‘Oh, Orrie.’ Tears stung her eyes.
He kissed her forehead. ‘My fierce mountain girl.’
She gave him a playful shove. ‘Let me get cleaned up.’
She washed her face and considered putting on her one dress, then decided against it. She was who she was.
So, on the deck of a ship heading into battle, she married the wrong man, but she married him for all the right reasons.
Chapter Sixty-Four
PIRO COULDN’T FIGURE out where Varuska fitted into the Cinnamome household. She polished silverware, yet she sat down to dinner with the family, and Nefysto went to great pains to entertain her. In the privacy of his own home, he did not bother to maintain the disguise of Natteo, the finicky poet and arbiter of fashion. In fact, he’d just told a story about Fyn and the Skirling Stones.
Varuska hung on every word. ‘Do you miss your life on the Wyvern’s Whelp?’
‘I do. But I’m happy to help Kaspian, if only he’d—’ He broke off as the servants entered with the evening meal.
Piro glanced to the empty seat at the head of the table. ‘Speaking of Kaspian, aren’t we waiting for him?’
Nefysto approved the wine and accepted the first course. ‘My cousin takes his meals in his chamber.’
It seemed she’d failed to lure the young man out. She held her tongue until the servants retreated. ‘I understand Kaspian is grieving, but Cinnamome House needs a strong leader. Not that you wouldn’t lead them well,’ she assured Nefysto. ‘But if Kaspian isn’t seen at public events, people will begin to talk. He needs to do his duty.’
‘I’ve stood at his door and pleaded with him to come out, but...’ Nefysto shrugged. ‘He hasn’t let anyone in since he retreated to the tower. All he ever does is leave messages with his food tray, asking for more manuscripts.’
Piro looked down. Kaspian had let her in. She would go to him again.
FYN WATCHED LOYALTY circle the ship. She was a dark silhouette against the stars, followed by the wild male wyvern.
Camoric pointed to a dark shape on the silver sea. ‘If they fly to that island, they’re going to the eyrie, if not, Loyalty is leading us to Isolt.’
Fyn gripped the rail, praying that he’d been right to trust the beast.
The male wyvern circled the island, calling to Loyalty. She flew on.
Camoric clasped Fyn’s shoulder, and they both grinned with relief.
The male wyvern gave another cry and followed Loyalty.
‘He’s determined,’ Camoric said.
‘Not as determined as me,’ Fyn muttered.
Camoric glanced to him. ‘I didn’t expect Travany to betray you.’
‘After I broke his nose?’ Fyn flexed his hand. His knuckles had been bruised for a week.
‘True,’ Camoric conceded. We can moor—’
‘Once the alarm is raised, Neiron will spirit Isolt away,’ Fyn said. ‘No, I’m going in with Loyalty.’
‘At least take half a dozen men.’
‘Loyalty can only carry me.’
Camoric’s mouth dropped.
Fyn grinned. ‘Loyalty will fly Isolt back to you.’
‘And what will you do?’
‘Trust to luck.’
‘Fyn...’
‘You are the captain of the queen’s guard. She is your top priority, just as she is mine.’
Fyn lifted his ring hand and called on his Affinity to make the stone glow. Loyalty circled, then landed. As the wild wyvern gave his mating cry, the bonded wyvern shivered and looked up.
Stroking Loyalty’s neck, Fyn climbed onto the beast’s back. She took a run and leapt over the side of the yacht. They circled the vessel as her broad wings worked to gain height.
Camoric’s crew stared up at him.
Fyn waved, but he did not feel as confident as he appeared riding the wyvern. He could only hope Loyalty would listen to him when they approached the house. If she stormed in, she’d get them both killed.
‘SO IF YOU would just come down from this tower, Kaspian, eat at the dinner table, attend family functions and take charge of the Cinnamome House’s business dealings...’ Piro ran down. The more she said, the less she could blame Kaspian for avoiding his responsibilities.
She wished he would light a lamp. It was hard to read his expression when the only illumination was starlight. Kaspian stood over by the folding doors, arms folded across his bare chest. Beyond him, she saw the towers and spires of Ostron Isle’s princely merchant families. There was no sign of the wyvern, but the beast’s Affinity permeated the chamber. It made her own power rise in response. Kaspian shifted, straightening a little. His dark hair was loose on his shoulders, and his feet were bare. He hadn’t spoken, yet he had let her in.
So she persevered. ‘Where’s Valiant?’
Kaspian turned his face to the sky, closed his eyes and inhaled as if he was testing the air. When his eyes opened, the look he sent her was not human. ‘Hunting.’
Piro shivered. A breeze stirred the papers on Kaspian’s desk. She went over to the manuscripts and adjusted a paperweight. ‘What are you working on, anyway?’
‘Collating sagas that tell of Affinity beast bondings.’
It was such a sensible answer that Piro felt relieved.
‘Why are you here?’ Kaspian was right behind her.
Piro repressed a gasp. She turned and found him too close.
‘Why are you here with your sweet Affinity?’ Kaspian took both her hands in his and lifted them to his face, rubbing them on his throat like an Affinity beast.
Naturally, her Affinity responded. She had to fight to rein it in.
He released her and leant in, placing his hands to each side of her on the desk. Pressing his face to her neck, he whispered, ‘Hmm, you smell so sweet.’
She felt the heat of his skin and the flick of his tongue.
‘Taste good, too.’
‘Kaspian.’ Piro made her voice firm. ‘People don’t go around sniffing and licking other people.’ No, but Affinity beasts did. And she’d made sure that Kaspian’s bond with Valiant went deep.
A gasp escaped her as Kaspian took her waist in his hands. Lifting her onto the desk, he stepped between her knees.
He caught her hands, pressing them to the bare skin of his chest. ‘Do it again.’
She knew what he wanted and her Affinity responded before she could stop it.
A ragged gasp escaped him, and he came in for a kiss. She heard the call of the male wyvern and knew if Valiant reached the balcony, she would not escape.
She scooted backwards across the desk, sending manuscripts and books skidding. A whole sheaf of loose papers fell off the far end of the desk and scattered across the floor towards the balcony. ‘Oh, look what you’ve made me do!’
Kaspian stepped back to survey the mess. The wyvern landed, his eyes glowing with a feral radiance as the down-draft of his wings sent the papers swirling.
‘Quick, Kaspian, grab your manuscripts before they blow away.’
The moment he went to retrieve the papers, she slid off the desk and ran for the door. Looking back, she saw the wyvern watching her, the feral shimmer filling Kaspian’s eyes.
Heart racing, Piro swung the door shut and ran down the tower steps. She had to tell Siordun.
But what was the point? He couldn’t undo what she’d done. She’d been determined to make sure it was a strong, deep bond and she’d done the same for Isolt and Loyalty.
Piro hurried from the tower and stood gasping in the courtyard. What had she done?
The beat of the wyvern’s great wings reached her. A moment later Valiant circled the tower and landed on the ridge of the nearest roof. Kaspian sat astride the beast, looking down at Piro over his mount’s shoulder, their expressions identical.
Piro remained absolutely still, heart hammering in her throat.
The wyvern swooped down into the courtyard, landing neatly, as his wings folded along his back.
Nefysto stepped out of the shadow
s, sword drawn. ‘Back into the building, Piro.’
He was prepared to kill his cousin to protect her. Her heart went out to him, to them both.
The wyvern lunged.
‘Run, Piro!’
She ran. Behind her, she heard the wyvern yelp, then roar. She watched the confrontation from the shadows as Nefysto stared down the wyvern and rider.
A heartbeat later, Kaspian and Valiant took off.
Nefysto shuddered and dropped to his knees. Piro darted out into the courtyard and helped him inside.
‘He’s become one with the beast.’ Nefysto sank into a chair. ‘I suspected, but...’
Piro dropped to her knees in front of him. ‘It’s my fault. I helped them bond. You have to believe me, I was only trying to help. I had no idea.’
Nefysto’s expression was bleak. ‘Now you know why I can’t go back to sea. Kaspian needs me more than ever. House Cinnamome needs me.’
Chastened, she buried her head in his lap. ‘I’m sorry. So very sorry.’
‘Ahh, Piro.’ He stroked her hair. ‘I’ve learnt death is sometimes the kindest way to lose someone.’
FYN HAD BEEN worried the starlight would give him away, but by the time he neared the great house, the clouds had rolled in, blanketing the ground in deepest night. It was just as well he was familiar with Travantir Estate.
He’d half expected to find they’d locked Isolt in Travany’s new tower, and had initially planned to land atop it, but Loyalty led him unerringly towards the great house. He was lucky the wyvern hadn’t given voice in challenge. Perhaps this was because the male wyvern still circled far above.
As they approached, Fyn wondered where to look for Isolt, but Loyalty landed on a third floor balcony rail. He slid off her back, then went to the doors, only to discover the glass panels had been replaced by wooden ones and the doors were bolted shut. He slid his knife into the gap, working it up and down until he felt an obstruction, trying to lift the catch.
‘A moment,’ a muffled voice said. The doors opened and Mitrovan greeted him. ‘Fyn. Isolt said it would be you and Loyalty. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about the abduction. The first I knew of it was when Neiron turned up on Travany’s yacht with the queen.’
Isolt appeared. She wore nothing but a rumpled nightrobe. With a happy cry, she darted past Mitrovan and threw her arms around Fyn.
He hugged her. It seemed the most natural thing in the world. ‘Did Neiron lay a hand on you?’
‘No. He drugged me.’ She gave an odd laugh. ‘It made me throw up. So I pretended to be sick and that put him off.’
‘I’ve been nursing her,’ Mitrovan said. ‘Every time Neiron checks, I tell him she’s still sick.’
Fyn laughed. ‘Thank you!’ He’d never been more grateful in his life. He drew Isolt towards the balcony rail where the wyvern waited. ‘Climb onto Loyalty’s back. She’ll take you—’
‘What about you?’
‘Don’t worry about me.’
‘Fyn...’
He lifted her, still protesting, onto the balcony rail. No sooner was Isolt in position than the wyvern took off, climbing into the sky.
‘I’d read of such things in the old sagas,’ Mitrovan murmured, ‘but never thought...’ He shook his head in wonder then turned to Fyn. ‘You’ll have to hit me.’
‘What?’
‘Make it look like I’ve been overpowered. Better yet, stab me where it won’t kill me. It has to look real.’
Fyn hesitated.
‘Do it,’ the scribe urged. ‘I’m no use to you if—’
Fyn punched him and the scribe dropped like a sack of grain.
After dragging him inside, Fyn tossed a few things about, and went to tear the bolt off the balcony doors so that it would appear as if someone had forced them from the outside.
‘I’m not waiting any longer, Mitrovan,’ Neiron announced as he entered. Seeing Fyn, his eyes widened and hatred twisted his features. ‘You!’
Before Neiron could alert Travany’s men, Fyn reached for his sword.
Having come to rape a maid, not fight a battle, Neiron was armed with only his knife. He launched himself across the chamber, tackling Fyn, and they went down heavily. Fyn felt his sword fly from his hand. Neiron’s weight drove the air from his chest.
With the lord pinning him, Fyn couldn’t reach his knife. Neiron’s hands closed on his throat and he fought to drag in a breath.
‘I should have done this the first time I saw you,’ Neiron growled. ‘Would have saved Elrhodoc’s life. Saved so much trouble!’
Neiron’s thumbs pressed into Fyn’s windpipe, and stars pin-wheeled in his vision.
And Fyn’s Halcyon training took over. He grabbed both thumbs, bending them back with such force he dislocated one. Neiron reared up in pain. Fyn bucked, throwing him sideways.
Neiron sprawled on the carpet in front of the hearth. Fyn sprang to his feet, eager to escape, but Neiron kicked his legs out from under him. They rolled over and over, wrestling.
Fyn caught Neiron’s arm, bending it backward until he felt the elbow dislocate. Neiron screamed.
Someone grabbed Fyn by his shirt and hauled him upright, twisting his arm up behind his back as they swung around to face Travany and two men-at-arms.
‘Are you all right, Neiron?’ Travany asked.
‘He broke my arm. What do you think?’ Neiron snarled and rolled to his feet, nursing his injured limb. ‘Mulcibar’s balls. I’ll geld him for this. Hold him and strip him!’
Panic seized Fyn.
Loyalty screeched as she landed on the balcony.
Everyone jumped. Fyn used his captor’s momentary distraction to slip free. He would have run for the wyvern and leapt onto her back, but someone tackled him.
Loyalty uttered a piercing scream and charged into the chamber. The men scattered as Fyn wrestled with his attacker.This time he went for a choke hold and held on until he felt the man’s body go loose.
Fyn scrambled to his feet in time to see Travany backing away towards the door behind one of his men-at-arms. The wyvern reared up, wings rising, tail lashing.
Something moved in the corner of Fyn’s vision, and he ducked as Neiron tried to decapitate him. Fyn threw himself backwards, fell over the unconscious man and sprawled on his back. Neiron came in for the kill.
Loyalty lashed out with her tail, spun Neiron around and slashed him from shoulder to groin.
He dropped the sword and grabbed his belly. ‘Travany...’
His lordship ran. Neiron dropped to his knees and pitched sideways.
Stunned, Fyn stared as the wyvern dipped her head to Neiron’s stomach wound. The lord screamed as the Affinity beast tore his organs from him.
Fyn froze in horror and backed away, scrambling to his feet.
In the corner of his vision, he saw the wild male wyvern land on the balcony rail. The beast’s call filled the room, pounding on Fyn’s ears.
Loyalty lifted her head then made for the balcony. Fyn just had time to leap onto her back as she ran past. A pounding filled his head as Loyalty leaped onto the rail and into the air, climbing into the sky with the male wyvern at her side.
Fyn dared one glance behind him, saw angry men rush onto the balcony. Cursing and waving their swords, they were all bravado now that there was no chance of engaging with the Affinity beasts.
Loyalty and the wild wyvern circled, climbing higher in a great arc before heading out over the bay. Fyn spotted the dull glow of Camoric’s shielded lanterns. His vessel lay in a secluded inlet, but Loyalty kept going.
The rush of cold air seared Fyn’s face, making his eyes water. If he fell now, there would be no hope for him. He hunched down low and held on.
Before long, he felt Loyalty spiral down, lower and lower, not that he could see a thing. The wild wyvern uttered his mating cry and this time, Loyalty’s response was an answering cry.
Without warning, she tilted her body and gave a shake. Fyn lost his grip, falling into space. He was going to die..
.
A heartbeat later, he hit grass and rolled down a slope, grunting with the impact. He lay sprawled on his back gasping, with no idea where he was.
‘Fyn?’ Isolt’s questing hand landed on his thigh. ‘Fyn, are you hurt?’
‘No. Are you?’ He sat up, pulling her close.
‘Oh, Fyn...’ She wept and cried with joy. ‘I thought I’d lost you.’ She kissed his nose and cheek before she found his lips. It was a desperate, hungry kiss.
An impossible joy coursed through him. Light-headed with relief, he broke the kiss to confess, ‘I love you. I’ve always loved you. When I saw you in the Fate—’
‘What fate?’
‘Halcyon’s Fate. I had a vision of you. But I didn’t dare hope you felt—’
She silenced him with another kiss and her body told him what he needed to know. Her determined hands found their way inside his clothes. He’d had no idea skin could be so sensitive.
There was a point when he could have stopped, but she pulled him down to meet her. And then...
He thought he was the luckiest man alive.
Chapter Sixty-Five
BYREN BRACED HIS legs as the deck dipped and rose. He had not been able to sleep, knowing that Orrade shared Florin’s cabin. The fact that she was sea-sick made no difference. It should have been him looking after her.
Lantern light gleamed on the captain’s rain-wet cheeks and sealskin vest as he studied the southern sky. Brooding clouds filled the horizon, illuminated from within by bolts of lightning. There would be no true dawn today.
Bantam closed the farseer and raised his voice, yelling over the driving wind and rain. The big boatswain bellowed, the sailors trimmed the sails by half and the ship groaned as the helmsman changed course.
Byren stepped close to the captain, but even so, he had to shout. ‘We’re turning back?’
‘I’m not risking my ship in those seas. I’ve signalled the other captains. We’ll make for Snow Bridge Bay.’
Byren cursed. It was just as well he had left with time to spare. In the face of the coming storm, all he could do was hold on as they made for safe harbour and pray the other captains also made it.
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