She knew it was an odd relationship, especially considering how it had continued. Few knew the depth of the relationship between Nema and Renaine and how quickly it had grown, beginning with the tearful taking of her innocence by a fierce warrior turned gentle lover. She smiled, pleased that his nights home were usually spent with her -- a privilege accepted in their society by his position as lord and hers as his second. Though her living in his home, sharing the running of the household and the raising of his children with his pseudo-chosen made for a unique situation, it was possible only because of the bond of the sisters and their very different desires for what life had to offer.
“That cursed marking,” Elenya protested. “You have all given up so much to make this work, Nema. It’s not fair.”
“Life is seldom fair, love.” She shrugged. “Everything worked out for the best.” Patting Elenya’s hand, she continued, “And the best thing for you right now would be rest.” Nema’s chuckle accompanied Elenya’s bold attempt to voice her need to return to the quarters she shared with Tahruk. “Stay here for now. I would sleep better knowing you’re nearby.”
Another half-hearted protest had Elenya breathing deeply to stave off another wave of nausea. Nodding, she slipped back down onto the pillows already fighting to keep her eyes open.
“If you need anything, just yell,” Nema whispered.
“Thank you, Nema.” The final word was spoken on a breathy whisper.
Nema was sure the young maid was asleep before she was out the door. She’d check on her later and have some soup brought up from the kitchen. She hoped her hunch was correct and the lass was carrying Tahruk’s child. Their baby would not be Renaine and Neria’s first grandchild, but he or she would be the most celebrated, the one whose blood would be drawn or whose body would be injected to carry on the tradition of the marking. Silly, antiquated ritual that it was, she was glad for it. Had it not brought her and Renaine together and Elenya into their lives in pairings that would have otherwise never been imagined?
With one last look at the young woman nestled into the coverlet on the bed she often shared with Renaine, Nema left the room wondering what to do with herself. It wasn’t often she found herself confined to her quarters, not that she minded staying nearby in case Elenya needed her. Perhaps she’d do a little sewing. If there was a baby on the way, she would enjoy presenting a gift she’d made herself. She sat down and pulled out the box that contained all she needed, selecting a soft, buttery yellow, one of the finer materials she had, straight from the merchant ships of Aleone.
Chapter 25
Nema must have heard Elenya rousing, the older woman showing up even before the younger woman had fully pushed herself up in the bed.
“What time is it?” It appeared the sun had already set, though Nema wasn’t dressed in her night clothes.
“We’re about three hours past dinner. How are you feeling? Are you hungry?” Her cool hand felt good on Elenya’s forehead.
Elenya sighed, letting her head fall back against the headboard. She supposed she should try to eat something.
Nema chuckled. “Nothing sounds good yet?” The older woman pushed back a reddish curl that had fallen across her charge’s face when she’d shaken her head. “Perhaps you could try a weak broth. Cook has kept some warm for you these hours. I don’t want to see you grow weak or dehydrated.”
Elenya’s half-hearted nod caused Nema to smile. “Though not much, please. I don’t ever want to feel as bad as I did earlier. I am near thankful my lord was not here to witness my weakness.” Her eyes moistened at the thought.
“No doubt you could not have imagined missing him the night of the Dremis when you first realized you’d been paired with the warrior from Zanak.” Nema chuckled.
“No doubt.” It seemed like such a long time ago. How quickly he had become very much a part of her to the point she already could not imagine life without him by her side. She wasn’t sure Shemek had been correct in his statement that the warrior would fall madly in love with her, but there was no doubt about her feelings toward the man. As unique as their relationship was, it would become more so since the official bonding ceremony had been cancelled by the unrest. Elenya knew it didn’t matter. He had already completely bound her heart.
She sighed again before pushing back down into the covers to await the soup Nema had gone to fetch, her thoughts deep within the chasm her warrior’s absence left within her. A hand on her belly, she pushed away the doubt planted by Redahn and prayed Nema was right that she now carried Tahruk’s child.
Chapter 26
The passing of time brought a welcomed end to Elenya’s suffering. The nausea lessened and her confidence that she was pregnant grew with the days. Only the derisive looks from Redahn when their paths crossed caused pangs of doubt still. She had taken to spending the majority of her time within Nema’s quarters, where she’d remained by mutual, unspoken consent, or in the woman’s presence when outside the confines of her chosen sanctuary. She hated the wariness she felt, longed to return to that adventurous girl who had instigated secret missions back home, though she would not trade those days for the ones to come. She caressed her belly hardly able to contain her desire to rush time forward to a time when she would feel her child move, providing her with a reassuring confirmation.
Each afternoon found Elenya retiring to her bed for a short time before joining Nema for a walk to the Great Hall within the Centrehead. She was desperate for word, carried back by the messengers and the wounded each day, of the battle and the warriors who remained on the fields. Elenya’s thoughts jumped between the baby and learning how Tahruk and Shemek were doing as well as trying to find out how her family fared in Aleone. Even Renaine garnered her consideration, perhaps more so because she knew how Nema felt about the man than because of any great feelings for him on her part. Other than finally blessing the union between herself and his son, he’d done little to endear himself to her.
Still, he was the father of her beloved and the grandfather of her child, and she knew his skills in logistics and maneuvers were vital to the battle. Even though he was not nearly as young as the majority of the warriors, he was still considered a formidable opponent on the battlefields as well. His loss would be greatly felt among many.
Two and a half months had passed since the warriors of Dorengar had gone to the aid of their brother kingdom. Word had it they’d moved along the Western coast, northward toward Venderlay’s holdings, with a smaller brigade heading inland to refurbish the men from outlying Drilles, including Aleone horsemen, who fought their way across the country. Aleone’s ships were said to have sailed around the lands to renew the supplies of the brigade on the opposing coast. She knew her father, along with Shemek and his brothers, would be among the men from Aleone. So many cares heaped themselves upon her slender shoulders -- shoulders that ached for the feel of her husband’s hands, his lips…
She shook her head trying to push away the thoughts that served only to fill her with an aching want. Nema reached for her hand as the small group walked in silence, each hopeful the news of the day would be positive.
Close to the edge of the courtyard leading into the Great Hall, a disturbance had the two women stepping back behind the safety barrier erected by the presence of the male corisans who traveled with them whenever they ventured outside the walls of Zanak.
“Cerissa!” Elenya hissed as the blond woman who’d had such little regard for her before the Dremis, the same woman who’d attempted to procure the favors of her husband even before he had fulfilled his duties to her, pushed free of the group at the courtyard’s edge.
“Ah!” The smile that lit the celestial features denoted she was pleased their paths had crossed once again. There was something about the coolness of her look, especially as the woman’s blue eyes settled on Elenya’s mid-section before flicking back to her face, that had Elenya bracing for whatever was to come.
“Are you well?” The curtness of her question and the silky tone of
Cerissa’s voice caused Elenya to shiver.
She chose not to answer, turning instead to continue her journey toward the Great Hall.
“I fear word is not good for you today.” Her words reaped the expected result and the group stopped. “They’re saying the warrior has gone missing along with your father and two of his Lordship’s sons.”
“What?” Elenya stumbled in her too quick attempt to turn back toward the messenger of news she refused to believe. She was surprised to find Redahn’s strong arms her saving grace from a trip to the earth beneath her. Her mind swimming, she turned her head from side-to-side looking for a means of escaping this onslaught.
“Settle, woman,” Redahn’s voice came as a soft, deep whisper near her ear. “Be still so I might find out what the vixen knows about my family. If you act rashly and fall, no doubt I will be obliged to carry you home. You seem to enjoy that. It’s such a pity your little game was wasted on my brother the night you bolted away from him into the dark.” The upturning of a single corner of his lips, so much like those of the man she loved, told Elenya her actions would not have gone unpunished should it have been Redahn’s blood that coursed through her veins instead. When she tried to move away he pulled her back tightly against his side. “Now, behave like a good little sister and accept the services offered by your brother in marriage.”
She dared not look at him again, opting instead to stand silent and still by his side. Her attempt at taking in the information being imparted to Nema by the blond temptress was greatly impeded by the fingers that caressed the uncovered flesh of her upper arm. She shivered at the unwelcomed gesture while wishing desperately the hand belonged to her husband. She closed her eyes, wanting more than ever to feel his gentle touch.
The picture before her was not lost on the blond who told freely what she had heard of the missing guard. Eighty of the King’s finest warriors had been commanded to ride to where they believed King Travensworth was being held. The mission that should have taken only a handful of turns of the moon had played out over a fortnight without their return. Even though proof had not presented, the worst was feared. Renaine, now commanding the remaining men, had sent out parties to find them to no avail. All eighty men seemed to have vanished.
It was all too much for the young woman who found herself in the arms of her lover’s brother after all. With ease he lifted her swooning body while Nema fussed over her.
“Let me take her home, Nema. You go to see what more you may find.”
Elenya shook her head and began wiggling out of Redahn’s hold. “Please, my lord, no. I wish to continue on. It was simply the heat of the moment. I’ll be fine.” Feet back on the ground, she placed a hand on Redahn’s chest, her other hand coming to rest over her stomach. Redahn’s mocking snort at her protective gesture earned him a deserved glare before she stepped away, choosing to ignore completely the quiet hmm from the blond maiden. Lips pressed into a thin line, her nose crinkling slightly beneath the squint she trained on the small group, Elenya turned on her heel and began to walk away from them. “I am fine!” she snarled without looking back. She could care less whether they followed or not. She simply needed to know more before any hope she harbored was completely quashed.
Chapter 27
Elenya jumped at Nema’s light touch when she came up beside her, though she continued on undeterred even as the group moved closer. No one spoke until they had maneuvered their way through the throng of people awaiting news of their loved ones. Elenya stopped only when she stood directly before the table holding the crested emblems of the fallen.
“You won’t find what you’re looking for there, my lady. I’ve been keeping watch.”
She jerked her head in Cerissa’s direction despising the fact that the woman always seemed to be meddling in her life. How many times had she found her the guest of Zanak or sitting near her at some event? And now she stood much too close to Redahn. Elenya wondered what her lover would think of the vixen who had tried to seduce him already beginning to work her dark magic on his younger brother. She looked from one to the other before offering a stilted shrug and turning back to the table only a figure walking toward the area caught her attention instead. Master Daruh. He was looking right at her, his lips set in a grim line that pitched her stomach into a sea of nausea. Without his bidding, she forced herself to move toward him.
“Master Daruh,” she whispered before bobbing a small curtsy when they came face-to-face. Her eyes searched his as her head came back up. Her trembling lips a fitting companion to the questions within the green depths. He nodded, took her arm, and began to lead her away, motioning for the rest of her group to wait. Elenya’s heartbeat hitched up a notch. That it could beat faster than it had been surprised her. Again she placed a hand on still flattened midriff.
“Please, my lord. Tell me…”
Daruh looked at her hand, though said nothing about it. “Your presence has been requested by one among the wounded. He called for you through his delirium and asked again not long ago, but it is not the man for whom you were chosen.” A slight crease marred the expanse between his brows.
Elenya nodded, his answer filling her with an odd mixture of relief, concern, and uncertainty. Her mind whirled with so many thoughts and questions. She prayed whoever she found on the end of her short journey with Master Daruh had not suffered greatly. Though at the top of her concerns loomed her fears for Tahruk. “Is there no news of the missing men?”
Daruh shook his head, a compassionate smile forming on his lips. “Please, do not fear, my lady. We know little, though sometimes that is the best news.”
Elenya nodded again, halting at his command at the entrance to the Great Hall turned infirmary.
“I apologize in advance.” He paused, looking back to make sure those who had accompanied her to the Centrehead had maintained their distance. “There are visions within that a lady should scarce have to look upon.” He breathed deeply, let it out slowly, then scrubbed his wearied face with his hand. “Your friend begged your presence. Has called for you throughout the night…”
Shemek? It had to be. “Please, my lord. Take me in,” she interrupted.
Daruh nodded then handed her a cloth before turning to open the door.
Even before she could see the fallen warriors in the dim light, the smells assaulted her, making Elenya glad for the cloth Daruh had given her. She placed it over her nose before moving further inside. Even the sounds filled her with unease. Muffled moans, whispered prayers, the labored breathing of the sick and wounded… Someone behind a curtain cried out, no doubt in pain as his wounds were cared for. She was unprepared to see so many.
“This way, my lady.” Daruh ushered her toward a door in the far corner of the room. “The men whose injuries are not as severe have been moved into the smaller meeting rooms.”
Daruh’s words brought a measure of relief to her reeling senses. Battle was a fact of life. Aleone’s army trained for war and skirmishes, preparing their men as did all the Drilles. They’d even had to defend the shores of Aleone a time or two during her short life. And factions of their guard were often called away to fight alongside the King’s men.
Still, she had been unprepared for visions that brought home such reality. She had never been allowed to see the wounded, and those who had fallen in battle were buried on the fields, only their crested emblems returned to their mourning families. She glanced back, her eyes roaming over the sea of men, many slowly dying because of the extent of their wounds.
“War is so pointless,” she whispered, blinking back welling tears.
Daruh shook his head. “No, my lady. War is necessary to defend that which belongs to us. That others believe they have the right to take what we hold dear, without regard, is what is truly irrational.”
Elenya contemplated his words. She studied the lines of wisdom etched in his weary face then offered him a smile which he could see only in her eyes because of her covered mouth.
“I believe this young man t
hat awaits you would do well being graced with your sunshine. Though be forewarned. These men do not feel so poorly as to not take notice of the presence of a beautiful lady. You will not be allowed to stay long and I shall remain close by.”
“Yes, my lord. Thank you.” Elenya’s answer was accompanied by dropping her hand to her heart. She sighed, thankful the smells within this part of the hall were not so strong. She could not say she was not glad to leave the images of death and sickness behind.
They passed by a handful of closed doors before Daruh stopped in front of a room whose door stood slightly cracked. Elenya could hear the voices of the men inside as they talked amongst themselves, though a silence fell over them when Daruh pushed open the door and Elenya stepped in.
“Bring us a bit of entertainment, Master?” one of the men hooted. Amidst their laughter, she caught sight of someone rising.
“Hold your tongue, hooligan. Can’t you tell a true lady when you see one?”
Shemek! Seeing him drowned out the retort from the other warrior.
Elenya’s smile faded as her friend hobbled toward her, his grin twisted by obvious pain.
“Ya.” He stood before her, glancing at Daruh before taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “What a sight for sore eyes you are.”
She tried to smile, though his disheveled look, the thick bandages wrapped around his bare torso and across an arm that he kept pressed firmly to his side, chased the gesture away. “I wish I could say the same about you.”
Dance With The Enemy Page 13
