The door creaked back open and he breathed a sigh of relief. Sal sagged against her knee and cuddled his head on her lap.
Stroking Sal’s hair, she looked at each of the other seven Blood waiting eagerly for her command. “Do you all…”
Her cheeks colored, and Dharman suddenly knew why she’d nearly shut down again.
She had finally realized the truth about her nine Blood. He would fall to his knees before Rhaekhar and swear eternal gratitude to him if he ever reached the Tenth Camp. He didn’t know what her mate had told her, but she certainly saw them all in a new light.
“Never mind. I already know the answer.” She sighed softly, and Dharman felt the war within her, perhaps greater than any physical battle she’d ever fought. Her great gift, and her great weakness. “Na’lanna Blood, all nine of you.”
Nine warriors pressed closer, desperate for a touch, a word, any tenderness from the woman for whom they’d sacrifice their last drop of blood. She touched Jorah’s cheek, Lew’s chest, down the line, a boon to young warriors who’d ached for her to see them, really see them, for years.
“I can’t promise you all access to my bed, but I can promise you access to my heart. I will never lock down your bonds again.”
Dharman shared a quick nod and glance with each warrior, confirming he would do whatever in his power as First to clear the way for each of them. If she wanted, he would provide, even if she was reluctant to admit that desire to herself.
“I need you all to watch me very carefully.” She kept her trembling hand in Sal’s hair, but she dropped her gaze to the floor. “There’s a Black Dragon in my Dreams and he’s coming to Shanhasson with a vast army. I know he’s Shadowed, and…” She swallowed hard, forcing her gaze back up, her shoulders squared and strong. “He bears my mark. I carry his blood.”
Pale, she met each warrior’s gaze. “If I begin to slip into Shadow…”
“You won’t,” Jorah retorted with enough vehemence that her eyes flared with surprise. Normally silent, the golden Blood pushed closer and bowed his forehead against her knees. “I won’t let you slip, na’lanna Qwen. My bond is your anchor.”
“Aye,” each Blood swore, again straining closer to touch her.
“Thank you, my Blood.” She let them nearer yet, crowded around and desperate for a touch, a whisper, and she gave it. Dharman shared a smile with Sal that was very nearly teary. They’d waited for so very long for her love.
“I have a plan. Let’s discuss it and make sure there are no weaknesses. I can’t do this without you. We must act quickly, for a Keldari army is encamped on the Far Illione border. My guess is that they’ll cross into our Green Lands today if I don’t do something. I can’t possibly stop them with force, even if Khul is able to bring every single warrior by dawn tomorrow. Depending on how quickly the Keldari travel, they may reach Shanhasson first.”
“Never,” Dharman said, confident in his people’s prowess. “Khul will beat them to Shanhasson. None compare to our na’kindren. They’ll fly to your aid, na’lanna.”
She shivered and forced a smile. “No flying, but yes, I hope they come quickly. I know I can hold the Keldari out of Shanhasson; the Shining Walls are as powerful and pure as ever. No taint has weakened them as during Theo’s reign. Yet I can’t leave the savages to destroy every village between the border and us. Kae’Shaman gave me the clues I needed. Remember what we did on the Great Seal at Dalden Bay?”
Great Vulkar, Dharman would never forget it. That had been the first time she’d deliberately used him in her battle against Shadow, a fond, bittersweet memory to hold through the long years waiting for her to need him again.
“I’m going to need all nine of you this time. If you’re willing.”
Grinning widely, the other Blood nodded, jostling each other to prove their willingness to be first to offer na’lanna Qwen their blood. Dharman had to laugh at the look on her face. Through her bond, he glimpsed an image of him and Sal on either side of her in her bed, while each Blood came to her, one by one, and endless line of need.
Aye, he could make that wish a reality.
For now, he merely snapped his fingers to quiet them, drawing her gaze to him. “Last time, we broke Shadow’s hold on the earth.” He reached up to the high neckline of her gown and undid the tiny buttons one by one so it hung open down to mid-chest. She barely breathed as he folded back the white cotton, opening it enough to bare the gleaming marks on her shoulders and the upper swells of her breasts. He wanted all to see those marks on her body, especially a certain Black Dragon. “What will you do this time, na’lanna?”
She smiled, and chills raced down Dharman’s arms. He felt the wellspring of holy water bubbling within her, as eager as her Blood to answer her Call. “This time, we muzzle the dragon.”
* * *
FATHER JOSEF AND ANOTHER PRIEST waited for her beside the Great Seal with the Rose Crown held between them on its plaque. Dread tightened her chest. The last time she’d worn that crown near the Great Seal, she’d experienced a horrible vision of Lygon lying trapped in His prison deep in the earth. The light had died in the ivory rahke, as though the battle had been lost, even with Theo’s body cooling beside her.
Pounding footsteps drove the Blood tightly about her, rahkes out, a wall of muscle that she couldn’t see around. Dharman was at her back, Sal at her front, her living armor. For them and their honor, she’d deliberately left the chainmail in her room, but the thought of one of them throwing himself into the path of an arrow or cross bolt to save her sent her heart galloping into her chest.
:Peace, na’lanna,: Dharman murmured in her mind, the red glow of his bond filling her with love. :Someone must have alerted your Council. Two arrive in great haste to make sure they’re present.:
Grimacing, she had yet to figure out who was spying for her Council. They obviously paid someone to alert them immediately of her activities. She couldn’t stop their spying, but if she knew who watched so carefully, she could deliberately leak information to her advantage.
“What’s the meaning of this?” King Challon tugged on his fine coat as he raced into the High Court, his shirttails fluttering behind him like wings. “Since when does the High Queen gallivant about the Palace at midnight?”
The Blood parted but Dharman stayed tight at her back. King Challon’s eyes widened at her apparel, or lack thereof. Phillip of Maston stared at her chest and paled so quickly he swayed on his feet. Calmly, she waited while the two men stared at her nearly bared breasts, glanced at the Blood behind her, and then flushed beet red.
How interesting that the one man who feared her so very much arrived with the political mastermind behind her opposition. “Gentlemen, since when does the High Queen of Our Blessed Lady’s Green and Beautiful Lands answer to anyone about what she does, whether in Shanhasson or beyond?”
King Challon spluttered, but she turned her back on him and faced Father Josef. “Do you know what I’m going to attempt?”
“I suspect,” Father Josef admitted, smiling sheepishly. “As soon as your Blood came with your message, Our Blessed Lady began smiling with approval.”
“What?” King Challon dared to step closer despite the glower of her Blood. “What will you attempt?”
Some of the tension straining in her shoulders released. If Father Josef thought the Lady approved, then hopefully this would work. Ignoring the Council’s bluster, she took several deep breaths and then gave a nod to the priest. Moving his lips in silent prayer, Father Josef inclined his head toward the Rose Crown, so she carefully placed it on her head. Nothing immediately happened; she hadn’t experienced a vision since the first time she’d worn it. However, she’d never worn the Rose Crown and stood on the Great Seal at the same time.
Waiting for his signal, she emptied her mind into the Silver Lake, pushing all her fears and doubts beneath the smooth surface. Wisps of fog danced across the mirrored surface, cloaking the moon, but at least it wasn’t thick, black shadows. Thinking of Shadow, though
, brought her awareness of the black bond she now held in her mind. She had the foolish wish that the Black Dragon’s blood bond would simply disappear if she ignored it hard enough.
He hid deep within, a black snake coiled and still, waiting to strike.
If she stepped onto the Great Seal, would that black thread bleed darkness and despair into her mind? Would it provide an even bigger target for Lygon to use against her?
She gripped Gregar’s ivory rahke in her hand, blade hidden tight against her wrist, and she wished she could cut that black hole out of her, even if she had to carve her heart out of her chest.
Dharman stood plastered to her back, but she felt the Shadowed Blood’s trademark cold touch against her neck and cheek. Tears trickled down her cheeks and she didn’t care that her greatest enemies on her Council saw her weakness. Before tonight’s Dream, Gregar hadn’t come to her since she’d torn him apart as the White Dragon.
:Think you I’d ever leave your back unprotected? You may certainly tear me apart as often as you desire: Gregar laughed, wicked seduction and cold Shadow of Death. :I never left you entirely, na’lanna; I merely watched in silence. If you had Called, I would have come without delay.:
Tears flowed harder, then, because if Gregar had always been here, then…
:Aye, my heart.: Rhaekhar’s phantom touch gripped her chin firmly and released her. :Did you doubt my solemn oath that I would never leave you? I merely waited for your grieving heart to heal. Now clip this Black Dragon’s wings so your Blood may close the trap when he arrives.:
The coiled serpent in her mind hissed and coiled tighter, wriggling deeper into the darkest corners of her awareness.
He’s afraid.
The thought dawned like a perfect sunrise after a violent stormy night.
All along, she’d viewed the Black Dragon’s bond as a weakness, a foothold that Shadow had gained on her heart and soul. In fact, it provided a very unique tie to this man who hunted her afar from desert sands. Even though he was trying very hard to hide, she could still feel him. She felt his emotions, even though he was shielding and trying to disappear.
She smiled and Father Josef’s prayers stumbled to a halt. “Are you ready?”
“Whenever you are, Your Majesty.”
Lifting her chin, she stepped onto the tiled mosaic of roses and lions inlaid in the floor. A massive gong thudded in her head, and the ground rumbled uneasily, drawing her gaze to the intricate patterns. Perhaps because of her recent Dreams, the wreathing rose vines reminded her of a serpent. One curled on either side of the lions, a long sinuous tail curled around the lion’s rear paw. She bent down, studying it closer. The lion wore something on its paw. A ring.
She shivered and pushed herself upright. Was it a warning…or a promise?
Her Blood circled the edge of the Great Seal with Dharman before her.
“Should they join me on the Seal now or later?”
“They’re yours,” Father Josef replied. “If you want them to begin on the Seal with you, Our Blessed Lady accepts them gladly.”
She nodded and stretched out her hands. Dharman and Sal each took a hand and they all nine stepped onto the mosaic. Pressure built in her ears, as though she sank beneath mile after mile of water. Time slowed, or perhaps her mind simply ran very fast. Staring into Dharman’s eyes, she let him see her intent through their bond. Immediately, his hand flashed to the others and they knelt before her, closing tighter so they formed a ring of shoulders about her.
She raised the ivory rahke. His nostrils flared, his lips opened slightly, and his tongue flicked across his bottom lip. She felt the surge of hunger in his bond, both to taste her blood and to open up a vein so she could drink all she could hold from him.
As much blood as this would likely require, she might pass out before she was done. :Don’t let me fall.:
:Never.:
She took a deep breath, drew the rahke across her left palm, and immediately lifted the wound to Dharman’s mouth. :Don’t let any of my blood fall on the tile until I’m ready.:
Heavy-lidded, he locked his mouth on her palm. They both shuddered. He gulped eagerly, his bond flaring with wildfire. His lips were so soft, his tongue gliding firmly back and forth over the wound. She moaned. The mark on her left breast burned as though he’d dumped a whole vial of dragon oil on her.
:Do I need to keep mine off the Seal?:
:No,: she answered. :Be as messy as you want. There’s more than one reason that I wore white.:
She felt his smile against her palm. Wrapping his palm around the bloody rahke in her hand, he drew it deeply into his flesh. His scent thickened, molten golden syrup, and his blood tasted nearly as sweet. Spilling hot against her chin and neck, blood poured too fast for her to catch all of it in her mouth.
:Enough,: She gave him a final caress with her lips and tongue. :I must be able to hold all nine of you.:
He drew his hand down her neck and over his mark. His mark burned brighter, a fresh brand in her flesh. Knees shaking, she drew her fingers down his cheek and turned to Sal. Flashing that dimple at her, he bent over her hand and drew his palm across her blade. Cinnamon and gingerbread, his hair soft and glossy like the blood dripping from his hand, he burned in her mind as brightly as her First Blood. He, too, touched his mark and her heart pounded so hard she swayed.
Orgasm swelled with her but didn’t burst free. Her body coiled tighter, just as the black snake curled in Shadow, trying to hide from the two blazing bonds.
Dharman wrapped his arms around her, steadying her wobbling knees and she turned to Jorah, her golden Blood. With his blood pouring into her and his palm against her mouth, she realized he smelled crisp and clean like fresh sheets hung out in the summer sun. Lew, her long, tall Blood, smelled like leather, a well-worn comfortable glove wrapped around her. By the time the last Blood pressed his hand to her mouth, she couldn’t see with her physical eyes any longer. Her body ached head to toe, muscles wound so tightly with need even her teeth hurt.
Blazing red bonds roped through her mind, so bright and hot she felt seared. The nine-spoked wheel spun faster, a dizzying blur, and she was at the center, the axle, with the Silver Lake waiting to rush out across the land. All of the Blood held her, supporting her upright with their shoulders.
Blindly, she reached out with her left hand and Dharman caught her fingers, tilting her palm up to his mouth. He knew without asking that she needed more blood for the final blow. His teeth dug into her palm, tearing the initial wound deeper.
A column of water exploded upward from the Great Seal, throwing her helplessly like a leaf in a hurricane. The Blood tightened their grip on her, Dharman calm at her center. Her blood dripped onto the Great Seal and she detonated. Cool, pure waters spilled from the holy lake within her, stained red by the fiery circle of Blood.
The black snake rose in her mind, hissing and spitting like a furious cobra, but it couldn’t touch her. It couldn’t hide. It certainly couldn’t flee. Ignoring the flash of silver fangs, she grasped the black bond and squeezed, just as she’d threatened to castrate him.
Gathering her will, she sent the Silver Lake’s wave crashing down that bond toward him.
“Come to Shanhasson, Black Dragon.” Her voice sounded strange, echoing and dancing, a melodious trill of bells and moonlight. From the shock splintering through the black bond, she knew he heard her words. “If any Keldari harms my people, whether Green Lander or Sha’Kae al’Dan, he will drop dead immediately.”
She shoved her power harder, her hands twisting and clawing. Water sprouted sweeping wings, talons rending the waves as it slammed into the Keldari encampment. The man who walked as a Black Dragon in her Dreams thrashed on the sands, pinned at the bottom of the ocean by her power.
“Come to me if you dare. Bring your tals. Kneel before me, submit your blade, and I may allow you to live.”
A gasping wheeze of laughter slithered through the black bond. He lay on the sands, choking on her water, but she couldn’t kill h
im. :I may be falling to my death, brightheart, but all I see is you. Go ahead and say it. Say you love me. Say you want me. I’ll speed on these black wings so we may fall together.:
“I’ll never…” She didn’t love him. She didn’t even know his name. But she couldn’t complete the sentence. I’ll never love you.
The Lady’s crystal waters refused to allow her to lie.
Dreams, that’s all she knew. Dreams of a Black Dragon whose silver eyes haunted her. Even now with her belly full of na’lanna blood and her young warriors holding her, she still hungered for sandalwood.
Terror clawed her spine, and a dread chill of death closed like a fist about her heart. Dizzy and sick, she tumbled from the sky, spiraling, white feathers raining down on the sands.
:Shannari!: He screamed through his bond, stretching out both hands toward her. Cloaked in Shadow he may be, but his first instinct was to catch her. :My heart beats for you!:
Something slammed into her, breaking the vision of tumbling toward the ground, but her heart refused to beat. She couldn’t breathe. A massive weight sat on her chest, silver eyes gleaming, sweeping black leather fluttering in the sky, darker than the night. Razor teeth flashed and the dragon buried his snout in her chest, cracking open her ribs, exposing her heart swollen and bruised.
: I hear your Call, Shannari dal’Dainari, my White Dragon, She Who Hung the Moon. I’m Given to you.:
* * *
DROWNING IN THE DESERTS OF Keldar should have been impossible. Mykal coughed and swallowed repeatedly, refusing to let the cool heavenly water escape his lips. It was hers, and he’d never in his life tasted anything so pure.
At least during this life in Keldar.
This water had never been blasted by Agni’s fury nor fouled by Yama’s taint. The only thing that had ever touched this water was soft moonlight and roses, and he wanted to savor every single drop, even if it killed him.
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