Instead of using words, I cupped her face and lowered my lips to hers. Gods, I’d wanted to do that for days. Our tongues lazily grazed one another’s with no hurry. Sweet appreciation. When I finally pulled away, her eyes glistened under the sliver of moonlight that broke through the leaves above. I used the pad of my thumb to caress her cheek before placing a kiss upon her forehead. “Let’s go.”
We eventually emerged onto the main road leading to the camp, effectively bypassing the stationed sentinels down the lane. The two guards leaned against wooden posts, engaged in casual conversation when they spotted our approach and stiffened.
Ro played it perfectly, walking with all the unbothered confidence of someone who belonged here. I fought against the aches in my body to portray the same. Our approach did its job. The men didn’t react as if we were intruders, which was more confirmation our desertion hadn’t been announced.
When one of them looked like they might be considering stopping us, I threw my arm around Ro’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. She smiled brazenly up at me, and the smile I bore was genuine as I took in all that she was. Glancing at one of the men, I tossed a wink in his direction.
Quickly the man found something on the ground more interesting, the public display of affection off-putting to most. If his partner didn’t buy it, he didn’t say anything. As long as he didn’t raise the alarm, I didn’t care.
We strode past without a single word, strutting into the sleeping camp. The fact that it was so quiet was unconventional. Had the group to Devera even returned yet? Two magic wielders brought in would most certainly cause a flurry of activity.
Yet, with sparsely lit torches, the camp appeared as docile as any other night. Without letting my arm fall from Ro, I guided her toward the tent I knew would host her friends. No screams tainted the air, which meant the torture hadn’t begun.
Or we’d missed it entirely.
We cleared the corner that gave me full view of the tent to see an extra set of guards had been called in. “They’re here,” I whispered, wasting no time to hide us by walking behind another tent. “The fact that no one seems to be aware tells me they’re keeping them a secret.” Which might complicate things.
“Well, that’s good, isn’t it? We can take down those guards and get in and out without notice.” Ro tensed, a restless energy taking hold.
I released a deliberating sigh. “It means I’m not sure exactly what they’re planning. The fact that it’s quiet could very well mean your friends are sedated.” A quiet draining, one that camp members would be none the wiser about. “Follow my lead,” I said, heading straight for the fighting ring.
I made a grand display of wrapping my knuckles, taking my time to prolong the act. Ro fiddled through the arrows on the weapons rack, passing time.
“I’m not letting that opportunity slide by,” I said, too loudly to be normal for this time of night.
“You’ll have to beat me for it,” Ro said with equal exaggeration.
A couple people sat around their fires, glancing in our direction every so often. One man passing by didn’t fail to notice a fight’s preparation. “What’s this then?” he asked.
I didn’t offer him a perceived ounce of energy as I continued wrapping. “What’s it look like?”
The man grumbled.
“He thinks he can prove himself worthy of the new magics. But I’m not letting power like that go to someone already sopompous.” Ro dropped her hand from the arrows and stalked closer to the ring, crossing her arms before her, throwing daggers at me with her stunning hazel eyes that twinkled from the nearby torches.
Using the word ‘power’ was genius on her part. Luckily I could smile, acting like it was in response to her thinking she could take me down when really it was because of beaming pride. My one-sided grin added to my arrogant persona. “Your first fight was luck, not skill.” I flexed and balled my hand, testing the wrap. “Before I lay you on your ass, I need to take a piss. Be a good girl and don’t go anywhere.”
I tossed a winning smile at the man before striding off toward the forest’s edge. When I’d been eclipsed by shadow, I stole a glance back at the ring. The man stood there reeling, contemplation striking his features before he took off.
Gods I wanted to take Ro right here in the shadows. She’d played that to fucking perfection. I’d never had anyone to play off of like that, someone on my side, who stepped in perfect rhythm to me like a dance. We were partners. No, more than that. She moved through the world like a piece of my soul that had been missing.
Protecting my brothers had been my focus, but Ro…
She was my salvation.
The man returned with a few of his comrades. Just as we’d planned. I lingered a final look at that goddess before striding to my next destination.
63
Dae
Shouts and arguments swelled. A couple well-phrased statements regarding a mysterious new power ripe for the taking had members scrambling from their tents, all vying for the opportunity to throw their hat in the ring, so to speak.
Anxious contenders were convinced this new power would mean acceptance by the Black Pool, and they were desperate for that kind of certainty. The noise drew more attention, which gathered more fighters, until at least half the camp crowded the ring. Small fights erupted among the gathered mass of bodies, impatience growing, anticipation thriving.
Ro had slipped away, leaving an aching void in the center of my chest. Coming back had been a great risk. But instead of worrying about her, I kept to the plan. As I made my way across camp, I missed no opportunity to mutter something about the new strain of power. Guards on patrol who’d grown too complacent with their uneventful posts couldn’t keep themselves from leaving their station to confirm the rumor for themselves.
When I reached the prisoners section, most on duty followed suit. Ideally, they all would have gone, but a few had the good sense to remain. Unfortunately for them, their good sense was rewarded with unexpected attacks from behind, and blows so swift and devastating they were out cold, prone on the ground before they could blink.
