A Kiss of Magic: A Kiss of Magic Book One (25 page)

“You don’t know that,” she said.

He thought about it a moment. “You’re right. I cannot make you any promises. However, I can remind you that there is no one on this continent more powerful than Dendri Adiron. It would take an army far larger than Delongo’s to bring him down. Take heart in that. I have never known anyone as strong and as determined as Dendri. He won’t rest until Delongo is dead, and he won’t let himself die in the process if for no other reason than to protect you. Now come. Let’s go get you prettied up. Then I shall take you to Grosvenor’s on Capitol Circle. I will fill you full of savories and pastries.”

She smiled at him. “We should go to the dressmaker’s after we eat. That way she can account for the pounds you will put on me.”

“Just so! Now, where’s that delightful Bess?”

They walked into the house together.

Wil was boisterously happy and encouraging as he hurried them into dressing for their outing. It was all well and good to wear breeches when riding on horseback or in the casual comfort of home and when going about daily chores, but not for going to Grosvenor’s to eat. As they dressed, Bess and she fussed over the simplicity and worn state of their dresses.

“Well, we’ll fix that soon enough,” Bess said encouragingly. She finished primping them both then hurried Yasra out of the room.

They took the barouche carriage into the city. Dendri’s estate was just outside of the capitol city, far enough to be away from the noise and bustle and smell of the city and close enough to be within easy travelling distance to the triumvirate and the heddah chamber. There were two guards and a driver on the outside of the vehicle. As they rumbled past the main gate, she saw that there was still a crowd of people camped out there, waiting for the opportunity to see them. They drove through them with ease, but Yasra, who was facing the rear of the barouche, could see people running after them, some mounting horses to give them chase. Anxiety clawed through her. Wil, who was seated next to her, followed her gaze out the window.

“Don’t worry. They won’t come close. Not within rifle range anyway.”

She nodded and swallowed hard. She missed Dendri. She always felt so safe when he was near. Not that she didn’t think Wil and the guards could keep her safe, but that she felt much more secure in that knowledge when Dendri was around. If she had to live future years without him, would she ever feel safe again?

They drove onto Capitol Circle, a paved road that went around the entire perimeter of Capitol Park. The park itself was two miles squared and full of long riding paths and wending gravel roadways. Anyone who wanted to be seen went riding into Capitol Park.

They reached the restaurant and Wil helped both women alight from the vehicle. He gave the driver the instruction to return for them in an hour. Then he led them inside, the guards following them. They were seated at a table with their guards settled, discreetly, nearby. This made Yasra feel better since she preferred not to draw attention to herself.

The meal they were served was the best food she had ever tasted. Rivaling even Dendri’s talented chef. She had goose cooked in a champagne broth, and shrimp in butter and wine with lemony capers and pungent garlic. For dessert there was a sweet, layered pastry with whipped cream and custard oozing from crumbling pastry layers.

Full and content, Yasra let Wil lead them back to the carriage and they made their way to Haverton Street. Known for its dressmakers, tailors, milliners and cobblers, it was a one-stop shopping street. Everything from exotic perfumes to resplendent jewelry was available within the single walking distance of the street. Wil was so excited to be shopping that it rubbed off on Yasra and Bess.

“Wil, you’re a fashion plate!” she noted with a chuckle. She looked him over from head to toe. He was impeccably dressed, from cravat to boots. His valet kept him clean-shaven, his clothes were cut and tailored perfectly to his large frame. His coat was a brushed burgundy velvet that accented the golden highlights of his hair. His hair was once again neatly caught back in a queue, as was the most popular style for men in their society. His breeches were skin tight and black, matching the lapels of his jacket. The silk shirt he wore was a pristine white. His cravat was knotted and fluffed intricately at his throat. He wore a top hat and shining black riding boots.

“I admit that I am,” he said as he inspected a countertop full of cravats of all colors. White was the most popular, but she had begun to see well-dressed men sporting cravats of more brilliant hues of late. She reached out and fingered a midnight blue one.

“This would look lovely with your hair,” she told him.

Amusement in his eyes he inspected the colored cravat.

“I do believe you are right,” he said. “I shall buy it and wear it when next we are going to meet.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she demurred.

“I want to.” He indicated to the shopkeeper that he wanted the cravat. “Now, that’s enough shopping for me. Let’s get you ladies some lovely new dresses to compliment your beautiful eyes.”

“Oh I couldn’t,” Bess said minutes later as Wil encouraged her to try on a gown made of a fair pink silk with little pink rosebuds embroidered on the bodice. “It’s too expensive.”

“We’ll not talk of cost,” Wil said dismissively. “Dendri is ridiculously wealthy. He has nothing to spend his fortune on. It’s about time he had someone to take care of.”

“I’m sure he’s bought things for other women as well.”

“Perhaps,” Wil conceded. “But not of late. It has been some time since he had a woman in his life, Yasra.”

Yasra blushed at his pointed look. “How much time?” she asked, trying to sound not all that interested.

“I couldn’t say for certain, but at least two years.”

“Two years?” She was shocked. A man as vital and sexual as Dendri? Celibate for two years? She couldn’t believe it. “You must be mistaken. Perhaps there was someone you didn’t know of.”

“Not very likely. I suppose it could be true, but Dendri tells me just about everything. Although he introduces me to very few of the women in his life. They generally aren’t around long enough to make an impression.”

Yasra didn’t know how to feel about that. It supported what Olla had said to her, that Dendri’s attentions were fleeting. Did that mean he would lose interest in her just as easily?

Of course it did. Why should she be any different than any of the other women in his life? What made her so special? Just because they were Gestalt didn’t mean they would be a couple forever. She didn’t even want forever. Forever was a lot to ask of anyone.

“Go on Bess. Try on the dress,” Wil urged her.

Bess gave a little squeak of joy then hurried off to put the dress on. Then Wil turned to her. “Well? What will it be? Silk? Lace? Velvet? It’s growing colder now and you should have something warm. Some gloves for certain. A shawl. A jacket.” He reached out for a breast jacket and held it up so she could slide her arms into the long velvet sleeves. It was of a lovely fawn color, the short row of buttons that buttoned the jacket over her breasts made of carved ivory. The ivory colored lace at the cuffs simple and pretty.

Wil turned her toward him and quickly buttoned the six buttons between her breasts, the material pulling snug over them and Wil’s expert touch too fleeting to be intimate. Still, she blushed at his familiarity. It was obvious Wil knew his way around women’s clothing.

“Lovely,” he declared. “And a perfect fit. I wasn’t certain, given your…charms.” He winked at her audaciously and she laughed.

“You’re a scoundrel,” Yasra declared.

“Born and bred. My father was a scoundrel and my grandfather was a scoundrel. A long line of rogues, I’m afraid.”

“Breaking hearts wherever you go?”

“Indeed. But I shan’t talk of it, lest I shock you with my wild behaviors.”

“I think it would take some doing to shock me. I already expect the very worst of you.” She smiled at him as he helped her out of the jacket. “Is there no woman in your life?”

“I keep a mistress. Is that sufficient?” he asked impishly.

“Hardly. Unless you are one of those men who loves their mistress.”

“We are the very best of friends,” he said. “But I fear our liaison is drawing to a close and then I will be all alone once again. Do you feel sorry for me?”

“I do,” she said, suddenly taking the tease out of her tone. “You are a wonderful man. You deserve someone special.”

A slow smile curved over his fine lips. “Perhaps if I had met you before Dendri, I would have someone special.” His voice brightened back to its teasing slant. “However, in lieu of that, I shall have to bed whomever crosses my path and suffer for it.”

“Wil!” she gasped, laughing at him. She felt warmth for him blossom in her chest. She could see why Dendri liked this man so much.

“Now, let’s see—ah! Bess, you look divine!” he said as Bess came out of the back room.

They spent the rest of the day shopping, Wil piling packages into the arms of the guards that followed them. They protested at first, but Wil ignored them.

Finally, their shopping done, they clambered into the barouche and caught their breath. Yasra stretched out her sore feet. They had bought dozens of things, from shoes to kerchiefs. Dresses that needed to be fitted or made would be delivered to Dendri’s house as soon as they were completed. She looked outside of the window of the carriage and saw the sun was setting. The whole day had gone by and thanks to Wil she had not spent every minute of it fretting about Dendri.

As they drove past the crowd at the gates she felt worry begin to seep in on her again.

Dendri, where are you?

He did not answer.

Chapter Twenty

Yasra was awakened from a fitful sleep when a thunderous banging rocketed down the hallways. Leaping out of bed, leaving a confused Bess behind, she ran out of the bedroom in her bare feet and thin nightgown. She ran around the corner and into the main foyer just as Tudman, dressed in a nightcap and sleeping shirt held up a lantern and opened the door.

The light of the lantern fell onto three men.

“Dendri!” she cried, leaping forward.

Ky and Jal each had one of Dendri’s arms over their shoulders and they were hauling Dendri between them. Dendri’s feet dragged across the marble flooring as they brought him into the house.

“Dendri! Oh my God!”

“Out of the way, Yasra,” Ky said gently. “He needs a bed.”

Yasra immediately complied, stepping out of the way so they could bring him down the hallway and into his bedroom.

“Tudman, get the doctor. Quickly!” Yasra demanded.

“Yes, miss!” Tudman said, hurrying from the room as Ky and Jal laid Dendri in the bed. Yasra hurried to light the gas lamps in the room and Ky went to start the fire in the hearth.

“Oh! Look at him! Why didn’t you stop somewhere? How could you bring him all that way in this condition?” Yasra cried as she inspected Dendri. He was in his shirtsleeves, the neck of his shirt gaping wide over his tanned chest. The shirt was white and there was blood and holes peppered all along his right side. There was blood on his left shoulder as well, and she knew it was from the original gunshot he had suffered. Jal took out a knife and cut the sleeve of Dendri’s shirt. Then pulled the remaining shirt over his head. Whatever battle he had been in it was clear it had ripped the stitching in the previous wound. And that was how she came to notice Dendri’s shirt had been burned onto his arm. Bits of fabric and flesh were melded together.

There were shards of something white stabbing in small spots all along his right side, neck and face. As she came close she pulled one of them out and saw it was porcelain.

“You didn’t even stop to clean the wounds?”

“He wouldn’t let us. All he kept saying was he wanted to get home. Home to you.”

Yasra felt emotion clutch at her heart at the words and tears threatened behind her eyes. Blinking them away, she sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her fingers through his lank brown hair.

“Dendri,” she whispered, leaning in to him. She wanted to see his eyes. Wanted to see the life within them. She could see his pulse throbbing steadily in his throat and it gave her some comfort, but she wanted to see his eyes. “Dendri look at me.”

His lashes fluttered and then parted. Yasra gasped in horror as she saw the perfect background of red where his eyes should have been white. The green of his eyes stood out garishly against the blood red coloring.

“Oh my God!” she gasped.

“I got him,” he rasped.

Yasra looked up at Jal who nodded.

“Look what you’ve done to yourself,” she fretted. “I hope the triumvirate knows what you’ve done for them and what it’s cost you to do it!”

“I’ll make sure that they do,” Jal said grimly.

“Will he be all right?” she asked. “Are you all right?”

She saw blood on their clothing and scorching on Ky’s.

“The blood’s not ours. Ky’s got a light burn but other than a few bruises, we’re fine. Dendri took the brunt of it,” Jal said.

“I can see that,” she said. “Where is the damn doctor?”

“Easy. You only just sent for him. He’ll be here soon. Bess, can you get us a basin of fresh water, some brandy and a pair of tweezers? We can start getting this porcelain out at least,” Jal said, making her realize Bess had entered the room behind her.

“Right away,” Bess said before dashing off.

“Rest,” Yasra urged as she stroked Dendri’s hair. “We’ll take care of you.”

He sighed as if he’d been waiting for someone to say that, giving him leave to relax at last. Or at least relax as much as a man in pain was able. And he was in pain. She could see that clearly.

“Can’t you stop the pain?” she asked him gently.

“I can’t,” he said wearily.

“He burned himself out fighting Delongo. It’ll be some time before he heals from all of this. I have to tell you, Yasra, I didn’t think he was going to do it. For a minute there I thought Delongo was going to beat him,” Jal said.

“She doesn’t need to hear that,” Dendri grumbled.

“He doesn’t have to tell me that. I can see it for myself.” She sighed. “It makes no difference. You’re here. You’re safe. That’s all that matters to me.”

Shortly after that, Bess returned with the items Jal had requested. She handed the tweezers and basin with some fresh clean linen cloths to Yasra. She handed the brandy to Jal.

“Put the cloths under him on that side. That’s it. Hang on my friend, this is going to hurt,” he warned just before he upended the bottle of brandy over the small wounds left by the porcelain, disinfecting the area with the strong spirits. Dendri gritted his teeth and jerked, but Jal held him still.

“I’m going to see about the doctor,” Ky said before leaving the room.

Slowly, carefully, she began to use the tweezers to pluck out the bits of porcelain. She had to hunt for the small shards in some instances and Dendri fought to keep still. She was just finishing when the doctor arrived at last.

“Started without me I see,” he said with a grim expression on his features. He took Dendri in with a single assessing look as Yasra moved out of his way. “Don’t know why I bothered to stitch you up,” he remarked upon seeing the reopened bullet wound.

“Why should you complain?” Dendri asked. “You get paid twice.”

The doctor chuckled. “A good point. Well, I see his spirits are up.” He frowned as he looked at the burn on his arm. “But that’s likely to change. I have to clean that burn. It’s going to hurt like hell. I don’t suppose you can divert the pain?”

Dendri shook his head.

“Well then, a little laudanum will go a long way.”

“No,” Dendri said with a frown.

“Yes,” Yasra countermanded. “You’ll take it and you’ll be quiet.”

Dendri looked at her, raising a single brow at her authoritative tone.

He looked from the doctor to Jal to Bess, but found no one was there to support him. He sighed and rested his head back. “Very well,” he said.

“Someone fetch me some tea. With a lot of sugar. It’ll help mask the taste.

“Never mind. Get a glass for the brandy,” Dendri countered.

The doctor chuckled. “That’ll definitely mask the taste. Now, you rest while I finish patching up the rest of your wounds. We’ll start on the burn once the laudanum takes effect.”

“Jal. I don’t want Yasra in here for this. Protect her for me while I’m healing.”

Yasra took offense at his highhanded behavior.

“I most certainly a going to be here for this! You’re not going through this alone!”

“Jal,” he said firmly, ignoring her.

“Maybe you better come with me,” Jal said to Yasra, coming around the bed and gently taking her upper arm in his hand.

“No! I’m not going!”

“Then I won’t take the laudanum,” Dendri said stubbornly.

“Dendri please,” she begged him. “Don’t fight with me. I want to be here for you. You’re always there for me. Can’t you just let me be here for you?”

He took that in quietly for a minute, then, too exhausted to argue with her, he relented. She sighed with relief as Bess brought the glass into the room.

Yasra was sitting beside Dendri on the bed. She had gotten dressed hours ago and now sat curled up against the headboard, stroking her fingers through Dendri’s hair as he slept. His arm was bandaged and lying across his belly. The covers were pulled up all the way to under his arms and there was a fire in the fireplace, but she was concerned he might get cold regardless. The doctor had warned her about letting him get chilled. Even so, with a burn to the degree Dendri’s was, an infection was quite possible and fever would come with it. She occasionally touched her cool fingers to his forehead, checking for any elevation in his temperature.

There was a rustling sound from the doorway and Yasra looked up to see Bess was standing there.

“You should come and take a nap,” she said with concern. “You haven’t slept.”

“I’ll sleep here,” she said, indicating the chair by the bed. She wouldn’t sleep in bed with him for fear of striking him on either of his wounded sides on her sleep.

“You can’t sleep in a chair,” Bess said, a small frown puckering the line of her brow.

“Yes. I can.”

Bess knew better than to argue with Yasra when she used that tone of voice. The tone of finality. The tone of absolute stubbornness. Bess sighed. “At least come have something to eat.”

“Bring me something here,” Yasra countered.

“Yas…”

“Bess, please stop arguing with me. I’d rather save my energy for taking care of Dendri.”

Bess relented. “All right. I won’t fuss at you. I’ll bring you something. Should I bring something for Dendri?”

“No. The doctor said he would be out for a long time and that he needs the rest. I’ll get him something when he awakens.”

“Okay.” Bess hesitated in the doorway. “Yasra…be careful.”

“Hmm?” Yasra looked up at her friend.

“Be careful. I…I would hate for you to get too attached…only to have him hurt you. I know I’ve encouraged you so far, but that was when it was just…you know…physical.”

Yasra’s hand stilled in his hair.

“I’m not getting too attached,” she said, sounding firmer than she felt. “I’m just caring for him in his time of need. I can do that without attaching too much sentimentality to it.”

“Yas…” Bess warned.

“I can,” Yasra insisted. “Don’t worry about me. I know exactly what I’m getting into.”

“Do you? I don’t think you do.”

“I do. Please stop pestering me Bess,” she said, her tone surly.

Bess sighed. “I’ll go get the tray.”

She left and Yasra was left to her own thoughts. She considered Dendri’s sleeping face for a long moment. He looked somehow younger when he was asleep like this. She had never seen him so relaxed. The stupor of the drug he had been given had erased all of the agedness and endless power and wisdom from his features. She didn’t care for him this way. The vulnerability was not like him in the least. It frightened her to see him so weak.

The laudanum had not worked entirely. It had dulled his senses yes, but not enough to divert all of the pain away from the cleaning of the burn. She had felt so helpless. Knowing that if she had been a little bit stronger…a little more skilled…she could have stopped his pain by manipulating the pain receptors in his brain. All she would have needed to do was touch him. But she didn’t know the first thing about how to achieve a skill like that. She didn’t know if she even ever would. It was something Dendri did with ease, but it was an advanced skill and she was just a neophyte.

Next time they would find a higher level Aspano to come and help. She had not thought of it before. Dendri had not suggested it. She suspected he would not have liked to have someone who could manipulate his mind crawl around inside of his head when he could do nothing to protect himself. But cleaning the wound had been a horrible thing. Dendri had shouted down the house, even his stoicism paling in the face of it.

Now the drug had pulled him under its sway. He was sleeping. Hopefully healing. She feared fever. She feared a lot of things and she was getting tired of the feeling. She wanted to be strong for him. To be the kind of woman he could depend on to manage things when he needed her most. She was surprised by the desire. She had never found it important to take charge of her life and plow on ahead, managing the things and people around her. She had simply let life happen to her, letting it sweep her away in its ebbs and tides.

It disgusted her now to realize it. She didn’t want to be that way. Even Dendri and their physical relationship had just happened to her. She had controlled nothing about it. He had wanted her and had taken her with little argument from her.

But she did not regret that. She could not. She had never known such pleasure than the pleasure she had found in his arms. She had never experienced such happiness as she had these past days in his life. True, she had also never known such worry and anxiety also, but that was okay. She didn’t mind him making her worry as long as he came back to her and soothed her afterward.

Only this time it was she soothing him. She stroked the backs of her fingers down over his squared jaw, onto the strong column of his neck and down to the warm silky smooth skin covering straps of hard muscle beneath it on his shoulder and then his chest. He was naked beneath the covers, the men having stripped him down and they had all agreed not to dress him to keep clothing away from his wounds. The nasty shards of porcelain had even penetrated his thigh and hip on the right side, slicing right through the fabric of his breeches.

Now they were all bandaged up, his burned arm excluded. The doctor had said that the fresh air would be best for it and that bandages would only stick to the wound, making it horribly agonizing every time they would need to be changed.