Мария Снайдер - Fire Study - Study 03

Before the Ambassador could dismiss me, I said, “I have something for the Commander.”

She looked at me expectantly.

“It’s with your guard. He wouldn’t let me bring it in.”

Rising from her desk, she opened the door and returned with the King’s sword.

“May I speak to the Commander?” I asked.

The transformation from the Ambassador to the Commander happened in a heartbeat. Even the physical features changed from a woman to a man. I had seen it before, but this time I watched with my other sight. It revealed much.

“What is this for?” the Commander asked. He studied the weapon in his hand.

“Cahil is returning it to you. You won the right to wield it over seventeen years ago.”

A thoughtful expression settled on his face as he placed the sword on the desk. “Cahil. What should I do about him?”

I told the Commander about his plans. “He could cause trouble for you in the future, although I hope my efforts will change his mind.”

“I know Valek would be happy to assassinate him.” He considered that scenario. “But he might prove useful, especially in dealing with the younger generation.” He saw my confused frown. “It’ll give them something to do.”

“Or give them someone to rally behind.”

“All part of the fun, I suppose. Is that all?”

“No.” I gave the Commander one of Opal’s glass animals.

He admired the tree leopard and thanked me for the gift.

“The glow you see is magic,” I said.

His gaze pierced me and I felt his sense of betrayal as if I poisoned him. He placed the statue on the desk. I explained why he could view the fire.

“I can see two souls within your body. Your mother didn’t want to leave you alone when she died so she stayed with you. Her magic lets you see the glow. And it’s her fear of discovery that has made you afraid of magic in all its forms.”

Commander Ambrose held his body as if any movement would crack it into a thousand pieces. “How do you know this?”

“I’m a Soulfinder. I find lost souls and send them to the sky. Does she want to go? Do you want her to go?”

“I don’t know. I…”

“Think about it. You know where to find me. There’s no time limit.”

I glanced back before I left. He stared at the tree leopard, lost in his thoughts.

Night had fallen while I talked with the Commander. Walking across the silent campus, I inhaled the warm breeze, soaking in the smells of life and the feel of air on my skin. I scanned my surroundings, searching for some sign of Valek.

Irys had lit all the lanterns in her tower. Even though she had given me three floors of the structure for my use, I found myself thinking about a salary, and my mind drifted to Valek’s cottage in the Featherstone lands. It would be nice to be close to Kiki and get away from the Council’s and Commander’s politics each night. The cottage was near the Ixian border, too. It would be neutral territory.

A place of my own. I couldn’t claim any room, cell or dwelling as my own. It would be the first time. My excitement grew.

I trudged up three floors of the tower to my bedroom. The sparse furnishings and layer of dust made for an unwelcoming sight, although the bedding was fresh.

I opened the shutters to let in clean air and felt a presence behind me. Without turning, I demanded, “What took you so long?”

Valek pressed against my back. His arms wrapped around my stomach. “I could ask you the same thing.” He spun me to face him. “I didn’t want to share you, love. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

He leaned in and kissed me. I drank in his essence, it soothed my soul.

Eventually, I pulled away, and laid my head on his chest, content to just feel his heartbeat against my cheek.

“That’s the second time I lost you,” he said. “You would think it would be easier, but I couldn’t douse the burning pain. I felt like my heart had been pierced by a spit and was cooking over a fire.”

His arms tightened around me as if he worried I would slip from his grip. “I would beg you to promise never to disappear again, but I know you won’t.”

“I can’t. Just like you can’t promise to stop being loyal to the Commander. We both have other duties.”

He huffed with amusement. “We could retire.”

“From being a Liaison, but not a Soulfinder. There are many lost souls to guide.”

Ever the analyst, Valek drew back enough to study me. “How many? It’s been a hundred-and-twenty-five years since Sitia crisped the last Soulfinder. Hundreds?”

“I don’t know. The Soulfinders documented in the history books were really Soulstealers. Guyan could have been the only one in the last two thousand years. Bain would delight in helping me with that assignment. But I will need to travel around Sitia and Ixia to help them all. Do you want to come? It could be fun.”

“You, me and a couple thousand ghosts? Sounds crowded,” he teased. “At least you already found one soul, love.”

“Moon Man’s?”

“Mine. And I trust you not to lose it.”

“The only magic to affect the infamous Valek.” It reminded me of a question I had. While in the shadow world, I had had plenty of time to contemplate every single facet of him. “How old were you when the King’s men killed your brothers?”

I ignored his questioning look. “How old?”

“Thirteen.” An old sorrow pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“That explains it!”

“Explains what?”

“Why you’re resistant to magic. Thirteen is around the age when people can access the power source. The trauma of seeing your brothers killed probably caused you to pull so much power you formed a null shield. A shield so impenetrable you can no longer access magic.”

“After a season in the underworld, you’re now an expert in all things magical?”

Although he was quick to dismiss the notion, the shock of the revelation was evident in his wide eyes.

“I’m an expert in all things Valek.”

“Analyze this, love.” He drew me in and kissed me.

When his hands pulled at the fabric of my shirt, I stopped him. “Valek, as much as I want you to stay, I need you to do a favor for me.”

“Anything, love.”

I smiled at his loyalty. He agreed without hesitation, without knowing what I needed. “I want you to steal those glass prisons. Hide them in a safe place where no one will find them. Don’t tell me or anyone else where you put them.”

“You don’t want to know. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I can still be corrupted by magic. And if I ever ask you for their location you are not to tell me. No matter what. Promise.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.” I felt relieved.

“It may take me a few days or weeks. Where will you be?”

I told him about staying on as the Liaison. “I plan to commandeer a certain cottage in the Featherstone lands and declare that parcel of land neutral territory.”

“Commandeer?” He smiled.

“Yes. Having safe houses for Ixian spies in Sitia is not very friendly. Spying on each other is not conducive to the type of open dialogue I want between the two nations.”

“You’ll need to rebuild the stable. Hire a lad,” Valek teased.

“Don’t worry. I already have a houseboy in mind. A loyal and handsome fellow, who will be at my beck and call.”

Valek raised an eyebrow as desire danced in his eyes. “Indeed. I’m sure the boy is most anxious to attend to his duties.”

He slid a hand under my shirt and along my skin. Warmth spread across my stomach and chest. I tried to move away, but his other arm snaked behind my back. “You need to finish one job before you begin another,” I said.

“The night has just begun.” He pulled my shirt off. “Plenty of time to take care of my lady before I run her errand.”

His lips found mine, then he nuzzled my neck. “I must.” He paused to place a line of kisses down my chest. “Help my lady.” He picked me up and laid me down. “To bed.”

Then he removed the rest of my garments and all concerns about the glass prisons disappeared as Valek’s caress took control of my senses. My entire being focused on the musky smell and smooth feel of him. My lungs filled with Valek’s breath. My heart pumped Valek’s blood. I thought his thoughts and shared his pleasure.

The feelings of contentment, peace and joy flowed through our bodies. Locked tight together, we owned a piece of the sky.

By this time you all should know how wonderful my husband, Rodney, can be. After all, I have thanked him and listed the many ways he supports me in the acknowledgments of my first two books. However, the writing wouldn’t get done and the holes in plot logic wouldn’t get filled without him. So once again, thanks go to him, because I don’t ever want to take him for granted. And thanks also go to my two little sparks who fire my imagination—my children, Luke and Jenna.

One of the best decisions I’ve made is to attend Seton Hill University’s graduate writing program. Through this program I’ve learned so much and met a talented group of writers. Thanks to them all, and special thanks go to my critique partners, Diana Botsford, Kimberley Howe and Jason Jack Miller, who helped me with this book. Kim, I hope this reads better than the ingredients on a frozen dinner! I would also like to thank my Seton Hill mentor, David Bischoff.

First drafts of novels can be pretty rough, but my editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, has the knowledge and experience to wade in and guide me to calmer waters. Thanks, Matrice, for all your hard work and the smiley faces on my manuscript. They keep me going!

Thanks go to my excellent agent, Robert Mecoy, who has taught me so much about the publishing business and about how important it is to have a knowledgeable agent on your side. Many thanks to Erin Craig, who turned up the heat for this beautiful cover.

Researching for a book is always fun, and this time I enrolled in a glassblowing class. My appreciation for glass art rose considerably as I struggled to craft simple items from molten glass. Thanks go to my teacher and glass artist Helen Tegeler, whose patient instruction not only added to my knowledge of glass for this book, but made the experience a blast.