Remedy Maker (21 page)

Oh, he knew a hell of a lot more than what he was saying, but not at the expense of his carefully laid contacts. He’d been assigned his mission, too. Covert that it was.

The little Satyr returned with two filmy shot glasses and smacked them on the table in front of Aleksander. “Anything else for you, boys?”

“Why hello, sweet-thing.” Aleksander’s brows bobbed up and down. “Nothing for me, thanks, but I’ve got something for you.”

 “Ugh! Centaurs.” She bleated a few choice words and tore off to serve her other tables clamoring for more drink.

“There’s got to be more,” Rhycious pressed, fishing for information. “What level? How high up are we talking?”

Nubbs poured brandy in all three shot glasses and doled them out accordingly.

Rhycious pushed his back. “No, thanks.”

Grabbing up his shot, he glanced at Alek and inclined his head at the only nondrinker in the bar.

Alek shrugged. “He doesn’t drink. Personal reasons.”

Nubbs raised his brows. “Never heard of a Centaur that didn’t toss one down now and then.” He raised his glass in a toast toward Rhycious, and dosed himself with the amber liquid. Gods, the shit burned his gut. Maybe he’d start making his deals in bookstores instead. “The chain of command in your underground boy scout camp is as obscure as they come. In all my years on both sides of the Boronda Decree, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He had to pause and hold his breath, the pain sharp as tacks in his stomach. Sweat broke out on his forehead. Maybe he’d better open a sandwich shop. It would be a much healthier option with better hours.

A deep breath later, and the twinge abated. “Look, around here, information gets passed around faster than an ugly whore. It can be buried in bullshit and swept under rugs until everyone who ever heard of it is either in the line of fire, dead, or—” he glanced pointedly at Alek— “promoted out of camp. If it were up to me, I’d look for the least likely suspect.”

Rhycious straightened and leaned his shoulder against the wall, crossing his arms over a Penn State t-shirt.

The man didn’t appear satisfied with the answer, but it would be all he’d get out of him tonight, here at
The Mare
, in front of a hundred inquisitive eyes.

If he could help them out later, he would. Discreetly, of course. No sense in blowing his cover if he didn’t have to. The less Aleksander and Rhycious knew about him and his operatives, the better.

Alek picked up Rhy’s untouched drink and slugged it down. “Thanks for the drink and the help, Nubbs.” He pushed off the table and made to stand.

Rhycious slid the backpack off his shoulders and placed it on the table between them. He dug through it in the bad light and took various clear plastic bags out to examine and return. Zipping the pack shut, he shook his long hair back and placed two of the baggies in front of Nubbs.

“Chew these, or soak them in hot water and drink the tea,” Rhycious said.

Nubbs glanced up and shook the bags, dried weeds bounced around inside. “What’s this?”

“Licorice plant. It’s an anti-inflammatory and it’ll protect your stomach lining. What little of it you have left.”

What the hell?

He narrowed his eyes at the muscular Centaur who doubled as a
fucken tree hugger
.

“Nubbs, meet the Royal Remedy Maker.” Alek laughed and turned the chair back around. “Take his advice and get yourself better. I may need you again.”

“Stay alive, Kempor Aleksander. I’ll want to win my money back.”

Rhycious inclined his head and strode into the dim hall. The Minotaur made sure to tuck his injured tail well out of the way, along with hooves and fingers.

Well now, wasn’t that an fascinating conversation.
Nubbs watched the pair retreat.
First learning of their mission to uncover the plans of the underground movement, and second, meeting the famous Remedy Maker.

Nubbs glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes to spare. He stood and stretched, and moved around the table, out of the dark corner. He’d taken a couple steps when he stopped, turned back, and grabbed the baggies Rhycious had given him.

Yeah, I’m all for feeling good.

Sixteen

“Whoever the traitors are, you can be damn sure they’re not meeting behind palace walls.” Rhycious paused just outside the boulder entrance to
The Three Legged Mare
, listening to the soft patter of drizzle drip from the tree canopy to the forest floor below. It came as a welcomed relief after the loud racket of the bar.

He pulled a rubber band from his front pocket, fisted a ponytail, and wrapped it around his damp hair.

“Definitely not there. That only leaves us with the rest of Boronda to search.” Alek paced a line in front of him like a CO during inspection, hands behind his back, shaking his head. He continued to scuff leaves and twigs with his boot heels, ignoring the inclement weather. “Nubbs said it was someone who’d benefit from having Savella dethroned.”

“Well, that narrows the field,” Rhy added dryly, an edge to his voice. “Where monarchy resides, dissention grows. It’s the way of life.” It could be anyone—from the kitchen staff who boiled Savella’s poisonous tea, to an advisor allowed inside restricted areas.

“You’d think I would have heard something from within the ranks. A disgruntled merchant, perhaps.”

Rhycious shouldered the backpack over his rain jacket, and then flicked his tail to snap the water from it. “I think it’s time to bring in the Wood Nymphs, Alek. They have eyes in areas we don’t. Maybe they already know something.”

Alek sloughed the droplets from his face and fingered his wet goatee. His military-cut hair stood up in spikes from shaking water from it. “
Gamóto
. But do we trust them?"

“Not completely, but I trust Patience. She’s knows Savella’s policies and stands behind Her Majesty. I have to believe there are other Nymphs who also support the Cessation of Enmity treaty.” Rhycious shook the water off his body with a great shudder.

Working in tandem with the Nymph population screamed wrong on so many levels, it went subdermal. Too many factors might swing against the Centaurs—distrust on both sides being foremost.

Alek hefted his own smaller bag and adjusted the diagonal cross strap on his chest. “I don’t have the authority to authorize your involvement with the Wood Nymphs. If you want to bring them in, you’ll need permission from Savella.”

Rhy nodded in understanding. Besides, it was past time to check in and give Savella a report, no matter how insignificant the report might be.

“If you’re headed to the palace, I’ll keep you company.” Rhycious took a few steps and stopped when Alek’s hand caught his arm.

Shit. Now what?

“I suggest you bring Patience with you.”

“What for? I like her just where she is.”

There was a long pause, then Alek said, “Proof. She’s a perfect example of how Centaurs can enlist the services of the Wood Nymphs in this quest.”

The matter-of-fact statement, though correct in reasoning, hit him hard in his protective gut. “I’m not parading her around the palace like some exotic pet.” Nor would he show the esteemed royal advisors how tame their old nemeses could become.

 “You
need
to introduce her to Savella. Some grudges run deep against those woodland people. Other than their ambassador, their kind isn’t allowed inside our palace walls.

“Look,” Alek continued, wiping more rain off his forehead. “You said it yourself. It’s time to bring in the Nymphs. The senate majority is going to scream bloody murder when word of our new ally hits the chamber floor.” He glanced at the cloudy night sky, searching for words. After a sigh, he leveled his gaze on Rhycious and frowned. “Like it or not, you’ll need someone in your corner to back you up—someone powerful. Queen Savella will understand the necessity of aligning ourselves with Wood Nymphs.”

Rhycious fought the urge to punch his fist into the nearest tree. “For once in your godforsaken miserable life, could you be wrong in strategic planning? It gets old.”

A flicker of thought crossed Alek’s features, and then disappeared beneath his hard warrior exterior. “Sorry. My specialty training for the crown is non-negotiable.”

“It’s a shame you were born a shit-head.”

Alek’s body language said it all. Two legs planted in a wide stance, arms crossed. His fingers closest to his sword hilt caressed the smooth metal in loving strokes, as if it were the soft skin of a female.

“Go get Patience.” Alek’s mouth twitched up at the corners.

The urge to jump straight up in the air and kick out his hind hooves rode hard on Rhycious. Gods, he didn’t want to go that route. He’d rather have his balls stretched by pliers than put Patience through what lay ahead of them.

He settled for imprinting the tree behind him with a hoof mark.

Frustrated by the paradox, Rhycious choked back his frustration. “If we can’t mend the rift between our people from the Wood Nymph side, maybe the bridge should be built from the Centaurs. Either way, it’s all good.”

Alek nodded and stuck out his arm. “I’ll meet you at the palace. Send word when you arrive.”

Rhy clasped him below the elbow and they shook the ancient way of the Centaur warrior. “Good luck.”

“You’re the one who needs luck, my friend.” Alek laughed. “Your little pixie is a Rottweiler in pink lace.”

“And how would you know that?”

Alek strode away, snickering. “Got the intel straight from the source—her best friend.” A few twists and turns between trees, and the night shadows swallowed him up.

Steady drizzle continued to flow and Rhycious stayed rooted to the spot. He flipped up the hood of his jacket to keep his hair somewhat dry, and accumulated water slid icicles down his neck. His mouth took on a bleak, unpleasant twist.

Silence expanded to fill not just the forest, but the whole world. He absorbed the peace after the flash of anger with Alek. And that’s what it had been—a flash. Not a full-blown, spit flying, checkout session he’d had in the past.

Rhycious gave himself kudos for self-improvement.

*    *   *

Patience lay on the bed with Daisy lying next to her,
wonderwalling
where Rhycious had gone off to and when he would be back. It was
psychosilly
to worry over the man. He’d lived over one-hundred and seventy-five years longer than she had.

It was the next few years she found herself chewing her lip over. She didn’t want to live two days without him.

Daisy tapped her arm. “Are you going to tell me what’s up between you and Rhycious?”

“I ain’t his breezy, if that’s what you mean.” Oh, but
gods
—she wanted to be his, if only he felt the same way.

“I didn’t ask if you were his girlfriend. I asked if anything was going on with you two.”

She and Daisy had been best friend since they were saplings. Patience knew there was no hiding behind her veneer of half-truths. She threw an arm over her eyes. “I think he may be the one,” she whispered.

Beside her, the bed dipped with Daisy’s weight. She spoke into Patience’s ear. “Really? No way, he’s a Centaur. How long have you known him?"

“Oh, for the love of Bacchus, that’s the thing. It’s been less than a week and I already feel like I can’t breathe without him.”

A tingle started between her breasts, followed by warmth that spiraled out in a slow circular motion. The pinwheel of heat slid lower. When it moved past her tummy, she crossed her legs and shot a glance at Daisy, who continued to chatter away with animated hand motions.

Rhycious.

Patience didn’t know
how
she knew, but he was on his way and close to her digs.

Daisy was still yakking when Patience rolled off the bed and walked into the bathroom to check her reflection. The dark circles were gone, her face glowed a healthy pink, but her hair looked like a bird’s nest.

After a quick brush, she twisted it up, securing it with a few clips. A little dab of honeysuckle perfume behind each ear and a pass with her lip-gloss sealed the deal—presentable once again.

“Hey, Daisy? Rhy’s outside. I’ll be right back.”

“Wait! I’m coming with you.” She held up her hand. “No arguments.”

Together they shimmered, holding their position just inside the tree’s outer ring long enough to satisfy Daisy there wasn’t danger lurking in the dark. When they burst through, falling moisture kissed her face, and the scent of rain filled the forest air. She took a deep, satisfying breath.

Still some distance away, Rhycious lifted a hand in greeting.

“How’d you know he was out here?” Daisy asked, her eyes following Rhy.

“It’s weird, but I felt him. Right here.” Patience pressed her hand over her heart.

“You mated.” Accusation and hurt colored Daisy’s tone. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Patience didn’t want to rat-out her contents. She wanted it to be hers alone, if only for a little while longer. After Rhy’s mission ended and he finally left her, then she’d tell Daisy all about it—while she cried on her BFF’s shoulder, no doubt.

For now, she wanted her precious bubble of love to stay intact, surrounding her and Rhycious in its sphere.

Rhy galloped the remaining distance, and pulled the hood off his head.

“What are you two doing out here? You should be inside.” He gave her a quick kiss, his frosty fingers stroking her cheek.

“Waiting for you.” Patience said. “Let’s go inside. You’re freezing.”

Daisy moved a few steps away. “I’ll take off, then.”

“If you can stay for a few minutes, I’d appreciate a moment of your time.” Rhycious brought Patience’s hand to his mouth and grazed her knuckles with his teeth. Chills ran up her arm and settled in her breasts, causing the buds to tighten.

Daisy eyed Rhycious. “You two aren’t going to get all mushy in front of me are you?"

Patience laughed. “Come back inside.”

She held Rhy’s hand in both of hers and shimmered them into the living room. He shrugged off his backpack and left it on the stone floor. Taking his wet jacket, she hung it in the bathroom to drip into the tub.