Alliance Forged

by Kylie Griffin

  She sucked in a shocked breath at his steel-hard tone. He’d also used her title, a huge indication of how serious he was.

  “You’re not giving me a choice?” He knew how she felt about being a burden to anyone.

  “Kalan, Arek, would you mind giving me a moment alone with Kymora?” Varian’s calm request and his hand touching her shoulder stopped her from losing her temper entirely.

  She listened to her brother and Arek move away, the grass crunching under their boots with each footstep. Kalan’s aura remained unreadable, but she could easily imagine his thoughts seething beneath it. Well, at the moment, so were hers.

  Varian remained silent long after they’d gone, as if he was giving her time to cool down. He was watching her. She knew by the way her skin tingled that he was.

  “So…” She flexed her fingers around her staff to relieve the cramps from gripping the shaft too hard. “Do you agree with them?”

  “Do I need to? Put aside your anger and think clearly about this,” came his calm reply. “Would you leave your people without their spiritual guide? Is Kalan the sort of leader to arbitrarily impose his will on others? Is he wrong about the risk of civil war?”

  “Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I’m helpless.” She winced. Why did that have to come out sounding so defensive?

  “I would never accuse you of that and you know Kalan wouldn’t, either.” Varian’s declaration prodded at her conscience. “But we all have limitations.”

  She didn’t want to hear his logic. “I know not being able to see poses a greater risk, but I’ve worked hard to overcome that. Don’t you see that by accepting the Council’s edict, it will only reinforce the message that my blindness is a liability?”

  “And that bothers you.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Of course it does!”

  The respect of others and confidence in her abilities had taken years of work. Presenting a poised facade in the face of doubt and discrimination hadn’t been easy, but she’d done it. Lady of Light, being assigned two watchers would undermine all she’d achieved. Couldn’t he see that?

  “Those who know you won’t view it that way. And for those who don’t, does it really matter what they believe?”

  Kymora dug her nails into the wooden shaft of her staff. “I was hoping for a little understanding.”

  “I do.” Sincerity pulsed from his aura. “But you’re the head of your order, Kymora. All motivations aside, the Lady’s Chosen and the Blade Council need their Temple Elect.” His tone gentled. “This time your personal feelings don’t matter.”

  That stung. She swallowed hard and folded her arms. “I can look after myself. I don’t need guards.”

  Merciful Mother, what an asinine response. Her cheeks heated. The silence stretched and she shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Compromise is never easy.”

  Varian’s reply wasn’t quite what she expected. In his blunt fashion, she’d expected to be berated for her childish attitude. Lady knew Kalan and Arek’s patience would have worn out by now.

  She chewed her lip. Varian was waiting for her to concede his point. How many times in the past had she ignored other’s perceptions and forged onward? More heat infused her cheeks. Lady’s Breath, when would she learn to curb her pride and accept some things were beyond her control?

  His hand curled around hers. “Come on, Kymora, if I can agree to reintegrate the Na’Chi into your world, then you can put up with two bodyguards.”

  The inevitable left her feeling nauseated. “I still don’t like it.”

  “I know.” His fingers stroked hers. “We can struggle through our less than satisfactory situations together.”

  His dry attempt at humor extinguished the last of her anger.

  “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “I suspect you will.” Varian grunted. “And I’ll probably live to regret it.”

  His response brought a small smile to her lips. Banter wasn’t something he engaged in all that often. It warmed her that he made the effort.

  She grasped his forearm and squared her shoulders. “Let’s get this over with and go tell Kalan.”

  Chapter 18

  THE familiar odor of lemon-scented candles and earthy incense filled Kymora’s lungs as she knelt at the foot of the Lady’s altar. The coolness of stone penetrated through the light robes of her station, but it was welcome relief from the heat of the day outside the Lady’s Temple where she’d spent a greater portion of the day mixing with those who’d attended the Summer’s End service, then headed into the city for the People’s Market.

  Since returning to Sacred Lake, she’d been swamped with official duties and so many meetings she’d barely found time to meditate. Had it been only a week since she’d walked into her office with Sartor, her most senior Servant, to discuss what had happened in her absence? To be fair, he’d handled everything he possibly could and sent missives for the most urgent matters, but there’d still been a long list of issues needing her attention.

  Kymora’s shoulders sagged. Seven days, and it already felt like she’d been back a month. Reaching for the amulet around her neck, she smoothed her fingers over the sun etching, then bowed her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Even a few moments of calm and quiet would rejuvenate her.

  The ever-present auras of her two bodyguards indicated they waited a respectful distance about halfway down the center aisle of the Temple. They’d followed her around all week, attending meetings or services or remaining unobtrusive as she’d spoken with worshippers on personal matters.

  Fuzziness blurred the edges of their auras, indicating boredom. She sighed and wished she could dismiss them back to their regular duties, but Kalan’s orders had been quite specific. Unless she was in her personal quarters, where they were to take up position outside her door, they went with her everywhere regardless of who she met with or what function she attended. Her mouth tightened. Keeping his distance all week was a wise move on her brother’s part, as she was still tempted to give him a piece of her mind.

  Her frustration lasted all of three heartbeats before she let it go. It wasn’t justified. Meetings had occupied him, too, most revolving around strategic planning or organizing provincial searches. Like her, at the moment, his time was at a premium.

  Which reminded her to take advantage of the midafternoon break. Refocusing, she recalled her favorite passages of scripture to clear her mind, then spent the next several minutes in prayer. She ended with the customary ritual of burning incense.

  As she dusted her hands and felt along the altar for her staff, soft boot steps sounded behind her. Being so deep in prayer, she hadn’t registered the presence of two new auras. One like sunshine and fresh air, the other more reserved, even a little wary, both familiar.

  “Annika! Kalan!” Kymora turned. “I missed you both at the Summer’s End service.”

  “We planned to come.” The wavy softness of Annika’s hair brushed against her chin and cheek as the shorter woman enclosed her in a warm hug. The faint odor of Vaa’jahn clung to her. Kymora smiled. It wouldn’t surprise her if Sacred Lake’s newest healer had spent the morning in the marketplace hospice. “Unfortunately, a messenger arrived from the Lower Crags Province and the Council had to convene to hear it. I hope we aren’t disturbing you.”

  “Of course not. I’ve finished my meditation.” Kymora drew back. “It’s good to see you. This week has been so hectic. Is this visit our chance to catch up?”

  Annika’s light laughter filled the air. “Well, I guess it serves two purposes. I wanted to see you earlier in the week. Kalan thought it best to give you a few days to settle back into your duties, especially as you’ve been helping resettle the refugees with families here in the city.”

  “My senior Servants have coordinated most of that.” She gave credit where credit was due.

  “Today I had to drag Kalan here. He’s under the impression you mightn’t be on speaking terms with him.”

&
nbsp; Kymora pursed her lips. So that explained her brother’s aura.

  “So, am I forgiven, Kym?” Kalan’s somber question held a hint of uncertainty.

  Her knee-jerk reaction to his edict hadn’t been her finest moment. “While I’m still not happy, there’s nothing to forgive.” She reached out a hand, glad when he took it and pulled her close.

  “I considered a thousand other ideas, Kym,” he murmured, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “If there’d been a better one, I would have suggested it instead.”

  “I know.” She rested her cheek against the coarse knap of his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry I gave you such a difficult time.”

  “If it’s any consolation, a pair of Light Blades follow me around everywhere as well,” Annika informed her. “And for good measure, every Councilor has that privilege, too.”

  “Really?” Kymora ducked her head to hide a smile.

  “If the rebels would try to kill our Temple Elect, then it stood to reason they might try to disrupt the Blade Council,” Kalan commented.

  Dark satisfaction bloomed inside her. Lady forgive her that emotion, but it made her feel a whole lot better. “I bet they were so thankful for your concern for their welfare.”

  “Conceit doesn’t suit you, Temple Elect.”

  His dry response drew a delicate snort from Annika. Kymora decided to let the subject drop and gestured toward the congregational pews. “Let’s take a seat. You said you were here for another reason?”

  The front pew creaked as they sat on it. Smooth with age and use, the cool wood held the faint scent of beeswax, the care and maintenance provided by one of her oldest Servants. He performed the chore daily, without fail. Next time she saw Nemtar, she needed to thank him for his efforts.

  “The outrider who arrived this morning brought word that eighty-seven potentials were found on their search.” Kalan’s voice held quiet hope.

  “That is good news. The result bodes well for the searches in the other Provinces.” Kymora smoothed the skirt of her robe over her legs. “Are those discovered all potential warriors?”

  “Yes, they’re the only sort I asked to be sent back to the city. Anyone else found with a Lady’s Gift, their names were to be recorded, along with their location, for future reference.” Kalan paused, his aura dulled by a roiling heaviness. “But amongst those arriving, there will be some as young as fifteen.”

  Kymora reached for and clasped her brother’s hand. “So, you believe Na’Rei Savyr is preparing for war, then?” It would be the only reason Kalan called for searches to include potential Light Blade warriors so young.

  “We can’t risk being caught unprepared, Kym.” His hand squeezed hers. “The Na’Reish outnumber us, even with the Na’Chi. If we don’t start training new warriors, and young ones at that, we may not last in an extended conflict.”

  How many sleepless nights had he experienced, particularly since making that decision? Probably quite a few.

  She mustered a small smile. “I’ll pray to the Lady for strength and mercy. Perhaps She’ll find it within Her wisdom to intervene and avert the darkness of war.”

  After a short silence, Annika spoke up. “There’s a celebration at the lakeside this afternoon….”

  Kymora’s smile widened. “Yes, the Summer’s End Festival.”

  “Kalan and I asked the Na’Chi if they’d like to go. Lisella, some others, and the children are coming….”

  “I hear a but in there.”

  The younger woman chuckled softly. “I’d forgotten how well you read people’s voices.” Her chuckle petered off into a sigh. “Not everyone wanted to go….”

  Again her voice trailed off. Her aura reflected the heavy concern threading Kalan’s.

  “Let me guess: Varian’s one of them?”

  “Many of the scouts have declined to attend.” Kalan’s somber tone held genuine concern. “Arek tells me while training has gone well, the last few days have been hard. There’s still tension. He had to break up a fight between Zaune and one of the warriors in his patrol yesterday. Apparently there was some reference made to the scout being a freak of nature.”

  Kymora gasped. “Oh, Mother of Light!”

  “Attending the festival is the last thing many of them feel like doing at the moment,” Kalan continued. “Not that I blame them, but the whole idea of mixing socially, in a setting away from training, might help relations.”

  Annika cleared her throat. “Perhaps if you approached Varian, he might change his mind and maybe it would encourage others, too.”

  “Turning the other cheek is easier said than done.” Experience had taught Kymora that. “And Varian can be incredibly stubborn.”

  “Sounds like another person I know,” Kalan teased. She scowled in his direction. Then his tone became more serious. “Would you try, Kym?”

  Knowing how important this was, for all of them, she nodded. “All right, I will, but we’re going to need some Na’Chi friendly supporters with us, brother. The last thing we need is for another altercation to break out while everyone’s down there.”

  “I’m already ahead of you there.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Candra and most of the healers’ Guild will be attending. Arek is rounding up the warriors and crafters who’ve lived with the Na’Chi in the last few months.”

  “You know, if Lisella is taking the children, perhaps some playmates would be in order.”

  “Rissa has a host of friends at the city orphanage,” Annika commented. “She and I might pay them a visit this afternoon.”

  Kymora nodded, then grinned. “And visiting Varian and the scouts is a great excuse to cancel my appointment with Councilor Elamm. It won’t hurt to reschedule for another day.”

  “Then we’ll see you this afternoon on the lakeshore,” Annika said, excited. “Hopefully with Varian and some of the scouts.”

  “Lady willing.” Annika’s confidence in her was a little daunting. She could only ask and see what happened, but first she needed to visit her room.

  Her priestess robes were going to remain behind, hanging on the hook on her wall, while Kymora Tayn visited Varian in the Na’Chi apartments. It’d been a long time since she’d worn anything other than her robes, but this time she didn’t want there to be any mistake about who was approaching him.

  “VARIAN, Kymora Tayn is outside requesting to see you.”

  Varian paused in cleaning the blade of his dagger. Kymora Tayn? Brows lifting, he glanced up at Zaune, who stood just inside the archway to the common room where several Na’Chi, including himself, were tending to repairs of various personal items.

  “That’s what she said.” The young scout wore a bemused expression. “I greeted her as Temple Elect. She’s not here in her official role and insisted I call her Kymora.”

  Curious.

  With care, Varian placed the newly sharpened dagger on the table in front of him and wiped his hands with the rag. “Show her in.”

  With a nod, Zaune disappeared back through the archway. Glancing toward the only window in the room, the angle of the sunlight pouring in on the woven floor rug indicated it was late afternoon.

  Varian grunted. With the morning spent training with the Light Blades, the rest of the day had been theirs to do whatever they wanted. The humans, from Guild-members to Light Blades to those in the city, all celebrated something called the Summer’s End Festival. From midday the Light Blade compound had been pretty much deserted. It was a reprieve of sorts from the heavy schedule of training and constant presence of others.

  In the relative silence of the apartments, Kymora’s lighter-pitched voice echoed along the corridor outside the common room as she chatted with Zaune. Varian’s pulse raced a little faster, and one corner of his mouth curved upward. Almost a week had passed since he’d last seen her.

  The familiar hollow tap-tap-tap of her staff as she made her way from place to place, her cheerful tone as she greeted those around her, her soft laughter. She’d woven h
er way into the daily life of the Na’Chi during her time with them. Funny how a person could become used to certain things.

  He rose as she and Zaune appeared in the archway. At first glance, she wore a forest green dress, nothing as elaborate as those worn by the Councilors or Guild-wives. The simpler style complimented her slender form. Unable to look away, and so used to seeing her in the neutral-colored robes of her calling, the difference was mesmerizing. The color of this dress reminded him of rug-moss, the sort that grew around the base of a tree. It drew out the deep green of her eyes. The material flowed around her body, from her shoulders to her hips, while the skirt brushed the toes of her boots.

  Her long black hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, the end of it brushing the curved swell of her buttocks, and around her neck, the familiar sun amulet glinted in the afternoon light.

  She looked elegant, beautiful.

  As Zaune escorted her to the table, her scent reached him. His nostrils flared. Fresh honey and nectar. The smell of her hit him hard and streaked southward, igniting every nerve in his body on the way.

  She tasted just as sweet, too. He almost groaned at that thought. The memory of her kissing him surfaced quickly, only adding to the raw pleasure rushing through him. His gaze dropped to her lips, shocked at the intensity of his arousal.

  He sucked in a slow breath, trying to control it. Zaune’s gaze linked with his, a sparkle of surprised amusement in the violet depths, an effective reminder that those who could read scents as easily as him surrounded him.

  “Blessed Eve to you all.” Kymora’s greeting carried to everyone in the room, and it gave him time to gather his scattered senses. She looked left, her warm smile directed at the small group sitting on cushions on the floor in front of the unlit fireplace. “Fannis, Taybor, Yari… and Jinnae…”