She was watching him with a shrewd expression now. “I don’t imagine you want to go before the king in Caithin attire.”
Yiloch glanced down at himself. The clothes he wore still bore Adran’s blood, dried into the fabric in numerous places. His chest tightened at the realization, but she spoke the truth. He would rather go before the Caithin king covered in Adran’s blood than wearing their clothes. Lyran blood ran pure through his veins. The history and pride in that blood were everything to his people, and they were still his people.
A small laugh drew his attention. She was shaking her head at him, smiling a weary, but fond smile. “Don’t look so concerned. I think I can handle this.”
In seconds, the blood was gone from his clothing. A small pile of red powder appeared on the ground before his feet. Yiloch knelt down and picked up a pinch of the dried blood. Some little bit of Adran that would disappear with time, the same way his memories would fade over time. He clenched his teeth, fighting the surge of emotion. Indigo’s warm hand touched his face and he felt her sorrow through their link. He placed his hand over hers, closing his eyes as he pressed his face against the softness of her palm.
There was a knock on the door and he stood, glancing at Ian to make sure the sound hadn’t woken him.
“Don’t worry,” Indigo reassured him as she moved to answer the door, “he won’t wake for a while.”
Yiloch nodded and followed her to the door. Caplin was waiting in the common area. He gave Yiloch’s clothes a double take, recalling the state they had been in when he arrived, but he made no comment.
“King Gavin will see you both now, if you are ready.”
Indigo glanced down at the dark dress she wore, her eyes wandering thoughtfully to the door of the next room.
“If you need a few minutes to change…”
She shook her head. “I can work with this.”
In seconds, she had transformed the dress, changing the primary color to a rich, dark gold and the secondary color revealed at the bodice and through a split in the skirt, became a pale gold satin. Her hair, somewhat disheveled before, arranged into a rich caramel cascade of glossy waves.
Yiloch bit back a smile at Caplin’s slack-jawed stare even as he wondered with a touch of unease what limits there were to her power.
“Well.” Caplin started, at a loss for words. After a minute, he rediscovered some modicum of composure. “I suppose that will do. Shall we?”
Along the walk to the throne room, Yiloch observed that nothing had changed since King Gavin took his brother’s place on the throne, at least not with any obvious sense of differing personal style. There were more guards than he remembered from his prior visit, a number of whom stood straighter as they passed, watching him with open mistrust. It didn’t come as much of a surprise, considering what had happened to the prior royal family. Perhaps he would walk away from this audience with his innocence confirmed. If Indigo had any say, he certainly would. After she arrived in Yiroth with the Kudaness army at her back, he had little reason to doubt that she could make anything happen.
He remembered jovial King Jerrin from his first visit to Caithin. The man had been overly casual and a bit too absorbed with the finer aspects of rank. He had never struck Yiloch as a true leader, though he’d managed well enough and he was easy to deal with. What would King Gavin be like? He remembered the shrewd man from the King’s High Council when he came to seek Caithin’s alliance in overthrowing Emperor Rylan. Gavin would be more difficult than his brother had been. One rarely got so fortunate twice. Then again, they were siblings. Perhaps some of that welcoming disposition ran in the family.
At the double doors, Caplin left them, entering ahead to take up his proper place as prince. Indigo murmured something to the usher near the door who nodded and stepped in ahead of them. The man took up a spot to one side inside the door and nodded back to them, announcing them as they entered.
“Emperor Yiloch of Lyra and Lady Indigo Milan un Ani.”
Yiloch was a little surprised at the title Indigo had given. That she distanced herself from her heritage here gave him hope that she didn’t intend to stay when this was over.
The throne room, like the rest, was unchanged beyond the increased guard presence, four guardsmen for every two present on the previous visit. The throne room itself was understated, emphasizing in its simplicity the excessively ornate throne at its head. The man in the throne was heavyset like his brother, with the same dark eyes and thick nose. Beyond that, the resemblance vanished. The dark eyes were shrewd and calculating, quickly taking stock of Yiloch and Indigo, but holding all judgment inside. His dark beard and hair were well-trimmed, giving him a stern look that Yiloch could appreciate far more than the unkempt, bushy look his brother had favored. This man sitting on the throne looked like someone to be respected as ally or rival. The question remained as to which he would be.
King Gavin offered Yiloch a respectful nod, which Yiloch returned while Indigo offered a deep curtsy. She didn’t wait for the king’s acknowledgement, however, before rising from the curtsy, which won her an anxious look from Caplin who now stood to the right of the throne. King Gavin noted the gesture as well, with a tiny furrowing of his brow followed by what almost looked like a hint of a smile. Would he consider the Kudaness title she had given adequate explanation for her break from Caithin formality?
Oddly enough, Yiloch saw a brief flicker of approval in the king’s eyes after a moment that was mirrored in the eyes of Lord Theron who now entered the room through a side door.
“Emperor Yiloch, I realize you came here under dire circumstances. Prince Caplin apprised me of your situation.” He gave a slight nod in his son’s direction. “However, it does surprise me that you came without more significant guard considering that you’re wanted for regicide.”
Yiloch felt his hackles rise, but Indigo took a step forward and curiosity stayed his tongue.
“Pardon me for speaking in your place, Emperor Yiloch.” She looked at him long enough for him to give a nod of acknowledgement. “King Gavin, Emperor Yiloch has all of the protection he needs right here in this room.” She gave a meaningful nod to each of the two guardsmen closest to the throne. “More protection, judging from the relative strength of your two adepts, than you have.”
The guardsmen on either side of the throne, shifted ever so slightly and Yiloch smiled to himself. It truly was a pleasure to have her on his side.
King Gavin looked at the guardsman adept on his right who nodded once. He sat back in the throne and regarded her with a wary respect. His attention moved back to Yiloch after several minutes of silence.
“This is not easy for me, Emperor Yiloch. I have hated you with a passion I almost find frightening for the death of my brother and his family. Until a few hours ago, there was no one I could ever imagine hating more.”
“Might I ask what changed a few hours ago, your majesty?” Yiloch asked, trying with little success to hide his surprise.
For just an instant, Indigo’s expression turned cold enough to chill the room and he wondered what she knew of this, then the calm mask fell again.
“Someone I thought to be one of my most trusted council members opted to confess his guilt. Lord Serivar requested an audience with me this morning and explained that he and another man, a Lyran adept called Myac who was living here under an assumed identity, arranged the assassination of my brother and framed your adepts for it with the assistance of several recently removed members of the King’s Order, two of whom have already acknowledged their guilt in exchange for some leniency in their sentences. Serivar went into considerable detail and Lord Theron’s reports from his time in Lyra seem to back up his words. I’m not fond of being lied to. I’m uncertain why Lord Serivar was suddenly compelled to confess.” Yiloch saw Caplin’s eyes flicker to Indigo and away again. The prince suspected she played a part in Serivar’s sudden compliance and he was willing to bet it was true. “Whatever the catalyst, he will die for his crimes.”
Yiloch n
odded. There was nothing to say. There was no way in which Serivar could pay enough for the people he had lost in this. It would have pleased him to spill the man’s blood with his own hands, but King Gavin had suffered losses as well. This death was his to deal as much as Myac’s death had been Yiloch’s.
“It falls on me to acknowledge that you were wrongly accused along with several of your subjects, who, it shames me to say, are beyond my absolution. It would seem that you, that both of you…” he amended with a nod to Indigo, “…were misjudged and mistreated.” Yiloch’s jaw tensed as he bit back on his anger. He could feel Indigo’s calming touch through their link. “The information I had led me to believe in your guilt. In light of this new information, I realize that we were all betrayed. I can only hope you will, in time, accept my apology. The alliance you built with King Jerrin is something we would like to see continue.”
“I think…” Yiloch took a deep breath in an effort to hold his anger in check. Indigo’s soothing contact, despite its manipulative nature, was suddenly a valuable asset. As much as he hated to admit it, Lyra needed this alliance right now. They were in a very vulnerable state. “My empire has seen much conflict of late. I have need to return to tend and heal its wounds and to see to those I have lost. Assistance with the stabilization of Lyra would be most welcome. Then when those affairs are in order, I would like to discuss our alliance further. And perhaps it might be time to open discussions regarding the slave trade.”
King Gavin’s jaw tightened, but then he released the tension with a heavy exhale. “Perhaps you are right. For now, I will offer an escort to see that you are not hindered in your departure. I have had little time to consider things since learning the truth of these ugly affairs. I am sure we can offer you assistance of some kind as you rebuild, but those discussions may need to take place at a later time.”
Yiloch nodded, managing a gracious tone. “That would be deeply appreciated.”
“Lady Indigo.” Indigo met the king’s eyes, standing a little straighter now that the attention had fallen on her. Yiloch fought a protective urge to move closer to her. She was capable of handling herself and of making her own decisions. “It seems we are in need of a new headmaster at the academy and head of the King’s Order. Everything I have heard…” he glanced at Caplin who nodded, “…indicates that you would be well qualified for that position.”
Indigo bowed her head. The link between them went silent and Yiloch struggled to maintain his calm as Caplin gazed down at her with unconcealed pleasure. The prince believed she would accept the offer, and why wouldn’t she? They weren’t only offering her welcome back into Caithin society, but as a person of considerable influence and prestige. He had lost so much. Would they take her from him too?
Indigo raised her eyes again. There was a strange mix of sorrow and pride in her expression. “Your highness, I am deeply honored. However, I cannot turn away from my duties in Lyra—”
“What duties?” Caplin interrupted, drawing a chastising look from his father for his outburst.
He frowned, staring at her with a hint of desperation in his gaze. Theron looked on with his unnerving serenity, considering all of them in thoughtful silence.
She met Caplin’s eyes for a moment, her gaze tinged with sorrow. Then she turned her attention back to the king. A growing sense of victory filled Yiloch and he had to struggle to keep a smile at bay. It wouldn’t gain him anything to provoke the prince.
“I have been asked to act as the ambassador for the Kudaness in Lyra. While I am there, I will also be training Lyran healers. I believe I am needed there right now more than I am here?” She spoke the last as a question and met his eyes.
“You are very much needed,” Yiloch replied, not caring if they heard the relief and adoration in his voice.
A smile flickered across her lips before she faced Gavin. Caplin lowered his head, staring at the floor in resignation. Theron, oddly enough, smiled approval.
“If that is what you desire…” the King raised a questioning brow as he trailed off.
“Yes, King Gavin, it is.” She punctuated the statement with a resolute nod.
“So be it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Dusk fell upon the docks as the boat turned out to sea, toward Lyra. A chill filled the air and Indigo wrapped her arms around herself. There was no reason to look back now. Caplin and Theron, who had accompanied them to the docks along with an escort of Caithin soldiers, still stood by the water watching the ship depart. She could feel them there, but there was nothing left to say, no reason to watch them disappear. Caithin was no longer her home. She would try to make a home on the other side of the Gilded Straight. In a letter she left with her uncle, she told him her roles there were what she wanted, her future assured.
Was this what she wanted? The thought of training other adepts truly appealed to her, as did working with Ian. The young creator reminded her of Caplin before they had grown apart, only he understood and accepted her ascard ability to a degree that Caplin never could. She smiled to herself. Yes, she would enjoy working with Ian. Yet, to be near Yiloch and never be able to have him as her own… Was she strong enough to stand that?
She drew upon more ascard to drive the ship a little faster. She had taken the time that morning to heal the wounds over Adran’s body, something she would have done before Ian saw him had she not been too drained to think of such things. Now part of her ability remained focused on preserving the two bodies, Adran’s on this ship and Myac’s on board the one that followed with the two Caithin adepts keeping up its speed. Remembered tension lit a small fire within her, a shadow of the anger she’d felt earlier when she had asked the king’s guardsmen to carry both bodies onto the ship.
Yiloch had refused to allow it. “I will not have that murderer and Adran carried in the same hold.”
“Myac’s body should be taken back to Lord Terral,” she explained. “It is his right and his responsibility to deal with his son’s body.”
Indignation had rolled off Yiloch like a tidal wave, forcing her back a step. It was the underlying pain, however, that drove her to relent, throwing up a hand to stop his argument. He had clamped down on his rage, though it still blazed in his eyes.
“We will send Myac’s body on another ship. I’ll talk Caplin into sending a couple of adepts with us to speed that ship’s passage, and I will speed this one.”
Yiloch had agreed to the compromise. Looking back on the encounter, it wasn’t hard to understand his position and the fact that he had managed to control his temper on the subject in his current state was a testament to how much he cared for her. It also strengthened her conviction that this was a bad idea. How could they possibly live in the presence of one another after he was married to Auryl? Such an arrangement would be torture. Perhaps she should have accepted King Gavin’s offer and stayed in Caithin. She could have started over there and maybe found someone else in time.
The mere thought caused a twisting pain in her chest and she tightened her grip on her arms, her fingers pressing into her own flesh with near bruising force.
Sorrow, determination, and a remarkable strength of presence alerted her to Yiloch’s approach. He glanced past her as he walked up to the railing, a dark anger bubbling to the surface when his icy gaze touched on the other ship. The anger drowned in a colorful palette of emotions when those beautiful eyes moved to her. She drew in her ability. It was too much like eavesdropping to be aware of so many feelings that weren’t openly offered. She didn’t want to know him that way.
“What now?” She forced the question out past a wall of apprehension. They needed to discuss the situation now, not later when the affairs of an empire might interfere. Here at least, he could do nothing but wait for the crossing to be over.
“Now?”
“For us? Will there be an us anymore?”
He leaned on the rail and she dared a glance, savoring the chiseled profile and the way his hair blew back in the wind. The muscles in his j
aw tensed while he considered his reply and she had to struggle against the urge to read his emotions with her power.
“I have no interest in ever being without you again.”
“But I can’t be with you,” she countered, yearning for some reassurance from him that made practical sense. Anything at all that would make their love feasible and finally put her fears to rest.
“I’ve told you before that none of my people would question your presence in the palace.”
She took a deep breath, trying to ease the painful longing within. “I don’t know that I can handle being second in your life.”
He moved over behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him, then bent down so that his breath tickled her ear when he spoke and sent delicious shivers of desire through her. “You could never be second, Indigo. I couldn’t bear to love anyone else this much.”
“You know it isn’t that easy—”
“You do love to make things difficult,” he interrupted. “You’re an unrivaled adept, a Kudaness priestess—”
“Priest,” she corrected.
He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “A Kudaness priest and so many other remarkable things. I don’t believe there are any limits to what you could be if you put your mind to it. What do you want to be?”
There was a slight tensing in his muscles when he asked. Could he actually be worried about her answer? She searched her mind. Of all the things she had been and had done, there was one thing that made her truly content, one place she was absolutely happy. She was there now.
“I want to be a teacher and a healer and someone people can respect and love. I want to be someone you respect and love,” she murmured, pressing into him.
“You will always be that. We can figure out the rest,” he whispered. She started to pull away and he added, “In a way that works for all three of us. I will not disregard Auryl’s feelings in this. I promise.”
Relaxing back into his arms, she closed her eyes to the salty wind and smiled. Somewhere along the way he had come to understand that, for her, disregarding Auryl’s feelings wasn’t satisfactory. Perhaps there was hope for him.
Apostate: Forbidden Things Page 27
