Eielawyn [The Maidens of Mocmoran 3] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Wynette Davis

  “You know her?” asked Laeros.

  Raenos glanced at Laeros, seeing the expression on his face. “I know of her. I know that she’s a bitch. She has this thing against the royal guard. Her name is Eielawyn, clan of Nelglis.”

  “Mocmoran,” Laeros said appreciatively. “I should have known just by looking at her.”

  “Yes, she is Mocmoran. Yes, she has…the curves…fullness of…she’s Mocmoran!”

  “All right, all right,” Laeros said holding his hands up defensively. “And don’t most people have a problem with the Teveoch guard, Raenos?” Laeros gave him an incredulous look. “I’m sorry, man. It’s true, isn’t it?”

  Raenos shrugged. “Maybe. The point is, I’ve tried to be pleasant to her, and all I get is mouth.”

  They started to walk slowly down the beach toward the woman. “Is she pretty? I mean does the face match the body?”

  Raenos thought about nothing more over the past few days. Yes, her face did match her body. And her peppered personality, her fire, her…bitchiness was something he favored. He hated meek, quiet, demure women like the women in Morhais. But even though he would deny his attraction to her, he knew it was true. And knowing his attraction for her angered him. He was Lieutenant Raenos of the Teveoch Royal Guard. The tattoos on his chest were so many that they encircled his waist and up the side of his body. At thirty years old, he’d risen through the ranks of the guard faster than many of his counterparts. He took his oath to heart and never had a girlfriend, a wife, or any distraction that would take his focus off of his job. Sure, he’d had women. But they were only to relieve a need. He never fell in love—and he would never, he told himself. Especially with some curvaceous, full-bodied, auburn-haired, ill-tempered Mocmoran beauty on a beach.

  “Good morning,” Laeros said to her.

  Eielawyn looked over at where they were standing, smiling broadly at first, but her smile quickly faltered at seeing Raenos standing there also. “Yeah. Morning.”

  “I’m Prince Laeros of Zinvia,” Laeros said smiling genuinely before taking a deep bow. “And I believe you know—”

  “Yes, I know of him,” said Eielawyn. “He and his thugs came into my shop to destroy a few things.”

  “I didn’t come into your shop with them,” Raenos said defensively. “And I didn’t destroy anything. But of course, you lump all guards into the same pile, don’t you?”

  “No guards have given me a reason not to,” she said derisively.

  “You don’t give them a chance,” Raenos countered. “No, you don’t want to give anyone a chance.”

  Laeros seemed to take a step back, as Eielawyn walked closer to them. “Maybe I would if your reputation didn’t precede you. There are people—friends of mine—that have gone missing since you and your fuckin’ royal guards have come to town. So, forgive me if I carry a chip on my damn shoulders.”

  “Wow, do all Mocmoran women use language like that?” Raenos knew he was goading her, and the strange thing was, he liked seeing the fire spring into her eyes as her anger flared.

  “I’m not like most Mocmoran women. If you can’t handle the way I speak, too fuckin’ bad. Nice meeting you, Prince Laeros,” she said with a short curtsy.

  “No good-bye for me?” Raenos teased. “I thought we’ve become so close?”

  Eielawyn’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Yeah,” she said with a slight smile on her face. “Bite me.”

  The two men watched her leave the beach the way she’d come. Raenos was shaking his head. “Do you see what I mean? A bitch.” He continued to stare at the spot she’d last been before disappearing through the dunes. “Come on. Fill me in on what you’ve been doing for the past ten years, and about your soon-to-be fiancée. That woman can make a man want to drink.”

  “Among other things,” Laeros said with a smile, as they made their way back to the camp.

  Chapter Four

  Balaedras stomped through the palace hallways with her personal guards and ladies in waiting trotting after her at a quickened pace. “Find me Axlthras! Now!” She walked into the royal council room, dismissing her ladies and guards with a wave of her well-manicured hand.

  Minutes later, a tall, thin man in all black walked in through the side entrance, taking a seat at the L-shaped table without being asked to do so. “You have need of me, your highness?”

  “It’s been a week, Axlthras. One full, long week since I sent you to gather information to use against Zinvia, and nothing. I’ve heard nothing from you.” Balaedras sat down in the oversized chair at the head of the table. Her eyes speared Axlthras like a pinned moth to a board. “I need information, Axlthras. Now!”

  Axlthras took a long, deep breath before slowly releasing it. “Forgive me, your highness, but there isn’t anything. I sent my people into Zinvia to plant devices throughout the palace, and they were all found and destroyed. I haven’t heard anything from those that I sent and must assume that they were also found and…destroyed. We’ve tried everything, your highness. Your agreement with the fairies—how they worked with Drisa—Zinvia’s defenses are far superior to Drisa. Their defenses are superior to Teveoch, if you will allow me to say so. The fairies were killed before they had a chance to get within ten miles of the closest village near the border. And I’ve heard no chatter through any of my regular channels of information about Queen Ethroahs or her plans.”

  Balaedras ran her finger along the shining wood surface of the table. “So,” she said without looking at Axlthras. “You’re saying that you failed.”

  “N-n-n-no, your highness. I haven’t failed. I would never fail you in whatever task you hand to me. I only need a little more time. Just a little. I-I-I’m sure I’ll find something useful.”

  “I want Zinvia,” said Balaedras coldly. “Without Zinvia, Balknae is vulnerable. If I have Zinvia, Balknae will fall. Once I have all the major kingdoms in this region, I can march against Valwithia and Yaeltaran. I can pick them off like fleas on a mangy dog. I need Zinvia!”

  Axlthras stood up so quickly, his chair toppled over to the floor. “Yes, your highness. I understand.”

  Her eyes finally looked up to spear his own. “Good. On your way out, make sure you notify someone to come in to clean up your piss,” she said, glancing at the floor where Axlthras had been sitting. “So unbecoming, Axlthras.”

  The spy left, and after a handmaiden came in to clean up Axlthras’ piss, she was left alone. It was supposed to be easy, she thought. She’d killed her dear, demented, sadistic husband King Gaeldos, or Goag, as his name actually was. She’d executed everyone connected to Gaeldos, his counsel, his whores, his personal guards, even the children of his whores were erased from existence. She’d entered into an unsavory alliance with despicable creatures like wind witches and glaon fairies. It worked in Drisa. The fairies had attacked a few small towns, and King Noesmaneon had tucked his tail and crawled to Teveoch for help, which she readily gave. The only thing she required in return was the kingdom.

  But even though she had control of Drisa, Ja’Kahl, and Jroan (to an extent), they were small, weak kingdoms. If she were going to declare her superiority in Ai, she needed the stronger kingdoms. She needed to amass strength through her military. Only then would she have enough military strength, money, and coastal land to amass a navy large enough to take on Jahlmerikahl across the sea of Pliath.

  Her use of the glaon fairies worked for a while. But they were proving no match against Zinvia. She could use the wind witches, but if the fairies were defeated by Zinvia, the wind witches would be decimated. She wanted her plan to be quick, but Zinvia would require a more tenacious, and perhaps a more insidious, plan. It would require more planning than she’d originally thought it would. But if there was anything she had, it was patience. Planning and patience. Hell, she’d waited over thirty years to rid herself of Gaeldos. Good things truly did come to those who waited.

  She suddenly stood up from her chair, her eyes bright and gleaming, as a small smile began to spread across h
er face. She laughed aloud, clapping her hands and holding them to her chest.

  “Yes,” she whispered softly. “Definitely, yes. Guards!”

  Four guards rushed into the room, standing at attention immediately. One stepped forward, bowing deeply. “My queen.”

  “Send for Counselor Dismornaeor and the seven seats,” Balaedras said with authority.

  “The seven seats, your highness?” The guard glanced quickly to one of the guards standing to his left.

  The seven seats of the high counsel were only summoned when war or attack was imminent. She knew it was a risk, but taking risks was what had led her to being queen of Teveoch. She needed the seven seats, because she could only institute an attack on a town in another kingdom without provocation with the approval of the seven seats. And they would approve. They would approve after hearing the lie she would weave for them. Lies were easy. She’d been living a lie all of her life.

  An hour later, she sat high on her dais looking down to where seven men and women clothed in brilliant garnet robes sat in ornate, high, wooden chairs. They sat in silence, as Balaedras spoke to them.

  She gingerly fingered a long cut on her right forearm. A cut she’d given herself, along with a superficial one across her throat. The tears streamed down her face, as two of her female guards stood beside her.

  “Thankfully my guards entered my apartment before the assassin was able to do anything more. I owe them my life,” she said, looking at both of the guards. “They quickly dispatched of him. I know I should have stopped them from killing him. We could have questioned him. But he definitely said he was on orders from King Althindunahs of Balknae. He wants me dead. I don’t know why. I’ve never caused him harm. I’ve always had respect for him. The only reason I can think of is maybe…” She took a deep breath and winced in a show of pain. “Maybe King Althindunahs and Queen Ethroahs are plotting against me. Once I’m gone, they can pull Teveoch into their realms. Who knows?”

  “We must have a show of force against Balknae,” said an older man sitting in front of her.

  “I agree,” another older man said. “Any attack on our queen is an attack on our kingdom.”

  “We must set up a meeting with King Althindunahs and Queen Ethroahs to get to the bottom of this attack,” said another.

  A meeting, thought Balaedras. A fuckin’ meeting will do nothing. She needed to attack. Not the capital Tisthan, but some small out-of-the-way town on the edge of the kingdom. Attack them, and Zinvia would come to their aid, and she would have her war. Teveoch would never win a war on the battlefield with Zinvia, but she wouldn’t wage that kind of war. She would raze the kingdom to the ground from the air if necessary. All she needed was a catalyst. Not some fucking meeting.

  “I have no conflict with Balknae, or the king,” Balaedras said slowly. “The assassin was from the small town on the edge of Balknae, Lolsthrokith. There may be others there waging an attack against Teveoch or Morhais. I propose we send troops into Lolsthrokith. I propose we attack the town and show Balknae what the cost of sending an assassin to kill me will be.”

  “Attack the town without sending word? Without meeting with King Althindunahs?” said a middle-aged women closest to the dais. “If we do that, Zinvia will come to their aid. It will thrust Teveoch into tensions with Zinvia.”

  Balaedras frowned and shook her head defeatedly. “It is a risk, but a risk that must be taken. Agreed?” She raised her head to stare at all of them, as each in turn nodded in agreement. Balaedras smiled inside. She’d have her war with Zinvia, and in the process both Balknae and Zinvia would fall to her. “Thank you all so much for meeting with me. I assure you all, this is the best decision for the safety of Teveoch, and the safety of your queen.” She smiled. Some things were just too easy.

  * * * *

  Kinsbithu sat on the seat behind Eielawyn’s register counter, twirling around like a child. Eielawyn stopped dusting the shelves in front of her to stare at her friend. “Bithy, don’t you have an inn to look after?”

  Kinsbithu stopped twirling, blinking rapidly as she steadied herself in the seat. “Nope. The Drisians left yesterday. I have no guests at the inn. I’m free as a bird until Praedis comes back from seeing his mother in Corbeahth. Like it was just too hard for her to come to Yaesdrah from the kingdom of Yaeltaran. She hates me. I know she hates me.”

  She’d finally told Kinsbithu about her inability to read or suggest to Raenos again. She had been just as surprised. What Eielawyn hadn’t told her was that when she’d first met Kinsbithu, she had been able to read her thoughts and suggest. It was only later, after they’d become close that she found she was unable to do so. She understood why. It was because she loved Kinsbithu like a sister. But with Raenos…she refused to admit that she had any feelings for him.

  The bell above the door of the shop jingled. “We’re closed for about thirty more minutes,” Eielawyn said loudly. She stared at Kinsbithu, who was smiling like a schoolgirl.

  “I’m sorry,” the deep voice said. “I didn’t see any sign.”

  Eielawyn walked from around the display to see him standing by the door. He was in her shop. All of him. All of his tall, muscled, manliness. “Yeah, you won’t. Most people in town know I’m closed at this time on Sixth day.”

  “B-b-but you can come in,” Kinsbithu said, as she eyed Raenos with a hungry stare. “She’s just dusting the shelves.”

  His gaze was riveted on her, as his blue eyes seemed to penetrate to see inside of her soul. That, or she had to stop reading steamy romance novels.

  “Hello, again,” he said with a look that spoke volumes more than a simple hello ever could.

  “What do you want? I said I’m closed,” Eielawyn said with emphasis.

  “Eielawyn? Maybe he just wanted to come in to say hi,” Kinsbithu said with a sly smile. “Did you just want to come in to say hi?”

  “Actually, I wanted to make sure the other guards hadn’t come by to harass you. Have they?” He walked closer to where Eielawyn stood, his gaze still focused solely on her. “I don’t think we’ve met,” he said, bowing his head to Kinsbithu. “I’m Raenos, son of Xiaxion.”

  “And so you are,” said Kinsbithu, with a sly glance aimed at Eielawyn. “Well, look at the time,” Kinsbithu said suddenly. “I really have to go.”

  “No, you don’t,” Eielawyn said tensely.

  “Oh, yes,” nodded Kinsbithu. “I really must. Nice to have met you, Raenos.”

  He nodded but continued to gaze at Eielawyn. “Is there something you were looking for?” she asked. “I don’t have much since in her infinite wisdom, Queen Balaedras has seen fit to put a trade embargo on most of those that supplied me with my inventory.”

  Raenos slowly walked farther into the shop, going over to stand leisurely by the register counter. He leaned against it as if it were made specifically for him. “You really do hate her, don’t you?”

  Eielawyn forcibly smiled. “Me? No. I love our queen. I think she’s done nothing but good for the entire kingdom,” she said dryly.

  Raenos laughed out loud. It was a genuine laugh. He surprised Eielawyn, as she noted the deep tone coming from his gut. “Yes. I feel the same.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you and your cronies do.”

  “Why do you insist on believing those men—and I use that term loosely—are my friends?”

  “You’re a guard. They’re guards. All of you serve the same queen.”

  “No. I don’t serve the queen. I serve the kingdom. The realm. I have no loyalty to the queen.”

  Eielawyn stared at him. She stared into his blue eyes and knew that what he was telling her was the truth. In her heart, she felt relief. But her head told her not to let the stone wall she’d built to protect her heart fall. It had been three years since she’d last been in love. And when her ex-boyfriend, Gardrahsis had thrown her aside because she was vaedra, she promised herself to never fall in love so easily.

  “You keep telling yourself that,” she said cynically. “Bu
t I’m sure that all Balaedras has to do is crook her little finger and demand her guards to kill some defenseless man or woman, and you’d do it in a second.”

  Raenos stared down at the floor before looking back up at her. “Again, I’m loyal to the realm, not to Balaedras. Have I killed in the name of the queen? I won’t lie to you and say I haven’t. But I haven’t followed her orders blindly, as you’re so sure that being a royal guard, I would.”

  “Who have you killed? Did you have anything to do with the death of Lordesnoar? Filkothinor’s wife?”

  “The woman that was found dead on the beach five weeks ago? No. I was only assigned to Yaesdrah four weeks ago. From what I know…” He took a deep breath, letting it seep slowly through his teeth. “No. From what was told to me, and which I don’t believe, she was part of the rebellion and tried to shoot a tracer at a royal guard.”

  “And you don’t believe the story?”

  “I know of the guard that she was rumored to have tried to shoot. Zhoardaeash. The same guard that you’ve had the experience to meet in your shop here. He has no honor. No morals. No true idea of what it means to be a royal guard. If I were to have examined her body, I’m sure I would have found evidence of rape. That’s the kind of man Zhoardaeash is. So, do you understand why I came to see if you were all right?”

  Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe he wasn’t like the other guards. But something inside her pulled her back into the cocoon of anger she built in defense toward him. “Thanks, but I don’t need you to play the part of the knight in shining fuckin’ armor for me. I can take care of myself.”

  “Do you always have to play the bitch card when someone shows kindness toward you? Is it that hard for you just to say thank you?”

  “I’ll say thank you when, and if, I ask for your help. I don’t see that happening anytime soon. You can leave now.”

  “You are the most frustratingly callous, pent-up, bitchy woman I have ever met. I’ve been trying to put my finger on what’s got you so tied in knots, and the only thing I can come up with is that you need a man to knock the rock out between your legs and let it air out. Maybe then you’ll be a bit more agreeable.”