CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
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Kovey Walber
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19th of Decepter, 935 PC
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Velvetine stood with a hand on her hip and a palm open, head tilted to the side, a smoke stick hanging from her lips. Belvedere dropped three pills and snatched her sister’s wrist in the process. “Blue, red, blue. Give it a few minutes in between.” She sounded exactly like she used to when she’d managed the pills, the alcohol, and the Leos for Kovey and Velvetine. Never used them but ran things like a renowned businesswoman. He always wondered what she could have been if she hadn’t had to clean up after other people all the time.
“I know, Bel. I’m saving dying for this fuckin’ mission you insist we go on.” Velvetine’s dead eyes fell upon Kovey. “Get her home safe, big boy.” She yanked her hand away and let the backdoor of the pub snap shut with a bang that woke the dark world around them.
Belvedere pulled her cloak tighter around her neck and her hat down lower on her head. “I love her, but I swear she’ll be the death of me. If she doesn’t kill herself first.” They walked down the stairs into the field that surrounded the Black Boar Inn. “All she ever wants is her pills. I can’t remember the last time she cared to see me for anything other than her next fix.”
Frosted grass crunched beneath their boots as they walked toward a wall of dark fir trees in the distance. They put a tingle on Kovey’s arms like the tall, somber men who’d stood beside his father’s grave had when he was younger. A light sprinkle of stars dotted the sky above them but their beauty was far away. Too far to make the trees look anything but unwelcoming. He’d never go in them alone, not anymore, but not even a miserable stroll through the frightening woods could make him pass up a chance to be alone with Belvedere. Although, as the light from the inn faded, the night made a strong case for turning back.
He spoke, if for no other reason than to help his nerves. “Why do you keep feeding them to her?”
She let out a long exasperated breath. “I don’t have it in me to argue with her all day, every day. She’s relentless. So, I try to dictate how much she uses rather than stop her entirely. Or worse, let her run rampant with the damn things.”
He could understand that. Back when he and Velvetine spent nearly every waking moment together, she used to poke and prod him until she got her way. “Aye, she used to make me want to slap her.”
He stepped over a narrow stream full of muddy water then offered his hand.
“Honestly, I was surprised you never did.”
He had a few times but Velvetine wasn’t the kind of person to chat about things like that. Instead, she hit back. And hard.
“I’d never lay a hand on a woman.”
“Probably should have. Maybe it would have straightened her out some.”
Kovey chuckled. “And end up torn to shreds? I don’t think so.”
It was she who chuckled now. “You’re right. It would take an act of The Creator to straighten her out.” She turned to him when she realized that was exactly what had happened to him. He held up a hand to stop her from apologizing. He didn’t deserve it. She changed the subject quickly as they approached a log fence, four rungs high like a short stumpy ladder. “Have you met Elgar yet?”
Elgar Sampson was easily the worst part about coming to Thronerock. He’d made Kovey feel like a useless fool for using up his magic when he and Alaric had visited him in Leoren. It didn’t help that the handsome blonde was a shapeshifter like Kovey used to be. Flaunted it right in front of him the whole time he’d been in Kovey’s house. Made a fool of in his own house. “I’ve met him.” He left it at that, stewing over the fact that he’d be traveling with the asshole for weeks soon.
“Handsome but lords he is arrogant. Is it hard knowing he’s a shapeshifter?”
“Ah.” He hated hearing her call Elgar handsome. “I’m over all that. Onto a new phase in my life. A cleaner one.” If her face was any indication then she didn’t exactly believe him.
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The trees were even taller up close. They swayed gently in the wind, dancing to the breezy requiem sweeping through their needles. A glance over his shoulder showed a much smaller version of the inn standing alone along the dark horizon. For every ounce of anxiety rushing through Kovey, two ounces of courage dripped from Belvedere’s chin. To be expected from someone who’d spent her entire life protecting others from danger.
“You sure you want to go in there?”
She answered by walking straight into the trees. His lips flapped as he blew out a nervous breath.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Between the branches, needles, and grass that covered the ground they sounded like trumpeters announcing the arrival of a royal couple. If anyone or anything was asleep within the trees, they weren’t anymore. Belvedere moved with confidence. He did not. The slippery land was sloped in several places, making every step a chore.
“Wait up.”
She stopped between the reach of two trees. “What’s wrong, Kove? This would have never scared you before.”
He tapped the pommel of his dagger. “Not scared, just not sure this thing can protect me like it used to.” No need for a dagger when you spend most of your time weaving melancholy tunes.
“Well, I’ll protect you now.” She stepped over the fallen tree next to her and waited for him to catch up. It was she who offered a hand now. He couldn’t wait to touch her again. Her hand was frigid yet it sent warmth all throughout him. “Not much farther.”
And it wasn’t. Only a minute later they walked into a clearing. The frozen pond in the middle stopped him in his tracks. The moonlight reflected off the ice so magnificently he forgot to breathe for a moment. He didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t speak. He let the force pulling him toward the ice take over his legs. He lowered himself to his knees at the edge of the frozen water, slowly and awkwardly, like a man in his shape would. His bare palm swept across the smooth surface, bringing back memories he cherished more than anything now that his magic was gone.
Belvedere stood beside him. “I’m sure it’s not quite the same but-”
“It’s perfect. How did you find this?”
“Stumbled upon it yesterday when I was taking a breather from Vel. It made me think of your mother.”
He was astonished she remembered that small tidbit of his past. “Bel, I couldn’t have mentioned her skating more than once or twice in all those years.”
She shrugged gently. “It stuck with me. I’ve always loved skating too.”
“I can’t… I can’t believe you remembered.” Her smile made his chest warm as a cozy fire.
“Come on.”
His eyes widened as she stepped onto the ice. “Wait. What if it’s not-”
“I walked on it yesterday.” She spun on the ball of her foot slowly. “Come on, Kove.”
The ice felt solid beneath his foot as he made his way toward her. Every step brought back a different memory of the frozen lake near his childhood home. He thought of the first time his mother had taught him to skate, her hands on his hips, guiding him around in circles. He thought about all the spills he’d taken trying to do it alone. He remembered the elation he’d felt the first time he’d actually managed it.
He stopped in the middle and watched Belvedere slide her foot back and forth. She smiled at herself cutely. He smiled at her in admiration, careful not to let her see.
“Don’t move!” a voice called from the treeline. The kind that sends chills down your spine.
Their eyes shot toward a man emerging from the shadows, sword drawn. Another followed him. Then two more from another side. They each wore the black plate armor and chainmail of The Hounds of Haldar. And if that wasn’t indicative enough then the white cloaks that hung down their backs were a dead give away. The ones with an “H” in the middle, green vines wrapping around the letter like snakes.
There was a time when Kovey’s hand would have reached for his dagger before the man had finished his words, but now he just stood with his eyes wide and paralyzed with fear.
“We mean you no harm,” Belvedere said, open hands raised in front of her chest.
The snarl on the mercenary’s face had a very different message and his eyes reinforced it. Even his cold breath looked angry.
“She’s a pretty one,” another man said. Head covered by a hood of chainmail. His hungry eyes locked tight on Belvedere.
Kovey’s temper woke up at the thought of these pricks laying a hand on his angel. He could feel himself glaring at the Hounds now but he was still frozen. He didn’t have the skill to fight these men anymore. The greatest collection of skill with the sword to ever set foot in Thandlecor is how the Hounds liked to describe themselves. Hard to argue with too. Even the Lotus Army bowed to them at times.
Unfortunately for these men, Belvedere didn’t need swords to be deadly. Her hands clapped shut loudly. The clearing came to life as heavy branches and debris launched toward the mercenaries. They ducked and dodged but were no match for her magic. Within seconds all four men were wrapped up tight in makeshift wooden restraints, lying on the cold ground, gasping for air. They fought weakly to break their bonds as Belvedere lifted an open hand. She held it there for a moment, looking at her victims, then clenched her fist. The sounds of bones and wood crunching and snapping filled the clearing. Then silence if not for the requiem sweeping through the needles.