The Monastery at Jefe sat amid an orchard, not far from the escarpment and many leagues from Brutal. Lonely yet beautiful, it still held the peace of the gods the monks worshipped before Theodoric turned his priest-soldiers against them, killing most. He had sworn to turn all of the Federation to the worship of Usa’a’mah, regardless of the old laws that allowed free worship. I briefly wondered how the gods of this place felt about his usurping their worshipers. During a brief tour of the place, I found no relics or statues remained. Looters had cleaned it completely. Only rats, birds and an occasional traveler lived here now.
Ly’Tana came out of the monastery doors, her bow and sword in their customary place across her back, and walked toward me. She wore her warrior garb, a tiny leather vest and skirt, kidskin boots, and silver archer’s wrist guards. A simple leather thong held back her waist-length red-gold hair from her face, while a torque of royalty and several gold chains adorned her slender neck. The jewel in her navel winked at me, and I found myself unable to look away from it.
Embarrassed, I yanked my gaze back to her face. Her entire presence created a strange heat within me, a feeling I had never known before. She smiled as she approached, the sunlight flashing off her kitten teeth. The only mar to her exotic beauty was a bruise over her left cheekbone, a reminder of the Tongu’s fists.
In a fluid, graceful move, she jumped up on the wall to sit beside me.
“You are looking well,” she commented after a swift looking-over.
I owned a host of scars, one prominent over my right eye, another slash over my left cheekbone, and a nose that had been broken not once but several times. Perhaps she was only being polite. She smelled of lilac and leather and clean wholesome female. My breath caught as I took up her hand to kiss it.
“As are you, Highness.”
For a moment, she looked shy, her tilted green eyes disconcerted, her smile revealing dimples I had not noticed before. She behaved like an awkward girl, as though I were a courtier offering a marriage proposal. Me marry her? While I prayed that one day I would marry a girl like Ly’Tana, I knew she could never marry me. Her royal blood deserved a better man than me.
Then her expression clouded over, her white kitten teeth biting her lower lip. Her eyes broke from mine to stare at first over the fields, then downwards. Her clean, fresh smelling red-gold hair slithered down cover her shoulders to cascade down her back. I wanted to plunge my hands into their soft strands and pull her face to mine.
“While I have this moment alone with you,” she began slowly, her eyes on her hands folded in her lap, “I need to apologize, and beg your forgiveness.”
This startled me. “Apologize, Highness?”
Ly’Tana’s voice dropped, shame bringing a flush to her cheeks, a droop to her shoulders. Her face came up, her hair swinging back, as she gazed across the clean sunlit fields. Her pink tongue emerged to caress the upper lip I so wanted to kiss. For some obscure reason, she liked looking at the distance rather than at me.
“For abandoning you. It goes against our code of honor to leave a warrior behind. I left you—to your fate. In their hands. I should not have run. I am a coward.”
I almost smiled. Yet, I knew if I did, Ly’Tana would misunderstand the smile, and think I laughed at her. That would break her heart. Instead, I took her hand. I played with it for a moment, turning it over, gently massaging her knuckles while I considered, and cast aside, words to say to her. Still finding the distant horizon more interesting than my face, Ly’Tana kept her head turned away.
“Look at me, Ly’Tana.”
For a long moment, she refused, stared first wildly at the orchards, then downward into her lap, her hand lax in mine. I waited, patient, allowing her to take her time, to find her courage. After a moment, she sighed and looked up. Looked me in the eye, her face tense, miserable, hating herself. I decided the simple truth might work the best.
“You did not leave me.”
“But I ran—”
“You did as I bade you. Remember?”
She shook her head, her mouth opening to negate me. I pressed a finger over her lips, effectively silencing her. I willed her to look deep into my eyes, and she obeyed, reluctantly, her green gaze filled with pain, with self-loathing.
“Had you not run when I told you, you would have been caught again. I would still have endured the same beating. You would have suffered rape by all of them, repeatedly, until you were nigh unto death itself. And I would have suffered the same.”
Her eyes widened. I nodded. “Brutal caught me, I would have been chained to his bed and sodomized till he killed me. Or, until I wished he had. Or until I became a mindless, breathing piece of broken meat.”
Now I was the one who could not meet her gaze. I looked out over the shaggy green fields, the orchards growing wild, the Kel’Hallan warriors assembling for departure. They saddled their horses, laughing, jesting, tying packs to saddles. A pair mock battled off to one side, swords flashing. Bar preened his feathers in the morning sun, occasionally peering up the hill in our direction.
“The night Brutal told me I would be his, he told me what he would do. I could not help myself. I thought I killed him. When the High King would have executed me on the spot, Rygel murdered him. To save me.”
I finally found the courage to look at her, to look into her astonished emerald eyes. To gaze at her beautiful exotic face, now hopeful, open, and smiling. The kitten teeth flashed in the sun.
“You did not leave me. You saved me. You saved me from a fate more cruel than death. Your courage is that of ten men, beautiful princess. There is not a man here who would not cheerfully die for you. Including me.”
When I lifted her hand to my lips again, I smiled sadly. “You came back. You did not have to. For what am I? I am but a slave. You are royalty. You could have mounted your horse, ridden home and forgotten me and none would have condemned you for it. Yet, you came back. And we are now both free of the Tongu and Brutal.”
“We saved each other,” Ly’Tana spoke slowly, softly. Her angular green eyes filling with wonder told me so much more than her words ever could. Soft lips parted slightly, that devilish pink tongue emerged again to lick her upper lip.
“We share bonds stronger than those of blood,” I murmured, capturing her gaze with mine. “Bonds that can never be broken.”
Before I could think twice and perhaps lose the chance and my courage, I bent my head to hers and kissed her, lingering over her sweetness. Her mouth opened under mine, hungry, her tongue tangling, toying, with mine. She tasted faintly of lavender, her feminine scent filling my nostrils. Her arms found their way around my neck, pulling me closer to her, deepening our kiss. With hands firmly on her hips, I pulled her closer, tighter, her breasts hard against my chest. That sweet, sweet tongue ventured into my mouth, entwining with mine. The heat I felt previously grew and spread until my head swam. I lost myself within her kiss, shut out all senses save her taste and scent and feel—
—until I heard a discreet “Ahem” from behind us.
I whipped my head up, my cheeks already burning. I turned halfway around to look over my shoulder. Rygel and Kel’Ratan stood side by side, watching us. Ly’Tana’s face turned an endearing shade of pink, and I knew my own flamed bright and red. I could feel its roaring heat in my cheeks, my ears. Rygel grinned, cat’s eyes gleaming with humor. Kel’Ratan’s face held naught except careful neutrality. That neutrality warned me more than any scowl. Of course, he’d disapprove of my kissing his royal cousin. That alone signed my death warrant.
“We’re all ready to travel, Princess,” Rygel said smoothly. “That is, if you are.”
I caught the ghost of a wink Rygel tipped her, his expression now carefully bland. Beside me, Ly’Tana choked on laughter, her eyes dancing, her face still bright pink. I knew my own must have challenged the sunrise for blushing. I silently cursed my rebellious face, and hopped down from the wall.
I held out my hand to help Ly’Tana down, then stalked across the
green sward to the band of warriors, horses and Bar waiting for us. As I approached, one by one the Kel’Hallan warriors ceased their activity and talk to watch me silently. No doubt, they, too, thought my kissing their princess was an act as outrageous as it was daring. I fumed silently, cursing those that had sold me into slavery.
Witraz, if I finally got his name right, did not spit, or curse, or challenge me to fight for his princess’s honor. He saluted me, fist to chest, with his arm swinging outward, palm down, in Kel’Hallan fashion. Halted in my tracks, I watched, astounded, as the remaining warriors all thumped fists to their chests in salute. I glanced behind me, thinking they in truth saluted their mistress, or Kel’Ratan. Those two spoke with Rygel yet, conversing in low tones, and didn’t even look toward the warriors or me.
Witraz chuckled. “We salute you, warrior, for saving our princess.”
Disconcerted, not knowing quite what to do, I returned the salute and strode quickly to where Rufus stood saddled and ready. He greeted me with a nicker of welcome, nuzzling my chest with affection. I hoped whoever saddled him did not bear too many bruises or bites. Rather than the saddle I took from the royal barn, he bore a Kel’Hallan saddle of tough leather with a low pommel and cantle, covered over with fox fur. A simple bridle of plaited leather and a plain metal bit adorned his head. Thin metal stirrups hung from leather straps, and I busied myself fussing with their length, tightening the girth to my satisfaction. Around me, the warriors did the same. Meanwhile, Ly’Tana, Rygel and Kel’Ratan finished their conversation and joined us.
The twins, Left and Right, brought up a big buckskin stallion for Ly’Tana, and Rygel’s black gelding. She vaulted into the saddle with the flare of a consummate horseman, handling the snorting stallion with careless ease. Rygel mounted up, and Kel’Ratan walked his bay near me, his expression still neutral, his blue eyes calm. Bar flew across the field to land near Ly’Tana’s horse, and she reached across to scratch him behind the ears.
“Mount up, Wolf,” Ly’Tana said brightly, reining her horse to face me. “We’ll be in Kel’Halla in two months.”
Now I took a deep breath, stilling the faint trembling in my gut, hoping I might find the right words. After what just occurred between us, hurting her would just about slay me. Again, I thought, simple was easiest.
“I won’t be going with you.”
“What?”
“Not going?”
“Why?”
The protests came hotter than I expected. Rygel looked up from tightening his girth to stare over his saddle, furious, his tawny eyes flashing. Ly’Tana’s expression cut me to the quick, her hurt and anger flaring in her furrowed brow, her beautiful lips thinned tightly. Kel’Ratan frowned ponderously, his red mustache quivering. The remaining warriors sat their mounts around us, their own puzzled expressions clear as they glanced at one another.
“What the bloody hell are you doing, Raine?” Rygel demanded. “You know Brutal has not given up wanting to decorate his wall with your hide.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Ly’Tana’s hurt sliced into my gut more effectively than a sword, her simple word more a cry than a question.
“You told me your code was to never leave someone behind,” I said slowly. “Right?”
“Of course.”
“It’s mine as well. There is someone in Soudan I will not abandon.”
Rygel’s anger faded, but his shock and surprise grew. “Who? You don’t have anyone.”
I answered him, facing him squarely while studying Ly’Tana from the tail of my eye. She watched me, her face now guarded, intent, as though fearing my words. “I have someone.”
“Who?” he demanded crossly.
I floundered. “Arianne. I won’t leave her here.”
At the words “Arianne” and “her,” Ly’Tana’s face paled, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Her hands on the reins clenched until her knuckles showed white, the stallion beneath her fretting as he sensed her new raw emotion.
“Who the bloody hell is Arianne?” Rygel snapped.
I glanced up at Ly’Tana before I spoke, fearing her hurt and anger more than I feared any arena foe. “My sister.”
Those two simple words had quite an effect on her. Her buckskin stallion immediately calmed, pawing the ground restlessly. Green eyes widened and lost their hard emerald edge, her lips relaxed and she drew in a deep breath. If anyone else noticed her wide range of reactions, they held their silence. Inwardly, a tension within my gut finally relaxed. She was not angry.
“Your sister?” Rygel said, dumbfounded. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“If you had, you’d be one hell of a wizard,” I commented dryly.
“I am one hell of a wizard,” he replied, frowning slightly, his thoughtful gaze on the ground.
“We were both sold into slavery as children.” I said. “I found out where she is and who owns her the day we escaped. Until now, there has not been an opportunity to fetch her. And I’m going.” My eyes glanced about, allowing those daring to meet them witness the look that made men piss their drawers. “I strongly advise against trying to stop me.”
I moved to vault into Rufus’s saddle, Rufus turning his head to eye me with calm acceptance. His nose nuzzled my shoulder in affection, unperturbed. I jumped up, finding my stirrups, although I left the leather reins on Rufus’s neck. “I’ll meet you all in Kel’Halla.”
“You won’t meet me there.” Rygel’s voice, defiant and tense, startled me.
I stopped, twisting in my saddle. He glared at me angrily, and I wondered what he meant. Would he go back to his homeland instead? He was welcome in Kel’Halla, and he had good Kel’Hallan gold waiting for him. His hot, angry gaze met mine, almost as though he hated me. Confused, I shrugged, not knowing what I could or should say to answer his anger. Perhaps blood brotherhood did not truly mean all that much.
“Whatever,” I mumbled.
“You’re not going to be rid of me that easily. I’m going with you.”
I opened my mouth to protest, and shut it again when he scowled threateningly. Dire things would result should I attempt to refuse his kind and generous offer, those yellow eyes said. Dimly, I recalled a threat to turn me into a lizard, and now, up to full power, he could act on that threat. I smothered my protest and instead, I lifted my hand, palm up, in surrender. “It’s your skin.”
“I’m going also.”
Ly’Tana’s words caused me to wheel Rufus around and stare in astonishment. Like Rygel, her defiance dared me to gainsay her, to refuse her, to tell her to go on with her people to her homeland. Kel’Ratan scowled darkly, his blue eyes fierce as he spurred his horse toward her. Bar shrieked in protest, rearing back, his wings flared wide.
“Ly’Tana, you will not,” Kel’Ratan thundered.
She turned on him with a fury that brought him up short and silenced whatever else he might have said. Her warriors murmured quieter protests, their unease and worry for her clear. She glared around at them all, silencing them rather effectively, including her griffin, in her fierce green gaze. Bar subsided and sat down, but his lion tail lashed the ground furiously.
My respect and admiration for her grew. A slight girl no taller than most men’s shoulders had managed to quell the rebellion of eight warriors and a griffin bigger than a large draft horse with naught more than her eyes and her anger. Gods above and below, why couldn’t she be mine?
“This scheme of yours is tempting fate, girl,” Kel’Ratan growled. “Twice now we escaped Soudan and Brutal’s hands. We won’t escape again.”
“We will go in disguise, as we did before,” she said, her teeth gritted. “Four of us: Wolf, Rygel, you, and me. We will be Zhous, and I a priestess of Osimi with her honor guard. The last thing Brutal will expect is for us to return to his capital.”
“Brutal knows things he shouldn’t,” Kel’Ratan retorted. “Remember the eyes that watched us? We thought that was Rygel here, but now we realize it wasn’t.”
>
“What’s this?” Rygel asked, alarmed.
Kel’Ratan jerked his head toward Bar. “The day Brutal’s troops shot him down, she and me felt watched. At the time, we thought you watched us on Brutal’s behalf, through magic.”
“Of course I didn’t,” Rygel replied, his voice now thoughtful. “But who did?”
“I’m sorry, Wolf,” Kel’Ratan said, more calmly. “I cannot allow Ly’Tana to accompany you. We will wait for you across the border, in Arcadia. Perhaps you and Rygel alone might get in and out with your sister safely. I will pray so.”
Ly’Tana all but choked on her fury. “You won’t allow—”
“He’s right,” I said softly. “I will not risk your life. Please go home, Ly’Tana.”
“She may have a good plan,” Rygel said absently, his brow furrowed in furious thought. He spoke as though the last heated exchange never happened.
“Just you and me, Rygel,” I growled, itching to smack him upside his foolish head. I wanted Ly’Tana safely on her way home, as far from Brutal as possible. His words no doubt would set her on fire to come along. I was not wrong.
“Our disguises will work.” Ly’Tana exulted, her victory near.
Kel’Ratan opened his mouth at the same moment mine did, to inform her she would go home. She would leave with her people even if I had to tie her across her big buckskin. Rygel lifted his head as though coming out of a dream.
“I think she should come along,” he said. “Kel’Ratan, too. As she said, in disguise.”
Before I could round on him, he held up his hand, forestalling me. “I will cast a net over us, to hide us from eyes prying by magic. In fact, I already have. If Brutal has magic on his side, they will see naught.”
“Then cast it over you and I,” I snapped. “She doesn’t need to be there.”
In a Wolf's Eyes Page 40
