The Healer and the Warrior

by Bekah Clark

  A groan escaped my lips as I dropped my hands. “I’m sorry. She hit a nerve, and I let myself react.”

  A soft affection flooded her face. “Well, she’s wrong. I’ve never seen Torric so taken with a woman before. He’s certainly never brought one here to share his room.”

  Embarrassment tore through me and I looked at her. “I kind of thought that might be the case.”

  “I’ve been meaning to comment on your pendant. It’s quite striking. Is it a religious symbol?”

  I laughed softly. “Well, don’t tell Torric, but it is a protection symbol.”

  “Why not tell Torric?” Her eyes turned curious.

  Beaming, I said, “He bought it for me on our trip here.”

  Her eyes enlarged in surprise. Within them was a question I didn't understand. For a moment, I thought she would give it voice, but then she shook her head.

  I decided I couldn’t take it anymore. “Why does everyone react so strangely when they find out Torric bought me a gift?”

  She started down the hallway. “That isn’t for me to—”

  Frustration filled my voice as I finally begged, “Please. I don’t understand, and I really want to.”

  She paused and turned to me. For a long moment, she searched my face and then rested her emerald eyes on the pendant once again. Finally, she said, “Before I say, can I ask you a personal question?”

  I leaned against the wall and wrung my hands in front of my waist. “Of course.”

  “Were you and Torric first intimate before or after he gave you that pendant?”

  I giggled nervously, a habit I could never seem to break, and looked away. I hadn’t expected that question. I wasn’t sure how to react other than the intense heat on my cheeks.

  “I know it’s very personal, but it’s important.”

  “Well, it was after,” I stated shyly.

  She pursed her lips as she thought about it. Finally, she asked, “He didn’t tell you what that means?”

  “No. Please tell me?”

  “When a warrior courts the woman he thinks is his True Mate, he gives her a pendant. He’s careful not to make love to her before he gives that to her. When she’s ready to accept being his True Mate, they make love for the first time. It’s a very old tradition. But you’re not from Glane, and you don’t know what this means. I don’t know what it means either, because of that reason. I would have thought Torric would have explained it to you.” For several long moments, she stared at my pendant, contemplating.

  “So…you don’t have marriages?” I found the whole thing confusing. My parents had been True Mates, but according to my mother, they hadn’t been intimate until after they were married.

  However, she could have been lying about it so that I would wait for marriage.

  She sighed. “We do. But if you’re True Mates, the bond is considered just as binding.”

  I frowned. “But he didn’t tell me.”

  “Like I said, I don’t know what this means.”

  She looked as confused as I felt. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. Meeting her eyes, I smiled and asked, “Can you direct me to that lovely garden outside?”

  Once outside, I took the time to wander the area. It was large and protected by three walls, the fourth being the castle itself. There were several large cherry and apple trees that were heavy with fruit that wasn’t quite ripe. Wandering deeper, I found a swing and sat down. Gently, I swayed back and forth as I contemplated what Sarine had said. Either Torric didn’t mean to take me as his True Mate or, for reasons I didn’t understand, he had chosen not to explain it to me. I just didn’t know how to process this information.

  “Want me to push?”

  I turned to find Torric standing there, staring at me in such a way that caused heat to flood my veins. But when I thought about what Sarine had said, cold shot through me as annoyance flashed through my heart. He arched an eyebrow in confusion.

  It took but a moment for me to grab my pendant and hold it up. “Care to explain this to me?”

  His face fell. “Who told you?”

  “That’s not as important as why you didn’t.”

  He strode over to me and paused before me. Slipping his hands over my cheeks, he leaned down so we were eye to eye. Even though I knew that I should not, I couldn’t help but pout. I felt betrayed. This was something he should have told me right from the beginning.

  He kissed my brow. “I was going to tell you.”

  “When?”

  He let out a frustrated groan and ran his hand through his hair. “I was planning on telling you before we were together the first time. But then, after I saw you there on that stake, I went a little crazy about how I nearly lost you, and I lost control. I needed you to reassure myself that you were alive and in my arms. And your eyes when you looked at me were so trusting and willing. How could I resist you?”

  “So you think I’m your True Mate? How?”

  He softly stroked my hair back. “When I first saw you asleep in your home, I didn’t really know what it was. I just knew I needed you, that you were not like any other woman I had ever seen. But I had to bring you to Donner. I knew I couldn’t take advantage of you like that. But each day I was with you, listening to you talk, smelling your sweet scent, I found myself lost. When we were in that market, just before we left, I just suddenly knew. That’s why I had to get you something. I was intent on telling you. But when I came back, those men were trying to drag you away, and I nearly lost it. It wasn’t the right time.”

  My mind whirled back through our journey together. “But when you gave me the pendant, why didn’t you tell me?”

  He sighed and pulled me up and into his arms. His lips played softly against my ear with a few kisses before he said, “When the time finally came, I thought you’d know what it meant, but you didn’t. I wasn’t sure how you’d react if I told you, but I needed you to have it. I knew that once we got into Glane and men realized I had given it to you, none of them would touch you. Maybe it was a bit selfish, but the idea of another man lying with you drove me insane. I figured I’d court you and ask you later.”

  I smiled and curled up into his arms.

  He held me tighter. “I know I should’ve told you before we were together that first night. I’m sorry I didn’t, but I’m not sorry that I was finally able to have you as I needed. I’m hoping we’ll continue to be together. I know that things are different in Renth, but…”

  I stared up at him, fear ran through me. But after everything he just said, I had to be courageous. “Does this mean…you love me?”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Do you have to ask?”

  I blushed and turned away. When my eyes returned to him, he frowned. So I said, “I’m just nervous about your feelings. Things like this aren’t easy for me. I mean, if you don’t love me—”

  “Of course I love you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m just not one to usually say such things.”

  I grinned up at him. “Well, maybe you could try to say it once in a while, and I’ll try to live with you not saying it all the time. Because I’ve loved you for a while now, and I’ve been too afraid to tell you.”

  He tugged me closer and roughly placed his lips on mine. His heat seeped into my body, fusing me to him. All this time, fear had kept me from sharing what I felt, and it was all for nothing. If I had just been a little more perceptive, I would have noticed his love in every touch, in every kiss. I opened my mouth to him and he delved hungrily into it with his tongue.

  Leading me deeper into the wooded area of the garden, he leaned back against a tree and grinned at me. His intent clear, I gasped out, “Someone will see!”

  “Once, long ago, people wandered this garden. Not anymore. The only reason I knew you were here is that Sarine told me I should go see you in the garden. Trust me.”

  I laughed. “Trust you? You mean the man who just wants under my skirt.”

  His teeth gently grazed beneath my ear. “No—the man who l
oves you.”

  I went weak in the knees as his mouth ran over my neck, nipping here and there, igniting a fire in me. His hands stroked over me, causing my body to quake in his arms. When his lips returned to mine, I opened my mouth and returned his kiss with a desperate passion. Boldly, I let my hand slip between us and worked on the ties of his leather pants. He pulled back, his heated eyes watching me as my fingers flew over the ties to free him.

  Yanking my skirt up, he slipped his hands over my bottom and lifted me. Then we were one, and he moved against me in slow, powerful thrusts as he held me tight. Fire roared through my veins, and I cried out his name. He bit my bottom lip and sucked softly, looking into my eyes, his gaze urging me to new heights. My body coiled and tensed around him and then, suddenly, I was quaking wildly in his arms as he growled and picked up speed. His name fervently tore from my lips over and over as I built to a second peak. When at last our release took us, the intensity left me breathless as he sank down to lean against the tree, holding me to him, keeping us one, as he breathed heavily and growled, “Never doubt me again.”

  Just as breathless, I whimpered. “I won’t.”

  Roughly, he gripped my hips to him. “And I’ll give you a proper wedding. I know you people of Renth find such things important.”

  I grinned up at him. “Well, I used to be of Renth, but I’m a citizen of Glane now.”

  He squeezed me tightly to him. “My woman.”

  Nipping his neck, I said, “Yours.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Four days later, Donner decided to have a formal introduction of the Healer of Glane to the current court. My nervous heart fluttered like a small bird until I thought it would fly away. I didn’t want to be the center of attention. My happiness was in just healing those whom I came across in need. To me, this was unnecessary.

  There was another reason I was worried, however. Donner's poisoning occurred during an attack, but there had been no cut. I had decided that it was probably some sort of assassin that had done it. If that assassin was still around, would he then come after me? I knew that Torric would do whatever was necessary to protect me, but what if it wasn’t enough? What if they still killed me? The idea of my death had never been something that frightened me. Until now. Now, the idea of being dead and leaving Torric’s side shook me to the core.

  And then there was the other reason Donner had to introduce me to the court. Sarine decided that Torric would announce that I was his True Mate and that we were going to have a formal wedding. I had no doubt Gemma would be furious, but I didn’t really care about her feelings. I wanted to marry Torric. In Renth, only an actual wedding ceremony had any legitimacy. What I wasn’t sure of was the idea of a large, formal wedding. When Sarine had heard about our decision, she had been so excited she suggested the formal court wedding. How could I deny Torric’s sister? Even if she wasn’t the queen, I wouldn’t have been able to say no.

  Silently, I followed Torric into the throne room. Upon a large dais, Donner lounged on a large, white marble throne, the tall back of which reminded me of a trio of spearheads. Sarine sat at his side on a demure throne of white marble that was as graceful and elegant as she was. We walked down the aisle, the small assemblage of lords and ladies watching us and studying my flame-red hair curiously. We took stance near Sarine’s side of the dais.

  Glancing across to Donner’s side, I found Gemma looking at me with wide, hateful eyes. I schooled my expression into a neutral one and met her gaze. Torric’s large, warm hand took mine, and her eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. Turning from her, I glanced up at Donner. He gave me a quick wink. Calm immediately flooded through my body. My place was in Glane now, by Torric’s side. All of this was just a formality. I could handle formality. Couldn’t I?

  I let out a soft, shuddery breath as my blood ran cold. It was like a twitch in the back of my mind. I felt eyes upon me, and I didn’t think they were Gemma’s.

  Turning my head slightly, I let my gaze search the large hall. It paused on a man with ink-black curls and eyes so dark, they, too, seemed black. He was handsome, in a roguish sort of way, with neatly trimmed facial hair. Yet his icy dark gaze sent a shiver of fear through me. Quickly, I turned my gaze back to Donner. He was rising.

  “Lords and Ladies. I come before you a new man. The poison, which has plagued me in recent months, has left my system. We owe our gratitude to a daughter of Glane who has returned to us from Renth. Zianya, Healer of Vella, is descended of one of the healers of our own land who escaped the treachery that happened so long ago. With her return, we hope that the tides of this war will change, that healers will once again grace our lands. With that in mind, I name Zianya the Healer of Glane, and look forward to the skills she can teach our people.”

  Deep, hot red took my cheeks as loud clapping sounded around the room. Glancing around, I noted that Gemma was politely clapping. The man with the ink-black curls also joined in the applause, but his eyes continued to burn into me. I wondered if Torric noticed. When I turned my eyes up to him, I found him looking to Donner, waiting for his word. “Before our feast, Torric, Duke of Northold, wishes to speak.”

  In an instant, Torric swept me up onto the dais to face everyone. I thought I had been embarrassed during Donner’s formal proclamation, but as Torric swept me up there, my heart hammered in fear and discomfiture. I hadn’t known he was going to have me face everyone. Chewing on my lower lip, I stared at the back of the room, too afraid to meet anyone’s eye. But even while doing this, I could feel the eyes of the court on me. They all were wondering what it was I was doing there. I swallowed and forced myself to glance around the room. Gemma looked livid.

  Torric’s rich voice boomed out, “I will keep this brief. As you all know, I don’t care for courtly matters. In Zianya, I have found my True Mate. As is the custom of the people of Renth, we will also have a marriage ceremony in one month. That is all.”

  For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then the lords and ladies of the court burst into applause. As my eyes ran over the room, I noticed Gemma simply staring at me in utter amazement. A twinge of guilt stabbed at my heart. The poor girl had probably thought that when Torric discarded me, she would be his wife. Regret over my harsh words to her filled me. Before I could let it consume me, I let my gaze wander again and found the dark-haired man staring at me with calculation in his eyes. I wondered who he was. But before I could quietly ask, Torric hurried me out of the room to the court dining room.

  Later, when we were alone in our room, he asked, “Well?”

  I laughed. “Can we not just run off and have a small ceremony? Just the two of us?”

  Amusement twinkled in his emerald eyes. “Do you want to tell my sister?”

  I frowned. “No. She’d never forgive me.”

  There was a knock at the door. Torric opened it to reveal Sarine. She slipped into the room and pulled me into her arms. “My dear, you looked so frightened in there. Sorry for the spectacle.”

  I smiled weakly. “It isn’t in my nature to be the center of attention.”

  “Well, sadly, you’ll have to learn to accept it. Donner is just finishing up with the court. After that, how about the four of us have a small meal? I noticed that just like Donner and I, you hardly touched a thing at that stuffy feast. Also, we can start planning.” She squealed the last sentence, and that brought a smile to my lips.

  Torric was right—how could I tell Sarine that I didn’t want a formal wedding? Instead, I nodded in agreement. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  “A red dress is traditional here in Glane, but would you rather have a traditional Renth style?”

  “Pale blue is traditional in Renth.” I pursed my lips and thought about it for a moment. “However, I’m from Glane now. So red it is.”

  Torric made himself scarce as the two of us talked about various traditions for weddings that either Glane or Renth had. As we did, Sarine decided it would be appropriate to mix some of Renth’s traditions with Glane’s
. I honestly did not care that much; I was already Torric’s, and he was mine. That was all that really mattered to me in the end.

  When Donner joined us, we called for a light meal. As Torric and Donner spoke of strategy, Sarine told me that I would be going to her dressmaker. Considering the lovely dresses the queen always wore, I felt safe in her dressmaker’s hands.

  “Just not too ostentatious. All of this is rather new to me. I’ve always tried to have people ignore me because I’m not one for confrontation.”

  Sarine laughed. “You could have fooled me. Gemma will never be the same.”

  I smiled. “Well, I don’t like confrontation, but I’m not one to shrink from a challenge, either. I had a delicate line to walk back home, but I think not living in fear loosened my tongue.”

  She let out an angry huff. “The fools. They had a healer in their midst. They should have revered you.”

  Nervous laughter bubbled forth. “I’m not sure I want to be revered, either. I just want to live a simple life, with Torric.”

  His arm was suddenly around me, dragging my chair closer to his. When I looked up, I found him smiling down at me. “That’s all I want, too.”

  Donner quipped, “Being the Duke and Duchess of Northold, your lives won’t be that simple.”

  I groaned. “Can’t I be Torric’s wife without being a duchess?”

  Torric frowned at me. “You don’t want my title?”

  Smiling up at him, I replied, “You know that I don’t care about such things, I’ve never loved you for your title.”

  Kissing my brow, he held me close for one quiet moment. “I know. It’s one of the many things I love about you. But you need the title. Otherwise there will be women who will think they can come between us.”

  The thought of Gemma trying to seduce Torric rushed through my jealous mind. I frowned. “Duchess it is.”

  Donner laughed. “Don’t be so enthusiastic, oh Healer of Glane.”

  At that moment, there was a burst through the door. The man with the ink-black curls charged in. He looked surprised to see Donner and Sarine. Then his eyes locked on me with hatred, and I shrank back. Torric jumped up and pushed me behind him.