Impending Reprisals

by Jolyn Palliata

  “With what?”

  “With anything. He nearly—”

  “I was afraid, Kael. I panicked. I was never in a position like that before, not since I learned how to wield a weapon. My mind went completely blank. I—”

  He tucked her head under his chin. “Shh. I apologize. I do not mean to upset you. It was just that I never knew fear—true terror—until that moment. I thought I had lost you forever, without ever having the chance to hold you like this, and tell you I love you.”

  “You love me?”

  “You know I do.”

  “I suspected as much,” she teased, “but I never thought I would actually hear you say it.” She giggled before her tone turned serious. “But then— Why would you not come to see me? Even just to make sure I was all right?”

  His brow contracted. “After the attack? Because you blamed me for what had happened.”

  “Do not be ridiculous.” She leaned back, looking at him with an incredulous expression. “You saved my life! Why would I blame you? I mean, really Kael, if that is not the most idiotic notion—”

  “Merivic told me, Anya.” His gaze hardened as it met hers. “He told me what you said.”

  “I did not say anything—only that I wanted to see you.” She sat up and pulled away. “Unlike you! Calling me a foolish girl, saying I never grew up. Well, you certainly do not have a problem with me now, do you? I cannot believe—”

  Kael clamped a hand over her mouth. “Anya, listen to me. I never said any of that. All I did was ask to see you. I practically begged to see you, but Merivic said you did not want me there, that you blamed me and wanted Gerhard for your sentinel.”

  She pulled his hand down and whispered with wide eyes, “Not one word of that is true. Why would he…”

  “He must know” —he gestured between them—“about us.”

  “No! How could he? All this time? Why would he not say anything?”

  Kael gathered her in his arms. “I do not know. Maybe he thought it would give you an opportunity to deny him, to be with me instead.” He kissed the side of her head. “And it nearly worked. You would have gone through with the marriage had this not happened. As it was, you went through with the promising.”

  She stiffened in his arms as her breath caught.

  “I do not blame you, Anya. You were manipulated. We both were.” He stroked her hair as his mind spun around his conversation with Gerhard about the ceremony. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “What happened at the promising?”

  She paused for a moment as she tried to recall the scene, but the deeper she tried to dig into the memory, the more elusive it became. “I do not remember much of it. I think I was still dizzy from the strike to my head.”

  Kael nodded, his suspicions raising a notch, but unwilling to scare Anya further.

  “Now can I ask you something?” she asked.

  “What is it?”

  “Why would that man want to hurt me? He said it was because I was going to marry Merivic. What is it they fear will happen?”

  He contemplated her questions with ones of his own, but he kept them to himself. “I do not know, but perhaps it is time we find out.”

  “How?”

  “Do not worry about it. I will find out what I can.”

  “Will you let me know what you learn?”

  “Certainly. But in the meantime we must act as it none of this happened.”

  Anya jerked back from his chest. “But Kael—”

  “No. He cannot know. Not yet. Not until we know exactly why he lied, and why those men fear your union with him.” He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “All right?”

  She huffed a resigned sigh. “All right.”

  Brushing a kiss against her pouting lips, he whispered, “We will be together, Anya. You will never be rid of me.”

  “As you are likewise stuck with me.”

  Giving her a quick squeeze first, he pulled her to her feet, and then stared at her torn and tattered dress strewn out across the ground.

  “I do not suppose I will be wearing that dress again.”

  He chuckled sheepishly, at a loss for words.

  “I can wear the clothes you brought for me.” She walked toward the pants and tunic folded on the far end of the table, nudging the dress with her toe as she passed. “But perhaps I should hold onto this as a keepsake,” she commented, flashing a wicked smile over her shoulder.

  Flushing, Kael simply grinned.

  *****

  Kael painted a scowl on his face as he escorted Anya back to her quarters, intending to feign annoyance to anyone glancing in their direction. Anya wore a slight pout as she walked an arm’s length from his side, fighting the snicker threatening to burst from her mouth.

  “My, oh, my, Weapons Master of Decessus,” she murmured under her breath, “you are the sexy one when you pretend to be mad at me. Perhaps I may require another sparring session.” He glanced at her as she mischievously bit her lip. “To hone my skills, of course.”

  Kael clenched his jaw to keep his smile under control. “Stop it, Anya. You are not helping.”

  “That is the whole point, Kael. Now that I have you, I want the whole world to know about it—not shy away and hide.”

  “Just give me a little while—a few days at most.”

  “Very well,” she breathed, shooting him a fake glare for the sake of the soldier passing them in the hall. “But if you do not hurry I will simply shout it from the highest tower.”

  The mention of a tower was all it took to steal his mirth, and he grumbled something incoherent under his breath.

  “Pardon me?”

  “I know how you like your towers.” The confused expression on her face was real as she studied him. “I saw you, Anya. The day after we… On top of the tower.” He squeezed his fists. “Walking the edge.”

  She glanced away. “You were watching me?”

  “I was.”

  “I had things to sort out.”

  He wanted to touch her, to cradle her face and kiss her. Instead, he crossed his arms defensively as if about to scold her, and whispered, “I regret that I hurt you.”

  “You are with me now, and that is all that matters.”

  She slipped through her door and as she closed it, when only he could see, she smiled and mouthed I love you.

  Kael turned from the door just as Gerhard came around the corner at the end of the hall. He gestured to him as he strode forward.

  “I was just coming to deliver a message to Lady Anya from Lord Merivic.”

  “I can pass it along. What is it?”

  “He had to leave the city unexpectedly and will be back tomorrow.” Gerhard’s expression hinted at his concern. “He did not elaborate, but he was very distracted. I hope he is not attempting to settle an unrest by himself.”

  “I do not believe he would.” Kael glanced past Gerhard to the empty hallway as a plan formulated in his head. “Please, pass the message to Lady Anya and stand guard while I see to my dinner.”

  “Very well.”

  Kael clapped him on the back as he stepped around Gerhard.

  “Kael?”

  He turned. “Yes?”

  “How did the training session go?”

  A slight grin pulled at his lips. “Quite well.”

  *****

  Kael crept down the damp corridor toward Malik’s quarters. If there were any answers to be found, he knew it would be there. Hovering outside the door, he pressed his ear to the wood and listened intently. Convinced no one was inside, he nevertheless thought of some excuses for his presence should Malik be present, or if someone should come upon him as he was snooping about.

  Pulling open the door, he was relieved to find it was indeed empty. He cushioned the closing of the door, then walked around the room, poking at bowls of dried leaves, sniffing the contents of a particularly strange-looking vial, and scanning over the occasional scroll left unraveled across the table. Strange
symbols adorned the parchment, leaving Kael just as unenlightened as when he first entered the room.

  A muffled high-pitched laugh caught his attention, and he froze as he tried to determine the source. It sounded again and he followed the noise to the bookcase in the corner. Running his fingertips around the edge, he realized it was a secret passageway and slowly swung it open.

  The laugh became clear, although resonant, as Kael followed it down the dark, narrow hall. Hugging the wall, he peeked around the corner to see Malik and Zabela wrapped around each other. He ducked back again, staring at the floor as he listened closely to their conversation.

  “Stop it, Malik,” Zabela weakly protested as she giggled again. “I want to talk about this.”

  “About what?” Malik’s voice sounded muffled to Kael and he had to strain to hear him.

  “I am tired of hiding out in town.”

  “It is only until after the union between Anya and Lord Merivic.” The rustle of fabric could be heard. “I believe it is safe now, but the lord will not hear of it until he is sure the lady willingly goes through with the blessing. He does not want to force her if it can be avoided.”

  Kael’s breathing hitched and he held it.

  “Could it stop anything?” Zabela inquired.

  “No. He knows she cannot deny him now, but he is paranoid something may go wrong, so he wants the whole process to go as smoothly as possible.”

  “So…after the blessing then?”

  “Absolutely. And if Anya does not like it, then it makes no nevermind. She will have no say whatsoever by that point, and be powerless to do anything about it.”

  “Mmm. I like the sound of that.” Kael’s stomach turned at the sound of soft moaning. “Can I watch the blessing? Please, tell me I can be there.”

  “No, but I will tell you all about it.”

  Kael began to back away as their words cut off and her laughter echoed through the room again, but then halted when their conversation continued.

  “Brand me, scar me, make me yours.”

  “Tell me, Zabela. How did the weapons master take you?”

  “Gently, for the most part,” she said in a tone full of disappointment. “Not nearly hard enough for my liking.” She gasped in response to whatever Malik had just done to her.

  “Perhaps I should have added something to that potion you gave him so it would have been more enjoyable for you. Some sort of plant extract to spur aggression.”

  Kael’s back straightened as his hands fisted in anger. As he put the pieces together, it took all his self-restraint to hold himself back.

  “That would have been nice. Of course, having you take me afterwards was even better. Where he left me floating, you leave me burning and writhing for more.”

  Their voices cut off again, succumbing to heavy breaths and the smack of skin and tongues.

  Kael slipped back into the main chambers and quietly pushed the bookcase back into place. As he turned, his eyes caught the small scrying pond tucked in the corner and under a table.

  He may not be very knowledgeable in the ways of magic, but he knew enough to know what it was and its purpose. He also knew it was too small for Malik to use across great distances—probably only within the walls of the castle.

  It was all he needed to decide his next course of action. Armed with the knowledge of Malik’s limited defenses, and now convinced that Merivic did indeed know of his and Anya’s intimacy, Kael rushed to his love’s quarters.

  *****

  Gerhard knew there was danger about the moment he looked at Kael’s face. But the weapons master did not even pause as he burst past him and into Anya’s room.

  “We have to leave. Now!”

  Anya did not hesitate to join him at the door, grasping his hand tightly.

  Pulling her unceremoniously down the hall, she jogged to keep up. “What is it, Kael? What did you find?”

  Gerhard strode quickly to join them. “I will call the men. She will be protected.”

  “No!” Kael snarled, yanking Anya around the corner. “The danger is from within. Come. I will explain outside the castle walls.”

  The trio flew out the main entryway and toward the stables.

  Caleb saw their approach and rushed out to meet them. “My apologies, Kaelestis, but no horses have been prepared.”

  “Then prepare them.”

  “But—” He cut off as a sword suddenly swung to his neck, the edge pressing firmly into his flesh.

  “I am afraid I must insist.”

  Caleb swallowed hard as he stared into the determined man’s eyes, glanced to a panicked-looking Anya, and then toward Gerhard’s obvious confusion. “Are you taking Lady Anya away?”

  “Yes, and I cannot allow you to stop me.”

  “On the contrary,” Caleb stated as a glamour lifted from his face, revealing the strong, angled face of a strapping, young man. “I would like to help you.”

  Chapter 40

  Kael eyed Caleb warily as he sheathed his weapon, all too aware that his options were limited. At least, until they left the confines of the castle grounds.

  “Get the horses,” Kael commanded.

  “They are not necessary,” Caleb countered.

  Kael reached for the hilt of his sword. “The hell you say.”

  Holding his hands up, Caleb was quick to respond. “They will only draw unwanted attention, and they cannot go where we are.”

  “Which is where, exactly?” Gerhard questioned, unsure of what was going on, but trusting Kael’s instincts unequivocally.

  “There is a secret tunnel constructed for Merivic should there ever be an attack on the castle. An escape route. Very few know of it.”

  Anya grabbed Kael’s arm. “It could be a trap,” she whispered.

  “It is no trap, Milady. I am aware of it for I was to be the one escorting him.”

  “And why is it his two highest-ranked soldiers would not be aware of it?” Gerhard reached for his own weapon as his suspicion increased.

  “Because his two highest-ranked soldiers would be otherwise engaged should there be an attack. You would be fighting the enemy while he cowered away.”

  “He would not—”

  “Easy, Gerhard,” Kael stated and jerked his chin at Caleb. “Lead the way.”

  Caleb glanced around quickly, then led them behind the stable and along the wall.

  “He is leading us toward the mountain,” Anya hissed in Kael’s ear.

  “I am aware of that, Anya. Please, let me handle this.”

  When the wall met the impenetrable mountainside, they followed Caleb into a storage building and angled toward the back.

  “The secret passageway is here,” Caleb informed them as he began moving bales of hay stacked against the wall.

  Once they were tossed aside, he pushed at the wooden panels which eventually gave way to reveal a dark tunnel. Reaching inside, he pulled out an unlit torch and a tinder box. And within moments, a flame was leading them down the narrow passage.

  Anya stayed close behind Kael who stood as a barrier between her and Caleb. Gerhard brought up the rear after replacing the wooden panels to conceal their escape.

  It was quite a journey before they saw an end in sight, and as soon as Kael recognized the moonlit opening for what it was, he pushed Anya toward Gerhard and leapt at Caleb’s back.

  Surprised by the sudden force slamming into him, Caleb grunted and fell to the ground, the torch rolling a short ways down the tunnel.

  “Kael—” Anya’s words cut off as Gerhard grabbed her and pulled her behind him, standing protectively in front of her as he determined if Kael required assistance.

  He did not.

  The whites of Caleb’s eyes were bright and clear in the murky light, evidence of his terror as Kael pinned his chest and held a dagger to his throat.

  “I should kill you slowly.”

  Caleb knew what he was being blamed for, and though it could have meant the end of his life, he had to attempt an explanation
. “It could not be helped, Kael. We had to stop the union. There is more at stake here than her life alone.”

  “Her life is all that matters to me, and you tried to kill her.” He pressed the blade in and a droplet of blood oozed across the metal. “And for that, you shall die.”

  “He was trying to kill me?” Anya lunged forward and fell to her knees, clutching Caleb’s shirt in her fist. “Why? Why are you trying to kill me?!”

  “Anya!” Gerhard growled as he grabbed her arms and tugged her back.

  “I want to know! I have a right to know!”

  “He must be stopped. And killing you was the only way.” Feeling the bite of the dagger again, he quickly turned his attention to Kael. “But it is not the only way now. Not if she leaves.”

  Pulling the weapon back a measure, Kael considered the man. “If she leaves then she is safe from you and your men?”

  “Yes. Then we can destroy Merivic.”

  “Why not kill him now? Or last week? Or a fortnight ago? Surely you have had ample opportunities.” The tone in Kael’s voice made it clear to Caleb that he had better have a damned good answer, or it would be the last words he ever spoke.

  “He cannot be killed. He is immortal.” The expression on Kael’s face, and that of his companions, told Caleb he had just avoided execution. “Release me, Kael. I will take you back to my people, and we will explain everything. Or at least, what we understand ourselves.”

  “Let him go, Kael,” Anya breathed, a cold chill convulsing up her spine.

  Who is Merivic? she thought, disgust leeching into every part of her being. What is he? I let him touch me. I let him kiss me. We…

  Her stomach clutched as she twisted to the side and bent over, retching and coughing as the bile flooded her throat. Strong hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her swaying frame, and then they were replaced by the warm, familiar arms of her truest love.

  “Breathe, Anya, breathe.”

  Tears streamed down her face as her breath shuddered and her body shook. She turned into Kael and buried her face in his neck to calm herself. Bolstering her nerve, she finally pulled back, scrubbing her tears with the back of her hand. “We should keep going.” Kael held her at arm’s length as he studied her face. “I will be fine, Kael,” she stated, already feeling the anger replacing the revulsion. “I want to know. I want to find out what the hell he is.” She glanced to Caleb. “And if it means joining with people who want to kill me, then so be it.”