Seared

by Bethany Adams

  A wealth of emotion poured into that single word. Cora slipped around behind him and helping him ease his chest into her lap, his head propped up on her belly. After all the grief his brother had put him through, Ralan deserved this moment of resolution. She only prayed the king had the resolve to complete the task.

  Fireballs were still not off the table.

  “You have proved yourself an enemy of Moranaia,” the king said, no sign of hesitation in his voice. “I gave you a chance at redemption, an opportunity that should never have been offered. I, Moranai Lor i Alianar Moreln nai Moranaia, sentence you to death for your crimes against your House, your people, and more races of fae than I care to count.”

  Unease slithered up Cora’s spine as the king raised the blade. Why had he paused to deliver an edict? Lynia had advised them to kill Kien quickly. Ralan shifted against her, and his own worry crossed through their bond. Do it! she wanted to shout. But that kind of distraction wouldn’t help.

  Kien’s lips twisted up even as the sword descended. Cora tensed, but he made no move to fight back. Light flashed. She squeezed her eyes closed against the sudden, bright glow as the ringing sound of sword striking stone filled the room. Crap. Surely, he hadn’t found a way to escape, had he?

  The light cut off, and metal clattered on stone. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as Cora forced her eyes open. The bloodstained sword rested near Kien’s unmoving body, and she slumped in relief. Thank the Divine he hadn’t discovered a spell to transport himself away. But then she saw his head lolling a few feet away from the rest of him, and her stomach heaved.

  Shoving the bile down with all her might, Cora turned away. Whatever that light had been, Kien was well and truly dead.

  Ralan’s body went lax in her arms. His eyes were open, just a slit, and something like peace had eased the harshness that had always hovered beneath the surface of his resolve. His hand lifted slowly until it settled over hers atop his chest.

  “Let her in.”

  The king’s stony voice caught Cora’s attention. He stood over his son’s body, but his attention was on the large double doors. She didn’t need a connection to Ralan’s father to feel the pain that throbbed through the room like a heartbeat as he waited for the guards to unbar the doors. But he stood tall, his head held high and his expression impassive despite his obvious turmoil.

  As soon as the portal swung open, a woman shoved her way through. Ralan’s breath hissed out, and for one terrible moment, Cora feared that he’d had another love he’d been pining for. He squeezed her hand as though he sensed her worry and tipped his head back to meet her eyes.

  “My mother,” he whispered.

  Cora saw the resemblance, then, although all three of the brothers looked a great deal like their father. “Oh.”

  The lady let out a sharp cry as she saw Kien’s body slumped across the floor. Her hand flew to her mouth, and tears slid down her face as her gaze met the king’s. “You?”

  “He came to kill us all, Enielle,” the king said softly.

  Her broken voice crackled through the air. “I’m glad it was you. We should have…”

  As she looked away, Enielle noticed Ralan, and her already pale face whitened further. “Oh, Gods.”

  “I live, Mother,” Ralan said, his quiet voice filling the silence.

  Enielle let out a harsh sob as she dashed across the room. She knelt beside her son, her shaky hand going to his cheek. “I sent for the healer. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I begged your father to exile him when they found Kenaren. I already thought I’d never see you again, and I couldn’t bear to lose two sons. Instead, I almost lost you all.”

  Cora could feel Ralan weakening, but he managed to give his mother a soft smile. “Ah, Laiala. Be at ease. Cora saved me.”

  The lady blinked, only then seeming to notice that her son rested against another. Her expression went blank with shock. Then she caught sight of the medallion around Cora’s neck. “You’ve bonded?”

  “Yes.”

  Enielle frowned. “But when?”

  “Only a few days back, your majesty,” Cora answered for him. “While we searched for Kien on Earth.”

  “You needn’t call me majesty since I am not queen.” Enielle’s lips thinned, but she appeared more sad than angry. “But I am happy to hear of your bonding. Once…once we have recovered, perhaps we will have a celebration.”

  Heat rushed into Cora’s cheeks. “Please forgive my lapse. I have only just arrived.”

  “It is no matter,” the lady answered gently.

  Cora had a feeling that it was a great matter, indeed, but now was far from the time to ask Ralan about it. There was much about his family she didn’t know. Now that she’d linked with Moranaia’s energy, she would have the rest of her life to find out. A bit over nine months, at the least, since it would cause their child harm to leave.

  A terse exclamation sounded from the door. The crowd of gawking courtiers parted, and a slim, dark-haired woman strode through, two elves holding a stretcher close behind. The healer? The woman barely glanced at Kien’s body, instead hurrying directly toward Cora and Ralan.

  As she knelt beside them, her brows lifted. “Burns?”

  Cora bit her lip. “I…”

  “The price of my life,” Ralan said softly.

  “I see.” The healer gave him a quick examination before nodding. “We’ll carry you to my workroom.”

  He shook his head. “I will walk.”

  “What?” Cora scowled down at him. She more than any could tell how tired he was. “You must be joking.”

  “At least beyond the crowds.” His jaw clenched. “Can you heal me enough for that dignity?”

  The healer let out a long sigh, but she smiled. “Of course.”

  Unlike with Lial, there was very little light or color as the woman lifted her hands over Ralan. Fascinating. It worked well, though. In moments, he’d regained enough strength to sit up. A few more, and the healer and Cora were able to help him stand. He wavered on his feet, his muscles clenched tight, but he stood.

  “Thanks to the strength of my son and heir, a traitor has been defeated this day,” the king said, his low, hard voice cutting through the murmurs of the courtiers crowding the door. “Kien Moreln is no more. For his crimes against Moranaia and nature itself, he has earned a traitor’s burial.”

  Gasps sounded from the crowd, and Cora heard Enielle stifle a sob. As if on cue, several of the guards lining the wall rushed forward to remove Kien’s body. Their expressions never shifted from cold impassivity, but Cora winced in sympathy. She’d hate to be the poor soul who had to carry the bastard’s head.

  “My prince,” the healer began.

  “I’m ready,” Ralan said. “Let’s go. Slowly.”

  Cora kept her arm beneath his shoulder as they shuffled around the pool of blood and out the doors. The courtiers parted in a wave, their eyes wide on Ralan as they tapped fists to chests and bowed. Cora tipped her chin up and tried not to think about the picture they made. They might be covered in blood, but Kien was dead.

  That was all that mattered.

  Lyr stared at Kai’s image in the communication mirror and struggled to focus on his words as he reported on his brother’s condition. They’d heard nothing from the palace. Eri had curled in Meli’s lap in one of the study chairs, her small head nestled on his bonded’s shoulder. If the young seer knew anything, she hadn’t said. Quiet. It was far too quiet.

  Kai waved a hand. “Lyr?”

  “Forgive me.” He ran his hand through his hair. “The wait is beyond difficult. Thank you for letting me know that Moren is healing well.”

  “I should be back in a few days’ time at the most. Is Arlyn resting?”

  “Yes.” Had that been concern in Kai’s voice? Lyr frowned. “Is she unwell?”

  Kai shook his head, but his expression had gone oddly blank. “Of course not. She’s fine.”

  “If that ceases to be the case, I trust you wil
l tell me.”

  “I will. Or rather, she will.”

  A harsh, choked sound slipped from Eri, and Lyr bid Kai a hasty farewell, cutting off the link as the child’s sobs filled the room. Lyr darted around his desk and over to the chair where Eri cried against Meli’s shoulder. His bonded gave him a helpless look as she rubbed the child’s back and whispered soft words of encouragement.

  He dropped down beside the chair and placed his hand against her quaking shoulders. “What is it?”

  “It’s over,” she wailed.

  Lyr’s heart lurched at those words. He had no idea of the scope of her Sight, but whatever she’d Seen didn’t seem good. “I’m sorry, Eri. I—”

  “No,” Eri said, lifting her blotchy face to look at him. “He lived.”

  Shock and relief rolled through Lyr, stealing his words for a moment. Then his brow creased. “Why are you crying? I thought…”

  “It was so close.” Eri shuddered in Meli’s arms. “So close.”

  With a soft smile, Meli tucked Eri’s hair behind her ear and gathered her nearer. “Let it out. You need to.”

  Lyr stood, baffled but trusting his bonded’s instincts, and headed toward the mirror. After Eri’s cry, Kai no doubt paced the floor wondering what had gone wrong. Thank goodness that this time, Lyr had good news to deliver.

  Ralan’s bleary eyes focused on Cora as the healers bustled around his bed. A worry line creased her brows when she took his hand, and he tried to give her fingers a squeeze. Damn, but dying was exhausting. Even if he’d only died for a few drips of time. His vision hadn’t been wrong, after all. But it hadn’t been entirely correct, either.

  She’d saved him. He still couldn’t believe… Then the memory of her words slammed through him. She’d drained herself. His breath hitched at the thought. “Your energy. Gods. We need to find a way to Galare.”

  Her hand tightened over his. “Calm down. I linked to Moranaia.”

  “You…” He swallowed hard. “You hadn’t made the decision to stay. I’m sorry.”

  “Stop,” she said. “I’d already decided, you know. In my heart. I just needed a bit of a push. And our child deserves to be born here. Her first energy bond should be to this world.”

  His gaze dropped to her belly, and a sense of awe overcame him. “It’s true, then?”

  She huffed. “Of course. I wouldn’t lie about that.”

  “It was an effective way to pull me back.” Ralan smiled, his hand itching to rest over the life they’d created. But he was too damned tired to make his muscles cooperate. “I love you, Cora.”

  Her eyes widened. “You do? I love you, too, but I thought… Well, there was Kenaren.”

  “My love for her was a distant shadow of what I feel for you,” he said. “Bound up in pride and stubbornness. She was a talisman, proof that I could live for myself instead of for my father. Perhaps she sensed it, and that’s why she was drawn astray by Kien.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  For the first time in centuries, true peace settled through him. “The past is as it should be. But I had to work beyond it myself before I could tell you how I feel.”

  Cora leaned down and brushed a kiss across his lips. “I really do love you, too.”

  The healer halted beside the bed, a book in her hands, and he struggled to keep his eyelids open as she peered at him. “I’ve checked my reference on the type of spell he used. I’m not sure how you’re still alive.”

  Ralan let out a soft laugh. “Megelien knows.”

  “I’ll look for any remnants and heal your burns,” she said. “Try to rest.”

  But he knew he wouldn’t.

  Chapter 35

  As soon as Kehda’s healing magic winked out, Ralan shoved himself to his feet. She’d given him a bit of strength with the healing, but his feet still felt weighted as he started for the door. With a hiss of breath, Cora rushed after him. He didn’t pause. If he stopped now, he’d collapse.

  “What are you doing?” Cora demanded.

  “I need to get back to Eri.”

  “Oh, Divine,” Cora muttered beneath her breath. “Could we send for her? You need rest.”

  Ralan kept his eyes on the ground lest he stumble. “No. Not until I’m well enough to mind her properly. She will cause enough chaos in court when I’m at full strength.”

  Cora’s footsteps kept pace with his. “Foreseen?”

  “Yes.” He chuckled. “But I didn’t need to Look to know. You’ve seen how she is.”

  Her amused voice slid across the space between them. “Good point.”

  The distance to the Great Hall wasn’t quite as eternal as his earlier trip, but it was close enough. Sweat beaded Ralan’s brow, and his muscles trembled with the effort. Unfortunately, it was necessary. He had no doubt his parents would have appeared in the healer’s room soon, demanding he stay in the palace indefinitely. His decision would bear more weight if he delivered it on his own feet before his father’s throne.

  They passed through the entryway, empty except for the guards standing at intervals along the walls. Outside the windows, the sun shone brightly against the mountains rising in the distance, though a few dark clouds lingered near the northern range. Difficult to believe they’d defeated Kien before it had even reached midday.

  So much could change in the space of a morning.

  A single guard stood in front of the double doors to the throne room. With a wordless bow, she opened one and gestured Ralan and Cora through. It closed behind them immediately, echoing in the silence as they paused just over the threshold. Ralan scanned the room and found it empty. All sign of Kien was gone, even the blood.

  Steeling himself, Ralan walked with Cora to the spot where his brother had fallen. The freshly cleaned stone gleamed in the bright light, but he noticed on a dull spot. Carefully, he knelt, running his fingers along the dent gouged in the floor. The spot where the sword had struck during the beheading.

  “Father said he would leave the mark as a sign of what happens to traitors.”

  Ralan glanced up at his brother’s voice and found Teyark standing a few paces beyond the open door to his father’s study. “Where is he?”

  Teyark pointed a thumb over his own shoulder. “Finishing up the final decree notifying the kingdom of Kien’s death. I’m certain your heroism will be lavishly described.”

  “Jealous?” Ralan asked lightly as he stood.

  But his brother’s expression remained grave. “No. I…I truly am sorry, Ralan. I wanted to tell you.”

  “Be at peace with it.” After living through his own death, Ralan couldn’t summon his earlier anger. Not even the elves were guaranteed their millennia, and he refused to waste time lingering on what had gone before. “Our family has had enough discord.”

  “Agreed,” Teyark said. “Thank you.”

  Ralan twined his fingers with Cora’s, and they started their slow way across the room. “And thank you for trusting me to fight Kien.”

  “I still don’t understand why I couldn’t have done it.” Teyark’s lips twisted. “No offense, but he’d have been dead much faster had it been me wielding the sword.”

  “In all honesty, I’m not certain, either,” Ralan said, shrugging. “I was guided by Lady Megelien Herself. Perhaps you wouldn’t have been fast enough to step in front of Kien’s spell, or some other strand might have been started. I only knew that it had to be me. I assumed I’d die in the attempt.”

  Teyark lifted his hand as they neared. “You knew you would die?”

  “One of the few things I’d clearly foreseen.”

  His brother stared in stunned silence. “Miaran,” he cursed.

  “Agreed.”

  They walked together toward the study door, Teyark keeping pace with Ralan’s sluggish steps. After a moment, Cora spoke. “Why didn’t the steel affect him?”

  Ralan tried to turn his hazy memories back to the moment when the spell had been cast, but he could draw up little beyond his panic. “Good question.”r />
  “I think it did,” Teyark said. “He was more powerful than that spell he threw at Father, but he had nothing left to defend himself with after that. Except… Well, I’m not certain what to make of that flash of light. To the point, though, I suspect he built up a little resistance over the years.”

  “That makes sense,” Ralan said absently.

  His attention shifted to the futures, the strands unfolding once more. He would have to direct Lyr to contact his emissaries in the various fae realms. Kai and Arlyn would almost certainly have to return to Earth, at least once Kai had finished his training with Naomh, and they would need to search for more earth-healers to clean up the energy poisoning.

  Yes, there would be a great deal to do.

  Cora’s fingers tightened on his, and Ralan blinked, bringing his surroundings back into focus. They’d stepped into the study. His father sat behind his desk, head bent as he scratched his pen furiously across paper. His mother slumped with eyes downcast in one of the reading chairs by a window. Corath, Teyark’s bonded, paced along the other side of the room, clearly agitated by the day’s events.

  Teyark strode over, and his bonded drew him into his arms. Then Teyark pulled away and slipped his arm through Corath’s. “Do you need us here?” he asked Ralan.

  Ralan shook his head. “Go ahead. Although… Corath, I may have need of your ingenuity soon for some new weapons. May I contact you for aid when the time comes?”

  A curious glint entered the elf’s eyes. “Certainly. I admit I’m intrigued.”

  Enielle head snapped up, and she frowned. “What are you doing up, Ralan? You must go back to the healer’s rooms at once.”

  “Later,” Ralan said to Corath, who nodded and tugged Teyark toward the door. Though exhaustion beat at him, Ralan shifted closer to his mother. “I will not be staying right now.”

  “But you must!”

  His father put down his pen at that. “She is correct. There is much turmoil, and you are ill.”

  “I must get back to Eri.” Ralan lifted his free hand as the king’s brow lowered. “That is no slight against you. I hinted as much before, but I tell you this plainly now. Her Sight is more powerful than mine. I’ll need to be at full strength before I bring a child of her power into the royal court. Trust me.”