Blossom and the Beast (The Alder Tales Book 1) Read online

  Blossom shook her head and cringed. It was far too early in the day for something as heavy as meat. The sweet fruit was plenty for a morning meal.

  At last, Druma arrived and lowered his head in greeting. “You wanted to see me, Ms. Frane?”

  “Kaide said I could go into the city today. Would you go with me?” Blossom thought it an innocent enough question, but all three stared as soon as the words were out of her mouth. “What?” she asked with a frown.

  Norsa was the first to recover. “Not a thing, child. You have a lovely day.” She pushed Blossom out the door, but not before putting another half of a grapefruit into her palm.

  Blossom shook her head and smiled as she headed outside with Druma.

  “So where would you like to go, Ms. Frane?” Druma’s hair shone like a raven’s wing in the sunlight.

  “I don’t know. I just want to look around. I saw some shops and little stores last time that looked interesting.”

  “The market? It’s a little far. We can take a transport if you like. Or the horses, though they need saddles.”

  “I don’t mind walking.” Blossom bit into her grapefruit and wiped at the juice on her chin with the back of her hand, determined to have her way. She’d walked that far once before and hadn’t thought it too long. Besides, she wanted to see the city.

  “Ms. Frane? Do you want to get your boots on?” Druma cautiously motioned to her bare feet.

  Blossom laughed and started down the driveway. “No, I’m fine. Come on. You’re supposed to be my valiant protector,” she said over her shoulder, smiling as he jogged to catch up.

  For the first part of their walk, they passed nothing but trees, mostly alders with some others mixed in. Blossom was reminded of the Alderwood, save for the paved path they walked and the wide swatches of sunlight. The air was thick with volcanic smoke that drifted on the wind, and a few times, Blossom caught flakes of ash in her hand.

  “How many volcanoes are there?” Blossom asked as she crushed the flake in her good palm.

  Druma tilted his head in thought for a moment. “There are nine currently erupting. Technically, they’re all volcanoes, connected through underground tunnels. But most are dormant. Further north in Aero, the volcanoes have been dormant so long they live in the tunnels.”

  Blossom looked up at the nearest erupting peak with new appreciation and resolved to ask Kaide to take her to Aero. A trip through those caves would be more than amazing.

  Unlike Kaide, Druma’s company was easy. He didn’t press her to do anything, and when she asked him questions, he offered clear and direct answers. He didn’t make her heart crawl up into her throat or her stomach drop out from under her.

  But while he was good company, he was far less fun.

  The only time he initiated conversation, it was to ask her, “What are you singing, Ms. Frane?”

  Blossom was embarrassed she hadn’t noticed she was. As soon as he mentioned it, she realized she’d been humming the melody of Kaide’s jazz music, but she couldn’t tell Druma that. She shrugged her shoulders in reply and kept moving, careful to avoid humming despite how the notes danced through her memory.

  Now, without Kaide to rush her through the market or Trean to distract her, Blossom finally had the freedom to see everything she wanted. And that’s precisely what she did. From fabric stores to jewelry displays, metal sculpture galleries to meat markets filled with patrons, Blossom made sure she visited each and every corner of the market. Druma offered a vendor a few coins for a sack of fresh fruits, and for the early afternoon, they nibbled as they walked.

  When a group of men in cerulean trousers sailed past them, Blossom couldn’t help but turn and stare.

  “Ms. Frane?” Druma inquired when she still gaped.

  “Are those Hydra?”

  “Yes. There aren’t many that brave Pyrona, but there are a few.” He offered her a quizzical eyebrow.

  “It’s just—I thought there were all Pyros in Pyrona.”

  “Even Pyros are in need of Hydra aquaculture, Aero technology, and Terra guidance to the Alder Mother’s grove. Those that live here are often larger or more capable totems. They’re not Pyros but they contribute nonetheless.”

  When the Hydras were out of sight, Blossom continued her way through the market. Yet her thoughts remained with them—with how it was possible to belong to any branch but live in Pyrona. If she was a bear, if her totem was one of the forest, she could be a Terra and still live here. That realization struck her with force, only she didn’t know how she felt about it yet.

  Six days left.

  The bustle of the market distracted her from thoughts of the branches and transformation. The busy people moving in every direction, the totem forms engaged in brawls, and the clamor of shop owners competing for her business was more than diverting, though of course she never bought anything. It wasn’t until she saw a line of stones in a shop’s window that her interest was piqued.

  “What are these?” Blossom asked her guardian as they passed a storefront of what looked to be boring bits of black rock.

  “Lava stones. When the lava cools, it becomes this porous rock. Some people think it has healing powers, put it in hot baths and that sort of thing.”

  “What do you think? Do they work?”

  Druma shrugged. “I can’t really say, Ms. Frane. I’ve never had cause to use one.”

  “What about your hand?” Blossom reached for his hand but he pulled it behind his back just in time.

  “It’s fine. Norsa keeps us all well patched up.” Druma smiled as if that would convince her.

  Blossom’s eyes found the pink scratch on his hand, closed but still fresh from the injury in the capital. “Fine, but you really didn’t have to do that.” A second later, she realized. “Did Kaide make you?”

  Druma scratched his chin in thought before he answered. “It’s not that he gave the order, Ms. Frane. It’s my duty to protect him, and with him, you. I’m honored to serve both of you.” He bowed his head with respect.

  “Because he’s the Vice Syndicate?”

  “Among other things.” Druma offered a small smile. “Don’t worry, Ms. Frane. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think the work I do is important.”

  Blossom didn’t know what to say to that. Did he mean protecting her was important? And if so, why? She chewed on her lip for a minute before asking the vendor for his prices. Not that she had any money, but maybe someday she could afford one.

  Instead, Druma handed over enough alder wood coins to purchase a piece the size of her palm. Blossom looked at the stone in her hand and back at Druma several times before she finally asked, “What are you doing? You don’t need to buy this for me.”

  “It’s the first thing you wanted, and the Vice Syndicate said to buy you anything you liked.”

  “He did?” Blossom knew that couldn’t be true. She’d only asked Druma to take her to the market this morning. He had no way of knowing where they were going.

  Unless Kaide told him before that. She made up her mind to ask him when she got home.

  Kaide did his best to hurry through his work for the day. He was eager to get his desk and mind cleared of the troubles of the realm. He would much rather focus on his vibrant young bride, on spending one last day with her.

  With the slithery Iolla on his way back to Hydrona, Kaide was free to focus on the day to day operations of Pyrona. The shipments of food and their accompanying security outfits. The current progress of soldiers in combat training. The updated criminal ledgers, with their ongoing lists of vicious crimes and those who committed them.

  But there was something else that bothered him. Something else still nagging at him.

  Kaide pulled the electronic comms panel from his top drawer and entered Olin’s code. Once the transmission was connected, he said, “Olin, can you come up here, please?”

  Two minutes later, he heard Olin’s boots on the stairs. “Yes, sir?”

  “Have a seat.” Kaide didn’t miss how O
lin’s shoulders went stiff at the command. He’d known this was coming. “I thought I should give you an opportunity to explain yourself.”

  Olin took three large steps toward the desk, but he remained standing behind the chair. He drew in a long breath before he said, “I thought it best sir.”

  “You thought allowing Blossom to travel alone, through Pyrona, at night was best?” Kaide tried and failed to keep his utter disdain from his tone.

  “I thought it best that she went home. You’ve been distracted. You started going on your outings again. You were doing well and—”

  If it had been anyone else, Kaide would have killed him then and there for such insubordination. He pursed his lips and pushed back the biting edge of anger threatening to release. “What is or is not in my best interest is not for you to decide.”

  “Of course, sir. I should have known not to interfere.” Olin’s eyes glassed over with his lie. He uttered the words, but he didn’t mean them.

  “Blossom is here for whatever amount of time she determines best. If it is her wish to go home, then I will arrange her safe and timely passage. If it is her wish to stay, then you will offer her the same respect and deference you show me.” Kaide stood and clasped his hands behind his back. He spoke quietly, but his words were laced with all the venom he could muster. “And if you ever put her in danger again, or through inaction allow her to come to harm, I will kill you.”

  Blossom clutched the cool stone in her hand, feeling its weight as they strolled from vendor to vendor. The afternoon light started to dim into evening and the crowds underwent a noticeable shift. Where groups of Pyro women and families had shopped, now there were mostly men. More than once she saw black jackets adorned with the same orange dog Trean had worn. Now that she knew what they did, she was glad to have Druma at her side, even if it was only as a deterrent.

  “How long will it take us to get back from here?” Blossom asked, her eyes scanning the nearby crowd.

  Druma looked up at the darkening sky before he answered, “About an hour on foot.”

  “Let’s head back then.” As soon as Blossom turned to start back toward the manor, a familiar face peeked through the crowd.

  Kaide.

  Just the sight of him made her pulse race, even from a block away. When he smiled at her, Blossom could only smile back. Despite her best efforts, she was glad to see him.

  When he reached her, he stood a half-pace away, awkwardly hovering just out of her reach. Had he been Hale or Da or anyone else, she would have wrapped her arms around his neck, but with him, she didn’t know how to be.

  “You didn’t have to come all the way down here. We were just headed back.”

  “Would it be all right if I walked you home?” His eyes were less bright than they’d been that morning, and she couldn’t help but wonder what marked the change.

  Blossom nodded and replied, “Of course.” At least she wouldn’t have to worry about being late for their dinner.

  Kaide looked to Druma behind her. “Thank you for your diligence.” Druma nodded and stepped away, leaving them alone in the market crowd.

  As they started back toward the manor, Blossom held up the lava stone. “He bought this for me. Said you told him to.”

  Kaide’s cheeks pulled up in a sad little smile. “I told him to make sure you had everything you wanted. I would say he did well.”

  “I wanted it for you,” she admitted. “It doesn’t seem fair to buy you something with your own money.” She slid it into his hand and watched his features twist.

  “For me?” Kaide let out a half-chuckle.

  “He said it was for healing. You got hurt in the warehouse and—” Blossom let her voice trail off, not at all sure what she was trying to say.

  Kaide slid his arm across her shoulders and pulled her in against his side. A kiss landed on her crown as he said, “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.”

  “You’re welcome,” she replied, though her voice was so low she doubted he heard her over the busy crowd.

  “Did you have a good day in the city? I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”

  “It was great. And I understand. You have important work and all that. I don’t expect you to watch me all day.” Blossom tried not to think about the air turning cool with evening and the warmth she felt against his side.

  “It’s not that I wanted to watch you. I wanted to spend the day with you, since it’s your last in Pyrona. Now we’ll have to make sure this evening is everything you want it to be.”

  Blossom stared ahead and wondered what she was supposed to do when he said things like that.

  Kaide stopped in the middle of the street and turned her attention north. “Do you see that there? In the space between the mountains? Those are the Pyro troops in training. They spend three months in combat training and security drills before they’re sent across the realm.”

  From where they stood, the troops looked like nothing more than ants in formation.

  “That’s one of the most important roles of the Pyro branch. Aside from being murderous and violent, Pyros have a great capacity for protection.” With that, Kaide seemed satisfied and started them back toward the manor.

  They continued walking for several minutes, well past the end of the market, and started up the hill, but he hadn’t said another word. It was clear to Blossom something was on his mind.

  “What happened with the Vice Syndicate today?”

  Kaide ran a hand over his jaw, scratching at his beard before he answered. “Just a few complications. Nothing to worry about.”

  Blossom didn’t believe him in the slightest, but she knew him well enough to know when he didn’t want to say more. Resigned to silence, they worked their way to the manor, following the paved paths up the steep incline, until they found Norsa waiting on the front steps, illuminated against the falling darkness.

  “Good evening,” Kaide nodded as they approached.

  “Get yourself upstairs and dressed. We’ve got work to do.” Norsa pulled Blossom from Kaide’s grip and hurried her toward her bedroom. Valenta stood in the washroom, another fancy gown spread across her bed.

  “Oh Mother, look at her. Dirty from head to foot,” Valenta huffed as she worked to untie the strips of fabric around the back of Blossom’s shirt.

  “Then get to it. Go on, child. Get in and let me have a look at that hand.” Norsa pulled up her stool and unwrapped the bandage around Blossom’s palm. All too soon, Blossom slipped into what had become her new routine, Valenta scrubbing her skin and combing through her curls while Norsa cleaned up her wounded hand and wrapped it in fresh bandages. She put up not even the smallest fight as they toweled her dry, standing in the washroom fully nude before they dressed her in fresh Pyro clothes.

  “Am I ready?” she asked, looking down to check herself.

  “Unless you’d like to wear that gown,” Valenta offered. “Or shoes?”

  “No, thank you.” Blossom slipped out the door and headed up the steps, past his office, and as always, found Kaide waiting in full-black perfection.

  “Hello, Beauty.”

  Blossom stopped dead in her tracks, admiring that look on his face, but Kaide was quick to close the distance.

  “Why do I make you nervous?” he whispered in her ear. “I’m the one who should be nervous.”

  Blossom put her hands to her cheeks that must have been as pink as his strawberry wine.

  Kaide stepped back and went through the motions of pulling out a chair though of course she didn’t bother. Blossom took her usual seat across from him and tried to think of something—anything—that would fill the crippling, nervous silence.

  “So how did you like your day in Pyrona? Did you see everything you wanted?”

  “For the most part.”

  “What would you like to see that you haven’t yet?”

  “Your totem.”

  Kaide shook his head with vigor, his eyes darkening by the second. “No, I told you I don’t want your last n
ight to be marred with my totem. If I had my way, you would never have seen it in the first place.”

  “But I’ve already seen it,” she protested.

  In his stern Vice Syndicate voice, he said, “Blossom, the answer is no.”

  Blossom didn’t know what had happened to him that morning, but she could see him unraveling. Usually so collected and in control, now he brooded and pouted, refusing to look at her at all. His mouth was pressed into a thin line—whether from nerves or stress she couldn’t tell—but she knew she didn’t like this side of him.

  She much preferred the way he’d been last night.

  Lost in thought, Blossom munched the spring salad with almonds and berries. Her mouth moved mechanically as her mind tried to figure out what to do.

  Several long minutes passed in tense silence before she asked, “How many books do you have?”

  Kaide looked up, unsure why she was asking, but he answered all the same. “I’m not really sure. I’ve never counted them. Maybe five thousand. Why?”

  Blossom shrugged, trying her best to hide the shaking in her hands and the dryness in her throat. “I started that book last night. I didn’t get a chance to read today. I was thinking I’d like to finish it and maybe a few others. You have so many.”

  Kaide nodded as if he expected it. “Take as many as you wish.”

  “I’m not sure I can carry all of them. Maybe it would be easier if I stayed.” Blossom kept her eyes on him, scanning for any sign of something resembling happiness or excitement, a smile maybe, but he only tightened his jaw and clenched his fists in his lap. Too late, she realized he was angry.

  “I told you I’d take you to the Alderwood in the morning.”

  “But I said I want to stay.” Blossom bristled at his unexpected reaction. She hadn’t thought it would make him angry. If anything, up until this moment, he’d acted as if he wanted her to stay.

  Kaide shook his head and all but shouted at her. “You can’t say you want to stay because you want to read my books or see my totem. I won’t have you making promises and then leaving in week or a month or even a year.” Then, like an extinguished flame, his anger dissipated into something else altogether. “I want you to live here with me and marry me and I’m not going to have you tease me with it. I understand that you want to go home, and I’ve agreed to take you. Now let that be the end of it.”