Evermine: Daughters of Askara, Book 2 (3 page)

“When you say you and Harper talked…” she grinned, “…were any words involved?”

The attempt to hold back my blush resulted in a coughing fit. “Damn peppers.”

“Uh-huh.” She rested her chin on her palm and her elbow on the tabletop. “Sure.” She dug around in the bag and pulled out a couple of sweaty soda cans, then popped us one tab each.

“A consul, intended for…Askara?” I asked between sips. “Nesvia’s doing the hiring?”

Maddie tilted her hand from side to side. “It’s a fifty-fifty deal. It’s between her and the new colony leader to pick a person for the job. Someone they can both trust, and someone with the best interest of the slaves…” she corrected herself with a wide smile, “…
ex
-slaves, in mind.”

“That’s going to be tough.” I’d almost said impossible. “Ex-slaves won’t take well to one of their ex-masters calling the shots, but I doubt Nesvia would give the position to a freeman.”

“I agree. Clayton and I had the same thought earlier.” She took a sip from her can. “It’s too bad there’s no middle ground. Someone who’s lived on both sides and knows the score.” Her eyes, the same color as mine, the one feature we had in common, bored into me.

A shiver coasted up my spine. “You sound like you have someone in mind.”

“I kind of do, and she’d be perfect for the job.” Her fingernails tapped against Formica.

“I think the person you have in mind is happy right where she is.”

“Is she?” Her voice lowered. “I sometimes wonder.”

“Look, things haven’t worked out like I’d planned.” I shoved away my half-eaten third helping. “But I’m good. Things are just different without you around, so I have to get used to being alone all the time.” I winced.
Crap
. I hadn’t meant to slather on the guilt. “I’ll get over it.”

“What about Harper?” she asked softly. “Is he not helping with the loneliness?”

“He has his own issues.” I rubbed a finger in the crease between my eyebrows. “And since he’s not dealing with his, I doubt he’ll be any use dealing with mine.” I struggled to pinpoint the problem. “It’s like he’s…disconnected. There’s no past, no pain. You saw him this morning. Leaking blood like a faucet and smiling.” I cursed. “I still can’t believe he went back.”

“You know how he is.” Her voice went flat. “You’ve known his secrets longer than me.”

I flinched, but I deserved that. I’d known his secrets years before Maddie learned them. Harper hadn’t wanted her to know he was living with us in the summer castle at Rihos while gathering information for the legion to aid their cause. She hadn’t even known about Clayton.

I’d kept the knowledge Harper had a brother from her for her safety, at least in the beginning. Later, I had done it for spite, because she might not have known about Clayton, but he knew about her. He could have saved her, spared her so much pain, and saved Harper too.

And for a while, yeah, I hated his excuses and holier-than-thou attitude. I understood why he hadn’t acted. It was for the same reasons Maddie had given earlier. This colony depended on him to protect them. The legion depended on him to guide them. Even though Clayton had been infatuated with her for years, he resisted acting on his desires, for them. Then things changed.

Maddie and I became part of his colony, and life on this side of the divide was everything I’d dreamed it would be for her. It was everything I never hoped to have for myself. All of it was because Clayton never lost sight of the bigger picture. He had sacrificed so much for so long.

By the time he finally met Maddie face-to-face, he’d become a one-male, Maddie-wooing machine. I snickered at the memory. He’d waited for her for so many years, their courtship was sad to watch. She’d really done us all a favor by claiming him and putting us out of his misery.

“Hello? Earth to Emma? What are you thinking about that’s got you smiling like that?”

Smothering my grin, I went for serious. “I was just considering my pick for consul.”

Doubt weighted her expression. “Who did you have in mind?”

“Oh, um…” The problem with lying to one’s sister was being called on it. The door’s bell tinkled, but not in time to save me from answering. “Dillon?”

She twisted in her seat. “Sure, and my name’s Mud.”

Glancing toward the door, I spotted Clayton as he strolled in and headed for Maddie.

“Mud, huh?” He leaned down, pressed his lips to hers. “Does that make you a dirty girl?”

“Maybe,” she taunted. “I know one way you can find out.”

“Only one?” His white teeth flashed seconds before he reclaimed her mouth.

She sighed and linked her hands behind his neck, holding him to her. I covered my eyes and ignored the kissy noises. Then it occurred to me I should have stuck my fingers in my ears instead. Before I could plug them up tight, Maddie tugged my arm, which I lowered reluctantly.

“We’re heading home.” She scooped up the mess we’d made on the table, but Clayton took each item from her, kissing the hand holding the trash while she gave him a Cheshire smile.

“Good.” My full stomach was rebelling—hard. When Maddie frowned in my direction, I almost missed it. Those pots were back to calling my name. Oblivion waited for a filter and me to have a moment alone. Because of that, I almost missed her concern in time to dodge it. “I mean, that it’s late. We’ve all had a long day, and Clayton could use the rest.”

At the mention of what he’d been through, Maddie’s eyes turned liquid. He shot me a
thank you for that
look. I let my lips form a perfect “O” and covered my mouth with my hand.

He wasn’t buying my accidental interference, but oh well. She was my little sister, and I didn’t want to know those two ever did more than hold hands and skip through clover patches.

Maddie patted his chest as if thanking him for putting up with her overprotective sister. Then she glanced my way. “Do you need any help, or are you good to finish closing alone?”

“I’m good.” I scooted out of the booth and wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks for dinner.”

She squeezed back. “I still owe you a movie. Want to double date?”

Hours vegging out with Harper, our siblings on the couch at our back. His ebony features blending with shadows as he stretched amid a sea of pillows and blankets on the floor in front of the TV. I pictured it clearly. All the things his hands could do under those blankets, in the dark.

“It depends.” I walked them to the door. “Harper said he was working on something. I’ll have to catch up with him first and see what he cooked up before we commit to anything.”

“A mystery date.” Maddie sighed. “Sounds romantic.”

“Or like poor planning.” Clayton frowned at the wistful tone of her voice.

I arched an eyebrow, and he did too. My sister shook her head, used to our standoffs.

“Come on, you.” She hooked her arm through his. “Let’s get you home and in bed.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He let her lead him onto the sidewalk, then they glanced up and I noticed heavy clouds churning above the streetlamps. Clayton scooped her legs from under her, spinning around in dizzying circles as rain fell. All the while, he beamed down at her as she laughed. Cradling her, he held on as if carrying the most important thing in the world in his arms.

My forehead met icy glass, and I watched as he set her on her feet, reeled her in, tucked her under his arm and kissed the crown of her head. For the first time, I conceded there might possibly be one person better suited to looking out for my sister’s happiness than me.

Chapter Three

When I finally reached home, it smelled odd. Welcoming in a way the place lacked since Maddie moved in with Clayton. Instead of old wood and cool night, it smelled of warm oven and sugar cookies. They were my favorites.

Wrinkling my nose, I sniffed the air and followed the sultry current from the front door to the rear of the house and the galley-style kitchen. I touched the stovetop. Heat ebbed through the cracked ceramic and thawed my fingers. The rainstorm between town and here had frozen me.

Winking flame teased the corner of my eye where candles danced in crystal holders.

“Maddie?” My voice bounced off the walls, absorbed by the pitch-black living room.

I strained my ears but heard wind and the promise of thunder. “Did you guys decide on movie night after all?” I toed off my shoes, then grabbed a dish towel to dry my arms and face. Tired of squishing when I walked, I hopped on one foot and peeled off a damp sock. “Maddie?”

“Sorry to disappoint.” The rumbled male voice swayed me off balance. “No Maddies here.”

I jolted upright, leaving one sock hanging while I scanned the darkness. “Harper?”

He blew out the candles with a sigh, mood, or whatever he’d meant them for, ruined. “I should have called first. I haven’t been here long.”

Dual clicks filled my ears and light flooded both rooms. Blinded, I blinked white spots.

I heard his footsteps rush seconds before his hard hands trapped my hips.

“Steady there,” he said. I guess I’d listed. “Let me get that.”

He hooked an arm around my waist so his cheek brushed my navel when he bent down and slid the soggy sock from my foot. His skin warmed me through my soaked shirt.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” He knew where the dirty clothes went and took them there. So domestic.

“Did you need something?” I called to his broad back. “It’s a hell of a night for a visit.”

“I found your candles and matches.” He came out wearing a lopsided grin…and no glamour. I licked my lips, swore I already tasted him there. “I thought we could watch a movie.” He shrugged dark muscles, adjusting his wings. “I’m sure we can find something to do after.”

I’m sure he thought so. He chuckled as I stared, captivated by the flush of scarlet through his carmine wings. Glamour made him human, handsome with his blond hair and blue-gray eyes. Without it, words failed me. His burnished ebony skin fed into thick, leather wings. Fathomless eyes returned my gaze, rimming silver around his irises. His midnight hair was darkly tousled.

I wanted to run my hands through the shaggy length, twine my fingers, tug his scalp and bend him to my lips. He would taste of dates and cardamom, exotic and potent as the hunger sparking silver in his eyes. Crushing the desire swirling white hot through my limbs, I smiled.

“Yeah.” I played along. “You did promise we’d talk. No time like the present.”

I sat at the kitchen table and indicated the seat opposite me.

He hesitated. His gaze actually tagged the door as if debating whether to brave the storm or converse. “Okay.” He sank very slowly into his chair. “What would you like to talk about?”

I leaned forward until the aged oak bit into my chest. “How about what happened today?”

He appraised me for a minute. “I’m assuming Maddie filled you in on our summons?”

I nodded that yes, she had.

“We arrived at the vernal castle, as requested.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Feriana’s streets were packed. The entire city was crowded. Vendors weren’t hawking wares in the market, and no one was buying anyway. They were all just…there. They waited outside the lower gate, watching the castle and holding their breaths.” He frowned. “It was damn eerie.”

Absorbed by his tale, I almost failed to notice his hesitation. “Then what happened?”

“Nesvia’s guards met us at the gate and ushered us into the great hall. First Court was in session, and the hall was filled with Askaran merchants, slave traders, breeders, other assorted scum.” His jaw flexed for a moment before he continued. “We were seated to Nesvia’s right.”

“A place of honor. I’m guessing the nobility didn’t take that well.”

“Better than you’d expect.” He shrugged. “I think they anticipated Eliya-esque entertainment.” His fingers drummed against his arms. “Guards at our backs, slitting our throats from behind while First Court cheered, or some other type of amusement. When that didn’t happen,
then
they got antsy. And after Nesvia made her speech, the whole court fell silent.”

“They didn’t know it was coming?” I imagined shock on all those noble faces, expecting trickery, an impromptu execution, some cruel tidbit. A low whistle pursed my lips. “Well, damn.”

“Exactly.” He flexed his wounded wing. “I figure someone must have tipped off the slaves. You know how gossip spreads among our own. I think it’s why they gathered around the castle in the first place. They must have gotten word, but didn’t believe it. The nobles, though, had no clue.” He smirked. “When Nesvia made her decrees, they flipped the hell out.”

I leaned back with a curse. “What was she thinking?”

“Shock and awe. Simple, but effective.”

“So effective she almost got you all killed.” I indicated his shredded thigh. “How did that happen? Wasn’t Dillon pulling guard duty?”

“Don’t give me that look, Emma. What happened wasn’t his fault. Think about it—Nesvia freed the source of income for half the attendees.” He ran his tongue along the edge of his teeth. “The slavers couldn’t very well attack her, not with Rideal and his guards there. So they turned on the next best target—the nobility. It was fun to watch for a while, but you know how my brother is.” He grunted. “He’s allergic to chaos.”

“So you three waded in to break things up?”

He nodded. “The guards were covering Rideal as he herded Nesvia into the queen’s tunnels. We were offering them backup while she escaped.” His expression told me what he thought of that idea. “It worked pretty well until our involvement caused united-front syndrome. Before long, differences were cast aside and the room turned on us, since, as newly minted freemen, the queen’s decision must be our fault.”

“So they figured a little vigilante justice was good for the soul?”

“Pretty much. The guards were content to watch until one of the nobles we were helping started screaming bloody murder. Turned out one of the guards was an archer with damn good aim.” He shifted in his seat and winced. “After the tide turned against us, I tore a page from Nesvia’s book and led the others through the nearest entrance into the tunnels. I think we made out all right, all things considered.”

I rolled my eyes. “Spoken like a male who enjoys a good brawl.”