Flight of the Raven

by Morgan L. Busse

  You’re not alone.

  The dream from last night came back to him, the day he lost Quinn. He had told his brother he was not alone, but sometimes he himself forgot that. The Light was with Quinn and his parents. And it was with him now as well.

  Damien closed his eyes. His body was still weak from the attack and the ensuing fever, and his chest was heavy with burdens, so he did what he had seen his father do during moments like these. He spoke to the Light.

  Words intermingled with the feelings flowing from his heart. He moved his lips, but no words came. He wished he could go out along the cliffs today and raise the waters, but there was no time, and Healer Sildaern would come after him with threats of bed rest. Instead, he stood there behind his changing screens and prayed.

  Eventually, Damien bowed his head and took a deep breath. Time to step back into the role of grand lord. He exited the screens carefully and spotted Selene still lying upon his bed, and the door that led to the next room stood ajar.

  Quietly, he approached her. Once again he was struck by the realization that he had married a woman from House Ravenwood. And here she lay, the heir to the House of Dreamers. A dreamwalker.

  His wife.

  In slumber, the coldness that was usually etched across her features was gone. Her long hair lay in dark strands across the pillow, her face now flushed with warmth from the thick cover he had placed over her body.

  He cocked his head to the side and watched her. Why had she entered his room? Even though they were married, no doubt Taegis had set her up in the room next door. Did she come in to hold his hand again? Was she having nightmares? And he still didn’t even know how she used her gift. How did one dreamwalk?

  A conversation he wanted to have with Selene. Soon.

  Speaking of . . .

  Damien rubbed his temple and turned toward the door. He would also need to announce to his people about his recent nuptials. The sooner the better. Like as in today or tomorrow. He would be sure to arrange that with his steward and council.

  Yes, he had a long day ahead of him.

  Damien put the small rolled piece of parchment to the side of his desk and sighed. It hadn’t taken Caiaphas long to write and update him on what happened after he left. It appeared Lady Ragna was spinning a tale of lies and deception and casting doubt on his own allegiance. The false accusations left a bitter taste in his mouth. He could put up with a great many things but not the tarnishing of his house. He would need to let the other houses know he was alive and share what he could.

  Damien glanced back down at the parchment. Caiaphas had also inquired about Selene.

  He could almost hear the fear and worry in Caiaphas’s words. Not just from a father, but from a leader of the coalition. They needed her. And now Damien knew why.

  He ran a hand through his hair and glanced out the window. A grey sky hung over the city, and to the left, the sea stretched out past the cliffs to the unending horizon.

  His leg began to protest from sitting too long. And the wound area was still tender, even though Healer Sildaern had used a special salve that had done wonders already. Once again he was amazed at what Sildaern was capable of and wondered if the man carried a hint of the Rafel gift of healing.

  Damien slowly stood and stretched out his leg. He should check on Selene. She would be up by now and likely overwhelmed by a new place and new people. Taegis assured him that she was looked after when they arrived, but maybe seeing a somewhat familiar face would put her at ease.

  Then again, he was the reason she was here in the first place. He ran a hand along his face. Life could be so complicated.

  As Damien made his way down the corridor, he overheard two servants talking as they cleaned.

  “Did you see her?”

  “Who?”

  “That woman yesterday. The one in black.”

  Damien slowed near the corner, listening.

  “I did. She looked mysterious.”

  “I heard she’s Lord Damien’s new wife.”

  “Her? She doesn’t look like a proper lady at all.”

  “Someone said she’s from Ravenwood.”

  “Ravenwood? I’ve heard bad things about Ravenwood.”

  Their voices drifted down the hall until they disappeared.

  It was just gossip, but it still gave him a picture of what Selene would have to overcome. There was distrust of other houses amongst his own people, especially toward unknown houses like Ravenwood.

  A heaviness settled across his chest.

  Damien continued down the hall toward his own room, past the long windows that overlooked the sea. He slowed, then paused beside one of them. A memory came flooding back from the first time he met Selene, almost a month ago, during their first meal. She had asked him questions about the sea with excitement in her eyes. Maybe he could show her his home before dinner.

  Correction. Their home.

  The thought lightened his heart a little, and he moved forward again.

  Once he reached the door next to his own room, he stopped and knocked. “Selene?”

  There was no answer. He waited a moment, then knocked again. The door opened, but it was a young maidservant with a white cap over her head and a simple blue frock who greeted him, not Selene.

  Her eyes went wide. “My-my lord!” she said and bowed to him.

  “I’m looking for Lady Selene.”

  “She is with the seamstress, my lord.”

  Damien blinked. Of course she would be. She had brought no clothing with her. “When will she be finished?”

  “By dinnertime, my lord.”

  “I see.” Well, that changed his plans for the rest of the afternoon. “Would you tell her I will see her at dinner tonight?”

  The maidservant bowed again. “I will, my lord.”

  “Thank you.”

  His leg began to ache again, and he cast a glance at his own bedroom door. Perhaps he would take the healer’s advice and actually rest.

  Damien eased into the chair at the head of the dining table later that evening. Seated along either side were members from the lower houses, along with his councilors and people of note, including Taegis.

  The room was rectangular, with windows that overlooked the sea at the other end. Darkness filled the glass as night descended upon the castle. A fire had been lit in the fireplace, and candles burned in the round metal chandeliers that hung above the dining table. The hum of conversation filled the room as those assembled waited for food to arrive.

  A servant came by and placed a goblet beside his plate.

  “How are you feeling, Lord Damien?” Taegis asked beside him as Damien lifted the cup to his lips.

  “Tired. Caiaphas informed me of what happened when I failed to show up for the treaty signing,” he said quietly and took a sip.

  “You’ve already heard from him?”

  “Yes. It didn’t take him long to send a message. We can talk about it later.”

  “And how is your leg?”

  Damien let out his breath. “Much better. Amazing how such a tiny thing like an arrowhead can cause so much hurt.”

  “So no fever?”

  Damien snorted. “Do you think Sildaern would let me walk around if I had one? The man found me only minutes after I left my room this morning and grudgingly acquiesced to letting me get back to work.”

  Taegis laughed. “That’s Healer Sildaern for you. And how is Lady Selene?”

  Damien took another sip before responding. “I’m not sure. When I went to find her, she was with the seamstress. So I have not seen her all day—” He choked on his words as his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open.

  Selene stood in the doorway to the dining room as if summoned by the mention of her name. Her black hair was pulled back to the crown of her head, then spilled down across her shoulders and back. She was dressed in a dark blue gown with silver accents along her fluttering sleeves and neckline. The light caught the edges of her face, accentuating the rare beauty of House Ravenwood wi
thin her features.

  His heart beat faster as he gazed at her.

  “By the Light, who is that beautiful lady?” someone whispered.

  “I’m not sure,” someone else answered.

  “Is it the woman I heard one of the guards talking about?”

  It was then Damien realized the whole room had grown quiet as every eye turned toward Selene.

  Damien stood and held out his hand.

  Selene spotted his movement and made her way along the path between the table and diners to where Damien stood. Murmurs broke out amongst the guests. Selene did not appear affected by the sound. Her eyes were only on him, which quickened his breath.

  She placed her hand in his, then Damien turned toward those gathered around the table. “Because of an injury on my way back from the Assembly of the Great Houses, I was unable to formally introduce you to Lady Selene of House Ravenwood.”

  The word Ravenwood spread across the room, and both curious and suspicious looks were sent toward Selene. Damien tightened his grip on her fingers. No doubt they were wondering why a member of House Ravenwood was here in Northwind Castle when the two houses had very little to do with each other. Well, until now, Damien thought. Now they would have a lot to do with each other.

  He looked over the room again and held Selene’s hand up. “Lady Selene is now my wife.”

  At the word wife, eyes widened and hurried whispers spread across the dining hall. It sounded more like shock than excitement, although some people seemed to already know, probably from the gossip around the castle. Not the reception he was hoping for, but not surprising. There were some who had made known their own thoughts on whom he should marry.

  “I will be making an official announcement tomorrow. Thank you.”

  Damien ignored the conversation around him as he pulled out the chair on his right for Selene. “You look lovely,” he whispered as she sat down.

  She stared up him, her look unreadable. “Thank you.”

  Was she discomfited by his words? Or was it the whispers around them?

  “My maidservant, Essa, and the seamstress found the gown for me.” Her face softened as she dipped her fingers in the washbowl. “They were very thoughtful to have found something for me to wear this evening.”

  Damien took in the gown again, his mouth dry. It wasn’t just any gown—it brought out every beautiful thing about Selene. She looked even more stunning than she did at the gala back at Rook Castle.

  She glanced at him while she dried her fingers. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes.” He fought the urge to tug at the collar of his tunic. He took his seat instead and reached for the closest goblet. Their fingers met at the stem and both drew their fingers back.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you wanted to take a sip first,” Selene said.

  “No, that is . . .” His lips quirked upward, and he laughed. “I believe we ran into the same situation when we first met.”

  “We did?”

  “Yes. It was the first time we ever spoke, during the first dinner at Rook Castle. We both reached for the goblet at the same time.”

  Selene tilted her head in thought. “I believe you’re right. That was only a few weeks ago.” She placed her hands in her lap and stared at the plate before her. “So much has happened since then.”

  Yes, so much had. More than he could have ever imagined. He glanced around the room from the corner of his eye, trying to gauge what the other diners were thinking, but everyone had fallen into quiet, guarded conversation.

  At that moment, servants began to bring out platters of seafood, ranging from cod and herring to mussels and crab, each served with sauce and spices. Damien helped himself to the platters using his two-prong fork, then realized Selene had not moved.

  “Are you not hungry?” he asked as he glanced over.

  Her eyes were wide as she looked over the table. “I don’t recognize anything here, except maybe that fish.”

  Of course. She probably had very little experience with food from the sea. “Here, try this,” he said and placed a piece of cod as well as two mussels in the shell onto her plate.

  She picked up her own fork and tried the fish first. Then she studied the mussels.

  “Like this,” Damien said, picking up a mussel from his own plate. He split open the shell, dug the meat out with his fork, then dipped it in the broth bowl.

  “Fascinating,” Selene murmured as she followed his instructions.

  Damien popped the mussel into his mouth and chewed while he observed Selene. He spotted Taegis covertly watching the whole procedure next to him with a small smile on his lips.

  She dipped the mussel into the broth, then tentatively brought it to her mouth. She chewed slowly, then swallowed.

  “Well?” Damien asked.

  “It’s . . . different. Like a light and fluffy mushroom, only it tastes like . . .”

  “The sea,” Damien finished.

  “Is that it?”

  “Yes. Do you like it?”

  The corners of her mouth turned up slightly as she reached for her other mussel. “Yes, I do.”

  Damien smiled as he placed the empty shells on a nearby plate, dipped his hands in the wash water, then moved on to the crab. As the meal went on, platters of bread were brought around for sopping up broth, and goblets were refilled. Conversation filled the room, with glances sent toward the head of the table every now and then. Most of the looks were tolerable politeness, but there were a few who appeared to be as captivated with Selene as he felt.

  Damien stopped, his bread halfway to his mouth, the temperature in his body rising, suddenly aware of what he had just thought. He glanced at Selene out of the corner of his eye. She was finishing the fish on her plate and talking quietly with one of the councilors—Isak from the lesser house of Norred—who was sitting next to her.

  Surely it was right to be enamored with one’s own wife, wasn’t it?

  Damien stared down at the piece of bread, strongly aware of his own heart beating.

  Dinner finished up shortly after. Damien stood to excuse himself. Between these new burgeoning thoughts of his and lingering weakness from his recent fever, he didn’t want to stay and talk.

  Selene looked up at him, and he felt like he had stumbled off a walkway. “Are you leaving?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said, grateful his voice didn’t crack. “I’m afraid I’m not quite myself yet.”

  Selene stood and gathered her gown. “May I go with you? I feel the same way.”

  He could see it all over her face that she did not want to be left alone in a room full of strangers. He extended his arm and smiled, his heart suddenly full. “Of course.”

  Turning, he addressed the room. “Good night, everyone.” He bowed his head, and the rest did likewise.

  Damien led Selene around the room to the exit and walked out into the cooler corridor. “I stopped by your room today, but you were with the seamstress. I had hoped to show you the sea. I remember how enchanted you were when I spoke of my homeland.”

  Selene turned toward him, and a smile slipped across her lips. “I would like that.”

  Damien faltered onto his next words. “Also, I should let you know that tomorrow I will present you to Nor Esen. Usually a union of this sort is announced ahead of time, and the ceremony a public affair. This is the first time in a long time that House Maris has had a marital arrangement like the one we have.”

  “You mean one of circumstance.”

  Damien let out his breath. “Yes.”

  “I understand.” The smile fell from her face.

  He frowned. Did he say something he shouldn’t have?

  “I also heard from Caiaphas today,” he said quickly, trying to restore the pleasant mood.

  She turned her head sharply. “Father?”

  “Yes. He sent word almost immediately after we escaped. He inquired after you.”

  Her face softened slightly. “That was kind of him.” She said nothing m
ore, nothing about missing her father, or even asking how things were back at Rook Castle. Perhaps it was too soon, and the pain of losing everything still too fresh. Damien chose to remain silent the rest of the way.

  They arrived at the door that led into her room. As he turned toward Selene, he was strangely reluctant to let her go, even though he was feeling the aftereffects of his injury and could probably use another dose of Healer Sildaern’s medicine. And she appeared ready to retire for the night.

  He reached for the door and opened it for her. He wanted to reach for her hand as well but held back, a part of him wondering at these sudden thoughts and impulses. “Good night,” he said softly as she headed inside.

  She turned back briefly within the doorway. In the candlelight cast by the sconce on the opposite wall, he caught sight of a single tear in the corner of her eye.

  “Selene?” he whispered, his heart twisting inside his chest.

  “Good night, Lord Damien.” Then she bowed and entered her room.

  Damien stared after her before slowly closing the door. He remained there, staring at the wood grains and patterns along the surface.

  Was it possible she regretted this marriage?

  He swallowed the lump in his throat and headed for his own door. Yes, it had been an arrangement of circumstances. But it had the chance of becoming more. He was open to the idea. Did she not feel the same way?

  Damien entered his room, the candle near his bed lit for the evening, along with a fire in the fireplace. He walked toward his changing screens, his heart and mind still mulling over Selene and the marriage announcement tomorrow. He stripped off the day’s garments and pulled on a clean undershirt and pants.

  He stumbled over to his bed and found a vial of medicine and a glass of water waiting for him, sent by Healer Sildaern. After drinking both, he put out the candle by his bed and slipped under the covers.

  He stared at the fire across the room. By marrying Selene, had he condemned himself to a loveless marriage? His chest tightened, and he rolled onto his back. He always wanted to marry for love. Instead, he married to save a woman he barely knew.

  What if she never loved him?

  Light, what do I do?