Reckoning

by T. J. Michaels

  Every man in the hall nodded, even Larel who couldn’t possibly be sure what had just happened.

  “Osgar, send word across the river to the men patrolling our southern borders. Have them quietly cross into Draema to the east and meet us on the western border of the High City. I will meet with you later to take care of the issue of my mate.”

  Osgar gave RuArk a lopsided grin knowing that Rhia would probably be more of a challenge than whatever he’d seen in the High Counsel’s note.

  “Lunis and Brita will have to be told, as we will need their help in gathering supplies. We must know what we can take and what must stay here. Swear them to secrecy. And neither Joan or Sharyn can know.” The O’dann twins looked at each other then back at RuArk. “Look, I know what I’m asking of you, but if either of those two women have any idea of what’s being planned, Rhia will know mere moments later.”

  Turning to his unexpected guest, RuArk said, “Larel, I will ask my questions of you in private. Ewan will bring you to my office in one hour. You will dine with my mate and me tonight, however, in the meantime, have some breakfast. Ewan see to our guest, please.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  RuArk ran up the stairs two at a time, stopping on the third floor to check in on Rhia. Thankfully, she was still asleep. He left their apartments as quietly as he’d entered.

  After the Noman attack that had almost taken his life, RuArk had poured over the architectural designs of the various structures in the township. He’d learned of some interesting little bolt holes in the villa, and he made his way to one of them now. On the fourth floor was a small room at the very end of the hallway. He ducked inside and strode quickly through another door at the rear of the room, closed it firmly behind him and armed the wall lock.

  He retrieved a tall, sturdy ladder that had been tucked in a closet and propped it against the doorjamb, and then climbed quickly to the top. He pushed against one of the large tiles on the ceiling, but it didn’t give way. Putting more of his strength behind the shove, the tile creaked loudly, showering him with a fine coating of dust. Finally, it gave way and revealed a dark entrance to a safety room—a place where one could go if the villa came under attack and there was no way out of the building.

  Climbing up quickly, he pulled the ladder behind him and slid the tile back into place. He then lay down, closed his eyes, and settled in to wait for the Grandfather to summon him into the Dream.

  * * * * *

  “Grandfather, a messenger arrived from the High City not long ago. Rhia’s father calls for aid. Councilman Rama Collaidh is behind the treachery against Rhia and himself.”

  “What has become of Collaidh?” asked the shimmering form of the Grandfather.

  “The High Counsel says that he escaped Draema only to return with an army of mercenaries from the east. Noman are also with them. How Collaidh can control packs of Noman, I have no idea. Grey doesn’t know if others are aiding Collaidh from within Draema Proper.”

  “We believe it is the Dreadlord that both Ricard Shae and Bryan Collaidh mentioned before they died.”

  “Perhaps, but I do know that the High Counsel is in danger of being overthrown and expects the City to come under siege any day now. Somehow he’s managed to keep the situation quiet. Even the rider who delivered the message was unaware of the danger.”

  “What will you do?”

  “I’ll answer his call. Things are already in motion.”

  “I expected nothing less of you, grandson. What of Rhia?”

  “She doesn’t know, and I will keep it that way if I can.”

  “Something does not feel right about all of this, grandson. Are you sure the message was from the High Counsel and not another ruse?”

  “I am sure of it. He included phrases that only he and I have shared. No one else would know the meaning of them.”

  “Keep in mind that if the High Counsel is under siege, someone may be coming for Rhia as well. Or the little princelings. You must keep them safe at all costs, RuArk.”

  “Rhia would try to go with me. This is why I have not, and will not tell her that I ride for the Citadel at first light. I would send her and the children to you, but she would want to know why I wasn’t coming with her. And to her, I cannot lie. Not only because it is not honorable, but because our bond would tell her.”

  “Your mother’s Gift of Foreknowledge showed her that she must come for your twins, but she learned nothing else. She only saw little Tate and Relaina Grey in her arms. She was sitting in the Hall of Miwatan next to your father, the King, and knew that your children were with her there. The Gift impressed upon her an importance that it be so, yet did not reveal the reasons. She does not know why she must come to you, nor does she know that you are in danger; only that it is imperative that she do so. She left Miwatan from the harbor at Wind Song early this morning. She is on her way across the river now, and will be there by midday.”

  “What reason will she give Rhia? My woman will not simply pack up our children to go across the river to Gaia with no explanation!”

  “She will simply say that she missed her grandchildren and has come to get them so Rhia can have some rest for a few days. Now, as for your bond with your lifemate, I am sure it is quite strong by now.”

  “It is. What can I do?”

  “There is a way to conceal the bond for a short while. However, if she concentrates on the bond at the correct moment, she will know that you have gone.”

  “Not if I leave while she’s asleep. The children have been keeping her up late, so it’s no surprise for her to rise a couple of hours later than usual.” RuArk began to seriously plot. “I can also leave instructions that she is to work with the men on weaponless fighting. She will believe that I am simply busy with duties. And now that she’s received permission from the Physicians to get back to her regular schedule, she’ll be happy for the opportunity to throw warriors around the courtyard that she probably won’t think of me all day.”

  “You had better ask the Ancestors to help you when she finds out you’ve gone without her.”

  “Trust me, Grandfather, I have already asked them. Now, what of this Dreadlord?”

  “Listen, grandson, he is involved with this plot. I can sense it when I follow him through the Dream. If Collaidh has Noman with him, it is possible that this man is controlling them as part of the bargain.”

  “How? It’s unheard of?”

  “They will follow him simply because he is one of them. They are a wild, untamed lot and because this Dreadlord is somehow learned, it is enough to make him appear almost a god in their eyes. Listen closely to what the Realmwalkers have learned of this dark anomaly who, believe it or not, appears to be half human.”

  “What?!” Shock was too tame a word to describe the explosion in RuArk’s brain. Half human? Impossible. Yet, in the past cycle he’d been in Province Springs, he’d learned of plenty of other impossibilities, so perhaps... “How do you know?”

  “Azel took a Healer who specializes in detecting energies, into the Dream with him. This Noman who walks the Dream has no shields to speak of.”

  “Ah, now we get to the heart of the matter. He knows just enough to be dangerous. He can walk other Realms, like the Dream, but has no idea how to protect himself from other Gifted.”

  “Exactly,” the Grandfather said. “This Healer has studied Noman over the cycles.”

  RuArk nodded at his Elder’s words. It was well known in Gaia that Noman were often caught outside of their territory while hunting. It wasn’t unheard of for a warrior to bring a wounded or dying Noman to the Healers for study. It’s how they knew their enemy’s weaknesses and strengths. It’s also how they knew it should be impossible for one to touch the Source.

  “This Healer slipped into the Dreadlord’s consciousness undetected and discovered this man’s brain chemistry is just a bit different than other Noman. He is, as it was explained to me, ‘wired’ more like a human, which means his depth of emotion and spirituality are greater
than his kin.”

  “So what are you saying, Grandfather?”

  “Touching one’s Source requires a bit of faith as well as the ability to direct one’s own energy and accepting that of another. The typical Noman brain is too chaotic for such things. However, this particular Noman, the Dreadlord, is a perfect mix of feral madness and brilliance.”

  “So,” RuArk replied, “like I said, just enough to be dangerous.”

  * * * * *

  On the way down the grand staircase, Rhia looped her arm through her husband’s. “So, what shall we do with the evening? We have no children to entertain with the twins gone with your mother. Even nanny Rose headed to Gaia with them. What will I do with all my extra time for the next few days?” she chided.

  “Would you like me to start by telling you all the places I plan to kiss you, or shall we skip the meal altogether and find out right now?” RuArk stopped dead and reached for her. There was no way to miss the familiar stormy seas that began to churn in his gorgeous gray eyes. If he got his hands on her, they would indeed miss dinner.

  That’s what you get for teasing a wolf.

  His hand shot out to pull her into a strong embrace, but she’d already turned and fled down the last few stairs. She looked back at him and grinned as she stepped over the threshold of the main hall.

  Shortly after being seated, Rhia was introduced to a new graduate of the Society of War, Larel. He’d just arrived from the High City this morning to begin his first assignment in Province Springs. The man looked at her with an expression of adoration and awe. He even sank to one knee, kissed her hand, and proceeded to stutter all over a simple “honored to meet you.”

  Rhia stifled a giggle at her husband’s attempt and utter failure to not roll his eyes.

  “Perhaps I should have taken an ugly duck as lifemate. Then all my men would still be loyal to me rather than in love with you,” he said under his breath with a smile.

  “Yes, but if you’d taken an ugly duck as lifemate you would have a mouth full of prickly feathers to kiss instead of my silky thighs.”

  “And you have let your inner-witch out to play, eh?”

  She chuckled at RuArk’s frustrated breath, knowing that she caused the current discomfort currently taking over the region of his cock. Just to make sure he was as uncomfortable as possible, Rhia boldly reached under the long tablecloth to find the bulge in his trousers.

  “Just wanted to make sure you were all there, dear,” she said with a smile so sugary sweet, it was enough to season a month’s worth of confections. RuArk growled and moved her hand away. She grinned some more.

  Through the meal, Rhia noticed that when Larel was asked about how things were in the High City, he deftly, though nervously, stole a quick look at RuArk before he halfway answered her questions.

  Tonight, the children had the honor of singing to the Protector and First Heir during dessert in honor of the Solstice. She whispered to her husband as they filed silently into the great hall.

  “Larel seems quite nervous, RuArk. Have you threatened to eat the young man?”

  “I actually prefer Cook’s sour sprout rolls to eating poor Larel. However, I did threaten to make him spend the night with the warriors in the barracks all by himself if he said anything to upset you.”

  He was smiling at her, yet his expression seemed somewhat strained. She’d barely noticed it at first, but it was there, just around the eyes.

  “RuArk, is everything alright?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  She didn’t buy it. Instead of pressing him for an explanation that she knew wouldn’t be forthcoming, Rhia looked away.

  Wish I could read his blasted mind sometimes.

  Ready to relish a scorched-caramel pudding, the spoon stopped half-way to her mouth. Rhia had invoked their bond, but nothing happened. Forcing herself to hide her utter shock, she forced the treat past her lips, but didn’t taste the sweet creamy dish one bit.

  This time, she enhanced the bond with her Source, opened herself to it and... nothing.

  She concentrated so hard it seemed as if her insides sweated, as though she was zapped with an iozene charge. Yet, there was no RuArk in the little corner of her mind.

  “What the hells is going on?” she whispered through gritted teeth.

  He tilted his head, appearing perplexed.

  “Rhia? What’s wrong?”

  She opened her mouth to ask RuArk if he could feel their bond, but changed her mind. It wouldn’t do to let him know that she’d been probing in the first place.

  “Rhia?” he repeated.

  “Uh, nothing.”

  Even after she’d stopped trying to invoke her lifemate bond and released her Source, the little hairs on the back of her neck danced wildly and the skin on her arms began to prickle. It was a sensation she knew well—someone very close to her was touching their own Source.

  She looked around at who was near. RuArk chatted with Lunis, who had come to make sure that all was well with the meal. Sharyn stood in her typical spot at RuArk’s back. Marth, Linc, and the rest of the high-ranking warriors and soldiers were seated around the large table enjoying coffee, wine, dessert or whatever suited their fancy.

  What reason could any of them possibly have to use their Gifts during dinner?

  She looked toward RuArk again. His attention was firmly on the little children who had come to sing for them. When he turned, her questioning gaze clashed with his concerned one. She glanced away and wondered what in the hells was going on.

  * * * * *

  RuArk felt Rhia reach for their bond even as she attempted to pass discrete glances his way. He hated making her worry, but he had to know if the Grandfather’s instruction on how to hide the bond worked. As he touched his Source, he appeared to be fully engage with the children singing so beautifully. Yet if someone had asked him what they sang, he couldn’t have answered.

  He hadn’t realized how strong Rhia had become. He must remember to thank Sharyn for her consistent lessons to his mate. It took a considerable amount of effort to keep the barrier in place as Rhia pushed against it, concentrating with all her strength to get through to the bond.

  The Grandfather had said that it would get easier with practice, but right now all of RuArk’s energy went to his shields.

  After a few minutes she appeared to give up, but he didn’t release his Source just in case she decided to try again. All of the men leaving at dawn were hiding their bonds as well. Their mates must believe their bonds were broken or at least faulty if they were going to get out of Province Springs undetected.

  RuArk stood and held out his hand to Rhia and bid their comrades goodnight. He looked down at her as they climbed the staircase to their apartments.

  Amazing. I’m the Protector of the Realm, a warlord of Gaia and Draema, yet I must tiptoe around like a boy sneaking a sweet from underneath Rhia’s nose.

  He laughed out loud. An image popped into his head of himself, almost seven feet of speed, power and solid muscle, sneaking through the halls in the dark, with a sweet in his hand. He laughed harder, just couldn’t help it.

  “Do tell,” Rhia said dryly.

  Rather than attempt to skirt around a question he couldn’t answer, RuArk swept her off her feet and covered her face with lavish kisses as he moved quickly toward their rooms.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rhia awoke and stretched languorously. Eyes still closed, she sighed contentedly and thought back on the ferocity with which she and RuArk had made love the night before. She had been her usual untamed self, while RuArk had been wild and feral–almost desperate. Taking. Demanding. Driving her to madness. She must have fainted–she certainly didn’t remember falling asleep.

  Where was RuArk? She reached out for the bond again, hoping that she would have better luck than last night. Still nothing. Just a strange mist-filled void.

  She rose, broke her fast and headed for Sharyn’s apartments only to be caught first by Osgar. He handed her a list of thi
ngs RuArk wanted her to do. As she read it, her eyebrows rose higher and higher as her mouth dropped open.

  Her mate wanted her to work out with the warriors on weaponless fighting? He hated it when she insisted on working out with those giants, so why would he change his mind? She turned to Osgar who had an answer at the ready.

  “Ewan has been training the warriors, but he has gone with RuArk and cannot instruct them today. You are the best at the business so he wishes you to take over for today.”

  “Really?” She eyed him suspiciously. “And exactly where is RuArk?”

  “He has duties outside the walls, in the buffer zone.” With that, Osgar nodded smartly, turned and walked away, leaving an open-mouthed Rhia to stare dumbly after him. Her surprise didn’t last long. She tore back up the stairs to change into her workout clothes and meet the men in the courtyard.

  The day began and ended with a flurry of activity. Rhia had been so busy she’d missed her daily lessons with Sharyn and Joan.

  A nice hot soak before dinner was just the thing. Hoping RuArk would join her she lingered awhile and let the sweat and tension of the day melt away. She awoke in a pool of chilled water, shivering as she climbed out. Why hadn’t RuArk awakened her? Surely he’d made his way to their apartments by now? It was full evening and her stomach rumbled, reminding her that it was time for dinner.

  Wrapped in a cream and pale gray sarand, Rhia’s brow furrowed. It had been a busy day, indeed, but not so busy that she shouldn’t have seen RuArk at least once.

  Sitting at the head table alone, Rhia motioned to Lunis to join her.

  “Where’s RuArk? I know he was outside the walls, something to do with the land bridge. But he should be back by now.”

  Lunis’ feet began a slow sideways shuffle as he looked over every minute detail of his slender fingers, inspecting them down to the quick for any sign of dirt. He didn’t meet her eyes when he said, “Sorry, my lady. I’m afraid he hasn’t sent word. Please excuse me. I need to check on dessert.” He hurried away.