Faillen stared at her. Pain flooded through him, into Meaghan, and then he walked away. She watched him disappear into the trees before reaching down to dislodge his knife from the soil. She followed him, catching up a hundred yards deeper into the woods.
“Leave me alone,” he told her. She laid a hand on his shoulder and he turned from her. “Leave me in peace.”
“You aren't in peace. You suffer. And we all suffer with you, but no one more than your son.” Faillen said nothing. She reached behind her back to grab the book she had hidden in her waistband and handed it to him. “Aldin asked me to give you this if you came back. He cried out for you when he went to sleep tonight. He thinks he's lost you, too.”
Sparks had scarred the book's leather cover. Smoke had stained its pages. It reeked of ash, and charred wood. But Faillen grasped it like a treasure. “Ancient Æren,” he read from the spine and trailed a finger down the words. “Aldin hasn't been without this since you visited last. He hated it before that day, before Nick talked to him. I was proud of him for finally wanting to study.”
“Nick cares about him.”
“I know. Aldin begged Ree to help him with his language studies every day after. When Ree didn't have time, he'd take the book outside and try to figure it out himself. He really wanted to make fireworks.” Faillen breathed out a half-laugh and flipped open the book, staring at the top right corner where heat had curled the edges. “I can still hear her reading the words to him. I can also hear her screaming for me in the smoke. I couldn't find her. Despite all the things I'm supposed to be capable of, all the things that made me worthy of her love, I couldn't find her.” He sank to his knees and stared up at Meaghan. “I couldn't find her when she needed me most. I failed her.”
Faillen's anguish drowned Meaghan, filling her eyes with hot tears until she turned her power inward to silence it. She lowered to the ground beside him. His tears fell on the book, so she closed it and set it aside. Then she took his hands in hers. In her best act of friendship, she stayed beside him while he drained his emotion.
“You didn't fail her,” Meaghan told him after he had let go of her hands. “You stood strong when Garon threatened you, and by doing that, you saved her boys from him. It was what she wanted.”
“She died for it,” Faillen said. “She died because of my decision.”
“She died protecting her family. Ree wouldn't have wanted it any other way. She wanted her sons to make a difference. They will now. I promise you.”
Faillen nodded and lowered his eyes to the book where it lay on the ground beside his knees. “Garon wants you. I released Scree after the fire started. She returned tonight with a note from Zeiihbu. They've taken Caide to my tribe's village. They've promised to release him if I bring you.”
“They won't. They're lying.”
“I know,” he said, picking up the book. “Did you tell the truth when you said you'd rescue him?”
“I did. Nick volunteered to lead the rescue party, but I don't want him to go. I'd rather take his place. And if Garon wants me in Zeiihbu, it'll be easier for me to get close without his army suspecting.”
“Suspecting what?”
“That I'm not as na•ve as they think.”
A genuine smile crossed Faillen's face. Behind it, Meaghan felt a spark of hope. “You have a plan, don't you?” he asked.
She shrugged. “It's more like a loose idea and probably a bad one at that, but I'm open to suggestions.”
Faillen laughed and stood, then offered her a hand and drew her up beside him. “Nick's right to want to go in your place. He's your Guardian, and you're the rightful ruler.”
“I may have the blood of my ancestors, but I don't have Nick's heart. I don't have his head. And ultimately, he's best for Ærenden.”
“Perhaps,” Faillen said. “But you'll never convince the Elders of that. They'll protect you over Nick.”
“Not all of them will.”
The response came from the darkest shadows of the forest, and Meaghan whirled toward it, yanking Faillen's knife from her belt before she recognized who had spoken. Her heart sank. She had not yet convinced Faillen of her plan, and now she would lose any progress she had already made.
Cal stepped forward. Although moonlight illuminated his body, his face remained dark. He fixed his eyes on Meaghan. “I can think of one Elder who'd prefer to finish you off right now. It would simplify things.”
Despite his words and the threat he did not bother to hide, Meaghan smiled with relief. He had returned. His cloak had been singed in places, and large chunks of material had been lost in others. His beard appeared wet, either from sweat or water. Soot streaked across his cheeks. He ran a hand over the top of his head and ash rained from his hair. But he appeared to be uninjured, and more importantly, he was alive.
She launched a hug at him before he had the chance to block her. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she wrinkled her nose at the odor clinging to him. “You're okay,” she said after letting him go. “I was worried.”
“You could've fooled me. After taking off like you did, I'd guess you were more interested in worrying others than being worried yourself.”
She dismissed his comment with another smile. “How's the rest of your team?”
“Fine. Zell’d suffered a few nasty burns, but he's being healed at the moment, as I should be.”
“You're hurt?” Meaghan asked, and then spotted the bandages showing through the holes in his cloak. They covered his left forearm and his right thigh. She reached for one. “Why didn't you—”
Cal's hand latched onto her wrist, cutting off her question. He twisted it, bringing her arm up to get her attention. “Because you decided to take off without telling anyone. What else was I supposed to do? Nick's frantic. Miles is ready to send everyone in the caves out to search for you, and I'm furious. I don't like pain and these burns aren't exactly tickling me.” He twisted her arm one more time, treating her to her own bout of pain, and then let her go. “Why did you come out here exactly? I told you to leave Faillen alone. He needs time.”
“We don't have time,” she said, pressing her wrist into her other hand. It throbbed, but she thought better of complaining. “The Elders want to send a rescue party to find Caide. It leaves in two days.”
“And?”
“And Nick volunteered to lead it.”
Cal stared at her. “Why would he do that?”
“Because they said only one of us could go. He wants to make sure it isn't me.”
“He's still afraid Abbott's prediction will come true,” Cal said and raised a hand to her shoulder. “So why not let him do it?”
“Because he can't. Garon wants me there. I'm afraid of what he'll do to Zeiihbu if I don't go. And Nick,” her voice broke. She closed her eyes. “There's a good chance he won't make it back. He deserves to be King, Cal. He'll be a better ruler than I will.”
“Is that the only reason you want him to stay?” Cal asked, and despite the seriousness of the conversation, she thought she heard humor in his voice. He tilted her chin with his fingers so she looked up at him when she opened her eyes. “I suspect otherwise, but that's a discussion for another day. Nick will have a hard time forgiving me if I side with you on this. You know that, don't you?”
She nodded and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
Cal sighed. “All right. Let me talk to him once we convince the Elders. I'll see if I can make him understand.”
Meaghan's eyes widened, surprised he had agreed, but Cal did not wait for her to react any further. He turned to Faillen. “If Meaghan is risking her life for your son, then I expect you to do something for her in return. You'll take her offer. You'll lead her army when you return from Zeiihbu, even if she doesn't make it back. Swear by it.”
Cal extended his right hand toward Faillen, palm down. Faillen dropped his eyes to Cal's hand and stared at it.
“Do you need any more proof?” Cal asked. “Can you honestly question her selflessness now?”
“
No.” Faillen's eyes rose back to Cal's. “No, I can't.” He brought his right hand up, intertwining their fingers and then covered their fingers with his left hand. He waited for Cal do to the same. “From my lips to the death,” he recited.
“From my lips to the death,” Cal repeated, finishing the Zeiihbu promise.
Faillen released Cal's hands and turned to Meaghan. “A new pact for a new war,” he told her and bowed. “I am at your service, my Queen.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
THEY APPROACHED the entrance to the caves with a plan. Cal and Faillen would talk, and Meaghan would remain silent. Though insulted that they thought she would mess up the conversation with the Elders, she had to admit her record backed the possibility. She had met with the Elders twice already, and both times, she had angered them. If it happened a third time, she suspected they would throw her in the path of danger just for the chance to get rid of her. Cal only chuckled at the suggestion.
“You're a lot more valuable than you realize,” he told her, then gestured for her and Faillen to stop as voices drifted toward them through the foliage. Meaghan recognized Nick's first. Miles and May's followed. Although Meaghan's power remained muted, their frustration became clear as soon as she understood their words. A debate raged about whether they should send out a search party or keep looking for Meaghan on their own.
“She'll be fine,” she heard Sam say. “I think we should block the cave entrance and lock her out for the night. That would teach her a lesson.”
“You'll risk her life if you do that,” Nick argued. “And your own if you dare mention the idea again.”
“Threatening him isn't necessary,” May said. “He wasn't serious.”
Sam sighed. “Of course I wasn't. This is just too reminiscent for me. I had this conversation over and over again with the Elders when a certain ancestor of hers used to disappear.”
“I know,” Nick responded. “I've heard she's a lot like Adelina.”
“Adelina?” Sam scoffed. “As difficult as Adelina could be, she had courtesy for other people. I meant Ed. He was practically a leaf in the wind most days. Cal seemed to be the only one who could manage him.”
“Did I hear someone say my name?” Cal asked, stepping out from behind a tree to join the conversation.
“We were talking about Ed,” Miles told him.
Cal chuckled. “Making comparisons no doubt. Meaghan has the best parts of him.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Only if you consider being hotheaded, impulsive, and careless to be good traits.”
“I do. She's brilliant, too. It's a great combination if you want to get things done.”
“Or get yourself killed,” Miles muttered. “Did you have any luck finding her?”
Cal nodded. “That I did. And she had luck finding Faillen. They'll be along shortly.”
“She went after the man who tried to kill her this afternoon?” Sam asked. “Is she insane?”
“She might be a bit of that, too,” Cal said, then turned as Meaghan stomped her feet, making more noise than she normally would. “Let's see if she at least apologizes.”
Meaghan cleared the trees and feigned surprise to see the group staring at her. The intensity of their anger made her acting more convincing. At least the embarrassment was real. “I'm sorry,” she said, taking Cal's cue. “I thought I'd be back before anyone realized I'd left. I didn't mean to scare you.”
“Do we look scared?” Miles asked. “Or should I wonder if you sense it?”
“You asked me not to use my power on you.”
“It's nice to know you pay attention to some of our requests,” May commented, crossing her arms. “Although we'd get a lot more sleep if you'd pay attention to more of them.”
“You have no idea,” Nick grumbled. He studied Meaghan for a moment before he spoke again. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. You know Faillen wouldn't hurt me.”
“I do,” he said. “But there are worse things in the woods than Faillen. Around here, there's a creature known as a black daggercat. I'm sure you can figure out his special talent.”
Her mind painted an image she hoped did not match reality and her heart raced with the thought. “I guess I wasn't thinking.”
“It's a habit with you. Max tried to warn you, but instead of listening, you took off. He's been through enough, and now he's pacing the caves, worried about you. Do you realize how selfish you've been?”
Meaghan swallowed, hurt by the rage in Nick's voice as much as by the truth. “Look, Nick—”
“This is an argument for a more private place,” May interrupted, placing a hand on her son's forearm. “I'm sure you have a lot to discuss, but for now,” she nodded at Faillen, who stood beside Meaghan. “You understand if we let you back in the caves, you can't repeat your behavior from this afternoon. If you do, you'll be arrested. The only reason you aren't now is because we all understand grief.”
“I appreciate your generosity,” Faillen said. “I lost myself for a moment. It won't happen again.”
“I'm sure it won't,” Cal said. “Your son's inside. He's looking for you.”
And with those words, he signaled the start of the dialogue they had planned.
“I look forward to seeing him,” Faillen responded. “But there's a matter we need to discuss first.” His eyes flowed from Cal to the faces of the people he had not yet officially met. “You're the Elders, correct?”
“We are,” Miles said. “I'm Miles, the Head Elder. Those under me are Cal and May, who you know, and the longest appointed of us, Sam.”
Faillen inclined his head in greeting before returning his focus to Miles. “I recall my father telling me the Elders and the Queen share responsibility in decision making, especially when decisions bring risk to the royal family. Is that true?”
“It is,” Miles replied. “As Guardians, we're tasked to protect the royal line.”
“Or at least it's something we try to do,” May added and cast a pointed look at Meaghan. “It's not always as easy as it should be.”
“I'm certain it's not.” A smile of amusement touched Faillen's lips when Meaghan huffed beside him. “I'm afraid I'm not going to add to that ease, though. I need help. I believe only Queen Meaghan can provide it, but there's risk involved.”
“Our Queen is hardly adverse to risk,” Sam remarked. “As I'm sure you've noticed. Should I assume you've made your request to her already? Given her recent attitude, I'm surprised you'd come to us at all, even if it's protocol.”
“She asked me to respect your authority on this.”
“Did she?” Sam asked and lifted an eyebrow in Meaghan's direction. “This must be an interesting request.”
“As I said, it's not without risk,” Faillen responded. “My father sent a message tonight. Garon is holding Caide hostage in Zeiihbu. He's wants Meaghan in exchange.”
“Never,” Nick insisted, and his cheeks blazed red with his anger. “We'd never sacrifice—”
Faillen held up his hand. “I'm not suggesting we do. I think if we're able to convince Garon we intend to trade her, we have a chance of taking back Zeiihbu and my son.”
“There's a lot to gain,” Cal said and stroked his fingers through his beard. “If we agreed to this, would Zeiihbu fight with us? Not just along the borders, but truly fight Garon's army?”
“They would,” Faillen promised.
“You aren't seriously considering this,” Nick said. “What would be the point of reclaiming the throne if Meaghan didn't survive to use it?”
“The point is saving Ærenden,” Sam responded. “If we put together the right rescue team, Meaghan has a shot of returning.”
“A shot?” Nick stared at Sam, and then threw up his hands when the Elder did not respond. “You're willing to risk her life on a shot she might return? This is ridiculous.”
“I'd gladly accept your help instead,” Faillen told Nick. “But we can't get close enough to Garon's army without Meaghan.”
“I
won't allow it.”
“I'm prepared to accept your offer,” Faillen added. “You'll have my warriors and my leadership.”
“Not under these conditions.”
“What offer?” May asked. She frowned at Nick. “That's the second time Faillen's mentioned it. What offer did you make?”
“It's nothing,” Nick clutched his hands into fists at his sides. “It's withdrawn.”
“The Queen doesn't think so,” Faillen said. “She agreed to it.”
“To what?” May prompted.
“To use my expertise as a Zeiihbu warrior to lead the army. She and Nick made the offer to me when I saw them last.”
“Did they?” May's lips flattened into a thin line. “Was this your idea?” she asked Meaghan.
Meaghan nodded, attempting to maintain the vow of silence she had made to Cal and Faillen. She laced her fingers together in front of her.
“I see,” May said. “Are you aware the Elders control the army?”
Meaghan nodded again.
“So you knew you didn't have the authority to make the offer and you did it anyway?” Miles asked. “What gives you the right to think you can bypass us?”
Meaghan tightened her grip, controlling her anger. She looked at Nick over his mother's shoulders. Though he had long ago come up with a response for the question, he would not meet her eyes. To prevent her from going to Zeiihbu, he would sacrifice their plan. She had no other choice. She had to answer. She opened her mouth, but closed it again when Faillen stepped forward, drawing the Elders' attention.
“I don't wish to interfere with your duties,” he said. “As the Guardian army proved to my people in the Zeiihbu War, their methods are beyond reproach. I believe Nick and Meaghan wanted to mobilize a second army, one comprised of villagers. I can train them, and I can share Zeiihbu strategy with you. Our combined knowledge might give us the edge over Garon's army.”
“The people have been through enough,” Miles said, his voice curt. “It's our job to protect them, not command them into harm's way. They'd be slaughtered.”
“They're being slaughtered now,” Cal countered. “If we train them, they might stand a chance of surviving.”
Aerenden: The Gildonae Alliance (Ærenden Book 2) Page 26