“Kalan, no!” Candra gasped, her gaze widening.
Benth paled to the color of his hair. “What are you doing, Chosen?”
“Find another to lead you.” His voice was hard, impatient, but he didn’t care.
Gut instinct told him Annika and the Na’Chi were leaving. If they left the city… he shuddered. They’d use all their skills to evade detection, and he had no assurances that their final destination would be the caverns. Not after what they’d witnessed today.
His gaze lifted and surveyed everyone in the room. “I’m tired of your dissention, your fears, and your attempts to exile the Na’Chi and Annika. I’ve done everything I can to follow the Lady’s will and give you a choice of how we move on from our mistakes.
“A new Blade Council, a plan to survive against the Na’Reish, a way to build our numbers. But even now you refuse to acknowledge the need to change.
“How can you expect me to lead you when you’ve asked me to choose between the two things I love most in this world? You people are my soul and I’ve done as my faith and honor demanded and led you into our next Journey, but without my heart…” and here his throat tightened, “… without Annika, I find I can’t continue.” His voice dropped, deepened with anger. “And while you argue the Na’Chi are leaving the city. Annika included.” Heads turned to discover the empty seats he’d seen several heartbeats ago. He inhaled a slow breath. “I choose to go with them.”
The Inner Chamber erupted into a second round of chaos; this time it included his warriors, not just the Councilors. Ignoring all pleas and cries Kalan left the chamber, his long stride changing to a dead run as soon as he made it to the corridor.
The building that had been turned into a dormitory for the Na’Chi was eerily empty. All that remained were the bed pallets and scattered crates of supplies given to them on their arrival. Packs and blankets and people were gone.
Ignoring the cries of Arek and others as they pursued him through the compound, Kalan headed into the city. With every pounding step, his mind filled with the emotions and memories of his time with Annika.
Her laughter. The many colors of her eyes. Her touch. The uninhibited way she loved him. Every incredible kiss.
Merciful Mother, he couldn’t live without her.
He needed her. He loved her. More than he ever imagined possible. He couldn’t picture life without her.
And that’s what she risked by leaving him now. Her life.
“Fool Na’Chi!” The curse ripped from his lips as desperate anger drove him faster through the city streets, his boots thudding on the cobblestones.
His hurried passing drew startled and puzzled looks from the city folk but he ignored them, his thoughts and mind focused on reaching Northgate as quickly as possible. It was a gamble to assume the Na’Chi would head there but it was the closest exit to the trail into the mountains where the caverns were located. The fastest way out of the city.
Finally the huge wall came into sight. Breath sawing in and out of his lungs, Kalan spotted a large group of cloaked people almost through the double gates.
“Annika!” His shout turned heads. A familiar blond one caught his attention. Relief almost brought him to his knees. “Annika, wait.”
Three young Na’Chi scouts blocked his way. Kalan’s temper sparked and his fists clenched. Just for satisfaction’s sake he was tempted to engage them but held back. His anger wasn’t aimed at them but those coming up behind him. “Varian, tell them to stand down. I just want to speak to Annika.”
The dark-headed scout made his way through the group of Na’Chi to stand beside his warriors.
“Perhaps,” he said in his usual, stoic voice, “she doesn’t want to speak to you.”
Chest heaving, air hissed in through Kalan’s teeth as he fought not to plant his fist in the young man’s face. “Why not?”
The Na’Chi’s eyes flickered, the dark flecks changed to green. “Don’t make this any harder for Annika than it already is. She’s made her decision. Let her go.”
“And let her die?” Kalan took an aggressive step forward. “I think not.” The rear guard of four tensed. He let out an aggravated breath. “I’m not here to stop her. I’m coming with you.”
“Oh, Kalan, no!” Annika’s cry came from a huddle of Na’Chi. He whispered a prayer of thanks as she pushed through them, her face pale, her eyes red from crying. “What have you done?”
Another tear tracked down her cheek as he tried to angle his way past the scouts. Varian gave the order to let him through.
“Mother of Mercy, what possessed you?” Kalan snatched Annika in against him and buried his head against her shoulder. “I nearly lost you!”
“Your people need you, Kalan.” Her violet eyes shone with tears as she pressed a hand to the side of his face. “You can’t abandon them.”
“I can and I will.” His anger flared. “I’ve done what I can for them. If they can’t see past their fear or place their trust in the Lady then that is their choice. If they want me as their leader they accept the Journey we share. There’ll be no side trails or detours.”
“Don’t you tell me what I can and can’t do!” Candra’s outraged voice echoed through the street.
They turned to discover a large crowd of people hurrying along the thoroughfare, the Master Healer in the lead, shaking off a very upset Councilor Elamm from her arm. Relief filled Candra’s face as she caught sight of him. She pivoted on her boot heel and stabbed a finger at each of the new Councilors and the Guild-representatives following in her wake.
“Less than one day in your seat and you think that we can remove those who remind us of our mistakes and all will be well.” She snorted loudly and shook her head. “As I said in the chamber, you can do without me as well.”
She dusted her hands as she joined the small group gathered in front of the gateway.
Benth, looking every year his age, his face red from exertion, led Kymora along the street. As they reached the back of the crowd, he shoved his way through then took a moment to catch his breath.
“Kalan, you were right to remind us that the Lady has always guided your hand. There may have been times I found your decisions difficult to understand but you’ve never given me reason to doubt your leadership. Now is no different.” He guided Kymora over to join them then pinned the crowd with a glare. “If you can find another leader more suited than Kalan, then may the Lady favor your choice.”
The remaining Councilors glanced between themselves, and the expressions on their faces were priceless.
“While I don’t speak for all my warriors, unless Kalan remains as the Lady’s Chosen, my service to this Blade Council is also finished.” Arek’s declaration caught everyone by surprise.
Kalan’s heart lifted as Arek met his gaze. He nodded to acknowledge his decision.
“Your hatred for demons is legendary!” Nyon’s confusion was laced with astonishment. “You’d side with the Na’Chi?”
“Since reading Zataan’s journal I’ve discovered I was wrong about many things, least of all my beliefs. Annika and the Na’Chi don’t deserve my hatred. They’ve done nothing to earn it. Nor are the marks on their bodies and the color of their eyes reason enough to hate them. Until they give me one, I’ll follow Kalan.” He turned to face Varian. “If you’ll accept me I’d like to train with the Na’Chi as a scout.”
“You’d follow my orders?”
Arek’s jaw tightened. “Yes.”
“Then there’s hope for you yet, Light Blade.” Varian’s eyes gleamed even though his expression remained stoic. “I look forward to training you.”
Somehow Kalan doubted the first few weeks for either man would be easy.
As if Arek’s declaration was merely the stopper in a flask, more and more of the Light Blade Commanders and their Seconds came forward to join them, clearly stating their intentions. Kalan sent a swift prayer for forgiveness for dividing Her people heavenward; yet he couldn’t help but feel fierce satisfaction as he watch
ed his people choose.
“I think you’d better consider your options carefully now, Council,” Candra said, her voice clear and hard. “I’m sure once it becomes known Kalan has stepped down as Chosen many more will follow. I can’t speak for everyone in the hospice but there will be quite a few healers who’ll also withdraw their service from the city and throw their lot in with the Na’Chi.”
“You’d leave our people without services?” Elamm sputtered, the first to find her voice. “There’ll be riots in the streets. We’ll be inundated with complaints—”
“What about the Na’Reish?” The wide-eyed and pale-faced expression of Lin, the Master Weaver was almost comical. “Once they hear of this, they’ll flood across the border and attack.”
Annika’s hand squeezed his. “Kalan, you can’t let this happen.”
“It’s their choice.” His tone brooked no argument.
“Perhaps we’ve made too hasty a decision.” Evel glanced swiftly at his peers to gauge their reactions. All nodded and the grey-haired Councilor gestured to him. “Please, Chosen, Councilors, we need your experience and leadership.”
His contrite plea did little to mollify Kalan. He was aware that Candra, Benth, and Varian all watched him closely, ready to follow his lead. Kymora stood beside Varian, her head tilted to one side, a serene smile on her face.
For a moment his sister’s expression reminded him of the times she’d received a visitation from the Lady but then she moved and her head turned toward him. She was listening carefully to all that went on around her.
“We could discuss the issue of Annika remaining, couldn’t we?” Elamm’s weak smile to the other Councilors faltered. “Surely one Na’Chi within the city…”
“No.” Kalan made sure his voice carried. “If you want me back, there’ll be no negotiation. You agree to the plans discussed in the chamber or I won’t return.”
Annika’s indrawn breath was sharp but she said nothing.
“That’s blackmail! An abuse of your power as Chosen!” Elamm protested.
“I tried to give you a choice before. You refused to consider it, so now I’m making the decision for you, Councilors. You either agree to my terms or I leave.” He speared them all with his gaze. “I’ve decided the Na’Chi need a representative on this Council. I find that after the way you’ve dismissed them, they’re going to need an equal voice, someone to speak to their interests. Annika, would you take on this position?”
Goose bumps prickled Annika’s body and for the longest moment she said nothing, shocked by his proposal. Kalan’s power and determination to save his people and hers made her love him even more. Standing up to the Council, abandoning them if they refused to follow him was an enormous sacrifice but she had little doubt he’d do it.
She swallowed hard as she considered the role he offered her. Her first instinct was to refuse. She could barely read and write their language, how would she fulfill the role without those skills?
Her gaze flitted to the men and women standing in the street, the ones who had followed from the chamber and those from the city drawn by the commotion. She considered the anxiety and concern etched into the faces of the new Councilors. They all waited for her answer. Instead of feeling intimidated, she realized their hypocritical intolerance, their lack of faith in the Lady and Her chosen leader left her feeling angry.
But, Lady’s Breath, the responsibility of the position was enormous. Should anyone have been chosen, Lisella would’ve been the better alternative. She’d already established a rapport with the Councilors’ families in the time she’d lived here.
“The Na’Chi would wholeheartedly support you.” Varian spoke softly, so only they could hear him.
Annika took in a ragged breath and glanced at the circle of friends surrounding her. Varian’s gaze blazed violet and green, his look fierce and encouraging. Lisella’s small smile was full of hope.
“There’s no one I’d rather have championing our people, Annika,” she murmured. “Hesia would be proud to see what you’ve already accomplished for us. You’ve helped us find a home and, Lady willing, many friends to share it with.”
Annika’s throat tightened with her timely reminder of her mentor and friend’s dream for them. Her heart ached that she wasn’t there to see it, too.
“The Journey hardest traveled is always the most rewarding, Annika,” Kymora reminded her.
Candra grunted and nodded. She even waggled her eyebrows as if in challenge, daring her to take on the position.
Kalan’s gentle smile warmed her heart. “Many travel this Journey with us. More will join us. We’re not alone.”
His words vanquished her doubts. Annika took a deep breath. “I’d be honored to be a part of the Blade Council.”
Kalan’s hand tightened around hers as he faced the Council. “With the Lady as my witness, if you agree to follow my plans, and if after a year there has been no significant change in the people’s attitude or acceptance of the Na’Chi, I’ll step down again and you can appoint another Lady’s Chosen.”
“If we agree to this, will you all remain in the service of the Lady?” Nyon asked, his frown deepening as he addressed the Light Blade warriors and crafters who’d supported them.
“We stand with Kalan.” All who stood by them echoed Candra’s affirmation.
The new Councilors all nodded and just like that the new Blade Council was reformed. Annika’s stomach danced with nerves but her heart soared as she contemplated her future.
It didn’t matter what it held as long as she was by Kalan’s side. She was proud to accompany him on this Journey. Both their races would survive this transition period. She was under no illusion that the road would be filled with many holes and steep rises but, with the Lady’s blessing, their love would shape not only their destiny but also the destinies of all.
Tightening her grip on his hand, Annika smiled at Kalan. There was such renewed strength and purpose burning in his gaze.
“You would have truly sacrificed your future for me, wouldn’t you?” she said.
“Yes. My life, my heart, my soul.” A slow, tender smile curved Kalan’s lips. “I would’ve given it all, because without you there’s nothing of worth left living for.” His fingers traced the side of her face, lingering to caress her Na’Chi markings. “Besides, you put the needs of everyone ahead of your own life. How couldn’t I do the same for you?”
Annika lifted herself on tiptoe to press a gentle kiss to his lips. “I love you, Kalan.”
His green eyes burned brighter and his spicy scent filled her lungs. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.” His lips brushed hers. “Say it again, Na’Chi.”
“I love you.” His next kiss curled her fingers into fists in his shirt.
“Again.”
“I love you.”
He drew her hair off to the side and kissed her neck. Annika hissed at the touch as lightning sizzled through her body, and wished they were alone together instead of standing in the middle of the street in front of two dozen pairs of eyes.
Kalan’s voice dropped, deepened and she felt his lips curve against her skin. “Again…”
She made him wait until he caught her up and swung her around.
Annika swallowed her laughter and threaded her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Light Blade,” she murmured as her mouth met his and, without words, she showed him just how much.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
&nbs
p; Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) Page 31
