Was he a little more curt than usual? Had there been too many unwanted visitors lately? Did Abner correctly interpret the mood inside the castle? Andrixine wondered over questions and possibilities until her head ached and he returned.
He opened the man-door to one side of the gate and stepped out, bowing to them in formal greeting. He spoke the words of full welcome and hospitality and begged them pardon the somberness of the household because crisis had touched the family. Andrixine knew how to cure that particular malady. She fought a grin of anticipation as Abner's underlings opened the gates wide. In moments, they were inside the castle, heading for the stables.
"Lord Jultar,” Abner said, approaching the warlord as he dismounted, “Lord Edrix wishes to speak with you. He wishes to make an alliance with you. Will you come?"
"Of course.” The warlord turned slightly to meet Andrixine's eyes. It was hard, when she had to keep her hood down to avoid being recognized by her own servants. She and her mother would try to stay hidden until they knew the climate of the castle.
Andrixine nodded, signaling she trusted him. Her mind raced. An alliance? She suddenly understood—her father wanted the war band's help. Perhaps to stage a rescue? He couldn't insult Jultar's rank by asking to hire him, so he asked for an alliance instead.
She had to tend Grennel herself. The servants would recognize the stallion, even with his coat dyed and his mane clipped. Kalsan stayed with her, and they tended the horses as they had always done. Brother Klee took Lady Arriena, swathed in her cloak, into the castle and asked for a private room. He explained that the band escorted a lady, who was ill from the rigors of the trail, to the capital. The subterfuge would keep her hidden until they knew if Faxinor Castle was safe from treachery.
It took some effort not to run ahead of the servant who led them to their assigned rooms. Andrixine knew the part of the castle reserved for visitors, merchants and travelers. She and her siblings had played there often, exploring, pretending to be lords and ladies in a different castle. The wide halls paved with golden white flagstones, walls paneled with sweet-smelling, red-gold wood, and tapestries over doorways against drafts—coming home made her feel giddy, with a cold core that warned her to walk carefully.
To her amusement, the servant assigned her and Kalsan the same room. Andrixine pressed a finger to her lips to silence her oath-friend's protest, and fought laughter. She waited, leaning against the door until the man's steps faded down the hall.
"My honor won't be sullied,” she whispered, delighted with the frown still making his face a thundercloud.
"But Andrixine—” He sputtered to a stop, fists digging into his hips, visibly off-balance and hating it.
"I'm going to my mother in another moment. What could you do in such a short time?"
"You'd be surprised how quickly a man moves when he's tempted,” Kalsan growled.
Andrixine felt her face warm. “You thought I was a boy only a few days ago."
"A very pretty boy.” An embarrassed grin brightened his features. He stayed on the other side of the room.
"Thank you, Kalsan.” She tried to smile. “Even when I was at my best, no one ever told me I was pretty."
"They don't know you like I do.” He shrugged, his grin turning lopsided. “Well, like I thought I knew you."
She couldn't think of what to say. Mentally slapping herself, she knew she had to act or she would spend the rest of the day standing there, trapped in his crystalline gray gaze.
Andrixine opened the door and slipped down the long hallway to her mother's room. Kalsan followed. He stayed outside, guarding the door when she went in to wait with her mother. Brother Klee was not with her, choosing to stay unseen until the family had been reunited. Lord Edrix and Lady Arriena had long counted the holy scholars and Renunciates of Snowy Mount as their friends, and it was possible that Maxil of Faxinor knew the holy scholar on sight. If either Lord Edrix or his brother saw Brother Klee too soon, everything might be endangered.
Lady Arriena smiled, glowing with eagerness for the reunion. She took her daughter's hand when Andrixine sat next to her. Lady Faxinor had recovered in mind and spirit from her trials. Her body would soon follow. Andrixine was proud of her mother.
"My lady?” Jultar said after a single knock. He entered the room and pretended to ignore Andrixine, who stood and moved aside. “Lord Edrix, this is the lady asking shelter. Her needs must be attended before my warriors are free to help you.” He smiled broadly as Lord Edrix Faxinor stepped into the room.
"Whatever Faxinor Castle can do to help,” Lord Edrix began—then stopped short, his mouth falling open as he stared.
Jultar escaped in the breathless moment, forcing Andrixine back inside the room when she would have left to give her parents some privacy.
"Arriena!” Lord Edrix gasped and reached for his wife. He snatched her up from the couch and spun her three times around before setting her on her feet. Andrixine backed into a corner and studied her boots as her parents kissed.
Lady Arriena tangled her fingers in his dark curls, holding him close as they kissed long and fiercely. Her toes barely touched the ground as her husband held her tightly. Between kisses, he gasped her name and stroked her hair. Tears gleamed in his dark brown eyes. His long, sun-browned face was flushed.
"My love,” he whispered, as their kisses slowed. He kept her close against him as they sank down on the couch. To Andrixine's delight, he lifted his wife onto his lap.
Why had she never seen before how much in love her parents still were? Andrixine tried to look away, to give them some privacy, but a newly discovered hunger kept pushing her to steal glances. Would she ever know such love?
Her face flamed when her thoughts strayed to Kalsan. Had he been teasing or just trying to make her feel good, or had he spoken his heart when he said she was pretty? Andrixine knew desire wasn't the same as the passion and devotion her parents felt, but it was a start—wasn't it?
"Sweetling, how—no,” Lord Edrix interrupted himself with a laugh. “I know how you got here. But how were you rescued?"
"Visions and miracles,” Lady Arriena said, laughter and tears mixed in her voice. She drew back from her husband's embrace. “What do you know of our adventures?"
"Adventures!” He choked a moment. “Maxil's soldiers brought word the inn had been burned, four bodies in the stable and another in the inn. The ransom demand came just three days ago—and boasting they had killed everyone else, so we had best obey.” A growl of sorrow and hurt filled his rich voice.
"No, Edrix. Look.” She held out a hand to Andrixine.
Feeling awkward and suddenly missing her long hair, Andrixine moved out of the corner. As if her mother's hand held a rope that tugged her, she stepped up to the couch.
Lord Edrix stared, disbelief and hope warring on his face. His lips twitched as he tried to smile. Lady Arriena slid from his lap and nudged him to stand. He did, slowly, as if unaware of his body. He raised his hand, lightly tracing the fall of one braid and the line of her missing hair. Then the first gleam of tears appeared at the corners of his eyes.
"Father?” she whispered.
"Andrixine...” He tried to say more. His lips moved, but no sound came out. Lord Edrix gave up trying and enfolded her in a rib-creaking embrace. She felt his tears soak into the cloth of her shoulder.
"I'm sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
"For what, silly child?” He moved her away so he could look at her again, his hands gripping her shoulders so tightly they ached; she knew she would have finger-shaped bruises.
His voice was rough as he chose laughter over tears. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks. The smell of him, leather and sweat and the herbs her mother kept in his clothes chest, was a surer sign of homecoming than anything.
"How?” was all he could say.
"You trained her well,” Lady Arriena said. “She hid Alysyn and then came to rescue us. Her sword kept her alive and your training kept her safe."
"Alys
yn!” Lord Edrix shook his head. “How could I forget Alysyn? Where is she?"
"At Snowy Mount, Father. When all is well here, I'll send for her.” Andrixine chuckled. “Mother refuses to let me go for her just yet. She thinks I'll get into trouble."
"Arrogant child,” he growled. Grinning, he settled back onto the couch and took hold of his wife's hand again. “You rescued your mother—how?"
"There's too much to tell you, Father. And,” she admitted reluctantly, voice dropping, “danger in our castle. Is Uncle Maxil here?"
"Of course. He insisted on being here to...” He shook his head, frowning. “I don't like your phrasing."
"I'll tell him,” Lady Arriena said. “Why don't you go get your sister and brothers? We'll have a grand conference in your father's study."
"Yes, Mother.” Andrixine felt some relief at having that task taken from her hands. She knew her father loved his brother, no matter how poisonous he could be.
One more hug for her parents and she stepped outside into the hall. Kalsan waited alone for her.
"Are you all right?” he murmured. “Is your mother all right?"
"She's fine, now that she has all of us to worry about again.” Andrixine nodded, feeling a smile return, along with a loosening of tight muscles in her gut and shoulders. She had to believe everything would be all right.
"Where do we look?” Kalsan asked when she explained her errand and they started down the hall.
"Lorien will be in the gardens, even in the rain. She's the perfect lady, you know. She sews beautifully and tends flowers and plays four instruments and dances like a flower fairy. You'd like her."
"For about half an hour,” he said with a chuckle. He glanced with interest at the tapestries and paintings decorating the hallways used only by the family.
"Oh?” Andrixine fought a sudden lightness in her chest. “Don't you like accomplished noble ladies?"
"My sisters are accomplished noble ladies. Why do you think I apprenticed myself to Jultar and haven't been home in nearly five years?"
"Bored?"
"We're much of a kind, oath-friend.” He sketched a salute to her.
Andrixine couldn't quite understand her reaction to his words. Delighted or worried? The rest of their journey down familiar hallways that felt foreign was silent.
The door to her mother's private garden hung open, meaning Lorien had escaped outside to her flowers. Andrixine tried to put herself into her sister's mind. What did Lorien feel, thinking her sisters dead and her mother held for ransom?
The rose arbors made good shelters in the rain with their thick lattice tops and interwoven leaves. Andrixine headed for the first, ignoring the soft spattering of cool rain. Kalsan followed, her shadow. She was glad he was there. He felt more familiar, more “home” than the garden where she had played with her brothers and sisters.
Lorien hadn't taken shelter in the first arbor, or the second. Andrixine found her sister curled up on a stone bench in the third, a shawl wrapped around her, long golden curls lying loose down her back and her chin resting on her knees. Lorien had all their mother's golden, sculptured beauty. Already, many heir sons had offered for her, to strengthen alliances between their family lines and Faxinor. Lorien had been flattered. Andrixine wondered how her sister felt now as the heir, the one to choose instead of being chosen.
"Lori?” she said, pausing in the opening of the arbor. This one was large enough for eight to stand inside and a dry shelter in the soft rain.
"Hullo.” Her sister raised her head and studied them. Andrixine found it amusing Lorien spent more time on Kalsan. “Do I know you?"
"I should hope so.” She stepped closer, very aware that Kalsan stayed outside, letting the misty droplets slowly soak his clothes. She silently called him coward and wished they could have traded places.
Dawning comprehension touched Lorien's face, mixed with confusion. Andrixine held out a hand to her. Lorien tried to turn away but Andrixine moved along with her, forcing the girl to look at her.
"You're frightening me,” Lorien said, visibly summoning her courage. “Go away."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the heir!” She slid off the bench and pushed herself to stand on shaking legs.
"That sounds like Uncle Maxil has been lecturing you on how important you are. Why do you listen to him?"
Lorien shook her head and tried to back away. She yipped like a trampled puppy when Andrixine caught her by the wrists.
"Lori, look at me! You know who I am,” she said, her voice harsh with intensity. “Remember when we shared my room and you dropped your doll out the window? I climbed the ivy to get it. I promised I wouldn't let anybody make fun of you, the first time you came to the great hall for dinner, remember? When a snake frightened your pony, who caught him before you were thrown?"
"But—you're dead!” Lorien whispered, tears filling her eyes.
"No body, you goose.” Andrixine wanted to laugh but didn't dare with her sister in a state of shock.
"Uncle Maxil said—"
"Uncle Maxil has hated me since I slapped Feril for trying to kiss me.” Andrixine bit her lip against blurting all the truth about their uncle. “He would be very glad to see me dead, so you would be the heir and marry Feril."
"Not likely!” Lorien freed one hand and wiped at the tears on her cheeks. Then she gasped. “Andrixine, you are alive!"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you.” She laughed to keep from crying as her sister enveloped her in a trembling, tight embrace.
"Oh, Andrixine—Mother's being held for ransom!” she moaned, her voice muffled against her sister's shoulder.
"No, she isn't. She and Father are in his study right now. I'm supposed to bring everyone for a meeting."
"A meeting?” Lorien pushed herself to arm's length to look at her sister. “Are we in trouble?"
"Maybe.” She released her and led her outside. “Lori, this is my oath-friend, Kalsan."
Her sister nodded to Kalsan, blushing slightly. Andrixine felt something tighten in her chest when Kalsan bowed. Why did he have to grin at her sister like that?
"Let's go,” she said, and led her sister through the rain at a smart pace.
"Where's Alysyn?” Lorien asked in the hurrying quiet.
"At Snowy Mount. I thought that the safest place to leave her until I could find how things stood here."
"How things stood?” Lorien stopped short. “Did you think I'd fight you for the inheritance?"
"No. But someone tried to murder me. I had to be sure I was safe, and you, before he knew he failed.” She yanked on her sister's arm to get her moving. Kalsan pushed on Lorien's shoulder to help.
"Andrixine ... you've changed,” she whispered, a little breathless as they hurried on.
"If I hadn't, I wouldn't have survived. Things have happened, Lori..."
* * * *
KALSAN STAYED BY the door, studying the tips of his boots, feeling like an intruder. It didn't help that Brother Klee also witnessed Lorien's tearful reunion with her mother in Lord Edrix's study.
He risked looking up to find Andrixine. She was too quiet. He found her standing next to her father, grinning, tears in her eyes, safe in the curve of her father's arm. Lord Edrix looked rightly proud of his tall, thin daughter.
"I don't want to let go of you,” Lady Arriena said, cupping Lorien's face in her hands and smiling down at her daughter. “Will you go get your brothers? I don't want to send for servants yet, and I know you can do it quietly."
"Of course, Mother.” Lorien wiped at the tears gleaming on her face as her mother released her. She sketched curtseys to the others and hurried for the door. A muffled giggle escaped her, and she pressed both hands over her mouth, eyes gleaming with mischief and laughter.
"I think this is all a little too much,” Lady Arriena said with a breathy chuckle. She nodded thanks when Lord Edrix and Andrixine hurried forward to offer their arms. They led her to a long, low couch under the casement that looked out ov
er rolling, emerald wet fields. Andrixine sat at her parents’ feet.
The laughter faded from her eyes, though she still smiled. Kalsan wondered, how hard was this for her? He wanted to sit with her, offer an arm for comfort, a shoulder to lean on. But her parents were here, and she was heir of Faxinor, and every hour made him more aware of the barriers that would destroy their comfortable companionship.
"Your mother has told me everything,” Lord Edrix said. He held his wife close, an arm around her waist, and rested his free hand on his daughter's head.
"How much is ‘everything,’ Father?” Andrixine nearly whispered.
"The inn, the fire, going to Snowy Mount, why you had to cut your hair, the rescue."
"Ah.” She nodded and didn't look happy.
Kalsan understood. The Spirit Sword. Lady Arriena had chosen not to tell her husband. Why? Why was Andrixine so loathe to tell her father? Kalsan knew he would have bellowed the news to the entire countryside if he had been chosen.
Which was probably why the sword hadn't chosen him.
"We have some complications, Father,” she began, after glancing at Brother Klee. Kalsan couldn't read the silent communication between them.
"She told me about the seneschal and the kidnappers’ confessions,” Lord Edrix said, his smile dying. “I don't want to believe such accusations against my brother, but ... He has always held himself above the law, entitled to rewrite it to suit himself."
"When your father and I married,” Lady Arriena said, “your uncle tried to have your father disowned."
"Why?” Kalsan blurted.
"My mother is from Sendorland,” Andrixine said with a shrug. “Some nobles said she would pollute the bloodline and her children would be disloyal to Reshor."
"I think that's been proven a lie,” he muttered.
"Proof is the hardest part,” Lord Edrix said. “My brother is ruthless enough to disavow his seneschal and say the man plotted alone. We must make Maxil confess and root out his supporters, or none of my children will be safe."
"We can take that confession.” Brother Klee crossed from his chair to stand before Lord Edrix, his wife and daughter.
Heir of Fain [Faxinor Chronicles #1] Page 15