by M. L. Greye
Will smiled slightly as Trenton swore again and pulled Tyra over his shoulder. She began to protest, but Trenton cut her off, saying that he needed to run and this was the easiest way for him to do it. Will chuckled at Trenton’s response. This was a much more edgy Trenton than the one Will had known.
“You better not drop me,” Tyra warned.
Trenton grunted. “You almost killed yourself and you’re ordering me not to drop you?”
Stone from the townhouse across the street suddenly crumbled to the ground. Tyra shouted, “Go, Trenton!”
Trenton took off running back the way he had come, and Will decided to follow after him. Will grabbed Olinia’s hand and yanked her forward. She cried out in surprise. “Where are you going?”
“The building’s about to collapse, princess. Following Trenton is the only way to stay alive,” he called over his shoulder. Trenton was making his way down the long hallway, completely ignoring the stairs, which would have been Will’s choice of exit.
“Or I could take us back.”
Trenton disappeared behind a dark green door. Will wasn’t far behind. He pulled Olinia through just as he realized the door was an exit onto a stone bridge. From there, Will was able to see the city better than he had on the veranda. Stone was tumbling to the ground on his left and right. Will quickened his step. “How fast can you snap your fingers?”
“Keep going!”
Will happily obeyed. Up ahead of him, Trenton was reaching the bridge’s end. To Will it looked like a partially caved-in tower. He watched as Trenton mounted the tower’s short wall and disappeared over its edge.
“We’re going to have to jump!” Will yelled.
“Jump where?”
“Over the wall!” Will pulled her onto the tower just as the bridge collapsed behind them.
He then climbed the same wall Trenton had and helped Olinia up beside him. The drop was much further than he had anticipated. Afraid that Trenton and Tyra hadn’t made it alive, Will scanned the ground for them. He found them half running, half stumbling away from the city.
“What are you waiting for?” Olinia screamed. “This isn’t going to hold up much longer!”
As if to prove her right, the wall supporting the tower to the left began to crumble in on itself. “Jump!” Will ordered.
They jumped. Will yanked Olinia on top of him so as to protect her somewhat from the fall. He landed on his back and felt the air rush out of his lungs. They both rolled a few times, relieving some of the impact.
When they finally stopped, Will didn’t move. He gasped in for air as Olinia did the same. He waited for some sort of pain, but none came. Instead, Will felt Olinia’s heartbeat thump against his chest. The ground was no longer shaking. He grunted, thankful for the change.
After a few moments, Olinia pushed herself up enough to look down at him. Her hair fell over her shoulders and into her face. She used one hand to brush it behind her ear as she glanced up over his head. She blinked, and then blinked again.
“What’s wrong?” Will asked.
“We’re back in Evedon,” she breathed as she rolled off his chest.
He pushed himself up, leaning back on his hands. “You’re right.”
* * * * * *
Archrin collapsed onto his bed. He had undressed quickly, something he’d mastered in his turns as a soldier, and tossed his uniform onto the chair beside his bed, too exhausted to do anything else.
Keeping the peace among the people of Graymark and his men was easy enough, keeping his men busy was far more difficult. Unfortunately, Graymark was filled with beautiful women, who all seemed obsessed with the physiques of the Kendren soldiers. Archrin had to be sure that none of his men ever violated one of these women, for fear of what the fathers would do. His men could cause the Kendren control over the people to fall. Finding work for his men dissolved Archrin’s energy like sugar in water.
Archrin groaned and ran a hand through his hair. He needed sleep badly. Thankfully, sleep came soon. He felt himself drift off as soon as he closed his eyes.
Then she screamed. Archrin bolted up, grabbing the knife from beneath his pillow. She screamed again.
* * * * * *
As Foehn grabbed her wrist, Tiara could smell brandy on his breath. She gagged. How had he gotten into her room? Her door had been locked.
“I knew you would be pleased to see me.” Foehn grinned, slurring his words.
“Let me go, Foehn!” Tiara ordered. “You’re drunk.”
He laughed and pulled her against him. “Only a little.”
His head bent. Tiara shoved him backwards, but somehow his mouth still managed to meet hers. His tongue pushed between her teeth, and she bit down impulsively. He cried out in surprised pain before releasing her. Tiara clutched her sides, fighting the urge to vomit. Hadn’t one kiss been enough?
“Why you little…” Foehn started, trying to regain his footing. “I thought you loved me!”
If I enjoyed torture. Out loud she repeated, “You’re drunk, Foehn.”
“And you need to give proper respect to your future husband,” he stammered.
Tiara gaped at him. “I’d rather hang myself than marry a Kendren.”
Foehn blinked at her, the words not registering. Then, “Traitor!” He yanked a knife from its sheath at his waist. “Traitor!”
She winced, her heart beginning to quicken. Archrin had warned her to keep quiet. A drunk Foehn was bad enough, but a duty bound drunk was shaping up to be ten times worse. He grabbed her wrist again, yanking her towards his blade.
“Let me go!” She shrieked, struggling beneath his grip. She managed to pull her arm free, but lost her balance in the process, sending her backwards over a stool. She screamed as she hit the floor.
Foehn smiled through his stupor. “Farewell, Miss Anteal.”
The door to her room suddenly burst open. Both Tiara and Foehn whirled as Archrin appeared. Tiara gasped, staring. “Archrin?”
“This is none of your concern,” Foehn stuttered.
“Oh, isn’t it?” Archrin roared, his voice a reminder of the position he held. “Are you not violating retiring regulation?”
Foehn’s face grew red, whether from anger or embarrassment Tiara couldn’t tell. “She’s not a Kendren.”
“Neither is any other Drivian,” Archrin replied evenly.
“If you won’t destroy those who oppose us, then I will.” Foehn’s mouth hardened into a tight line as he spun back around to face Tiara, his blade poised.
Time suddenly slowed down for Tiara. Archrin leapt for Foehn just as Foehn released the knife into the air, aimed for Tiara. She screamed and snapped her fingers. The blade stopped in mid-flight. Tiara gasped in for air, an arm clutching her middle. She was still alive! Both Archrin and Foehn stood frozen in place. Tiara grinned, and then started laughing. She’d done it! For the first time in her life, after turns of trying over and over unsuccessfully, she’d finally been able to pause time.
Still grinning, Tiara moved beside the frozen Foehn. “You disgust me.”
She turned to Archrin. His eyes were determined, his mouth a hard line. It was the face of a true warrior, fighting to save his damsel in distress. Tiara glanced down at his arms. There was just enough space between them for her to slip through without touching him. If she did touch him, he would be brought into paused time with her, which most likely wasn’t the best idea. But then again…
Slowly, making sure she didn’t brush against him, Tiara slipped into the gap and went on her toes, letting her lips meet his. They both fell – Archrin forward, Tiara backward. His arms wrapped around her as they landed on the shorn carpet, a few feet from Foehn. He gaped at her.
“Welcome to paused time,” she said.
“He threw his knife at you.”
“It never hit me.”
Archrin let out a short laugh and lowered his head, kissing her firmly. “I’ve got to take you away from here.”
“Where?” She asked, liking the feel
of her fingers going through the hair on the back of his neck. “I don’t think another city can help me now.”
“I was thinking another world.”
She blinked. “Another world? You’d have to desert your position.”
“Would you prefer me sending you off alone?”
“No.”
“Then, I’m leaving my position.” He pushed himself up and grabbed her hands, pulling her up with him. “Come on.”
“What about Foehn?”
Archrin shrugged. “Leave him as he is.”
“He’s not in paused time – we are.”
“Fine,” Archrin lifted the stool Tiara had tripped over, and moved behind Foehn, “could you unpause time for me?”
Tiara smiled and snapped her fingers. The knife dug into the wall where Tiara had been standing earlier. Foehn cried out as Archrin’s stool banged across the back of his head, creating a soft thud. He collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Archrin set down the stool and crossed to Tiara. “Gather what you want to bring with us.”
She glanced around the room once. “I’m ready.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to travel in your evening gown?”
“I don’t have any traveling clothes, and no special little trinkets. So, let’s go.”
“Alright.” He took her hand and led her out of the room, leaving Foehn in a clump on the floor. They stepped down the dark hallway, and Archrin pulled her into his room.
He released her hand after squeezing it once, then shuffled around in the dark for a moment. A lamp was lit, and Archrin began gathering some things into a brown satchel. Tiara watched him. He must have rushed out of bed to save her. He wore loose, gray pants and no shirt. His hair was slightly disheveled. Tiara frowned, rubbing her bare arms with her hands as she wondered why he was leaving his life for her, a rebellious young Drivian.
“Are you cold?”
Tiara turned, realizing that he’d noticed her movement. She shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“You won’t be.” He opened his closet and pulled out a long, dark coat. “Here,” he helped her slip into it, “this will keep you warm while we’re riding.”
“Thank you.”
He slung his satchel over his shoulder, grabbing a tunic and jacket for himself as well. “We’ll pack some food and then leave.”
“Aren’t you tired?” Tiara asked, watching as he blew out the lamp.
“No.”
The dark circles beneath his eyes said otherwise. “Sure you aren’t.”
“I won’t be able to sleep until I have you out of Drivian,” he admitted over his shoulder, beginning toward the stairs.
“And how do you plan to do so?”
“I’ll use my Sinith.”
Tiara blinked. “You have a Sinith?”
“I’m a commander of a city. My position requires one.”
“Oh.” She’d never seen a Sinith in person.
They reached the bottom of the staircase. Archrin pulled her close to him, slipping one arm around her waist. “Could you pack us enough food for three days while I ready my horse?”
“Should we rent a horse for me?”
He shook his head. “No time. We’ve got to leave before Foehn wakes up.”
She nodded. “Give me your bag, and I’ll load it up.”
Archrin watched as she disappeared toward the kitchen before heading outside. Since no one in Graymark kept horses at their homes, there were no stables conveniently adjoining the house where he was. Ironically, though, there was a large warehouse on the house’s property that contained all of the carriages belonging to the former governor. Drivians were such strange people. No horses, but lots of carriages. Archrin let his breath out in a rush as he made his way down the pathway to the warehouse. Upon his arrival, he had a portion of the building converted into a stable for his horse. He hadn’t seen the reasoning behind storing his horse with all the other horses of Graymark when there was plenty of space beside the carriages.
As Archrin pulled open the door to the warehouse, he shook his head. What was he doing? Leaving behind his life as a Kendren seemed naïve and impulsive, two characteristics he was not. He’d built himself a career as a Kendren. How could he just turn his back to it now, especially over some woman? No, Tiara wasn’t just some woman. She was a dark-haired beauty with a fiery, passionate spirit. She was in need of his protection, his help. Why not leave now? If Tiara stayed in Drivian, she would be killed. Archrin knew the Kendrens would never allow her to live to influence any others toward her hatred. And the thought of Tiara dying made Archrin’s stomach churn. But then, it hurt no more than the idea of never seeing her again. The young Drivian had captured him. He would go wherever she pleased.
“All done yet?”
He jumped at the sound of her voice. He hadn’t been paying attention. “Almost. You ready?”
She nodded, extending his satchel toward him. “This should last us a few days.”
“Good.” Archrin took it from her and tied it to his horse’s saddle. When he was satisfied with his work, he offered his hand for her to mount first. She ignored his offering, mounting the horse with the expertise of a mastered rider.
She glanced down at him with a smug smile. “I can handle myself.”
“Like you just did with Foehn?” Archrin grunted, pulling himself up behind her.
“I would have done just fine without you.”
“Of course you would have.” He slipped an arm around her middle, pulling her back against him.
“Well, if you had given me more time, I could-”
“Tiara,” he whispered into her ear in Saerdian, cutting her off, “you’re welcome.”
She tilted her head around so as to catch his eyes. “You really did save my life.”
“I know.” He bent his head slightly – letting his lips meet hers for a moment before urging his horse forward.
* * * * * *
Zedgry woke up shivering and with a kink in his neck. He groaned as he opened his eyes to the gloomy forest. From the way the forest looked, he guessed it was mid-morning, perhaps a little later. He yawned and sat up completely. He should find something to eat for him and his new friend. Eian was probably just as hungry as he was. Rubbing his neck with one hand, he turned to where Eian had fallen asleep the night before. He was startled to find the spot empty. Had she really gotten up without him? She had seemed so frightened the night before. Zedgry pushed himself up to his feet, wincing at his tight muscles, and shouted her name.
There was no reply. He frowned and tried again, listening to his own eerie echo. Still nothing.
Wondering where she could have headed off to, Zedgry glanced down at the swampy ground, looking for footprints. He made out his own prints from the last night, but could find no others. That was strange. He doubted Eian was light enough to not leave any indents.
An odd feeling crept over him as he peered out into the forest once more. There was no physical evidence of Eian anywhere. Had she been a dream? Zedgry shivered, suddenly cold. Whether or not Eian had really been there last night, she wasn’t with him anymore. He was once again alone with the trees, and whomever those trees kept as prisoners.
Zedgry wiped his hands on his already filthy sleeves, hoping the movement would bring his arms some warmth in the process. He grimaced. It would be all right. His sister needed him. His world needed him. Delvich was not going to claim his life – he wouldn’t let it. Taking a deep breath, Zedgry set out to find himself some food, ignoring the hole that was forming in his chest. He would see his sister again, so there was no need to miss her. He was going to find a way out of Delvich…or die trying.
10
---------------
The cool stone floor of Will’s room was oddly soothing to Olinia’s back as she tried to catch her breath. Beside her, Will was leaning back on his hands, staring at the sunlit wall in front of him. Olinia glanced up at him. “Do you notice anything different?”
He n
odded. “My bed’s been made.”
“Is that it?”
“As far as I can see.”
“I wonder how long we were gone.”
“Me too.”
Olinia began to push herself up. Almost immediately, the exhaustion hit her. She groaned, falling back onto the floor. Bad idea.
Will turned. “What’s wrong?”
“Without fail,” Olinia muttered. “It always happens after I Globe.”
“What happens?”
“This,” Olinia managed to get out before yawning. “Globing drains me. My body still isn’t strong enough to keep awake afterwards.”
“Globing?”
Olinia nodded once, struggling to keep her eyes open. “It’s the name for what I did in Andin – how we went to Balinorre.”
“If it makes you so tired, why do you do it?”
She yawned again. “If you could do it, you would too.”
He chuckled from somewhere above her. “You really are exhausted.”
“Mm-hmm,” she replied, rolling onto her side, face towards him.
Suddenly Olinia wasn’t on the floor anymore. She opened her eyes briefly in surprise. Will had lifted her into his arms. She blinked. “What are you doing?”
“Putting you in my bed.”
“Why?”
“Would you rather sleep on the floor?”
“No, why your bed?”
“It’s closest,” he answered lowering her onto the mattress.
“Oh.” Olinia was too tired to say anything else. She let him cover her with his blankets. Before sleep took her completely, she murmured a muffled “Thank you.”
Will watched her for a moment as he brushed back strands of hair from her face. He was surprised at how quickly she had fallen asleep. But her exhaustion made sense to him. He’d always taken her gifts for granted, as simply something her mind and body were able to do. He hadn’t realized that her gifts were like running – when she used them, her body required more energy and effort than when she just existed as a Saerd. And their little trip was sure to have drained her. The images he’d experienced had been so lifelike, so real, leaving him questioning if he had actually been there.
