Ice Runner Read online

  Sighing and rubbing her hands to disperse the heat, she left the small chamber and waved him in.

  “As you requested.”

  “Thank you. Don’t you need to use one as well?”

  She shook her head. “I went before we left and am good for another ten hours or so. It is a side effect of using my talent.”

  He disappeared for a moment, and she wandered back to the rider. Another four hours and they would be at Yola Base, another five after that and they would be in Corial. Kes drank some water and pulled out a ration bar. Smiling, she watched a consternated Lorvik emerge.

  “Is there somewhere I can wash my hands?”

  “Rub the walls, scrub your hands, rub the walls again and then come here, and I will dry them.” He was awkward as he did as she said. “You must think I am an idiot.”

  “You are not the first visitor that I have taken through the tunnels nor the first to forget that we are surrounded by water.”

  He walked over to her and extended his cold, shivering hands.

  Kescu reached out and took those hands with hers and used the heat from her skin to dry him.

  She watched the colour return to his gold-green skin, and she smiled up at him. “Is that better?” He leaned in and kissed her in answer. The kiss was light and exploratory, but when he pulled back, she went up on her toes to keep the contact.

  A strange shiver ran through her from head to toe, and it was that unfamiliar feeling that made her pull back.

  He had a slight smile on his face, and his lips had a shine that made her want to check her own.

  Kes cleared her throat. “I have half a ration bar for you.”

  He smiled. “Thank you. How long until we reach Yola?”

  “Four hours. Let me know if you need a rest stop.”

  “I promise I will. Shall we?”

  She smiled and got back onto the rider with a ration bar clutched in her hand. She had her water pack with her, so she pulled the tube up and held it between her teeth while the engine roared into life once again.

  Off they went into the endless glitter of ice with nothing but the ticking of distance to guide them.

  Chapter Seven

  Kescu refuelled at Yola. Lor and Dr. Senzer were busy chatting about the project, and Lor accelerated the next batch while she was swapping out propulsion crystals.

  Senzer’s assistant was a pleasant man who handed her some ration bars and showed her where to refill her water packs with filtered water.

  Kes had a light nap by the time Lor returned and shook her awake. She stood up and nodded to Dr. Senzer. “Have a good evening, Doc.”

  “Enjoy your trip, Courier Washley. I had no idea you knew the tunnels that well.” She gave him a look through narrowed eyes. “I know you know better than that. I was with the drill team who opened the tunnel to Yola.” He shrugged. “It has been so long, who remembers?”

  She snorted and got back on the rider. Lorvik came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her once again. With a roar of the engine, they were off and streaking through the tunnels.

  “How old were you when the tunnel was run?” Lor’s voice sounded in her earpiece.

  “Nine. My father was running the drill team that made the hole that we are cruising through.” She accelerated again.

  “You went with him when he worked?”

  “Of course. When I wasn’t in school, I was with my dad in the tunnels. It was an educational experience, and I enjoyed working with him.”

  “What could a child do?”

  She laughed brightly, “I could heat up the lunches.”

  He snorted and hung on as they continued on their way to Corial.

  Two stops later and they pulled into the tunnel junction, the parking area for all tunnel riders. Kes groaned as she stood up and stretched. Lorvik was flexing his hands.

  “Where are you staying?”

  He grinned. “The Three Fountains.” She whistled softly. “Fancy.” He laughed and pulled her pack out before claiming his own. “I may not look it, but I am a king after all. It is important that I stay comfortably when I am trying to lull your mother into letting me sweep you away to worlds unknown.”

  “Lull Kema Washley? Oh dear, your brain froze during the journey.” She tutted and swung her bag over her shoulder. “This way to the Three Fountains.”

  The streets of Corial were quiet. A few tea vendors had their shops open, but there was almost no traffic on the street.

  “Why is it so quiet?”

  Kes laughed. “Because you spent more than five hours with Senzer. It is three in the morning now. It will be much more lively in the morning.” He ducked his head. “It was fun to talk to another botanist. I apologize if it is too late to meet your mother today.”

  “It isn’t too late, it is too early. I will leave her a message, and she will call you in the morning.”

  “You will leave her a message?” His brow furrowed.

  “Of course. I don’t want to wake her or Eera by turning lights on in the house. I will head to the hostel and nap until dawn.”

  They walked down the silent streets. The warm lights of the active businesses were puddles of clarity in the dimness.

  “How far under is Corial?”

  “Sixty feet of ice over our heads, held in place by the strongest in shielding and bracing technology. The light is brought in with tubes drilled almost to the surface with reflectors catching and redirecting the sunlight.” He grinned. “I read the brochure. I was just curious. Teckaro is far closer to the surface.”

  “Fifteen feet below and set in the side of a glacier. It is a different setup entirely.” She chuckled and pointed at the bright lights on the edge of the street. “That is the Three Fountains.”

  “Come in with me. We can have some tea, and you can tell me how best to approach your mother.”

  She frowned but the tea was tempting, so was spending more time with him. Kes called herself a thousand kinds of fool, but she liked him.

  It went beyond him being the first non-Wanlian who had any interest in her, he was her own kind, and he knew what she was. There was no hiding from that. There was also no ignoring the delicate touch that he used on the plants and that he used when he touched her. He treasured life, and it radiated from him in every gesture and action.

  Plants excited him, not crushing his people beneath his heel.

  “Tea would be nice.”

  His smile was brilliant, and he took her hand in his as they walked into the lobby of the most luxurious hotel in Corial.

  He checked in and the concierge gushed about the accessibility of the spa pools, even at the pre- dawn hour. Nothing was too good for the guests of the Three Fountains.

  “Does your companion require a key?” Lorvik nodded. “Please. I wish her to be free to come and go as she pleases.”

  The concierge looked a little surprised but quickly smoothed his features into a pleasant expression. “Enjoy the facilities, miss.”

  “Thank you.” Kescu knew the man. She had run a heart from Heesin City for his nephew.

  Lorvik took her hand again, and together, they entered the lift that took them further down, under Corial.

  “Have you ever gone to the hot pools?” He frowned. “No. How hot are they?”

  “The Wanlians can tolerate them, so they are not too bad. Would you like to try them?” He looked down at her. “You really want to, don’t you?”

  She chuckled. “After our trip, you will enjoy this. Trust me.”

  “I trust you.”

  Her heart pounded in her throat as she heard the earnestness in his voice.

  They found his room, and she went to the bathroom, returning to him with two robes. “We either change there, or we change here. Your choice.”

  He took his robe and inclined his head. “I will change in the bedroom.”

  As he walked off, she called out, “Don’t wear anything under it. We have co-ed public bathing here.”

  He paused and then cont
inued, closing the door behind him.

  She laughed and retired to the large bathroom, peeling off her runner suit one piece at a time. By the time she was down to her skin, she was aware of every ache and pain in her body. She may be able to handle the cold, but it took a toll on her body.

  Wrapped in the rich, soft robe, she emerged from the bathroom, tucking her key into the robe pocket.

  Lorvik emerged wearing his robe, his feet as elegant as the rest of him.

  It was sad that she noticed, but she took pity on his awkward silence. “Are you ready?” He shook his head. “I have no idea.” Kes laughed and reached for his hand. “Come along. I am looking forward to this.” Down two levels and across three halls, they finally made it to the hot pools.

  Lorvik looked around at the enamelled bathes large enough for ten, and he started to smile. “This is not what I was thinking.”

  She laughed. “I have no idea of what was in your mind. Come on, off with your robe and into the water. The pools are graded by colour. Burgundy is the hottest and that is where I am spending my time.”

  Kescu slipped off her robe, hung it on a peg and walked to the pool. She slipped into the pool and turned to watch to see which pool Lorvik picked.

  He was still staring in her direction. So she cleared her throat. “You are going to be silly standing there when the dawn bathers come in.” Sighing, he removed his robe, and she watched all his golden-green perfection walking to the pool next to hers. He slipped a foot into it and smiled then moved to her pool and tested the waters.

  “You are right, it isn’t too hot.” Kescu watched as he settled with the muscles on his chest flexing as he leaned his arms on the edge of the pool. She sank lower in the water and closed her eyes. “That is what I used to think.”

  Chapter Eight

  Lorvik looked down at Kescu and thought about how right she looked in his bed. After an hour of the most relaxing bath of his life, Kescu had fallen asleep in the pool, and he had carried her back to his suite.

  He had left a message as to her location and the best time to come storming the suite for Kema Washley. Kescu needed her sleep, and he was determined to make sure she got it.

  Kes turned to her stomach, and her hair flopped sideways.

  Curious, Lorvik removed the pin holding her hair and unwound the mass until it reached her hips. That was a bit of a shock. For a woman who lived in such practical clothing to have such a feminine side was both startling and delightful.

  He sat on the chaise near the bed and watched her while she slept. He did not intend to leave the running of their world to her, but it was very nice to know that he could if he had to. She had strength of character, strength of will, and the attraction he felt for her seemed to be mutual.

  There was only one obstacle, and she was going to arrive at eleven in the morning if she abided by his request.

  Lorvik settled in and watched over his sleeping beauty until his lids grew heavy and the small freckles on her cheeks blurred with his fatigue.

  * * * *

  Kes shot up, worried that she would be late. Cool air on her body brought home the fact that she was not wearing anything and the swish of her hair against her buttocks told her that things were not as they should be.

  Something moved in her peripheral vision, and Lorvik shifted on the chaise before returning to deep slumber.

  Kes looked down. Aside from being naked, she wasn’t wearing any bruises, bites or marks of nocturnal activity. Nothing had happened.

  She found the robe and slipped it on, moving quietly into the other room. In the bathroom, she found a brush, and she worked on her hair, getting the black tangle into an even wave with a lot of wincing. Kes never wore her hair loose. It whipped about in the wind and froze into the ice.

  With her hair smooth, she twisted it up on her head, and she grabbed a tie from her pack.

  The soak had done her good, so she grabbed her spare suit and climbed into it. She had just finished getting dressed when a familiar knock sounded at the door.

  She opened the door. “Come in, Mom. Lorvik is still asleep.”

  Kema came in and her gaze took in everything.

  The robe, the spare uniform and the bedroom door still open a crack. “You slept with him.” Kescu grinned, “No. I got the bed.” She beckoned her mother, and Kema followed. She opened the door, and they could see Lorvik lying uncomfortably on the chaise, his robe tangled around his legs.

  Kema clapped her hand over her mouth, and they backed away, closing the door with a soft click.

  Back in the living room, Kes fished out a ration bar and started chewing. “Why do you insist on thinking the worst?”

  Kema touched her hand. “It is a habit I don’t want to break. I want to protect you, Kes. You are my child.”

  “And he will take me from you?” Kema slumped. “If he is good enough to win your affections, I am afraid he will.”

  “He’s a good man. He is a member of the Citadel, educated away from his own people. He has to find a mate to fully take the throne, and I am guessing that I am the one he has chosen.” Kema shook her head. “It had to be you. Your people are keyed to each other. Lyrica told me about it when she sent you to me. She didn’t want you raised in court or locked up when they couldn’t hide your talent any longer.”

  “That isn’t the case anymore, Mom. They are in the Vexar Empire, and the new Vexar empress was a member of the Citadel. She is an incredible power, and she is paving paths for the talents, changing their existence from a hidden burden to a celebration.”

  Kema looked up in surprise. “Really? It is safe for you to return home?”

  Kes reached out and took her mother’s hand.

  “This is my home. You are my home, Eera is my home, but feel the heat in my hand. It makes you uncomfortable. It hurts. It hurts Eera too, though she insists on hugging me when I am running hot. I am not meant for ice, which I believe is why Lyrica wanted me sent here. No one would look for a spark of fire under all this ice, but I can’t be me here. I feel so much power, so much fire that wants to swell and burn, and if I did that here, lives would be lost.”

  Kema sighed. “I didn’t realize that you were so stifled.”

  “I am not. I am restrained within my boundaries. I know the rules here and how to make my place, but I want to be given a place that I don’t have to kill myself maintaining. It is exhausting, and frankly, my body isn’t up to it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The cold is starting to hurt. Every long run sends me into the hot springs, but they can’t always relax muscles that have tensed and are pulling hard at me.”

  “Oh, honey, I had no idea.”

  “It’s fine. The price we paid for stability. Now, there is enough in the accounts to take you to Eera’s thirtieth year without you having to lift a finger. I mean, I guess… I would love it if you came with me.”

  Lorvik’s voice came out of the bedroom doorway. “I think I will take it from here. Your mother and I have much to discuss.” He was dressed, and his long mahogany hair hung loose to his waist.

  Kescu stifled a sigh.

  Kes yawned. “Cool. You talk out here, I will go back to bed.” She didn’t give them the option to refuse. She simply stopped at Lor and gave him a peck on the lips before passing him and heading back into the welcoming sheets.

  They were going to hash it out without her, and she was going to pretend that nothing was going on. It was a fair trade.

  Two hours later, she was feeling much more rested and exceptionally relaxed. Kes put her suit back on and joined her mother and Lorvik in the living room of the suite.

  Kema and Lorvik were staring at each other, each had a data pad in their hands and their styluses were working frantically.

  Not wanting to disturb them, Kes refreshed the tea and checked their cups. She sat to one side and watched as they duelled with documentation. Kes sipped her tea, and when Kema’s face took on a glint of triumph, she slipped behind her mother and checked
to see what she was working on.

  “Mom. What the hell?”

  Kema smirked. “Baby names. That’s right. I am picking them.”

  Lorvik scowled. “I may not like the system that spawned me, but I do have family heritage to consider.”

  “They will wear your last name. Kescu will retain the name Washley, and Eera and I will have unlimited visits and a home in the nearest glacier or mountain range for comfort.” Kema smiled.

  Kescu stared at her mother in horror. “Where is the whole my daughter is not yours to command thing?”

  Lorvik smiled, “We covered that in the first hour. You shouldn’t have had a nap.” Kema grinned. “It is true, Kes. I did grill him most thoroughly as to why he was qualified to be your husband. His answer was pretty good.” Kes crossed her arms. “What was the answer?” Lorvik chuckled. “Who else would be brave enough to take you on?”

  Shock ripped through her, and then, she gave a rueful smile. “That has a distinctly unflattering ring of truth to it.”

  Kema Washley showed her the contract that they had worked out. It covered every salient part of her life and several things she hadn’t considered. Her skin turned bright pink when she got to the mating part of the contract, but it only promised that Kescu would not obstruct any attempt to produce an heir. It didn’t say that she had to bear one, only that she wouldn’t stop nature from taking its course.

  Lorvik called the concierge into the suite and had him witness the signatures. Once the contract was signed, they had a light lunch and Lorvik got on the com, arranging for a group of couriers to be stationed on Wanlio 6, as per the contract.

  Kescu smiled. There was no doubt that Kema knew her daughter. Kes would not be able to leave until there was someone to do the job that had integrated itself into Wanlio 6 life in a few short years.

  Lorvik paused between calls to the Citadel and Sector Guard. “You had better keep to Kema’s portion of the contract.”

  Curious, Kes flicked to the point where a trousseau was to be supplied. “Seriously? I have to go shopping?”