Hidden Magic Ch. 18

I ran for what felt like leagues. Serinne had broken the rules, she had no fear of the queen, and that made her more dangerous than I had imagined. With her moon's blood, as she claimed to have received, she still had to make sure I was not with child. If one or both of us, no duel could legally happen. I had only agreed to it because I knew I would run. Normally this would result in the forfeiture of my title and holdings, but with my own moon blood a week away my legal ability to consent was debatable at best.

With luck I was leading them far away from Tomass. I prayed silently that he would remain there, waiting for me. This part of town was nearly deserted after dark, only thieves and cutpurses would be out, so I kept my sword naked in my hand.

Their pumping footsteps kept pace with me. Serinne had been given a spell of speed and strength by her husband, which meant he either felt my imminent death was of great importance, or he had that much to waste. Both were terrifying, even as I knew my enemy was toying with me, running me like a wolf with prey.

Her seconds had dropped off, or perhaps thought to cut me off but I kept my movements random. Using only the stars to determine direction I lost myself while leading away from the gaming hell.

If Serinne had planned this, that could only mean Lucianne had told them our plans. She could have left when Tomass and I were raising his magic, but that meant Filtin the younger was...

My heart stuttered and my feet skidded.

I turned and she was there, at twenty paces. Serinne grinned, sword naked. All I could think was that Tomass was in danger, one enemy in the room with him, the other outside. He was expending great magic to rid the duchess of the curse, leaving him vulnerable.

I charged her, cutting off her speech with my war cry.

Her sword was raised but I'd anticipated that as I leapt. I had won many a battle with this move, swiping my sword to her side under me, and I knew I would take hers at my shoulder. I crashed to the cobblestones with fiery agony in my shoulder and her cry ringing in my ears.

I rolled over my shoulder, oozing blood from a long cut, and moaned. Serinne knelt, her sword dropped, hands ate her stomach where my sword had cut open her dress to expose pale skin filling with blood.

"Run to your husband, he will heal you!" I cried.

She spoke words I could not hear, something rapid under her breath, and then he disappeared, the sword too.

I fell to my back, panting from the long run, the short battle. Above me was a small bridge between two houses, some long ago gatehouse turned into a home for families and built up upon. The houses around us were small, brick, dun. I was over a mile away from the gaming hell and I had to get back to save Tomass. He did not know the treachery afoot.

Struggling to my feet I used my sword as a cane, and stood there gasping. Gas lamps were few and far between but there w as enough soft light from windows around me I could see my cut was deep. I needed cleansing, immediate attention, but Tomass needed me more.

If I raced there, perhaps he would still have a little magic for me.



***



The den was awash with madness. Pleasurers and women ran from it, screaming. There was a fire on the second floor and as I watched blue-white light encompassed it and the fire went out.

"Move aside!" I cried, fighting to get through the stream of bodies flowing out into the narrow street.

My wounded arm hung limply at my side but I used my left hand to smack several and went around the edges, heading for the back entrance. Lucianne was gone, the door flapping open. A quick look told me it had been broken down, but by whom?

Inside it was empty but I heard the clash of swords ring out. I drew mine in my left hand, not as strong as my right, but no one could call themselves a soldier unless they were proficient with both.

I ran up the stairs to find the elder Filene sitting, pressed against a wall, looking quite dazed with a black eye. "The Duchess...he wiped her memory, she ran out. Bitch punched me!"

I knelt by her, grimacing as the movement jostled my wound, wetting my dress and cloak further. "Where is Tomass?"

"Fighting that other guard. I told him he should not heal her!"

I left her and ran. They were on the stairs leading down to the gaming tables. Filtin had the higher ground and though my husband had superior strength, her training was winning. There was no time to plan, I decided, and took off running. I held my sword high and willed Tomass to not notice me, though of course he did. My luck was holding.

She turned and her sword to meet mine, but my rage pushed her off balance. The metal clashed and I landed harshly against a pillar while she wobbled. Tomass acted quickly, his foot kicking out to sweep hers aside.

I would have pushed her but I only could with my right arm, now undulating between numbness and pain. Without it she simply fell on her back. Tomass looked unsure so I hauled myself to my feet and did what needed to be done. I brought my sword straight down into her chest and she screamed, blood filling it to gurgle a death rattle.

"You killed her!"

"She was trying to kill you, and she and Lucianne betrayed us. I'm sorry you had to see that, but Tomass, we must get the elder Filtin and get to safety. Come on!" I jerked my sword out and swayed on my feet.

"Your shoulder!"

"I'll live, but we need to get out of here. M'Graough may come soon!"

He opened his mouth ready to argue but his magic was down, I was wounded, and he knew in my face we had to escape for we could not face the happy couple. Serinne and M'Graough would kill us easily.

"Come this way!" I ran back for Filtin and he followed. She was still sitting there, dazed, and I was too weak to pick her up. Tomass sheathed his sword and did it for me, lifting the plump woman like she was a father.

She groaned and promptly passed out.

"You do seem to have that effect on women," I quipped so the worried look on his face would ease. It didn't.

I led him outside where the crowd was dispersing. Not knowing who was friend or foe I ushered them through the crowd, turning them down allies, checking behind us to make sure we were alone.

I led him the long way though I felt myself weaken, and by the time we reached Anderank's I was barely able to walk or focus, fighting the darkness closing in. Tomass climbed the steps and set Filtin down on the bench by the door before pulling the bell chain.

"To-" that was all that came out as I pitched forward towards the porch, and my body kept going into darkness.



***



"Minn," I heard. The voice was deep, husky, purring along my skin.

Tomass, I thought sleepily. I was warm, floating, and I felt the distant call of need.

"Forgive me," I heard whispered and then heat concentrated over me and within me.

I felt something pulling gently, moving, my mind could not make sense of it, but then I peaked, a familiar feeling of pleasure washing through the darkness. I opened my eyes to see a strange ceiling. I glanced around and down, to where Thomas's head was bowed over me, his dark hair as soft as a feather and as smooth and cool against my skin as a waterfall.

He raised his head, bright eyed, and on his face I noticed his thin beard was back, untrimmed, and it glistened with my juices. "Forgive me," he said, and touched my arm.

Pain laced through me at the shoulder, searing hot.

"Stop it, you're hurting her!" A voice called, Filtin, as a door burst open to my screams.

"I...have to...not...at...full...strength."

"Leave them," Anderank said, and I turned my head, meeting his gaze. The door closed, and then I surrendered to the pain and darkness again.

The next time I woke it was dark out, and I was still in the bed. Tomass slept beside me, his naked body wrapped around mine. I rolled away and felt my shoulder. The skin was whole but it was stiff, all of me was. I was thirsty, incredibly so, and hungry.

I swung to the edge of the bed and tried to stand. My legs had other ideas and I fell back down, crashing into his side. Tomass jerked up. "Minn?"

"Yes. Why can't I feel my legs? How long have I been in this bed?"

"Three days."

"What!?!"

"Wait here, I'll get you food and water."

Before I could protest he was up, wrapping his black cloak around his naked body. Tomass left me and I laid normally, my back against the pillows. I tried to wiggle my toes and felt an odd numb buzz pass through the limbs.

He came back with a tray, set it down, and passed me a glass of water. I drank it all greedily and held it out for more, which he obligingly poured. As I drank that he moved his hand and I felt the ruffle of his magic, cleansing me of sweat and dirt, even my breath. Another wave and the buzz went away and I could wiggle my toes.

"Thank you."

"It took so long because- I expended all the magic I could with the Duchess and healing the Filtins, and it's not easy to get back when you're unconscious."

"Doesn't it grow naturally?"

He sat down and passed me a hunk of bread and some cool slices of meat. I accepted them and bit in enthusiastically. "It does, slightly, but slower when I'm so removed from nature. Even in the woods I'm accustomed to it is a slow process, replenishing small magicks. For grander magic...you know how I raise it. I had no wish to touch you when you were unconscious, but when your wound began to fester...I had to. That was all I had, and now a day later what my body naturally gains I just spent."

"Tomass," I said around a bite then swallowed. "What news of Serinne and M'Graough?"

"Anderank says they are with the Queen. The plan worked, the Duchess is free of his spell and under mine. She reports to us, but she has been shut out."

"What if they had attacked while I was unconscious?"

"We would have fought them."

I laughed slightly. "You have no training against soldiers, not with a sword. You're good but they are devious. Anderank is a pleasurer turned artist and Filtin is a madam and a spymaster. Magic is your best weapon. If I am not able you must do what you need to raise it."

"How would you have me do this? Perhaps death magic, kill some innocent. You know that the innocent grant a sorcerer more power than a guilty soul, yes? Or perhaps if that is distasteful you would have me take your body without permission. Is that not why your society is structured the way it is? Is that not our number one complaint against the North? Do you desire to be raped?"

I glared at him. "This is not a game, it is not life or death. Sex magic does mean you can only raise your magic with one person, does it?"

He stared at me, the silence profound. After long moments his jaw flexed. "How can you say that to me?"

"You said it yourself, you're a sorcerer first."

"Minn, I love you. I didn't want to love any woman, for fear I would be treated as property, and yes, because I feared it would limit my ability to raise my power, but even if I hadn't married you, I would have loved you. Damn me, damn you, I do. And that means something. If you touch another man, I'll kill him, and I expect you to feel the same way about me!"

My heart thundered. He meant it, and yes, that made me glad. But I was scared. Somewhere out there were two people who could not only destroy us, but destroy the world. It was my fault, lashing out at Serinne in anger, I had earned my wound. And I had put us all in jeopardy.

"Then if I am the way, the only way, let's waste no time."

His anger froze with shock. I moved, taking advantage of that surprise. I tackled him across the foot of the bed, straddling him. He fought me but I kissed him, and the shock of it made him go pliant.

I took advantage and pulled his cloak from his shoulders, turning his body and working it loose. My tongue slid paste his lips tasting sleep and wine on his tongue. He didn't notice and quickly I rolled his cloak up, pressed over his prone wrists, and then tied it to the bed.

"Hey!" He broke off. I'd had to bind prisoners in the war and quickly I turned his wrists, tightening the slack until he was bound. "Minn..." he growled.

I ignored him and moved down, kissing his taut skin as I went, tracing the lines of his body with my tongue. Despite his anger or perhaps because of it, his cock swelled against me. I nibbled above his belly button, tracing my hardening nipples over the head of his cock, feeling him grow more.

I laved the lines that formed a V, teasing his cock with the tip of my tongue before biting the furred skin above it.

"Damn you, damn you!"

I laughed and covered him with my mouth. He bucked wildly against me, trying to throw me off like an unbroken horse, and I held on, giving him all I had. I suckled, licked, bobbing my head rapidly. He was hard now, hard as a rock, and I had to admit the thrill of control had me wet and already aching.

After long minutes I released him with a sigh, then moved to cover him with urgent speed. His blue eyes blazed with anger and passion. Guilt touched on me and I suppressed it, too embarrassed to stop and apologize. I needed him, needed him badly, and I wanted to tell him I loved him, but I was a maelstrom of emotions and too far gone.

Slamming down, I caught my breath when I was seated.

"Why?" Tomass asked, and that one word pierced my armor.

I couldn't speak and so I bent down and kissed him. I moved gently, letting my body speak the words I couldn't form. I rode him then, slowly, my eyes searching his as passion clouded them. Master or servant, he was a man caught between the two. At that moment he was mine, even as his cock filled me, his hard body rubbed against mine, and his soft cries of pleasure echoing mine drove me own pleasure.

I felt him then, on the edge, and my own passion overrode the madness. I pulled the knot and he was free, and I let my body pause. He was gone, too far gone, and all he did with those free hands was to cup my ass and urge me on. I moved again, thrusting hard, slamming my body up and down, racing for the peak.

I found it then, and so did he. We arched together, slowing as the tremors wracked our bodies. I cried out, uncaring of the others in the house, mindless to anything but the feel of his hot, hard body around me, inside me.

After I rolled off quickly, feeling low. Before meeting Tomass I had never lost my tight leash on my emotions. I had awoken to fear and taken it on him. All my life only my well being had mattered, and it as not fear for myself that had clouded my mind. It was fear for him.

"I'm not sure what point you were trying to prove, but if you're so keen to be on top you could just ask."

I laughed at that, and let myself laugh until it was bled out. "You know, I thought I knew what marriage was all about. I was to marry a young man of good standing, perhaps the second son of a Duchess as befitting my station. Someone with a good dowry and training to be near invisible. I'd teach him to manage my managers and spend most of my evenings at the clubs a I had when I was young. Perhaps in time warm regard would grow to more, but not much.

"Instead I return from the gaping maws of hell and stumble upon a plan that brings into my life the most stubborn, fierce, intelligent, determined man I've ever met. I don't know how to protect you. I don't know how to manage you. I don't know how to do any of the things I was taught from birth to do with a husband. And more and more I fear I don't know how to love you."

I had bared my soul. The great general, the renowned orator was completely, hopelessly undone and floundering thanks to a simple man of great beauty and unfathomable depths. I had wanted to control him, put him in his place, and I knew it had been to make myself feel better, but damn it, I was learning this as we went along myself.

Tomass simply stood, grabbed his robe, and left the room.



***



"He's out there again," I said, eyeing the small glass house Anderank raised plants in. Tomass claimed he felt connected to nature there but I knew he was avoiding me. The scene in the night had been far from pleasant.

"Boy, you don't know a thing about men, do you?" Filtin said over her tea.

Anderank had served us, voicing his desire to help, even cancelling his appointments. He had settled in as happy as any husband, cooking surprisingly delicious meals and baking small customary cakes for the afternoon snack. "She's right in many ways."

I took a sip of my tea, fortified with liquor, and simply raised an imperious brow at my former lover. He put down the spoon he was using to stir whatever delicious concoction he was making for dinner and wiped his hands on his apron, coming to sit at the table with us. "Oh, you know lots of us whores. You were by far my best patron, but a pleasurer is not an ordinary man. Most of us are born either abandoned or orphans on the street. Those like me were abandoned, born on the wrong side of the sheets. We've grown up expecting little from this world, and by the time we meet noble women like you we are well used and jaded."

I had no reply to that.

Filtin nodded. "Your young man may have been raised outside of nobility or the city, but he's a right proper young man. He may fancy himself a warrior, but like all young men he has a tender heart."

"And you're shitting all over it," Anderank added, pouring himself a cup of tea and plopping in two sugar cubes.

"I beg your pardon?"

He smiled at me, not the dazzling smile of a consort seeking payment, but a smile of friendship. "I don't fault you, like most noble women you were born only knowing three types of men. Equals whom you saw as objects to be ignored until they reached marriageable age, servants who were objects to toy with, and later men like me whom you paid to toy with."

"I suppose I never stopped to think of it that way."

Filtin chuckled softly. "Don't worry, dearie, your own father died so early and you had no brothers, it's not your fault, but you do need to learn how to handle that young man or you'll lose him. We need him on our side, don't muck this up or the entire Queendom will pay."

"Well when you put it like that." I popped a little cake in my mouth cutting off what I wanted to say.

"I believe our mutual friend has a point, but there is something more important. You love him, it's plain for me to see, for I know you." His hand crossed the table to lay on top of mine, squeezing. His beautiful eyes were slightly sad, making him far more beautiful than anyone he'd ever painted, save for Tomass. "If you drive him away your life will be agony."

Filtin snorted. "This is why love is overrated. Lust, now there's a commodity you can by and sell!"

He glanced askew at her. "Might Minn and I have a moment alone?"

"Suit yourselves, I'm going to go over the papers you brought in this morning. I'll be in the study."

"Don't touch my canvas!" He called at her retreating swaying hips. "She's a bit brusque for this conversation."

"Anderank, I'll speak plainly. Yes, I love him, but he's like no man I've ever met. He argues with me, he doesn't listen to me. He's far too blunt and direct. Sometimes he almost intimidates me, and then in the next second he seems like a shy little boy. He's more intelligent than any man, or woman, come to think of it, than I know, but he has no sophistication. Some nights he's like the most seasoned pleasurer in all the land, and the next day he's an innocent."

Anderank laughed and withdrew his hand to take a sip of tea. "I can see why you're smitten. You're no ordinary woman, Minn, you would never be happy with an ordinary man."

"Then what in the six hells am I doing wrong!?!"

"Well for starters you're judging his actions by the standards society has set. He's a sorcerer, something outside, and even were he not our Tomass is no ordinary young man. You need to recognize that."