“Problem?” Ashayna asked in a falsely sweet voice.
“No.” He answered back just as pleasantly, all the while trying to free his talons from Lamarra’s hem without drawing attention. After his small victory, he began to think he might be able to manage until the carriage rolled forward with a jerking motion. The feathers of his crest had caught in the ceiling window closure. Another jolt shook the carriage before he could free them and a couple of his feathers pulled out with a painful twinge.
Ashayna stood and retrieved two feathers out of the closure, and then sat back down without a word. With her head down, hiding her expression, she played with the feathers, stroking them between her fingers. He didn’t need to read her thoughts to know she was laughing at him.
He perched on the bench with his wings and tail draped to one side. Even bracing his hands against the wall and ceiling as best he could, he still feared each rut and stone the wheel found would throw him to the carriage floor. It was an awkward, unpleasant ride, but blessedly short. When the door opened, allowing a breeze in, he barely restrained himself from bolting. With his current luck, he’d likely trip and land in an undignified heap.
Lamarra exited first. Ashayna started to follow, but took pity on him and gestured him out next. He sent her silent thanks as he drew the cloak closer around his shoulders. Identity hidden as best he could, he turned and offered Ashayna his arm. She took it with an arched brow.
Two young men came forward to escort them. Lamarra chased them off with a quiet word. They backed away with clear looks of bafflement. Before they could question her unorthodox behavior, she hurried Ashayna and Sorntar forward, stopping once to hand a paper to a serious-looking man with greying hair and sharp eyes. The elder read Lamarra’s note once, then a second time before looking to Sorntar and taking in his incredible height. The man’s skin took on a waxy hue as he gasped something low and unintelligible. Another sharp word from Lamarra shook him out of his stupor. With one stern nod, he gathered himself and vanished within. Sorntar tugged Ashayna forward.
The three santhyrians flanked them, causing looks of utter surprise on the faces of the uniformed escorts.
“Last chance to change our minds,” Ashayna commented dryly. “We could Gate to safety.”
“I didn’t just endure a ride in that wheeled box for nothing.” His grumbled reply lacked all humor. He tossed his cloak to one of the startled escorts and guided Ashayna up the handful of steps and through the door beyond. They arrived just in time to hear the grey-haired man announce their arrival.
“Lady Lamarra Stonemantle….” The speaker glanced up to send one long nervous look to someone at the front of the hall. “And Lady Ashayna Stonemantle, and their honored guest, Sorntar, Crown Prince of the Phoenix.”
The noise level within dropped from a noisy babble to complete quiet, the smell of shock so strong Sorntar could almost taste it. Soon the first soft murmurs broke the thick silence. They continued to grow in volume and number until he entered the hall, forcing Ashayna to keep pace.
At the sight of him, many made sounds of surprise and fear. A few women fainted, dropping where they stood, while others waved fans almost violently. At least there wasn’t mass hysteria.
Looking to the front of the hall, he found Erinic Stonemantle standing with his palms flat against the stone table, his wintry stare exactly as Sorntar recalled.
Ashayna stepped between them with arms spread. “Father, Prince Sorntar is here at my request. I wanted to visit with my family. He was gracious enough to offer me a way.”
The general lifted one eyebrow. “Why was it necessary for someone as… important…as the crown prince to come? Does he not have more vital things to attend to?”
“No doubt he does, but I can hardly grow my own wings and fly back here, now can I?” Her words grew harsh. “I’ll not have you insulting my guest. If it is your wish to have us gone, then leave we shall.”
General Stonemantle moved out from behind the table and joined them. He continued to stare grimly at his daughter. “I don’t want you to go. Besides, the family would drive me forth as well.” He gave one gruff laugh and pulled her to him for a brief hug. He soon broke it off and gazed at Sorntar. “Crown Prince Sorntar, you are welcome in my home, for you have returned my daughter to me, even if it is only for a short time. How long will you stay?”
Sorntar was certain the question was not asked in innocence. He chose his next words with care. “The council granted Ashayna one moon’s cycle, then we must return.”
Ashayna jumped in the conversation. “Enough questions for now, father. You can ask them later. While I’m here perhaps some of the nobles of our empire can socialize with one of the races that share this land. The santhyrians—those which look remarkably like horses to our human eyes—are good friends of mine.” Ashayna proceeded to introduce Sorntar and the three santhyrians to various nobles. After a number of fear-filled silences and awkward greetings, they made their way to where Lamarra had joined Sorsha and Lady Stonemantle.
“Sorntar, beware my mother. No doubt she has plans about marriage. You are, after all, a prince, one of the highest orders of nobility,” Ashayna said in warning.
Lady Stonemantle proved surprisingly level-headed, controlling the situation with a deft hand, taking everything in stride. His bondmate’s description of her was flawed, by what he could tell. Lady Stonemantle took his arm when he offered it, without even a brief hesitation. The next few candlemarks were much more relaxed.
When the dancing began, he wasn’t surprised or upset none were brave enough to approach him. On one of the quiet times between dance sets, when the musicians were refreshing themselves, he took the opportunity to sit with the general and his wife at their table. “You know I am here on more than Ashayna’s request. I’m here to find a more permanent solution to our people’s problem.”
“I’m listening,” the general replied.
“If we are to share this land without bloodshed, there are only two ways to do that. Become better acquainted or ignore each other completely. This uneasy truce is not the answer. The Elementals could welcome open trade and commerce, or to have nothing else to do with you. You would be bound to stay within these limited lands, hunting what ventured in from the lands beyond, and you would be dependent on what your empire could provide to you by ship. All communication between our races would be completely severed.” He glanced pointedly in Ashayna’s direction where she stood with Lamarra and Sorsha. “But my mother does favor forging longer lasting ties.”
The general held his stony silence. Sorntar sipped at his goblet, his wine warm and spicy on his tongue. It would be pleasant enough under normal circumstances, but tonight he was too tense to get any enjoyment from either food or drink.
Lady Stonemantle leaned forward and gestured for a servant to refill his goblet. Sorntar focused on her and realized she watched him with more calculation than did the general. He scrutinized his last words and he remembered Ashayna’s joking warning.
“Crown Prince Sorntar, you say we should forge ties and become more closely acquainted or ignore each other. I will be blunt. Would a treaty sealed by a political marriage create the needed stability?”
Sorntar froze, and then continued with more caution. “That would be more complicated than you might imagine.”
“Is peace not worth the effort, even if the situation is complicated?” Lady Stonemantle smiled and looked at a spot beyond his shoulder.
The general followed his wife’s gaze, his expression thoughtful. Sorntar instinctively turned and saw Ashayna, Sorsha, and Lamarra partaking in a circle dance with a number of other women. Ashayna’s expression was blatantly sour. Clearly she’d been pulled into the dance by her family. He smiled, letting his eyes follow Ashayna as she moved around the floor. His eyes lingered a moment more before turning back to Lady Stonemantle.
She gave him a knowing look. “I fail to see any complications, especially if the two candidates are chosen from noble bloodlines.
The Stonemantle name is old and has married into the royal line on more than one occasion.”
Sorntar cleared his throat. “Perhaps a more lasting solution can be found, but I fear we are getting ahead of ourselves. My elders merely suggested opening trade between our peoples as a starting point.”
“Go on.” The general’s body language was friendlier, and his expression had relaxed by a small degree. If Sorntar wasn’t mistaken, the general found the whole situation more amusing than stressful.
Sorntar talked of trade agreements and land until the night was long advanced.
Before Lady Stonemantle could launch into another conversation about the benefits of a political marriage, Sorntar stood. “If you will excuse me, it has been a long night and a tiring journey. Might I encroach upon your hospitality for a place to rest?”
The general nodded, calling a servant over to show Sorntar to his rooms. At the servant boy’s timid approach, Sorntar gave him one quick smile in reassurance. Then, following behind the boy, Sorntar fled the hall before more questions could be asked of him, or a marriage contract drawn up. Ashayna would pluck him if she found out he’d fallen into her mother’s trap so easily. Then she’d start thinking up worse things when she realized he was contemplating the idea.
Chapter Nineteen
After her third jaw-splitting yawn, Sorsha and Lamarra allowed Ashayna to seek her bed. Before Ashayna retired for the night, she needed to speak with Sorntar to see he was settled. It had absolutely nothing to do with missing him, she assured herself.
He had retired long before, pleading exhaustion. Though she would bet her favorite hunting bow that more than just the curious stares and endless questioning had driven him from the banquet hall, or any pointed questions her mother could toss his way. Ashayna sighed. Sorntar was not the only one endlessly questioned. The press of society, measuring her every move, wasn’t something she had missed in her time away. And she had given them fuel for their gossip arriving with Sorntar. With a grimace, Ashayna decided she would rather deal with rogue Elementals.
The hall turned sharply, forcing her to go around the corner blindly. She cursed the house’s design that put two rooms side by side, yet still managed to have their doors open onto different hallways. She doubted there were enough excuses in the world to save what remained of her reputation if she was caught sneaking into Sorntar’s quarters.
Thankfully, Sorsha’s room and her own sleeping quarters were in close enough proximity to where Sorntar stayed to satisfy their bond’s need for closeness for a short time.
“Then why am I wandering the halls at night?” She muttered to herself. “Oh yes, I’m a great fool.” It was easier to berate herself for foolish notions than face the deep unease stirring in her middle with chilled tendrils. Whenever she was parted from Sorntar, something stirred within. Loneliness or a deep aching need, she wasn’t sure what to call it, but she didn’t like the sensation or the fact she depended on him to bring her peace.
A pale light ringed Sorntar’s door. The latch gave under her hand, and the door opened on its silent, well-oiled hinges. Sorntar stood with his back to the fire. His stony expression held not even a hint of emotion. Uncertain of her welcome, as he had been shielding all evening and she hadn’t wished to intrude, Ashayna gave him a weak smile.
“He wishes to keep something from you,” Sorntar said and tilted his head sideways to study her, a slight frown darkening his expression.
“Who?”
“Sorntar.”
Ashayna’s smile froze. The one standing in front of her spoke with Sorntar’s voice and moved as he would, but she knew who stood before her. “Larnkin.” To her relief, her voice remained level. Though she imagined he could read what she did not say. She feared him.
“I have a name. You would know it if you ever tried to communicate with me.” His words were spoken in steady serious tones, akin to how Sorntar spoke but haughtier. “You have vast power at your command. It wouldn’t hurt for you to practice. Your life may depend on it.”
He watched her with an unreadable expression. The cold unease in her middle uncoiled another tendril. With every muscle at attention she waited, fighting the urge to call her own power, and knowing it would never be enough, for this one was far stronger and she had no hope, no possible chance to subdue him.
“You must bear with me, ancient one.” Ashayna bowed, keeping her eyes downcast in what she hoped he’d interpret as a gesture of respect. “You say you have a name, one I should know, but in my defense all I can tell you is the truth. I know nothing of you and my control over my powers cannot be trusted.”
When the Larnkin remained silent, she looked at him through her lashes and tried again. “I’ve never reached out to you on my own for I feared to insult you with my clumsy use of magic.”
He made a soft humming sound and raised one elegant eyebrow. “You speak prettily, if not altogether truthfully, and while you are inept at magic, I have another concern. You fear me. I cannot have that.”
In a blink, he was at her side, both her hands clasped in a gentle embrace. He drew them to his lips. The slight pressure of talons revealed he would accept no argument. He kissed the back of each in a gallant manner before he turned them over and brushed his thumbs across both palms. She felt the tingling of magic as the Oracle Stone’s brand became visible on the one palm. He studied it in silence for long moments before releasing her.
His thoughts were shielded and she couldn’t read his expression, so in desperation she continued with the small talk. “What shall I call you?”
“In the tongue of my kind, Truth Made Anew: Itharann.”
“Itharann.” She rolled his name on her lips. “You told me Sorntar wished to keep something from me. What is so lurid that Sorntar is unwilling to speak of it?”
“Lurid?” He laughed. “I wouldn’t go so far as that, but then again you might think a stronger word is in order. Lady Stonemantle has convinced your father a political marriage between humans and Elementals isn’t as outlandish as he first thought.”
That was the Larnkin’s reason for this visit? Ashayna’s mind whirled. It made no sense. “That’s no surprise. My mother loves games of power. By her logic, one of her daughters, being of the eldest noble house, should marry an Elemental of suitable bloodline to forge a lasting peace treaty.”
“A near accurate guess.”
“And Sorntar, having been warned, should have expected this and subtly deflected the topic to safer ground.” Her stomach tensed when Itharann didn’t immediately agree. “He did explain the complications, I hope.”
“He mentioned them, but I fear my host was no match for your mother. Sorntar betrayed himself with a simple look, and she was able to sniff out that he was not opposed to the idea of marrying you. Survival instincts won out in the end, and Sorntar removed himself from your mother’s presence before she could have a marriage contract drawn up.” Itharann chuckled. The warm sound sent a shiver down her spine.
Pacing helped to burn away the shock. Sorntar wasn’t against the idea of marriage?
“I’m glad you find this amusing.” Her temper flared. “Why didn’t he tell me?” She paced around the room, neither looking at nor expecting Itharann to answer her. “I could’ve prevented this complication. Now it’s going to be a mess.”
She’d warned Sorntar not to blunder into her mother’s trap, but it hadn’t occurred to her Sorntar might willingly sacrifice himself in a marriage contract, and he’d managed to drag her into the mess with him. What a nightmare.
“Marriage is such a serious matter, so much more dangerous than bonding.” Itharann’s voice was tinted with dry humor.
Even the ancient Larnkin was making fun of her. Ashayna glowered at him, but he ignored her. “It’s the fact he didn’t tell me. I should be hearing this from Sorntar—in the form of a heartfelt apology for providing fuel to my mother.”
“Don’t be angry with Sorntar,” Itharann said as he eyed the bed for a moment and then sat down.
“He’s young and so very confused by you. His desire clouds his judgment. I only told you because there should be no secrets between bondmates and this one would cause Sorntar much worry. Now you know and can prevent things from getting out of hand. This situation is so unimportant it’s barely worthy of thought.”
“Fine. So Sorntar is innocent. I’ll forgive him. Now, what about you?”
The Larnkin gave her a questioning look.
Ashayna frowned at Itharann, seriously in doubt about his innocence. “If I could figure out a reason why, I’d say you were trying to cause tension between me and Sorntar.”
Itharann’s expression turned smug. He reclined on the bed with one arm behind his head, utterly relaxed. “While we’re debating guilt and innocence, why don’t I show you just what your oh-so-virtuous bondmate dreams of.” Itharann grabbed her wrist and pulled her down onto the bed with him. “Enjoy Sorntar’s dream, beloved.”
One short muffled scream escaped her before the room faded and fell away. A luxurious bedroom suffused with soft, golden candlelight took its place. Cool air raised the hair on her arms. Ashayna glanced down at herself. Clothed in a short cream nightgown, she might as well have been naked for all the cover her sheer gown offered.
“Itharann—get me out of here.”
Silence greeted her mind call. After several futile attempts to call the Larnkin, she gave up.
The sweet fragrance of bee’s wax teased her nose. She looked around in more detail.
Candles sat in glass holders, scattered randomly around the room upon dark walnut book shelves. Thick carpets of a similar deep earth shade covered the floor while intricate tapestries hung on the walls, softening the cold stone. Two windows allowed the moons’ radiance to blend gracefully with golden candlelight. A large bed stood at room’s center, and at the rear of the bedroom a doorway led to another chamber.
Betrayal's Price (In Deception's Shadow Book 1) Page 21
