Keldar threw the missive at Jaden. “Soon enough she will tell me what you will not. You’ve just given me the key to the fortress.” He turned to Noe, running a hand down her cheek, and then took her mouth in a savage kiss, his gaze never leaving Jaden. “Your service is, as always, exemplary, my sweet.”
Noe moved to leave the tent.
“Wait a minute,” Keldar commanded. “I didn’t see it before but perhaps I was distracted.” He examined Jaden with renewed interest. “Noe, would you say that Jaden appears to be a little hungry?”
Noe’s gaze traced his body. “Yes.”
“How long since you fed, brother?”
Jaden clenched his jaw. He’d known it was only a matter of time before someone noticed.
Keldar chuckled. “Have the pains begun?”
Jaden met Keldar’s gaze.
“Noe, I have an idea how to deal with the girl and Jaden.”
PART THREE
Leave out my name from the gift if it be a burden, but keep my song.
Fireflies, Rabindranath Tagore.
Chapter Twenty-one
Sweat trickled down Selia’s back. She stood and stretched, welcoming the aches and pains of a hard morning’s work instead of wounded flesh, and eyed the rows of freshly weeded vegetables. The first day at the fortress, after talking with Oren, she’d gone back to her room to find her bed re-made. The temptation of the clean blankets had been irresistible. She’d slept until well after the dinner hour, but found a covered bowl of stew just outside her door and ate it cold. That set the pattern for the first few days. Nathan hadn’t bothered her again, and slowly the naps grew shorter until she found she didn’t need them anymore.
She wiped some of the dirt from her hands and stared at the gates, where a guard stood whittling. Though Nathan hadn’t treated her like a prisoner, even assigning her the task of tending the vegetable garden so his men could train, she was a prisoner. She and Oren both were.
Even if she could get through the gates, then what? “There’s no way. No way through,” she muttered. They were trapped.
Her bruises lingered, like faint yellowish patches against her dusky skin, but even they were fading. Selia lifted her face to the sunlight, soaking in its warmth before she re-entered the fortress.
Nathan had asked to see her. She had an idea what was on his mind. She wasn’t insensible to the soldier’s leers. Often at the tavern, she’d seen the same flavor in men’s gazes. It wasn’t because of her appearance—she was no beauty, but a woman, any woman, in a group made entirely of men stood out.
Jaden needs you.
She wiped her hands against her leggings with more force than necessary as she walked toward the fortress. That certainty wouldn’t leave her, or the knowledge that she had no idea what to do about it.
She glanced toward the south. “Gods damn it, when did life get so complicated?” Jaden was okay; he was with his people. But as many times as she told herself that, she still didn’t believe it.
Before knocking on Nathan’s half-opened door, she took a deep breath.
“Come.”
Selia stepped into the room.
Nathan sat at the desk, his brow creased.
She cleared her throat. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” He nodded to the chair. “I’m sending a message to King Leisle at Newhaven. You and Oren will accompany the messenger.”
Selia sat down hard. “What?”
“It’ll be dangerous, but you’ll be safer than if you stayed here.”
Clarity dawned. “You’ve decided to attack the Svistra camp?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“I’m not going to Newhaven.”
“You’ll go if I say you will. You can’t return to the tavern. We’re evacuating the northern territories.”
Numb disbelief washed the thoughts from her mind.
Nathan reached for a parchment, and Selia’s mind clicked into gear. She couldn’t go to Newhaven. Not until she knew Jaden’s fate. “You’d be making a mistake.”
“How do you figure?”
“You’re short on men.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you proposing to fight for me?”
Selia leaned forward. “Yes.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Selia, in case you haven’t noticed, this is a fort full of men. Men who haven’t seen a woman in a long time.”
“In case it escaped your memory,” she tried and failed to keep the sarcasm from her tone, “I tend a bar on the Outskirts, and I’ve been around a horny man or two. I can take care of myself.”
They glared at each other in silence until Nathan ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. “Where the hell do they make women like you?”
“One of a kind. Does that mean you’ll do it?”
“I can’t just make you a soldier.”
“Of course not. I’ll earn it like all the other new recruits.”
When he hesitated, she reached for his hand. “Follow me.”
Nathan examined the woman before him. Tall and lithe and no one could call her delicate, but a soldier?
For a moment he relished the feel of her warm skin against his then put the thought away. She fascinated him, but this wasn’t a time for emotion. But over the past few days, as he watched her tend garden or help Oren in the kitchen, the feeling had only grown. Curiosity, fascination. Lust. He’d been without a woman for as long as his men.
He followed her into the hallway.
“How do you think I protected my tavern?” she asked.
“Oren—?”
There was a hint of mischief in the dark eyes. “Oren doesn’t like to fight.”
“Still…”
As they entered the courtyard, Nathan blinked. I don’t have time for this. But the desire to see what she planned didn’t relent. Oh, hell. The sun had just reached its zenith and shadows pooled at the base of the stone walls. She led him toward the practice area. There she stopped and looked around.
“I’ll earn my sword. Just like the other recruits. Pick one of your soldiers. Any one.”
“Are you mad?”
“Probably. Pick one, or I will.”
They’d drawn a crowd. Apparently he wasn’t the only one curious what the barkeep was up to.
He shook his head.
“I’ll do it.” Tanik. He couldn’t have made a better or worse choice. Tanik wouldn’t show Selia any mercy. If, somehow, she managed to get a few good blows in, she would have proved herself.
However, Tanik was also one of his best fighters. The chances of her winning or even coming away unscathed were small.
“Name your weapon,” Selia said before Nathan could open his mouth.
“Selia,” Nathan began.
She walked close and whispered. “Don’t worry. The bigger and more conceited they are, the more likely they are to make a mistake.”
“Let’s get this over with. Sword,” Tanik said. “Terms. First one to be disarmed loses.”
“Agreed.” She accepted a blunted practice sword and felt for its balance.
“At least you picked it up at the right end.” Tanik laughed.
The crowd snickered.
“Did you know the Svistra women are trained to fight alongside the men?”
“How do you know so much about the Svistra?” Tanik growled.
“If you listen, you learn things.”
One of the other men snorted. “It’s no surprise—you can’t tell the men from the women.”
“Are we gonna fight, or you gonna stand there chattin’ all day like the woman you are?” Tanik asked.
Selia’s smile sent shivers up Nathan’s spine.
Selia adjusted her grip on the sword. It was made for someone stronger and larger, but she was used to that. Though she’d had many teachers, the first one who taught her the art of the sword had made her practice with his weapon until her arms fell useless to her sides. At the time it had almost been as l
ong as she was tall. He advised her to build her strength because she’d never know when she’d need it. She silently thanked him now.
Even so, it had been a while since she used a sword. She arced the blade through the air trying to get the feel of it.
“Okay, ready,” she said.
Tanik charged. Selia ducked, spun and made first contact, hitting her blunted blade against Tanik’s leather vest. The crowd roared, and the mumbled sounds of betting brought a smile to her face. At least someone thought she had a chance.
Tanik’s face had flushed red and his eyes glittered. Get as pissed off as you want, big boy.
This time he didn’t charge but circled. He could outlast her. He was stronger and had greater endurance. Having only just recovered her strength, she had to make this fast.
Selia stepped forward, feinted a charge and then somersaulted away and behind him. She came up on her feet and smacked his ass with the flat of her sword.
A noise like the roaring of an enraged bear sounded to her right, and she jumped out of the way in time to avoid the blow that would have cracked her skull had it hit her. Tanik kept coming. She regained her feet and blocked his sword. His blade screeched down the length of her blade, making her hair stand on end. Tanik bore into her with his full weight.
She couldn’t hold her ground for much longer before he forced her to the ground. In one movement she gave in to his superior strength and rolled to one side. Tanik stumbled forward but kept his presence of mind. He countered with a back swing, hitting her arm.
The crowd yelled its encouragement. If it had been her sword arm, she’d have dropped her weapon and lost the match.
Tanik attacked with a flurry of strikes. She parried each, her arm growing heavier with each stroke. The opening he suddenly presented took her by surprise. With a deft twist of her wrist, she jerked the sword out of his hand.
He stood looking at his empty hand for several seconds then turned to her. The crowd roared. The distinct clink of coins could be heard amid grumbling and laughter. She threw down the weapon and stood, hands on thighs, trying to catch her breath. Tanik slowly approached. She couldn’t tell from the look in his eyes if he meant to kill her or congratulate her.
At the last minute, he stretched out his beefy hand. “Well fought.”
Selia took it, careful not to wince as Tanik squeezed her arm. She was glad it was the left. She only had partial feeling in that one.
Nathan stepped up, scratching his chin. “Who taught you to fight like that?”
“My mother’s clients.”
Nathan appeared confused. “Clients? Was she a seamstress or something?”
“Or something,” she agreed.
From a corner of the eating hall, Nathan sat, watching his men and Selia. They’d finished their evening meal quite a bit ago and instead of dispersing into smaller groups to play cards or gamble, they listened to Selia relate, in colorful detail, some of the stranger things she’d seen at the tavern.
Damn it to hell if she wasn’t right. His men accepted her on a new level. He smiled his grudging respect into his ale. The woman was one of kind. She’d proven herself, earned her sword. She was in her element. A torch near her flickered, adding a rosy blush to her skin.
A woman who could fight like a man. The thought stirred his loins. He remembered the first time he saw her at the tavern. He’d assumed she was a whore, one he’d like to sample. If he was honest, he still would.
Was she as fierce in bed? His cock swelled.
Nathan set the mug down with a little too much force, and heads turned in his direction. He smiled and waved them off. That was the problem with letting your mind wander; it sometimes took you places you shouldn’t go.
He caught Selia’s eye across the room. She smiled before turning toward Micha and laughing. Had she known he’d been staring?
Almost simultaneously, a horn rendered the hall deathly silent. Tanik ran in, his face flushed and eyes wild.
Instantly Nathan was on his feet.
“Commander,” Tanik gasped. “Svistra. They’re attacking.”
Chapter Twenty-two
After a moment of silence, all hell broke loose. Chairs scraped over stone floors as men rushed to the small annex to gather weapons and don their armor. Selia rose to follow then turned when a hand gripped her arm.
Matias held a shirt of worked metal links in his hands. “You’ll need this.”
She looked into his serious eyes and nodded before sliding the heavy garment over her tunic. A few swords remained unclaimed. She selected one and turned to leave.
A cold realization washed over her body. The Svistra were attacking! Jaden?
No. Focus.
Two soldiers standing at the fortress doors stared out into the night. She passed two other men at the door. If Nathan signaled a retreat, they’d fall back into the fortress. Theoretically Eagle Rock stored enough supplies to last until help arrived.
The night air felt soft on her face and ruffled her hair playfully, a sharp contrast to the clang of metal and thud of bodies punctuated by the occasional scream coming from the darkness ahead.
Her stomach knotted, and fear traveled her spine. The image of the painted Svistra flashed through her mind. This wasn’t a bar brawl. The Svistra were attacking.
She took a deep breath and stepped further into the courtyard. A thin layer of clouds obscured the starlight. Selia blinked to adjust her vision and then she saw them, flowing effortlessly over the outer wall like water and almost as seamlessly. Nathan’s defenses were like a child’s dam trying to hold back floodwater. The noise echoed behind her. The Svistra were attacking from all sides. We’re surrounded. One by one the torches blazing against the walls went out, leaving them fighting in almost complete darkness.
Advantage: Svistra. Damn.
She sensed a presence to her side and turned to see Nathan.
“You don’t have to do this. Stay in the fortress.”
Selia unsheathed the sword.
“Thought so.” His grin met his eyes. He pulled her close and kissed her hard.
Selia stepped back. Shock stole any other reaction she might have had.
“For luck.” Nathan grinned, pulled on his helm, turned and screamed, “Attack!”
With energy she wouldn’t have believed they possessed an hour before, Nathan’s men surged against the Svistra. She could almost picture the force that drove the Svistra back was not just physical but of the will. Nathan’s will. The enemy line faltered then recovered, answering with a war cry so savage and inhuman it chilled her blood.
Her lips still tingling from Nathan’s kiss, she joined the fray. Ahead, the shape of a soldier struggled against a Svistra. Selia brought her sword up and over to block the Svistra’s blade. When the Svistra turned to look at her, his eyes widened in surprise, and her heart skipped a beat. The face before her was painted yellow with hollow black cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. He yelled something swallowed by the drone of battle. As he turned she buried her sword in his stomach. Two more took his place.
She battled alongside those she’d been joking with moments before, finally understanding their desperate need to enjoy the moment. They existed knowing a battle was coming—not if, but when. If they lived every moment to the fullest, who could blame them?
Selia fought, moving steadily closer to the wall. She caught a flash of Nathan fighting a tall Svistra with a blood red face and golden eyes and faltered. Jaden? No. Jaden would not, couldn’t. He’s a Svistra. She blocked the sword arching toward her but pain streaked down her arm as the blade cut into her flesh. She focused on her newest attacker, blurring all other thought.
The clouds skirted across the sky, revealing the moon. Soft light washed the courtyard. She was surrounded by colorful demons. A few Svistra fought with their backs to her, but she could take advantage of their vulnerability. Two more Svistra kept her blade busy fending off their attacks. She got lucky with one, and he crumpled. Selia pulled her sword out of him as fast as s
he could and renewed her efforts against the other. He’s defending but not attacking. The thought sent a chill through her body. I’m being driven.
Desperately she glanced at her surroundings. The battle continued. Her heart beat in her ears a dull roar that drowned out the clash of swords and screams of men and Svistra dying and killing. The Svistra around her were now two deep. The outer circle fighting off Nathan’s men, but the inner circle…
She met one Svistra’s gaze and knew. They’d come for her. He smiled, twisting his face into a parody of the gesture. She raised her sword to ram it down his throat but stronger-than-human arms grabbed her from behind. She aimed a kick between his legs, but the Svistra turned sideways, expecting the movement as though she’d telegraphed it.
She twisted and pulled to no avail. The circle of Svistra formed a bubble around her, bridging the short distance to the wall. A ladder snaked down from the heights.
“Selia!”
Nathan. As she glanced in the voice’s direction, her captor threw her face-down on the ground. She closed her mouth but too late to avoid the taste of mud mixed with blood. A foot pressed so hard against her back her bones creaked. He yanked her hands behind her and tied them. With ease, he heaved her up. Her breath deserted her lungs as she landed on his shoulder.
A roar sounded in the midst of battle, and her heart sank. Oren. As her captor climbed the ladder Oren tore through the battle, throwing anyone in his path aside. Pride mixed with despair. He’d get himself killed.
“Oren, no!” she screamed.
He looked up, met her eyes and redoubled his efforts. Nathan’s soldiers scrambled out of his way. Oren had picked up a sword and surged through the enemy lines. Selia renewed her struggles.
“Shut up!” the Svistra growled in her ear. “A certain amount of damage is expected.”
When they dropped down the other side of the wall, the air once again abandoned her lungs as she came down hard on the Svistra’s shoulder. Seemingly without pause, her captor sped into the trees. Before the forest swallowed them, she caught a glimpse of tree trunks, about as thick as her thigh, stripped of their branches and leaning up against the fortress walls. That easy?
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