Chapter 4 Leila
Leila
Travel was torturous. Leila had always assumed it would be thrilling, a carriage ride with the wind elegantly tousling Her hair, Her hand dancing out the window. She’d spy passing trees and grazing deer while lounging atop silk cushions, sipping wine, and taking in new worlds She’d never imagined.
Instead, She sat with Her back rigid against Tobias’s chest, straddling their horse tight until Her calves ached and ass went numb.
She relished the hard planes of Tobias’s muscles pressed to Her, but soon the space between them was slick with sweat, the southern humidity thicker with each passing day.
Clearly, She hadn’t properly appreciated the dry heat of central Thessen before, but, oh, what She would have given for air that didn’t cling to Her face like wet linen.
She’d never seen Her hair so coarse and dull, and when Her monthly blood arrived, the throbbing of Her empty womb begged for an end to their journey entirely.
Still, She pressed on, adamant She couldn’t be the weakest among them—not when everyone had made so many sacrifices on Her behalf.
It was days before any sign of relief—a lake, or perhaps a pond, as Leila wasn’t quite sure what constituted one or the other. Either way, they set up camp near its edge, each member of their party taking turns for a long-needed bath between keeping watch and tending to the fire.
Leila’s hair hung in slippery strings around Her face, smelling like soil to match its color.
She tied it into a long braid, hoping Her bedraggled appearance wasn’t too offensive, then pressed Her palms to Naomi’s back, sending torrents of light wrapping around her spine.
All the while, Leila’s gaze drifted to the lake where Tobias was taking his turn to bathe.
He burst above the surface and whipped his hair from his face, the waterline hugging his hips, revealing the delicious V carved into his lower abdomen and the uppermost curve of a firm bum.
Leila’s eyes traced the droplets trickling down his stomach, rounding his navel before disappearing into the pool below.
Tobias caught Her lingering gaze and winked, and Her face swirled with heat.
Naomi snorted. She was staring at Leila, and the burn of Her cheeks deepened. “Apologies.”
Chuckling, Naomi cocked Her head Tobias’s way. “You know what I used to call him when we were children? Spindles.”
“Spindles?”
“Mmhmm. He was such a lanky one. We both were, if I’m honest. I just carried it better.” Her gaze wandered, lost in nostalgia. “Yes, Spindles Kaya. That was his name. He hated it. I was an awful sister.”
“Not true. We all poke fun.”
Naomi smiled. “Girls didn’t notice him much.
He’s always had a handsome face, but we lived in a village filled with the workman sort—lots of impressively built men, and there was Tobias all skin and bones.
Then he began laboring.” She wrinkled her nose.
“God, those first few weeks were brutal. He pretended he was fine, but his hands were bloodied and blistered, and he was so sore all over, you’d think he was the cripple.
But after that, I swear, it’s as if he changed overnight.
Spindles came home one day, and he was a man.
And let me tell You, girls noticed. It was a bit sick.
The eyes that followed him—like bitches in heat.
” She stopped short. “Not saying You’re a bitch—”
“I take no offense.”
Naomi exhaled. “Good.”
Her smile remained, but her blackish eyes had become vacant, peering past Leila.
Because of the pain, most likely—it gnawed at Leila’s palms throughout each blessing.
But then blue tendrils slipped from Naomi’s skin, bleeding between Leila’s fingers, and the emptiness of her gaze carried new meaning.
“You’re sad,” Leila said. “Why?”
Naomi sighed. “He’s different. I mean, he’s the same in many ways, but he’s different in others.”
“He’s still good. He’ll always be good.”
“I’m conflicted, I suppose. Some days, I’m so relieved to have my brother back.
And even better, he’s happy now. He has You.
” Naomi fidgeted, first sitting on her hands, then folding them in her lap.
“Then other days, I feel as though I’m getting to know him all over again.
A new Tobias. Gone for just thirty days, and it might as well have been a century.
I missed so much, and he’s forever changed.
I wasn’t there.” She met Leila’s gaze. “I’m glad You were, though. ”
Leila’s shoulders curled. “I’m sorry to have taken him from you for some time.”
“Oh, stop that. Don’t tell me You think this is Your fault?” Her eyes glistened. “I know he joined the tournament because of me. You must know it too.”
Naomi’s blue waves caught in Leila’s throat, icy against the roof of Her mouth.
“My mother was killed in the street. The woman who raised Me died shortly after. And My father despises Me.” Leila shied from Naomi’s gaze.
“What Tobias has with you and your mother—a bond so strong, he’d risk his life to better yours—it’s something I’ve wanted My entire life. He’s very lucky to have you.”
“That’s one way to look at it, I suppose.”
Leila took Naomi’s hand. “Your brother is the greatest man I’ve ever known. He’s different, but wonderful. And always good.”
Naomi’s smile returned, small and slight. “High praise from The Savior. You love him so much.” Leila nodded, and Naomi’s smile widened. “Me too.”
The blue around her thinned, or perhaps Leila was imagining things. Either way, Naomi’s eyes had cleared, and Leila claimed it as a victory.
A shirtless Tobias strode to Her side, hair dripping and pants clinging to prominent places. “Ladies.” He gestured toward the tree line. “Sunset’s nearing. She’ll be waiting soon.”
He was right. The sky was still mostly blue, but bright pink light tickled the treetops. Nerves and excitement swirled in Leila’s belly. She stood and swept up Her cloak. “You’ll be all right without Me?”
“Of course,” Naomi said. “We’ve got Toby to look out for us.”
Leila wavered. “Toby?”
“Oh, he hasn’t told You? Toby is what he prefers to be called.”
Tobias shoved his sister’s arm, chuckling with her. “We’ll be fine.” His smile weakened. “Just . . . be brief.”
Her emotions wrestled in Her gut, yanking Her in opposite directions. Everyone was watching Her. Yucana sat by the fire, her expression unreadable, while Naomi’s gaze was ripe with encouragement. Then there was Tobias, calm and assured—how, She hadn’t a clue. She wasn’t sure of anything these days.
Raphael scrambled to his feet. “I’m here to assist in any way that I can.”
Naomi rolled her eyes, deflating him without a word. Clearing Her throat, Leila tossed Her hood over Her head. “I’ll be quick.” She kissed Tobias on the cheek. “Stay safe.”
Her nervous energy threatened to combust, and She clenched Her fists to keep it contained.
Closing Her eyes, She brought Her power to a boil, and the blackness of Her vision shifted to grey—stacked stones cracked and weathered, cobwebs fanning their edges.
Her light consumed Her, turning the dirt beneath Her feet into something hard and firm, the air around Her thin and still.
She opened Her eyes, and a pink sky stretched before Her, hugging cottage-dotted hills that rolled into the distance.
Manicured gardens, empty courtyards, and vineyards just a couple months shy of harvesting loomed far below, each bench, statue, and juniper small enough to fit into Her palm.
Grey stone walls thick with the scent of must surrounded Her, along with dust piled in corners across the floor.
She was home again in Her fortress tower, the last place She should be, yet its familiarity was a cozy blanket wrapped around Her shoulders.
“Leila.”
Delphi waited by the sill clenching the folds of her dress. She rushed toward Leila and threw her arms around Her. “Thank God You’re all right.”
Leila squeezed Her sister, digging into her charcoal cloak. Tears brimmed Her eyes, but She resisted their pull, memorizing the rhythm of Delphi’s heartbeat and relishing the warmth of her skin.
She started as feet shuffled behind them. Hylas stood in the tower portal, long black curls hanging in his freckled face as he bowed his head.
“Hylas.” Leila pulled free from Her sister. “What are you doing here?”
Delphi frowned. “He’s supposed to be keeping watch.”
His large umber eyes flitted between the two women. “I just had to see You—to make sure You’re faring well.”
“I’m fine. We’re safe.” Leila tried to sound encouraging, but Her voice nearly broke. “How are you?”
Hylas’s golden-brown skin was enviably smooth, his fresh purple tunic smelling of rose water.
Leila knew how he was—clean and comfortable, at least in body, which was more than She could say about Herself.
He glanced at Delphi, swallowing hard. “These are such strange times. The sovereign has tripled the ranks patrolling the palace. There are guards everywhere, at all times.”
“Which is why you should be keeping watch.” Delphi raised an eyebrow. “Go on. I’ll tell Her your findings.”
Hylas hesitated before nodding, taking one last look at the two sisters before disappearing down the stairwell. As the echo of his footsteps died, Delphi turned to Leila, full lips pulled into a smile. “He misses You.”
Leila’s heart tugged and lurched. Perhaps it was the time apart, but Delphi seemed even more beautiful than Leila recalled.
Her long black braids were neatly tucked into her cloak, her statuesque figure and deep brown skin were lit by the setting sun with an angelic glow, and her upturned sable gaze looked like home.
“How are you managing?” Leila eyed her up and down, scrutinizing her pale blue dress, her unblemished face. “Brontes hasn’t hurt you?”
“I’ve kept my distance.”
“How?” Leila said. “With all those guards . . . And what about Pippa? Nyx and Hemera? What about—?”