“He’s a Reaper,” Lea answered. “He’ll be fine.”
* * * * *
Though his mind had been taken over completely by the animal side of him, Bevyn
Coure was aware and as he sat hunkered over the deer he’d brought down, his fangs
buried in the sleek brown neck, his thoughts were on Lea. Drawing the dead animal’s
blood deep into his own body to replenish what he’d lost, the Reaper held his woman’s
face firmly in his mind. She was his anchor to sanity that kept him from attacking a
nearby party of trappers who were sitting around a campfire only a few hundred yards
away.
Using the power that had been given to him, he closed his eyes and concentrated on
finding Lea at that moment. With the small amount of blood he had taken from her, he
could pinpoint her position and hear every word she spoke. He could sense her state of
mind and knew she was worried about him. That made his heart ache.
“Do not worry, sweeting,” he sent to her.
On the train, Lea jumped, hearing that voice in her head. She nearly choked on the
cup of coffee she had been trying to drink.
“I’ll join you when I am able, but don’t be concerned if I am not there,” he whispered to
her. “I can’t predict how long the Transition will last.”
“Are you all right?” she whispered.
“Think the words, milady, and I will hear them,” he told her. “And aye, I am all right.”
There was a slight pause then she said, “I love you.”
“I love you too. Sleep well, mo shearc .”
“Not without you by my side,” she told him, and was relieved to hear his slight laugh.
123
Charlotte Boyett-Compo
When he said nothing more, she knew he had terminated their conversation.
Looking around her at the others, she met Penthe’s steady look and knew the Amazeen
must have realized Lea had been in contact with her Reaper for the Blackwind nodded
to her then turned her head to look out the window at the dark scenery they passed.
124
Her Reaper’s Arms
Chapter Nine
The train pulled into the Boreas station on the North Sea in the midst of the
rainstorm that followed behind them from Clewiston. Blustery wind whipped at the
windows, sending sheets of rain cascading against the glass.
“I hate rain,” Penthe said. She had her Dóigra clutched in her hand as they waited
in a line to exit the train.
A cool breeze came in through the door the conductor had left open when he’d
exited onto the platform. He stood conversing with two tall men in dark brown
uniforms who Riley told them were guards from the Citadel.
“See that big coach over there?” he said, pointing at a large conveyance pulled by
six horses. “That’s what you’ll be making the trip up to the fortress in.”
Penthe and Lea exchanged a look, neither happy about striking out in the storm.
For the last two days Lea and the Amazeen had formed a touchy kind of truce.
With Bevyn still gone, the women had settled into a relationship of sorts that would
never be friendly, but at least was no longer purely antagonistic. It had helped that her
Reaper had spoken psychically many times over those days to Lea, calming her fears
and promising her he would meet her at the Citadel.
“Why do you suppose they have not filled in these awful craters or removed some
of the fallen buildings, at least planted some trees to conceal the scorched land?” Lea
asked as she peered out the window at the destruction she realized had to have been
caused during the Burning War and subsequent cataclysmic disasters that had hit the
area.
“There are those who believe the goddess Herself wants it kept this way to remind
the Terrans of all they lost because of their warring ways,” Riley said. “It is a vivid
reminder, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Lea agreed. She stared up the manmade mountain that could be seen
through the wavering lines of the rain on the windows. A steep climb wound its way
up the mountain in a serpentine trail. Her stomach roiled at making the perilous
journey.
“Your coach is ready, my ladies,” the conductor said as he climbed onboard. He
took Lea’s bag but Penthe refused to allow him to touch her weapon, glaring at the man
instead.
Thanking Riley for everything he’d done for them, Lea and Penthe bid the gambler
farewell, Lea asking him to come to Orson to visit if he got the chance.
“I’d like that and just might take you up on the offer,” Riley said. He tipped his hat
to the women.
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Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Following the conductor from the train, Lea and the Amazeen hurried to the
Citadel guards, who respectfully greeted them. Penthe regarded the coach toward
which they were being led and decided the vehicle was long enough to accommodate
her Dóigra.
“Lord Arawn is waiting for you at the top,” one of the guards told them.
A loud, piercing whistle sounded and the guard explained it was to alert the guards
at the Citadel that the coach was on its way.
“Security is very strict here,” the man told them. He eyed the Dóigra but said
nothing when Penthe informed him she would keep it with her.
“Just don’t point it at Lord Arawn,” the man warned. “Our Prime Reaper is not
overly fond of Amazeens as it is.” His mouth twisted. “None of us are.”
“Fuck you too,” Penthe snarled at the man, dismissing him as she climbed
unassisted into the coach.
Lea gave the guard a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry. She can be a bit rude,” she
apologized to him.
The guard tipped his hat. “Don’t let it concern you, Lady Lea,” he said. He held out
his hand to help her climb the steps.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You are our first Reaper’s mate and it is my privilege and honor to serve you,
milady,” he said softly. “I hope you enjoy your stay at the Citadel.”
Surprised the man knew she belonged to Bevyn, although she realized as she took
her seat and he closed the door behind her, this was why her Reaper had
