Chương 9: A little longer

Ch 9: A little longer

"I'm about to meet a king, aren't I," the strange, foreigner muttered, looking at himself with a wince.

"I would have liked to clean up the blood." Isavey smiled and looked him over. Again. She gently probed around the wound with her fingers, realizing it was deeper than she'd first thought.

"Oh I'm sorry, this must hurt terribly. I should have asked if…" she realized it was too late to go to a healer now. If her father agreed, they had to meet him immediately.

"There are powerful water mages in my father's court. I'll ask one to heal you."

"That went swimmingly last time," Felix muttered. Isavey let out a breath. He was right—with his…lack of proper control over his magic, they had to be careful. But trying last time had at least caused him to somehow heal himself. Perhaps it would work again.

"Are you alright for a little while? As soon as we're finished, we'll…"

"I'm alright, princess. Anything I need to know? Or do I just stand there and look pretty?" Isavey smiled and uselessly tried to smooth out a few rips and tears in the man's shirt, still fighting the whole body flush that wouldn't go away.

"Just answer any questions you're asked. But if I say something about the attack, please just agree with me. My father knows about you. He's a very wise and good lord, but some details should be private for now. He'll know what to do." The stranger's handsome face was hard to read. As usual Isavey found she couldn't hold his intense, blue gaze, and soon looked away. They stood in awkward silence until the herald came back. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"The High lord will see you now, my lady. You may enter." Isavey nodded and walked inside, almost taking Felix's hand again before remembering herself. Important women had their own special days to petition the lord of the lake city. They weren't permitted to just wander in and demand an audience, daughter or not. But it wasn't something people ever tried to do, and no doubt it was so unusual her father had permitted it.

Isavey also knew her father trusted her—knew that she wouldn't do such a thing without good reason. The two dozen or so members of her father's court had taken seats around the hall—with only High Mage Hasha missing, who was probably still treating his burn. The others looked comfortable and unconcerned. It was a usual day with no crisis, and Isavey's father was a just and reasonable man. He was well liked, loved even, by most of his important vassals, and had ruled well for twenty years.

With one or two exceptions, court members were men from their immediate or extended family, or key members from their supporting clans. All nodded or smiled politely at Isavey before staring at the big foreign man at her side. She smiled back at uncles and cousins, trying not to wither at the attention. The gaze and greetings from the lesser lords was… somewhat different, but Isavey had grown used to such looks from men.

She was not only the eldest daughter of their lord, and the most famous young Water Pool on the island—she had also recently… developed, with many of the features that made men lust. The lesser lords, in other words, badly wanted her as a bride for their sons. Or for themselves. But they would also know it was extremely unlikely. Her father's rule was strong, his house and clans in order, his heir able.

The only thing the House of Amadi wanted for was more power, more influence—which meant allies from amongst the other houses.

"Daughter." Her father stood from his simple throne, no different than the other chairs in the room save for the symbol of their family. He smiled and came forward with arms wide until he noticed Felix's bloody wound. His expression transformed to one of concern.

"What's happened?" Isavey had to be careful. She was mostly here to make sure her father knew to be aware of an immediate threat, but she didn't want to give away any details. It would hurt his reputation if his daughter was attacked in broad daylight. It would make him seem weak.

"This is the stranger, father. His name is Felix." She gestured.

"I see him, Isa. But why is he leaking blood on my floor?" A few men chuckled, and Isavey fought the blush. They were speaking the family tongue now and of course Felix wouldn't understand a word. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. But amongst the many wards blanketing the island from the Altar of Amar, there was a translation rune easily activated with a tiny bit of mana. Isavey decided it would be rude to go without it.

She also needed Felix to know what she was saying.

"A group of mages attacked the foreigner before the first bridge. They had fire, and air magic, and wielded it with some skill. Felix fought and killed two of them. But the third escaped." Her father's eyes widened. Some of the men stood or exchanged looks now.

"Felix, is it?" Her father met the man's eyes.

"How could you kill two mages? And why would they be after you?" Isavey held her breath, desperately hoping the man played along. She cursed herself for not better preparing him, but there was nothing for it now.

"Mages don't scare me, lord. But I've no idea why they'd be after me." Isavey slowly let out the breath, desperately guarding her expression. The lord of the city frowned with obvious confusion, looking ready to say something to his advisors, probably to downplay the attack as a misunderstanding. Isavey jumped in first.

"He's gifted, father. With both fire and water. But he seems… untrained. Except maybe for combat. Should I take him to the temples for testing?" Her father stared now, looking at Felix as if for the first time with real interest. She could see his cunning mind calculating and wished she could read his thoughts. Did he consider the man an opportunity? A threat? To Isavey he was clearly both, and so he must be recruited. But how? And for what purpose, exactly? Island politics were complex but stable.

A single mage, if powerful enough, could tip the balance in a house's favor. Isavey had heard what High Mage Hasha said. She had seen him struggling to overcome this young man's power, failing at a task he had accomplished hundreds of times. Even drawing from Isavey's pool hadn't been enough. What did that mean? Was this stranger really more powerful than the greatest water mage in the isles?

"He's too old to be untrained," said her father, as if unimpressed.

"And most dual affinity mages are weak in both. Put him with the children. After the testing, of course. Oh and get that leaking chest of his plugged. See to it all personally." Isavey bowed, understanding. This man is important, her father was telling her. I want him healthy and watched, I want him treated like kin and made loyal to my house. Leave nothing to chance. And keep things discreet. As ever, her father was wise, and Isavey felt a surge of pleasure.

It didn't hurt, of course, that it was exactly what she'd been hoping for. She knew it was just a girlish crush—that the man was so different and that he'd risked himself to protect her. And soon enough she'd be married off to some lord. But for a little while, she could enjoy the excitement, and the fantasy. She could hear about the outside world from this strange, exotic man, and look into those big blue eyes and pretend it was the ocean. And maybe for a little while she would feel free.

** Felix was starting to feel trapped like a land-locked rat. The men in that hall (including Lord Amadi) stared at him like fishmongers stared at a hanging tuna. He just wasn't sure if they meant to sell him, or eat him.

"Alright, what just happened?" he said to Isavey as they walked through the palace halls.

"What are the temples and what was he saying about kids? I thought I was going to get 'healed' or something." The girl took a deep breath like he was an idiot. He probably was. She led him hurriedly down the beautiful stone corridors covered in plush rugs, looking around like she was worried they'd be overheard.

"The testers can heal you. Then you'll be trained like a new mage—the temples are like schools, each devoted to an elemental form of magic. Fire, air, earth, water. It's nothing sinister. And I'll…"

"You know, no one has asked me anything since the moment I got here." Felix gripped the hand of his good arm and tried to stay calm.

"You just shuffle me around like cargo. Like I've got no choice, like my opinion makes no difference. And I'm starting to feel like maybe I should be a little more difficult." The girl slowed and at least had the good grace to look apologetic. She shrugged and stopped, meeting his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Felix. I know what it's like to… have no choice. But we must all deal with the problems in front of us. You won't be allowed to leave until you've done what my people ask. But I'll make sure you're comfortable and taken care of. You'll be treated well, I promise you." Felix found the girl's voice and manner strangely calming. She was like your favorite last meal before execution. A splash of color in a black and white cell.

He didn't blame her, and he certainly didn't want her to leave, or start hating him.

"You're right, princess. I'm sorry. I'll behave and not get you in any trouble. But just know, all I really want is back on a ship where I belong. Out on the sea to go where I please." She smiled at him with an expression he still couldn't read. It was almost like she sympathized, and maybe even wanted that for him, too. She was a good woman, he decided. Kind and empathetic. The neutral expression was the mask. And as he stared into her brown eyes he started to realize he was playing with fire, and his own heart.

He'd made the mistake once or twice before. Allowing himself to get close to a good woman and even fall for them, despite knowing it could never be. The release of sexual desire, his father had warned, was one of the surest ways for a Lifestealer to go off. In fact it was the most common way. Felix couldn't imagine a more terrible fate. To finally give in to his lust, to be welcomed into a woman's trust and body, only to reward her with suffering and death.

It was a cruel joke, the most awful curse of Felix's 'gift', and to imagine it happening with Isavey made him shudder in horror.

"I'm so sorry, I keep forgetting about your arm." The girl looked at his wound and flushed as if embarrassed.

"Please. It's only a little further. We'll get you healed, and fed, and rested. The test won't take long." He nodded and followed, feeling more drained now by the moment. It wasn't the wound, or the fight, or the difficulty of the last few days. Felix watched Isavey's silk wrapped outline, the curves of her hips and the mesmerizing swell of her very shapely ass. It was a kind of torture he always hated on land. Even a plain woman to him was like a delicious meal he could never enjoy.

But a beautiful one like Isavey made his mouth water, lit his skin on fire. That she was sweet and honest, young and innocent… just made it all that much harder. He trudged behind her wishing he was at sea, not sure how long he'd last in this place. But he'd meant what he'd said—he'd behave, for the girl's sake. When he'd gotten the measure of things and given more freedom, then he'd look to see if and how he'd escape. He just had to last a little longer.