Fireballs are lobbed my way, as one or two guards attempt to burn the ship withWitchfire,but the first volley misses. By the time they try a second round, I’m out of range and formulating the next phase of my escape. Our plan is for me to sail down the coast, and before dawn, scuttle the boat somewhere. It’s a shame to sink such a lovely ship, but it’s too large to hide and an unmistakable clue to which way I’m running. Once back on land, I’ll lay low until I’m sure no one is following me, and then I’ll acquire a horse and head south. From there, it will only be a few days’ ride through the Maqrun Mountains and into the city of Oht. And Nico’s waiting arms.
PART II
Chapter 16
The Respite's End
I moan, my body trembling as a single bead of sweat races down my bare back. “Nico.” Hovering over him, I try to catch my breath. “You’re amazing. You’re almost as good at this as I am.” I flash an exhausted but wicked grin.
Nico brushes his fingertips across my cheek. “I should be, Bello. We have had enough practice.”
I softly kiss him. “There’s no such thing as too much practice.” Rolling away, I push to my feet and offer him a hand up. “You never know when you might need these skills. It could save your life someday.”
Nico grasps my wrist and pulls himself to a standing position, then wipes the sweat from his brow before pulling me against his chest. “Perhaps we can practice something else now.”
He nuzzles behind my ear, and I inhale sharply. “Wasn’t this morning enough?” My voice is husky from exertion and my growing arousal. Nico is too tempting.
Grinning, he throws my words back at me. “There is no such thing as too much practice.”
Laughing I throw up my hands in surrender. “Fine. But I need a bath first.” I sheath my daggers and hold out my hand. “You’re becoming quite the accomplished fighter. A few more weeks of training, and I won’t worry so much when you travel without me.”
Nico puts away his own daggers and laces his fingers through mine. “You are a skilled instructor, Bello. And I am very glad that you agreed to these morning training sessions. I was worried you would become frustrated with my lack of ability. If you have, you never show it.”
“Believe me, my arms are tired, and my legs are shaking. You were a decent fighter to begin with. Now you’re more than capable of defeating most opponents. And as I said, with a few more weeks of training, you should be able to hold your own against lower-ranking Shades.”
Nico chuckles. “You mean the seven- and eight-year-olds? I would hope so.”
I squeeze his fingers, trying to convey admonishment and encouragement. “I meant Wraiths.”
“So, still the novices.”
Laughing, I nudge him, though moving him isn’t easy. He’s six feet, four inches tall and more lean muscle than he was when we met. And it looks good on him. I stop to pull him into my arms, and he sighs. “Bello—”
My whole body sags. I’m familiar with that sigh. Resigned, I drop my forehead against his chest. “When do you leave?”
His arms tighten around me. “In a few days. A week at most. There are merchants from Bihu arriving to discuss financing for their shipping venture. They want myfather’s involvement. I need to be there for the negotiations.”
This isn’t the first time, or even the second, that Nico has returned to Panah City, leaving me behind. Although it’s been four months, it’s still risky for me to be there. Uguisu’s spies have confirmed that security has been tightened in the city since my strategic culling of Cosimo and my break-in at the Vault. Guild members are running scared, claiming the two events are connected. The younger recruits are spreading rumors that the perpetrator is actually The Revenant, a character in stories meant to scare children into behaving. Although I’m not an angry spirit, I suppose it could be argued that Ihavecome back from the dead to exact revenge. I’m actually pleased with the title.
And I shouldn’t complain about Nico having to return to Panah City. He’s deviated from his regular routine by staying here, though the translocation circle in this house and the connecting one at his father’s makes it easier to mask his absences. It’s one of the many benefits afforded to wealthy families but out of reach of most Amagians. “How long this time?”
Nico shrugs. “I do not know. But I will return as soon as I can.” He gently places a finger under my chin and tilts my face up, leaning down to kiss me softly. It’s an apology and a promise of sorts. “I will miss you while I am gone, Bello.”
Separations are inevitable. We both have lives off the estate and jobs to do. I make myself say the words sticking in my throat. “I’ll miss you too. Very much.” With Nico’shelp, I’ve been practicing saying the things I’m feeling out loud. It isn’t getting easier, but it makes him happy. So I’ll continue to try.
He nibbles my ear. “Will you let me make it up to you?”
“Bath first.”
Chapter 17
Frightening Declarations
I sink into the waist-high water of the ridiculously large bathing pool, letting the heat ease my tired muscles as I mull over Nico’s imminent departure and the fallout in the Guild and in Panah City since I eliminated Guild Master Cosimo Vitorio. Things are in disarray and getting more unstable as time passes with no one to blame.
I’ve taken three jobs since then, all of which coincided with Nico’s trips to Panah City. The first time he left without me, I planned to wait for him here in Oht. I managed a whole two days by myself before I knew that wasn’t going to work. The house felt empty, I had too much time to think, and I became agitated. I literally counted the hours until his return. At that point, I had to find work or risk getting into trouble purely to combat the boredom. I quietly contacted Kenji to see if they had anything to occupy my time. Thankfully, they did. I’ll have to contact them soon, now that Nico’s leaving again.
Warm hands slip around my hips, pulling me back against a body I’m now intimately familiar with. I wipe the water from my eyes and lean into him. “Hello.”
