“Tell that to the Warlord,” Rafe said.
“Only if his token is in my hand,” Heath said.
“And you’re out of reach of his blades,” Rafe added.
Heath grinned and loaded his horse. He felt sorry for the Warlord, truth be told. Lara was like a sister to Heath, or as those of the Plains said, she was “of the same tribe and tent.” But Heath knew full well that while Lara was kindhearted and gentle, there was a core of steel under that smile.
Once he’d checked his packs and belted on his sword and dagger, Heath turned back to watch them approach. The Warlord was not traveling with an army this time. The Council of Elders had stripped him of his position, blaming Keir for the deaths at the hands of the plague. But those that remained loyal traveled with him still and refused to drop his title.
There were only about thirty warriors in their group, and only one that Heath was concerned about. He scanned them all, trying not to be too obvious, looking for a certain golden-blond head. But there was no sign of her.
“So, what do you think?” Rafe asked, hanging his waterskin from his saddle. “Will it be a short nap, or do you think he can convince her to stop for the day?”
Heath glanced at the westering sun. “This place would make a good overnight camp. I’d guess overnight.”
“Not up to us,” Prest rumbled.
“True enough,” Rafe said.
Prest nudged Heath’s arm. “There,” he said, nodding to the left.
Three riders emerged from the woods carrying the spoils of their hunt. She was there, in the center, a fat buck behind her. Sitting tall and proud, her blond hair gleaming in the light.
God of the Sun, she was beautiful. Even at this distance, he desired her.
Her head turned as if she sensed him, and he felt the heat of her gaze. His body tightened with need and desire. But she turned her head away, urging her horse on, and the moment was gone. She and the others galloped toward the Warlord.
“Fresh meat,” Rafe said with satisfaction. “That means an overnight camp, with any luck.”
Heath just stood there as Rafe and Prest started to lead their horses forward. His attention was focused elsewhere.
He knew the truth, even if he wouldn’t admit it to others. He knew full well that he had told all and sundry that he left Xy and journeyed to the Plains to aid Lara. And that was true, in part. But the real reason he had left?
That lovely, blond, frustratingly stubborn woman warrior.
Atira of the Bear.
CHAPTER 2
ATIRA FELT HEATH’S GAZE LIKE A BLAZE OF FIRE over her skin.
The city-dweller was on the rise, just up the road. She spotted him as she, Yveni, and Ander emerged from the woods with the spoils of their hunt. Her eyes were drawn to him before she realized it; she looked away as soon as she knew it was him.
But the image burned her eyes. Half-naked, standing on the rise, his tanned skin glowing in the sun.
Her horse snorted as it felt her legs tighten, confused by the signal. Atira forced her body to relax, even as her fingers clenched the reins.
The snows take that city-dweller, she thought. Take his hard, sweet body, and tender whispers in the night. Take his touch, and his laugh, and those brown curls that felt so soft when she ran her fingers—
Atira cut that thought as if with a sharp blade and urged her horse toward the Warlord’s party. Until she saw Lara walking along the road, her warlord following a distance behind. Atira took one look at Keir’s face, and she veered off toward the back of the group.
“Skies above, the Warlord looks about to lash out,” Yveni said as she urged her horse to follow Atira’s. Her black face framed worried brown-and-gold eyes, and Atira couldn’t blame her.
“Rafe was scouting,” Ander offered, his bushy white eyebrows a stark contrast to his bald head. “He’ll have found a good camp, and with luck, the Warprize will agree to stop for the night. That will calm the Warlord. We will feast and play some of that Xyian chess. Maybe I can win a game or two.”
“Don’t count on it,” Atira said. “Lara’s as stubborn as he is.”
They both eyed her with respect, and Atira sighed inwardly. It wasn’t that she knew the Warprize better than they did. But she’d been the first that Lara had treated, healing an injury that would have meant death had Lara not brought her skills to the Plains.
Atira had broken her leg practicing her riding skills. But for Lara’s arrival, she’d been about to travel to the snows by her own hand. That was the way of the Plains, after all. The warrior-priests held all the secrets of magic and healing. Even if such a one had traveled with Keir’s army, a warrior-priest would never have aided one of Atira’s status.
But Lara had stood over her on the practice grounds and had offered healing, despite the insults Atira had given her at their first meeting. Lara had demanded that Atira have the courage to try Xyian ways, asking if she’d let Lara see to her leg. Atira had taken the risk, and the leg had healed. She’d become the living symbol of the gifts that Lara brought to the Plains as a warprize.
Of course, everyone seemed to think it had been a miraculous thing. But Atira remembered full well the truth of healing. It had meant forty days of restriction and restraint. Forty days of patience, which was not one of Atira’s skills. She shook her head at the memory. All that had kept her sane had been the wonder of the healing and Heath’s—
“There’s Marcus,” Yveni said, pointing with her chin.
Atira caught sight of the cloaked figure toward the back, riding with the pack animals. Marcus was the Warlord’s token-bearer and claimed responsibility for the Warlord’s tent. Amyu of the Boar was riding next to him, her long brown hair pulled back in a braid.
“Let’s take the meat to him,” Ander said. “And avoid the Warlord’s wrath.”
“Aye to that,” Yveni said, and they headed for them at a trot.
Atira followed, even though she still felt uncomfortable around the man. Marcus had suffered horrific burns to his body during a battle. His hair and his left eye and ear had been burned away, leaving his skin ugly and mottled. The corner of his mouth was left stiff and unmoving.
He always rode completely concealed in a cloak, lest he offend the elements. Most warriors would have sought the snows after such an injury, but Keir of the Cat had demanded that Marcus live, and Marcus had obeyed.
One bright eye gleamed from the depths of his hood as they rode close. “Well, that might fill their bellies for an hour or so. Was that all the prey you could bring down?”
Yveni, Ander, and Atira all exchanged glances. Marcus’s tongue was as sharp as the daggers he carried.
“It seems to me to be more than enough,” the rider next to Marcus said softly. That was Amyu, another whose presence bothered Atira. Amyu was still a child, as her lack of tattoos showed. She was barren and could never meet her obligation to the tribes and be recognized as an adult. She should still be in the care of the theas, not traveling with warriors. But she had saved the life of the Warprize, in defiance of the elders of her tribe. The Warprize had claimed her for the Tribe of Xy, which was why the child traveled with them.
“And you know so well what it takes to feed a warlord,” Marcus growled.
Amyu flushed, but she lifted her chin. “I am learning,” she replied.
“Barely,” Marcus said. He fixed his gaze on Atira. “Go tell Herself and Himself that I’m stopping to cook, even if Herself won’t. That might get through their thick heads.”
Amyu’s eyes went wide.
“Send the child,” Atira snapped, her temper rising.
The red on Amyu’s cheeks grew brighter, but this time she looked away.
Regret washed over Atira, dousing her anger. What was she thinking, to lash out at a child who was unable to defend herself? She opened her mouth, but it was too late. Amyu slowed her horse, dropping back to ride next to Yveni and Ander.
“What’s wrong?” Marcus asked from the depths of his hood. The cloth
shifted slightly as he lifted his head to look ahead. “Ah. Your city-dweller still—”
Her rage flared. Atira pulled her dagger, only to have Marcus parry it with his own, his blade held in his scarred hand, his one eye calm as he studied her face.
“Rein in your wrath, Atira of the Bear,” Marcus said, his tone and manner even. “No offense was intended.”
Atira took a deep breath, then jerked her blade back and rammed it into its sheath. She faced forward, cursing under her breath as her cheeks filled with heat.
“We travel through the lands of Xy,” Marcus continued as he slipped his blade into the depths of his cloak. “A people with far different customs than ours. The Warlord and the Warprize cannot afford to have one of their warriors killing Xyians unfamiliar with our ways. You’d best watch that temper of yours, warrior.”
“He is not my city-dweller,” Atira snapped.
“You’ve shared his tent.” Marcus’s voice was mild, but he was clearly intent on making a point. “And neither of you have shared with another since.”
“No longer,” Atira snapped. “Heath . . .” She paused, trying to get herself under control. “Those who dwell in the cities have strange ways. Strange ideas.” She tried to match calm for calm and failed. “All he will speak of is bonding.”
“Ah,” Marcus said.
“He wants to own me.” Atira stared at the figure on the rise, feeling Heath’s gaze. “To control me.”
She clenched her jaw, suddenly remembering who she was confiding in. She didn’t look at Marcus, preferring the silence but expecting a sharp word at any moment.
“Bonding is not like that,” Marcus said softly.
Atira gave his cloak a startled glance, but Marcus was not looking at her. His hood had fallen forward, covering his entire face in shadow. He was staring off into the distance.
Marcus had been bonded, that she knew, to the Warlord Liam of the Deer. But the ear that had held the symbol of his bonding had been burned from his head, and the bonding had been severed.
“A bond is not a prison, nor is it shackles,” Marcus continued, with an odd tone in his voice. “It can become that, if both parties do not take care. But when a bonding works, when it is solid . . .” He sighed. “. . . It is . . . liberating . . .”
Marcus caught himself then, as if remembering whom he was speaking to. “Here now,” he growled. “You go talk to Lara. I will speak to Himself. Between the two of us, we can convince them to stop for the night.”
Atira gave him a sharp nod, and urged her horse forward.
HEATH WATCHED AS KEIR SETTLED LARA ON A BED made of gurtle felt pads and heaped with blankets and furs. “I’m fine,” Lara said, trying to stifle a yawn. “Honestly, Keir. It’s not healthy for you to carry me everywhere. Don’t you believe your own Master Healer?” Lara smiled up at Keir, her blue eyes dancing.
Keir shook his head, his dark hair hanging in his eyes as he leaned over her, helping her arrange the bedding to support her on her side. Heath caught a glimpse of the gold ear-weaving on his ear, which matched the one on Lara’s. The ear-weaving that marked them as a bonded couple on the Plains.
Lara gave in to the yawn, then blinked at him sleepily. “A short nap, and then we can keep going. Another mile or so, and we should see the walls of Water’s Fall in the distance. Isn’t that right, Heath?”
“It is,” Heath agreed.
Keir shook his head, and Lara opened her mouth as if to argue, but Marcus cut her off. “No. There’s a good-size deer out there, and I’ve a mind to roast it in coals this night. We will stay here and eat well. Tomorrow is soon enough, Warprize.”
“Those that travel with us might appreciate the rest,” Keir rumbled. “Given the pace you are setting, Lara.”
Lara rolled her eyes, then put her hand on her belly. “You’re assuming your child will allow me to sleep, Keir of the Cat.”
Keir lowered his head to hers, and whispered in her ear. Lara blushed, then patted the bed. “I do seem to rest easier with you beside me, my Warlord.”
Keir straightened and started to remove his swords. “You’ll see to the camp, Marcus?”
“Aye,” Marcus said.
Lara sighed as she shifted over, making room for Keir to spoon up behind her. “You could ride ahead, Heath. You really don’t have to wait for us to make our formal entrance into the city.”
Heath shook his head. “No thanks, Your Majesty. Better that both my parents are caught up in the excitement of your arrival before they see their wandering boy.”
Lara gave him one of her looks, and Heath knew that she wasn’t done with this conversation. Thankfully, she yawned again, so Heath gave her a grin, and turned to follow Marcus from the tent.
Rafe and Prest were outside, taking up their posts.
Marcus was already gathering the others, announcing that they were stopping for the night. Amyu was kneeling nearby, digging out a fire pit. Heath headed in that direction, watching out of the corner of his eye for Atira.
Amyu regarded him with steady eyes as he approached. Heath gave her a smile, but Amyu did not return it. She was a quiet one, that was for sure. She kept herself apart and away from the others. Lara had explained her circumstances, but Heath wasn’t sure that he understood. She was no child.
“We’ll need more wood.” Atira looked at Marcus, who nodded in agreement.
“You and Heath will go. He will take that tool of his—”
Atira’s face went bright red in an instant.
“Not that tool.” Marcus rolled his one eye. “Get your head out of your tent. He will take his ‘axe.’ ”
“My other tool will come as well,” Heath said. “I’m attached to it.”
The other warriors broke out in laughter. Atira stiffened, throwing a glare at Heath, and opened her mouth to protest.
“The Xyian will not get lost,” Marcus cut her off with a glare. “And you can get your arguing done out there, away from Herself. Take some bells. You can be as loud as you wish without disturbing her or us. Regardless of which tool gets used.”
The other warriors stifled their laughter as Atira glared, then stomped off.
“Be certain you remember to bring back wood. At least an armful,” Marcus called after her. “Make sure it’s dry, too.”
Heath followed after Atira, not bothering to cover his grin.
CHAPTER 3
HEATH STOPPED TO PULL HIS AXE FROM HIS SADDLEBAGS, which allowed Atira to slip into the shade of the forest for a moment to try and release her anger.
Here, the trees stood tall, concealing the sky with their bright green leaves. Without the sun, the air here was cooler. Heavier, somehow.
Atira shivered.
She was a warrior of the Plains, of the wide-open grasses. Yes, they had alders growing by the waters that reached the height of a warrior and a bit beyond—but nothing that grew as tall as these trees, towering over her head, blocking out all light and sound. Atira felt hemmed in by the trees, their stout trunks blocking her sight, and the underbrush hampered her movement.
How was a warrior to see, to know what was coming, to see what was behind? She shivered again and took a step back before she caught herself.
“Ready, milady?”
Heath’s voice startled her, and she jumped slightly as he came to stand next to her.
His blue eyes were warm and understanding, which just angered her even more.
“I am not your lady,” she bit the words off. “That is a—”
“I know, I know,” Heath said as he walked past her. “It is a Xyian way that is of the city and therefore foul and evil.” He turned his head, looking around. “Nothing good here. We need to go farther in.”
“There is wood here,” Atira said, picking up some dried branches.
“Small sticks aren’t going to cook a meal,” Heath said. “If it bothers you, go back and look for dried dung.”
“There’s none,” Atira said glumly.
“What, not interested in fresh?” He
ath looked back at her over his shoulder, his eyebrows arched over his sparkling eyes, alight with mischief. His lips curved ever so slightly.
Atira’s heart lurched, and her own lips started up as well before she caught herself and stiffened.
“I know you fear the woods.” Heath turned away and started down a path that only he could see.
“I do not fear it,” Atira said angrily as she followed him.
“Remember how I felt, when we were racing hard to catch up with the Warlord and his armies? When I rode out on the Plains for the first time?” Heath continued, ignoring her protest. “Couldn’t figure out which direction we were traveling, much less where we were. The open sky was a nightmare.”
“It was not,” Atira said. “It has a beauty all its own.”
“So you told me then.” Heath kept walking.
Atira stayed silent, remembering all too well when she’d spoken those words. They’d been naked, wrapped in blankets, sated and sweet in each other’s arms. Heath had spoken his fears, and she’d comforted him with more than just words.
Atira tried to forget, but her body remembered.
“I am not afraid,” she insisted, following Heath as he headed deeper within the tangle. “I am . . . uncomfortable.” She stopped for a moment, looking around. “The forest is so full. Everything moves in the wind, and there is no clear path.”
“There are deer tracks,” Heath chuckled. “We are following one now. And you need to have a care for widowmakers, that’s for sure.”
Atira stopped, her hand on her hilt. “What are those?”
Heath pointed up and off the side. “There. Dead branches held up by other branches. They can fall without warning and hurt anyone caught below. If they kill a man, they make a widow.”
Atira stared at him. Her command of Xyian was fairly good, but that was not a word she knew. “What’s a widow?”
Heath paused. “A widow is a woman who has lost her—” He stopped. “Maybe a better word would be deadfall. If it falls on you, you are dead.”
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