Seared

by Bethany Adams

  “Oh, Eri.” Ralan gathered her close, rocking her gently as she cried against his shoulder. “Sometimes, even we aren’t meant to know. It’s better that way.”

  “This isn’t better.”

  He ran his hand down her hair. “I know. But it’s all we have.”

  “I love you more than anything.” Her sniffles rang in his ear, and his aching throat convulsed around the words of reassurance he wished he could offer. “I want to live here with you, and Cora, and my sister, and maybe a brother. I don’t want you to leave.”

  A sudden sense of urgency tugged through him, turning his stomach, but he made no move to release Eri. “No matter where my body may be, my spirit is with you. Always.”

  “I know.” Her arms tightened for a moment before she pulled back. “You need to go.”

  Ralan stood, settling Eri against his hip. “I’m taking you to Lyr and Meli. I don’t want you alone tonight.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she said.

  Her soft, small voice twisted his insides. “No arguments, Eri. This is hard enough.”

  He forced his leaden feet to propel him to her door and out into the sitting room. Cora waited beneath the only glowing mage light, her beautiful face pinched with worry and pain. Her gaze landed on Eri’s tear-stained face and then darted away as she swallowed, her eyes glinting.

  Ralan’s throat burned with his own repressed tears. But he couldn’t break down, not now. Maybe not ever. As he started down the tower stairs, Eri’s words floated through his mind. You’ve given up. And she was right—he had. Megelien’s words had cemented the vision of his death in his mind.

  Could there be another way? Could the Goddess of Time Herself be wrong?

  He sent a silent prayer Her way, but She remained silent. She’d told him that he’d have everything he needed to know after their last conversation, and it seemed She’d meant it. Was he missing something? With each step through the gardens, he searched the strands. They would reach the palace, that was clear. He’d confront his father and Teyark about the information they’d kept from him. Kien would arrive.

  Then a blur.

  Frustration clawed at him as he led Cora into the main part of the house. His bonded’s eyes darted around the winding hallways, taking in the walls carved with various patterns or scenes. Dimly lit globes hung from sconces that resembled tree branches. Here and there, the walls curved around actual tree trunks. Too bad he couldn’t find the answers he sought within the whorls of wood.

  When they reached the main entrance, Lyr and Meli already waited. Ralan strode past the staircase curling around a broad trunk and past the double front doors. Ahead and to the left, his friends stood beside a carved stone arch, the focal point for the gate that allowed transportation between any linked portal. Beyond that, the huge trunk of Eradisel, one of the nine sacred trees, filled the space.

  As Ralan halted beside Lyr, he gave brief consideration to consulting her. But Eradisel was the tree of Dorenal, Goddess of Portals and the Veil. She might offer comfort, but she was unlikely to know the future any better than he did.

  Lyr noticed the sword at Ralan’s waist and paled. “How did you get that?”

  “Your mother brought it to me.”

  “She—” Lyr’s mouth snapped closed, and his jaw clenched.

  “Steel may be needed to defeat Kien,” Ralan explained. “She wanted me to use the same blade that felled your father. Fitting, since his murder was part of Kien’s plot.”

  Lyr gave a sharp nod. “Indeed.”

  “Have you received word about Kai’s brother?”

  “You were right about the attack. It had just occurred a few moments before my guards’ arrival,” Lyr answered. “Their healer is tending to him now, and he seems likely to recover.”

  “Good.”

  Ralan’s hands tightened ever so slightly on Eri, and for a heartbeat, he allowed himself to hold her close. She burrowed her face against his shirt and sniffled. Then she pushed at him until he lowered her to her feet. She stared up at him with her bright eyes, so full of love and fear. He bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

  With a soft cry, Eri spun away. She ran to Meli, tucking herself against the lady’s side as tears ran down her face. “I love you,” she whispered.

  “I love you forever,” he answered at once.

  The spell linking Braelyn to the palace flared to life. As the light settled into an image of the portal room, Cora placed her arm on his. He kept his gaze on Eri with each step they took. His last sight before they crossed through the gate was his daughter’s brave, tear-stained face.

  Cora’s hand clenched around Ralan’s arm as they emerged from the portal—directly into a room filled with warriors. She’d seen a few of them before they had stepped through, but in that breath of time, the number seemed to have doubled. Fortunately, the hands that had gone to sword hilts fell away as Ralan swept a glare around the room.

  “A fine way to greet your prince and his new bonded,” Ralan said.

  “Forgive us, Elaiteriorn,” the female directly across from them said as she tapped fist to chest and bowed. “Lord Lyrnis sent warning that your brother might arrive at any moment. We feared that you wouldn’t step through alone.”

  Cora had never seen Ralan’s profile so stony, but he nodded at the guard. “Leave us for a moment.”

  “My prince,” the warrior began. “We’ve been ordered to stay by your side.”

  “I need a moment with my bonded.” Ralan’s expression chilled further. “Unless the spell barring my brother from this gate has been shattered, I should be safe enough. Obey my command or be reassigned.”

  The guard’s mouth pinched, but she inclined her head and made a sharp gesture at the others. Bemused, Cora stared after them as they filed out the door and closed it behind them. Then she glanced up at Ralan.

  “What is it?”

  “I forgot something.”

  He reached up and pulled a chain from his neck. His pendant dangled between them as he held it up, and her breath caught as the light flickered against the symbols carved on its surface. She’d felt the medallion pressed against her flesh in the heat of passion, but she’d never had a chance to examine it.

  With a small sad smile, Ralan lowered the chain over her neck. Cora looked down to the heavy silver disk as it settled between her breasts. She lifted it, still warm from his body, in the palm of her hand and stared down at the design engraved in the center. Small letters spelling his rank and name circled a stylized tree. A royal crest? Her thumb traced over the indentions, and she shivered.

  “You sent the guards out just to give me your necklace?”

  His lips firmed. “Any who see us will know that you are mine.”

  Cora lifted a brow. “Yours?”

  “As I am part of you.” His expression softened. “I meant to give you the necklace sooner. Wearing it now will announce that we are soulbonded to any we may pass. It might save you some grief from overzealous warriors or spiteful courtiers.”

  She almost made a quip about jilted lovers but remembered his past beloved just in time. The last thing he needed was more pain. “Thank you. I will treasure it.”

  “I…” His throat worked as his voice trailed off. “I don’t want to give up on surviving this. Not just for myself. The agony of a broken soulbond is said to be intense. I wouldn’t have…”

  Cora cupped her hand around his cheek. “I bonded us. Of all the pain you carry, don’t let the bond be a source of regret.”

  “It never could be.”

  Swallowing back tears, Cora forced a tremulous smile. “Let’s go see if we can find a way to change fate.”

  His fingers brushed her chin, tilting her head up for a soft kiss. Then he nodded and offered his arm again. “Let’s do it.”

  Chapter 32

  Tension coiled through Ralan until he thought he’d either snap or turn to stone. He barely noted the handful of drowsy but well-dressed courtiers they passed on their way across t
he formal entry. Useless lot. No doubt they’d been dragged from their beds by their assistants as soon as the king had left his chambers. No matter what world he was on, there was always someone waiting to pounce on the latest drama. Thankfully, none dared approach. He no doubt would have snapped at any who’d tried.

  Cora leaned closer. “I think you’re the one who ended up underdressed.”

  Blinking in surprise, Ralan looked down, realizing that he’d forgotten to don his formal overrobe. He’d meant to fetch it after saying goodbye to Eri. Well, nothing for it now. At least the thin Heir’s Crown weighted his brow.

  “Maybe I’ll start a new, simpler style,” he said.

  Despite everything, Cora chuckled. “Trendsetter.”

  They mounted the small set of stairs at the far end of the entryway and passed through the huge double doors leading into the Great Hall. This room was blessedly empty and would remain so until the king sat in the throne on the far dais to receive morning petitions. Ralan scanned the area but saw only the green and blue striped pennants and elaborate tapestries that had graced these walls for thousands of years.

  As he turned unerringly toward a door in the far-right corner, Ralan sensed not only his father’s presence but also Teyark. Good. There were things he needed to say to his father and brother before Kien arrived. Key among them? Why they had neglected to tell him of Kenaren’s torture and death. It was possible that Kien had lied, but Ralan had a sick feeling that he hadn’t.

  Their footsteps echoed hollowly through the huge room, an eerie sound in a place that was usually teeming with people. As they crossed the expanse, the sound increased, and he looked over his shoulder to see six of the loreln, the royal bodyguards, trailing behind them. He’d been accustomed to having them around before he’d left for Earth, but after so many centuries away, the sensation was a strange one. Too bad he couldn’t send them away for more than a few moments in his father’s domain the same way he could at Lyr’s estate.

  At least they wouldn’t follow into the king’s private study.

  Ralan cast Cora a reassuring glance as he opened the door and gestured for her to precede him. But if she was concerned, her expression didn’t show it. She might have lived on Earth for centuries, but in that moment, she was every inch the royal princess she’d been born to be. Were he to live, she would make a queen beyond compare.

  The door closed behind them, and Ralan shifted to Cora’s side. Two pairs of eyes widened on his bonded as her hand returned to his arm. Hadn’t they expected him to bring her? Perhaps not. Teyark shoved to his feet, his chair scraping with the movement. But Alianar, his father, stared for a bit longer before standing from his seat behind his desk.

  Then the king’s gaze shifted to Ralan’s other side, and a scowl pinched his face. “You didn’t bring her.”

  Ralan’s brows rose. “Eri? Of course I didn’t.”

  “I thought we moved beyond this on your last visit,” his father said. “I swore I would not ask her, or you, for knowledge of the future.”

  Ralan waved a hand. “Her absence has nothing to do with you. I would not bring her into Kien’s grasp. Did you truly expect me to bring my child into certain danger?”

  The king glanced at the medallion on Cora’s neck before returning to Ralan’s face. “You brought your soulbonded. One that none of us knew about. I would have offered congratulations sooner had you bothered to send word.”

  “We are newly bonded.” His teeth ground together as he struggled to hold back his temper. “I was too busy trying to handle Kien to send you a personal message on the event. Perhaps if you had taken care of him sooner, that wouldn’t have been a problem.”

  Teyark took a step forward. “Ralan—”

  “I don’t want to hear it.” Just like that, his control snapped. “Not from you, Teyark. You greeted me happily upon my return, which I was glad of. But in all the time we spent together since, you never bothered to tell me that you found Kien torturing Kenaren after I’d left. He cut my child from her womb. He murdered my beloved. And you didn’t think you should tell me?”

  Though his hands clenched, Teyark’s face went pale. “I wanted to, but Father ordered my silence. It…seemed the correct action. You’d moved on.”

  “You thought my absence for three centuries was a sign of moving on?” Lost in his anger, Ralan didn’t notice when Cora’s hand dropped from his arm. He strode forward, shoving past Teyark to stand in front of his father’s desk. “You could’ve told me, too. All of this is on you. Dammit, Kien tortured her. And you merely exiled him? He deserved death.”

  Alianar dropped heavily into his seat. “Do you think I do not know this? It is my weakness. Miaran, Ralan. He’s my son. Could you order your own child’s death so easily?”

  Ralan’s stomach lurched at the very thought. He spun away from his father as the truth of it hit him. No, he probably couldn’t. Gods forbid that Eri ever go bad, for he couldn’t imagine ordering her death. Ever. He shoved his hand through his hair. His father really had been dealt an impossible choice, even for a king.

  His eyes lit on Cora, waiting still and wan in the center of the room. Ralan took a deep breath, for the first time realizing that some of the pain curling through him wasn’t his own. The words he’d said to his family played through his mind, and he wanted to groan. Did she think he didn’t care for her? His love for her had grown within him, taking root in his very soul, but he couldn’t express it. Not until he’d put the past to rest. He needed to tell her that.

  “Kien never should have escaped his exile,” his father continued. “I still do not understand how he managed it. I swear that I would have killed him myself if I’d realized the trouble he would cause.”

  The king’s words barely registered as Ralan stared at Cora. She swayed on her feet, and her face had taken on a greenish cast. He rushed forward, his hand going to her waist as she swayed again. Had he upset her so gravely? His heartbeat pounded in his ears as he led her to a vacant chair.

  “Cora?” He knelt beside her, taking her hands in his and rubbing her knuckles. “Are you unwell? I knew Lial was hiding something.”

  She took a deep breath and tried to smile. A dismal failure. “I’m sorry. I’m fine, really.”

  “You’re not.” Ralan stared into her pained gaze. “I’m not holding a flame for Kenaren, my love. All I have left for her is hurt and regret.”

  Her sigh ruffled his hair. “I can feel that for myself. Please don’t worry about me. I didn’t eat much last night, and I’m tired from the battle with Kien. Speak with your father. I’ll be okay.”

  He peered at her as she averted her eyes. Her body should have recovered after all the sleep they’d had. He couldn’t fathom Lial releasing a patient who was ill, but it seemed he had. “I’ll take you to the palace healer.”

  “I don’t need a healer,” she ground out. “There’s more important stuff to worry about right now.”

  Frustration pooled in his gut. She clearly wasn’t fine. He hadn’t seen her so pale since the portal crossing had made her ill. But… Ralan stiffened as it all clicked into place. I want to live here with you, and Cora, and my sister, and maybe a brother, Eri had said. But not maybe a sister. Oh, Gods. His blood went cold. It was impossible, wasn’t it? It was far too soon for her to be pregnant. Fate would not be so cruel.

  “Cora—” A sharp knock sounded on the door, interrupting his words. “Send them away,” he snapped.

  “He’s here,” the king said softly.

  Ralan turned a scowl on his father. “What?”

  “Kien.” Alianar stood, his expression going hard even as pain pinched his eyes. “I ordered the loreln to escort him to the Great Hall as soon as he arrived.”

  “What?” Teyark cried. “Why would you do such a thing?”

  “It is time we deal with this.” The king rounded his desk, striding for the door. “My son is gone. I will not hide from the monster he has become.”

  Ralan jerked to his feet. “You cannot.�
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  Alianar spun, his hand on the doorknob. “The responsibility is mine.”

  “My Sight is cloudy, but through everything, one thing remains true. You must not confront Kien yourself.” Ralan’s mouth went dry. “Let me go first.”

  “You will not die for my failure.”

  Teyark rushed forward. “Let me go. I should have killed him when I found him with Kenaren. It is my failure, too.”

  “It must be me. It is foreseen,” Ralan insisted. “Stay here and guard Cora.”

  At that, his bonded shoved herself to her feet, her narrow-eyed glare trained on his face. “If you think I’m going to stay behind, you’re an idiot.”

  His chest squeezed tight. “There is too much danger. You’re…”

  “I know exactly what I am.” As she tipped her chin up in defiance, she shrugged the heavy overrobe from her shoulders and let it fall. “Did you forget what I did to Orn? I am not helpless.”

  “For the gods’ sake, Cora—”

  “We do not have time for you to argue,” his father said, turning the knob. “If the futures call for you to go, then do it now.”

  Ralan gave Cora a helpless, questioning look, but she only shook her head. If she was pregnant, she clearly wasn’t going to admit it.

  Fuck.

  He’d guessed.

  Cora fought against the urge to confirm what he so obviously suspected. But the words froze in her throat. Eri had told her that she would know the right time to tell him, and now wasn’t it. Was it? Her heart seized as his father started opening the door. Ralan was about to go out there, straight into danger. Shouldn’t he know first?

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he’d already spun away with a sharp curse. There had to be a reason that Eri had told her to wait. A shiver trickled down Cora’s spine as she strode after Ralan toward the door. If she’d guessed wrong, she would never forgive herself.

  His brother, Teyark, stood silently as they neared. His mouth pinched into a thin grimace, and the eyes that met hers bore their own measure of pain. He looked a great deal like her bonded, despite the heavy muscles of a warrior, but there was a weight to his gaze that suggested he was much older.