The Crow King's Wife

by Melissa Myers

  The grass crunched behind her and she didn’t need to look up to know it was Grim that stood beside her now. Shade’s presence was vibrant and he would have spoken the moment he paused, but Grim studied the training yard in silence before turning his attention to her.

  “Most of them seem to be Arovan. I see quite a few I recognize.” There was a note of distaste in his voice that didn’t surprise her at all. The men and women that had been sent to Merro had been the dregs of the Arovan armies. If Grim knew them by sight, he knew that fact as well. He hadn’t had a chance to see what Valor had made of them yet. He was still judging them by what they had been in Arovan.

  “You still don’t like crowds, but then I can understand why now.” Grim mused softly and nudged her shoulder as he moved away from the activity. “Let’s see if he is on the other side of the grounds. Once we are away from the stables there won’t be as many about. I confess I have no desire to be seen either.”

  Zoelyn gazed up at him at his words and a frown lightly creased her lips. She walked beside him for several steps only glancing back once to watch as Shade strolled toward the soldiers working at swords. No doubt he planned to simply ask where to find Dray, and it was likely the faster approach, but given a choice she preferred to simply look herself and avoid unnecessary conversations.

  She looked up at Grim once more once they were well beyond the earshot of those behind them and her frown deepened at his expression. His grey eyes were narrowed with thought and his lips were drawn into a thin line. For the first time since she had met him she could see where his nickname had spawned.

  Grim noticed her attention and his eyes met hers for a moment before he returned to studying the grounds before him. He was still searching for Dray she had no doubts on that, but his mind was pondering something else entirely; something not very pleasant at all if his expression was any indication.

  “What did you mean back there? When you said you understood why I avoided crowds now?” Zoelyn asked hesitantly. There was a quaver in her voice that she wished hadn’t been there, but the set of his jaw and the dark look on his face had her nervous.

  “Zoe-Lyn.” Grim said quietly, breaking her name into two syllables as if he were just hearing it for the first time. His steps slowed and then paused as they passed under a massive oak. With a sigh he leaned back against it and his eyes settled on her with such weight that for a moment she felt the urge to retreat. “You know even when the subject is changed my mind does not release the previous topic if it held my interest. I mull it over silently and turn it around in my mind until I am satisfied that I understand it.”

  “Well what have you been pondering then? Surely you aren’t still worrying yourself over who I dreamed about?” She tried to force a lighter tone to her voice, but the effect seemed more nervous than casual to her ears.

  “House Delvayon actually.” Grim began and his jaw clenched on the words. He let out a heavy breath and rubbed the back of his neck. His gaze lifted from her to study the darkened sky to the north as he began to speak again. “RenDelvayon’s wife died over ten years ago. He had two sons and a daughter. Ren killed his daughter himself during the barbaric ritual of testing their children’s worth. Kadan as I understand died fighting Rivana as did Kes the supposed adopted daughter of his house. That leaves NephonDelvayon and his Aunt KayDelvayon as the sole surviving members of house Delvayon. Only now you are telling me that Neph is your family.” His voice trailed off for a moment and she swallowed heavily at his words. She hadn’t expected him to be so well informed. His gaze drifted back down to her and he shook his head slowly as if seeing her for the first time. “You know when they called you Undrae I thought they were being cruel. I never once considered they were speaking the truth about you.”

  “Grim, I…” Zoelyn began but he held up a hand to stop her before she could say more. Hesitantly she took a step back and his expression seemed to darken further.

  “You don’t have to explain why you didn’t tell me. I can fully understand why you didn’t. Honestly I still had doubts until I saw that look of fear blossom on your face. I was testing the water so to speak, just voicing a theory. If you would have laughed and called me a fool I would have let it go, but you look terrified and ready to bolt so I know I’m right. You are truly Undrae, and Zoelyn should be Zyi Delvayon. Shade told me of the last battle in Arovan. He described the magic NephonDelvayon used to kill Nerath. It’s the same sort of magic used to create your kind. Neph was too young for such magic when his mother died. So that leaves only his sister as a possibility, if he truly is your family that is.” Grim said in a flat level voice. He crossed his arms over his chest and let out another heavy breath as if bracing himself.

  Silence stretched between them as he studied her and in that moment her ears caught the faint sound of feathers. Zoelyn felt her breath slow further as she slowly turned her gaze to stare up at the large black bird perched in the branches above Grim. The crow’s attention was fixated on the man, as if it too held its breath while it waited to see what would happen next.

  The few times she had glimpsed a crow in the past few days she had been unsure if it was truly Seth’s messenger. This time she was certain the crow above her was Seth’s, and if Grim moved against her the demon would appear and Grim would die. That knowledge was both reassuring and terrifying in the same breath. To have a guardian as powerful as Seth was a security she had never known before, but the knowledge that he would kill someone she considered friend as readily as he killed her enemies left her feeling sickened. Grim was angry, that much was obvious, but he was a logical man and once the anger passed he would realize she was the same person he had always known. She was certain of that.

  “I can’t let this pass. I hope you realize that.” Grim said at last. He seemed completely unaware of her interest in the crow and she felt a small relief at that. If he had managed to work through who she truly was taking the sight of a crow and deducing that Seth was the Crow king wouldn’t be a difficult matter for him.

  “You can’t let what pass?” Zoelyn asked in confusion. She wasn’t sure if he meant her existence, but she couldn’t think of much else he could be talking about. Grim was Glis born and Arovan raised, he knew all of the legends and he had a druid’s hatred for anything that threatened life…like an Undrae.

  “Neph. Your creation. The magic is forbidden for a reason.” Grim explained in a quiet voice and his words were stilted as if he was still forming the thoughts behind them. “I may have to kill him.” He added in almost an afterthought.

  “Wouldn’t it make more sense to kill me?” Zoelyn asked and there was an edge to her voice that drew his attention instantly.

  His expression shifted and he looked almost shocked at her words. “Kill you?” he stammered incredulously and shook his head sharply at her as he pushed off the tree. “Do you even realize what I’m angry about?” he asked in the same tone. He took two steps toward her and locked his eyes on her. “Zoey he stole your life from you. He ripped you from the life stream and forced this unnatural existence on you. If not for him you would have been reborn. He is the one that cursed you and left you to suffer alone.” His voice rose with his words and she could see the full measure of his anger now. Had he been another man, blood would have already spilled, but Grim wasn’t rash. He only delivered punishment where he believed it was due, and at the present it was her brother’s blood he was craving.

  “I would have been reborn, possibly in Glis or maybe in Arovan.” Zoelyn agreed quietly. “Both of which are ravaged by war and most of the folk there are dead. I might have been spared death and kept as a breeder in Eldagar when the Blight’s took the city.” She continued in a sharper voice. “Or I might have been born in Rivana and learned to wield a sword rather than my mind. Just think along those lines and maybe you will see why I don’t hate Neph. He raised me out of love not malice.”

  “Everything has a purpose and every twist of fate has a reason. What may seem like a catastrophe today will be
a blessing tomorrow.” Shade’s light voice broke through the tension in the air like water dousing a fire.

  It was clear by the expression on Grim’s face that he hadn’t heard Shade approaching either. Shade smiled at them both then to her dismay he bowed his head in greeting to the crow. Zoelyn glanced quickly at Grim and watched as the Arovan’s eyes narrowed.

  “Foster says we will find Dray working at Archery. He also says that Jala will be there as well. Apparently Lady Merrodin went seeking him at first light.” Shade sighed and chewed on his lip for a moment as he considered Grim’s dark expression and then looked to Zoelyn’s pale face. He rubbed his jaw and stared at them both for a long moment. “Why is it that I seem to be the only one that realizes we have too many enemies already?” he spoke the question softly as if addressing himself rather than either of them. His blue eyes dropped to Grim once more and he shook his head slowly. “No one can punish Neph more than he is already punishing himself I’m sure. We don’t have the strength or the time to fight amongst ourselves. Let it go Caleb.” His words were spoken gently, but each syllable was laced with command.

  Zoelyn braced herself for Grim’s tirade. She expected him to put Shade in his place either verbally or physically if it came to that, but to her surprise he did neither. Shade was already walking away from them, and the look on Grim’s face was one of acceptance. She had never seen him take an order from anyone but Micah Arovan and the shock of it left her standing in stunned silence.

  With a grudging nod Grim pushed off the tree and glanced to Zoelyn. His eyes rose to rest on the crow for a moment and then he looked back to her with anger still showing on his face. “You were right. I don’t approve, but then who am I to say anything about a demon courting an Undrae. It could be perfectly natural for your kind I suppose.”

  The words cut deep, but she did her best to keep the hurt from her face. He had as much called her a monster. Grim, her friend, one of the few that had never judged her by the curse was walking away from her with a look of distaste on his face that burned deeper than any insult that had ever been thrown at her. Her chest tightened and she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. With a slow breath she forced them back and bowed her head. He hadn’t insulted her, she realized dimly. He had spoken the truth. She knew how he detested liars, and that was likely why he had phrased it so harshly. He thought she was a liar and he was angry. It wasn’t that he hated her for what she was. Once she explained that she had only just found out what she was Undrae everything would be right between them again. She seized on that thought and steadied her breath as she lifted her eyes and followed silently after the two men. They were a good distance ahead of her, but that suited her fine. It would give her more time to compose herself.

  Even before she had closed the distance she could hear Jala’s raised voice. Dray stood back several feet from everyone and had a pensive look on his face. Shade was rubbing his neck and staring up at the sky with an expression of complete exasperation. It was Grim that Jala was addressing in anger Zoelyn realized as she drew closer. The two of them were facing each other in what was apparently a heated debate. Both wore stubbornness plainly and neither looked ready to back down.

  Zoelyn glanced past them to Valor who was frowning deeply and then looked to Shade. They were the most rational ones as far as she could tell, aside from Dray, but she knew Dray wouldn’t be willing to speak up amongst so many. Silently she moved closer to Shade and tugged on his arm lightly. His blue eyes settled on her and he smiled faintly.

  “He is spoiling for a fight today isn’t he?” Shade sighed and shook his head slowly.

  “What started it?” Zoelyn asked softly. From what she could tell Jala was tearing into Grim about doing what was right, but she wasn’t sure exactly what Jala was referring to.

  “Jala wants to take Dray to Arovan. Caleb isn’t having it.” Shade explained simply and his faint smile faded into a frown. “How exactly do you break up a fight between the two most frightening people you know?” he mused softly but she didn’t think he was actually speaking to her.

  Zoelyn snorted faintly and gave him a bitter smile. “Like this.” She informed him as she strode forward toward her friends with a look of determination on her face. Grim was angry with her and lashing out at Jala because of it. She wasn’t about to let a fight occur because of it either.

  “And it isn’t your decision!” Jala bellowed in her High Lady voice as Zoelyn calmly walked between the two of them.

  “Well it certainly isn’t yours!” Grim snarled back and she could see his fist clenching as she looked up between them. Neither appeared to spare her the slightest bit of attention as they glowered at each other and both of them looked on the brink of violence. “How would you know what is best for Arovan?” he demanded.

  “I happen to be betrothed to an Arovan if you hadn’t noticed. I have discussed this with Valor and this is the way it should be.” Jala’s voice held the whip of command that sent everyone in Merro scurrying, but Grim didn’t even flinch at her tone.

  “And have Micah remembered in this fashion? I don’t think so.” Grim growled.

  Zoelyn sighed heavily and braced herself. Turning sideways she glanced up at both of their faces and then placed a hand on both of their chests and shoved them away from each other. Despite the force of her push Grim simply rocked under her hand while Jala staggered back several steps. “Shut up both of you.” Zoelyn snapped loudly. “It isn’t either of your choices. It’s Dray’s choice.” She informed them in a quieter voice as they both stared at her with dumbfounded expressions.

  “Zoey is right.” Shade spoke up loudly before either of them could recover from their shock. He moved forward quickly and took a place beside Zoelyn. “Both of you have valid reasons and both of you have skulls like rocks. You wouldn’t find a mutual agreement even if it were up to you to decide.” He faced Jala as he spoke, but glanced back toward Grim as if to assure the man he was speaking to both of them.

  “This isn’t fair to Dray.” Jala protested her violet eyes flashing with anger. “Caleb acts as if he is the shame of his family and in truth he could be their salvation.” She added in what Zoelyn was sure was an attempt at a rational voice.

  Grim snorted with disgust. “A Blight the salvation of Arovan?” he asked in clear disgust. “Do you want to throw civil war on top of the problems Arovan already faces, Lady Merrodin? That’s what it would come to if you take him to Elijah. He will be recognized by the High Lord because Elijah is an honorable man, and not even General Hai’dia will be able to keep order after that.”

  Jala seemed to deflate a bit and her expression grew uncertain. She took another slow step back from Shade and Zoelyn and turned to look at Valor. “Do you think he is right?” she asked softly.

  “You know I’m right, Valor. Micah’s son will have to prove himself before he ever considers returning to Arovan. If he goes now with nothing more than the stigma of being a Blight resting on his shoulders than only those who felt true loyalty to Micah will give him a chance.” Grim paused and turned to Dray. “It’s harsh, but that’s the way it is. I’m sorry.”

  To Zoelyn’s amazement Dray didn’t look unsettled by the attention. In fact he was smiling faintly. He nodded slowly to Grim and then looked to Jala. “I understand what you are trying to do for me, Lady Merrodin. Don’t think I don’t appreciate it, but he is right. I don’t want to go to Arovan. I think my presence there would herald the fall of my family.”

  “It would depend on how Elijah handled the knowledge. I think he would do what is right by Dray, but he would still have to move carefully to avoid unrest amongst his remaining people. It would require intrigue, and even then it would be difficult.” Valor said quietly and shifted his stance toward Jala. “Regardless of that however this isn’t worth the fight, Jala. Dray doesn’t wish to go, and Grim won’t allow it. To state it bluntly love, I would lose in a fight with Grim and I know it. You might win, but I’m not entirely sure of that. Choose your battles for the be
st of Merro, Jala, and realize this isn’t one of them.” There was no fear in Valor’s voice. His voice was calm as if he was simply stating facts.

  Zoelyn watched in silence as Jala turned to regard Grim once more. She could see the High Lady reassessing him and wondering what she had missed. Grim was a large built man, but to the casual observer he carried no weapons. Only those that knew him very well realized he didn’t need weapons at his side.

  “I suppose I lose then.” Jala sighed.

  “I’m amazed you didn’t choke on those words.” Grim observed with a snort of bitter amusement.

  Valor took a half step forward and opened his mouth to speak, but Jala held up one slender hand and he remained silent. The High Lady watched Grim for another long moment and then smiled sadly. “When Finn died I wanted to lash out at everything too. My emotions were so close to the surface that every word seemed to chafe on my nerves. I’m sorry for your loss, Caleb, and I hope you find peace in Rivana.”

  “We will.” It was Dray’s voice that broke the unsteady silence and all eyes turned to regard him. He smiled faintly at Zoelyn and bowed his head to her. “I wanted you to be safe, and you will be in Delvay. I’m going with Shade and Grim. They killed my father before I ever had a chance to meet him. Grim isn’t the only one that owes them Kevala’drin.” He informed her quietly.