“Will you?” Alique asked.
“Forget me, Alique,” Kain said, grasping her upper arms. “I can’t be your friend, your confidante. I certainly can’t be your lover.”
She stared at him, her lips slightly parted, and suddenly all Kain could think of was planting a kiss there. He resisted, instead pulling her body against his so that her tempting lips and pleading eyes were hidden. Her arms folded around his waist then dropped to his backside. He felt himself swell, and Alique must have too, for she gasped.
She drew back from him. “You want me, Kain,” she said. “Do not deny it.”
He groaned. “I won’t destroy you, by giving in to this. And I won’t allow you to give in either.”
“You cannot dictate how I will feel. I care about you.”
Suspicious moisture lingered at the corners of her eyes. He always forgot how young she was, almost ten years younger than he. “You have your whole life ahead of you – a promising career in medicine, a prosperous family estate, and hopefully a husband and children. If your name is associated with mine when my birthright is discovered, then you stand a good chance of ruin. No one will wish to know you.”
“So keep it under cover!” She grasped his face and pulled him down for a kiss and, fool that he was, he allowed it. You’re going soft, Jazara! How delicious it would be to have Alique love him and care for him, to have his children and know that his future was assured. He could retire to the country and raise horses, do the things he had always dreamed of doing. Alique could provide that and more. But she would never love him like that. Not with the chasm that separated them socially, and now racially.
“I don’t know that I can,” he said, drawing away from her and looking back out into the night. “I have a sister who needs me now. She’s waiting for me to talk to her about the future.”
Alique turned him round to face her. “Gwaethe said that?”
“Not in as many words, but the fact that the kingdom is having elven trouble is testament to the likelihood that I will be drawn into it somewhere. She was looking for me. I can’t let Faenwelar’s Sis Lenweri take over the dark brethren when I can do something about it.”
“So you would turn your back on your mother’s people? On Thorius?”
“I wouldn’t be doing that,” Kain said. “I’d be saving the kingdom. I can influence the elves. That’s why Gwaethe was looking for me. She can’t do it on her own. And Faenwelar killed my father. I wouldn’t be much of a son if I didn’t avenge him.”
“Your loyalty should be to the kingdom,” Alique snapped, her voice rising.
“I don’t expect you to understand,” Kain said. “You don’t have a leg on either side of a chasm, not knowing which way to step.”
“I am trying to understand,” Alique said, “but how can you even think of supporting those elves? They hurt my family!”
“My kin didn’t hurt your family. They rescued us.”
Nikolas stepped out onto the balcony. “If you don’t wish to be the talk of the city, you’d better keep it down,” he said.
Kain turned to his friend, coming back to the present. Goddess, what was he thinking discussing this with Alique out here? “You’re right, Niko, I should go.”
“You cannot go, Kain,” Alique said. “The Queen has a presentation for us. I will not stand up there on my own.”
Kain frowned. He wanted out of this and now.
“She’s right,” Nikolas said. “You can’t leave the lady to face them alone.”
Kain ground his teeth. Damn it! They were both right! “Fine! I’ll stay for the formalities, but then I have business to take care of that can’t wait.” Kain stalked back inside, eager to get the night over with so he could see Gwaethe.
*
Alique watched Kain storm from the banquet hall after the formal part of the evening was over. The man was a seething mass of nerves tonight. It was not like him at all, and indicative of his inner turmoil. She wished she could help, and burned to know what course of action Kain would take now that he knew his father was elven royalty.
Alique tried to imagine what she would do in his position but she could not help her emotions taking over. Elves had been cruel to her family and to think of unleashing them on the kingdom was fodder for nightmares. Over her dead body would Kain take their side. She simply would not allow it to occur. But what could she do to stop him?
Should she tell the King and Queen all of his secrets? That would stop his plans before they even started. She would like to see him talk his way out of that. He might though. More likely they would throw him in prison while they decided what to do with him. Just the fact that he hid elves in the city and was consorting with them was enough to get him hanged. Alique swallowed a hard knot of fear. She could not do that to Kain. But did she feel enough for him to keep his secrets? He had shut her out as though she meant nothing to him. Yet they had connected in a deep and meaningful way. She had to make him see sense somehow.
Lady Diseta joined her and Alique cursed inwardly. “Good evening, Lady Diseta,” she said. “It’s a lovely evening, is it not?”
“I have been observing you this night, Alique, and I am worried.”
“Oh,” Alique said, trying to feign innocence, “what has you concerned, Diseta?”
“You have been though a terrible ordeal, my dear, and one could not blame you for acting out of character. I would counsel caution.”
Anger flared but Alique beat it down. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I see I will have to spell it out,” she said. “General Jazara. Forget him.”
“You are mistaken if you think I spare the general more than a passing thought, Diseta.”
“I know what I see, girl,” the older woman said. “You’ve let him get under your skin, but he is beneath you. Don’t convince yourself that a liaison is possible. I would hate to see you hurt.”
Alique frowned. If Diseta saw her preoccupation with Kain then others might as well. “I assure you, I have admiration for the general and nothing else. If you see anything in me it is fear for my father whose whereabouts are still a mystery. I am desperate to find him.”
Diseta nodded. “I am sorry for your loss, Alique.”
“He will be found safe and returned,” Alique said. “Now, if you will excuse me?” Alique turned away and swept toward the doors and escape. But before she could, Merielle stopped her.
“I wanted to ensure you were well after your adventure,” she said, studying Alique closely.
She tensed, wondering what this was leading to. “I am recovered, Merielle, though I would feel much better if my father was safe and sound.”
Merielle nodded, and Alique thought again how beautiful she was with her exotic red hair and fiery emerald eyes.
“I know we have not always been friends but I would like to put that behind us. If there is anything Nikolas or I can do to help, please ask.”
That was the last thing Alique had expected Merielle to say. For a moment, she was lost for words. “Thank you, Merielle, you are most kind.”
Merielle sailed away in a cloud of crimson hair and lavender silk, leaving Alique wondering if the offer had been genuine. Until recently, Alique had her eye on Nikolas for a husband. Surely Merielle had to know that? She had expected animosity from the admiral’s wife, not an offer of friendship. Was it possible there was some other motive behind Merielle’s words or did the lady truly wish for peace between them? Perhaps Kain was wrong to mistrust her?
Alique took a deep breath. Those were questions for another day. For now she had to find Kain.
*
Once back in her rooms, Alique strode across the parlor and into her bedroom, flinging open her large oak wardrobe and casting her eye over the contents. A riding gown would do – perhaps the russet, which would merge into the night. But who could she turn to for help? She was not stupid enough to imagine she could walk the town at night alone, and she didn’t know where Gwaethe was housed.
Think,
Ali, think! As she dressed, Alique mused on who would know where Kain had gone. Would Nikolas? Perhaps. She tugged on the bell rope and waited, smoothing her hair and pulling on a pair of riding boots.
When the maid came, she asked for Lord Nikolas Cosara to attend her. “Do not let anyone know what I have asked. And I mean anyone.” Alique cast the girl her most intimidating glare and the maid scuttled out the door.
Within minutes, a loud knock sounded at her outer door. Alique hurried to answer it and drew Nikolas into the room.
“What the devil, lady?” he said. “I got a message that you needed to see me on a matter of urgency.” His wary gaze raked over her clothes and he frowned. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Perhaps I have,” she said. “I am worried about General Jazara.”
He shook his head. “Kain? What about him?”
“I think he is meeting with Gwaethe this night and I don’t think he should be alone.”
Nikolas went still. “Oh?”
“He is torn between his old world and this new one. It pains me to think what commitments he might make to his sister. I want to be there. I just don’t know if he would accept that.”
Nikolas started to pace back and forth across the parlor. “He’s a man of his own mind. You shouldn’t interfere.”
“I don’t care what you think, admiral. I can’t just sit here and allow Gwaethe to push Kain over the edge.”
Nikolas stayed silent.
“What do you know?” Alique asked
“Nothing about Kain and Gwaethe,” Nikolas snapped.
“But you do have news,” Alique said. “What is it?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the matter.”
Frustration built up in Alique and she took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her anger. “You can tell me, Nikolas.”
“No, I can’t. If you wish to know you must ask Kain.”
Alique fell silent. She had a feeling this was important and if Nikolas would not tell her, then she must find out by another means.
“You know where Gwaethe is housed, do you not?”
Nikolas nodded warily. “Yes, I escorted her back after she met with Kain’s mother. You want me to take you there?”
Alique decided on her approach. “Yes, thank you, Nikolas, that would be most generous of you.”
“I didn’t say I would, Lady Alique,” Nikolas said, rubbing his hand over his whiskers. “Why do you wish to interfere?”
Alique had no clear answer for that. Why did she need to be there? Why could she not trust that Kain would solve his own crisis? Was it because she wanted him to toe the kingdom line? Was it because she didn’t trust Gwaethe, an elven princess bent on solving her own civil war at the expense of the kingdom’s military leader? If Gwaethe had her way, Kain would throw his lot in with the elven woman and he would be lost to his people and his family. And to me.
The thought of never seeing him again caused a pain in her chest she had never experienced before. Alique shook it away and focused on the task at hand.
“I don’t understand it myself,” she said. “I just have the very certain feeling that if I am not present, Kain will do something he will regret.”
“He’ll do that no matter where you are,” Nikolas said. “More likely if you’re there, if you ask me.”
“Surely he cannot be as stubborn as all that?” she asked.
“He’s just about the most obstinate man I’ve ever known.” Nikolas looked at her slyly. “Of course he can’t hold a candle to you in that area.”
Alique raised her chin, but then she realized that this was a compliment of sorts. “So?”
“So, I’ll take you, my lady, if only to stop you from getting yourself into more trouble than you can handle.”
“You underestimate me, admiral. I can look after myself.”
Nikolas crossed his arms and raised his brows. “Yes, I’m sure. If you’re ready we should leave now. We’ll use the servant’s exit. Meet me in the alley outside. I’ll go first.”
“Wait, I must see someone before I go.”
Nikolas rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll wait for you. Don’t be long.” With that, he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Alique left soon after, her midnight-blue cloak wrapped tightly around her. Perhaps the Queen could tell her what Nikolas would not? It was worth a try.
Chapter 13
Kain entered the common room of The King’s Rest and strode to the bar. The innkeeper shoved a beer at a burly soldier and sidled down the counter to Kain.
“What can I do for you, general?”
Great! The man knew who he was and that meant every man in this common room would know he had visited. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage, make them think he was here for some skirt. That might take the heat out of rumors of him and Alique.
“I want two women, private dining room, ten minutes.” Kain slid a piece of paper across to the man with Gwaethe’s room number on it. He prayed the man didn’t suspect the women were elves.
The innkeeper’s eyes brightened and his lips curved in a grin. Seemed he thought Kain’s plan a good one. “Certainly, general. I’ll let them know. Come this way.”
The man ushered Kain into a private room where a fire burned in a small hearth. The furniture was plush for a place of this caliber. He paced the area behind the chairs that sat before the fire, his mind a churning mess. He didn’t have long to wait.
Isiloe preceded Gwaethe into the room. “What is it you want, kingdom man?” Isiloe asked, whipping a silver shawl from her head.
Gwaethe reached for her cousin’s hand and shook her head. “Silence, Isiloe.”
Kain indicated for Gwaethe to sit, and waited as she took a seat before the fire, adjusting the folds of her gray gown. Isiloe stood behind her.
“That’s what I wish to know, sister. What exactly is it you want of me?”
Gwaethe’s dark eyes met his but the muscles of her neck gave away her nerves. “My first objective was to stop you falling into Faenwelar’s clutches,” she said, shifting her gaze to her hands which lay clasped in her lap. “But that is not enough to save my people from destruction. For that I need you, as leader.”
Kain’s gaze flashed to hers. “That would mean forsaking all that I have held dear for thirty years.” His stomach clenched at the mere thought of leaping into that chasm. “I don’t know if I can do as you ask.”
“What alternative do you have?” Gwaethe asked. “Faenwelar will not stop until he has you in his clutches. Much better you leave now and join the fight against him.”
Isiloe sneered. “I did not think you were the type of man to sit and wait for death.”
Kain shrugged off her words. He had not achieved leadership of the King’s forces by rising to every bait that was cast his way. “You’re right, Isiloe,” he said, “I won’t be a sitting duck.”
Gwaethe’s cousin frowned. “Then what will you do?” she asked.
“I leave tomorrow at dawn with a force of three hundred soldiers.” Shame flooded Kain at the announcement, remembering his audience with the King and Queen. That they should think it necessary to send Josef Formosa to watch over him! A man so inferior to him it took his breath away.
“I told you he would forsake us,” Isiloe snapped at Gwaethe. She spun back to Kain. “You will reap what you sow, kingdom man!”
Kain held up his hands. “The force will have two purposes. One to find a local lord who I fear has been taken hostage, and the other to drive Faenwelar from his hideout in the northern forests.” He would show the monarchs he could be trusted.
Isiloe frowned. “It is a trick.”
Kain shook his head. “It is no trick unless it’s the King who plays it. I believe I can achieve both these objectives, that the hostage might well be with Faenwelar. I can’t allow your rival to get a foothold in those forests, nor allow him to kidnap nobles.”
Gwaethe nodded. “This might fit with our goals as well. But I need you to make
a choice, brother. You cannot sit on the fence.”
Kain frowned. “This is the best I can do for now. I ask for your forbearance.” He didn’t know where all this would end. The revelation of having a sister, of being an elven prince, of being forced to turn his back on everything he had held dear for a lifetime – he pushed it all from his mind for the hundredth time that day.
Isiloe snarled again. “You ask too much!”
“No, woman,” Kain said, “you ask too much. Place yourself in my shoes. Imagine discovering you were a human princess and being asked to defend a kingdom. Somehow I don’t think you’d accept that well at all.”
Gwaethe seemed to be smothering a smile. Kain thanked the Goddess that Gwaethe was his half-sister and not Isiloe. That he could not have borne.
His words were enough to drive Isiloe into silence, which was an achievement in itself. Kain turned to Gwaethe. “Will you come with us? You would have to stay well away, for fear that my soldiers may mistake you for the enemy.”
The door crashed open and Alique and Nikolas stood on the threshold.
“What the devil are you doing here?” Kain snapped.
Alique marched right up to him until she stood right under his nose. “All elves are the enemy, general. Do not allow these women to deceive you.”
Isiloe growled and started toward Alique, her hands bunched into fists at her side. Gwaethe grabbed her cousin above the elbow, restraining her, whispering low words into her ear.
“You shouldn’t be here, lady,” Kain said. “And Niko should know better than to escort you to this place.” He gave his friend a hard look.
“I do not intend to stand here and argue with you,” Alique said. “I have every right to go where I want and do as I please. I have heard that you leave tomorrow at dawn with a large force and I’ll be coming with you.”
“Over my dead body,” Kain said. No way would he have Alique along on such a dangerous mission.
“I have just come from the King and Queen,” she said. “Their Majesties have approved it, so it is not up to you, my dear general.” Alique crossed her arms over her chest, a smug look on her face.
The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2 Page 15