Jaros looked from her to Nikin and back again. “What?” he asked.
“Jaros,” Salomen said, “our family has grown by one.”
“Huh?”
Tal walked over and took Salomen’s free hand.
“They’re already bonded,” Nikin said. “When did you do it? And why keep it so quiet? Because she’s the Lancer?”
“Is that what it was?” Shikal asked. “I felt that too, but it’s not like any bond I ever felt at a ceremony. I just thought that was because they’re both high empaths.” He looked at Salomen, the disbelief graying out his emotions. “You had a bonding ceremony without your family? Now I am going to be upset. How could you?”
“We haven’t had a ceremony. I would never do that without including my family.”
“Will someone tell me what’s happening?” Jaros said.
“It turns out that tyrees don’t need a ceremony to be bonded.” Salomen’s smile gained a mischievous edge.
There was a moment of silence before it sank in.
“Great Mother!” Nikin exclaimed. “You’re tyrees? Is there anything else you need to tell us? Because we’re all so shocked now that a little more won’t matter.”
“Salomen?” Shikal wanted to believe but needed reassurance.
“I finally found my dream, Father.”
His earlier pain washed away like dust in a joyous rainstorm, and his smile was so wide it nearly crinkled his eyes shut. “I could not have wished more for you in my own dreams. But how did this happen?”
Salomen looked at Tal and shrugged. “I think you have to ask Fahla that question. We had no control over it.”
“None at all,” Tal agreed. “We’ve spent the last half moon trying to keep some sort of hold on it, because we were both frightened by how fast it was moving. For tyrees, the first Sharing seals the bond, so we were doing our best to delay it. But the assassination attempt took it out of our hands.”
“Andira’s empathic senses were knocked out by the shock. But she saw enough before the attack to know that the assassin was out of her Guards’ range. She needed my empathic strength to find him, so…we Shared.”
“While the room was burning?” Nikin asked incredulously.
Tal and Salomen looked at each other. “I didn’t notice that part,” Tal admitted.
“Neither did I.”
“They weren’t in immediate danger,” Micah said. “Most of the damage had already been done by then.”
“But what a terrible way to have your first Sharing,” Shikal said. “I hope you’ve made up for it by now.”
“Well…” Salomen hesitated. “No, we haven’t. Andira has been healing, and the circumstances weren’t right. What you just experienced was only our second Sharing.”
“What?” he sputtered. “No, no, no! This is not right!” He shook a finger at Tal. “You take my daughter somewhere special tonight, and you Share with her the way Fahla meant it to be. She deserves that.”
“I promise.” Tal couldn’t keep the grin off her face. As if she had thought of anything else these last five days! But before she could do that, she needed to make up for her prior breach of tradition.
Still holding Salomen’s hand, she knelt in front of Shikal’s chair. “Honored Raiz Arrin,” she said, “please know that had I been able to do so, I would have asked for the gift of a place in your family before presuming to take it. It was not in my power then, but it is now.”
She felt the weight of his expectation as she prepared to speak the words that every Alsean over fifteen cycles knew by heart.
“Under the eye of Fahla, who sees all, I speak so that all may hear. I love Salomen Arrin Opah. Her happiness is my ambition; her well-being is my purpose. All that is mine I place freely at her disposal, including my heart and my life, which I would gladly lay down to protect hers. This I swear in Fahla’s name. I am Andira Shaldone Tal, and I ask this gift of you and Nashta and all your ancestors: Will you do me the honor of accepting me into your family?”
The room was utterly still as Salomen knelt beside her. “I know I should have said something earlier, but to speak of anything would have meant revealing everything, and I wasn’t ready. I’m ready now.” She squeezed Tal’s hand. “Under the eye of Fahla, who sees all, I speak so that all may hear. I love Andira Shaldone Tal. Her happiness is my ambition; her well-being is my purpose. All that is mine I place freely at her disposal, including my heart and my life, which I would gladly lay down to protect hers. This I swear in Fahla’s name. I am Salomen Arrin Opah, and I ask this of you: Will you speak for Mother and all of our ancestors, and accept Andira into our family?”
Her last words were choked as the tears spilled from her father’s eyes, and Shikal needed a few moments to answer.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you as happy as you were this past moon,” he said at last. “I worried about what would happen when this challenge was over, because it never occurred to me—well. I just didn’t expect this. And I wish…I wish Nashta were here.”
“Me too,” Salomen whispered.
He nodded, wiping his eyes, then cleared his throat and spoke the formal words. “Salomen, Andira, I hear your petition. Under the eye of Fahla, who connects our past with our future, and in the name of my beloved Nashta and all of our ancestors, I say that Andira Shaldone Tal is now one of our family. May our descendants rejoice in this bond, which enriches our family beyond measure.”
Tal’s own eyes were damp, and she surreptitiously dried them with her free hand. “Thank you. I will honor your name and that of your daughter.”
“You already have. And I think you may be the first petitioner in memory to have fulfilled your vow even before swearing it. You already laid yourself down to protect her. I could wish for no better bondmate for Salomen, nor a better addition to our family. Welcome, Andira.”
“Yes, welcome!” Nikin swooped down on them and held up both hands, laughing as Tal met his palms. “What a surprise! We knew you two had something going on, but we had no idea it was this serious. I didn’t sense that from Salomen.” He turned a mock severe look on his sister. “Now I know why. She was fronting it.”
“I’m sorry, Nikin. It was so new and out of control that I could barely deal with it myself. I simply couldn’t face any questions from you or Father.”
“Don’t worry; it’s enough that I get to tease you now.” He gave Tal an impish grin. “I must say, never in my wildest dreams did I think Salomen’s ridiculous challenge would lead to a joining of our families. We were all afraid she might have brought ruin on our heads with her outspoken ways.”
“I might yet,” Salomen said. “Don’t relax too much.”
Jaros came over with Micah, his brow furrowed. “Does this mean Lancer Tal is my sister?”
“I’m your bondsister. Not quite the same thing, but close.”
He grinned. “Speedy! Wait until everyone at school hears about this!”
Salomen reached around Tal and pulled her brother over. “Jaros, you cannot tell your friends about our bond. Not yet. You can tell them that we’re a joined couple, which we’ve made public as of today. But not that we’re bonded and especially not that we’re tyrees.”
“Why not?”
“Because someone might try to hurt me by hurting your sister,” Tal said. “Being my bondmate will make her a target. Being my tyree only increases the danger.”
He blinked up at Salomen, then wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t tell, I promise.”
She gave him a warmron as Nikin asked, “How great a concern is that?”
“Great enough that I’m currently training Salomen’s Guards,” Micah said. “We hadn’t planned to go public with this quite yet, but the assassination attempt pushed our schedule forward. Right now I have a unit of Tal’s Guards read
y to step in. Salomen’s own Guards will begin their duties in four days.”
“You get your own Guards!” Now Jaros was over the nearest moon.
“Yes, I do. I think you’re happier about it than I am.”
“Why wouldn’t you be happy? This is fantastic!”
“I suppose it is.” Salomen couldn’t help laughing at his enthusiasm. “But do you know what’s even better?”
“What?”
“You’re going to participate in your first bonding ceremony, and it will be a state event. You’ll be the only boy in school who will get to go.”
“That’s right,” Shikal said. “We have a rather large ceremony to think about, don’t we?”
Tal nodded. “And not a great deal of control over the details. Since this will be a state ceremony, I’ll have to bring in Counselor Aldirk.” She looked at Micah, sharing his mirth at the thought. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to fly out here and help.”
“Let’s go into the dining room and write down a few thoughts,” Salomen said. “Besides, you promised Andira horten soup, and you haven’t delivered yet.”
“True. That was the main reason I came back here.”
“If I believed that for a moment, I would retract my permission.” Shikal rose from his chair and led them toward the dining room.
Salomen slipped an arm around Tal’s waist. “Is your back all right?” she asked quietly.
“It’s fine.” Tal pulled her aside as the others filed into the dining room. She watched Shikal and Nikin continue to the kitchen dome, while Jaros sat down at the table and began peppering Micah with questions. “Do you think Jaros ever runs out of questions?”
“No.” Salomen watched him with a fond smile. “You’ll get used to it.”
Tal took advantage of the moment to study the peaceful expression on her face. “All the time I’ve known you, there’s been something in the background of your emotions, weighing you down. And now it’s gone.”
“But something else has taken its place.”
“I know. An incredible lightness. It’s even making me feel giddy.”
“No, I think you’re feeling giddy about everything else. I’m talking about something you’ve always had, so you probably don’t recognize it as anything unusual.”
“What wouldn’t I recognize as unusual?”
The beaming smile that Salomen gave her could have evaporated the rain from here to Blacksun.
“Freedom, Andira. I’m finally free.”
CHAPTER 9:
An unlikely source
“Excuse me, Chief Counselor?”
Aldirk looked up impatiently from the stack of work that threatened to slide off his desk. “What is it?”
His aide stood in the doorway, her brows drawn together. “I, ah…have a rather odd call that I’m not certain what to do with.”
He put his reader card down and gave her his full attention. She was the smartest aide he’d had in three cycles and would not ask for assistance unless it was something unusual. “I’m listening.”
She took one step inside, letting the door shut behind her. “It’s a small boy wanting to speak with the Lancer. I told him that was impossible, but he was very insistent. He said he’s been trying for a hantick to get through to her, but no one will take him seriously. He says he has extremely important information for her.”
Aldirk huffed. “What information could a small boy possibly have? And why is he calling me?”
“He’s calling you because all of his prior efforts have taught him that you’re the gatekeeper to the Lancer. As for the information, he won’t tell me. But I think you might wish to speak with him.”
“And why is that?”
“Because he’s one of the boys who bullied Jaros Opah. Which means Lancer Tal really does know him. And if Lancer Tal had punished me for behaving that badly, the last thing I’d ever want to do is seek her out to speak with her again. Whatever is motivating this child, it’s powerful.”
“Hm. That is interesting.” He thought for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. Send the call to me and let’s find out exactly what this boy thinks is so important.”
Half a tick later, Aldirk accepted the transferred call and was looking at a thin, sandy-haired boy. “I’m Chief Counselor Aldirk. And who are you, exactly?”
“Pendar Fall,” the boy answered smartly. “I need to speak with Lancer Tal. If you would just tell her it’s me, she’ll listen. I know her.”
“So I hear. I also know why you know her, and it does you no credit. Let me explain something to you, Pendar. This is as far as you will get. Lancer Tal is a very busy woman, and she does not have time to speak directly to every person who wishes to speak with her. However,” he continued when the boy tried to interrupt, “if I deem your information important enough, I will share it with her. Personally.”
Judging by the scowl, Pendar was unhappy with this offer. He pursed his lips, blinked several times in thought, and finally asked, “Do you promise? To tell her?”
“I always keep my word. Now, what do you think she needs to know?”
He drew himself up, a stern look adding cycles to his face. “Someone in Granelle has been spying on Lancer Tal, and I know who it is.”
CHAPTER 10:
State House quarters
Tal and Salomen left Hol-Opah amid many double-palm touches, a few urgent warmrons from Jaros, and a transport full of good wishes and joyous feelings. Micah accompanied them as far as the State House entrance before heading toward his quarters with a final “Remember, gentle movement!” tossed over his shoulder. His chuckles drifted down the corridor as he walked away.
Shaking her head, Tal called over the nearest Guards and asked them to take Salomen’s bags to her quarters. She was still learning new things about her tyree, and today she had learned that Salomen had no idea how to pack lightly. Those two overstuffed bags must have contained her entire wardrobe, and Tal wasn’t about to risk a return trip to the restriction bed by trying to carry one.
As they followed the Guards, she swelled with unexpected pride at Salomen’s awe. She had always preferred her base quarters, but there was no denying that the State House was more impressive.
“Amazing.” Salomen swiveled her head this way and that, taking in the rich tapestries on the walls, the small heirloom tables with ancient art and vases of flowers, and the portraits of historical figures and events.
“What is?”
“The decor. The history and opulence, all of it. It’s so beautiful. But it’s not very homey, is it?”
“Not at all.” Tal nodded a greeting to the two Guards standing watch at the entrance to her private hallway. “Except for one part. Thank you,” she said as their escorts dropped the two giant bags at her door. “We’ll take them from here.”
They saluted her, smiled at Salomen, and returned the way they had come.
“Which part?” Salomen asked.
Tal unlocked her door and decided she could chance carrying one of Salomen’s bags a few paces. “This,” she said, dropping the bag just inside the entrance.
Salomen put the second bag next to it and looked around with a wide smile. “Now this space I would have recognized as yours had anyone asked.”
“What gives it away?”
“The feel.” She turned in a slow circle, facing Tal at the end. “I can feel you in this room.”
“That’s one reason I love Hol-Opah. I can feel you and your family and all the people who lived there before. It has a warmth and history that I haven’t often sensed in the places I’ve lived.”
Salomen half-closed her eyes. “There’s plenty of history here, too, but it’s not all warm. And your presence overpowers all of it. Maybe that’s because your energy is what I’m attuned to, but this room feels like home to me.
”
Tal stepped into her. “I’m so glad,” she murmured, tucking her face into Salomen’s throat.
“Oh…” Salomen squeezed her, careful of her back, then brought a hand up behind her head. “I’ve missed this.”
“Me too. I wish we could stay this way for a few hanticks.”
“I know. But you have meetings.”
“No, we have meetings. Time to start your challenge, tyrina.”
“You’re serious?”
“When am I not?”
“Often, but let’s not get into that. You told me you were meeting with Colonel Razine. Surely you don’t want me sitting in on that?”
“If you were still Raiz Opah, the woman who drove me insane in delegate meetings, no. But you’re my tyree, and that changes everything. Besides, what else are you going to do? I can’t have you getting bored on your challenge moon.”
“Somehow, boring is not the word that comes to mind when I think of you.”
Her smile was so beautiful that Tal had to kiss her. She still wasn’t used to their new ability to touch without danger, to kiss without keeping half her brain focused on the inevitable flash. It took some time to settle in fully rather than waiting for a reason to stop, but when she did, her sense of Salomen suddenly bloomed. Their emotions became difficult to separate, not that she had any desire to sort them out. This was the connection they had both been needing, and this time there were no other people linked to them.
“We have to stop,” Salomen murmured against her lips.
“I know.”
They kissed again, hands tracing curves and brushing through hair, lips seeking hollows and ridges.
“We really have to stop, Andira.”
“Shek.” Tal pulled back. “You’re a cruel woman.”
“Me! I’m not the one who started something we have no chance of finishing.”
Without a Front: The Warrior's Challenge (Chronicles of Alsea Book 3) Page 7
