by K. G. Reuss
I nodded wordlessly, only because I knew the words wouldn’t come. The first warm, gentle touch of Kellin’s fingers on my heat had my breath coming in short gasps. He ran his finger up my wet slit for a moment before dipping his finger into the hot depths.
I gripped his shoulders as he inserted a finger into my tight channel.
“Relax,” he murmured against my lips. “I won’t hurt you, Ana.”
I trembled in his arms as he moved his finger in and out before adding another one. My breath leaked out of me in short, sharp gasps, a hot tingle building within me.
Knowing I couldn’t very well keep just lying there, I reached out and tentatively rubbed my hand against the bulge in his trousers. He let out an appreciative moan at my touch which helped my bravery.
After fumbling with his buttons, I was finally able to free him from his threaded prison. I ran my hand up and down his velvety length, having no clue what I was doing. The way he breathed made me think I was doing something right though. I matched pace with his fingers as they dove deeper into me.
“Ana,” he groaned against my lips, his breathing harsh as his length thickened in my grip. “Please. Do this with me.”
I knew he wanted me to let go and enjoy what he was offering. I wanted to so much.
I continued matching tempo with him, our mouths fused together as our tongues tangled. The tingles in my core grew, igniting euphoria within me until I was at the peak. He moved his fingers faster, his thumb rubbing hot circles around my sensitive bundle of nerves.
With a moan, I let go, letting the pleasure from his touch wash over me, satiating a thirst I’d been dying from for so long. Warmth spilled onto my hand as he trembled against me, signaling his own release. When we both managed to catch our breath, he placed a gentle kiss on my lips, tucking himself back into his pants. He rose to his feet and returned from Starfall a moment later with a canteen of water.
With his eyes locked on mine, he gently cleaned my hand before tossing aside the container and pulling me wordlessly into his arms. Neither of us spoke as we lay together. We stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until the sun set in the sky.
“We need to head back,” Kellin whispered finally, kissing me lightly and tugging me to my feet.
“OK,” I sighed, following him to Starfall. I reached down and scratched Four Paws behind the ears, bidding him farewell. We’d see him again soon.
We rode back to the palace, Kellin’s arms wound tightly around me and me leaning back against him. A lot had changed in the past few months.
But like all good things in my life, they had to come to an end. I knew they would. And it twisted like a knife in my guts.
Chapter 35
“Where have you been?” Soran stormed toward us, his face a mask of worry, stress, and anger. “It’s well past dark. I thought I’d have to send a search party for you.”
“Soran—” I started, but Kellin silenced me and stepped in front of me, blocking me from my brother’s angry march.
“What happened?” Kellin asked at once, his body tensing.
“There’s been an attack. A big one.”
“Where?” Kellin demanded.
“Marriot,” Soran answered grimly. “The city is gone. It’s the biggest attack since Calixto took Torrence, the day he tried to kill me.”
I remembered that vision, how I’d saved my brother through it, and I grimaced. I remembered seeing Calix on his black horse, killing indiscriminately, regardless of whether it was a man or woman.
“What of Cyrena?” Kellin asked softly.
I did a doubletake. Who was Cyrena?
“I don’t know, my friend. We must ride at once. Scouts reported Zaros’s military in the area. We’re going to need to bring an army with us. Tarek is readying the men now. We leave immediately.”
Kellin nodded tightly, his eyes narrowed, his hands balled into fists.
“I want to go,” I spoke up.
Both Kellin and Soran looked at me, surprised. It had been far too quiet in Winterset the past few weeks. We’d been working up to a moment like this. I couldn’t let it slip past. The apprehension was great, drawing me away from all the glorious things that had transpired between me and Kellin and jerking me back to reality—a reality where Zaros was tearing lives apart.
“Absolutely not,” Soran said immediately.
“Kellin, please?” I looked from Soran to Kellin. “I can help. You know I can. You know what I can do. Let me come.” I neared Kellin, placed my hands on his face, and stared up at him, my eyes pleading with him. “You know I can help, Niall.”
He breathed in softly at me using his real name, his eyes flickering across my face. I knew his mind was back with me in those wildflowers, reliving what we’d done together.
“I don’t want to be left behind. What if it’s a distraction, and they come here? I’ll be alone. I want to be with you. I want to help,” I pleaded, trying everything I could to be a part of it. I was the Oracle, and I wasn’t going to learn a damn thing tucked away behind the palace walls.
“It’s too dangerous, Analia,” Soran broke in, shaking his head. “Go up to your room.”
“No,” Kellin finally spoke up, his eyes locked on mine. “She comes with us. I’m not leaving her behind.”
“Niall,” Soran shouted angrily. “You’re not bringing my sister out to fight a war with us. I forbid it.”
“You’re right.” He smiled down at me. “I’m not bringing your sister. I’m bringing the Oracle.”
I grinned up at Kellin, excited to finally see what I could do.
Chapter 36
I raced upstairs to my room after making Kellin promise he wouldn’t leave without me. I made sure he knew I’d escape and follow them if they tried to sneak off. He knew I’d make good on my word.
I was throwing things out of my wardrobe, wondering what to bring, when there was a soft knock on my door. I looked up and saw my mother come in, the picture of perfection. She held something wrapped in her arms and I wondered what she wanted.
“Analia,” she said, a tiny smile on her face. “Soran tells me you’ll be riding with them to Marriot tonight.”
“Did he tell you to come talk me out of it?” I demanded, hands on my hips.
“No. Well, yes, but I’m not going to do that. Instead…” She held out the covered item to me. “I want you to take this.”
“What is it?” I asked, taking the package from her. It wasn’t very heavy. I pulled the tie and stared down at it.
“You should wear it when you leave. It will protect you.”
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, pulling the silver chainmail from the package, its small links so intricately woven together there was no way anything could pierce it. It looked like a corset, hard boned, the design beautiful. The links were so tight it seemed like one solid piece, winding its way up to the breast where the smallest bit of skin would be exposed as the links turned into a complex design which wound up to the neck. There was a matching set of pants as wells as a thin, black tube top and yoga-style pants in the package. I looked at my mother in awe.
“Where did you get these?” I asked after putting everything on, the thin material first followed by the chainmail armor. Even with the smallest bit of exposed skin, there was no way a sword would be able to do damage. It was a well-crafted item.
“I had them made for you on your sixteenth birthday.” She gave me a watery smile.
“It fits like a glove. How did you get my size?”
“A mother just knows,” she said, as a guard entered the room.
He held more armor, and I stared apprehensively at it.
“This fastens around your shoulders,” she murmured, taking the black and green armor from the guard. It looked like dragon scales, even though I’d never seen a dragon before and didn’t even know if they existed. It wasn’t heavy at all and gave my shoulders and upper arms a fair amount of coverage. Next, she pushed a pair of matching scaled green boots at me, and I slipped my
feet into them. They, too, fit like gloves.
“This is wonderful,” I breathed out, staring at myself in the mirror. I looked like a real soldier. I pulled my hair back into a high ponytail and gave my reflection a nod. I could do this. It was my destiny, and I wouldn’t be able to face it by hiding in my room forever. If we could get rid of Zaros, then maybe my heart would be officially free. The thought gave me hope. I’d spent months pushing Calix out of my mind, but he was back, his beautiful face haunting me again. If I knew Calix hadn’t died in vain, then maybe I could find happiness in knowing he was resting peacefully. I had to take out the man who’d caused us so much pain. I owed it to Calix.
“Be safe, Analia.” Mother hugged me tightly, tears in her eyes. “Be brave and have hope. Keep your brother safe.”
“I will,” I murmured, squeezing her back.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She gestured to the guard who brought forth an emerald green cloak. She fastened it to my shoulder armor, and I smiled down at her. “This will keep you warm as you ride.”
“Ride?” I swallowed hard. “I-I don’t know how to ride a horse on my own.”
“I’m sure Prince Niall will see to that.” She winked at me and took my hand, leading me from my room and down to the main hall where Rowan was waiting. He gawked up at me, his eyes wide, his mouth open.
“Wow, An— I mean, Princess,” he exclaimed. “You look like a force to be reckoned with.”
“I hope I actually am.” I blushed.
“I have no doubts that you are,” he complimented me. He held out a bag, and I took it, looking from it to him curiously.
“Brena put it together for you. Mabel helped,” he supplied. “I think you’ll have better things in there than we have in ours.”
“Jealous?” I teased.
“Absolutely.” He grinned at me.
“My darling, be careful,” Mother started in again, and I waved her off.
“Mother, I’ll be with some of the best fighters in Dar’ish, in all of Winterset. I’ll be safe.”
She nodded at me, tears in her eyes. Planting a quick kiss on my cheek, she left us. I knew she’d go off and have a good cry, and I felt for her. I wanted to do the same if I were being truthful, but now wasn’t the time for it. I had to be what I was meant to be. And it was just another small step, like my mother had said.
Besides, tears weren’t for the battlefield.
Chapter 37
Soran and Kellin were engaged in a deep conversation with a large group of men when Rowan and I approached. Tarek stopped listening, his eyes opening wide when he saw me. Kellin noticed his reaction and stopped talking to turn and look at me. Soran followed suit.
“Ana?” Kellin choked out, surprised.
All the men were in their armor, swords at their sides, gaping openmouthed at me.
“I’m ready,” I said, my voice shaking.
Soran had done a doubletake before coming to me and blocking me from the eyes of the men behind him.
“I really would rather you stayed here,” he murmured urgently. “I know you want to be part of this, Analia, but if anything were to happen to you—”
“Soran,” I sighed. “Wouldn’t you rather if something happened to me that you’d be able to be there to help save me rather than days away from me?”
“I just have a bad feeling about this,” he said quickly, his eyes sweeping over my face. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“It’ll be OK,” I said, trying to believe it. Truth was, I was terrified. I had no idea what I’d be walking in on. I had the same feelings as Soran—something felt off. It gave me even more reason to want to go with them.
“She’ll never leave my sight,” Kellin broke in, wrapping his arm around my waist and planting a gentle kiss on my head. “I’ll die before something happens to her.”
“You better pray you do, because if something does happen to her, I’ll have your head,” Soran growled, giving Kellin a stern look.
I glanced over and saw Tarek staring raptly at us, his eyes narrowed.
“Father,” Soran said suddenly, bowing his head.
Kellin dropped his arm from my waist and bowed as my father approached, draped in his silk robes. All the men took a knee, while I stood awkwardly wondering what I should do.
“I heard my beautiful daughter would be accompanying you on your journey to Marriot,” my father’s deep voice rang out. “It is all of your responsibilities to ensure that your princess is safe. You will fall to your knees for her, bow for her, die for her.”
“Father—” I stepped forward, but Soran stopped me and shook his head.
“The same holds true for your prince. Make your king proud and take out the Dark Army. No more lives need to be lost. It must end. See to it that the end begins tonight.”
The three hundred men rose to their feet, shouting their allegiance, and I swallowed thickly. Men who didn’t know me were willing to die for me. It made me sick to my stomach. It was terrible to be back to this harsh reality. I’d spent so much time wrapped up in Kellin’s arms that I’d almost forgotten the point in all of this—almost. Here it was, though, reminding me.
“Analia,” my father said, turning to me, his blue eyes bright.
I stepped toward him nervously. We hadn’t had many encounters despite living under the same roof, and I wasn’t as comfortable around him as I was my mother.
“Listen to your brother, Tarek, and Prince Niall. They’re seasoned warriors and won’t steer you wrong. But most importantly, listen to this.” He tapped me lightly over my heart. “It’s your guide. It won’t lead you were you do not belong.”
He dug into his robes and pulled out a thin, silver dagger with emeralds embedded in the handle. A beautiful intricate, tribal design hugged the jewels.
“Here, keep this on you at all times. Having your abilities and a sword are one thing, something smaller and easily hidden is another. Don’t hesitate to use it if you must.” He made a quick upward motion with his arm, and I gasped. “You plunge it into your enemy here.” He touched my heart with it. “Here.” He touched the center of my stomach. “Or here.” He touched my neck with it. “Lots of elbow behind. Be quick. Do not falter. Do not cry.” He handed the dagger over to me and stared at me fondly. “We haven’t had much chance to get to know one another. That’s more my fault than yours. I fear getting to know you and then losing you again. Come back to your mother and me, and I promise to make it up to you.”
He kissed me lightly on my forehead, and I nodded at him, too stunned to speak. This entire time I didn’t think he cared much about me, that he was an exuberant man who enjoyed the company of the court. But he really did want my safety. He’d been avoiding me for much the same reason I avoided things—fear of loving, of losing, of failing. There was no denying we were related.
The king strode away, only stopping long enough to whisper to Kellin and Soran before disappearing back into the palace.
“Tarek, take my sister to the armory and get her a weapon. You’ve worked with her the most and know what suits her best,” Soran said.
Tarek stepped forward, and I followed him awkwardly into the armory. Kellin watched us go.
“I’m impressed you took the initiative to come,” Tarek murmured once we were inside the building by the training grounds which housed all the weapons.
“I feel like it’s where I’m supposed to be,” I replied, following him deeper into the room as he looked over the options.
“It’s where you’re supposed to be, however, I know what your brother speaks of. Prince Soran is worried about you. About this. He has a bad feeling… as do I.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” he said softly, pulling a sword off a rack and handing it to me. “How’s the weight? Give it a good swing.”
I swung it and nodded at him, wondering why I’d been stuck with such a heavy sword during practice when lighter ones clearly existed. Tarek must have guessed what I was thinking because he smirked at me.
“It’s by far better to train with something heavier. It forces you to increase your speed for when you have a weapon in your hands which is actually a better fit. You’ll find I’m right once you have to plunge that sword through your enemy’s flesh.”
“I-I’ll be killing people.” I said it as a statement, a realization.
“That’s what we do when we fight. We kill. We weaken the other army. They weaken us. It’s a dance. An ugly, unchoreographed dance.” He sighed and turned toward me. “Can you handle it, or do you think you should stay behind?”
“I-I can handle it.” I swallowed thickly as Tarek stared me down.
“I don’t think you can,” he murmured, reaching out and tenderly touching my face, his eyes wavering with some unsaid emotion. “I worry for you.”
“You worry for me?” I whispered in disbelief, unable to stop myself from leaning into his touch.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re the princess. The Oracle. Should a tragedy befall you, it befalls us all. Your safety, your security, is just as important to me as my own. Your success is my success. It’s our success. I helped trained you, Princess. I know what you’re capable of, and I know what you’re not. You’ll find your strength when all you have is your weakness. Remember that.”
“Tarek,” I asked, bravely stepping close to him, my hand reaching out to rest on his hard chest.
“Yes?” he asked, a smirk on his face. So familiar. It tugged on my heart.
“Where are you from? I know you’re not from Dar’ish.”
“Do you now?” He raised an eyebrow at me, the small scar moving with it as he studied me. “Where do you think I’m from?”
“I’m not sure.” I frowned, finally saying what had been on my mind since the day I’d met him. “But you’re different… yet so familiar to me. I want to know why. I want to know why I feel this… this strange pull to you.”
“Princess, I fear when you figure that out, it’ll be at a pivotal point, and you’ll be left with a choice. That choice. Remember we already talked about it before you went off and fell in love.”
