The Catalyst

Chapter 35

A gentle evening breeze rustled the hedgerows when Tessa stepped inside the maze. As the turmoil of her thoughts clashed with the quiet surroundings, she reached inside her corset for the vial. She would later wonder why. What was she trying to escape? Guilt from everything she'd done and would do still? Anger at being chased away from her home? Self-loathing from colluding with the Azurians? Anxiety from pointlessly wondering what her father would think of her?

But in the moment she simply drank the stuff, and carried on walking as it left a subtle bitterness on her tongue. The maze wasn't very big, and since she'd observed it from the sky just this morning, she knew to keep to the left as she treaded deeper. Her path led her to a circle of neatly pruned cedars. A shiver raced through her as she glanced up at the darkening sky. She'd forgotten to bring a lantern.

"My queen." Her long-time spy stepped inside the circle, a small smile dancing on his lips.

She returned the smile. "Hello, Malek."

Still in his black and white servant uniform, he was of average height, with a lean physique, light brown hair and matching eyes, some freckles across nose and cheeks, and red-brown whiskers from skipping a shave. She couldn't remember his exact age, perhaps twenty-nine or thirty.

Malek unfolded a fleece blanket and spread it on the ground. They sat together, Tessa leaned back on her outstretched hands, gazing up at the stars.

"Do you know about what happened in Veicira?" she asked.

"Bits and pieces. They're all talking about it these days. And their voices drift through doors, walls or windows when they're not careful. Sometimes even when they're careful."

"Does anyone suspect I have a spy here?"

He smiled. "Worried about me?"

"I didn't say that."

Malek shrugged. "They suspect you have a spy in Blue Heron, but they don't know where."

"We'll have to take precautions."

"This place is safe," he said. "No one ever comes here. It's kinda my spot."

She smiled. His presence comforted her. "How have you been?"

"Being the servant of a bratty queen isn't my cup of tea," he conceded. "But the spying is interesting. Especially since the Dragon got here."

"Find out anything new?"

"Not yet. He's careful, more careful than the others. He's in his study a lot. Thick walls and door, no window – I can't hear anything. But I'll find a way."

Malek leaned closer and tentatively placed his hand around her waist. Her first impulse was to push him away, but then she realized how warm his hand felt, and his breath was sweet as it tickled her neck just before he said in her ear, "You're not with Tomas anymore?"

Instead of answering, she tilted her head and let him press his lips against hers.

"You're the smartest person I know," he said. "You must've figured out that I've always liked you. I wouldn't mess with a guy like Tomas Clay. But Myzian? I couldn't care less."

She tangled her fingers in his hair and kissed him again. And that was when it happened. The color of the sky deepened, the stars shone brighter, the wind caressed her skin like a lover's touch, and the rustling of the dark cedars tingled deliciously in her ears.

"What's wrong?" Malek asked, because she'd pulled away, too distracted by the shifting nature around her.

"Nothing," she whispered. "There's nothing wrong." As she tucked her hair behind her ear, it felt so incredibly soft that for a moment she couldn't stop playing with the long curls. Then she stroked Malek's hair too, and found it coarser yet somehow equally fascinating to touch. A velvety warmth filled her entire body and she laughed without knowing why.