by Vela Roth
Knight labored up the steps, wagging his tail. Someone opened the doors from the inside, and the hound disappeared within.
Lio listened to Cassia’s heartbeat and watched the double doors shut.
No sooner had they closed than he felt a powerful presence, and Aunt Lyta appeared before him. Standing on the steps above him, she was on his eye level. He felt the echoes of the Mercy in her aura, a sweet and grievous light. She wrapped him in a fierce hug.
When she released him, she looked into his eyes and gave a nod. “Thank you for making the Stand’s work easier tonight.”
“There was another mind mage at work in the pass.”
“Only one, Ioustin tells me. One man, responsible for all the thelemancy I sensed from the enemy tonight! But he and his forces were no match for you, for which we are grateful.”
Aunt Lyta was Uncle Argyros’s Grace. She knew better than anyone what it felt like to fight with thelemancy at work around her. Was even she convinced Lio had been responsible for the heart hunters’ deaths? How could she be wrong?
How could Lio be so wrong about himself?
Aunt Lyta shook her head. “Tonight reminded me too much of my first stand for Orthros, when your uncle and I held off the pursuing Aithourians in that very pass so the Queens had time to cast the ward. That night, Argyros and I swore to each other no more of us would become martyrs. I was able to kill Aithouros and most of his army single-handedly with my Grace wielding his thelemancy to manage their force. Keep that in mind and come to me if you wish to speak of it.”
Lio found no reply. He could not have borne it, if she had pressed him to speak of it now. He could not, not until he was sure.
What had he done?
“Now do what your uncle did after we survived. Go into the arms of the one you love.” Aunt Lyta cast an indicative glance at the fortress before ascending the stairs.
Lio watched her go. Cassia’s pulse in the great hall drew him like the heart pulled blood. He wrenched himself away from her and stepped to the solitary room allotted him on the other side of Waystar.
Message
Cassia heard sudden cries of surprise near the doors of Waystar. Exclamations traveled through the hall. Then every member of the embassy fit enough to move his hands began to applaud. The Kyrian mages smiled over their patients, and an expression of relief crossed Benedict’s face.
The crowd parted. Weary lords limped aside, and the Hesperines moved well out of the way. Through their midst came a bedraggled, shaggy shape.
Cassia ran to Knight and went down on her knees in front of him. Her hound all but collapsed into her arms. She beamed into his dog kisses and stroked him, careful not to touch his wounds.
Her gaze fell to his paw. A mangled injury there had soaked its binding in blood, but Cassia could make out the embroidered sign of Hespera’s Rose.
She hid her face in Knight’s ruff for a long moment so the onlookers would not see her tears.
With one arm around Knight and the other around her satchel, she gazed at the silk rose that had survived tonight’s bloodshed.
Libation
With Perita, Callen, Benedict, Eudias and Knight to protect her from their benevolent guide, Cassia followed Lio’s mother along a quiet hallway. Cassia felt as if someone had beat her from head to toe, but perhaps last week, not this very night. Javed’s healing must be working apace. She carried her gardening satchel across her weary shoulders, for the glyph stone’s weight soothed a much keener pain inside her.
Benedict kept a wary eye on Komnena. He wore an amulet of his patron god for all to see, a glyph in the shape of a sword hilt. Andragathos, the Seventh Scion of Anthros and Kyria, was known for defending maidens, eschewing the temptations of the flesh and striking down the corrupted, including Hesperines. Eudias drove the point home, scuttling along with them in the yellow robes of an apprentice mage of Anthros.
Knight struggled along on three legs, favoring his wounded paw. It hurt Cassia to watch him, although she had bandaged him with herbal treatments and hand-fed him bites of liver before letting him back on his feet.
Limping through the fortress, he and Callen were two of a kind. Perita walked arm in arm with her husband as if for support. In fact, it was she who helped him stay on his feet without a crutch, which he had refused.
Between worried glances at him, she turned the expert eye of a chandler’s daughter upon the candles that lit the corridor. It must impress her that they were fine beeswax instead of common tallow from animal fat. No spell lights here. The Hesperines were going to great lengths to make their human guests feel at ease.
Lio’s mother was fluent in the language of reassurance. She kept up a conversation with interested questions that were easy to answer and turned everyone’s thoughts away from what they had endured tonight. What colors were the trees at Solorum in the autumn? What were the most beloved dances in Tenebra at present?
Komnena halted them at the end of a corridor. “This is the opposite side of the fortress from the wings set aside for the lords and mages. I expect you will find it accommodating for an unattached lady and a young wife.”
“You are very considerate. Thank you so much for your hospitality.” Oh, what creative and clever words.
Words had always been Cassia’s sword and shield, but tonight her survival had depended on more primal forces. She was out of verbal strategies. She couldn’t think of a way to tell Lio’s mother all she wished to, all that had not come to mind in the turmoil of their first conversation. Cassia strove to appear at ease under Komnena’s gaze.
“I have prepared lodgings for you here in the tower,” Lio’s mother explained, “where each level offers its own quarters. If your household is ready to settle in here on the ground floor, the rest of us will proceed to your rooms at the top.”
Towers and stairs, the banes of Callen’s existence. Before any of Cassia’s protectors could protest, she turned to Perita with a smile. “Isn’t this lovely? You and Callen can have proper quarters to yourselves.”
“They are most convenient to your lady via a private flight of stairs,” Komnena reassured Perita.
Perita cast her husband a concerned glance. Callen’s expression was grave as stone, his posture stiff with affront.
Cassia hastened to say, “How safe I shall feel at the top of a tower with Callen between me and the rest of the world.”
His tension eased, if not the lines of pain on his face. “A fine arrangement indeed, my lady.”
Conversation turned to the refreshment that would be offered in the fortress’s main hall once everyone had a long sleep. It took another moment for Cassia to persuade Perita to leave her side and a moment longer for Callen to give instructions to Benedict that were veiled insults. At last Cassia and her reduced escort were able to proceed with Komnena up the tower stairs.
Several turns and landings later, they came to the sitting room where Javed had examined Cassia earlier, and she feigned surprise. She asked Komnena to pass on her thanks to whomever had brought her belongings upstairs.
Komnena pursed her lips. “With its rustic appointments, Waystar is far from the perfect setting for your first nights in Orthros. However, the fortress will provide an all-important opportunity to greet one another properly and attain sufficient respite as soon as possible.”
“I have no doubt our time here will be a delight.” As soon as she said it, Cassia’s face grew warm.
What if they weren’t talking about the rooms? She couldn’t be sure. If there were double meanings in Komnena’s words, Cassia had no context for them. Had Lio told his mother about the more personal alliance he and Cassia had forged in Tenebra? Did the matriarch of Blood Komnena approve?
Komnena smiled. “You are fortunate in your protectors.”
“I am indeed.” Cassia rubbed her arms, remembering how Lio’s had felt around her.
Komnena stepped back from the door, gesturing within. “I see that these three wish to perform their duty and inspect the rooms
on your behalf, Lady Cassia.”
What ridiculous nonsense. They all owed their lives to the Hesperines, and yet Cassia’s bodyguards were tasked with ensuring no heretical magic lurked under the pillow where she would sleep tonight. “I apologize for the necessity, Chamberlain.”
“Please, do not let me hinder such diligent and admirable defenders.”
Cassia realized Knight was leaning forward, ears pricked. A liegehound refused to rest until his work was done. But whatever had passed between him and Lio in the mountains, it had prepared her hound for dwelling among Hesperines. He had yet to raise his hackles at their hosts.
Cassia kept a hand on him. “Baat. Stay here by me, dearest, and let the men walk through my chambers.”
Eudias blushed from his forehead to his neck and probably everywhere else. “Begging your pardon, Basilis. This is highly irregular. I assure you, it is not my way to impose myself upon a lady’s bedchamber—that is to say…”
“I understand, Apprentice Eudias. You are duty-bound to go inside and verify magically that all is well. I do not feel you impose upon my modesty in the least.”
“Our vows are Your Ladyship’s shield.” Benedict bowed, then proceeded into Cassia’s bedchamber.
With his hands in his sleeves, Eudias nodded deeply to her. As he turned and ventured further into her lodgings, the hairs on the back of her arms stood up, as always when a mage of Anthros was at work anywhere near.
Cassia offered Komnena a courtesy, aware of the men within earshot. “Thank you for your forbearance. Please pass on my deepest thanks to the Hesperine who succeeded in delivering my hound safely to me despite the painful history between liegehounds and your people.”
Her second conversation with Lio’s mother, and all she had succeeded in doing was talking about Knight. Her desire to send Lio a message motivated her comment. Nevertheless, she was wasting another chance to make a favorable impression.
Komnena was not looking at Knight. “Far be it from us to part those who are so faithful to one another. I wish for you to feel welcome here. Despite how it began, I hope your time in Orthros fulfills all your expectations.”
Cassia took heart at those words. Come now, she told herself. You once talked your way out of execution at the hands of your own father. Will you let yourself be defeated by a conversation with Lio’s mother?
She met the lady’s gaze and cleared her throat. “I can say without hesitation it has surpassed my hopes already. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be here. The invitation came as a very great surprise. I suspect you know I am no diplomat. Nonetheless, I hope to do my part for our peoples.”
“I beg to differ, Lady Cassia. Word of your deeds precedes you. Your right to be here is indisputable.”
Cassia tried to make her true feelings heard between her words. “I thank you. I shall strive to live up to such an assessment. This is perhaps not the moment for any discussion of politics, so I shall say only this. My brief contact with your embassy to Tenebra left a lasting impression upon me. The dashed hopes of the Equinox Summit have inspired me to do everything I can to renew contact between us and secure a lasting agreement that will fulfill our dearest hopes.”
How flowery a speech. But if Lio’s mother was in favor of what Cassia was saying, the words would not be wasted. If Komnena did not approve…well, with any luck she would assume Cassia was only talking about diplomacy, and not about Lio.
Komnena offered Cassia another lovely, inscrutable smile. “You will find that in this land, we value the efforts of a woman who does not surrender. I am very happy to welcome you to Orthros.”
Benedict and Eudias reappeared, apparently satisfied, for they raised no alarms. They waited in Cassia’s sitting room until Komnena departed, then the men excused themselves to return to the wings where the lords and mages would lodge.
As soon as they closed the door, another Hesperine became visible who must have been in the sitting room all along. Arkadia stood near, still in her Stand regalia, which only emphasized her large, womanly body and disciplined, martial body language. The blond Hesperine’s contradictory beauty seemed natural to her.
Cassia wondered if the males of the Tenebran embassy would survive the intimidation they must suffer in Arkadia’s presence. She was tall enough to look them in the eye, skilled enough to best them on the battlefield, and curvaceous enough to destroy their reason. If anyone mistook her for an overfed court flower, it would be his last mistake. They should know better after tonight, when they had all seen her pull grown men out of the snow—and put others in the ground.
At the moment, the creature suffering intimidation was Knight. Arkadia and the hound eyed each other warily.
“He knows a warrior when he sees one, Master Arkadia. Please take it as a compliment.” Cassia put a hand on Knight’s back to reassure him. “Hama.”
“I’m sorry I startled you two.” Lio’s cousin turned her gaze from the hound and smiled at Cassia. “Javed said no introductions would be necessary, although we never properly met during the Equinox Summit. I’m Kadi.”
“Allow me to thank you for the Stand’s valiant defense of us tonight and to congratulate you on becoming a mother.”
“I am glad to honor my bond of gratitude with my children’s rescuer. I want you to know I will be standing guard outside your door, and your room is well warded and veiled. You need not fear the king’s agents in the embassy. Many of the Hesperines errant who fought in the pass tonight are remaining in the fortress with us. Those who wish you harm will not have a second chance.”
“I do not believe Chrysanthos will try anything now that we are here. He is determined to keep his foothold in Orthros and knows I am necessary to meet your terms.” Even as she spoke, all the fear Cassia had been struggling to ignore refused to be denied any longer.
Kadi’s expression softened. “A Hesperine will be within your reach at all times.”
“Thank you so much. You have all been so kind.”
Kadi came near and touched Cassia’s shoulder. That hand, so soft, but strong enough to break bones, felt like an invocation. Cassia did not see or feel a ward spring to life around her, but she felt as if one had.
“I had an elder sister,” Cassia blurted.
“So did I. I also lost her to Tenebra.”
“No!”
“Nike. My example to live by. My best friend.”
“I understand.”
“I know. I wish the Siege of Sovereigns had ended like tonight’s battle. It breaks my heart that my people could do nothing to save your sister, for your fight may have kept mine alive. Nike went errant almost ninety years ago, and none of us have seen her since. But because you have held off war with the Orders, we still have hope of her return.”
“I will keep doing everything I can.”
Kadi gave Cassia’s shoulder a squeeze. “Right now, all you need is rest. Javed’s healing spell still has work to do on you. Let me know if you need anything, all right?”
Cassia nodded mutely.
“Sleep well.” Kadi took her leave through the closed door.
The hours of the night stretched out ahead of Cassia, and she dreaded the visions that would repeat in her mind.
If only her mind mage were here to banish them. All she had seen of him since he had saved her were his retreating back and his handkerchief.
She reached into her satchel and pulled out the handkerchief. After bandaging Knight, she had rinsed as much gore out of the silk as she could, but it was still ruined.
The stakes had been too high, her few moments with Lio too contradictory an encounter for her to interpret.
My mind can always reach yours. I will always be your Sanctuary.
Her bond of gratitude with him was deeper now than ever. A gift beyond price. That should be enough. But with Lio, she always wanted more than enough.
Kadi’s presence made it fairly clear the Hesperine in reach tonight would not be Lio. But just in case, Cassia would not get Knight settled i
n the bedroom. Hope’s banner was tattered, but Cassia would bear it onward.
Cassia spent half an hour coaxing Knight to sleep on the soft, thick carpet in the sitting room. Even then, she feared he might awaken the moment he sensed her leave his side. But his exhaustion was deep, her herbs soothing, and she managed to creep into the next room without rousing him.
Alone in her bedchamber, Cassia discovered just what “rustic appointments” awaited her. Her feet never touched the stone floor thanks to the rugs. Miles of drapes shrouded the windows, leaving only their peaks exposed, through which the beams of the beacon shone.
At last she lifted her satchel of relics from her shoulders. She set them safely on a side table in a pool of the beacon’s light.
In the center of the room stood a wrought iron bed of impressive proportions. She found a matching dressing table tucked in a corner behind a silk room divider. There was a basket overflowing with clean towels and paper-wrapped soaps, a wash basin large enough to stand in and a generous ceramic pitcher of warm water.
A glass flask held cool water. Clean, unpoisoned water for drinking. Cassia snatched it up. When her tongue was no longer dry and her belly was painfully full, she set down the empty bottle.
She could not make sense of silk and clean towels and fine paper. Mere hours ago, she had been alone, at the mercy of men whose gazes had made her feel like filth, who would have used her until they destroyed her.
Cassia ran one trembling finger over the familiar design of yellow flowers on the soap wrapper. Cassia blossoms. She lifted a bar to her nose and took a deep whiff of her namesake.
She peeled the wrapper off the soap, careful not to make a single tear. She smoothed out the paper and set it aside. Her hands moved faster. She tore out of every scrap of clothes she had soaked with sweat in her terror.
She scrubbed herself over and over, until the bar of soap was smaller and her skin was rosy and her hair finally smelled of cassia spice instead of tallow and wood smoke. She reduced heart hunters and kings and all of Tenebra to a heap of dirty clothes on the floor and gray suds in the bottom of the wash basin. In her own skin, she fetched her gardening dress from her travel trunk and wrapped herself in clean wool worn to softness.