Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5) (6 page)

“Yes, I was hoping to find someplace to clean my wounds.”

“Follow me.” She waved him forward. “I can’t sleep anyway. Let me help you.”

Heather appeared to be his elder by only a few years, though she spoke just like Vala, with a motherly yet worried tone. She led him to a room with a water basin and opened a cabinet to fetch some rags and bandages, as if preparing to clean a gaping gash.

“It’s not that bad,” he said, showing her the long yet shallow scratch marks.

Her loud gasp startled him. “It looks terrible!”

“It’s been much worse than this.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Nearly touching him, she used her finger to trace the air just over his scars and lingering bruises from his chest to his stomach. “I can’t believe it’s true. I’ve never heard of someone’s nightmares actually injuring them. Does this mean the other things they say about you are true as well?”

“I don’t know what people say.” It wasn’t exactly true, as he’d heard some things. Many other people had recognized him since he’d become the King’s Mage, but not all the rumors they shared with him were accurate. It was easier to lie when asked. Everyone always seemed eager to bring up what they’d heard anyway.

“You worked as a wand stuffer at a forge until you were summoned by the King. You kidnapped Prince Harwin from Zav expecting a cure to your nightmares, but the King wanted your help with other matters before giving it to you. So you kidnapped Lisanda as ransom for the cure, but then—”

“All of that’s true,” he interrupted.

She smiled playfully. “I was just getting to the good part.”

“It’s too strange to hear so much about myself from a stranger.” The word came out before he thought about it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“It’s fine. We are strangers.” She rinsed her hands even though all she’d done was hand him rags and bandages. Was she getting ready to touch him, or was just the sight of his blood enough to make her want to cleanse herself? “We often learn more about ourselves speaking with strangers than with old friends. It’s the same with any fresh experience. I’m just finding out the sight of blood doesn’t terrify me like it used to.” Drying her hands, she leaned against the wall with a proud smile.

“Thank you, my lady.”

“Please call me Heather.”

“Heather…but you don’t have to stay.”

Her smile faded. She walked past Jek without a word. For a moment it seemed like she was leaving without a formal goodbye, but after peering into the hall, she closed the door and turned to stare at him intently. It looked like she was about to reveal a secret.

“Did something happen within the palace?” Heather asked.

“I wouldn’t want to trouble you with it.”

She rolled her eyes at the line she’d clearly heard too many times. “I don’t know what it is about me, but I’m often treated like a child. I know something happened, and I fear it might be related to the visitor who came by a few weeks ago.”

Jek stopped bandaging for a moment. “A visitor, you say?”

“If I tell you, will you tell me what happened?”

“Yes.”

She stepped closer, wringing her hands. “An Elf came to the door. He spoke perfect common tongue and asked for Owin’s father. Many people come by to see Namlin, but this was the first Elf—the first time I’d ever seen one, in fact. Namlin isn’t very trusting of Elves and demanded to know what the visit was about before allowing the stranger farther into his house. I was listening from the second floor. The Elf said his name was Fatholl and that he came to warn Namlin that Greenedge would be changing soon. He seemed interested in securing Namlin’s assistance for something. I heard no more after they walked into a room to speak further. Namlin left for Chanren the next morning. When I asked Owin about it, he wouldn’t tell me why.” Heather frowned. “Your expression worries me.”

“Fatholl led an army of psychics into the palace. They killed Danvell Takary and took over. Raymess escaped before we did, but now we don’t know where he is or what Fatholl has planned.”

For a moment, she just stood there with her mouth agape. “I had no idea it was this bad.” She sounded as though she regretted asking about it in the first place. “I thought knowing might help me sleep, but…”

“We’ll keep Goldram safe.” Jek felt obligated to reassure her even though he felt just as worried as she looked. He was the King’s Mage. Justice and protection were his tasks.

“I didn’t even think psyche existed. How will you fight against it?”

He’d finished bandaging himself and placed his hand on her arm. “There are ways; one is blocking it with thick Sartious Energy. Let us worry about it.”

“Yes, you’re right. I trust all of you. Though I do imagine Goldram will be changing quickly. I can’t be the only one who’s frightened by this news. People will panic and flee.”

Jek nodded. “I’m sorry. I must get back to sleep.”

She gently brought her arms around his torso for a friendly hug, keeping herself from pressing against his bandages. “Thank you. I do feel better now.”

She was pulling away from him when the door burst open and startled them both. They jumped away from each other and turned. Jek’s heart leapt into his throat when he saw Lisanda’s exasperated expression.

“What in the Bastial stars is this?”

Heather’s face was bright red, her hands shaking. “I was just helping him with his wounds.”

“Nothing improper happened,” Jek said.

“Why was the door closed?” Lisanda asked loudly.

“Please, lower your voice,” Jek urged, not wanting anyone else investigating and assuming the worst. “I was telling her about the palace and she was telling me that…” He stopped to wave her closer. “Shut the door.”

Some of the anger drained from her face as she closed the door and came close.

“Fatholl visited Namlin Lage a few weeks ago. Heather was telling me what she overheard.”

“I fear my father-in-law might be involved in something,” Heather added. “Please don’t tell Owin what I said. He doesn’t like it when I get involved in such matters. I was trying to get more information from Jek while sharing what I knew.”

“There’s no need to worry,” Jek said, pulling Lisanda tightly against him. He didn’t care that she pressed against his bandages. The comfort of her body against his was far better than the sting it created. “I would never betray you with another woman. Don’t you know that?”

He smiled when she wrapped her arms around him. “I was coming to see if you needed help,” she said. “And then I heard you and a woman behind a closed door.”

“I’m sorry to have given you the wrong idea, Lady Lisanda,” Heather said. “I’m going back to my bedroom now if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” Lisanda slowly parted from Jek, her eyes fixed on his as Heather left and closed the door. Lisanda reached out and grasped his arms. “I wish these nightmares would stop.”

“I know.”

“
All
these nightmares.”

He knew what she meant. Besides his attacks, she wished war and everything that came with it would end—death, power-hungry men, and now murderous Elves. It was almost impossible to know who to trust.

“I know,” he repeated.

Seeing that he understood without her needing to explain, she gave him a sad smile. They held each other’s gaze in silence until Jek leaned down and kissed her. It soon became obvious that neither of them would be satisfied with just one.

As he nuzzled her neck and let his hands roam, Jek realized he might not have another night with Lisanda for a long while. He most likely would be leaving to search for Raymess tomorrow. Even if she came with him, they would have no such private moments.

He expressed his thoughts through his kisses as they became more and more passionate. He molded his hips to hers and dropped his hands to her rear to fit her even more intimately against him.

Lisanda leaned back and gave him a look Jek knew he would never grow tired of seeing. “These walls don’t hold in sounds very well,” she said seductively.

“Then we’ll just have to be quiet.”

She smiled and nibbled on his bottom lip. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the door and locked it.

But when he set her down and started to pull off her nightgown, she stopped him. She was shaking her head, a mournful furrow along her forehead. “I can’t. Everything just came back to mind suddenly. Father, everything.”

Then it did for Jek as well. The heat in his heart was gone in an instant.

Chapter 4:

CLEVE

Cleve had grown to enjoy the sight of the vast ocean. He stood against the railing of their boat and let his thoughts take him away. Rek had been on his mind often during the last few days. It was on their way to Greenedge the first time that Rek had begun teaching him how to resist psyche. Now in his lessons with Reela, he was almost capable of completely resisting her spells of pain. Though, he had a feeling that she couldn’t bring herself to use all of her force against him.

The pain Vithos could cast was harder to resist. In an almost sick sort of way, the Elf seemed to enjoy watching Cleve’s face contort as he struggled. But Cleve didn’t take it to heart. He knew Vithos simply found entertainment in many things others didn’t, like conversations with Captain Mmzaza, the two of them often telling jokes as they stood together at the ship’s helm. Cleve even caught Vithos steering as the Captain issued instructions.

Reela silently came to Cleve’s side. She ran her hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. “I can’t even see my scar anymore.” She looked as if she was trying to contain a wide smile.

“You’re right,” Cleve said. “It’s gone.”

The suppressed smile burst from her mouth, her teeth flashing. She wrapped her arm around Cleve’s and rested her head on his shoulder, looking out at the endless dark waves.

“I have to think of some way to repay Steffen.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to figure that out.”

Reela’s next breath was taken slowly. “We should enjoy this calm while we can.”

For a long while they said nothing. Cleve let his mind wander. He thought of what Steffen and Effie might be doing in that moment, if they’d already left for Sumar. He wondered about Zoke and his sister, how the Krepps were handling the forest of Merejic. Then his mind went back to Rek. He knew the fallen Elf would always be somewhere in his thoughts. Reela and Vithos reminded Cleve of him too much to forget completely, even if he wanted to.

The siblings mourned their brother in their own way. Vithos liked to ask Reela questions about his twin. Hearing about him seemed to help alleviate Vithos’ sorrow. They’d grown up apart, and Vithos had just reunited with Rek before he died in battle against the Krepps. But Reela had known Rek her whole life. Although she seemed to enjoy answering Vithos’ questions, Cleve noticed she often excused herself afterward so she could be alone. When he checked on her, she’d admit the memories were both comforting and painful. Cleve understood completely, because he felt the same way.

“Will Jessend be jealous of me?” Reela asked now.

Cleve had told her everything he could recall from his time in Greenedge. But the more he spoke about Jessend, the more it seemed that Reela wasn’t enjoying what she heard. When he described the night Kasko Lage’s poisoning attempt had failed and Cleve and Jessend had kissed, Reela’s mouth had dropped open. She’d looked away from him, unmistakable anxiety reflected in her bright emerald eyes. “I liked the idea of being the only girl you’ve kissed,” she’d admitted.

“I’ve kissed girls before you, Reela,” Cleve had replied before realizing that wasn’t the wisest answer.

“You have?” At first she’d been shocked. Then she’d folded her arms and pursed her lips. “How many?”

Cleve chuckled at the memory and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t believe Jessend will be jealous, just thankful that we’re there.”

“What’s funny?” She pressed her palm to his forehead, almost like she was checking for a fever. “It’s me you’re thinking about! What did I do that’s funny?”

He laughed again. “I was just thinking back to a different conversation we had.” He kissed her soft lips. “Did you know I used to hate all the different expressions that crossed your beautiful face?”

“Hate them?”

“They annoyed me because I found them so cute. I couldn’t take my eyes off you as much as I wanted to.”

She giggled. “My Bastial stars, Cleve. You’re full of surprises today. A man who finds a woman’s expressions annoying when he’s attracted to her, that’s just weird.”

“Well they certainly aren’t annoying anymore.”

They started to sink into a longer kiss, only to be interrupted by Captain Mmzaza’s shouts. “Bastial hell, Vith! Is that a fart or is a squealing pig crawling out your crack? Captain Mmzaza’s never heard such a wail!”

Vithos was doubled over, laughing hysterically.

“Boy, hey boy!” Now the captain was shouting for Cleve. “Hurry over here! Ho ho, he’s still farting! Sounds like an old wheel creaking!”

“Speaking of annoying,” Cleve commented.

“I’m worried my brother is going to start talking like Mmzaza,” Reela said. “How many days have we been at sea?”