"I am fine." Peter paused, then smiled sardonically. "No, I am not fine. Dirkk has my wife and son, and I can do nothing." His voice rose with each frustrated word.
Ben clasped Peter's upper arm. "Tomorrow—"
"Tomorrow?" Peter's voice was bitter. "Tomorrow morn I have been summoned to ride with Tessa and her troops to battle against the dragons.”
Ben frowned. "There must be another way."
"Then find it for me, friend." Peter sighed. "Find it. How goes it with your daughter?"
"She has taken a horse and fled." Ben raked his fingers through his hair. "I'll look for her in the morning."
"When you find her, what will you do?"
Ben shook his head. "I don't know. There's so much left up in the air right now. How can I just walk away from everything?"
"She is of your blood." Saying nothing more, Peter instead returned Catherine to her cradle and stared down into her face.
Ben heaved a sigh. "You're right. I'll go with her through the rift. There's no other choice."
"Then you will need this month's word of passing. It is Timothias." Peter tried to smile and failed dismally. "Seven years is not long."
Ben met his eyes and then turned away. "Rest, Peter. Everything will be all right. You'll see."
Peter said nothing as Ben walked through the chamber's door.
*****
Delilah stared up at the exposed beams of the cottage. With a languid smile, she stretched. Flames danced in the hearth, the only light in the small room. She glanced at a shutter.
No light leaked from around it, and she wondered what time it was. She heard a soft murmur and turned to look at the man lying beside her. She lowered her head and brushed her lips against his. Darrian's mouth curved into a smile, but he did not waken.
She pushed the coverings aside, then rose. She wandered around the room. In a corner stood a three-paneled screen, it pictured a glade just like the one the cottage stood within. As she watched it wavered, as if she viewed it beneath water, and the scene changed to become a forest path with two riders on it. Who were they? Why were they riding this time of night? Were the riders coming this way, maybe looking for her? No matter. No doubt magic protected this cottage. She heard the jingle of a bridle. It had to be the riders. No, she wasn't going back. Delilah crossed to Darrian, shook his shoulder. "There's someone out there."
"What?" he asked sleepily.
"There's someone out there."
"This is Vilsathor. There is nothing to fear here."
He tried to take her into his arms, but she twisted away.
"All right. I will check." He stood and, naked, strode to the door and opened it wide. "Damnation, you are right." He slammed the door and sprang toward his clothes.
"What is it?" she said, panicked by his reaction.
The door swung open and Margeaux swept into the room. Her gaze took in the rumpled bed and Delilah standing beside it. A puzzled expression crossed her face.
"It's good to see you up and about," Delilah stammered. Her father came through the door and hot blood flooded her cheeks.
"I don't understand," Margeaux said.
"Aunt, how nice of you to visit us," Darrian said, lacing the front of his breeches.
"This is the source of the emotional cyclone I felt from you? It is but a woman, nothing new to you.”
"No, not just any woman, but a goddess who has captured my heart." Darrian stared at Delilah. "There will never be another but her."
Margeaux frowned. "Don't be stupid, boy. You speak without a clear mind. When the passion wears away..."
"No, Aunt, she is the one." Darrian moved to Margeaux and clasped her by her shoulders.
"She is not from our world," the healer said. "Her old life calls her home. What will you do then?" Margeaux's gaze sought Delilah and a hard look passed between them. "Tell him, girl. Tell him you must return to your world."
"My son—" Delilah started to say.
Darrian did not hesitate. "We will bring your son to Vilsathor. I will love him as I will our own."
"Her son is ill," Margeaux said. "She can't go to him and bring him here in the time left before the rift closes."
"Then I will remain within her world for the seven years until the rift reopens."
Margeaux gasped. "You cannot. Have you forgotten? We are long-lived, but not immortal. For each year passing in her world, you will age seven. You will die long before her, and what of the air and the diseases? Your body will not withstand them."
Darrian's eyes narrowed and he jutted his chin out. "So be it. I would rather have two years with Delilah than spend the rest of my life here without her."
"No," Delilah cried. She wrapped the covering around her and stood. Tears streaking her cheeks, she moved to stand beside Darrian. "I will come back."
"With my grandson?" Ben spoke at last.
Delilah met his eyes. "Yes, with Joshua. No one will stop us."
"What of the boy's health?"
Her eyes challenged him. "It's up to you, isn't it?"
"Do you love Darrian?" Ben said.
"Yes, I do. I've never felt love before. Not really." She touched Darrian's arm. "Until now."
"We will not be separated," Darrian said. "We will leave at first light for the rift."
Ben and Margeaux exchanged a long look.
"If it is your wish, foolish boy," Margeaux said. "Come, Ben."
Delilah paid no attention as Ben and Margeaux walked from the cottage. "No, Darrian, I won't let you. I can't lose you now."
"We will talk no more of it," he said. "I am going with you to your world. Perhaps my aunt is wrong. She has never been in your world. How can she know I will age, or what will kill me?" He placed his arm around her shoulders. "Come back to bed and let me hold you."
*****
Delilah stared into the dark. Darrian slept beside her. How she loved him, but he couldn't come with her. He would die. She slipped from beneath the coverings. It took some time to gather her clothes; she did so with quick glances at him. Don't wake up. Don't. I have to do this.
She opened the door, took a moment to look back and a hand covered her mouth, at the same time Ben whispered in her ear. "Quiet."
Outside, Margeaux sat astride her horse, holding the reins of two others.
Tears filled Delilah's eyes.
"You know we must do this," the elven healer said.
Delilah nodded, unable to speak.
Margeaux stared over the girl's head at the closed cottage door. "I must protect my nephew from himself. He will hate me, but I have no choice." She shot a hard look at Delilah. "You will return?"
"I will, with my son. I love Darrian."
Margeaux looked at Ben. "And you?"
Ben nodded. "My life is here now." He helped Delilah onto a horse, then swung up into his own saddle.
They rode slowly from the glade. Delilah remained turned in her saddle until she could see the cottage no more. "I will come back, my love. I promise," she whispered, then faced forward and quickened her pace with the others, making no attempt to wipe the tears away.
Chapter Fifteen
A smothered sob jerked Regan to wakefulness. "Daniel?" She rolled to the side and came up against a warm, furry body. "Maggie. What are you doing on the bed?"
"Momma." The choked whisper sounded close to her ear, and the memories of the day before came crashing down on her: Dirkk, Peter, and her imprisonment in the cave with Daniel and Maggie.
She reached across Maggie and touched her son's tear-streaked cheek. "I'm here, Daniel."
"Daddy's dead, isn't he?"
"Mags, move." As the basset hound clambered over Daniel, Regan pulled her son into her arms. "What are you saying? Your Daddy's at the castle."
"The wolf-things hurt him, didn't they?"
"Yes, but—"
"And it's my fault. If I hadn't run away—"
"He's going to be fine. He just needs some rest." Please, Goddess, she prayed, make it so.
&
nbsp; Holding Daniel's face against her breast, she looked around. The only light came from the hall. She heard the click of nails on stone, and heard a soft growl close to her head. Maggie growled in return, and Regan reached across Daniel and placed her hand on the dog's head. "No, Mags."
"I have to pee," Daniel said, and a mage light lit the far corner at his words.
Regan's lips thinned. Dirkk listened, just as she feared.
"I'll take you," she said.
She pointed at the fenris'ena. "Get away from us." The wolf-creature turned and went back to lie by the doorway.
Regan stood at the front of the screen as Daniel went behind and used the provided pot.
"My turn," she said when he came around. She was glad to see the bleeding from Catherine's birth had ceased, but her milk-full breasts ached. Thoughts of her daughter made her almost double over from the outwash of pain. She's fine, she told herself. She's with her father. It's Daniel I have to worry about now.
"Momma, what about Maggie?" Daniel asked. "She has to go too."
Good question. What did the fenris'ena do? Surely they had to do their business somewhere. "Dirkk, Maggie needs to go outside." Regan addressed the words into the air in front of her.
The beast rose from its position across the doorway and walked to her. "Outside? You jest," Dirkk's voice said.
"She can't hold it forever. What do your wolf-things do?"
A long moment of silence answered her, and then, "The boy may take her. Follow the fenris'ena."
"I should go with him," she said.
"No, you will join me for your morning meal."
"Daniel—"
"The boy and dog will be fed. Do not push me, Regan."
Daniel's pale face stared up at her.
"You and Maggie go." She pointed at the fenris'ena. "Then you come right back here."
"Momma?"
"If I'm not here, I will be back soon. You wait right here for me. Do you understand?" She reached to cup his chin in her hand.
Daniel's lips quivered, but he nodded. "Come on, Mags." They followed the fenris'ena from the room.
"Do you wish to bathe?" Dirkk's voice asked from the remaining beast.
"Where? There isn't a bathing tub behind the screen."
"There is a pool, if you wish."
If I take a bath, it will keep me longer from him, she thought, but it will also keep me longer from Daniel.
"Regan, I wish you to bathe," he said.
She curled her hands into fists at her sides, took a deep breath. "A short bath would be nice. How about a comb? My hair is a mess."
She heard a soft chuckle. "It pleases me you wish to look nice for me."
Regan bit back her angry reply.
The fenris'ena stood. "Follow him."
The wolf led Regan a twisting route. The mage lights glowed as they neared and then darkened as they passed. She looked around her, but the honeycombed cave did not reveal any of its secrets. She took a deep breath. The air smelled fresh and the walls and floor were dry. Her sense of direction was all screwed up. She couldn't tell if she was walking up or down. Where was this cave? It had to be close to the land of Fairie.
She heard the soft lapping of confined water. One by one, mage globes lit in a circle as they neared. Soft white light washed across a pool of dark water. Steam formed pockets of drifting mist and chiseled steps led down into its depths. From the shadows on the left stepped an etain'daman, a white towel draped across his arm. He said nothing, just stared at her with his lifeless eyes. Do I dare touch him? What would happen? Would he respond like the one last night?
The fenris'ena stretched out at the side of the pool, his silver gaze upon her.
"Bathe, Regan. I wait."
She straightened her shoulders before she pulled the tunic over her head. She took her time folding the clothing; she'd be damned before she'd hurry because of him. Her heavy breasts stretched her chest muscles and she winced.
"You feel pain. What is it?"
"My body still thinks there is a child to nurse," she said as she stepped into the pool.
The fenris'ena stood and walked to stand before her. "I can fix it."
"What?"
"Hold its head against your breasts. I will make the milk dry up. It is a simple spell."
Regan did not answer as a jumble of thoughts rushed through her head. If I refuse, he will want to know why. He cannot find out about Catherine. But if he dries up my milk, I will not be able to feed my daughter. The thought made tears flood her eyes and she quickly splashed water upon her face.
She turned to face the fenris'ena, and it drew its lips back from its teeth in what she supposed was to be a reassuring smile.
Regan wrapped her fingers in the thick fur of the wolf's neck and pulled it toward her. The fenris'ena turned its head and laid the side of its muzzle against her. The soft fur tickled her breast, but its fangs were too close for comfort. Warmth built in her breasts and she felt the strain on her chest muscles ease.
The fenris'ena pulled back.
"It is done," Dirkk said.
Regan glanced down. Her breasts were their normal size. She ran her finger across one, pain-free except for the ache in her heart. Who will feed my daughter? The same person who cares for her this morning, a nasty little voice in her head answered.
"Bathe, Regan. I await you." The fenris'ena moved to the side of the pool and stretched out once again.
Regan waded into the pool until the water lapped around her shoulders. She undid her braid and combed her fingers through her hair. Taking a deep breath, she bent her knees and ducked beneath the water. When she could hold her breath no longer, she surfaced. She lifted her arms and sluiced the water from her hair.
The fenris'ena stood and moved closer to the pool's edge. She turned and met its glittering eyes. "Beautiful," she heard Dirkk murmur.
Without a word, Regan climbed from the pool. The etain'daman stepped forward and held the towel toward her. She took it with a smile, but the mutated fairie creature did not react.
She toweled her body, and then bent at the waist and used the towel to create a makeshift turban for her hair. Grimacing, she reached for her tunic and skirt, but Dirkk's voice stopped her.
"No." The fenris'ena growled and another etain'daman stepped from the shadows.
"Hades?" Regan said.
The etain'daman came toward her, a sky-blue gown hung across her arm. Hades kept her gaze lowered until she passed the fenris'ena, but once her back was to the wolf, she lifted her gaze and stared her hatred into Regan's face.
Hades held out the gown and Regan took it from her. It was made of some kind of stretchy fabric. She stepped into it and pulled it up. At its top there was one set of ties. Hades knotted the gown above Regan's shoulder. It fit like a second skin; she could count each of her ribs if she chose to. It hit her just above her ankles. How am I supposed to walk in this thing? She stepped forward and felt a slit in the back open.
"Turn around," Dirkk's voice said, and she slowly turned. "Magnificent. Come to me. Hades will guide you." The fenris'ena turned and loped away.
"Follow me, please." Hades' words were polite and subservient, but her flashing eyes branded it all a lie.
How can I get her to help me? She must know it's in her best interest to get me out of here.
"Did the mistress sleep well?" Hades asked with a small smile.
You mean after you tried to crush my skull? "As well as could be expected," Regan said. "After all, I am a prisoner here."
Hades turned to look at her. "You are to be Dirkk's queen. Why would you wish to leave?"
"I'm already a queen."
Hades looked surprised. "You are?"
"To my husband and Daniel." And to my daughter too, she thought, but you can't know that. "It's the only kingdom I want to rule."
The etain'daman's eyes narrowed, but she turned in silence and walked on.
The cave twisted to the right and then twice to the left before the etain'daman s
topped before a doorway and stepped aside for Regan to enter. Regan felt Hades' eyes glaring knives into her back as she moved into the room.
It wasn't where she'd eaten last night. Scarlet curtains draped the walls. An oval table stood in the room's center, adorned with a candelabrum ablaze with candles. A single chair rested at each end. Dirkk stood behind the one nearest. He wore a tunic and breeches of black velvet. The emerald dagger hung from a belt of gold links circling his waist. Beneath his black leather mask, gold specks danced in his green eyes. He pulled the chair out from the table as she approached.
"Bring them," he said, without glancing at Hades.
The etain'daman moved to a scarlet curtain. She pushed it aside and revealed an alcove. Inside was a green box inlaid with swirls of gold. She picked it up and carried it to Dirkk. He took the box from her and set it in front of Regan. He flipped the box open with a flourish. Inside rested two crowns of so fine a gold filigree that it looked like spider silk. Embedded emeralds, rubies and sapphires sparkled wherever the candlelight caressed the crowns. She forced herself to look from the crowns into Dirkk's face and then raised an eyebrow in question.
"Very pretty. More fairie loot, I presume?"
Dirkk's eyes narrowed and his lips thinned into a tight smile. "A gift." He clapped his hands, then pointed across Regan's shoulder. Unsure of how much longer her legs would hold her, she turned to see where he pointed.
A circle of fenris'ena escorted Daniel and Maggie into the room.
"Momma," Daniel cried, and took three hurried steps forward. A chorus of growls filled the room, and a fenris'ena stepped in front of the boy. Maggie darted in front of Daniel and, with raised hackles, issued her own low warning.
"Daniel, stop," Regan said. Instant, fear-fueled anger, steadied her knees and she whirled on Dirkk. "What's going on?"
He smiled. "I wish your son to see our coronation."
"Then let him come to me."
"I don't think so. He has a much better view from where he stands." He clapped his hands again and etain'daman began coming into the room, one by one, their paces plodding and their eyes downcast.
When the room was full of his summoned audience, Dirkk turned and faced Regan. "It will be a short ceremony." He reached to his belt and pulled out the emerald dagger. The four-inch sheath drew her gaze.
The Emerald Dagger Page 19
