Khalshir (Kingmakers Book 1)

by Jaye McKenna

  Dani needed no more urging than that. He shucked out of his clothes, blew out the lamp, and slid into bed beside Rio. The last thing he remembered was a pair of warm arms pulling him close, and the sound of honey and smoke whispering in his ear.

  * * *

  The ride to the capital city of Tirion took three days. As the palace came into view in the middle of the afternoon of the third day, Dani reined his borrowed black mare to a halt at the top of a rise and nudged her to the side of the road. Rio followed suit, concerned.

  “Are you all right?” Rio asked. “Is your shielding holding up?”

  “Ai, it’s fine,” Dani said. “I just wanted a few moments.”

  “What is it, Danakho?” Antarion called as he approached from the front of the line. “They’ll be expecting us, you know. I sent word ahead this morning.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just… I want a minute alone with Rio before we get to the palace. You know what it’ll be like. Mother will want a full accounting, and you’ll be taking Rio off to see your father, and…” Dani trailed off, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture.

  Antarion’s dark eyes softened. “Of course, Cousin. Would you like me to take your mount for a few minutes?”

  “Please.” Dani dismounted, and Rio handed his reins to Vadri before following Dani to a grove of trees at the side of the road.

  When they were out of sight of the others, Dani said, “Things are going to be very different when we get to the palace. It… it won’t just be you and me alone in the wilderness.”

  “No, it won’t.” Rio smiled down at him. “It will be you and me together whenever we can be, without worrying about what your father might do, or whether Bajhan is lurking just out of sight.”

  “Ai, there’s that, but… I should warn you about the court. They’ll talk. They’ll spread rumors and gossip and…”

  Rio pressed a finger to Dani’s lips. “I’ve spent months at a time in the courts of several of the Middle Kingdoms. I know exactly what goes on. I’m perfectly capable of giving as good as I get.”

  “Oh.” Dani’s eyes widened. “Then I don’t have to worry about you.”

  “No, you don’t.” Rio lifted Dani’s chin so their eyes met. “Do I have to worry about you?”

  “No. I usually avoid them as much as I can.” Dani wrinkled his nose, then flushed. “When we arrive… they’ll want to know… I mean… shall I have your things taken to my rooms? Would you… do you think…”

  Rio’s smile widened. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

  Dani’s cheeks grew even pinker. “Yes?” he almost squeaked.

  “Yes,” Rio whispered. “I’d like to move in with you. And I’d like to spend the night with you in my arms.” He pulled Dani close and kissed him, slow and deep. Dani moaned into his mouth and molded his body to Rio’s.

  When Rio finally released him, Dani’s eyes were dark with desire and Rio’s breeches had become somewhat tighter than he liked. “I hope you’re going to do more than hold me in your arms tonight,” Dani said.

  “I’m planning on it,” Rio said, barely keeping the growl out of his voice.

  The remainder of the journey to the palace was somewhat uncomfortable, and it was with relief that Rio finally dismounted in the courtyard and handed his reins to a waiting stable boy.

  Dani had already handed off his horse and was heading toward a tiny, dark-haired woman dressed in a plain burgundy gown. Her face broke into a smile as she caught sight of him, and Dani ran the last few steps and caught her up in his arms. After giving her a hug, Dani set her carefully down and offered her his arm. She smiled up at him and took it, and he escorted her up the grand stone stairs into the palace.

  “Come, Rio,” Vadri said from behind him. “Lord Tyvirion, he will want words with you.”

  Rio’s stomach churned as he followed Vadri inside to a luxuriously furnished anteroom. Despite Antarion’s reassurances, Rio was well aware that the final word regarding his fate would be that of High Lord Tyvirion.

  “Wait here,” Vadri said. “And take your comfort. Could be some time.” Before Rio could respond, Vadri went through another door, leaving him alone with two armsmen dressed in the black-and-silver uniforms of Altan.

  Unable to sit, Rio paced the room for what seemed like hours before Vadri finally reappeared.

  “High Lord Tyvirion will see you now.”

  Rio expected to be led into an audience chamber, but instead found himself in the high lord’s private study. The room was paneled in dark woods, and the furniture was heavy and functional. The high lord sat at the head of a battered work table, Antarion on one side and Soren on the other.

  Like his son, Tyvirion had black hair and dark eyes, and although he had to be in his mid-fifties, there wasn’t a single strand of silver to be seen in his hair.

  “Have a seat, Rio,” the high lord said, and Vadri pulled out a chair for him.

  Rio sat, wishing he was wearing something nicer than the travel-stained shirt and breeches he’d been wearing since he’d left Jakhar.

  “Antarion tells me you are the one who helped my nephew escape his father and escorted him safely over the mountains.”

  “Ai, m’lord,” Rio murmured.

  “For that, you have my gratitude.” The high lord gave him a pained smile and continued, “Antarion also tells me you are a member of the Khalshir Guild.”

  “I was, m’lord, but I’ve renounced all ties to the Guild.”

  “Have you, now?” Tyvirion exchanged an unreadable look with Soren, then turned speculative eyes on Rio. “I’m told it’s not quite that easy.”

  “No, m’lord, it’s not.” Rio swallowed. “I may have renounced them, but I fear they will not renounce their claim on me. As a renegade, I can expect to be hunted to the end of my days. The only place the Guild will not pursue me is here, in the Tovashi Domains. I believe your nephew planned to ask you to grant me sanctuary here.”

  “Well, if he did, my son has beaten him to it,” Tyvirion said.

  Rio glanced at Antarion, who grinned and winked.

  “The reason your Guild dare not enter the Tovashi Domains is because Soren has made it his life’s work to keep them out. Since you have done us a great service in bringing Danakho to us unharmed, and since both Soren and Antarion have spoken in your favor, I see no alternative but to offer you a position on my staff as a security advisor.”

  Rio blinked. In his wildest dreams, he’d never expected to be made such an offer. A job that wouldn’t require him to murder innocents. A job that would allow him to settle, to put down roots. To be with Dani. Rio couldn’t help smiling. “I accept, my lord. With extreme gratitude.”

  “Well, it’s not an entirely selfless decision, you understand. I rather like the idea of having a Khalshir-trained security advisor protecting my family.”

  “Who better to guard them from assassins, ai?” Rio murmured.

  “Indeed,” the high lord said, lips curving in a smile. “Take a few days to settle in with Danakho before you report to Captain Brand for duty.” Tyvirion’s gaze shifted to Vadri, who had remained standing behind Rio. “Vadri, would you be so good as to escort Rio to quarters?”

  “Dani’s suite will do, Vadri,” Antarion said. “I believe Dani will be expecting him.”

  “Will he, now?” Tyvirion raised an eyebrow. “Well, good. Danakho deserves some happiness, after all he’s been through.”

  Vadri grinned as he gestured to Rio to follow him. “Be ready, Rio. Captain Brand, he will pick your brains clean before putting you to work. You will spend many happy hours fixing palace security, no doubt.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Anything that made the palace more secure would help keep Dani safe. Rio returned Vadri’s smile, hardly able to believe his good fortune. The weapon master escorted him out into the hall, and Rio paid close attention to his surroundings, memorizing every detail of the route that would take him to Dani.

  * * *

  Dani stoo
d in the main room of his suite and turned around, drinking in the familiar surroundings while Mother ordered tea and cakes from the servants. This was the suite given to him by his uncle, the rooms he and Haiden might have shared, had Father ever allowed Haiden to come here.

  The last of the knots of anxiety lodged in Dani’s stomach and throat finally melted away. At the sound of the door closing, he turned around to see Mother beaming at him. She came toward him to give him another long, hard hug.

  “Oh, Dani. I feared I might have lost you.” Her eyes were shimmering with tears when she pulled away, but unlike the last time he’d seen her, these were tears of joy. “I’ve never been so relieved as I was this morning when Antarion’s messenger brought word that you were on your way. When Pendrin’s letter came saying you’d escaped the estate and that your father was livid, I could hardly bear it. The thought of you, all alone, your father turning the countryside upside down to find you… I feared for your life.”

  “I wasn’t alone, Mother. I had two of the bravest, most honorable men I’ve ever met helping me. Coryn risked his own life to help me escape the estate, and Rio saw me safely here. Antarion has promised me Uncle Ty will find a place for him.”

  “Oh, thank the Dragon Mother for that. Pendrin guessed Rio had helped you, but he wasn’t certain what became of him. He… said you’d become rather fond of him.”

  Dani flushed. “Ah. Yes. Tari told me Pendrin was keeping you informed.”

  “Ai, he was. And if that upsets you, you can have words with him yourself when he arrives. He’s on his way here, and I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed to see you safe and sound.” She took hold of his hand and led him into the sitting room. “So, you must tell me all of it.”

  They made small talk until the tea arrived, and once they were alone again, Dani launched into a rather abbreviated account of his adventures.

  When he’d finished, the look Mother gave him over her teacup suggested she knew he’d left a lot out of his story. Out of respect for her feelings, he’d made no mention of the beatings he’d endured at Larrad’s hands, and done his best to inject a bit of self-deprecating humor into what he had to admit was rather a grim tale.

  “And what of Rio?” Mother set her cup down and folded her hands in her lap. “I want to hear more about the man you took for a lover.”

  Dani nearly dropped his teacup. “Pendrin told you that?”

  “Of course he did. He said he thought you made a very handsome pair.”

  “Did he.” Dani’s cheeks burned. “Well, ah, you’ll be meeting him soon enough. He’s… ah, he’s going to be, um, staying here. With me.”

  Mother’s eyebrows rose, but before she could comment, there was a knock on the door. Dani went to answer it and found Rio standing in the hall, Vadri beside him.

  “There,” Vadri said, smiling broadly. “Home safe and sound.”

  “Home,” Rio said softly, and smiled at Dani.

  That smile melted Dani’s heart. He took hold of Rio’s hand and tugged him inside. No sooner was the door closed than Rio pushed him up against it and locked his mouth to Dani’s.

  Dani pressed himself against Rio, losing himself in those strong arms, in Rio’s scent, in the heat of his body…

  The sound of Mother clearing her throat had him tearing himself free, face flaming. “Oh, hell,” he muttered, giving Rio an apologetic look. “Sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean…”

  But Mother was laughing, her dark eyes sparkling. “No matter. Welcome to Tirion, Rio. I imagine I’ll be seeing rather a lot of you, though perhaps not as much as Dani, hmm? I’ll leave you two alone for now, but later on, I’d like a chance to thank you properly for seeing my son to safety.”

  “Ai, ma’am,” Rio said, bowing his head respectfully. “Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to… to ravish your son in front of you.”

  “I’m quite sure you did,” Mother said, eyes twinkling. She let herself out, pausing only to give Dani a knowing look before closing the door.

  “Well?” Dani could hardly contain himself. “What did Uncle Ty say?”

  “He offered me a position on his staff as a security advisor. Said he wouldn’t mind having someone Khalshir-trained keeping his family safe.”

  Dani smiled. Trust Uncle Ty to find the perfect job for Rio.

  Rio spread his arms wide, and after checking to be certain Mother really had gone, Dani moved toward him and found himself wrapped in a warm embrace.

  “Welcome home, Rio,” Dani whispered, hardly able to believe it.

  “Home,” Rio whispered into his hair. “Yes.”

  Dani tipped his head up for a kiss, and Rio obliged. What started out as a gentle brush of lips quickly turned hot and wild. When they finally separated, Rio’s eyes burned with a dark fire nearly as hot as the desire coursing through Dani.

  Dani took hold of his hand, tugging him toward the bedroom. “I don’t suppose you’d care to begin your work now by inspecting my bedroom for security risks?”

  “I’ll inspect anything you like, Danakho Jherek,” Rio growled, “but I’ll warn you, at the moment, I’m a lot more interested in you than I am in your bedroom.”

  Dani led the way. At the sight of the big bed, Rio took over, practically dragging Dani toward it. Heat and want raced through Dani as Rio captured his mouth in another bruising kiss. Dani’s hands wandered over Rio’s body, tugging at the fabric separating their skins.

  Rio chuckled, a deep, rich sound, as Dani struggled to untie the laces on his shirt. It took far longer to undress one another than it might have if they hadn’t felt the need to stop for kisses and touches as they stripped.

  It was far too long since they’d last touched. Dani took his time reacquainting himself with Rio’s body. His hands skimmed over hot skin and hard muscle as he relearned the contours and textures he’d had so little time to appreciate.

  “It’s been torture being so close to you all this time,” Dani murmured, “and not being able to lose myself in you.”

  “We have all the time we want, now,” Rio said, pushing Dani down onto the bed. “And I plan to take my time with you.”

  Dani shivered as Rio loomed above him, pressing kisses to his neck and chest. He pulled the leather cord tying Rio’s hair back and buried his fingers in the dark, glossy strands. “You have got to be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen,” he murmured.

  Rio stared down at him, eyes burning with desire. “And you, writhing and moaning under me, will be the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”

  “Yes,” Dani whispered, and welcomed Rio into his body the same way he’d welcomed him into his heart: completely, and without reservation.

  The music they made together was sweet and wild, and when the last notes of passion and pleasure finally faded and they lay pressed close together, gathering strength for the next movement, Rio whispered, “I love you, Danakho Jherek.”

  “And I love you, Rio. You make my heart sing.”

  Rio kissed him deeply, and Dani responded eagerly, hardly able to wait for the next song they would sing together.

  Epilogue

  Light poured into the darkness of Coryn’s prison. After spending all day lying on a dirt floor in the dark, it burned his eyes, and he squeezed them shut. Footsteps, quick and light, sounded on the cellar stairs, and a moment later, he was rolled over. His bonds were cut, and he was pulled roughly to his feet.

  He pried open an eye and squinted. Bajhan stood before him, naked fury in his eyes.

  “You didn’t find them, then,” Coryn murmured.

  Bajhan’s hand cracked against his cheek hard enough to send him staggering back. “Oh, I found them,” Bajhan spat. “Right before Jherek brought his cousin the heir to the rescue. If I’d been only a few hours earlier, we’d have had him. But I wasn’t in time, thanks to you.”

  Coryn didn’t smile, but his heart lightened. Rio was free on the other side of the Dragon’s Spine, and that was all that mattered. Bajhan might still pursue him, but he’d have to obtain per
mission from the Guild Master to enter the Tovashi Domains, and that meant going back to Akhat, to the Guild headquarters. Five or six days back to the mythe-gate hidden in the ruin south of Jakhar, time to consult with the Guild Master, and then, if she granted him permission, another five or six days back… plenty of time for Rio’s trail to cool.

  Bajhan grabbed him by the arm and shoved him toward the cellar stairs. Coryn climbed up into the light to see their horses waiting, already saddled.

  “The Guild Master’s going to want a word with you,” Bajhan said in a low voice.

  “Ai,” Coryn said. He’d known he’d be in trouble for using the sleep dart on Bajhan during his fight with Rio. Bajhan had known exactly what he’d done, and he’d been furious.

  Lucky for Coryn, Bajhan hadn’t figured out any of the other delaying tactics he’d been using. Like the herbs he mixed with the tea at night to make Bajhan sleep deeper and longer than usual, and the false trails he’d laid during those long, deep sleeps.

  Bajhan bound his hands in front of him this time, and secured them to the pommel of the saddle. They rode in silence until long after dark. When Bajhan finally stopped to make camp, he made Coryn drink a dose of sleeping draft and left him lying by the fire, still bound, while he prepared food.

  It wasn’t until after Bajhan had fed him that he finally spoke to him. He knelt on the ground beside Coryn and said softly, “Why, Rhal-tiya?”

  Coryn flinched at the nickname. In Kharran, the language of the desert tribes, it meant mage killer. Bajhan had given it to him the day they’d met. “Rio is my brother. And your nephew. I couldn’t let you retire him.”

  “My first loyalty is to the Guild,” Bajhan said flatly. “You know that. And I told you your first loyalty was to the Guild when you became my apprentice.”

  “Except for Rio,” Coryn said. “I told you that.”

  “What about Jherek? He’s not your sworn brother.”