by Frost Kay
His door burst open and in stormed Gav. When he spotted the two of them at Tehl’s desk, he skidded to a halted and a small smile replaced the scowl he’d been wearing. “I see you’ve acquired a helper.”
“Papa!” Isa grinned and held up a paper with squiggles all over it. “Flowers!”
“Those are beautiful pictures, darling,” Gav said.
Tehl squinted at the paper she held up. Nothing in that even closely resembled flowers, but when she held it up for his inspection, he just smiled and nodded as well.
Gav strode to the front of the desk and lifted Isa to the edge. His cousin’s face turned serious as he gazed down at his daughter. “Isa, what did I say about staying by Nurse?”
Isa ducked her chin.
“Look at me, Isa.” The little girl peeked up at her father. “What did I say?”
“Not to run off?”
“And what did you do?”
“I wanted to see Uncle.”
“I understand that, but I asked you to do something, and you disobeyed me.”
“But I wanted to—”
“Isa,” Gav admonished. “Don’t argue with me. I told you we would visit later. You scared your nurse and me. It’s not safe for you to wander the halls like you did at home. Because you disobeyed, you’re going to bed early tonight.”
Isa’s shoulders slumped forward. “Sorry, Papa.”
“I know.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to his chest. “I appreciate you apologizing, and I love you.”
“Love you,” she sniffed.
“Nurse is going to take you for a snack and then a nap.”
“No nap,” Isa complained.
“Not a choice.” Gav turned toward the door. “Mrs. Clairette!”
An ancient-looking woman opened the door and stepped inside. “My lord?”
“Isa is in need of a snack and her nap.”
The older woman nodded and held her hand out. “Isa? Come, child.”
Isa hid her face in Gav’s shirt. “I don’t want to go, Papa.” She peeked up at Tehl. “I want to stay with Uncle.”
He was about to assure her she was welcome to stay when he caught Gav’s expression. “Well, the quicker you go and eat your snack and take a nap, the quicker you can wake up and have dinner with me. Maybe we’ll have cake for dessert.”
His niece’s eyes rounded. “Cake?”
“Yes.”
Isa squealed and wiggled down from his desk, all but sprinting to the nurse. She waved to them over her shoulder as she left. “Bye, Papa! Bye, Uncle!”
Gav blew her a kiss while Tehl simply waved, the little girl now following the old woman without a complaint. He closed the door behind them and turned to his cousin, smiling. “You finally brought Isa home! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We were going to surprise you tonight, but,” Gav scowled, “apparently Isa couldn’t wait. I wish that Mrs. Clairette could keep a better eye on her.”
“By the way Mrs. Clairette squinted around this room, it seemed as though she could see,” Tehl said. “How old is she now?”
Gav ran a hand through his raven hair. “She’s old. And sadly, old enough that I now need to find someone else to take care of Isa.”
“But hasn’t Mrs. Clairette taken care of Isa since birth?”
“Yes, but Mrs. Clairette can’t live at the palace. Her husband is older than she, and her children and grandchildren live around my keep. I can’t uproot them all just for my daughter. The journey here has already worn her out. I’m not saying they’re unwilling. I’m sure that if old Will was healthy enough to make the journey, they would do it, but honestly? It’s just not possible.”
“What are you going to do, then?”
“I’m not sure. I hate the idea of trying to find another suitable companion and caretaker for Isa.”
“Have you told Isa?”
“No,” Gav grimaced. “It will break her heart, I’m sure.”
Tehl opened his mouth to answer when the door slammed open. He rolled his eyes at his brother. “Will you ever learn to knock?”
Sam powered to his desk and held out an envelope. “Not when there’s news.”
He plucked the envelope from his brother’s grasp and brushed his thumb over the black wax seal. This was it. Everything hinged on the contents of this letter. He glanced up at his brother and then Gav.
Pulling in a deep breath, he snatched the letter and ripped it open. All the air rushed from his lungs. It was just three sentences.
We are in accord. Your letter pleased me. We will meet in one month and embark on something our kingdoms haven’t experienced in hundreds of years: peace.
Tehl’s jaw hung open. This was unreal. He turned to the two men at his side. “He agreed. We’re set to meet in one month.”
Sam moved around the desk and pulled him into a hug. “Just one more month, brother, and then we’ll have Sage in our arms. She’ll be safe.”
Emotion clogged his throat. They were almost there. Only thirty days until he had his wife and advisor back. “I need to tell her parents,” he said absently.
“Do you think that’s a good idea? To give them hope?” Sam asked.
Tehl ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve got no other choice. I can’t keep this from them. And even if I don’t say anything, I’m certain Lilja will. Honestly, though, I’d rather…”
“You want it to come from you,” Gav supplied.
“Yes, and I’m due for a visit anyway.” He blew out a breath and handed Sam the letter. “Alert the war council. We’ll meet this evening.” He rounded the desk and clapped Gav on the shoulder. “Tell Isa I’ll be back for dessert.”
His cousin nodded and, just as he was exiting the room, his brother called out, “Give the Blackwells my best.”
Tehl tensed as the door swung open, revealing Sage’s father. The man looked fairly healthy, but also very tired.
The older man stepped up to him and wrapped him in a hug. “Welcome, son.”
He released Tehl and stepped back. The heat of the forge enveloped him, the warmth draping over him like a warm blanket. A small smile pulled at his lips as the older man sat him down and poured him a drink. Tehl sank onto the bench and took the cup of ale with a muttered, “Thank you.” Colm sat and sipped his ale, all the while watching him over the rim.
“What’s eating at you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, though I’ve also come to know you a bit over the last couple of months.”
Tehl swallowed. “I’ve had word.”
Colm paled and placed a bracing hand against his workbench. “Sage? Is she…is she all right?”
“She’s alive.”
Tehl shot to his feet as the older man leaned forward, visibly sagging. “Colm!”
The older man grabbed Tehl’s hand and yanked him to his knees before pulling him into another hug.
“So, she’s really alive?” Colm rasped, his eyes full of tears.
“She is.”
Sage’s father let loose a heavy sigh and pulled back. He quickly wiped his face and stood, extending a hand to his son-in-law. “We need to tell Gwen.”
Tehl clasped his hand and pushed off the floor, looking the other man in the eye. “Is she strong enough to bear it? We may be getting her back, but I’m not sure in what condition we’ll find her.”
The older man’s face hardened. “Condition?”
“She’s been in Scythia this whole time. Specifically, with their warlord,” he finished softly.
“No,” the older man breathed, looking green.
“He’s assured us that she’s been well taken care of and is in good health, but…”
“It’s damn Scythia. You can’t trust a word they say!” Colm thundered.
“I know, but what other choice do I have?”
Colm’s face fell. “You’ve none, I know.”
“I have to balance my feelings for Sage with the good of the whole kingdom.” He slumped onto the benc
h and hung his head. “I’m tired, so tired. Each day I awake only to find myself stuck in the same nightmare from the day before.”
A large hand settled on his shoulder, and his father-in-law’s deep voice washed over him: “We don’t blame you.”
“How could you not? I’m the reason she’s gone.”
“Do you really think that’s true?”
A bark of laughter escaped him. “No, I suppose not. Somehow, she still would have found a way to be in the middle of this mess.”
The man chuckled. “She never could stay out of trouble.”
Tehl sobered. “I worry.”
“We all do.”
He nodded. “Where’s Gwen?”
“She is sewing by the fireplace.”
“Are you sure she can handle this?”
He nodded once. “She’s stronger than most.”
Twenty-Four
Sage
Time stretched and blurred, only measured by the warlord’s visits. It sickened her how easy it was to fall into a routine with him. It was now second nature to accept the food he offered from his hands, his kisses, and his care. The night he released her from her punishment, he moved back into his suite.
She had tried to sleep on the couch, but all it took was a reminder of his threat for her to trudge back to the bed. Her skin had crawled when he’d slipped into bed, but he had left her untouched. She hadn’t thought she’d sleep, but exhaustion had pulled her under. The next morning, she’d awoken in a panic, barely able to breathe. A close inspection, however, revealed that he’d left her unmolested. He’d left her to the silence of his empty room.
The silence was the worst.
Her thoughts ran in a continuous loop in his absence. Day by day, she was losing what was left of her mind. She reflected on her mistakes, her misjudgments, her unnatural attraction to the warlord, dying, and back to the warlord. He consumed so many of her thoughts.
After being starved of human interaction for so long, she looked forward to when he’d visit, to the gentle touches bestowed upon her. One day, she realized that she wasn’t scared when he came to bed, and that his side had slowly encroached onto hers, until he slept curled around her. It disgusted her that sadness blanketed her when he left in the morning. She craved his company, but didn’t understand why. It was wrong, depraved, and yet she couldn’t help it.
“Wild one?”
Sage blinked and glanced over her shoulder to catch the warlord watching her. “Yes?”
“Come here.”
She pulled her fingers from Nali’s fur, earning her a chuff of discontent, and moved to stand in front of him. He leaned forward and brushed a kiss across her lips with a smile.
“I have news for you.”
“News?”
“It’s time for a trip.”
“A trip? You mean, I get to leave this room?” Even she could hear the desperation and excitement in her voice. She was pathetic.
“Yes, we leave now.”
“Now? So soon?” Her heart raced. What brought this about?
“It’s safer to travel.”
“Where are we going?” she asked. Maybe he’d tell her.
“To another one of my castles.”
She hid her frown at his evasion. How would she ever escape if she didn’t know where she was?
“I need to pack.” She scanned the room. It held nothing of hers. The only thing she truly cared for was the black feline staring at her through a slitted eye. Turning back to the warlord, she shrugged. “I have nothing to pack.”
He cupped her face with a grin. “I’ve already arranged clothing to be packed for you. Something befitting a queen.” She stiffened as he caressed the crown collar around her throat tenderly before settling his palm on the side of her neck. “I don’t understand how you do it, but you bewitch me. Something about you ruins all of my best-laid plans.”
“Ouch.” Sage pulled away from him and rubbed her neck. “A thorn poked me,” she explained. The collar stopped bothering her after the first couple weeks, but every so often it would hurt something terrible. Her brow furrowed as the room spun. “I don’t feel so good.” Zane’s arms wrapped around her as her stomach plummeted, and she stumbled.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m exhausted.” Her temple pounded, and she lifted a hand to her head, blinking. Just barely was she able to focus on his face. Concern was evident in his expression, but his eyes spoke the truth. Calculation. Her heart sank. This was planned.
“Did you drug me?” she asked weakly.
Zane swept her feet out from underneath her and carried her to the bed. “I had to. You wouldn’t be reasonable about traveling. I can’t risk you trying to escape and getting yourself hurt. This is for your own protection.”
“Zane,” she whispered, struggling to sit up. “But I promised.”
“I know. That’s why Jasmine is coming as well.”
She shook her head to keep awake. “You’re bringing my friend?”
“I couldn’t rely on you being logical with what’s ahead of us. I don’t plan on hurting her. I’m bringing her to protect you, really.”
“How does bringing her protect me?” she mumbled, the words becoming hard to form.
“It protects you from doing something stupid.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I will explain it all when we arrive.”
“Liar,” she whispered, her eyelids too heavy to keep open. He didn’t explain his plans to anyone. He was too suspicious. Too cautious. Too controlling.
“Goodnight, wild one.”
He’d lied. Again. Hurt her. Again. Tricked her. Again. When would the deception end?
Never.
Twenty-Five
Sage
When Sage came to, everything was blurry.
She blinked several times before the world came back into focus. When it did, she found herself in a massive tent with tiny lanterns hanging from its ceiling. There were furs covering the floor, and the lanterns cast a soft glow over the space, casting deep shadows in the corners. Where was she and why couldn’t she move her limbs? What had Zane given her?
She felt movement on her right and, when she turned her head to inspect it, found herself nose-to-nose with Nali. The black feline swiped her rough, long tongue from Sage’s chin to her temple. She scowled at the beast.
“Nali! No kisses!”
If Nali could have rolled her eyes, Sage was sure she would have. She was about to scold her further when the murmuring of voices caught her attention. She lifted her neck, attempting to see farther. One tent flap was tied back, giving her a view into a connecting room.
In it, the warlord stood, hands braced against a table, surrounded by warriors. Even after everything he’d done, something about him called to her. Was it his unearthly looks? His charisma? Whatever it was, it disturbed her, deeply.
Almost as if he heard her thoughts, his dark gaze cut to hers, entrapping her. A shudder rolled through her. Everything about him was all sorts of wrong. A stunning smile curled his sensuous lips at her blatant stare, and she jerked her eyes away, staring instead at the canvas wall. Her eyes traced the flickering shadows in an attempt to calm her beating heart.
The murmurs died down, and she had to force herself not to glance in his direction again. She could feel his attention on her, but maybe if she paid him no mind, he’d leave her alone.
“Consort,” his smooth, deep voice called.
She was never that lucky. Sage continued to stare at the wall, her fingers tightening in Nali’s fur.
“Look at me, wild one.”
Sage stared harder at the shadows.
She heard him sigh before he moved to kneel before her, cutting off her view of the wall. She focused on staring at the laces of his shirt.
“I know you’re angry with me.”
Angry didn’t even begin to describe how she felt.
Another sigh. “You needed protection, and this was the only way I could protect you.”
“By drug
ging me?” she whispered, still not looking up.
“You know the dangers of jungles. I needed to transport you safely. The risk is too high, and you’re too important.”
Her gaze flew to his face. He was serious. His expression showed tender emotion and something deeper than passing affection. She hid her dawning horror at this revelation and forced herself to remain still as he cupped her cheek. “Don’t hide from me. I hate it.”
“I’m right here,” she whispered.
“Don’t lie to both of us. You’re a thousand leagues away, Sage. I know the symptoms. I invented them.”
She swallowed and focused back on his laces. “I can’t move my arms,” she said, changing the subject.
“It will be a while until you can.”
He pushed back from the bedroll and began unlacing his shirt.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a high voice.
“Undressing. It’s time for bed.”
Panic fluttered in her breast, and her breathing turned shallow. She was completely at his mercy. She couldn’t fight back even if she wanted to. He stilled and cocked his head.
“Hell…” He dropped his hands with a scowl. “I’m not going to accost you. Have I not told you that? I will never take from you!”
She didn’t believe him for one second, and her expression must have shown it, because he let out an irritated huff as he jerked off his boots before stomping to the bedroll, pulling back the fur covering her, and sliding in. Her heart pounded as he rested on one elbow and leaned over her, earning a growl from Nali.
He glared at the beast, then looked back to her. “I’ve not ever taken from you, have I?” he demanded.
“No,” she whispered, conscious of the fact he had complete control. Now was not the time to challenge him.
He scanned her face and brushed a stray hair from her cheek. “I regret what happened that night. I’ve never been that close to losing myself. It sickens me when I think of it.”
Sage didn’t regret it, not one bit. It had shown her who he truly was, and she now understood that the other person she’d come to know was merely a persona, one invented for her benefit.