by Croft, Sky
Shale sat up and perched on the edge of the bed. Even though half of the village had to have seen them come in here together, and the other half would have heard about it by now, it was still only speculation as to what they were doing. Gossip spread fast in an Amazon village, and she wouldn’t give them any more kindling to put on the fire. Shale knew Blake liked her privacy, what little she had of it anyway, and Shale respected that.
Blake opened the door, her unflappable regal persona firmly in place. “Yes, Ardaxa?”
“Forgive my intrusion, Princess,” Ardaxa said politely. “We didn’t want to start the welcoming dance without you, or one of our new sisters.”
“Very well, we will join you shortly.” Blake didn’t close the door as Ardaxa descended the cabin steps. “I have to go, but you don’t. If your leg’s too painful you can stay here, everyone will understand.”
“No, I’ll come. It would be rude if I didn’t.” Shale stood, lifting her arm as Blake moved to fit underneath. “I’d rather be with you anyway.”
Blake squeezed her waist. “Sweet-talker.”
“Only with you, but don’t tell anyone. I’ll never fit in with the rest of the warriors otherwise.”
Blake chuckled as she led Shale outside. “I won’t. It’ll be our little secret.”
THEY RAN INTO Kale, who was with Amber, underneath the tree where Shale had previously chosen to sit.
Blake couldn’t help but smile—the twins certainly thought alike.
Kale immediately sprang to her feet, but before she could say anything, Shale threw her arms around her in a fierce hug. Kale looked taken aback, not knowing what it was for, but she returned it anyway.
When they stepped apart, Kale nodded to the princess. “Blake,” she greeted.
Blake’s eyes widened in surprise. That was the first time Kale had ever acknowledged her using her preferred name. Amber looked smug, and Blake knew instinctively that she had something to do with Kale’s sudden politeness toward her. “Kale.”
Blake smiled at Amber, who was wearing a lovely green top. “You look wonderful.”
“Thank you. So do you.” Amber leaned closer and lowered her voice. “You’re glowing.”
Blake colored slightly. “With good reason,” she said quietly.
Amber raised her eyebrow, and laughed jovially. “I bet.”
The twins turned in sync, wondering what was so funny.
Amber smoothly changed the conversation. “So, ladies, shall we get something to eat?”
“I left a plate around here earlier.” Shale scanned the area for the item, but it was nowhere to be found.
“I’ll bring you something back, Shale. Why don’t you stay here and make sure no one takes our seats?” Kale said.
Shale nodded, taking her up on the offer and sitting underneath the tree. “Make sure you—”
“Bring back plenty of meat, I know,” Kale finished for her, drawing humorous glances from Amber and Blake.
“And also—”
“A chicken leg if there’s one left,” Kale said, a touch impatiently. “I know.”
“How do you two do that?” Amber asked in disbelief.
“It’s a twin thing,” they answered in unison, causing Blake and Amber to burst into hysterics.
Shale winked at Blake as the trio headed for the food tables, and Blake gave her a dazzling smile.
“So, Blake,” Kale said, drawing her attention. “Is Shale following Appollonia’s instructions? She can be quite reluctant to give her body the proper time it needs to heal. I’m surprised you managed to keep her in your cabin for as long as you did.”
“She’s been fine.”
Kale looked pleased, and she dropped her voice. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
Pale eyebrows shot up in astonishment, Kale wasn’t only being polite to her, she was actually being nice. Blake wondered what Amber had said to her. “You don’t have to thank me for doing that, Kale, it was my pleasure.”
Kale reached the table and started to fill two plates. When Blake dropped a couple of chicken legs onto one, Kale smirked at her. “I don’t know how Shale eats that, I prefer the lighter part of the meat myself.”
“I bet that’s handy at meal times,” Blake said.
Kale nodded. “Yeah, no arguing over who gets what.”
Amber filled four mugs of ale, a small satisfied smile on her face. The welcoming dance began, and all focussed on the women dancing around the fire.
Since everyone’s attention was elsewhere, no one noticed Shale being dragged off into the forest.
Chapter Eight
JUST AS SHALE’S senses alerted her to danger, a strong hand clamped over her mouth and another wrapped around her body, pulling her roughly backward.
She struggled, but to no avail, whoever held her had a fierce grip. Shale scanned the crowd, willing someone to glance her way, to raise the alarm, but everyone was watching the dancers.
The ground grew uneven as they entered the forest and disappeared out of sight, and her legs bounced over the rocks and tree roots, jarring her knee painfully.
Shale was dragged for a while, and she realised they were headed for the stream. The stream that connected directly onto the river that bordered on Kedross’s land. She wondered whether this was one of the same group who had attacked her village, but she didn’t get a chance to speculate further.
She was suddenly dropped, and landed with a thud. A dagger was pressed to her throat.
KALE HAD JUST finished filling their plates when she felt the urgent pull of her connection with Shale. The plates clattered onto the table, and Amber touched her arm in concern.
“Are you all right, Kale?” Blake asked quickly.
“Shale,” Kale said fearfully. “She’s in trouble.”
Blake’s eyes frantically searched around the tree, but Shale was nowhere to be found. She had no time to alert Aris of the situation, for Kale took off without another word, moving swiftly toward the forest.
“MELAINA?” SHALE EXCLAIMED in disbelief. “What in Hera’s name are you doing?”
“I thought it was pretty obvious,” Melaina said. “Here, maybe this will help clear things up.” She withdrew the blade from Shale’s throat and whipped it across her forearm in a rush of motion.
Shale didn’t give her the satisfaction of crying out, but blood flowed freely from the slice. Without hesitation, Shale lashed out, her boot connecting hard against Melaina’s face, snapping her head back.
Shale struggled to her feet, knowing she needed to buy herself some time. She was unarmed and injured, facing off against the best warrior in the tribe, who was apparently intent on killing her.
Shale didn’t have to shout for help—not that she would’ve anyway—as she knew Kale would find her soon enough. She just had to distract Melaina.
“So what’s your plan? Surely you’ve got one, everyone will automatically assume it was you. You’ll be killed or exiled for this.” Shale shrugged. “If Kale doesn’t get to you first.” She smiled darkly. “And you’d better pray she doesn’t.”
“I’m not scared of her.”
“You never struck me as dumb, Melaina. Kale will hunt you down.”
“You’ve taken everything from me!” she yelled. “My title, my tribe’s respect, even Blake.”
“Blake was never yours to begin with!” Shale paused in puzzlement. “I haven’t taken your title.”
Melaina sneered. “My Queen deemed it necessary to strip me of my command. I wonder who she’ll give it to?”
“I didn’t ask for that,” Shale said. “But it wasn’t anything you didn’t bring on yourself.” She decided to try and talk Melaina out of this. “You’re only making things worse. You can still turn it around, make things right.” Shale wanted to convince her. “You’re a great second, Melaina, and a great warrior. I’m sorry about Blake. You must care deeply for her. But this isn’t the way forward. True warriors don’t kill this way, we only kill to defend, to protect. This is cold-blooded murder. The
re’s no honor here. Please don’t do this.” Shale could tell Melaina wasn’t convinced, so she tried another tack. “You’ll have no sisters, Melaina, no tribe, nothing. And that’s if Kale doesn’t kill you, which she will.”
“They won’t know it was me.” She looked smug. “Why do you think I brought you here? Your body will float down this stream and into the river. Everyone will assume it was me, but when your bloated corpse shows up near Kedross’s territory...” Melaina left the sentence hanging.
“They’ll think it was the same group who wiped out my tribe,” Shale completed. She had to admit, it was quite ingenious. Especially if the Amazons saw Melaina at the festivities, she would have numerous alibis. It could work.
As Shale examined the stream, a cocky smile crossed her face. “You’ve forgotten one thing, Melaina.”
“What’s that?”
“We haven’t had rain for weeks, there’s not enough water to carry me downstream.”
In a sudden fury, Melaina growled and threw herself at Shale.
Shale missed being stabbed by a hairsbreadth, jumping sideways out of her path. “Don’t do this, Melaina. Come with me now, and we’ll forget this ever happened.” She held out a hand and Melaina nearly took her fingers off with another swipe of her dagger.
“In a few days this will have all blown over,” Shale said. “Once they realise I’ve forgiven you, and that we can get along, everything will go back to normal.”
Melaina shook her head. “I’m not taking orders from you or your twin.”
“You won’t have to. Aris wouldn’t offer it to either of us, we’re still new here. And even if she did, Kale and I aren’t ready for that responsibility again. We’d turn it down. It’s likely to be Lathana.”
Melaina hesitated, then laughed. “You honestly think I’d fall for that? How gullible do you think I am?”
“I’m telling you the truth,” Shale said. “I’m giving you another chance.”
Melaina lunged and drove Shale back into a tree. As they wrestled with the knife, Melaina kicked at Shale’s injured leg, grinning when Shale grunted and dropped onto her good knee.
Melaina now had the upper hand, and used her considerable strength to press the blade down toward Shale’s chest.
Melaina was suddenly tackled off Shale and taken to the floor. Kale rolled with her, reversed the blade, and stuck it deep into Melaina’s heart.
Shale pulled herself along the ground, coming to a halt beside the fallen warrior. She could tell Melaina was dying, the woman’s labored breathing told her that, but she glanced at Kale to confirm it anyway.
Kale shook her head, conveying that Melaina was beyond healers’ hands now.
“Damn it, Melaina,” Shale whispered sadly. “It didn’t have to be like this.”
“It had to be exactly like this,” she rasped.
Shale clasped Melaina’s hand, and didn’t let go until Melaina had taken her last breath.
Hurried footsteps were heard approaching, then Blake and Amber emerged, finally catching up with Kale.
“Shale!” Blake cried out upon seeing her, sprinting to her side. “Are you all right?” Her hands were all over Shale, checking for damage. She winced at the deep gash along Shale’s arm. “You’re bleeding.”
Amber tore off some of her trouser leg and handed it to a grateful Blake. Amber was panting, and she stared at the perfectly composed Kale in awe. “By the gods, you’re fast,” she said. She then noticed Melaina, and bowed her head in respect.
Blake tied the cloth tightly around Shale’s wound, glancing apologetically at her as she did so. Shale didn’t move or make a sound. She followed Shale’s fixed gaze, finding Melaina’s lifeless form on the end of it. “What happened?”
Shale met Blake’s troubled green eyes. “Melaina wanted me dead. Kale saved me.” She brushed her knuckles reassuringly against Blake’s cheek. “I’m all right. But I’ll need a hand to get up.”
With Blake’s assistance, she was able to stand, though Shale was dismayed when she tried to put weight on her knee. It gave out instantly, and she hissed in agony. The pain worked its way throughout her leg, so intense she actually felt light-headed.
“Don’t use that leg, Shale,” Amber said, helping Blake to brace her. “We can support you.”
Kale immediately moved toward them, but Blake spoke up, “We’ve got her, Kale. Can you bring Melaina back? We’ll give her an Amazon funeral.” Blake clearly intended to honor that tradition, even though Melaina had lost her way toward the end.
Kale nodded. “Of course. You go on, I’ll be right behind you.”
“YOU KNOW, I’VE been a lot busier since you two arrived,” Appollonia said good-naturedly, as they entered the lodge.
Shale smiled slightly, though it was tense. The journey here had taken its toll, and the pain was really starting to get to her. Even though she had been unable to use her injured leg, every movement forward still jolted it. Much to her chagrin, Blake and Amber had practically carried her into the healer’s lodge.
“She’s very pale,” Blake said unnecessarily to Appollonia. She felt Shale’s damp brow. “Clammy, too.”
“Lay her down,” Appollonia instructed.
Shale didn’t protest as both women went into motion, Amber carefully lifting Shale’s legs onto the bed, while Blake guided her gently down into a reclining position, taking the time to make sure Shale was comfortable.
Appollonia frowned when she removed the bandage and examined Shale’s knee. “Can you put any weight on it?”
Shale shook her head.
“It could be broken. It’s too swollen to tell.” Appollonia hit a particularly sore spot, and Shale’s entire body tensed. Her vision blurred, and black spots appeared before her eyes. She blinked rapidly, trying to regain her focus, but all she could feel was the searing pain in her leg. The bed moved as Blake sat down and gripped her hand, and Shale concentrated on that instead, the touch grounding her.
“Shale?” Appollonia watched her closely. “How do you feel, Shale?”
When Shale didn't answer, Blake instinctively knew the reason why—a fellow warrior was present. Warriors had a strong sense of pride, and saw emotion as a weakness. Though Amber was Shale’s friend, Shale wasn’t yet comfortable enough to consciously show that weakness in front of her.
“Amber, will you make sure Kale’s managing all right?”
Amber nodded. “No problem.” The door clicked shut behind her as she left.
Shale squeezed Blake’s hand gratefully, then answered the patiently waiting Appollonia. “The pain’s making me dizzy.”
“Do you feel nauseous?”
“A little.”
“Does it hurt much worse than before?”
“Let me put it this way, I’m actually looking forward to that awful herbal drink you give me.”
Appollonia chuckled. “Well I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’ll have to give you something stronger this time.”
Shale frowned. “Something worse?” she asked, though she wasn’t sure she wanted an answer.
“Stronger always tastes worse,” Appollonia said. She started to unwrap the cloth around Shale’s forearm.
“I’m not sure I can keep it down,” Shale said meekly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty,” Appollonia said. “If at first we don’t succeed...”
Shale’s nose scrunched up at the thought of drinking some disgusting substance repeatedly. She didn’t find Appollonia’s words to be comforting in the least. Luckily for Shale, Blake’s touch was as much comfort as she needed, and she relaxed against Blake’s gentle ministrations, the feather-light stroking of her forehead almost blissful in comparison to the pain elsewhere.
“I’ll have to stitch this,” Appollonia said, as she studied the wound.
“Feel free,” Shale said quietly. “It’ll match my others.”
“How many scars have you got?” Blake wondered aloud.
“My fair share. Though you’ve probably seen most of th
em.”
Appollonia’s eyebrows shot up, and a humorous look crossed her face, causing Blake to blush. Appollonia made no comment as she moved about the room, collecting the various implements that she needed.
“I meant most of them aren’t covered by my clothes.” Shale tapped the one at the base of her throat to prove her point, then another on her ribcage. “This one,” she nodded to her bicep, where a jagged line worked its way around to her back, “is the worst. You can’t see because of my top, but it stretches horizontally, right across my shoulder blades.”
Appollonia sprinkled the wound with herbs, and then started to stitch Shale’s forearm. “How’d it happen?”
“Some Roman pig. He sliced me pretty good, even though I had my back to him at the time.”
“Coward,” Blake muttered.
“Mm,” Shale said. “Worked out all right though. Kale’s still jealous about that one.”
Blake made a face, looking half amused and half mortified. “You compete over who’s got the best scar?”
“Sure,” Shale replied, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She regarded her injured forearm. “This isn’t too bad I suppose.”
Blake covered her face with a hand. “I just don’t understand warriors sometimes.”
Appollonia chortled. “Want me to add a couple of extra stitches?” She winked at Shale to let her know she was joking. “Maybe that will make it look more impressive.”
Blake’s head snapped up, clearly appalled at the notion.
Shale pretended to consider it.
“Shale, come on now, that’s ridiculous. Your body’s been through enough for one day, without you intentionally making it worse.” Blake crossed her arms over her chest. “I won’t allow it.”
Shale pouted, trying to keep the smile off her face.
“And I’m shocked that you would even suggest such a thing,” Blake said to Appollonia.
Appollonia burst out laughing, which triggered Shale off also.
“This isn’t fun—” Blake broke off, apparently realising she was being teased. “Ha ha.” She scowled at them, and lightly swatted Shale on her stomach.