Reign of Ash

by Meg Anne

  Ronan slowly lifted his body off of hers, moving more quickly once it was clear that there was no danger. His look of surprise was so comical that Helena snickered and then began to laugh in earnest. He turned to her as if questioning her sanity, which only made her laugh harder. Realizing that she was laughing at him, he scowled at her and snapped, “Overcompensating much?”

  Helena had tears streaming down her face from laughing so hard. Her stomach was sore from the force of it. It wasn’t that there was anything funny about what had happened, but the sheer absurdity of a warrior staring up at a flower like it was about to sprout fangs and attack had her snorting with hilarity.

  Ronan let her fall to the dirt, feigning disgust while barely concealing his own relieved smile as he watched his Kiri rolling around on the ground. One by one, her friends slowly walked to stand around her, their faces shining with varying degrees of wonder and concern. As they took in the land around them, and her unharmed body, they relaxed until they too joined in.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Night had fallen on their camp. Gone were the joyous sounds of laughter and in its place was a strained silence. It was time for answers.

  Miranda cleared her throat while the men in Helena’s Circle all glowered at her. It was evident they all believed that the Triumvirate’s visit had been some sort of trap. Even her granddaughter seemed uncertain as she looked over at her with wide blue eyes. Darrin remained at Effie’s side, the violence of her earlier reaction had caught him off-guard. He kept looking at her like he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with her. His puzzled expression had Helena biting back a smile. A man who seemed confused about a woman was always quality entertainment.

  As for herself, Helena wasn’t sure what to believe about the Keepers or their parlor tricks. She had not sensed any malicious intent from them, although there was much to be desired about the way they delivered their messages, not to mention their overall countenance. The thought of those stitched lips and glowing eyes had her suppressing a shudder.

  Kragen caught the movement and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. She smiled up at him, appreciating the gesture of support.

  “Did you know?” Timmins finally demanded, barely able to restrain his fury. His face was flushed and his blue eyes were narrowed as he waited for Miranda to answer.

  The woman opened her mouth, ready to flay the skin from his bones with her words, when she caught the expressions on their faces. She sighed, seeming to age before them. Her shoulders drooped, and she clasped her hands in her lap. Miranda’s eyes met hers, “I had, and still have, no reason to believe that they had any intention other than assistance.” Both her eyes and her voice were imploring Helena to believe her. She did.

  Helena nodded once, “Nor do I.”

  There was rustling as the men turned annoyed glances in her direction. Apparently, they didn’t want her to be the one talking right now. Well, they could just go right ahead and stuff it. Her temper flared. She was the Kiri, Mother bless it, and she would do whatever she damn well pleased. If they didn’t like it, nothing was stopping them from leaving. Except for the vows they had made.

  The memory of the night they had made those promises to her, and she to them, had her swallowing her own harsh words. These were her protectors; it was their duty to worry and care for her. Sensing her shifting mood, the men tried to look appropriately chastened. Only Nial and Serena seemed to be looking at her with any amount of lingering amusement.

  Rolling her eyes, Helena continued, “I do not deny that their methods were questionable, but it is the only way they were able to communicate.”

  “Don’t make excuses for their behavior, Kiri,” Joquil admonished. It was rare that he would speak against her. Even more rare for him to have such deep lines of worry bracketing his lips.

  “I’m not making any excuses, merely stating facts,” she replied calmly. “There is much we do not know about the Keepers, that is true. However, they did show me, once again, what is at stake if I make the wrong choice. They also left me with a warning.”

  “What did they say?” Miranda asked cautiously.

  Timmins scowled at her and the older woman responded by sticking out her tongue. Helena shook her head and smiled. The way those two bickered was like watching two children resort to hair pulling because they were uncertain of how to show their affection.

  “I think they were warning me of the Fracturing, letting me know that if I do not find Von soon, I will not have a choice to make at all.”

  Their words floated through her mind, no less disturbing the second time.

  ‘Without the tether, you will fracture.’

  ‘Eternally lost to the darkness.’

  ‘No way to return.’

  ‘The choice will be made for you.’

  ‘You will damn us all.’

  “What will the choice cost?” Effie asked in a small, subdued voice.

  Helena looked at her with haunted eyes, not needing to use any words to convey her answer. The girl’s shudder was indication enough that she understood. Vividly.

  “So the course is clear. We make for Vyruul and find Von,” Ronan declared.

  “You say that as if it will be easy,” Miranda scoffed, “the journey from Bael to Vyruul is a long one, or have you already forgotten?”

  “Perhaps if we hadn’t been wasting time in this Mother-forsaken jungle we could have been well on our way by now,” Timmins snapped.

  Miranda leveled her gaze at him, a sharp edge in her voice as she responded, “If I recall correctly, you are one of the ones that helped make the choice to come here. Furthermore,” she continued, raising her voice to speak over his sputtering protests, “we all decided to stay when our Kiri’s health demanded rest.”

  Helena tried not to squirm at the mention of her title; she wanted no part of their feud.

  “We all wanted to see if we could learn anything further about the prophecy,” Joquil said neutrally, studying his hands with interest.

  “And none of us would risk Helena’s health,” Serena added while the others nodded their agreement.

  “It would not be a far journey by Talyrian,” Helena said lightly as if her words would not have the impact of a verbal explosion.

  “Absolutely not!” Kragen and Ronan yelled in unison while Darrin shouted, “I forbid it!”

  She raised an eyebrow, daring them all to try and stop her.

  “And what is your plan once you get there?” Micha asked softly.

  As one they turned to look at him. Helena noted the color staining his cheeks and almost felt sorry for him.

  “What do you mean?” Serena asked.

  “Well you do not simply arrive and politely request Gillian hand over your Mate and expect that to work, do you? She will be expecting you, planning for your arrival. You need some plan if you expect to get what you seek.”

  Now Helena’s cheeks burned. It was not that she had forgotten what would be waiting for her once she got there, but the pure logic of his comment left her feeling foolish.

  “What would you suggest?” she challenged, trying to regain some semblance of authority.

  Micha looked startled, surprised that she would ask him such a question. From the looks Darrin and Ronan shot her, they were as well. Helena shrugged, “You know your sister and the lay of the land better than anyone here; what would you suggest we do?”

  His eyes shuttered as he thought through a list of potential scenarios. When he met her gaze again, he seemed slightly defeated, “It is clear I do not know my sister as well as I thought I did. I never imagined her capable of something such as this. However, she is very clever. I would expect a trap. She will have prepared for every possibility and have planned accordingly. You will need to do something unexpected.”

  “A distraction,” Kragen mused.

  “Yes, exactly,” Micha nodded, “Gillian’s biggest weakness is that she does not anticipate anyone to be as clever as her. She will think your first move is your only
move. She will not expect a diversion.”

  Helena could sense the wheels beginning to turn in her warriors’ minds. She was glad for that. It would take their collective energy to come up with something good enough to trick the sneaky bitch.

  “Use me,” she said suddenly.

  “What?” Timmins snapped as Darrin snarled, “Excuse me?” Kragen and Ronan just looked at her with lowered brows, displeasure at her statement obvious. Joquil and the others remained calmly quiet, waiting for her to elaborate.

  “Use me as your distraction. They will not expect me to come on my own. I will offer myself up in exchange for Von. While I keep her busy, you can sneak in and go to work on their forces.”

  “That seems too simple,” Darrin frowned, “and I do not like the idea of you meekly offering yourself up like a calf to slaughter. You shouldn’t go into the enemy’s camp on your own.”

  “Who said anything about meekly?” Helena responded with a terrifying smile.

  “Hellion…” Darrin trailed off, his green eyes scanning hers as he asked, “what are you planning, wicked girl?” Years of understanding passed between them and even he could not stop the smile that grew as he began to anticipate her reply.

  Her answering smile was smug as she asked, “What kind of damage do you think a Talyrian could do?”

  “Kiri! You will be a flying target,” Joquil protested.

  “You must not think much of my shielding abilities if you think that is the case.”

  She saw the considering looks on the others faces. Turning back to Micha she asked, “Do you think it could work?”

  He tilted his head, playing out the scenario in his mind before nodding slowly. His green eyes were sad as he said, “I do. She does not know what a Talyrian can do, so she would not know how to plan for it. You will cause enough chaos that she will be quick to surrender and hear you out, leaving the field open for your men to move in.”

  Ronan and Kragen were nodding, “It’s certainly a start.” The group gathered closer as they began to brainstorm in earnest. Miranda remained seated and was looking at her thoughtfully. Finally, her eyes met Helena’s and she murmured in a voice so low Helena was certain the others couldn’t hear, “and her reign will be of ash.”

  “That’s the second time you’ve said that,” Helena commented in a low voice, moving to stand next to the older woman.

  “I do not believe it will be the last,” she retorted.

  Helena shivered as the woman’s words wrapped around her, the scenes from the Keepers’ vision fresh in her mind. “Let’s hope that is not the case,” Helena whispered, her face ashen.

  “From your lips to the Mother’s ears,” Miranda replied, just as softly.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Days were passing quickly as the group made their way to Vyruul. Despite the number of miles that had been reduced between them, the distance Helena felt between her and her Mate didn’t seem to lessen. She was still keenly aware of his absence beside, as well as within, her. Although she couldn’t decide what she missed more: the feel of his body pressed against hers or that deep growling voice calling her Mate within the recesses of her mind.

  Their bond was intact, something she checked compulsively multiple times a day. Whenever she plucked at the mental tether that bound them, she was always able to feel his flickering presence along its length; however, they had not had any meaningful contact since she had found him in her dreams. Helena was sure that it was because of his captors, although she could only guess as to what they were doing to him that interfered with his ability to access his magic. Everything she pictured only caused her fury to grow.

  Helena’s rage had become a living thing always simmering just below the surface. These days a thought was enough to make it boil over and send her spiraling into the darkest recesses of her mind. Whether it was because they finally had a plan, or that they were mere days away from finding him, she couldn’t say. In either case, her need for vengeance had become all-consuming.

  She had withdrawn from her Circle, choosing to visualize all the ways that she would repay Gillian’s treachery instead of making idle conversation. For a girl that had grown up in a quiet cottage, it would seem that Helena had quite the sadistic imagination. She was fairly certain this was not a discovery her mother would be proud of, although there was no question Von would approve. The thought had her lips curling in a feral smile.

  Ronan picked that moment to turn to her. Whatever he saw on her face gave him pause, but after a moment he maneuvered his wolf toward her. “Kiri,” he said by way of greeting.

  She lifted a brow at the formality. “Bastard,” she returned, the word thick with warmth and gentle teasing despite the iciness of her eyes. It was Von’s preferred greeting for his oldest friend, and Helena had used it intentionally, knowing Ronan would pick up on the sentimentality of its usage rather than any perceived insult.

  As predicted, a smile stretched across his scarred face. “It would seem you are feeling more yourself, lady.”

  “As opposed to what, exactly?” she asked mildly.

  “Your body has regained the weight it lost during our time in the jungle and there are no longer shadows beneath your eyes.”

  “Oh,” she said, shifting in her saddle so that her cloak draped around her more loosely. She was only a little surprised to find that he had been paying attention that closely, but it still rankled that he felt the need to comment on her weight at all. His answering grin was all teeth. The smugness of the expression had Helena rolling her eyes, “I suppose you’d like a cookie for your expert observation skills?”

  “Not if you made them,” he countered.

  Helena sputtered, “I will have you know I make delicious cookies, thank you very much. You would be damned lucky if I ever offered to share them with the likes of you.”

  “I don’t think Von would let you share your cookies with anyone but him,” Ronan retorted dryly.

  The subtle emphasis on the word had Helena studying him more closely. The satisfied look in his eyes took away all of the indignation she was feeling. “You’re provoking me on purpose,” she accused.

  “It worked,” he said simply.

  “Why?” she pressed.

  “Because there has been a weight to your thoughts that doesn’t belong there. I have noticed it often the last few days, and its presence disturbs me. You are sunshine, Helena. There is no place for darkness in those eyes.” His words had the effect of a pail of water being dumped atop her head. They were a frank assessment, but no less effective for it.

  Helena sat there, her mouth opening and closing like a gaping fish while she processed what he had said. That he had actually cared enough to intervene. Not even Darrin had nerve enough to call her out on her temper.

  “Thank you,” she said softly, humbled by this man and his words. It had stunned her that he knew her well enough to know what she needed, even better than she did. And not only that but also by the way he always seemed to look after her, even when it had never been his responsibility to do so. There were those in her Circle, bound to her by life vows, who paid less attention to her subtle shifts in mood. It spoke deeply of his commitment to Von, and to her.

  They shared a look that said more than either of them could verbalize. The moment hung between them, stretching until Ronan finally ended it by clearing his throat gruffly, “If you had wanted to postpone getting your Jaka because you were too scared of a little needle, you could have said so. I don’t think you needed to stage a tantrum to get out of it. That was a little much, even for you.”

  Understanding was shining in her aqua eyes as she sneered playfully, “Please, I bet you cried when you got yours, you big baby.”

  Ronan laughed, a deep guffaw that had the others turning in their seats to stare back at them curiously. “Ah, Hellion, that’s more like it.”

  She grimaced at his use of her nickname but smiled all the same. “Does this mean that I still get my Jaka?”

  Ronan nodded, �
��Whenever you are ready, Helena, it would be my honor.”

  “Tonight?” she asked, suddenly eager to bear the mark of protection.

  He lifted a brow but nodded his agreement, “Sure. Usually, it takes a couple of days to get the ceremony organized—”

  “No,” she cut him off, “no ceremony. Just us.” There was no hidden meaning in the words; she simply did not want to be bared for so long in front of the others.

  “Serena is more than capable of doing it, if you’d rather,” Ronan offered, his ears suddenly red.

  Helena laughed, amused that her friend was having a bout of modesty at her expense. “No, you are my Commander, are you not? It should be you.”

  He was pleased to hear her words, although it took a while for the color to fade from his face. “As you wish,” he said finally. They rode beside each other in companionable silence until finally breaking for camp that evening. As she dismounted Karma, Helena was pleased to realize that she had not thought of torture or blood once that afternoon.

  Helena folded the simple gown she had selected, tossing it in her knapsack once she was done. Serena and Effie had helped her modify the garment so that she could undo the ties over her shoulder and peel the fabric down instead of having to remove it entirely. Serena also helped her fashion a cloth that tied around her chest so that she could retain some modesty while Ronan tattooed her. She had appreciated their help, and the sound of their soft voices as they had gossiped and laughed together that afternoon. It had given her mind something to focus on.

  She was alone now, however, and the silence was overwhelming. Needing to distract herself until it was time to meet up with Ronan, Helena decided to bathe in the secluded glen not far from the campsite. While she had asked Ronan to forego the official ceremony, Helena liked the idea of cleansing herself in preparation for her Jaka. It was a sacred mark of the Mother, and receiving it while coated in sweat and dirt was highly unappealing.