Dark Swan Bundle (60 page)

I sighed. “Is he still upset about that?”

“He was, forgive me, quite heartbroken over your rejection of the gift and of him.”

“I didn't want that. I liked him—still do. I just wanted us to be friends.”

“In my experience, your majesty, men and women often have difficulty with that. It's not impossible—but not always easy.”

I thought about Dorian. “That's for damned sure. Well, thank you for this, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help with it. But seriously—don't go work on it now. Go back to that party. Drink up. Flirt with Shaya. She could use a good guy.”

Girard erupted into laughter. It was a rich, honey-filled sound. “I treasure my neck too much to risk the captain of your guards wringing it.”

It took me a moment to catch on. “Who, Rurik? He doesn't like Shaya…not that way, at least. She's too, I don't know, refined. He only goes after trashy kitchen girls.”

Girard merely shrugged.

“I'm serious!” I wasn't sure why this astounded me so much. “They might seem close, but it's because they work together. They're just friends.”

Girard flashed another grin. “Didn't you just hear what I said about men and women being friends?” He dared a wink and bowed again. “Until tomorrow, your majesty.”

I watched him go, that flamboyant red cape swirling around him. I was still in disbelief. Shaya and Rurik? No, it was ridiculous. I was certain she had no interest in him, and if he did want her, it was only for the same cheap reasons he wanted any woman. She was too smart for that.

“You give my lord gifts yet still claim no interest.”

I turned and saw Ysabel standing near a corner in the hall. She'd apparently overheard my conversation with Girard. Did this woman have nothing to do except lurk in halls and wait for me? “He's done a lot of favors for me lately. It's the only way I can really repay him.”

“No doubt there are other ways you could repay him,” she said snidely.

I started to give the “friends” line but had already had enough of that with Girard. “Please, I don't want to go through this same old song and dance. And you know, we both fulfilled our side of the deal with Dorian. I let you teach me. You're free. He's coming here tomorrow to help with the demon problem. Go home with him afterward.”

Those big blue eyes widened in surprise. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why would you let me go?”

“Because you don't want to be here. You gave me the foundation of what I need to know, and I've been building on it pretty quickly.” With a shiver, I recalled how I'd nearly suffocated that gentry in my yard. That had been intentional. I had no accident excuses as I'd had with her. It was probably something I shouldn't mention to her quite yet. As it was, she looked troubled enough.

“Yes…you have learned quickly. The magic burns so strongly in you, I don't think it needs much of an excuse to burst out. You really are like Storm King.”

“Did you know him?” I asked curiously. I was always conflicted on hearing about him. Part of me wanted nothing to do with him, yet the other part longed to know more.

“I wouldn't say ‘know,'” she mused. “My father was one of his bodyguards, so I saw Storm King a few times. He was…terrifying. Terrifying and awe-inspiring.” She tried to hide her fear but shuddered anyway.

“From what I hear, that's the reaction most people have.” Kiyo too had seen Storm King in his youth, and I'd once had a flashback of my own brief meeting with my father.

“The power you try to summon…he was able to bring it about in a heartbeat. He had only to think about a storm and the world would tremble with its force.”

“Well, I guess everyone can rest easy. I'm a long ways from that.”

“Do you know why?” she asked.

“Practice?”

She shook her head and pursed her lips. “Because for all your titles and regard and impressive use of magic so far…you are still
human
in your heart.”
Human
, by her tone, was a very ugly thing to be.

“Not according to my stepfather.” It didn't seem like I'd ever fit anyone's expectations.

“You think like one. You want to divide everything up logically. The way you approach magic, it's very…scientific.” Not a word gentry used very often. “You treat it coldly. You parcel up each fragment of air and categorize it. Magic requires control, yes, but at its heart, it is tied to your emotions. You said you'd summoned lightning accidentally. What was going on?”

“I was scared.” It had also happened, I realized, when I was aroused. “And, um, excited.”

“You were lost in your emotions, and the power seized you. But you'll never be able to do that regularly, never by choice. You repress your emotions. You don't give in to them.” Her smile turned triumphant. “And that is why my lord will never love you like he does me.”

Of course. I should have known there was a barb waiting at the end of this lesson. I wondered what she'd think if she knew her lord had been pretty willing to love me up yesterday.

“Well, thanks for the pep talk, but I'm going to my room now. I meant what I said. Go with Dorian tomorrow and love him as much as you want. I'll carry on without you somehow.” No point in hiding the sarcasm I felt.

Ysabel gave me a sickeningly sweet smile. “You're presuming you'll come back.”

I jerked around and gave her a sharp look. “Are you threatening me?”

“Certainly not. I have nothing to do with your adventure tomorrow. But you're going to face demons. Anything can happen. And if you don't return, I won't weep.”

Great. Nothing like a good omen to go into battle with.

I woke up the next morning, lying on top of my covers, with sunlight streaming in through the eastern windows. It was barely sunrise, but already the air was warming up. It was, as the saying went, going to be a hot one. If I truly was connected with the land, I wondered what a heat wave said about my mood. Was it indicative of my preparedness for battle?

I squinted up at the play of sunlight on the stone ceiling, unsure of that question, just like so many lately. With a sigh, knowing I needed to get up, I rolled over and came face-to-face with Kiyo. I yelped in surprise.

His dark chocolate eyes were open, wide awake. I think he'd been watching me while I slept. He smiled that sexy, smoky smile of his, eyes crinkling slightly. He was bare-chested, clad only in navy blue boxers.

“When did you get here?” I asked. “I didn't notice a thing.”

“I know,” he said. “You were sleeping pretty heavy. Didn't even budge when I slid into bed.” He rested a hand on my hip and slid it along my bare leg. I'd fallen asleep in a T-shirt.

Seeing his eyes and feeling his hand on my skin warmed something in me. Surely all would be right in the world—worlds, even—so long as I had Kiyo. There was just something so overwhelmingly strong and secure about him, a steadiness in the midst of that dangerous sex appeal. I reached out and touched the side of his face, a bit surprised at just how happy I was to have him here with me.

“I didn't know for sure that you'd come,” I admitted.

“Eugenie, how can you think that?” He continued stroking my leg, but his other arm pulled me close. “I said I would. I won't let you go into danger alone.”

“I know you don't approve of some of the things I do. Roland doesn't. We had a huge fight.”

Kiyo kissed my forehead, then my nose, and then my lips. “He's worried about you. I am too. But I understand what you have to do here and why you want to help these people.”

I looked at him and felt something lighten up within me, some lonely and aching part that so desperately needed someone to
get
me. Before, I'd felt like Dorian could. I prayed Kiyo was able to as well. “You do?”

“Yes.” He kissed me again, his mouth warm and searching. The hand that had been on my leg moved up to my breast. “I know what it's like to live in two worlds. You're brave and do what you think is right, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you,” he breathed in my ear. “Neither are any of the people gathered downstairs.”

He moved his mouth back to mine, but I wiggled out. “Wai—what? Who's gathered?”

He gave a half shrug, hands still roving over my body. “Everyone. Rurik's got the guards there. Jasmine's up and cuffed. Even Dorian's here.”

I sat up. “Kiyo! We have to get downstairs then. We can't—ah.”

He'd moved one hand up my inner thigh—up, up, and up. “We've got time.”

“No…we…don't,” I managed as his fingers moved in and out of me. For a moment, I thought of how Dorian had done almost exactly the same thing, but then I shoved the memory away. “They're waiting…”

“Five minutes, Eugenie,” Kiyo murmured. His other hand shoved up my shirt, and he leaned down to kiss one of my breasts, slowly moving on to suck the nipple, harder and harder. I flinched slightly at the feel of his teeth, and he lifted his face up. “I've missed you, Eugenie, no matter what else you think. I've missed you and I love you.” He slid his fingers out of me, and I whimpered at their loss. He smiled. “And I think…I think maybe you missed me too…”

And with no other preamble, he rolled me over to my knees and moved up behind me. I don't know when his boxers came off, but suddenly, he was in me, hard and swollen and grunting with each thrust. I gripped the sheets with my fists, keeping my body arched for him so that he could take me even deeper. His hands clutched my hips, letting him bury himself as far as he could go. I moaned and tipped my head back, my body wanting to take more and more of him into me.

Leaning his body over mine, he reached forward and managed to cup my breasts without breaking his rhythm. His fingers caressed them, thumbs rubbing against the erect nipples. The sensations in my body were dizzying, every piece of me feeling like it was on fire. At last he shifted back to his kneeling position and returned his hands to my hips, giving him the best position to fully take me. His strokes grew even harder and faster, shoving himself into me with such force that I could hear our bodies hitting each other. With a great groan, his nails dug into my hips and his whole body jerked as he came. Hands still tight on my hips, he held himself there for several moments, taking his full release.

Finally, he pulled away and collapsed onto the bed. Flipping over, I sprawled beside him. “Okay,” I gasped. “Now I think I'm ready to fight some demons.”

 

I don't think anyone really noticed that Kiyo and I had just had sex when we came downstairs. Mercifully, it didn't even rain. If anyone suspected anything, it was Dorian, with that uncanny way he had of reading people. The guards were drawn up in formation outside, but Dorian was in the parlor sipping tea with Shaya while Ysabel all but sprawled on his lap. Girard was there as well, testing the weight of Dorian's old sword while Dorian himself studied the drawing of the new sword.

“Eugenie,” said Dorian, arching an eyebrow. “Don't you look radiant this morning. Why, you're positively glowing.” Ysabel scowled at his praise.

“It's the leather,” I said, tugging self-consciously at my shirt. I'd argued against needing armor, but Shaya had nonetheless obtained a sleeveless top for me made of lightweight leather, good for deflecting blades. It wasn't porn-star leather or anything, but it wasn't something I was used to.

“And this,” Dorian continued, pointing to the drawing, “is exquisite. Thank you.”

“What is it?” asked Kiyo.

“A sword from legends. One to slay evildoers everywhere. Eugenie's having it made for me.”

Kiyo gave me a wordless look that was nonetheless full of questions. “It's a thank-you gift. Dorian's done me a lot of favors lately,” I explained.

“I assure you,” said Dorian straight-faced. “I take as much joy in the giving as you do in the receiving.”

“Okay,” I said hastily. “Are we good to go? I saw the guards out there. I'd like this done sooner rather than later.”

The biggest impediment turned out to be Ysabel, who threw her arms around Dorian and begged him to be careful. He patted her hastily on the shoulder, assuring her he'd be fine. His eyes were impatient, though, and he didn't look back when he strode out with the rest of us. Poor Ysabel. I was almost starting to feel bad for her, despite her hopes that
I
wouldn't come back. She really was nothing more than a bed warmer to Dorian, and while most of his women knew that, she just couldn't accept it.

Jasmine was ready as well, still bound and looking angry. Volusian was with us, and he had standing orders to subdue her if she tried anything—which I felt pretty sure she would. Unfortunately, I also needed Volusian to fight demons, which meant he couldn't watch her all the time. None of us could, and I was going to have to do some tricky maneuvering to keep the gun on her while still attempting banishing.

Kiyo frowned disapprovingly when he saw her, more so when she had to be helped on to her horse. “This is wrong, Eugenie,” he said softly, once we were all riding. He was going in human form today.

“Which part? Bringing her or keeping her prisoner?”

“I don't like any of it.”

“What happened to you saying you understood the choices I have to make?” I hissed. “Was that just to score sex?”

Dorian had ridden up on my other side. I had no doubt he'd heard the sex comment, but he didn't acknowledge it. “How would you suggest she handle it then? Let the girl go?”

“No,” Kiyo said, giving Dorian a dark glance. “But there are more humane ways of dealing with her.”

“I gave Jasmine her own room and got her better cuffs! What else can I do?” I asked.

“I don't know,” admitted Kiyo.

“Then don't criticize if you can't offer a solution,” said Dorian. “It's easy to want peace and love in hypothetical situations—then reality sets in, and sometimes we have to do what's ugly.”

“I don't recall asking for your input here,” snapped Kiyo.

“As it is, Eugenie, you've got a hard choice ahead.” Dorian was speaking like Kiyo wasn't even there. “What are you going to do when you've finally taken care of this rabble? What will you do with the prisoners?”

I shrugged. “Send them off to work details.”

“Even their leader, Cowan? The one who summons these demons? Surely you don't want him out and about, even if it is digging ditches.”

“Don't listen to him,” said Kiyo. “He's baiting you. There are prisons, even in the Otherworld. You can send him there if he survives.”

“A charming act of mercy, no doubt,” mused Dorian. “One that will terrify future enemies.”

“I'm not going to kill everyone who gets in my way,” I exclaimed. “I'm not my father, no matter how much you want me to be.”

“I wouldn't quite say that's what I want,” chuckled Dorian. “But as a leader, you need to make examples sometimes.”

“Mercy's not a horrible thing,” I argued.

“Storm King never showed any,” said Kiyo.

“Indeed,” agreed Dorian. “And I just want to make sure his daughter doesn't show too much. You aren't the only one who protects her, master kitsune. We all just do it in different ways.”

“Enough,” I ordered. Rurik was drawing the group to a halt up front, meaning it was time to go on foot. I was grateful, seeing as I was getting sick of listening to Kiyo and Dorian's pissing contest.

Just like before, we went on foot, the whole experience giving me a strange sense of déjà vu, even though the bandits had changed location. I also had odd recollections of the time I'd defeated Aeson. Dorian and Kiyo had been with me then, about as thrilled to be with each other as they were now. Shaya had been there too, but Rurik had nearly had a fit when she offered today, and I couldn't help but recall Girard's words.

I certainly hadn't had an army at my back when we'd gone after Aeson. Rurik sent men with a knack for moving stealthily to scope out the camp and dispatch any enemy scouts. The waiting made me restless, and a tense silence settled over everyone. I glanced at Jasmine, still bound. I wouldn't uncuff her until the last possible moment and still didn't trust her.

“You know what you have to do?” I asked her.

She'd been staring off thoughtfully at the guards ahead, taking in the sloped land and scattered pines. Probably planning her escape, I thought ruefully. Like before, these brigands had chosen the best cover they could find in this barren land. She turned to me, immediately putting on her standard scowl.

“Yes.”

“And you know what'll happen if you try anything?”

“Yes.” Pure malice looked at me from her eyes.

“Good,” I said, shifting my hold on the gun. Her eyes flicked briefly to it, and if it scared her, she made a good show of still looking defiant.

“I hope you hold true to your word,” murmured Dorian, walking up to me.

“Stop poisoning her,” growled Kiyo.

“And both of you let me make my own decisions,” I said.

The scouts returned shortly thereafter, giving us the all-clear. We headed toward the encampment, circling it and descending in full force. Thankfully, no one announced our presence, and we had a brief element of surprise before the bandits mobilized. I unfastened Jasmine's cuffs, hoping I wasn't making a mistake. My right hand firmly held the gun against her back—holding it to her head had seemed a little too cruel—while the left held my wand poised and ready. Kiyo and the other fighters were going in for the hand-to-hand combat while the other magic users and I stayed back and waited—not that I intended to use magic today. I was strictly in shamanic banishing mode.

And there they were. A deep swell of magic permeated the air, and fiery forms materialized on the far side of the camp. I saw Rurik's gaze travel to the spot they'd come from, his attention not on the demons but on what was potentially the demons' summoner. Circling around, he headed toward that area. The demons were my job. I nudged Jasmine with the gun. “Do your thing. Volusian—attack.”

I held my breath, wondering what Jasmine would do. A moment later, I felt magic well up in her, a magic similar to my own but with a slightly different feel. Some part of my brain tried to grasp it, hoping I could learn it for later. The rest of me watched as there was a ripple in the air—an opening to the Underworld. Two forms stepped out from the slash in our world. Much like the water elemental from the other night, these two demons were composed of water, sloshing with each step yet maintaining a solid form. They were bigger than the elemental, though, adorned with horns and glowing yellow eyes.

“Only two?” I exclaimed. “There are five of the others!” Jasmine didn't respond but held up her hand like a conductor drawing a powerful note from her musicians. For a heartbeat, I wondered if the water demons would come charging toward us. They didn't. Their attention turned to the fire demons, their ancient enemy from the Underworld.