Chapter 15 #3
“What’s the rush, Maxence?” He’d crossed my mental boundaries on more than one occasion, threading our thoughts without my knowing, and I was curious to know what he really thought in the quiet of his own head. What was he guarding behind his fear?
“Nina…” he whispered, in feigned fury. “Even I don’t want to be in my own head most days. Get out.”
“Fine.” I flipped the die, catching another rune. “What’s this one?”
He swallowed. “That’s charm. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
Using charm was about influence, lulling a target into compliance. It was known that the Architect created the enforcers with the Glamour Archetype, giving them the charm bloodline to safely subdue anyone with magic who was deemed to be practicing outside of their restrictions.
“Bernard told me the Cursed can only control the bloodline from the Archetype they drink from. Is this true?”
Max nodded once. “Many Cursed take specific bloodlines in certain situations. The New City and the Cursed have learned to coexist in this way. The citizens with Archetypes can buy our services with a vial of their blood. The Academy has never approved of this.”
“And yet, all you need is your dice?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m a little different. Now, quit wasting time and try it.”
With Max near, I felt comfortable enough trying to siphon the power, just to test its manifestation. The connection between us became a leash, his mind now mine to push and pull.
“I’ve never tried to control anyone before.” My teeth dragged over my bottom lip, wondering if I should try. If he was letting me borrow this artifact, it would only do me good if I knew how to use it. All of it.
“Look at me,” I charmed him.
His head snapped at me, eyes wide. “Nina—”
“Smile.”
He blinked once, almost as if he was trying to recall how to make such a simple expression.
Then all the sharp edges composing him softened.
The harsh line of his brows relaxed, eyes the golden amber of early dawn light.
His tongue darted across his lips, wetting them before they stretched into an easy, full smile.
One that showed his teeth and the sunken, pointed tips of his Cursed canines.
It was strange to see him looking happy, and the realization of that broke my heart. The smile looked so odd on him. So soft. I suddenly wished I could make him smile like this all the time, without the magic from his die.
“Max…”
His hand tightened on mine, fingers slipping between my knuckles to curl against my palm. They cupped the die—and took back control.
As quickly as he’d recovered his die, his smile disappeared, replaced with a scowl I was better acquainted with.
“Max, I’m—”
“Kiss me.”
There was no hesitation. I lunged for him, following his spoken command with no desire, only obedience. It was as involuntary as a heartbeat, happening whether I wanted it or not. I pressed to my toes and craned my neck toward him, but he clasped a hand around my throat, keeping me back.
“Do you feel that?” he asked.
I could barely focus on anything but his mouth. “Yes.”
“What does it feel like, Nina?”
“Like I might die if I don’t kiss you.” Already, the seams of my existence were pulling apart. Pain pierced my temples. I couldn’t catch my breath, and my heart felt close to bursting. He was only an inch away.
“Max, please.”
“Stop it,” he spoke against my mouth.
A cord snapped, and I was free to take a step away—several steps away—as I caught my breath. Max crossed his arms as he watched me, studying my reaction.
“You’re cruel,” I spat.
“You did it first.”
“Demanding a kiss is not the same thing at all.” I hated myself for the way I’d clawed at him. Even if he had forced me, even if the entire act was out of my control.
I blinked back the burn of tears, but nothing could scrub away the heat in my cheeks.
“Get away from me. I’ll find my own way back to Valveron.”
“Nina, you can’t—”
“I can, actually.” I straightened my coat and brushed my hair over my shoulder before throwing my hood on, hoping my appearance was more put together than my heart. “I would rather ride all the way to the Districts strapped to the paddle than look at you for the next six hours.”
“You haven’t even tried out illusion.”
“I don’t care. I’m done with this.”
His inhale was sharp. “If that’s how you feel, then fine.
My face isn’t the one on the bounty posters.
I’ll be relaxing in blessed silence on the main deck if you need me.
” He threw his own cowl over his head and stormed off, boots thudding each step across the deck until they stopped… and returned.
Max reappeared in front of me, fury flaming in his eyes. He snatched my wrist and shoved the Glamour die into my palm. “Just take the damn thing. You need it more than I do.”
I shoved my hand into my pocket, grasping the remaining die to slap them both against his chest. “I told you, I’m done. I don’t want anything to do with you. Not even your magic.”
He glanced down to where I felt his heart beating furiously against my palm. “You’re really that stubborn? You think you can make it to Valveron without me—or the artifacts? You’re powerless without something or someone to use.” He cleared his throat. “To siphon, I mean.”
His words were a slap in the face. “Powerless?” I repeated the word. “You think I’m only as powerful as whatever I steal from?” I reared back and tossed the dice his way. He caught them before they fell.
His lips were pursed together like he was caging whatever words he wanted to spit back at me. “I only meant you have no weapon besides the relics. And if you insist on going this alone, I won’t be there to help you if you need me.”
He thought a bit too much of himself. I stared right into those flame-filled eyes and told him, “I don’t need you, Max. I’ve been surviving just fine without you or your relics.”
“We’ll see, then. I’ll meet you at the North Docks.” He took a stalling step back, as if waiting for me to change my mind. “Good luck.”
Without another word, without fighting me, he took back the dice and finally left. My blood was still hot when he made it down the gangplank, not once looking back at the ship.
“Maurice?” I called out to him as I returned to the main deck. “Does that steamer have a cargo hold?”
From the outside, the ship didn’t appear spacious. Everyone filled out the deck or the dining hall inside. I’d have to think outside the box, especially if I was going to gain passage back into the city.
He thought for a moment, leaning on a mop handle. “Of course. It’s probably in the underbelly, away from everyone.”
I found the spot on the horizon where a silver plume marked the boat. To hell with Max’s coach ticket. I was going to get a private cabin, all to myself.