Soon, they were in an alley where they avoided attention. Kiaran leaned against the wall of a building, resting her head on it as she looked to the sky. Finally, she could breathe without someone touching her shirt or jewelry or hair.

  Her left eye still had distinct, thick scars, but they were no longer aching or trying to heal. They were much thinner than before and were a pale white against her skin, a bit of pink within them. Davin sat against the wall beside her. He looked to her tattoo, saying, “He did the job well.”

  “Aye,” she nodded.

  He pointed to the tattoo on her leg, saying, “You’ve killed someone once you’ve become a Zeil.” She frowned a bit and he continued with a soft tone, “It is unappreciated, but done if completely necessary.” He gestured toward her back, continuing, “Your blades marked on your back, revealing everything of your power.”

  “Have you seen my back?” she questioned.

  “No,” he smiled. “But I assume they are there.”

  Interested, she sat beside him, watching him closely. “You’ve been reading,” she spoke softly.

  He fell into her gaze, her face, body, hair, skin, her everything was so womanly, so…glorious. Gently, he brushed the hair from her face, skimming a finger across her cheekbone where the ink was dotted just beneath the scars. “And this is a point of femininity…and yet it is a sign of power…Not only do the women have their jobs as mothers and wives, but also they must labor like men, earning food and respect. They fight twice as much through the day.”

  Her heart raced too fast. She nearly grew sick to her stomach as her brows creased slightly. She turned her head away slightly, hoping everything would subside.

  Davin’s stomach churned and his hands fell into his lap. He could see in her heart he was touching her in the wrong way. His jaws clenched for a moment as he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Before, he was rarely interested in flirting with women or touching them in the manor he just did Kiaran. He thought most women weren't worth the attention they begged for.

  At that moment, breaking through the inelegance and discomfort, Nurra glided to Kiaran, landing on her raised knee. He trilled sweetly as he watched her with his fiery orange eyes. She touched his nose rather playfully and he seemed to smile as he folded his wings.

  Snickering, she looked to Davin, saying, “I believe Nurra is beginning to accept you. He usually…” she sighed, unsure of how to explain. “I could always feel his discomfort while you were around.” He narrowed his eyes as she continued, “Nurra’s job is to protect me, to keep me peaceful.” She had never had peace before. It was interesting.

  He looked to Nurra who watched Kiaran lovingly. There was a very powerful connection between them. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he replied, “I can see that...But he needs to calm you while I’m around?”

  She flushed, though he couldn’t see it through the darkness. Inhaling deeply, she decided against replying. The wind pulled at her shirt as she held the open side of it close. “I cannot wait to get out of here,” she laughed uneasily.

  He snickered with her, saying, “Neither can I.”

  Lorelei and Alana rounded the corner. “There you are,” Alana exclaimed.

  “Let us rejoice,” Lorelei said.

  “Aye, let us rejoice,” Alana laughed loudly. “It is remarkable; have you seen the dancers?” Kiaran walked with her back into the crowd, Davin walking several feet behind.

  “You are lucky to have her on your side,” Lorelei said.

  “I know,” he smiled.

  The night seemed to last forever as the women entertained, their bodies painted like snakes. One woman had clothing that appeared to have dragon wings on it. She danced elegantly over to the first three women. One of the three rushed to Kiaran who sat with her companions to the side. Taking her hand, she tugged on her. She was reluctant at first, but everyone urged her to go.

  Finally, she went with the woman. The dancer pulled a sword from Kiaran, that was slung at her hip. Kiaran shoved the woman aside, tearing the weapon from her. Everyone froze, staring at her. Her heart sank as her blood grew hot. The music was even at a rest as it grew tense. Sheathing her weapon, she turned to Alana, speaking lowly. “It was a reaction.”

  Alana leaped up and moved to her, holding each arm in her hands. Kiaran continued to try to explain, but she cut in, saying, “I know, Dear, it is alright.” She took her away, leaving the others to celebrate as they will. “It was just a part of the show,” she said, “You reacted instinctively. I understand.”

  She held a hand over her face, shaking her head, “I am…”

  “Embarrassed?” she wrapped an arm around her, saying, “I would be too. But everything will be fine. You, after all, were the one who saved this little city.” She snickered as they returned to their rooms. “They call you the Swayer. You swayed the dragon to calmness...”

  “The Swayer,” she scoffed in a bit of amusement.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, they were off, traveling through the desert, weaving through canyons near sixty feet high. They were striped with reds and pinks from the rain shaping them out. It was beautiful, making Kiaran feel as though she were only the size of an ant.

  She continued to wear the clothing the Chastins gave her, however, she wore her boots and belts and bits of her armor over top. She had her chainmail beneath the shirt and wore her bracers. Her hair was pulled back, swinging messily from the tie.

  The ground was more stone than sand, making it easier to set up camp. The sky was dark as night settled in around them, the air feeling frigid through their clothes. Kiaran sat with Torin and Stella, laughing with them and listening to their stories once more. She found it was easiest to ignore any discomforts by finding amusement with her friends. And at this point, she was no longer angry with Stella.

  Davin watched her from a few fires away, Alana beside him. Kiaran’s face was lit up as she conversed with her friends. Alana looked at Davin, his face focused on the young woman. He was not stern or angry or happy, but…rather lost. Lost in Kiaran.

  She smiled a little. In all the years she had known and worked with Davin, never had he given any woman such attention. She had always pictured him falling for an overly sophisticated girl--which was believable considering his high standing in society. However, he was drawn to Kiaran.

  Alana sighed and stood beside him. “Go talk to her,” she commanded.

  He moved his gaze to Alana, saying, “About what?”

  “What do you mean?” she retorted, “She and Torin have plenty to talk about, and you do not? You have been gone for months and you have nothing to catch up on?”

  “True,” he nodded. “I just don’t want to interrupt them. Besides, we’ve already chatted about our lost time.”

  She rolled her eyes as she took a bite of her bread. “Well, Davin, you need to act on this, or you’ll lose her.”

  He stared at her, saying, “That isn’t accurate at all. I cannot just snatch her up and expect nothing to happen. Besides, I’m not even sure what I want from her.”

  “Figure it out, then,” she said.

  “How?”

  “By getting to know her as your brother has.”

  There was a long pause before he shook his head. Taking a seat, he began eating his cold meal. He didn’t like this feeling...He loved it--loved being around her, seeing her, hearing her. But he hated when her attention was elsewhere. It left him feeling void.

  Torin continued to glance over to his brother as he and the two women enjoyed themselves. Leaning into his view, Stella asked, “What is it?”

  He shook his head, narrowing his eyes, “I am not so sure.”

  Kiaran’s arms were crossed as she followed their gazes to Davin. Nurra stirred slightly in his sleep in her lap. “He seems troubled,” she finally said.

  “Seems more than that,” Torin huffed.

  It grew late as everyone laid out their beddings. Kiaran spread her blankets out smoothly, Nurra curled up in the center of them. She glanced to Torin who rested atop his blankets, his head on his hands. Moving to his side, she sat beside him, watching the clouds sail above the massive walls of stone that surrounded the scattered camp. In the dark, they were blue and purple.

  Finally, her voice cut through the silence, “I am thankful that you have been my friend through all of this.”

  He looked to her, smiling, “As am I.”

  Her lips curled into a large smile as she continued, “Alana and Davin are good as well.”

  His smile looked rather forced at that point as he looked back to the sky. “They are.”

  “Do you have something against your brother?” she questioned suddenly.

  “Not really,” he answered truthfully. If anything, he was the one being unjust. Jealous. Aggravated with his best friend and his brother.

  She rubbed her arms vigorously for warmth. Torin sat up and pulled his coat out from beside him. Gingerly, he sat it across her shoulders, wrapping it around her. She threaded her arms through the sleeves, thanking him.

  He pecked a good night kiss on her head and wrapped up in his blankets, covering his face from the fire. She watched him for a moment before whispering a good night.

  Her heart felt heavy as her senses took in her surroundings. The scent of ash, the coldness of the stone beneath her, the blank taste of water as she took a sip from her waterskin…She lifted her gaze to the sky, her brows lowering. She was unable to shake away the hurt inside of her.

  Grace would be there with her…If only she hadn’t hesitated in killing Nathanial the second she was able to. She rubbed a hand over her face and hair as she exhaled heavily. The many people she had killed…allowing Nathanial to kill his daughter…that was the worst pain she had ever endured. To know what she had allowed him to do to that child. The guilt was engulfing her.

  Standing, she turned around and faced the massive canyons about them. Taking a deep breath, she silently walked down an empty hall of orange stone, escaping the campsite. Her emotions overwhelmed her and her heart swelled. Tears formed in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall down her cheeks. She walked faster down the path, and turned the corner.

  There was a massive opening to the vast world beyond where the camp sat. She stood at the top of a massive cliff overseeing nearly everything. Davin was already there, facing the opening.

  She rested a hand on her hip. Her other hand ran through her hair and then slid down her face, stopping over her eyes. She took a deep, stabilizing breath as she leaned against the cold wall.

  Hair stood on Davin’s neck as he felt someone behind him. He turned around, surprised to see Kiaran. Her shoulders began to shake as she cried, her face hidden in a hand. He hesitated for a moment before moving to her. She wept, keeping her face hidden behind her hand. He softly took her hand and pulled it away. Her moist eyes looked to him and his heart cracked.

  There was no need in asking what was bothering her. It was everything. He didn’t want to bother her with a pathetic question that really had no answer. Her brows creased as she seemed to plead for his voice.

  “What’s bothering you, Kiaran?” his voice was as weak as he felt.

  She scoffed behind her sobbing, saying, “I was honestly hoping the question would help me understand…”

  He held her arm, attempting to calm her, her tears cascading about them. He was at a full loss, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. She pulled away, not wishing for any human contact. She began to leave, but her legs grew heavy so she stopped. Davin walked to her side. “Just talk to me, Kiaran. Whatever is on your mind, you can say it.”

  “This is ridiculous. My life is-is great. I have people who praise me, who-who have befriended me. I am no longer killing to survive. I shouldn’t be depressed with anything.” Her voice quivered. She walked toward the ledge, her hands to her sides. “But Gracie…I can never stop thinking that I should have done something sooner for her sake,” she breathed. Lowering her gaze to her upturned hands, she whispered, “It...it was my fault that she died.”

  He listened to her, intently wishing he could comfort her in some way. She thrust her hands up, holding her face as she inhaled long and deep. His stomach stung with pain as his tongue lost his language. She sniffled slightly, wiping her face clean. Her hair was hanging in her bun rather loosely just at the base of her head. Small strands of her hair floated about as the breeze moved through them.

  Finally, as if against his will, he walked to her. He was standing powerfully, his body tense. He took hold of her arm and turned her toward him. Her reddened face was heart wrenching as he looked her over. She tensed under his stare, her eyes attempting to avoid his. His free hand moved to her neck, his thumb at her jaw line.

  “I appreciate being able to talk to you.” She attempted a conversation, one that shown emotion other than anger or fear.

  “Well, of course,” he nodded. “You can talk to me anytime that you need. Night or day.”

  His hand was so warm against her jaw. She moved a hand to his, feeling his knuckles and fingers beneath her touch. She blinked away her tears as she genuinely smiled, small but warm. “I have been told…that you enjoy stories and artwork.”

  “Um, yes,” he narrowed his eyes. He removed his hand and they looked toward the world ahead.

  “I do as well…What I could get ahold of, anyhow. I was never told stories, but I read them when I could.”

  They moved near the edge and sat. Kiaran crossed her ankles, her knees elevated as she wrapped her arms around them. “I’ve always loved this one writer, in particular. He wrote often about magic and dragons, but we’ve always only seen them as tales…Then the Avestitians show up with their mounts,” he explained.

  “Why were you out here?” she asked him softly, sniffing a bit, still.

  He shrugged. “I was having a difficult night.” He pointed to the constellations which were half hidden by clouds. “At times, when I get lost in my own head, I look to something. The stars, usually. They hold a beauty and a mystery that often takes all of my attention from my difficulties. Those little specks of diamonds collected in the ocean of sky. How they form shapes and constellations is beyond me.”

  She smiled a little. "What are stars anyway? Just balls of light?"

  "As good a guess as any," he shrugged.

  All she could see was Davin…the way he looked at her, touched his hand to his hair, even the way he spoke…it was beautiful to her. But…why? He lowered his eyes, his lips hesitant to speak. But he finally added, “The stars are not the only beautifully strange things to calm my weakening nerves.”

  Their gazes met and they froze. Her heart stopped and he sighed. His eyes were stern as he opened his mouth to speak. “You are the most amazing person I’ve met.” Her eyes widened as she grew numb. “Even the most powerful men are nothing in comparison to you. There are so many things you’ve gone through and yet you are still managing to be happy…to be calm.”

  Her breath came with much difficulty as she finally fell into his eyes. Her brows creased as she failed to have a reply. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came. Finally, she breathed, “How can I trust you?”

  His brows lifted and his heart sank.

  “You told me that I was released from my prison, but I was broken out,” she said.

  “What?” he groaned. “What does that matter?”

  “It matters to me,” she pressed. “I was not supposed to have a second chance, but you broke me free. My king sent a group of assassins after me. I was truly meant to be killed, but you seem to not care? Why couldn’t you have told me the truth from the beginning?”

  He lowered his head, shaking it. “I…I just thought you deserved something better. Alana saw it too. When King Rolland refused, I questioned him and he became quite enraged. Rather than leaving you behind for the rats, we thought we’d give you a chance in life.” He looked to his hands as they cradled each other in his lap.

  Rubbing her hot, damp cheeks, she lowered her gaze. She had nothing to say, her lips attempting to reply. He turned toward her, a look in his eye that made her burn. He leaned in, some of her hair falling between their faces. Once again, her infamous, silver eyes drew him in.

  Quizzically, she blinked quickly, taking in everything. It seemed like her mouth was hesitant to work for her as she spoke, “You truly believe I am worth breaking out of a king’s prison?”

  He shrugged, smiling slightly. “I’ve always found you…fascinating. But now…” he trailed off.

  “Now what?” she breathed.

  Slowly, Davin leaned to her, bringing his lips to hers. He was cooler than her, her face burning from crying. Her heart nearly burst as her entire body tingled. His hand moved to touch her hair, though it was hesitant. She placed her hands on his biceps, just as nervous to touch.

  The kiss lasted for only a second before she tore from him, shock washing over her, making her body weak. She stared, almost appearing to be appalled…confused. His hands fell to his sides as he watched her, in shock himself.

  She bit her lower lip as she turned aside, looking out to the moon shining on them. Adjusting her coat, she cleared her throat and stood. He slowly stood as well, neither of them knowing what to say or do. She briskly walked toward the campsite. She wiped her face dry of tears, her heart racing and her blood boiling. Anger, hatred, fear, pain….everything was hurting her so harshly at one point. Perhaps sleep would help her and Davin, both.

  It was sleep deprivation. He was simply confused in what he was truly feeling. Too much sympathy--she laughed to herself, all too frustrated. After seeing her in the beautiful Chastin clothing and her falling so closely to death in his arms…it was confusing him. That is all it was. The only thing wrong with the picture is how it affected her. She should not be as lost as Davin.

  As she walked by Torin, she pulled his coat off and tossed it beside him as he slept. She, then, crawled into her blankets. She covered her head, keeping her breathing slow and steady as she forced herself to sleep. Nurra glided from Torin’s blankets to Kiaran, sneaking under the blankets with her. His cold, leathery skin and smooth scales wormed his way beneath one of her hands, trilling softly.