Araneae Nation: The Complete Collection

by Hailey Edwards

  She pinched my cheeks. “Let’s get some blood back in those cheeks, girl. I’m not dying. I’m getting out of the way.” She winked and almost resembled her usual brazen self. “Besides, you’re in need of an advisor, and I’ll have plenty of time on my hands. Count yourself lucky. Wish I’d had someone like me back when Brynmor and I wed. Gods, his mother drove me to drink. Crude and brash female as I ever saw, and loud? My ears rang from morning until night after hearing her.”

  Panic must have shown in my expression, because Vaughn pulled me tight against his chest.

  “It’s not too late to change your mind.” He kept his hold light as if he sensed my urge to bolt for the doors. “Once I’m paladin, I will rescind your bargain with Mother. Keep your favor from Lourdes and know my clan will offer yours aid if they are ever called upon.” His voice dropped. “I want no debts, no obligations between us. I tied our life threads without asking, but I’m asking now. Stay with me, be my maven. Let me prove to you I am worthy of the gift you’ve given me.”

  Perhaps it was the way his hand fisted the back of my shirt as he spoke that did me in. As if his mind were preoccupied with saying the right thing while his heart had other plans. Or perhaps it was the way his mischief-sparkled eyes had gone dull. Thoughts of me leaving had done that. I imagined Kowatsi’s eyes must have held the same pain when Isolde told him she was leaving.

  She had no choice. I had two.

  Stay and love this male, learn to love his people, or return home. Endure the same half-life Kowatsi had until desperation, that bone-deep desire for my soul mate, drove me back to Cathis and right into Vaughn’s arms…where I belonged.

  “How could I leave you?” I brought his face down to mine for a kiss.

  “Best give them your word.” Isolde cleared her throat. “They won’t honor mine.”

  Expression hardening before my eyes, Vaughn faced the elders. “We accept your ruling.”

  “Good.” Pearce looked to his peers. “Now, if we’re done here, there’s somber work ahead. I move to dismiss and let the families claim their dead—or visit their healing.” His gaze lit on me. “I’ll ask that you keep treating them as you have been. I’ll also ask you to make preparations for the ceremonies to come.” He stood and offered Vaughn his hand. They clasped forearms, and Pearce leaned close. “Sorry. I tried to sway them. You know I’ve nothing but respect for your mother.”

  “I know.” Vaughn’s smile was tight. “We’ll manage.”

  Behind Pearce, Owain waited with a curled lip. “We’ll be watching—you and your walker.”

  Not Vaughn’s maven or future wife, but his walker. The distinction suited me fine, for now.

  Without another word, Owain scuffled toward the door we’d entered.

  A growl from Vaughn hastened the elder’s retreat. No. Not from Vaughn. From Brynmor.

  Try as I might, I couldn’t spot the canis in the crowd.

  “She’s gone,” a tight voice said. “She’s gone and you weren’t punished. Your mother wasn’t punished. No one was held accountable for her death. Dianna was my first love, my only love.”

  I spun and found Deverell climbing from his seat onto the elevated path.

  Walking as if every step jarred his soul, Deverell approached, sword limp in his hand.

  Vaughn whirled me behind him and, before the room stopped spinning, Murdoch charged.

  “Wait,” Murdoch called over his shoulder. “Let me talk to him.”

  For a long while, the two friends stared at one another as if they had nothing left to say.

  Low murmurs from Murdoch brought an angry flush to Deverell’s face. Knocking Murdoch aside, Deverell advanced toward Vaughn. Another growl rose. When Murdoch snagged the other male’s arm and spun him around, Deverell followed through with a lunge of his blade. Murdoch fell to one knee, bellowing when Deverell kicked him in the gut and ripped open a fresh wound.

  He watched Murdoch thrash with eerie calm, then faced Vaughn with a friend’s blood on his sword. One by one, males with similar features climbed up from their seats and flanked Deverell.

  “Here we go,” Lleu muttered. “Mana, prepare yourself. You’re about to have work to do.”

  He shuffled me behind him, then Bram, then Isolde, until my back bounced off the wall.

  Palms on stone, I pushed upright. I took one step before Deverell bellowed. From the cracks between Vaughn and Lleu, I saw him charge, sword high. I stumbled forward. His bellow turned into screams. Snarls rose. A flash of black fur was all I saw. The rest was left to my imagination.

  At the base of the wall, an empty torch sat upturned. I grabbed the metal cone by its handle and stalked toward the fray, shoving bodies until I stood beside Vaughn. Deverell’s throat wound was ragged and beyond my help, Brynmor had left little of his flesh. The canis himself stood to one side of the body, growl pumping. Daring Deverell’s clansmen to try and attack his son again.

  If I strained, I heard Brynmor chanting, “Come on. Come on. Come on.”

  If I strained harder, I saw Deverell’s aura flicker and fade, extinguishing before my eyes.

  The torch dropped from my fingers, and I uttered a quick prayer to guide his journey.

  “He’s passed.” Vaughn went to Deverell and squatted, shook his head. “Let this end now.”

  The centermost male gestured to those around him to sheath their swords. “His body…”

  “Take it.” Vaughn retreated out of swiping distance. “Think on what I said.”

  The older male glanced aside, and I accepted we had made our first enemies.

  With Lleu and Bram at my sides, and Vaughn looking on, I went to Murdoch. His breathing was labored, but his eyes were clear. The wound was a neat if bloody cut in his side. Deverell’s aim was either off, or he hadn’t meant to do permanent damage. Friends up to the end, it seemed.

  Pity Deverell had chosen this path. For him to have survived his wife, their life threads were not tied. Whether their union was too new or they were reluctant to commit their lives to one another, they had died together just the same. Now his family suffered another loss, a blow to their honor.

  “It’s a flesh wound.” I wiped blood from Murdoch’s eyes. “I can heal you, if you’ll let me.”

  “Do it.” He panted. “I trust you.”

  Vaughn squatted beside me. “Is healing him a risk to you?”

  “There’s too much negative emotion here.” Though I hated the idea of moving him. “I can’t risk opening myself to it. But if we can get him to a quiet place, I can manage…with your help.”

  “My strength is yours.” Vaughn helped me rise. “Lleu, Bram, place him in a private room.”

  They lifted Murdoch between them and carried him from the spectacle. Habit made us pause for Isolde to precede us, but she gave me a none-too-gentle shove forward and Vaughn followed.

  I prayed between the two of us, three if Brynmor followed, that we could save Murdoch.

  Chapter 19

  A warm breeze from an open window breathed fresh air into the room. Night sounds drifted to my ears, calm and restful. Stretching stiff muscles earned during my bedside vigil, I kneaded my lower back, hissing when my fingers probed a tender knot. That stolen nap was costing me.

  Lleu roused when I stood, his jaw cracking in a wide yawn. “How is he?”

  Murdoch snored deeper than a canis growled. His wound was mended, his sleep fitful.

  “He’s well enough.” I kept my voice soft. “He’ll be sore tomorrow.”

  Lleu crossed his legs. “Sore’s a sight better than dead.”

  I couldn’t argue with him there.

  Hinges groaned, and Lleu shot to his feet, feet braced and hand on his sword’s hilt.

  “I’m surprised.” Vaughn leaned against the doorframe. “I expected to find you all asleep.”

  Wiping crust from his eyes, Lleu yawned again. “Then you don’t know us very well.”

  “Can you keep an eye on Murdoch for a while?” Vaughn held my gaze. “Until da
wn?”

  Spots of color blossomed in Lleu’s cheeks. “I—yeah—I can. Go on with you.”

  Excitement tingled clear to my toes. “Where are we going?”

  He offered me his hand. “Why don’t I show you?”

  Murdoch snuffled in his sleep, and I hesitated.

  “He’s fine.” Lleu reclined, settling in for the night. “I’m here if he needs anything.”

  Rest was the best treatment for Murdoch, and I was curious what scheme of Vaughn’s had restored the calculating gleam to his eyes. He was up to something, but what? “If you’re sure…”

  “I said I was, yeah?” After palming a dagger, Lleu’s eyes shut. “Be back before first meal.”

  “We could stay in.” Vaughn tapped his fingers against the doorframe. “It’s your choice.”

  Sweat dampened my palms. “You’ve made plans. I’m interested to see what they are.”

  “In that case…” He stepped aside and gave me room to slip past him into the hall. He closed the door on his heels. Once our hands were linked, he twiddled my fingers. “You’re nervous.”

  “No, I’m not.” I sighed when he tapped the side of his nose. “Cautious is a better word.”

  “Don’t you trust me?” he teased. “As I said, we can always stay in. I’m sure we’ll find some way to occupy our time until dawn.” I kept my lips sealed. “Ah. I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

  “As you no doubt intended.” I got the feeling he meant to distract me from our destination. I played along. It cost me nothing to let him enjoy his game, and yet, “Has it never occurred to you that if a person goes through the effort of appearing outwardly calm, that you might reciprocate a little by outwardly appearing as if you can’t read their emotions? Your natural talent shouldn’t be suppressed, your mouth on the other hand…” He frowned. “Let me have my secrets, Vaughn.”

  His stride faltered. “I’m not a fan of secrets between wives and their husbands.”

  No. I suppose he wouldn’t be, and with good reason.

  “Let me have my dignity,” I clarified. “It’s a small thing to let me put on a brave face.”

  Now that I thought about it, there must be tricks to masking such scents. Isolde knew the value of such a skill. Gods knew what she would want in exchange for teaching me, but it would be worth the cost to know my emotions remained a mystery to this city filled with clever noses.

  He studied me for a long moment. “Fine. I’ll keep my observations to myself, up to a point.”

  “That’s all I ask of you.” The relieved breath of air I inhaled tasted of rot. I coughed and saw we had stopped near the west tower, in sight of the garden. “You never said… How bad was it?”

  Once I had stabilized Murdoch, Vaughn had overseen the removal of the bodies.

  “It was no worse than expected. The only issue was Nerys’s count. She marked a few names as being deceased, but the bodies weren’t in the rows she’d indicated or in the garden at all.” His gaze traced the archway. “Bram is organizing a search. Today’s announcements stirred panic. If those missing are…” He didn’t finish. He didn’t have to. “I hope we recover the corpses, intact.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be found. With as many people in the towers as there were today, someone would have noticed bodies being carted off before the council meeting convened.” Whether they came forward would be the issue. “Murdoch should remain on bed rest for a few days. Once he’s fully recovered, if you still have no leads, we can set him to the task and see what he turns up.”

  “I have a secondary task for him after he recovers.” Vaughn sounded pleased our interests aligned. “I’d like him to investigate the missing males. There have been bodies found at each city infected with the plague—deaths that can’t be blamed on sickness or the severance of life threads. A few of the dead males found in Cathis are from known nested pairs. Their deaths are not suspect since their passing coincided with that of their wives. That we found so few bodies compared to other clans… I would rather Murdoch discover any nasty surprises that might be waiting for us. I can’t believe so many males deserted their families, which means whoever unleashed the plague wizened up.”

  “You mean they realized their error in leaving bodies to be found.” I would rather the males be proven cowards than confirmed dead, but I knew the sentiment wasn’t one Vaughn would share.

  His tone was grave. “This break in the plague’s pattern must be resolved before others think to question it.”

  “I agree.” I paused. “If it’s not too much trouble, while he’s making his rounds, I’d like him to investigate another, minor matter. I was told Cleit turned aside a youth seeking asylum in the towers. The night you found me in the city center, I saw a shadow that might have been female.”

  “Why would a female roam the city streets so late at night?” His gaze admonished me.

  I tapped his forearm, ignoring his chastisement. “That’s what I would like to know.”

  “And so it begins.” Vaughn’s laugh sounded tired. “I wanted us to have an evening together, free from somber discussion. Yet here we are, standing before the garden, debating the best way to handle this newest issue. We’re settling into our roles.” He smiled. “We work well together.”

  “We do.” But I wanted the spark back in his eyes. “Speaking of our plans this evening…”

  “Are you sure you’re still up for it?” Eagerness crept into his tone. “It’s a far walk.”

  “My legs could use a good stretching.” I took his hands and pulled him down the hall before he noticed what I had done. “Do I get a hint? If we’re not staying in, are we going out? Where?”

  “Let me show you,” he said again, smiling brighter. “The fastest way is through the grotto.”

  I stiffened, and he must have anticipated my reaction.

  “I’ll be fine.” He soothed me. “I’ll even let you walk me down the stairs.”

  For that, I would too, at the same doddering pace I’d use if he’d been Old Father.

  Pondering our destination kept me occupied until we reached the south tower stairs. The massive door gave me shivers as it swung open once more. This time, torches had been lit—in preparation? Vaughn lifted his arm, ready for me to make good on his offer to let me escort him.

  It was worth passing him by to see his flash of surprise turn to admiration.

  Isolde’s advice had proven sound yet again.

  To be strong enough to stand beside Vaughn, I had to let him stand on his own two feet.

  If I took the stairs first and tested them for slickness as I went, well, he might buy that I was worried for myself. Let this be a test, his first, to see if he scented my worry and if he ignored it.

  Halfway to the bottom, a masculine sigh drove me to hasten my descent into the grotto. The last stair was hardest. My foot dangled above that final step before strong hands on my shoulders gave me courage to move. I suspected I’d struggle with memories of this place as long as I lived.

  Despite the negative series of events, the cells ahead of us retained positive, healing energy. Beyond them, I saw tunnel mouths I hadn’t noticed on my first visit. “What else is down here?”

  “You mean besides these lavish accommodations?” He strode toward a tunnel. “Not much.”

  Out of sight of the cells and possible prisoners, he flipped aside a chunk of rock and yanked a corroded handle set in the stone. I had seen something similar in Erania, a new hatch Henri had designed. His led up to the surface. If this was a secret hatch as well, where could it possibly go?

  When Vaughn hefted a vaulted door open, I supposed I was about to find out.

  “I haven’t used this tunnel in years, but it should be sound. Mother’s good about maintaining them.” He tested the latch, then strode to the wall and plucked a torch from its sconce. “Ready?”

  Eyeing the tunnel warily, I stepped inside. Slimy and dank, it resembled the rest of the keep. An odd scent lingered in the air, crisp and clean. Here and gone before
I could pinpoint its location.

  I exhaled. “Let’s go before I lose my nerve.”

  He laughed, but I was perfectly serious.

  Once the hatch was sealed behind us, Vaughn stalked me until my back hit metal. “Trust me.”

  Unsure whether he meant it as a question or command, I managed to say, “I do.”

  His smile was blinding as he grabbed my hand and tugged me through the twisting corridor. The scent I’d noticed grew stronger, and my steps grew faster. Soon, Vaughn hurried to catch up. Pale light, moonlight, glittered up ahead. I broke into a run, laughing as I wove left to right and blocked Vaughn from beating me to the finish. He growled a warning, and I gasped with delight.

  I charged through the exit and into dense forest. I paused, undecided which direction to turn. I toppled when Vaughn plowed into me. We crashed to the ground. He absorbed the impact with a grunt, then rolled me beneath him. Vaughn’s grin was too smug, his prey captured.

  “Is this it?” I forced my gaze beyond him, to the stars. They were a marvelous sight.

  “You mean is this all, and no, it isn’t.” His chest expanded as he inhaled short, quick breaths that told me he was checking the area for unexpected company. “The canis pack is close by, but I doubt they mean us any harm.” Another sniff before he said, “Your friend has found his way out too. I smell Deverell’s blood on him. If he values his pelt, he’ll stay clear of the city for a while.”

  “He’s a stubborn creature.” Like his son. “He found a way to sneak from the kitchens to the north tower. I don’t doubt he has all manner of hideaways and cubbyholes like the one we used.”

  “If the pack remains, we’ll have to canis-proof the city.” He frowned. “Steal from the wrong merchant, and they’ll become hunted. I don’t want that. I don’t want our clan or his pack hurt.”