The Stones of Kaldaar (Song of the Swords Book 1)

by Tameri Etherton

  The band struck up a hopeful melody, and Rhoane took Janeira into his arms, turning them both onto the dance floor. “Tell me, are my brothers well?”

  They spoke of the Weirren and Rhoane’s family through two songs until Janeira said finally, “I have had enough dancing for one evening. If you do not mind, I would like to get some rest.” She curtseyed to him before making her way to the empress, where she stayed a few minutes. The last Rhoane saw of Janeira, she was trailing after Aomori as he left the ballroom.

  Whatever her intentions, it wouldn’t be good for him or Taryn.

  “Interesting kinswoman you’ve got there.”

  Rhoane glanced at Baehlon, suddenly feeling his many seasons. “Where is Taryn?”

  “In bed, I hope. I left her with her maids. She’ll not enjoy the morning sun, that’s for certes. Drunk as an Artagh on Smelting Day.”

  Rhoane nodded absently.

  “Is there something I should be made aware of? You two have been acting odd since her crowning.”

  Rhoane debated only a moment before confessing to his friend. “Taryn believes Marissa is bedding Zakael, and tonight Marissa told me Taryn is bedding Aomori. Neither can give me proof other than her word.”

  “I see.” Baehlon crossed his arms over his chest. “So, your dilemma is, if I am correct, whether you should believe a girl who has no reason to lie to you or someone who’s been in love with you all her life and would do anything to have you for her own.”

  Marissa’s laughter drew his attention. She and several ladies were walking through the ballroom. Lords bowed out of their way, many of whom followed the crown princess with looks of longing. “Marissa and I are friends, Baehlon. Nothing more.”

  “No, you are friends with her, but she’s in love with you. You’re just too blind or foolish to see it.”

  If not for the hypocrisy of that statement coming from Baehlon, Rhoane would’ve been insulted. Baehlon had been in love with Faelara, and she with him, for going on ten seasons, yet neither one would admit to it.

  “You’ve got a choice to make, my friend. Where do your loyalties lie? With Marissa or with Taryn? You can’t play both sides of this war or you’ll be the one left for dead on the battlefield.”

  Damn the man and his honesty.

  Chapter 31

  LLIANDRA raged at Taryn for the better part of two bells. She paced around the room, shouting at times or whispering in a deadly voice at others. Taryn’s replies varied from,Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sorry, Your Majesty, toYes, Mother. I’m so sorry, Mother. Lliandra had demanded Taryn use the moniker, and her tongue tripped around the unfamiliar word. Nothing placated the angry empress. At one point, Taryn was certain the woman would throw her out the window into the sea below.

  Finally, Lliandra calmed down enough to glare at Taryn. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”

  Dizzy from hunger and her head swimming with the ill effects of her hangover, Taryn replied a bit too sullenly. “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know? How lovely! I wish I could use that as an excuse. Let me see…Empress Lliandra, why has your daughter made a mockery of my son and messenger in front of the entire court? I’m sorry, King Stephan, but I don’t know.” Lliandra moved her face a hair’s width from Taryn’s. “You damn well better know. I thought I made it very clear to you yesterday that whatever problem you have with Prince Rhoane, you were to resolve it.”

  “Yes, ma’am, you did.”

  “And you thought the best way to do that would be to dance with everyone else in the room but him?”

  “I didn’t think about that.”

  “I’m afraid to ask what it was you did think about.”

  Taryn met her angry stare and said in a clear voice, “I thought about myself, which I see now was wrong. I wanted to have some fun.” Her anger fumed within, making it difficult to control her power. “I’m sure you remember what it’s like to be a young woman and have men fawn over you. I liked it. I felt beautiful for once in my life.”

  Lliandra scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean? Of course you’re beautiful. You’re my daughter, for Ohlin’s sake. You don’t need a bunch of libidinous boys to tell you that! Look in a mirror, you fool!”

  Taryn took a deep, calming breath. “Yes, Mother, I’ll do that.”

  Lliandra’s hand cracked across Taryn’s cheek with enough force to rattle her teeth. “Never speak to me in that tone.” Lliandra’s ShantiMari streaked around her body.

  No one had ever struck Taryn before, and she trembled where she sat, frightened to her core. She put a hand to her cheek, feeling the stinging warmth, tasting blood in her mouth.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please, just tell me how I can make it better, and I will,” Taryn pleaded.

  Lliandra’s Mari subsided, and it alarmed Taryn even more how quickly the empress could summon and dismiss that much power. “What’s done is done. I’ve been commanded by King Stephan to bring you to the Narthvier and Janeira will be traveling with us. I expect you to be cordial to her and, if at all possible, win her over with your charms.” Lliandra’s tone made it clear she doubted Taryn had any.

  Taryn stood to go. “Thank you, Mother. I will do my best.”

  “Sit down. That boy you were with last night—Lord Aomori. Did you fuck him?”

  Shocked by the crass question, Taryn stammered, “No, of course not! Why would you ask such a thing?”

  Lliandra studied her a moment too long. “I have it on good authority that you did. You were in the gardens for quite some time.”

  “Nothing happened, I swear.”

  Lliandra’s face relaxed a fraction. “I have ways of finding the truth, so do not lie to me.”

  “I promise you,” Taryn said with a slight break in her voice, “I did not have sex with Lord Aomori or any other man last night or any other time in my life. I am still a virgin.” Her body trembled with anger and disgust. With forced deep breaths, she held her ShantiMari in check, just barely.

  “It would be best if you didn’t make it a habit to go wandering through the grounds late at night with a boy you hardly know. And you should really learn to control your wine. I also heard that Sir Baehlon had to escort you to your rooms last night. I expect more from you, Princess Taryn.”

  “I’ll remember that, thank you.” She bowed her head in defeat. “There are so many rules to this princess thing. Is there a guidebook or something to make sure I don’t mess up again?”

  To her astonishment, Lliandra laughed, a full-bellied laugh that made Taryn nervous. “Oh, you are a prize. Of course, you wouldn’t know not to traipse around with strange men. Sometimes I forget you were raised as an Offlander. I only wish Brandt had better prepared you for this life.”

  “You and me both.” Taryn couldn’t feel any more miserable. The slight against Brandt left her battered and drained. She wanted nothing more than to crawl back to her room and sleep for the rest of her life.

  Lliandra rose, indicating Taryn do the same. “I’ll send someone to instruct you on court etiquette. You’ve much to learn before we reach the Narthvier. King Stephan is not as forgiving as I.” She kissed Taryn on each cheek before waving her off.

  Taryn mumbled a goodbye, thanking her again—for what, she wasn’t sure. Not killing her, perhaps? Then just before Taryn reached the door, Lliandra said in a nonchalant tone, “Duke Anje will be returning to Paderau today. He’ll be taking Hayden and the other young lords with him.”

  A fissure in the dam that kept her anger in check threatened to buckle, to release all of her rage. She pressed her nails into her palms, focused on the pain, eased her anger. “You’re sending Hayden away? Why?”

  “We’ll be traveling through Paderau on our way north. There are preparations to be made. Besides, I can’t have any distractions around while Janeira is here. We need King Stephan’s support, Taryn.”

  “But I don’t understand. Hayden did nothing wrong.” Lliandra gave
Taryn a look that said to leave it rest, but Taryn pushed. “Who told you that I was with Aomori?”

  Lliandra made a show of straightening her gown, a frown creasing the Mari she carefully kept in place. “It pains me to tell you this, my dove. I know you and Sabina have grown close over the last few weeks.”

  “Sabina?” Taryn barely whispered the name. No. She wouldn’t, couldn’t have said anything. Sabina was with Taryn most of the night; she knew nothing had happened. And then it clicked. Marissa. That scheming, duplicitous bitch had lied to Lliandra. “But why?” Taryn faked a hurt tone.

  “Darling, isn’t it obvious? She’s in love with him.” Lliandra took Taryn’s hands in her own. “I know this will be difficult, but you mustn’t blame your friend. In fact, it would be best if you didn’t say anything to her about all of this. As far as I’m concerned, it never happened. Aomori would make an excellent match for a girl like Sabina. We should do everything in our power to help her.”

  “Yes, of course.” Taryn curtseyed low to her mother and left the opulent rooms in a haze.

  Later that morning, as she said her farewells to Duke Anje and Hayden, she couldn’t hide her disappointment. Hayden assured her it wasn’t her fault; he even went so far as to take some of the blame. If he’d known Lliandra’s response would be so hurtful, he would’ve stepped in the previous night. Taryn didn’t have the nerve to tell him what Lliandra had accused her of with Aomori, although she suspected he’d already heard from the court gossip mill.

  Tinsley gave her a warm hug in parting. Aomori’s was a bit restrained.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered to his ear alone. “I’ll do what I can to make it up to you.”

  He gave her arm a slight squeeze. “I don’t blame you.” The meaning behind his words relieved her guilt somewhat, but there was a lot of work to be done on her part to clear his name. If his family heard he’d sullied a princess, they might insist he marry her. That was a complication neither of them needed.

  Taryn stood with Sabina, waving until the carriages were through the gate. Her friend was stoic, but underneath her calm demeanor, Sabina was devastated to have Hayden leave so soon after arriving in Talaith. Knowing she was to blame compounded Taryn’s guilt.

  When the last of the carriages disappeared, Taryn steered Sabina toward her rooms. “We need to talk.”

  Lliandra’s rant that morning made it clear where her mother stood as far as loyalty. It was time Taryn figured out whoshe could trust. If the empress thought she could control her second-born, she was dead wrong. The tricky part would be convincing her she was right. With Sabina’s help, she just might pull it off.

  THE fortnight before they traveled north was a haze of activity for Taryn. Lliandra made sure her schedule was full each day. Training with Sword Master Tudyk, followed by another bell of practice with the soldiers in martial arts. In the afternoon, Sabina and Eliahnna gave Taryn etiquette lessons. If she thought Hayden harsh in his instruction on the road to Paderau, he was a kitten compared to the young women. They took their role seriously and made Taryn walk, talk, bend, and eat like a princess. Muscles she didn’t know she had ached from holding a fork at just the right angle.

  When they finished with her, Taryn was turned over to Master Gameson, the head scholar in Talaith. His job was to school Taryn on everything from ruling Houses in the seven kingdoms to trade routes across the sea. Her mind swam with the information he crammed into her brain each day. Myrddin often joined them in the library, helping translate archaic texts or lending support to Gameson’s lesson. Wary that he might be spying for Lliandra, Taryn kept her interactions with him brief until it became evident he was there out of a genuine interest in her education. It was Celia’s presence that truly confounded Taryn.

  Several times, she arrived with a tray of tea and cakes. After seeing to Taryn’s comfort, she would either sit quietly while Master Gameson instructed Taryn or she would peruse the stacks of books. Rarely did she interrupt the lesson or try to ingratiate herself with Taryn aside from the refreshments. Taryn tolerated her but made no offer of anything that could be construed as trust.

  When her schedule permitted, Taryn spent time at the beach with her younger sisters and Sabina. Thankfully, after that one time, neither Marissa nor Celia joined them. It was at the private cove they spoke of their plans.

  Sabina had been rightfully incensed when Taryn confided that Lliandra had blamed her for the Aomori Incident, as they began calling it. She knew as well as Taryn did the affair was a fabricated lie to tarnish Taryn’s reputation, quite possibly to destroy the bond she shared with Rhoane.

  Lliandra and Marissa continued with their plans to match Sabina with Aomori, but on those afternoons at the beach, Taryn and Sabina carefully constructed ways to thwart the empress. At first, they were careful not to say too much in front of the younger princesses, but Tessa insinuated herself into their scheme. Eliahnna listened to their argument with equanimity, eventually offering her support.

  A major complication they found hard to resolve was Herbret’s insistence Sabina would be his bride. He constantly hounded her, making promises of a life lived in luxury, of being spoiled by a man who adored her. He professed his love at every occasion, making certain Lliandra saw everything. To Taryn’s and Sabina’s horror, after the Aomori Incident, the empress had made concessions to Herbret, offering to reconsider his petition for Sabina’s hand.

  Taryn used Celia’s closeness to Marissa as an opportunity to learn. Not just about her sister but Herbret. It was no secret at court that Celia and Herbret shared a rather unique interest in each other, with some courtiers going so far as to suggest they were both Marissa’s lovers. Of course, the last was always whispered behind a concealing hand, with a knowing nod or wink to accompany the rumor.

  In those two weeks, Taryn became adept at playing the game. It wasn’t about just her anymore but Sabina, as well. For her friend, she would wallow in the filth of politics and court intrigue.

  Taryn sent several messages to Rhoane, which were once again left unanswered. The few times their paths had crossed in the palace, he’d pretended not to see her, and after a while, she quit looking for him. Only at night, when she was alone in her rooms, did she allow the heartache. Only there did she cry bitter tears of hurt and disappointment. She’d already failed him in so many ways. She didn’t blame him for his distance, but as long as her bonds sparkled in the light, she held onto hope.

  On the morning they were set to travel to the Narthvier, Cora brought Taryn a dainty silver circlet with tiny fleur-de-lis, each petal studded with sapphires.

  “The empress sent this for you to wear on the road.”

  Taryn admired the little crown in the mirror. “It seems a bit impractical for travel, don’t you think?”

  “It’s what Her Majesty wishes.”

  Taryn knew better than to argue with what Lliandra wished. Her cheek stung at the memory of the slap she’d given her.

  The others were gathered in the courtyard, talking excitedly to one another when Taryn arrived. Sabina wore a deep green riding gown with her luxurious hair piled on her head. Her coppery skin glowed in the early morning sun, and Taryn smiled at her friend.

  “Are you excited to see Hayden?”

  Sabina blushed prettily. “Do you think he’s looking forward to seeing me?”

  “I’m certain of it. What are you going to do for eight whole days?”

  “Don’t tease. I’ve grown rather fond of the marquis,” she whispered to Taryn. “I’ve written to Mother about him. She wants to meet him, of course, but I think she approves.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” The bold move was a calculated risk. Lliandra outranked Sabina’s mother, Queen Prateeni, but not even the great empress would court the wrath of the Summerlands. At least they hoped.

  Sabina put a finger to her lips. “I don’t want to hex it. Tessa and Eliahnna don’t know yet, and I’d like to keep this between Lord Hayden and me for as long as I can.”

 
; “My lips are sealed.” Taryn pretended to lock her lips, turning a key. “She’ll find out anyway, you know. That woman has eyes in the back of her head and ears everywhere.”

  “I know. That’s why I’ve only told you. I know I can trust you.”

  “That means the world to me.” It did. More than Sabina would ever know.

  Rhoane approached with the Eleri woman by his side. He wore a circlet very similar to hers, with emeralds dancing in the sunlight.

  “Your Highness.” Taryn curtseyed low to Rhoane. She made a smaller curtsey to Janeira. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance.” Then in Eleri, she said, “Cyr doyensa. Me palaith tu daer oyensais gardainen.” She’d begged one of the riders who had come with Janeira to teach her the traditional greeting.

  Janeira regarded her with curiosity. “I was unaware you spoke Eleri,” she said in stilted Elennish. “I am happy to meet you, as well. But your apology is unnecessary. Prince Rhoane has explained everything to me.”

  Taryn bowed her head. “Thank you, fair Mistress. I am humbled by your forgiveness.”

  “I said it was unnecessary; I did not say you were forgiven.” She slapped Rhoane on the back and walked away.

  Taryn stared after her. “How rude.”

  “Interesting, that is what she said about you the night of the ball,” he said flatly.

  Ouch. “About that. There’s really nothing I can say that would adequately convey my apology. I was foolish, and I’m truly sorry.” By the look on his face, Taryn could tell he thought it was more than her dancing with a few men and drinking too much. “You don’t believe the rumor, do you? Rhoane, I didn’t sleep with Aomori.”

  His glance flicked to Sabina and back to her. “The empress had it on good authority that something happened in the garden.”