“Leave it to me, girl.” Chryss led her over to Dayamar and scooped him up. “Whatever you do, keep hold of my hand.”
They materialized from thin air before Blayne’s startled gaze. The Panakeya’s welcoming shout died on his lips as he spotted the body Chryss had slung over his shoulder. Chryss shook his head and Blayne closed his eyes, locking away the pain. A deep breath and then he rushed toward Hope to pull her into his arms and hold her tight. “You’re back.”
“I promised, didn’t I?”
A sighing moan echoed around them. That lone voice was joined by others, the eerie wailing interweaving to form a sonorous song of farewell.
“What in Wisa’s name is that noise?” Cayl shouted, just as the sound abruptly abated.
Hope heard the flapping of huge wings and followed the sound with her Sehani senses. She Saw Wisa gathering the lost souls about her. She Saw the pure joy shining from each phantom. And she Saw the goddess leading the hundreds of souls onward, showing them the way.
“Those were the voices of the dead,” she told Cayl. “That monster fed on the energy of souls it had trapped between planes of existence. The souls of the dead can now move onward to the spirit world, where they’ll find peace.”
Unlike those left behind.
Chapter Twenty Four
Energy zinged through her body, and with a single blink of her eyes Hope came fully awake. It was over. She’d fulfilled her destiny. There would be no more fighting the fears and worries that had consumed her every waking moment. She had everything she’d ever wanted—a family, friends, a wonderful man…. And she was pregnant. She eased from Blayne’s embrace and as she sat up, it all came rushing back. Dayamar was dead. Hundreds of people had died. She—everyone in Dayamaria—had paid a terrible price. Bitter tears stung her eyes. She bit her lips to keep from sobbing.
“Good morning.”
She jumped. “Chryss! You startled me!” Blotting away her tears she turned toward Blayne.
“Don’t worry about him waking, girl. I’ve made sure everyone will sleep for a while yet. Been waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“I’d like you to help me transport you all back to the Usehani settlement. Thought I’d use you for a bit of a power-boost—if you’re up to it.”
“Of course. I’m heartily sick of walking.” Now would be the perfect time to find out a few things about this mysterious man. It would be a welcome distraction from the pain of losing her mentor, the man she’d thought of as her second father. “Chryss?”
“How about we wait until we get this sleepy lot back to civilization, eh? Then you can question me all you want.”
She picked her way gingerly over to him, praying she didn’t trip over anyone or anything. “What do you want me to do?”
“Use your instincts, girl. That’s what you do best.”
She sent out a mind-tendril to link with him. And in her mind’s eye she observed him surrounding the campsite with an interwoven net-like structure of raw energy that enclosed them all.
He pulled it tight.
Now! His mental voice rang in her head. Hope opened her mind, allowing her power to interweave with the energy-net Chryss had created. She visualized the Usehani settlement. The structure pulsated. In the next instant they were elsewhere.
“Did it work, Chryss?”
No reply. “Chryss?” She extended her seer-senses and, one-by one, identified her companions by their aureyas. Chryss was nowhere to be found.
“You sneak!” she yelled. “Come back here and answer my questions!”
“Wha—?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Who’s shouting?”
“Sorry, everyone,” she said. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“What were you yelling about, dearling?” Blayne asked. “And where are we?”
“Chryss and I transported us all back to the Usehani settlement. At least, that’s what he said we were doing. Did it work?”
“Yep,” Daryon said. “We’re on the outskirts of the settlement. And if I’m not mistaken, here comes our welcoming party.”
“Where’s Chryss?” Maya asked. “I was going to make him something special for breakfast—we talked about it last night.”
“He didn’t come with us,” Hope told her.
“How rude.”
“Don’t be too hard on him,” Blayne said. “I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“Might be nice to know what those are for a change,” Hope said. And in her mind she heard a hearty belly-laugh and the gruff whispered words, Patience, girl! We’ll meet again—when you next have need of me.
While they waited for the Usehani visitors everyone busied themselves dressing and packing up the camp. The trainee healer, Kaylia, was the first to arrive. And from what Hope could make out, she’d thrown herself at Dayron and was kissing him to within an inch of his life.
“Really, some decorum please.” That was Nerraya—slightly out of breath from running after Kaylia.
Hope hid a smile, silently applauding Kaylia’s lack of decorum. She wished she could see the expression on Daryon’s face right now.
“Welcome back Sehan Hope,” Nerraya said. “Is it true? Did you—?”
“Yes. We defeated it. The threat is over.”
“Thank you. Thank you all. We are forever in your debt.”
She couldn’t think of what to say. Her grief was too raw. She bowed her head.
“Would you like to return to the settlement now?” Nerraya asked. “We’ve been anticipating your arrival.”
“How did you know we would be here?” she asked.
“It was strange,” the Usehani co-leader said. “I was woken at first light this morning by a huge man with an impressive beard. He said his name was Chryss and that you had sent him to me, Sehan Hope. He told me we were all safe now, and explained where I would find you all. Then he sort of shimmered and disappeared.”
“There were no more deaths while we were away, were there?” Naytan’s anxious voice told Hope he was in full healer-mode.
“No, Naytan,” Nerraya said.
“Everyone well?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Thank the gods.”
Whatever Nerraya had been about to say was cut off by Kaylia’s horrified gasp. “Who—?”
“Dayamar,” Hope told her. “It killed him.”
“Oh, Hope. I’m dreadfully sorry.” Nerraya embraced her, awkwardly patting her back. “He was a fine, dedicated man. I…. I will miss him.”
“Me, too.” She kept a tight rein on her misery. If she started crying now she wouldn’t stop. And she suspected Nerraya, who’d once loved him, too, would join her. “Thank you, Nerraya. I need to ask a favor of you. Would it be all right if we buried Dayamar here? I-I don’t think I could bear it if we had to wait until we got home.”
“Of course, Sehan Hope. But surely the Dayamari will want him to be buried with his own people?”
“The Usehani are his people, too, Nerraya. You were never truly U-Sehani, Seer-less. Dayamar watched over you, too. And now you will watch over him for us.”
“You’re right.” Nerraya squeezed her hand. “Gods know, you’re right.”
Gathering her will, Hope cocooned her blood-father’s body in pure power and lifted it from the ground. It hovered there, waiting for the small procession to set off. She lifted her face to the sky and closed her eyes.
In her mind’s eye she could See the enormous white owl, its wings beating strongly as it flew higher. On its back rode a familiar figure. He waved to her, his cat-like golden eyes crinkling as he smiled. Be at peace, Daughter. I love you. I will always watch over you.
“I know,” she whispered.
~~~
Dayamar’s body had been interred the previous morning, and the Dayamari contingent were ready to depart minus one more companion. Taran had opted to stay. According to him the Usehani Settlement required an experi
enced tracker.
Daryon confided that Nerraya had beamed from ear to ear when she heard Taran’s offer. And had been extremely pleasant to everyone ever since. “It’s unnatural,” he complained.
“Maybe she’s taken with him,” Hope delicately suggested. “He’s a high ranking man with a lot going for him beneath that gruff exterior. And she is a single woman, after all.”
“Oh, yes. Sometimes I forget—about her being female, that is.”
“Daryon!” She had to laugh at his dry humor.
As they said their final goodbyes, a white owl skimmed overhead, flying so low everyone ducked. It hooted once before shimmering into human form.
Daryon swore. “Sweet Wisa!”
“Precisely, young man,” the goddess said. “I’ve come to congratulate my daughter.”
“Mother!” Hope held out her arms and was enveloped in a hug.
“You’ve done well, Daughter. Are you looking after her, Blayne?” Wisa harrumphed with mock-disapproval. “She looks a bit peaky to me.”
“They both need a holiday,” Maya piped up.
“Good idea. Blayne? Come here and hold Hope’s hand.”
Blayne’s hand engulfed hers and Hope sensed an outpouring of power from the goddess. It enveloped her and then….
“Shikari’s hairy paws!” Blayne’s voice echoed strangely. “She’s transported us to my cave.”
Hope stayed put while Blayne investigated. “It’s fully provisioned, at least,” he said. “Looks like there’s enough food and water here for two weeks. I know Wisa means well but this wasn’t exactly what I’d imagined when I planned to whisk you off somewhere.”
“We’re together—and alone. It doesn’t get any better than this.” She meant every word. Thank you, Wisa!
I have one more gift for you, child. It’s only temporary unfortunately. As much as I wish it could be otherwise, all will be as it was when you leave this place. Call me when you’re ready to return to the settlement. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves….
Hope blinked and found herself watching Blayne rifling through the neatly stacked stores.
Then it hit her. She could see him—really see him, not just in her mind’s-eye. She drank him in. Shoulder-length dark brown hair sprang back from his wide forehead. His brows were black slashes over slightly slanted chocolate-brown eyes. He had high cheekbones, a strong, straight nose and a full-lipped mouth. Darkly tanned olive skin and about a week’s worth of bearded stubble completed the picture. His hair was disheveled and the whole effect was rather devastating. Her Promised was six-foot something of well-muscled, damn good-looking male.
She could only stare at him and grin idiotically.
He glanced up. “Hope, is something wrong?”
“No. Not at all. Everything is perfect.”
Chapter Twenty Five
Once the fuss following their return had died down, and the stream of constant visitors slowed to a trickle, Hope finally gave Maya the go-ahead to plan a Joining ceremony for her and Blayne.
“Thank the gods, finally! Ever since you two got back everyone’s been nagging me about it. They need a celebration to take their minds off everything that’s happened.” Maya sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So, when is it to be?”
“Next week.”
“Next week?” She winced at Maya’s shriek. “Are you punishing me for something?” Maya asked.
“Don’t be silly. There isn’t much to arrange. Just some food and drink. Maybe a bit of music.”
“You’re joking of course.”
“We don’t want a big fancy affair.”
“You have no idea, do you?”
“No idea about what?”
Maya’s sigh this time was fondly exasperated. At least, Hope hoped it was fond. “No idea how important you are to Dayamari and Usehani alike,” Maya said. “You saved thousands of people from a fate worse than death. You’re the only Sehan in the whole of Dayamaria. You’re Joining with our Panakeya. You’re the adopted daughter of a goddess. And that little bulge in your midsection could very likely be the next Sehan.”
Gods, she hoped not.
“Regardless,” Maya was saying, “your child will have high status because of its lineage. And as for your Joining? Everyone expects a big celebration. And don’t you want to give your Usehani friends a chance to attend? It’ll take at least a month by the time we get them a message, they pack up, and travel here.”
Hope sighed. She should have known she’d never get away with a small Joining. “You’ve got three weeks from tomorrow. I’ll contact Daryon tonight. If he and the others leave immediately, they’ll be here in plenty of time.”
“Wonderful!”
That shooshing sound had to be Maya rubbing her hands in anticipatory glee. “Now off with you to Shay,” she said.
“Why? I’ve plenty of clothes already.”
“You need a Joining dress.”
“What about the one I was Promised in? It’s only been worn once. I know I’m starting to show, but can’t we simply let out a bit?”
Maya moaned. “Gods’ grief! No more arguments. I’m not having you standing at your Joining ceremony in a dress everyone’s already seen.”
“Whatever. I really don’t care. So long as we’re Joined, that’s all that matters.”
Maya grabbed her wrist and towed her out the door. “You’re impossible sometimes, Hope. Don’t you care what you look like?”
“Well, yes. But it’s hard to get really enthusiastic about it when you can’t see yourself. Besides, Blayne loves me whether I’m wearing an old dress or a new one.”
“Then how about you dress up for Blayne?” Maya’s tone turned wheedling. She’d always been an excellent wheedler. “Don’t you want him to be drooling over you?”
Hope laughed and gave in. “All right, you’ve got me there. Let’s ask Shay to help me make that man of mine drool.”
~~~
When she finally was allowed to go home she could barely muster the energy to greet Blayne. She headed straight to their sleeping room and flopped face-first on the mattress.
He followed her in. “Rough time with Maya, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“I did warn you she wouldn’t let you off lightly. And I bet we’re not being Joined next week, either. Am I right?”
She roused herself to roll onto her back and make a rude face at him before flinging an arm over her eyes. “The date’s been set for three weeks time. First, it was the dress, then the footwear, then the menu, music, decorations, blah blah blah. I thought I’d be there all day.”
“It’s all under control, then?”
She groaned. “Sort of. I was just about to scream ‘enough!’ when Willem spirited me away on a fake pretext. He must have heard my mental anguish and come running. The man’s a god. By the way, I hope you don’t mind me making plans without you but I told Maya we wanted an outdoor feast—so she could go wild and invite as many people as she could squeeze into the gathering area. And then I asked her if she would mind dreadfully if I left all the details up to her. Willem told me she seemed delighted. He reckoned he could hear her brain squeaking with plans.”
Blayne picked up her left foot and began to massage it, digging his thumbs into her instep. “Excellent idea on both counts. Smart girl.”
Hope wiggled her hips to get more comfortable. “All I wanted was a small, intimate ceremony—just you, me and some close friends. But now I’m stuck with this huge affair.”
“I know, dearling.” He turned his attention to her right foot. “But we would have been very lucky indeed to get away with something small. We’re too important.”
“I guess. I’ve just got to contact Daryon and that’s it for me. No more Joining arrangements, thank the gods. I know I should feel guilty about dumping this all on Maya but I feel like I’ve been rung out like a dishrag. I’d be a sniveling heap on the floor if I had to organize everything to her satisfaction.”
“Don’
t feel guilty. Maya thrives on this sort of thing. She’ll be in her element.” He patted her foot and released it. “As a reward for all that hard work, I’ll cook you some dinner. Then rub your feet some more—properly this time, without you bouncing up and down all over the place.”
“Have I told you lately I adore you?”
“No. I’m all ears.”
“Dinner first, then I’ll tell you. After my foot-rub.”
“You drive a hard bargain, you know that?”
She smiled at him. “What’s for dinner?”
~~~
From then everything on proceeded exactly to plan—Hope’s plan.
Cayl exuded smug delight when he visited them. “Great idea to have a feast rather than a formal banquet for your Joining. I thought Maya would be her usual impossible self while she was organizing this thing, and I’d end up cooking or we wouldn’t eat. But everything’s under control and going so smoothly she’s even got time to cook for me.”
“So, no risk of food-poisoning, huh? That’s got to be a plus.”
He flicked her arm. “My cooking may be bad but it’s not that bad. Anyway, she’s quite relaxed about it all. I could hug you.”
“Go ahead. I’m always up for one of your hugs.”
“Aww.” He swept her into a bear-hug. “Mmm. You’re getting heavier. Good to see you putting on some baby-weight.”
Blayne fake-coughed. “My best friend and my pregnant Promised, carrying on right under my nose? Now there’s a subject for the gossipmongers.”
“I wish.” Cayl’s tone was rather wistful as he set her on her feet. “Sorry. That came out wrong. What I meant to say was, when your baby’s born I’m hoping Maya might be so taken by the idea of motherhood she’ll want us to try for a baby of our own.”
Hope frowned. “Maya strikes me as someone who’d want a horde of babies.”
“She lost her mother when she was only a girl, then her sister and her father, too. She has no family now apart from me—and you, of course. I suspect she’s scared if we have a child, something might happen to us and our child would be left orphaned.”
Her heart fisted in her chest. She knew how Maya felt. “Would you like me to talk to her?”
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