Songbird

by Colleen Helme

  Now that she knew Korban’s plans to displace the king, she didn’t know what to do. Should she wait until Korban was in control, and they were on their way to the grove, or do something now? She needed to talk to Bran. He could help her decide what was best.

  It was a dangerous game she played. Both Korban and Jesse must think the other put the kundar on her, and if they ever talked about it they would know. A real kundar would be the end. She couldn’t let that happen.

  A quick knock came from the door and the same young woman who had brought her breakfast entered. She dipped her head shyly, and laid out the clothes she brought at the end of the bed. “I’m Iris, and I’m to help you with your bath.”

  “You’re Kalorian,” Teya said.

  “I’m not supposed to talk to you, but yes, I’m Kalorian. And it looks like you are too. I see they took some of your blood.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, you should feel better in a day or two, depending on how much they took. Lucky for me, they quit taking mine when I nearly died. I’d better get your bath started.”

  She opened a door and disappeared inside a large bathroom. The sound of splashing water filled the echoing chamber and soon Iris returned. “Do you need help getting in there?”

  “No, I can manage.”

  “Then, I’d better go.”

  “Wait, I have a million questions…”

  “Not for me,” Iris protested. “Please…I don’t want to get in trouble. We can talk…later.”

  “All right,” Teya said. “And thank you.” Iris nodded and left in a hurry, clearly uneasy about talking to her. Teya sighed and got out of bed. She stood carefully, still slightly dizzy.

  Her lightheadedness passed, but left her shaken. Because of her weak state, it took a bit longer than she liked to undress and settle inside the tub. By then the water was barely warm. On impulse, she breathed a simple tone to heat it up.

  That small burst of power sent her reeling, and she clutched at the tub until the dizziness subsided. Taking her blood had made her weak, and it would mean precious time before she was back to her full strength. She shivered with dread, knowing that until then, she was helpless.

  Then another thought struck her. What about the sym made from her blood? Could it make Korban or Jesse more powerful than her? She couldn’t believe it was possible, but there were a lot of things that were hard to believe. One of them was Jesse. Why had he confided in her? What did he really want?

  Her stomach tightened with worry and she shivered in the tepid water. Knowing Korban waited for her didn’t help, but putting it off just made it worse. She finished rinsing her hair and got out of the tub, eager to get warm.

  Rather than dress in the clothes Iris brought, Teya put her own clothes back on and sat on the bed to gather her composure. When she’d thought of facing Korban before, it had always been with her magic. Now he was waiting for her, and she nothing. It was not the meeting she envisioned, especially with Bran locked up somewhere. If they were ever to escape, it all depended on her. She reached for Bran. It took a moment to find him, but when she did, his warmth flooded over her.

  It calmed her like a soothing balm, and strengthened her at the same time. She closed her eyes, letting it soak into her soul. Bran. Where would she be without her link to him? Thoughts of him bound in chains brought fresh anxiety. She needed him and hoped he wasn’t suffering. His warmth energized her more than anything else could. Soothed and strengthened, she locked away her fear, and opened the door.

  Two soldiers quickly came to attention and beckoned her to follow them. Their presence took her by surprise, even though she should have known she would be guarded. No wonder Iris had been so nervous with these two outside her door.

  Escorted by guards, it was easy to slip into the haughty disdain she had always worn in the palace. It helped settle her down, even though her heart pounded with trepidation. She followed the guards down the hall, where they paused before a set of double doors. After a quick knock, they ushered her inside.

  The large elegant room was covered with dark wood paneling with thick red carpet underfoot. The man she had known as Colonel Porter sat behind a massive mahogany desk. Korban. He wasn’t alone. A tall man with black hair stood facing him. He turned, and a shock of recognition swept over Teya, causing her to gasp in surprise.

  “Hewson?” Her voice shook.

  “Teya!” In two strides he came to her side and grabbed her into a crushing embrace. Teya could hardly breathe before he pulled back. She glanced into his deep blue eyes and realized he wasn’t well. The dark smudges under his eyes and unhealthy pallor on his skin caught her breath.

  His eyes took on a feverish brilliance, the same sapphire color as hers. “Teya. I tried to get you out, but I failed. I’m so sorry. They caught me and I’ve been here ever since.”

  “Hewson. It’s all right. I know you tried. It’s okay. I promise.” She hugged him tightly, grateful to find him, even if it had happened like this. She dashed the tears from her eyes and pulled back, trying to smile, but failing miserably.

  “Are you all right?” He asked, his brows drawn together in concern. “You look so pale.” With this realization he took hold of her arm and pushed up her sleeve, uncovering the bandage. Uttering a silent curse, he turned to confront Korban.

  “You’ve already taken her blood? This has to stop! Our people are dying because of your greed. What will you do then?”

  “Calm down, Hewson.” Korban’s deep voice ordered obedience. “With Teya, I can put my plan into action. Once I take care of my business here, I’m taking all of you back to the grove. I won’t need your blood then.” Hewson stiffened with distrust and Korban continued. “Teya can tell you why, since she just came from there, but before she does, I would like a moment alone with her. You may wait outside the door.”

  Hewson’s lips parted to protest, but with visible effort, he held it back. “I’ll be waiting.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  When the door closed behind Hewson, Teya’s heart raced. She was alone with her enemy. Studying Korban, she realized that he was not as old as she had imagined, closer to the age of her father than her grandmother.

  An aura of power emanated from him that she’d missed at their first meeting. She nearly took a step back, but determinedly held her ground. After all, it was probably just the effects of sym. With startling clarity, she knew he was using sym at this very moment, possibly hers, and her stomach clenched with anger. The thought that she enabled him to have such power nauseated her.

  “From the loathing on your face, I can see your grandmother filled you with her lies,” he said.

  Straining with effort, Teya closed off her feelings before her anger got the best of her. Protected in this shell of indifference, she listened without pain to his speech.

  “I’ll admit that some of it is probably true,” he continued. “But I’m not the demon she has made me out to be. If she wouldn’t have been so obstinate, none of this would have happened.” He met her blank stare with one of his own, and unnerved, she dropped her gaze.

  “But that is beside the point,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’m taking my army to the palace. You will be coming with me. The rest of the Kalorians will remain here. Only when the palace is secure, will we continue our journey to the grove. How many of the Kalorians go with us, will depend on you.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I need to know I have your cooperation. You know how to get past the Destroyer. You need the Kalorians to restore the grove, and I need the water to restore my power. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.” He paused to gauge her reaction and when none came, he grew annoyed. “Your companion, Bran, is also here. I haven’t decided what to do with him yet.”

  She couldn’t help the faint flush that spread over her face, and nearly blanched at the sudden gleam in his eyes. He would use her feelings for Bran if he could, and she fought to quell her anxiety.

  “The king is eagerly awaiting your arrival, and bringing B
ran along might help sweeten the deal. It would also lessen any suspicions he may have about me and Braemar. After all, Bran is from the country I represent. It would be a small matter to wait until after his execution to take over the palace.”

  “No!” she gasped. “Leave him here. I’ll do what you want.”

  That was the reaction he’d been waiting for, and a sardonic smile lifted his lips. “I need your full cooperation. Not only for him, but for your brother and the rest of them.”

  “Doesn’t the king already know who you are? After all, it was you who gave me to him in the first place.”

  “I was never involved in that. Is that what Leona told you?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “It’s what happened.”

  “Why would I have given you to the king when I could have used you for myself?”

  She had no answer for that question because he was right. It didn’t make any sense. But there had to be a logical explanation, so she chose to ignore it. “Once we get to the grove and your powers are restored, what then?”

  “I’m sure we can learn to exist side by side. There will be no need for further bloodshed among the Kalorians with your cooperation as the Songmistress. I know that is your rightful place, and I intend to honor it, as you honor my right to rule.” He came around the desk with a conciliatory smile.

  “I’m sure your grandmother didn’t tell you that I am the rightful heir to the Grove of Kalore. Leona wanted it passed on to her son, and deceitfully planted evidence that had me banished. That is what she didn’t tell you. The fate of the Kalorians is her fault, but I intend to rectify that, and restore the grove to its former glory. It will be whole and beautiful once again.”

  She didn’t believe him for a minute. Leona wouldn’t do anything like that. He began to speak of the grove, regaling her with visions of glory and power, and the tones of his voice eased the confusion in her heart. A tendril of quiet peacefulness laced a way into her thoughts and she fought against an overwhelming desire to believe him. She shook her head. What was happening? Was he using magic on her? He took her hands in his.

  “The grove calls to us. It is where we belong. Help me make it what it once was.”

  The feeling grew, and with it came a vision of the grove, more beautiful than she had ever seen it. A deep longing to return surged over her. It pulled at her soul, and with anguished yearning, she answered the call. “Yes. I will help you.”

  “Good.” Korban led her toward the door “Tomorrow is the beginning of our journey home.”

  He ushered her out the door where Hewson waited for her. She met his gaze and with sudden clarity, the spell broke. In a flash of anger she gasped and turned back toward Korban. Before she could say a word, the door clicked shut in her face. As she raised her fists to pound on the door, Hewson pulled her away, and she choked on an angry cry.

  “Don’t,” he said, pulling her down the hall.

  “I hate him!” she said. “He’s a monster.”

  “Yes, you’re right. But throwing a fit isn’t going to help.”

  She quit struggling, already out of breath in her weakened state, and tried to regain her composure. “I’m all right now,” she said. “Didn’t he know using magic wouldn’t work on me... at least for very long?”

  “Until you glanced at me it did, and he let you see it. That’s what he wanted you to know.”

  With that declaration, Teya would have stumbled without Hewson’s hold on her. It was true. Korban had shown her what he was capable of, and the realization terrified her. Teya leaned on Hewson for support, hardly aware of where they were going.

  “We’ll find a way out, Teya. I promise you.” His beautiful eyes filled with remorse. “I’m sorry I failed you.”

  “Please don’t say that. When Grandmother told me you left the grove to rescue me, I thought you must have been killed. I never thought I’d find you alive.”

  “I’m not sure this is living. But at least now I finally have you. It’s been so long,” he smiled wistfully. “Just look at you, you’re all grown up.” She smiled back at him, and a flood of memories filled her mind. She’d lost so much.

  “Come on. I want you to meet the others. Then you need to tell me what Korban is planning.” He led her down the hallway past her room, and through the double doors to the outside of the building. One of the guards followed them, but Hewson didn’t seem to care. They crossed a beautiful courtyard before entering a second structure similar to the first, but on a smaller scale.

  Inside the building, Hewson led Teya to a dining hall with tables and chairs filling the room. He motioned Teya to a chair, and she gratefully sat down while he spread the word for the Kalorians to gather. The guard following them waited at the entrance within hearing distance, but did nothing to interfere.

  The room filled with people from all stages of life. Besides the gold band around their necks, they also shared the same unhealthy pallor as Hewson. Some of them did not have the energy to walk on their own, and leaned on others. Even the few children in the group were not spared the bloodletting. In the unhealthy state they were in, Teya doubted that many of them could make it to the grove, and silent rage filled her heart. She welcomed the rage. It was easier to cope with than her fear.

  Hewson sat beside her and whispered, “They don’t have hope anymore, so I’m asking you to give it to them. Even if it’s not true, they need something to live for.”

  “Is this all of them?” Her heart sank. There were only about fifty people.

  “There are a few who are too sick to leave their beds, but other than that, they’re all here. Just remember, Korban has more than one guard listening.”

  Only Iris’s face was familiar, but she still felt a kinship with the others. Something in their eyes spoke to her heart, and she concentrated on that instead of her anger. After Hewson introduced her as Leona’s heir and the future Songmistress of the grove, she rose shakily to her feet.

  “I came from the grove a few days ago. Leona is the only one left, and she charged me with the responsibility of bringing you all back.” She paused, trying to find a way to soften what she had to say, but couldn’t. “The grove is dying, and without you it will be destroyed. I won’t let that happen. I promised my grandmother, and I promise you, that we will return. All of us.”

  None of them said anything, but a wary hope sprang in their eyes. “I want you to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. It won’t be tomorrow, but it will be soon.” She wanted to heal them too, but didn’t think she was strong enough. “I will try to visit with each of you personally. In the meantime, get your things together.”

  One by one, they stood and quietly bowed to her before leaving the hall. As sorrow lanced through her heart, tears pricked the back of her eyes. Her once proud people had been reduced to slaves, all for the greed of one man.

  “You’ve given them hope, but you don’t seem to have any,” Hewson said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Was it all a lie?”

  “No, Hewson. It’s true,” she said, glancing to make sure no one could hear them. “You heard Korban say he is planning to take everyone back to the grove, but I have plans of my own and they don’t include him. I don’t want to tell you more, because it would put you in danger. Can you trust me?”

  “Of course, but I don’t want to see you get hurt. You must let me help if I can,” he said.

  “I will.” She couldn’t tell him her true feelings. That she would rather die than become a slave again.

  “All right. Now tell me how you got away from the king.”

  In soft whispered tones she told Hewson how Bran rescued her, and their return to the grove. Hewson didn’t know about the Destroyer and was astonished that Leona had released it. “It has kept Korban away from the grove and now he wants me to take him back. We cannot let Korban return and restore his power.”

  “No,” Hewson agreed. “There must be a way to stop him.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that her kundar wasn’t real, but
after all her ruined plans, she didn’t want to put him in danger.

  “How did he catch you?”

  She told him how they met Jesse and his final trap that led them straight to Korban. “I haven’t seen Bran since, do you know where he is?”

  “Yes. He’s locked up in the cells below the building. I don’t know if the guards will let us down there, but we can try.”

  “Thank you. And Hewson…we will be free. I promise.” He smiled, but she could see the uncertainty in his gaze. “Now... take me to Bran.” She needed to see Bran almost as much as she needed air to breathe.

  She followed Hewson outside, and tried not to cringe as she caught the attention of every soldier she passed. She kept her gaze on Hewson and followed him down a dirty staircase at the back of the building. Inside were several rows of tiny cells that were locked and barred.

  In the small space it was hard to see in the dark, and Teya fought against the suffocating feeling that closed in around her. A shadowy figure rose from inside, and Bran came forward. Her heart leapt, and she started toward him, but a sturdy guard blocked her way.

  “I’m here to see the prisoner,” she said. The guard was so big that she had to crane her neck to see his face, but she wasn’t going to let him stop her. Not when she was this close.

  “Only you,” he answered, then put a hand to Hewson’s chest. “You will wait.”

  She hastily agreed and darted past him to Bran’s cell a few feet away. She reached through the bars, clasping his hands and searching his face for signs of abuse. He pulled her to him with a gentle kiss, releasing her when the bars got in the way.

  His eyes shone with all that was in his heart and she caught her breath in the warmth of his love. Hiding nothing, she returned it without thought of consequence or reason. The intensity shook her, and she fought to hold back tears.

  “Are you all right?” Bran asked. “Did he hurt you?”

  “He took some of my blood. That’s how he makes sym. He made my blood into sym for himself. The Kalorians are sick and dying because he’s taken so much of it from them.” She couldn’t hide the anger in her tone, especially when she sensed Bran was in terrible pain. A bruise along his jaw was the least of it, but she focused on that anyway, not wanting Bran to know how angry she was. “What happened?”