His hands shook as he held her face close to his. “You are my life, Taryn Rose Galendrin. My everything. I will never doubt you.” His runes sparked, flaring against her skin for only a moment before dimming to a soft shimmer.
They spent the rest of the night in the bower, exploring each other’s bodies and finding new ways to pleasure each other. Taryn shocked herself with her boldness, but Rhoane didn’t seem to mind. He was equally adventurous. By the end of the night, they knew every smell and taste of the other.
Dawn had not yet made its way to the Narthvier when they lay under the heavy blanket, talking quietly. A thrill ran through her and Rhoane asked with some surprise, “Again?”
“I was just thinking that we never used ShantiMari.”
“We should remedy that.”
“I do not think we need it.” She rolled on top of him, grinning like a child given a special treat, recalling how his ShantiMari had enhanced her arousal. “But just to be sure, perhaps we should find out.”
His Eleri Shanti—pale green, powerful, electric—covered her skin while her ShantiMari enveloped them both. Their bodies moved in rhythm, becoming one in a peculiar and frightening way. Taryn could feel her own body as it reacted to Rhoane’s. At the same time, she felt his body as if it were hers. The intimacy she experienced, as if she were he making love to her, was exquisite. By the look on his face, he felt the same. She merged with him, taking him into her body, her mind, and then finally, her soul. Nothing else existed but Rhoane.
IN THE late afternoon, Taryn walked with the other Eleri to the great lake in the Narthvier. Her feet barely touched the ground as she walked beside Rhoane, her hand on his. The gown she wore glowed white against the dirt path and green of the forest. The elaborate, twisted silver crown caught the light, reflecting tiny rainbows of color against the faces of nearby Eleri. She did her best to appear regal and unaffected, but the flutter of ecstasy that remained from her night with Rhoane made it nearly impossible. Not even Bressal’s frown could dampen her mood.
He was furious Rhoane had shared his body with her. Through Rhoane’scynfarshe’d suffered Bressal’s anger as if she were present. If she chose, she could demand he accept her as theDarennsai of his people, but she didn’t wish to incite his anger further.
Not on Carga’s special day.
When they reached the lake, the Eleri spread out along the shore, leaving a path to the water’s edge. Carga stood before the Eleri priestess who would perform the purification, with Taryn a step behind. When the priestess held aloft a basin, chanting in the ancient tongue of Aelinae, a soft light filtered through the sky to the ground. Only Taryn saw Verdaine as she truly was: a discordant mass of colors contained in a ball of light. It took her a moment to adjust her vision before Verdaine became the woman others saw.
The goddess’s long hair flowed around her in colors of gold, green, crimson, and rust, a stark contrast to the pale skin and blue eyes that sparkled in the setting sun. Her bare feet hovered above the ground as she stood beside Carga. Her robes, as green as the grass in spring, pooled around them. She was a fire flower blooming from the terrarae.
“My children,” Verdaine addressed the Eleri, “our daughter has returned to us from the land beyond the veils.” She took Carga’s hand and kissed it. “We have missed you, dear daughter.”
Carga curtseyed to Verdaine. “I have longed for the scent of the woods and the feel of loam under my feet.”
“King Stephan, is there any reason this Eleri woman should be denied the purification ceremony?”
Stephan stepped forward. “Nay, great lady. She has served her sheanna and will be welcomed as a maiden of our clan once more.”
Verdaine inclined her head to Taryn. “Darennsai, you honor us with your presence here today.” She turned to Rhoane. “Surtentse.” The ancient title was as old as Darennsai and as mysterious.
Rhoane bowed low to the goddess. “You honor me this day.”
“Come, my children, to witness the purification of Princess Carga so that she may be your sister once more.” Verdaine motioned and Carga’s gown fell around her ankles, leaving her naked before the assembled Eleri.
Taryn suppressed a gasp, but the others remained unaffected. The high priestess held her bowl aloft, chanting, “Hear me, Great Spirit, that you might absolve this maiden of her taint. Purify her body and soul so that once more she will know what it is to be Eleri. Embrace her in your forgiveness as she has proved her merit to you during her sheanna.”
She motioned for Taryn to pour her bowl over Carga’s head. As the oil ran down Carga’s pale skin, the priestess held aloft another bowl filled with ash. She emptied it over Carga, chanting under her breath.
The Eleri watched with quiet resolve as Carga tread slowly into the lake. The oil and ash floated off her naked body, making a halo around her on the water’s surface. When she was completely submerged, Taryn heard in her mind the voices of the Eleri chanting a song of absolution. The onslaught of emotion overtook her and she swayed where she stood.
Verdaine took her hand, smiling down at her. “You will become accustomed to the ancients in time, my beloved. This is what it is to be Eleri.”
“It is a little more than I was prepared for.” Taryn held firm to her hand for reassurance. After Carga had stayed underwater for several minutes, Taryn asked, “Should someone get her?”
“She will emerge when she is purified. Do not worry about her.” Verdaine touched Taryn’s temple. “Quiet yourself and listen.”
Voices of the Eleri drifted through her mind. Their emotions flowed over her, their words filling her until she was one with all Eleri past, present, and future.
This is what it is to be Eleri, Carga whispered.
“You hold yourself back. Let go and be truly one with us,” Rhoane told her.
“I thought I was. I can feel all of you in here.” She tapped her temple and then her heart.
“That is not enough, my love. You must release yourself.”
Taryn frowned. The previous night she’d felt at one with the universe, but it had happened spontaneously. She didn’t know what he wanted or how to let go. Carga emerged from the lake and Verdaine glided away from Taryn to embrace her, enveloping her in a floor-length cape of shining gold. A great cheer rose up and King Stephan approached his daughter, holding in his hand a crown made of twisted silver with tiny leaves that fluttered when he placed it on Carga’s head. Radiant, Carga accepted her father’s embrace with tears in her eyes. Her power flowed from her in waves of jade.
Her Mari lingered on Taryn’s skin, similar to Rhoane’s, but softer and full of grace. Taryn embraced the girl she first knew only as a cook. “Welcome home, sister.”
“I have long waited to hear those words from you, Darennsai.” She curtseyed low to Rhoane. “Surtentse.”
Rhoane wrapped her in a fierce hug, as did Eoghan and Bressal.
The procession followed a path through the forest to the Weirren with air faeries darting in front of them, lighting the way with drossfire. Multi-hued Glamour shimmered under the air faeries’ magical glow.
“This was a good day.” Taryn sighed as they entered the large area where tables had been set for Carga’s celebratory feast.
“Aye, it was. Would that every day was like this.” Rhoane held her hand to his lips, a secret smile hidden behind her fingertips.
“If you can fold time, can you not also stop it?”
“Alas, no. There are limitations and the balance of Aelinae must be respected.”
Taryn expected that would be the answer but just once she wished Aelinae didn’t come first.
Chapter 11
SABINA slept fitfully beside Hayden, her nightmare causing her to moan and flinch. He draped an arm around her naked midsection, pulling her closer to him. His lips nuzzled the back of her neck, the scent of vanilla teasing him. She smelled of summer.
“Rest now, Sabina. There is nothing to fear.” The words were breathed into her ear, a calming mantra he’
d said far too many times over the past few weeks. “I am here. I will protect you.”
Once she’d recovered from the ordeal, and felt strong enough, Sabina had led Hayden to her bed, where she’d begged him to take her maidenhood. Doing so would rid her of the last of the Black taint that marked her as Kaldaar’s chosen vessel. Or at least, that was what Sabina believed. Hayden had been only too happy to accommodate her request.
He’d loved her from the moment they met in Duke Anje’s garden room. He cared not that she was a princess or that she had no ShantiMari. Her intelligence had captivated him. During those first heady days, Sabina had been jealous of his friendship with Taryn, and it had taken many heartfelt promises that he felt nothing more for the mysterious woman than he did for his cousins. When they learned the truth of Taryn’s identity, Sabina had once more worried that Hayden would be better suited for the princess.
What neither of them had known, but soon was made clear for the entire court and world to see, was that Taryn was bound to Rhoane not just by the oaths wrapped around their wrists, but by a love deeper than any Hayden had ever witnessed. Even his parents’ devotion was not as strong as what his cousin and the Eleri prince shared.
Sabina whimpered and thrashed, calling out Kaldaar’s name as she often did. He braced himself for the scream that was sure to follow, cringing when it finally came. His love’s sobs broke his heart then as surely as they had the first time he’d heard them. Nothing he nor Faelara, Rhoane, or even Taryn had done helped with Sabina’s night frights.
He gently rolled her until she lay prone on her back, and then he nudged open her legs with his own. A devilish smile broke the frown she wore. “Hayden,” she murmured and moved her hips up to greet his waiting erection.
He hated taking her this way, but it eased her fears, abolished Kaldaar’s presence for the remainder of the night.
Her slender hands roved over his back to his buttocks, massaging and scratching his skin as he entered her. A low groan came from her throat, husky and full of need. Her eyes fluttered open and he saw the last vestiges of the nightmare leaving her.
“Kiss me.”
He obediently obliged. The pace was gentle, their lovemaking lasting until the sun broke over the Summer Seas. Hayden loved Sabina, loved being inside her, loved holding her naked body against his own. Yet he wasn’t satisfied. Something was missing in their relationship and he had no idea what.
Once Sabina settled into a peaceful slumber, he slipped from the bed and stood on her balcony, breathing in the salt air with all the happiness of an executioner going to the gallows.
Taryn. He cast the thought outward like a fishing net. She’d been gone several weeks and he missed his cousin dreadfully. The pitiful note she’d left did little to explain her sudden departure, or where she’d gone. He didn’t buy the story that she and Rhoane were surveying property before joining the others at Celyn Eryri. For her to leave without a proper goodbye meant she was doing something dangerous and trying to protect her friends.
He scowled at the sea, angry she’d not trusted him. Had he not proved he could keep her secrets? Wasn’t he as true a friend as Sabina and Faelara?
A truer friend I could not dare hope for.Taryn’s thought brushed against his mind.Don’t be angry with me, sweet cousin.
His heart leapt at the sound of her voice. Ever since that day when he’d laid a carlix’s whisker away from death and she’d saved him from Ohlin’s sword and the vile poison Marissa had wrapped around it, he’d been in love with her. Of course, he’d not known who she was, or cared, for that matter. To him, she was a goddess sent from Dal Tara just for him.
The journey from Ravenwood to Paderau had almost broken his heart as he realized her love was meant for another. It was then he started to see the bizarre images of flying contraptions and crowded city streets with buildings reaching to the clouds. They were her memories and somehow he was connected to her, although neither of them knew it at the time. It had taken him several moonturns before he confessed his knowledge to her. She hadn’t been angry; in fact, she’d been relieved that she could confide in Hayden. Someone she could trust.
I’m not angry. I just wish you’d told me the truth.
Something else bothers you. What is it?
She was becoming as adept at changing the conversation as Faelara. Hayden chuckled to himself and stood with his palms pressed against the banister, gazing far out to sea, to where Sabina’s people lived.
Sabina continues to have nightmares.
There was silence in his mind for several seconds before she replied.Have Faelara make a sleeping draught for her.
Hayden’s heart quickened. His thoughts tumbled without grasping anything constant.Faelara is not with you? She and Baehlon left the same day as you. Two of your guards are gone as well. The empress claims you are traveling together.
Huh. Well, then don’t tell anyone anything different.
Will you tell me where you are?
An awkward silence stretched out between them. Finally, he heard a resigned sigh in his mind.
Rhoane and I are in the Narthvier. We accompanied Carga here for her purification. I don’t know why my mother said I’m with the others, but there must be a reason for it. For now, pretend that I am. Rhoane worries for my safety and doesn’t want anyone to know where we are.
Hayden breathed a large sigh of relief. At last, she showed that she trusted him.
I’ve always trusted you, Hayden. Keeping my whereabouts secret is to protect you, not me.Her tone shifted and he heard longing beneath her words.I can hear the ocean in your thoughts. I miss you.
And I, you.
Is it normal that we can speak to each other over such a large distance?
He’d been wondering the same thing.Not as far as I know.
Maybe we shouldn’t share this with anyone just yet.
Agreed.
So, what’s up with you and Sabina? This is more than just her nightmares, isn’t it?
Hayden breathed deeply of the salty air, searching for the right words.When she has a night fright, I console her as best I can, but it’s not enough. Lately, the only thing that calms her enough to sleep afterward is to make love to her.
That doesn’t sound bad. What’s the problem?
It’s become a duty.
Ah. So, you want to have wild monkey sex and she’s half passed out whenever you do the nasty, is that it?
You say the most curious things. But yes, I believe you’ve uncovered the reason for my melancholy.
Have you tried making love when it’s not the middle of the night? If you’re just doing it to soothe her, your needs aren’t being met. Seduce her, plan a romantic night, show her what you need. You’ve been with other women, Hayden. She’s never experienced another man. It’s up to you to teach her how to pleasure you. Right?
Hayden was relieved Taryn couldn’t see his face. Heat flamed up his neck, covering his cheeks with his embarrassment.
Since when did you become an expert on relations between men and women?
A slight giggle sounded in his mind.Since Rhoane and I arrived at the Narthvier.
Once again Hayden blushed furiously, this time for his cousin. A hazy form materialized near the balcony to his right and Taryn smiled at him. His mouth gaped, not just at her ability to project an image of herself, but at what she was wearing. Gone was her usual get-up of leather trousers and tunic; instead she wore a flowing gossamer skirt and tight, midriff-baring top that did little to hide her womanly assets.
“You like?” she teased.
“Um, wow.”
“The Eleri are more comfortable with me this way. When I dress like an Aelan, they take it as a sign I’m differentiating myself from them. They’re a very touchy race.”
“How are you doing this?”
Her shoulders raised and lowered in a shrug. “I have no idea. I was thinking how much I’d like to see you, and there you were.” The image dissolved and her thought brushed his mind,Well, that s
ucks. I’ll have to work out how to do it again. I have to go, but Hayden, go see Adesh. Perhaps he can help with Sabina’s nightmares. And make love to her. Properly.
Yes, Your Highness.
Shut up.
I love you.
Love you more.
The connection ended and he nodded to himself. She was right. He had to reclaim his relationship with Sabina. They both had let the horrors of the Stones invade every waking thought. Herbret was dead. Kaldaar remained banished, and the phantom hadn’t been seen since. Sabina would always be the seventeenth vessel, but she was no longer unbroken. She couldn’t bear the offspring of Kaldaar’s minions. At least he hoped so.
They needed something to distract them. Perhaps Adesh could help with that, as well.
He used the hidden walkways and corridors to return to his apartment. Since they’d only recently received her mother’s blessing to court her, Sabina didn’t want anyone to know he shared her bed. She feared if the empress learned of her debauchery, she’d alert Queen Prateeni and Sabina would be married off to a minor noble in the Summerlands. Hayden had his doubts that would happen, but kept his opinion to himself.
As inconspicuously as possible, he emerged from the hidden passageway into the hallway leading to his apartment. A lone figure walked toward him, and Hayden nodded his greeting. Seeing the man’s face, he stopped and called after him.
“Tarro, a moment if you will.” The tailor’s wary glance took in Hayden’s disheveled state. “I’m Lord Valen, Taryn’s cousin.” He didn’t know why he was explaining himself to the empress’s servant.
“Yes, I know. We met at Paderau, although not officially.”
“Right. You made the footballs for Taryn. I was, um, I was wondering if you could find me some peasant clothing. Nothing flashy, just something I can wear in the city and not be noticed.” He was saying too much, but seeing the man had sparked an idea and he was anxious to see it through.
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