When we emerged from our rooms, we headed to the stable. Several of the staff stopped to bow to M’Tek and welcome her home. She was clearly surprised by the warm reception, raising an eyebrow at me as we walked out of the palace into the garden.
“The Noge have missed me?” she asked. “Last I checked I was barely tolerated in this portion of our realm.”
“My mourning period has been the focus of tremendous speculation,” I explained.
“Why?” she asked.
“Well, it was described by some as excessive. A few speculated that I would never recover,” I said. “We fought a war the first two years. Pet tells me it’s said I destroyed a nation purely through the force of my rage. The truth is I raised two massive armies. I tripled the size of our Fae force, and our Noge army is mighty now. Unfortunately, it’s all very useless. Who are we to fight now that Vilkerland is no more, and the Borderlings are destroyed?”
“Vilkerland is no more?” she asked, sounding confused. That little crease formed between her eyebrows for a moment. “I see. We’ll worry about what to do with the armies later. How long were you in official mourning?” she asked.
“I began wearing black after the war was won,” I explained. “I only began wearing muted colors again last week, after I recovered you,” I said.
“Four years after my death you were still in black,” she observed quietly. “I can see how that might ignite some speculation.”
“Shiroane said you were dead, but you weren’t, M’Tek. You were only sleeping. I’ve known you were alive for the past two years. Once I was able to connect with you again I spent my time trying to find a way to bring you home. I wandered through your memories constantly, as I waited for the right opportunity to reclaim you. I remained in mourning, because as long as I wore black no one could proposition me,” I explained. “I was protected by the constraints of etiquette.”
“But still, someone did proposition you,” M’Tek observed as we walked through the doorway and into the stable. “Who broke protocol?”
“I want you to meet Abri,” I said, ignoring her question and wanting to change the subject. I took her hand and led her down the aisle to Twyneth’s stall.
“Where’s Twyneth?” she asked when she saw the big draft mare occupying his stall. “Is he at Lareem?” I shook my head.
“He was lost in the war,” I said. “Sabea was too.”
“Of course. They would have been taken during the attack on Vilkerdam Palace,” M’Tek replied in a somber tone. “I hadn’t thought it through. It’s still so strange.” I took her hand, wanting to comfort her.
“I recovered Sabea only last week. And there’ve been rewards offered for Twyneth’s return. I’ve even promised to trade a prisoner for him,” I said, trying to sound optimistic, though I had little hope of seeing the gelding again. M’Tek knew me well enough to see through the attempt. She knew I was placating her. She took a deep breath and forced a smile.
“So why are you showing me this big draft mare?” she asked, trying not to let me see she was upset. “You can’t possibly think she’s a suitable replacement for Twyneth.”
“Abri is my pet. She saved my life, and those of our children,” I explained as the mare came to stick her large head over the stall door, eager for a little attention. She nudged me with her massive muzzle and I began scratching her ears. “I stole her from a farm during our escape from Vilkerdam. Without Abri, I doubt we would have survived our journey here. She faithfully carried us for two days, with little rest, and almost no food or water.”
“The mare’s a Noge draft cross,” M’Tek said, her eyes moving over Abri. “She has good bones. And her foal is a surprise,” M’Tek observed, eyeing the beautiful filly already dubbed Eren. “She won’t stay black, but go grey,” M’Tek observed. “And she’s a leggy little filly, should make an excellent jumper.”
“She’s out of Ronin,” I offered.
“I wouldn’t have expected such a good result from the pairing,” M’Tek said, still appraising the filly. “She’s slightly fine-boned for a war horse.”
“I hoped you’d like her,” I said. “I thought I’d work with her myself. You might be ready for a new mount by the time she’s trained.”
“You truly don’t believe we’ll recover Twyneth,” M’Tek observed, her voice flat.
I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, gathering her close. Her hands moved over my back as her lips trailed down my neck. Already I wanted her again. I drew back to gage her expression.
“At this point, it’s unlikely, M’Tek. More than four years have passed. I offered enormous rewards for both of them. Twyneth was less striking than Sabea. It’s possible no one realized he was your mount,” I said.
“You mentioned exchanging a prisoner for him. Which one?” M’Tek asked.
“Kolten,” I replied. “Kieran had Sabea. She may still have Twyneth, or at least know where he is, if he’s still alive.”
“Even for Twyneth, I won’t release Kolten,” she said sharply. “You had no right to offer him. Remember, you gave him to my care.”
“I’ve no intention of forcing you to do anything. It’s your choice,” I said. I wanted to remind her that I’d ruled Faeland in her stead for four years, and that Kolten had been my prisoner during that period, but I refrained. She was likely still disoriented. She sighed and looked in the stall again.
“I like this little filly,” she said, trying to sound pleased. M’Tek opened the stall and stepped in to run a hand over Abri, before checking the foal over more carefully. After a few minutes, she came back out of the stall and nodded. “We can work with her together,” she said quietly as she latched the stall door. “She has the look of Twyneth about her eyes, don’t you think? What’s her name?” I entwined my fingers with M’Tek’s before bringing the back of her hand to my lips.
“Eren,” I said quietly. “Old Noge for…”
“Honor,” M’Tek finished. “A good name,” she said, stepping forward to kiss my neck.
-CH 25-
Not long after my return to Saranedam Palace, in an effort to set her mind at ease, I’d sent a brief message to Pet assuring her of my safety. She had been terrified that the witch might kill me once we left Lareem Palace. I was uncertain how to inform Pet of M’Tek’s return, so I left that part out of my message. I knew Pet loved her cousin, but I was worried about her reaction, nonetheless.
M’Tek and I left Saranedam the following morning. She was eager to see our daughters, and I was ready for life to return to at least some semblance of normalcy. We made our way slowly, however, because I was still uncertain of M’Tek’s strength after her ordeal. She appeared a strong as ever, but was unlikely to tell me if she was feeling weak. So, I kept a close watch over her, and we took our time.
We arrived three days later, in mid-afternoon. When I saw Pet appear on the stairway in front of Lareem Palace, I glanced nervously at M’Tek. I broke away from the line in order to be certain I was there to warn Pet, before she did anything thoughtless. When I dismounted and approached Pet, she hurried down the stairs, wrapped her arms around me, and recklessly pressed kisses to both of my cheeks.
“Why didn’t you let me accompany you?” she asked. “I’ve been crazy with worry. Especially after that cryptic note you sent. I haven’t slept in days. Lia is beside herself, and certain those bad guards have taken you.”
By this point, still astride the random chestnut gelding she had selected from my stables at Saranedam Palace, M’Tek had come to a halt behind me.
“Pet, listen. I have good news. I’ve brought M’Tek home,” I said, trying to move out of her tight embrace. I managed to shift back from her, though her hands still gripped my shoulders.
“You recovered her remains? Is that what this ordeal was about?” Pet asked sharply. “Did you worry me to death over bones?” she asked, her voice sweet but chiding. Then her gaze rose to rest on M’Tek, patiently observing her cousin’s obvious ardor. In an instant Pet’s hands tightened
on my shoulders, her face registering the shock she clearly felt as she realized M’Tek was alive. As far as Pet was concerned, the Fae Queen had risen from the dead. Pet’s chest began rising and falling too quickly, her eyes turning red, as an expression of sheer desolation reshaped her features.
“I’m flesh and blood, as well as bones, cousin,” M’Tek said in an unnaturally restrained voice. “I’m happy to find you well.”
Pet’s arms eased across my back again, as she drew me close. “I’m pleased for you, Lore. It’s been too long since you’ve been happy,” she whispered in a strained voice, close to my ear, before releasing me and stepping a safe arm’s length away from me. Her expression didn’t reflect her kind words, making me feel sick to my stomach.
For a moment I imagined Pet might cry, but then she turned from me to collect the reins of M’Tek’s horse. M’Tek dismounted and immediately wrapped her arms around Pet in sincere warmth. My heart was racing in my chest as I watched the two attempting to behave as if everything were normal between them. Pet forced a smile for her cousin, stoically restraining her tears. I knew she truly was pleased M’Tek was alive, but she appeared as though her heart were breaking. M’Tek’s gaze searched her cousin’s face with concern, struggling to understand the devastation she found in Pet’s expression.
M’Tek draped an arm across Pet’s shoulders and cut her eyes to me, before walking with her cousin into Lareem palace for the first time in nearly eight years. I hurried around the two of them, heading up to the nursery to collect my daughters. I trotted up the stairs, trying not to think about the expression of anguish on Pet’s face. I knew I was responsible for the pain Pet felt. I had allowed her to grow too close, permitting her to take on the role of my consort, in every way but one.
When I opened the nursery door, I found Lia sitting perfectly still, staring at the doorway. My stoic little prince had heard the horses approaching and been expecting me. Her beautiful grey eyes lit up, and she hopped down from the chair where she was sitting to run over to me. I knelt in front of her, collecting her in an enthusiastic hug. Ania didn’t wait for her sister to release me before wrapping her arms around me, and I had a moment of utter happiness.
I released my children, and stood, holding a hand out to each of them, gratified when my hands were seized quickly in their smaller ones. I turned my attention to Master Daten, their language master, and smiled.
“I hate to interrupt, Master Daten, but this can’t be helped,” I said. “Why don’t you start again with the lesson tomorrow afternoon,” I suggested.
Lia whooped and did a little dance, while Ania only glanced up at me with interest.
“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Master Daten replied, ignoring Lia’s insolent behavior.
As I led them down the hall, I searched my mind for a way to prepare them for seeing M’Tek again, but I couldn’t think of anything I might say to make it easier.
“Are we going into the village?” Lia asked, grinning up at me. “Last time you took me from lessons we went into the village. I told Ania about the cobbler, and she wants to go.”
“No, Lia,” I said. “We’re not going into the village. I’ve brought someone to see you.”
I stopped, not certain I was handling the situation correctly. Both of the girls had been greatly disturbed by the Vilken attack. Lia in particular still had nightmares of soldiers taking me away. They still mourned their lost mother. We stood for a moment before I decided what to do. I released their hands and knelt facing them. Ania appeared mildly curious, while Lia seemed wary.
“It’s been a little while since we talked about what happened to Mata,” I said gently. Lia’s face became stony, but Ania only nodded.
“You mean when the soldiers stole her, Mamma?” Ania offered, trying to make my task easier.
“Yes, Ania,” I confirmed.
“Are the bad soldiers coming here?” Lia asked in a voice tight with fear.
“No, of course not, Lia,” I said quickly, wanting to reassure her.
“I told you, Lia, Mamma won’t allow them to come here,” Ania said in a superior tone. “Pet says we don’t allow Vilkerlings in our home anymore.”
“Lia, we’re safe here,” I assured my daughter. “You’re always safe with me.”
Just then, both girls focused beyond me, as I heard light footsteps approaching along the hallway. Ania was the first to react, dropping my hand and running to M’Tek as I turned to watch. Lia only gripped my hand tighter as we watched M’Tek lift her sister from the ground and wrap her up in a hug. When my gaze returned to Lia, her eyes were wide with disbelief.
“Lia, my love,” I said cautiously. “Don’t you want to greet your mother?”
Lia stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in my hair. I picked her up and turned to face M’Tek. At first she was too busy collecting hugs and kisses from Ania to realize Lia was upset.
“Lia, sweetie, it’s all right,” M’Tek said softly, placing a hand on our child’s back while still balancing Ania on her hip. Lia tensed as if terrified by that touch. I shook my head and M’Tek withdrew her hand.
M’Tek stood watching as I carried Lia in the opposite direction, down the stairs and out of the palace, toward the cliffs. As we gained distance from the palace, her tight grip around my neck loosened. I walked her out to see the view of the Luminous Gulf, a place I’d been avoiding since our return to Lareem at the beginning of the Fae season. I couldn’t bear being so close to Cliffside with M’Tek lost to me. On this afternoon, though, I held my daughter in my arms and gazed out at the water in peace, searching for another orka.
I thought I saw a shadow in the water, but it turned out to only be a boat. After a few minutes, Lia started squirming, and I placed her down on her feet. She claimed my hand, holding tightly to it with both of her own. I waited as she stared out at the water, collecting her thoughts.
“Mamma,” she said in a serious voice when she finally spoke. “Where has Mata been?”
“She was a prisoner, Lia, in the Abyss Canyon,” I replied, giving concrete details in the hope that would be enough for my child.
“Did you go and find her?” she asked. “Is that why you’ve been away?”
“Yes,” I replied. “That’s why I was away.”
“Did you steal her from those bad soldiers the way you stole Abri?” she asked solemnly.
“Yes, I did,” I replied, smiling at her.
“But they could have taken you, too,” she whispered, her eyes wide with concern.
“I waited until I knew the soldiers were away,” I explained. “That’s why it took so long for me to bring her home.”
Lia fell quiet as she digested what I’d said. Her small hands remained gripping mine tightly as she thought about my explanation. She stared out at the water, likely remembering the last time she had seen M’Tek.
“Mata was scared,” she recalled. “Before the soldiers stole her, she left us. She was afraid of those soldiers, but you weren’t. You told her not to leave us, that you would keep her safe, but she ran away anyway,” Lia said.
“She was only scared for us, Lia. Mata didn’t run away. She was protecting us,” I explained. “She was afraid the soldiers would hurt us, so she led them away.”
“No. You protected us, Mamma,” she finally said. “Mata ran away and left us alone.”
“Lia, baby, please don’t think that,” I said gently. “It’s not true. M’Tek didn’t run away. She was trying to help us escape. You and your sister are the most important people in the world to her. She was protecting you, drawing the attention of the soldiers away from us. She would have given anything, even sacrificed her own life, to save us.
“Will she run away again?” Lia asked. “If the soldiers come, will they take her again?”
“Of course not,” I assured her. “No one will ever threaten us again. I promise you that, Lia. And I’ll keep her safe, the same as I keep you and Ania safe. No one can hurt us ever again.” O
ne of her hands dropped from mine, but the other continued to maintain her grip.
“I’m ready to greet Mata now,” Lia said gravely.
I walked back at my daughter’s slow pace, not wanting to rush Lia into a meeting for which she was unprepared. Once we were back inside the palace, we could hear Ania talking to M’Tek in an excited manner. Lia’s grip tightened on my hand again as we followed the sounds of conversation, to find Pet sitting alone on a chair, with a stunned sort of expression on her beautiful face, watching her cousin deflect the many questions being fired at her by Ania. Pet’s beautiful golden eyes focused on me as Lia and I approached. I wanted to offer Pet a hug and tell her it would all be all right, but I wasn’t certain it was true. Pet discreetly wiped at the corners of her eyes as she stood, pushing past me as she fled the room. I led Lia over to the sofa and sat beside M’Tek. Her attention shifted from Ania to me as she collected my free hand and lifted it to briefly brush her lips across my knuckles. Lia watched the gesture, her gaze shifting between M’Tek and me.
“Mata,” Lia said, interrupting Ania’s gleeful chatter. M’Tek shifted to gaze at us, as Lia released my hand and scrambled onto my lap. “I’m pleased Mamma brought you home to us. I’ve missed you,” Lia offered solemnly.
“I’ve missed you too, Lia,” M’Tek replied, offering a sweet smile. “You’ve grown up while I was away,” M’Tek observed. “You’re a big girl now, almost grown.”
“Mamma has promised me she will protect you,” Lia assured M’Tek. “She’ll keep you safe from the bad soldiers. You won’t ever be stolen again.”
M’Tek raised an eyebrow at me, and stifled a grin before returning her attention to our daughter. “Your Mamma is very brave, isn’t she?” M’Tek asked Lia.
“She wasn’t scared of the bad soldiers,” Lia whispered. “She didn’t run away and leave us.”
“Lia, my love, I didn’t want to leave you,” M’Tek said, her expression suddenly stricken as she realized what Lia had thought. “I’ll never let anything or anyone separate us again. I promise.”
The Changeling Page 48