Korban addressed the group and talked of bringing trade and commerce between the countries. This was readily accepted, and she could see the speculation of riches in the eyes of several prominent men. The changes this would bring to the Old Country were apparent, but no one seemed to mind.
At the end of his speech, Korban surprised her by making a request that Teya sing. Then Turner followed with his own request, asking with such civility, that she would have appeared mean-spirited to refuse.
She gathered her scattered thoughts together and wondered what to sing that would hurt Korban the most. His direct stare and the tightening around his eyes changed her mind. He had control of Bran’s fate, and she must not forget that.
She sang instead of loneliness and captivity. When she finished, a hushed reverence came over the hall, but Korban’s cold glare surprised her. Apparently that was not what he wanted. Turner graciously thanked her and dismissed the assembly.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Korban’s fingers dug into her arm. “What we need are feelings of goodwill, not guilt.”
“Then don’t ask me to sing without telling me what you want first.”
“I want a change of attitude. Or do you want Bran dead?”
“Of course not,” she said.
“Then next time, sing something that will have them more willing to do my bidding.” He waited until she nodded before continuing. “You may go to your room.”
It was easy to obey that command and she fled the hall before he changed his mind. She wanted to see Bran more than anything. Taking the long staircase with quick steps, she reached the north tower with her chest heaving from exertion. The guard standing at the door ushered her inside and then threw the bolts into place.
The sound echoed through her mind as she registered Bran’s absence, and a wave of panic slammed into her chest. She turned and started pounding on the door until the guard opened it, concern spreading over his face. “Where’s Bran?” she shouted at him. “Why isn’t he here?”
Relief crossed his features. “He’s in the dungeon.” He pushed the door shut against her protests, and when the bolt dropped into place it was like an arrow through her heart. She sagged onto the bed and fought against the anger that billowed into a consuming cloud of rage. Rational thought fled, and a scream of hot temper tore from her throat. The magic she released rebounded from the kundar and back into her with a blinding shock of pain.
Her eyes watered and she gasped for breath, clutching the edge of the bed for balance as nausea tightened her stomach. Once her heart stopped racing, she concentrated on putting her scrambled thoughts into order. Why had Korban done this? Why did he let her have Bran only to take him away again?
Calm, but shaken, she opened the bond to Bran. His answer came strong and solid, and relief found a way into her heart. He strengthened her with love, and she responded with a tone of magic through the bond. Gratitude rippled back to her and she knew whatever she’d done the night before had helped his injuries. It wasn’t enough. She wanted him out of there, and vowed that she would not leave her room until Korban let her see him.
Later, when the guard opened her door to join Korban for dinner, she refused. Flustered, he threatened to carry her if she didn’t come of her own free will.
“Don’t you threaten me,” she answered. “I’ll use my magic on you if you come anywhere near me.”
He laughed, but when he opened his mouth to speak, all that came out was a hoarse croak, and Teya smiled knowingly at his discomfort. Sobered, he backed off, slamming the door behind him. It didn’t take long before Korban arrived.
“What is this?” he sneered. “What game are you playing?”
“I just want to see Bran. To make sure he’s all right.”
“All you had to do was ask,” Korban said, his lips forming a thin line of disgust. “You can see him in the morning.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I see him first.”
Korban narrowed his eyes. “I guess you’ll just have to stay here and miss your dinner then.” She knew he enjoyed her anger, but she couldn’t stop the feeling from surging inside. With intense hatred coursing through her veins, she said nothing as he walked out the door.
Her anger was so strong, she wanted to direct it at something, but it wasn’t worth breaking her own things. Instead, she occupied herself with trying to break the kundar. Her reckless anger pushed her to try something she’d never done before.
She reasoned that if the kundar was made using dark power, maybe dark power would get it off. If Korban had the use of dark power, it had to be something she could tap into. Darkness was centered on anger, rage, or revenge and she had plenty of that to last a lifetime. If she concentrated her power on these emotions, maybe it would break.
It didn’t work. No matter how full of anger and rage she became, the magic always bounced back at her with a vengeance. She gave up trying after her head felt like it was going to explode, and she couldn’t stop shaking.
The power probably wasn’t about dark or light, but more about the purpose behind its use that made it that way. If it was used for killing and destroying it became dark. She realized she walked a fine line to let anger control her magic. It was something she needed to take seriously.
That night she fell asleep exhausted and unhappy. Experimenting with her emotions led her to believe what she had thought all along. It was better to lock away her feelings. If she didn’t care, she didn’t hurt. But she found she couldn’t do that anymore, because she realized that either way, she lost. Life wasn’t worth living if she didn’t have feelings, and without feelings, she wasn’t human.
****
She spent the next day and night in her room. The door only opened for servants to set a tray of food on her small table. She knew Korban wanted to let her know that he wasn’t intimidated by her threats. She had communicated with Bran through the bond as best she could, so she knew he was all right, but it couldn’t compare with seeing him.
When the door opened on the second morning, she was ready to do whatever Korban asked for just one glimpse of Bran. The slight figure that entered with a tray of food confused her for a moment. Then she realized it was Iris, the Kalorian woman who had waited on her at the monastery.
“What’s going on? Are all the Kalorians here?”
Iris set the tray on the table before answering. “Yes Mistress, all of us are here. Jesse brought us. Most are in the army barracks out of sight. Korban doesn’t want people nervous with so many of us around. He brought me to the palace to serve you.”
“How are they?”
“He’s held off bleeding them, if that’s what you mean. I think he must have enough sym to last for a while. He wants everyone to regain their strength for the journey to the grove.”
“When does he plan to leave?”
Iris sighed. “I don’t know. I brought the clothes you left at the monastery. I can bring them to you if you like. My room’s next door.”
“That would be wonderful!” Teya had been worried about the seed hidden in her jacket. The morning she’d left, Iris had told her she’d look after her things. Teya was grateful that she’d kept her word. “Thank you. Please, sit down and eat with me. I’ve been stuck up here alone for two days. Do you know anything that’s going on in the palace?”
“Not exactly. But something big is happening today. They’re setting up the banquet tables and making all kinds of food.”
“What about Hewson? Is he here too?”
“Yes, but he’s not in the palace. Korban is keeping him with the others.”
Grateful to talk to someone, Teya didn’t notice the sound of the door unlocking. It swung open and she jerked with surprise, spilling her drink. Korban strode in with a scowl, flustering Iris so much that she jumped up to leave. Korban held up his hand. “You may stay. What I have to say involves you both.”
She sat with head bowed and Korban began to pace the room. “Today, Rasmussen and the Undersecretary of Braemar a
re coming to negotiate the terms of an alliance between our countries. Rasmussen has asked repeatedly to see you Teya, and I have promised him you will sing for us. I want your word that you will perform something pleasing and beautiful for our entertainment.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “As long as I can see Bran first.”
He shot her a piercing glance and shook his head with annoyance. “I will arrange it, but I don’t want Rasmussen to know he’s here.”
“Why?”
“Rasmussen wants him back, but that cannot happen. Bran knows too much.”
“So what will you tell him?”
“That he’s dead,” he said bluntly. “And he will be too, if you say anything.”
“I won’t.” Her heart skipped a beat. “Just let me see him.”
“I’ll have the guard escort you down when I leave. After that, I want you dressed in your finest and ready to attend me.” He turned his attention to Iris. “You will follow my earlier instructions.”
“Yes sir,” Iris said, bowing slightly. Korban gave Teya a hard stare meant to intimidate her and left the room.
As Korban left, the tension drained away, but Teya turned to Iris with mild uneasiness. “What instructions?”
“I was going to tell you before Korban came bursting in. It’s nothing really. He has another dress he wants you to wear. I just didn’t know he wanted you to wear it today. It’s in my room. I’d better take this tray down before I get in trouble. When I get back, I’ll bring your things in here.”
“Sure,” Teya agreed, but she couldn’t seem to think anymore. Nothing was going right and she didn’t know what to do. She swallowed her fears and followed Iris out of her room to the waiting guard. At least she was going to see Bran.
The journey to the dungeons took forever, and she could hardly believe the depths of the palace. She thought her ‘box’ in the cellar under the kitchens was bad, but now she found there were hidden staircases in places that she never knew existed.
She followed the guard down until the light faded, and they had to light torches to see the way. The final staircase loomed darkly before them, but Teya couldn’t seem to move. The dank, clammy air made her skin crawl.
“Come on, then.” The guard prodded. “We’re almost there, or do you want to go back?”
She cursed her stupid weakness. Swallowing her revulsion, she took a step forward. In desperation, she reached out to Bran, needing his strength to move down the last few steps. Assurance poured over her, blocking the fear, and in a moment she stood in front of his locked cell.
As the door creaked open, Teya gasped to find two men shielding their eyes from the bright torchlight. The guard nudged her inside and left a torch to burn in a bracket on the wall before closing her in. When Bran lowered his arm, she sagged in relief, just barely keeping the panic at bay.
“Teya! I didn’t think they’d ever let you come,” Bran said, gathering her in his arms. She couldn’t stop trembling and was grateful for his strength.
“What have they done to you?” She pulled away from his warm embrace and focused on the manacles around his wrists. “How long have these been on?” His skin on his wrists had rubbed raw and pain shown in the tightness of the muscles around his eyes. She focused on the other prisoner and gasped. “Jax?”
“He was here when they brought me down,” Bran said.
“That’s right,” Jax agreed. “They caught me the night you went to the monastery. I was on my way to tell Rasmussen the whole story, but never made it.”
“He’s coming here,” Teya said.
“What?”
“Rasmussen. Korban just told me he’s coming to sign an alliance between our countries. They don’t know who Korban is yet. They still think he’s Colonel Porter. Korban let Turner take the king’s place as ruler, probably because he’s easier to control, and the Kalorians just arrived today. Jesse brought them.” Teya spoke in a rush, knowing her time was short.
“Rasmussen’s been asking for you,” she continued. “So Korban’s going to tell him you’re dead. That the king had you killed for taking me.” Bran swore under his breath.
“I had to bargain with Korban to see you,” Teya said. “He wants me to sing for Rasmussen tonight, so I’ll meet Rasmussen, but I can’t let him know that you’re here, or Korban will kill you. Korban will never let you go. He told me that you know too much. But I think that once he’s told Rasmussen that you’re dead, there would be no reason for Korban to keep you alive. With the fate of the Kalorians resting on my head, he knows I’ll do whatever he wants whether you’re here or not.”
Urgency flickered across Bran’s face. “I’ve been thinking about this. I want you to send your magic through the bond and see if I can use it to unlock these manacles.”
“I did this before from my room. Did you feel it?”
“Yes, but I think you were too far away for it to work. Try it now.”
“Okay.” She took hold of his hands. Closing her eyes, she focused on the bond and sent a sweet tone to him. The kundar tingled with heat, but she kept the tone light and didn’t feel any pain. To her amazement, the manacles popped open and fell to the ground. “It worked!”
“Let’s try it on your kundar,” Bran said.
Hope poured over Teya. If it worked, Korban would know the instant it came off, but she didn’t care. With her full power, she could destroy him and anything else that stood in her way. “Go ahead.” Again, she sent the magic to Bran. Heat pulsed into the kundar. For a moment, Teya thought it would shatter. Then a blinding pain shot through her head and she gasped.
“Damn,” Bran said, sucking in a deep breath. “I thought we had it. Are you all right?”
The pain receded enough for Teya to open her eyes, but tears blinded her. Bran whispered that he was sorry, and she worked to gain control. “It’s all right.”
Catching her breath, an idea formed in her mind. “We need to get you out of here. I’m going to ask for Jesse’s help.” Bran started to protest, but she continued. “He’ll do it for me, and if you leave tonight during the reception and get to Rasmussen, you can join him when he crosses the wall and Korban won’t know. You’ll be away from here and safe. Then you can tell Rasmussen everything.”
The jangling of keys in the lock warned them that their time was up. Teya took a startled breath. “Be careful. I’ll keep the bond open and send what magic I can in case you can use it.”
“I wish there was another way,” Bran said.
“It’s the only chance we have.”
The door swung open, and the burly guard stepped inside. “Time’s up. Let’s go.”
Teya hugged Bran quickly, then moved aside when the guard reached around her to take the torch. On impulse, Teya stopped him with a hand to his chest. “Leave it.” Her tone carried the lilt of power not stopped by the kundar. It brought the guard up short, but he shrugged and left it, ushering her out and locking the door behind.
Once she started up the stairs, her strength faded and she leaned against the stones for support. Her head resonated with pain and her legs trembled. The guard grumbled at her slowness and took her arm, helping her up the rest of the stairs. By the time she reached the main hall, the pain had subsided to a dull ache, and she could think again.
Servants scurried everywhere, readying the palace for the evening’s festivities and Teya searched among them hoping to catch sight of Jesse, but the guard would not let her linger. His orders to return her to her rooms left no time for delay.
Teya walked through the door to find Iris waiting. “You look pale, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She waited for the guard to leave, then eased into a chair. “I was just trying to get this blasted kundar off. It backfired and left me with a terrible headache.”
“Nothing will take it off.”
“Gunpowder will, but it is beyond my reach.” Teya sat up, contemplating her next move. “I need to get a message to Jesse. Can you do it? I need to speak to him, but w
ithout Korban’s knowledge.”
“Jesse?” Iris’s eyes clouded with doubt.
Teya could understand her hesitation. Trusting Jesse came hard, but it was a risk she had to take. “Yes.” She didn’t explain. For her own sake, it was best for Iris to know as little as possible.
“I suppose I can get some clean towels for you, and accidentally run into him. What should I tell him?”
“Just tell him I need to speak with him privately, before tonight.”
Iris hesitated, her mouth twisting in a frown. “All right.”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing, and I can get ready while you’re gone.” Iris straightened her shoulders before turning toward the door. At her knock, the guard opened the door. She explained what she needed, and he let her out.
Teya sighed with relief. Now all she had to do was convince Jesse to release Bran and Jax. She had saved his life, but was it enough to get him to help her? These questions plagued her while she undressed and took a quick bath. With the kundar around her neck she was helpless against Korban, and Jesse could lose everything if he helped her. Would he risk it?
The dress Iris had laid out on the bed was like nothing Teya had ever seen before. The iridescent sheer white fabric shimmered with underlying tones of turquoise blue. The bodice molded to her body while the sleeves and skirt feathered out in scarf-like folds. Since she couldn’t reach all the buttons at her back, she’d have to wait for Iris. Wanting to see how it looked, she hurried toward the mirror.
Her eyes widened. The effect the color had on her eyes startled her. In her oval face, and framed by her black hair, her blue eyes held hidden depths that seemed to capture the light and made them sparkle like jewels. Her brows drew together in a frown. This strange image would give everyone the idea that she wasn’t normal.
She huffed out a breath and pursed her lips. Her ‘other-worldly’ look was just the effect Korban would want, especially in front of Rasmussen and the Undersecretary of Braemar. She contemplated changing into something else, but a knock sounded on the door.
Before she could say a word, it opened, and Jesse stepped inside. His brows rose to see her bare back, and his eyes darkened instantly with desire. She gasped and turned, but he could see her back in the mirror just as easily.
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