Knight of Wands (A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure Novel) (Devices of War Book 2) by SM Blooding
Authors: SM Blooding
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beside you.”
Her chest rose and fell as she gripped the side of her plate in a white knuckled hand.
I stood.
She tipped her head.
“But I will not come to you as a Mark. I will not come to you as a boy, or as a plaything for your bed. If the world needs it, if the people need it, I will stand beside you as an equal. Not as a weapon, but as a protector.” I pointed a finger to the ground, my shoulders tight. “But until you understand what that means, I will live in solitude.”
Silence engulfed the room.
This decision hurt, but I knew it was the right one. I wanted nothing more than to go home, but I could not.
Her cheeks sunk as she thought. Finally, she stood. The seductress was gone. Someone else filled her place, someone I’d never seen before. In that one moment, I saw into her soul; a scared little girl wanting only to be loved and accepted.
I met her gaze with honesty and openness. I had nothing else to offer.
“I will not force you into solitude.”
I took a half-step back. What was she trying to do? “Then the people will be protected?”
“Yes. All the people will be safe. Families, those protected by the Hands, and those who are affiliated with no one.”
“How can I trust your word?”
Her gaze dropped. “It will be a test.” She swallowed. “Of my integrity.”
My mouth fell open. Had she really just said that?
“But if they attack us, I shall retaliate.”
“You will have to send word.” I shook my head. “They will not believe you, even if you say it’s true.”
She removed her diamond studded claw and stroked it. “You will have to tell them for me, and then allow my actions to back your claims.”
She seemed . . . sincere. Did she even know how to be? “Nix.”
She waved me off, sorrow and defeat in her dark gaze. “Go.”
My feet were rooted to the spot. I couldn’t quite believe this was happening. Had I just succeeded? Had I just won?
She licked her lips. “But do one thing for me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“Kiss me.”
I had to give this woman points. She could play me like a fine stringed instrument. “No.”
Her eyes closed and she turned away, her shoulders slumped. “You may leave now. The people of this world are safe from . . . me.”
I watched her for another long moment.
She walked to the big window. The only light streaming in came from the asteroid belt and the dimly lit planet, Kel’mar.
Where were the traps?
Tentative relief made my limbs as I left. I couldn’t get too cocky. I had to remember who was I was playing with.
No. I had to recall who was playing me. Had I really just won? Or had I given her exactly what she’d wanted?
If that were the case, then what was she planning? I hoped I could figure that out before I handed it to her. I hadn’t succeeded in thwarting her yet.
CHAPTER 6
STUMBLING MY WAY BACK HOME
Carilyn waited for me on the other side of the door. She shot off the wall she had been lounging against and blinked. “Leaving so soon? Synn, I’m disappointed. I figured you for at least five minutes. Maybe even eight.”
I wasn’t in the mood. I had a peace between the Hands and the rest of the world. Possibly. Maybe.
I’d never seen her so . . . honest.
Yeah. I was being played. Sky fell it! What trap had I just fallen into?
There were too many ways this could go bad. The Families couldn’t afford for me to be a fool twice.
Carilyn took the hint and didn’t say anything. She led me and her Swords through the silent city in the dark of night. Festos burned like a sliver of golden rock hanging over the pale half orb of the great red planet, Kel’mar. The asteroid belt blinked, bathing the area in pinks, and reds and greens. A storm lay on the horizon, blanketing some of the stars in black.
Did I dare hope to find freedom?
No.
Dyna met us in the main room to the House of Swords, a piece of parchment in her hands. She still wore the more formal dress from the impromptu council of the queens.
She
Her chest rose and fell as she gripped the side of her plate in a white knuckled hand.
I stood.
She tipped her head.
“But I will not come to you as a Mark. I will not come to you as a boy, or as a plaything for your bed. If the world needs it, if the people need it, I will stand beside you as an equal. Not as a weapon, but as a protector.” I pointed a finger to the ground, my shoulders tight. “But until you understand what that means, I will live in solitude.”
Silence engulfed the room.
This decision hurt, but I knew it was the right one. I wanted nothing more than to go home, but I could not.
Her cheeks sunk as she thought. Finally, she stood. The seductress was gone. Someone else filled her place, someone I’d never seen before. In that one moment, I saw into her soul; a scared little girl wanting only to be loved and accepted.
I met her gaze with honesty and openness. I had nothing else to offer.
“I will not force you into solitude.”
I took a half-step back. What was she trying to do? “Then the people will be protected?”
“Yes. All the people will be safe. Families, those protected by the Hands, and those who are affiliated with no one.”
“How can I trust your word?”
Her gaze dropped. “It will be a test.” She swallowed. “Of my integrity.”
My mouth fell open. Had she really just said that?
“But if they attack us, I shall retaliate.”
“You will have to send word.” I shook my head. “They will not believe you, even if you say it’s true.”
She removed her diamond studded claw and stroked it. “You will have to tell them for me, and then allow my actions to back your claims.”
She seemed . . . sincere. Did she even know how to be? “Nix.”
She waved me off, sorrow and defeat in her dark gaze. “Go.”
My feet were rooted to the spot. I couldn’t quite believe this was happening. Had I just succeeded? Had I just won?
She licked her lips. “But do one thing for me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“Kiss me.”
I had to give this woman points. She could play me like a fine stringed instrument. “No.”
Her eyes closed and she turned away, her shoulders slumped. “You may leave now. The people of this world are safe from . . . me.”
I watched her for another long moment.
She walked to the big window. The only light streaming in came from the asteroid belt and the dimly lit planet, Kel’mar.
Where were the traps?
Tentative relief made my limbs as I left. I couldn’t get too cocky. I had to remember who was I was playing with.
No. I had to recall who was playing me. Had I really just won? Or had I given her exactly what she’d wanted?
If that were the case, then what was she planning? I hoped I could figure that out before I handed it to her. I hadn’t succeeded in thwarting her yet.
CHAPTER 6
STUMBLING MY WAY BACK HOME
Carilyn waited for me on the other side of the door. She shot off the wall she had been lounging against and blinked. “Leaving so soon? Synn, I’m disappointed. I figured you for at least five minutes. Maybe even eight.”
I wasn’t in the mood. I had a peace between the Hands and the rest of the world. Possibly. Maybe.
I’d never seen her so . . . honest.
Yeah. I was being played. Sky fell it! What trap had I just fallen into?
There were too many ways this could go bad. The Families couldn’t afford for me to be a fool twice.
Carilyn took the hint and didn’t say anything. She led me and her Swords through the silent city in the dark of night. Festos burned like a sliver of golden rock hanging over the pale half orb of the great red planet, Kel’mar. The asteroid belt blinked, bathing the area in pinks, and reds and greens. A storm lay on the horizon, blanketing some of the stars in black.
Did I dare hope to find freedom?
No.
Dyna met us in the main room to the House of Swords, a piece of parchment in her hands. She still wore the more formal dress from the impromptu council of the queens.
She
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