Taryn spun around to find Hayden standing a few feet away. She almost suffocated him in a great bear hug. “I’ve missed you so much. You’ve no idea how boring the palace is without you.”
“Is that so? I’ve been hearing tales of your wicked deeds.”
She groaned. “What did I do now?”
He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh. “You mean people are still harping on that one night? Can we please move on?”
“They will once there is an even bigger scandal to gossip about. Right now, you’re it.”
She took his arm, directing them toward the river. “I’m sure I’m going to get into trouble for this, too. It seems I’m not allowed to be alone with a man.”
Hayden nudged her with his shoulder. “Yes, but I’m a perfect gentleman, so it’s fine.”
“Like that matters toMother. God, I hate calling her that. She has Rhoane convinced that Aomori and I had sex.”
“Rhoane’s loyalties run deep. Give him time, Taryn. Besides, Aomori and Tinsley have become more vocal about their affection for each other. He sent Lliandra a formal letter declining any intention of courting Sabina.”
“You don’t think that will hurt Sabina, do you? Lliandra is singularly focused on her marrying Aomori to further her cause.”
“Sabina will handle this with as much grace as she’s handled what your mother’s put her through thus far. The woman is made of silken steel.”
Taryn rested her head on his shoulder. “I really have missed you. Since you’ve been preoccupied with Sabina, I’ve hardly gotten to see you.”
“There will be a place in my life for you. Always.” He kissed the top of her head. “There. That should give the empress something to talk about.”
Taryn slapped his arm. “You are bloody wicked, you know that? Do you have any idea what a temper she has? I’m terrified of her.” She resumed her place on his shoulder and said dreamily, “So, now that Aomori is out, will you petition Lliandra for Sabina’s hand?”
“It’s still her wish that I make a profitable union for her. One not limited to coin.” There was subtext beneath his words that he tried to hide, but Taryn caught it.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this?”
The scandal of Sabina’s family was that she was born without any ShantiMari. Some at court only saw her as a suitable wife for a high noble but not a male descended from both Houses of Light and Dark. In their opinion, Sabina’s beauty or intelligence didn’t outweigh her powerlessness.
“I’ve heard a rumor that Lliandra is going to support Herbret’s claim,” Hayden said.
“No! She wouldn’t. He’s a disgusting toad.”
“Yes, but his family is the wealthiest in the region, aside from the empress, that is. She needs his money more than I need a powerless wife, it would appear.”
“Don’t you dare give up on her, Hayden. You two are perfect together. Power or no.”
“Well, as you’re unavailable, I suppose I’ll have to accept her as a pale substitute.”
“Ha! Didn’t you see that dress she wore to the feast? There is nothing pale about her.”
“Yes, I did see. And so did half of Talaith. By the gods, that girl is amazing.” From the pure love in his voice, the smallest bit of jealousy tugged her heart.
“It’s obvious you have deep feelings for her.” She looked across the river to the north. “We’ll find a way to make this work. I know you two will be happy together. Always. You just have to name your first daughter after me. I am, after all, the one who got you together.”
“Hold on. I never said anything about marriage. We’ve only just met. These things take time. It’s not like you can just meet someone and spend the rest of your life together.”
“For you, maybe.”
Hayden turned her to face him. “I’m sorry, Taryn. That was insensitive of me.”
“I’m getting used to the idea.”
He looked surprised. “You don’t love Rhoane?”
“That’s just the thing. I do.” Her pendant burst into song, startling her. This was the first time she’d admitted it to herself or anyone else. She hushed hercynfar and continued. “But I wouldn’t blame him if he wants to undo our bonds and find someone worthy of him. Like Janeira.”
“There’s only one woman worthy of a man like Prince Rhoane. She’s the same girl who kicked that sword away from me. Have you talked to him since the feast?” They turned back toward the palace. The setting sun gleamed against the windows, turning the walls into shining plates of gold.
“Not really. He’s always with Janeira.”
“Maybe all he needs is an apology.”
“I already tried that.” A dark sadness was descending over her thoughts. “How about if you give me one of your special tours to take my mind off these unpleasant things?”
“Now?”
“Dinner is ages away, and we’ve got some time to kill. Besides, I’ve never seen the whole palace.”
Hayden showed her a dozen rooms in the time they had. They ran, laughing, through secret passageways and slid across the marble floors of the audience chamber. Their last stop was a suite of rooms near the duke’s. “My mother’s,” Hayden said, opening the door for Taryn. “She loved it here. We keep the apartment exactly as it was when she was living, as a reminder of her beauty and love of life.”
Taryn saw touches of Gwyneira in every detail of the rooms—a rose laid on a table, or a painting of Hayden and his brother placed just above her dressing vanity. Reminders of her family were everywhere. She was a woman devoted to her husband and children.
Taryn took Hayden’s hand in hers. “Thank you for sharing this with me. I feel as if I know your mother just from being near her things.”
“Only a few servants are allowed in here. It’s heavily warded against intruders, but of course, you are welcome to visit anytime.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I think Mother would enjoy your company.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I would like that.” Her stomach gave a loud grumble, and Hayden laughed.
“Perhaps now we can eat?”
“If you don’t mind. I’m starved. Let’s go find your princess and then have dinner together.”
THE next morning, before meeting with Baehlon for their training, Taryn made a stop at Gwyneira’s rooms. As soon as she stepped through the doorway, a calm that eluded her lately embraced her. She wanted to sit in one of Gwyneira’s comfortable chairs to simply be in her presence, but Taryn had come for a single purpose.
After a few minutes of searching, she found a suitable place to hide the seal in a small cupboard behind a decorative chest. Once she had it tucked safely away and warded with as many alarms as she could think of, she stood in the center of the room.
If you are here, I want to ask that you keep this item safe. Someday I’ll have need of it, but until then, I thank you for protecting it.Taryn lowered herself in a formal curtsey.I wish I could have known you in life, Aunt Gwyneira.
A gentle breeze rustled Taryn’s hair, and the faint scent of roses filled the room. With the knowledge Gwyneira would take care of the seal, she left the apartment with a promise to visit often, as well as to keep her husband and son safe.
Taryn walked with purpose through the hallways of the palace. Once outside her mother’s rooms, she entered without knocking, surprising several maids who fussed around Lliandra.
Her mother gave her a cool glance. “Good morning, Taryn. To what do I owe this visit?”
“If you make Sabina marry Herbret, or anyone other than Hayden, I will take that as a personal affront and do everything in my power to block their union.”
“By what authority do you come in here and order me around?”
Taryn glanced at the maids who stood like statues around the empress, silent, impotent. “Seriously? You want to go there, Mother?” Scorn dripped on the last word. “I have a sword and a crown that give me the right to tell you not to mess with me or my friends. Sabina chooses who she�
��ll marry. Not you. Are we understood?”
Lliandra stared at her, mouth agape. A tiny squeak was her only reply.
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. Now get off your high horse and start acting like my mother. We shouldn’t be on opposite sides of the playing field. We need to work together.”
She swept from the room, adrenaline pumping through her veins, making everything crisper, more refined. When she reached the end of the hall and turned a corner, she gave a whoop and danced around. There would be repercussions, but for the moment, it felt good to stand up to Lliandra. Damn good.
She had just a few days in Paderau to prepare to be presented to the Eleri, and she wasn’t going to spend it making apologies. She was done with everyone making suppositions about her life. If the court wanted to gossip, so be it. If Janeira wouldn’t forgive her, that was the woman’s prerogative.
Taryn was tired of trying to be what everyone wanted her to be. Including Rhoane. It was his future at stake, as well, and if he wanted to place his trust in a lying, conniving bitch, then she wouldn’t stop him. What she could do was train hard and meet with Carga every day.
Without meaning to, she kept her distance from Rhoane and his kinswoman. Anje didn’t have any formal dinners, so she dined alone in her room, or with her younger sisters and Sabina. Her focus wasn’t on gaining Rhoane’s trust, but on her meeting with King Stephan.
She’d read Verdaine’s prophecy. Without the Eleri, she would fail.
Chapter 34
THE attack came on the fourth day of their journey north. The endless landscape of rolling hills coupled with a stultifying heat from the late summer sun made the travelers indifferent to their surroundings. When men on horseback raced down a ravine toward the caravan, screaming and brandishing swords, it took a few moments for the entourage to act.
The invaders’ hairy chests were nearly indistinguishable from the fur vests they wore. Feathers and bones dangled from strips of cord tied to leather pants. Their horses were small but fast.
As they charged the group, the captain of the guard yelled at his soldiers to form a line. Faelara and Duke Anje pulled in front of the two royal carriages, where Myrddin joined them. Sabina popped her head outside the door, saw the men, and shut the door tightly behind her.
Rhoane rode up to Taryn, shouting, “Get to the carriages,” while Baehlon galloped toward her and the Eleri warrior woman away from her. Taryn sat motionless on Ashanni, trying to make sense of the confusion.
Time slowed as the invading men engaged in battle with the soldiers. Horrific, huge, lizard-like horned creatures ambled down the ravine toward them. Larger than horses, they were covered in red scales with frilled gills that circled long, wide heads. Huge fangs protruded from their muzzles with spittle dripping from their gaping maws.
“Baehlon, look,” she called out to her protector.
He swung around, shouting to the others, “Vorlocks!” To Taryn, he commanded, “Get to cover.”
It took her only an instant to make up her mind. She grabbed her sword from its scabbard, directing Ashanni toward the fighting. Baehlon swore and rushed after her. She swung her sword wide at the first man she came upon, splitting his skin with a deep, red gash. Bone crunched beneath her blade, and she reeled with the impact. Her sword sang a battle cry, fueling her bloodlust with its intensity.
She raced past the man she’d attacked, veering left to cut down another of the hairy invaders, this time taking his head clean off. A jolt of revulsion ripped through her. She called on the focused calm she used in martial arts to keep her mind tuned to each man she fought. She ignored the blood and gore, focusing on protecting those she held dear.
A giant of a man rode past and then wheeled around, slicing at her with his curved sword. When she blocked his attack, a great clang rang out.
His eyes widened, a grimy smile cutting across his face. He let out a trilling call before swinging at her head. More men rushed to them as she blocked his attack again and again.
Baehlon reached her, screaming, “Get out of here!” But Taryn ignored him. The big knight swore at her and then turned to fight men who rode up from the rear.
She studied the man before her, his scraggly beard and pointed teeth making her want to retch. He was circling her, chanting. He pulled power from around them, his threads forming a web. Without hesitating, she charged, slicing his power and plunging her sword toward him. His horse leapt aside, and she missed her mark. His blade did not. The dark metal slashed through her leather pants, making a clean incision on her leg.
Taryn cried out and swung Ashanni around. For an instant, she met his stare, seeing into his mind. Rabid with hate, his sole focus was to kill her. She kicked Ashanni hard and kept her sword close to her leg. At the last moment, when he raised his sword to attack, she thrust her blade into his side, connecting with his ribs.
He roared in pain. She kicked Ashanni again, steadying for another attack, but Lliandra’s captain of the guard rushed in, blocking her. “Leave him to me. See to the others.”
“Like hell I will.”
Two more soldiers joined the captain, edging her out.
“Bullocks!” She raced off to find a new victim. About two hundred paces away, one of the fanged creatures bore down on Rhoane. It stretched out a claw, knocking Rhoane’s sword from his hand before rearing up on its back legs, ready to strike.
She raced straight at the creature, pulling her feet up onto her saddle, balancing precariously. When they neared Rhoane, she let out a fierce cry and jumped from the saddle toward the creature’s fanged jaws.
She plunged her sword deep into its throat, and jerked viciously upward. The beast’s head split in two with spittle and foam coating her arms. A horrifying scream rent the air as the thing fell backward, shuddering in its death. Plumes of black smoke came from its mouth and spiraled into the air.
She gagged against the fetid stink.
Rhoane recovered his sword and approached her, his face a raging storm. “What in Ohlin’s name was that? Blood’s truth, Taryn, you could have been killed! What were you thinking?”
She glared at him with open-mouthed incredulity. “What was I thinking? I don’t know, maybe I wanted to kill that thing before it ate you!”
She stormed off to find Ashanni, trembling at the pain that ripped through her. A gash ran from under her left arm to above her ribs, oozing blood down her midsection. “Shit,” she muttered. It must’ve come from the vorlock. When she tried to mount Ashanni, the wound robbed her of strength.
Knowing Rhoane watched, Taryn bit down and pulled herself into the saddle. She rode back into the battle, engaging the first shirtless man she found. He raised a spear, which she knocked aside before cutting him down. Adrenaline and battle rage eased her pain, but only just. Baehlon rode at her side, and together they fought any man that came near. The enemies’ trills and cries went unheard. All that mattered was her sword and their deaths.
Her mind raced as she surveyed the carnage. The battle was nearly finished, with only a few of the hairy men still fighting the empress’s guard. Myrddin sent a fireball at one of the vorlocks, killing it instantly. Faelara held a protective barrier over the carriages, and the younger princesses were outside, using their ShantiMari to calm the frightened horses. But Marissa and Lliandra were nowhere to be seen. Taryn grunted in disgust at their cowardice.
Baehlon wheeled around to face her. “I told you to get to the carriage.”
Anger swelled inside. “And do what? Hide and cower? Why the hell am I training every day if you won’t let me use it? For show?”
“You could’ve been killed.”
“Better to be killed defending myself than hiding away in a carriage. What good is that? Why have all that power and do nothing?” She stared at him, willing him to defy her.
“Bah!” He wheeled his horse around, letting loose a string of curses. Janeira rode past, inclining her head to Taryn before spurring her horse toward an invader. Ignoring the wound in her side,
she did the same.
Once all the attackers had been captured or killed, the captain sent men riding west to scout for any stragglers. Many of his men had been injured, but only a few were dead. Taryn wanted to turn away from them but forced herself to look at every face.
She slid off Ashanni and offered her help to the wounded. Someone handed her a cloth and bucket filled with water. She moved among the solders cleaning, healing, and giving what comfort she could, her own wound forgotten. Sometime later—she couldn’t say if it was minutes or hours—Baehlon found her and took the bucket away. The water was as clear as when she’d first taken it, the cloth unstained.
“Rykoto’s balls, Taryn, what have you done?”
“They fought bravely today.” She looked over her shoulder at the soldiers, most of whom stared at her in awe. “It was the least I could do.”
“Aye, help you did, lass.” He clapped her on the shoulder, and she winced. “Saved a few good men and women, I’d wager.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Killed a few bad ones, too. Does it ever get easier?”
“Never. Not even when they are nasty bits of business like these today.”
“What were they?”
“Vorlocks. They come down from the north, beyond the vier. Those hairy beasts are their handlers. For every man, there is a vorlock tied to him. We’ve not seen their kind in many a season. More than passing strange they would choose to attack on this day.”
“What do you mean?” Taryn walked with him toward the carriages, her legs threatening to give out at any moment, but she kept up with his long strides.
“We’re smack in the middle of nowhere. Four days out from Paderau and a good ten more to the edge of the Narthvier, with not a lot of villages or cities in between. Perfect spot for an ambush, if you were to ask me.”
“You think someone set this up?”
He cocked his head, his lips twitching. “Sure looks like a pile of dung to me.”
Lliandra strode toward them with a look of venom in her eyes. Taryn shrank back, expecting an onslaught of abuse. Instead, Lliandra grabbed her in a fierce hug, pulling her to her bosom. Taryn bit her lip to keep from crying out.
The Stones of Kaldaar (Song of the Swords Book 1) Page 31