by K S Nikakis
Chapter 15
As far as Viv could tell, things unfolded as Baraghan planned. No one accosted her, so either Anfarena hadn’t bothered to pursue her, or had been thwarted and, as darkness fell, Ershen appeared from the direction of Stelin Ridge with Caibel’s cloak, hauled her onto the back of his horse, and galloped her back to Esh-accom. Music drifted from Axian as they hugged the back streets and entered the shabbier area she’d been in before.
‘Which quarter are we in?’ she whispered, peering sideways at the dilapidated walls.
‘Miraj.’
The same quarter as the Syld’s compound, but that was all the compounds had in common. Melbourne had gracious mansions and rundown hovels, she reminded herself, as did most cities. And people had existed in separate worlds in her home town too.
Ershen pushed the rickety door open and rode in but the only person who seemed to be home was an ancient man so bent, he could raise only his eyes to Viv and not his head. Ershen didn’t go beyond the yard, but Viv deduced the man’s name was Morvin, and that the compound’s inhabitants celebrated Enda’s gifts at Axian.
She followed Morvin’s shambling form down the passageway, hoping she wasn’t the reason he’d missed the festivities, to a room where everything from the bed to the clothing chest looked new. Baraghan’s influence even extended to a single sprig of glis leaves on the mantel piece. ‘Thank you, Morvin,’ she said. ‘You don’t need to stay. I’ll—’
‘I will fetch your meal,’ said Morvin, and shuffled out.
Viv hoped he intended to fetch it, not cook it, or she’d be stuck there all night. She didn’t know when Cadestone’s festivities ended, but the flow of noise from Axian told her the square was crowded, and Poss might be there.
Morvin’s slow steps advanced up the passageway and she met him at the door to take the tray. ‘Thank you, Morvin. I won’t be needing anything else tonight,’ she said, having to address the top of his head. ‘As soon as I’ve eaten, I’m going out. I can let myself back in later. You don’t need to be here,’ she added, not knowing whether he needed to be there or not.
‘I will be here for Baraghan en-Esh-accom’s guest.’
‘Oh … thank you,’ said Viv. ‘And thank you for the food,’ she added awkwardly.
‘It is as Baraghan en-Esh-accom ordered.’
Viv set the tray on the table. Ordered, not requested, or asked, or provided by her hosts, the owners of the compound, unless Baraghan owned this compound too. Her gaze settled on the glis. Baraghan equated good fortune with good planning and he’d certainly planned for her return! He’d have guessed the Syld would lock her out, and she’d need somewhere to stay, and that she’d want to see Poss. He’d provided the same luxury here as in his compound, right down to the glis, but the glis, like the angel-adorned cover, were to remind her of what only they two shared.
He’d been to Ezam, and seen Thris, although the Syld had seen Thris too, at the entertainments and at Stelin Ridge. In fact, according to Baraghan, Thris and the Syld had spoken. She wondered what the Syld had told Sehereden. She bet nothing that showed her in a good light!
Baraghan had told her early he was elddric, which was odd, given that not even the elddra trumpeted their bloodline. He was certainly comfortable in his skin, but what worried her was knowing he did nothing without expectation of return.
Viv ate quickly, which wasn’t hard because the food was delicious and she was hungry. Having hunger return was inconvenient given she’d have to journey to Astraal at some stage, and she wondered again why Erath or the erathi, had changed her. Maybe dealing with human emotions of love and hate made her more human, which was ironic, given she was almost all angel.
She set out, the sound of revelry grew as she neared the square, the scarf tied firmly over her hair. The embroidered cloth matched her dark blue trousers and silver-buttoned jacket. People would be dressed in their finery, given they celebrated Enda’s gifts. She smiled wryly. Imagine the pregnancies of so many unmarried women being celebrated at home. The press would have a field day at the moral laxity of today’s young women, but there’d be no mention of the men who’d knocked them up.
Axian was so crowded she had trouble wedging into the throng. At least her chances of being seen by Anfarena’s henchmen, or the Syld’s, were small, unless she bumped into them, which was possible, given the pack. She shuffled along in the same direction as those around her, and slid sideways towards the music, a good a place as any to start her search.
The crowds were ten deep around the dance square but Viv edged closer as each medley ended, and dancers came and went. Viv recognised a tune from her journey with Amethen’s sett when only the men had danced and sure enough, women cleared the dance square.
The music sounded Greek and the men danced in circles, hands linked and heads thrown back. The Syld was amongst them and Viv struggled not to stare. The physicality of the dance was intensely attractive and the men’s finery added to the spectacle as it flashed in the lamplight.
Sehereden wouldn’t be far away and she slipped closer until she was behind a tall woman in a red scarf. The dance ended and most of the men moved off, but some remained, including the Syld. Then Baraghan joined them and, as the music started again and the men linked hands, looked directly at her and smiled.
Viv was sure she was hidden from the dance square, but Ershen probably kept tabs on her. The dance turned out to be a more complicated version of the previous one and a test of strength, and the number of dancers dwindled as the leaps became higher. Soon only the Syld and Baraghan remained.
Viv watched enthralled as the dance reached its climax, then joined in the enthusiastic applause. Both men bowed to the crowd, but Baraghan bowed a second time in her direction. The red-scarfed woman dipped her head, so maybe he bowed to her, but Viv didn’t think so. She watched the Syld exit the dance square and as the crowd parted, saw Sehereden.
He embraced the Syld and smiled as he turned to the woman beside him. Ithreya; clad in a pale blue and silver Enda’s Emblem and heavily pregnant. Her arm was looped through Sehereden’s and she laughed up at him. Then the Syld hoisted Poss into his arms, and she laughed too.
Viv stared at the tableau hungrily. Poss looked happy as she wriggled in her father’s embrace, and Sehereden looked happy too and, as he glanced at Ithreya, in love. Viv jerked her gaze back to Poss, desperate to imprint her image on her memory. It might be a year before she saw her again.
The musicians started again and the red-scarfed woman moved onto the dance floor. Shift ya arse, Vivi. You’ve seen the kid, and the state of things between the man ya fancy and the pretty blonde. Time to be on ya way. But even as Viv turned, Ithreya glanced in her direction and froze. Viv shook her head urgently and brought her finger to her lips, then slipped back into the crowd. Her heart thudded as she made her way towards Anaten but Ithreya had every reason to keep quiet. Viv had competed for Sehereden’s love and, despite carrying Sehereden’s child, Viv’s reappearance made Ithreya’s lein-tryst less certain. And it should be certain, Viv told herself, as she hurried along.
She was tempted to grab her pack and take herself off to Tahsin’s sett tonight but Baraghan liked to win and the gangs had taught her the cost of thwarting men like him. He’d done a lot for her too, including mending her arm, although that debt might be the Syld’s, but whatever she owed, she wasn’t paying with her body.
He might not have his sights on her, anyway, except as an easy conquest. Right Vivi, he’s just a really, really, generous guy. He’d want children, which she couldn’t give him, so her infertility might be her get out of jail free card, and he was promiscuous, so emphasising her desire for one true, faithful lover, might work too. She could also tell him her heart belonged to Sehereden, which would be easy, given it wasn’t a lie, but none of it repaid the debt.
The compound was in darkness and she wondered whether Morvin had gone to the festivities after all, but the lamps in her room were lit and Baraghan lounged at the table. ‘Welcome bac
k, Violet Iris Vacia,’ he said, rising. ‘I trust you enjoyed the festivities?’
‘Not really,’ said Viv honestly.
‘No,’ agreed Baraghan. ‘I imagine hiding from those who’d harm you, like the elddra, and from those you love, like the Syld’s daughter and his lein, would be unpleasant.’
Viv said nothing, and Baraghan and produced a package wrapped in gold cloth. ‘It’s customary to give gifts during Cadestone’s festivities. Please accept mine,’ he said, with a bow.
‘You’ve already given me gifts,’ said Viv, making no move to take it. ‘You’ve gifted me beautiful rooms here and in your own compound, and clothes, and food. And you’ve gifted me a chance to see Poss again. I don’t want to increase my debt.’
‘Gifts do not elicit debts,’ said Baraghan, smiling.
Something she might have to remind him of later, thought Viv, as she accepted the package. ‘Thank you,’ she said, but her heart sank as she realised what it was. She’d thought the Waradi tryst-bracelet beautiful, but this one was highly polished gold, and set with blue and white gems.
‘To match your amè,’ said Baraghan softly.
‘I can’t take it,’ she said, and set it on the table. ‘I don’t love you.’
‘Oh, I know that,’ said Baraghan, picking it up and turning it over in his hands. ‘You’re in love with Sehereden en-Scinta-ril, who’s in love with Ithreya en-Verra-ril, who carries his seed- or choose-child.’ Baraghan settled on the chair again and clasped his hands behind his head. ‘But Ithreya en-Verra-ril will only ever have a small part of Sehereden en-Scinta-ril’s love, the small part Ataghan en-Scinta-ril allows his lein to give to others.’
Baraghan considered her from under half-closed lids. ‘Ataghan en-Scinta-ril’s a greedy man as well as a violent one, Violet Iris Vacia. He takes his lein’s love but gives little in return. Sehereden en-Scinta-ril seems unaware of this, but he’s less perceptive than the Vale’s women. Oh, they queue at the semna-firi tents to couple with the tournament’s champion, but come Lirium, and Glimwing, and Cadestone, they gift their children to men who are capable of giving love.’
Baraghan straightened. ‘I understand why you hanker after a man like Sehereden en-Scinta-ril, but know this: only death breaks a leinship. Force Sehereden en-Scinta-ril to choose between you and his lein, and he won’t choose you. And even if there were no leinship, consider how a tryst with him would end. You’re Angellus, Violet Iris Vacia, and will live longer than any Valen. You will see your lover’s hair go grey and the pleasure he gives you in bed fail. You will see him grow old and broken. You will see him die.
‘And that won’t be the worst of it,’ he added softly, rising. ‘The children Enda gifts you will be half his blood and you will see them wither and die too.’ He smoothed the curls from her face. ‘I am a quarter Angellus, but Angellus blood runs strong in my veins. I returned from Ezam, when the Angellus said it was impossible, and heal with my breath and hands, skills denied the elddra who view me with disdain.’
His fingers caressed her cheek and lifted her chin. ‘I have many skills, apart from those of a surgeon, Violet Iris Vacia, that would bring you pleasure.’ His lips brushed hers. ‘You would enjoy every luxury in my compound, including the freedom from fear. Think on what I’ve said, and you’ll find it’s true.’
He stepped back and picked up the bracelet again. ‘Cadestone’s trysting ceremonies end tomorrow night, but I understand that might be too soon for you. We can lein-tryst any time, and have Esh-accom’s Sylds make it known.’ He took her hand and slipped the bracelet on. ‘Wear it to please me, but keep it hidden till then, if that’s what you wish.’
Chapter 16
Viv took the bracelet off as soon as he’d gone. The Waradi rapist had used a tryst-bracelet to claim her, and in his own way, Baraghan was just as dangerous, not that she thought he’d attack her. But his plan for her to stay included painting a bleak picture of her alternatives.
He was right about Sehereden’s love for his lein and for Ithreya, and that he’d always choose the Syld over others. And he was right that her angel blood meant she’d out live any man she chose, including Sehereden. Don’t fret, Vivi. Maybe you’ll meet Mr Right in Astraal. Plenty of Daimon and Du-Daimon there to choose from. But Baraghan was wrong about the Syld. The arsehole was violent and took more of Sehereden’s love than he returned, but she’d seen him with Poss. For all his faults, the Syld was capable of great love.
All very interesting, Vivi, but that kinda leaves ya high and dry, unless ya considering becoming Mrs Baraghan. Viv scowled. Jimmy Wright had cured her of the wish to Mrs anything, as had Rim in his own way. Love was transitory, and she’d never trade her freedom on the fool’s hope it’d endure.
But she wasn’t free now. Baraghan would be on his guard tonight because of her reluctance to fall into line, but leaving anytime would be difficult. She was pretty sure Baraghan didn’t know she had wings or he’d have demanded to see them, so she could still fly away, but she wanted to leave on good terms. He’d make a powerful enemy and she already had enough of those.
* * *
Sehereden downed his urrut-sa in a single gulp and clanked the mug back on the table. Mereya had baked endesi, the spiced tocki special to Cadestone, and his jaw clenched as he stared at the platter. Their ring-shapes symbolised tryst-bracelets, but trysting this zadican ended tomorrow night. He’d traded for a tryst-bracelet when they’d returned from the Scinta-ril, but was no closer to passing his and Ithreya’s names to Esh-accom’s Sylds. He knew Ithreya felt no such doubts, and it shamed him he didn’t feel the same. Most of At’s band were still at the festivities but Fariye and Ithreya’s weariness had brought them back early.
The sound of his lein’s quick footsteps down the passageway told him Fariye had settled at last and he hoped she slept through the night. Bringing her back to the compound she’d been taken from had woken the terrors of her abduction and he knew Ataghan regretted not leaving her in Brithergen’s compound. But Fariye had convinced herself Viv would return to their compound in Esh-accom, and had sobbed until Ataghan had relented.
She’d enjoyed the music and dance, and the shallit of course, but insisted they visit the wall multiple times a day to watch for Viv’s return, and in the end, Ataghan had explained Viv was probably dead. Fariye would have none of it. Her lein had pledged to come back for a final goodbye, and come back she would.
Ataghan came in and settled opposite, and Sehereden watched him fill their mugs with urrut-sa. His face still wore the honed wariness of fighting that Sehereden hoped would fade for good when they returned to the Scinta-ril.
‘Here’s to our second last night in Esh-accom, and to a lein-tryst for you,’ said Ataghan, raising his mug.
‘I can drink to the first half of that,’ said Sehereden, as they clinked mugs.
‘You’ve only got tomorrow night, lein.’
‘I know.’
‘I thought Ithreya was willing.’
‘She’s more than willing.’
‘Then why the delay? She’ll gift you a seed-child this zadican, and if Enda smiles on her, another next.’ Sehereden half shrugged and Ataghan leaned across the table. ‘What troubles you?’
‘The same thing that troubles, Fariye.’
Ataghan’s mouth twisted. ‘The elddra? It’s as I’ve told you. She was dead when the Angellus retrieved her and according to Baraghan, if he’s to be trusted, her presence here was no more than an accident.’
Sehereden smiled. ‘Maybe like Fariye, I need that final goodbye.’
‘Don’t make the same mistake I did, lein,’ said Ataghan softly. ‘You risk losing, Ithreya, and your child. Nothing is certain. There are many who would gladly take your place, and will if you delay.’
‘You’re probably right,’ said Sehereden, sipping his urrut-sa.
Ataghan emptied his mug and rose. ‘I’m going out. You’ll see to Fariye if she wakes?’
‘Of course.’
Ataghan strode away but
Sehereden remained at the table. Even the mention of Viv angered his lein, and in Esh-accom’s confines, the only way he could expel his anger was through action. It was different when they were beyond a settlement’s bounds, and the eyes of others, and far more damaging. Sehereden sighed. He looked forward to being back at the Scinta-ril. His lein needed time to heal, and the Scinta-ril’s beauty would give him the place and time, to do it.
Sehereden was roused by Fariye’s screams. hurried to her room, and lifted her from the bed. She clung to him, caught between sleep and wakefulness, as he paced the room. Her sobs subsided but her ragged breaths contained Viv’s name, as they always did.
The door opened and he turned, expecting Ataghan, but it was Ithreya. She’d thrown a shawl over her sleeping gown and her loose blonde hair tumbled over it like a shining waterfall. She settled on a chair next to the fire, and watched him pace. Sehereden watched her too, his gaze taking in the curve of her belly under her gown. Ataghan was right. He was a fool to risk losing so much.
When he knew Fariye slept, he slipped her back into bed and kissed her forehead. He remembered when his lein had brought her to the Scinta-ril as a squalling baby with a tuft of dark hair. Ataghan had neither lein- or si-tryst with him but there were other men’s lein- and si-trysts in the sett. Fariye had lacked no mothering but it had been he and Ataghan who’d had the joy of raising her.
Fariye had been two before Ataghan had revealed Fariye’s mother, and that he’d refused her a lein-tryst, and he’d only told him then because he’d been distraught at Sirenya’s death. If At had lein-trysted, Sirenya might still live, and Fariye have seed-brothers and sisters.
‘Come sit with me, Sehereden,’ said Ithreya softly. ‘We need to talk.’
‘Yes, we do,’ he said, settling opposite.
‘I’ve wanted a lein-tryst with you since I saw you here in Esh-accom nearly six zadicans ago,’ began Ithreya, without preamble. ‘When you came to Amethen’s sett, I thanked Enda for a second gift, for Enda had gifted me early atunement. But Enda sent Viv too, or maybe Soaich did.’ She half shrugged. ‘It’s hard for Valen women to compete with elddra, but Viv wasn’t like other elddra. She was young and the sett’s men spoke of nothing else, and nor did the women, for that matter.
