Seven
Nieve
Many thanks, my Lord. For a most wonderful dance.’
Gods, the control in Ariadnne’s voice… it did things to Nieve. Things it shouldn’t—a fire that sparked when the High Lord paused to stare, again, at the scars that adorned Ariadnne’s arms and chest. Scars, it seemed, that he’d been responsible for putting on display.
Nieve ground her teeth.
‘If you’re sure?’ The High Lord looked Nieve up and down, eyes narrowing.
Ariadnne’s mirroring glance shone with relief, which made angering D’avant completely and utterly worth it.
‘I am.’ Miming a bow, Nieve pulled Ariadnne into the crowd, D’avant’s eyes scalding her neck.
‘You’re making a habit of helping me.’ Ariadnne’s breath tickled Nieve’s earlobe.
‘You needed rescuing, and I happened to be in the vicinity...’
Ariadnne huffed a soft laugh. ‘I’m glad. Melixanthe promised I’d only have to dance with him once—’
‘— and I’m sure that was one time too many.’
Ariadnne’s laugh sent a thrill up her spine.
‘So, what does Lucius want?’
‘Nothing.’
Ariadnne’s mouth curved. ‘Good, Lucius would be unbearably smug if I obeyed a summons from him.’
It was Nieve’s turn to laugh. ‘It’s hard not to notice the way he looks at you—the way Regulus does, too.’
That thought was accompanied by another unwarranted pang of jealousy, and Nieve couldn’t help but ask, ‘So, you and Lucius?’
‘What about him?’
‘Are you two…’
‘Gods no!’
A look of horror passed over Ariadnne’s face. Nieve’s relief was liberating.
‘Do you want to get some air?’
The ballroom’s glass doors opened out onto a balcony, towards which Nieve wove.
Dancers jostled and a drunken spriteling staggered into her side, requiring a firm shove.
Stepping from the midnight forest into balmy afternoon sun, Nieve released Ariadnne’s arm, walking to the railing to gaze at the city below.
A warm breeze ruffled her hair, and she turned to enjoy the view of Ariadnne standing nearby, arms tucked tight to her sides but still elegant, somehow, in that dress.
‘The High Lord didn’t manhandle you too much, did he? He seems like a piece of work.’
‘Hmm? Oh… I’m fine.’ Ariadnne offered Nieve a small smile. ‘He was quite restrained, all things considered.’ She sighed and looked out over the balcony at the city’s rooftops. ‘The view’s quite something, isn’t it? Did you get a chance to visit?’
‘I did. It’s a beautiful city.’
Ariadnne peered wistfully at the people below.
‘I’ll show you.’ Nieve stepped closer—close enough to breathe in Ariadnne’s honey-spiced scent—and pointed to a cluster of pointed, blue rooftops.
‘You see those buildings there? With the high roofs? They make up the temple district. Dianea’s temple is exquisite, surrounded by gardens and dainty little archways.
Opposite is the temple of Ra’Tel. As you’d expect, the tiger god’s house is all harsh lines and sharp edges. ’
A soft, reflective smile twisted the corner of Ariadnne’s mouth. ‘I wish I’d seen it.’
‘Maybe you will. Maybe I’ll take you.’ The words escaped Nieve’s mouth before she could think, and her cheeks flushed at the surprised way Ariadnne’s brow lifted. Of course, Nieve would never be permitted to take Ariadnne into the city. She wasn’t even a member of her company.
She ploughed on. ‘You see there?’ She leaned a little closer and pointed to a large square. ‘That’s the market district we walked through on our way here. It’s home to the largest market on the continent. They say if you can imagine it, you can buy it there.’
‘There’s a lot I’ve imagined.’ Ariadnne said quietly.
Nieve’s stomach flipped at those words, that tone, even if Ariadnne hadn’t meant it the way Nieve wanted.
‘Then you’d be there for a while.’ Nieve stumbled over the words and Ariadnne lapsed into silence, posture taut as she clung to the railing.
‘So… how did you spend your afternoon?’ Nieve asked. ‘After our…performance in the yard?’
Ariadnne remained silent for a moment, then shifted.
‘You won. You know that?’ she said, still looking away. ‘You should have taken the moment. You deserved it.’
Nieve’s brows drew together. ‘No… something happened. You faltered. You are the most impressive fighter I’ve taken on in I don’t know how long. If you hadn’t frozen, I’m not sure I would have tripped you.’ She shifted her feet. ‘It doesn’t matter, anyway.’
Ariadnne’s mouth twitched as though she was about to say something, then thought better of it. She shrugged instead. ‘Regardless, at least we impressed D’avant.’
Ariadnne’s eyes jumped to Nieve’s before slipping towards the hall where some of Ariadnne’s company danced within sight of the doors. Her shoulders lowered and she sighed.
‘I should find Melixanthe before she sends someone looking for me.’
‘Why don’t you wait and see how long it takes her to find you? It seems to me like you deserve a bit of space.’
If she didn’t know better, she’d assume Ariadnne were a prisoner rather than the revered warrior she knew her to be.
Ariadnne turned to her with a stern glint. ‘That wouldn’t be fair to Melixanthe.’
‘The other varanyen seem to have an easier time of it.’
‘I’m aware.’ Ariadnne rolled her eyes. ‘They aren’t me.’
Nieve made a mental note that Ariadnne was protective of her handler, and not to push.
Perhaps Melixanthe was a better person than Sol’s avoidance led her to believe.
She suddenly wanted to know. She wanted to know everything about Ariadnne’s life, and how she was treated, because she was getting the growing impression that her life wasn’t at all what Nieve had assumed.
‘So…Melixanthe?’
‘Hm?’
‘She’s… good to you?’
‘She is.’ Ariadnne nodded. ‘I’d trust her with my life. I know she has high standards, but she has never done wrong by me.’
Nieve considered her words. ‘Then she has my loyalty.’
She turned back to the view, aware of Ariadnne shifting closer.
‘If she does see me out here, she’ll undoubtedly be curious. I’m not known for socialising.’
‘We’re two soldiers enjoying the view. What’s wrong with that?’
‘Is that what this is?’ Ariadnne’s fingers brushed Nieve’s on the railing and Nieve’s heart leapt into her throat, thudding so hard she was sure Ariadnne could hear. She was trying so damn hard not to cross any lines…
Her spine froze as Ariadnne leaned in.
‘Nieve—’
They were interrupted by a panicked voice.
‘Ariadnne! Melixanthe needs you.’
Nieve ripped her eyes from Ariadnne’s to stare at the messenger. Damn his timing…
‘Ariadnne,’ he repeated. Oh, he was the boy from Ariadnne’s company. Han. ‘Please, come. Melixanthe says she needs to see you now!’ He stood at attention, but his desperate need to please his general and get Ariadnne moving was palpable. Ariadnne glanced at Nieve, who nodded.
‘Go,’ she said quietly. ‘I’ll be right behind you.’
In the hall, Melixanthe was surrounded by flustered captains and an irate Lord D’avant, skin sparking in wrath. From their heightened comments, Nieve gathered they were at odds as she slipped into the crowd to listen.
Lord D’avant’s eyes darted to Ariadnne as she strode to her handler’s side. The intensity of his gaze made Nieve’s skin prickle.
‘I think you are blowing this out of proportion,’ he snapped. ‘The message clearly said the army is a day’s march away. We can leave tomorrow.’
‘No, Lord. We need to get to the camp. Enough is enough.’ Melixanthe squared up to the sullen lord. ‘Your idea of “tomorrow” will have us leaving at midday! We need to get our knights packed and into the skies.’
‘Leaving tonight is absurd.’ Lord D’avant all but spat.
He was behaving like a petulant child deprived of a favourite plaything, but when he glanced at Ariadnne, his features softened.
‘Ariadnne. Let’s hear your opinion. We’ve had word from the wall that the humans are now a days march away.
The General is being most unreasonable.’
Nieve watched Ariadnne turn to Melixanthe. ‘Precisely when do they predict the humans will reach the wall?’ she asked quietly.
‘Mid-afternoon tomorrow. But scouts can be wrong,’ Melixanthe said stiffly back. Nieve thought she was right to want to get moving. There was nothing worse than being caught on a back foot.
Ariadnne paused before saying, ‘The knights need rest before they fight, as do I. I vote we dismiss them now to get a few hours’ sleep and leave late tonight.’
Lord D’avant pouted, but Melixanthe relaxed her posture. ‘You’re thinking clearly, Ariadnne. Yes, that’s a good plan.’
Unable to be contrary in the face of Ariadnne’s reasoning, Lord D’avant inclined his head. His eyes lingered too long in Nieve’s opinion, before he whirled away, trailing his long cloak behind him.
Melixanthe mouthed Thank you to Ariadnne, which was curious, then her eyes landed on Nieve, hovering. Nieve turned to move deeper into the crowd, but Melixanthe called out, ‘Nieve. Over here, please. I’d like a word.’
Nieve’s breath caught. She glanced at Ariadnne, who looked puzzled. For a horrible moment, Nieve wondered if Melixanthe had seen them on the balcony and assumed… perhaps they’d stood too close. Or looked too comfortable.
Melixanthe gestured again and, with a lump in her throat, Nieve obeyed her summons.
‘I’ve noticed you getting to know my ward. I wondered if perhaps you’ve reconsidered my offer?’
Ariadnne looked between them, her forehead forming tiny wrinkles that Nieve would have thought were adorable if Melixanthe’s question hadn’t just knocked the wind out of her.
The offer—an opportunity to join the most powerful company in the Guild.
Ariadnne’s company. An offer she’d already turned down, and now Melixanthe had put her on the spot.
If she’d asked Nieve a few days ago, Nieve would have given her the same answer as before—that she was happy with Sol and didn’t want to move.
But… Her eyes darted across the dance floor, to where her company was gathered. Melixanthe cleared her throat.
‘This would be a prestigious leap for you. One you’ve earned.’
Nieve’s mind spun. ‘I know,’ she stumbled on the words. ‘I… I’ve been thinking about it, General. It’s… I’m not sure my captain would like it.’ Which was an understatement. Sol would hate it.
The general studied her, and her voice softened.
‘Your loyalty to your captain is commendable, knight, but you are due a promotion. Sol has been aware for a while that this was my plan for you.’ She tapped her foot.
‘He and Lucius are very experienced. They will be fine without you. Ariadnne’s company, however, is still forming and could use your skill.
Ariadnne is very green. This coming battle…
it’ll be her first of this magnitude,’ she said this last quietly with a glance toward the surrounding captains, ensuring none were in earshot.
Ariadnne heard, though, and seemed to deflate.
Nieve’s heart pounded. Firstly, she wasn’t sure she appreciated Ariadnne being referred to as ‘green’; she was evidently lethal as fae, and Nieve had heard enough about her other form to have a healthy respect…
and secondly, here Melixanthe was, again, offering Nieve a place in her company.
In Ariadnne’s company. A sharp breath escaped her lips, and Ariadnne’s gaze flickered her way, expression unreadable.
Before Nieve could speak, Melixanthe stepped forward. ‘Think on it tonight. I would feel better having you with us tomorrow, but I won’t force you.’ She turned to Ariadnne. ‘Come,’ she said abruptly, taking her by the elbow and leading away from the ballroom.