Arianna's Lotus [http://i.imgur.com/oOhwKDZ.png]

Chapter Six

Reunited

After a few hours spent traversing the forest around Eormir, and then the city itself, my small group and I had finally retired to the castle. Ijelle had been right in her assessment that the locals hadn’t recognized me. For that, I was thankful. They thought that I was simply another outsider come to help oversee the city. Of course, they weren’t entirely wrong.

Maric had been delighted to see us, and swift to make certain that I was taken to Nalithor’s chambers after dinner. Apparently, my nylziis and our Guardians had left for the Sihix Forest several days prior to speak with Corentine and the people under her care. He was expected to return soon, but until then I had to find a way to deal with my boredom.

“Nalithor’s” chambers were actually mine. In the short few weeks he’d been in Eormir, the suite had been completely renovated. In place of the old bathroom was a Draemiran-style bath, the closet had been expanded to provide enough room for two royals, and there was now a proper study and sitting area. The decor perfectly suited both of our tastes.

Furthermore, layers upon layers of protective seals had been placed on every inch of the suite. Even if he didn’t know how soon I’d be joining him in Eormir, he’d certainly made damn well sure that nothing and no one could get in. Only I had been able to enter. None of my guards or our friends could so much as touch the door without getting a zap.

‘Well, never let it be said he’s reckless,’ I mused while undressing. Without much else to occupy my attention, I’d decided a bath was in order. Eormir was already in a much better state than I had left it, but the Humans living within it still made me itch. ‘Now then, what to do while I wait for my fiancé?’

The sound of a door opening nearby caught my attention as I waded into the bath. I grew still for a moment, listening. The sound of his footsteps was soon followed by his scent and a faint ripple of power as he strengthened the seals on the room. Smiling, I stretched my arms over my head and strode into deeper water.

‘So, the Mists must still be dampening his senses,’ I considered, biting back an amused giggle.

It wasn’t long before I the door behind me open and I heard a sharp intake of breath. Before I could turn around, Nalithor appeared behind me from a burst of shadows, clothes and all, and lifted me into his arms. He squeezed me tight and buried his face into the crook of my neck.

His embrace and his racing pulse caught me so off-guard that I forgot anything I’d been planning to say to him.

“You’re real,” Nalithor whispered by my ear.

“I guess the Mists are wreaking havoc with your senses more than I thought?” I questioned, turning in his arms. His lips parted slightly as he looked down at my nude form, a low rumble echoing in his throat. I smiled and reached up to tug at the front of his drenched kimono. “We should get you out of this if you’re planning to stay in the bath with me.”

“When did you arrive?” Nalithor stayed still as I began undoing the sash holding his clothing in place. “I should have sensed you, or Djialkan and Alala should have. Furthermore, no one sent word—”

“It was a last-minute decision.” I shot him a pointed look before returning my attention to undressing him. A shiver ran through him when I trailed my claws across his skin. “I arrived a few hours ago. Maric is currently making certain that Eyrian, Ijelle, Satrr, Fyris, and Lalira have proper accommodations—and guards.”

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“Then this isn’t a pleasure trip.” Nalithor narrowed his eyes.

“Indeed, it isn’t.” I tossed his kimono onto the edge of the bath with some difficulty, then turned to look up at him. “You and I have orders to remain together at all times, regardless of the circumstances. My father also said to inform you that, if we must, we have his blessing if we decide we need to marry in secret.”

“While normally I would be ecstatic…” Nalithor murmured, a small frown coming to his lips. “What happened? For Lucifer to make such a decision, I must assume that there’s been a development that those of us in Eormir weren’t told of.”

“It’s new,” I offered, causing his frown to deepen. “We left Dauthrmir two days ago. Before then, I had been with Eyrian and the others by the X’shmiran crater to investigate a temple our scholars found. When we returned, Father summoned me immediately—and we left that night.

“Your brother had been trying to convince my father to have me marry him and become the empress of the Beshulthien Empire. When that didn’t work, he decided that kidnapping me and forcing me to marry him was the next best option. A certain someone couldn’t let that happen, of course, and warned my father.”

“Xander.” Nalithor sighed, but his voice already held poorly-contained rage. His eyes were fiery as he examined me. “Then you were able to escape before they made such an attempt?”

“Xander provided my father with information regarding when and where the attempts would be made,” I replied, nodding. “Father had me return to our suite and collect both of our belongings. We don’t have enough information yet to determine if Rabere was overtaken by ‘Kalenek’ or if something else is to blame.”

“I should kill that bastard…” Nalithor trailed off into a growl and shot me a warning look when I reached for the band of his pants.

“Do you intend to stand in the bath, in your clothes, all night?” I slid my fingertips down the band of his pants and pressed my claws into the more sensitive skin beneath. A shiver ran through him before he released another sigh and shot me an amused smile.

“You are right, of course.” Nalithor chuckled, shifting to wade out of the bath. “We have much to discuss. I had intended to sleep upon my return, but I also didn’t think you would be joining me for another few months. Shall we spend the remainder of the evening catching up?”

“We can sleep, among other things, first.” I shot him an alluring smile. “No need for us to get straight to work, is there? It’s too late in the day for that.”

“The vixen is willing to forgo going straight to work?” Nalithor laughed. “In that case, let me guess—you have been overworking yourself these past weeks, and a two-day ride by airship finally made you feel it.”

“Something like that.” I tilted my head, taking in his body as he strode back to the bath. “The scars still aren’t healing? I was expecting them to have at least faded some by now.”

“You’ve certainly left your mark.” Nalithor pulled me toward him and placed my hands against his abdomen. “I am quite fine, Arianna. You needn’t worry. How about you tell me of your trip to the crater? Unless my sight deceives me, your aether has been depleted by a worrying amount.

“The Lari’xan’s doing?”

“They decided to move all of X’shmir’s fragments back to the crater.” I grimaced, allowing Nalithor to tuck me up against his side. I nuzzled him and released a contented sigh before continuing, “They used a lot of my power to achieve the feat and I was bedridden for a few days while I recovered. That’s not what I went to the crater for, though.

“One of the pieces I saw had unusual engravings on large stones. Once everything was in its rightful place, I directed the scholars to refocus their search. They discovered a large subterranean temple complex. There’s all sorts of religious carvings. Most of what they’ve found there is related to Blood Magic. It looks like thousands of mages, of all types, were sacrificed for some great working. The scholars are currently documenting everything and making certain what remains of the corpses are given a proper burial. All the books, scrolls, and tablets detailing Blood Magic were taken back to Dauthrmir for safekeeping.”

“Blood Magic…” Nalithor tensed, a growl escaping him. He caught the look I shot him and released a heavy sigh. “Corentine has learned much in your absence, aside from forcing me to see your memories. I would rather not spoil our reunion with such tales, but…”

“Is it important?” I asked when he faltered.

“That it is.” Nalithor leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Let’s finish our bath and retire somewhere more comfortable before I fill you in.”

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