Rhoane continued to glare at Janeira. Obviously, they had spoken about this, and he disagreed with her telling the story in front of the Eleri Court.
King Stephan held up a hand for silence. “Is this true, Prince Rhoane?”
“It is as Janeira says. Princess Taryn risked her life to slay the beast that attacked me.”
“Were there other witnesses to this event?” The king asked the group.
Baehlon stepped up from the crowd. “Aye, Your Majesty. About a hundred of Duke Anje’s and Empress Lliandra’s best soldiers, as well as myself.” He bowed low. “Your Majesty.”
Tessa spoke up, as well. “I saw everything. She jumped from her horse and stuck that creature right in the gob!”
“Tessa!” Lliandra scolded, but her youngest sister grinned cheekily at Taryn before stepping back.
Myrddin spoke in a voice even those in the back could hear. “The event happened as has been told. Princess Taryn showed remarkable courage that day in battle.” He held out his hand to show a small glass orb and replayed the scene for the court. Somehow, he managed to project the event above their heads, as if on a screen. Everyone in the room watched in silent fascination as Taryn leapt from her horse to stab the vorlock.
Taryn’s mouth watered with impending sickness as she relived her actions. To see it displayed was far more ghastly than the actual doing.
Myrddin tucked the glass ball into a pocket. “She showed great courage, yes, but what she also showed, Your Majesty, is her devotion to your first son, Prince Rhoane of the Eleri,sheanna of Verdaine’s prophecy.”
The crowd grew silent. That was what the night was truly about. King Stephan wanted to get the measure of her as far as his son was concerned. Whether she was the Child of Light and Dark was only secondary.
Stephan leaned on his fingertips, looking out at Myrddin. His face gave nothing away until finally he turned to Rhoane, saying in a near whisper, “Do you accept this girl, thegyotaof Verdaine’s prophecy, as theDarennsai of the Eleri?”
“Yes.”
Stephan’s eyes glistened as he stood before his first son. “So be it.” He beckoned to Taryn. “Girl, come here.”
Heart pounding in her ears, legs quivering as if they would give out, Taryn stood beside Rhoane. The king took their hands in his, looking into her eyes, through her to the very depths of her being. His thoughts brushed against hers. She let him in to wander through her mind. Good, bad—she let him see it all. Where she came from to what brought her to his Great Hall that night.
When he finished, he looked tired and drawn. His eyes were filled with immense sadness, and she wondered what he’d found in her memories to hurt him so.
“I do not envy either of you your paths. If you join together, your trials will be lessened. Do you, Taryn ap Galendrin, wish to have Rhoane at your side always as a friend, a lover, a companion, and Verdaine willing, as a shepherd to your final resting place?”
A moment of panic seized Taryn as she realized he was going to bond them, taking her one step closer to finalizing her union with Rhoane. “Yes.” Hercynfar buzzed in her mind, but she shut it out.
Stephan turned to Rhoane. “Do you, Rhoane, First Son of the Eleri, wish to be joined to Taryn ap Galendrin in battle, as well as peace, to look to her for comfort and diminish her pain, to keep her safe always, and to live your life knowing none other but her?”
“I will honor my vow as before. Yes.”
Stephan wound a thread of green ShantiMari around their wrists. Taryn heard the trees sighing around them, as if they, too, held their breath in anticipation. When Stephan finished, new runes glowed brightly against their skin. He bent to kiss her forehead. “Welcome, Taryn ap Galendrin,Darennsai of the Eleri.”
She curtseyed as she’d seen the Eleri do when he entered the hall. “Thank you, King Stephan of the Eleri, most favored son of Verdaine.”
He seemed pleased with her reply and gestured for his sons to move down, allowing Taryn to sit beside Rhoane. To the gathered crowd, he said, “Tonight, we drink to theDarennsai.”
Doors opened and servants rushed in to place steaming plates of food before the guests. Taryn sat beside Rhoane, toasting her cup each time a noble or courtier raised their glass to her. She sipped her spiced grhom while nibbling at her food. In the eyes of the Eleri, she was married to Rhoane, but he sat silent beside her. She tried to engage Bressal in conversation, but his frown dissuaded any comment from her.
So Taryn sat between two brooding Eleri, trying to look content in the Great Hall of the Weirren. Once the plates had been removed, tables were pushed back and a group of musicians entered the hall to great applause.
“My lady, would you honor me with a dance?” Taryn looked up at Rhoane in surprise. They were the first words he had spoken to her all evening. Since that terrible day with the vorlocks, even. She put her hand in his, and they made their way to the floor. Already a few Eleri were arm in arm in a complicated dance.
She faltered in her step. “I don’t know this one,” she whispered to Rhoane.
“Just follow my lead.”
Her body matched his, her feet deftly touching the ground before finding air again and again. They moved as one, the music flowing through them. Rhoane’s jaw no longer held the tension she’d become used to, and a small smile played at the corners of his lips. When the dance ended, he held her tightly against him, unmoving. In his eyes, her chaotic emotions reflected back to her. She raised her body a few inches until her lips met his. Their kiss was hesitant at first. Then weeks of frustration and unspent emotions coiled and snapped, manifesting in an all-consuming kiss that blocked out all sight or sound. The court no longer existed. The great tree dissipated. The world came down to only them.
When finally they parted, the room was silent. Taryn looked at the astonished faces, feeling her own grow hot with embarrassment.
King Stephan stood at the high table with his glass raised.“Cynfarran teldielle!”
The Eleri cheered.“Cynfarran teldielle!”
Taryn curtseyed, having no idea what he’d said. Rhoane bowed to his father and then the court. Taryn glanced at her mother. Tears glistened in her beautiful blue eyes. Eliahnna and Tessa also had wet cheeks. Rhoane led her out of the Great Hall, up several stairways, before she finally found her voice.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere private.” He smiled down at her. “Unless you would rather go back to the hall?”
“Not really.”
“Good,” he said. “Because there is something I want to show you.” He led her up and up, until she thought she couldn’t take another step.
At the top of the tree, he opened a hidden door, leading her on to a pathway of branches covered in leaves. The only thing above them was the clear night sky and twinkling stars. She clutched at his arm. “How high are we? Could we fall?”
Rhoane laughed, and it sounded like rainfall after a drought. “You are afraid of heights? A great warrior like you is afraid of something as insignificant as falling?”
“Don’t tease. Yes, I’m afraid of heights, if you really must know.” They made their way along the branch to a cluster of leaves that created a bower of sorts. “Will it hold us?”
“We are perfectly safe. Come here,” he commanded, pulling her to him. “No one will disturb us.” His lips sought hers with a hunger she returned. Their ShantiMari tangled around them, uniting as one strength—hers new and untried, his as ancient as the tree they stood upon.
When their heat became too much, she pulled away, afraid of the powerful emotions that swept over her with a speed she fought to control. Afraid of the dark tempest that swirled just under the surface, ready to break free.
Rhoane stretched out on the leaves, beckoning her to follow.
“Why didn’t you speak up for me tonight?” She carefully lay down beside him, hampered by her wound.
“I amsheanna; my word is not recognized at court.” The sadness in his voice cut Taryn in two.
“I should have known. I’m sorry.”
“I have grown used to my status.” He rolled to his side and brushed aside a strand of her hair. “Tonight, I want to stay here, with you.”
“Rhoane, I…” Irrational fear seized her. She wanted him, the gods only knew how much, but it was too soon. Their trust had been shaken. Sharing her body with him would commit them to an eternity together. She couldn’t take that step until she was certain beyond any doubt Rhoane trusted her and was committed to their future. “I can’t. Not yet. Not until you’re sure.”
His hand cupped her cheek, warm, with a slight tremble. “I owe you an apology, Taryn. Not just for my behavior. When you needed my loyalty, I faltered. That will never happen again.”
A fierceness she didn’t recognize lurked in the depths of his eyes. “I let a long-standing friendship cloud my judgment when, in truth, I never had reason to doubt you. Your actions were not worthy of the scorn I showed. I am ashamed of my behavior but was too proud to admit it. I am afraid when it comes to love, I am ignorant of that which is clear to others. I only hope you can forgive me.”
The sincerity in his voice and pain behind his words cracked the hardened shell she’d erected around her heart. A month of his silence had made her leery of their future, but she desperately wanted to believe in him. In them.
“I want to remember this night as being full of nothing but you, this tree, and the stars. Whatever happened before is forgiven.” She reached to kiss him, grimacing with the effort.
He gently laid her back, his eyes full of concern. “You are in pain.” His glance searched her body. “Where is this wound you suffered from the vorlock?”
Taryn put a protective hand around her midsection. “It’s fine, really. Every day it gets better. I just have to remember not to move too quickly.”
“You should have been brought to me. The Eleri are skilled at healing.”
“Faelara is taking good care of me, I promise.” She gave him a gentle push. “Can we go back to enjoying the stars?”
“I would like to see for myself.” He placed a hand on her abdomen, his Shanti flowing over her. Taryn held still while he prodded her through her gown and bandages. Finally, he said, “There is still some infection. Tomorrow we will find the salve you need.”
“If I say yes, can we relax for the night?”
He placed his lips on hers in answer.
Chapter 36
BRESSAL was in a mood. Rhoane sat at his desk, half-listening as his brother ticked off the reasons Rhoane should never have accepted Taryn as the Darennsai. Each of them was incredibly shortsighted and self-serving, but Rhoane had no intention of telling this to his younger brother. When Bressal finished, Rhoane put his feet on the desk, crossing his hands behind his head.
“Thank you, dear brother, for your informal education on my many mistakes. The first of which would seem to be my birth. Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do before we leave.”
“What do you meanleave? Father thinks you have returned permanently. And now that you have brought the abomination with you, he thinks you mean to make good on your oath.”
Rhoane took a deep breath before walking around his desk to face his brother. “I will only say this once. If you continue to insult Taryn, I will personally dole out your punishment. She has shown her merit, and Father accepted her in front of the court. What is more, Nadra and Ohlin have given her their blessing. What I do not need from you is a compendium of what ifs and why nots. I need your support.”
“That I cannot give, no matter what Father thinks. He was a fool to let the empress and her lot through the veils. He is a fool to think thisgyota is anything but an ignorant girl. She stinks of Fadair and offends me.”
Rhoane slammed his brother against the wall, his Shanti tight around Bressal’s body. “I said I would not tolerate any more slurs against the Darennsai. What you have said here is tantamount to treason, and I could have you hanged for it.”
Bressal’s face paled a fraction. “Father knows my opinion on this matter.”
“Yes. And now so do I. Again, I thank you for elucidating your thoughts.” Rhoane released his brother from his power.
“It is not too late. You can still undo the bonds, as long as you have not united your bodies as one.” Bressal looked at Rhoane and groaned. “Do not tell me. When? Last night? Is that where you disappeared to?” He slapped his head in frustration. “I knew I should have followed you. I could have prevented this disaster.”
Rhoane clenched his fists to keep from striking his brother. “Your assumption is inaccurate. As you will not heed my advice to stop this maligning of the Darennsai, I will thank you to leave my chamber.” His body shook with barely contained anger.
“Then you can still undo the bonds.”
“I will undo nothing. Taryn was chosen for me by Verdaine. I will not go against the wishes of our goddess. I will, however, ask that you make an effort to accept Taryn for what she is—the Darennsai of our people and my betrothed.”
“I have nothing against the girl. It is what she will do to the Eleri that concerns me. If you cannot see that she will be the destruction of our people, then you are blind.”
“The prophecy is unclear, as you well know.” Rhoane ran a hand through his short hair, a constant reminder of his sheanna status. “Perhaps if you tried harder to find a way for her to succeed, you would see that she could be exactly what the Eleri need right now.”
“We need nothing,” he spat, disdain laced through every syllable. “We have been here for as long as the first seed of this great tree.”
“It is that thinking that will be the downfall of the Eleri, not the doings of an innocent girl.”
“We will see in the end, will we not?” He half turned to leave. “You had better inform Father you will not be staying. I think I saw him polishing your crown this morning.”
“Is that what all of this is about, Bressal? You think I want to take the throne away from you? I thought you knew me better than that, my brother. It has been too long since we shared our secrets. Too much fear has crept into your heart. I am the chosen one of the Darennsai. I can no more sit on this throne than I can the Crystal or Obsidian Thrones.”
Drained by their conversation, Rhoane sank into his chair. “I am a prince without a palace. My place is at the side of a girl whose fate is undetermined. I might have one season or a thousand on this terrarae. Nothing in my life is certain right now, so if you want to be concerned only with what crown you will be wearing, then let me assure you, I will not fight you for something as trivial as that.”
The sadness in Bressal’s eyes bespoke a fear his words would not convey. “You have changed, brother. Your time with the Fadair has corrupted your thinking. I can remember when there was no greater purpose than protecting the Weirren Throne.”
“Indeed, your words are true.” Rhoane rose and placed a hand on his brother’s arm. “The Weirren Throne is never far from my thoughts. Do not ever doubt that I hold its safety close in my heart. It seems Verdaine had something else in mind for me, however, and I must go where she wills.”
“Then there is nothing more for us to discuss. May the next time we meet be in sweetness and not sorrow.” Bressal touched his thumb to his heart.
Rhoane echoed his gesture. “When next we meet.” They put their foreheads together in the ancient custom.
How many Eleri shared his brother’s feelings? They would accept Taryn as the Darennsai out of respect to his father, but would they support her when the time came?
He paced his room a few times, checking hiding places he’d used as a small boy and re-familiarizing himself with his childhood home. He’d been gone nearly sixty Aelan years. To an Eleri, it was but a moment in time, but spent away from the Weirren, it seemed an eternity to him.
He breathed in the musty scent of the tree and was lost in memories of his youth. Many bells had been spent at that very desk still sitting near the window overlooking the courtyard. How many
times had he hidden beneath it, waiting for his brothers to find him? If he hid there now, would they even bother to look?
A distressing melancholy hung over him. Bressal was right; he needed to talk with his father and explain why he must leave the Narthvier. Rhoane left his room and hastened up the steps leading to his father’s study. When he stood at the door, he took a deep breath and gave a quick knock before entering.
His father sat at his desk with papers strewn all about. Rhoane picked up a sheet of parchment and studied the writing with a frown. “It never changes, does it?”
“Unfortunately, no.” He walked around the desk to greet Rhoane. “It is good to have you home.” He sat in a chair, indicating Rhoane do the same. “You are not going to stay, are you?”
Rhoane was surprised by his directness. “No, Your Majesty, I will be leaving with the others.”
His father ran a hand over his face. “I thought as much. Verdaine works in mysterious ways. When she took your mother, I thought my life would end, but then when you told me you had to leave the Weirren for an Aelan girl, I thought she was playing a cruel joke on me. Your mother used to tell me you were special. If only I had listened to her, I would have understood what she meant.” He studied Rhoane. “You have sacrificed everything for this girl, and she does not even know what she is. You should have told her.”
“She is young and frightened. Telling her will only make it worse.” He held out his right hand to his father. “You see what these symbols mean, you know what is coming. Would you have me tell her what she will have to do one day just to satisfy your desire for her to fail? What if she succeeds? Have you thought of that?”
His father scoffed. “An Aelan surpassing Eleri, to sit at the side of Verdaine herself? No, I will not believe it. Your Mother,” he paused to clear his throat, “could not even conceive of that.”
The Stones of Kaldaar (Song of the Swords Book 1) Page 33
