The Fate of the Tala

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by Jeffe Kennedy


  “Yes,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Are you?” He canted his head slightly, the wolf sensing vulnerability, considering the danger he might be in—and how to attack. “Why?”

  “I never wanted to become like her, to do that to you. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I—”

  “Andromeda.” He stopped my tumbling words with a little shake. “There’s nothing to forgive. If your power is the same is hers, then it’s good that Annfwn has you on our side, that I have you.”

  “But that kind of ability, to alter someone’s thoughts and memories, their very will—I never wanted that. To be that kind of person is…” I trailed off because he smiled, amusement lighting his eyes. “What?”

  “You will never be like your father, Andromeda.”

  My lips parted, but no words came out. “I…”

  He cupped my face in his hands. “Yes, you,” he murmured. “This is about you. Not your father, not your mother, not the high priestess, or any of them. The power is there for you to use, in all of your compassion and wisdom. You used it to save me, and I will be forever grateful for that. I only regret that I have not been the husband to you that you deserve. I promised you a long time ago that, though you didn’t have a choice in marrying me, I’d make you happy you did. I let you down, I know.”

  I loosened my hand from his and put my arms around him, laying my cheek against his chest. He put his arms around me without hesitation, and it was as if nothing between us had ever been otherwise.

  “I want you to know,” I said against him, “that I love you with everything in me. I know that we were forced together, that I’m not someone you… chose, but I did choose you. When I found a way to sneak out of Windroven during the siege, it wasn’t only to stop the war. I wanted you. Not out of duty or because of destiny, but for myself. I wanted you from that first day in the meadow, and there’s never been anyone else. Could never be anyone else.” There’s choosing and there’s choosing.

  He made a pained sound, and I braced myself for him to brush off my words, or to say something unintentionally cutting. With my cheek still pressed against him, the sound of his heart thudded under my ear, and I closed my eyes in misery, for the past, for our terrible present, and the doomed future.

  “Andromeda.” Rayfe eased me away from him and I firmed my lips, really hoping I wouldn’t cry. He slipped a finger under my chin, coaxing me to look at him. “Is that what you think—that I didn’t choose you? I could’ve made a hundred, a thousand other choices. After that first day in the meadow, I could’ve gone back to Annfwn and never given you another thought.”

  The leap of hope, of longing, was nearly painful. “But Annfwn needed me, you kept saying—”

  He shook his head, an impatient gesture, and he firmed his grip on my chin. “Annfwn survived nearly thirty years without a queen to manage the barrier. We could have found a way. I made myself a bargain that if I didn’t like what I saw, I’d go home and never breathe a word to Salena’s daughter about our betrothal. Instead, I waged a war for you. I risked everything for you. Not out of duty or because of destiny, but for myself.” A slow smile curved his lips and his fingers gentled, stroking my jaw, his thumb feathering over my lower lip.

  I gazed at him, feeling, knowing the truth of that. “Then it wasn’t only for Annfwn?”

  He bent his head, brushing a kiss against my lips so sweet and full of answering longing that I almost couldn’t bear it. “It was never about Annfwn,” he murmured against his lips. “Or not only about Annfwn. If it had been, I wouldn’t have married you.”

  I frowned. “We were married for a lot of reasons, by representatives of several goddesses and cultures, for the peace treaty.”

  He shook his head slightly. “I mean when I married you in the Tala way. That night in the cabin. Blood magic to bind us together for all our lives.”

  I stared back, shuffling the memories of that night, the bits and pieces of things I’d heard referenced since. Of course I knew not all Tala performed that particular ritual—not many Tala opted for monogamy at all—but I supposed I’d thought it had to do with being queen. “It wasn’t necessary?”

  “Not even a bit.” He looked both chagrined and hopeful. “I told you before—you didn’t need me at all. You could’ve reigned as Queen of Annfwn without me, certainly without marrying me.”

  “No I couldn’t,” I replied with fervor. “I wouldn’t want to.”

  His smile turned rueful, and he lifted a hand to caress my cheek. “It was unfair of me not to tell you before the ceremony. I know that, and yet…I was driven. I couldn’t risk losing you. Then afterwards… I hesitated to tell you. Nothing can break our marriage bond. Wolves mate for life. I’ve warred with the wolf in me over it. The man knows I tricked you, but the wolf doesn’t care. You were mine from that first kiss, and I was unwilling to let you go.”

  “I see.” I did see, suddenly understanding so much that I hadn’t.

  “I was a coward,” he confessed quietly. “I didn’t want you to be angry with me. To maybe leave me because of it.”

  “I’m not angry,” I whispered.

  “You’re not?” He asked the question in a wondering tone, a hesitant smile blooming on his lips.

  “No. I’m glad to know you love me, that you wanted me. That we aren’t simply dancing the steps destiny forced upon us.”

  He kissed me, softly. “You are far too fierce to be forced to dance to anyone else’s tune, my queen.”

  Except that I had been, bowing and skipping along to the yank and pull of Deyrr’s strings. No more.

  “Rayfe, Andi—time to do this, people!” Ursula shouted.

  “Time to say goodbye,” I said, tipping up to kiss my husband one last time.

  His hands tightened on me with a possessive ferocity I’d missed like I’d lost a part of myself, and he took the kiss deeper. Not sweet or soft at all, but ravenous, consuming, all encompassing. He broke off as suddenly as he’d taken control, leaving me shaken.

  “Not goodbye,” he grated. “Because we cannot be parted. And I categorically refuse to let them win. You do what you must to stay alive.”

  “You too,” I managed, overcome.

  “Would it be wrong…” He hesitated. “I’ve missed so many opportunities, but could I say something to our child?”

  Tears sprang out and rushed down my cheeks. “It’s not wrong at all. He’d love to hear his father’s voice.”

  Rayfe’s face transformed, luminous with a joy I’d rarely glimpsed in him. “We’re having a son?”

  “It seems so.”

  Rayfe sank down onto one knee, expression reverent, smoothing his hands to cup my belly. He placed a kiss there, murmuring something I couldn’t hear, laying his cheek against the taut round, just as I’d listened to his heart. I ran my fingers through his long hair, impossibly moved. He reached up and took my hand, twining my fingers with his, then looked up at me, his face ravaged. “I’ve wasted so much time. Out of fear. Childish worries.”

  “I’ve been afraid and worried, too,” I told him.

  He turned his gaze to the bloodstone ruby I wore. “You’ve never taken this off.”

  “Not since the day you put it on my finger. I never will.” I realized I’d once promised to give him a ring, too, and had never quite gotten around to it. So many lost opportunities.

  “Is there a future for us?” he asked somberly, and I remembered the first time he asked me what I saw ahead of us, back in that cabin on our wedding night.

  “There is always that possibility.” I said the words as firmly as I knew how, hoping I didn’t speak a lie.

  “There has to be, because I can’t let it end here.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Then we won’t, my wolf.”

  He grinned at me, sharp and feral. “Together?”

  I raised him to his feet. “Together.”

  ~ 21 ~

  Ursula’s face held the same sharp-edged and glittering anticipation as Rayfe�
�s. The battle lust brought out her Tala blood—as did Danu’s hand, silvering her with the light of the just cause—and never had she looked more like a child of Annfwn.

  Harlan stood at her side, ready to guard her back and flank. With all the solidity of his height and bulk, he epitomized the granite fatalism of Dasnaria, grimly somber, steadfast and unflinching. The Hawks and Tala lieutenants ranged behind them, backed by former Vervaldr, more Tala, and soldiers from the Twelve Kingdoms. Many more of them had made it down to the tunnels than I’d realized—and all were warriors to the bone.

  I was not a warrior. I’d never felt that excitement that shone on all their faces. Before I met Rayfe, all I’d wanted was to spend as much time riding Fiona as possible. I’d never wanted to rule, to battle anyone. I’d only wanted to be left alone.

  And I had been. I’d been hiding away behind my shield of quiet invisibility. Not being bothered, but also not alive. I’ve wasted so much time. Out of fear. Childish worries.

  I could understand now, something of what they felt, ready to fight. Better to act than to dread. We’d go out there and we’d fight until we won or died. There was a simplicity in that.

  Ursula read it in my face. “Ready?”

  I looked to Rayfe, holding my hand still, and he nodded. “Yes,” we said together.

  Ursula nodded to Rayfe and stepped back, yielding to his authority. With a glance at me, he tugged me forward, then released my hand. I pulled the Star of Annfwn from my pocket, holding it up for all to see. It glowed in the dimness of the tunnels with the light of the moon, sun and stars all in one. The assembled warriors made a sound greater than several hundred throats. I rarely displayed the artifact, but now it shone for all to recognize. Drawing on the Heart, I poured power through the focus stone, making it shine even brighter.

  “The Star of Annfwn!” Rayfe roared, and they all cheered.

  A star to guide you. Ursula met my eyes and I knew she remembered our mother’s words also. Rayfe nodded to me. My cue to act.

  Ursula raised her sword and I amassed more magic behind the building wave, poised there. Rayfe let out a howl, becoming the wolf, and all around us reality shuddered as hundreds of shapeshifters shifted form at once.

  Ursula dropped the sword.

  I released the magic. The giant stone wheel rolled aside.

  Our people surged forward. Their people fell in, abruptly losing the wall they’d nearly chewed through. As planned, I shifted into heron form, taking the Star with me, and my staymach guard made a tight formation around me of fierce raptors. Anticipating me, they flew ahead of and around me, shepherding me above the onslaught.

  It was endless, a churning sea of Deyrr creatures, as far as I could see. I tried not to look back, but an attacking Deyrr eagle forced me to duck and wheel as my guard savaged it. Coming around, I saw Kiraka high on the cliff face, her fire turning the blue sky white with the heat of her flame. Ash floated like snow from the creatures she’d burnt. And below me…

  Ursula, sword shining like Danu’s truth, wading into the mass of surging creatures, Harlan huge at her back. I couldn’t spot Rayfe at all among the masses of animals, though usually his wolf form stood out in size and sheer power. Ursula advanced, blade a blur of ruby and silver, Harlan doggedly one step behind. The wave of attackers billowed in cresting surf of fur, scales, and feathers, then overwhelming them both. She vanished beneath, gone from my sight.

  Exactly as I’d seen over and over. It took everything in me not to fly toward her. I nearly did, my bird body following the prod of my emotions. But a wolf’s howl penetrated my mindless panic, the king’s summoning rattling through my blood and bones.

  I saw him then, the huge black wolf poised on a rock outcropping, head thrown back in the wolf’s cry to rally. From all over the cliff city and beyond, the Tala answered, the cries from tens of thousands of voices carrying audibly and inaudibly.

  We are Tala and we will defend Annfwn.

  Determination renewed, I flew directly to my promontory, dodging the toothy jaws of the sea monsters that leapt to seize me from the air. One of my staymach guard screamed at its wing was caught, abruptly silenced as it was dragged under the shining, bloodied sea.

  Badgered from above and below, my guard fought fiercely, protecting me with their lives as I made for the shelter of my outpost. I landed there, shifted back to human form, and snapped into place the magical barrier I’d layered into the very rocks. At least foresight had done that much—the time spent creating these protections had been worthwhile.

  Replete with power, feeling fully healed and surging with magic from the Heart, I’d manifested back in human form wearing the red velvet gown, my crown, and Salena’s jewels. If I had to face the high priestess and her pet god, I’d do it as Queen of Annfwn.

  I’d have been more powerful inside the Heart—or rather inside the dome that had protected the Heart—but I was fiercely glad that circumstances and timing kept me above. It would’ve been much worse to be far below the sea in my silent bubble, only able to witness events from a safe remove. No, I wouldn’t be that person again. I’d live and fight with immediacy, no matter how painful.

  I had a job to do: hold the gate and regain control of the barrier. Relatively simple compared to what I had been doing. Still two things at once—and neither of them included watching over Rayfe or Ursula as I truly wanted to be doing—so I firmly made myself look at one thing at a time. I checked the gate, hoping that would be simpler, hoping the Deyrr forces would be focusing elsewhere for the time being.

  To my dismay, the Deyrr seemed to be taking advantage of our forces withdrawing from that area to answer the rally call. A team of large animals—a rhino, two hippopotami, an elephant, and three oxen were taking turns battering at my barrier. So far several had bloodied their heads against it, but that didn’t deter their mindless efforts. Hopefully mindless and not personally directed—and protected—by the high priestess.

  Summoning power from the Heart, I tried blasting the lot of them, steeling my heart against the throb at destroying the innocent lives trapped in those bodies.

  My blast bounced off. “Moranu curse that bitch,” I snarled. I really needed to figure out how to get around that defense of hers, fast. Reaching through the Star, I metaphysically yanked her hair.

  “Ow.” The high priestess popped into illusory being in front of me. She wore her armor as before and smiled gleefully. “Is someone having a temper tantrum? Seems sacrilegious to take your goddess’s name in vain. Yes, I heard that. Though I suppose such a weak and distant deity could hardly be of concern to you.”

  “Moranu certainly seems to be of concern to you,” I retorted, diverting my attention to reinforcing the gate while the high priestess was occupied with talking to me. I sent a mental tendril toward her mind, seeking a way in to find that protective shield she used. It would probably look like mine. “You mention Her often enough. Maybe you’re jealous that my goddess is more powerful that your little demigod of death.”

  “Yours is the false deity!” she spat, tempting me to ask who was having the temper tantrum now. “I wouldn’t have her—and believe me, She tried. But I gave my allegiance to Deyrr and He is truly powerful. Once you join me you’ll understand.”

  “Eh, I don’t think so. Why take second best?” I wormed another tendril into her mind, using it in tandem with the first to make a crack, then a wedge. She didn’t seem to be aware of my intrusion, but I went carefully, wary of yet another trap.

  “You, my darling Andromeda, won’t have a choice,” the high priestess was saying as she made a show of examining her nails. “By now you’ve realized I’ve outmaneuvered you. All will be mine—in service to Deyrr, of course. This brave defense is charming, but ill conceived. You have a lovely view to watching them all die, however.” She turned to look beside me. “I hope some of them survive. I’ll need more bodies to handle all the dreadful cleanup.”

  Still diligently prying at the crack I’d opened in her mind, I made a sho
w of turning my attention to the cliff road. I knew the cliff city as well as the corridors of my palace. Unable to help myself, I scanned for Rayfe, knowing he’d be at the forefront of any key points.

  There: a phalanx of Deyrr bears blocked a narrow turn, the black wolf leading the charge. Rayfe and our people would take them out if she didn’t shield the bears. The high priestess had skill and knowledge, but she didn’t have power to spare, and she still had a mind as human as mine. Or once human. Regardless, she couldn’t possibly be protecting all of her creatures simultaneously. With my finger on the pulse of her power, maybe I’d feel her shift that protective barrier from one group to the other.

  I sent a light blast of power at the team attacking the gate. As she deflected it, I pivoted mentally, hitting the group of bears. The high priestess paced me, leaping to block, and I trapped a delicate tendril of power around the muscle she used to make that shield.

  Then I pulled the blast and reversed the power, cutting the cords that bound the bears to Deyrr. The empty husks of the creatures collapsed, the bodies beginning their immediate and precipitous decay. The technique no longer gutted me as it had before. This time it felt only like a solid punch to the gut. I managed not to audibly gasp for breath, pulling on the Heart’s power and the Star to fill the hole. Was it an illusion that it felt like the Heart’s power flowed more freely?

  Rayfe howled a rallying cry and the horde of Tala shapeshifters hurtled over the decaying bears, heading higher to reach Kiraka and the Tala barricaded above. A few in human shape stayed behind to clear the road. Though cutting the tether left the souls of the Deyrr creatures unanchored, unable to either live or pass on to whatever afterlife there was and consigned the spirits of those people to eternal slavery to Deyrr’s consuming hunger, at least we didn’t have to worry about hacking them apart or the ashes eternally attempting to coalesce.

  Small comfort there.

 

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