Out of the Mountain (19 page)

“I noticed his head was bruised, and I touched it and felt . . . the need to fix it. I didn’t like that he was in pain,” I said, trying to remember and explain. “I felt a pain in my head and when I released him, his bruise and knot were receding. It happened really fast.” Her eyes widened and she turned to Rowan motioning for him to join her. When he did, she pulled a knife out and promptly sliced his hand open. I yelped in shock. Rowan rolled his eyes.

“Heal him,” she said, and I glowered.

“You don’t believe me.”

“It is not something I can easily believe.”

“You can do it, Vivi. Show her.” Luca smiled, urging me on. I narrowed my eyes at Seraphina, now questioning her sanity before I walked over to Rowan. He held out his hand to me. I took it in mine, but the burst of magic didn’t come forward.

“He’s not even in pain,” I said, unable to feel the need to fix a small cut that was no longer bleeding on his hand. Seraphina sighed before she quickly stabbed the knife through his hand. Blood poured out, and I fought the urge to pummel her. Rowan flinched initially but still showed no signs of pain. He probably could have stood there impaled by a spear and not blink an eye. The blood freely pouring was enough to call to me, though, and when I touched my hand to his, I felt a shock. My eyes went blank, and I blinked them to focus.

The moon was full and high in the sky. Isadora and Alaric were standing in front of a young boy and girl who were holding hands standing out in the night.

“You want him to take the guards’ oath?” Isadora asked Alaric in disbelief, and he nodded gravely.

“He wants to do it, and I agree that it is best. He is one of the few I know who are truly loyal. And Isadora, you know as well that I do that he is no mere child,” Alaric said, pointing to the boy.

“I’m not even sure if this would hold on a boy of ten. He has so much growing and learning to do yet. His entire world view could shift easily in a few years.”

“I am very well set in my views of the world, Your Majesty,” the boy said, words full of meaning. Isadora looked at the boy before letting out a sigh.

“Very well then, but if I must do this, then I will tailor it to you. I will not set the parameters by which you swear this oath. Is that clear?” she asked, looking into the boy’s eyes, and he nodded in confirmation. Isadora pulled out her dagger and placed it in the boy’s empty hand.

“The moon in its full pays witness tonight, the stars as well set the sky alight.

“An oath is sworn in blood and mind, to bring these two together and bind.

“Now swear your oath, child . . .” Isadora said. As the boy freed his hand from the little girl’s in order to slice it on the dagger, the girl yelped a small cry and threw hers over it to stop him.

“Vinnie, look what you did!” He reproached, pulling her hand back to look at the cut from the sharp edge.

“Rowy will get hurt,” the girl cried, shaking her head, and his eyes softened before he began to speak.

“I swear to honor and protect, to always be her guide,

“To put her life before my own and stand vigilant by her side.

“No matter where her journey takers her, to this oath I will abide.”

The boy sliced his hand along the blade, and as their blood intermingled, the dagger flashed bright in the night, sealing the bond. Isadora kissed both of their hands, healing their cuts, and tears fell from her eyes.

“It is done.”

I blinked my vision clear and saw Rowan standing stock still. He had realized what was happening and was intent on keeping it quiet. I looked down at his hand and smiled. It was healed.

“This is wonderful!” Seraphina clapped her hands and rushed from the room without another word.

“What did you see?” Rowan asked, concerned, and I shook my head, unwilling to share that just yet. My head pounded, my body weak and sore. My hand now itched where it had touched his.

“We can talk about it later,” I said, turning back to Luca.

Luca was safe, he liked me, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. He was fun and easy to get along with. I didn’t know what Rowan felt for me, but I knew what I felt for him was too strong right now. I wanted fun and easy. I felt guilty at the line of my thoughts but smiled as I took Luca’s hand and led him out of the infirmary.

Morning came early and with it came another day of training. Everyone was wary from yesterdays “lesson,” and no fun was being had. I flipped Luca over my shoulder and smiled. Well . . . almost no fun.

“You sure know how to treat a man, Vivi,” Luca quipped, and I laughed, helping him to his feet.

“Yeah, I bet she does.” I heard Cassia fake-whisper, and Oliviana laugh loudly. I bristled but ignored them, moving along to the next formation. Two swift punches and a block with my knee. Luca pulled me forward and I stumbled past him.

“Hey!” I said, pushing him playfully.

“Just making sure you were still paying attention.”

“Pay attention to this!” I yipped as I grabbed his arm, pulling him to me and swiping his legs out from under him. I quickly twisted, wrapping my legs around his shoulder and head, and pulling his arm up at a hard angle. I had him caught pretty well.

“Couldn’t you have let me win? My poor ego, Vivi!” He chuckled, and I let go of his arm allowing him to sit up.

“Sorry, none of that with me. I win or die!” I joked as he pushed a strand of hair that had fallen from my ponytail out of my face.

“Luca, Vivienne! Stop flirting and get back to work!” Adelaide yelled, and Luca smiled, helping me back up to my feet.

“Well, that’s one way to get a guy to notice you . . . just shove his head directly into your crotch,” Cassia declared loud enough for all to hear. I stiffened, turning to face her. She was clearly challenging me.

“Excuse me, but do we have a problem here?” I asked, walking toward her. She straightened, and I could see I had given her exactly what she wanted. No backing out now.

“Oh, Princess, no! Who would dare defy you?” she mocked, and I snorted at her attempt.

“I suggest you go ahead and come out with the real issue.”

“The real issue is you,” she said boldly.

“You don’t even know me,” I replied truthfully.

“I have seen you, parading around eyes wide and innocent in some bogus scheme to collect sympathy. Guys are just eating it up, poor princess needs to be saved . . .Well, I don’t buy it.”

“Well, that’s good because I’m not selling anything, and I don’t need anyone to save me. I can save my own self,” I replied, intending to walk away.

“I’ve heard them talking about you, betting on who can get into your pants first. ‘Dibs on the virgin princess!’ And you’re not even that pretty with your freaky eyes and pale skin. Let’s not even mention those extra pounds you pack around. You’re just a novelty item.” She kept going, and I stiffened as my tigress perked up her head, I was trying to walk away, I really was . . .

“I bet you’re not even really a virgin. You lived with twelve men, for crying out loud! Who knows what went on in that mountain?” If she was trying to get a rise out of me, she got it there. To demean the sanctity of the monks was too far. Say what you want about me, but leave the people I cared about out of it. My tiger roared within me, and my resolve snapped.

Without a moment’s hesitation I drew back my fist and punched her square in the nose. Her head flew back snapping, and she squealed in rage as she fought to keep her balance. Rowan appeared in front of her before she could retaliate, but I felt a rip at my hair and turned a sweeping kick that firmly connected with Oliviana’s jaw. Luca grabbed her, and Adelaide grabbed my arm, probably in the hopes of stopping me from doing anything further.

“If you want to keep that arm, I would suggest you remove it immediately,” I growled as my skin began to tingle. She was the last person I wanted to see right now, and my tigress was pushing hard at me, so when she stepped away I shifted and ran, leaving the others behind. I was glad that tigers couldn’t cry, because if they could, that’s probably what I would be doing right now. Hurt and betrayal burned hot in my stomach. I didn’t even know those girls; I had done nothing to them. I pushed forward and ran as hard as I could to try and keep from thinking about it any further.

I made it to the gate and roared at the sentry to open it. He didn’t comply, and I was just about to start ripping at it when a lion appeared beside me and the gates slid open. I ran out and into the forest.

“Where are you going?”
Rowan asked.

“I don’t know,”
I said honestly.

“Follow me,”
he replied, pulling in front of me and veering to the right.

We ran for a while before I heard water ahead, and when we reached the source of the sound, I took in a beautiful sight. A picturesque waterfall was flowing into a riverbed, the sun reflecting off the surface like a golden pool. I could just see a cave underneath through the wall of water. The pool of water was deep where the waterfall had slowly dug farther and farther into the earth, leaving a perfect place to swim. Which is exactly what I decided to do. I jumped into the water and relaxed.

“Aren’t you going to swim?”
I asked Rowan after he didn’t join.

“My lion doesn’t really like water,”
he replied. I swam back to the bank and shook my fur.

“I’m going to try and shift back,”
I said, and he nodded, turning around. I took a breath and imagined the way it felt to be in my own skin, my own clothes. I felt the tingle of my magic and pushed.

“Woo! I did it!” I yipped, and Rowan turned around cautiously. I was firmly back in my own body and even managed to get my clothes on properly. It felt pretty good. I looked at Rowan’s lion in awe once again. He was the most magnificent creature. His eyes were almost level with mine as he sat. I reached my hand out and then pulled it back to me.

“Can I?” I asked, unsure. He moved his head closer, and I took that as confirmation. I put my hand into his mane and sighed at the comfort the contact came with. I was still upset, and it was catching up with me. I felt the tears build behind my eyes, and I hugged Rowan’s lion around the neck as a sob escaped me. I tangled my hands in his fur and started to cry in earnest. My feelings were hurt; I was embarrassed and angry. So many feelings at once.

Suddenly the lion disappeared and Rowan’s arms were around me, my head on his chest. I squeezed him tighter, and he rubbed my back without saying a word.

“Why do they hate me so much?” I sniffled, still clinging to his shirt.

“Do not concern yourself so greatly with the thoughts of others, Vinnie,” Rowan said, voice rumbling beneath my ear.

“But she meant what she was saying. I could tell she wanted to hurt me. Those were awful things to say . . . and to say that about the monks was despicable,” I hissed, anger flashing through me again.

“None of what she said was true. She knew it as well as everyone else did,” Rowan growled, and I tensed.

“But what if it was true, about Luca not being genuine . . . about me being a novelty?” I said before I could stop myself. I had noticed an influx of male and female attention, but I thought most of it was playful banter . . . not serious interest. Rowan stiffened.

“You are a greater prize than any man should ever wish to receive, Vinnie,” he murmured softly.

“I am no prize to be won,” I grumbled, and he laughed.

“That was not my meaning . . . I never say the right things to you,” he complained, and I smiled, pulling back to look at him.

“I’ve never been attacked that way. Girls are mean. I’m not used to that kind of confrontation. I’m such a wimp!” I groaned, looking down at the ground. He tilted my chin up to look me in the eyes, wiping the tears from my face, and I stood still enjoying the contact.

“It is true that females are an incredibly vicious bunch,” he agreed with a chuckle.

“Why didn’t anyone stop us before I had to hit her?” I whined in complaint.

“By the time we noticed, it had already escalated, and I think everyone agreed she deserved what she had coming to her.” He smiled and that dimple appeared in its full glory. My knees were wobbly.

“I feel bad,” I admitted sheepishly. I had hit her hard, and Oliviana had gotten a full kick to the jaw.

“You are so good, so full of light. I wish you could always stay this way.” He sighed full and long. I liked the sound.

“Will I be in trouble?”

“No. You are a princess, after all.” Rowan grinned, and I blanched.

“Will they be in trouble?” I hadn’t thought of the fact that actual repercussions might befall them.

“I expect an example will be made of them by the Six.”

“But that will just make it worse! That’s exactly why she was mad in the first place! I’m a princess with special privileges that she doesn’t get. You heard what she said!” I cried in frustration.

“It is not a small thing to attack a royal, Vivienne,” he scoffed at my concern for them.

“They didn’t even get the chance to hurt me,” I lied.

“Not physically,” he said, looking into my eyes letting me know he knew.

“I’ve never been made to feel so insecure,” I growled angry for letting words bother me this way.

“Let me attempt to set your mind at ease. You are strong, intelligent, powerful, and beautiful. Any man would be found wanting in your presence. Your innocence shines like a beacon, but that is not a bad thing. It is a light that draws others to you.” He was almost babbling, if that were possible for him, words pouring out and emotion filling his voice. I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. His eyes met mine, and I saw something there that called to me. I took the chance, standing up on my toes and pulling him in close, my eyes never leaving his. We stood for a moment frozen in place. I wanted him to kiss me, needed him to. I was practically begging for it.

His eyes flashed yellow, and a shiver of pleasure went down my spine. I licked my lips, preparing to speak, but his eyes followed the motion and with a sigh of defeat he pulled me to him, lips crashing into mine as my heart flipped in my chest and fire lit low in my belly. My arms wrapped around his neck, roughly pulling him down to me to deepen the kiss. My skin felt scorched where his hands held my waist, the pressure of his grip almost painful and not nearly tight enough. When his tongue grazed my bottom lip, a breathy moan escaped me, and he stiffened as if the noise had pulled him back to reality.