Of Silver and Beasts (26 page)

I meet his eyes, and I can see the questions in them. I don’t have the answers.

“Tell me what you believe,” he says.

“About what?”

He nods his head toward my chest. “You can’t tell me that you believe in the Otherworlders’ deity and children’s stories and no one had an explanation for
you
.” He swallows. “So tell me what you believe.”

I lick my lips, my mouth feeling dry. “My mother believes I’m blessed. That the Goddess Alyah saved my life and blessed the mercury. The nun believes the same, and that is why she keeps the secret. The doctor believes he is a genius, and that he discovered a rare blood type that accepted the mercury—”

Caben palms the side of my face, traces his thumb across my chin, below my bottom lip. “That’s not what I asked.”

What do I believe?

The vision of my father’s terrified eyes; his head jerking back and forth; pleading for his life—I close my eyes. Try to block it out. “I believe I’m cursed.”
Tainted.

My breaths sound loud in my ears. In—out. I keep my eyes shut. I belong in the darkness. I belong in a mental ward. I belong
here
.

The warmth of Caben’s sweet breath skims my lips as his face lowers closer to mine. “You’re anything but, Kaliope.”

Suddenly the dark brightens, and I can envision his blue eyes truly seeing me.
Me
—not a monster. Not a tainted woman. Just a woman. Seeing past what my own eyes glimpse. Giving me hope that maybe he’s right. Exhilarated relief floods me, and I cup the back of his head as his mouth descends upon mine.

He wraps me in his arms, pulling me closer to his chest. My mouth presses against his, motionless, unsure—and he nips my bottom lip with his teeth. I gasp, and his tongue darts inside. Lips parting and closing, his tongue tangling with mine, Caben guides me to match his rhythm. My fear subsides as we steal each other’s breath.

I lose all thoughts of mercury, clamps, fathers, and goddesses. I only know the feel of his soft lips, the touch of his hands on my skin—and I crave more. A low burn builds in my core, traveling the length of my body and spreading between my thighs. I rise up, pressing the ache against Caben’s hard form, and he groans against my lips.

A tremor courses through my body, and I pull him closer. But it’s not enough.

His hand slips underneath my tunic, fingertips glide across my skin. Heat pools in my blood as he cups the flesh of my breast, stroking, massaging. Reaching down, I grasp the hem of his tunic, and before I can question my actions, I slide the fabric over his head. He smiles down at me. I rake my fingers through his hair, pushing the unruly waves aside.

With deft hands, he strips me of my clothing; my shirt lands next to his, my pants somewhere else on the ground. All is done in a tumble of quick and needy movements, his hands never leaving my body, his lips never leaving my skin.

And when his thighs press against mine, his body bearing down, I wrap my arms around his back, anchoring myself to him. Dig my fingers into him as I squeeze my eyes closed—waiting.

“Kaliope.” His voice is deep and soothing. “Look at me.”

Opening my eyes, I take in the fiery want in his; the passion. The yearning to be with me.

No words are needed. I’ll not fool myself by thinking this is an exchange of love. Two souls bonding. Forever. It’s a moment. Something given freely and willingly. And as his hands roam down, pulling my leg around his hip, the proof of his want sliding hungrily against me—I lose myself in this man.

I desire him and want nothing more than for him to desire me back.

Heat blooms in my lungs, a sharp pang in my chest, as the longing for this closeness is satisfied. As he rocks into me, his heavy breaths steal over my lips before he captures my mouth with his.

The pain comes quickly; a sudden, piercing bite. His movements still, giving me a moment to acclimate. Then, meeting my eyes with hunger burning in his, he begins again, slow and sure. Patient. And when the fire overwhelms my senses, the need returning to have him fulfill me, the pain eases. I move against him, my hips no longer hesitant as I thrust up to meet him. He deepens the kiss and moans, gripping my thigh tighter.

Unsure if it’s my body or his trembling, I cling to Caben, and he wraps his arms beneath my back, his hands pulling my shoulders to him as my back arches. His kisses trail my throat, and I lock my legs around his waist. I shudder as a violent tremor spikes my body, my skin tingling—and the ache deep within me tightens. “Oh, goddess.”

With one last, deep thrust, Caben groans and drops his head next to mine. His labored breaths hit the skin of my shoulder and I tremble. I run my fingers through his damp hair, my head and body light. The fluttering sensation pulsing inside of me matches the beat of his heart.

He pulls his head back and his gaze trails over my face. I glance at the glowing rivers lighting my arms and know what he sees—the swirling mercury on my face; around my eyes.

His thumb skims my cheek. “You’re my goddess.” Then his lips fall to mine as he rolls me to lie beside him.

The door of the master cell opening rings out; a dull echo from the back of the tunnel.

Snapping his head up and breaking our kiss, Caben jerks his face toward the noise, his breaths ragged. “Time for our Reckoning.”

“Hell.” I tumble off the cot, swiping my hands along the floor to gather my clothing.

I knew we had little time left, but something like regret settles in my stomach, low and aching. Glancing at Caben as he slips his shirt over his head, I fight my lips as they break into a smile. I wish we had more time—to explore just what is between us—but I won’t regret anything that happened in the hell dimension.

He pulls me up beside him and stares down at me—something unsaid in his eyes. “This will be continued,” he says. Then he ties the string of my pants, kisses my forehead, and takes my hand to lead us into the tunnel.

Bax stands at the front of the master cell, his two hulking guards planted on either side of his muscled arms. He’s wearing a black hooded cape today, and he pulls it back from his head, exposing his pale skin and the silver rings over his eyes.

I adjust my tunic, tugging the neck closed at top, as Caben and I fall in behind the other contenders. I curse and rub my arms, frustrated that I didn’t wait till I was fully settled. The silver fades, and so does my anger when I see the look of concern on Bax’s face—his pinched brows. But it vanishes quickly as he sneers and raises his hand.

“Contenders,” he booms. “Today commences the Reckoning. You have three nights to compete and defeat.” He chuckles, low and gravely. “Each contender will face-off against another to display their skills. Then on the third and last night, after all bets are placed, a final battle with the winning, remaining contenders will prove who is champ. And the freedom ring will go to the victor.”

I must lose my mind, because I speak out. “Three nights,” I say. “But—”

Bax’s eyes target me through the bodies. Every contender in the master cell turns their head in my direction. I take a step back. Then I force my head up, chin high. Caben steps closer to my side.

“You have a question, protector?” Bax says, his voice dark. “Speak up. Let’s hear it.”

Swallowing down my nerves, I say, “The Reckoning is to take place on the full moon, the dark priest said.” His eyes grow wide at the mention of his father’s words. They glow brighter as the spires snap their violent currents. “How can the Reckoning be three nights?”

A sly smile splits his mouth. “This time is special. The stars have aligned and an imbalance in the universe has begun. This full moon will last for three nights, protector.” He winks. “Best get prepared for a brutal battle.”

Shocked that he answered me, and that he provided information, I consider Bax. Tilting my head, I study his weathered features as he turns to the other contenders and barks orders.

Caben grasps my hand. “Let’s shower,” he says in my ear.

My eyes flick to his rugged face. “Together?”

Despite the tension in the room and our impending death, he laughs. It sends a tingle rippling through my stomach.

I hope the next three nights doesn’t steal that laugh.

After I’ve dressed in a fresh, faded blue tunic and pants, I hustle to our chamber. Caben is still bathing in one of the other shower units, and I want to do something before he returns.

Taking the crumpled, balled-up blanket from the corner, I unwrap my protector uniform. I set my chest harness aside and stare at the darkened fabric where the protector emblem used to be. Running my fingers over the dingy fabric, I allow its strength to steal over me, then I head down the tunnel toward the waterfall.

In the shallow pool that gathers below the trickling water, I submerge my tattered and filthy uniform, soaking it before rubbing the fabric together between my hands. I may never wear it again, but I can at least leave it in pristine condition.

Once I’ve gotten out as much dust and grit as possible, I ring it and drape it over my arms before passing the other contenders on my way back to the chamber. Trying to ignore their curious stares, I disappear into the dark tunnel once again.

I push open the door to find Caben tying the string of his pants. He looks at me, and his face is clean and smooth.

“You shaved,” I say. Admittedly, I was starting to like the rougher, less princely appearance. But I can’t deny that he’s beautiful both ways. I think back to that first moment when he stormed the temple, blazing mad. He was beautiful even with his pomp.

He crooks a smile. “I wanted to look sharp for my adoring fans.” He moves closer and takes my hand, pushing aside the uniform. “The Prince of Pain has many, you know.”

A smile twitches at my lips. Our moment together rushes back to me in clear, vivid detail, and heat spreads across the back of my neck. I thought I’d be more nervous, or it’d be awkward to be alone with him again, but it’s as natural as breathing.

I give my head a shake and focus my thoughts on our situation. As much as I want to indulge in his humor, the thought of him fighting in the Cage scares me, and I can’t laugh this time. “We have a plan,” I say. “Lilly and I worked it out last night, but we’re going to need contenders from all the leagues to rebel against their ring leaders.”

Caben’s brows shoot up. “Oh, is that all?”

I press my lips together. I thought it sounded impossible, too. “What else can we do?”

He looks down at our joined hands and eyes my protector uniform. “Looks like you’re plotting something else.”

I move out of his grasp and stretch my uniform across the bed to dry. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. And maybe there is a way for me to use my
ability
for good. I could convince Bax that I received a message from Bale—some missive that could sway his father to stop the Reckoning.”

Caben runs his hands over his face and groans. “Yes, about that,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m not quite sure that’s a good strategy anymore.”