by Frost Kay
“How is your hand?” Mira asked, adding another infernal log to the fire.
Sage held up her red hand and wiggled her fingers. They ached but it wasn’t horrible. “They’re fine.” Her hand would be bruised by the next day. In his pain, Gavriel had almost broken her fingers. She shuddered and swore she could still hear his inhuman screams echoing in her ears.
And the blood…
She nearly gagged and inhaled deeply, trying to keep herself from puking. Removing the spear from Gav’s leg was a disgusting and messy business. In the end, it had taken two more soldiers to hold him down.
“You don’t have to be here,” Mira said softly, brushing her left hand against her apron. “He won’t wake up for some time.”
“If he makes it through the night,” Sage muttered dully. The hole in his leg was a brutal mess. It would take a bloody miracle for him not to die. Heat built behind her eyes, but she forced the tears not to fall. Gav wasn’t dead yet. She refused to mourn him now. He would get better. He had to.
She jerked when Mira touched her forearm and knelt in front of her. When had the healer moved? Sage hadn’t even heard her. So much for being a paragon of observation.
“He won’t even know you’ve gone,” the healer said gently. “I’ve dosed him with enough herbs to keep him asleep for the night. Get your rest and then come back before he wakes.”
It was a practical suggestion, but it didn’t sit right with Sage. No one should recover by themselves. “I won’t leave him.”
She and Tehl were of the same mind. He would have stayed himself if he’d not been pulled into a war council meeting. He’d asked her to stay in his place.
Mira stood and held out her good hand. “Let’s find you a better place to rest then, shall we?”
Sage stared apprehensively at her friend’s hand. Stars, could she even lift her own arm? Everything hurt, and her ass had gone numb hours ago. She slapped her hand into Mira’s and clambered to her feet, pins and needles running up and down her legs. Groaning, she rubbed her lower back and turned to stare at the cot Gav slept in. He looked so much like Tehl with his eyes closed. You’d have to be blind not to see the royalty in him.
“He’ll be okay,” Mira whispered.
“You have to say that,” Sage said thickly. “It’s your job as a healer.”
The healer slipped her arm through Sage’s and leaned her cheek against her shoulder. “No. It’s my job to save lives. I promise you I will do everything in my power to help him.”
“I know you will.” Sage tipped her head against Mira’s and soaked in the comfort of her friend. When was the last time she’d spent time with another female like this? A long time ago. She stifled a sarcastic laugh. It took Gav being stabbed.
“Come on,” Mira said, pulling away.
She tugged on Sage’s arm and led her to the cot at the far end of the room, nearest the exit. A cool breeze drifted through the crack of the flap, and she sighed. Sage slumped onto the cot and frowned when Mira placed the back of her hand against Sage’s forehead.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re flushed.”
Sage arched a brow and gestured to the room. “The room is practically boiling.” She squinted. “You’re flushed, too.”
Mira rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away. “Forgive me for worrying about your health.” She sobered. “You look like a walking corpse.”
Sage leaned against the outer tent post and tipped her head back, her eyes closing. “I forgot how flattering you are.”
“I do my best, my lady.”
Snorting, she shook her head. “Imp.”
“Cretin.”
“Since you’re so fond of giving health advice, why don’t you sit down for a little while?” Sage said, patting the cot she upon. “Gav isn’t going anywhere.” Hopefully.
The healer sat down and sighed. “My feet are killing me.”
Sage leaned her head against Mira’s slim shoulder and yawned. “Tell me something good. Something happy.” After today, she needed to hear something light. Maybe it would keep the nightmares away. The least it would do was buoy her spirits before sleep claimed her.
“I’m… I’m being…”
Sage peeked up at her friend. Mira never hesitated. “What?”
The healer licked her lips. “I’m being courted.” A pause. “I think.”
What the devil? Sage kept her composure, even though she felt wide awake. “You think?”
“He spoke of his intentions a few days ago. Before that, I thought he was just a harmless flirt. Even now, I have a hard time believing that he’s even interested in me.”
That bothered Sage. “And why wouldn’t he be?” she demanded. “You’re a wonderful woman. Any man would be lucky to have you as a wife. Who is the man anyway?”
Mira’s throat worked as she swallowed thickly. “Raziel.”
Blinking slowly, Sage kept her mouth firmly shut, despite how she wanted to gape. It wasn’t like Mira wasn’t worthy of a royal husband… it was the fact that Sage hadn’t the slightest clue he’d been interested in her friend. Her brows furrowed. Why hadn’t Mira said anything before?
Probably because you’ve been too busy slaying the enemy.
Another stone to add to her mountain crafted from guilt.
“You don’t sound excited,” Sage said softly. “Does he make you happy?”
Mira shrugged her arm, her shoulder digging into Sage’s cheek. “I don’t know him very well. He’s spent a lot of time in the infirmary, helping the wounded. He makes me laugh and is kind to those around him. I haven’t heard him talk down to those who would be considered lesser. I find that appealing.”
There was something in Mira’s tone that bothered Sage. “But?”
The healer sighed. “But I’ve only just met him. It’s been a month since we first met, and while we’ve spent hours in each other’s company, I don’t think that’s enough time to decide one’s future.”
“Very wise.”
“He said he wanted me for his mate.”
Sage’s eyes widened. “Bold.”
“Everything about him is bold.” Mira fiddled with the fabric of her apron. “I never thought I’d make a very good match with anyone.”
“Why in the blazes would you ever think that?”
“I’m an orphan, Sage, and I work in a male profession. You know what has been said about me in the court. I’d planned on honing my skills and serving as a palace healer as an old maid. Raziel is… he is…”
“Scary,” Sage supplied.
“Scary because he is the unknown. I’ve trained most of my life to become a healer, not a…” Mira huffed. “It feels ridiculous saying it out loud. I’m not a princess.”
“Welcome to the club,” Sage muttered wryly.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“That’s the great thing about courtship. You have time to figure out what you want. Only time will tell if you are both suited for each other.” Sage paused. “For what it’s worth, Raziel is a good man. War can make beasts out of men. He’s kept true to his honor.” She reached out and held Mira’s hand. “You’re an excellent healer, but I think you’d make a marvelous princess, too.” Sage chuckled. “I’m sure you’d do a better job of it than me.”
“I don’t know if I could do it.”
“If you like him, court Raziel. Don’t say no because you’re afraid of change.”
“Is that an order, my lady?” Mira said with a smile.
Another jaw-cracking yawn seized Sage. “Like you’d listen to me anyway.”
Mira shook with suppressed laughter. “You know me all too well.”
“Mmmhmmm.” Sage’s eyes closed, the siren song of sleep calling for her. She barely noticed when Mira helped her lay down on the cot and covered her with a light blanket. Slumber claimed her almost immediately.
Twenty-Two
Tehl
“More have arrived,” Zachael said grimly.
Tehl hung his h
ead. “Take me to them.” His legs felt like lead as he followed the weapons master, accompanied by five Elite, Rafe, and Hayjen. He flicked a glance in Rafe’s direction. The former rebellion leader looked like hell. They all did. There were some things that no person should ever see.
Their group reached the outskirts of the camp, snow still falling softly to the ground. Two men stood next to something covered with a horse blanket. It might have been cowardly, but Tehl wanted to turn around and never look under the blanket at the inevitable horrors awaiting him. He forced himself onward, their group silent except for the squelch of mud and snow beneath their boots as they reached the two men.
The taller man held the lantern higher, casting light over his sharp cheekbones and dark eyes. Blair. The Scythian commander. If he’d taken the risk to meet with them, circumstances must be dire.
Tehl halted when they reached Blair and William. William’s face glowed a sickly pale yellow in the light. He looked the old man in the eyes, and his stomach dropped. William was holding back tears. Whatever the warlord had done, it had wrecked the older man. He’d never seen the general cry. Ever.
Hayjen stepped from the group and clasped forearms with Blair. “Well-met.”
Blair nodded. “You might not say that when this is all through.”
“What has happened?” Tehl asked, eyeing the pile, his stomach rolling.
“The warlord has prepared another gift,” Zachael spat.
“Will you not say what he’s done?” Tehl murmured.
The weapons master began to speak, but his voice cracked. He clamped his mouth shut and shook his head.
Tehl glanced around the silent group. No one could speak. He steeled himself and took the final step to whatever terror lay hidden. His fingers trembled when he dropped to his haunches and clasped the sodden edge of the blanket, pulling it back.
At first, nothing made sense. The shapes were wrong. They couldn’t be bodies… Tehl froze when he spotted a familiar face. Bile burned the back of his throat, and he placed a hand over his nose and mouth. Benjamin’s face stared up at him through sightless eyes. He was just a boy. A child. The sound of retching filled his ears, but he couldn’t look away. He reached out and brushed a thumb along the dead boy’s cheek. A lone tear dripped down his cheek, cooling in the winter wind. No one deserved a death like this.
Tehl forced himself to look at the others. The bodies were unidentifiable, but from their statures, it was apparent they were all young ones. Chills rippled up and down his arms as he looked at each unmarked face. Trembling, he shot to his feet and stalked away, his chest heaving with labored breaths. How could someone do such a thing? Acute pain, so piercing, stabbed him in the heart. Tehl screamed as if it would somehow release the emotions that were trying to drown him. He placed his head in his hands and stared at the white, snow-covered ground, tears rushing down his cheeks.
A hand touched his shoulder, and he shrugged it off. He couldn’t bear the comfort. It should have been him, not the boys. It was wrong, so wrong. Angrily, he scrubbed the tears from his cheeks and pressed his palms to his eyes as if it would stop him from seeing their little faces again. This couldn’t go on. Every time he thought he understood the depravity of the warlord, the devil stooped to a new, disgusting low.
His stomach revolted, and he vomited.
Little ones.
His mind could not comprehend that sort of cruelty. Children were to be protected, not desecrated. He heaved again. Tears and snot mingled on his face. Only someone truly evil could commit such a crime. He straightened and wiped his forearm across his face, turning to his men. They all looked as haunted and destroyed as he was. Old William was openly crying, his big grey beard collecting tears.
“Was this…” Tehl cleared his throat. “Was this where they were found?”
Zachael shook his head. “No. They were found on our side.”
Tehl swallowed as more bile pooled in his mouth. “Did you retrieve all of them?”
“What we could, there were parts…” William paused, swallowing hard. “We did the best we could.”
Tehl’s gaze turned to Blair, who looked as disturbed as the rest of them. “Why would he do this?”
Blair’s mournful dark eyes met his. “These are the consequences for Sage’s perceived disobedience.”
Sage. Oh god. It would kill her when she heard of this. The prior killings this week had torn her apart. What would these killings drive her to do? For a moment, he considered swearing everyone to silence. But he knew that would never work. They couldn’t cover up something this heinous, and the boys deserved to be honored and have a proper burial.
“I don’t want to tell her,” he said to no one in particular.
“We can’t keep this from her,” Hayjen said gruffly.
“I know,” Tehl bit out. His wife wouldn’t forgive him if he hid something like this from her. They didn’t lie to each other. He needed to trust that she wouldn’t do something stupid. Or at least, not without him being part of the plan. “We need to identify all the boys and then notify their families.”
“I will take care of that,” William said. The old man broke from the group, pulling an Elite with him.
Tehl turned his gaze on Rafe. “We need blankets for each of their bodies and more soldiers to carry them.”
“Done,” Rafe said, his tone brusque. He jogged after William.
Tehl turned his attention to Blair. “We need to prepare these little ones for burial, but I need to speak with you. Can you risk staying for a while?”
Blair nodded. “I will see this through.”
Tehl nodded absently, his hands jittery at his sides. He felt like he needed to be doing something. Part of him wanted to cradle Benjamin to offer comfort to the youth. The other part of him felt like it would be disrespectful to disturb the body further.
On wooden legs, he approached the line of children and pulled the rug up and over their corpses, protecting them from the elements.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, staring at the blanket. The snow fell harder and slowly covered the material, camouflaging what was hidden beneath it. For some reason, it made him angry. A crime like this shouldn’t be covered up or forgotten.
Flames of vengeance lit in his chest. Tehl lifted his head and stared across the whitewashed battlefield. He was tired of being one step behind. Right there, he made a vow: he would sacrifice whatever it took to avenge the boys.
His soul had already been damaged.
Tonight, what was left of it burned to ash.
“Can you tell us what his movements will be?” Raziel asked.
Blair frowned and pointed to the map on the center of the table. “I only have a piece of his plan. I’ve told you all I can.”
William scoffed. “You’re his commander. Surely, he shares with you more of his plans than what you’ve told us?”
Blair grimaced, his white teeth a stark contrast to his swarthy skin. “That madman trusts no one. Least of all, me.”
“Why is that?” Rafe asked softly from his perch in the corner.
“He distrusts anyone who holds any sort of power in his court. He gives us each a piece of the puzzle and keeps us all suspicious of each other. That way, we’ll be so divided, we’ll never rise up against him.”
“That’s brilliant,” Zachael muttered, and Hayjen shot him an irate look. “I didn’t mean I condone it, but it’s an intelligent move. Strategically, it makes sense. Crazy, he is. Stupid, he is not.”
A heavy silence settled over the group. Blair’s intel helped, but it wouldn’t win them the war.
“We appreciate what you’ve given us,” Tehl said. “But it’s not enough.” He stared the Scythian down. “We need more information. It’s key to the warlord’s downfall.”
Blair gazed back evenly. “I can’t risk exposure. Many people will die if he suspects me more than he already does.”
“People are already dying. Children
are dying,” Tehl said softly.
Blair flinched, but his expression blanked almost immediately. Clearly, he wasn’t as impervious to death as he pretended to be.
Tehl continued on, “Every day, he pushes us farther back. Soon, our troops will be trapped against the mountains. If that happens, we lose. He’ll massacre us. We need to take a hard stand now.”
“My people aren’t ready,” Blair responded. “Even if I could, by some miracle, gain more information, it would do you no good. You don’t have the manpower to implement such a plan without my troops. There are too many working parts to rush in. We wait.”
“How soon will your men be ready?” Zachael asked.
Blair’s lips thinned. “One to two weeks, at least. Moving undetected through the forests of Scythia is no easy task.”
“Who’s leading your warriors?” Rafe probed.
Tehl nodded. He wanted to know as well.
Blair’s expression became unreadable. “Someone I trust.”
“You’re sure they won’t betray you?” Hayjen muttered. “Scythians aren’t known for their trustworthiness.”
“I’ve entrusted them with my wife and daughters.”
Interesting. In Tehl’s experience, a man didn’t leave the protection of his family to someone who didn’t deserve that trust. If Blair trusted this person, that was enough for Tehl. For now.
He turned his attention back to the map, scowling at how the Scythian markers on the map stood too close to the Aermian troop line. “So, our lots are cast.” They had no choice but to hang on and wait. There would be consequences. The children were at the forefront of his mind. “What happened tonight will not happen again.”
“What happened?” his wife asked, her voice sleepy.
Dread filled his gut as he turned to the entrance of the tent. Sage stepped fully inside, her clothing rumpled. She even had a blanket crease across her cheek. She looked wholly appealing in that moment. All he wanted to do was carry her off to bed and hold her tight. He swallowed hard, sickened at the news he had to give her.