Warlord's Ward

Mages, Mages Everywhere

They looked so free.

Free as I felt.

It dawned on me that many of them had been collected as children and hadn't seen the free world since.

They probably do feel like they're seeing it from the eyes of children.

Playing had to feel like such a novelty.

Were they allowed to at all in the castle?

I recalled how severe Killian had been when I first arrived, and was sure he'd never have allowed it.

Not while the King was watching.

And he seemed to always be watching.

I wondered if any of them knew that Killian had been so fierce and cruel because he'd sought to protect them. I doubted it. Doubted I could ever convince them of it, even after he'd helped free them all.

***

I chewed my cheek.

"What are you thinking?" Aviari asked.

"They seem so happy."

"I'm sure they are."

"I doubt any of them know what he went through to protect them."

"I don't suppose they do." He agreed.

"Are you simply agreeing with whatever I say?"

"Not particularly. I'm merely cheerful to have us back together."

"What if she is not as you remember?"

"Vanna Rae?" He gave me a stunned expression. "I can't imagine she's changed that much. She was adorable but stubborn as a mule."

"What if she's gone through the kind of things you, or Killian have?"

"My lot wasn't so bad." He murmured. But I noticed he wasn't looking at me at all as he said it.

Had it been birds and rainbows as he'd have me believe?

Or darkness and misery as Killian endured? I didn't know the man well-enough to discern if he was being deceptive.

"I can feel your eyes, Woman."

"I'm just curious."

"As you should be."

"Why should I be?"

"Well," He stood. Reminding me that I had to look up and up and up at him. So tall he was more a tree than a man. Tall and reed thin with shocking features that only his quick smile softened. "I am the King of Creatures."

It seemed he stood a mile above me.

Feeling small and crowded, I took a quick step back. Wondering if he was some sort of giant. His red overcoat was trimmed in gold and he wore it over the simple white shirt, like the robes of a king. His black boots stark against tan pants and his collar high around his long neck. Making him seem even taller.

"A strange character to be sure." He added, grinning down at me. "But more than that. I sense you're curious about me, because you favor my brother. I like that."

"Come." He slung an arm over my shoulders and aimed me toward the creek where the naked mages frolicked. "I will tell you all you'd know of him."

"Really?" I peered up at him hopefully.

"Certainly." He nodded. "But first you must point out to me, which of these was powerful enough to free my sister from a centuries old spell."

I frowned up at him, wondering why that was so important. I tentatively lifted a hand to point in the direction of the giant red-haired mage who was currently squealing around a tiny dark-haired pixie of a woman.

Tanya.

"His name is Rampage. And that's his mate."

"Rampage, huh? Odd a name as they come..."

"Indeed."

"Who is he?" Aviari was looking down at me with those striking blue eyes.

"I don't know. We only met him a few days past. Why is he of such interest to you?"

"I suspect he was sent to the Guild to help free all of you. I just wonder why."

"Who would've sent him?"

"His father, I suspect."

"It seems his father is quite the character, from how he, spoke of him. And now you...Like you know him."

"I know of him." Aviari corrected. Swinging me around to head back toward the trees."

"Now, what would you like to know about my brother?"

I opened my mouth with eager questions.

But met the furious glower of my lover.

"What's going on here?" He roared.

I blinked at him in confusion. Looking up at Aviari. "Nothing."

Aviari, pulled his arm from me and lifted his hands in a weird shrug.

"Are we back to such childish games already?" Killian asked.

"What games?" I queried.

"He used to love to flirt with objects of my interest."

"Is that all she is?" Aviari challenged.

Asking the question that immediately moved to the forefront of my mind.

Killian's blue eyes travelled to me. Giving me a long look. "You know it's not."

I drew a long shaking breath at the intensity in his gaze. Remembering his pleading words. His promise that he'd let me go if it were what I truly wanted. That promise of freedom making me feel closer to him then all that'd occurred before that.

***

Afternoon came and went, and Killian was pacing around the clearing. Prowling viciously.

The mages were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his malcontent.

I myself was not feeling well. My skin beginning to feel like it was on fire beneath the morning sun. Everything itched against my flesh. Making me want to strip my clothes and run naked.

A mage bringing water to boil over the fire, bumped into Killian when he abruptly rounded to commence his pacing.

"I-I-I'm sorry...I..."

"Get out of my way!" Killian raged. His jaw working furiously. He looked over the man's head and met my study. His gaze narrowing on me.

He strode across the clearing and caught my hand. Pulling me to my feet and tugging me behind him like a hound on a leash.

"Where are we going?" I stared at him wide-eyed.

"To tame my monster a bit."