by Croft, Sky
Blake noted it with a concerned frown. “Do you want to sit down?”
Shale straightened. “I’m fine standing.”
Blake rolled her eyes. “Warriors and their damn pride. I shouldn’t have asked, I should’ve just ordered you to sit.”
Shale’s lips quirked upward at Blake’s frustration.
Blake’s eyes narrowed playfully for an instant, then grew serious. “What did Melaina say?”
There was no way Shale was going to repeat what Melaina had said about Blake, and definitely not in front of everyone. So she simply summed up the end of the conversation. “Melaina was questioning our competence as leaders.”
Blake’s forehead creased. “Oh? And why’s that?”
Shale looked around. Most of the tribe were here, and they were all listening intently. She hesitated. What if they all felt the same way as Melaina?
“Shale?” Blake lowered her voice to a whisper, giving them as much privacy as she could. “I can’t help you if you won’t let me.” Gentle green eyes pleaded with her. “Please let me?”
Shale drew strength from those eyes. From Blake. She cleared her throat, and spoke loudly so everyone could hear. “Since our tribe is dead, she felt we weren’t best suited to that position.”
Gasps were heard throughout the crowd, followed by mumblings of discussion. Numerous Amazons shook their heads disapprovingly at Melaina.
“That’s putting it nicely,” Kale said from the stake.
Blake whirled on Melaina. “You said that?” Shale knew that Blake believed her, she simply wanted the rest of the tribe to believe it too. “You blame them for the death of their tribe?”
“Why not?” Melaina said. “It’s true.”
“That was uncalled for, Melaina,” Aris said sternly. “I expect better of you.”
“They’re warriors,” Melaina continued, determined to get her point across. She strode into the center of the circle so all eyes were on her. “They were meant to take care of their sisters, they didn’t. They didn’t have a scratch on them when they arrived. I bet they ran like cowards. I don’t care what tribe they’re from, all warriors are taught to stay and fight, to protect their sisters, even if it means their own death. And as leaders, they should’ve died with their warriors, yet here they are. Cowards, the both of them!”
Shame flooded Shale’s cheeks, and she dropped her head. Many times she had wished to change what had happened, but she could not. The nightmares alone were testament enough to the guilt that she felt. And there wasn’t a word out of Melaina’s lips that she hadn’t already thought herself.
Blake opened her mouth to defend them, but Shale placed a hand on her shoulder, quieting her.
“Melaina’s right,” Shale began, drawing more gasps from the crowd. “We should have died with our tribe...the gods know I prayed that we had. But we’re not cowards. We would’ve happily given our lives in battle, in defence of our home, our kin.” Shale took a few steps forward, trying her best not to limp. “But we weren’t there, neither of us. We were a good distance away, searching for an herb that our healer wanted. By the time we got back...” The burned and mutilated bodies of her tribe flashed through her mind, and she swallowed, hard.
“There was nothing left but corpses, and charred remains.” Kale carried on for her. “We were too far away. By the time we saw the smoke... We ran as fast as we could, but it was no use...”
“We were too late,” they finished perfectly in unison.
Shale was exhausted. The combination of the physical and emotional pain nearly overwhelming her. She had no choice but to sit, it was either that or fall, so Shale chose the most graceful of the two options, immensely thankful when Blake was suddenly there, guiding her carefully to the ground.
Blake knelt in front of her, placing a hand under Shale’s lowered chin to get Shale to look at her. When weary blue eyes met hers, Blake still didn’t remove her hand. “Shale? Talk to me, Shale.”
“Just tired. I’ll be all right.”
“Glad to hear it, but Appollonia is still going to check you over.” As Shale went to protest, Blake added, “Don’t make me order you to.”
A small smile appeared, and some of the twinkle returned to Shale’s eyes.
Blake’s hand shifted, briefly caressing Shale’s cheek before withdrawing. “Give me a few moments to finish this, then I’ll take you myself.”
“No rush,” Shale said wryly. She hated going to the healers, though the thought of Blake being with her made the concept a lot more agreeable.
Blake gave her an amused look, and then stood, once again addressing her tribe. She didn’t move from her position though, standing protectively over Shale. “Don’t you think they both feel guilty enough over what’s happened? I know they do, and they blame themselves even though they weren’t at fault. They don’t need to be judged further. Especially by people who weren’t even there.
“This ends here and now. No more fighting. No more malicious rumours,” Blake said with a pointed look to Melaina. “Though they’re from a different tribe, we are all sisters here. It’s time we started acting like it.” Murmurs of agreement met her words.
She faced Kale. “This is your new home,” Blake told her. She then looked down to Shale, who was watching her avidly. “You belong to this tribe now.”
Addressing the crowd once more, Blake spoke strongly, “I expect you to treat both Shale, and Kale, as you would any other.” Blake turned full circle, taking the time to lock eyes with several of her tribe. Nods of acceptance and smiles greeted her, and the murmurs grew louder. “Tonight, let us celebrate our two new sisters. We shall have a feast in their honor.”
Hollers of excitement came forth, and when Blake dipped her head to dismiss them, the crowd started to break up, the Amazons talking eagerly about the night ahead.
“Aris,” Blake called. “Cut Kale loose.”
“Yes, Princess.” Aris was soon at the stake, and Amber assisted in setting Kale free.
Shale was helped to her feet by several women. She smiled as Blake slotted herself under her shoulder, relishing the feel of Blake in her arms. She wondered how Blake’s simple touch could make her feel so much better. Though Shale never wanted to get injured, the physical closeness it allowed between them was a definite upside to the situation. And she intended to make the most of it.
The queen suddenly appeared in front of them, causing Shale to straighten instantly.
“I see you two are keeping my warriors on their toes,” Zayla said to Shale.
“I’m sorry for the disturbance, my Queen.” Shale noticed the queen’s eyes were hazel, unlike her daughter’s, and they appraised her for a long moment. “I apologise for my sister also.”
Zayla’s lips twitched. “That’s the second time you’ve apologised for Kale.”
If you only knew. Shale had lost count of the times she’d had to apologise on Kale’s behalf.
“You are both forgiven. But don’t let it happen again.” Zayla’s voice grew firm, and Shale dipped her head respectfully. Zayla’s attention switched to Blake. “I’ll speak to Melaina myself. You handled that well, daughter.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Blake accepted the comment gracefully.
“I didn’t realise you were here.”
Zayla nodded as she walked away. “That was my intention.”
Blake shook her head at her mother’s retreating form. “She’s always testing me.” Blake started forward, leading Shale toward the healer’s lodge.
“I was hoping you’d forgotten,” Shale said.
“Afraid not.” Blake smiled at her. “Anyway, what are you doing out of bed?”
“I was feeling better. I’d be happy to return there now though.”
Blake looked worriedly at Shale, then she said, “I’m sure I can arrange something.”
Shale gave her an affectionate look. “I would be deeply grateful.”
“Then it’s settled. Get Kale to bring you across after you’ve been treated.”
Shale frowned. “You’re not staying?”
“I’m sick of arguing, Shale.” Blake indicated Kale, who was making her way over to them. “Kale obviously intends to be there, and I’ve had my fill of confrontations for the day.”
“I understand,” Shale replied quietly. And she did understand, all too well. Blake was already fed up with Kale, not that Shale could blame her, Kale was quite awful to her. She had never encountered this problem before, Kale had always supported her other relationships.
It saddened her to know that the one person she really wanted, she could never have. Shale couldn’t become involved with Blake, not when there was such animosity between her and Kale. And Kale was right, she was fooling herself, she could never be happy with just Blake’s friendship, she wanted so much more than that. Shale had never felt this way about anyone, and the gods in all their cruelty had decided to pit the two people she loved most against each other. It wasn’t fair.
She closed her eyes briefly, trying to memorise Blake’s comforting touch. She didn’t linger though, it was painful enough without delaying it.
Shale pulled apart from Blake and strode quickly away, the pain in her knee nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
“Shale?” Blake chased after her. “Shale, for pity’s sake, your knee!”
“It’s fine.” Shale said through clenched teeth.
Kale reached them, glaring at Blake when she saw Shale’s expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked, sliding an arm around Shale to help steady her.
Shale pushed her away, surprising both Kale and Blake. “Just leave me be.”
“What in Artemis’s name did you say to her?” Kale asked hotly, completely ignoring the fact that she was speaking to the princess. Though that had never stopped her before.
“Me?” Blake said in disbelief as they walked toward the healer’s lodge, Shale in between them. “Why do you assume it’s my fault?”
“Is it?”
“Stop it,” Shale told them.
“Did it ever occur to you that she might be mad at you?” Blake shot back.
“Me?” Kale scoffed. “For what?”
“For losing your temper and nearly getting yourself flogged. And you’re welcome by the way.”
“Stop it,” Shale repeated.
“Don’t think you did me any favors. You only stepped in because of Shale.”
“I didn’t even know Shale was there. I thought she was still in bed resting.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Shale wasn’t the one about to be flogged. A simple thank you would suffice,” Blake said sarcastically.
“Stop it!” Shale yelled. Then, when she realised they had actually listened, added a much quieter, “Please.” She rubbed her temple, which was pounding from the blows it had taken, and from the tension.
Both Kale and Blake had the grace to look embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, Shale, you don’t need this right now,” Blake said softly, all the anger gone from her voice. “Let’s get you inside.”
“I don’t need this anytime,” Shale said.
Kale opened the healer’s door, and moved to go inside.
“No,” Shale said. “I’ll be fine from here.”
Kale looked upset. “You’re choosing her to go in with you?”
Blake frowned. “You shouldn’t have to choose, that’s not fair on anyone.”
“I’m not choosing either of you.” Shale stepped inside the lodge, not meeting either woman’s gaze. “Leave me be. I want to be by myself.” She shut the door on them. It was too much. She needed some time to get her emotions under control.
Chapter Seven
AS PRINCESS, BLAKE wanted to go into Appollonia’s lodge and start demanding answers. She was completely in the dark as to what had transpired. One moment they were arm in arm, the next Shale was leaving, and all Blake had said was that she was sick of arguing. What was so wrong with that? It was simply the truth.
The forlorn look on Shale’s face as she’d closed the door on them was replaying over and over in her mind, and Blake didn’t know whether she could bear it for much longer, let alone until this evening. It was barely after midday now, and it was driving her mad.
She was astounded by how much it hurt her to see Shale like that. She wanted nothing more than to go to Shale, embrace her, and tell her that everything would be all right, and whatever it was that was bothering her, they could sort out between them.
Blake got to her feet, her cabin’s wooden floor creaking as she paced across it. Yes, she would do just that. She was nearly out the door when Shale’s quiet words rang through her head. I want to be by myself.
Blake sighed, rested her head against the door’s surface, then returned and sat on the bed. She had to respect Shale’s wishes, whether she liked them or not.
She suddenly wondered whether Shale would even show up to this evening’s festivities, her injuries would certainly give her a good excuse not to.
Blake became alarmed at that prospect, but soon dismissed it, knowing Shale would never do that. After all, the celebration was in both her and Kale’s honor.
At the thought of Kale, her temper rose. She still couldn’t believe it, she’d saved Kale from a lashing, and the woman still wouldn’t be civil to her. How she was related to Shale, Blake would never know. Where Shale was kind and gentle, Kale was rude and abrasive. They were nothing alike.
She made herself get up again, though this time she did leave her cabin. Blake glanced across the village, looking toward the healer’s lodge longingly. She didn’t head toward it like she badly wanted to, she went in the other direction.
Blake didn’t need to make sure things were organised for tonight, her sisters knew what they were doing, and would all have their own roles to fulfill. But it would give her something to do, and she desperately wanted to take her mind off Shale. Or at least until Shale would allow her to help.
“AMBER? ARE YOU here?”
“Come in, Kale,” came the muffled response.
Kale entered, closing the cabin door behind her. She didn’t even know why she’d come here, but she had, almost straightaway in fact. Kale didn’t stop to dwell on the reason why, though she did stop moving when she spotted Amber across the room from her, in the middle of getting changed.
“Oh,” Kale said dumbly, immediately turning her back, though not before noticing the milky white skin of Amber’s stomach. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise...” She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.
“It’s fine, Kale. I invited you in, remember?” A teasing note entered Amber’s voice. “You can turn around now.”
Kale slowly did so, making sure Amber was fully dressed first. She studied the cabin’s layout, trying to take her mind off Amber’s bare skin. A double bed was in the center, pressed against the wall. A carved wooden chest was on the left side of the bed, a table and chair were to the right. A rug covered most of the floor in front of Kale, and beyond that, in the corner of the room, sat numerous weapons, ranging from bows and arrows, to swords and staffs. Several more weapons were fixed onto that wall, creating a striking display.
Kale stared at it for a moment, then Amber cleared her throat, and she glanced back to her.
Amber gestured to herself with her hands. “What do you think?”
Kale’s eyes raked over Amber’s body, really seeing her for the first time. She’d always thought of Amber as attractive, but had never ventured beyond that. After Aeron, Kale had ceased to think that way about women, knowing it would only bring her pain. But looking at Amber now, she felt those feelings re-emerge, even after being buried for so long. Amber was beautiful, her curly red hair bouncing around her shoulders as she bobbed on the balls of her feet.
“Well?” she asked impatiently. “How do I look? It’s for tonight. It’s either this or...” She held up another top, this one being green and a lot shorter. “Or this one?”
The memory of Amber’s pale stomach flashed to the front of Kale’s
mind, and she found it odd that she’d never noticed before. Amazons often wore tops like that. As she thought, Kale realised that Amber never had, she was always well-covered, favoring the trousers over the traditional skirt.
“I’m sure either will look fine,” Kale finally said, trying to keep her face neutral.
“I don’t want to look fine, Kale,” Amber said, in an exasperated tone. “I want to look nice.”
“You always look nice.” It slipped out before Kale could stop it, but was pleased she’d said it when Amber rewarded her with an impish smile.
“Thanks.” Her brown eyes locked onto Kale’s. “So do you.”
Kale felt a flutter in her chest at the words, and she cleared her throat self-consciously. She nodded to the green top. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in something like that.”
“No, you wouldn’t have. I can’t wear clothes like that during the day, the sun burns me really easily,” Amber said. “So, what can I do for you anyway?” At Kale’s confused look, she added, “What did you want me for?”
Kale hesitated. “I wanted to see if you were free for a sparring session?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not now anyway. I think you’ve been in enough scuffles for one day.”
A small smile, then Kale nodded. “You’re right.” Blake had smoothed things over with the tribe, it was best she lay low for a while. “Shale and I had a fight,” Kale suddenly said. “Or rather, Blake and I argued, and Shale got upset. Now she won’t see either of us.” Kale exhaled heavily, sitting on the bed. “And it’s all my fault.”
Amber’s brow creased and she sat on the bed also. “How’s that?”
“I’ve been...am still being, a complete bitch to Blake. She’s Shale’s friend and I just can’t bring myself to get on with her. It’s causing friction.” Kale wouldn’t tell Amber about Shale’s feeling for Blake, she wouldn’t betray her confidence like that.
“I hate to break this to you, Kale, but you’re going to have to get used to her, because soon they’re going to be a lot more than just friends. If they aren’t already.”