Twice Blessed

by Taryn Noelle Kloeden

  It was not bad, as Maenoren clothing went. The rich emerald green dress was silk and flowed like an Alvornian gown with long sleeves, exposed shoulders, and v-shaped neckline. Rayna ran her fingertips across the bodice.

  “This one is my personal favorite, since it would match your eyes so well.”

  “In that case, this one it is.”

  Mirabelle lay the dress down and clapped her hands. “Wonderful! But first, a bath.”

  Rayna consented to Mirabelle’s instructions as Tamarin assisted Mina and Candela helped Katrine. The hot bath Rayna enjoyed, even if Mirabelle slathered her hair in strong-smelling soaps.

  When they were done and Rayna dry, Mirabelle brushed Rayna’s long red hair until it shone in the candlelight. The attendant sat Rayna in front of a vanity and pulled her locks into a braid, careful not to disturb the beads of her wrap. When it came to paint, Mirabelle faltered as she assessed Rayna’s scarred visage in the mirror.

  “How about some charcoal around my eyes?” Rayna suggested gently. “Maybe a little lip paint, if you’d like?”

  Mirabelle brightened. “Excellent, Rayna.”

  Of the three, Mina clearly enjoyed the process the most. She had Tamarin chatting in no time, and tried on each of her dresses twice before settling on a favorite. Tamarin spent over an hour on Mina’s hair, braiding her halo of curls in tight rows. It looked painful, but the result was breathtaking. Expertly applied makeup highlighted Mina’s freckled, heart-shaped face. The result was effortless and beautiful. Rayna would have mistaken Mina for a Maenoren courtier, had she not known her.

  Katrine, however, could not have looked more out of place.

  Candela chose a dark blue dress for the Fenearen and pulled her golden brown hair back into a simple, but attractive, twist.

  Katrine didn't say much—a rarity on its own—only speaking up to refuse when Candela tried to apply paint.

  “Oh come on, little wolf! You’d look pretty!” Mina grinned from behind her.

  “I have no interest in looking pretty to Maenoren eyes. No offense,” she added to the attendants.

  “None taken. Rayna once threatened to eat my tongue, so it takes more than that to rattle me,” Mirabelle said, stifling laughter.

  Rayna flushed. “I shouldn't have said that.”

  Mirabelle waved her off. “Bygones, Rayna.” She looked at Rayna’s reflection. “You look stunning.”

  The blush drained from Rayna’s reflection as she relaxed. She did not look like herself, but she was not the painted doll Rhael had insisted upon. “Thanks to you.”

  Mirabelle curtsied. “I am good, aren’t I?” She winked.

  A knock sounded from the door. “Ladies, may we enter?” A familiar, accented voice greeted them.

  Rayna stood and the others followed suit.

  Tamarin hurriedly smoothed Mina’s skirts. Her chosen red dress was more revealing than either Rayna’s or Katrine’s. It hugged Mina's generous curves in a way that was sure to drive many dinner guests mad.

  “Please, come in!” Rayna called as Mirabelle opened the door.

  Lord Alec Swann entered their room with a flourishing bow. He’d traded his armor for a set of fitted black robes that made his white hair and light brown skin all the more vibrant. A swan embellished his chest in silver thread.

  Two more men followed him. Both were around Rayna’s height, with the stiff posture of soldiers. The first had black shoulder-length curls and attractive, hawkish features. The other had a shaved head and kind amber eyes.

  The attendants excused themselves. Mirabelle waved to Rayna as she left, sending a rush of warmth through the Fenearen.

  “Miss Myana, Miss Tsanclar, Miss Saelia.” Swann kissed each of their hands in turn. “May I introduce Lieutenant Daveed Junian.” He waved to the man with the shaved head. “And this lad here is Lieutenant Cassian Libera.”

  Both men bowed.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Cassian smiled. His gaze lingered on Mina.

  “Rayna, I can call you that, can’t I?” At her nod, Swann continued. “Rayna, you ought to know these two men are close confidants of our dear Regent. They were instrumental in organizing the Resistance.”

  Rayna nodded to them. “Seperun mentioned you. Thank you for all you have done in the name of justice and freedom.”

  “You're most welcome, Rayna,” said Daveed. When Cassian did not respond, Daveed cleared his throat.

  Cassian broke his stare from Mina. “Er—yes. Indeed, most welcome.”

  “Now if you lovely creatures don’t mind,” Swan broke in as he offered Rayna his arm, “we’ve a party to attend.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Silver sat alone in her den. She crammed her fingers against her aching temples. Food was still scarce for the spring. Since many of the refugees had returned to their densites to rebuild, the shortage had become more manageable. But, wartime still left the herds scattered, nervous, and hard to track.

  Her people and wolves weren't starving, but they were hungry. The True Wolves were restless. Some, especially those who had lost loved ones in the war, avoided the Fenearens altogether. According to Gar, many of the Trues blamed the Fenearens for the recent wars and subsequent shortages. Silver understood their frustration, though she prayed it would not last. The lack of sufficient food was sure to not help matters.

  Bringing in more fish, berries, and even earthworms fed her pack, but it was not enough. They wanted elk, deer, squirrel, and fowl. Silver tired of seeing pups spit out slimy, dirt-tasting worms, or watching Trues gnaw on marrow-stripped bones. She wanted to feed her pack enough, to return them to their former strength.

  Still, Silver knew the pack’s strength was not dependent on nutrition alone. They needed trust in their Alpha, too. They had to believe that the wisest, bravest, and best of them was in charge. Silver shut her eyes against the doubt. Part of her had wanted to step down when Bayne died.

  Part of her had wanted to find a cliff to end it all.

  But her parents had not raised her to abandon her people. So she remained Alphena. She knew to do otherwise would be to abandon her vows to the pack, and to her mate.

  Silver could feel Bayne’s rough, battle-scarred hands on her shoulders again. She recalled the way they kneaded the right spot every time.

  “It will be all right, dove. Trust in yourself always. I know my belief in you never steered me wrong.”

  Silver reached behind her, expecting to find Bayne’s warm hands. She touched her own back.

  Alphena? A dark gray wolf entered the den.

  Lichen. Silver blinked away the moisture in her eyes. Gar had put Lichen in charge of the Trues before he and Pike had left.

  Are you prepared to address the pack? They are assembled.

  What? Silver sniffed the air; the currents were thick with the scents of her packmates. I have not howled for their attention yet. Do you know what’s going on? She stood and walked out.

  Lichen followed her, his ears pinned slightly back. I think it best you see for yourself, Alphena.

  Silver shifted and sprinted toward the site's center. Blue twilight guided her paws along the sandy paths.

  A high, confident voice addressed the gathered pack as Silver approached. She shifted, but kept her head down, staying near the crowd's back. She wanted to see what Haerian had to say.

  “I ask you, brothers and sisters, do we live in a monarchy? Are our leaders determined by blood and the bonds between mates? Because I thought we were Fenearens! We're wolves.” She pounded her chest. “Dominance is earned, not given. It is fought for, bled for, but not inherited. Our code is clear: When an Alpha fails to maintain their dominance, it is taken. It does not matter who their mate was, or who their parents were. What matters is, when a challenge is issued, can they defend their status?”

  The pack did not respond to Haerian’s words in unison. Several younger Fenearens—most of them men—cheered and howled their approval. But, Silver was relieved to see, the rest of the pack tr
aded worried glances and murmurs of disapproval.

  Silver cleared her throat. The Fenearens in front of her parted. She strode through the crowd's center.

  “And is there a challenge, Haerian?” Silver leaped onto the stone platform.

  “Alphena. Thank you for joining us,” Haerian said with a shallow smile.

  “Answer the question.” Silver stepped further into Haerian’s space.

  “And what if I say yes?” The dark-haired woman raised her chin.

  “Then I hope you're prepared to fight. I am not afraid of you, Haerian. Stop this spineless posturing. If you think you're more capable of leading this pack than I, then prove it.”

  Haerian grinned as her teeth and nails extended. “Must it be this way, Silver?”

  “No. You could always back down. Despite your words, I scent the fear all over you, pup.” Silver’s voice amplified until it boomed like thunder through the site. “This is your last chance. Surrender, or I will be forced to hurt you.” She shifted into her wolf form.

  Snarling, Haerian took her wolf shape.

  The younger warrior jumped onto Silver. They tumbled off the platform.

  Silver's back hit the dirt. She grunted. Haerian had caught her off-guard. Silver's back feet shoved the black wolf away.

  Haerian flew backward, and narrowly missed the fire pit.

  The surrounding Fenearens rushed out of the way, forming a circle of shouting and barking onlookers.

  Haerian stumbled to her feet.

  Silver charged her. She headbutted Haerian.

  Haerian fell back.

  Despite her dizziness, Silver slashed her claws across her opponent's shoulder. There now. You've proved your point. End this, Haerian.

  But Silver's attempt at peace enraged Haerian. She paced around Silver. Haerian raised her tail high and pinned her ears back with a grimace. You're not fit to lead us. You're nothing without Bayne.

  The hateful words cut Silver more deeply than any wound. How dare you speak his name to me.

  Haerian feinted to the left.

  Silver’s followed quickly—too quickly.

  Haerian kicked out her back-legs.

  They connected with Silver's chest. She flew backward, winded.

  Haerian spun.

  As Silver re-gained her feet, Haerian tore her canines into Silver’s scruff.

  The Alphena yowled. She rolled, knocking Haerian off.

  “Razorn's blood! Haerian might actually do it!” yelled a man from the crowd.

  Silver struggled to focus. The faces around her gaped and paled, but no one would help her. It was not their way.

  Haerian stood still, her paws planted firmly on the ground. Apparently, she expected the Alphena to come to her.

  Silver snorted. She rooted herself and tilted her head.

  The pain and blood loss must have affected Silver; it felt like Bayne stood with her. “An Alpha choice, my love. She will come to you. Do not let her undue confidence intimidate you for a heartbeat.”

  With an impatient huff, Haerian charged Silver.

  Silver waited until the last possible moment to react.

  Haerian barreled into her.

  Silver ducked and ran between Haerian’s legs. Silver mule-kicked her razor-sharp back claws into the black wolf’s abdomen. A sickening crack signaled broken ribs.

  Haerian fell back.

  Blood sprayed onto Silver.

  The pain hurtled Haerian into human form as she rolled to the ground. She clutched her chest and cried out. She fell to her knees.

  Silver took her human form and knelt beside Haerian. “Please,” she whispered through clenched teeth, “I don't want to harm you further.”

  Tears streamed down Haerian's pale face. “I surrender, Alphena.”

  “Thank you.” Silver stood and turned to the silent, awed pack. “Don’t just stand there! Someone get a healer!”

  Something wet and sticky dripped down Silver's spine. She touched the back of her neck. Blood flowed freely through her fingers. “For both of us…”

  “Alphena, can you walk to the nearest healer’s den?” Jaline wrapped her arm around Silver's waist, supporting her.

  “Yes, not a problem.” She allowed the healer to help her to the den as several others worked to ready Haerian for transport.

  As soon as they entered the garlic and valerian-scented den, Jaline poured a bowl of steaming water from the kettle.

  Silver sat on a stool as Jaline set about washing the bite.

  “It’s deep, Alphena. I'll have to stitch it.”

  Silver smiled.

  “Something funny?” Jaline asked.

  “No, sorry. Please carry on.” Her smile widened, despite the pain. “I’m glad you’re still calling me Alphena.”

  Jaline laughed as she threaded a needle. “I am, too.” The healer handed her a tonic.

  It dulled the pain as Jaline stitched the wound. “Jaline.”

  “Yes, Alphena?”

  “If I ask a question, will you promise to answer honestly?” With Thera months-dead and Roxen gone after Rayna, Silver needed someone in whom she could confide.

  “Of course.” Jaline dipped her bloody hands into a basin.

  Silver flinched as Jaline returned to her work. “Do you think I handled that wisely?”

  Jaline paused. “Haerian challenged you, Alphena. You defended your position with honor.”

  “I know but...” Silver sighed, her mind returning to another dominance battle. The tension between Nero and Bayne had built for years. They'd fought to kill, and only Roxen’s interference had spared Nero’s life. Silver had then ensured Nero was given the treatment he needed—ultimately leading to Thera’s murder. She could not abide a repeat of Nero’s betrayal.

  “I don’t want Haerian’s resentment to grow. Today’s challenge was just a scrap, but what if…”

  “What if she turns against us like Nero did?”

  Silver nodded, but immediately regretted the effect it had on her wound.

  “Please stay still, Alphena.” Jaline patted a spicy yarrow poultice over the stitched gash. “Nero made his own choices, but forgive me for saying, the late Alpha did little to prevent Nero’s shift in loyalty.”

  “Neither of us did,” Silver whispered.

  “If you want to avoid those mistakes with Haerian, you need to bring her back into the fold. Speak with her. Find out what her true grievances are, or if this is simply the ambition of youth. I suspect it is the latter. In which case, perhaps you can find an opportunity for her to take on increased responsibility.”

  “Increased responsibility?”

  “Aye. It’s terrible to say, but the war has created a number of vacancies in leadership positions across the country. If she's given the opportunity to prove herself, to earn a position with more responsibility, then her ambition can be harnessed for the good of Fenear.”

  Silver considered that as Jaline finished wrapping the bandage. “I will speak with her. I can’t lose another pack member. I refuse.” She stood and turned to exit. “Thank you, Jaline.”

  “Of course, Alphena. Come see me tomorrow afternoon so we can see how you’re healing.”

  Silver left the healer’s den, returning to the site’s center. The pack had mostly dissipated. A few remained, but Haerian and her supporters were nowhere to be found. It was no surprise. Haerian was likely still in one of the other healers’ dens. Silver decided she ought to wait at least a day before she sought Haerian out anyway, to give them both time to cool off. She started toward her den as a dappled gray dog crossed into her path.

  Alphena. Laera bowed her head.

  Laera. It’s good to see you so improved.

  Yes, your healers have done excellent work. Are you all right? I heard about the fight.

  It was thankfully brief, and both Haerian and I will be fine.

  I'm glad to hear. I wondered if I might speak with you privately, Alphena?

  Silver gestured toward her den. Yes, of course. I was ju
st returning home.

  Silver was not sure what the dog wanted, but had a feeling it might be uncomfortable. Laera had come to Fenear to garner aid for her people. Rayna, Mina, and Katrine’s departure had been covered up as a visit to Maenor. As far as Laera knew, no one was going after her people. Nor did she know that Silver had given orders to halt an attempted rescue mission.

  They entered the den and Silver sat on a woven chair to be closer to Laera’s level. She would have to refrain from shifting for a while, or risk disturbing her stitches. How can I help you, Laera?

  The dog sat back on her haunches, almond eyes trained on Silver. Where are Rayna, Mina, and Channon?

  They're on a diplomatic mission to Maenor. Regent Markus Seperun is hosting a state dinner, and they are to represent us. The ease with which she lied troubled Silver, but part of leadership was knowing what to share, and what to hide.

  Why was this only announced after they left? Laera showed no disrespect, but her gaze did not falter from Silver.

  Silver exhaled. The healing herbs were wearing off and her neck ached. She did not know this Sylrian dog well, only that Rayna trusted her, as she did the other Sylrians—people for whom she was willing to risk her own life. If Rayna trusted Laera, then Silver could, too. Because, it is not true.

  Laera’s ears flicked, but her expression betrayed no surprise. May I know the truth? Rayna, Mina, and Channon are my friends—the only friends I have here.

  You may, if you promise not to share what you've learned. Once Laera gave her assent, Silver continued. Rayna, Mina, and a young woman named Katrine left Fenear without my permission five days ago. I sent Channon, Beta Roxen, Alpha Gar, and Pike after them.

  And where were Rayna and Mina going without your leave, Alphena?

  I think you know, but I will confirm your suspicions. They intended to go to Halmstead to rescue Lonian and Kellan Kemar, along with any other Sylrians they could.

  Laera blinked for the first time in a while. And you sent Channon and the others to stop them, not aid them?

  Silver sighed. Yes.

  Laera stood, pacing the room like a prowling lion. Her agitation finally burned through her calm exterior. I came here for help. I had no one else. As a dog, only Lonian and you Fenearens can understand my speech. Rayna is my friend, and she has done the impossible—facing Ice Wolves, traveling across realms, and saving Fenear from extinction. If she could save your people, why can she not save mine?