by Dana Davis
Though she did not enjoy public speaking, she would announce the city’s new name as soon as this ceremony ended. Damon had wanted to make that announcement with his new wife, but Kepriah insisted it must come from her at the end of the wedding ceremony.
When he demanded to know the name she had chosen, she had said, “You will find out with everyone else, little brother.” Thankfully, he let it go at that.
She watched as villagers seated themselves in various chairs that banked the blue carpet. Most wore everyday clothing with any tatters or stains covered by clean patches. Excited chatter and whispers gave Kepriah hope that this would work. It has to work. We are running out of time.
Because her back was to the lobby entrance, she did not see the cluster of men and women enter with blades flashing. By the time Kepriah realized what was happening and turned around, two guards were dead and a muscular woman had an arm around Gail’s throat, blade pointed at the girl’s jugular.
“Keep back,” the woman said. “Or your little whore here gets it. And put that stick on the floor.”
Kepriah laid the scepter at her feet and silently ordered it to stay put, all the while keeping eyes on Gail. The girl’s fear seemed to dissipate a tiny bit and her eyes flicked to the left where Damon approached.
“Back off, Royal Damon!” one of the men shouted. My woman can gut a pig in twelve seconds flat. I wager your little bitch has a much softer belly.” They now had the room surrounded, exits cut off, and several guards disarmed or knocked out.
Sarding useless guards! Kepriah berated herself, too. She had been caught up in the wedding preparation, same as the rest of them. Caught unawares. Concentrate. She exchanged glances with her sisters and Larisa’s hand slowly crept toward her throat.
“Uh-uh,” a stout man put a blade to Larisa’s chest. “I know what you can do with that pretty necklace. Give it to me.” He motioned to Patrice. “And that ring.”
“They cannot remove the Trine Faytools, Hollind,” Damon said. “The Moirai have seen to that.” The stout man turned to him. “Why are you doing this, Hollind? You, above all my father’s loyalists, should be joyous about my marriage and about the return of my sister.”
“You really think that warrior bitch over there is your sister?”
“Yes. She has proven that.”
“I do not buy it. You want to abandon the Cities of Sleep, keep us in poverty, so you and your pretty cunt here can live a new life here.” He waved the knife in an arc.
Damon’s voice grew dangerous. “I suggest you retract that last statement about my bride, Hollind.” The man’s eyes widened.
Good. Damon still has some influence over these wayward villagers. We are going to need that.
Hollind glanced at Gail. “Sorry, ma’am. You probably got swindled into this whole bloody affair. Royal Damon, you ignored my Lillith. She would make a fine wife. Strong as a jabber and got a bright head. Why did you go and get yourself a foreigner? That one is no better than our girls. A farmer’s daughter, from what we hear.”
So that’s what this is really about. His daughter not being chosen.
“Because she is the one from the Trine’s visions.”
Hollind huffed. “Well, she does not look special.”
“Did you not see the demonstration my sisters gave?”
“We saw. That is why we want those—what did you call them? Faytools?” He walked over to Kepriah, knife extended, and motioned her to step back from the scepter. She obliged him. When he reached down to grab it, a magical word pushed from Kepriah’s lips. Several jewels glowed and the scepter knocked the man backwards.
Kepriah moved toward Gail but the farm woman was quicker and pressed her blade against Gail’s neck. A bead of red tricked down. The girl whimpered and clamped her eyes shut. Several others closed in with blades pointed toward Kepriah and her sisters. Could they call on their powers in time to keep Gail’s jugular from getting severed? She had no doubts that the farm woman would gut the girl.
Jakon had sneaked up behind one of the armed men and stood stock still, golden eyes on Kepriah, waiting for her signal. This will have to be a well-orchestrated dance. No mistakes. Jabber shit on a hot day! Why does everything have to be a bloody struggle?
Kepriah gave Jakon the subtle warrior’s hand signs for her plan, weaving them as she interjected pleading words to Hollind and the woman who held Gail to make them look natural. Her hands ordered Jakon to wait for her final signal and the desert man gave the briefest of nods. Several guards had caught her signals and kept eyes on her. Thank the Moirai these villagers had never been soldiers or Hollind would know exactly what she was up to.
While Damon also tried to reason with Hollind, Kepriah caught Patrice’s fearful gaze and moved her eyes in a deliberate motion toward the enemies’ blades. Patrice looked frightened at first. Too frightened. But she finally flexed her ring hand in response. Larisa seemed to be waiting for Kepriah and those blue eyes blazed with determination. Fear from both her sisters tapped her senses but nothing close to panic that would render them useless in a fight. Thankfully.
She raised her brows to Larisa then moved her eyes toward the torches along the walls, which extended toward four armed women’s heads, including the one who had a knife against Gail’s slender neck. The girl looked like she might faint. It took several heartbeats, but Gail finally focused on her. Kepriah lifted her brows and glanced at the floor. After the second time, Gail understood and her eyes brightened.
Damon was getting nowhere with Hollind, so it was up to Kepriah now. She regretted having to do this but had no choice. She just hoped it worked. Here goes bloody nothing. With one final breath, she gave the signal and called the scepter to her. The room erupted with violence and screams as soldiers played out her orders and the Trine unleashed their powers.
Kepriah dug into the earth below and brought several tree roots up through the stone floor to topple five of the armed villagers. Larisa’s torches flared and licked the invading women’s heads, while Patrice sent chairs flying into some of the men.
Damon, Jakon, and several guards were in blade-to-blade combat. Patrice held several opposing blades still with her air whips, but she did not get them all and something hot sliced into Kepriah’s shoulder. She turned and was about to slam the scepter into the man’s head when he suddenly caught fire. She gave Larisa a thankful look and turned toward the fighting again.
Gail had thrown herself to the floor when Patrice’s power had grasped the farm woman’s blade and was crawling through the mayhem. Kepriah strode toward Gail’s position, scepter outstretched and ready. She got hold of the girl’s arm and slid her into the doorway, followed by several children. The motion sent fire through her injured shoulder but she hardly noticed it with the scepter’s power pulsing through her body.
Several wedding guests had joined in on the brawl, making the whole ordeal last mere minutes. When it was over, five opposing men and two women lay dead, with three deaths and several injuries on Damon’s side. The rest of the attackers had been subdued. Luckily, the children had hidden or run and thus avoided everything but a few scratches or bruises.
Once order was somewhat restored, Damon nursed a shallow cut along his left arm. “Lock them up. I will deal with them later,” he ordered his guards. “And post three of your best men to stay close to my sisters and my bride.”
“Yes, Royal,” they said in unison and began hauling the subdued attackers away.
Larisa came immediately to Kepriah and checked her shoulder. “It’s not too deep, but you will need a couple of stitches.”
Something pressed against her shoulder and she held in a grunt. “I will be fine. Check on Damon.”
Larisa motioned Patrice to her as she strode to Damon. “Let me see that arm.”
“Take care of Gail, first,” he said.
From what Kepriah could see, the girl seemed shaken but unharmed, except for a tiny cut in her neck.
“She is just nicked, Damon.” Larisa took h
is sleeve and ripped it to reveal the cut along his forearm. Blood had already begun to clot. “Not bad. Not even worth stitches. But it will leave a scar.”
He actually smiled. “Good.”
Larisa shook her head and began bandaging Damon’s arm with Patrice’s help.
Meanwhile, Kepriah took care of several others who had serious injuries, and Larisa disposed of the dead attackers to excited and terrified gasps from onlookers. Kepriah could not help the smile that danced on her lips. After what they witnessed today, these villagers would never doubt the Trine again.
Larisa did not destroy the two guards and a loyalist, who had taken a sword through his middle. Several villagers had taken those bodies outside for a quick burial. Several weeping women, one with children in tow, had followed them. This could have gone much worse. We are lucky we lost only three. Very lucky.
“Um, Larisa.” Patrice sounded odd as she peered at Kepriah’s shoulder.
Kepriah felt something like astonishment caress her senses. At least her wound had gone numb. That was a relief.
“Will you look at that?” Larisa said as she inspected Kepriah’s shoulder. She grinned. “You are healed.”
“What?” The scepter. The thing had healed her and she had not even noticed. Must have been when I was healing the others.
Larisa patted Kepriah’s arm. “Well, practically. It’s still a little red but the wound is closed now.”
The ability to heal myself. That will come in bloody handy.
Damon’s torn sleeve was now stitched and he held Gail in an embrace. Two young girls ran through the crowd with several moist cloths so those with dirt and blood could freshen up. All in all, it was one of the best battles Kepriah had ever been involved with. Short, and only three losses.
Damon kissed Gail’s forehead, which seemed to relax her, then he turned to Kepriah. “If everyone is settled now, let us get on with my wedding.”
The guests straightened the chairs and took their seats again. Even the family who had lost a man returned and sat down. No one wanted to miss this. It was too important. The guards seemed alert now, ready for anything. Though Kepriah doubted there would be more trouble today, at least from any of these people. The weather was another problem altogether.
Gail was surprisingly sturdy, considering, and determination filled her stance. The ordeal seemed to instill her with a new purpose. Before taking her place for the ceremony, she strode to the family who had lost a loved one and offered her condolences. They seemed very appreciative that a royal cared about them.
Afterwards, Gail moved to the doorway and eyed Kepriah. She crossed her arms much the way Larisa often did and said, “Well, dunna just stand there gawkin’, First Noble. You got a weddin’ to perform.” Gail did not seem to care about the proper speech she had been working on and let her accent come shining through.
Kepriah smiled and gave a slight bow. Jakon stood in for father of the bride and took his place next to the girl at the entrance. Kepriah offered him a smirk then herded her sisters down the blue carpet to the throne, where they stood with Kepriah in the middle of her two sisters.
The trumpeter blasted an earsplitting note and Damon made his way from the anteroom. He stopped in front of the Trine, gave a bow of his head, and turned, putting his back to them. The guests got to their feet. Another trumpet blast and Gail strode purposefully down the carpet, arm hooked in Jakon’s, a ribbon around her neck to hide the cut, and a silver-threaded veil trailing behind her. When they reached the throne, Jakon kissed her on the cheek and moved her hand into Damon’s outstretched one. Kepriah’s brother flashed a smile as he took Gail’s hand, and Jakon crossed to one side. Once the bride and groom turned to face the Trine, Kepriah motioned the guests to sit.
When it grew quiet, Kepriah extended her scepter in front of her, level with the ground and took in a breath. “This union is ordered by the Moirai Themselves. May no one interfere.” No one dared. She focused on her brother and his soon-to-be wife. “Place your hands on the scepter.” They had rehearsed this part on the trek here. Damon and Gail held hands and placed the free one on the scepter. Larisa and Patrice each held one end of the scepter, with Kepriah’s grasp in the middle.
The Trine spoke as one. “Royal Damon of the Cities of Sleep, do you accept Gail as your partner? Do you agree to protect her and be kind to her, to share your fortunes and misfortunes as one united front until the Moirai call you home?”
“I agree.”
“Gail of the valley, do you accept Damon as your partner? Do you agree to protect him and be kind to him, to share your fortunes and misfortunes as one united front until the Moirai call you home?”
“I agree,” came the girl’s nervous but enthusiastic answer.
“Then may all who witness this union protect it and honor it.”
“So it shall be,” came the guests’ response.
“May this union be blessed with wealth and prosperity and many healthy babies.”
Damon gave a sly grin to Gail and she flushed, as the guests responded with another, “So it shall be.”
Damon already wore his crown, and Jakon moved forward with a gold circlet in his hands. He placed the circlet on Gail’s head and stepped back to his position.
“The Moirai have granted us authority. I, Kepriah of Landerbury, born of the Cities of Sleep, sister to Damon and First Noble of the Trine.”
“And I, Larisa of Donigere, sister to Kepriah and Second Noble of the Trine.”
“And I, Patrice Aurora Gray, sister to Kepriah and Third Noble of the Trine.”
Together they said, “We, the Trine, bless this union. Woe to any who try to break it.”
Cheers erupted as the scepter began to glow. Kepriah uttered a magical word and the familiar blue stream of light connected her with her sisters. The intensity of the light grew until its borders expanded to encompass Damon and Gail along with the Trine.
Kepriah gripped the scepter like a vice as it shook and threatened to pull from her grasp. Power surged through her like nothing she had ever experienced and several visions assaulted her mind. When the light and power dissipated, she was left stunned for a moment.
“What the hell was that?” Patrice uttered in a breathless tone.
Kepriah focused on her surroundings. The guests looked shocked and all eyes were on the Trine. Gail and Damon stood before them, just as before, only both wore pewter circlets upon their heads now, instead of gold. Both seemed a bit disoriented but otherwise unharmed. Patrice and Larisa exchanged looks with Kepriah and suddenly she realized how much she loved them. They were truly sisters, for now and forever. A special bond had also connected her to Damon and Gail and she had an extreme desire to protect them both.
“That was amazing,” Larisa said.
It was then that Kepriah realized she not only heard Larisa’s voice but also caught the words in her mind at the precise same moment. Can you hear me?
“Of course, silly,” Larisa said. Her eyes widened. “Wait. You did not open your mouth that time.”
Patrice grinned. Telepathic Trine. This is awesome!
That first word did not translate and Kepriah gave her Earth sister a questioning glance.
“Telepathic. Mind speech,” Patrice explained aloud. We can hear each other’s thoughts.
The guests had begun to stir now that the Trine’s light demonstration was over, so Kepriah turned her attention back to the ceremony. “Face your guests,” she said to her brother and sister-in-law. She looked out among the faces and her sisters’ voices joined hers. “We, the Trine, give you Royals Damon and Gail, landlords of the Cities of Sleep and the new City of Hope!” Applause and cheers. “To the reception!”
The newlyweds led the guests down the blue carpet, flanked by several guards, and Kepriah watched them go.
City of Hope? Patrice said in Kepriah’s mind. That’s imaginative.
The sarcasm was not lost on her and she gave her youngest sister a smirk. It is what they expected.
&
nbsp; Patrice’s eyes grew thoughtful as she gazed around. Yes, I suppose it is.
This new power to hear thoughts is going to make sex a bit awkward, Kepriah thought. Or exciting.
Honestly, Kepriah. Is that all you think about? Larisa scolded.
Kepriah and Patrice both laughed and Patrice said, “Hey, I like to try my man out before I get married. Wait, did I just say the em word?”
“Yes you did, little sister.” Kepriah chuckled as she led them to the reception.
Chapter 44
Kepriah felt unusually strong right now.
I feel it, too, Larisa sent.
Jakon stood near the dining hall wall, golden eyes focused on them, and Kepriah led the way to his position. “We have the ability to hear each other’s thoughts now, Jakon. We are much stronger. I think we are ready for the hoisting.”
“Not quite,” Patrice said. “A while back I couldn’t remember something but I remember now. I think completing the wedding triggered the memories. They’re so clear now.” Larisa gave her a curious look that mirrored Kepriah’s inquisitive feelings. “It’s a book. One I found in Damon’s library. We need it.”
Before Kepriah or anyone else could ask about this book, Patrice started out of the dining hall, where merrymaking had begun. Kepriah followed Patrice down several hallways toward the royal apartments, with Larisa and Jakon just a step behind her.
Once at their room, Patrice walked to her belongings that sat on the makeshift bed and poured out the contents of her bag. She pointed. “That book. I’ve read it several times but each time I put it down, I would forget that I’d read it. Until now.”
“Patrice, sweetness?” Concern waved from Larisa. “There is no book there.”
“Very funny.”
“I do not see a book, either.” Kepriah kept her gaze on her youngest sister. Has she gone mad? Did all the pressure of the past few months finally get to her?
Patrice frowned. “I’m not mad. Jakon?”
“No, Third. I do not see any book.” His look was guarded but also worried. If Patrice fell apart now, they might never get the hoisting done.