Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

Lucenna secretly smiled to herself as she watched Dyna take Cassiel’s hand and lead him upstairs. Well, she shouldn’t expect her to return to their shared room tonight. Finally.

“Lucenna.” Klyde leaned against the doorframe leading to the dining hall, his arms and ankles crossed.

She was staring at him too, soaking in his every visible feature.

He had bathed, cut his mangy hair and shaved. He looked different out of his mercenary coat. He stood tall in black pants and a loose white shirt with the sleeves rolled over his bulky biceps. Her gaze lingered on the glimpse of his chest left visible that gave all kinds of hints about the defined muscles hidden underneath. Not that she didn’t already know what he looked like without a shirt, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t admire it.

He cleaned up nice, but if she had to admit it, she preferred the rugged look.

“You look undeniably exquisite this evening.” Heat radiated from Klyde’s gaze as it drifted from her face to what she wore. His blue eyes penetrating as if he could see right through her. “No better way to entice a man than with a dress.”

“Not that I care to entice anyone.” Lucenna crossed her arms. “Don’t think you had any influence in what I decided to wear tonight.”

He flashed her a smile before taking a drink from a tankard. “Then what did I have an influence on?”

“Besides my growing revulsion, absolutely nothing.”

“Oh, witty.” His smile grew into a grin, putting those damn dimples on display. “Someone is in a mood.”

Rolling her eyes, Lucenna pointedly turned her back and searched through the many faces in the crowd. She fidgeted with her ring, twisting it around finger as she pretended not to be aware of the mercenary still standing behind her. Guilt twisted through her because until Dyna mentioned it, she hadn’t thought of Everest in days. It wasn’t right, and yet she couldn’t help that her awareness heightened to Klyde’s presence still lingering behind her.

“If you’re searching for Lord Norrlen, he left a little earlier,” he said. “Mentioned something about the noise being too much for his ears.”

So much for that.

Lucenna would rather not be stuck in a crowd where she knew no one, but she also didn’t want to tuck tail in front of Klyde.

“Captain, you were to wear your best for this evening’s festivities,” Eagon said as he passed by. “Where’s your cravat?”

“Respectfully, up your arse, mate. I refuse to wear that frilly thing.”

The men hooted with laughter.

A glance around showed they had cleaned up tonight. And by the way they were flocking to the women, she guessed this was more than a simple celebration. The music picked up and she followed the sound to the grand hall. Couples danced in twirling paces across the room. It brought a smile to her face as she remembered the balls once held in Castle Ophyr.

“That’s a rare sight.”

“What is?” Lucenna asked absentmindedly.

“Your smile.” At the suppleness of Klyde’s tone, she immediately looked up at him. Really, looked up. She was reminded how much taller he was. And big. “Do you want to dance?” he asked.

It took her a moment to comprehend what Klyde said. Her gaze skittered over his arms to his hands, imagining them on her. The thought elicited a curl of heat in her stomach.

Lucenna turned away. “I do.”

She took the offered hand of the mercenary who approached her, and let him pull her into the throng. Her body moved with the sway of the music.

The mercenary twirled her around, bringing her flush against him. “You dance very well,” he said. “We met before, if you recall. My name is—”

Lucenna leaned her head back to whisper intimately close to his mouth. “I don’t care. Spin me.”

She knew Klyde was watching. She felt the touch of his gaze as she moved. With every turn, she caught glimpses of him leaning against the wall, those dark eyes on her. The nameless man held her close enough to make her stiffen. She glanced past his shoulder only to find Klyde gone from his spot. Well, it wasn’t as if he would watch her all night.

“Another one?” the mercenary asked when the song ended.

She plastered a smile on her face to answer him with some excuse. A large, warm hand grabbed hers, and she was twirled into another set of arms.

“She’s with me, Olyver.” Klyde’s hard claim vibrated where her hands rested on his chest.

“Aye, Captain. Pardon.”

Lucenna glared up at him. “Since when am I with you?”

His cool blue eyes slid to hers and one end of his mouth curved with the hint of a smile that was both dark and intense.

“We can pretend that little display wasn’t for me, but if you kept dancing with him the way you were, I would have to consider breaking his legs.” He raised their linked hands and his other slid to the small of her back as the next song started. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric. The sensation shot currents up her spine. He purred in her ear and she felt the husky words lick up her spine, “But I would rather have my hands on you.”

Klyde drew her into a dance, and she followed his lead.

For once, Lucenna chose to forget her reservations.

She danced with the man she shouldn’t, even knowing it was dangerous. Still, at this moment she didn’t care. Klyde was in control of the rhythm. Her arms ended around his neck, his fingers gliding up her waist. The curve of her hips moved with each of his smooth movements, in constant harmony. Their eyes stayed on each other through every turn. His thigh slid between her legs as they swayed intimately closer. The sensuality of it was so incredibly arousing she could hardly breathe. Klyde hitched her leg up his thigh as he dipped her with effortless strength. He drew her back and their foreheads met. The song ended and a cheer broke out from everyone who’d been watching. They breathed heavily, their eyes trained on each other. He was so close, she breathed in the scent of him coming off his pores and it was all forest, sea, and masculinity. Her treacherous eyes fell to his soft lips a mere breath away from hers.

And she wanted…simply wanted.

Lucenna peeled her eyes away from his and stepped back, breaking whatever madness had fallen over her. “It’s-it’s hot in here. I need some air.”

She hurried away from him. Practically ran from the way her heart was beating in her chest as if it wanted to break free. Pushing through the crowd, she rushed through the courtyard doors into the chill. She leaned against the wall, breathing in the icy air as the wind quickly cooled the sweat on her skin.

What was she doing? The moonlight glittered over the pink diamond on her finger and she felt its shackle tighten. Groaning, Lucenna closed her eyes. She’d forgotten the one who needed to drop his walls was him, not her.

“Gods, it’s colder than a troll’s scat out here.”

Lucenna’s eyes flew open as Klyde approached holding two steaming mugs.

He handed her one. “Here. This will warm you up.”

She hesitated a second before taking it. A sniff and taste confirmed it was cider. He nodded for her to join him at the one of the bonfires built in the courtyard. A few other people were out there, chatting among themselves, some gazing up at the blue and green firelights floating away into the night sky.

Lucenna smiled to herself, glad to see Dyna and Cassiel had made up. Klyde led her to an unoccupied bonfire. They sat and he slipped his jacket on her, then he grabbed the blanket she hadn’t noticed he carried and wrapped it around their shoulders.

“I don’t know why you like this weather.” Lucenna took a drink, pretending not to notice how close he was. He’d chosen to sit on the side that blocked most of the frigid air again.

Klyde’s head tipped back, lashes casting shadows on his cheeks as he breathed in the night. He looked perfectly at ease. “I never said I did. Between you and me, I could do without ever living with snow. What’s it like in the Magos Empire?”

Her gaze fixed on the flames. “A lot warmer than here.”

“I imagine so, being in the north. You’re quite far from your homeland.”

Lucenna drank more to avoid answering because she didn’t know if Magos was her home anymore. It’s where she belonged and where her brother waited, and where many women lived who had no choice. Home was supposed to be a place of refuge, and she had none of that there.

“Do you miss it?”

“No,” Lucenna admitted quietly. “That place…”

These were her secrets, a personal darkness that she wanted to keep hidden. Klyde shifted his body to face hers, his expression open and waiting to accept whatever she had to say because that’s what he had always done. Even when she pushed back and hit with both words and magic, he took it all in. As if he knew she needed it.

“That place isn’t for women like me,” she said to the fire. “To be a sorceress is to be locked away in a dark room like treasure if you’re fortunate, or traded and beaten like livestock if you’re not. But we are seen as no more than vessels for them to take and take until we’re hollow.” Her hand drifted to the Lunar Medallion, and she gripped it tight enough to feel the diamonds prick her fingers. “We’re stripped of all power if we ever think of using it. Killed if we attempt to leave. I risked my life escaping that prison to change that. I want to break everything they stand for. I have to.” Her vision blurred and she fought the tremble in her voice. “Because if I don’t, it means my mother died for nothing. But I’m stuck right here. I’m stuck.”

Lucenna didn’t quite know why she told him that.

It simply poured out and kept coming until she was crying. Klyde only looked at her with a gentleness she couldn’t stand. His warm hand cupped her cheek, turning it to him. The moonlight reflected in his eyes. There was something fractured in them, like a crushed crystal.

When he spoke, each word was soft falling like breeze on the sea. “It’s natural to feel as though you’re not in the right place. Life tends to make us feel like we should be somewhere else than where we find ourselves. This may not be the place you planned to be, but I believe those are the times we are exactly where we are meant to.” His thumb wiped away her tears, leaving behind a tingle on her skin. “Even if we don’t know it yet.”

Lucenna didn’t look away from his face as she listened to his voice. She felt warmer for some reason. Snow began to gently fall like endless dandelion wishes.

He watched her with a soft smile. “Home is sometimes where you make it. Other times, it finds you. One day, however it comes to be, I have no doubt you will have that, moonlit lass.”

The sound of the new name was a strike of lightning, sending her heart thundering behind her ribs. For a moment he simply gazed at her, his blue eyes spellbinding and brimming with unsaid things.

“How will I know when I found it?” she asked faintly.

“When you feel safe.”

All her life, she never had that. Every day had been a constant strive to survive, and to fight for that survival. Lucenna couldn’t think of the last time she felt safe—until now, in this courtyard sitting with this man by the fire. The one who looked at her the way he always did. Not like a source of power or the means to fulfill some other need. But like he could truly see past her magic, past her anger, and saw something he found beautiful.

She liked it.

And it was wrong.

Lucenna ducked her head. The movement removed his hold and her hair slipped down her shoulder, creating a silvery curtain between them. “Safety doesn’t exist for the sorceresses of Magos.”

“Where there is oppression, there will always be those who stand against it,” Klyde said. “I imagine you’re not alone in your mission.”

“I am…part of the Liberation,” she admitted. “But until I return with what I need to overthrow the Archmage, there isn’t much they can do than try to discreetly help as much as possible. They used to help women escape, but that ended when Enforcers began hunting us. Most are not brought back, those who are end up siphoned.”

He stiffened, the line of his shoulders suddenly tense and rigid, his jaw tight. “Mages are more powerful?”

She smirked bitterly. “When there are laws preventing us from learning magic, it’s difficult to defend yourself let alone hide. The fact that I can use mine is a rare but fortunate exception. I must always be careful to never leave a trace of magic in the air because they can sense it and use it to track me.”

Klyde fell quiet, a pensive look on his face. “That’s why you cloaked Skelling Rise.”

She nodded. “No magic can be sensed outside of it and it will never fall as long as the spell isn’t broken. I will remove it once we leave.”

“Don’t,” he said. “Contact your Liberation and tell them to send your people here.”

Lucenna gaped at him. “Here?”

“Aye, you cloaked an entire town on the other side of the country. One that has a sixty-foot stone wall, plenty of space, and is guarded by a band of mercenaries. This is the perfect place to hide.”

“But why…why would you do that?”

“Like I said, there are those who will always fight. It may not be much towards change, but offering shelter, this I can do.”

Lucenna felt like she might weep again. This would make Skelling Rise the next sanctuary. A place where her people could be safe. He didn’t understand how much that meant to her. She covered her mouth, breathing a shocked laugh. She wasn’t sure how Klyde would manage it, but—

She looked up and meet the bluest eyes gazing at her with a soft smile, and she grinned because she couldn’t help it anymore.

“When?” Lucenna found herself asking. She was shaking, holding her breath.

“Whenever they can come,” he said. “The journey might have to wait until after winter, but give your Liberation the news, so they can prepare.”

Lucenna was already standing before he finished speaking. “Come with me,” she said excitedly. “We’ll do it now.”

Klyde didn’t hesitate. They left their empty tankards by the fire, then he followed her back to the manor, and she ran up the stairs. Her heel caught on the hem of her dress.

Klyde caught her elbow and she was hauled onto his shoulder without missing a step. “Watch your step, my lady.”

Lucenna laughed. She might be a little drunk. “Put me down.”

“I don’t want to.”

And for some reason, Lucenna had no complaint. Klyde carried her the rest of the way and set her down outside of her bedroom.

She grabbed the door handle but paused. “Should I be concerned that you know where I sleep?”

He only gave her a sly smile.

It occurred to her the way she told him to follow her could be taken differently. “I hope you didn’t misunderstand this as some sordid invitation to my bed.”

Klyde stepped toward her, making her back flatten against the door. His large body caged her against it, his palms flattening on either side of her head. He leaned down close enough that his breath blew across her collarbone. “Love, that is one thing I won’t ever misunderstand. The day I’m invited to your bed is because you made it very clear you want me there.”

Heat flamed from her face to her stomach, falling somewhere she hadn’t felt it in a long time. If she wasn’t already supported, her legs might have wobbled. “You can’t say those things to me, Klyde.” She should have shouted it at him, but her voice came out like a weak whisper.

“Why?” he murmured back.

“Because it’s inappropriate. I’m promised to another.”

His eyes darted to her hand where the diamond glinted. It suddenly felt like it was the size of a mountain between them. But Klyde remained standing close as they looked at each other silently. The air was thick, the space between them thin enough for her to feel his body heat.

After another pause, he took a step back and she could finally breathe. Blindly searching for the doorknob, Lucenna quickly opened the door. It swung open and she backed inside. Better she focused on what they came to do.

“I brought you here so we could speak to Lucien. He will pass on your offer to the Liberation, and they will decide how to proceed.” She went to her vanity where her orb rested in its bronze stand. “Have you seen one of these before?”

“Aye, I know what an orb is, lass.”

Her mind immediately locked on the change of moniker. It wasn’t formal, yet he had created distance with only one word.

It’s what she wanted, so why did she feel…upset by it?

She took a seat and Klyde lowered his large frame into the extra chair next to hers. He casually leaned back in a lounging position, but the line of his shoulders was stiff as though uncomfortable. Maybe bringing him here was too inappropriate.

Lucenna lifted her leg to unfasten her heels. The slit of her dress parted and the fabric slipped away from her thigh. He followed the moment, his eyes trailing down the length of leg and lingering on her feet. Ignoring the heat rising to her cheeks, she quickly adjusted her dress and sat straight.

Clearing her throat, Lucenna peered into the orb. “Hopefully, Lucien is still awake,” she said, concentrating on connecting with his Essence.

“Is Lucien the one you’re promised to?” Klyde asked, flipping open one of her magic books.

She balked. “What? No.” The question interrupted her focus and the growing fog within the orb vanished. “He’s my brother.”

“I see.” Klyde picked up a piece of embroidered fabric she had been sewing runes into. “Do you call each other often?”

“Nearly so.” She snatched it away. “Don’t touch that.”

Klyde crossed his arms. “And how often do you speak to your betrothed?”

She narrowed her eyes at the turn of his interrogation. “I don’t see how that is any of your concern.”

He chuckled, but it didn’t sound amused. “I was merely wondering.”

“About what?”

“About why you left him? I assume he isn’t like the other mages.”

“He’s not,” Lucenna said coolly. “I didn’t leave him because I wanted to. I told you why I’m here.”

Klyde hummed and one dimple winked at the hitch of his mouth. “No need to get feisty, lass. Who am I to question a man for leaving his woman unprotected?”

“I can protect myself,” she hissed. “You don’t know anything about Everest. He has other duties.”

The dip in his mouth curled. “Ever-est—pretentious name, if I may say so.”

“Because yours is exponentially better?”

Klyde opened his mouth, then closed. One of his hands dragged down his face, as thought to wipe away some emotion she didn’t understand. “Since this Everest isn’t here, I take it those aforementioned duties are more important than you? Does he at least call to see how you are?”

“He can’t, if you must know.” Even Lucenna could hear her defensive tone. She forced herself to speak more evenly. “Due to his station, we cannot communicate. I haven’t spoken to him in four years. We will reunite when it’s all over.”

Klyde straightened and something shifted in him. His eyes marked the change—shadows weaving through the depths of blue. His mouth curled into a harsh sneer of disgust. “You mean to tell me, you have been on your own for years, risking your life for the betterment of your people, and he doesn’t bother to see you out of concern for his station?”

Lucenna’s reply stalled on her tongue, the question leaving her stunned. It made her mind start turning in a way she didn’t like. He doesn’t know anything about them to make such assumptions.

“Lucien said it was for my safety.” It was her defense, but her words came out quiet, unsure. He was confusing her.

“It sounds to me like this Everest has forgotten you, lass,” Klyde gritted out. “The only thing your brother is protecting is the delusional lie you tell yourself.”

“How dare you!” She leaped to her feet. It was one thing to question her engagement but to also insinuate it was imaginary sent anger and humiliation rushing through her. “I don’t need to explain my relationship to you. Why do you even care?”

His eyes hardened, the blues deep and dark and threaded with frustration. Tension rose in the room as they glared at each other. Lucenna braced herself for a fight but then the stiffness melts from his shoulders, and his face softens with something else that made her still.

“Do you truly not know the answer to that, Lucenna?” The sound of her name in his guttural voice stole all of her focus on his mouth, reading the shape of them.

He stood, forcing her to look up at him. He was serious and earnest like only Klyde could ever be, and something surges in her. He stepped forward, bringing himself so close there was no air in the space between them.

His next words fell like a soft thrum against her pulse. “If you had mine, I know for certain I wouldn’t waste time speaking to you through an orb, or searching all of Urn for you.” He cupped her cheek again and his thumb caressed the edge of her mouth. Her stomach dipped, fluttering. All of her so aware of his warm fingers, his face so close. His eyes were on hers, so endlessly blue, roving over her face. And his next words where a soft murmur on her cheek. “Because I never would have let you go the first place.”

Her heart…it seemed to swell in her chest. Then it crashed inside of her like thunder when his eyes fell to her lips. He was going to kiss her. She saw the intent in his lidded gaze. He hands fell to her waist, cascading shivers throughout her body. And Lucenna didn’t move.

He leaned, waited, breathed.

His mouth was a hairsbreadth away from hers. The energy of it a promise of a waiting kiss.

And she wanted it.

Wanted it so much.

Because she knew, sensed—to be kissed by Klyde would change her. Because it would be something magnificent and enthralling, lush and terrifying. She could feel it there on the tip of her tongue. What it would taste like to have his mouth meet hers. Like mint and sweetness and a flavor that was only him.

But Lucenna placed her hand on his chest. It hardly had any pressure. He could have closed the distance if he wanted, stolen that kiss, and she would have let him.

Yet Klyde held still. Obeying.

Because he would never take what wasn’t given.

“I think you should go…” Lucenna whispered, closing her eyes.

Klyde stood there for a second, then a few more. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel his gaze on her. Then he stepped back, cool air falling in his place.

When the door shut quietly behind him, Lucenna lifted her trembling fingers to her lips where the energy of his mouth still lingered. She closed her eyes again, feeling guilty for wanting…and for wishing she didn’t have to stop.