Shadow Fire (17 page)

"Let's leave the horses here to graze," Zane says as he dismounts and helps me down from my horse. Sighing softly, I rub at my lower back. I was sore before, but now I'm just in pain. Zane continues talking, oblivious to my plight. "Shall we take a look around?"

Hoping for the best, I follow behind Zane. The footing along the river is poor at best. The rocks are slippery, and it takes all of my concentration to keep from falling. Zane takes my hand, dragging me away from the river's edge.

"I'm not up for a swim right now," he says, placing himself between the river and me as we continue along the riverbank. There's no sign of the young boy upstream or downstream. It's like he vanished into thin air. Shadow is still sitting on the bridge, howling and chuffing softly.

"Hmph," Zane grunts, "he's gotta be around here somewhere."

He walks halfway across the bridge, pausing every few moments. When he returns, his eyes widen for a moment. He stops at the edge of the bridge and jumps down the two feet to the riverbank. Crawling on all fours, he disappears under the bridge. When he reappears, he has the boy in his arms and a beaming smile on his face.

"Thank the Goddess!" I exclaim.

Zane climbs up the low bank holding Ronan in both arms. Running up to them, I check the boy for injuries. Other than a fine coating of mud and dust he seems to be fine.

"Don't be afraid, Ronan. We won't hurt you. Remember us from yesterday?" He nods his head, blond hair falling over his chocolate brown eyes. "Are you hurt?" I ask, brushing the hair out of his eyes. He shakes his head no. "Wonderful, let's head back to the inn. Your parents are worried sick."

He buries his head into Zane's chest and whimpers. Zane's eyes are sparkling in the brilliant sunlight, radiating his relief. Before I realize it, I'm caressing his face, brushing his lips with my thumb. He makes a tiny grunt then nips at my thumb with his teeth.

"Come, Love. We can
play
later. Let's get this boy home to his parents," he says in a husky murmur.

My golden eyes light up and my lips curve into a bright smile. There's no doubt this time. He just called me Love. Utter elation fills my heart as we mount the horses and head back to the inn.

It appears fate's smiling on us today; we don't encounter a single monster on the way back. Ronan is cradled in Zane's arms as we race across the prairie toward the inn. The ride back is even more exhilarating since I can concentrate on the feeling and not worry over the boy. Ripping the tie from my hair, I allow the wind to whip through my hair unbraiding it. Spurring the horse faster, I race by Zane reveling in the speed, my laughter floating on the breeze.

As the inn comes into view, I allow the horse to slow to a walk, waiting for Zane and Ronan to catch up. He isn't far behind and his horse slows next to mine. Ronan is bouncing up and down in front of Zane yelling for more speed. The large grin on Zane's face pulls at my heart as I watch him hug the rambunctious child to keep him from falling. Our eyes meet, his gaze smoldering like twin fires, giving him a predatory appearance. I can feel his eyes continue to bore into me as we enter the grounds of the inn and dismount from the horses. While Ronan races in circles around the still horses, Zane pulls me into his arms.

"Were you channeling a valkyrie earlier?" he asks in a deep husky voice. "Or perhaps you were one in a prior life." When I stare at him in confusion, he continues. "Racing across the plains on that white horse, your hair flying behind you like living flames, you looked like a goddess."

He places a quick kiss on my lips before grabbing Ronan and hauling him up into his arms. My heart feels like it's in my throat as I watch him carry the boy toward the inn. When he turns back to glance at me, I come to my senses and run across the courtyard to catch up. Zane leads the way to Oscar's room. The door is open; Oscar and Emma are sitting on the bed comforting each other. Emma turns her tear-stained face toward us and gasps in surprise. Oscar races over and takes Ronan from Zane's arms.

"Ronan! Oh thank the Goddess!" Emma cries out, yanking Ronan from Oscar's arms. "I was so worried!" She collapses on the bed again, this time with Ronan curled up on her lap while she showers his face with kisses.

"I don't know how to thank you," Oscar says, stroking Ronan's hair. "Where did you find him?"

"Under the bridge at the river," Zane snaps, unable to hide his annoyance with the couple. Perhaps he's wondering why such a young boy ran so far away from his parents.

"What was he doing there?" Oscar asks.

"It appears he was hiding. I didn't ask. My priority was to bring him back to you. You'll have to ask him what he was doing there," Zane says, his voice radiating anger.

The stifling atmosphere of the room makes me fidget. My mind recalls the conversation with Emma last night along with her confession.

"I'm glad Ronan's okay," I say, walking back toward the door. "Sorry for my abrupt departure, but I'm in a lot of pain. I need to lie down for a while."

"Oh, Ashlyn," Emma calls after me. Closing my eyes in defeat, I pause, take a deep breath, and turn to glare at her. "I'd still like to have lunch with you. Just come by and let me know when you're ready."

I nod before continuing out the door and down the hall to our room, which is only three doors from theirs. It will make avoiding Emma difficult. Zane stops in front of our door.

"Go to the bathhouse, Love," Zane murmurs, running a light caress down my cheek with the back of his fingers. "Soak for a while to ease your soreness. I'll be here waiting for your return."

I nod in agreement, unable to find the energy to reply. Dumping my bow and arrows on the bed, I grab my pack and head back out to search for the bathhouse. A hot bath is just what I need to ease my sore body and troubled mind.

Chapter Fourteen

Delistaire

The hot bath is rejuvenating, and I return to our room feeling refreshed and relaxed. My aches and pains are still there but have become tolerable thanks to the salves available at the bathhouse. Realizing I have no key, I start to knock, but instead try the doorknob to find it unlocked. Zane is stretched out on the sofa, his eyes closed. Shadow isn't in the room. Walking over to the sofa, I ease my body down, only too aware of my aching side. He shifts to make more room for me.

"How was the bath?" he asks without opening his eyes.

Leaning down I place soft kisses on both of his eyelids. When I start nibbling at his lips, his eyes fly open.

"I do enjoy it when you try to distract me," he says in a breathless whisper.

Our eyes are locked together in a nonverbal battle of wills. Mine breaks much too fast and I pull away from him.

"How's the wound on your side?" he asks, caressing my stomach, making me twitch from the sensation.

"My ribs are still a bit tender, the bruising is downright ugly," I say, glad he can't see the hideous marks underneath my bodysuit. He'd probably force me to stay in bed if he saw just how bad the bruising is. "The salve they have in the bathhouse is a miracle worker. I feel remarkably better."

He sits up and pulls the soaked towel off my head, tossing it to the floor. His hands glide through my wet hair picking out the tangles with gentle fingers. He says nothing as he works on my hair, allowing me some time alone with my thoughts.

"It's not a coincidence is it?" I voice my thought aloud.

"I don't believe in coincidence," he replies as he begins to massage my shoulders.

Sighing in pleasure, I allow my thoughts to shut down while I enjoy the feel of his hands kneading my sore muscles. However, my mind refuses to be silenced, and the nagging thoughts return along with the realization that I can't hide from my problems.

"So you think Emma and Oscar planned to meet us here?" I ask, turning to meet his eyes.

"Yes and no," he says, wrapping me in his arms and pulling me back against his chest. "I think they planned to try to find us. Why, I don't know. But I definitely don't like it."

"They wouldn't endanger their children," I say, remembering how devastated Oscar was when he came to our room for help. "So last night the attack was real and not staged for our benefit."

"Hmm," he murmurs, appearing lost in thought.

"They probably don't want us dead, since they had the perfect opportunity last night and didn't take it." Recalling my harrowing ordeal in the river sends several tremors through my body. Zane's arms tighten around me and I snuggle against him.

"True," he admits.

"So what do they want? Why did they come all the way down here from Algora? Are they really merchants? There weren't any goods in the back of the wagon." Zane's chuckling stops my rant.

"Shall we go ask your questions?" he asks smirking.

Without another word, I nod and after gathering my courage, manage to stand up. My legs are shaking from nerves, though I manage to hide it as I stride to the door. Zane stops to attach his sword to his left side.

"Do you really think you need to be armed for lunch?" I tease.

"I feel naked without my sword," he replies.

The unbidden image of him wearing nothing but his sword teases my psyche. My body trembles, my poor weak legs threatening to give out completely. Zane stalks toward me, a voracious gleam in his eyes.

"Are you attempting to distract me yet again, little nymph?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," I answer, my lips curling into a smirk to hide my arousal. "Shall we?" I ask, putting all the innocence I can muster into my expression.

My efforts are rewarded with a loud groan from the flustered man next to me. I manage to keep my face a blank mask though laughter fills me inside. It seems my new passion in life is teasing Zane, a most enjoyable diversion. He brushes my arm on his way to the door making my stomach flutter. His dark red eyes are blazing as he gazes at me from the doorway. Those sinful lips curl into a breathtaking smile that makes my breath catch in my throat. Sucking in a deep breath, I manage to walk by him into the hallway. Perhaps I should be more careful when playing with fire.

When we arrive at Emma's room, I reach up to knock but my hand hesitates. Zane places his hands on my shoulders, giving them a light squeeze. Emboldened, I gather my resolve and force myself to rap on the door. It opens to reveal Emma, radiant in a blue dress with her light blonde hair tied up in braids.

I feel rather inadequate. I may be clean but I'm still wearing the same clothes from last night. This is the first time since eyeing the clothing Brinda made for my journey that I'm glad she worried about them matching. My coppery hair is sodden, draping around my body like a wet blanket, giving me the appearance of a drowned kitten.

"Oscar will watch the children so we can speak in private," Emma says as she steps into the hall and closes the door behind her.

Zane takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, his grip firm and comforting. With this silent show of support, he leads me down the hallway behind Emma. When we reach the restaurant, the myriad of aromas reminds my stomach it hasn't been fed since yesterday. Eager for food but dreading the accompanying conversation, I follow Zane and Emma to a table in the back. Sitting down on the bench seat, I move in to allow Zane to sit at my side. Emma takes a seat across from us, folds her hands in her lap, and stares at the table. It appears she's as uncomfortable as I am. Zane places his arm around my shoulders, and I cuddle into him, grateful for the soothing contact.

The server arrives with a basket of bread and butter before leaving without a word. My hunger gets the better of me. I grab a slice of bread and start nibbling at it. Emma mirrors my actions without a word. The server returns with three glasses of water and announces the house special is roasted chicken. We all order the house chicken and utter silence returns once again to the table.

"All right enough of this," Zane exclaims, his voice tinged in exasperation. "You talk," he demands, pointing at Emma.

"Honestly, I don't really know where to start," she murmurs.

"Why don't you try at the beginning," Zane prods with a gentleness that belies the dark glare in his eyes.

"As you know, Oscar and I are from Algora," she says, locking her gaze to mine. "We happened to be in Verdane on business when you were announced as the next Chosen." She pauses, wringing her hands together. "When we returned to Algora, there was an official summons waiting for us."

A summons? This is all so confusing. I have so many questions, but Zane's hand on my leg stays my tongue.

"The summons was from the great sorcerer, Delistaire. He came into supremacy years ago and wields complete power over the populace. He's a treacherously evil man."

How odd, I've never heard of Delistaire. Then again, I don't know much of anything about the world outside Verdane.

"What did he want?" Zane asks when Emma remains silent.

"He commanded we follow the Chosen and report on her progress then await his orders regarding her capture," Emma says, glancing away as if ashamed. "Please understand we couldn't refuse him. He's so powerful. We'd have been struck down where we stood had we defied him."

"What does he want with me?" I ask, confused by this new development. "And why send you? If he's so powerful, why doesn't he just come get me himself?"

"Well?" Zane asks. "Ashlyn's questions are valid. Do you have an answer?"

"No," Emma says, staring at me as though begging me to understand. "I was too afraid to ask any questions. I'm not an idiot. I've seen that evil wizard kill a man who didn't bow low enough." Emma crosses her arms over her chest, and stares at the table. "All I know is we're supposed to wait until you retrieve the Goddess Statue then bring you to his tower southwest of the Breven Ruins."

"Your commitment to him ends here," Zane says in a dark tone, which leaves no room for argument. Emma blanches.

"But if we don't obey him, he'll kill us," she chokes out.

"Go hide out in Mariba, southwest of the desert. He won't find you there. I'll send word when it's safe to leave," Zane says.