Billow (9 page)

That explained the clothes. I could just imagine what kind of night he had planned.

"But I could put that aside for you." He lightly touched a strand of hair in front of my face. "Haven't seen you in a while."

I swiped his hand away. "Don't do me any favors."

"Why don't we go to my place?" His suggestive look was almost indecent. "The weather's freezing. We could warm each other up."

I groaned. "Does that line actually work?"

He laughed. "Most of the time," he said with his usual disarming honesty. "Although you seem to be the exception."

I stepped around him to hide the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. The sound of his laughter was infectious. "Save it for someone else. I'm going to wait for Nexa."

"Your loss, sweet iris."

I headed for the run-down cottage, keeping an eye on Julian as he walked away. When he was no longer visible, I turned away from the door and headed for the edge of the bluff.

Eyes carefully picked out each stone step. With each gradation, the ball of tension unwound one strand at a time.

Once I reached the cove's sandy shore, I let out a deep breath and approached the water. Craggy, stone faces of the surrounding cliffs appeared harsh and imposing in the darkness.

Rather than feeling caged, the seclusion made me feel safe. Lighter.

Night painted the sky a deep midnight blue, the color a rich backdrop for the swath of clouds partially hiding the moon. Cold winds swirled and the frothing water roiled with power.

Shivering, I pulled my coat tighter around me.

I'd come here frequently while Tristan was gone. Searching for a temporary break from things I couldn't escape.

Occasionally, I'd relive certain moments. Like the memory of one stupid kiss. A kiss I'd completely blown out of proportion inside my addled brain because there was no way it could've affected me so much.

That was a mistake
.

Those were his words, but they were now mine.

Resolve strengthened in my chest. He'd been right and I'd make damned sure I didn't repeat it again.

"I prefer the winter seas."

At least I didn't jump.

"Your Highness?" My eyes remained on the agitated tide.

"The ocean comes alive during the cold months. It's different from the calm of the summer waters."

He stood by my side. Awareness rose.

"You've changed." Tristan's voice was so quiet, I almost didn't hear it.

"That's what happens when time passes."

I could do this. Be polite. Be cool.

"Kendra."

After all this time.

The way he said my name still made me feel things I didn't want to feel. Need things I couldn't have.

It made me weak. And that pissed me off.

Steeling myself, I turned to look up at him. Wind whipped strands of hair against his cheek. Striking dark eyes gleamed, set in a face both noble and strong, refined and fierce.

Dressed all in black and illuminated by the moonlight, his tall figure contained a power that matched the wildness of the waters.

We hadn't stood this close in over half a year.

A sudden urge to rub a strand of that silky hair between my fingers crashed through me.

I clamped down hard on the impulse. "Things are different now, Your Highness."

"Why are you calling me that?"

I shrugged. "Can't call you gardinel anymore."

And I'm not saying your name.

The best thing to do was maintain distance. There'd be less chance for him to lodge some place inside me where I couldn't get him out.

"You went to the hospital today. Did you speak to Daniel?"

I nodded, oddly grateful for the steady tone. I didn't think I could handle his sympathy.

"He showed me my mother's room. Told me how they treated her."

In the quiet lull that followed, I realized if Tristan knew about my visit to the hospital, he probably knew why I needed to come here.

It was too close. It was also unfair.

I'd stayed out of his life. But obviously there was a certain gardinel-spy who was more than happy to tell Tristan everything going on in mine.

"So Ewan told you about the hospital." Resentment seeped into my voice and I crossed my arms. "Does he tell you everything?"

"He shared a few things he's concerned about."

"Like what?" I met his gaze levelly.

His brows furrowed. "You pursued an Aquidae alone in Lyondale."

I made a mental note to drop-kick Ewan.

"You've been having trouble sleeping."

Make that a kick followed by an extended drive in my car.

"And you've been using your magic a lot."

A drive over the bumpiest mountain road I could find.

"There was an Aquidae in the area, Your Highness." Good for me. That came out pretty polite. "And I'm the
sondaleur
. Magic strengthens me. The equation's clear."

His eyes swept over my face and my heart jumped. I quickly turned aside.

"And the recurring dream?"

That was definitely something I didn't want to talk about. Fortunately, a Healer had taken care of the cut on my head a few hours ago.

"Ewan exaggerated. I have a lot going on."

Silence fell between us and I wondered if he'd call me on my bullshit.

"Congratulations on making it into the elites," he said instead. "Julian trained you well."

It sounded more like a question than a statement.

Since he insisted on acting like an irritating ass most of the time, I never really thought of Julian as a trainer. More like someone I had to put up with to get what I wanted.

But he'd pushed me hard and as a result, my skills had dramatically improved.

"Yeah, he's good. He helped me a lot."

He stiffened. "Good."

Speaking of Julian reminded me of how he'd bested me earlier. "Your gardinels are watching over my friend."

"Ian."

Tensing, I waited for him to say something about my friend being a nix. But he didn't.

I studied his face carefully. "Do you believe what he told us about the Aquidae auction?"

His eyes turned thoughtful. It was an expression I'd missed more than I wanted to admit.

"Yes."

Sharp relief flowed. "Are we going to do something about it?"

"There's not much we can do," he said slowly. "I've sent out a few men to monitor any unusual activity in the city. But until something happens or we have more proof, we don't have much to go on."

Something had happened. The Aquidae in the Trident boldly took a human boy in broad daylight and disappeared.

But it was a lead I'd squandered. If I'd been faster, we might've gotten useful information.

Black anger flashed through me. Elementals were always one step behind. We needed to go after those bastards and make them pay for what they did.

I took a deep breath to regain control. "Gabe's Head Chevalier and he's not doing anything about it."

Tristan pushed a lock of hair off his face and my fingers twitched. "Gabe's not just Head Chevalier. He's your uncle and teacher. Once you're inducted, he'll also be your commander. It's hard for him to see Ian as anything other than a nix who poses a possible threat to someone close to him."

I frowned. "And how do the gardinels feel?"

"Ewan and a few others are having a difficult time."

I remembered what Ian told me about shape-shifters. "Because of the whole selkie and nix thing?"

He nodded. "Because Ewan's a gardinel responsible for protecting you, he has an even harder time seeing Ian for who he is rather than what he is."

"So it's not really because Ian's a nix," I said, exasperated. "The truth is Ewan and Gabe don't believe him because he's a nix who's also my friend."

Instead of being an advantage, my status of Governor's granddaughter and
sondaleur
was quickly turning into a disadvantage working against his acceptance.

"The truth is they both care about you," he said softly. "And sometimes people do misguided things because they care."

The thought of my welfare mattering so much to Gabe and Ewan worried me. I'd already endangered Chloe and Aubrey by being their friend. I didn't want to think of others on the target list.

"But you're a selkie. And you were a gardinel, too." It came out vaguely accusing. "Why do you believe him?"

Surprise flickered across Tristan's face. "Because I believe you," he said simply.

The words touched something within me that was better left alone.

"Ian's the only person you stayed in contact with from the human world." A quiet intensity filled his eyes. "He's important to you. The Governor and Augustin feel the same way."

The question tumbled out before I could stop myself. "Why did you come back?"

He took a long moment to answer. When he finally did, his voice was tight. "Would it be better if I hadn't?"

Yes
.
No.
I don't know.

"Of course not. I'm sure you have important matters to attend to."

I had to leave before more stupid things came out of my mouth. Or leaked out of my eyes.

"I should be getting back," I said shortly. "Good night, Your Highness."

"Kendra?"

He suddenly leaned forward, dipping his head to look straight into my eyes. Clean, masculine scent flooded me, bringing back a torrent of sense memories.

The weight of his hand. The feel of his skin. The taste of his lips.

"I…" He hesitated. "I like when you address me by name."

How could a voice so gentle be so painful?

Something deep within awakened, screaming for release.

Get it together.

I slammed the walls down and gave him a cool response. "Of course, Prince Belicoux."

"That's not what I meant."

Yeah, I knew. But I wouldn't. Couldn't.

"Is that an order or a request?"

"Neither." Something flared in his dark eyes, but his expression remained unreadable. "Only a preference."

My skin tingled, electrified by his closeness. Without a word, I turned and walked back to the steps carved into the cliff.

I needed to make it there before the wall broke.

Before I added another mistake to the ones already haunting my life.

EIGHT

Monday was hell.

Another night of fitful sleep and acrobatics. I slept through my alarm and woke when my left wrist whacked against the windowsill.

Worry, irritation, and the throbbing pain made for a lousy morning. To top it all off, Ms. Roux kept me after history class and chewed me out over another dismal test grade.

Being late for lunch couldn't have happened on a worse day.

The cafeteria was packed. A different type of murmuring buzzed through the air.

And I knew the reason why.

The source sat at our table in the far corner. Relieved, I spotted Aubrey next to the familiar head of long, dark hair. I'd shared the news with the girls, Cam, and Alex in first period so they wouldn't inadvertently blow his cover.

Jeeves called this morning, informing me that Ian would have lunch at the Academy today. Word of a visitor at the Governing House had inevitably spread through Haverleau.

My grandmother's official statement presented Ian as the son of a dignitary from the New York ondine community. He was considered the Governor's guest of honor.

Sending Ian to the Academy accomplished two things. First, it added validity to Rhian's explanation. Since Ian was our age, it'd be strange if his official visit didn't include a short stop to check out the school's facilities.

Second, it gave Redavi kids a chance to gawk and stare before sharing the news with their gossip-thirsty families. Hopefully, their curiosity over the mysterious guest would be satisfied.

Two Royal Gardinels lounged near the back entrance. They looked like the ones that normally accompanied any dignitary. A few school chevaliers walked by, but didn't look twice at the new guy.

I let out a small sigh of relief. No one seemed to suspect anything.

I grabbed the usual assortment of disgusting food and headed over. Aubrey's flawless skin suffused with pleasure and her head tilted back in a laugh. A wide smile brightened Ian's normally somber expression.

"So you decided to bring down their servers?" Admiration tinted his voice. "That was some piece of work. Forums couldn't stop talking about it for months."

"That was nothing." Emerald eyes glowed. "What about the stunt you pulled with that big pharmaceutical?"

Ian gave a shy grin. His hair was brushed a little neater today as if he'd actually made an effort. "That was okay. I'd do it differently next time."

Aubrey was a killer with technology and had a razor-sharp intellect that allowed her to navigate everything at turbo-speed. I'd almost forgotten Ian was also good at tech stuff. Now that I knew he was a nix, it made a lot of sense.

He even tried to get me into it back in freshman year. But my eyes had glazed over in boredom whenever he brought up networks and protocols.

I settled across from them. "Guess I don't need to bother with introductions."

"We've known each other for a few years," Ian said casually.

I dropped my fork. "What?"

"By different names, of course." Aubrey pointed at herself. "Redgrrl."

Mild embarrassment flitted across his face. "Neo."

I covered up my laughter with a fit of coughing. Of course, he'd use the name of his hero.

"We've been trying to one-up each other online for a while." Lips curved and her lashes slightly lowered. "It's nice to meet in person."

A slight flush crept up Ian's cheeks.

Holy crap. She was flirting with him.

"Didn't expect to meet the legendary Redgrrl here," he mumbled. The chunk of meat the cafeteria called a hamburger suddenly seemed fascinating to him.

Ian wasn't Casanova. He'd once told me it was easier to be his true self online than in real life. His odd clothes and eccentric interests didn't exactly do wonders for his high school social activities.