Out of the Mountain (43 page)

“How is it possible that you look even more attractive in the mornings?” I grumbled.

“I could ask the same about you.” He smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I was sure my hair looked a lot like a rat’s nest at this point, but I couldn’t find the energy to care.

“You might as well accept it. This is how I really look, sometimes worse.”

“No other beauty could compare,” he murmured, lips on my forehead, and my heart flipped with the truth of his words.

“We better get dressed before Farran barges in on us.” I sighed, sitting up on the bed.

“Yes, I suppose you are right,” Rowan complained, sitting up and scooting his feet off the side of the bed. I couldn’t take my eyes off his bare back as he reached his hands above his head in a long stretch, muscles rippling with the movement.

“Cover all of that up so I can muster coherent thought,” I protested as he stood and turned to me, eyes narrowing.

“You first,” he said with a lick of his lips as his eyes roamed my still-naked body. A little playful growl left his throat, and he crouched over the bed toward me.

“No! We have to get ready!” I squealed, putting a hand out and wrapping the sheet firmly around me as a pitiful barrier.

“I just want to give you something to think about for the rest of the day.” He purred, and I laughed as he pounced on me, playfully biting and tickling through the sheet. I met his mouth with mine and the playfulness quickly vanished as the sheet fell away and I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist to deepen the kiss. I blinked as he separated us with a groan of frustration.

“Get dressed, Vinnie, unless you’d rather be found in a much more interesting position when Farran unwittingly intrudes upon our privacy.” He grinned as if he wouldn’t mind. I most certainly would; Farran was my uncle, after all!

I squeaked as I ran for the bathroom and quickly closed the door. I took in my reflection: hair sticking up every which way, eyes bright, cheeks flushed. And even then, I felt beautiful. I washed my face and was fixing my hair when I spotted the drawing that Rowan did of me in the tub the night before and gasped.

I picked up the sketchbook for a closer look. The tub had disappeared in the drawing and instead I was surrounded by what appeared to be a glowing light, piercing the shadows around the outer edges of the page. A genuine and happy smile was on my face, my hand at my hair securing it back into its clip, the curve of my nearly fully exposed breast paled in comparison to the picture as a whole. In the bottom corner there was an inscription.

“The love and light of my life.” Emotion surged through me at the beauty of the drawing and the words themselves. I quickly clothed myself and exited the bathroom to see Rowan standing just outside. Understanding lit his face as he saw the drawing in my hand. I swear I saw a blush creep up his neck.

“It’s beautiful, thank you,” I murmured, pulling him into a tight hug.

“I am glad you like it.”

“Can I look at the others?” I asked when I pulled back. I had noticed the drawing was in the middle of the sketch book, but I didn’t want to look without asking first, as it felt very personal. This was his way of expressing himself, almost like a diary of sorts, and I didn’t want to intrude.

I felt his immediate unease, and I shook my head. He wasn’t comfortable sharing it quite yet.

“No worries, you can show me later.” I smiled gently, and he returned the smile.

“Good morning!” Farran announced as he popped in and immediately unlocked the door allowing Malachi and Tamora to enter.

“So much for the lock on the door,” I groaned to Rowan who was glaring at the intruders.

“I wasn’t aware I should be wary upon entering my niece’s bedchambers in the morning.” Farran glowered at Rowan, who shrugged nonchalantly.

“I am a grown woman and things will go much smoother if you would acknowledge that and accept it,” I said, pointing the sketchbook at his head and stepping in front of Rowan, drawing Farran’s ire.

“Well then . . .” he droned, and Malachi snatched the book from my hand.

“What do we have here?” he gasped, eyes widening before I could snatch it back and hand it to Rowan.

“That is mine,” I growled as his lips turned up in a satisfied grin.

“It would be wise for you to keep your hands and eyes off things belonging to others,” Rowan threatened as he shut the book, and I grinned as Malachi’s smile faded.

“What was that?” Farran started, and then held up a hand as he took note of the embarrassed flush creeping up my throat.

“No, never mind. Just leave it,” he warned Malachi, who nodded his agreement, and Tamora sighed impatiently at being left out.

“We came to tell you that Mauve has suspended novice training and is putting all the guards to work preparing for the ceremony and ball tomorrow night,” she complained and my eyebrows rose.

“Why would she do that?”

“My guess would be to give the bad guys time to prepare in secret.” Malachi crossed his arms.

“Yes, that seems to be the likeliest reason,” Rowan agreed.

“So what are we supposed to do now?”

“Hang out with your friends, have a good time,” Farran said.

“So meet in secret and talk strategy some more?” I quipped, and he nodded.

“Or you could go for a swim, relax in the water . . .” Malachi jeered, and I jumped at him, quickly wrapping my legs around his waist and swinging myself behind him as I pulled one of his arms up and locked mine around it in a nice headlock.

“That was not for your eyes. I suggest you forget that you saw,” I growled into his ear.

“Ow, what are you, some sort of monkey?” He howled, unable to move, and I’m sure his shoulder socket felt as if it was about to pop out as I tightened my grip.

“You were more fun before Rowan got ahold of you,” he complained, and I dropped to the floor behind him. I felt a little bad, because it wasn’t actually me I was angry for. It was Rowan, who had drawn the picture for me personally and who had felt more exposed than I when Malachi had yanked the sketch book from my hand. Who was he to intrude on such a precious thing? Anger started seeping in again, and I growled low in my throat. Malachi turned to me in confusion, and hurt crossed his face.

I felt it as realization swarmed Rowan; his anger toward Malachi dissipated and concern for me replaced it. He gaped at me and frowned, face pinching in concentration. I felt his emotions pull back and instant regret of my assault against Malachi filled me. He was my friend. He meant no harm. I frowned at Rowan before turning to Malachi again.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m just wound up, you know, with everything that’s happening.” I sighed, and he grinned.

“Already forgiven, monkey girl.” He patted my arm, and I smiled at him ruefully.

“As for us, we are all on work detail . . . Mauve is expecting us,” Tamora said as she walked toward the door. I glanced warily at Rowan.

“She’s taking you from me.” I pouted, and his brow furrowed.

“I will remain by your side.”

“No, you can’t defy Silas so openly. It would seem out of character for you and raise suspicion.”

“I do not care.”

“Don’t worry, lover boy. I’ll stay with her,” Farran grumbled, and I nodded my acceptance of that idea.

“All right, I suppose you are correct that it might call unwanted attention to us. I will go, but only because I know I am leaving your safety in capable hands, and I can keep an eye out for suspicious activity while working among the others,” he grumbled.

“Did you hear that. Farran? There was a compliment for you in there somewhere. None for me, though,” I lamented, and Farran couldn’t hide the small grin that finally quirked on his mouth.

“This is the part where Malachi makes a remark about how his hands are more than capable of handing the princess, and he quite possibly dies due to his inability to keep away from any sexual pun or reference, so I’m just going to remove him from the room,” Tamora joked, clapping Malachi on the back and pulling him along behind her.

“She knows me so well.” He sighed before he disappeared from my sight. I laughed aloud, unable to help myself. Malachi’s particular brand of humor never failed to make me laugh. I felt a small surge of jealousy and looked at Rowan in confusion before I felt his emotions pull back again.

“How are you doing that?”

“I did not realize my emotions would affect you so strongly. I am sorry. I am trying to put a block on my mind to keep it from happening, but I haven’t quite figured it out yet.”

“What? Why? I don’t want you to do that!” I complained, realizing that I had been feeling and acting on Rowan’s feelings toward Malachi before and not my own. I wouldn’t have ever attacked him in anger over something so little. Malachi was my friend. Confusion filled me.

“It is all right. It will be better for you if I filter my emotions. I read of it in the book I showed you,” he said gently, and I frowned.

“What about me? How do I learn to filter mine as well?” I asked, and I saw his face fall. He didn’t want me to.

“How is it fair that you can keep things from me and not me from you?”

“My emotions . . . they are scattered and strong. When I entered the Fae realm as a child, I learned to shut myself down in a way. I was never capable of returning to how I was before, not the way feeling your emotions has taught me to. They have helped me to better understand and relate to others. I have been very separate from the people surrounding me, never able to understand all of the complexities that came along with aging and growing.

“I had not known compassion, kindness, love, hope, loyalty, or anything of the sort before I escaped the Fae realm. When I was out, I could not comprehend the meaning of it all. I was suspicious of ulterior motives and trickery. The Fae never allowed you to get too comfortable, and I knew no other way to be. I could not truly trust or hope for anything . . . until you. You have awoken my soul from a slumber that I would I never want to fall into again, Vinnie.” He pleaded for my understanding. I looked to Farran, whose face was sad, the weight of Rowan’s words pressing on him as they did me.

I thought of the way Rowan always knew how I was really feeling, how he understood me in a way no one else could. How comforting and constant his companionship had become to me. I didn’t want to lose that, didn’t want to lose this side of him, and if this was what it took . . . I didn’t mind.

“You will only filter the things you feel will negatively affect my relationships with others?”

“Yes, and I will not keep anything from you when we are alone.” He purred, and I giggled.

“OK, that’s enough of that,” Farran complained. Rowan smiled fully at me before planting a leisurely kiss on my mouth that left my toes curled in my boots. I heard Farran huff from behind us and quickly kissed Rowan again before shoving him out the door. When we were finally alone, Farran slumped into the chair by my bed and heaved out an exhausted sigh. I took a good long look at him. He had looked ill for weeks now.

“Are you sure you are all right?”
“If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a million times, Vivi! I will be fine. It’s just the use of so much magic taking its toll.

“If you’re certain—”

“Yes, I am! Now ask me what we are going to do today!” He hopped to his feet, a little overenthusiastic to be believable, but I let it slide.

“So, what are we going to do today?”

Silas was out of Guard HQ for the day, along with all the guards, and that left it open for Farran to show us the dresses he was able to procure in a matter of hours. Briony, Peyton, and Genevieve were waiting patiently (hopping up and down) against the wall as he looked into each garment bag.

“Oh, here’s Peyton’s!” Farran said, unzipping the bag to show a dress with a beaded golden bodice, layers of silver-and-gold tulle pooling out from the bottom. The gold would go nice with both her light-blonde hair and brown eyes. She smiled, snatching the dress to her chest and kissing Farran on the cheek.

“This is perfect!”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Farran laughed as he began sorting through the bags.

“Ah, here’s yours, Genevieve,” he sang. He pulled out a sleek peach-colored dress with flowers embroidered on the bodice in a cream lace that wound up and around one shoulder. The color was perfect for her creamy brown skin.

“You are a genius,” she said, hugging him, and he smiled.

“Now, for little Briony . . . ,” he said, unzipping the next bag to reveal an emerald-green silk dress, loose and hanging in a cowl neckline that cinched in at the waist and draped loose again to the floor, a long slit up the right side. She clapped happily, running to grab the dress.

“I love you more than you will ever understand!” she squealed to Farran, causing us all to laugh. The girls were gushing over one another’s dresses, and once again I noticed how low Farran’s energy was. He was so different from the man who I had first met, the trickster with a good heart. I felt as if something else had to be weighing on him to have caused such a shift.

“You picked out everyone’s dresses specifically?” I questioned, and he blushed.

“Well, I had a little help,” he admitted.

“And who was that?” I asked suspiciously, thinking of that nightgown from so long ago, but he waved me off.

“No one important.” He lied. I was sure of it.

“All right, girls, the shoes and accessories are up to you. I suggest you get to shopping!” he said, shooing them out the door and toward the market district.

When we were alone Farran eyed me warily for a moment before he spoke.

“What?” he asked finally.

“Who is the mysterious woman you are so intent on hiding?”

“How do you know it is a woman?” he asked defiantly.

“The nightgown that you dressed me in that first night we met was a clue.” I snorted, and his frown deepened.

“I have lived in private for a long time, Vivi, and there are some things that I am not quite ready to explain. Especially to Rowan.” His eyes narrowed.

“What does Rowan have to do with it?” I asked, suspicion filling me.

“How well do you know him, Vivi?” he asked, taking a seat. He conjured us some lunch and I sat next him and sighed.