The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Read online

  A tingle started around her midsection, working its way through her abdomen to her chest and into her arm, gradually reaching the center of her palm where it was positioned against Edric’s skin. When it broke the surface she felt Edric twitch under her touch, his face contorted in a grimace, though she couldn’t tell if it was pain or something else. At times it appeared almost pleasurable for him. His hand reflexively came to rest on her outstretched arm, fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist as if seeking something to hold onto in fear of falling over. Suddenly she felt the circuit complete, a wash of energy pushed back into her body through his. No words could describe the sensation. Her mind raced, confused and content at the same time, though the two emotions didn’t really coincide. In that moment they somehow did.

  She groaned from the exertion, unaware that the noise had come from her until it sounded again, her upper body jerked forward, drawn like a marionette guided by its puppeteer in the direction her energy flowed. Her pulse quickened. It echoed in her ears, drowning out everything until all she could hear was the steady, fluttering rhythm of her heart beating in time with Edric’s. Her breath came in spurts as if she’d just run the distance between them and Nahedu, matching the irregular pace of her heart. Eyes open wide, she found herself staring at Edric, curious if he felt the same sensations that she did, while at the same time unable to gain control of her vocal cords to speak.

  Her strength waned. She could feel it slowly leaving her, transferred into Edric’s body, rejuvenating him, the light in his eyes shining brighter than she remembered. They flashed a brilliant blue, each tiny silver fleck illuminated like miniature stars in the depths of a resplendent sapphire sky. In that moment they were beautiful. Exquisite. She’d never seen anything like them before, their light luring her in. It wasn’t until she felt her body pressed against his that she realized she’d moved, hypnotized, the thrum of energy from her hand pulsing evenly between his chest. She needed to stop. The lack of control was frightening though she couldn’t blame it entirely on the transfer of energy. Something about their connection made her feel strange inside. Being close to him intensified the flutter of her heart in an unusual way. What was happening to her? It wasn’t normal. She shouldn’t have allowed this to happen.

  It took significant effort to rein in the energy, focusing on a proper closure of the conduit between them. Balance was essential. Edric’s body could go into shock if she wasn’t careful. As the transfer of energy slowed, the rhythm of her heart remained steady and strong, rapidly pounding in its strange pattern, her breathing hastened. When the connection finally dissipated she slumped forward, exhausted. The only thing keeping her from toppling to the ground was Edric’s strong arms wrapped around her. Breathless, she laid her head against his chest, closing her eyes, desperately trying to regain her strength.

  In her mind she worked out the words she would say to make her departure from Edric without giving away her weakness. It was perfect. She just needed to get enough energy to straighten her body and support her weight until she was on her feet and out of view. Tilting her head upward she lifted her chin, lips parted to speak, finding her excuses lost on her tongue as her eyes opened. Edric was staring down at her, their faces inches apart. From her position in his arms she could feel every heave of his chest. The increased pulse of his heart thudding wildly, similar to her own. His lips were so close. The slightest of movements would bring her to them. Some part of her was curious what it would be like. They were soft. Supple. Most disturbingly was how inviting they appeared. She wanted to kiss him. He was right there. It would be so easy…

  No. She couldn’t allow it. This was a mistake. Against her conscious thoughts she felt her head lift. In that split second of lost control she became frighteningly aware of her lips brushing against his, the skin barely making contact before she managed to catch herself, drawing away as if he was a serpent preparing to strike. She would have fallen into the hot embers of the fire had it not been for Edric’s hands stopping her, holding her tightly yet distant, the confusion in Neomi’s eyes reciprocated in his, staring at her in silent awe.

  The tightness of his grip was a good sign. As her head started to clear she became aware of the tiny differences in his appearance, the light of his eyes shining brightly through the darkness. Neomi’s vision was hindered by the loss of energy though she could see the complexion of Edric’s face had improved significantly, the darkened circles under his eyes no longer noticeable. The strength of his hold was the largest indicator of her success. Instead of relying on her to keep him upright, it was now the other way around, her body supported by nothing but his arms.

  “Neomi.” His voice was scarcely more than a breath. She wanted to look at him. To acknowledge that he’d spoken. The muscles in her neck refused to cooperate, her head bobbing forward at an awkward angle. This is embarrassing. She shouldn’t have given so much. It was too fast. Sloppy. Through the circuit it seemed as if the void from Edric’s depleted energy had transferred into her, the loss occurring so quick and unexpected that her body didn’t have time to react, unable to replenish fast enough to account for the drain.

  In a swift, graceful motion Edric was on his feet, the fabric of his cloak fluttering to the ground, his hands gently lifting Neomi to stand. Her knees buckled under the effort. She trembled noticeably, fighting against the fatigue, the lids of her eyes slowly closing. Faintly she heard Edric speak her name again. Why wouldn’t he be quiet? The others would hear him. She couldn’t risk anyone else seeing her this way. If Moinie observes you in his arms…

  She drew in a sharp breath at the thought. She had to get herself together. Moinie would accuse Edric of injuring her. Although it could be blamed on him through sheer technicality, she couldn’t let Moinie hold this over his head, spouting off accusations that he somehow maliciously drained the very essence of her being. “I must leave you,” she exhaled, flattening her palm against Edric’s bare chest to steady herself. “The Commander will be waking soon to relieve you of your post. I should not be seen.”

  “I will not leave you this way.”

  “How else do you plan to leave me?” she tried to stare him down, fatigue adding weight to her lashes. She had to stand her ground. There was too much on the line if anyone found them. Animosity between their people would incite allegations on both sides that they couldn’t deal with right now.

  Presented with the question, Edric’s gaze faltered, shifting away briefly before settling on her again. “I would rather stay with you,” he replied softly. “I want to know you will be alright.”

  The idea made her laugh inside. He wanted to make sure she was alright? Her condition was no worse than what he suffered himself. Overcome with the exhaustion and misery of her illness she couldn’t help feeling guilty for pushing him the way she had. She couldn’t imagine traversing the distance they covered throughout the day while plagued by this malady. It was cruel to consider. No wonder he thought her heartless. While she had no experience which could have alerted her to his suffering, she should have sensed it. Instead, she found it easier to believe he was merely weak. To even think of taking a single step in this state seemed impossible yet he had walked miles. She was filled with a deep respect for the strength of will it must have taken him to keep from falling over in defeat. Maybe her father was right after all. Despite Onuric’s arguments, the Chief vouched for the Vor’shai. She was beginning to realize that they deserved more credit than the rest of her people had given them.

  She was too tired to worry about how this man saw her. Had it not been for Moinie’s presence in the tent, she may have even been convinced to concede to his foolishness in helping her to bed. But that couldn’t be allowed. Enough mistakes had been made already. She couldn’t risk losing herself again the way she had when he held her in his arms. Never before had she felt such a strong sensation in the presence of a man. It was disconcerting to think of the effect he had on her. Oh, you fool! Her lips had touched his. What would that do to her image in
his mind? To her control over him? It was lost. Destroyed in that single instant where their mouths made contact. And still she wanted to do it again. You’re just tired, she argued. A few hours of sleep and you will have your head cleared.

  “You cannot stay with me,” she whispered. There was so much more she wanted to say but the words wouldn’t form. It was probably for the best. She couldn’t risk accidentally telling him of the feelings she experienced in that moment. The way she still felt inside. It had to be the exchange of energy. During the transfer they had been close. Joined in a way she’d never been with anyone before. Something in the act must have created a bond which she couldn’t have expected or prepared for. She could only hope that by morning it will have dissipated.

  “At least let me walk you to your tent. I am not convinced you would be able to stand on your own if I released you.”

  “I am not going to sleep in the tent. I need the fresh air. It will help rejuvenate my body more effectively so that I can be alert and ready for my watch in a few hours.”

  Edric blinked, surprised by the mention of her shift. “That is not something I can let you do,” he shook his head calmly. “You need to be well-rested by morning if you want to convince the others that you are healthy. The slightest loss of color will not go unnoticed by your friend.”

  “And she will not have to guess at my health if I do not come to relieve her the way I agreed. She will know something is wrong.”

  “I will take your place. You need sleep.”

  “You?” she gasped. “Moinie will wonder why you are awake instead of me.”

  “I will tell her that the Captain instructed me of a change in plans,” he stated, confident in his decision. “When I come to relieve her, I will inform her that you were awake earlier in the evening and decided to take my watch out of the assumption that I was not capable of doing so. She would never doubt your accusations of weakness toward me. Having already performed your duties, and with me believed to have been asleep throughout the night to regain my feeble senses, it should be reasonable enough for her to believe that I am merely making up for the time you served in my stead.”

  She stared at him, impressed by his ability to think quickly and intelligently. It sounded like something she would do. This man had only known her for a brief time. How was it that he seemed capable of getting into her head and understanding the way her mind worked? “You would do that for me?” she peered at him, unsure if she was willing to believe what he was saying. If he took her watch, he would have very little time for sleep himself.

  “It is the least I can do after the kindness you have bestowed upon me,” he smiled, the gesture sweet, charming, filled with genuine sincerity in his thanks. “Now, let me walk you somewhere so you can rest. I would prefer if you remained close. Just in case anything happens.”

  “Are you afraid of an attack?”

  “I am afraid for your safety. If you are near, I will know if your condition takes a turn for the worst. Your illness is my fault, after all.”

  There was no sense in arguing with him. He was stubborn and she wasn’t feeling up to the challenge of fighting his tenacity. “Very well,” she breathed in defeat, sinking against his body for support as she let him guide her away from the dying fire. The safest place would be near the tent where Moinie slept in case she came looking for her. It was far enough away from the watch point that it wouldn’t raise suspicion. “You may walk me to the tent but then I insist you clothe yourself before you freeze to death. I did not suffer this illness just so you could fall to another. And Edric…” Tilting her head, a strong wave of dizziness overcame her as she struggled to maintain the stern tone of her voice. “Tell no one of what transpired between us tonight,” she commanded, her strength fading fast. “If you so much as utter a word, I will see to it that it is the last one you ever speak.”

  Edric’s fingers idly toyed with the button at the neck of his doublet, lost in the confusion of his own thoughts. The night had brought with it many mysteries. Questions he longed to have answered while knowing it was best to let them go. What had happened between him and Neomi? It was a fog in his head, whirling and crashing, mingled with the haze created by the excess energy fed into his system by Neomi’s hand. Playing the images in his mind he tried to determine where things had gone awry.

  She had been hesitant about their speaking. Neomi made no attempt to conceal that fact. It just didn’t make sense. He didn’t consider himself a threat. The only danger he sensed in continuing to be near her was the possibility of completely losing his mind. A familiar ache in his chest told him that he was already placing himself at too great a risk. She was perfect. Strong and intelligent while her beauty was exotic and unrivaled by any woman in Tanispa. The brilliant ice-blue of her eyes was intoxicating. Even the bite to her words couldn’t turn him away, no matter how hard she might try. He was drawn to her. Hypnotized by her every move. Every sound. It hadn’t required the bond of their energy for him to realize the attraction he felt. You are absolutely mad. Don’t do this to yourself.

  But she had kissed him. The desire to press his lips against hers had been next to impossible for him to control but he somehow managed to be still. It had been her face which moved toward his. Her lips that brushed against him. Soft. Subtle. Nothing more than a brief connection of the skin. His only question was why. Did it have to do with the transfer of energy? Regardless of who kissed who, she would find a way to blame him. The backlash would be entirely on his shoulders. He wasn’t sure he was ready to handle it.

  Movement from the tents signaled the others beginning to stir. He should be tired. Sleep had been beyond his grasp throughout the night, haunted by the memory of Neomi in his arms. The infusion of her energy had left him invigorated. His muscles twitched, anxious to move, waiting for Callum to exit the tent and give orders in preparation for the journey. Once the others were awake he would be able to abandon his station. He needed some time, devoid of responsibility, where he could focus and come to some conclusion about the situation he somehow stumbled into. In a way he almost hoped the Ythes would attack. Their time in Ethrysta had been unusually calm for a country torn by war. A battle might jar him out of his drifting thoughts and back into the reality of why they were there.

  In his peripheral vision he noticed something move near the tent where Neomi lay outside the door. Afraid of the condition she would awaken in, he quickly scrambled to his feet, staring into the shadows. He could see her there, still on the ground, her upper body propped on the palms of her hands, the roiling blue of her eyes staring down at the snow. Testing her strength. Slowly straightening her arms to lift her shoulders. Edric wanted to go to her. To make sure she was alright. Back home the gesture would have been appreciated by a woman. Here, he recognized the insult it might seem. It was better to stay where he was. If she gave an indication of weakness he would help her, but no sooner.

  Satisfied with her progress Neomi rose swiftly to her feet, her lithe body completing the motion effortlessly, no sign of hesitation or languor the way she’d exhibited the night before. It was an impressive transformation. One that was only possible for the Ovatai in this frozen landscape. The bright glow of her eyes was restored to its usual vigor, their icy gaze falling on Edric where he stood, unsure of what to do. Her lips parted as if to speak, interrupted by the emergence of Moinie from the tent behind her.

  Made uneasy by Moinie’s arrival Edric turned away, staring down into the wisps of smoke where the fire had burned throughout the night. The flames were extinguished, no longer providing warmth. Not that it mattered. They would be moving soon. With any luck there would be more protection from the cold when they reached Isavo. High walls or abandoned homes they could use. Anything would be better than what they had now.

  A voice behind him caused Edric’s heart to leap in his chest, nearly choking him, reminded of the lies spun to prevent Moinie from asking questions about Neomi’s absence for the final watch. “Edric, there you are,” Callum exhaled
in relief, the crunch of his boots moving across the snow to where Edric stood. Twisting his body Edric faced his friend, pressing his index finger to his lips in a desperate attempt to silence him. Moinie was under the impression that Callum was aware of Edric’s switch in duties with Neomi. He needed to make sure she remained oblivious to the truth.

  “Where else would I be?” Edric replied loudly, chuckling in false amusement at Callum’s words. Quickly he covered the distance between them, wrapping his arm around Callum’s shoulder, guiding him back toward the tent. Callum glanced at him in confusion. To Edric’s relief he gave no resistance, slowly falling into step beside Edric as they made their way through the flap and into the privacy of the fabric walls.

  Once inside Callum stepped away from Edric, staring at him, clearly curious by his strange behavior. “What are you up to?” he asked, the umber glow of his eyes revealing a hint of unease. “Is there something I should know about?”

  “What makes you think I’m up to something?”

  “Edric,” Callum gave a quiet laugh. “I know you well enough to know when you’re up to no good. It isn’t the first time I’ve seen you try to cover something up. Perhaps you would like to explain why you were outside and not sleeping the way I expected you would be.”

  Shifting his gaze toward the exit Edric held his breath, weighing the dangers he risked in telling Callum anything about what happened. Neomi instructed him to speak to no one. But of what? Everything? Or did she refer to the fleeting brush of her lips against his? Surely she must expect Callum and Gadiel to notice the change in his health. They would ask questions. To try and conceal that from them would be unfeasible. “It’s complicated,” he frowned, running his fingers through his hair. He had to tell him something. If he didn’t, there was a chance Moinie might approach Callum about the issue and he couldn’t risk a hole in their plan of that extent.