Temperance

  For your own purposes, no doubt. His entire body revolted against the provocative web she was weaving.

  Would that be so bad? I would make sure you were to enjoy it also. And at least I won’t hide who you are.

  Bastian felt the warmth of her breath against his neck just as she’d instructed his mind to.

  You see, Si’Bastian, I will let you play with whomever you desire.

  Even when that person doesn’t want you?

  We can make anybody want us. That’s the beauty of being what we are.

  Desperately, Bastian searched inside himself and found what he was looking for—the one thing he was hoping she wasn't familiar with. And as he accessed it, he thought, Anybody but me, and disappeared from her reach.

  * * *

  A howling shriek ricocheted through the forest and had Ry’Ker hunkering down behind the closest tree. He saw his men hurry the women to a similar position just a few feet away and then let his eyes dart around the darkness, searching for the cause. When all he could see were trees, he let out a sigh of relief and indicated the all clear.

  Standing tall, he was about to go to his men when Si’Bastian stepped out in front of him.

  “Gods, Si’Bastian. Stop doing that.”

  The man didn’t offer an apology. He merely began issuing orders. “It’s the Empress. She’s found us. You need to get the women and men over here. I can only shield so far.”

  Ry’Ker looked behind to where his men stood guard, their weapons drawn. “Did she see you?”

  “Does it matter? She's here.” Bastian paused and took a step closer. “Get them over here. A sword is no match for her.”

  Ry’Ker opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he noticed several red welts running down Bastian’s side.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Nothing to concern yourself with, Guard. Move them over here now.”

  The seriousness of Si’Bastian’s tone was not lost on him. He’d never seen him more so. He nodded once and then turned to signal his men.

  Rounding back, he expected to find the sensualeer waiting on him but only found empty shadows.

  Ry’Ker watched as his men guided the two women over to where he stood, noticing that the brunette he’d spoken with, Fiona, was studying him.

  Earlier, she’d proven her determination to protect her sister by standing up and speaking for the both of them, and right now, she was reminding him that she hadn’t forgotten his threat of harm.

  They stopped before him at the base of the tree, and Ry’Ker indicated with a swift nod of his head to his men that they could leave them be.

  “Stay within a six-foot radius.”

  With a grunt of understanding, they wandered off, leaving him alone for the first time with the two women.

  “Would you like to sit?” he asked them.

  They both remained silent, standing as he waited, so he reached up and pushed the hood back off his head.

  “I don’t care one way or another, but you may want to get some rest, because as soon as your sisters arrive, we will be heading out.”

  Finally, an expression other than fear flickered across the raven-haired woman’s face. Her eyes rose, and as she looked at him, Ry’Ker felt as though he were being judged.

  He took a step to her and spoke before he’d even realized he’d been about to. “You bear a remarkable resemblance to—”

  “Where’s Bastian?”

  His attention was redirected to the woman who’d interrupted him—Fiona. “He’s around. Right now, I need to talk to you about a few things.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest in a hostile stance. “I’d rather talk to Bastian.”

  That has to be a first, Ry’Ker thought. Then he informed her, “That’s too bad for you.”

  The woman took a step towards him, and again, Ry’Ker had to admire her bravery.

  “Did you hurt him?”

  The question was so absurd that Ry’Ker had trouble trying not to tell her so.

  “No. I did not hurt him.”

  She didn’t look fully convinced, but before continuing, she checked on her silent sister who was still close behind her. When she was satisfied that she was okay, she tried her hand at striking a deal with him.

  “If I talk to you, can we see him?”

  Ry’Ker thought it ironic that he was now reduced to using the sensualeer as a bargaining tool when most people would rather have nothing to do with his kind.

  “I have no control over Si’Bastian.” That much was certainly true.

  “But you know where he is.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her and gave a quick nod. “I can contact him. Yes.”

  She seemed to be deciding if she believed him or not before she said, “Fine. What do you want to know?”

  This time, he moved until they were within touching distance—but he made sure they were not. “You are brave, Fiona Brannigan. For someone at such a disadvantage.”

  She refused to back down, and the intelligent eyes holding his gaze made him wonder what she was thinking. He found that he enjoyed the way she assessed him, and he wondered why he felt that way. He’d never thought himself hungry for attention. But as this woman looked him over, he realized just how long a time had passed since he’d been close to such…softness.

  “I don’t think we’re at a disadvantage. The way I see it,” she told him, “you need us.”

  The clever and cunning way she took his measure made his palms itch, and he became very aware of exactly what was going on. He wanted to touch her.

  “And why would you think that?”

  The tilt of her chin was so arrogant that it actually surprised him before she said quite adamantly, “Bastian told us so.”

  Of course he did, he thought as he gritted his teeth. “Si’Bastian isn’t here. So I suggest you start giving me some answers if you want to see your family again.”

  “You haven’t asked any questions. Are you always so rude around women? Or are we just lucky?”

  Frustrated, he lowered his face over hers. “Where I’m from, there are no women.”

  “Why? Did you kill them all?” she asked, her tone caustic.

  Unexpectedly, the other sister, Audra, gasped softly. He straightened, realizing for the first time just how close he’d gotten to the feisty Brannigan sister. Then he took a step away.

  “No, I did not kill them. The women were banished from L’Mere. It was the only way to ensure our survival.”

  The look she gave him clearly showed her disbelief, but he didn’t have the time to convince her. He needed some answers, and he needed them now.

  “You said your name is Fiona, and she is Audra. You have two other sisters, yes?”

  She seemed to be trying to decide whether or not to tell him the truth, so he chose that moment to inform her that, either way, he would find out the truth.

  “Si’Bastian works for me. If you don’t answer, I will merely have him come and extract it from your mind.”

  Her large, chestnut-colored eyes rounded, and he knew the thought of that did not appeal to her. It also made him aware of exactly how much Si’Bastian had revealed.

  “Yes, we have two other sisters. Naeve and Siobhan.”

  Let’s hope there are two of them by the time Kai arrives. “You are blood sisters. All born of the same mother, on the same day, yes?”

  “Yes. We’re quadruplets.”

  Not familiar with the word, he asked, “Quadruplets?”

  A line formed between her brows, as if she didn’t believe his question, but she answered just the same. “It means the four of us were born just like you said. Minutes apart on the same day.”

  Ry’Ker had been instructed to learn several things once he’d secured the women, and since this one was finally talking, he didn’t plan to waste the opportunity.

  “Your mother is Maeve Brannigan?”

  Fiona’s brow lowered, as she weighed just how much she wanted to reveal.

&nbsp
; “Yes. Is that what this is all about? Our mother?”

  Ry’Ker didn’t offer much in the way of explanation other than, “Yes. The Empress brought you here because of her.”

  Doubt crossed her face as her lips pursed. “I don’t understand. The Empress? Who’s that? And why would she bring us because of our mother? We aren’t…rich.”

  Her voice was starting to tremble, and he could tell by the way she was speaking that she was becoming increasingly upset the more she thought it through. There was nothing he could do for her though. He was only able to reveal what he himself had been told.

  “Your father…” He paused when he saw her stiffen. “Do you know of him?”

  Her jaw ticked, and he knew she was gritting her teeth as she shook her head. “No. Do you?”

  Ry’Ker was positive that she already knew what his answer was going to be. So when he said, “Yes,” he wasn’t surprised that she had no reaction. It wasn’t until he added, “He was a guard here in Arcania, a mortal,” that she spoke.

  “As opposed to…?”

  “Being born of the Guardians.”

  When she opened her mouth to respond, there was a commotion beside them. That was when they both saw that Audra had passed out and was now lying in a dead faint at Fiona’s feet.

  * * *

  Bastian…

  Father, Bastian thought as he finally linked up with Li’Am.

  Tell me. Were you successful?

  He thought about fabricating a story but knew that, in the long run, his father would become aware of the truth, and then whatever punishment he was due would triple in size.

  We were. We have two of the women secured and are now waiting on Kai, who has the others.

  There was a very distinct pause—one which spoke volumes. Then his father asked, Why the separation, Bastian? I told you to watch them. What happened?

  I let them out of my sight for—

  His father’s infuriated thought cut into his own. Si’Bastian. This should have been simple. Find them and shield them. Instead, two of them are in the hands of Mala’Kai.

  Bastian scowled. They are perfectly safe.

  Says who? You?

  Finding he had nothing to say, he decided to leave the lingering disappointment where it always was—hanging between the two of them.

  Is there anything else, father? Bastian thought the word with such derision that he swore he heard a sound of disgust from the other man.

  When will you head out?

  Your head guard says as soon as Mala’Kai arrives.

  Which is when?

  Within the hour.

  There was a strained silence, and then he heard, And Seraphine?

  She was here.

  Again, the tension returned as his father’s mind wandered to his youngest sister, and Bastian got a flash of the Empress as the young girl she’d once been. She had braided, black hair, wide, guileless, blue eyes, and a smile so sweet for her brother—before the image was shut down, and in its place was a void. A deep, dark void his father now associated with her.

  Were any of my men injured?

  Bastian looked down his body to the raised welts on his skin, but he knew his father wasn’t referring to him—he was asking after his guards. So, knowing there was no reason to mention the only injury on hand, Bastian instead responded, No, and shut down the link.

  He slouched against the tree, high atop the guards below, and observed the way they stood around while talking. He knew that, if he were to join them, the camaraderie would cease instantly. So he remained where he was, used to watching from a distance.

  The moment he’d been born, his father had him locked away. Even though killing his mother during his birth hadn’t been his fault, the markings his skin bore had only solidified a crazed man’s belief.

  At thirteen, he’d gathered the courage to ask if he could leave his chambers, but his father had told him no. The only explanation he’d been given was: “It’s for the protection of the real men, Si’Bastian—my kind.”

  Never once had Li’Am shown concern for his son. Not the small, frightened boy who hadn’t understood, and certainly not for the grown sensualeer.

  Why would it be any different now?

  The answer was simple: It wouldn’t be.

  * * *

  Naeve studied the rope stretching across the running water and wondered exactly how she was going to do this. Kai had explained it all very clearly, but she still couldn’t quite comprehend that he expected her to crawl across a river he’d said was deadly.

  Well, yeah. You fall in there and you can pretty much guarantee you won’t be coming up for air.

  As she heard him climbing the tree, she turned her head and saw the way he’d tied his cape so Siobhan’s cheek was pressed to his back and her limp arms and legs hung out the sides.

  Huh. Maybe he is here to help.

  When he reached where she was sitting, clinging to the branch as if her life depended on it, he swung a long, muscled leg over the thick bough and rested his palms between his thighs. Apparently, climbing trees was an everyday thing to this guy.

  Along with shooting bows and arrows.

  “Why are you here?” She hadn’t meant to blurt the words out, but the more she stared at the enigma opposite her, the more curious she became.

  Why was a man like him sent for four harmless women?

  He didn’t answer at first. Instead, he took his time perusing her with his grey eyes and then replied, “Someone…requested it.”

  “Someone?” Naeve questioned, skeptical.

  “Yes,” he said but didn’t elaborate as he reached above himself to tug on the rope, making sure it was still secure. “Stand up.”

  Still caught up in her thoughts, Naeve did as instructed without even thinking. She balanced herself on the rough bark behind her.

  “Someone like…?”

  Kai shut his eyes briefly, let out a deep sigh, and then reopened them. “This is not the time for more questions. We need to get across this river—alive. Then we need to reach your sisters. They are just beyond that bank.”

  Naeve looked out across the water and then back to him. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  The need for information disappeared, and in its place was the will to survive long enough to get to Fiona and Audra. The only thing that stood in her way? The deadly, rushing water.

  Gathering her courage, she took the rope between her hands and then realized as soon as she raised her legs that her skirt was going to—

  “Come here.” The order was issued in a gruff tone.

  As she studied his serious face, Kai didn’t offer any other explanation. He just waited as if it were her choice on what she was going to do.

  Hesitantly, she moved towards him and stopped. He fingered the bottom of her dress, and then raised his eyes to her.

  “If this is not an undergarment, what do you call it?”

  It was such an odd question to ask as she stood there in front of him, getting ready to do the most dangerous thing she’d ever done. But as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth, she found herself answering.

  “It’s a sundress.”

  He rubbed the white cotton between his gloved fingers, and Naeve caught herself holding her breath. She’d been frightened earlier of what he was going to do when he’d been touching her. But as he sat there at her feet, she found herself scared of him letting go because that would mean she had to face potential death.

  He ran his fingers along the hem, and when he got to the middle, he gripped it and she swallowed hard. What is he going to do? Rip it off me?

  But he didn’t do that. He actually shocked her by pulling the material back between her legs and reaching around to grab the other side. Before she knew it, he was tying the fabric quickly and efficiently, effectively changing her dress to a pair of shorts.

  “There. Now, hook your ankles over the rope, little rabbit, and climb across the water. I’ll be right behind you.”

&n
bsp; That small gesture, one that made this entire ordeal a little less awkward than it had to be, gave Naeve back a tiny sliver of the hope she’d lost.

  Maybe…just maybe, he was the kind of man he’d said he was and he’d get her back to her sisters as promised.

  She’d done it.

  As Naeve let her legs drop down to the ground and planted her boots on the grass, she released the rope and looked back to see Kai only seconds behind. Unlike she had, he was moving fast, and he’d been on her heels—literally—before she’d known it. He’d secured the cape with Siobhan inside, and it was being tugged along behind by his foot. When he reached her, he grabbed the knife from his waist and used it to cut the cord that had fastened his boot to the black material.

  Taking a stance similar to hers, he asked, “Are you okay?”

  She nodded as he untied the sling he’d made for Siobhan. Instead of wrapping her and securing her to his back again, he hefted her sister fireman-style over his free shoulder. Unexpectedly, Naeve found herself laughing, relieved to discover she remembered how.

  “Is something amusing?”

  As her shoulders shook with hilarity, she wondered if maybe she was starting to lose it. When she didn’t answer, her hulking companion moved towards her and repeated the question.

  Naeve got the impression that Kai didn’t enjoy being the butt of the joke. In fact, he didn’t look like he knew the meaning of the word ‘joke.’ With his serious expression that usually shifted from unsmiling to horrifying, Kai looked like he hadn’t enjoyed himself in a long time.

  “I was just thinking how much Siobhan would hate to be carted around like that.”

  He clamped a thick arm across the back of her sister’s thighs and shrugged his large shoulders. “Until she can wake and tell me otherwise, this is the easiest way to move her.”

  She smiled. “Oh, I don’t care.”

  He strode to her, his brows furrowed as he asked, “You wish her to be upset?”

  “Well…no,” she answered, unable to help the mischief that prompted her to add, “but I’d settle for irritated.”