Altered Destiny

by Shawna Thomas

  Home. It had a nice sound. But it didn’t bring to mind his father’s estate. He closed his eyes. Black eyes fringed in dark lashes looked back at him. He let out a breath. He could have his pick when the council divided the new land. Perhaps it would be a beginning for him.

  A gentle hand settled on his shoulder, and he stiffened. Noe. He’d been avoiding her. When he learned she carried his brother’s child, he expected some kind of emotion, at least a twinge of jealousy. At one time he had thought she’d be the mother of his children. But there was nothing.

  He turned, looked up and smiled. “Are you well?”

  She stared down at him, her eyes full. “You accomplished what you set out to do, what everyone else said was impossible. Yet you’re not happy. Why?”

  Jaden sighed. She’d seen through him. “There’s much to do.”

  “The council will handle the details. You sent word?”

  “Yes. As soon as I returned from the negotiations.”

  “You have my respect, and I wish…I wish to give you my apologies. I should not have doubted you.”

  “You were not alone.”

  “But more than anyone else I should have believed in you.”

  Jaden shrugged. “It’s the past.”

  Noe knelt next to him. “Tell me there is still a chance. I…Keldar is dead now. There is no law—”

  Jaden took Noe’s hands in his. “I was dead to my father, dead to my people. Keldar was within his rights. You are his woman.”

  “But you’re alive now, and he’s dead. You can still honor the promise—”

  “It’s too late. You shared blood with Keldar. You bear my brother’s child. I promise you and the child will want for nothing. You don’t have to worry.”

  “I want more than to be taken care of. I want you.”

  Jaden shook his head.

  “If there was no child, then would you—”

  “Do you know me so little?”

  Noe glanced down. “I’m desperate.”

  “For what, Noe?”

  Noe opened her mouth and closed it.

  “Do you want power? To be the wife of a powerful man? As soon as the council gives me leave I will step down from the post of commander.”

  A look of confusion crossed Noe’s face as she met his gaze. “But what about—?”

  “About what? There will be a land to cultivate. Don’t you understand? We have a new start.”

  “What if the human king is lying?”

  “Then we will deal with that when the time comes. I will aid the council in any way I can. But I won’t be the commander. Ashani has agreed to lead any army the council sees fit to retain.”

  “You will go back to your father’s lands?”

  “You can go back to those lands. Raise your child there. I won’t.” He hadn’t known he’d made that decision until he said it.

  “Where will you go?”

  “I’ll have new land, a beginning.”

  “But us?”

  “There is no us, Noe. You are my brother’s wife, and you will receive every honor that position affords.”

  Noe stood, wrapping her dignity around her like a cloak. She nodded once and faded into the night.

  Nathan thanked the messenger, closed the door and leaned against it, watching dust motes dance in the rays of the morning sun streaming into his room. The summons hadn’t come as a surprise. After spending the night haunted by the king’s expression when he’d learned Guirre’s army approached and not Josiam’s, he’d almost expected it. There were many reasons why the king would want to see him this morning, but he wasn’t a fool and his instincts, about some things anyway, seldom steered him wrong. It was with a growing apprehension he opened the door and walked down the hall.

  King Leisle looked up from his pacing as Nathan entered the throne room and bowed low. “Good morning, Nathan.”

  “Majesty.”

  The king stared at him with his hands behind his back. “When you checked our defenses, you found them sound?”

  “Yes, Majesty.”

  “Sound enough to withstand an attack?”

  “Are we under threat?”

  “And your men are all inside the city walls?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’m expecting Guirre today. I want you to attack the Svistra camping near the forest. Do it this morning. They were up celebrating late into the night. They will not expect it.”

  Although he’d been waiting for them, hearing the words sent a cold chill down Nathan’s spine. “Majesty, I’m sorry, I must have misheard. Have the Svistra broken the treaty so soon?”

  “Leave matters of state to me. Your job is to obey.”

  “With all due respect, you entered into a treaty only yesterday.”

  “The treaty was forced, and you know it!” The king returned to pacing.

  Nathan glanced around for the chamberlain. Surely he’d be able to talk some sense into the king.

  “Even without Guirre’s help we can crush them.”

  “I’m not as confident of that as you are.”

  “You doubt your own men?”

  “No.” Nathan’s spine stiffened. “I’ve seen the Svistra in action. If you betray them now they’ll have nothing to lose. They’ll attack until every last one of them is dead.”

  “Better a dead—”

  “You don’t understand. For centuries humans have offered with one hand and taken away with the other. Do you really want to continue the cycle? I’ve seen what these warriors can do when they’re…upset. I would not want to stand in their way when they’re righteously angry. Especially with their present commander.”

  “You’re scared?”

  “No. I’m not afraid to die.” Everything came down to this one moment. “I’m saying it’s dishonorable, and I’ll have no part of it.”

  Leisle blinked. “What?”

  The door opened and a page stepped in then bowed low. “Forgive me, Majesty. King Guirre arrives and he has…um, he has King Josiam with him. They request an immediate audience.”

  Leisle lost his color.

  Nathan ground his jaw and stared at his king. “Do you want to see what they want before you finish giving me my order?”

  The king turned to the messenger. “Show them in.” Then to Nathan, “We will finish this later.”

  “I will not serve a king who can’t keep his word.”

  “I could have you in chains for that!” Leisle’s face had turned a shade of bright red.

  “You could.” Nathan agreed.

  Sounds from the hall brought both men up silent. A man entered. In his youth he must have been broad-shouldered and tall. Now, though still broad, he began to show the effects of age. His shoulders stooped slightly, and his stomach bulged over a wide belt. Though travel-stained, his armor shone in the torchlight. Fiery red hair hung about his shoulders, and he stroked an equally red beard laced with silver. “My, my, Leisle. Do you never tire of your parties? Well, I received my invitation to this one and stopped a gate crasher as well.” He hooked his thumb toward Josiam.

  The king walked behind Guirre and between two guards with Matias trailing.

  “No party, I assure you,” Leisle muttered, his eyes on Josiam.

  Matias stepped forward and stood by Nathan’s side. “Is that the Svistra army just camping at our front door?”

  “Long story. They’re our allies now.”

  “If the Svistra are our allies, I’ve been gone too long,” Matias muttered.

  “Who is Commander Nathan?” Guirre bellowed.

  “I am.” Nathan stepped forward.

  Guirre sized him up, nodded then turned to Leisle. “Less than a moon ago I received an interesting visitor.” Guirre pointed to Matias. “This man, looking like something the cat played with, begged an audience. I don’t have time for long stories, and there looks to be quite a few around here—” He paused when Selia walked in. “So I’ll make it quick. He said he was under orders from one Commander Nathan,
showed me some proof of treachery and I came. I took the southern route and intercepted an army. Josiam claimed he was coming to aid you.” Guirre turned to stare at Josiam. “Somehow I didn’t believe him.”

  “Treachery?” Josiam blustered. “Didn’t you see the army camping at the edge of the forest?”

  Nathan motioned Selia to stand by his side. Dark shadows ringed her eyes.

  Guirre glared at Josiam. “Yes. Camping. Not attacking.” Then he turned back to Leisle. “So why do I hear you yelling at this man who just saved your ass?”

  Leisle stared at Guirre, who shrugged then turned to Nathan. “Well?”

  “I did send Matias to you.”

  Guirre returned his gaze to Leisle.

  “The commander has threatened to disobey a direct order.”

  Nathan raised his chin. “I will not lead my men into an act of betrayal and take innocent lives. You signed a peace treaty in good faith.”

  “That’s not your decision to make. You call those painted demons innocent?”

  Selia gasped.

  Nathan reached for her hand and squeezed once. “They are innocent of breaking the treaty. Can you say the same?”

  “I could get another commander.”

  “There are those who might rise to take my place, but King Leisle, there are more who will follow me out of here.”

  “Be careful, Commander.”

  Nathan raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps my men and I could go north.”

  “Treason!” shouted Leisle.

  “Nonsense.” Guirre stared hard at Nathan. “You could come west, Commander. A king could use a man of vision and morals.” Guirre looked at Leisle. “I value those who would lay down their lives on my order. If you think I’ll help you attack these people when the ink on a treaty is still wet, you’re wrong.”

  “The treaty was forced.”

  “Were you under a spell? Did they have a knife to your throat?” Guirre looked around. “I thought not. And you’d be a fool to let this man go. Do you realize without his interference you’d be swimming in your own blood now?” Guirre nodded toward Josiam. “That was no welcoming committee he had marching toward your castle.”

  “I told you. It is a misunderstanding.” Josiam turned to Leisle. “Leisle, you know I would not betray you, my wife’s own brother. My men and I were coming to aid you in your fight against the Svistra. I tried to tell this to Guirre, but he wouldn’t believe me and so I was delayed. Why do you believe lies?”

  “Lies!” Leisle turned an unhealthy shade of red and pulled a missive out from under his tunic. “You call this a lie? With your own seal. Recognize it, Josiam? It’s a promise to aid the Svistra in taking over Newhaven at the new moon.”

  Josiam took several steps forward, flanked by his guard. “A forgery,” he barked.

  “It’s not a forgery.”

  All eyes turned to find Jaden walking into the room. “Are we having a war council? Did you not think it important to include your allies?” Jaden walked passed Guirre’s group to face Leisle. “Or do you treat your allies like Josiam here, denying them at first chance?” Jaden turned and walked up to Josiam. “Do you remember me?”

  Josiam took a step back and shook his head. “I’ve never seen you before.”

  Jaden smiled. “I’m Tinlor’s son.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  Jaden’s smile widened. “And how would you know that?”

  Josiam sputtered for a moment then paled.

  “It’s not a forgery. I took it from your messenger’s hands myself and handed it, seal intact, to Commander Nathan,” Jaden continued. “My brother never read it. Yes, I am Tinlor’s son. Keldar is dead. Were you prepared to deny him as well?”

  “Keldar wouldn’t have sued for peace.” Josiam glared at Jaden. “He was a warrior.”

  Leisle spat, “You will pay, Josiam.”

  Josiam’s eyes darted and before Nathan could move a muscle, the king sprung away from his guards and grabbed Selia, holding her like a shield, a knife to her throat. A collective gasp quieted the room. Selia held perfectly still, her face a mask, but her eyes wide.

  “Let’s just call this a family disagreement.” Josiam said. “There’s been no harm done to you. I’ll just be on my way to my own lands.” He backed up to the wall and edged toward the door. “Have your guards move away.”

  “You gamble much on the worth of one female,” Jaden said, his eyes like molten gold as they tracked Josiam.

  Nathan stepped forward then froze when Josiam pressed the knife harder. A thread of blood trickled down Selia’s neck. She visibly swallowed. His heart banged in his chest. Where the hell did he get a knife? Josiam’s scabbard hung empty.

  Selia stared at Jaden as though she didn’t know him. The Svistra stepped closer.

  Josiam smiled and jerked Selia off her feet, taking another step back. “Haven’t you seen how the commander fawns over her? If he wouldn’t obey an order to attack his enemy, he certainly wouldn’t risk the chance that my blade may be a little faster than his.”

  “That maybe be true,” Jaden said.

  It appeared to Nathan that the Svistra twitched.

  “But I know mine is.”

  Nathan turned from Jaden toward Josiam, afraid the king might mistake the motion as an attack. The southern king stood frozen in place, his eyes wide and staring toward Jaden. The sound of a knife clanging to the floor seemed unnaturally loud, and suddenly Selia wasn’t by Josiam’s side. The southern king stood, suspended for a heartbeat, before he crumpled on the floor, a knife sticking out of his throat. A dark pool of blood spread over the white stone of the hall.

  Selia. But she was in Jaden’s arms. The Svistra held her, his eyes daring anyone to draw near.

  Selia’s mind couldn’t keep up with the events. One moment Josiam gripped her waist and cold hard metal pressed into her neck, and she knew she was going to die. The next she was in Jaden’s arms and he was murmuring, “It’s over, it’s over,” into her hair, but she had no idea what happened between those two events.

  She leaned into his embrace and closed her eyes.

  “You’re safe,” he whispered.

  “Well that was unpleasant.” Guirre’s voice broke the spell.

  Jaden held her at arm’s length to stare deeply into her eyes. Then, seemingly satisfied, he touched her neck to wipe away a small trickle of blood. For a terrifying moment, she thought he was going to put his finger in his mouth, but he didn’t. His eyes darkened, and she looked up to see Nathan approach.

  “Are you okay?” The commander was pale.

  Selia nodded, and Nathan pulled her close into an awkward hug.

  “That was quite some marksmanship.” Guirre’s eyes were for Jaden. “You had me fooled right until the last moment.”

  “He was desperate enough to kill her and try to escape in the commotion.”

  “You could have let him leave with her,” Guirre said.

  “No. I could not.”

  The western king nodded then turned to Leisle. “Savages, you said?” He shook his head.

  “Justice has been done,” Leisle pronounced. “It matters not at whose hand.”

  “It matters a great deal, Leisle. That’s something you’ve never learned, and I begin to wonder if you ever will,” Guirre said then brightened. “But one thing you can do, and very well, is throw a feast. And I for one am feeling a need to dine and drink, but not necessarily in that order.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  Candles on the tables of the main hall cast their haloes over such an elaborate feast, Nathan couldn’t believe the castle’s cooks had only one day to prepare. Double doors opened to the patio beyond the hall. The night air, thick with scents from the nearby gardens, sent the light of torches dancing against the stone walls. Nathan surveyed the room, taking in the brightly colored women’s dresses and the only slightly more subdued attire of the men. In the midst of the revelry it was difficult to believe that scant hours before, they’d narrowly avoided a
war that would have left most of the attendants dead. Yet here they were, dancing, drinking and generally making merry as though they didn’t have a care in the world.

  Nathan took a glass of wine offered by a servant and emptied it in one swallow.

  Musicians stood to one side of the room, playing music only slightly louder than the murmur of voices. At the other end, King Leisle sat on a raised dais, Guirre by his side in matching ornate chairs. Their heads together, they laughed, and Guirre held his cup out for more wine. Nobles. He’d never understand them.

  He caught the chamberlain’s eye from across room. Lon inclined his head in an obvious bow of respect. Nathan returned the gesture then reached for another glass. Tonight was not a night to be sober. He made his way toward the kings to pay his respects. Earlier that day he’d sat through a meeting between the monarchs. Leisle’s sister was now the rightful ruler of Darmis and through her, Leisle. The monarch couldn’t be happier. Though he lost what he considered worthless northern land he’d gained rich southland and much wealth. Leisle had accepted Nathan’s resignation with equanimity and even a touch of regret.

  Nathan bowed low.

  “Ah, Nathan. You look well.”

  It was a lie but he let it pass. “Majesty. The party is exquisite and on such short notice, remarkable.”

  Leisle inclined his head.

  “Leisle’s kitchens are used to throwing parties at the king’s whim. He has them well trained.” Guirre laughed.

  Turning toward the western king, Nathan again bowed his head. “Majesty. I didn’t get a chance to thank you for answering my request for aid. We would have been—”

  “Tsk. I’ve already thanked Guirre, Nathan,” Leisle interrupted. “He only did what I would have done in his place.”

  Nathan doubted it but didn’t voice his objection.

  “Go, make merry. Where is that woman of yours?” Leisle said then turned to Guirre. “Do you know she’s a soldier? Beat a man in fair combat, she did.”