Page 7 of Rook of Ruin
Tess still swears that a drunken Crow told her Queen Phicese received the ability to create braces as a gift from dragons. Which I obviously laughed at. Paul believes they are magically made from the blood of our old enemies. However, Ossian got into a drunken, heated argument with the two of them, claiming the ability to create braces was stolen from another kingdom. As much as I hate him, I’m inclined to believe Ossian, simply because he was so impulsively hotheaded that night. Not the cool, uncaring Spider.
Matron places a pillow on the floor for me to kneel on, and I take a deep breath. This is the moment that will determine if I am to be a Rook. This moment determines my whole life. This moment is my life.I will be found worthy.They dip my hand into the shimmery, cool substance, and my heart soars as a bright, warm light begins to glow. It’s identical to sunlight, and tiny bursts of sunbeams bounce gently up my arm. The tendrils of light turn into sparks and pop into the air. My body begins to buzz as if something deep within has awoken.
I gasp. “Beautiful.”
“What do you see? For each Rook, it’s different,” Matron whispers. None other than true Rooks can see the light of a brace when it is in use, but power, like Ossian’s shield, can be easily seen.
“Sunlight . . . warm sunlight.” I watch in fascination as my arm glows, spreading throughout my body, the sun’s warmth felt in my heart.
Matron gives me a sharp look, then mumbles, “Sunlight? Of course.”
“Yes,” I reply as the liquid slowly drains from the basin and wraps around my forearm. Beads of silver and gold form, pulling up onto my forearm, twisting and wrapping together into a solid form—creating my brace. Small diamonds and tiny pearls appear, woven tightly together, creating a pattern of sunrays that stretch from the top of my forearm down to my wrist. The sunrays bleed together into three sharp points that extend just past my knuckles. The brace itself is flush against my skin but flexible. Surprising, considering how solid it looks. Two clasps form on the bottom, pulling the brace together. I move my wrist and arm, twisting and turning the metal in complete motion; the brace follows my movement easily. I’ve never felt such euphoria; I’ve never been so utterlycompletein all my life.
“Shall we see what she can do?” Matron smiles at the Grey Sister, but I believe she is speaking to me about my new power.
The Grey Sister nods and opens the curtain quite dramatically. Ossian’s grey eyes meet mine, then slide down to stare at my forearm. My ego soars as his face shows emotion, something like pride, or envy. Either, I am completely fine with. I tamper down my own emotions as soon as our officers stand.
“Rook.” That one word sends shivers down my spine. Matron holds out an instrument that is similar to a tuning fork, tapping it against a piece of thick, gold leather. I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. My brace lights up, and a powerful light bursts around us. It’s so bright, they shield their eyes. To me, the light is warm and wonderful, something that wants to shine through me. I enjoy the comfort as my power pulses throughout my body and into the room, encircling and embracing me. I want more, more warmth, more power. The tether between my body and my brace’s magic is effortless. It shines even brighter, my whole body engulfed as sparks begin to fly off my skin.
“Orlaith.” My name is so silky and soft on his tongue that I hardly recognize it coming from Ossian’s mouth. My namesounds distant, but I can see him out of the corner of my eye. His brace glows out of caution. “Calm yourself.”
But it feels good, so bloody good to keep spreading my warmth throughout these walls. I sigh and calm myself, folding my sunlight back into my brace. My brace glows softly instead of brightly, the warmth gone. Everyone blinks several times.
“A light healer. Very rare and powerful.” Matron’s face shows utter awe. She opens her mouth to say more but reconsiders and quickly purses her lips.
Ossian’s body visibly stills. “Powerful” and “rare,” very rare.Just like Ossian’s.I want to dance around him, point a childish finger and laugh. I refrain from it all. Instead, I bite my lip to stop myself from at least sticking out my tongue. He glares at me. I’m hyping myself up in my own head, thinking of all the wondrous ways I can use my power to help our kingdom, and I practically miss our officers conferring with Matron.
“Rook.” My eyes snap to the female officer. “Your placement is the Locker. You have the weekend to celebrate with the other Rooks. Get used to your brace, and Monday, report to Matron.”
My heart plummets to the floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ossian smashes it with his foot. I gulp down my objections and glance over to Ossian’s uncaring face. I expected something, anything other than indifference. I thought he would show the disappointment I feel. I thought he would sneer that my hopes of being sent on a mission are dashed. I thought he would show some type of emotion. Rather, the ass just stands there and accepts that we will be working side by side in the Locker. Together. Until he leaves for another mission.
Matron smiles. “I look forward to working with you.”
“Dismissed, Rook,” the female superior officer commands.
I stand unmoving, dissatisfied and angry. I watch as they all confer, ignoring me. My fingers form fists at my hips. Ossian steps into my vision, and I look up into his grey eyes.
“You were dismissed, Rook.” He speaks so low and gently, it spooks me into submission. I move towards the doors, biting my lip hard enough that the inside begins to bleed.
Searching for the tether between my brace and my body, I easily find it. We are taught how to feel for the power, how to use the power before we receive our braces. I thought it was a stupid idea, but here I am, doing exactly what I was taught. It’s as if I’ve known all my life how to use my brace, my power, a connection that only few Rooks speak of except among close friends.
Pure bliss bubbles under my skin again, that feeling of power spreading through my veins. It’s an energizing feeling deep inside me. In my mind, I picture my lip healed, and then it is. The taste of blood still lingers, but there is no longer a jagged cut. Only I can ever wield this brace, and when I die, it will be melted down again with blue flame.
Ossian opens the door for me, and I push myself forward like my heart is being left behind and my feet know where to go. My excitement fizzles out, but I’m trying to gain it back. Openly—too openly—I expressed my ambition to go out on missions, my desire to visit other kingdoms. My dreams are dashed because of my new ability. The queen doesn’t allow the few healers to go far, as we are toousefulto the court,and if I’m truly as powerful as Matron thinks, I’m sure I’ll be kept even closer. I gulp down my disappointment as Ossian grabs my arm and pulls me into a small, empty room.
Alone with him and annoyed, I glare. Instead of cold indifference, Ossian brushes a finger over my cheek. Shocked from his affection, my glare softens, and I stare into his grey eyes, becoming lost.
“O, are you okay?”
At first, I think he is using my nickname against me. But his tenderness, his true concern is written on his handsome face. It is a twist to my heart. Throwing caution to the wind, I shakemy head. Without thinking, only wanting to feel, I lean forward, kissing his mouth. His lips are soft—oh shit, what did I just do?Stepping back, I notice he isn’t surprised; rather, he looks wolfish as he considers my lack of control.
“Reckless.”
My eyebrows raise. “What?”
He snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “I said,reckless. You didn’t think of the consequences, did you?” And he crushes his mouth to mine. Our shared desire overcomes our senses.
Ossian deepens our kiss, moaning as I respond by instantly wrapping my body around his. I need him, I need everything about him. Our mouths clash in angry desperation, and fighting leathers fly off till we are stark naked and lying on a smooth, blue rug. Kissing slowly down my body, his scarred mouth lovingly teases my breasts, licking and sucking until I scream out with need, allowing his calloused fingers to descend. He smirks in satisfaction, knowing full well he is the reason I’m so fucking wet.
