Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) (18 page)

“Are you all right? Do you need a Healer?”

“I’m fine. The place is waking. They’ll be here soon with a morning meal and to check my condition. You have time to duck into the necessary.”

She slid from the bed and scooted to the small room. When she returned her hair had been braided. She sat on a chair beside the bed.

He missed her warmth. Though she had slept in her clothes he’d felt her breath on his skin and the warmth of her body. His sleep had been sporadic. Being awakened by erotic dreams and being unable to act on his fantasies had taken will power. He couldn’t wait to be away from Defenders Hall and in a place where they could be alone. He felt his erection grow. He groaned and walked to the necessary.

He had just returned to the bed when the door opened. One of the trainees carried a wooden tray and set it on a small table that fit over Alric’s hips. “After you break your fast the Senior Medico will arrive and check your progress.” He paused at the door. “There’s enough for both of you.”

Alric grinned and motioned to Kalia. “You can have the kafa. Citren’s mine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I know how you are in the morning. Groggy and grumpy.”

She laughed. “That’s me.” She filled a mug, inhaled and sipped. “Wonderful.”

“When we head out this time I’ll tell the supplier to pack double kafa.”

She snagged a piece of toasted bread and spooned plum preserves over the slice.

Alric drizzled honey on the cooked grain and covered the serving with cream. He studied Kalia’s lines. Fewer dark splotches this morning than when she’d returned from the duel. If they encountered the Swordmaster would he notice?

When they finished the meal, Kalia carried the tray into the hall. The Senior Medico arrived and examined the wound. “You are fit to leave.” He handed Alric a jar of salve. “Wash the area and apply this daily. Will keep the tissue supple.”

When the man left Alric grinned. “My clothes. Sando brought clean ones.”

Kalia took them from a drawer. She retreated into the hall and waited for him to join her. They left Healer Hall and hurried through the tunnel.

When they emerged an uproar greeted them. One of the four patrols currently in residence stood beside saddled bihorns. The Swordmaster faced them. “You will find her,” he bellowed.

Alric turned to Kalia. “What’s going on?”

“Looks like Lasara missed her morning meeting with him. She must have vanished from the Woman’s Quarters. I hope she’s all right.”

“Will he accuse you of helping her?”

She shrugged. “Who knows what he’ll do. Seeing another of his plans go awry suits me.” She pointed to her arm. “Because of this blight he can’t force me to talk.”

“Just be careful.”

The Swordmaster strode toward them. He grasped Kalia’s arm. “Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Lasara. She has vanished.”

“She has?”

Alric turned his head to hide a smile. Kalia’s widened eyes and gasped words were the perfect response.

“She was to meet me this morning to learn about her bondmate and she failed to arrive. She’s not in her chamber and her mother knows nothing about where the girl went. Lasara’s sword and knife are gone. No one has seen her. Where did she go?”

“How would I know?” Kalia spoke in a soft whisper. “I’ve been at Healers Hall with my bondmate.”

The Swordmaster scowled. “Your mother informed me you spoke to your sister yesterday.”

“I saw her in the Women’s Quarters. She was angry because you pulled her from the training classes. She likes to duel.” Kalia gasped. “She said she would run away. I never thought she would.”

The leader of the Defenders whirled. He stomped to his seconds. “Send the assembled men to search. Divide them into four groups to check the main roads of the four quadrants for news of the runaway. Tell them she must be found.”

Was that fear he heard in the older man’s voice? Alric touched Kalia’s hand. With a nod of his head he indicated they should go. Once they were away from the crowd he halted. “We must find Sando and learn where our assignment will take us. Otherwise I fear your father will demand we join the search for Lasara.”

“What if his patrol has also been assigned to the search?” she asked.

“We’ll leave with them and separate. Finding the source of the trouble in the eastern quadrant is vital.”

Moments later they arrived at the provisoner’s storehouse and found Sando waiting. “Things set?” Alric asked.

Sando chuckled. “No problem arranging supplies with the stir over the girl.”

“Will she be safe?” Kalia asked.

“Two of our best are trailing her. They’ll leave false clues for several days and then return.”

“Thank you.”

“You two head to your quarters and pack. I’ll arrange supplies and maps.”

“Extra kafa,” Alric said. “Seems my bondmate doesn’t move in the morning without several mugs.”

Sando laughed. “I’m the same. I’ll have your steeds saddled.”

Kalia halted. “Mist doesn’t like others messing with her.”

“I’ll manage. Have a way with bihorns.” Sando waved them away. “Attach yourself to one of the search parties.”

Once they reached the suite, Alric unloaded the packs while Kalia found fresh clothing. A knock on the door startled him. Alric turned to answer. Kalia stopped him.

“What if the Swordmaster has sent for me?” she asked.

“We’ll face him together.” He opened the door.

Robec stepped inside. “Imagine you’ve heard about Lasara.”

Alric nodded.

“I wanted to join the teams searching for her,” Robec said. “My leg is completely healed and strong. Father refused to let me leave the Hall. Why did Lasara run? She was the best trainee in her class.”

“Father ended her training because he found a bondmate for her. Since Ilna corrupted my lines I’m no longer of use to the Swordmaster so he’ll give Lasara to Petan.”

Robec rubbed his hands together. “She did this to you?” His eyes narrowed. “You are infected.”

Alric grabbed Robec’s arm. “There is a solution.”

“What?”

“Find your heart bound and bind her to you,” Kalia said.

“Here?” Robec’s shoulders slumped. “Father will see me bonded to a woman of his choice.”

“A chance will come,” Alric said. “I don’t know when or how but you won’t be lost to darkness. You must remain calm and keep anger and other negative emotions at bay. That will show the progress of the change.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve seen Kalia’s grow when she’s angry or afraid and remain stable when she’s calm.” Alric hoisted his pack. “Why did you come?”

“To warn you to be careful. Petan visits Father. They have a plan to destroy Alric.”

“I know Petan visits,” Kalia said.

“I know both men want me gone from the Defenders,” Alric said.

“Kalia, he still wants you.”

Alric lifted Kalia’s pack. “I won’t let him have her.”

Robec opened the door. “Good luck with whatever you’re going to do.”

Alric heard yearning tinged with envy in Robec’s voice. Why was the Swordmaster stunting his son’s development? Was the leader really the villain?

Kalia released a sigh. “I wish we could help him.”

“He needs to leave the Hall to find what he seeks.”

She nodded. “As long as that man remains in control Robec will remain trapped here.” She took her pack from him and stepped into the corridor.

When they reached the stable Sando waited with their saddled mounts and a pack beast. “There’s a group leaving to search for Lasara. Join them.” He handed Alric a map. “Here’s your route with several alternate roads marked if you need them.”

Alric helped Kalia into the saddle. He led the three animals to the gate, mounted and joined the departing group. At the first crossroads he turned his bihorn onto a trail heading east. He felt a sense of relief to be away from the Hall and away from questions from the Swordmaster.

They rode through the day with a stop to eat a midday meal and allow their steeds to graze.

“We’re free,” Kalia said.

“For now.”

“Will we camp out or find an inn?”

“We’ll camp tonight at a nice place. You’ll see.” He winked.

As the sun moved westward Alric pointed to a barn off the road. “We’ll spend the night here. The barn’s a regular stop for Defenders.” He rode Storm Cloud up the lane toward the structure.

Kalia followed. Together they unloaded the pack animal, groomed and watered the animals and left them in stalls. After starting a fire in the pit Alric carried their packs and blankets into the barn.

He climbed the ladder to the loft. After tossing several forkfuls of hay for the steeds he broke open a bale and prepared a nest for the night. He spread one of the blanket rolls over the hay and left the other at the end of the bed. On a hood fastened to a post he found a lantern. After checking the well he climbed down and distributed the hay to the animals.

Preparation done he returned to the fire and helped Kalia with the meal. While gathering greens he found a bush with sweet-smelling roses. Using his knife he cut several sprays of the scarlet flowers.

When he handed them to Kalia her face turned as red as the blossoms. He sat beside her. “Are you afraid of me?”

She shook her head. “Never of you but of what the Swordmaster will do when he sees my darkness is gone. He will know.”

“There’s nothing he can do to you.” He filled their bowls with stew and tasted his. “Better than when I cook.”

She filled two mugs with kafa. “Sorry there’s no citren. Would you rather have water?”

“This is fine. Tastes like you.”

She laughed. “And how is that?”

“Smooth with a bit of sweetness and a little spice. Intriguing. And much better than when I’m the brewer. They never let me cook when the patrol is on rounds.”

Once they finished the meal and cleaned the dishes, Alric banked the fire. Kalia set a pan of mixed grains and water on the heated stones.

“To break our fast in the morning.”

Alric rose and took her hand. “Come with me.” He noticed her hesitation and tugged her closer. “There’s no rush. We’ll go slow.” He drew a breath. “I’m heart bound to you.”

She gasped. “You are?”

Did she realize the reverse was true as well?

She cleared her throat. “I’m sure where my heart lies. I have fears about what we’re about to do. What if I infect you with this blight?”

“Then we’ll seek a cure together.” He led her to the ladder and climbed behind her.

When they reached the top and moved away from the edge he turned her to face him. He ran his fingers over her face. “If you wish there’s a lantern I could light.”

“I’d rather not.”

Alric drew her into his arms and stared into her eyes. He felt tremors of fear. He brushed his lips over hers. No matter how much he wanted to rush and possess her he would go slowly. With his hands he stroked her back and caressed her lips with his tongue. She opened to his explorations. The sweet and spicy flavor of kafa and the scent of some floral combination nearly made him move too fast. He felt his erection swell.

Slowly he released her. He slid her vest from her shoulders. After removing his, he pulled his shirt over his head.

Kalia touched the shallow indentation from the knife wound. She bent her head and kissed along the scar.

Alric pulled her into a tight embrace. He felt the tips of her breasts brush his chest.

A gentle kiss took fire. He drew her closer. Her body moved against his, Alric drew a deep breath filled with the essence that was hers alone. The fire in his loins grew hotter until he could think of nothing but Kalia.

He stepped away to remove his boots and trousers. His rod sprang free. In Kalia’s gaze he saw hesitancy and eagerness. He met her gaze. “All I have is yours.”

She slid her divided skirt over her hips and saw to remove her boots and skirt. He knelt at her side. One of her fingers touched his erect member. Alric fought the urge to push her down and thrust inside.

He stroked her breasts with one hand and ran the other over her belly. Her gasps became sounds that dared him to tangle his fingers in her nether hair.

“Then all I have is yours,” she whispered.

He claimed her mouth in a kiss that made her tremble. Fear of eagerness, he wondered.

* * *

The kiss sent surges of heat to every corner of her body. Kalia followed his lead. Her tongue slid over his. She strained to touch her skin to every inch of his. He raised his head to catch a breath.

Tremors of fear made her quiver. She opened her eyes and stared at her lines of fire. The kisses and caresses had erased much of the dark stains. Joyous laughter turned to fear. Had Alric’s lines darkened? She started to speak but his lips claimed hers. Heat rolled from his mouth and from his hands that touched, stroked and caressed. His fingers reached the curls guarding her secret place. One hand moved along her thigh. He touched a place and sent a steady current of fire through her body.