7. Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
Lucenna
“ W hen do you leave?”
Lucenna tossed another pair of boots into her enchanted bag, and they vanished into the depths. “At dawn tomorrow. Rawn and the others are discussing it now.”
Lucien looked at her worriedly from her orb resting on the desk. “Please be careful. The journey through the Bridge is perilous, and I fear the Enforcers catching wind of you.”
“We plan to leave Urn before they notice me. We are more than ready to face the trolls now. Once we reach Dwarf Shoe, we will set sail for Mount Ida.”
What could possibly go wrong? She wouldn’t dare ask it aloud, lest she curse herself with bad luck.
“Good. That eases some of my worry.”
Lucenna heard something in his tone that made her pause to look at her brother as he kneaded his temples. Lucien looked tired, and shadows had formed around his eyes.
“How are you, though,” she asked.
Me? Oh, I’m fine.” Lucien leaned back in his chair with a sigh and ran a hand through his short white hair. He had cut it recently. She liked the new look but couldn’t help but feel it was his way of starting anew.
“How is Princess Ava?” Lucenna asked softly.
Lucien’s lilac eyes dimmed. The subject of his past love was a sore subject, but he offered her a faint smile regardless. “She’s well. Ava and Ender … well…” He took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “They’re expecting.”
“Oh!” Lucenna exclaimed excitedly but then caught herself and said more nonchalantly, “Oh…”
“It’s all right,” Lucien said with a lax chuckle. “It’s great news, for us especially. As first to bear an heir, this means Ender will ascend as the Archmage as soon as his child is born. The hunt for you is nearly over.”
Lucenna bit her lip so she wouldn’t smile so much. She thought of her freedom first, before a distant thought reminded her Everest would no longer be obligated to the throne. But there were others who were desperate to keep him on it.
“Not necessarily.” Lucenna straightened. “How far along is she?”
“Three moons.”
Lucenna placed a hand over her medallion as her mind stirred. “Father won’t give up his search while there is still time. He will send as many Enforcers after me as possible to bring me back.”
Her brother nodded. “It’s best you leave the country quickly.”
“I will.”
Lucien got to his feet as he slipped on his blue robes.” You’re doing well, though?”
“Yes.”
“And how is Dyna?”
Lucenna sighed and pressed on the growing tension pinching her forehead. She had been doing that a lot lately. Dyna worried her. She was different now. Naturally. Zev said to give her time, but Dyna only seemed to worsen. She was more irritable. Quieter. And she didn’t seem to be sleeping. Sometimes Lucenna heard her at night, muttering to herself.
“As well as she can be.”
Lucien looked at her knowingly, having been jilted himself. It wasn’t Lucenna’s place to tell her brother everything that had transpired between them. All she could share was that Cassiel had left, and it had been hard on Dyna.
“The captain will be joining you, then?”
She was grateful for the change in subject but not for the topic. “Unfortunately,” Lucenna grumbled as she slammed grimoires into her bag next.
She, of course, did her best to convince them otherwise, but Dyna was set on letting Klyde join them. Lucenna suggested stealing the Skelling dagger, but the others have warmed up to him. Apparently, Dyna thought he could be useful.
Is he so terrible?” her brother asked.
A knock came at her open door, and she scowled at the man in question. Beyond reprehensible.”
Klyde’s blue eyes danced in the low light, and he leaned against her doorframe, crossing his arms. She ignored the way the muscles flexed. A half smile played on his lips, making those damn dimples appear.
What?” she hissed at him quietly before her brother noticed. I don’t have time to waste on you today. I’m busy.”
Yes, I see that.” His smile widened at her glare. Lucenna hated that it made her stomach knot.
I would like to meet the captain before you leave,” Lucien continued.
Klyde swept into her room before she could answer. Then I suppose now would be a perfect time to introduce myself,” he said, approaching the orb. Hello, there. I’m Klyde Morken, Captain of the Skelling Mercenaries.”
Oh … hello,” her brother replied, blinking at him in surprise. I am Lucien Astron, Lucenna’s brother.”
She rushed to them, hissing under her breath. What are you doing?”
A pleasure.” Klyde took a seat at her desk, ignoring her. He was perfectly composed with a serious expression. I have been meaning to speak to you for some time now, Lucien.”
Have you?”
Lucenna has made me aware of the situation in the Magos Empire. I am sorry to hear of the prejudices your people are suffering through. There is not much that I can do about that; however, I would like to offer you aid by ways of sanctuary.”
Lucien gaped at him. What?”
Speechless, Lucenna stared at Klyde, too.
After their near kiss during the party, they hadn’t broached the subject again. She had forgotten all about it during her months of anger against him, assuming it had all been part of his scheme to win her over.
She has not mentioned this to me,” Lucien said, looking at her questioningly.
We had only discussed it in passing…” Lucenna said distractedly. I didn’t think he meant it…”
Klyde met her eyes. I do not give my word lightly, lass. I will never say something I don’t mean.” There seemed to be a second meaning in there only for her. He faced her brother again. My town is well secluded on Troll Bridge with a stone wall over sixty feet high, and it’s been spelled to cloak magic, thanks to your sister. We have plenty of space to take in refugees. Now that winter is at an end, ships can make their way to Skelling Ridge through the northern bay through up the Saxe Sea. Your people will be safe here.”
I don’t know what to say … This is very unexpected.”
A thank you is enough.”
Lucien cleared his throat and schooled his expression. Of course, the Liberation thanks you, as do I. But I assume you wish for compensation, Captain. What is your price?”
That is not necessary.”
Wariness crossed Lucien’s face. You are a mercenary. Surely there is a price. We would not feel comfortable accepting such a significant offer without offering something in return.”
Klyde looked at her again, and the mischief returned to his gaze. Heat rushed through her cheeks. Her glare silently warned that if he dared to make an inappropriate comment to her brother, she would?—
Then, if it’s not too much of a high demand, perhaps Lucenna wouldn’t mind casting a warding spell over Skelling Rise,” he said to Lucien. Keeping our presence hidden is a top priority for us both. It would do well to visibly cloak the town as well.”
Lucenna blinked at him, then sharply smiled. Of course. He had asked about a warding spell before. She had warned he wouldn’t be able to afford her services, and here he found a way to get them.
What else could she expect from a mercenary? All he cared about was getting what he wanted.
That is fair.” Lucien looked at her questioningly. What do you think?”
She crossed her arms and shrugged. I suppose.”
In the end, it didn’t matter as long as her people were safe.
Captain, thank you. This is great news for the Liberation. It has been years since we have been able to take sorceresses to safety. This will bring new hope. I must inform the council at once so they may begin preparations. I will be in contact again once we know more.” Lucien stood and nodded to her. Take care, Lu.”
Then the orb cleared. She and Klyde held a long stare.
You really do have some nerve,” she finally said. You ambushed me in my room and went around me to bring your offer to my brother knowing he would accept. Merely to get your town warded.”
Klyde arched a brow. I suggested the warding spell, but we both know you would have done so anyway for the safety of your people.”
That was beside the point.
Let’s not pretend it isn’t what you wanted. It’s all about gain for you,” she snapped.
Oi.” He lifted his hands placatingly. Calm down, love.”
Don’t tell me to calm down,” she hissed.
If I wanted a reward, I could have easily requested a fortune from your brother.” He sighed. I don’t understand. Last we spoke of it you were grateful for the offer.”
“Exactly. Last we spoke. ”
He shook his head. “Did you assume everything we discussed was a lie?”
She didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.
Klyde leaned on the desk and rubbed his face. “Look?—”
“No, you look. I don’t care what you have to say or whatever excuse you wish to construct. I don’t trust you, Klyde. You flirted and seduced me with your stupid jests and flimsy charm to get close to us and learn our secrets. You lied to me.” Lucenna clenched her teeth as magic sparked on her skin. I will never believe anything you have to say again.”
His blue eyes softened as he searched hers and he exhaled a low breath. I thought … if I gave you some time … your anger against me would have lessened some, but I see now, there was something I should have done from the beginning.” Klyde stood, his height towering over her. It reminded her of the night they were both right here in this same spot together. I am sorry, Lucenna.”
She stared at him, completely taken back.
His gaze held hers as he stepped closer. I am sorry I was not honest with you. I didn’t enjoy hiding myself from you. The truth is, I find it difficult to speak about my past. It’s … debilitating. If you can understand that.”
Lucenna looked away because she of all people did understand.
Klyde sighed as he surveyed the room and his eyes fell to the bedpost against the wall, where a name had been carved. “This was my bedroom once. I shared it with Tarn during my youth. Our father was a hard man, and this place might have been the only sanctuary we had from his wrath on the days he had too much to drink. Sometimes … it wasn’t enough, but Tarn had been there to protect us from the brunt of it … until he decided he was finished with that.”
He stared blankly at the walls, and she sensed he had falling back into that time. Sharing that part of himself softened Lucenna’s anger. She imagined what it was like for him as a boy, bearing his father’s beatings.
Klyde rubbed his face again. “I share no kinship with him anymore, but admitting we share blood isn’t something that is generally taken well. It kept me from revealing the truth, because well, I wanted to avoid the confrontation that inevitably happened.”
They fell quiet a moment, and she could almost feel the memories here. Maybe there was a reason why the room always felt so cold.
“Does your family know?” Lucenna asked him.
His brow creased questioningly.
“That Tarn is alive.”
His mouth thinned. “Everyone knows … except Tavin. It must remain that way.”
“Because you don’t want him to know you plan to kill his father?”
Klyde fell quiet a long pause, staring blankly at the twin beds. “All I want is to prevent Tarn from accomplishing his plans. If stopping him requires taking his life, then so be it.” He faced her. “Regardless of all the lies, my intentions were never impure.” He took her hand. “Not with you. I…wanted to tell you that before we leave. So you know where I stand.”
Lucenna looked down at their linked hands, and her pink diamond ring caught the light. She pulled away. “But it’s irrelevant, isn’t it? You are who you are, and I am who I am.”
He was only a stranger, joining them for a brief time. She had her mission and ... a betrothed awaiting her return. It didn’t matter what she might have felt or what his intentions were, because nothing could become of it.
Lucenna turned away and resumed packing in the silence. Sighing, Klyde turned for the door.
“I understand why you lied,” Lucenna said without looking at him. His footsteps paused. “But as of today, that is the last lie you will ever tell me.”
She hadn’t fully forgiven him yet, but it was a start.
“You have my word.”
She didn’t move until Klyde’s steps retreated into the hall. His voice had been faint, only four words to bridge the gap between them.
But somehow, she had heard his smile all the same.