by Jane Shoup
“Then another man spoke up,” Darius continued, “someone who seemed to be a friend to Ammey, although they were calling her Jade. He asked about the prisoners being released. Then there was a brief argument about what would become of them, Zephyr saying they should go to the dungeon and this other man saying that Jade had held up her end of the bargain. She had endured the, uh, marking, in silence. Other than the one time.” He shifted on his feet. “Then Corin declared that they should be set free. And they were.”
David ducked his head and ran both hands through his hair, gripping its thickness at the base of his neck. The events recounted had been difficult to hear. They’d learned of Ammey’s part in Draven, both with Tariq and the later fight she’d engaged in to defend her friends. They’d heard the account of her fight against the wolves of Bellux-Abry when Daleog was attacked, when she had taken out five well-seasoned killers. During the forced march, she’d put her life on the line to protect a child, and she had nearly died for it. In fact, she would have died, had Corin not shown up when he did. She had recovered from that only to be put through an excruciating ordeal to free the villagers of Daleog.
“Ammey,” Kidder exclaimed when he saw her enter the tent.
David looked at her. The events recounted had been painful to hear and yet they’d filled him with pride at her strength and courage, and he wanted her to see it in his eyes. Unfortunately, Kidder got in the way.
“You’re too thin,” Kidder remarked as he wrapped his arms around her in a brotherly embrace. “Someone get her some food!”
“It’s so good to see you,” she said, returning the hug.
Forzenay tapped Kidder’s shoulder. “Move.”
Kidder acquiesced with a wink at Ammey.
Forzenay moved in, took hold of her hands and kissed her cheeks. “How are you?”
She nodded because she had no power of actual speech at the moment.
“That well?” he teased.
Stripe moved in and hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Graybil was next. He held her at arms length, before pulling her close. “How can I ever thank you?”
Her eyes filled and she shook her head. “I love your wife and daughter.”
He pulled back, but held onto her hands. “I will owe you a debt the rest of my life.”
Vincent’s heart hammered as he watched and waited for her gaze to connect with his. When it did, he stopped breathing for a moment. They came together and he took her into his arms without a word. He stroked her hair, breathed in her scent and held her tightly. She clung just as tightly. He felt her trembling.
Anthony drew back in surprise. This was no embrace of friendship as the others had been. He looked away. Alexander also had to look way. He’d never had any assurance that she would become his wife, but he had hoped. Now those hopes were dashed.
Lucas McKeaf breathed deeply, trying to maintain his composure. His little girl was no more. He was proud of her, hearing all that he had, but she suddenly seemed foreign to him. Not his little golden girl.
Ammey could tell that Vincent didn’t want to let go, but everyone was watching, so he did, although he kept hold of her hand. They hadn’t uttered a single word.
“Ammey,” Rehan Isolde said. “We need to hear more about what happened with Marko Corin.”
“So, you were the lady Jade we heard talk of,” Forzenay said.
She felt Vincent tense and then he released her hand and it was a struggle not to look or him or to cry. “Yes.”
“I thought it had to be you,” Forzenay admitted. “First, when we heard the name and later when we learned the effect the queen was having on Corin. We could never get a physical description, though. He must have kept you under lock and key.”
Ammey nodded slightly and then looked at her father. “Forzenay first called me Jade,” she explained. “In Draven.”
“He told us,” her father replied.
She could not make out his feelings toward her. She would never have willingly hurt him or any of them, but what was done was done and they had to focus on the current situation and the many lives at risk. “That’s why I came back,” she said. “I know we are nearly out of time.”
“Just to clarify,” Isolde said slowly. “And I apologize to whomever is made uncomfortable by the question, but you were Marko Corin’s wife …in all respects. Correct?”
Mortification snaked through her body like lava and she felt herself heat from it. Her brothers looked horribly uncomfortable and she could not bring herself to look at her father. “Yes.”
Anguish emanated from Vincent. It was likely no one else recognized it, but she felt it.
“And he had feelings for you?” Isolde asked as tenderly as possible.
Again, her throat closed, but she had to answer. “Yes.”
“We must tell him she is here,” Isolde stated firmly.
Lucas frowned darkly, but did not speak.
Anthony cleared his throat. “I concur. As you said, if nothing else, it buys us time.”
“He wanted peace,” Ammey spoke up. “He was working toward it.”
“That is true,” Isolde said.
“It’s Nafino Zephyr and Salvo Voreskae behind the attacks,” she added.
“It is my feeling,” Lucas began slowly.
“General,” Forzenay spoke up. “There is something else.”
All eyes turned to him.
“We kept Ammey with us, trained her, and directed her to Daleog at the bidding of the Seidhkona.”
Lucas narrowed his eyes. “We heard as much.”
“Milainah made a prophecy of what was to come. For the most part, it was a bleak picture. She spoke of a man or men who had aligned with a force of evil, and she talked of death and destruction that lay ahead. But she claimed there was hope. She said there was one individual who would make a difference.”
“What are you saying?” Tom McKeaf demanded. “That Ammey—”
“Yes,” Forzenay interrupted. “She is the one.”
Everyone looked at Ammey, which did not help the escalating panic she felt. She looked at Kidder, Stripe, Graybil and finally Vincent and saw concurrence. They had known this and not told her.
“It is you,” Forzenay confirmed, looking at her. “And how can anyone be too surprised?” he asked, glancing around the room. “Look at what she’s done. And look at what she, alone, has the power to do. To end a war.” He paused and then looked at Lucas. “I mean no disrespect, but this is not your choice to make. Corin must be informed that she lives … and who she is.”
The room went silent.
“I agree,” Lucas said unhappily.
“If Corin believes that you’re dead,” Isolde said, “we will need proof you are alive.”
“Let me see your arm,” Lucas said.
The command took her by surprise and silenced the room again. She turned to Vincent with a heavy heart. “Will you cut my sleeve?”
He took out his dagger and slit the base of her sleeve. Sheathing his dagger, he ripped the sleeve until the uruz symbol was visible. An expression of pain crossed his face. It was one of the moments she had most dreaded and yet, now that it was here, it was almost a relief. She did not want to keep hurting and disappointing everyone. It was better to be done with all the revelations. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed with enough breath behind it for his ears only. His gaze connected with hers, full of longing and regret.
She walked to her father and her brothers all came forward to see it, as well.
“And your wrists,” Dane said, noticing the scars.
Anthony placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “We could not be more proud of your courage.”
Her eyes filled.
Lucas lifted her chin toward him until she met his eyes. “Forgive what I said earlier.”
Tears rolled down her face, but she nodded.
Lucas pulled her close. “Your brother is right. I could not be more proud.”
“General?” I
solde asked.
“Send the message,” Lucas said. “It will buy time. In the meantime, we figure out a way to attack and prevail.”
Ammey felt a chilling rush of fear and pulled from her father’s embrace. “But it’s possible to negotiate peace.”
Lucas looked at her steadily. “I want him dead.”
Anthony stepped back. “I’ll find someone to send a message.”
“What can we offer as proof?” Isolde asked.
“She has his mark,” David spoke up.
Ammey felt overwhelmed because it was all happening too fast. She did not want Marko killed. She didn’t want more bloodshed.
“But people know about that,” Isolde rejoined. “Speaking of it is not proof. Remember, he was told she was murdered. He believes it. I heard a severed arm with the mark was offered as proof.”
Ammey grimaced. If that was true, they had marked and probably murdered another woman to make him believe it was her.
“Ammey, is there anything you know, anything you can pass on as proof you are alive?”
“Think,” Anthony urged, squeezing her shoulder again. “Something he told you in confidence.”
“I want a truce,” she stated. “I want peace.”
Rehan Isolde got to his feet. “We all want peace. I, myself, have wanted a diplomatic solution all along. But Forzenay is right. You may be the key.”
It felt like a trick. They wanted to use her and then wipe out the army of Bellux-Abry. But she was not a pawn. She’d attempted to kill herself rather than be used as a pawn against her family, but she was not going to be used as one against Marko, either.
“Listen to me, Ammey,” Isolde urged. “Corin was not willing to negotiate before. He may now. But we need proof. Corin will not believe you are alive without some sort of proof. Obviously, we cannot provide you.”
“Baba,” Ammey appealed, turning to him. “Tell me you’ll try for a peace settlement. That you’ll accept one.”
He didn’t speak for a long moment. “I will consider it if it his true intention,” he finally said. “That is all I can promise.”
She knew she would not get more from him.
“Think, Ammey,” David said. “He must have shared something that you can pass on to convince him.”
“There is something,” she said, still holding her father’s gaze. She turned and looked at Isolde. “Tell him I know why he hates the ugaria bush.”
“That’s it?” Isolde asked with a frown.
“It will be enough,” she assured him.
“Well, why?” Isolde asked. “Why does he hate the ugaria bush?”
“I cannot tell you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I promised I would tell no one.”
“You’re saying the mere statement that you know why he hates—”
“Will be enough,” she interrupted. “Yes.”
“I’ll take the message,” Alexander offered. “I’ve heard everything. I know what to pass on.”
Lucas nodded. “Thank you.”
“Wait,” Isolde said, holding up a hand. He’d been trying to think what Corin would ask, what he would challenge. “How were you abducted?”
“Two men came into my room. They bound and gagged me after killing my maids. Their necks were broken.”
“Do you know who abducted you?”
“It was two brothers. They were supposed to cut off my head, but it wasn’t expected for three days.”
“Who hired them?” Anthony asked. “Were you told?”
“Nafino Zephyr,” she replied, certain it was true despite the fact that they’d never actually said it.
“Good,” Isolde said. “That’s good, Ammey. Is there anything else you can think of to share?”
She shook her head and then watched Alexander turn and leave.
Fin, standing in back of the room, felt foolish that he’d had hopes of rescuing a woman who, apparently, was loved by everyone she came into contact with. But he had come to care about her even before realizing how beautiful she was. That was becoming more apparent every day as she grew stronger. He’d begun falling in love with her before he knew she was the daughter of the McKeaf, before he learned she had the courage of a warrior.
What a cruel thing fate was to have put such an unobtainable jewel in his path. Of course, he was not the only one. A king loved her. Vincent of the Five loved her. He could see it in the man’s face, in the way he watched her every breath and move.
“We should go,” Garid said quietly.
Peter John squeezed Fin’s arm, understanding some of what he was feeling.
“How did you get away from the men in Uerad?” Forzenay asked her.
She wanted to tell him, but she felt too weak and unwell. “Remembering some of what you taught me. And then a …miracle occurred. Perhaps I could tell you about it tomorrow.”
“Yes,” her father said. “You should rest.”
She nodded, glanced at Vincent, and then left.
Tom watched her leave, followed by Vincent of the Five. Exhaling deeply, he leaned forward, trying to process all that he’d learned.
~~~
Ammey and Vincent were nearly to David’s tent before either of them spoke. “Do you love him?” Vincent finally asked.
How like him to be so pointed in asking. “I grew to care about him.”
Vincent shook his head. “He hurt you.”
She turned to face him. “I hated him, defied him. It was the reason he had me marked. I would have killed him if I could have. But he saved my life twice and he changed. I learned things about him. I discovered he’s not a monster, that he’s been manipulated all his life.”
“He made love to you?” Vincent asked brusquely. “He claimed your virginity?”
She was not at all certain she could continue the conversation. “He thinks he did.”
“What do you mean?”
“The night he—” her voice broke and she looked away.
“The night he claimed your virginity,” he supplied.
“I saw you,” she said brokenly, looking back up into his eyes. “Wished for you. And it was you.”
Something flickered on his face. “In a haze. In a silver robe.”
She nodded. “It was a gift from the Seidh.”
He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I wish I’d been able to protect you,” he said thickly. “I wish that more than anything.”
She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. “So do I.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
After handing over his sword, Alexander was escorted to Corin by several soldiers. Marko Corin, reclined on an elaborate chair in his luxurious tent, was younger and far better looking than Alexander had imagined. Guards and a scantily clad woman were positioned around him. “You bring word?” Corin asked. He could not have sounded more disinterested.
“I do. Although, I dare say, it’s not the word you expect.”
Corin’s brow lifted. “Oh?”
“Lady Jade is alive and amongst our number.”
Corin’s expression went from bored to incredulous to livid. He leaned forward slowly and stood searching Alexander’s face for some indication of what would possess a man to make such a claim. Alexander realized if he was not careful, he would be struck dead before he convinced Corin of the truth.
“My wife was abducted and murdered,” Corin replied slowly, enunciating each word precisely.
Alexander shook his head before replying. “She was abducted, but not murdered. She was taken into Uerad where she managed to escape from her abductors.”
“Impossible,” Corin breathed. “Her arm—”
“Has your mark,” Alexander said. “I saw it myself. Her wrists are scarred, as well.” The room bristled with hostility. Soldiers were inching toward him.
Corin held out a hand. “I will say if and when he dies,” he stated warningly.
“As proof,” Alexander said.
Corin’s eye
s narrowed.
“She said to tell you that she knows why you detest the ugaria bush.”
Corin’s eyes widened. His mouth opened and then closed without him uttering a sound. He turned his head sharply to address his guards. “Leave us!”
“But sire!”
“All but two of you. You and you.”
The other guards and soldiers filed out. “My lord,” the woman protested.
He turned a hate-filled glare on her. “Get out.”
She scowled at Alexander then left.
Corin looked at Alexander. “What is your name?”
“Alexander Kievnall.”
“Ah. A champion of the games, I hear.”
Alexander didn’t reply.
“Do you know my wife?”
“I have known her all her life.”
Corin considered the man distrustfully. “Where is she from?”
“Stonewater Forge.” Alexander watched disappointment and doubt fill Corin’s eyes. “Not Daleog, as you thought. And her name is not Jade. It is Ammey. Ammey McKeaf.”
Corin was stunned. “McKeaf?” he repeated.
Alexander tipped his head. “As in the country’s most revered general.”
Corin absorbed the news in silence.
“Not only is Ammey the daughter of the McKeaf, your enemy, but she has six brothers. Men you have been battling. One lies near death because of it.”
“I want to see her.”
“We’ll agree to a truce, first,” Alexander stated firmly.
“Done.”
Alexander blinked in surprise. “In writing.”
“Fine.”
Alexander was taken aback by the instant responses. Did he mean them? “Formally,” he stipulated. “With credible witnesses. We can meet in a neutral location.”
“Fine. There is a castle on a hill near the Rhannalinx that was offered to me. Dahl’s Keep. It will be cleared and then we each can post guards.”
“How many?”
“I don’t care. Twenty.”
Alexander gave a brief nod. He had not expected to get into this level of detail.
