The King's Warrior (Pict King Series Book 2)

by Donna Fletcher

  “It is a well-guarded secret. I wonder if the Northmen even know who they deal with,” Vard said.

  “Now you understand why I dismissed my guards,” the King said. “From what Vard says, it will be difficult to trust anyone among us. That does not count you and Paine. I trust both of you with my life, but it was best I kept this to myself until I had more proof of my suspicions. And I also wanted to know if Verity or Hemera could have been planted here by Ulric. I do not believe they have been, but to make certain, I intend to have Anin use her talents to tell me something about them.”

  “Anin will confirm what a good and trustworthy woman my wife is,” Wrath said.

  “It is good you do not object,” the King said.

  “Would it matter if I did?” Wrath asked.

  “No,” the King said, “Vard must leave here without being seen so that he may resume his mission.”

  “I assume since you got him in here without anyone seeing him, you will see to his departure as well,” Wrath said.

  “It is not for you to concern yourself with. Now go tell Paine that just before dusk I will see him and Anin in the High Council Chambers and you, Verity, and Hemera as well.”

  Wrath nodded and turned to Vard. “You have my respect for taking on such a difficult task and I wish you well. I also commend you for keeping silent to me when I all but accused you of not being loyal to the King.”

  Vard smiled. “It actually helped my mission. Tongues wagged about it and it helped Menton to trust me even more.”

  “Good luck, my friend,” Wrath said and after clasping arms with Vard he left.

  He went directly to Paine’s dwelling that sat a distance from the others. Paine and Anin soon would move to the Master Builder’s home, a larger dwelling than most and Paine would continue his duties as executioner until someone was found to take his place—a nearly impossible task.

  The news was received as Wrath expected—with anger.

  “Anin has suffered an injury and she needs rest,” Paine argued.

  “I would feel the same if it was Verity, but the King commands it,” Wrath said and looked to Anin. She sat up on the sleeping pallet, her injured leg covered with a cloth that had probably been soaked with a special brew to help the pain and any swelling. “You and the bairn are well otherwise?”

  “I feel quite well and I do not mind being of service to the King. He has been good to me and to Paine.” She reached her hand out to her husband and Paine took it and sat beside her on the pallet. “It will be a good excuse to be carried in your arms, a place I most often want to be.”

  Wrath watched how Anin’s words and her gentle smile melted Paine’s anger. He had thought Paine foolish for allowing Anin, then the future Queen, to affect him so, but now having lost his heart to Verity, he understood.

  There was no controlling the heart once another touched it. Anin had touched Paine’s heart and Verity had touched his. He wished Talon could know the same, but that would never be.

  “I am so pleased you have found a good wife, Wrath,” Anin said her smile wide. “I look forward to meeting and getting to know her. I am sure we will be good friends.”

  “I am sure you will find her a kindred spirit and I will say no more, since the King wants to hear from you about Verity. I will take my leave now so that you may rest. I will see you at the High Council Chamber just before dusk,” Wrath said, reminding them as he headed out the door.

  Wrath went to his dwelling, wanting to let his wife know about the King’s summons. He found her and her sister where he had left them, sitting on the sleeping pallet talking.

  “I do not wish to interrupt your time together, but you should know that the King has summoned you both, and Anin and Paine as well, to the High Council Chambers just before dusk,” he said, hoping his wife would be less concerned knowing Paine and Anin would also be there.

  Verity felt her insides tighten. “What does he want?”

  Hemera answered more quickly than Verity had ever known her to answer. “He intends to have Anin touch us and see what she can tell him.”

  Verity stared at her sister, then looked to Wrath, then turned to her sister once again. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “Anin has a gift, born of her mother’s tribe, the Wyse. When she touches people she feels what they feel and she also sees things about them. Her grandmother, Esplin was teaching her how better to control it. I spoke to Esplin about you and she told me that you can be taught to control your visions as well. She would be only too pleased to teach you.” She turned to Wrath. “It pleases me to know that you care deeply for my sister, visions and all.”

  Verity did not hear them, all had gone silent around her, though no darkness chased after her. It was her own worries that had her drifting off. Her visions often disturbed her, seeing things about other people when she had no right to. She did not like the idea that Anin would touch her and know about her.

  “I am curious as to what happened to you after the storm struck at sea,” Wrath asked, leaning against the door with his arms crossed to listen.

  His words pulled Verity out of her musings, for she too was curious to know what had happened to her sister. She cast an eye at her husband and a yearning settled over her. He had removed his cloak and his muscles grew taut as he crossed his arms against his chest and she could not help but strip him naked in her mind. A foolish thing for her to do since she grew aroused at the image she was now unable to get out of her head. If they were alone, she would have shed her garments and gone to him and he would have lifted her and—she shook her head. When she looked at her husband again, he was wearing that smile that tempted and teased and all but shouted I know you want me, why deny yourself?

  Later, wife, he mouthed as Hemera filled her vessel with more brew before she spoke.

  “There is not much to tell. I woke to find myself alone on the shore. I was soaked through and had to get warm and soon after I found myself with the Wyse Tribe.”

  Sounding as if she had not given much thought to search for her sister, he asked, “Were you not worried about Verity?”

  “Why should I have been? I knew she would come across the warrior she had seen numerous times in her vision and that he would help her. She talked about you, when able, often enough. You never failed her in her visions, so I trusted you would not fail her when you met. Now that I have satisfied your curiosity, satisfy my concern. Why are there bruises on my sister’s face?”

  Verity had forgotten all about the bruises. Why had Hemera waited until now to mention them? Did she believe Wrath had raised his hand to her?

  “It was Lars,” Verity said quickly and went on to explain what had happened.

  Hemera remained quiet after Verity finished until she finally asked, “What will the King do about this?”

  “Protect his people,” Wrath said.

  “The Northmen are a vicious lot, though not very wise,” Hemera said, looking at no one in particular, appearing as if she spoke more to herself.

  Wrath was going to answer when he caught his wife shaking her head.

  Verity stood and took the vessel from Hemera and as she did Hemera moved back on the pallet to rest her back against the wall and pull her knees up to her chest. And there she sat, staring.

  Verity went to Wrath, his arm shooting out to snag her around her waist when she got close and ease her up against him.

  “I have missed you, wife,” he whispered near her ear before nibbling on it.

  It tickled in more ways than one and she found herself aching to be alone with him, but right at the moment she had Hemera to think about.

  Wrath did not expect the worry he saw in her eyes and he whispered, “What troubles you?”

  Verity looked over at her sister, her head tilted to the side as she remained lost in her own world.

  Wrath released her and grabbed their cloaks, draping hers over her shoulders before throwing his around his shoulders. He opened the door and with a hand to the small of her back, eased h
er out of the dwelling. Once he closed the door behind him, he took her hand and began to walk. “Now tell me what troubles you.”

  “I think only of myself.”

  “What nonsense do you speak?” he scolded gently.

  “I am overjoyed that Hemera is finally here and safe, but she will have to share our dwelling and—”

  “No, Hemera will not be sharing our dwelling. I will speak with Gelhard and see what dwelling is available. And we will see her comfortably settled there—this evening.”

  “It would be cruel to leave her alone after just being reunited.”

  Wrath tried to stop the words from coming out of his mouth but they slipped out anyway. “If you do not want your sister spending this evening only, I can find a sleeping pallet elsewhere for this eve and this eve alone only.”

  Anger sparked in Verity. “And whose pallet would that be?”

  Wrath grinned. “With that murderous look in your eyes, I would say sharing a pallet with the animals might be the safest place for me.”

  Verity stopped walking and wrapped her arms around her husband’s middle and laid her head on his chest. “I do not want to be parted. I want you next to me in our sleeping pallet each and every evening of our lives.” She sighed. “I am a terrible sister.”

  “We can settle this easily. We will sleep together and we will fix a sleeping pallet on the floor for your sister.”

  Verity raised her head to look at him. “But then we cannot—”

  He pressed his finger to her lips. “Do not remind me. We do this for your sister. As you said it is not right to leave her on her own when she has just returned to you.” Wrath cast a glance to the sky. “Dusk will settle soon. We need to get to the High Council Chambers.”

  They returned to the dwelling to find Hemera running her fingers through her red curls, trying to tame them some.

  “We must go,” Verity said.

  Hemera picked up her cloak off the sleeping pallet to drop over her shoulders. Before she joined them at the door, she stopped and stared for a moment.

  “Is something wrong, Hemera?” Wrath asked.

  “I am most grateful that I now have a home here, but,” —she hesitated— “forgive me but I cannot abide sleeping with other people in a room. A small place, enough for a sleeping pallet would be fine. I hope my request has not offended you.”

  Verity wondered what remnant was left of her sister’s time with the Northmen that had caused her to make such a request. Her heart went out to her and she hoped there would come a time Hemera would speak with her about it.

  “That will not be a problem, Hemera. I will see to it for you,” Wrath said.

  Wrath could not keep a smile from his face and, with much guilt, neither could Verity as they followed Hemera out the door.

  Chapter Thirty

  Paine and Anin were already in the High Council Chamber when Wrath arrived with Verity and Hemera. The King had yet to arrive, but then Wrath knew that before entering since two of the King’s personal guards were not outside the chamber door.

  Verity hesitated to approach Paine, not Hemera.

  “Where is Bog?” she asked Paine.

  “He is outside, keeping himself busy while he waits for us.”

  Hemera nodded and after asking Anin how her leg was, wandered around the room.

  Wrath nudged his wife over to the couple, whispering, “Paine looks fiercer than he is.”

  Verity did not believe him. He looked like a frighteningly fierce warrior to her. He was as thick with muscles as he was covered in body drawings from what she could see peeking out from the sleeves of his tunic and the ones that ran up his neck. And he was the executioner, meaning he had taken many lives with that double-sided battle axe he had been carrying when she had first seen him.

  “Paine, Anin, my wife Verity,” Wrath said as he seated her across from them at the table, then sat beside her.

  “I am so pleased to meet you,” Anin said. “Hemera spoke so often about you that I feel as if I know you. I am sure we will be good friends.”

  Her gentle voice soothed and her lovely features captivated, but still Verity did not feel at ease, knowing that when she rested her hand on her, she would know more than Verity wanted her to.

  “I am pleased to meet you and I am forever grateful that you welcomed my sister into your tribe and kept her safe.”

  “Hemera is a wonderful woman. My grandmother adores her.”

  “So does Bog,” Paine said with a slight scowl.

  “Jealous that Bog likes Hemera better than you?” Wrath asked with a laugh.

  Paine never got to respond, the King entered the room and before they could hurry to their feet, the King ordered, “Stay.” And he took a seat at the head of the table.

  Verity moved closer to Wrath and his arm rested at her hip and his hand on her leg, and she was grateful for his comforting touch. She did not know why the King frightened her so much, though whenever she saw him, she could not help but think him a cold and uncaring man. He did have fine features, almost too fine. It was as if he had been created by the gods the Northmen worshiped. Even the strange drawing that ran down the one side of his face did not distract from his exceptional features, though it did send a chill through her.

  She watched as his eyes went around the room and she felt her stomach roil when she realized...

  “Verity, where is your sister?”

  “Hemera was here a moment ago,” Wrath said, his head turning to search the room.

  Paine agreed, having a look as well.

  “She is not here now,” the King said annoyed. “Find her!”

  Before Wrath and Paine could get to their feet, Hemera entered the room with Bog.

  “Bog remains outside,” the King ordered.

  Hemera stared at him as if she did not understand him, then said, “It is cold out.”

  “He is a wolf,” the King said.

  “It is cold out,” Hemera repeated.

  “He is a wolf,” King Talon repeated.

  “You need reminding of that since you have repeated it twice?” There was no ridicule or malice in her tone. It was as if she simply asked out of curiosity.

  Verity went to rush off the bench to her sister and offer an apology to the King.

  King Talon stilled her with one word. “Sit!”

  Wrath looked to the King and spoke low. “Do you recall our discussion about Hemera?”

  King Talon thought a moment and remembered she was slow-minded. He nodded, then spoke with a commanding tone, but not sharpness. “Bog is only allowed in here on special occasions.”

  Hemera smiled. “Wonderful! It is a special occasion that Verity and I have been reunited, so Bog is allowed to stay.” She walked to the table, Bog remaining by her side and when she sat, the wolf sat beside her, leaning his body against her leg.

  There was complete silence in the room and Verity noticed how Anin’s hand went to rest on her husband’s arm as if attempting to calm him. She wished she could go and sit beside Hemera and help her watch her words.

  “Let us be done with this,” the King said and everyone nodded except Anin.

  The King looked to Hemera and Verity rested her hand over her husband’s, squeezing it.

  “Hemera, what can you tell me of the Northmen?”

  She thought a moment before answering, “Some have evil hearts and some are good men.”

  The King waited for her to say more and when she did not he asked, “Why would they follow you and Verity here?”

  “I have been wondering about that.”

  Again the King waited for her to say more and when she did not he asked, “And what do you think?”

  “I have not had enough time to think on it.”

  The King was growing impatient and it showed with the spark of annoyance that lit in his eyes and the sharpness that returned to his tongue. “So you can tell me nothing?”

  “I have made you angry.”

  Verity spoke up, too worried for her
sister to remain quiet. “Hemera and I have talked about the Northmen and we do not know why they are here.”

  “He did not ask me why the Northmen were here. He asked me why they would follow us here,” Hemera said.

  “Why do you think the Northmen are here, Hemera?” King Talon demanded.

  “Why are you angry?”

  “Answer me,” he demanded again.

  Hemera sighed. “The Northmen are here to find a way to conquer you and take your lands. The Northmen go nowhere without thought of conquering. Now will you stop being angry?”

  King Talon was about to snap at her and caught himself. “Aye, Hemera, I will stop being angry.” She smiled at him and he realized what a beautiful woman she was, but though she was a woman, she spoke more like a child and he had to remember that.

  Hemera suddenly stood. “You need no more from me. Bog and I will take our leave now.”

  “I am not finished,” the King said once again fighting to keep hold on his annoyance.

  “Then continue,” she said and turned to go, Bog following close beside her.

  “Hemera!” King Talon called out.

  She turned. “I forgot. You wanted Anin to touch me so that she may tell you about me and what she sees.” She waved her hand at Anin and smiled. “She can tell you everything, since she touched me when I arrived at the Wyse Tribe to see if she could help me find my sister.” With that Hemera was out the door before anyone could stop her.

  Verity quickly offered her apology. “I am so sorry, my King, Hemera means no disrespect and—”

  The King raised his hand silencing her. “I understand why you were so anxious to find her. She will be safe here.”

  “You have my everlasting gratitude, my King,” she said with such relief that she sagged back against her husband.

  The King turned to Anin. “Is there anything you think I should know about Hemera?”

  “Hemera is kinder than most I have met and she has a,” —she hesitated a moment— “unique mind. She will bring you no harm, only,” —again she hesitated— “wonder.”

  “That she will,” the King said with a shake of his head and turned again to Verity. “Give Anin your arm.”