21 Shades of Night, page 156
“Run if you don’t want me to kill you,” I said, holding my dagger over my head. I realized though, he couldn’t run. His knee was busted for good. I figured I should question him about this Lost Queen thing. Did he think I was Claudia? I turned to face him but was distracted by the grunts and the sharp clash of swords behind me. The guard on the ground couldn’t fight but he could distract me while the battle between Liam and the other soldiers raged on. I glanced back and saw he’d felled three men, but he four remained, circling him like a piece of meat. A gash of blood trailed down Liam’s arm and he favored his right leg.
“I will kill you if I see you again,” I said, lashing my blade in Callum’s direction. I missed on purpose but he shied away, realizing the truth to my threat. I spun and raced toward Liam.
“Stay back,” he barked, but there was no way I’d leave him to fight this alone.
“Yeah, right,” I said. “You know me better than that.”
I charged forward and punched the nearest soldier in the kidney. His body was thick, rippled with muscle, and my hit was as effective as I’d been against the punching bag at the gym. I doubled down, crouching for balance.
“What’s this?” he asked, eyes sweeping over me. “A thief isn’t worth a guard’s protection. Caldwell’s hiding you for a reason.”
“You talk too much,” I said.
“And you lack appropriate fear.” His eyes narrowed. “I imagine Queen Fiona will want to know why you’re fighting with your captor.”
“Caldwell doesn’t own me,” I said, brushing past the series of “mine’s” he’d thought during our earlier, personal encounter. “He doesn’t fight for me either.”
I swiped at him with my blades, barely grazing his arms and legs. He was fast, too fast, and I realized quickly I was out of my element. He slapped my hands and both blades fell to the ground. A vison flooded my mind and I barely suppressed a shudder. He didn’t just want to kill me. He wanted more.
“Feisty, eh? You must be something special if he’s willing to die for you.” Behind him heard Liam grunt as he took another punch. The solider took a step forward, copper blade waving back and forth. One move and he’d easily run it through me.
Back home, Colleen had instructed me to flee if I got in over my head. Liam told me the same thing. Never take on an opponent that will kill you. From the look in this bastard’s eye, I could tell that was exactly what he planned to do—only after he’d done far worse.
He reached out with a giant, filthy hand and clenched it tight around my neck. He pulled me close and I turned away from his rank hot, breath. He’d obviously been drinking recently.
“Skinny, but it will do,” he grabbed the front of my shirt and tore at the fabric. The heat from his hand around my neck brought another vision. I shut my eyes to block it out, but it was inside my head.
Small villages. Girls. Women. All ages, all sizes. Bit lips, bruised skin. Dirty hands against clean flesh.
I shivered, seeing a series of faces, each filled with the same terror. The fear inside me twisted and burned, turning into something beyond my own rage. It multiplied into the anger of everyone he’d ever assaulted.
My eyes flicked to the trees above us, branches laden with birds. My head leaned back and I screeched, inexplicably calling them into my service. They cried and cawed in response flying through the air, diving toward the soldiers. The pig that held my neck dropped me at the sight of the birds and I saw the flicker of fear cross his face. He looked back at me, mouth agape and realization struck.
“You—“ he said, but the sound of his voice was drowned out by the thousands of birds coming our way. The soldiers pummeling Liam released him and gaped at the sky. He fell hard to his knees. Blood dripped from the tip of the sword at his side.
“Liam!” I ran toward him, toward the birds, but they parted, leaving me clear passage. The men cried, the first birds making their attack—gouging eyes and pecking exposed skin. Their screams echoed through the woods, but soon the only sound was the incessant beating of wings.
I gathered Liam up and called out, “Camelot!” The beast came running to our aid and bowed to her knees so Liam could get on her back. We raced down the road, Camelot blazing our trail. I had no idea if she knew where we were going but we had to get away from there. She veered off the road following a sense of direction I didn’t understand. Just before we disappeared into the thick green forest, I looked back and saw a cyclone five stories high, spiraling downward. The birds would take care of it.
The sound of screams and beating wings rang in my ears long after we’d left the road and entered the woods. The ambush had almost been the end of us, or would have if the birds hadn’t intervened.
Under the canopy of trees it was shady and cool. Regardless, Liam’s wounded body burned hot. The fuzzy echo of flapping wings was replaced by the overanxious beating of a heart, pressed tight against my chest. Liam held onto Camelot’s saddle with the limited strength he had left. I cradled him against my chest and as we traveled, I healed him with my hands and mouth.
We’d followed the same path for quite a distance when we reached the river. The sound of Camelot’s hooves sloshing through the water roused Liam from his haze.
“Better?” I asked.
He turned and touched my cheek, no doubt smearing dirt across my face. We were both filthy. “Yes, thank you,” he said, now holding my face in his hands. He leaned forward and kissed me. When we parted he asked, “Did you do that back there?”
I nodded. He looked as confused as I felt. “I think so. Who were those men? We’re they part of the rebel group you spoke of?”
He didn’t answer but said, “Hopefully there were no survivors. If that kind of information got out…”
“What? What would happen?”
“I don’t know exactly, but I doubt it will be good. There’s a reason I wanted to keep your abilities concealed.” He picked up the reins. “I do know we need to get to safe ground and then get you back home.”
“It’s getting dark.”
The sun slipped behind the trees. “Camelot took us the right direction. There’s shelter ahead. We’ll be safe for the night.”
The beast trudged across the river, wading deep enough for our feet to get wet. Twilight was in full effect as we dismounted, and Liam secured Camelot to a tree close enough to the water for her to drink.
“This way,” he directed, heading down a small, overgrown path.
“Where are we going?”
“I told you, somewhere safe.” He grinned in a lame attempt to reassure me. I wove my fingers with his, feeling the bond hold tight. We came to a wall of thick growing bamboo. “Just through here,” he said. He twisted to the side, squeezing in between the shoots. I copied his movements, searching for fresh air in the muggy trees. A firm yank on my hand pulled me out, and the cool air I sought met me on the other side. I took a deep breath before stopping short in surprise.
“This…what is this? It’s beautiful.”
We’d emerged in a green valley of plant and animal life. All around us stood a sanctuary of soft mossy ground and smooth boulders. A small creek ran through the land and vines with pink and red blossoms hung from the trees. Across the water I saw a woman with long blonde hair tied back in complicated braids. She spotted Liam and smiled.
“Liam,” she called. She strode over and looked between the two of us, eyes lingering on our gripped hands. I found myself tightening my hold, which only earned me an amused glance from Liam.
“What a surprise!” the woman said. She had tiny features and perfect skin. She came closer and her smile was replaced with a look of concern. “You’re injured!”
“I’m okay,” Liam assured her. He gave her his weapons and gestured for me to do the same. Reluctantly, removed my blades, hesitant even with Liam’s direction. “But we do need rest and sanctuary.”
“Of course.” She looked at me. “I’m Merida. Welcome to the valley.”
“Thank you.”
“You look weary and wounded. Please, follow me so you can clean up.” She whistled a long, clear tune. A half-dozen blonde, blue-eyed women appeared at our sides. “The others will assist you immediately.”
I looked to Liam. “What is this place?”
“Sun Valley, home of the Sidhe Maidens,” he replied, helping me up a large rock. “It’s a place of refuge. Neither Fiona or Eleanor can enter here. Neither can their men.”
“Why can you?”
“These women are like me—servants of the land.” He raised an eyebrow. “Plus they like me.”
Instantly we were surrounded by women, a half-dozen at least, tugging me away from Liam. “Wait, I want to stay with him,” I argued.
“Just go,” he said, eyeing the women closest to him. “Ariana, I’ve missed you.” Jealously flared in my chest, but I had little choice. We were dragged in opposite directions. I tried my hardest to ignore his laughter and their hands on his body as we parted.
The Maidens went right to work, reaching for my tattered clothing and leading me to a spring of warm water. “Let us do this, Miss,” one said, as I fought against them.
“It would be an honor,” said another. Her voice was kind but strong. Determination shone in each of their eyes. In a heartbeat I was stripped bare and I moved to cover myself. I grabbed the hand of the Maiden coming after me with a scrub brush. A sensation of warmth and security washed over me, and all of my modesty disappeared.
“Oh,” I mused, realizing quickly that caring for others was their gift. And I was their newest patron.
I entered the pool of water by going down steps made of stone. Pebbles lined the floor. The Maidens went to work, scrubbing my hair into a lather with the most delicious smelling soap. The water soothed my aching muscles, unraveling the knots and tension in my shoulders and back. I wasn’t even aware I’d felt so bad. All of it disappeared under the bubbling surface. One Maiden poured clean water over my head while another combed through the tangles. My black hair was in sharp contrast to the lightness of this place, but their eyes held no judgment, just servitude.
When my bath was completed they wrapped me in soft, hand-woven blankets and gave me clean clothes to wear.
“This is for me?” I asked, holding up the gauzy white dress. It was similar to their own, but nicer, as theirs were made for work.
“For the night, while we repair your other clothing.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
The Maiden smiled and held up a glowing lantern. “Will you follow me?”
I had little choice, so I followed her across a path of flat stones. Full night had come to the valley and in the dark we passed a garden of vegetables, ripe and fragrant. Along the way, I saw small groupings of women and girls, eating and conversing together. I never saw any buildings or homes. They gathered on blankets surrounded by candle light or lanterns.
She turned abruptly down a path with a sandy trail and I trotted to keep up. We passed other trails that led in various directions and I asked, “Where do those lead?”
“This is the way to our sleeping areas. We don’t have rooms, exactly, but we can offer comfort to weary guests.”
We came to a dead end and she held her arm out to reveal the sight ahead of us. I gasped in awe. “It’s lovely,” I said, taking in the area beneath an enormous tree. Small lanterns hung from the branches, casting the area in a soft yellow light. Sheer fabric gave the impression of walls, but they were filmy enough to see a padded mattress at the base of the tree and pillows that lined the edges. A tray made of vines held food and drink. “This can’t be for me.”
I turned to get her reply but she was gone—the fringe of her dress disappearing behind the grass and into the dark. I heard the sound of metal clinking and faced the tree. Liam stood underneath the boughs in a pair of white linen pants and a loose tunic. In his hands he held the decanter of wine and a silver cup. He offered it to me.
“Where did you come from?” I asked, taking the cup. I sniffed and inhaled the rich scent of wine.
“I was waiting for you.” He wrapped an arm around me. Wow, he smelled as clean as I felt.
“Is this safe?” I asked, holding up the cup.
“The Valley is a sanctuary. No outside magic is allowed. If you’re allowed entry, then you will be protected the entire time of your stay. So yes, all food and drink is safe.”
With that I took a huge gulp of my wine and moved closer to the food. My stomach rumbled in anticipation. “Is this for us? Can we eat it? I’m starving.”
“Of course, it’s been almost a day since we last ate. And to answer your general question, all of this is for us. It’s where we’ll stay tonight.”
Relieved, I dropped to the ground and piled a piece of bread with a variety of cheeses and meats. Liam sat across from me and did the same, although a little less like a wild animal. Maybe they ate less here?
“You know,” I said, swallowing an unladylike bite. “I don’t think we’ve ever eaten together before. I mean, Mrs. Graves brings me food at your house but we’ve never had a meal at the same time.”
“Who would have thought our first real date would take place here?”
“In the Valley or Otherworld?” I asked. “And wait, you think this is a date?”
He shrugged. “Isn’t it? We don’t get much time off from training and well, lately, fighting. This is the first time I’ve felt like I could relax with you.”
“You worry that much?”
“Constantly.”
I watched him as he ate a handful of berries. They were pink—not a kind I had seen at home. His lips stained red and I felt the familiar tug between us. The tug that started out as a reminder but quickly wound into a tight coil in the center of my belly.
“How did you find this place?”
“The Guardians of Otherworld have a link that connects us. My father used to bring me here. Merida and I have known one another since we were children.”
“She’s very beautiful.” He nodded but never took his eyes off mine. I picked up another piece of bread and plucked small bites off to eat. “I suppose this is the part of the date where we attempt to find out more about each other,” I said. “Or at least that’s what I’ve been told. I never had much of a dating life, but you know that.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve never had much of one either.”
The intensity of his job and duty were etched into his face. I had no idea what Liam’s experience with women was—human or Sidhe, but dating didn’t seem like it would be high on his list of priorities.
When we’d eaten most of the food he pushed the tray aside and gathered me in his arms. A move, like the one we shared at his house the day before, that made me think he had some experience with the opposite sex. Together we snuggled into the soft mattress and pillows, and again I felt the hum of our bond. I took a peek at his face, the strong lines of his jaw and high, sharp cheekbones and realized I wanted more. I wanted all of it. With him.
I untangled myself from Liam’s arms and rose to my knees. From his spot leaning against a pillow he asked, “Going somewhere?”
I used his confusion to make my move, shifting to the spot between his legs. I approached him, still kneeling and lifted my dress over my head. Bare beneath, I waited for my typical embarrassment and modesty to take over. The look of awe and desire on Liam’s face wiped away any hesitation. He wanted me. All of me, as much as I wanted him. If our powers united, so be it. I didn’t care.
With no reason to hold back, no soldiers chasing us, training lessons to complete or wounds to heal, I felt free. More so than I had in months. With typical inhuman speed he removed his clothing and sat before me with the body of a god. I should have looked away—taken my eyes off the runes and markings. Off the etched lines of muscle. The dips perfect for my thumbs. I should have, like the inexperienced woman I was, but didn’t. Couldn’t.
We were bare. Vulnerable. Equals.
Gently, Liam moved me to my back, hands roaming over my body, exploring my lines and curves. I touched him in return, feeling the hard planes of his muscles, aware of how much he wanted me. He hovered above me, mouth close to my ear and murmured my name, “Nadya.”
“I’m ready,” I told him, brushing the hair off his forehead. I said it as much for myself as for him.
He locked his eyes to mine, positioning himself. The curtains around us rippled with a soft breeze, but inside this place—our place—it felt like we were in our own universe. That feeling of safety and security overwhelmed me as he pushed inside. I arched my back, accepting him with ease, as if joined by the gods.
I thought I knew what the bond between us meant. What it felt like. Until Liam entered me and joined our bodies, I had no idea. My fingers clamped against his back, nails tearing against his flesh. Sweat clung to our bodies and sweet, painful tension bundled in my nerves. He pressed his slick forehead against mine and pushed his tongue in my mouth. I couldn’t get enough of him. I wanted it all, the sweat, the pain, the exhilaration. On fire, I pushed back against his hips, rolling mine against his weight. The friction burned gloriously and his hands clamped around my waist.
The word I’d stolen from his mind tumbled from his lips, a breathy chant against my mouth. “Mine,” he breathed, until he gasped, fulfilling the promise of his words. Warm and deep inside, he possessed me, and I him.
He rolled off but not away, and I pressed my nose in the dip of his neck to catch my breath. I’d wondered what it would be like but never had I expected… I stopped my thoughts abruptly. Something was wrong. Missing. I sat up. “Where is the light? The bond?”
He sat up took my hand and laid it on his chest. His heart thudded wildly inside. “Do you feel it?”
“Yes.”
He laid his own hand just over my breast. “Yours is the same. That is the bond.”
Now that I noticed it was missing, darkness lurked on the edge of what we’d just done. “But the light?”
“I told you, there’s no magic here—not even between us. The light is a manifestation of the magic that binds us together. The power that gives us the ability to heal. This,” he pressed his lips over my heart, “is the truth beneath the magic. The truth about us.”
