Memory of War

by Michelle Lynn

  He wiped her tear before it could dampen her cheek. “You’ve already saved me.”

  Olana took her place next to Adrian, and they all turned to the priest.

  Marissa had known many bonds in her life. Bonds of duty to Lonara. Bonds of expectation to her father. She’d been tied to Calis for as long as she remembered.

  But at the priest said his final words, and she was bound to the king of Dreach-Sciene, she felt each other bond shatter with his kiss. With her new ties, she was finally free.

  Adrian cheered and as they broke apart, Marissa knew.

  There was no going back.

  * * *

  Returning to the palace where no one knew of the king’s marriage was like entering another world. They’d even kept it hidden from those who traveled to Whitecap with them.

  Now they were back to separate rooms and secret glances.

  Many still saw Marissa as an enemy. They needed time.

  Her eyes shifted to her stomach. Time was something they didn’t have. As her belly began to grow, she hid it with clever clothing, but that wouldn’t last.

  Marcus urged her to see the healer to make sure everything was as it should be, but she wasn’t ready for anyone else to know.

  Sometimes, life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.

  Weeks after their time in Whitecap, a woman appeared at the palace gates asking for Marissa. The guard who came to find her had suspicion in his gaze. It was naturally assumed anyone looking for her would be the enemy.

  She sighed and hefted herself from the chair she’d been resting in. Marcus had been in strategy meetings all afternoon. He invited Marissa, but she hadn’t been sleeping and begged off to rest. Rubbing a hand against her tired eyes, she followed the guard back to the tower that loomed over the iron gates.

  A strikingly tall dark-skinned woman stood against the wall shooting intimidating looks to the men guarding her.

  It had been many years since she’d seen her last, but Marissa would recognize Lonara Stone anywhere.

  Weariness forgotten, she jogged the rest of the distance, a grin breaking across her face. “Lonara!”

  The woman’s head snapped up and the moment she saw Marissa, her shoulders relaxed. “Marissa, dear. You are a sight for this old woman’s eyes.”

  Marissa stopped in front of her mentor. She was the most legendary of all the Tri-Gard members and the closest thing to a mother Marissa had ever had. “You don’t look a day older than me.”

  Her smile reached her eyes, crinkling the edges. “That’s the magic. On the inside, I feel every single one of my years.”

  Lonara and Marissa’s father both remained young though they were older than anyone else who walked the earth. Briggs Villard let his years show.

  “What are you doing here?” Alarm bells rang in Marissa’s head. “You’re supposed to be in hiding.”

  “The time for hiding has passed, my dear.” She looped her arm through Marissa’s. “Even those who have been forced to remain neutral in the past must now choose a side. Come. Let’s get in out of the cold.”

  The guard moved to stop Lonara from entering the courtyard, but Marissa shot him a harsh stare. “She is Tri-Gard,” she bit out. “Show some respect.”

  “Maybe if the Tri-Gard hadn’t chosen the wrong side, she’d deserve it,” he shot back.

  Her mind went immediately to her father and Briggs; no doubt they were both in Calis’ dungeon.

  She held back a growl when Lonara squeezed her arm and turned to the guard.

  “Young man, it is dangerous to assume that which is not true.”

  He continued to glare but allowed them to pass.

  Word of their guest had already traveled throughout the palace and Marissa was surprised to find Marcus waiting for them inside the hall.

  Audible gasps sounded when the king bowed. A king was above all, not needing to lower himself for anyone. When he rose his eyes shone with excitement, and Marissa fell in love with him all over again.

  She hid her smiled. “Sire, may I present Lonara Stone, member of the Tri-Gard.”

  “It is an honor.” He gestured around the room where his mother, brother, and advisors looked on. “We are happy to welcome you to the court of Dreach-Sciene.”

  Amusement flashed across Lonara’s face and she raised one dark brow. “The honor is mine, Your Majesty. I wish these were better times.”

  Before the war, the Tri-Gard was greeted with feasts and balls. The people danced and drank, reveling in the company of the magic keepers.

  Queen Ariana stepped forward and curtsied. “It has been a long time.”

  Lonara reached out and gently touched her shoulder. “It has, my dear.”

  “Come. You must be weary.”

  “No. I think I should wish to speak to the king immediately, but I wouldn’t turn down a goblet of wine – or an entire barrel of it, really. It has been a long journey.”

  “One of my men will fetch it.” The king smiled kindly. “Come. We will speak by the fire.” He turned to the servants who were pretending not to mill about. “Leave us.”

  They filed out, leaving Melissa, Marcus, Lonara, Drake, and Ariana. Someone brought the wine and then promptly left.

  At the far end of the hall was a massive hearth that roared with flames. Gleaming marble arched upwards towards the high ceilings that towered over red-velvet couches. Melissa sat and Lonara took the spot next to her, bumping their shoulders together. She gave her the smile that had always made Melissa feel safe and then took that safety away.

  “How far along are you, child?”

  Everyone froze, and the only sound Melissa could hear was the beat of her own heart. All eyes focused on her. Marcus opened his mouth and then promptly shut it.

  Lonara looked at each face in turn, before pursing her lips together. “There is no use lying to me, dear.” She shook her head. “It isn’t right. You’re the daughter of the Tri-Gard. Sired by one. Trained by another. Loved by all. And you have just forced us to go against our sacred vows.”

  That was enough. “I did nothing of the sort.” She rounded on her mentor. “I am not one of you. I may have the Tenelach, but I am not Tri-Gard. I made no vow of neutrality.”

  “No. But we did, and the only cause to break it would be you. Don’t you see? The Tri-Gard has but one weakness, and that is you.” She slammed her mouth shut as if she’d just revealed some great secret.

  Marissa hid her face in her hands.

  Drake was the first to speak up. “I’m confused. What exactly is happening here?”

  “I’m sorry.” Marissa raised her eyes. “We should not argue in front of you. Lonara and I will retire for the evening to speak in private.”

  “The hell you will.” The prince met Lonara’s unflinching stare. “I never wanted her here. If she’s betrayed the sacred keepers, I want to know. We can send her away.”

  Lonara’s eyes turned to stone. Drake had just made the greatest mistake of all. He’d misunderstood Lonara’s anger.

  “Lonara,” Melissa pleaded. “Let us speak privately.”

  Marcus’ mouth continued to open and close like a fish. He’d gone uselessly mute.

  “No.” Lonara’s single word made them all stop. “They must know why a member of the Tri-Gard has forsaken her vow to the earth. Why I must now fight for Dreach-Sciene.”

  It was so quiet, they could have heard a single flake of snow fall against the stone.

  “I pledge my allegiance to the queen of Dreach-Sciene and the child that she bears.”

  It took a moment for the words to register. As one, Ariana and Drake turned on Marissa.

  “Is it true?” Ariana demanded harshly.

  “I told you she was a snake.” Drake threw his words like a weapon. “She bewitched Marcus. Seduced him and forced him into a secret marriage. I’ll bet there weren’t even any witnesses.”

  “Something must be done.” Ariana paced in front of the hearth. “If no one knows, it is as if it never happened.” />
  Drake and Ariana continued to create plans to do away with the marriage until Lonara stood. She glanced down at Marissa, noting the tears in her eyes. The protective hand on her stomach. The fear clouding her.

  “That is enough.” Her voice echoed across the room. “As Tri-Gard, I can see shifts in the earth. I see ties that have been created in front of the earth’s altars. I saw it as soon as Marissa was before me. You cannot undo it. Marissa is important. Not only to me and her father but to the very ground we walk on. I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But through her, through her line, Dreach-Sciene will triumph.”

  She closed her eyes, sucking in a calming breath, and they all waited. When she opened them, she turned and strode from the room with purposeful steps. They hurried to follow her out into the darkening courtyard. She raised a palm, and the gates opened just enough for them to slip through. When she reached the edge of the trees, she fell to her knees, mumbling a prayer none of them could hear.

  She raised her voice. “I present myself to you.” She was speaking directly to the earth. “I am the keeper of your balance. Your magic is my charge. And I must fight for the survival of one I love. For generations, we have not joined in the wars. But now we have no choice. If I am going to protect the daughter of the Tri-Gard, if I am going to recover the two members being held prisoner, I must shed my passive cloak. Please forgive me.”

  She stood and joined them once more. “War leaves behind a memory.”

  Marissa met Marcus’ eyes, remembering her words to him.

  “The earth weeps for its dead children. For the blood it has consumed. Come, we have much to discuss if we are going to change our story.”

  * * *

  The fire cast light around the faces in the room. Marcus watched his mother carefully. Now that his secret was out, now that they knew he’d married the Dreach-Dhoun girl, that she was carrying his child, he worried what she may do.

  His mother wasn’t evil. She was protective of her family and her people. But Marissa was Marcus’ family now. If Lonara wasn’t present, they’d be in for a fight. He’d do anything to shield Marissa from the worst of it. But his wife was strong enough the withstand them on her own.

  Pulling her closer to him on the couch, he dropped a kiss to the top of her head, ignoring the glares it elicited.

  They’d just finished telling their tale and now they waited for the more important one. Why had Lonara Stone come if her original plan wasn’t to join them?

  Crystal blue eyes glimmered in her dark face. Her beauty was mesmerizing, designed to pull in any unsuspecting person and then trapping them with her soothing voice. If she wasn’t on their side, she’d be a dangerous foe.

  “I’ve been hiding in the mountains of Isenore, tracking the movements of the Dreach-Dhoun army.”

  Drake’s curiosity won out over his ire. “If you weren’t planning to choose a side, why keep watch?”

  Her eyes snapped to his and he shrank back. “They have Ramsey and Briggs. Do you understand the danger that poses? If they were to capture me …” She shivered. “On our own, we are as powerful as anyone else. But put us together – light, dark, and earth – and we can do unimaginable things. Imagine if King Calis were to have us all under his power.”

  Something didn’t add up, and Marissa seemed to sense it as well. She leaned forward. “I know you, Lonara. You would have gone after them. At least Briggs. We all know my father’s loyalties are questionable because of his strange friendship with Calis. Why did you abandon your watch?”

  “Word from your father reached me. He said to find you in Dreach-Sciene. That if I tried to save him or Briggs, all would be lost. Calis was setting a trap for me.”

  A tentative smile appeared on Marissa’s lips. “So you came for me.”

  Marcus shook his head to rid it of his weariness. He covered a yawn with his hand. “We welcome you to our forces.”

  Lonara stared ahead with grim acceptance.

  His mother showed Lonara to her rooms soon after. They’d have time for plotting and strategy. Marissa turned to walk down the hall to her rooms, but Marcus tugged her back against him. Pushing her hair aside, he dropped a kiss to her neck. “At least I don’t have to sneak to your rooms later.”

  She spun and reached up on her toes to kiss him in full view of servants. Drake grunted and knocked them aside to storm away.

  “Now you can move into my rooms.”

  She followed him to his door and pushed through. He took her into his arms and kissed her as if it was the last thing he’d ever do. He never knew when it would be.

  Hours later, they lay together in bed. Sleep eluded Marcus as he thought back over the day. “I’m going to have to make a royal announcement tomorrow.”

  “The people won’t like it,” she whispered.

  “No matter where you came from, you’re their queen and they’ll fall in love with you just as I have.”

  She hummed low in her throat as she drifted off. Marcus pulled her closer. Winter couldn’t last much longer. Soon, they’d be back on the battlefield. Soon he’d have to leave her.

  He finally fell asleep. When morning came, it brought a heavy knocking to their door. He groaned as he rolled over, realizing Marissa wasn’t there.

  With a sigh, he rose from the bed and wrapped a robe around himself before pulling the door open with a harsh “What?”

  Drake was unperturbed by his tone. “You’re needed in the council chamber.”

  Marcus slammed the door in his face and turned to dress.

  When he was ready, Drake was still waiting, his lips turned down in worry.

  “What has happened?”

  Drake matched his pace as he hurried down the hall. “Eisner has been found.”

  Marcus looked at his brother sharply. Lord Eisner, the Duke of Isenore, had betrayed them when he turned his coat to Dreach-Dhoun.

  “The old man or his son?”

  “The son. He returned home to his family under the guise of escaping Calis. He says his father made the alliance, and he was forced into it.”

  “How did he return in the dead of winter? Eisner’s magic isn’t strong enough to get through the mountain passes when they’re covered in snow. He’d risk avalanche or freezing.”

  Drake lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

  “No.” Marcus entered the council room. “None of this feels right.”

  Lonara rose from her place at the table when they entered. “Because, sire, Ramsey Kane was with him.”

  Marcus hadn’t noticed Marissa was present until she gasped, her mouth hanging open. “Do they have him? Is my father in the hands of Dreach-Sciene?”

  The hope in her eyes had Marcus looking to Lonara, the same hope blooming in him.

  “How do you know this?”

  Her dark eyes never left Marcus, despite the advisors filing into the room. “I felt it the moment he crossed the border into Dreach-Sciene. The Tri-Gard is connected. His accompanying the Duke’s son is the only explanation for the weaker man making it through the mountains before the snow has melted.” She fanned out her dress and took her seat calmly. “I must go to Isenore.”

  “No,” Marissa protested. “You can’t be so close to the border. You don’t know what will happen to you if you get too near. We’ll find another way to get my father.”

  “Dear, there is no other way. I may disagree greatly with just about every choice Ramsey makes, but he is a part of me just as he is you. I do not answer to the king or his queen.”

  The chatter in the room stopped suddenly at her words and all eyes turned to Marcus.

  The king waved his advisors away. “Yes, Marissa is now my wife. She’s also carrying my child, and we will have a coronation for her in the future. But now is not the time to discuss such things.”

  “Sire,” a young man in a filthy soldier’s uniform spoke up. “It may not be as simple getting information from the duke’s son as it seems.”

  “Who are you?” Marcus asked.

&n
bsp; Drake was the one who answered. “Seth was the messenger who brought us news of this development.”

  Marcus leaned forward, planting his hands on the table. “How did you make it through the mountains?”

  Seth’s eyes shifted nervously. “I do not know. Truly, your majesty. It was as if magic preceded me. My power is so weak as to be almost nonexistent. Before the war, I was a farmer. My magic nourished the land. It isn’t meant for fighting.”

  “It was my father.” Marissa rubbed her eyes. “He would be the only one powerful enough to extend his power out like that.”

  Marcus sank into an empty chair and rubbed his chin. “What do you mean about it not being simple?”

  Seth clutched at his hands to still his nerves. It was the first time the young man was reporting to the king. Marcus didn’t have time or energy for nerves. He tapped his fingers along the wood of the table impatiently.

  “Lord Eisner says he has any information you may seek but he will only speak to the king.”

  A multitude of voices all broke out at once. They said the same things. There was no way the king could go into Isenore when the war was still brewing. It was too dangerous.

  Their words echoed through Marcus’ mind. Across the table, he met Marissa’s gaze. She gave him a shake of her head, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

  Eisner’s information could turn the war in their favor. He’d been in Calis’ inner circle. He must know supply lines, troop movements – invaluable things. When the battles began again in the spring, Marcus needed to be able to look into the faces of his dying soldiers and know he did everything he could to save them.

  “Can we transport them here?” someone asked.

  “And get them through the passes how?” another said. “Lonara and the king are two of the only people present with the power to make it. One of them would still need to go.”

  “Lonara.” Marcus’ commanding boom threw the room into still anticipation. “We leave tomorrow.”

  “Son.” It was the first time his mother had spoken. “You can’t possibly think this is wise. A king and a Tri-Gard member?”

  “My word is final. In this, I am firm. Just as father refused to allow his men to fight without him by their sides, I know also that a King’s duty is the protect his people no matter the cost. We will take a unit of the finest warriors with us. Assuming we get the information, we will return in two months’ time.”