by Jane Henry
“How do we know this to be true?” someone in the crowd yells. “How do we know which of you is who you say you are?”
A clear female voice rises above the rest. “Put a sword in his hand, and you shall see the true warrior of the highest order!”
My mouth drops open. Svali? She dares to involve herself in this? I glare at her, but the crowd has picked up on her suggestion. They chant, stomping their feet, clapping. They want to see a fight.
She shrugs and smiles at me. Clearly, the little vixen has not learned her lesson. Would that I had bound and gagged her and left her in the room! The woman and her headstrong ways will be the death of me.
Aldric glances at me, raises a brow to Svali, and sighs. He comes to my side. “You will need to train her better than that, brother,” he mutters, and I know his anger is the same as mine. We only wish for her safety, and her insistence on speaking to the crowd and giving this man a weapon is dangerous.
The crowd cheers, insisting we give the imposter a sword. If I win in combat, I shall remain victor and prove myself as the true warrior. I see no other choice.
Gregor meets my eyes. “You will defeat him.”
Zadok nods as well. “Without a doubt.”
With a sigh, I remove the sword from my belt and approach the arena. If he is the brother of my youth, as I suspect, I do not wish to kill him, but rather prove my identity.
Two circles stand in front of us – the inner circle where the women present themselves to us, and an outer circle.
“Give him a sword!” someone shouts from the crowd. Aldric shakes his head and gestures for one of the warriors to give the man a weapon. They do, and I now stand just paces from my mirror image. He holds the weapon awkwardly; his eyes are half-crazed. My heart sinks. There will be no family reconciliation. This man has long ceased being a brother to me.
We stand apart from one another, prepared to fight.
“You may win this battle,” the man hisses. “But you will regret handing me a sword.”
And, with that, he lunges at me. I deftly dodge the slash, moving to the side, and bring my own sword up in defense. He clearly has little training. His grip is cumbersome, his stance awkward. Our weapons clash, the sound ringing through the stillness. As we spar, the need to teach this man a lesson consumes me. I can feel the eyes of Svali and my brothers upon me. I focus and move toward him, prepared to attack. He is now defending himself, only able to deflect the slashes of my sword. One slash after another falls. He staggers back. Now is my chance. I will bring this man to his knees and show the crowd who is the real warrior. Just as I raise my blade, I feel a sharp pain in my neck. I shout out, my sword nearly dropping, and when I grasp my neck, crimson blood stains my palm. The man I battle does not flinch. He ducks, rolls to the side, and leaps to his feet. The crowd screams as he does not attack me, but my wife.
“The whore of Avalere!” he shouts, hand raised to strike. The warrior beside her moves to protect her, arms outstretched. Svali has nowhere to go, nowhere to turn, only her bare hands against the sharp metal of Zadok’s sword. Ignoring the pain in my neck, my vision blurred, I lunge at him seconds before his sword connects with my wife, my own blade slicing at his neck.
He falls dead.
The crowd cheers.
Aldric stands by my side, my brothers taking away the body of the man who would betray the throne, now limp. I am dimly aware of Zadok being held by Gregor. Hands are upon me, but I shove them off, intent only on seeing that Svali is safe. “She is unharmed, Idan,” Aldric says, pushing me to sit while our officers tame the wild crowd. “You are injured. Sit.” I do as he says, dizzy. I close my eyes, and darkness overcomes me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Svali
I wish I could sleep and never see any of this again, the stain of his blood upon his neck and the ground crimson where he fell.
I never should have suggested the duel.
Though Idan’s name is cleared, his very life hangs in the balance. It seems those who would overthrow the throne knew their farce was up. They could not maintain the false identity for long. The second the other man held a sword, those present knew who was the true warrior. But there were others in their midst, plotting together, even a member of the Hisrach. Zadok now stands trial in ignominy. It seems when their initial plan to overtake the throne failed, they relied on a second plan: kill me and my husband. Aldric and his men have unearthed a secret tribe of rebels who sought to overthrow the second throne, using their excuses for civil war as a mere distraction. We may never know why they wished to overtake the throne, though we know now the plan was to kill both Idan and Aldric. All I know is that a select few caused great havoc, but the leaders of our planet will not rest until they once again restore peace.
I sit by his side, holding his large hand in mine. He has been bandaged and medicated. He now lies in the infirmary with my mother, my sister having been discharged.
When he was in the ring, battling the imposter, someone threw a barbed projectile at him, catching him square in the neck. The blood loss was tremendous, but he did not notice. His only thought was to protect me.
It is a blessing and a curse, how this all played out. The Avalerians know my husband would never have come after his own wife. They accept the man was a fake, a threat to the throne.
“Will he live?” asks a voice beside me. I jump, not having realized I was not alone. Ryken’s eyes are wide and fearful, though he is trying to appear brave.
I nod. “He will live. He has lost much blood, but with rest and good medicine, he will live.”
Ryken sighs. “Good,” he says. It has only been a short time since he has been brought home with us, but he already looks up to Idan. I reach for his hand and squeeze.
I smile. “Yes, Ryken.”
“Is he in pain, Svali?” a second voice comes from behind me. Cambri stands beside Shaan.
“He will live,” I say. “He is strong, and he will not allow a little injury like this to keep him down.” I hold his large, warm hand in mine, willing his fingers to squeeze, but they lie limp.
“I hope not,” says a third voice. My eyes widen, as it is a voice I have known my entire life. I glance over my shoulder as my mother hobbles over to us, her brown hair the same color as mine save for hints of silver at her temples. Her eyes smile at me, wrinkled around the edges, softened with age. Though thin and frail, but she appears so much healthier. She leans in and kisses my cheek. I embrace her in return.
“He brought all of us with him, did he not?” she inquires. Cambri and Shaan nod. “He is responsible for all of our lives,” she explains, looking with tenderness upon the fierce warrior who rests in front of us.
The door to the infirmary opens, and in strides King Aldric, his hair wild about him, his eyes dark and fierce. They know this is the king, and all bow to their knees before him. He acknowledges their act of homage with a curt nod. “I ask that you all leave us.” As I go to join my sister and mother, Aldric shakes his head. “Not you, Svali.”
My pulse quickens. The king wishes to speak to me, in the presence of my husband.
My family, Ryken and Shaan, leave, escorted by a servant to chambers that await them.
I turn to Aldric. “Yes, my lord?”
His eyes darken, fixed upon my husband. “The prophecy,” he murmurs, stroking his beard. “It is to come to fulfillment when the ‘two moons become one.’”
I do not know of what he speaks. “My lord, I know of no prophecy.”
His brows rise. “He did not tell you?”
I merely shake my head.
He sighs, rolling his eyes. “Idan has little use for prophecies, things he cannot touch with his hands or quantify in any way.”
I smile. “I am not surprised, my lord.”
His lips quirk up. “Not surprised that your pragmatic husband cares little for mystical ways?”
I laugh. “Not at all.”
He nods. “The prophecy dealt directly with Idan taking a wife, and
the two moons becoming one.”
I blink. “It has to do with me?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says, then recites, “‘The second throne of Avalere brings with it great strife, when two moons become one as the lord takes a wife. Upon the land of Avalere, the leader will be tasked. But when all thrones are fully filled, our land becomes unmasked.’ The elders on my council believe filling the thrones will bring an end to the strife here on Avalere.”
I frown. “My lord?”
“Two moons becoming one,” he says. “The lunar eclipse. When the two moons top one another, they appear to be one. My elders believe the institution of the two thrones as one must happen while the two moons are one, before the lunar eclipse ends, and if we put Idan upon the throne then, the unmasking of Old Avalere will ensue.”
I nod. I am not sure how much I trust the prophecy and I know my husband does not, but I will defer to Aldric’s instruction. “So you wish for Idan to be roused so that you can formally crown him?”
“Exactly.”
“Then, my lord, I ask that you leave us be. I may be able to speak to him privately of this, and perhaps can see if he will join us.”
Aldric smiles. “Please, Svali,” he says. “You must.”
And with that, he takes his leave. This is my chance to make good what I have done wrong.
I stand now before my husband, just the two of us here. “My lord?” He does not stir. I glance about me. Though the guards stand outside, we are otherwise alone. I lift the blanket and slide underneath the covers, sidling up to him. “Idan,” I whisper in his ear.
He grunts and shifts in bed. I kiss his cheek. “My lord, you need to wake up.”
To my delight, one eye opens and he peers at me. “Why is that, lovely?” he asks, his voice hoarse and scratchy. I could leap for joy seeing him awake. My heart fills to bursting, and I place my cheek against his.
“It is so nice to see you awake. I feared for your life, Idan. It was terrible.”
He embraces me and tucks me in close to his side, kissing my forehead. “I know, lovely,” he says.
“I just spoke with Aldric,” I say. “He is impatient to seat you upon the throne. His elders say the eclipse of the moons is ending, and he fears the prophecy will not be fulfilled if you do not sit upon the throne during that time.”
He rolls his eyes, which makes me giggle. He grunts. “I care little for prophecies.”
“You may not, Idan, but Aldric does.”
He pushes himself to sitting. “I see,” he says with a low growl. “He wishes for us both to be present this evening at the crowning, then?”
I nod. “Yes, please. The Avalerians have been told the truth.” I pause. “Your brother was in cahoots with Zadok, who has confessed. The few in his group were also arrested.”
He grunts again. I barely keep my smile in check. There is something endearing about his grumbles. He frowns. “Very well then. Why did he leave you here with me and not ask me himself?”
“Well,” I begin, trying to be both honest but feeling a bit shy, “I suspect he thinks I may have a certain…way with you.”
His eyes heat, he reaches for me, and he lifts me atop him.
“Idan! You’ll hurt yourself!”
He spanks me. “You let me worry about that.”
And just like that, as he holds me against his chest, I melt into him, my throat tightens, and my eyes dampen. “Yes, my lord.”
“Are you crying, Svali?” he asks, his voice soft and tender as he smoothes my hair. “Why do you cry, lovely?”
My tears flow freely now as he holds me and I hold him tightly. “It was terrible seeing you injured like that,” I say, my voice cracking. “I was afraid. And seeing you in bed, all pale and limp, I hated it.”
A warm, whiskery kiss on my forehead precedes his words. “I understand. Then let us set all to rights. We will sit upon the thrones as Aldric wishes. Those who sought to overtake Avalere no longer pose a threat. Your mother and sister are now in our dominion, and we can rule the way we were meant to.” His fingers thread through the hair at my nape. “Do you agree, lovely?”
I nod and tuck my head against him once again. “I do. Yes, my lord. I am sorry for having held anything back from you. You know all, now, and I shall not hide from you again.”
He kisses me once again. “Then all will be set to rights, lovely.”
⊱⟢⋯⟣⊰
It pleases me to see the color in Idan’s cheeks and strength about him as he walks with his brothers, me by his side. I marvel at the difference as we walk. The crowd cheers as we move to the front of the arena. My mother, sister, Ryken, and Shaan all stand in the front row, places of honor, it seems. My sister grins, and Ryken’s eyes widen as he takes it all in. He will soon join the ranks of the Hisrach, and his life will be forever changed.
If he grows to be half the man my husband is, he will make me proud.
I hold tighter to Idan’s arm as we pass. My maids have bedecked my hair with jewels, and the tunic Idan placed upon me glimmers beneath the flickering light of the torches. I peer into the sky. The two moons eclipse each other, appearing to be one bright moon against the night sky, their glow illuminating our way. When we have joined Aldric and Carina in the front of the assembly, Aldric holds Idan’s hand. “Tonight, I will crown the Duke of Avalere, set him upon the throne, and his wife will join him. Their seating will be symbolic of a new beginning here on Avalere, and we will flourish as a people with the aid of Idan and Svali.” The crowd cheers. Idan stands erect and reaches for me. Aldric places a crown upon Idan’s head and gestures for him to sit. There is palpable anticipation in the crowd, as if they wait for something to happen, and I remember the prophecy.
Idan releases my hand and I walk toward Aldric, trembling a bit in front of the large crowd of people. I bow before him, but he rights me, placing the most beautiful golden crown upon my head. He gestures for me to sit beside Idan. I obey, taking my seat, my eyes fixed on the crowd in front of me. When I sit, something changes.
A flash of lightning in the sky illuminates the darkness. A gasp of wonder ripples through the crowd. I blink, not quite sure what is happening. Idan reaches for me. We see all in vivid clarity, the edges of the trees, the sky alight like dawn, every flower and bud vivid and detailed. The crowd murmurs in wonder, the sounds of laughter, cheers, and quiet weeping reaching our ears. It’s as if we’ve been looking at Avalere through clouded lenses. I meet Idan’s gaze, but we say nothing until Aldric speaks to us.
“What is this sorcery?” he murmurs. “The throne has been filled, and Avalere is unmasked.”
Idan smiles. “It is not I whose throne has undone this wonder, Aldric, but Svali’s.”
At his words, every last one of the Avalerians bows to me. I close my eyes for a moment, overcome with the enormity of this moment.
I came to Avalere a penniless refugee, alone and scared.
I smile at Idan, who holds my hand in the air, amidst the loudest cheers I have ever heard.
I am not alone.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Idan
Two months later
“Lovely, he be will fine. Now stop your fretting.”
Ryken has been given to the Hisrach for training. My wife struggled seeing him taken, but he is in good hands. He will be trained well and will make us proud. She will see.
The past two months have brought profound changes to Avalere. Cambri fashions jewels and will sell her wares in the marketplace. She takes custom orders. Shaan has been welcomed as an honorary member of the Hisrach for his bravery and courage.
Her mother is good to them both, recovering her strength daily, thriving. And Svali…
The people love her. They have forgotten her past. They adore my wife, as she is the very picture of grace and kindness. Under her tutelage, Avalere thrives. I allow her to walk among my people in the marketplace once a week, and when she does, they fall to their knees.
How could they not? She is stunningly beautiful, and t
he tale of her bravery and selflessness will be passed on from generation to generation.
In the past two months, we have regulated travel between portals. The gardens bloom, flowers blossoming everywhere my sweet wife goes. She laughs, as with a wave of her hand roses open, violets line the streams, daisies flourish. The waters of our streams flow amidst the twittering of the birds of the air. The rays of the sun bring forth crops of plenty. Avalere is a land of prosperity.
I make my way to the garden, where Svali sits among a small group of Avalerian children. She holds a book from which she reads.
“Svali, please come with me.” I have just returned from council, and wish to see her.
She closes the books and smiles benevolently at the children. “Return to me tomorrow, and I shall finish my story.” She pauses, looking at me. “If my husband allows me out of his sight?”
I shrug and smile. She is learning. “I can sit with you while you read.”
The children giggle and scatter. How could I have ever thought marriage merely a pragmatic institution? She is my everything. My very heart beats with hers.
I reach into my pocket and take out the golden necklace I had fashioned for her, made by her sister. This will make it all the more special for her. The thick band, studded with oval-shaped amethysts, locks about her neck. They will draw out the violet of her eyes.
Without a word, I slip the necklace around her slim neck. She reaches to touch the metal, her lips curving in a smile.
“You remembered,” she whispers.
“How could I forget?” I kiss her forehead and draw her to me, my finger under her chin as I lift her face for a kiss. Her lips meet mine, and she sighs, content here, nestled up against me. Right here, where she was meant to be.
“I love you, Svali. Choosing you from the ring was the best decision I have ever made.”
“And I love you, Idan.” Her fingers entwine with mine. “But it was not you who chose, but I.”
I whisk her into my arms, her screams and giggles echoing through the forest.
