by Donna Hatch
The tent flap opened and an Ardeene knight stepped inside. As his gaze fell on Jeniah, he bowed. “Your Highness.” He turned to Kai. “Captain Darkwood, Captain Tarvok said to inform you that there’s a peace flag approaching.”
“I’ll be out momentarily. Escort the messenger to the main tent.”
The knight saluted, bowed to Jeniah, and left the tent.
Jeniah finished eating, and after drinking deeply from her goblet, she stood. “Let’s go see what the Hanoran messenger has to say.”
The doctor eyed her with disapproval. “You need rest, Highness.”
She fixed a patient but firm gaze on him. “My country is at war.”
He backed down and grumbled, “I’ll see you when you’ve concluded your business.”
She nodded. The doctor left and Kai moved closer to Jeniah. He looked searchingly at her, dread forming a hard knot in his chest at the thought of what else she had suffered at the hands of the Hanorans. The raped and murdered bodies of the women and children the night the Hanorans invaded Arden still haunted him.
Jeniah laid a hand on his cheek. “I’m all right.”
He probed for any sign of deeper hurt but did not find the shattered, hollowed look he feared he would. Relieved more than he could have expressed, Kai put his arms around her and held her carefully, afraid to hurt her battered body.
“The Hanoran messenger is at the perimeter, Captain,” called a voice from outside the tent.
Kai frowned at the interruption. Still holding Jeniah’s hand, he left the tent. Garhren grinned at them both as he and Duvall, another Darborian knight, moved to walk beside them outside.
“Garhren!” Jeniah threw her arms around Kai’s friend.
Garhren returned her embrace, and Jeniah flinched. He instantly released her and fixed a searching gaze upon her. When he saw her bruised and cut face, he shot a look of horror at Kai. His face darkened in rage and Kai knew the war had just become personal for Garhren.
Jeniah held both of Garhren’s hands, smiling affectionately at him. “I never thanked you for helping Kai rescue me tonight. I’m glad you’re here.”
Garhren’s righteous anger softened. “I’m in your service, Your Highness,” he replied deferentially. But a mischievous glint came into his eyes and he raised her hand to his lips. He glanced at Kai, clearly enjoying making him squirm.
“All right,” Kai barked. He’d have to take Gahren to task for that one.
Kai took Jeniah’s hand out of Garhren’s and placed it possessively on his own arm. She exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Garhren, but then turned and looked up at Kai with such adoration that he instantly forgot his irritation.
Garhren fell into step behind them while Duvall swept the area in front, both fulfilling their duties as Jeniah’s personal guards. Kai never planned on willingly leaving her side, but he might be needed elsewhere. He’d take no chance with her safety. At the moment, he began to rethink his choice of Garhren as one of her guards. He looked over his shoulder at Garhren, who winked. Kai fixed him with a fearsome scowl that would have left a lesser man quaking in his boots. Garhren only chuckled. Oh, yes, Garhren would definitely pay, and Kai would show no mercy next time. Perhaps he’d even draw a little blood.
A gentle breeze stirred the tents and fluttered the flames of the torches and campfires as Jeniah and her escorts stood at the edge of the rise. A single messenger carrying a torch rode through camp, cantering his beast steadily, unflinching as Darborian and Ardeene guards surrounded him and escorted him into the main tent.
Captain Tarvok appeared at Kai’s side, warily watching the Hanoran rider as he dismounted and spoke to one of the Darborian knights under Kai’s command.
An Ardeene runner arrived. “He says he’s under orders to speak to no one but the princess.”
Kai looked in alarm at Jeniah. “Are you too tired for this?”
She nodded serenely at the messenger. “I’m on my way.” She turned to Kai. “I’m fine. I must hear the messenger.”
Kai instinctively checked to ensure all his weapons were in place. They moved to the largest tent, where the planning meetings took place. Jeniah sank down in a seat. Her pallor alarmed him, but her expression remained calm. Tarvok cleared the table of its maps and scrolls before he sat next to her. Kai and the guards remained standing, their hands resting on their weapons. Expectant tension rippled the air.
A servant handed Jeniah a goblet, from which she drank deeply. The tent flap opened and a Hanoran soldier was escorted inside by four Darborians knights.
Jeniah blinked at the Hanoran. “I know you. You’re Prince Aragaëth’s first lieutenant. Dayel, correct?”
The Hanoran went down on both knees at her feet and bowed his head. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Kai tensed, watching for any sign of hostility. He knew the guards would have searched the Hanoran for weapons, and the lesser mage who had accompanied the Darborians to Arden would have checked him for dark magic, but Kai remained alert. Without looking at Garhren or Duvall, he knew they were as watchful.
His voice and posture perfectly respectful, the Hanoran said, “Thank you for seeing me, Your Highness. Prince Aragaëth wishes to discuss an alliance to help overthrow King Rheged.”
Kai stiffened and opened his mouth to demand what the Hanorans wanted in exchange, but Jeniah asked quietly, “And in return he wants . . . ?”
“Only to be king of Hanore.”
“And what of Arden?” Jeniah continued, poised and calm.
Kai watched her, amazed at her confident, commanding air. He sat in the presence of a queen.
The messenger looked steadily at her. “Arden will be yours, Your Highness, with Prince Aragaëth’s blessing, and his hope for a peaceful alliance.”
Captain Tarvok snorted. “And we should trust a Hanoran?”
The messenger glanced at Tarvok and then returned his gaze to Jeniah. “The Hanorans who follow Rheged are your enemies. Those who follow Aragaëth are your friends.”
Captain Tarvok stood. “I think we’re finished here.”
Jeniah placed a hand on his arm. “No. We’re not finished.” She turned to the messenger as a surprised Tarvok sat back down, watching her. “Tell Prince Aragaëth if he comes alone, he will be granted safe passage into our camp and I will listen to his offer. And I will grant him safe passage out.”
Kai stared at Jeniah. She actually considered joining forces with the barbarians who destroyed her home and murdered her family, and nearly slaughtered her in a brutal ceremony?
The messenger paused. “He requests that we meet in the middle of the field, Your Highness. You and he each bring two trusted advisors. No more. No less. And all come unarmed.”
“Agreed. Light a ring of torches at sunrise, and we will come. Only three of us. No weapons.” She gave the messenger a meaningful look. “I will have archers trained upon them, in case there is any duplicity, Lieutenant Dayel.”
He nodded, bowed, and left, flanked by the guards.
Tarvok turned to her. “Princess, do you think this is wise?”
“King Farai told me that Prince Aragaëth has been planning an uprising. He did treat me well when I was his prisoner. And he clearly hates his father. I believe Aragaëth to be trustworthy.”
Kai stared. “Treated you well? You’ve been beaten!”
She took his hand. “That happened at the hands of Rheged’s men after we arrived in Arden. Aragaëth never harmed me, nor did any of his men.”
“And if he plans to simply kill you the moment you arrive at his meeting place?” Tarvok demanded.
“He won’t. I’m sure.”
Captain Tarvok blinked, then stared at Jeniah as if he’d never seen her before. He looked wary, but reluctantly conceded. “As you said, archers will be ready, as will the rest of us. If he even thinks of harming you—”
Jeniah smiled gently and Tarvok faltered, clearly undone. “I will never forget your loyalty, Captain. And do not fear. If I must, I’m quite capable of
defending myself.”
Kai remembered her defeating the king’s sorceress with a mere touch of her hand. What other powers had she discovered in his absence? She wore quiet confidence like a mantle, and she almost glowed with latent power.
She also looked exhausted. “In the meantime, I need a bath. And more food.”
A servant hovering nearby snapped to attention. “It’s already prepared in your tent, Your Highness.”
Kai made sure Jeniah was safely in her tent, with Garhren and Duvall standing guard outside. Then Kai looked down and realized other men’s blood still spattered his hands and armor from the earlier battle. “I need a bath as well.”
“Your squire has already prepared that, sir,” replied a servant.
When Kai entered his tent, there sat his Ardeene squire, beaming.
Kai grinned. “Romand.”
“I heard you were here, sir.”
Kai resisted the urge to hug the lad and instead allowed Romand to help him out of his armor. An hour later, bathed, shaven, and changed, Kai waited impatiently for Jeniah. When she appeared, he simply stared. Vaguely, he wondered where a gown for her had been found. It was too long and too loose, but clean and well-made, the gown of a courtier. Her hair flowed freely around her slender body like a dark cloud. Even bruised, her face glowed with beauty. She looked up at him with such love that Kai had to swallow hard. Then she smiled, and Kai nearly fell to his knees.
Garhren and Duvall backed out. Garhren winked as he closed the tent flap behind him.
Jeniah glanced about, noticing the table set only for two. “No one else is joining us?”
Kai shook his head slowly. “I didn’t invite anyone else.”
Her mouth made an “oh” and her smile broadened. He reached for her and she willingly came into him. He wrapped his arms around her very gently, acutely aware of her injured body, and held her close. The doctor had assured him that none of her bones were broken, but he did not forget the way she winced when Garhren had hugged her.
Kai caressed her face and lightly kissed her cut and swollen lips, keeping the pressure gentle.
She responded without hesitation, completely opening up to his kiss with all the tenderness of her guileless heart. She followed his lead, her unpracticed kiss deepening with his. Astonished at the depth of her innocent passion, Kai tightened his arms around her and basked in the warmth and softness of her mouth. He kissed her until he feared he would lose his powers of resistance. Shaking with the effort, he dragged his lips away from hers and held her.
She lifted her head. “I felt your presence in the courtyard—it gave me the strength to cast off the spell the Lamia placed on me. The bits of metal in my arms dampened my magic, so without you there strengthening me, I would not have been able to defeat the sorceress.”
Kai tightened his arms around her. “I should have come sooner, before they put you in the tower. Before they hurt you. I should never have let them get to you in the first place. I should have kept you safe in Darbor.” He had to stop then or his emotions would get the better of him.
“Oh, Kai,” she breathed. “I hold you blameless.”
“I love you, Jeniah. No matter what, I love you. I don’t know what lays in store for us. I only know that it’s wrong not to love you.”
Saying the words renewed his conviction. Her arms tightened around him, and he basked in the feel of her body against his.
A small sob shook her frame. “I’ve longed to hear that. I’ve loved you since before Darbor, even knowing I may never earn your love in return.”
It had been plain the way she looked at him, though she resisted telling him, but somehow hearing her speak those words shook Kai to the core. He was undeserving of such devotion, such love.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t keep you safe in Darbor.” He swallowed hard. “I’ll never leave your side again.” He tightened his arms around her, loving the feel of her in his arms. She nestled against him without speaking.
A feminine voice cleared her throat. “Dinner, Your Highness?” A servant stood at the opened tent flap, holding a tray laden with dishes and cups.
Kai reluctantly released Jeniah. She smiled as he held out her seat for her. The food was served Ardeene style, with individual plates arriving one course at a time.
Jeniah coughed into her napkin then waved away his alarm. “It’s nothing. A mere cold.”
They ate in comfortable companionship as the courses arrived, but her color continued to fade, and Kai grew concerned. “You need rest. Dawn is only a few hours away.
“Perhaps.” She pushed away from the table, not able to touch the last course.
“Jeniah?”
She tried to stand, but her legs buckled. Kai shouted for help as she crumpled into his arms. Garhren tore inside, looking terrified, while Duvall ran for the doctor. Kai carried her to her tent and laid her down on the bed, while a concerned Ardeene servant fluttered about nervously. The doctor soon arrived.
Kai turned to Garhren and Duvall. “Go rest. I want you on watch tomorrow when she meets with the Hanoran prince.”
Jeniah lay on the bed, looking so still that Kai’s heart nearly stopped. He fell on his knees by the bed and caressed her face and hands. Fever radiated from her body.
The doctor gave her another cup of steaming herbs and spoke in a hushed voice. “The infection has set in already. It will probably be several days before she’s out of danger.”
Captain Tarvok entered then, wearing a look of fear and wonder. “There appears to be a chayim approaching.”
“She came,” Jeniah whispered. “I called for her.”
Tarvok leveled a steady gaze upon her. “I ordered a wide berth to be made. It’s coming straight for the tent.” He paused. “Are you chayim-bonded?”
A faint smile touched Jeniah’s lips, but she lacked the strength to keep her eyes open.
Kai answered, “She has been since before the invasion.”
Tarvok looked thunderstruck.
Kai stood at the tent opening and watched, along with every eye in the encampment, as the mythical beast padded silently into their midst. The large creature walked straight into the tent as if it knew exactly where to find its goal.
Kai and the others backed away slowly. The chayim turned and looked at Kai, great, dark eyes conveying a depth of wisdom. Kai blinked, astonished at the realization that this animal was not only sentient, but eternally wise. Kai had the impression he was in the presence of a sort of deity. He went down on one knee. Renewed remorse that he had killed such a creature swept over him. And this magnificent creature had saved his life many times.
The chayim moved to Jeniah. Those alarmingly sharp teeth carefully bit through the bandages on her wrists, and then a large, pink tongue licked the open sores. Kai stared in disbelief as flesh regenerated over the wounds until the skin looked as if it had never been damaged. The chayim nosed the princess, breathed into her face and licked her cheek. The cuts on her face healed and the bruises faded, leaving her skin creamy and flawless. Color flooded into Jeniah’s skin—a healthy, natural glow. Jeniah sat up and plunged her hands into the animal’s thick mane, an expression of rapture replacing the pain that had tightened her features only seconds ago.
Kai’s relief left him weak.
The chayim nosed Jeniah again before she moved to Kai. He bowed his head, wishing he could communicate both his regret for his actions and his gratitude for the chayim’s.
Ooomph. The chayim blew a great gust of air at him before she turned and padded silently out of the room, leaving a breathless hush in her wake.
Jeniah smiled steadily at Kai, her eyes clear. “She likes you.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
S tanding on the rocky outcropping that served as their lookout point, Jeniah watched as the three riders came into the middle of the field.
“That’s Prince Aragaëth in the middle,” Jeniah said to Kai and Captain Tarvok. “His lieutenant, Dayel, is on his left. I do not recognize the other soldi
er.”
The Hanorans were still far enough away that their features were difficult to determine in the first rays of dawn, but Prince Aragaëth’s form had become familiar to Jeniah.
She glanced at the man she loved, standing next to her. Smiling, she took his hand. Kai responded readily, twining his fingers with hers, and when he looked at her, his frown of concern and concentration softened. She wanted the world to go away so she could fling herself into his arms and kiss him senseless.
Captain Tarvok stood rigidly at her other side. He’d aged visibly since she left Arden with Kai, and a new, very ragged scar ran the length of his cheek. Tarvok looked at the Hanorans with narrowed eyes, his expression mirroring his mistrust.
The riders dismounted, spread several thick blankets on the ground, and sat to await them.
Flanked by Kai and Captain Tarvok, Jeniah climbed down the rock formation to three waiting duocorns. In between Kai’s Braygo and Tarvok’s mount stood a shining white duocorn.
A servant bowed as he handed her the reins. “A gift from the duke of Nortean. A queenly, mount, do you not think?”
Touched by the gesture, Jeniah stroked the beast’s neck and rubbed the velvety nose. “Indeed, he is.”
The white duocorn stood almost twice the size of her childhood duocorn, Egan, nearly rivaling Kai’s Braygo. The beast looked her over and then nuzzled her hand. All around her, people whispered that she was chayim-bonded and destined for greatness. Jeniah felt the heavy weight of responsibility for her people. She prayed she would not fail them.
Kai lifted her into the saddle and she settled upon the back of the duocorn. She stifled a smile as two ladies-in-waiting rushed forward to arrange her skirts and cloak until they draped grandly. Riding between Kai and Captain Tarvok, she walked her mount through the camp.
People paused in their tasks and bowed as Jeniah passed them. Word had spread of her return, and Ardeenes from all trades and professions were flocking to her banner, offering their willingness to fight. Jeniah was shocked at the sheer numbers that arrived. Between midnight and dawn, the Ardeene army had already swelled to almost twice its previous size, leaving the Darborian knights a staggering number of unskilled recruits clamoring to be taught how to fight. For Arden. For the queen. The realization was humbling.
