Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

An arctic blast blew against Lucenna, and she shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself. Cold gnawed at her fingers and toes. The better option would have been for the prince to carry Dyna back instead of giving up her ride.

“Here.” Klyde started to take off his coat, but she waved him off.

“I’m fine.” It was a lie, and they both knew it, but Lucenna didn’t want to ask for more of his help. She cast another ball of fire and left it hovering in the air. Even with its heat, the wind stole it away.

“Is it possible to hide a town?” Klyde asked as she used her magic to dig another hole in the ground. “To make it invisible as you made yourself in the cave, I mean.”

Lucenna cupped the crystal in her trembling palms and it glowed bright with her magic. “That’s called a warding spell.”

He took the crystal from her and dropped it inside the hole. With a wave of her hand, the earth fell over it in place. “Aye? Such a thing sounds unreal.”

“Oh, it is. One was placed on Dyna’s village.” Lucenna briefly closed her eyes, internally cursing herself. She was supposed to be careful around Klyde. They didn’t know much about him or if he was trustworthy, even if he did give them a place to stay.

The Captain continued strolling beside her as he studied his wall, not seeming to catch her slip. “Would it be possible for you to ward Skelling Rise from outsiders?”

“Yes, but it would cost you.”

“How much?”

“More than you can afford, Captain.”

Klyde only grinned. He mounted his horse and held out a hand. “Come, we will ride to the next spot.”

Lucenna tensed at the thought of sitting so close to him on the massive thoroughbred.

As if he sensed her worry, Klyde patted his horse’s neck. “I promise Onyx will mind his manners.”

It wasn’t the horse she was worried about. Lucenna accepted his offered hand and let him haul her up in front of him. She sat stiffly in the saddle, putting as much distance between them as possible.

After listening to the clomp of hooves for an awkward moment, she said casually, “You have a nice home. It’s peaceful.”

“Peace is fleeting,” he said so softly she almost didn’t hear it.

Lucenna turned a little to peer at him. “I imagine survival is a struggle on the Bridge, with the harsh winters and man-eating beasts. So why settle here of all places?”

“With any environment, you learn to adapt. Life is harsh out here, but we live by our own rules, and die by them, too.” A fond smile crossed Klyde’s face as he took in the view. “The peace you see, we worked hard for it, and it’s worth freezing our bollocks to keep it.”

The way he talked about it, Lucenna could tell he loved his town. “I’m told this place used to be Azurite.”

“Aye, it was.”

“Did you arrive long after it had fallen to the Horde?”

His blue eyes slid to hers. “I take it that is the question your companions want answered. Did the lass send you to find out?”

Lucenna stiffened at being caught and faced forward. “Will you charge me for the answer? It seems everything has a price with you.”

“Nothing in the world is free,” Klyde said into her ear. “You must first share your secrets if you expect me to tell you mine.”

His voice breath sent a drift of warm breath against her nape, making her shiver. She elbowed him back. “If I did, then I would have to kill you.”

Klyde’s rich laughter echoed across the land. Lucenna didn’t know if she should be offended that he didn’t find her a real threat, or consider it an advantage.

He led Onyx up a hill and he motioned at a crop of woods in the distance. “The last location will be in those trees.”

Tension settled in her stomach. She didn’t like the idea of going somewhere alone with him in a secluded area. But she needed to finish the spell. With the gap between them, a stream of icy wind constantly blew up her back. By the time they reached the fourth spot, Lucenna’s teeth were chattering.

“I should take you back,” he said.

“I’m nearly finished.”

Klyde dismounted first and moved to help her down. But she ignored his hand and awkwardly slid down the massive horse on her own.

He chuckled. “Your stubbornness amuses me.”

Lucenna ignored him. She quickly spelled and buried the final crystal. Closing her eyes, all purple glowing points appeared in the Essencia Dimensio. She cast out her Essence and connected them like a conduit. Electricity crackled along her skin as her power thrummed across the land. The crystals pulsed bright and settled as the cloaking spell finally fell in place.

When she opened her eyes, Lucenna found Klyde watching her with a soft smile. “You’re extraordinary, you know that?”

The words stirred something in her stomach, flushing more heat to her face than her own fire.

“I do know,” she clipped. “Thank you for noticing.”

Two dimples appeared at his responding grin. “My compliment annoyed you.”

“You annoy me.”

Why was he so lighthearted and playful? What was there to laugh about in this gloomy weather?

Amusement danced in his expression, as if he found her irritation endearing. “Are you angry with me or is this how you treat those who help you?”

Lucenna scowled. Another bitter gust blew against and she inhaled sharply, rubbing her arms.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“You’re freezing, lass. Take my jacket.” He handed it to her.

“No.”

Perhaps it was the way she snapped at him or he simply had enough of her refusals, but she saw when Klyde’s eyes shifted from the gentle blue of the sea to a churning storm. He strode to her with a sudden purpose. Lucenna filled her hands with magic, but he swung his coat around her and let it drape on her shoulders. Instantly it thawed her chilled body in a warmth so comforting she nearly moaned. He pulled her closer to him as he adjusted it so all of her was covered.

“Are you always this stubborn?” Klyde asked. “It’s not a bad thing to admit you need something.” He brushed the messy tangles from her eyes, and the graze of his warm fingers shot a rush of tingles across her numb cheek.

Gods.

“I don’t want help from you. It might cost me more than I can afford.” Lucenna ripped off the coat, pushing it back at him.

His blue gaze searched hers as they fell quiet beneath the snowfall. “Ah. I see.”

Lucenna’s face flamed and she inwardly cursed at herself.

Klyde stepped close enough to shield her from the wind. “Over the years, I have acquired a special skill set that pays me well. Whatever the price, only I decide what risks my men take. Yes, we were hired to see to the prince’s safety, but that didn’t include entering a troll den. I went after you because I chose to, even if it meant I might not walk out.”

Lucenna didn’t know what to say. Which was preposterous because why did it matter? He was only a handsome stranger she met in an alley who risked his life twice for her when he didn’t have to.

She backed away, suddenly aware of how close he was. “I will find my own way back, Captain.”

He sighed and put his coat back on. “It’s best you stay with me.”

She ignored him and trudged through the woods to find the road again, but everything looked the same.

Klyde took her arm. “Lass—”

“Let go!” She yanked on his hold. It was like trying to uproot a mountain. Her boots gave out first and slid out form under her. Klyde’s arms came around her back, twisting his body as they fell. They landed in a heap. She was well aware of his chest underneath her, one of his hands protectively covering her head, the other low on her waist. She laid there for a moment, too stunned to move. The scent of cedar and the churning sea drifted to her.

“Lucenna?” The sound of her name formed by his teasing voice lurched her back to her senses. “Can you stand? Not that I’m complaining. I’m rather comfortable at the moment if you prefer to lie here.”

She quickly shifted back on her heels between his legs as he sat up.

“Are you all—

Lucenna whipped out a blade, bringing it to his neck. “Let me make one thing clear,” she hissed. “Don’t expect me to fawn over you like the other women you’re used to. I’m not some starry-eyed wench blinded by your charms and chiseled shoulders. I’m a different kind of breed. The kind that would fry your nethers and laugh while doing it. Do not test me.”

Klyde stared at her a long second, then a slow grin spread across his face. “You think I’m chiseled?”

Face flaming, Lucenna cursed her thoughtless mouth. His laugh cut off when she used the knife to tilt his chin up. She expected fear but something else radiated in his dark gaze.

“Good gods.” His hand landed on her thigh, seeping heat through her clothing. “Do you know how to use that, love?”

Lucenna gritted her teeth. “Would you like to find out? I’m tempted to put a few holes in you.”

One second she had the knife, then it was in his hand. He flipped her on her back and pinned her beneath his hard body in snow, their faces inches apart. Lucenna’s heart shot to her throat. Why was she always finding herself pressed against him?

He leaned in close, his voice nearly purring in her ear. “I much prefer being the one who impales.”

“Oh, you disgusting—Get off!”

Chuckling to himself, Klyde helped her up. “Only because you asked nicely. I don’t wish to frighten you.”

“You don’t. Giving you the chance to move was a courtesy. Do it again, and you will find yourself in so much pain you will regret ever crossing me.”

“Did you forget I lead a band of mercenaries others have taken to calling the Skulls?”

Lucenna smirked. “Would you like to see whether I can best you, Captain?”

A sly smile curved half of his mouth, drawing out one of those damn dimples. “Aye, I’ll meet that challenge. Take the first blow.”

“If you haven’t already realized it, I’m very powerful,” she warned. “I could easily defeat you.”

“There is more than one way to defeat someone.”

Without warning, she stuck her hand flat against his chest. Purple lightning should have thrown him clear across the forest but it merely crackled against his coat, fizzling to smoke. Klyde caught her wrist, flashing an aggravating grin. She tossed spell after spell but he disintegrated all of them with a sweep of his arm. The ground vanished under her feet as he wrenched her around, pinning her to a tree. They stared at each other, both panting heavily.

“You didn’t say your coat was enchanted,” she hissed.

“You didn’t ask.” He shrugged. “Magic is a powerful weapon, but it shouldn’t be the only one you have. Without it, you’re at a disadvantage.”

She had seen that proven with her father.

Lucenna smiled sweetly, and the action seemed to stun him, his body falling still. “Do you know what your disadvantage is?” She slowly leaned in and his gaze dropped to her mouth. “You underestimate me.”

Her knee smashed into his groin, and he dropped with a grunt. She strode away with her chin held up high but stopped when Klyde didn’t make a sound. He laid curled in the snow, unmoving.

“Captain?” Lucenna rushed back and rolled him on his back. He was unconscious. “Gods, I must have hit you too hard.”

But her worry vanished when his fingers curled around her waist, a small smile played on his lips. “You missed.”

Lucenna released a groan that bordered on a scream. “I have never met a more ridiculous man. Every breath you draw infuriates me!”

She kicked his leg before stomping off.

Klyde’s husky laugh rolled through the woods. “Where are you going? The town is that way.”

Ignoring her flush, she pivoted to where he pointed. They came out where his black horse waited.

Klyde mounted the saddle with graceful ease and motioned for her. “Come, let me escort you to the manor. The temperature drops mercilessly once the sun sets. If you try to make it back alone, you would most certainly perish from exposure and only for the sake of pride.”

Lucenna scoffed but that one breath invited a burning chill in her lungs, and she remembered how easily the cold kills on the Bridge. She was already trembling and her toes were numb. Klyde was right. She was being prideful—and stupid—even if he didn’t mention that part.

Lucenna begrudgingly took his hand. He easily hauled her up onto the horse as if she weighed nothing. Klyde draped his coat around her again and this time Lucenna didn’t protest. Taking the reins, he nudged Onyx into a canter. She sat stiffly, not wanting to get so close to him, but trying to stay upright while riding was difficult to maintain. Not before long she was leaning against him. Klyde didn’t tease her about it, thank the God of Urn. He was exasperating but without him, her wouldn’t have worked and she would have ended up with frostbite.

“Thank you,” she grumbled.

“What was that, love?”

Lucenna glowered at his coy tone, trying not to clench her teeth as she repeated herself. “I said, thank you. For your assistance today…and the other occasions you offered it. I admit…it was kind of you.”

“Are you referring to when I saved your life or when I improved your spell?”

“Don’t push it.”

She could almost feel him grinning again. “I think you might like me by the end of winter, Lucenna. Even if we have to pretend that you don’t already.”