Wave-Touched, page 14
The words barely passed her lips before he pulled her in and kissed her, a deep, devouring kiss that stole her breath away. No matter what else was going on, no matter how tense their situation, and how overwhelming her responsibilities, the desire to be close to him was ever present. Fighting it made it harder to focus on tasks that required her attention. This, basking in the delicious sensation of being wanted by him and wanting him in return, indulging in their forbidden attraction, was the fire that fueled her.
He drew back and brushed his finger lightly below the split in her lip. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“I was too distracted to notice,” she whispered.
He chuckled and lightly kissed the injured lip. “We will get through this.”
“We won’t. Not together.”
A reassuring confidence backed up his patient regard. “Will you give me your trust?”
“Am I a fool if I say yes?”
“No. I will not allow this to destroy what we are working for. I promise to protect both you and Thaelis as best I can from this moment forward.”
His words had a weight to them that reminded her of the sharing of vows. Her throat tightened as she responded. “Then I give you my trust.” She would give him her heart too, if he hadn’t already taken it.
He grinned and slid his hands around her waist. “I also promise to lure you into my arms every moment it is safe to do so.” He pulled her in for a soft kiss full of tender longing that sent a not- unpleasant shiver through her.
When they parted, she put her arms around him and rested her head against his chest, smiling as he enfolded her in his secure embrace and simply held her for a moment. But the weight of responsibility finally forced them apart, and they rejoined the other two, falling into a long discussion about how they wanted to approach the afternoon conversation with Vanris’s leadership.
Though nothing had changed, Veyl was more at ease. Somehow, simply hearing him put into words that he was prioritizing the negotiations and their safety gave her permission to enjoy the time they had and not dwell on the risks or the inevitable separation. They had something to accomplish for all their people, and they would do it together. That confident ease spread to the others, drawing the four of them into a cohesive unit working toward the same ends.
By the time they met with the Vanrian council in the afternoon, they had a list of demands for the proposed annexation of Thaelis as a Vanrian territory. Chief among them was an emphasis on Vanrian oversight as opposed to direct engagement, particularly in the selection of new leadership and the governing of the populace. They insisted that the next council be elected by, and made up of, the people of Thaelis—pure-blooded, mixed, and Qwilki—and that any Vanrian involvement stay at the level of neutral supervision barring matters presenting a clear violation of agreed upon terms or a threat to the mainland.
Ceris sat between Veyl and Kyril this time. A visual separation intended to encourage the perception of distance between them. Somehow, she felt more connected to the Feral ahnkreth with his companion close enough to place a hand on the beast’s shoulder or scratch behind his ears, though she had to be careful not to do so at the same time Kyril did. She imagined the wave dancer as a tether binding them.
Confidence infused her. Kyril, Jinau, Ceris, and even Nalika, to a lesser degree, stood united as the Thaelian delegation, with her as their primary voice. Veyl felt motivated and empowered to fight for what they wanted out of this arrangement, and several of those across from her, Arhk chief among them, appeared impressed, if slightly vexed by her composure and persistence.
They discussed conditions all the way through another dinner in the meeting chamber before adjourning. The Vanrian council would take the following day to deliberate and decide how they wanted to respond to the proposed terms. Once they reached an agreement, they could start the deeper information gathering and planning that would precede an actual voyage to Thaelis.
Veyl made a point of not watching the Thaelians as their assigned guards escorted them out, though, after the high from their rapport during the meeting, it felt as if some of her own flesh were being torn away to part from them. One of them in particular. When she started toward a different exit, she immediately spotted Jaysen coming toward her on a course to intercept. He stopped several feet away, his expression darkening when her father reached her first.
In contrast with the prince’s sour look, her father wore a pleased smile. “You are welcome to speak with the Thaelians before you retire tonight, if you wish. They must be impressed with how you stood your ground for them today. I know I am. I also want you to make certain you get plenty of rest, though, so keep it brief.”
Veyl’s heart soared at his praise. “Thank you. Might I meet with them for a few minutes in your reading room?”
“Why there?”
“I told them about Sylaryth and your fight with King Lodmund. I would love to show them his claw, if that’s all right.”
He chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. “You’re welcome to use that room if you wish to glorify the accomplishments of your father and his companions. Just don’t stay too long. I’ve asked Nerith to visit you in your rooms in half an hour to check that burn and redress it. I will send a scout to look in on you if you aren’t on time.”
“Yes, Father.” She kissed him on the cheek and hurried to catch an attendant, asking the woman to have the Thaelians brought to her father’s reading room in five minutes. That should give them all a brief opportunity to freshen up.
She glanced around before she headed for her rooms, expecting Jaysen to still be waiting for her, but he had disappeared. After a hasty visit to her chambers, she went to the reading room and found the other three inside, standing by the case that held Sylaryth’s claw. For once, Ceris wasn’t with them.
Veyl shut the door behind her and walked up next to Kyril, who slid his arm around her, his hand settling warm and welcome at her waist. “I see you found the claw.”
“This is the one from your father’s first companion?” A hint of reverence tightened Kyril’s voice. “The one he used to kill Sarket’s king?”
Veyl leaned against him. “Yes. It’s why I asked to use this room. I thought you might like to see it.”
“Your father is a remarkable man,” Jinau stated.
“One surrounded by people who care deeply for him.” Nalika’s thoughtful tone gave Veyl the impression that she was talking more to herself.
Kyril faced Veyl then. “Speaking of remarkable, you handled yourself extremely well in there today. One might assume you had been disarming foreign dignitaries with your words all your life.”
Veyl’s cheeks warmed, and she glanced around for a distraction. “Where’s Ceris?”
“He’s resting in the room. He had an exhausting afternoon.”
Something in his regard made her suspect there was more to the statement that he wanted to see if she would figure out on her own. What had Ceris been doing that might have exhausted him? He had merely sat between them.
“The connection?”
He smiled. “Yes. He can create a sort of artificial tehnaak bond using himself as the link between two people, though it requires sustained effort from him. I thought you might appreciate the support if he was open to giving it, which he seemed eager to do. I’m not sure you needed it, though. You truly were incredible in there.”
“He speaks true, Seh’hali,” Jinau added. “If your efforts today did not convince them, nothing will.”
“You did all right,” Nalika allowed, walking to a shelf to look over the books there.
Veyl accepted all three comments as high praise. “I want to be sure Thaelis still feels like it’s your country when this is over. With better leadership and no Ukhen’kya, ideally.”
Kyril’s smile warmed her. “We truly appreciate the effort you’ve put forth on our behalf. If they accept our terms, you should be able to lean on us more for discussions of tactics and what to expect in Thaelis. As long as we remain unified in our approach, I believe we can make this work for both of our countries.”
Nalika let out a small, derisive snort, but Veyl was confident the Evoker would stand with them given what she had seen up to now. The other woman didn’t like letting Vanris take charge, but she appeared to recognize it was the path forward with the best chance of getting them home alive and with the prospect of achieving a few significant victories for Thaelis.
The ever-present pain in her wrist flared, as if to remind her she had other places to be. “If you are all satisfied with how today went, we can plan to meet tomorrow morning and discuss some options for dealing with the responses we may receive in favor of or against our proposals. But now, I need to meet with the healer.”
“I am satisfied.” Jinau inclined his head to her.
Nalika merely nodded.
Veyl faced Kyril.
He moved his hand along her jaw, fingertips tracing lines of heat on her skin that sparked warmth throughout her. “I’ve told you how I feel, but in case there is any doubt…” His lips met hers in a soft, warm kiss that made her want to curl into his arms and stay there until her world settled. When he drew back, there was a flicker of pleasure in his eyes. “Care for your wounds, Seh’hali. We will meet tomorrow.”
Veyl watched them leave, barely resisting the urge to reach for Kyril and pull him in for another kiss. When they were gone, she turned to cast a last glance at Sylaryth’s claw. Something shifting in the back of the room behind the bookshelves sparked alarm in her that brought to life the storm within.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Who’s there?” Veyl tried to sound confident as she attempted to contain the energy crackling up inside her.
Jaysen stepped out from behind the bookcases, watching her warily. Fear, anger, and hurt waged war across his features. “Your former tehnaak,” he said through gritted teeth.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I couldn’t make sense of your reaction to me last night. As I lay awake, I started wondering if their Evoker and Charmer might be manipulating you. When I heard you ask to meet with them in here, I hurried ahead so I could see for myself. But it turns out that’s not what’s going on at all, is it?” His eyes narrowed. “It makes so much more sense now.”
Panic burst in her chest, and her ability threatened to break free, energy crackling out to her fingertips. “Why don’t we sit down and talk about this?”
“I’m not certain I care to.” His gaze flickered to the door as if contemplating how fast he might reach it. “I’m glad I didn’t kiss you though, knowing who else has been partaking of your lips.”
“Please, Jaysen.” Her voice shook with the effort of keeping her ability contained. “Give me a chance to explain this.”
“Would you break me to keep your secret?” The hurt came to the fore, his brows pinching together and a hint of moisture rising in his eyes. Years of friendship that had flirted with becoming something more shattered in an instant.
She blinked against the sting of tears. “I would never break you. You mean the world to me. But what happened between us in Deepwater should not have happened. We both know that. You and I can’t ever be together. Our responsibilities lie along different paths.”
“And you can be with your Thaelian Feral? Explain that to me, because I’m not sure I’m getting it.” He held up his hands. “No, don’t bother. Even if your excuses made any sense, I would never understand you letting a man touch you who tried to strangle you the first time you met him. I have a feeling your parents won’t understand it either.”
“No! Please, you can’t tell them about this.” The crackle of energy was nearly overwhelming now, so much so that it was almost painful. More than just her voice trembled with the effort of holding it back, and her vision blurred with desperate tears.
The door slammed open, and Arhk stormed in, casting a warning look at Jaysen. “What is going on here?”
“It’s nothing,” Veyl blurted. “I was just upset.”
Arhk stepped between them, facing her. “You should probably leave, Prince Jaysen.”
“I expect you’re right, Dhomvalen,” he answered far too readily.
She tried to meet his eyes as he stalked past. “Please, Jaysen. Promise me we can talk about this.”
“We’ll see.” He didn’t look at her on his way out the door.
Arhk placed a finger under her chin, drawing her to look at him. Black moved in at the edges of his eyes, and she could feel his ability crash up against hers. Pressure and a sharp taste of fear and darkness that couldn’t quite find entry past her storm.
“After your performance in our negotiations today,” he began, his smooth voice far too composed for the situation, “I nearly forgot how young you still are. I do not know what happened in here, but I know you can control this.”
Veyl wasn’t so certain, but she would try, if only to make him proud. If Jaysen reported what he had seen, it might be the last opportunity she had to do so.
She met Arhk’s eyes, normally the same pale gray-green as her own. The blackness filling them in, something that struck terror in most people, brought a sense of calm to her. A visual representation of the Frightener connection they now shared. Staring into that darkness, she felt the storm abating. The trembling subsided as the wild energy slowly faded.
As the last crackle of lightning in her chest flickered and died, Arhk smiled. “There. I told you that you could control it.” The dark spread further into his eyes, as it often did when he was angry. “Now, tell me what happened with Prince Jaysen.”
Serpents of dread coiled in her gut, their writhing making her want to throw up. “We merely had an argument.”
“Does this have anything to do with his attempt to kiss you last night?”
Of course, her parents had told him. Veyl drew a deep breath, struggling to hold the newly rising panic at bay. “It was connected, yes.”
“If he tried something—”
“No, there are simply a lot of tangled emotions involved, and emotions are,” she paused, suppressing the urge to touch the spiral shell in her hair, “messy.”
“A significant understatement.” The black faded, and the pressure left the room.
“I’m tired.”
“Your manner tells me this is more than the typical weariness from a long day.”
She lowered her gaze, a deep, despairing hollow spreading through her chest. If Jaysen told her parents what he had seen, it would destroy the progress made in negotiations, at the very least. Kyril would end up behind bars awaiting trial, and she would lose all the ground she had gained with them. It wasn’t fair, really. If she were someone else’s daughter, her parents might be a little upset, but they would likely move past it without it destroying anyone’s life or throwing the fate of another country into chaos. Because she was heir to the throne, the rules were different.
“If you want to talk about it…” He trailed off, leaving the offer open-ended.
She looked into his eyes. “Is there anything I could do that would make you stop loving me?”
Arhk hugged her, a gesture he rarely initiated with anyone else. Not even her father.
“Never.” He held her for a moment, then pushed her out with his hands on her shoulders. “You should get some rest. Whatever has upset you may not seem so dire tomorrow.”
Veyl doubted it, but she put on a brave face and forced a smile. “You are undoubtedly right. Thank you.”
They parted ways, and she hurried to her room. Nerith was waiting in the hall. Veyl kept up light small talk until she finished changing the bandage and left. For a while afterwards, she sat awake, staring at the swallow of painkiller the healer had left her to help her sleep. She could climb around to Jaysen’s room. The weather was pleasant enough that his windows would probably be open. Then again, she would be less sure with her injured hand, and maybe it was better to wait and let him cool down, though she didn’t see that happening anytime soon.
When she finally swallowed the sedative painkiller and lay down to sleep, she was more than a little surprised that her parents hadn’t come knocking yet. How long would Jaysen wait to tell them? Might he give her a chance to talk to him first? Their friendship deserved that much, didn’t it?
***
Veyl crawled awake through the heavy fog of the sedative. She lay on her side near the edge of the bed, someone’s hand on her arm, shaking her gently. Something cool touched her neck below her jaw. Forcing her weighted eyelids open, she saw Jaysen kneeling next to the bed, holding the ornate dagger he had given her with the sharp edge of the blade resting against her skin. Icy fingers of fear swept through her, warring against the persuasive lull of the sedative. No energy crackled to life within her. The drug was apparently strong enough to suppress her ability.
“Jay—”
He silenced her with a finger over her lips and a shake of his head. “No. I don’t want you to speak or move.”
Veyl drew a trembling breath and gave him the barest nod, trying to pull together her sluggish thoughts. Under normal circumstances, she could almost certainly fight him and win. They were well-matched in skill, but she had defeated him in practice more often than not. Now, with the sedative weighing down her muscles and muddying her thoughts, she had little chance of achieving the upper hand without getting to know the sharp edge of that dagger a lot more intimately than she wanted to.
“Good girl,” he murmured, praising her like a prized hound.
Keeping the dagger against her neck, he ran his hand over her shoulder and down along her side on top of the thin fabric of her nightdress, pushing the covers off as he went, his gaze following the progress. He rested his hand on her hip and drew a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh.
“You and I are going to share some secrets.” He looked her in the eyes, then. “Do you have any idea how much I have loved you? You were the only person who never judged me for being Sarketi in all the years I lived here. When I returned to Sarket, where everyone judged me for the time I spent in Vanris, it was memories of you that helped me find the will to get through each day.” His jaw tightened. “And every time I fucked a woman I didn’t care about to earn the respect of those bastards, I imagined I was making love to you to keep from hating myself so much.”
