“Good thinking. We should leave before the sun comes up.”
As they cut across country, Kane kept Theda’s hand in his. Helping her find her way in the darkness was only the excuse; the real reason was that he needed her touch. The pace he set kept all of them moving too fast for much in the way of conversation. At Kane’s order, Hob ranged out in front and occasionally circled around behind them to make sure that their presence had remained undetected.
When they were within sight of the gate back into the city, Averel stopped.
“I’ll go on ahead while you stay here with Hob. One man alone will draw less attention than the three of us together would, especially in your condition, Kane. Be ready to ride, though, because my leaving the city with two horses under saddle besides my own won’t go unnoticed.”
Kane started to protest that his condition was much improved. Then he realized that Averel was referring to him being bare-chested and still covered with dried blood.
Instead, it was Theda who argued. “I must come with you, Sir Averel. I cannot remain out here long enough for you to return. I have duties I must see to before my absence is noted.”
A sick feeling stirred in Kane’s gut. “You’re coming with us, Theda.”
But the truth was there in her dark eyes. “I cannot, Kane, no matter how much I want to stay with you. Right now Ifre has no reason to suspect that I helped you escape. If I leave now, it will be obvious I was involved, and his vengeance will know no bounds.”
Theda stared up at the night sky, anguish and fear etching their marks in her beautiful face. Finally, she turned her gaze back to Kane. “He will execute my stepson and sacrifice my ladies-in-waiting to his blood magic. They are leaving the city soon, but they are in danger until then.”
Averel walked a short distance away and turned his back to them. Kane appreciated his attempt to offer the two of them some small bit of privacy. He wanted to rail at the woman. Or better yet, hold her prisoner until Averel returned with the horses and then throw her over his saddle and lead the charge back to Lady Merewen’s keep.
That wasn’t going to happen. Theda would never forgive him for such a selfish act if those she cared about suffered for it. They both knew he wouldn’t abandon his own friends; he couldn’t ask her do so.
“Theda, I cannot stay.”
“I know, Kane. You’ve never lied to me about that.” She smiled through the tears streaming down her face. “I am so glad that we met, that we . . .”
Her words trailed off as she glanced in Averel’s direction. That was all right. Kane knew what she meant. The short time they’d spent in each other’s arms were the best hours of his long life. He wished he had Duncan’s gift for words, but he’d never mastered the language of the poets.
“I will return. My gods have sent the Damned to destroy Keirthan’s evil, and I will see that duty done or die in the attempt.”
He tangled his fingers in the dark silk of her hair. “Theda Keirthan, know that even as I ride away, my heart will remain here with you.”
She hugged him close. “And mine will be yours to keep, Kane. Now and for always.”
Their kiss was infinitely sweet and far too brief. Kane wanted to hold her close until the end of his days, but she had to leave now or risk discovery.
He stepped back. “Go and be safe. We will return by the solstice. May knowing that give you hope.”
Her smile was incredibly brave. “I’ll be waiting, Kane.”
She hurried after Averel. Kane watched long after they disappeared into the darkness, the pain in his heart far worse than anything Keirthan had inflicted upon him.
Chapter 22
Averel escorted Theda all the way to the door. In part he wanted to make sure she was safe, but he’d also not given up on getting her to leave with them.
“Are you sure you won’t come with us, my lady? It does not sit well with either of us to leave you alone to face the wrath of your brother-in-law once he discovers Kane has escaped. He will know he had help. Kane will not forgive himself if you were to suffer because of him.”
She dug her nails into the palms of her hands as she struggled to refuse his offer. It was so tempting to allow Averel and Kane to whisk her away from the capital. Anything was better than living day after day with Ifre’s evil. She was soul weary and scared, but neither could she abandon her friends.
She studied the young man standing in front of her. “Tell me that you know Kane’s true worth, Averel. That you see past the surface to the man inside.”
Averel stared down at her, his expression so earnest and young. “Lord Kane has been my friend and companion for centuries, my lady. There is no one I’d rather stand beside in battle. I know full well his worth as a warrior and as a man.” Then his stern expression softened briefly. “I cannot believe the gods would bring you into his life for only such a brief time. He deserves more. I will do my best to return him to your side.”
“Watch after yourself as well, Sir Averel.”
She rose up on her toes to quickly kiss the young knight’s cheek. “Now, go. I’ll be fine.”
She hoped. But the longer she lingered outside of the keep, the more danger Averel and Kane would be in. She knocked on the door and was relieved when it was Tom who let her in.
“Thank you, Tom.”
The big man pulled the door shut and locked it. “I’m glad you’re back, my lady. Things have been quiet.”
“I am glad to hear that. Now get some rest.”
Theda hurried down the hall to the back staircase. The gods must have been looking out for her because she reached her quarters without encountering anyone else. Soon the sun would be peeking up over the horizon, and the servants who helped with the morning meal would be stirring.
She quickly stripped off her gown, wincing when she realized it reeked of Kane’s blood. Had Tom noticed? It was doubtful, considering the dark color of the cloth and the dim light in the hall by the door. For the moment, she hid it in the bottom of a chest.
She looked longingly at her bed, but she was due downstairs in less than an hour. Oversleeping would increase the risk of drawing unwanted attention from Ifre. Once he discovered his prisoner had escaped, he’d be looking for a handy target for his rage. She had no regrets about the part she played in the night’s activities. That didn’t mean she wanted to take Kane’s place in offering up her blood to feed Ifre’s magic.
Once she made it through the morning routine—if she made it through—she could return to her room for a long nap.
Where was Kane now? She had to believe he and Averel had gotten away safely. And when they returned, it would be in force. May the gods see that they were victorious.
She hated that good men of Agathia would die defending the capital, fighting in the name of a ruler who did not deserve their loyalty. But she knew Ifre well enough to know he wouldn’t surrender easily. No, he’d hide behind the gates and let others do all the dying.
The gates! Once he discovered Kane’s absence, he’d order them locked, hoping to trap Kane within the city. That wouldn’t happen, but others could be caught up in the net, specifically Lydia and Margaret. She had to get them up and out of the keep before that happened.
The plan had been for one of Lydia’s brothers to approach the keep alone as if simply stopping by for a visit. The rest were going to stay at an inn near the gate to the city. He was supposed to have sent word of his arrival last night. She hoped he had. If they hurried, her friends could be gone before Ifre had time to start issuing orders. She needed to warn them.
Lydia answered on the second knock. “Lady Theda, what’s wrong?”
Theda pushed past her into the room. She was relieved to see Margaret was already with her. “There is no time for explanations, but you need to leave here immediately. Go out through the side door and don’t stop until you reach the inn where your brothers are staying.”
The two young women were already changing clothes. Theda gave each of them a quick hug. “Your f
riendship has been a true gift in my life, but do not return to the capital for any reason. Lydia, warn your father that dark times are upon us. I can say no more.”
As tempting as it was to linger long enough to see them off, that would be a break in her usual routine. Now more than ever she needed to maintain normal appearances.
“Keep safe.”
Lydia stopped her. “Will you not come with us, my lady? There will be plenty of room in the coach.”
For the second time, Theda refused a chance to escape. “I would only draw more danger in your direction. I will be fine.”
After one last hug, she headed for the kitchen. Each step of the way she prayed for those who had escaped Ifre’s stronghold and even more for those who hadn’t.
* * *
Sigil scanned the horizon, watching for any sign of movement. The rest of the troops the nobles had promised to Gideon were due today. But the men-at-arms weren’t the only ones Sigil was watching for. Averel and Kane had yet to return to the keep. The other Damned were restless and edgy as their worry about their safety grew stronger with each passing hour. At least last night none of them had awoken screaming.
Gideon and Duncan both professed to believe that meant Kane was all right and on his way back. Murdoch, ever more pessimistic than his two companions, remained silent on the subject. The big warrior spent hours upon hours on the palisade, staring into the distance with a stony expression on his face.
Right now Sigil was off duty, but he was too restless to sleep. As tired as he was, he was still in better shape than his friend. Alina had looked particularly grateful when Murdoch had agreed to stand down for several hours, trusting that Sigil would send for him at the first sight of the two missing Damned returning to the fold.
If Sigil remained stationary there much longer, though, he’d fall asleep standing up. He rubbed his tired eyes and walked across the width of the gate and back to stir his blood again. As he made the turn a second time, he scanned the horizon. Wait! What was that?
Blinking twice, he looked again, staring hard at the farthest ridge in the distance. Nothing. He was about to give up when he saw it again. One—no, two—riders coming this way. It was too soon to sound the alarm, but his gut told him that it was Kane and Averel out there, riding hard for the keep.
As he watched them draw ever closer, it occurred to him that before he’d become one of the Damned himself, he wouldn’t have been able to see the two warriors until they were much closer. His excitement growing by the second, he shouted down to one of the guards.
“Send for Captain Gideon, Duncan, and Murdoch. Make sure they know it’s good news!”
The man nodded and took off running. Satisfied his message would be delivered, Sigil climbed down off the palisade. Someone had to ride out to meet the warriors. None of the assembled troops camped out on the grasslands had ever met Averel or Kane. There was no telling how they would react when two heavily armed warriors came charging through their encampment.
He ran for the pasture and threw himself up on the first horse he found. Rather than wait for someone to open the pasture gate, he urged the mare to jump the fence. One of the guards smartly had the main gate open for him.
Gideon and the other two warriors were already there.
“They’re back!” Sigil shouted on his way out. “I’ll provide escort through the troops.”
By rights, it probably should’ve been one of the other three who rode out to meet the returning warriors, but they didn’t argue. The sentries posted out on the grasslands let him pass without question, but he slowed enough to tell them he was meeting two more of Captain Gideon’s men.
After that, it was a short ride to meet Kane and Averel. One look at the dark warrior, and Sigil was glad he’d been the one to come. Both men looked haggard, grim, and ready for a fight.
They slowed to a stop and waited for him, their horses sweaty and breathing hard. Man and beast were both clearly exhausted. Even so, Kane immediately noticed the change in Sigil’s eyes.
“You must be Sigil, the one Gideon told us about in his message.” Kane’s voice was hoarse and rough. “You’re one of us now? How did that happen? Keep in mind right now I’m in no mood for long stories.”
Sigil kept it short. “The Lord and Lady of the River accepted my offer of service. It seemed like a good idea.”
Averel immediately maneuvered his mare closer and held out his hand to clasp Sigil’s arm. “Welcome, brother.”
The gesture meant a lot. “Thank you. I’m still trying to come to terms with it. We can talk more later, but I left Gideon and the others waiting at the gate. I came because I wanted to make sure you didn’t run into any problems riding through our assembled forces.”
Kane stood up in the stirrups to scan the area. “Not as many men as we really need but more than I expected to answer the call.”
He was right. “We’re hoping more will arrive by tomorrow, but we can only wait and see. For now, let’s get you to the keep. Welcome back.”
* * *
Only pure hardheaded stubbornness was keeping Kane upright and moving. He hurt, the pain due in part to riding hard and fast for Lady Merewen’s keep. They’d stopped for only a few hours to rest the horses, driving both themselves and their mounts hard.
But his agony stemmed from another source. Every mile they’d ridden had taken him that much farther from Theda. He cursed her stubborn nature, which had kept her from coming with him even as he respected the reasons behind her decision.
And not knowing her fate was the worst part of it. He’d give anything to know what had happened once Keirthan learned of Kane’s escape. How many had suffered because of it? There was no way that bastard would accept defeat easily. No. Once he got over his initial anger, he would have begun rebuilding his power.
That made it all the more imperative that the Damned marshal their forces and begin the forced march back to the capital city. The longer they dallied here in the safety of Lady Merewen’s keep, the stronger Keirthan would be when they faced him and the more innocent deaths would be on Kane’s conscience.
He hated knowing people he cared about were in harm’s way. Lady Theda was the most important, but by no means the only one. There were several of the guards he would hate facing in battle, knowing they would likely die protecting a man who didn’t deserve such a sacrifice. And what of Theda’s ladies-in-waiting? Had they made it away?
After reaching the keep, his friends had kept the reunion celebration blessedly short. Gideon had ordered him and Averel to eat a good meal and get a good night’s sleep before he’d even consider discussing their plan of attack. He was right, but that hadn’t meant Kane was happy about it.
Kane had awoken before first light, restless and ready to talk. So far, none of the other Damned had dragged themselves out of bed. If they didn’t do so soon, Kane would hunt them down himself.
Of course, if Theda were here with him, he wouldn’t be all that eager to leave his bed either. Gideon, Murdoch, and now even Duncan slept with their women safely tucked in next to them. On one level, Kane was happy for his friends, but on another, he secretly railed at the gods for the unfairness of it all. Why had they let this happen?
But maybe he already knew the answer. Gideon and the others weren’t the ones who had broken a centuries-old vow to forswear the use of dark magic. Had the gods been testing his resolve? If so, he’d failed. Had he leapt at the first excuse to unleash his power?
Even now, his cheek throbbed where his mage mark pulsed hot and hungry. His worry over Theda’s fate wasn’t helping his already weakened control. Being this close to so many people left him feeling boxed in and on the edge of violence. Perhaps it would be better if he saddled Rogue and left the keep, waiting at a distance for their makeshift army to ride out. He’d never forgive himself if he struck out and injured one of his friends or another innocent. It wasn’t their fault that he was so close to raging out of control.
A knock at the door came at last.
>
He backed into the corner farthest from the door, feeling better with his back to the wall. “Come in.”
Sigil stepped into the room. Despite having spent some time with the man yesterday, it was still jarring to see his eyes a match to Kane’s own.
“The others are coming.”
The warrior came around the table to sit down, taking a chair that made it possible for him to keep a wary eye on Kane, but he took no offense. Maybe talking would help him maintain control.
“So the Lord and Lady accepted your oath.”
Sigil nodded and leaned back in his chair. Kane was willing to bet he wasn’t nearly as relaxed about that change in his circumstances as he pretended.
Staring past Kane at a sight only he could see, Sigil said, “They did. The Lady said that my service to them and their cause would help erase what I did in the name of the duke.”
Curious, Kane said, “I thought you’d forgotten your past.”
Sigil’s eyebrows drew down low over his eyes. He looked frustrated. “I remember a few things, like I held the rank of captain in Keirthan’s service, and I have some knowledge of magic. No real details, though. So that much hasn’t really changed.”
Then he smiled. “The gods gave me my own avatar. He’s a monster of a wolf named Otsoko. I’ll have to introduce you and Hob to him when you have time. Averel’s dogs, too.”
Kane snorted. “That should prove interesting. Dogs like Averel’s were bred to hunt wolves.”
“Otsoko could hold his own against them, but I’m hoping it won’t come to that. He and Shadow have managed to make peace. If she can tolerate him, maybe the dogs will, too. How about Hob? Think there’ll be a problem?”
Kane tried to picture the meeting in his mind. Every scenario that he came up with ended badly. “Hob has made stranger friends over the years.”
Footsteps out in the hall had them both watching the door. Gideon led the procession into the room. He provided introductions between Kane, Averel, and Lady Lavinia. She gave Averel a bright smile, but when she turned to greet Kane, Lavinia hissed and backed up several steps.
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