“Thana, you knew my life wasn’t going to be spent sitting on the throne,” he said. “It was never, ever going to be like that for me. I made it clear before that if there is something I’m going to risk men’s lives to accomplish, I have no right to ask them to do so unless I’m willing to put myself out there with them, just as I did with the Sadori invasion.”
“Even your forefathers who went to war, Keir, didn’t leave this castle as much as you have in your short time as king.” Her gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders rounding. “You’ve barely escaped death on your other trips. How long do you honestly think your luck is going to hold out?”
“It’s not as though I want to go or to risk being killed, Thana.” He reached up and pressed his fingertips to his temples, wishing the growing pain in his skull would stop. Weakened or not, he was picking up Thana’s legitimate rage and it was triggering one of his migraines. It stirred his own anger, but he couldn’t give into it. His fangs ached to descend, something he dreaded happening while arguing with her.
His eyes closed. “Baden is a vampire. A group of normal men may not be enough to control him, even with his stronger powers suppressed.”
“The Alerians were able to imprison you without any particular problem.” She waved her hand and shook her head. “Hell, they threw poor Garhan into a simple house and held him for ages! This Baden character is younger than you are. How is he such a threat or so powerful?”
“He’s been raised by the most powerful vampire in the world. I’d imagine he’s had plenty of coaching over the years, which neither Garhan nor I received.” Keiran sighed and tipped his head back, fighting to control his emotions. “You know the feeling you had the other night when you felt like someone was on the balcony and in the bathroom?”
“Aye,” she said, eyes narrowing.
“You felt that way because there was someone here. Baden was watching us, Thana. He’s been here for the last two days, watching us in our own home! You thought someone touched you, remember? Perhaps he did just that! He isn’t like Garhan or me. I can’t simply toss him in a cell and hope to keep him there. Kayla has told me so in very clear terms.”
Through the open door of their room came the beginning sounds of the baby waking up and starting to fuss. They both turned in that direction, the argument coming to an abrupt halt.
“I won’t do this right now, Keir. Do whatever you want.” Thana turned around and headed for their room, pulled forward by the infant’s plaintiff cries. The notion Baden may have touched her while she’d bathed the night before brought up a sickness in her gut, and she wanted out of the conversation.
He dragged his hands down his face, watching her disappear from view. He didn’t know if he was supposed to follow her or not. She didn’t seem to like him very much for the time being. He had to leave soon, however, and he didn’t want his potential last encounter with her to go so badly.
When he peered into the room, he spotted Thana sitting on the edge of the bed with the baby to her breast. An overwhelming sense of loneliness crashed in on him, and whether it was being projected by her or coming from within himself, he didn’t know.
She didn’t divert her attention from Zach when Keiran entered the room and sat down beside her. Tears were on her reddened cheeks, and she tried to keep her head tipped far enough forward to hide them.
Keiran reached out and let his fingertips graze the dark fuzz on the top of Zach’s head. “I don’t want to go, Thana. Please don’t think this is something I’m doing with any level of enthusiasm.”
“There is nothing I can do to stop it either way, Keir.” Her voice was flat and quiet, her posture unchanging. “I don’t have a voice in such things.”
He sighed, not wanting the exchange to escalate again, especially with the baby now close. “If I don’t see her get back, she’ll end up in Athan’s hands again. She let me see some of what she went through as his captive all of those years. She didn’t conceive Baden by choice.”
“I would imagine not. I know there is no one better qualified to see her returned home safely, Keir.” She shook her head and looked over at him. “I hate it has to be you. If I lose you now, after all we went through to simply be together…”
He put his arm around her shoulders, moving closer. “I will return, Thana. I’ve not yet broken that promise, have I?”
“No, and you won’t leave anyone behind who needs you. I know that. You did it for me.” She turned her gaze to the nursing and grunting baby. “He needs you, too, though. I can’t do this alone. Corina will help me, but you get back here as soon as you can manage.”
He hung his head and closed his eyes before kissing her cheek. “I will, Thana. I know I’m dumping an unfair burden on you at a terrible time by leaving now, but I’m trying to make this world a better place for Zach to inherit, someday. I think that’s what parents are supposed to do, isn’t it?”
“I suppose. Get on your way, then.” Thana met his gaze. “Before my emotions get the best of me again. They’ve been rocky at best these past several days. Corina said it’s normal, but it’s still awful. I’d be furious about this, though, even without having just given birth, I think.”
Keiran nodded and met her for a lingering kiss before bending to kiss the top of the baby’s head, too. He was relieved on some level, but the drilling pain in his skull would remain for hours. “I love the both of you. You are the most important things in this world to me, please don’t ever think otherwise.”
“Don’t get like that,” she said. “Go on. Get her to the Northern Wastes before the sea freezes over and you’re stuck until spring. If you think you’ve seen me angry before, you just try staying away for an entire season.”
* * *
His migraine worsened, the periphery of his vision being disrupted by shifting light patterns. There was no time to stop and pity himself over it, though, nor could he afford to take any of the drugs Corina kept on hand to help him out. Keiran needed his mind unclouded by narcotics.
After leaving Thana and the baby, Keiran hurried to the opposite end of the corridor his room was situated along. He unlocked the massive iron door to the King’s Armory and went inside, latching it again behind him.
Keiran closed his eyes and reached out with his senses to the best of his compromised ability. He legitimately felt alone, certain no other hidden visitors were lurking nearby.
Without further hesitation, he moved and pressed his hands against a stone in the wall. The rectangular block resisted at first, but finally gave way and slid backward with a click.
He reached into the space revealed, pulling out the box housing his mother’s sword. He took it to the back of the room and wrapped the entire thing with an oiled canvas.
Afterward, he scanned around again before heading toward the exit, the bundle tucked under his left arm. Before stepping out into the hallway, he reached out and flipped down a visor on a suit of armor flanking the door. Back on the wall, the block slid out, hiding the compartment again.
Keiran went downstairs, taking them two at a time and jumping over the last four completely. There was a loud discussion taking place in the throne room as Jerris, Magretha, Garhan, Mari, Kanan, and Corina all rehashed a larger version of the confrontation he’d had with Thana.
The group of them fell silent when he entered the room, still holding the sword box. He scanned everyone present, knowing they expected him to say something that would fix the situation.
“Well, are we ready to go?” Kanan asked, turning away from the others.
“I am,” Keiran said. “But we need to figure out who, exactly, is going along.”
The old man’s eyes squinted down. “Jerris and I must go, that is without question.”
“Kanan, someone has to stay here to watch over everyone remaining in this castle.” The young king hated to exclude the older guard, but he needed someone he could trust at home watching over Thana and the baby.
Kanan scowled and shook his head. “I failed to p
rotect Kayla before, I won’t do so again.”
“I need you here, Kanan.” Keiran dreaded telling him he couldn’t go, but it had to be done. “There is a new prince here who needs your protection, now. With all that’s going on, I can’t leave Thana without you here. I can take care of Kayla.”
“Tell Jerris to remain behind, then!” Kanan stepped closer. “The woman already suffered once, I have to see to it she doesn’t again.”
“Kanan, Jerris is the King’s Knight, a title you willingly gave over to him.” Keiran tipped his head toward Kanan’s son. “He has to go with me, it’s his obligation. The remainder of the guard is staying behind, and you are still in charge of them.”
Kanan straightened up to his considerable height, a move that used to intimidate Keiran. “I don’t want to stay behind.”
“You’re too damn old!” Corina called out from a short distance away. “You belong here!”
“Woman!” Kanan turned toward her. “I am not!”
Keiran set the box he held down and then reached out and grabbed Kanan’s shoulder, forcibly bringing him back around. “This isn’t a matter of your age or pride, Kanan. It’s a matter of how terrified I am Athan will show up here when his son turns up missing. You know he’s not above trying to do something to Thana or the baby in retaliation.”
“You know as well as I do I wouldn’t be able to stop Athan if he did come around,” Kanan admitted, shocked at the ease with which Keiran had been able to spin him back around.
“You’re the best chance I have.” Keiran let his hand slide away from his shoulder. “Hell, even I can’t stop Athan, but I know you can address any other threats that come up.”
Kanan grunted and looked to the side. He knew his days of ordering Keiran were long gone, but it still stung.
“Look, I know you want to go. I know you feel a sense of duty toward Kayla, but you also have a duty here. I need someone I can trust to keep watch. Kanan, you’re the only one I’d give that responsibility to. We’ve had problems even in the ranks of our own guards when we’ve all left together before, remember? Then, there was the matter of the demons.”
He nodded, recalling the trouble with Farin easily enough as well as the events that had cost Father Beezle his life. Besides, he’d told Jerris he was feeling too old for these sorts of things not long before. Keiran was being gracious in giving him an out, though it was legitimate. The boys simply weren’t boys anymore, and he had to let them go.
“All right, someone does have to keep control here while you’re gone, but I do so only under protest,” he said, his low voice echoing through the room.
Keiran’s shoulders rounded as the tension eased. “Thank you, Kanan. I dread leaving Thana and my son here.”
The old guard locked into Keiran’s stare. “As do I fear anything happening to mine. Jerris and you have done well enough on your own in the past, see to it you make it through this, too.”
“We’ll be fine, won’t we?” Keiran asked, looking toward Jerris.
The redhead didn’t want another verbal beat down from his father like he’d been getting before Keiran’s arrival. He offered a meek nod, hoping the matter was settled.
Kanan gave a gruff snort and moved out of the room. Baden was being temporarily held in the dungeon, and he stormed off to go check on their prisoner.
Corina clasped her hands together and approached Keiran. “Thank you. I feared his pride wouldn’t let him back down.”
“I know.” He offered a small smile, though his eyes were squinted from his headache. “He’s like a bull, always has been.”
“He and I both harbor guilt over what happened to Kayla before. We want her safe, that is all.” Corina reached out for Keiran, meeting him briefly in an embrace.
“I’ll make certain she gets home, Corina. I swear it,” he whispered before kissing her cheek and stepping back.
Corina considered him for a moment before asking in a whisper. “Do you need something before you go? You’re making the eyes again.”
He shook his head. “If I was staying, I’d ask for medicine, but I can’t afford to be groggy under the circumstances.”
“You poor thing.” She patted him on the chest. “Now, I’m going to take care of the old man. Be careful.”
He gave her another smile and watched her retreat before facing the others. “Jerris, you’re with me?”
“It goes without saying.” Jerris motioned toward the doors. “I assume were’ traveling light? We can’t keep a large group hidden if Athan comes looking for our trail.”
“Aye, we’ll keep it tight,” Keiran said. “Besides, we don’t have time to amass the supplies on a ship to support a large number. My advisors say there is still passage from Tordan Lea to the coast, but it’s getting questionable. Once there, we’ll have to find a sea-faring ship to get us up to Minar. God willing, the weather will hold out.”
Garhan stood near the back of the room. Mari had been horrified to see the blood on his shirt and hands when they’d returned. It’d taken a while to calm her down and convince her he was fine. Hearing the discussion about the others leaving and going northward made him yearn to help. However, his fear hadn’t been served by his prior brief stint outside.
Keiran noticed Garhan’s nervous shifting. “Are you all right?”
“I’m all right, now.” He gave a small shrug. “I wish there was more I could do to help, but I have little to offer.”
“You already intercepted Baden for us. Had you not done so, he would have already been on his way home to tell Athan what’s happening, without us knowing.” Keiran reached down and picked up the sword box. “You’ve already saved Kayla’s life in doing what you did. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”
“I wish I was stronger, it would make this easier,” Garhan said.
“You and I must develop our powers on our own. We are at a disadvantage to someone like Baden but not forever.” Keiran gave his brother a smile. “We’ll figure it out. Besides, I need you here working with Mari. The two of you are Alerian, and you personally know Theryn. Figure out how in the hell I’m going to convince her to join us in taking down Talaus, will you?”
Garhan put his arm around Mari’s shoulders and the two of them nodded. “We’ll work on it.”
“Good.” He looked at Jerris again. “Are you ready?”
The guard gave a curt nod before turning toward Magretha. The heavyset woman stood there, wringing her hands together.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said to her, stepping closer.
She fought the tears in her eyes and nodded. “Aye, be careful. I know little of the world at large, but it is a dangerous place.”
Jerris smiled and gave her a quick kiss before backing away to join Keiran. “It’s only dangerous when he and I are out there causing trouble.”
* * *
Jerris and Keiran went down into the dungeon, finding Corina saying her goodbyes to Kayla. The younger woman had remained close to Baden, fearful what would happen if she took the Northern Star too far from him.
“We will hear from you again, won’t we?” Corina asked, tears in her eyes.
“You will.” Kayla glanced at her brother standing at the base of the stairs. “Keiran and I have much to accomplish before this is all dealt with.”
Kanan opened the cell where Baden had been stowed. “Come on, I’ll help you get this one down to the dock.”
Baden didn’t move from where he lingered near the back of the cell, his hands still bound. Kanan growled and went inside, grabbing Baden by the collar and dragging him into the corridor. His mood hadn’t improved since leaving the throne room. “We don’t have time for games.”
“You honestly believe I’m going to let the lot of you get away with this? Once she’s gone back to the Nahli and taken that damn power of hers with her, I won’t stand idle!” Baden stated as he was pulled past Keiran and up the stairs.
Keiran followed close behind. “No, I fully expect you to try something,
but you don’t actually have any idea what I can or cannot do.”
The Talausian fell silent. Keiran was right. While Athan had mentioned over the years Keiran lacked significant abilities, it didn’t mean he lacked the potential to do something. Even if it came to a simple hand to hand fight, Keiran was certainly his equal physically.
All he could do was bide his time and wait for a moment to either escape or strike. If he was able to take possession of his mother and get her home, however, Athan would surely reward him greatly.
* * *
An advance team had been sent down to the docks to secure a ship to carry Keiran’s group northward to the sea. The earlier icy drizzle had given way to a steady rain. By the time the king’s soaked entourage arrived at the docks, the ship hired was ready.
The captain had initially scoffed at the idea of making a passenger run to the coast. He’d moored the ship the morning prior, intending to leave with freight the next day, but finding out it was the king seeking passage quickly changed his mind. A handful of silver coins hadn’t hurt, either.
The captain assured them they’d reach the coast in two days, though the river would be difficult to navigate given the receding water level. He told them it would be a one-way trip, as he wouldn’t go back upstream until winter had passed.
Baden was chained below deck in the cargo hold with Keiran, Kayla, and Jerris stationed nearby to keep watch over him during the trip.
It didn’t take long before the ship started to move northward with the current. The cold outside wasn’t any better than the humid, dank interior of the ship’s hold. There was no fire to huddle around, so they all sat with blankets wrapped around their shoulders.
Kayla stared at her son in the dim light of the single lantern they were given. Jerris and Keiran sat together, speaking in hushed tones, speculating on their next steps.
Baden did his best to ignore the woman’s unwavering gaze, but it grated on his nerves until he snapped. “What? What is it you want?”
“You’ve changed so much since I saw you, that’s all.” She gave a small shake of her head, seething in the knowledge Athan had fooled her into thinking he’d died long ago.
The Stolen Princess Page 12
