by RS McCoy
“Thank you,” Raene breathed when she could stand the sound of her own voice. She dared to crack open one eye, and then the other. She found her one and only friend with a brilliant smile plastered across her face. Gemini’s black hair was pulled up in a messy knot at the back of her head. Around her, the dimness of Hale’s tent.
“You gave us quite the scare. I’m not sure the Franes will ever recover,” she teased.
Raene’s head ached as she tried remember what happened. She remembered warmth, a constant drum, the smell of blood, predator eyes in shadow—all of it a blur. The pounding in her head didn’t help. A heavy fog had settled into her mind, preventing her from remembering anything clearly.
“Hale wanted me to let him know as soon as you were up, but I figured you could use a few minutes to catch your breath. Want me to get him?”
Raene shook her head and immediately regretted it. The horrific pounding rhythm only worsened, so painful she slammed her eyes shut again.
“Go slow. The hemhorn tea works wonders, but it takes a few minutes to kick in.” A cool cloth landed on Raene’s cheek, and only then did she realize the swelling on the right side of her face. A large knot sat on the tip of her cheekbone just below her eye.
Raene tried to lay as still as possible, but her mind raced with questions. “What happened?”
Gemini moved a fallen lock of hair from Raene’s face. “Parson said you were ambushed by a pack of coyotes.”
Raene remembered the coyotes. Her memory was slow to catch up, but it was there—the eyes, the yellow-grey coats, the endless snap of teeth. She remembered falling and then darkness. She remembered being deep in the forest, closer to the capital than the clan.
“How—how’d I get back here?”
Gemini leaned an elbow on the edge of the cot and waggled her eyebrows as she liked to do when she had some particularly juicy gossip to share. “Well, it’s all so exciting. Parson brought you back in his totem. It’s terribly dangerous, but I guess since you were going to die, he thought he might as well. Hale’s livid, of course, but he’s just worried, mostly. He’s been here pacing for two days, but Lathan just got back with the cart. Good thing, too. No one needs him hovering about like a vulture.”
“And Parson?”
Gemini’s features darkened. “He hasn’t been by. I’m not sure he’s even left his tent.”
Raene would have pouted if she thought it wouldn’t disturb her tentative comfort. “He hasn’t come to see me?” Surely Gemini was mistaken. After all that happened while they were away—the hunting, the conversation, the kisses—Raene was sure he would at least care to know she was all right.
But she’d been wrong before.
Then, Raene realized why he hadn’t come. “Is he all right? Is he hurt?”
“He’s got a good bite on his shoulder, but the rest should heal up nicely.” And then, sensing that wasn’t the explanation Raene expected, Gemini pushed to her feet. “Let me get Hale. He can explain everything better than I can. But don’t let him stay too long. You’ll need some sleep to keep your strength up.”
Raene knew she would have to face him eventually. Before Gemini left, Raene called out, “Why can’t I feel my arm?”
“Just wait for Hale to explain.” And then, she was gone.
Hale burst through the tent flap within a half-second of seeing Gemini’s nod, but as soon as he saw Raene, eyes open—though barely—his heart let go a massive wave of relief. She’d slept nearly two days. Two days of anxiety. Two nights of sleeplessness. But it was all worth it to see her awake again.
In a heartbeat, he crossed the tent and sank beside her cot. It nearly killed him to see her inflamed cheek, her black eye, the arm lying motionless across her chest. Her right side was one continuous injury. She worked the blanket up to her chin, trying to hide her appearance from him.
“How are you feeling?” he whispered, running his knuckles across the edge of her jaw, savoring the warmth and life he felt.
“Awful,” she admitted, her voice a creaking groan compared to its usual melody. “Gemini wouldn’t tell me what’s wrong with my arm.”
“It’s broken,” he said, trying to limit her worries. A second later, he changed his mind. She deserved to know what she’d survived. He delicately lifted her arm to show the bandages that stretched from elbow to knuckles. “An open oblique fracture. Both bones were broken clean through. We reset them, and splinted the arm, but there’s no way to know if you’ll be able to use it again.” Hale stroked her hair to provide what little comfort he could. It was the least he could do.
“And my head?”
“Concussion. Probably a serious one. You’ll have to take it easy for a while. Gemini’s going to stay in camp for a few days to help me. We’ll keep you hydrated, and we’ll get you a little bit of food, as long as your stomach can take it. When you’re ready, Lathan brought some smoked rabbit for you.”
Raene’s eyes widened. “Rabbit?”
Hale leaned forward and kissed the bridge of her nose. “This is more important. Once you’ve regained your strength, we’ll work on getting your totem under control again. Right now, you need the protein to mend your wounds.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “It will take you a long time to feel right again, and it won’t be easy, by you have my word. I’m always here with you. Always. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
A long silence filled the tent, and when Raene closed her eyes, he thought she might have fallen asleep. But then, so low he could barely hear, she whispered, “I’m so sorry Hale.”
Hale shook his head. Raene may be misguided in the use of her totem, but these injuries weren’t her fault. “You have nothing to be sorry about. Parson shouldn’t have taken you so far. I should have told him there was a threat from the Alderai, but I never thought he would venture to the capital on his own.”
A silent tear slipped down her nose and fell to her pillow. “I knew not to go,” she argued. “I told Da I didn’t want to go.”
Hale’s heart nearly stopped. “What do you mean? Da knew you were going?”
“He made me. He said he couldn’t spare anyone else.”
A furious anger erupted within Hale’s chest. For the three days of the envoy and the two days that followed, Da had sat at his side, discussing trades and cuts and the Alderai’s decree, but never once had he mentioned having an active role in sending Raene across the Alderwood. And unlike Parson, Da had direct knowledge of the threat of discovery.
Hale could at least forgive Parson his ignorance. It was Hale’s fault for not telling him. But Da? He knew perfectly well, and he’d done it anyway.
As if summoned by Hale’s blinding rage, Da pushed his way into the tent. “My daughter, I’m so glad to see you awake. You gave my sons quite a scare.” He smiled warmly at her, like she was really his own daughter.
Raene used her good hand to sit up halfway. “Thank you, Da,” she replied before she winced hard. Hale clutched her elbow to help her. Once she was fully up, she pressed her fingertips to her temple to quiet whatever agony she felt there. Even in the midst of some of the worst injuries Hale had ever personally seen, Raene managed a solid attempt at good manners.
Hale’s anger surged. He flew to his feet and locked his hands into fists at his side. “Did you knowingly send her with Parson? Did you force her to go?”
“I’m sorry son. We will have that discussion another time. For now, Raene has a decision to make.”
“What?” Hale hissed. He was already boiling with anger. Da had already allowed her to come to harm, and now he wanted to distress her further? Hale knew the choice she would make, but she didn’t deserve that stress today. As calmly as he could manage, Hale told Da, “She has a concussion. She’s not doing anything but sleeping today.”
Da put both hands on Hale’s shoulders. “I know, my son. I know it. But it must be now.”
Raene looked up at him, glaring through her pain. “You said I had a month.” Her voice was so weak it sounded lik
e a plea.
“The time has come,” Da insisted.
Hale stepped forward. He tried to contain his anger, but it seeped out into every word. “Can I speak with you outside?”
Da shook his head, his eyes heavy with something like regret. “I’m sorry, my son. This is the way it must be. The Mother uses us all as she sees fit. Your brothers will be here shortly.”
It was only mention of the Mother that made Hale keep from striking his Da. Never in his life had he even been tempted, but now, with Raene so injured and Da insisting she make this decision now, Hale was more furious than he could handle.
But it was the Mother’s will that he and Raene be married. Announcing their plans was mere formality, and if it gave Hale more say over her treatment within camp, then Hale would let it happen. As his wife, Raene would be under Hale’s protection, from Da or Parson or anyone else.
“Gemini, could you come in, please?” Da called over his shoulder. When she appeared inside the tent and nodded with respect, Da asked, “Could you please get Ms. Randal cleaned up as best you can and bring her to my tent? Hale, you come with me.”
With Hale and Da gone, the full weight of the situation hit Raene hard. She let a tear slip down her cheek.
“That bad?” Gemini teased, but there was still that edge of concern in her voice.
“He wants me to choose right now.” It was too awful to comprehend. Her head hurt. She couldn’t feel her arm. Just sitting up sent the tent spinning around her.
“By the Mother, he knows how to make a scene. I swear, that man…” Gemini crouched beside Raene’s cot to get a look at her. “First things first: drink this.” She produced a glass vial of some sort of scarlet liquid.
Raene didn’t hesitate to drink it. While it tasted far worse than the last one, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Norsa’s teas. “That’ll help to clear your head. As for your hair, that will take more work.”
It was all Raene could do to sit still and let Gemini’s fingers work through her hair. “I washed it last night while you were sleeping, but I couldn’t braid it with you laying on it. At least it’s not still full of blood and dirt, right?”
Raene tried to laugh, to find the humor in any of it, but she was paralyzed with fear. What was she supposed to do? Who was she supposed to choose? There was no easy answer, no clear winner. Raene was as lost as the day she arrived.
When Gemini finished her hair, helped her into a fresh Terra tunic—complete with fine gold embroidery—and declared her ready, Raene’s head only swam a little. She was much improved over her state only minutes before, but even that didn’t quiet the consuming anxiety of what she was about to do.
With a hand cupped around her elbow, Gemini helped Raene walk to Da’s tent. She probably could have made it on her own—her steps were sure, and her vision didn’t bounce as much as before—but Raene was grateful for the assistance, if for no other reason than to combat the staring clan members.
“Go on. Back to work,” Gemini fussed, offering pointed glares to the ones who didn’t rush away.
Raene kept her eyes on the ground, refusing to acknowledge anyone who took interest in her appearance. Purple cheek. Broken arm. Terra clothes. She was certainly a sight.
And then, all too soon, they’d arrived at Da’s tent. A single flap of fabric hung between her and the reality of her decision. Raene’s feet froze and refused to move.
“You can do this. It’s what you came here to do. And you can’t go wrong. We’re talking about Frane boys, here.” Gemini chuckled and squeezed Raene’s only working hand. “I’ll be at the garden later if you want to come by, or escape, or something.”
Raene let out a single nervous laugh. “Thank you, Gemini.” She wanted to say more. I couldn’t have done this without you. I owe you forever. I’ll find a way to return your kindness. But the words stuck in her throat.
When Gemini lifted the flap, Raene knew she could stall no longer. She ducked under—ignoring the sudden pounding in her head—and when she righted herself in Da’s tent, she was met with a formidable sight. The three Frane sons stood in a line, from oldest to youngest, all in fine Terra tunics, their hair slicked and handsome.
From behind them, Da appeared. He rushed over and kissed her unbruised cheek. “I’m sorry for this, my daughter. If there was another way, I would choose it. But it has to be now. So, please, do not be angry. Do not let circumstance govern this decision. Once made, you can’t take it back. Choose wisely.”
Raene didn’t understand. What difference would ten days make? Why couldn’t she have time to talk to both Parson and Hale? Why this sudden rush? Why did she have to choose now when her head was still so frazzled?
Ahead of her, Raene looked upon the three sons of the Frane Clan. On her left stood Lathan, taller and broader than his brothers, with that same quiet he always had. His thick beard hid his mouth, obscuring any hint of distress. He didn’t seem even remotely nervous, but rather bothered, like he had better things to do than be here.
Raene realized he probably did. They were giving up a day at the cut for this, and Lathan already knew he wouldn’t be chosen.
Parson stood in the middle with his arms crossed over his chest and his gaze on the floor, so all she could see was the mop of chestnut hair on his head. He, too, wore fresh clothes and bore no signs of injury that she could see.
And on her right, Hale. He was shorter and leaner than his brothers, but he had such an easy confidence despite being years younger. Even now, he had more confidence in her than Raene had in herself.
“Are you ready, sweet girl?” Da put a hand low on her back, though she could barely feel it through the bandages.
A lump formed in her throat. A sickening pain emerged in her gut, and Raene couldn’t help but wonder if she suffered some hidden internal injury. But no, it was just her anxiety.
It was just her punishment for her indecision.
Da looked to his oldest son. “Have you anything to say, Lathan?”
“That this is absolutely ridiculous. Look at her, she can barely stand.” Raene had never heard such angered words from him.
Da took it in stride. “Then let’s not waste her time. Have you anything to say?”
In silence, Lathan shook his head.
“Please, Da. Lathan doesn’t need to be here.” Raene needed no further witnesses to this spectacle.
Then, without waiting for Da’s approval, Lathan stepped forward. He leaned over and wrapped his bear arms around her, far gentler than such a man should have been capable. “You don’t have to do anything. He can’t force you. We had an agreement, and you can make him stick to it.”
Raene had never heard so many words from him in the same breath. Nor had she heard such protectiveness or kindness in his voice. He sounded like Kaide—like a brother. She nodded her understanding and tried to hold back her tears when he tenderly kissed her forehead. A moment later, he was gone.
She thought it would be better without him, but left with only Parson and Hale, she felt a renewed surge of sickness. No matter what she did, no matter who she chose, someone was going to leave here broken.
“Parson, anything you’d like to say?” Da continued the proceedings as if Lathan had never said a word.
Parson shook his head. “Lathan’s right. She doesn’t have to choose today. And it doesn’t matter. She chooses Hale. This is pointless.”
Da shook his head sadly. “It’s not pointless. She has a husband to choose and an alliance to honor. That’s very important, my son.”
“Then honor it and let us get back to work.”
Raene felt the words like a slap across the face. She could only stand in shock as they argued. On weak knees, she wavered, trying to remain upright, to keep what little piece of dignity she had left.
At her side, Da continued to press for her decision. “Have I ever given you reason to doubt me? I say this is the Mother’s will, and so it falls to me to fulfill it. Raene will choose today. There is no other way.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Parson glared at his father, his brows drawn and his jaw clenched tight.
“It means I am your father and clan leader. And this is the way.”
“Just let her choose,” Hale said, putting up a hand to calm them, though it hardly worked.
Parson all but screamed, “She doesn’t need to choose. I withdraw my name. Hale is the only one left. Let me get back to work.”
Raene gaped at him, wondering if her mind was more fractured than she thought. Had Gemini’s teas made her hear things? Surely Parson, who worked so hard to earn his chance with her, surely he wasn’t the one saying he didn’t want her. The one who took her hunting and stole kisses in the woods.
Like nothing in the world, Raene hated this. She hated it. More than watching her father drink himself sick or that look in Kaide’s eye when he glimpsed the faded scar on her face. She hated it more than the crushing loss of Blossom and the last time she sailed over Pyrona in a transport. Raene hated this decision more than she’d ever hated anything.
But Raene knew she couldn’t let it affect her. She tried to comb through her thoughts, her memories of the time spent with each, to think logically despite the ache in her head.
Parson was chaotic while Hale was constant. Parson pushed her away and pulled her close while Hale had worked to steadily build their relationship. Parson said all the wrong things while Hale said mostly right ones.
Parson took her hunting while Hale forbade it.
Hale spoke calmly while Parson yelled.
Parson taught her to dance when Hale refused.
Hale stayed by her side all day and night after her injury while Parson hadn’t even come to see her.
Parson carried her back while Hale dressed her wounds.
Hale kept her safe while Parson let her come to harm.
They were as different as two people could possibly be, and both had traits she loved and hated. There was no obvious choice.
But when she looked at Parson, he avoided her gaze. He looked at Da or Hale or the floor, but not her. When she looked to Hale, he stood quietly waiting, his hands clasped, not shaking, not nervous. As he’d been all along, Hale was confident in her and in their relationship, as new and budding as it was.