Her Reaper's Arms, Charlotte Boyett-Compo [world best books to read .TXT] 📗

asked.

“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.

125

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