Defiance Rising (17 page)

Bastien runs his hands through his hair.
 
I try not to stare at the cascade of black hair that falls back into place.
 
When Toren catches me watching, I clear my throat and head deeper into the cave where darkness can hide my telling blush.

I listen to the shuffling feet behind me and smile at the murmured curses coming from Bastien.
 
“Oh yeah, watch your head.
 
The ceiling dips down here.”

“Could’ve told me that earlier,” Bastien grumbles from the back of the line.

I grin and quicken my pace.
 
I can tell by the way that the blackness turns to charcoal gray that we are getting close.
 
Two more bends and it will be a straight shot to the Temple.
 

Fifteen

The air feels cold as I rush around the corner and sprint the final leg into the flickering light of the domed Temple.
 
I skid to a halt and appraise the scene before me.
 
Children mill around, some lying on their bellies playing Aeon’s Rifta game using dried tree bark, splintered sticks, scavenged acorns and no small amount of cheating.
 
I’ve always been an excellent player, which is probably why none of the children challenge me anymore.
 

I look about me, scanning the crowd for Eamon.
 
I expected to be yanked into a crushing bear hug by now, but he is nowhere to be found.
 
This worries me.
 

The rustle of fabric alerts me to Aminah’s approach before her ice-cold fingers wrap around my arm.
 
“Where’s Eamon?” I ask.

“He said he’d wait for you in the armory.”

I frown.
 
“Why isn’t he here to greet me?”

Aminah sighs and motions for me to sit with her.
 
Apprehension begins to worm through my belly.
 
The pinched skin around her eyes worries me, but no more so than the slight waver in her voice.
 
“He was beside himself last night when he returned without you.
 
It was all Toren could do to talk him into resting before going back out at first light.”

I look across the Temple to the tunnel leading to the blackberry path beyond.
 
“Why does he feel guilty?
 
It wasn’t his fault we were ambushed.”

“You know Eamon,” Aminah whispers, leaning against my shoulder.
 
“He’s always been so protective of you.
 
He feels like it’s his fault the aliens found you.”

I curl my knees up into my chest.
 
The unfamiliar alien garb billows over my legs despite how tightly I’ve cinched it around my waist.
 
“There’s nothing he could have done.”

Aminah nods.
 
“He knows that, but knowing the truth and accepting it are two different things.”

I run my hands through my hair, wincing at the mass of tangles Toren’s run left behind.
 
I look beyond Toren to Bastien, who hovers just on the edge of the shadows lining the tunnel.
 
He watches me with obvious discomfort, but I can’t tell if it’s for my benefit or because the entire room has fallen into a stunned silence at his arrival.

“Eamon’s gonna be furious when he finds out you’ve brought him here,” Aminah warns, following my gaze.

“I didn’t have a choice.
 
I couldn’t just leave Bastien out there.”

“I understand that, but Eamon won’t.”

I grimace.
 
“Guess I’d better get this over with.”

I help Aminah to her feet and turn to Bastien.
 
“You good here for a few minutes?”

He shrugs and leans back against the wall, feigning an air of indifference now.
 
He may fool everyone else but I know he’s about two seconds from turning and racing back to his own cave.
 
I start toward him but Aminah’s hand falls on my arm.

“My name’s Aminah.
 
The grumpy one is my boyfriend.”
 
She jerks her head toward Toren then smiles warmly at Bastien and steps forward to shake his hand.
 
“I’m sure you’d like a quick tour to get a feel of our home.”
 

Toren’s reluctance doesn’t go unnoticed by Bastien or me, but I let it slide.
 
Obviously, I’m not done fighting for Bastien’s right to be here.
 
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I pull Aminah up close.
 
“Try to keep Zahra distracted until I return.”

“Too late,” Toren mutters and I turn to see Zahra weaving her way across the crowded Temple.
 

I inwardly groan as Bastien does a double take.
 
Zahra shoves a teenage boy out of her way and flashes Bastien a smile that would curl any man’s toes.
 
I roll my eyes and snap my fingers in front of Bastien.
 
He blinks and refocuses on me.
 
“You might want to grab a cloth, big boy.
 
You’ve got a bit of drool running down your chin.”

His smirk is as automatic as it is predictable.
 
“Do I detect an air of jealousy, Princess?”

“Not at all.”
 
I shoot him a wicked grin.
 
“But you should know she’s like a hyena in heat, and you’re fresh meat.”

Bastien rubs his chin, no doubt worried there may be some truth to my quip.
 
“Interesting imagery.”

Aminah yanks me away as Zahra swoops in.
 
“Eamon, remember?”

I grit my teeth as Zahra offers her hand to Bastien, batting her lashes for all they’re worth.
 
My stomach rolls with disgust, so I force my attention away.
 
“Right.
 
I’ll be back, but I expect a full rundown of what’s happened since I left.
 
Don’t think I’ve forgotten your little mind chat, missy.”

Aminah’s smile wanes as she darts a glance at Toren.
 
He passes an equally loaded glance back before nodding.
 
“When you return.”

Weaving my way quickly across the Temple, I try to ignore the high pitched giggling that echoes behind me.
 
I hunch my shoulders and pound my boots harder than necessary.

It’s a good thing he likes Zahra.
 
Less complication for my life,
I chant silently.
 

I reach the far end of the Temple and skirt along the outer rim of the room, politely nodding at my fellow hunters who rise up to welcome me home.
 
I catch a glimpse of Zahra’s hand pressed against Bastien’s chest.
 
When she pushes her lips out into a pout and begins winding her blond tresses around her finger, I turn away and force myself to ignore the unusual pangs of jealousy that stab at me.

“So much for not letting him get to me,” I mutter as I slip into the far tunnel and hurry past the flickering torches.
 
I’m not really sure if I’m running toward Eamon or away from Bastien.

Soon I have to pause to let my eyes adjust to the pitch darkness.
 
My fingers trail over the damp stone, cold and achingly familiar.
 
It’s good to be home.
 
I only wish home hadn’t become such a place of emotional turmoil.

I count out my steps silently in my head and approach our pathetically under stocked armory.
 
The air takes on a chill as I approach the offshoot toward the Cascades.
 
I long to take a dip beneath the icy waters, to wash away my pain and uncertainty.
 
The two offshoots to the right would lead me on a daylong journey into the depths of the cavern system and ultimately lead me to a dead end.
 

I step through the open doorway into the armory and spy Eamon sitting near the rear of the long room, his shoulders hunched over.
 
I know he can hear my approach, but he makes no move to acknowledge me.
 

“Eamon?” My call reverberates through the nearly empty space.
 
He leans his head back, disappearing into the shadows, but remains silent.
 
“Aminah told me you would be here.”

His exhales a heavy sigh as I sink down a foot away.
 

I wait for him to speak.
 
My anxiety begins to swell into frustration as the impatient part of me wants to scream at him to get over whatever he’s dealing with and just come clean.

The more sensitive side of me thankfully wins over.

I reach out my hand and gently let it rest on his forearm. The muscles under my palm clench violently, but I grip his arm to prevent him from pulling away.

“You have to talk to me at some point.”

“Don’t.” Eamon growls and shoves my hand away.
 
“Don’t try to tell me none of this was my fault.
 
I’ve heard it from Toren and Aminah.
 
I know what happened out there.”

“So do I.”
 
I scoot forward so that my knee brushes his leg.
 
“We were ambushed, Eamon.
 
That happens in war.”

“I should’ve whistled for you sooner.
 
I knew I was pushing our time limit to get home but I wanted to wait a few more minutes.”
 
He groans and presses his head back against the stone.
 
“If I’d followed the plan, none of this would have happened.”

“Hey,” I whisper, rising onto my knees.
 
I place my hands on his arms, waiting for him to look at me.
 
“You did exactly what you should’ve done.
 
What I would’ve done if I’d taken point.
 
It’s who we are, Eamon.”

He shakes his head.
 
“I put your life in danger.”

“We’re all in danger.”
 
My fingers tighten around his arm.
 
“I’m not a child that needs protecting anymore, Eamon.
 
I can take care of myself.”

“I know.”
 
He sighs heavily.
 
Judging by the way his shoulders sag, he really does know.
 
“If something had happened to you…”

I reach out and pull his face closer to mine, drawing him from the shadow so I can see him.
 
“I’m fine.
 
See?”

He reaches out his hands, his fingers dancing across my face and down to my shoulder.
 
He nods, closing his eyes.
 
“I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too.” I smile.
 
“I never thought I’d say this, but I actually missed this place.”

“And me?”
 
He drops his gaze.

I laugh and punch him in the arm.
 
“Of course, you.
 
You’re my best friend!”

Eamon’s brow furrows as he nods and stares at the floor.
 
My laughter falters as his Adam’s apple bobs.
 
“Eamon?
 
What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.
 
It’s just”

“Illyria?”
 
I turn at Toren’s call as he ducks into the armory.
 
He comes up short when he sees us sitting close together in the dark.
 
Clearing his throat, he turns and faces the wall instead.
 
“Sorry.
 
I just thought you might like to know dinner is ready.
 
After the kids are in bed we will talk about what’s going to happen with Bastien.”

Eamon stiffens beside me.
 
“That guy from the City?”

I wince and toss a murderous glare at Toren.
 
“Thanks a lot,” I mutter as he turns and heads back to the temple.

“What’s he talking about, Illyria?”

I sigh and rise to my feet.
 
Eamon quickly follows suit.
 
I start to speak but think better of it.
 
Instead I just shake my head.
 
“Might as well get this over with, too.”