ADELINA
"Rise and shine, Lina, rise and shine!" A voice broke through my dreams abruptly destroying my peaceful rest.
"Ugh" I moaned trying to open my eyes, but it was impossible. Yesterday I got into bed late and couldn't fall asleep for another hour. "James?" I muttered rubbing my face tiredly as my mind recognized the person talking. "What the hell are you doing?" I questioned him getting upset. He should understand how much I needed this couple of hours of sleep he was stealing from me.
"I'm challenging my dear sister for a race." He answered as I snapped my eyes open immediately. A race? Now he was talking. The adrenalin rushed my body even just because the thought of it.
"And you will get it." I nodded seriously. I thought he forget what he promised two days ago when he made me stay in front of the hospital, but obviously he was just waiting for the right time. "I'll be down in a minute, just let me change." I ensured him as I saw a grin appear on his face.
"Good girl." He accepted my terms as he left the room.
I haven't counted the seconds, but I think I did manage to throw some clothes on in a minute then I rushed out to the courtyard where James was already holding the two horses. Death, of course and Mocha, my light-brown mare.
"I see someone is determined." He commented smirking as he handed over Mocha's reins.
"Yeah, today I'll teach you one or two things about riding." I hopped on the horse quickly as I returned the grin.
"Cocky already?" He asked challenging as he did the same.
"Only when I'm right." I answered nudging Mocha to move. "Come on, Delaney, don't waste time… unless you're afraid…" I nodded to him teasing freely. I felt so alive. When I was in the saddle I could forget about anything. All the troubles and problems of the word seem distant.
JAMES
I slightly kicked Death into a canter to catch up with Adelina as I couldn't help but smiled. I loved how enthusiastic was she about this and her eagerness was contagious. We did it a hundreds of times when we were kids, but I never thought it could be still that fun.
As I reached her we both slowed down to a trot since we didn't want to tire our horses before the race.
We ride in silence next to each other for the following minutes. I glanced at her as she was deeply in her thoughts while I wondered what she is thinking about. Only if she knew about my plan.
We could leave the city easily since not many people were on the road at this time. The sun hasn't even been risen yet and the dim light embraced us peacefully.
"Finally." She noted with a genuine smile as we arrived to the forest-road after a couple of more minutes. "Are you ready?" She turned to me excitedly yet I saw a little nervousness in her eyes. Did the memories rushed her too? Our first kiss?
"How about a bet?" I asked instead. "To raise the stakes a bit."
"Alright." She agreed thoughtfully after a while. "I know it's near to impossible, but what do you want in case you win?" She questioned me confidently as I let out a quiet chuckle.
For a moment longer I just held her piercing gaze as she was trying to figure me out.
"A kiss." I announced it simply which took her aback right away. Even though I haven't clarified it I saw in her eyes that she understood exactly what I meant "Unless… you're afraid." I started smirking as I noticed her hesitant look.
"Hah, you wish!" She said scoffing mockingly as she tried to hide her uneasiness while she sifted in the saddle. "What if I win?"
"Whatever you want, my little Lina." There's nothing in this world I wouldn't give to you.
"Alright, then a story-night." She decided eventually. "You tell me everything what happened in Africa."
"Fair enough." I nodded. She seemed reasonable. "Ready?" I asked her grabbing Death's reins firmly. There was no way I'm losing today.
"I was born ready." She sent me one last smirk before she nudged Mocha to move starting the race.
She was good. Her horse broke into an intense gallop immediately leaving me only a second to act. I quickly patted Death's neck and whispered into his ear before I nudged him too. He galloped at an astonishing pace racing for the edge of the forest where a lake was waiting for us.
It only took a few moments to reach Lina then we were dashing side by side. I took a look at her. She was concentrating hard not to lose focus or control. It was adorable how determined she was, but she never stood a chance against me. Not this time.
I kicked Death's side to make him gallop even faster. I knew he had it in him and as his speed quickened I didn't have to err. Eventually he left Mocha a couple of yards behind as we finally reached the lake. I quickly hopped off of the saddle waiting for Lina.
LINA
I arrived to the lake letting out a frustrated sigh.
I can't believe it. What's going to happen now? I mean I know we had a deal, but does he really want that kiss?
I felt my stomach twitch even for the thought of it. Maybe he'll forget about it…
"It was a deft piece of ride." He said as he waked over to me to help me down.
"Apparently not enough." I muttered quietly trying to avoid his eyes as I hesitantly accepted his hand. I jumped off of the horse and landed right in front of him as he steadied me. His embracing arm burnt my skin even through my dress.
"Don't be so hard on my girl." He lowered his voice gently lifting my chin up while he held me tight around my waist with the other hand.
I must've blushed furiously. It was the second time he called me his girl.
Does he even know the affect he triggers just with his words?
He was close. Way too close and as I gazed into his green eyes I felt like a deer caught in the spotlight.
Will he claim his reward right now?
My heart started to pound in my chest so fast I was sure he noticed it too. I gulped hard as I caught him glimpsing at my lips.
A perfect answer for my unspoken question. I thought as he simply leaned in.
I closed my eyes not even trying to tame my racing heart anymore. This is truly happening!
After a short moment I felt his soft lips tenderly pressing on mine. He was gentle. Just remaining there like that, being careful to leave me enough time to react or stop him if I wanted. But honestly that haven't even crosses my mind. His touch awakened my senses in the way no one's ever did.
It was only a few second then he leaned back abandoning my lips cruelly. My mind was screaming for more as my body helplessly craved his closeness. I kept my eyes shut, I didn't want to return to the normal word. I couldn't. Not after he just showed me heaven.
Please, don't stop, not yet!
And just like he read my mind he kissed me again. This time he did it with more confidence, his lips felt more remarkable on my own.
I let out a relieved sigh as I unwittingly folded my arms around his neck not wishing to let him go. He playfully bit my lower lip asking for permission. A satisfied moan escaped my mouth and warmth filled my chest as I eagerly gave in.
Our tongue found sync right away like our first kiss would've been only yesterday. Yet the two was nothing alike. Now we were both grownups and knew exactly what we're doing.
As the kiss deepened he tightened his grip around my waist while in return I run my fingers through his spiky hair earning a husky groan from him.
My conscious was crying out in the back of my mind to stop this nonsense. We are siblings and even though not by blood it is still wrong. We are not supposed to have these feelings. But before I could've done anything James slowly pulled away.
"That was one kind of a bet, hmm?" He whispered resting his forehead on mine smirking as the both of us tried to catch our breath.
"Yeah…" I nodded feeling bitter suddenly. Right, it was just a bet…
"But now we must return" He added quietly. "The game is about to start." He explained as he placed an affectionate kiss on my forehead before releasing me.
JAMES
All the way home I was thinking about Lina as our kiss still burnt on my mouth. I only intended to give her a short peck on her lips, but her face… I couldn't resist. More surprisingly she didn't pull away. Does it mean she feels the same for real?
I wanted to kiss her again. And again and again. To never stop. She drove me crazy that I couldn't think straight yet I had to focus if I wanted to win this war.
"James! James!" Brace terrified voice snapped me back from my thoughts as he stormed into my room. "They are here! James, for God's sake!" He repeated himself as I jumped up. My first instinct was to make sure that Lina is safe, but I knew they weren't looking for her.
"What's happening?!" Miss Bow asked with a faint voice as I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.
"They will want you to sign their papers or you will hang." I told her quickly. We had no time.
"Hang for what? Saving my honour?!" She questioned not believing it.
"You must hold out. You will hold out. Look at me." I instructed her trying to get her attention. This was really important. "These men are from the Crown. I will warn the East India and they will free you."
"What are you talking about?" She frowned not understanding it a bit.
"You must go with them now." I added. There was no other choice if she wanted to live. "I will be with you when you're inside and you will know it." I ensured her as the soldiers found us. "Hold out." I mouthed as they took her away.
After sending an anonymous tip to the East India about the Crown's intentions I decided to visit my inside man among them.
"The Prince Regent has decided to decline your offer." He informed me what happened at the meeting as he tried to light up his pipe with no success.
"For crying out loud, Godders." I got tired of it and took away it from him starting his pipe properly then I handed it back.
"He will not offer you a monopoly." He continued like nothing happened, waiting for my reaction. "So doesn't that mean the game is up, James?" He asked eventually realising I'm not going to answer.
"No, it's just begun. What else?" I nagged him to move on.
"The hand was raised." He started again hesitantly. "They talked about gunpowder. Pettifer said if Delaney Trading Company wanted to trade with the Indians at Nootka, the only merchandise you could possibly use would be gunpowder." He continued. "Wilton pointed out that in times of war, the production of gunpowder is controlled by the Crown." He stopped for a moment to examine my expression. "You will not be granted a licence to purchase. Your name is already on a blacklist. You will not get a single grain anywhere in England." He clarified desperately as I hummed moving to the bed instead of sitting in the armchair. "So, now is the game up?" He asked again as I got comfortable laying down. "When they speak of you, there is such hatred now. Before, they laughed." He noted.
"They stopped laughing out there. That's good. That's a good thing, Godders." I reassured him closing my eyes. I barely slept a few hours.
"James." He said my name pleading as he sat next to me embracing my hand in his. "For God's sake. The Art Of War. Poor motive, poor strategy, poor outcome." He tried to make a point.
"Hmm."
"They can't kill you, but they will crucify your name…" He went on. "And crucify all those around you." He added as my stomach clenched as it hit me.
Lina. Maybe I let her stay close for too long?
"But I don't keep anybody around me that doesn't deserve what they get." I lied with a plain face while my heart started to pound in my chest. If anything happens to my sweet little Lina…
"Does that include me?" Godders asked not noticing anything about it.
"Yes, that includes you." I agreed thoughtfully. "Only half a man." I explained seeing his confused look as I freed my hand from his.
ADELINA
Later that afternoon I had a show to attend. Cholmondeley put up one of his chemistry-attraction and a promise is a promise. I arrived a little late sine I wanted to wait for Lorna to arrive back first, but thanks god she did managed to come home in one piece…
The chemist was already finishing up a trick when I entered the auditorium. I didn't want to interrupt so I stayed in the back of the room, yet I still draw his attention immediately.
"Thank you." He said just as he's grateful for the audience applause yet he directed that for me gazing intensely my eyes with a small smirk. I nodded smiling as the show continued.
"Now, finally, here, I'm introducing chlorine gas to a solution of sal ammoniac." He turned back to the liquids. "Ladies, beware, these are corrosive substances. They will ravage your dresses." He warned us before introducing the fluids. "So, the combination produces a yellow, oily fluid that will explode with sunlight or heat or mere motion. In order to show you most simply and safely its explosive effect, I use this instrument to transfer very carefully just a few drops." He explained what he's doing as the people fell silent. "And, again, beware. Use your hand to protect your eyes." He added as he finished up with mixing. All the women watched him in agape as the tension get unbearable for them. I smiled and shook my head. What a showman… but regardless, he is a great chemist even though he's using his power for only entertaining those ladies. "The vessel is often shattered to atoms, by sheer force." He said steering the ingredients slowly until the glass did shattered into little pieces.
"Terrific! Magnificent!" I've still heard the crowd whispering as strong arms embraced me form behind pulling me back to the corridor.
James! I recognised hisrain soaked ground scent in a second.
"You should be more careful." He warmed me lowering his voice to only a whisper as his warm breath on my neck sent shivers down on my spine. My body reacted to his instinctively reliving our moments in the morning.
"After your lecture to that Malay, I'm sure you're the only one who dares to touch me." I reminded him turning to see his face. I regretted it right away. The look in his eyes made my heart leap in my chest. They were sparkling with pure lust.
"Yeah." He agreed cornering me with his arms as the wall pressed against my back hard. "That's exactly what I'm talking about…" He added barely audible as he gently smoothened a lock back behind my ear. I gulped hard thinking again about the kiss we shared. I was sure he's mind is wondering about the same, but he won't just kiss me again, right? It was only a bet.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him eventually clearing my throat, regaining my consciousness.
"I have business with Cholmondeley." He answered after a moment releasing me.
"And may I ask the nature of it?" I questioned with a light smile. I knew he had secrets but it was always for the others. He never kept anything away from me…
"The less you know is the better." He said refusing my request as he left, leaving me completely speechless.
