"What promise was that?"
"To support her cause. Brock is taking an army to Red Wolf and I'm riding with him. Which is the very last thing I ever wanted to do. My father is the Thane of Chandler's Rock ... and he's probably going to throw a fit when he hears I'm back."
"Can I ask a personal question?"
"Ask and I'll answer if I wish to."
"Who was the bitch who caused your exile?"
"My stepmother. I slept with her. Are you shocked?"
"Not really."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
QUEENS AND BITCHES
Aisha's weeping penetrated Claw's consciousness, drawing him back into the world again. He opened his eyes and saw Aisha sitting in her chair beside the bed. A tremor of confusion rattled his thoughts. He did not remember sending for her. A frown creased his face as he tried to recall how he had gotten into bed and experienced a yawning abyss of blankness. A small memory surfaced of sitting alone in the Blue Room, drinking ... then the pain in his chest.
"Another attack?"
"Yes. Aisha's voice cracked and caught. A bad one."
He touched the tears on her face and noticed something wrong. My ... legs"
Aisha kissed his hand with a sob. They're still there."
"I can't ... feel them."
"You broke your spine."
Despair clamped like a vice around Claw's heart and spirit. His face flushed.
Alarmed, Aisha reached for the medicine. Are you hurting?"
Claw snatched the medicine off the nightstand and threw it hard against the wall, shattering the fragile glass. Damnitalltohell! I'm just waiting to die."
He regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth because Aisha burst into weeping. Aisha ... Aisha, I'm sorry. Please don't cry."
She nodded, biting on her lower lip; her voice went so soft that he could barely hear her. I don't want to live without you."
"I don't want to leave you."
Aisha looked so sad and worried, that Claw dragged her down, pressed her face into his neck, and held her for a long time. Be a good bitch. Tell Sheradyn I broke the bottle ... accidentally. I'll take the medicine, Aisha. I promise."
"I love you."
"We've been together over a century ... and I've never wanted anyone else. Claw kissed Aisha's cheek. Tell Merissa and my sisters they can come up?"
"Are you sure you're strong enough?"
"I must be. I need to be. Claw grimaced and kneaded his left arm. Tell Sheradyn, I'm hurting ... and send someone for Pandeena."
Aisha pulled away from him, her eyes filled with sorrow and concern. Not the Last Rites?"
"I just need to talk to her, Aisha. I've put off too many matters off for too long. Have her bring that healer, Toniqua."
"Can't you put it off?"
"Humor me, Aisha. He squeezed her hand. Send Kynyr up? I need to talk to him."
Claw hated upsetting Aisha, and decided to try and hold his feelings in more around her. It seemed as if it were only yesterday that he had chased her through the woods in wolf form, courting her in the primitive fashion she had chosen. Claw had gone to her father's farm to purchase livestock, and ending up coming home with Aisha as well as the cattle. Melancholy replaced despair with the dance of his memories. Now he was dying in pieces. He would never chase Aisha through the woods again.
"You wanted me, Grandfather? Kynyr came in and took the chair that Aisha had been using.
Claw looked at Kynyr and saw Tarrant instead. He would never forget the day that Kynyr Maguire, barely sixteen years old, came riding into the yard of the manor asking to be taken on as a guardsmon. It had been like seeing a ghost arrive, as if Tarrant had never died.
Belgair had been skeptical. The captain of his guardsmyn could never understand what went through Claw when he first laid eyes on Kynyr. But Belgair had never seen the portraits of Claw's sons until the chieftain ordered them returned to their proper places on the walls. He had ordered them taken down nearly eighty years ago because Aisha cried every time she looked at them.
"We need to talk. All hell is going to break out when I die, Kynyr."
"What do you mean?"
"I disinherited Merissa and her children in my will. I've completely repudiated her."
"Why? Kynyr looked stunned.
"Malthus."
"That says a lot."
"I've named you heir ... established a line of succession. You, your son, your brother."
"I won't let you down."
"I didn't think you would. What's the first thing you would do as chieftain? The first thing I did was to rescind my father's banishment of Brock."
"Banish Malthus. And I won't let him take Merissa with him."
* * * *
In the sitting room of the Lawgiver House, Pandeena sat scowling at Erskine Faraday. Why wasn't I sent for sooner?"
The lanky, sandy-haired Erskine shrugged with a rueful smile. I don't know. Nobody tells me anything."
"But you suspect? Pandeena knew that Erskine was a close friend to Kynyr Maguire, part of a tight knit group of guardsmyn who had always supported the prince even before they knew the truth about Kynyr.
"You didn't hear this from me? His mouth tightened and his brow furrowed as he waited for an answer.
Pandeena's lips pursed in momentary impishness. I'm deaf, dumb, and blind. So tell me?"
"Sheradyn. The nancidawg resents Toniqua disputing his findings. Doesn't help that Malthus is always agreeing with him either."
Pandeena tapped her lip, seeing an opportunity in Erskine's forthrightness. What do you think of Malthus?"
Erskine blew a long breath out before answering. I'm sticking my neck out, you know."
Pandeena gave a curt nod.
"A lot of the wolves like him, especially Belgair and Sheradyn. Some of us don't, but we keep our mouths shut."
"Meaning you?"
"And some others. He's too rough on the boy. Darmyk's a good cub. And Merissa ... well it's just a gut instinct, but I think she's afraid of him."
"Afraid of Malthus?"
"Yeah."
Toniqua came into the room with her satchels slung from her shoulders, straps crisscrossing her body and making an X between her breasts. I'm ready."
Pandeena rose from her chair. Why don't you come to dinner tomorrow night?"
"Can I bring a friend?"
"If you trust him."
"I do."
"Then it's fine with me."
They rode toward the manor, speaking little until Pandeena broke the silence with a question. I've heard that you're a widower."
"Why are you asking? Erskine went guarded.
"I'm your priest and I'm curious about my congregation. That should be enough."
Erskine sighed. I don't like talking about it."
"I want to know. You beat Gorgarty Burr into the ground over Kady last summer."
"Wasn't just me. Robert and Vayle helped."
"You instigated it, according to the rumors. And you apprehended Donald Greenlea. Again over Kady. Why?"
Erskine averted his eyes, discomfort heightening the color in his thin face. I don't like seeing bitches and cubs mistreated."
"How did you lose your wife?"
"If you're thinking it was violenceit wasn't. Erskine raised his head again. Black Mountain Fever. Dympna was seven months pregnant. We were happy. Then she caught the fever. Cub came early and I lost them both. Life is fragile. I had lost my father to it the month before."
Pandeena felt suddenly ashamed of pressuring him. You're right. I thought it was violence. I thought maybe you had a personal reason."
"I did. Kynyr and Kady are my friends. That's reason enough, isn't it?"
* * * *
Aisha greeted Pandeena and Toniqua in the parlor of her suite. Please don't tire him. When he came to, he insisted on talking to Kynyr. Afterward he looked worse and Sheradyn had to dose him for pain."
Pandeena hugged her and made a sign of blessing. Tell us what ha
ppened? Erskine felt that it was not his place to speak."
Aisha gestured for Pandeena and Toniqua to sit, and they settled on the sofa, while Aisha sat down in a chair.
After they had heard her out, Toniqua gestured at her satchel. I knew at least part of it would be his heart, so I brought some medicines."
"Sheradyn..."
Toniqua made a dismissive gesture. My knowledge is more recent than his. There have been many improvements in the last ten years."
"Then you can help him?"
"His heart ... possibly. Not even a lifemage can mend a broken spine."
Claw roused when they entered, his eyes dulled by drugs. Aisha, leave us."
"But Claw..."
"Now."
Aisha wavered, her lips tightening, and then left, closing the door behind her.
Claw extended his arm to Toniqua. I'm making you my personal physician."
Toniqua glanced at Pandeena. Sheradyn will object."
"I don't give a cat's arse what that old nancidawg thinks."
Pandeena and Toniqua were surprised at the vehemence with which Claw used the term. From the tone of his voice it carried nuances of ineffectuality.
"If you're expecting me to move into the manor ... I can't. I've established a free clinic for the poor. I am willing to stop in every two or three days ... and come any time you send for me."
"So be it."
"Is that all you wanted? Pandeena asked.
"I want Brock. Is he coming?"
"I don't know. I spoke to a lycan called Stoneriver. He said that he was trying to convince Brock to come."
Claw gave a raspy chuckle. What did he look like?"
Pandeena described him.
"In the closet there's a painting sitting on the floor, still all wrapped up. Get it out and look at it."
Pandeena found the painting and removed the wrappings. Her mouth fell open in shock. That's Stoneriver."
"That's Brock Redhand. My brother."
* * * *
Malthus considered Rachel lying on his bed nude, her young body so full and appealing. No one would ever bother to probe deeply enough to find his traces in a lycan tavern wench. He placed his hands on her belly. This will feel strange."
"What are you doing?"
"You'll know soon. Relax. He extended his powers into her and wrapped his gifts around her ovaries as he had done to others and tickled forth an egg, coaxing it down into the secret meeting place.
Rachel whimpered when he mounted her and rode her to completion. Then he rolled off, placed his hands on her belly again, and completed the introduction of his seed to her egg.
"You're pregnant, Rachel."
She burst into sobbing. My Dad will kill me."
"I'm the only sa'necari my age who is still as fertile as a boy. I will soon have so many children scattered across Waejontor that it will be impossible to extinguish my lineage."
"You don't care about me."
"You're a brood mare, Rachel. Nothing more."
* * * *
Kady sat on the sofa with Kynyr, watching a sudden storm sweep across the night sky. She had become grateful for all the clothes that Cahira had insisted that she buy while they were in Havensword. Her belly had become large and round. Movement inside her womb startled Kady and she straightened with an affronted glance at Kynyr. Your son is kicking me."
"You set him a bad example."
"I what?"
"Ayup. Kynyr grinned at her. Since becoming pregnant, you have knocked me out of my chair, hit me with a plate, and dumped a bowl of porridge on my head. Definitely a bad example."
"You had it coming. Kady folded her arms and huffed. You were being a smart arse."
"Are you going to be this grumpy with me every time you're pregnant?"
"Probably. Kady conceded the point and kissed him. But you must admit that I've never heard Mary laugh so hard as when she walked in and saw the porridge dripping down your face."
Kynyr grinned again, this time with a trace of rue as his fair cheeks colored. Yeah."
Kady snuggled deeper in his arms. Are you alright, Kynyr? You haven't seemed yourself much lately."
"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind is all."
"You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?"
"Kady, I'm fine."
Larena came out with a tray bearing three glasses of winetwo white and one redand a platter of cheeses. Knew I'd find you storm watching."
A piteous meowing came from the steps and Kady rose to see what was causing it. Three bedraggled cats came onto the veranda, shivering and soaked to the skin. They were tiger-striped like Cahira's big tom. The two toms were as large as Kerry, while the queen was smaller, but still large for a common cat.
"You poor things. Kady settled on the floor and they rubbed around her. Larena, fetch some towels."
When Larena returned with the towels, Kady felt names whispering through her mind. She held the queen in her lap. You're Damayanti."
The striped queen jumped from Kady's lap and the larger of the two males took her place. He purred and rubbed against her while she dried him off.
"You're Tandu. Kady glanced at Kynyr. What strange names they have."
She turned to the smaller tom. You're Iswara. Kynyr, can you tell me what language they're from?"
Kynyr shook his head. I've no idea, Kady. It sounds vaguely Creeyan, but I can't be certain."
"I thought you were fluent in Creeyan."
"I am. But that doesn't mean that there might not be names I don't know.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CONCERNS
A dark mood settled over the manor after Claw's accident. Aisha had forbidden everyone from carrying tales to him or complaining to him. No one knew what might set off another attack. The chieftain seemed suddenly fragile. Tempers frayed and arguments broke out, but none of it reached Claw's ears.
Kynyr sat in the Great Hall with his feet propped up. His leg, which had been wounded in the ambush last summer, had begun to give him problems again. More and more, he suspected that this was all some delayed effect from being shot with arrows coated with Devil's Silver. If so, then it would go away eventually. He just had to ride it out.
His lips tightened, listening to Belgair throw another hissy over the fact that Claw had sent for his brother Brock. It was becoming as tiresome as it was annoying.
"Might as well stick a knife in yourself as to put up with him, Belgair growled at Fianait. Since he likes to fuck family, he'll be shoving his rod in Merissa."
Fianait's hand went to her mouth. Belgair, that's a dreadful thing to say. Brock wouldn't do a thing like that."
Kynyr rose to his feet and stepped between Fianait and Belgair. You're out of line, Belgair."
"This is none of your business, Maguire."
Kynyr scowled. Belgair and Malthus had both become more presumptuous and argumentative in their dealings with the Redhands since Claw's crippling. He put his arm around Fianait's shoulders. Leave her alone."
"Don't get in my way, boy. Belgair snarled at him. You may be Claw's great-grandson but that doesn't mean you'll land on the throne."
"If I ask him to, Claw will send you away."
Belgair snorted. The old cripple needs me too much."
"When Brock gets here, Claw won't need you at all."
"Neither the Thanes, nor the village elders will ever allow Brock as regent nor will they allow a bastard as heir."
"Don't be too sure of that. Waves of pain kept washing through Kynyr and he wanted to slip his hand in his pocket for the bottle of poppy milk that Isbeth had given him. He resisted the impulse. If someone saw him sipping that drug, they would ask why and then call for Sheradyn. The last thing he wanted to happen was to be ordered to bed while he still had two myn left to kill.
"You're vermin, Kynyr. You know what we do with vermin?"
Kynyr stared at him without answering.
"We poison them."
Fianait gave a tiny cry of dismay
and huddled against Kynyr. Take me out in the garden. Please?"
Kynyr's expression softened. Sure. Grab your shawl. It's cold out."
Kynyr and Fianait walked in the garden.
She looked up at him. You've always reminded me of Tarrant."
"You're kind, Fianait. I always wanted an aunt like you."
"And now you have one. Fianait smiled; glanced up at the tree they stood beneath and giggled, pointing. Mistletoe."
"You're right. Kynyr leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Fianait giggled again, a girlish sound that tickled Kynyr. And then she sobered, her eyes mirroring distress. I'm afraid of Belgair."
"If he keeps harassing you, I'll call him out."
Fianait shivered. Don't do that. He's good with his blades."
Kynyr shrugged. So am I."
"Don't mind me. I've always been afraid of things. I'm more a mouse than a wolf."
"Which is very endearing. I think you should get away from here for a bit. Between Belgair and your brother's injuries, you could use a bit of distraction. Would you like to go shopping?"
Fianait brightened. I'd like that. I could get a new game for Claw. A tear started in her eyes at the thought of her brother. She wiped it away with the back of her hand.
Kynyr pretended not to notice. Fianait was trying to be brave and he would not deny her that by acknowledging her weakness. Do you wish to walk? Or should I have a horse saddled for you?"
"A horse. With a side saddle."
Kynyr lifted an eyebrow at that. Side saddle?"
"Yes."
He laughed. Okay. Good nephews always take their dear old aunts shopping. I'll saddle horses for us."
* * * *
Belgair and Malthus sat in Sorcha's Solar. It had become their regular meeting place in the evenings. Malthus had stocked one of the cabinets with liquor, glasses, and rare treats. He had taken the minds of Claw's nibari who tended this room, so that no word of their meetings would get out.
"The bastard hasn't looked well lately, Belgair gave Malthus a sly grin. Something he's eaten must not agree with him."
"I'm afraid that's true. The poor young prince is dying."
Belgair laughed, raised his whiskey, and saluted Fianait's portrait. To the bastard death. He downed his drink and refilled his glass, turning to Malthus. To the rightful heirs their throne."
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