Vulture by Rhiannon Paille Page A

Watchtower
    Krishani rounded the corner and found the hall emptier than it had been before his confrontation with Elwen. A single flute and drum carried tunes lazily through the air as he crossed the floor, looking for Kaliel. He passed the drab table and his stomach growled at him. He hadn’t eaten much since the battle. Mushy orange and yellow vegetables glared at him, haphazardly strewn across silver platters. He wasn’t stupid enough to try them twice. All the meat had been stripped to the bones and there wasn’t any bread or mead left. He grimaced and left it, noticing Kaliel in the corner, Pux passed out on her shoulder. Her face brightened when she saw him and it made his heart ache with an instinctual longing. He glanced at the villagers but they were drunk. They whirled about the dance floor singing incoherently to the music. He wished Elwen would have had the sense to send them to their homes, but he didn’t want to talk to Elwen again.
    He approached Kaliel and slid down beside her, interlocking his hand in hers. The traditions of Terra were foreign to him, and no matter his birthright, he wasn’t going to convert to their ways to placate the villagers. He’d be discreet, but it felt nice that for once he didn’t feel guilty about holding her hand in public. She squeezed his tighter and he ran his thumb along her palm and felt her shiver under him.
    “I have good news,” she said while he continued tracing the indents in her palm with his thumb.
    “What’s that?” Krishani asked. He felt better being near her, all the worry falling off his shoulders. He could do anything as long as he could be hers … fight wars, face Vultures, even face himself. As long as she loved him he would be strong enough to protect her.
    “Klavotesi has agreed to teach me,” she said.
    Krishani grinned. “Lessons.”
    Kaliel hummed. “It feels like old times,” she said, unable to contain her glee. Krishani brought their interlocked hands to his lips and brushed them along the back of her hand. Her skin was smooth and pale, but it had tiny scars along the pores that looked like they came from rose bushes or brambles. He ignored them because they weren’t a part of her life, only part of something he couldn’t entirely explain.
    “I hope he makes you do focus training,” he whispered as he dropped their hands into her lap.
    Kaliel laughed and he loved the sound of it. “You’d love that wouldn’t you?” The corners of her mouth turned down. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t help.” She pouted.
    Krishani let his gaze rake over her, the want in him too strong to ignore. “I’d do it for you if I could.”
    She turned her attention to the villagers. “Is it night yet? I’m so tired and Pux is already asleep.”
    Krishani nodded and unlocked their hands. He leaned forward and glanced at Pux who was resting on Kaliel’s other shoulder. “We should move him.”
    “Where does he usually sleep?” Kaliel asked. “I hope Elwen gave him a bigger room.” She carefully raised her arm and shrugged Pux off her. He flinched as she set his head on the stone. He didn’t wake, just curled his animals legs towards himself creating a makeshift turtle shell.
    “I think he’ll be fine here. I don’t know where he sleeps.” He didn’t want to tell her that the one night he spent in the castle, Pux slept with the pigs. He stood, remembering the watchtower. “We should go.” He extended his hand and she took it, letting him pull her to her feet. He couldn’t help it; she smelled good. The dress he brought from Avristar was scented faintly with honeysuckle and lavender. She glanced at Pux and her forest green eyes streaked with uncertainty.
    “Are you sure we should leave him?”
    Krishani nodded. He wanted to get her away from the castle, the other villagers. Of the things he was thankful for, Talina giving him the watchtower was top of his list. “Come on, I have something to show you,” he said impatiently. He