Altered Destiny

by Shawna Thomas

  “I know what motivates my enemy. Blood. Greed. Savagery. They want our land.” Nathan inched forward with every word.

  “We want land that was taken from us, then promised to us, then taken again. We want to live. To raise our children in a place that will produce enough food so that their bellies aren’t stretched with hunger and mothers grieve over the birth of a new baby because one more means less for all.” Jaden struggled to control his voice. “We want a chance. That is all.”

  The commander paled.

  Jaden closed his eyes briefly. Blood roared in his ears. “Is there anything else you want to know, Commander?”

  The commander looked unsure, and his confusion tinted the air. Jaden was too tired to care.

  “Where are the Svistra troops now, and what are they planning?” Nathan asked.

  “I don’t know. But in two days’ time, when I’m healed enough, I will find out for you.”

  “You want me just to let you go?”

  “How else do you expect me to keep my end of the bargain? Svistra don’t read minds, we communicate like humans. It comes down to whether or not you think I care enough about Selia to keep my word.”

  “Do you?”

  Jaden leveled his gaze on the commander, but did not speak.

  Nathan’s color returned. “In two days’ time.” He turned to leave.

  “Commander.”

  Nathan’s hand froze on the door.

  “You failed to ask the most important question of all.”

  The commander didn’t move.

  “It might be of interest to you that on more than one occasion, the southern king of Darmis has been a guest in my father’s house.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “What?” Nathan spun to face the Svistra.

  Jaden’s face remained impassive, unreadable. “He has come in disguise and with only a few of his most loyal men, but I knew who he was. For the last year, I’ve been…removed from my people. During that time I’ve tracked Svistra movements and heard many things of interest. All lead me to believe the southern king has much to gain by helping the Svistra destroy Asild.”

  “Like what?” But Nathan knew. The Svistra might as well have run a spear through his chest. Josiam, the southern king. In ways he couldn’t deny, it made sense. The border wars with Darmis ended with a treaty cemented by a marriage, but it had always felt like a shaky peace at best.

  Nathan glanced at the chair, his legs weak, but he didn’t sit. He’d suspected a spy, but nothing like this. It would explain how the Svistra knew their movements before they made them. Leisle shared everything with his ally, Josiam. Would he believe his brother-in-law had betrayed him? Not without proof, and certainly not on the word of a Svistra.

  Jaden remained silent, but Nathan felt his scrutiny like a weight.

  “Anything else I should know?”

  “They regularly send missives back and forth.”

  “That’s impossible. I have the roads watched at all times.”

  “Svistra avoid them, and if you found a lone human on the road, would you stop him?”

  Nathan shook his head slowly. He needed to think. “That’s all?”

  “If I think of something more I’ll send word.”

  Nathan straightened then nodded. He hardly heard the door shut behind him or the murmured greetings of his men. If what the Svistra said was true…but he already knew it was. It made too much sense.

  When he stepped into the corridor leading to his office he knew what he’d have to do and in secret. He didn’t want to believe the truth himself and, if for some reason he was wrong, what he was about to do would brand him a traitor. How had it come to this? His career, his life, everything now hung on the word of a Svistra.

  He wasn’t one to second-guess himself, and so far his instincts hadn’t led him astray. He wouldn’t start now.

  Nathan paused before the door to his office and saw a passing soldier. “Don, find the healer. I need a word.”

  The soldier nodded.

  After opening the door, Selia took one look at Jaden’s face and grimaced. “So, your meeting with Nathan went that well, huh?” She glanced at the full cup. “He wouldn’t even drink his tea?”

  Jaden made a noise low in his throat.

  She poured tea from the pot she carried into the empty mug and handed it to him. “From the healer. Drink.”

  He attempted a smile. “A human healer? Is it safe?”

  “I forgot you were unconscious when the healer came. It’s safe. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he had Svistra blood.”

  Jaden choked. “What?”

  She took the full cup of tea from the table, sipped the cold liquid and poured it into the empty water pitcher. Jaden wasn’t ruffled easily or often. “I doubt it. I didn’t even know it was possible. Just wanted to see if you were listening.” She poured a fresh cup of tea and tasted the aromatic brew. “Is it?”

  “Is what?”

  He was deep in thought and only half listening to her. “Is it possible to be part Svistra and part human?” Selia occupied herself with the mug of tea, avoiding Jaden’s eyes.

  “A long time ago…well, there are rumors,” he stalled.

  “Which means?”

  “It’s possible but rare and a curse for the offspring. Even a taint of Svistra blood would make the child an outcast among humans and being human, unwelcome among the Svistra.”

  Selia’s body suddenly felt heavy but she concentrated on making her voice light. “Well, the healer was very interested in you. It was almost like he’d waited his whole life to see a Svistra.”

  “Glad to be of service.”

  “You’re grumpy.”

  Jaden’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I’m tired.”

  “Nathan shouldn’t have worn you out.”

  A small smile. “I summoned him, remember?”

  “Yeah, I can imagine what he thought of that.” She shook her head. “You know, Svistra or human, men are men.”

  Jaden reached for her arm. His eyes seemed pained. “No, Selia. We’re not.”

  She tore her eyes away from his gaze. The sorrow she found in it seeped into her with the physical contact. “I caught another rabbit.”

  “Pretty soon I’ll be hopping about, craving carrots.”

  “Sorry, the cougars and bobcats weren’t interested in vegetables.”

  “I don’t know. You seem to have an affinity with wild creatures.”

  Selia turned and stared at Jaden until he met her eyes. “I have an affinity with whomever I choose.” She’d seen Jaden morose, angry, sad and wounded, but she’d never seen him like this. It was almost as though he’d given up or resigned himself to an unpleasant fate.

  She stepped forward then changed her mind. Was it the bargain she’d made? His honor wouldn’t let him back down, but did it wound him this much to betray his people? Wouldn’t it her? She hadn’t had a choice. If she hadn’t bargained for his life, Nathan would have killed him. “Drink your tea. I’ll go get the rabbit.”

  Noe’s voice droned in the background. Keldar no longer listened to her words, only the disapproval in her tone. Apparently she’d forgotten it was her idea to get the female human back. Of course, it hadn’t taken much convincing.

  The sun played in Noe’s long golden locks. He watched the display with detached interest while he sat at his desk. At one time he would have found her lounging on the pillows of their tent an irresistible sight. Now it just annoyed him. He’d wanted Noe since his brother’s betrothal, wanted her with an urgency he’d never felt for any other woman. The first few nights after he became commander and claimed her as his were the best he’d ever spent with a woman. But he grew tired of her and her voice. He’d tolerated her maneuverings because it amused him. But now she needed to be put in her place.

  “Do you know what will happen if I should decide I don’t want you?”

  Noe fell silent.

  He enjoyed the alarm creeping into her green eyes. “Yes,
the laws are quite clear. Once the contract is signed, if the male betrothed dies—and this time he has—then it falls to the next brother in line to honor the family’s commitment. That would be me. And so far I have, but you shouldn’t forget the rest. If the brother refuses and the female’s family cannot afford to take her back, then she can be given to whomever the brother, me, decides.” He tapped his knife against the table. “Tasir is a bit taken with you.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Noe’s eyes widened.

  “Oh I would. And if you think I will listen to another word of what I should have done, you’ll be in Tasir’s tent before the sun rises.”

  “The ceremony. We completed the ceremony.” She reached for the small scar on one arm.

  Keldar licked his lips, remembering the taste of her blood. “The sharing of blood to join two into one? Quaint, old fashioned and easily forgotten. I. Am. The. Commander.”

  “My family—”

  “Was quite grateful I decided to honor Jaden’s betrothal. How many sisters do you have? Three? And as my father didn’t ask for much of a dowry since you and Jaden were so fond of each other…” Keldar let Noe absorb her situation a little more fully.

  “You would make me a whore.”

  Keldar smiled. It was true. Once joined to him, she couldn’t legally join with another as long as he lived. “Well then, I suggest you start being a little kinder in your words and deeds, my sweet.” He stood from the desk, moved to the front and leaned against it.

  “Of course, my love, it was only that I want to see you receive the glory and honor you deserve.” She neared, her eyes hooded. Then she rested one hand on his chest, the other reaching lower to grasp his growing erection.

  He pulled her close and seized her hand, twisting it behind her back and grinding her into his body so she could feel his hardness. Still holding her, he grabbed her hair and pulled her head back to expose her throat. His lips pressed the hollow beneath her jaw. “I should break your neck.” He murmured against her skin and then scraped his teeth over the sensitive flesh. “Don’t you think I know you’d knife me in the back if you thought it would bring Jaden running back to you?”

  “Jaden is dead.” Her voice was flat, toneless.

  “Lucky for you.”

  From the steady thud of footsteps in the next room, Selia could tell Jaden was pacing. She couldn’t tell what time it was—it was difficult in the fortress with no light save the torches—but she imagined it was still well before dawn. He needed his rest. What was he worrying about?

  She rolled out of bed. That was a stupid question. Without thinking, she dressed. If he didn’t want to betray his people, he shouldn’t have to. She’d work something out with Nathan. He shouldn’t hold himself to a bargain she had no right to make.

  As quietly as possible, she slipped out of her room, past the sleeping guards and into Jaden’s.

  “Did you wake them?” His voice was low and warm, coming from the darkness of the room as though born to it.

  Chills traced her body. He’d been waiting for her.

  The fire on the grate had died without a trace, leaving the room pitch-black. She turned toward Jaden’s voice. “No,” she whispered.

  “Good. I can’t imagine a more boring job.”

  “Or one less necessary. If you say you’re going to stay, you will. Even I know that.”

  “Only you know that.”

  Her eyes adjusted; she could make out his outline in the darkness. He stood near the bed. “No, I think Nathan does too. But he has to keep up appearances.”

  “Appearances? I see.” A wry note entered Jaden’s voice.

  “You don’t like him much.”

  “I neither like nor dislike him.”

  She didn’t question the lie. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why?”

  He really didn’t know? “I shouldn’t have made the bargain for you. I could have thought of something else.”

  “When you factor all the circumstances in I’d say it was probably the only thing that would have saved my life. Are you apologizing for that?”

  “No.” She stepped closer. “What’s wrong then?”

  Jaden was silent, but Selia had learned to wait.

  “Tomorrow evening I’m leaving.”

  “What?” She neared until she could see the planes of Jaden’s face. He stared at her with an expression she’d never seen in those golden eyes.

  “I need to scout out the location of the Svistra forces.”

  Jaden spying for Nathan had been a nebulous idea, something that could happen one day. But now, faced with it and hearing it from Jaden’s mouth, she realized just how much danger he was going to be in. “Does Nathan realize you’re still weak?”

  “The commander didn’t name the day. I did.”

  “But you’re not recovered.”

  “When I’m in the forest I’ll hunt. Perhaps I’ll find a cougar to counteract all the rabbits you’ve been feeding me.”

  “That’s not funny.” A note of hysteria crept into her voice. She stepped closer until she could feel the warmth of his body. He didn’t move. She wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. She laid her head against his shoulder. After a moment’s hesitation his arms enfolded her.

  Selia closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, breathing the scent of sandalwood and musk, willing herself not to cry. After a while, Jaden scooped her up and sat with her on the bed. Selia curled against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her again. The action felt natural, right.

  She wished time would stop and everyone would go away and leave them alone. But there were other people, and morning would come.

  With effort, she quieted her thoughts and gave in to the feeling of being held and comforted by Jaden. Selia didn’t know if she dozed, but she thought she felt him kiss the top of her head.

  “It will be morning soon. You shouldn’t be found here.” He didn’t relax the arms holding her. If anything he held her tighter.

  She smiled against his chest. What were one or two heartbeats more?

  “Selia.”

  She looked up into his golden eyes and for a moment saw eternity. With tenderness, Jaden kissed each of her eyelids, then hesitated and brushed his lips against hers. His eyes burned like golden flames. The moment stretched.

  She stared at those flames and an answering fire kindled within her body. Selia pressed her lips against his mouth with a passion she hadn’t known she possessed, tasting the sweetness of his flesh against hers. Her hand brushed his cheek to burrow in his hair.

  “Selia?” Jaden drew back.

  “Please.” She reached for him, burrowing her fingers into the silky strands of his hair. She licked the seam of his lips and his mouth opened, allowing her tongue to explore. His taste was drugging, sweet and wild. Their tongues danced as the heat of his body seared her flesh.

  Jaden made a noise that was a cross between a growl and a moan. In one fluid motion she found herself on the bed with Jaden hovering over her. She reached for the back of his neck and drew him down. Her soft contours conformed to the hard planes of his body as though they were made for each other. His kiss inflamed her senses as it deepened. Still, she wanted more. His lips traced white fire down her jaw to her neck before they found her mouth again. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, the gentle tug sending a rush of warmth to her lower abdomen. She slipped her hands under his tunic, exploring his skin, feeling the ridges of scars, the ripples of rigid muscle. Liquid fire shot through her body as her need grew. She arched her back, pressing her body hard against his. Licking the skin of his neck, she reveled in the salty taste of him. Inhaled the rich fragrance of sandalwood and musk. He moaned deep in his throat.

  She slipped her hands under his leggings to the firm swell of his ass.

  Jaden straightened his arms, hovering over her. The air between them chilled her skin, and she tried to pull him closer.

  “No. Selia. Not like this.” He stroked her face, his heart in his eyes, and the
n sat, pulling her with him until she again was encircled in his arms.

  “Why not?”

  “You would honor me…” His voice broke.

  “Fuck honor, Jaden. You’re leaving.”

  “That’s my point. I won’t love you tonight and leave you tomorrow. I would be there the next day and the next.”

  “Then when?” Unshed tears thickened her voice. She stroked his face, memorizing the silky texture of his skin against her fingers.

  “I don’t know.” His voice sounded anguished. “Go now. Before the soldiers wake up.” He relaxed his embrace but didn’t push her away.

  She wanted to argue, but he was right. Her lips tingled, and she reached to touch them before laying her palm along one side of his face.

  Jaden closed his eyes and leaned into her touch, then he straightened and opened his eyes.

  “I wish…” He swallowed. “Please don’t make me say goodbye to you again.”

  Not trusting her voice she nodded and stood, knowing Jaden’s gaze followed her movements in the dim light.

  “You want what?” Nathan asked.

  Jaden sighed. “Weapons. Or would you prefer I die before returning to you with information?”

  “I just thought. Well.” Nathan thought that perhaps Svistra wouldn’t use human weapons, insist on making their own. He paced the room, not an easy feat considering the size of the place and the Svistra sitting on the bed watching his every movement.

  Jaden had sent one of the guards to get him that morning, but he’d been in an impromptu war council with Matias. The sun was now high in the sky. “What kind?”

  “A good knife and a bow should suffice. I’ll make my own arrows.”

  Well, he was partially right. “It will be done. You’re leaving tonight?”

  “Yes, as soon as it’s full dark. I’ll go over the wall.”

  “But—”

  “If this fortress is still being watched, or any of the southern king’s men are here, do you really want them to see me walk out of here?”