The Rebel's Vision Read online

  He chuckled as they both glared at him. They were becoming more alike all the time, the way many couples ended up. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or if it scared him. In the end, it just was.

  They set up quickly, and just as the sun was going down, the rest of the Company showed up.

  “Look who it is!” Nevyn laughed and ran for Mave. Kian joined. Smartly, the female of their merry band jumped into the air. The males didn’t fly after her, and Luykas tried not to get excited as she landed next to him. He tried to maintain his cool after nearly admitting to his feelings earlier.

  He wasn’t even sure where they came from, looking back. It started with a sense of duty—to her father, to her mother, to her brothers, people he had known. And to her, for surviving for so long under the worst of circumstances. Even then, they hadn’t gotten along. He’d overstepped his bounds more than once within the first couple of days, thinking he was helping her. Between the blood bond and their general lack of understanding each other, it seemed impossible he would ever develop feelings beyond a general sexual attraction.

  And there was definitely a sexual attraction. A dominant female strong enough to bring him to attention, even if he resisted it. Luykas could stare her down. He could fight it, but it still made him a bit hard to have her growl and force him to look away a lot of the time.

  She was beautiful, too. Scars weren’t considered unattractive to Andinna, and for a long time, Luykas didn’t think he would ever get over his Elvasi side to find them ignorable or attractive. Then he met her—with her steel-blue eyes, raised chin, and a body he would die to hold for a minute—and the scars disappeared to him.

  Then there was this friend thing. Nevyn and Varon had done the right thing, forcing them to acknowledge and work with the bond. Luykas was able to draw closer to her, and they were closing the gap that had been caused in their first impressions of each other. He wanted more. He wanted nothing between them. He wanted to feel her skin on his, wanted to trace each scar with his tongue, and wanted to feel her reaction to his body in hers.

  As Alchan called everyone to start training, Mave started walking off, talking about something. Luykas could only watch.

  He wanted it all, and he was being eaten alive by the fact he couldn’t have any of it.

  In the end, it was best if he just began bloodletting to try to destroy the blood bond sooner rather than later.

  She’ll never have me. Not once she finds out I’m the son of her greatest enemy. Of her most dedicated torturer. My mother destroyed her life completely. How could I ever ask her to consider me when I can never repair what was done to her?

  He felt like he was rotten from the core. It didn’t matter how good of a face he put on or how helpful he tried to be. Like every new slave instinctively knew, Mave would one day understand he was rotten. It took Shadra’s little astral visit to remind him of something he had tried for centuries to bury.

  “Luykas!” Alchan called. “Are you going to join in or sit over there and think all night?”

  He looked up from the dirt and sighed. “What are we doing?”

  “Pairs. Rainev and me versus Matesh and Zayden. Then you and Mave against them.” He nodded at Nevyn and Varon.

  “We’re leaving poor Kian out?” He frowned.

  “Senri’s coming later to join us. We’ll be cycling through with the non-bonded pairs.” Kian seemed unperturbed.

  Luykas nodded slowly and moved off the main clearing so his brother and Rain could get into position. Mave ended up next to him again, and he wondered if she would ever reach for his tail, if she would ever try to figure out where his mind went when he wasn’t connected to her. He had grown very good at the self-control needed to protect both of them from his feelings when he was prepared to touch her. He knew she would figure it out if she accidentally touched him and he wasn’t prepared. Luckily, that rarely happened and never happened when he was thinking about her in a romantic light.

  Part of him wanted to slip up and let it out. Part of him wanted to crush it and let it die so that it wouldn’t plague him.

  “How have you been sleeping?” he asked softly. Anything to get his mind off his tangled problem.

  “I work until I can’t stay awake any longer, and my body refuses to move. Then I fuck Matesh for good measure. I’ve been sleeping fine.”

  Lucky Matesh.

  “You know I’m always around to listen when you get…worrisome dreams,” he reminded her.

  “I know. I just haven’t had any in a couple of weeks. They aren’t that frequent.”

  He wished he knew what she dreamed about. What did she want for her future? Since they freed her, it had been fighting and the Company, but she took no active role in the village beyond that. Would she always stand by Alchan’s side and fight for him as her king? Would that satisfy her for the rest of her life? Or maybe she would want a hobby. He noticed she was becoming proficient with the flute, but being a musician didn’t fit her. Or maybe it did. That’s what he wanted to know.

  And he desperately wanted to know what sort of nightmares would wake the strongest Andinna he’d ever met in a panic that shocked him to the bone every time he felt it, strong enough to send him running to her side.

  “When did Rain and Alchan beginning sparring against others?” she asked, catching him off guard. He focused on the fight starting in front of him and shrugged.

  “A couple of weeks ago? Alchan decided Rain’s training needed to change. Since they’re always together, it would make sense for them to learn to fight together in tight quarters against their enemies.”

  “Ah.” She seemed interested, her curiosity piqued as Rain ducked under Alchan’s arm and spun around the king as the big male swung to attack Matesh. Zayden went around to get Rain, who was too fast for him to catch. It was a dance, and the odd pair was setting the pace. Alchan and Rain, in a very strange way, meshed well on the battlefield, apparent to everyone who watched. Alchan stepped in and kicked back Zayden as Rain went for a vulnerable spot on Matesh, nailing a hit in the chaos of the larger males. Mat nearly dropped his wooden training sword but continued on. Rain stumbled on uneven terrain, probably a gopher hole in the clearing, and Matesh went for a blow that would take the young male out of the fight.

  In the blink of an eye, Alchan was blocking Mat before the wooden sword could come down on Rain’s back. Zayden tried to get Alchan from behind, but Rain was able to regain himself and reengage his father before anything more could happen.

  Alchan, isn’t Rain supposed to protect you?

  Luykas narrowed his eyes as he watched how they defended each other equally, constantly moving around each other. Matesh and Zayden were never able to find a real opening, but Rain and Alchan were able to get easy blows as the other males floundered, trying to find a way in.

  “He’s gotten good,” she said softly.

  “Rain? He has. He’s flourished under Alchan’s tutelage.” There was no denying the leaps and bounds the young male’s sword work had come.

  “He was getting good with me, but I think Alchan trains better than me. He knows technique where I just…”

  “Kill things. You just kill things.” Luykas chuckled. “And that’s okay.”

  She shrugged. “Nevyn remains a challenge to beat.”

  He nearly laughed at that, remembering the last time those two had a real sparring session on the ship to Ellantia. She nearly killed the hardened warrior, who was considered by many a prodigy when it came to war from an early age. He was also quick to remind himself the reason she had nearly killed Nevyn was because the warrior had taken a bit of a cheap shot, not knowing how enraged it would make her. It had been a learning experience for everyone on the ship. Never kick Mave, especially not in the face or while she was down. She would tip over the delicate line they all knew she held and fall into her past.

  Her resilience to the trauma she had suffered was another reason he’d fallen for her. That line she drew between then and now was delicate but persistent. V
ery little pushed her over it, and other warriors had fallen going through less.

  Rain and Alchan came out on top, and Luykas glanced down at her, smiling.

  “You ready?”

  “Are you?” She grinned in return. Luykas took a bit of pride that she fought so closely with him. It was only because of their bond, but she’d willingly paired with him over Matesh or Bryn when it came to fighting. Not that she didn’t watch their backs when it came down to it, but he held a special place, and he knew it.

  He tried not to give away to Matesh that it meant so much to him. The male had meddled with Bryn and Mave, but then so had Nevyn and Varon. He didn’t want to be meddled with, and he didn’t want to upset her mayara.

  Steeling himself and shoving down his feelings for her, he hooked his tail with hers as they caught swords thrown their way. Mave spun the two she received in her hands, stepping ahead of him. He angled, so his eyes could remain on Nevyn and Varon even though he was in the back. Varon took the back role for Nevyn, which was necessary. Nevyn and Mave were the best in close combat. Varon was an archer at heart, and Luykas could rely on his magic. He had some secret tricks he wanted to try tonight as well. He’d been digging into more sorcery, practicing things he’d let fall to the wayside when he’d moved to Anden.

  “Begin!” Alchan roared.

  Luykas cut his palm and whispered a word in the ancient tongue of magic. The blood in his hand turned black as he stole power, and heat began to accumulate in his palm. Mave and Nevyn clashed, and Luykas kept his eyes on Varon, wondering what the male had planned.

  With the new energy he had, he pushed some into Mave, giving her a boost she used well. Then he whispered a second word, completing his initial spell. A fireball erupted in his palm, and he grinned as he prepared the throw.

  Varon was glaring at him and drew his sword. As he rushed forward, Luykas lobbed the fire at his feet. Nevyn snarled and shoved Mave back, who stumbled but didn’t fall. She was good enough to pull her tail from his, use it to hold her up, and get back her balance. She blocked Nevyn’s charge with one sword and threw her second, hitting Varon in the chest. It was hard enough to send the mute priest off his feet and into the dirt.

  “All right, you two fucking dirty cheaters!” Nevyn snapped. “What the Skies?”

  “Do whatever it takes to win, right?” Mave said innocently before looking over her shoulder at him with a grin. Luykas lived for that grin. It was wild and dangerous, looking for trouble. He almost never saw it, but it was a part of Mave that never had the chance to flourish. He wanted her to have more moments where it could come out and play.

  “Blood magic and sorcery. Alchan, we can’t spar against these two if they’re going to do that. Varon and I don’t have those skills. We’re outclassed once magic is involved.” Nevyn sighed.

  “I can’t ban them from using it. We need everything we have.” Alchan sounded a little sorry. “Let’s break the pairs up. Nevyn, since Luykas is the prolific magic user, you and Mave can continue to beat each other up. Luykas, you’re going to spar with me. Varon, see if anyone wants archery training. Everyone else, split off and figure out what you want to do.”

  Luykas sighed as his brother stomped over to him, grabbing a wooden axe as he came. Luykas shifted into a defensive stance as it was clear his brother wasn’t going to call time. They were just going to fight.

  “You can’t piss off Nevyn and Varon,” Alchan growled. “I need them.”

  “Didn’t mean to piss them off. Just wanted to show off something I have been working on.” Luykas barely brought his sword up in time to stop Alchan’s first swing.

  They were both fast, but Luykas was generally a little quicker, a touch less bulky than his brother. Today, he realized his brother was working on closing that gap. Alchan spared him no moment to stop, to breathe, as he barraged Luykas with an endless assault. Luykas realized he was going to lose if he didn’t work a lot harder.

  They clashed, the fight going on longer than any Luykas and Alchan had ever had. He knew his brother was teaching him a lesson—something about not kicking the shit out of friends during training.

  They were both panting as Leshaun landed in the clearing. Neither of them paused a fraction, but Luykas knew his brother saw the old male just as well as he did. Being observant of their surroundings was an important lesson they learned as royals during the War.

  “Alchan, I’m sorry to interrupt, but the matter is urgent,” Leshaun said boldly, loud enough for them well across the clearing.

  They stopped together, Alchan’s eyes finding the old male over Luykas’ shoulder. He turned to see the spy master as well, but silence engulfed the clearing. No one wanted to ask what Leshaun’s news pertained to.

  “It’s not about Brynec,” the old male whispered. “I’m sorry, we still haven’t heard from him. This is about…” Leshaun trailed off, looking around the clearing. “This is about Elliar.”

  “What did that bitch do?” Luykas snapped immediately. Alchan growled softly behind him, not because of the news, but as a warning to him.

  “Pertaining?” Alchan asked once Luykas stepped aside, hoping his brother could see he hadn’t meant to be harsh with the old male.

  They both liked Leshaun. When they were wayward and lost right at the end of the war, devoid of their families and support system, Leshaun had stepped up in his own way. He would never be General Lorren, but he was caring and had raised boys for centuries. He allowed the brothers to lead but also sat down with them when they needed it—more so for Luykas than with Alchan.

  “I need to speak to…” Leshaun looked around. “Well, I can speak to everyone about this, but privately. We need a secure location.”

  “Come inside,” Alchan ordered. Luykas watched his brother march toward his home. “That’s for everyone. Training is over.”

  Luykas sighed, his eyes searching out Mave. Of course, the first night she was at training, it was interrupted. It was interrupted every so often, so it wasn’t unusual, but Luykas didn’t like how it had to be her first night. He had wanted her here to work out the underlying rage and anxiety she had, and now she wasn’t going to get that.

  Everyone shuffled inside, leaving behind wooden weapons to clean up later. The rebellion came first. It was cramped inside Alchan and Rain’s home, but they managed to squeeze in, wings pulled tight. It wasn’t as roomy as Alchan’s old home in Olost, but it would get there once they had the manpower to expand it. There was no excuse for Alchan not to have the space for his Guard.

  “Rainev, will you begin drinks for everyone? Would someone help him?”

  Luykas opened his mouth, but Varon was already moving across the room, entering the kitchen before even Rain could. Luykas settled into a chair, realizing he wasn’t needed. Those two could manage everything.

  “Can he and Varon hear us from in there?” Leshaun asked, holding one of those damned leather-bound books Luykas knew held secrets from the last ten centuries. Everything they planned, there was information about it in one of those books.

  “Yes,” Alchan answered shortly. “Tell us what you have.”

  “We’ve long known that there have been groups of humans and Elvasi who have wanted the freedom of the Andinna. From Elliar and Myrsten to Ellantia. Now, we try not to rely on them, but I’ve kept in contact with their longer-lived leaders to keep up with their movements and in case we can work together. Like we did to rescue Matesh and Rainev from the capital and ended up freeing Mave.” Leshaun looked centuries older at that moment than he actually was. Luykas frowned.

  What’s bothering the old male so much?

  “And we’re hoping to lean heavily on them as the rebellion grows in strength,” Alchan confirmed. “We’ve talked about this.”

  “Well, the Elliar group had been particularly talkative with me recently. They’ve been planning something but haven’t wanted to say anything when it was too soon for them to know if it could work.” Leshaun flipped the book open. “I grew attached to one of
their members while working to rescue our young males…an Elvasi guard. He had a good heart, strong moral principles, and a guilty conscience that could be exploited a bit. His name was Trevan, a name I hope everyone in this room recognizes.”

  There was no ignoring the feminine gasp from the back of the room. Luykas looked over his shoulder to see Mave, her eyes wide.

  “Auburn hair,” she whispered. “Pale gold eyes. Tall for his people.”

  “You remember him,” Leshaun commented.

  Luykas resisted feeling jealous of this pure blood Elvasi as Mave whispered his name.

  “Trevan.” She rubbed her face. “He was the only one…I thought he died that night.”

  “So did we, until now,” Leshaun said gently.

  Luykas spun back around, inhaling sharply.

  “He’s not dead?” Incredulous, he stood up. “He was captured after helping one of the most daring escapes of the three most prized Andinna in the city, and he’s not dead?”

  “Would you rather he be?” Alchan asked him. Luykas shook his head.

  “No, it just doesn’t make any sense. He committed treason against the Empire.” Why didn’t my mother kill him to set an example?

  “You’re right,” Leshaun agreed.

  “So, why is this important?” Nevyn asked from his seat. Rain and Varon came back into the room with cool drinks for everyone, and Varon took his from his lover. Rain served Alchan first, then Luykas, who couldn’t focus on the young male enough to say thank you.

  “They’re planning on rescuing him. He sacrificed a lot to free our people, and they feel they can’t move forward without at least helping him, especially thanks to his current situation.”

  “What did she do to him?” Mave asked.

  “She…” Leshaun sighed. The pale green eyes of the old male told so many stories. This particular one was despair. “Maevana Lorren. He freed you. What do you think she did to him?”

  Luykas had the same realization settling in his gut as everyone

  “No,” she whispered. “No, she couldn’t have…”