CHAPTER SIX
Phaelenx
Phaelenx stood by the docks for a long time, until the sky was beginning to pale. By the time he walked home, the sun was beginning to emerge from the horizon.
Phaelenx yawned, covering his open mouth with a meaty hand. He braced himself against the doorway of his father’s house before summoning the mental strength necessary to face Brenna and Darius.
“Child, you’ve been out all night,” Brenna tutted. “You’ll hardly have any energy for working today!”
“I know,” Phaelenx said grumpily. He gave another long, hitching yawn that seemed to catch in his throat before sitting down at the table.
Brenna put a bowl of water next to Phaelenx. “Wash up, and then we’ll make sure you’ll get some hot food,” she said, clucking her tongue like a mother hen.
Phaelenx obediently washed his hands and face, feeling like a child. Brenna took the bowl away, holding it carefully so no water would slop over the sides.
“Your father was kind enough to bring some eggs,” Brenna said, smiling. “A royal lady gave them to him when he delivered her shoes.”
Phaelenx nodded. “Thank you,” he said, taking the plate of fried eggs from Brenna’s outstretched hands. Then he fell upon the food, eating every morsel and using a crusty hunk of bread to mop up the remaining egg yolk. As he finishing eating, Phaelenx could practically feel the protein soaking into his bones.
“Your cloak is missing,” Brenna said, narrowing her eyes.
Oh, gods, Phaelenx thought, looking down. “No worry,” he said smoothly. “It will be warm today. The sun is already hot in the sky.”
Brenna nodded. “Aye,” she said. “But be sure not to lose that, Phaelenx – you know how hard your father worked.”
Phaelenx nodded. “Aye,” he said. “I left it at the dock. I’ll bring it home this evening.”
Brenna put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side, eyeing Phaelenx so deeply that it made him uncomfortable.
“Child, there is something different about you,” Brenna said. “Tell me, has something happened?”
Phaelenx sighed. The last thing he felt like doing was speaking with Brenna about the strange things happening down at the docks, or Selene’s evident paranoia.
“No,” Phaelenx said after a long pause. “I am fine, I promise.”
Just as Brenna was about to rebuke Phaelenx, Darius walked in. Darius made his way to the larder, where he pulled a few root vegetables and a hunk of cheese onto a small plate. With dismay, Phaelenx noticed that his father looked even more tired than usual.
“It is good to see you,” Darius said, giving his son a tired smile. “Brenna tells me you were out all night, again.”
Phaelenx nodded. “Aye. We were…talking down at the docks.”
“Be careful,” Darius said, his voice suddenly lined with a sharp edge that Phaelenx rarely heard. “You cannot be caught gossiping, not now, Phaelenx.”
Phaelenx narrowed his eyes. “Tis impossible to gossip if no one knows what is going on,” he said, spreading his hands in the air. “And nothing – that is all we know.”
Darius frowned deeply. His forehead was creased with lines of worry and age, and his fragile, broken hands were covered with age spots that Phaelenx couldn’t remember seeing.
“Your mother would have known,” Darius said softly. “Tryphaena was a powerful witch.” He reached out and touched Phaelenx’s forehead. “Tis a pity you inherited none of her seeing powers.”
Phaelenx swallowed, feeling awkward. He thought of his mother often, but as time went on, Phaelenx was increasingly dismayed that he remembered so little about her. When he closed his eyes, he thought he could picture her – a pale woman with soft brown eyes, just like his own – but the image only lasted for a split second before vanishing into nothing.
Darius took his hand away and sighed, shaking his head. “It is better not to dwell on the past,” he said. “And I should be getting back to work.”
Phaelenx nodded. He was exhausted, but even when he’d been coming home at night, he hadn’t been sleeping well. He’d been having disturbing, troubling dreams – the kinds of dreams that left him feeling more tired in the mornings than he had been when he’d first laid down to sleep.
“I should go,” Phaelenx said. He stood up and stretched.
“Try to come home tonight,” Brenna said, raising an eyebrow. “It can’t be good for you, child, staying out all night in the cold.”
Phaelenx shrugged. “I am fine,” he repeated.
It was beginning to feel like a mantra.
Phaelenx walked slowly down to the docks. The other men were already there, working and singing and shouting. Building ships was a very different kind of work than fighting – it was just as physically strenuous, but somehow not as satisfying. I’m building ships for men who don’t even know how to sail, Phaelenx thought cynically as he picked up his worker’s tool belt and strapped it over his broad chest. And more likely than not, these ships will fall prey to storms and enemies. And then we’ll be right back where we started.
“You’re looking rough, brother,” Brutus called affectionately. “No sleep?”
Phaelenx didn’t reply. He took his place at the prow of the ship and began polishing the wood. It was backbreaking work to bring out a toffee-colored sheen in the dull wood, and soon he was sweating and grunting, throwing himself into the work with real effort.
“I slept,” Phaelenx lied.
Brutus threw his head back and laughed. “With that lassie? She was a pretty one, aye,” he said, whistling. “And noble, too, from the looks of her.”
Phaelenx shook his head. “No,” he said. “I did not bed her.”
Brutus’s jaw dropped and he gave Phaelenx a dumbfounded look. “Then you’re a fool,” he said. “Because I would’ve taken her to bed in a heartbeat!”
Phaelenx chuckled. He had the sudden mental image of Selene throwing her flagon at Brutus’s head while she screamed at him and called him a fool.
“Selene doesn’t seem like that type of woman,” Phaelenx finally replied. “She…is fiery.”
Brutus gave Phaelenx a nasty grin. “Aye, and those women are always the best, the little hellcats,” Brutus said. “I like a woman who isn’t afraid to scratch my back.”
Phaelenx chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, by all means, try,” he said cavalierly. “But I doubt she’ll go for it. She’s got a heavy temper, that one.”
Brutus gently punched Phaelenx in the shoulder. “I should like to find out,” he said dreamily. “It’s been months since I’ve been with a woman.”
“Can you think of nothing else?” Phaelenx asked in exasperation.
“Food,” Brutus replied. He closed his eyes and rubbed his stomach. “What I wouldn’t give for an egg or a fresh hunk of meat.”
Phaelenx snorted. “You really are a pig,” he said archly, putting down his oil-soaked rag and leaning against the ship. Even though he had been working for less than an hour, his body was coated with sweat.
“I am not,” Brutus said indignantly. “I’m a real man, that’s all.”
Phaelenx chuckled. With surprising quickness for a man of his size, he grabbed Brutus by the back of the neck and held him high in the air, raising his eyebrow.
“You’re a real man, aye? Could a real man let another man hold him up like this?”
Brutus glared. “Put me down,” he said indignantly. “It isn’t my fault you’re the strongest one here!”
A loud whistle blew and Phaelenx groaned. He dropped Brutus to the ground, where the man fell in a tangle of arms and legs.
“Back to work, men!” A grinning overseer sauntered over, smirking at Phaelenx. “Don’t make me tell the Commander!”
“Aye,” Phaelenx muttered under his breath. Silently, he added: I’m sure you’d have us all work until we’re nothing but bones and dust.
The day passed slowly. The sun was hot overhead – it seemed egregiously unfair that the days could be so scorching and the nights so cold, but Phaelenx was beginning to learn that little about life was fair. By the time he and the men were finished with work for the day and cleared to leave by the shipyard, Phaelenx felt so tired he could barely stand. He bid Brutus farewell and began the long trudge home.
“Child, you look ill,” Brenna said. “Perhaps you should lie down before our meal?”
Moving his lips felt like too much of a challenge, so Phaelenx merely nodded before climbing the ladder that led to his small loft. As soon as his body hit the straw mattress, his eyelids closed heavy and fast, like iron doors.
Hours later, Phaelenx woke to the sound of someone pounding on the front door. He sat up in bed, blearily rubbing his eyes as he got to his feet and climbed down the ladder. The knocking continued incessantly, and Phaelenx groaned with irritation. What, the Commander here to chastise me, Phaelenx thought sarcastically as he pulled the door home. He’s going to wake up the whole house!
To his shock, Commander Aerdan wasn’t standing there. Nor was the overseer at the docks.
It was Selene.
When Selene saw him, she burst into tears and flung herself against Phaelenx. For a moment, Phaelenx was too stunned to move. Then he wrapped his massive arms around her and pulled her close.
“Selene? What’s wrong?” Phaelenx asked. “Has something happened?”
Selene was crying so hysterically that she was choking on her own sobs. Phaelenx led her inside and guided her to the table before fetching a fresh jug of water and pouring her a glass.
“Drink this,” Phaelenx said, handing the glass over. He felt awkward and cumbersome – he’d never been comfortable around people expressing a great deal of emotion.
Selene sniffled. She wiped her nose on the sleeve of her cloak. She took the glass and drank, and Phaelenx saw that her cornflower-blue eyes were streaked with red.
“What is it?” Phaelenx asked gently.
“My stupid brother,” Selene said hotly. She finished the tumbler of water and slammed it down on the table with more force than necessary. “He’s going to ruin everything!”
Phaelenx frowned. “I do not understand,” he said gently. “What exactly has he done?”
Selene slumped her shoulders and sighed heavily. She rested her elbows on the table and put her chin against her tiny fists.
“My brother, Baelan,” she said slowly. “He has fallen in love with an outside – a peasant! – and they’re going to wed.”
Phaelenx shook his head and laughed awkwardly. “Lady, if you are here looking for sympathy from a peasant, I hate to be the one to tell you this – you will not find it from me.”
Selene shook her head bitterly. Her dark hair was loose and it spilled across her shoulders. From where he sat, Phaelenx could make out the faint scent of honey and flowers. He wondered if Selene had perfumed herself – and he hated to admit it, but he found the thought strangely arousing.
“No,” Selene said, drawing in a deep breath. “That is not the problem, I do not care where she comes from. But she is…she is different, Phaelenx. She’s queer – odd, you know, not like us. She isn’t a native Zhekan woman, and she is controlling my whole family.”
Phaelenx blinked. “I am afraid I still do not understand,” he said slowly.
“She showed up, out of nowhere, the night before the arena closed,” Selene said hotly. “And I just know that her presence is somehow connected! And she’s been here for months, charming my brother and my mother and my father. I seem to be the only one who finds her repulsive, even my best friend thinks I am being too harsh!”
Phaelenx was silent. He sensed that Selene hadn’t come for advice, merely to vent about her situation.
“And last night, when I was sneaking back to the royal compound, I realized I was still wearing your cloak,” Selene said. She sniffled again. “I turned back to give it to you, and then I saw her. She was sneaking into the castle, and she was floating above the grass!”
Phaelenx blinked.
“She’s a witch, I just know it,” Selene said vehemently. Her blue eyes glowed with tempestuous fire. “And she is going to be the ruin of my family!” She fell silent, leaning against the back of the chair. It seemed that for a moment, the fire had gone out of her sails. “I have your cloak,” Selene added. “Here.”
“Thank you,” Phaelenx said. He felt more awkward than ever before as Selene reached into a tidy parcel she was carrying and handed him his cloak. A bolt of lust crawled down Phaelenx’s spine when he realized Selene had laundered the cloak – it yielded the same scent of honey and flowers as her hair.
Selene shrugged and sighed, puffing out her cheeks and blowing a stream of frustrated air at the ceiling. “I am sorry if I woke you,” she said softly. “But…I did not know where else to go, Phaelenx. I am so frightened.”
Phaelenx shrugged. “I have not been sleeping well, anyway,” he said. He frowned – somehow, he felt as though he was doing a poor job of comforting Selene.
“It’s just…wrong,” Selene said, closing her eyes. “Baelan swore he would never settle down, and now he’s head over heels for this woman! And my mother, she is acting completely strange, like her mind is somehow different, just because of this woman.”
“That is strange,” Phaelenx said. “What are you going to do?”
Selene looked at Phaelenx helplessly. “What can I do?” She asked softly. “This woman – this Taryn – she is going to ruin everything, I just know it.”
Phaelenx winced as he heard footsteps, fearing his father’s anger. But it wasn’t Darius – it was Brenna. She walked into the kitchen wearing a robe over her nightgown, her head wrapped in a kerchief.
“I heard voices,” Brenna said sleepily, covering her mouth as she yawned. “Phaelenx, why did you not wake me? We have guests,” she said proudly, looking at Selene.
“Brenna, go back to sleep,” Phaelenx said firmly. “She won’t be here for long.”
Brenna eyed Phaelenx, raising her brow and smirking. “I will make a hot meal,” she said. “I am sure everyone here is quite hungry, aye?”
Selene bowed her head. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Oh, and look Phaelenx, your cloak has returned,” Brenna said, picking it up and holding it in the air. “And someone has fixed the loose seams, and washed it! That is worthy of a meal, now isn’t it?”
Phaelenx bit the inside of his mouth to keep from flushing. “Aye,” he said stiffly.
Selene blushed. “Thank you,” she said again, her voice demure and sweet. “I appreciate it.”
Phaelenx and Selene sat in awkward silence as Brenna bustled about the kitchen, making a quick meal of eggs, toast, and fresh, soft cheese. When the food was ready, Brenna put everything on the table with a flourish.
“Enjoy,” Brenna said. She winked at Phaelenx, who resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Can I provide anything else?”
“No,” Selene said. “This is wonderful. Thank you.”
Brenna smiled broadly and Phaelenx groaned inwardly.
“I know just the thing,” Brenna said proudly. She crossed the kitchen and pulled a jug of aged mead from the larder. “This should help both of you sleep,” she added, setting the jug on the table with two clean earthenware mugs.
“Thank you, Brenna,” Phaelenx said, trying to keep the edge out of his voice. “I appreciate it.”
Brenna beamed. “I know you do, child,” she said. “And Selene, dear, you are welcome here for as long as you like.”
Selene flushed hotly as Brenna excused herself.
“Sorry about that,” Phaelenx said, rolling his eyes as soon as the servant had disappeared. “She’s…very curious.”
Selene laughed. “She is much nicer than any of the kitchen servants my mother employs,” she said. “They give me dirty looks each time I sneak into the kitchen.”
“Brenna is more than a servant,” Phaelenx said. He reached for a piece of bread and chewed thoughtfully. “She came to live with Father and I after my mother passed away.”
Selene frowned. “Oh, Phaelenx,” she said quietly. “I had no idea. I am sorry.”
Phaelenx shrugged awkwardly. “It was a long time ago,” he said slowly. He had no intention of telling Selene that he could barely remember his mother. “And she is a good cook, and she takes care of my father.”
Selene nodded. “She is very kind to both of you,” she said. She bit her lip. “How did your mother pass away?”
Phaelenx took a deep breath and swallowed. Just talking about Tryphaena was difficult – it was hard to believe, but in his thirty-two years, her name had barely passed his lips.
“We do not know,” Phaelenx said after a long pause. “It was…under mysterious circumstances. The healer thinks she fell into an illness after giving birth to me, but my father has never believed that. She was a powerful witch, and my father is convinced something sinister must have happened to her.”
“Oh, how awful,” Selene said softly. She reached for Phaelenx’s hand and took it in her own.
A warm jolt leaped inside of Phaelenx’s chest at Selene’s touch. Her hand was small and dainty, yet calloused and well-used, much like his own. Still, his palm dwarfed her fingers, even when she added her other hand and squeezed him warmly.
“I cannot imagine losing a mother so young,” Selene said. “I am sorry, I did not mean to pry.”
“You didn’t pry,” Phaelenx said. His voice felt strangely husky and deep.
Selene stared deeply into Phaelenx’s eyes. For the first time, he saw that she wasn’t just pretty – she was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her sculpted cheekbones had the icy edge of a goddess, and her tanned skin spoke of a healthy life, a life spent outdoors in the sun.
Selene licked her lips and Phaelenx felt hypnotized by the gesture. Without even thinking of what he was doing, he put an arm around Selene and pulled her closer. For a moment, it was awkward – both were still seated at the table. Then Selene got to her feet and stepped closer to Phaelenx. He was so much taller than she that even seated, they were at an almost even height.
Selene closed her eyes and pressed her face to Phaelenx’s, kissing him so gently that for a moment, he thought he was imagining it. But when he felt the tip of her tongue brush against his lips, he shivered with desire. Wrapping his arms around Selene, he crushed her to his body. She felt like nothing in his arms – slight and delicate as a rare bird.
Phaelenx groaned as the kiss deepened. Selene lowered herself onto his waist and he scooped her up in his arms, standing up and keeping hold of her light frame in an easy gesture. Without breaking the kiss, Phaelenx carried Selene out of the kitchen and up the ladder to his loft. Selene wrapped her arms around his neck and clung closely, breathing hotly on Phaelenx’s neck. The sensation was thrilling and exotic, something Phaelenx had never experienced before. Lust and arousal rushed through his body as he set Selene down on his straw mattress.
Selene broke the kiss and locked her blue eyes with Phaelenx’s brown orbs as she fumbled with the silver clasp of her cloak. The fur-lined material fell around her in a pool of silken wool, and Selene licked her lips nervously as she reached for Phaelenx’s tunic. Selene pulled the rough material over Phaelenx’s head and tossed it to the side. She stared at his muscular chest and gasped softly, running a hand over his many scars from years of fighting.
“Does this hurt,” Selene whispered.
Phaelenx shook his head. “No,” he growled in a husky voice. He took Selene in his arms and pulled her close once again, kissing her deeply. She melted into his arms like a flower, moaning softly as Phaelenx nibbled on her lower lip. Selene wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her body close to Phaelenx’s muscular bulk. When Phaelenx felt the soft push of her breasts, he groaned. His cock stiffened and twitched in his breeches and he fumbled clumsily with the strings at the bodice of Selene’s gown.
Giggling softly, Selene pushed Phaelenx’s hands away. He watched as she undressed, bowing her head and covering her naked bosom with her long brown hair. Phaelenx took a handful of her soft strands and pushed them behind her back, desperate to see her naked body.
Selene flushed and wiggled out of her dress. Naked, she was so beautiful that it almost hurt Phaelenx to look at her. By now, his manhood was throbbing for want of her. Phaelenx tore at his breeches with more force than necessary, shoving them down his hips and pushing Selene onto her back. She spread her thighs and he crawled between the creamy skin – she was surprisingly pale at the torso for someone who spent so much time in the sun.
“I want you,” Selene whispered into Phaelenx’s ear. She purred with pleasure as he reached a tentative hand to her breasts, thumbing and rubbing her stiff nipples until Selene moaned loudly. Phaelenx covered her mouth with his own as he gently pinched the sensitive skin of Selene’s breasts. Selene was thrusting her hips towards Phaelenx, crying out and straining for want of his manhood.
Steadying himself with a hand braced on Selene’s hip, Phaelenx thrust between her legs. He groaned with pleasure and lust – sliding into her felt like sliding into hot, wet silk. Selene whimpered, wrapping her slender thighs around Phaelenx’s broad waist. She began grinding her hips against his, straining with pleasure. She threw her head back and closed her eyes as Phaelenx lowered his mouth to her exposed neck and began to nibble and suck. Selene moaned, rubbing her hands over Phaelenx’s close-cropped hair, holding him firmly by the shoulders as he began to thrust in and out of her waiting body.
Intense ecstasy ran through Phaelenx’s body as he groaned and thrust, again and again, plunging his manhood in Selene to the hilt. Soon, their bodies were covered in a fine sheen of sweat. The room smelled musky and intoxicating and Phaelenx closed his eyes, thrusting harder than ever before.
Selene wrapped her arms around Phaelenx’s shoulders, pulling him close on top of her and kissing him deeply. She ran her hands over his head and neck as their bodies moved and shifted together in a perfect rhythm of lovemaking. Phaelenx arched his back and grunted as he felt the first wave of his orgasm. As if by magic, Selene moved and whimpered. Phaelenx could feel her secret flower clamping down on his cock and he shuddered and groaned with the knowledge that he was pleasing her. Together they moved like a well-oiled machine as powerful waves of pleasure collapsed over their heads.
When it was over, Phaelenx lay on top of Selene, still grunting. His body felt tingly and excitable, but also heavy and sleepy.
Selene whimpered, pushing Phaelenx to the side and pulling a blanket over their sweaty, naked bodies.
“I’ll just stay for a little while,” Selene whispered. “I am so tired, and this feels so very nice.”
Phaelenx nodded. He was too exhausted to speak, but he suddenly wanted her to stay more than anything. Wrapping an arm around her, it was only a short matter of time before they drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
--
The morning came much too soon. Phaelenx sat up, blinking and rubbing his eyes as he looked down at Selene. In the early morning light, she looked like an angel. Her dark hair was fanned over the pillow, and her lips were curled in a small smile.
He hated to wake her.
“Selene,” Phaelenx whispered, taking her shoulder and lightly shaking.
Selene didn’t stir.
“Aye, a good sleeper,” Phaelenx said, shaking his head and chuckling under his breath. “Selene,” he repeated, shaking Selene a little harder than before. “Wake up!”
Selene stirred, moaning softly and covering her face with her hands. “It’s so bright,” she said in a dry, husky voice. Suddenly, her eyelids shot open and she bolted up, the blanket falling to her waist. When she saw Phaelenx, she closed her eyes and sighed.
“Surprised?” Phaelenx chuckled. “You sleep like a child.”
Selene flushed. “I did not mean to stay the whole night,” she said softly. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Phaelenx said. He tried to avert his eyes from her bare chest, but it was difficult. He reached for Selene’s gown and handed it to her, looking down at his lap. “I am afraid your dress got dusty,” he said.
Selene shrugged. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. She wriggled into her dress, tugging at the laces at her bodice before reaching for her cloak.
Phaelenx took that as a cue to reach for his own clothing. As much as he wanted to grab Selene and tumble with her on the straw mattress once again, he knew that he was likely already running late for the docks.
“I should go,” Selene said. “It’s late in the morning.” She yawned again. “But I have not slept that well in ages.”
Phaelenx chuckled. “Well, then, perhaps it was a good thing,” he said, catching her eye.
Selene flushed hotly. “Aye,” she said softly.
Phaelenx led the way down the ladder. He desperately hoped that Brenna would have left for the markets, but to his dismay, she was bustling around the kitchen. A plate of hot, steaming rolls sat on the table and the smell was so intoxicating that Phaelenx nearly growled.
“Ah, Lady Selene,” Brenna said, smiling widely. She tried to catch Phaelenx’s eye but he darted around her and took one of the rolls, breaking apart the soft bread and inhaling the fragrant steam.
“Please, do not call me lady,” Selene said, flushing. She pulled her cloak tightly around her throat, and Phaelenx stared at her. The way her dark hair was tousled in the early morning sunlight touched his heart – had it not been for Brenna, Phaelenx would have pulled Selene into his arms and kissed her deeply.
“Well, have something to eat, please,” Brenna said, curtseying low. “I made these just for the two of you. I thought you would both be exhausted.” She winked at Phaelenx.
“Thank you, Brenna,” Phaelenx said stiffly. “I should be going.”
“Aye, child,” Brenna said, her eye still gleaming mischievously.
Phaelenx groaned inwardly. Gods, let her drop this pretentious act, he thought, sighing at the way Brenna was eyeing Selene. I am sure it is embarrassing!
But to his surprise, Selene smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Brenna,” she said. “My own cooks rarely take the time to make anything special.” She sat down in a chair and nibbled delicately at a sweet roll. “These are delicious,” she said.
Brenna beamed. “Thank you, child,” she said. “Now, Phaelenx, you’d best be getting on. Your father has been in his shop for over an hour!”
Phaelenx rolled his eyes. “Right,” he said. He put an apple and a hunk of cheese inside the leather pouch at his waist – despite the mountains of food provided to the workers, he couldn’t quite get rid of an oddly squeamish feeling about accepting it. It’s like a bribe, he thought. But what are they trying to buy from us?