Temperance (12 page)

Tugging on her hand, she pulled it free and demanded, “Stop. Just stop for a minute, would you?”

He stopped all right. Then he turned, and as she stared at him in rapt fascination, he did the one thing she’d been waiting for. He reached up and removed the mask from across his face.
 

As a slightly crooked nose came into view, she studied the dark stubble lining his lips and jaw and felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch them with her fingers. She hadn’t been prepared for the face behind that mask, and Naeve realized that it had been way easier to believe he might kill her when she hadn’t known how dangerously attractive he was.

That was the least of her concerns, however, as he opened his mouth and spoke.

“I don't have the time or the inclination to stop every few feet and answer the questions of some confused woman. Especially one that is dressed as you are.”

Shocked by both his words and tone, Naeve looked down at her dress. She had to admit that it did look pretty bad right now, but that wasn’t her fault.
 

“There’s nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. Or there wasn’t until you started chasing me and I fell in the dirt.”
 

“I was not referring to the dirt. If anything, that at least adds some modesty to your ensemble.”

Naeve felt her mouth fall open. Not only was this the most he’d said since holding a knife to her throat, but she now had the distinct feeling he was insulting her outfit.

“Time to go. Unless you would like me to examine your choice of clothing from a much closer perspective.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, she decided that ignoring him would be her best option.

“Now that's a shame. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a woman. I was hoping you’d take me up on the offer.”

“Well, at least the women of this…
Arcania
are smart.”
Yeah, so much for ignoring.

“No,” he stated bluntly. “They’re just deadly. Now stop talking and start walking. We have a long night ahead of us.”

As they started to move through the forest again, she thought over what he’d said. Two things stood out to her. He’d called Bastian a sensualeer.
What is that?
And he’d said that the women here were deadly.
How could a woman be deadly to him?

She observed the way he moved up ahead of her. He was so stealthy for someone his size. Where she made the branches snap and could hear her own breathing, from him, she heard nothing. He had huge, thick boots, but they made no sound when he walked, and even though he was hauling what looked like an arsenal of weapons, she still couldn’t hear a thing.

This man was dangerous. He’d proven that when they’d first met.
 

But what was most alarming was how drawn to him she felt. It was as though the more he spoke, and the more he revealed, the more she wanted to know. He made her forget where she was and how she was there. Instead, he had her wondering about this place and what it would feel like to touch that hard-looking face.

And what a face it is.

All she’d seen were his eyes, nose, and mouth, yet the thought of them made her more aware of her body than she'd ever been.

It was insanity. It was unreal.

And if this was a dream, she wasn’t quite ready to wake up.

* * *

Ry’Ker followed the West bank to the top of the Falls, where he’d instructed his men to assemble within the hour. As he drew closer to the group, he noticed they were gathered in a circular fashion around whatever was in the center of them, and he knew it had to be the two sisters.
 

When Li’Am had first told him of his plan, he’d been skeptical. But after he’d listened to reason and understood the roles these four women played, it made sense that Li’Am would not want them anywhere near Seraphine. After all, it was their mother who had ignited her wrath of destruction in the first place. It made sense that they could somehow be the end to it also.

He looked around his men and realized that Li’Am’s son was nowhere to be found.
 

Where is he?
 

“I'm right here.”

Ry’Ker felt his heart jumpstart when the sensualeer appeared beside him.
 

Li’Am had informed him that Si’Bastian had recently exhibited a new talent—one where he could seamlessly fade in and out on a whim. He had not appeared happy about this new development at all. In fact, he’d ordered Ry’Ker to watch him while outside the castle. Something that proved difficult when one party could disappear.
 

“Why are you no longer with the women?” he asked, his voice stern, not allowing room for any deviation.

“One of the sisters…”

When Si’Bastian trailed off, he prodded, “Yes?”

“She provoked me.”

Ry’Ker fully faced the man beside him. “You left four women your father entrusted to you in the Taise Forest because one of them
provoked
you? Good job, sensualeer. Your father will be proud.”

As his final sentence hung between them, Ry’Ker knew he’d gone too far.
 

Si’Bastian’s eyes, the ones rumored to be capable of transfixing a body, darkened until they were black, while his mouth, which was said to be able to talk a person into shameless depravities such as giving their body over for his use, tightened into a thin line.

“No, he won’t. But he never has been when it comes to me. But you… You’re a different story. Aren't you, soldier? Ry’Ker, head of the Imperial Guard. Loyal and righteous all the time. Tell me. Doesn’t it get tiresome?”

“I—”

“Go and be noble, Guard. Before I’m tempted to make you be otherwise.”

Ry’Ker stormed away from Si’Bastian before he said something he would regret. He didn’t like the position Li’Am had placed him in, especially when he knew his aversion to Si’Bastian’s kind.
 

He had good reason to dislike those marked
sensualeer
. And even if he hadn’t lived through what he had as a boy, trying to survive under Seraphine’s rule would have turned him against anyone born what she was.

He marched over to where his men were gathered and could hear their hushed whispers as they talked amongst one another. When they parted to allow him closer, he was surprised by what greeted him.
 

Their orders had been specific: capture the women and bring them safely back to L’Mere. But after years of no contact with the women of Arcania, he’d wondered if ‘safely’ was asking too much of his soldiers.
 

It appeared, though, that he’d been worried for nothing.

There, sitting in the center of his men on a larger boulder, were two frightened but safe women. One’s hair was as black as the night surrounding them, and the other’s was a light shade of brown.
 

As he stepped into the center of the circle, he saw that they had their arms hooked and were sitting as close as they could to one another—a show of solidarity and also a sign of fear.
 
Ry’Ker had no idea how they must be feeling. Being surrounded by a group of men with weapons drawn must’ve been terrifying.

He walked around them and noticed the way they were attired. Both were in long pants of some sort and odd shirts made of very little material. It was strange to say the least. He was used to women dressed in long, billowing gowns, modestly covered from head to toe. Not women who wore pants.

He stopped in front of them, and the one with the ink-colored hair looked up, causing Ry’Ker to lose his footing for a second. The woman staring back at him was almost an
exact
replica of her mother—Maeve, the lost Empress.

No wonder there were such reverent whispers amongst his men.
 

The Empress had been missing for years. It was her disappearance that had been the catalyst of all that had since occurred. So to be standing before a woman who was the very image of she whose portraits had been removed from all walls was somewhat disconcerting.

Ry’Ker let his eyes slowly drift to her sister and noticed that she was watching him with caution. This one had been aware of his reaction and was obviously trying to judge his intentions.
 

“Ladies,” he greeted and gave a swift nod of his head. “I trust you have been treated well.” When neither of them replied, he continued. “I’m Ry’Ker, head of the Imperial Guard. We’ve been sent to escort you to Castle L’Mere.”

The brunette stood, and he noted how fragile she appeared as she tilted her chin and told him quite adamantly, “We’re not going anywhere without our sisters.”

He admired the way she faced off with him, especially since she barely reached his shoulder. But of one thing he was certain. “You do not have a choice, madam. You will go where I tell you to go.”
 

She looked scared, but he could tell she was trying her hardest to mask it.

“Why? What do you want with us?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he told her, and a look of disbelief crossed her features. “I want nothing from you except for your names.”

She looked down to where her sister was still sitting and then turned back to him with her mouth closed. Apparently, she’d decided that silence was her friend.
 

He hadn’t wanted to use intimidation, but he also wouldn’t stand around for two hours and wait until she trusted him. He reached beneath the heavy black cape Mala'Kai had supplied and drew his sword. The woman’s eyes widened when she saw the menacing-looking blade, and he almost felt guilty for resorting to such a low move.
Almost.

Resting it down by his side, he asked again, “
What
is your name?”

He saw her swallow and wondered what she was thinking.
 

“Fiona Brannigan.”

He gave a quick nod of acknowledgment and then turned his eyes on the woman who remained silent where she sat. “And you are?”

He wanted her to speak, this woman who resembled their lost Empress, but she didn’t. She just sat there staring at him.

“Audra,” Fiona said, regaining his attention. “Her name is Audra.”

“Good.” He tore his eyes away from that haunting face and instructed, “Stay here, and don't try to leave. My men will be watching you until we’ve located the other two.”

He turned on his heel and was about to leave when he heard his name. Stopping, he looked back.

“Yes?”

Fiona glanced at the sword he still had in his hand and asked, “Are you going to hurt us?”

Ry’Ker thought the question over and then told her as honestly as he could, “I do not wish to.”

“But you will?”

He looked between the two of them and stated bluntly, “If I have to.”

Then he left to find the others.

Naeve estimated that they’d been walking for around thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes of absolute silence—and she hated the quiet.
 

She much preferred to be surrounded by people. Often, she’d drag Siobhan down to the little café by their apartment and make her do her paperwork there so she could read and hear the soft chatter of people gossiping. So being hauled through the woods by a hulking man and not being allowed to talk was almost as bad as him threatening her life.

She still wasn’t sure where she was, and that was truly disturbing.
 

If she were to believe the stories Bastian and Kai had told her, she was now in a place called Arcania.
And if they’re lying, what’s the alternative?

She looked ahead at the man in front of her and studied the huge bow that was slung over his shoulder. Beside it, strapped to his back, was a long, cylindrical bag, and poking out the top were several feathers.
 

Arrows.

He was carrying a bow and arrows. Not to mention the sharp knife he’d held at her throat. And they all looked real enough to her.

He’d drawn the hood of his cape back over his head, and the material swirled around his ankles with every step he took. She found herself fascinated by the way he moved. That someone so large could be so unnaturally quiet. It made her…curious about him.

She was about to open her mouth and speak when he stopped and directed her beside him.
 

“Over there,” he stated, pointing to a wide, grassy patch between two large trees. “Is that—”

“Siobhan!” she gasped as she pulled her arm away and started running to her sister.
 

She could see Siobhan’s flame-colored hair and made a beeline towards her where she lay on the ground. She’d pretty much forgotten that Kai told her not to run from him. All she knew was that she needed to reach her sister and make sure she was all right.

When Naeve got to her side, she fell to her knees and saw a swollen cut on her forehead as blood dripped down the side of her face.

“Siobhan,” she whispered urgently, gently touching her shoulder. “God, what happened to you? Open your eyes, Siobhan.”

As she knelt there waiting, she saw Kai’s boots stop beside her and then looked up at him.

“Did your men do this?”

He scanned the area they were standing in, and once he was satisfied they were alone, he brought his eyes back to hers. “It’s possible.”