Rule (Roam Series, Book Five) (25 page)

Like they were from Icepond.

“I hold no fortunes, sir,” Vadoma was protesting, and the tall man’s fists clenched at his sides. “I cannot give you the future.”

“I know of your kind,” he hissed, his eyes catching the firelight.

I drew in a breath, freezing.

Will’s eyes.

“Not this camp,” Sinti argued.

“My gold will feed your filthy people for more than a year,” he threw a coin at Sinti. He let it roll to the ground near the fire.

Fury burned in the pit of my stomach. I stalked purposefully into the ring, catching all of their attentions at once.

“You are Troy.”

His face, cut very much like Will’s, focused on mine.

This is the man who has killed my mother… and my father…

And me.
For centuries.

“Ah, this wench knows my name. She is a Seer.”

I stepped between him and Vadoma, meeting the frightened woman’s eyes before turning to Troy. “That’s right. Come closer to the fire, and I’ll read your future.”

His eyes began at my hairline and raked over my body, lingering for long moments at my shoulders and chest. “This maid knows what gold is worth.”

“I will see your future for… only the pleasure it brings me,” I countered, backing to the fire. His slow grin, repulsive, made my skin crawl.

He’s tortured his own children, raped my mother… What kind of demon is he?

He followed me to the fire, and as the light cast over our shadowed faces, he inhaled sharply.

“God’s blood- your eyes,” he snarled, grasping my chin in his hand and forcing my face into the light. “Who are you?”

I stared at him, focusing on the terrible heat of his smooth, manicured hands. My anger began with his touch and snaked through my body. He dropped my chin and staggered backward, and I knew at that moment my eyes had changed to dark amber.

“
What
are you?”

“I am a Seer.” I responded, my impromptu words flowing with ease. “I see what you see, in the future.”

“I will find her, then. I will find my Mina.” He nodded, pleased. “What else, wench?”

What else? What else is that I’d like to tear you from limb to limb with my bare hands.

My mouth, always both my crime and my sentence, took over reason. “You are the devil. Your actions are evil to every God, in every land. You will burn in hell, someday.”

He recoiled, his grin falling. “You know not of what you speak.” His hand shot out quickly, gripping my neck before I had any time to block him. “Choose your words carefully, little witch. ‘Tis only my resolve that leaves you untouched… and unsoiled… this night.”

I tucked my chin to my chest, slapping my hand to his wrist and twisting his fingers in mine. He released my neck in seconds, and I reared back, slamming the heel of my hand into his groin.

He choked as I locked my hand between his thighs in a brutal grip, thankful for the stupid, thin tights the men wore in medieval times.
My nails dug into his skin, and I knew my eyes blazed.

“You are
filth
. I want you to remember that it was
my mercy
that kept
you
alive tonight. And yes, I
could
end you- there are ways for an immortal to cease to exist.”

I squeezed, and he gave a suffocated groan.

The fire behind us roared, and his terrified eyes shifted to the inferno edging near us. “I’ll let you keep your balls because one day, you will have a son who will be your only redeemable quality.
He
saved your life tonight. Never forget that.”

I released him and he scrambled backward, his eyes
burning with fury. I raised my hand and drew a circle in the air over my head, surrounding my body with fire. He stumbled away, turning to his men.

“We go. Now!” He shouted, turning back once more to stare at me from the edge of the woods. The flames lowered, and Vadoma stepped over them, grasping my hands.

“Daughter of magic, you have saved us.” Her reverent voice barely raised above a whisper.

I jumped as Will
wrenched me into his arms, gripping my shoulders. “My God, Eva, what were you
thinking?
” He pressed kisses to my forehead, and I pushed away. Shaking my head, I let the flames extinguish completely.

“
They’re going now, to my dad.” I closed my eyes, concentrating on my father’s face.

I tr
aced his profile in my mind, his jaw… his ears, his eyes… I could feel the flames on his skin, and I cringed.

Run, West. Run now. Go and hide. Go!

I knew he heard my words in his mind before I opened my eyes again. Fatigue crept over my body, and Will held me, tightening his grip.

“I am going to carry you,” he warned. I shook my head, gesturing to his ankle.

“No, I can walk. Come on- they’re gone. Your people won’t see him again,” I promised Sinti, and Vadoma turned to me, taking my hands and closing her eyes.

I felt the woman plummet into my soul, and I let my defenses down, leaning against Will. She released one hand and touched my waist, her eyes opening to reveal the depth of her knowledge.

“You will face a battle, and will mourn. You may rule;
your brother shall reign.
Beware the sea,” Her hand tightened over my stomach, and Will pulled me away from her. “
Your child grows apace.
”

“My child?”

“Come, Eva, you must rest,” Will lifted me into his arms, despite my protests. Once we were safely in the tent, he lowered me to the bed. “You must be wary. The future is what we make of it, love. Nothing more.”

“I’m so tired,” I fought to keep my eyes open. He stretched out next to me, pulling the furs over my shoulders. “What did she mean, I’ll mourn?”

“
Hush
.” His lips on my forehead comforted me into a dreamless sleep.

I woke up well into the morning, smiling as Will trailed kisses over my wrist and arm. He almost made it to my elbow before I giggled. “You’re tickling me.”

“You must wake up. You will speak to your father today.”

I pinched my lips together and closed my eyes, moaning. “
Shit
. I almost forgot where we were… and what I am.”

“What you are?” He repeated, his kiss relocating to my neck. “You are but a slip of a girl- who has managed to frighten my evil father to his core.”

“Just remember that when we get back to the castle,” I warned teasingly, and then narrowed my eyes. “Will,
how
are we getting out of here?”

His exploring fingers stilled over my hip. “I don’t know, love.”

I thought about the rushing words Vadoma whispered while gripping my waist…
Battle, mourning…
“And what about what Vadoma said? ‘My child grows apace?’ We made love like-
five
minutes ago.”

“In the lake,” he added. I raised my eyes suspiciously.

“Are you about to tell me that I can’t get pregnant in the water? I’m sorry. As my Grandpa Cam says, you can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

He laughed from deep in his chest, shaking his head lightly. “Certainly. No… I was merely reminding you of last night.”

“When you declared your royal love for me!” I threw my arms around him exaggeratingly, and he groaned with laughter, diving for my neck.

“
I did,” he spoke against my skin, and I warmed. “Come,” he ordered, trying to pull me to my feet.

“
I
did
,” I assured him, unable to hide my bawdy grin.

“Eva!”

“Okay!” I huffed, cringing as my curls seemed to burst from my hairline like broken mattress springs.

I sighed. “Seriously though. A baby? I’m barely eighteen. I’d have no idea what to do.”

His brows furrowed, and he drew me close again. “Do not worry,” he ordered, cupping my head in his hands. “Nothing is as certain as my love for you.”

A slow smile spread across my face, and our eyes met for the longest time. Endless se
conds passed before I realized that I could stare into his eyes forever- and that I looked like a dork. I reached for his kiss, gathering his hand in mine.

“Do you know what you’ll say to your father?” He asked as we left the tent, moving toward the camp.

“I think so,” I stretched, waving to a little boy who stopped to watch us.

“You have to
know
. If you make the slightest mistake, our entire futures may be altered.”

“Will, obviously I
don’t
make a mistake, because we’re
here
. Now… breakfast?” I followed the delicious smells near the fire, and he rolled his eyes. “Hey, how’s your ankle?” I realized he wasn’t limping, and he pulled at the knee of his pant leg.

“The swelling has gone down. Sprained.” He gestured to Sinti, and I hurried toward the meat that he offered.

“What made you decide to… ravish me last night?” I asked boldly, remembering my comment the night that I agreed to go with him to Icepond. He looked up sharply at Sinti, who had the decency to lower his face to hide his grin.

“
You
did,” he spoke through clenched teeth, attempting to silence me.

“I’ve been here all along, Will.”

“Indeed. However,” he took my plate, catching my lips in his as I tilted my face upward. His mouth moved over mine slowly, gently, and I moaned into his kiss. “
I’ve only just fallen in love with you.
”

I stood, eyes closed, swaying on my feet for a long second before opening my eyes.
He smiled with amusement and kissed my forehead, then led me to an oversized log to sit. We balanced the crude plates on our knees.

“I love you too
, Will. And I’m pretending not to think about the other… scary things that Vadoma said last night.”

“Our future is what we make of it, Eva,” he repeated.

We ate in silence. After cleaning ourselves again at the lake (fully clothed) I began recognizing the nervous energy in my body.
I’m just going to chat with my dad. He’s just my dad. He’s not a stranger. I’ve known him all of my life! I
love
him.

I miss him.

“Key points. The world will end if he does not find her. They must conceive a child who will save the world.”

“I wonder who that is,” I murmured, trying for humor and failing.

“His coordinates will appear when she is born, and hers will appear when they touch. Two Alters, evil- Troy and Logan-…,”

“I can’t call him Logan! What do I call him?”

“Explain the soul Alter. Your mother and Logan- immortal souls. West and Troy- physical immortals.”

“I need a cheat sheet.”

“Eva.”

“And the dreams, I have to explain the dreams…,”

“Yes. And do not forget the last life, and the doors.”

“Right. Doors. Last life.”

“He is your father, Eva. Do not worry.”

“Right. Just my dad.” I paced, moving from one tree to the next, dragging my fingernails over the bark. “Just my dad.”

“We must go, now, love. Are you sure that you are prepared?”

“Couldn’t you come with me? I could just explain that you’re my… friend or something…,”

“I will be hiding, and waiting. But I cannot show my face, Eva. You have met my father.” He lowered his eyes to the ground. “You see the resemblance.”

“Will,
you are a thousand times better looking than your father.”

“Thank you, but not the point.”

“I know.” I sighed, attempting to flatten my hair. “I hope he doesn’t take one look at my crazy curls and run away.”

He grinned, shaking his head. “Eva, we are but moths to your flame. You must assume a most comforting manner. Your father has been devastated by the supposed loss of his father in that fire last night, and he has spent the night and day healing. He will be in a shaken state. He needs answers, and you must give them to him, love.”

“Yes,” I nodded quickly, remembering the heat from the flames on my father’s skin.

We walked from the camp toward the town, and Will reached for my hand. I gripped his fingers, glancing around the forest. The sun poured through the trees, highlighting small insects
in the air. “He will be out here, somewhere, Eva. Trust that you’ll find him. Lead yourself to him.”

I nodded, letting him
squeeze my fingers in his once before letting go. “I have the gun. I am within shooting distance from you at all times.”

“Will, if you shoot my dad, I’ll divorce you,” I cleared my throat, intimidated at my voice as it shook in the most unfamiliar way.

“Be strong,” he added, backing toward the trees.

I nodded again, smoothing my long, green gown and starting forward.