Chapter 29 Melody
Melody
Arelaxing peace had settled over Rahana since the last time I’d been here.
Once the Argora Vale residents departed for Solei, tensions and worries regarding resource management seemed to have melted away.
This was the first time I’d been able to settle here myself, without requiring rescue and immediate travel back to Highcrest Castle.
I don’t think I’d ever smiled so much as I had while watching Tio over these last several hours.
He currently carried a child over his shoulders and was galloping around the evening fire, horse imitations and all.
The regal men that comprised my dating history would never have invested such time in children that weren’t their own, especially not the hungry children that used to litter the streets.
I finished my stew and bit the delicious roll I’d saved, watching the residents mingle among one another. Love and laughter were most prized in this camp, not reputation or class. It was surprisingly easy to adjust to.
Tio finally forced the child to dismount, and despite the disappointed groans of the other children wanting yet another turn, he sent them on their way with promises of more rides in the future.
I couldn’t take my eyes away as he strode to sit next to me on the log bench by the fire.
His gait was smoother since Nicholas’s craftsman provided a better attachment piece for Tio’s prosthetic.
“I finally get to have you to myself,” I said teasingly.
Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed a long kiss to my cheek. He was a gentle tide, but so easy to get swept up in. Concerns about gossip and rumors regarding such a public display of affection didn’t occupy my mind, not as I leaned in, savoring the affection.
He pulled back and studied my face, as if we hadn’t been staring at each other for days. Then he gingerly tucked a strand of my golden hair behind my ear. His knuckles were rough as they brushed my cheek, and I wondered how they’d feel against other soft parts of my body.
“Anytime you want me, just say the word, and I’m yours.
” His eyes twinkled from the flames, igniting that lusting look in the depths of his blue-greens.
The shimmering hoop accentuated the masculine bump of his nose.
Then he lowered his head. A moment of panic splashed over me because he wasn’t aiming for my lips.
That’s when I felt the tug on the roll in my hand.
He rose with a big, torn chunk of bread between his teeth and waggled his eyebrows as he fought to conquer the oversized bite.
My laugh was deep and thrown toward the evening sky.
As he focused on his portion of stew, I said, “Well, you saw a bit of what my life growing up was like. Will you tell me about yours?”
“It was just me and my mom growing up. She was an artist. We traveled all around Windguard so she could paint portraits. My childhood was great, actually.” He beamed as he spoke.
“She didn’t possess magic, so when we found out I did, she warned me over and over to never use it in public.
Some parents betray their children, turn them in to Windguardian soldiers, but my mom would never. ”
I sucked in a tiny gasp. “Why would they do that to their children?”
He took another spoonful, and a line formed between his eyes as he shook his head and said, “Generally, it’s only families who already have lots of children.
If you’re found out to have been harboring a wielder, punishments can be inflicted to every family member.
That army is…something else. That’s exactly why my mother convinced me to join. ”
From the look on my face, Tio correctly surmised I needed further explanation.
“She figured if I hid in plain sight, appearing to align with their values, that no one would think twice about questioning me. Plus, she figured if things at some point turned south for me, at least I’d be equipped with the skills to fight.
Can’t say she was wrong.” He shrugged, as if the topic were about something frivolous, like choosing what to prepare for supper and not the risk to his life.
“Did they find out? Is that how you ended up here?” I asked, placing my hand on his forearm.
He wiped the corner of his mouth with his other sleeve.
“No, discovering Rahana was unintentional. After a military training exercise had gone wrong and I took a sword to the leg, an infection spread. The only way the doctors could save my life was to amputate. You can imagine how weak a devastating injury like that would look to a group that wields intimidation and strength better than a sword. It took months for my leg to heal, and more months after that to relearn how to move. I was honorably discharged. No one ever found out.” Swallowing his next bite, he seemed to soften.
“It was during my recovery that my mother got sick. An outbreak of a nasty flu. Being bedridden, I couldn’t care for her like I should have…” The grip around his spoon tensed, turning his knuckles white.
“I’m so sorry, Tio.” My heart faltered in my chest, a crushing weight of sorrow placed upon it over hearing his loss. I slid my hand over his.
Clearing his throat, he shook his curls from his face, his nose ring shining from the reflection of the flames.
“After that, I didn’t care so much about getting caught with magic.
While the pain from the injury was still fresh, I started using my abilities more and more.
Without income, stealing became the only way I could support myself.
I got really good at it.” A dimple dipped into his freshly shaved cheek as he offered a charismatic smirk.
“Ravinder was making one of his runs into Hava City when he caught me using magic. That’s when he said he could offer me a place to live, free of fear.
With nothing left for me in Windguard, it sounded like an adventure.
After that, Rav started training me, taught me how to fight with my new leg.
When Ro found her way here, he started teaching her too.
By that point, we both had the same level of skill.
Not very much.” He chuckled. “So we trained together. She didn’t even think twice about holding back because of my leg.
I like to say Rav gave me the ability to fight again, and Ro pushed me until I became just as skilled as before.
Rahana and its people became my new family.
Thick as thieves, as they say. We’ve gotten out of so many scraps that I swear not even the Goddess of Death herself can catch us. ”
I meant to inquire about the goddess further, but another joined in on the conversation.
“Yeah, and pains in my ass.” Radhak, the leader of the camp, approached our fire. “Mind if I join you?”
“Please,” I said, gesturing to the log perpendicular to ours. Which perhaps was silly, considering he had dominion over this entire place.
“Raddy, always a seat at the table for you, my friend.” Tio smiled, and even though he spoke to his superior in what some would consider a disrespectful way, he did sit a little straighter.
Radhak sighed heavily. “I’ve told you not to call me that.” The exhaustion in his voice told me this was something he’d said a million times. Still, there was no real reprimand, no power play to display his commanding authority.
“Nah, it’ll grow on ya.” Tio shoveled in another bite of stew.
Radhak smiled and shook his head, clasping his hands between his legs as he leaned forward. “How are you fairing, Miss Burton? Is there anything you’re in need of?”
“Goodness, no. Everyone has been so welcoming, and my tent accommodations are quite generous. Thank you.” They’d arranged for me to have my own private quarters, and even though I found myself entertaining the idea of inviting Tio in, I was grateful for the forced distance.
My feelings became a whirlwind around him, and I wasn’t sure I could trust they’d lead me to the wisest choices. At least, for now.
“Excellent. I hear you’ve booked the training ring tomorrow?” Radhak said.
For the first time since my arrival, I wondered if I’d overstepped. “Yes, Tio said it’s a great space to practice my magic. But if I’m intruding on someone else’s time, I don’t have—”
Radhak interrupted me with a warm smile.
“Miss Burton, you have just as much right to the ring as anyone in Rahana. I wanted to express my encouragement. The foundation of Rahana is safety and protection of those with magic. I hope you’ll feel here what you haven’t been able to during your time in Highcrest. I hope to see you flourish during your stay with us, however long that may be. ”
The salt and pepper combination in his dark hair shimmered from the fire, and his entire face was aglow, mimicking the warm demeanor in which he welcomed me.
“You should be very proud of the life you’ve created here for your people,” I said earnestly to the leader adorned with decorative piercings.
“Our people,” he corrected.
I supposed it would take a while for me to acknowledge myself as a magic wielder, especially when comparing to those who had mastered their gifts.
“And hopefully it’s just the beginning. Peace like this should engulf the entire continent. I might not see it in my lifetime, but I like to think we’re taking the first steps to creating that world.”
“You’re not the only one I know with a vision to change the future. Nora and Nicholas share that same dream. Now that you’re all working together, I think you might see some of that change sooner than you think. My sister is very determined, you know.” I leaned in, offering a teasing smile.
Radhak released a chuckle from deep within his chest. “I’ll hold you to that, Miss Burton.”
Tio held his hands behind his back, walking in a wide circle around me as the afternoon sun poured upon us.
“Good. Again, but this time try sending it farther.” He dipped his chin toward the range we’d been practicing at for fifteen minutes.
My light had singed the ground, leaving dirt piles in smoking rubbles.
We’d been testing the precision I could muster with my magic, both with the light and the blast of power it produced. On one occasion, I’d even split a tree trunk straight down the middle with a bolt of light I’d drawn from the sky, discovering my magic was akin to thunder and lightning.
The thundering invisible wall extended about ten feet when I pushed, like how I’d shoved the couch back at my old house.
Accessing more light than a few twinkles proved difficult.
The first few blasts felt like reaching down a hidden well inside of me, drawing from a surplus of energy I hadn’t known I possessed.
After that, each use left me feeling emptier and beaten, like a solid punch to the arm.
“Is this how it feels for you?” I asked from a bent over position, breathing ragged after I hadn’t been able to make any progress with the last attempt.
“I never feel like my magic is leaving me per se, but it does get tiring. Similar to running. After a while, the exhaustion hits.” He hadn’t commented on my lack of progress, and I was grateful for a teacher that didn’t shame me for failing.
Mrs. Waterton, my manners instructor, never failed to loudly reprimand our slouched postures or stray strands of fallen hair. This was a stark and lovely contrast.
I stared at the target I’d failed to strike and huffed my disappointment.
Tio strode over, taking my hands and cupping them in his.
“Like any muscle, training will strengthen it, but it takes time.” His blue-green eyes sparkled, and I saw the ocean of kindness that lived behind them.
Always considerate, always supportive. He believed in me.
Whether my power was a puny spark or a bolt of lightning, he held an air of pride over what I could accomplish.
His stare locked onto mine, and his lips curled. “There’s that look again,” his tone was deep and soft, like an expensive velvet.
“What look?” I asked softly, still getting lost in his mesmerizing beauty.
“One that makes me feel like I mean something.”
Heat gathered between my thighs, as happened often with him, when he stepped toward me. His hands rested over my curvy hips, the touch feather soft as he sought permission by staring into my eyes.
“And if I said you did?” My voice was quiet, probing. I stepped forward, closing the little space that remained.
His fingers pressed into my skin, and a reverence washed over his face. “Then I would be a very lucky man.”
“A good luck charm, you could say.” I indulged in a teasing smile.
He tossed his head back, sending a deep rumbling laugh into the field around us. His gaze settled on mine once again, and he cupped my face in his palms. “May I kiss you, Miss Melody?” His thumb slowly caressed my cheek.
This man rarely asked for permission for anything in his life, too wild and carefree to restrain from just taking what he wanted and living life to the fullest. But for me, he’d play the role so that I’d feel comfortable.
“You may, Mr. Galakis.” And I played right back.