he was containing himself.
“Why ever would I be angry?” He sounded truly confused.
“Well, because helping in the kitchen is not very queen-like.”
He touched my cheek and there was gentleness in his touch that was now mirrored in his eyes. “It is exactly queen-like. Improving relationships and understanding those you rule allows you to rule with a more balanced hand. I am so glad you are getting involved, my love. Besides, you are queen. You can do whatever you would like.” He smiled when he said the last words.
“What were you thinking when you came in and saw me? I could not read your expression. I assumed you were upset.”
“I was proud, but I did not want them to see. It felt too public for what felt like a very private moment.” He slowly kissed each knuckle of the hand he held, gazing into my eyes as he did. My whole face felt warm and my breath was shallow.
“We better get you some food.” He chuckled and his voice sounded husky. “I am going to need this later.” He brushed a hand across my lower lip and I realized I was clutching part of it between my teeth.
The moment I heard the footsteps coming toward us, I felt like a child caught doing something I should not. I looked up just in time to see the look in Daniella’s eyes. Her cheeks flushed, realizing she had walked into an intimate moment.
“Jaxson. Anaya. How pleasant to meet you both here. It is so good to see you eating together.” The look in her eyes was warm. “It is as it should be of late,” she added with a bow, and backed away toward the dining hall.
I watched her vanish around the corner though I felt Jaxson’s expectant eyes on me.
“We should go,” I said, without looking at him. I heard him sigh. I turned to face him again. He looked vulnerable standing there, watching me. As badly as I wanted him to try the meal I had prepared for him, I wanted to alleviate that look even more.
I leaned into him. “Kiss me,” I whispered. Saying it made the heat flood into my cheeks again. The look in his eyes was worth any bashfulness I felt. He kissed me lightly at first, but with increasing pressure as my hands found their way across his muscular shoulders and around his neck.
The sound of someone clearing their throat brought an end to the kiss. I stepped back and looked at the floor as Griff grinned from ear to ear.
“Do you two need a chaperone?”
“Oh, be quiet.” I punched Griff’s shoulder and turned toward the dining hall. Jaxson was at my side, immediately taking my hand again.
We all entered the dining room together and I felt a tinge of nervousness knowing Jaxson would be trying my food in a minute. I bit my tongue to keep from telling him and spoiling his reaction. I wanted the truth, and if he knew I had made it, he would pretend it was delicious to please me.
We sat down and Katy appeared with our tray immediately. She looked as anxious as I felt. With a steadiness that came from more years than she should have experience doing, she whipped open the tray and passed us our plates. She winked at me, then vanished without a word.
Jaxson looked over his food for a moment like he was unsure. Finally, he picked up his fork, took a small bite and placed it in his mouth. I had not been aware I was holding my breath until he looked over at me.
“I require all meals to start with a kiss if it makes everything taste like this.”
“You really like it?” I asked, unable to contain myself.
He looked at me funny. “Is this another one of the ‘not on the menu’ perks of befriending the kitchen staff?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise, but then you caught me in the kitchen.” I shrugged.
“You made this?” His eyes were wide with amazement.
I nodded. He leaned over and pressed a not so gentle kiss to my lips. It left the taste of the garlic and cream sauce behind, along with the taste of him. I licked my lips and he blushed unexpectedly.
Griff appeared suddenly, responding to a simple glance and nod that was almost imperceptible. Jaxson whispered something to him. He nodded and smiled before returning to his table.
“What was that about?” I asked, only half concerned.
“He is going to take care of my responsibilities this afternoon,” he said and the pink hue returned to his cheeks momentarily. I felt my own cheeks flush and his words hung in the air around us both, causing me to eat a little too quickly.
Chapter 16
Jaxson’s nose against my neck woke me. He drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. His breath curled around me in a seductive way that had me leaning back to find the source. He lifted up so that, though I was laying sideways looking back at him, he was now hovering inches from my face.
“Kiss me,” I said, closing my eyes.
His lips were a whisper on mine, but I wanted more. I rolled the rest of the way toward him knocking his steadying hand free. He slipped down pressing his chest against mine. I was amazed at how gentle he was able make the action, considering the force I used.
“Impatient?” He chuckled.
In response, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him the way I had been hoping for. Too quickly, he pulled back and slid away, off the bed.
“Where are you going?” I asked. “It is still early.”
He walked toward the washroom, stopping at the doorway. He looked back over his shoulder. “You are not th
e only one with a surprise.”
He vanished into the washroom before I had a chance to say anything. I watched the doorway in silence. I was excited, but a small prickle of fear ran up my arms. Before it had a chance to settle in my chest, he appeared at the doorway with a mischievous smile.
“Close your eyes.”
A moment later I felt his weight on the bed. He took my hand and drew me up, out of the bed with him. He held one hand and snaked the other around my waist. He began leading me forward. I stumbled, but he held me firmly so I did not fall.
“Trust me,” he whispered when I hesitated. “I will not let you fall.”
His words did soothe me, but it was his lips brushing against my ear that gave me confidence to trust him, and the desire to find out what he had waiting.
“Can I open my eyes now?” I asked when we stopped walking. He let go of me and stepped back.
“Not yet.”
I kept them closed but listened carefully to each sound, trying to figure out what he was up to. His bare feet made nearly no sound as he moved away from me. There was a soft swishing, possibly of fabric.
I realized then I could sense when he was coming back toward me. His scent was stronger, but it was more than that. It was like my cells were all anticipating his return, humming with an energy that was just for him.
I had not realized I was holding my breath until he touched my shoulder. Every part of me relaxed, and I was able to exhale.
“Raise your hands.” His lips brushed mine as he spoke.
I did so reluctantly. “You should not tease me. Look at what happened last time.”
He chuckled, but then something soft brushed the tips of my hands. A silky fabric slipped down around my arms and head. I wanted to press my face into the decadent material, but I refrained as it fell down around my body. It was so light it felt like feathers brushing my skin as I moved under it.
His hands grazed my skin several times as he adjusted the fabric. It sent tiny shock waves of excitement through me.
“You may open your eyes now.”
I opened them slowly, allowing them to adjust to the room. He was standing directly in front of me blocking the large mirror. He smiled, then stepped out of the way.
It was like someone had looked into my soul and found what would please me the most, and then somehow sewed it into a dress that was specially fit to my form.
“Do you like it?” he asked, eyes uncertain.
“I love it. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
His lips curved up into a crooked smile. “It pales in comparison to the wearer.”
I blushed and looked away.
“It is missing something,” he said, coming around behind me. He brushed the hair off my neck, kissed it, then reached around and laid a pendant against the hollow of my neck. I held my hair so he could fasten the chain.
The pendant was a smoky glass that curled into a shape similar to a shell. It was white but had a violet tint to it, like the walls of the ship. It was then I noticed that the material of the dress was not only white, but also seemed to shimmer with a violet tint when I moved. The effect was mesmerizing.
“I have some things to take care of this morning, but I will be back shortly,” Jaxson said and kissed my nose.
“You are going to stay with me again today?” I tried to sound neutral though I was both concerned and delighted.
“I told you. I have a surprise for you.”
“This,” I ran my hand over the body of the dress, “is not the surprise?”
He shook his head. “No, that is just something to wear.” He pressed a light kiss to my lips, then turned and headed for the entrance to the room.
I followed.
“I will be back shortly,” he said again as he stepped through the wall.
~o~
I stopped tapping my foot and slid back on the bed so I was no longer resting on the edge. I did not want Jaxson to see how worked up I was when the chimes announced his return. He peered in at me, his eyes sweeping over me. From the way his eyes pinched up and his mouth twitched, I do not think I fooled him for a minute.
Griff stepped into view and my stomach gave an involuntary flip. The slight fear I felt earlier had turned into anticipation while I waited for Jaxson. Seeing Griff and Jaxson standing in the hallway waiting for me had something was pricking at my memory, but it remained just out of reach. It filled me with apprehension.
“Is he taking care of your responsibilities today?” I asked, looking from Jaxson to Griff.
“We are going out today, he will be our escort,” Jaxson responded.
I forgot my fear immediately. “Leaving the ship?” I tried to keep my voice even but it came out an octave higher.
“Yes.” Jaxson nodded and took my hand. His touch sent a jolt through me, spreading a silent, instinctive message. The hum of his body told me he was as excited about our outing as I was, though you could not read it in his features.
The air outside smelled sweeter than I remembered. I sucked in a deep breath and held it as long as I could before letting it out and drew in another.
“There is enough for you to waste it,” Jaxson said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. I laughed as I let out my breath.
Looking out at the trees felt like home. I wanted to touch each one as we started walking through them. I was so wrapped up in the freedom, it took me a minute to realize we were walking, not using the pedestal they usually came to town on.
“I would like our trip to remain discreet,” Jaxson said, as if he read my mind when I look up at him.
I tried to focus on the color of the sky and the smell of earth that wafted up after each step, but I could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. The deeper we moved into the woods, the stronger the feeling became.
I pushed out everything else and listened for the sounds of the forest. That is when I realized something really was wrong. The pressure from Jaxson’s hand was still light and comfortable, but there was something in the way he held it that made me look over at him. His hand was the only thing relaxed about him.
I looked around and realized the forest was silent. The only sound was the beating of my heart as its pace quickened, and the shuffle of our feet through the fallen leaves. I struggled to hear anything else.
If I strained, I thought I could make out something more; a distant shuffle, an occasional snap of a twig. I tried to tell myself it was the animals re-emerging in our wake. I chanced a sideways glance at Jaxson and it was clear he also heard it.
He raised a finger to his lips, stopping my questions. The sounds were no longer distant and I could no longer deny they sounded like the footfalls of more than one person.
I knew better than to let us come into the woods. They are not safe for the Halorans. There were people from the city who never accepted our fate. They were biding their time, waiting for just such an opportunity. Death to them was worth taking out one of the “Gods.” I was selfish and high on the freedom. If Jaxson and Griff died, it would be my fault.
Jaxson pulled his hand from mine and I felt it pressed to my back, shoving me hard. I stumbled forward.
“Run.” Jaxson’s voice came out in a quiet hiss.
I turned just in time to see Jaxson shoving his foot onto the back of Duester’s calf. He followed her to her knees. One arm was pressing his knife tight against her throat and his other hand had her arm twisted up behind her back. It was so fast I barely had time to blink while it all happened.
Griff came out of the trees with his large hands around the necks of two Halorans I had very little interaction with, Annalyse and Vitoro. They did not struggle at all. In fact they looked somewhat relieved.
I turned back to face Jaxson and Duester when I heard her grunt. Jaxson pressed closer to her, placing his lips next to her ear. His knife still pressed tight enough against her neck that the skin against the blade curved into it.
“Duester, you are lucky your Kincha has not given up se
arching for its missing half. If you were not still producing that noxious odor, you would be dead.” He threw a glance at the two Griff held.
“If I find any of you near my queen ever again, even your stench will not be able to save you.” His voice was deadly calm. It made the hair on my neck and arms stand on end.
He withdrew his knife from Duester’s neck and shoved the back of her head, forcing her face into the ground. She lay there, unmoving, barely breathing, but I got the feeling it was more than fear and Jaxson’s boot that held her there. I could not see her eyes, but if I could, I was sure what I saw would frighten me.
Jaxson looked up at Griff and without a word Griff nodded and closed his eyes. A moment later he let go of Annalyse and Vitoro. They both fell to the ground and clutched their throats.
Jaxson took my hand. He did not try to hide his tension like before. I could feel it pulsing through his hand into mine. A few minutes later, five guards appeared. Griff gave them a meaningful look, but said nothing. The largest of them nodded and turned his attention to Duester. The other four collected Annalyse and Vitoro.
Without another word, Jaxson turned and we resumed our previous path. When we were out of ear shot, he turned to face me.
“You did not run.” His voice was steady, but he did not meet my eyes.
“I could not leave you. I did not know what was out there.”
“What if there had been more of them? You cannot be so irresponsible. You are the only thing that matters.” He met my eyes then, and his were fierce with passion and anger.
I swallowed, and though the intensity of his eyes told me not to object, I could not restrain myself. “Not to me. You matter to me.”
He wrapped his arms around me in a crushing hug. His breath was heavy in my ear. It was not until I felt him tremble that I realized how frightened he was.
The next half hour was spent in silence. As we walked, the woods began to feel more familiar. A sick feeling began to spread over me like a slow tide. These were my woods. I spent all my free time in these woods trying to avoid the reality that was life in the City. They were almost more of a home to me than our little house, which, if I squinted, I could see the outline rising out of the shadows.
Children of the Gods - A Chosen Novel Page 10
