by Alex Lidell
Coal
Coal crossed the Academy grounds blindly, unaware of cadets’ wide eyes as he passed, of anything but where he was going. She knew. However it happened, Lera saw the jagged, shattered pieces of Coal’s soul—and found them as vile and pathetic as he did. The nightmares that were getting worse, the darkness ratcheting tighter around Coal’s neck each day. He could barely look at his own reflection nowadays, knowing his memories had somehow been laid open for Lera to sort through… Coal had barely made it out of the cadets’ barracks before losing what little food his stomach held.
Even if Coal stayed away from Leralynn completely, transferred the girl to another class, and never ever crossed paths, the truth would still saturate the air. He couldn’t do it. Couldn’t face Lera again. Worse still, if that strange bridge between them reopened again, the darkness haunting Coal might assault Lera as well.
A rabid dog, one of the guards had called Coal. How very accurate.
Opening the keep door, he took the keep stairs toward River’s study, two at a time—only to find the man descending the steps.
“Coal?” Stopping on a wide landing with a window overlooking the courtyard below, River arched a dark brow. With his arms behind his back, he made the weight resting on his shoulders seem easy to carry—though the fatigue lining his eyes spoke the truth. Well, at least Coal would shortly be getting rid of one of River’s problems.
“I wished to give you a chance to rip into me properly over yesterday.” Coal slid his hands into his pockets. “I will be leaving after that.”
River pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve been unable to find Shade for the past bloody day, and you’ve managed to both corner him and somehow wring a clearance to return to active duty from his jaws?”
“No. But I am resigning my commission. You are within your rights to have me arrested over a number of charges by now, but whether I leave in shackles or free, I will be off the grounds by nightfall.”
River surveyed Coal with opaque gray eyes that gave no hint of his thoughts.
A tight band closed around Coal’s chest, the passing heartbeats sounding louder and louder in the heavy silence. Coal had served under River and Shade for as long as he could remember, and the thought of breaking all ties with the men cut as sharp as a blade.
“I will consider your resignation and let you know my decision by nightfall,” River said finally, as if discussing a proposed change of vendor for cleaning oils. Perhaps he had been waiting for this awhile now. Hoping Coal would realize the toxic effect he had. Straightening his already neat coat, River started down the steps. “Meanwhile, I am on my way to discuss Leralynn’s unintended overnight captivity with Master Han, whom I’d expected to release her. You may join me if you wish.”
“Who the bloody hell is Han?” Coal asked, falling in step.
Despite most of the cadets enjoying the week of holiday liberty, using the time to ride out to the small town near the school, the training pitch at the far end was in active use. From what Coal could see over the expanse of freshly cut grass, Han was working ten cadets—all royal born, save Tyelor of Blair.
The royals, all dressed in training grays, were holding a plank position along the fence. Sweat dripped from their hair, leaving dark clumps in the sand. Judging by Princess Katita’s trembling arms, they’d been at this for some time already. Unlike the others, Tye was climbing a thick rope rigged to hang from a sturdy tree branch some twenty feet up. Moving closer, Coal noted an iron anvil tied to Tye’s ankles, the metal both increasing the weight to be hauled up the rope and preventing Tye from using his legs to help the climb.
“We are all waiting on you, Tyelor,” Han was yelling as River and Coal made their final approach. Tall and muscular, with neat black hair, the new man had a warrior’s body and a sharp smell that made Coal think of cayenne pepper. Dressed in a tight-fitting gray shirt and black pants, Han moved with a speed and balance that spoke of violence despite being plainly unarmed at the moment. Tipping his head back to watch Tye’s ascent, Han raised his voice again. “Every single damn person in this corral is waiting on your pleasure, Master Tyelor. Your feet will be on the ground in the next five heartbeats, or this training starts over. For everyone.”
Coal gave River a sideways look. Tye’s body was already shaking, and, as Han’s threat registered, the athlete pushed his pace at the expense of control. Not a good combination twenty feet up in the air, in Coal’s opinion—though he trained soldiers, not athletic competitors. Twisting upside down around a bar was not a good idea in Coal’s mind under any circumstance.
“Four,” Han called. “Three.”
Tye touched the top branch and started scrambling down, gripping hand over hand, his chest heaving.
“Two,” Han bellowed.
Tye flinched, making a too-hasty grab for the rope. Coal foresaw the inevitable a moment before it happened. Tyelor’s hand slipped, and he slid down the remaining fifteen feet of the rope, the hemp burning off his skin to leave streaks of crimson behind. By the time Tye fell to the ground, his knee striking the anvil’s edge, blood dripped freely from his palms.
Han kicked the sand, sending the grains into Tye’s eyes. “Pitiful and sloppy.”
Tye showed no emotion, his chest heaving as sweat ran down his face.
“I’ve no notion what child’s play you called training up to this point, but I assure you, it won’t be the case any longer.” Han pointed at the rope. “Again.”
River strode up to the corral fence, waiting in that silent way the commander had of getting attention. As usual, the method worked. Han approached the spot a moment later, a small smile tilting his lips.
“I see you’ve already begun assembling the new team,” River said mildly.
Han leaned his back against the fence and nodded. “I have. One moment, sir.” He snapped his fingers at the royals, whose heads swiveled to him at once. “Two laps around the Academy. The last one done will be running extra every day for the next week. Go.”
The cadets scurried off, Katita and two of her cousins leading the way. With all students but Tye gone, Han split his attention equally between his climber and River. “I presume you came to check on your troublemaker, sir.” Han nodded toward the rope. “I feel confident that after today, Tyelor’s desire to get into brawls or break any other Academy regulations will be curbed effectively.”
“I’m heartened to learn that. However, I came to discover why you failed to remove Leralynn of Osprey from the holding cell yesterday.” The chill in River’s voice was enough to set any man’s spine crackling with ice, but Han seemed too busy watching Tye’s progress to mark it.
“Who? Oh, the wench. She isn’t any concern of mine.” With a dismissive shrug, Han pitched his voice up. “Move, Tyelor. Bathe in self-pity on your own damn time.”
Coal felt a growl rise up his chest, but River beat him to it. Clamping a hand on Han’s shoulder, the large commander jerked Han around to face him.
“First, that is the last time you refer to any female at this Academy as wench.” River’s voice was low and dangerous as he stared down at Han. “Second, you were told to set both students free and instead shackled the girl and left without a word. Explain yourself.”
Han glanced at River’s grip as if examining an unsightly slug. “First, Commander River, Leralynn of Osprey—as well as any other student not on my training team—is utterly irrelevant to my position here. I left her cell door ajar and kept her shackle loose enough for anyone with half a brain to work their wrist loose with a few minutes of effort. Beyond that, I expect the young woman’s training instructor to take responsibility for her.” Han’s eyes cut to Coal, the blue-gray in them lined with distaste.
Coal bared his teeth.
Han snorted, returning his attention to River. “Either way, certainly the guards at the prestigious Great Falls Academy can subtract one from two and know there is something left over. If Leralynn’s disposition wasn’t reported back to you, then either your people
’s arithmetic or communications skills are lacking. Both of which, like Leralynn herself, are not my concern. Now, let go of my shoulder, sir.”
River released Han, and Coal swore the commander nearly wiped his hand on his trousers before putting it behind his back.
Han turned to Coal. “While we are on the topic of cadet oversight, Lieutenant Coal, please allow me to make myself clear in light of some recent history I’ve learned. I little care who you rut with, so long as it isn’t any one of my athletes. You let your cock, tongue, or even your stars’ damned eyes touch any of my students, and I will cut off your sac and stuff it down your throat. I do hope that is clear enough. Excuse me, gentlemen.”
Coal realized he was moving only when he felt River’s hand dig painfully into his shoulder.
“Leave it,” the commander ordered, half dragging Coal off the pitch.
Coal’s nostrils flared, the pounding in his ears making the whole bloody world pulse in front of his eyes. The moment he and River cleared Han’s sight, he twisted toward the commander so quickly that the other man had to jump back just to keep from being slugged. “Did you hear—”
“Yes, I did.” River matched Coal snarl for snarl. “I heard a man who knows his authority comes from Sage tell me exactly where the lines in the sand are drawn. And, point of fact, the bastard was right. I ordered everyone into custody, so the responsibility to keep track of them was mine. Had the guards not been in utter disarray, they would have reported the situation as Han expected. They didn’t, and I was too preoccupied to notice. That is not a mistake someone with the power to lock people up is allowed to make.”
“That’s it?” Coal’s voice was too calm and quiet for the blood rushing in his ears. There was little point in pushing when River got like this. No, action would come later. “And Tyelor? Or was that near neck-breaking fall also somehow your fault?”
“If Tyelor—and the rest of the cadets in that corral—find Han’s methods unpalatable, there is nothing stopping them from walking away.” River clasped his hands behind his back, his broad chest pressing against his red jacket. Reminding Coal of just who was in control. “Unless Han starts physically forcing the athletes or expands his power outside the team, I’ve matters of greater import to address than how a Prowess coach handles his entirely voluntary group. As for what he said to you—”
“Don’t.” Coal turned on his heels before the fury raging inside him flashed too brightly in his eyes. He was done here. Done but for one last thing that River would do better to know nothing about. Not until it was done. After that—after that, nothing really mattered.
Coal waited atop the Academy’s high wall, crouched against the deep shadow of the night. The curfew bells had sounded hours ago, though with Ostera liberty, several errant cadets were still trying to talk their way past the harried guards. But Coal wasn’t watching for them. He hunted someone else.
Despite being assigned quarters in the instructors’ wing of the keep, Han was yet to move in, his rooms empty. Which meant that sometime tonight, Han would leave the Academy. Most likely, he’d head to one of the two small inns in the Great Fall’s village, though it little mattered. By the time Coal finished his chat with the man, Han wasn’t going to be arriving at either destination—not unless he crawled there.
Han had shackled Leralynn to a cell wall and left her there. Alone and frightened and in pain. Just the memory of the coppery scent of her wrists, her numb fear, made Coal’s blood simmer. For that, Han would pay. The man might have a silver tongue and leverage enough to talk circles around River, but none of that would save him from Coal.
The three hours Coal spent waiting passed swiftly, his heartbeat staying level even when Han finally walked out the Academy gate, the night breeze carrying hints of cayenne pepper toward Coal. Han wore casual clothing now rather than the instructor’s red, a soft white tunic tucked into fitted black pants, and tall boots. That white shirt would be easy to spot in the woods—and a pleasure to ruin. From his perch, Coal watched as the man chose one of the wooded trails instead of the main road and started down the path at a leisurely gait. With Han’s speed and the direction in mind, Coal jumped softly from the wall and cut through the woods, beating Han to the small clearing Coal had spotted. Crossing his arms over his chest, Coal leaned back against a thick oak and waited.
The smell of cayenne pepper announced Han’s approach even before the sound of his soft footsteps brushed Coal’s ears. Entering the clearing, the man spotted Coal and snorted softly, his blue-gray eyes filling with the same derisive loathing Coal had marked at the training courts.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Han asked.
“You left a girl chained to a dungeon wall.” Pushing away from the oak, Coal stepped toward Han. “River might have to swallow the horseshit you spew, but I’ve no intention to.”
“Are you here to fight me, Coal?” This time, Han actually laughed, his face crossing the line from handsome to cruel in an instant. “And here I thought you were just spanked for as much last night.”
Coal’s hand curled into a fist, Han’s gaze narrowing at the motion.
“You know…” Han’s tone changed, amusement disappearing. “On second thought, I think I’d welcome the exercise.” The shift of Han’s hips was the only warning Coal had before Han’s boot slammed into his ribs, the force of the blow lifting Coal into the air.
Coal’s back bounced off the very oak he’d leaned on moments earlier, the impact a distant thud. Rolling over his shoulder, he dodged the next attack, his senses coming into focus.
Han crouched in a fighting stance, his chest moving as evenly and slowly as Coal’s own. When Han’s lips pulled back to expose a set of bright white teeth, a guttural primal growl escaping from his chest into the forest, Coal knew that only one of them was walking out of the clearing alive.
And Coal little cared who it would be.
13
Lera
“I don’t like him,” I tell Arisha, hugging a pillow to my chest. Without Shade’s wolf in my bed, the mattress feels too large. The male has been gone two full days now—who knows how far he’s gone in search of the mysterious fae girl. Stars take me. “I don’t like the whole notion.”
“There are a number of hims that would fit logically into that sentence.” Arisha makes a mark in a study schedule she’s drafting, her wild brown hair uncharacteristically loose and brushing the parchment. We both know she doesn’t need one and is simply using the busy work as an excuse to stay in the room with me all day. Keeping me company as I recover from last night or keeping me out of trouble. Probably both.
“Han. And not only because he shackled me to a wall. Granted, that’s a pretty good reason too.” I try to sound nonchalant, though the memories still send chills over my skin. The heavy dread that had wrapped around me after Coal left seemed to have lifted for a spell but returned with a vengeance a few hours ago. A low, rumbling oppression stalking me from the shadows.
I rub my face. The fight with Coal, that’s what’s eating me. Just when I thought the chain linking our fears would link our trust as well, Coal looked me in the eye and informed me that our connection mattered nothing. That he didn’t want me in his heart, or soul, or life.
I glance at the darkness outside the window and light another lantern, my green silk pants and short-cropped top swaying comfortably. No gowns, no gray uniforms, not tonight. “Why is the man suddenly here?” I say, returning to the matter of Han. “Great Falls was never going to participate in the Trials—it’s all the veil’s doing to make a place for Tye.”
“It isn’t all that sudden, actually,” says Arisha. “Tye came over a month ago. Once that happened, Sage suddenly had both the notion and the means to make Great Falls a real player in one of the continent’s most important events. It makes sense that he’d start maneuvering to field a competitive—and royal—team. If princelings are competing, their throne-holding parents will come to watch. All because of Sage. The little worm is probably bathin
g in his future self-importance.”
“Maybe. But Han still appeared right after I ran into the Night Guard.” I rub my tightening chest.
“Word in the courtyard is that he’s well known—has been in Prowess for a decade. The royals…”
Arisha’s words blur. In the edges of my vision, the bedchamber flickers to a dungeon cell, to a forest, to whispering darkness all around me, night sounds making me flinch. My breath quickens, then catches, that shadow-stalking dread inside me uncoiling. Focusing. Getting ready to pounce.
“Lera? Leralynn.” Arisha is on her feet and, by the sound of it, has repeated my name several times by now.
“I’m sorry.” I blink my friend back into focus, her concerned blue eyes grounding me. “Sorry. I was just thinking… What is the veil going to do when Tye travels to the Trials? Is it going to be strong enough to convince a much larger group that he is—” I cut off, the wave of wrongness smashing into me strong enough to make my heart stutter with panic, a phantom scent of cayenne tickling my nose. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong.
I stuff my feet into my boots, barely seeing what I’m doing, and am at the window before I can form words from the onslaught of sensation. Not words—word. Just one.
“Coal,” I tell Arisha, though I know nothing more than that. Only that something is wrong. That Coal is in the middle of it. That Coal is ready to die.
The darkened Academy is a blur as I shimmy out the window, climbing down the outer wall of the dormitory with practiced ease. Only lanterns in a few windows and torches on the ramparts light my way, casting deep shadows everywhere else. The familiar dark woods lining the inside of the Academy wall greet me with a rustle of leaves and a scent of pine that I mark only in the periphery. I run without knowing where I’m going, except toward the eye of the gathered dread. What are you doing, Coal? I demand in my head, as if the male might hear my question.
