“I won’t, sir. I promise.”
With that, Ellis guided Rivka to the awaiting rowboat, taking care to help her be seated, before slowly rowing them out onto the lake. The only sound, the gentle splashing of the oars slapping the water. They had barely reached the dark side of the ship when an explosion boomed from shore, sending shockwaves out through the water. Rivka let out a scream as fire ripped through the air. Ellis’ hand quickly clamped down over her mouth, silencing her.
“Well, that explains what was in that damn box.” Ellis said, unable to hide his amusement, but it quickly faded as the alarm sounded. “What in Sindu happened to the lantern signal? The alarm wasn’t supposed to sound until after we were clear.”
It didn’t matter what was supposed to happen, right now they had to move. It would be only a matter of minutes before the full guard arrived.
A second explosion went off, closer to the ship this time. The roiling water caused their tiny boat to bounce across the surface, water splashing inside. A sudden wave rocked them so hard that Rivka lost her balance. She flailed her arms in an attempt to catch herself before she tipped overboard. Ellis caught her, pulling her roughly back inside, causing her to hit her back on the bench seat as she landed. She hissed in painbut hurriedly righted herself and picked up an oar. Sounds of chaos rang out, smoke and ash filling the air, coating their lungs as men started shouting. Boats launched from the shore heading directly for the ship they were currently hidden behind, bringing aid and searching for the attackers. As far as diversions went, this was no small feat. Rivka knew her father well, but this was beyond what she’d imagined.
Rowing as fast as they could, Rivka and Ellis made their way around the lake edge, their muscles burning with exertion. The havoc of the dock fell away the further they went, the yells and alarm fading to whispers, but still they didn’t slow. Ellis spotted the land mass that Evanar had told them to look for and they began scanning for the agreed upon marker that he had put into place. To any citizen, it was a staggered pile of rocks pushing out into the water, but to them, the cairn meant safety.
“There,” Rivka yelled in an exaggerated whisper, pointing at the shore.
Turning the boat, Ellis rowed them ashore, the bottom scraping on the rocks below. He helped Rivka unload their packs onto the sand before wading back into the water, tugging the boat with him. Picking up a sharp rock, he punched a hole in the tiny vessel, water immediately filling the bottom, weighing it down. Ellis pushed it further into the lake, watching as it fully submerged. There was no going back now.
They sprinted up the beach to the rocky overhang of a cliff. There, they found the crevice Evanar had described, just wide enough to slip through, that would lead them into the Underground. The thickness of the packs they carried made the fit a challenge and damn near every bit of dimming light left in the sky was eclipsed. Inside, the blackness was unyielding except for the minimal light of the moon at their backs.
Rivka didn’t want to admit that she was out of her element. She scrambled to pull flint stones and her torchfrom her pack, quickly striking the stones together over the torch, lighting it. The sudden brightness had them both slamming their eyes shut. Blinking rapidly in adjustment, they took in their surroundings. The tunnel seemed to be in good shape, maintained by who, they had no clue, but were grateful all the same. Rough stone graced the walls, the floor made of cobblestone, sconces spaced every few feet down each side, just waiting to be lit, though they couldn’t chance lighting them this close to the entry point. They couldn’t risk being seen. Building such elaborate passageways with tremendous care must have taken not only a considerable amount of time to build, but also an incredible talent for structure.
Rivka’s tear stained face was illuminated by the torchlight. They had to keep moving, to put as much distance between them and the Varon palace as possible. Ellis, taking her hand in his, started walking, tugging her along with him. Rivka didn’t hesitate, letting him pull her along. She was numb, except for the constant ache in her heart. Refusing to look back, she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. She could only move forward, one step at a time, each one taking her further away from her home, from those she loved. Neither of them dared to utter a word, and the silence was deafening.
Chapter Eighteen
The Missing Queen
Alex
Alex was utterly spent when she arrived back at the palace. There had been another attack at the docks. This time the thieves were able to make off with a large supply ship. Being in charge of Varon’s recovery battalions, she had been one of the first to arrive on scene and the last to leave. She had been all over the realm trying to catch these guys, but they always eluded her, almost as if they were advised of their movements in advance.
Groaning in frustration, she flopped down on her bed, face first. Every muscle in her body ached. She knew that she should stop pushing so hard, but it was the only way that she could sleep. She drove herself to burnout nearly every day, waking early and retiring in the late hours of night or early morning if she was honest. It was the only way to keep from running into Rivka. Or thinking about her. Or wanting her. Itwas so hard not to go to her, and pretend that nothing had changed.
Gods, she missed her. What she would give to be able to walk down that corridor, find Rivka in her bed, and let all of the stress of the day melt off in her arms. Alex sometimes thought she caught Rivka’s luscious scent of lavender and vanilla in her room, on her pillow. How she missed it.
Allowing herself thoughts of Rivka was dangerous, but she couldn’t stop them. She often dreamed of her, a barrage of good memories, of happier times. Alex fell asleep with thoughts of Rivka dancing through her mind, almost like an embrace.
They were laying side by side on Rivka’s bed, Rivka’s hands running through Alex’s hair, nothing between them but the sheets twisted at the end of the bed.
“Do you ever think about what it will be like when I have a child? What they’ll be like?”
Alex looked over at the face she loved more than anything, smiling. “You will make a wonderful mother, Riv. Although knowing your luck, he or she will have Ellis’ temperament.”
Rivka laughed. “Behave! There is nothing wrong with Ellis. Plus, they can’t get into too much trouble with you parenting them.”
Surprise speared across Alex’s face. “Me? Parent? Oh, no! I am definitely not mom material! Riv, why would you say that to me?” She ended the statement on a laugh.
“Because I love you, Ria. I know that you will take one look at that tiny babe, with my beautiful eyes, and Ellis’ dimple and fall madly in love. You won’t be able to help yourself. Besides…” her voice dropped to a whisper, “I can’t do it without you. I want to share the whole of my life with you. The good, bad, and messy.” Leaning over, she pressed a featherlight kiss to Alex’s lips.
Alex grasped the back of her head, deepening the kiss,tongues melding together. Alex pressed her body in close, throwing a leg over Rivka’s hips, the movement forcing them deeper into the pillows. Alex nuzzled her face into her neck, sucking her ear into her mouth, nipping it with her teeth.
“I need to taste you.” Alex’s breath tickled Rivka’s ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Rivka's eyes glazed with desire.
“All of you.” Alex continued, tracing a path down her neck with her tongue, massaging her naked breast in her hand, flicking her thumb over her nipple.
Rivka’s moan was the only response that Alex received, arching her back, demanding she take more.
Alex bent, taking Rivka’s breast in her mouth, gently grazing the sensitive bud with her teeth, while her fingers rolled and pinched the other. Rivka’s hands cupped her face, tugging her head up and slamming her lips against Alex’s, their tongues and lips tangled in a sensuous dance of desire, her mouth claiming hers. Rivka rolled, pinning Alex beneath her, grinding her hips against hers, her breasts pressed hard against her chest.
“You want all of me?” Rivka teased. Alex gave Rivka a scorching look of challenge, grasped her hips and roughly moved her up her body. Rivka sucked in a breath at the sudden movement, her balance thrown forward, forcing her to grab onto the headboard in front of her. Alex didn’t give Rivka a moment to recover, pulling her hips down, she wrapped her mouth around Rivka’s clit, working her tongue in circles, adding pressure in just the right place.
