Reckoning

by T. J. Michaels

  Yep, he’s definitely a Collaidh.

  “New father-in-law? Here we go again. We can’t be wed, you blasted Noman. I’m. Already. Married. It seems to be something I’ve had to repeat to you folks far too many times and I have had it.” Rhia’s katana cleared its scabbard with an echoing schwing.

  “No, you have not had it, yet, but I will give it to you. And often,” he spat, his expression lewd and assessing. He continued his approach undaunted by the sword she’d drawn.

  “Rhia, we will make beautiful children together. Simply surrender.” He stopped just out of slicing range. He had not survived all these years by being a fool.

  “It’s amazing,” she said, not meaning to speak the words aloud. “You look so much like him. Are you sure you’re a Noman? You look like a man.”

  He smirked, displaying a genuine, though chilling smile. “I look like a man? No need for insults, my dear.”

  He even has a sense of humor? What in the ever-loving’ hells is going on here?

  A strange blackness began to creep over Rhia’s mind, just behind her eyes, as if someone were pulling a fuzzy soft blanket over her thoughts. She gasped as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end with a familiar tingle. The bastard was using the Gift against her.

  But that wasn’t supposed to be possible!

  The image of the creature standing before her began to ripple and sway, reminding her of the soft waves created when a small pebble is thrown into a still pond. The white haired man changed before her eyes. His skin stretched and darkened to a glorious golden hue, genuinely masculine and muscular. His hair was no longer white, but glossy black locks that reached to the middle of his back. And those familiar gray eyes that reminded her of stormy seas she longed to be tossed on forever.

  RuArk? No, it’s not him. It’s not.

  Her mind fought against the possibility that her husband, her lifemate, stood before her. It just wasn’t possible.

  The image continued to ripple, and those ripples reached out for her. Steeling her resolve, she began to push against the blackness that surrounded her thoughts and furiously reached for her Source. The moment as she touched it, the bond with RuArk sprang to life.

  The awareness was back!

  Her eyes said that RuArk stood before her, smiling to her in welcome, but her bond told her that he approached this very room from somewhere below. Her man was wounded and extremely angry. His anger became her anger as clarity snapped through her mind. She reached for her Source more completely now. Surrendering herself to it, Rhia was rewarded with a surge of power like she’d never experienced before.

  With that surge came a determination to be rid of the darkness that tried to sway her. She pushed out in her mind against it. The blackness began to subside and the rippling form before her was again the vile creature he had always been.

  Rhia moved beyond furious. “Are you mad? How dare you use the Gift against me,” she snarled through clenched teeth, barely holding herself in check. She wanted to strike out and cut the bastard to pieces, but she knew that would bring RuArk’s men to her aid too soon. If the Noman who undoubtedly escorted him walked into a melee, they would kill RuArk without hesitation.

  There would be no skinning Rehn Collaidh. She must play this game out with patience or RuArk would never make it to the Council chambers alive. She forced herself to relax.

  “So,” she said, “you mentioned children. What makes you believe I would want to have your children? Little sharp toothed, blood sucking creatures with no regard for life?”

  “Blood sucking? Yes, that might prove interesting. But they would also have the innate Gifts of magick through your warrior genes. And I must admit, even though you’re missing the allure as fangs, you are a most beautiful creature, Rhia.”

  “And being the heir to the High Counsel of Draema wouldn’t have anything to do with it, would it?”

  “Oh, well, I guess I am caught. But you are still beautiful and smart...for a human.”

  * * * * *

  Rehn was losing his patience. He was truly surprised that his projection of RuArk’s image hadn’t moved the woman. He felt her magick flare to life and fight against his newly discovered dark side of the Source. The more he pushed the image into her mind, the more she resisted. In the end, she had overcome him though he doubted she realized how she’d done such a thing.

  He didn’t see this as a failure. No, this was more of a reason to continue his pursuit of Rhia Greysomne—her magick was very strong indeed. He wondered if he could simply suck it out of her. No, that would kill her. And she was so fabulously made—strong and sleek, like the wild cats that roamed the mountains of the Borderlands. Perhaps he had another card to play to get this wild beauty underneath him. He would plant his seed in her, no doubt about it.

  “Come Rhia, this game grows tiresome.” She growled in response. She is magnificent. “I will make a bargain with you.”

  “There is no bargain that you can...”

  “For the life of your Gaian warlord.”

  She snapped her mouth shut.

  “He is quite a warrior, very skilled, surprisingly swift. Gave us quite a bit of trouble during his capture.” Rehn spoke calmly, examining his fingernails as if he had all night to take his ease. “Killed several of my pack by himself. We overcame him by sheer numbers. However, he does seem to have abhorrence for chains.” His voice trailed off nonchalantly, letting her draw her own conclusions.

  Rhia visibly winced as Rehn played mercilessly on her feelings for RuArk.

  Oh the thought of her beloved in chains, he thought sarcastically.

  He almost laughed. Instead he said, “Come to me, Rhia. Sheath your sword and he will go free.”

  “How do I know he’s not already dead?”

  “You have my word. He will join us shortly. Make your decision now or let us end this. Shall I bring you his head on a plate?”

  She stalled and began to fidget, putting on the most confused look she could muster, all the while calculating. Planning.

  “Rhia, I will have your answer!” Rehn said quietly, painting on the most bored look he could muster. Stubborn wench. The sun was rising. He was running out of time. If she didn’t hurry...

  “What do you want me to do,” she whispered, sheathing her sword at her back.

  “Take my hand.” If the thought sent a chill of disgust up her spine, the woman hid it expertly. “Admirable. Now, come with me. Denounce your marriage before RuArk and the Council and he will be freed before your very eyes.”

  She took a tentative step forward, asking, “Why are there no guards?”

  “Most of the guards are hunting. The people of Draema are subdued. With no soldiers to protect them they are afraid to come out of their houses.”

  “But every Draeman is trained at an early age to defend against those like you.” She snatched her hand back from Rehn and he half-expected her to drop into an offensive stance and draw her weapon again.

  “Trained as children, yes. But not trained as men.” He held out his hand again and waited for her to take it, knowing she had no choice in the matter. After all, in the end, Blademaster or not, she was a woman with a woman’s heart.

  “How do I know I can trust you, Rehn?”

  “You don’t,” he said coldly, giving away nothing of his thoughts. “Yet, I give you my word that RuArk will go free if you do as I ask. In just a few moments, it will all be over. Some of the hunters in my pack are bringing your soon-to-be-former husband to this very room. Trust me, Rhia. I will make sure you enjoy your decision.”

  “Well, what does one say to something like that?” she asked coyly, taking the hand he still held out to her. The moment her fingers met his, her eyes widened and she gasped.

  She wonders how my hands are so cool, yet my eyes burn with passion.

  It wasn’t passion at all, but the knowledge of the power he would gain over Draema by subduing her. Seizing his triumph, Rehn led the one and only Rhia Greysomne Miwatani into the rotu
nda where the Council sat and waited.

  * * * * *

  He was secured with a chain that looped around his neck, then ran down his back to secure his arms, ending at his feet, bound just loose enough that he could walk. He knew he went to his death, even as his Noman guards prodded him to walk faster through the familiar hallways of the High Counsel’s Citadel.

  They led him down a hall and down the back stairs to the first floor. As soon as they passed the great hall and rounded a corner he knew they were taking him to the Council Chambers, to the Hall of Judgment.

  His thoughts were never far from his wife, safe at home. There was no way she could run into danger all the way from Province Springs to try to save him in so short a time anyway. By the time she arrived, he would have been dead for several days and news would have reached her before she came into the City. If his life ended with her in the safety of their home, then so be it.

  At that point he let go of the concentration required to hide the bond from Rhia. RuArk reached for his Source and invoked the bond. He just wanted to feel her essence one more time before he died. It immediately flared to life and filled him with the familiar awareness of the woman he loved. He felt Rhia...right here in Draema Proper. In this very building?

  Gods damn it.

  What the hells was she doing here! If they made it out of here alive, he was going to challenge her. Her punishment? Forty cycles worth of, as she called them, ‘Yes RuArk’ days. She would probably be a grandmother by the time they were all done.

  * * * * *

  The First Commanders serving the Protector of the Realm looked on as Rhia made her way down the gallery toward the Council rotunda. When she was intercepted by a too-handsome Noman who carried himself like nobility, they were amazed.

  Marth signaled, “Who do you think he is?”

  Sharyn answered, “He is the leader of the Noman. I saw him in Rhia’s Foreknowledge, which is how we came to be here.” She looked sternly at both of them as she signed.

  They looked on, mouths agape, watching Rhia shuffling her feet and fidgeting about. What in the world was wrong with her?

  When she sheathed her sword and tentatively placed her hand into that of the Noman’s, every warrior clamped down on their iron wills to keep from attacking the creature who would dare touch their lady, whether it was by her will or not.

  “What in the name of the Ancestors is she doing?” signed Linc, mouth agape as he witnessed the spectacle.

  “She is buying RuArk time.”

  “Time for what?” Linc signed back.

  “Time for the vile Noman to bring RuArk to this room. Then...” she eased her sword free from the scabbard hidden under her arm, “they are ours.”

  * * * * *

  The Council of Seven was seated at the traditional half-moon shaped table placed upon a raised platform toward the rear of the domed Council Hall. The silvery-gray marble worked into the top of the table reflected the fading moonlight that came in from the skylight above.

  Councilman Collaidh, seated in the High Counsel’s chair, rose and proceeded to the top of the steps that separated the forum of Councilmen from the conspicuously absent audience. He looked down to where the people of Draema should be and waited with a devious smile. Rhia approached, appearing subdued, hand-in-hand with the creature he loathed most—Rehn.

  Rhia allowed herself to be ushered up onto the dais to stand directly in front of him. She scowled, having noticed that he’d occupied her father’s seat knowing full well he had no right to be there. If she’d been paying attention to the other council members, she would have found their expressions mirrored her own, but her focus was the asshole in front of her.

  Then all thought of Collaidh flew from her mind as RuArk was led into the Council Chamber guarded by at least fifty armed Noman. She was proud Rehn felt he had to take such precaution where her husband was concerned. Then she began to look RuArk over and bit back the growl that formed in her throat.

  His torso was bare. Blood was caked around deep cuts on his chest and neck. His soft leather buckskins were hardened with dried blood about the waist. Angry red welts crisscrossed his back where he’d been beaten. Yet he walked tall, as if he had no wounds at all, his step sure and his expression stern.

  Rhia reached through her Source for the bond, hoping to convey to RuArk what she was doing here, and to warn him of the upcoming battle. As soon as the bond was established she felt a flash of cold fury, his fury. Then it was gone, snuffed out like a candlewick doused in swift running water.

  She looked to Rehn, wondering if he was somehow keeping her from communicating with RuArk. She looked back to her husband and those stormy gray eyes were boring right through her. She had never seen him so angry, not even after that dumb stunt where she’d gotten herself kidnapped by Bryan and Ricard.

  Didn’t he understand that she was here to save him? Self-consciously sliding her hand from Rehn’s she tried to convey her thoughts through her eyes.

  Please, please understand.

  RuArk’s gaze melted her heart. After what felt like years, he took one deep breath, held his head higher and looked away.

  She willed RuArk to look at her.

  He didn’t.

  Councilman Collaidh glared at her lifemate, and then signaled the Noman to remove his chains. Just then Rehn grabbed Rhia by a handful of her hair and held her closely from behind. He pulled out a finely tooled, razor sharp golden dagger.

  At her gasp of surprise, Collaidh filled in the blanks.

  “I have had the chains removed, but if you move I will have her killed,” he said to the very large, very powerful man who stood before him with the stature of a king.

  “You said all would be well if I surrendered,” growled Rhia, not bothering to keep her voice down.

  Rehn yanked her head back just enough to gain access to her neck. He rubbed his teeth back and forth against the tender skin. “I promised he would go free if you surrendered. I said nothing of you going free.” He kissed a surprisingly hot path down her neck and then smiled mockingly at RuArk.

  The sensation of his teeth on her skin brought images of her prowling about the province at night seeking weary travelers to feed on.

  Ewwww!

  She shivered, wishing she could sink into the floor.

  But RuArk wasn’t looking at them. His gaze remained on Rama Collaidh and Rhia could almost hear the rage seething through him.

  “RuArk Miwatani, are you aware of the charges against you?” Collaidh asked.

  RuArk said nothing. Rhia hoped the proceedings would drag on another hour or so. By then, the sun would be rising and they would be rid of Rehn and his hoard until evening.

  “RuArk Miwatani,” rang Collaidh’s voice, “I hereby accuse you of the death of the High Counsel of Draema, Grey Greysomne. I further accuse you of taking the lady Rhia from Draema against her will and call your marriage to her void and of no account. Have you anything to say in your own defense?” Collaidh sounded more bored than anything else.

  To her surprise, RuArk responded.

  “I levy charges against you, Councilman Collaidh, and both of your sons, the Noman, Rehn Collaidh and Bryan Collaidh.”

  A collective gasp rippled through the ranks of Councilmembers from one end of the table to the other. Charges against a member of the Council? It was unheard of. But it was also unheard of for Draema to be overtaken by Noman, have the First Heir wed to one of them, and the High Counsel supposedly murdered by an ally such as the Protector of the Realm of Gaia.

  Collaidh ignored RuArk and continued with his charges. Rhia closed her eyes, steeling herself to execute the move that would remove her neck from beneath Rehn’s finely wrought dagger.

  “I further say,” Collaidh went on, “that any children produced from your false marriage are disavowed and have no claim on the High Counselship of Draema.”

  What? He was passing sentence on her children? And without any authority? She was done waiting. Done with the whole business.


  Rhia’s right hand shot out to squeeze Rehn’s fingers tighter around the dagger he held to her throat. Her left hand shot up and back to grab a fistful of his hair, and yanked with all her strength while dropping into a crouch. She came away with the knife as Rehn sailed over her back to land flat on the dais, stunned.

  Just then, one of the closed screened doors opened to the left of RuArk. Out stepped Grey Greysomne, the High Counsel, tattered, bruised and well-armed.

  Collaidh screamed and began to back away. The Councilmembers all at once began yelling, and Rhia was still in a crouch making sure Rehn held still. Collaidh turned to run. One of the council members stuck his foot out from underneath the table and tripped him. The idiot fell hard, knocked his head against the marble corner of the large table, and landed on the floor out cold.

  Rehn sat up and it was pandemonium as he yelled, “Kill them!”

  The Noman turned on RuArk, but each time he made to face an assailant they were suddenly downed. Warriors had cut through the screening on both sides of the room and now poured into the chamber to take on the Noman.

  The High Counsel had quickly shuffled all the Councilmen out through the rear entrances and quickly returned.

  To Rhia, he gave a peck on the cheek.

  To RuArk, he turned and tossed a weapon. “I recognized your distinct blade in the pile of weapons when Sharyn and company freed us from the dungeons. Shall we?”

  And they all joined the fray.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Once RuArk’s Noman guards were cut down, there weren’t enough combatants in the observatory to fight, so the remaining warriors streamed out of the building to take out the creatures who patrolled the streets and manned the walls.

  Rhia went after Rehn. He’d slipped through one of the observatory doors and was making for the nearest exit. He was a competent fighter, but he obviously had no intention of continuing to fight a battle for his now-deposed father.

  “Not so fast.”