by Chandra Ryan
“I know, but I’m not. I’m hungry. And the River Fimmish is just over this rise.”
When they cleared the rise, she was happy to see the beautifully tranquil river that served as a natural western border to the Livingstons’ lands. They were officially out of the Livingstons’ reach. And they were stopping for lunch. It didn’t get much better than that.
The lunch was simple, some roasted fish and bread, but it went a long way to helping her feel better. Not good enough to make her want to be back up on the horse, though. Picking up the dishes, she slowly carried them to the riverbank and rinsed them before putting them away.
She was dallying. There was no doubt about it. But every second she had both feet on the ground was a second to be relished. And those seconds were rapidly coming to an end.
“Is everything okay?” Of course, Kavin was already seated in his saddle and looking as comfortable as ever.
“I’m fine,” she lied.
It was a lie easily discovered by watching her climb into her saddle, though. “I don’t think so. Here.” Bringing his horse next to hers, he took her hands in his and closed his eyes.
Being so close to him—having her hands in his—brought back sensations that had her fidgeting in her saddle for completely different reasons. Seems like her body was ready to forgive him regardless of how she felt about it.
“Close your eyes and stay still.”
Obediently she closed her eyes. If she thought holding hands was bad, though, it was nothing compared to the gentle warmth that radiated from his hands and spread throughout her body. It was the most delicious sensation she had ever experienced. So delicious, she didn’t even try to stop the soft sigh that escaped her as the sharp pain in her legs dulled and became bearable again.
“That’s amazing.” She opened her eyes to find him staring at her, barely controlled desire shimmering in his gaze. “But it doesn’t take too much of your energy, does it?”
“I’ll be fine. You’re my biggest concern right now. We’re trying to get you to King’s Keep as quickly as possible, but I would rather you be coherent when we get there.”
“Don’t worry, I can handle it.” She needed him to see her as a competent guardsman. If he didn’t, the others never would.
“Just to be safe, though, don’t hesitate to ask if you need something.”
He turned his horse to the other group members and nudged the animal into a walk before she could say anything else. Not that she had anything else to say. Or the time to say it. Everyone else was already packed up and in their saddles. They were an efficient group. She would give them that.
The other side of the river, which had never been mined, was thankfully still green. More than green though, it was breathtakingly beautiful. From the thick foliage that lined the dirt path to the gentle breeze that carried with it the airy aroma of grain drying in the sun mixed with the bite of fresh spices.
Having her energy restored made the next couple of hours of riding bearable, but it was the scenery that made the journey enjoyable. As the day continued, however, and they started riding through the valley, Sara found the familiar aches and pains returning. She considered Kavin’s offer of help, but dismissed it quickly. She would be able to make it. If she allowed him to coddle her, he would see her as soft. And worse, the others would too. Rumors would spread when they got to King’s Keep, and it would take years for the other guardsmen to take her seriously.
“I wonder what makes her so valuable. Why would the King send us to fetch a lady turned servant?”
“What?” she asked, turning toward Kemah. But realizing she had heard a wayward thought and not a question, she shook her head to clear it. Thankfully the wind had carried her question before any of the others heard it.
“I think that snip of a girl gave me the wrong sized shoes on purpose.”
Seeing the image of the busty girl flash in Jar’s mind, she had to stifle a laugh.
“Would she have been better off had she made an alliance with Devin?”
She wasn’t amused any longer. Nor was she amused by any of the other thoughts that came flying at her. Focusing her energy on blocking them, she ignored everything else, including the beautiful surroundings as they continued riding. But with her energy waning with each hoof fall, she soon felt the pressure of the thoughts pushing against her.
“I wonder what Roselyn’s doing right now?” “Did I grab that whiskey?” “Is he just with her because she’s a Raven?”
Determination was the only thing keeping her in the saddle.
“…doesn’t look so good…” “…Smy’s army…” “…why did…” “…eggs…”
“Are you okay?”
She smiled at Kavin weakly. “I’ve been better. But I can make it to camp.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded and stopped trying to block the thoughts. As much as she hated being bombarded, she needed the last of her reserves to concentrate on staying in the saddle. Even then, she barely made it to the clearing. When they finally stopped every inch of her body hurt, and her mind was filled with the hissing sound of the others’ blended, discontinuous thoughts.
Sliding gracelessly off her horse, she stumbled out of the clearing is search of silence. The tall grasses and shrubs scratched her exposed hands, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was quieting the voices. She heard someone calling her name in the distance, but didn’t turn back or call out. She didn’t want to be found. The chaotic night and the hangover must have left her reserves even lower than she’d originally suspected. She’d used everything she had to shield the others as long as she could. Now that she had finally made it far enough away to find peace, she wasn’t going back. Not until she rested, at least. Falling into the thick vegetation, she closed her eyes and surrendered to the peaceful blackness of sleep.
Chapter Eight
Anneleissa stared down at the water. In the shallow dish it was crystal clear and completely still. But when she dropped the single hair into it, it clouded. She had been trying to find time alone all day to do this. But it seemed as if the fates had other plans. There was constantly someone under foot needing something. Finally she had given up and feigned illness. She hoped to find out how much time she had until the telepath would be at King’s Keep.
But when the image showed itself, she had to wonder if she was destined to be disappointed. All she could see was the Right Hunter sitting in a tent with the Raven girl. They could be anywhere between Keep Drake and King’s Keep, which meant she would have to find the time to do this all over again in a couple of days.
And that wasn’t even the worst of it. Focusing on the sleeping Raven, Leissa could see the green of her telepathy still humming around her like a shroud. Elleum’s agents hadn’t succeeded.
Yet.
She brushed the annoyingly optimistic voice away as fast as it appeared.
Elleum put too much faith in his agents. Or maybe not enough faith in Right Hunter. Either way, if this was going to get done, Elleum was going to have to do it himself. It was just one of those annoying truths of life. If you wanted something done right…
Fortunately, she had his pledge that he would do just that. And though she didn’t trust humans as a general rule, she trusted him.
Her stomach flipped with anxiety at the admission, but she ignored it. She was done lying to herself about him. She did trust him. Besides, as long as he never found out, he couldn’t use the weakness against her.
He would see this through, and not just because she had his blood oath. Though that was a handy piece of leverage.
“Are you feeling better, Your Grace?”
Startled, Leissa spilled the water over the floor as Sebinna glided into room. The girl was wearing the traditional white robes that marked her as a member of the Order and a servant to the Oracle. But for how much longer she would wear them was undecided, especially if she couldn’t follow a simple order.
“Idiot child. I clearly stated I did not wish to be disturbed.”
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br /> The girl looked hurt by the harsh words, but these were Leissa’s quarters and she would be damned if she allowed anyone to forget it.
“It’s only…” The woman looked down at her white slippers before taking a deep breath. “The king wishes an audience.”
“Tell him I’m indisposed at the moment, but that I will see him at my earliest convenience.”
“As you wish.” She pulled the deep hood of her white robe over her blonde hair before leaving. The look of contrition on her youthful face almost made Leissa feel bad—almost.
Stooping over to pick up the bowl, she froze as she heard the door open again.
“When I send word I wish to see you it’s more of a courtesy. I’m not actually asking for permission.”
Damn. She should have known he would be standing right outside her door. Straightening in the chair, she placed the bowl on the table gently and forced a smile to her face.
“Of course.” Staying seated, she tipping her head in a mocking bow. “My mistake. To what do I owe the pleasure, Davad?” She was the only one who could call him by his given name. Mainly because she was the only being he wouldn’t have executed for the slight. He would never make things that easy for her.
“Do they have her?” He nodded to the bowl as he made his way over to her.
“They do.”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You don’t look concerned.”
“Why should I be?” She did her best to achieve a look of innocence, but wasn’t sure she pulled it off. She wasn’t sure she had ever been able to pull that look off.
“Because soon, I’ll know what you’re plotting.”
She had a hard time resisting the urge to rest her palm on her stomach. “I’ve already told you, I’m not plotting anything. I’m growing very concerned for your health. You seem to find suspicion in every corner these days.”
His cautious stare changed into a full snarl. “I heard you. You said you had found a way to bring this dynasty—my dynasty—to an end. I will know your plan.”
She had been too careful for that. She would never say those words, let alone say them somewhere he might hear. “When? When did you hear me say that?”
“The timing makes no difference.”
“But it does. If you told me when you had heard it, I could prove you wrong.”
“And how, pray tell, would you do that?”
“I’ve never said those words. No matter what time you picked, I could bring forth a witness who would testify to my innocence. You’re making this accusation up, King Davad.” It was the only explanation.
“I’m not making anything up.”
“You did not hear me say those words.”
“Fine. Maybe I didn’t hear you specifically, but one of my advisors did. And I trust his word far more than that of a power-hungry dragon. You’re after the throne and I’m going to prove it.”
Great. So some political stooge decided to plant the seed of doubt in the king’s mind to gain favor with him. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. “I have no plans of tricking you out of the throne.” Oh, she was going to get the throne, but she was going to do it by following the letter of the law. And when she was done, she would find this advisor and skin him alive.
“Save your forked-tongued lies. My father warned me about you. Told me of how you twist the truth until it’s but a mockery.”
“My tongue is not forked and your father was taken with paranoia. Remember, he also accused you of trying to kill him to ascend early.”
His father had been both mentally and physically sound up to the day he died. But because they were the ones keeping her from completing her penance, she hated each and every member of his bloodline. She would do anything to see them suffer. And convincing half the court the line was prone to paranoid delusions was always good, clean fun.
Davad, however, had poisoned the old man. And usually just the mention of it was enough to quiet him—as it was today.
“Yes, well, that is neither here nor there.”
“Why are you here?” If he were planning on arresting her, he’d have shown up with guards and have done it already.
“I’ve come to remind you that services are today.”
“I don’t see how I could possibly forget.” Not after three hundred years.
One of his eyebrows arched. “I don’t see how you could either, but you’ve still managed to miss two in the past month. You will be there this evening.”
He was shortening her leash in preparation for the Raven child’s arrival. He was going to keep her as close as possible for the next three days. “Anything for my king and kingdom.”
“Good. Since that’s settled, I shall take my leave.”
“Thank you.”
“Do remember, though, if I find out you’re lying to me you’ll find yourself in considerably less…comfortable quarters.”
“You mean sooner rather than later, don’t you?” Her voice shook ever so slightly, but she held her head high. She knew he planned on putting her in the cell eventually, but she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of using it against her. Not while she was still free. Besides, this time it was going to end differently. This time, she had made plans.
“I’ve no desire for that.”
“And yet you threaten me with its certainty. You may not desire it, Davad, but we both know you will do it. Just as your father did, and his father and his father before him. You’re all cowardly bastards.”
“I do what is best for my people.”
“You do what’s best for your line.” With her under their thumb, he would always know which lines were getting close to his in power. He would always be able to skew the marriages so his descendants would stay on the throne. But she wasn’t going to be under his thumb for much longer. “There is a difference.”
He stood and left as abruptly as he had come.
But she didn’t move. Not until she heard the click of the door closing. Then, unable to hold it a second longer, she raced to the chamber pot. There was no hope she would keep anything down now. She remembered the quarters he had threatened her with too well for that. She hadn’t been able to dream of anything else since his great-grandfather’s rule. And she always woke trembling in fear each morning.
Taking a deep breath, she dampened a rag and started cleaning her face as she cursed her fortune. Her careful planning was coming undone in front of her eyes and all because a telepath had been born.
Damned Orlara. The memory of the rebel dragon that had caused much of Leissa’s misery made her hiss. She couldn’t believe the other dragon’s ability was still causing so many problems. Even after all these years.
But chimes from the central cathedral snapped Leissa out of her thoughts. As long as she was playing a part, she had to remember to play it carefully. She hated having the king think he won anything, but she would be at services tonight. She had to keep the situation as contained as possible. The baby’s safety was the only thing that mattered.
While she still had time, she placed a veil over her face and smoothed her gown. Any minute one of her people would come to deliver her to the temple. There, she’d sit next to the king and look aloof as a priest went on one of their many diatribes. It wasn’t the worst part of her duties, but it wasn’t her favorite either.
She smiled coldly at the two Order members who opened the door as if on cue and then stood in silence. She needed to keep an eye on the bigger picture. And right now, the bigger picture meant doing as the king bid.
With her head held high and her shoulders back, she made her way down the marble stairs with only the whisper of her satin slippers to mark her passage. She was the image of stately perfection. She could be nothing else after so much practice.
The heavy material of her dress swished around her ankles with each step as she walked down the corridors. And the gathered lords and ladies stepped out of her way as she moved past them. Each bowed slightly, but none dared to speak. She didn’t care. There was on
ly one person she wanted to see. And scanning the crowd, she found him quickly enough. Just the sight of the Lord Quince brought a warm smile to her face and calmed the panic the king’s visit had caused.
She wasn’t foolish enough to believe he held any affection for her, though. And she wasn’t naïve enough to believe herself in love just because he made her smile and somehow feel safe. He was a means to an end. As was she.
She continued walking through the group of people without slowing or stopping. Her eyes now focused straight ahead, she counted her steps as she approached the ornate doors to the chapel. It was a habit she’d picked up centuries ago. A rote activity that occupied her mind and calmed her nerves.
Walking into the cavernous gray room, Leissa automatically looked to the marble statues that depicted the gods. Standing in a line behind the large onyx pulpit, all were frozen in the rock in timeless poses of saintly perfection. But she’d known the four too well to believe they ever looked that angelic.
Orlara, Ahmoli, Lyman and Reuel stared back at her mockingly as she continued down the aisle. True, there’d been other dragons in the rebellion. But it was those four that had started it. And it had been those four immortalized for it.
They had managed to lead the people as a joint force for the first eighty years of the war against the dragons, but then Orlara caught Ahmoli, her second in command, in bed with Lyman, her favorite lover, and the group had rapidly deteriorated. It served as the reminder she needed that morning. Love destroyed everything—given enough time.
Of course, these were not the stories the clerics told. They had at one time. They’d even stopped calling them gods for a while. But time forgives all.
All except her, of course.
And now it would be considered blasphemy at the least and treachery at the worst to tell the truth of those days. The priests weren’t even taught the histories anymore. Instead they learned and regurgitated mind-numbing moral lessons wrapped up in just enough facts to make them believable.
But she remembered.
Turning down the aisle, she made her way to her designated seat and sat down on the softly cushioned chair next to the king before venturing a glance at the devoted parishioners surrounding them. Even after all this time, humans still fascinated her. And this was one of the areas that intrigued her the most. They had forsaken the lessons bought by their own blood to willingly promote the royal agenda of servitude and faithfulness. Two of the virtues in her own kind that had caused the damned war.