The Swarm Trilogy (58 page)

His hands travelled down my back, resting just above my hips. “If you wish it, I’m more than happy to fulfill your request, milady.”

I undid the laces on the front of my dress, remembering the first time I’d been with Bryden. We loved each other, just as much as Chase and I did now. A feeling of peace washed over me.

But all thoughts of my past fell away, as the present became the only part of my life I knew. Chase’s hands caressed every part of my body. I took one last glance over his shoulder at the high sun, closed my eyes, and gave in to the passion I’d tried so hard to ignore.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I sat at the table, a dressing robe draped over my shoulders. Chase stood behind me, digging his thumbs into the muscles on my upper back. I brushed my hair. Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt beautiful for the first time since I’d changed. Chase’s love and attentiveness boosted my sagging confidence. I knew, maybe for the first time in my entire life, that I was going to do something bold that just might save the world from further destruction.

“You’ll never convince them that this is the right thing to do.” Chase leaned over and kissed my shoulder.

“That’s what Johna said.” I tried to ignore his wandering lips, reminding myself I had to leave soon or I’d miss my opportunity to speak with the council. “It doesn’t matter, though. I have to push this through.”

Chase settled on the floor next to me, running his fingers up and down my legs. “I saw a severing once. It took a circle of powerfully gifted people to do it. How do you think you’re going to sever everyone in the world?”

It was a fair question, one I had no answer to. All I had was a theory. I had no idea how I would ever put it into practice. “I hoped someone on the council would know how to do it.”

His lips touched my knee, sending shivers through my body. “Chase stop it.” I reached down and slapped him lightly. “I have to get ready. Johna’s leaving with or without me.”

“I’m coming too. Is that okay?”

Relief replaced the tingling sensation. I’d wanted to ask him, but I didn’t want to place him in an awkward situation. From what I’d gathered, the council was nearly as important as the ruling class here. I wasn’t sure exactly where Chase stood in the hierarchy. The last thing I wanted to do was compromise him or his family.

“Yes. I want you there. Are you sure?”

“I could give a damn what those people on the council think. You’re the most important thing to me. I’ll support you no matter what they say. If they turn you down, we’ll figure this out on our own.” His eyes lingered below my neck. The robe was just barely covering my body.

“Eyes up here.” I snapped my fingers in his face.

“Sorry.” A grin crept across his face. “Well, not completely.” He reached up, but I swatted his hand away.

“I need to get dressed.”

“Do you want help?” He cocked one eyebrow.

My fingers played across his chest. He’d put his pants on, but had waited to shrug into his shirt. “Yes. I mean, no, we have to leave in just minutes.”

I gestured toward the window at the nearly setting sun. Chase sighed and stood up. He sauntered over to the bed where his shirt still lay on the floor, crumpled up in a hurried mess. His biceps flexed as he pulled it over his head and chest. Disappointed I’d lost the view I’d enjoyed so much, I stood up. I took quick steps toward him, planted both of my palms on his chest, and pushed him toward the door.

“I need to get dressed now.” I pushed until he stumbled backward. “I’ll meet you at Johna’s chamber.”

“You’re kicking me out? Just when the view is getting good?” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

“Let me get dressed in peace.”

“Don’t you need me here to tie or button something?”

I laughed. “No, I don’t. Now get out!”

He wrapped hands around my waist, pulling me up to his height, my tiptoes just barely grazing the tile. His lips took mine and I surrendered. Then he pulled back and lowered me gently to the floor. “Stay,” I said in a breathy whisper.

“No, I’ve got to go. See you soon at Johna’s chamber.”

Before I could stop him for one last kiss, he spun around and left the room.

“Men.” I rolled my eyes. Grabbing my dress from the floor, I shimmied in it. The orange beams of sunset streamed into my room. I worked faster, pulling on my stockings and boots. My fingers fumbled with the laces. I didn’t care if they were perfect as long as nothing fell off.

I flicked my fingers, opening a portal. Instead of landing in Johna’s chamber, I emerged just outside her door. Chase stood against the wall, perfect as usual.

“Hi,” he said. His demeanor had totally changed. He was back to acting just like he always had around me. Caring, but not too personal. I was relieved. I didn’t want everyone knowing what had just happened between us. Then he winked. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks.

“Hi,” I said back, stupidly, unable to think of anything more coherent.

Chase walked past me and knocked on Johna’s door. I wanted to reach out, touch his shoulders, but I held back. I had no idea it would be so hard to control myself in public.

The door opened. Johna looked at Chase. Then she looked at me. A smile blossomed. “So Lianne told you?”

“Johna!” I squeaked. Did she have to be obvious?

“What? I’m glad you told Chase to come with you to the council meeting.” Her eyes were wide. Innocent. I didn’t buy it for a second. “Now come in, come in.”

I shuffled into her chamber behind Chase. “When do we leave?” The butterflies had taken up residence in my stomach, reminding me that I was about to embark on a huge undertaking.

Johna closed the door behind us, locked it, and then flicked her fingers, opening a portal. “Now.”

She stepped through. I glanced at Chase. “You first,” he said, holding out an arm.

I hesitated. I didn’t know where the portal lead, or who sat on the council. All I knew was that I had to take a stand and suggest the one thing no one would understand or agree to.

“You’ll do fine.” Chase planted a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Now get in there and rip their heads off.”

I smiled, feeling my resolve harden. With a slight nod, I stepped through the portal.

I emerged into a cave littered with stalagmites. Light drops of water echoed in the dark cavern. The faint light of candles danced upon the rocky walls. My breath caught in my throat as I remembered the cave my mother had trapped me in. Where she’d tried to take my magic. Where she’d killed Bryden. My heart skittered out of time. I reached out behind me, flailing for Chase’s comforting grasp.

He stepped through. Seeing my discomfort, he grabbed my hand and squeezed. “It’s not the same place.”

He knew. Of course he knew immediately how I’d feel.

“This is a cave my mother found years ago. It’s safe from the enemy. From all of our enemies. It’s not the same place your mother took you.”

My breath slowly regulated itself. Breathing in, pausing. Breathing out, pausing. Moment by moment my heart slowly regulated itself.

Johna shuffled over to me. “Dear child, I had forgotten your mother had taken you to a cave. Chase is right, this is not the same place. You’re completely safe here. It’s protected by magic far greater than anything your mother ever had. Our combined gifts work together to shield it from the world. There are evil, dark memories here. We must keep everyone away from it. We choose to meet here because we know we won’t be disturbed.”

“It’s okay,” I said. I meant it too. I couldn’t allow my past to stop me from doing what I needed to do. “Where is everyone else?”

Johna nodded ahead. “In the chamber to the left. I thought it might be better if I went in and announced you to them, instead of having you just appear in the room.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” I looked to Chase and he shook his head in agreement. “We’ll wait here until you tell us to come in.”

“I’ll be right back.” Johna stared deep into my eyes. “Don’t let them intimidate you, Lianne. When you come in, show your confidence.” She squeezed my arm, leaving us alone in the cave.

“Can I have just a moment?” I asked Chase. He stepped back, dropping my hand.

I closed my eyes and dropped into deep lunge. Moving through the motions of my forms, I punched and blocked, centering myself. The meditation worked, allowing my body to relax. My mind quickly followed suit.

When I arrived back at the same place I’d started, my arms hung at my sides, fists tight. I took one last breath, letting it out slowly as I opened my eyes.

“Better?” Chase asked. He stood against the wall of the cave, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Much. Thanks. I’m centered now. I can do what needs to be done.”

“I know you can.” He sauntered over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I felt my heart start to flutter again. Damn him. He’d just ruined all the peace I’d brought to my body. At least this time it wasn’t fear coursing through my blood.

I reached behind my waist, grabbing his hands, and forcing him to release his grasp on me.

“Later?” He kissed my neck, lingering for a moment longer than necessary. I wondered why I’d waited to so long to tell him how I felt. I’d been missing out.

“If there is a later for us. If we remember…” My voice trailed off, reminding us both what was at stake tonight.

“I will always remember you. Nothing can change that.” His thumb stroked my jawbone.

I wanted it to be true, but after seeing my mother, I knew that the moment I’d put my plan into motion, I’d lose Chase forever. “I will never forget you.” I tried to make the lie soothing. We were fooling ourselves, but it was worth it. There was nothing wrong with hope. We wouldn’t remember, but maybe there would be an unspoken bond or attraction between us.

“They’re ready for you,” Johna called to us from the other end of the dark chamber.

Chase let go of my hand, gesturing for me to go first. I smiled, and then nodded my head. We walked silently toward the hole in the cave wall. I felt calm, centered. I could do this.

Johna stood to the side as I walked into the small room. Nine pairs of eyes bored into me, poking holes in every ounce of confidence I had. In the center sat Chase’s mother. I’d been under the impression everyone on the council had magic, but it appeared the one person who would probably oppose anything I wanted sat in a position of leadership.

“What is it, Lianne?” Reychel asked, clearly annoyed. “Son? Johna said you have something to ask of the council. I assure you, there’s nothing you can ask that we will agree to.”

I cleared my throat. My feet were planted firmly on the ground, but I felt my knees waver. Instead of torturing myself by staring down Reychel, I looked at the other members of the council. Most stared at me with vacant eyes. Warmth danced in the eyes of one - Chase’s father, Mark. I focused on him, knowing that he’d always given me the benefit of the doubt.

“Has Reychel told all of you that I have been having visions of Eloh?” Even if I wanted to deny the prophecy to destroy everything, I knew it would mean something to them.

The council immediately broke out into angry chatter, all directed at Reychel. Mark grabbed his wife’s hand in his own, but didn’t say a word. He supported her no matter what the others thought. I knew where Chase had inherited his loyalty.

I waited until the voices calmed down slightly, before raising my hand in the air. “Hear me out, please.”

One man sat forward in his chair, placing his chin between his palms. “So you’re the one in Chase’s visions? I never quite believed it and here you are, in front of us, bringing forth what could be the end of the world. I suppose you have the dagger too?”

I nodded, patting the bag hanging from my hip. I never went anywhere without it anymore.

“You don’t even know what Eloh wants you to do,” Reychel said, smug. I wished I could understand why she was so against me. I couldn’t do anything to make her less suspicious of my motives.

“It’s true, I don’t know for sure. But I have found a way to stop the Malborn war. I know how to end it all for good. It might be what Eloh talked about, it might not, but I’m determined to end this magical war you all insist on fighting. I’m going to bring everyone to a level field.”

I stared down Reychel. If I kept avoiding her gaze, I’d never earn her respect. The council had secrets to severing that I needed to know. If I couldn’t get past her, it was possible none of them would side with me.

“How do you propose to do that?” A woman on the other end of the table asked.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. It was now or never to announce the ridiculous idea I’d stolen from my twin sister’s wistful ramblings.

“I want to sever everyone all at the same time. Once magic is gone, the Malborn won’t have a reason to come after any of us. Not only that, but they should forget they ever wanted to. Everyone will be safe.”

If I’d thought they were surprised the first time I spoke, I’d been wrong. A couple of men banged their fists on the table. Women shouted, telling each other how ridiculous I was.

Reychel opened her mouth to say something, but everyone else was so loud, I couldn’t make out anything she said. She slipped her hand out of her husband’s and stood up.