The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  "If you care for me at all, release them."

  "I do not care for you. You are my possession."

  "Then you leave me no choice. I will destroy them the only way I know how,” Regan sent. She drew back from him.

  "Wait. I said ... I need not ... but for you I will.” A soft caress touched her mind. “To free them will free me. Do you still wish it?"

  She remembered the cascades of sorrow. They bested Dirkk and Thomas once; if need be, they could do it again. “Yes,” she hissed.

  He laughed softly. “Regan, you will be mine. Together we will rule this world. But for now I give to you the spell of unmaking.” A wave rushed over her and pushed her from his mind.

  She faced the Ru'taha. Raising a hand, she shouted:

  "Your flesh I took, your soul I stole.

  Formed to a shape of ivory, ever cold, doing my evil, forever as told.

  Your time is over, and in the Dark Ones’ name,

  I release you."

  "What are you doing?” Peter cried.

  Ignoring him, Regan pulled the pendant over her head and placed it on the rock. She picked up another rock. From the corner of her eye, she saw Peter lunge toward her. “No.” She brought the rock down hard on the pendant. Green smoke rolled from beneath the rock. Thunder roared above her.

  Peter stopped beside her. “What in God's name have you done?"

  Dirkk's body reeled and then dropped to the ground. In front of him the air shimmered. Through the doorway, Regan saw a candle-lit room and Thomas. He reached out, grabbed Dirkk's shoulders and jerked him through. Inside the room, Dirkk turned. For a moment his eyes met hers and he smiled. Thomas stepped in front of him and bowed in her direction. He waved his hand in an arc, and the doorway shimmered and vanished.

  "No,” Peter screamed.

  Beyond Peter, she saw the first of the Ru'taha fall. They hit the ground in wave after wave. In her head she felt the Black Vipers cry in ecstasy at the death of their hated partners. Now it's your turn, she thought.

  She looked toward Peter. He still stared at the spot where the doorway had vanished. She crossed to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He stiffened under her touch.

  "It was a trade-off.” She waved her hand toward the fallen Ru'taha. “Dirkk and Thomas are beaten. We'll never hear from them again."

  He ignored her. She dropped her hand from his shoulder. “It was the only way, and I'd do it again."

  He turned, looking over her shoulder at the dead Ru'taha. “I know why you did it,” he said, “and if you say it was the only way, I accept that. But if you believe this is the last we will see of Dirkk, then you are a fool."

  She stared at him silently.

  He looked toward the Black Vipers. “What of them?"

  "We use the spell.” She reached her hand toward him. He hesitated, but then gripped it with his.

  "Evil is as evil does,

  Evil as evil ever was.

  Pitted one against the other,

  Death to one or to each other.

  All else pales and fades away,

  Except your need to have your say.

  The need to fight him to an end,

  'Til death calls one or both ‘friend'."

  As she uttered the last word, the vipers turned, rose up on their black tails and hissed. Then they sprang at each other.

  It may have been minutes or hours. She did not know. But finally it was over. She walked to where the vipers lay and, as she stared, they changed, drew in, shrank, and became the size of the garter snakes she had caught as a child. Food for vultures, she thought. It's fitting.

  She turned and walked to where the Ru'taha had fallen. Naked men and women lay sprawled. Death had returned them to their original forms. Tears flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks. “I was right. What I did was right.” From behind her she felt an arm circle her waist.

  "Only time will tell,” Peter said. “Now let us go home."

  "But...” Regan waved a hand at the bodies.

  "Someone will come for them. They will have the burial they deserve."

  Together they turned and walked toward Raya.

  Chapter 27

  REGAN STOOD IN the doorway and smiled at Kelsey's sleeping face. They had talked for hours while she held her sister's hand. Then Kelsey had drifted off.

  It was late. She hoped Rourk still waited for her in the Queen's forest. Her smile fled. “I'm sorry, Kelsey."

  * * * *

  Regan stood inside Queen Tessa's solar. Her hand rested on the knob of the door that led into the private forest. I could just walk away. He doesn't have to know. Then thoughts of Caitlan's frightened but determined face as they'd shattered the pulsing globe surfaced. “I owe her.” Sighing, she turned the knob and entered.

  Damp heat enveloped her. She stood motionless for a moment, and let her eyes adjust to the green dimness. Da'kar. Had he returned? She had forgotten to ask.

  She followed the twisting path to the edge of the open field. In the shadows of the tall trees, she stopped. Ahead, Rourk stood with his back to her. Half of her trembled with excitement for what she was about to tell him, the other half weighted her down in guilt for what she was doing to her sister.

  "Yes, but now she'll have nothing to keep her here,” a selfish inner voice whispered to her.

  She frowned and shook her head. “I wouldn't care if Kelsey stayed here, as long as she was happy."

  Still frowning, she stepped from the trees. Rourk turned. He lifted a hand in greeting, then let it drop as he she neared. “Is everything all right with Kelsey?"

  "Everything's fine."

  "Then why the frown?” he said teasingly.

  "It's nothing."

  He searched her face and then gestured around them. “It's been a long time since I've been in here. I'd forgotten its appeal."

  She started to reply, but was surprised by a jaw-cracking yawn. “Excuse me."

  He grinned down at her. “You've had a busy day."

  "Do you think we've seen the last of Dirkk?"

  He shrugged. “Perhaps for a while. He'll lay low and lick his wounds, then who knows?"

  She looked down at her feet. “When I was at Dirkk's castle, I met somebody."

  "More scum, I expect."

  "A woman."

  "What manner of whore does Dirkk keep at his castle?"

  "Not a whore ... a captive. She and her son.” Regan felt Rourk grow still. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath. “Her name was Caitlan.” Regan waited for the space of two heartbeats, then looked up.

  He stared over her head, his green eyes the only points of color in a face gray with shock. As she watched, his lips parted, but instead of speaking he turned away from her and walked to the wall that enclosed the private forest. Regan remained where she was for a long moment, then moved to him. She lifted a hand to touch his arm and then let it drop to her side.

  He leaned his forehead against the brick. His large shoulders shook. “She lives?” he whispered into the wall.

  "Yes."

  "And my son?"

  "I didn't see him, but Caitlan said he was fine."

  "Dirkk has had them for the past seven years.” It wasn't a question, but a statement delivered in a frigid monotone. He turned to face her. “Is she well? Why didn't she return with you and Peter?"

  "She's as well as can be expected. And she didn't come with us because Patrick was hiding from her.” Regan decided this wasn't the time to tell Rourk why his son was angry. Instead she said, “We promised to go back for them afterwards."

  "She knows I still live?"

  "Dirkk had his fun by making her watch while he tried to kill you with his pets."

  "I must go to her."

  "I know."

  "Kelsey...” His voice broke.

  She touched his arm. “I'll take care of my sister."

  He swallowed. “Caitlan...” He turned eyes dark with pain to Regan. “She's my wife. Tell Kelsey...” His voice stumbled to a halt. Tears
tracked down and became lost in his red beard.

  Regan blinked hard, swallowed, tried to speak, and then swallowed again. “I understand."

  He pulled her close and wrapped her in a bear hug. “Good-bye, Regan.” He released her and walked away.

  * * * *

  Regan hesitated outside Kelsey's door. “Maybe she's still asleep."

  "Regan ... is that you? Quit talking to yourself and get in here."

  Regan took a deep breath and entered. “How ya doing, sleeping beauty?"

  Kelsey grimaced. “I'm doing ... just fine. Now if someone would just convince Margeaux of that."

  "You listen to what she says. She's the healer, not you."

  Kelsey made a face at her sister. “Right.” She squirmed to a setting position in the bed. “So have you seen Rourk? He was supposed to come by for a visit."

  "Should you be doing all that wiggling?"

  "I still twinge here and there, but Margeaux did a remarkable job. I should be out of here tomorrow."

  "Tomorrow? That's great.” Regan moved a chair closer and then perched on its edge. “You know tomorrow's the sixth day the rift has been open."

  She watched her sister suddenly find the fingernail on her index finger fascinating. “Really? I'd lost count."

  Regan stared at her until Kelsey looked up and met her gaze. “You're a liar."

  Kelsey's gaze darted away. “Yes, I am."

  "Are you coming home with me?"

  Regan watched Kelsey's fingers pleat, smooth, and then pleat again the sheet on the bed. “I don't think so."

  "Kelsey..."

  Kelsey looked up at Regan. “Don't say it. I've thought about it. I can't leave ... and never see Rourk again."

  "I know how you feel about him, but..."

  "No buts,” Kelsey cut in.

  Regan stood. She stared down at Kelsey, then frowned and walked to the other side of the room.

  "What's wrong? I see it in your face."

  "You asked if I'd seen Rourk?"

  Kelsey nodded.

  "I saw him just now. In Tessa's forest."

  "And?"

  "I had news to give him.” Regan walked back to her sister's bed and sat down in the chair. She sought Kelsey's eyes, then grasped her hand.

  Her sister wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Just tell me."

  "His wife and child are still alive,” Regan said quietly.

  Kelsey's hand gripped tight and Regan winced.

  "Alive?"

  "They've been held captive at Dirkk's castle."

  Kelsey dropped Regan's hand. “He went to them?” she asked, then laughed hollowly. “Of course he did."

  "Kelsey, I'm so sorry."

  Kelsey turned her back to Regan. “I'd like to be alone."

  Regan stood to leave, then sat back down again. “I can't leave you like this."

  Kelsey turned. Her face colorless with pain, she whispered, “Get out."

  "Let me help."

  "Let you help?” Kelsey closed her eyes again for a moment. “I think you've helped enough, don't you?"

  Regan drew back as if she'd been slapped.

  "Can you give me back the man I love?” Kelsey continued.

  Regan stared at her in silence. Kelsey's lips trembled. “I didn't think so."

  Regan reached out and touched her sister's arm.

  Kelsey jerked away. “Not now, Regan. Not now.” She slid back down into the bed and turned her back. “I want you to go. Please. I love you, but I can't look at you right now."

  Regan pushed back the chair and stood. She started toward the door, then swore under her breath and whirled around. “No, you're not pushing me away.” She sat back down on the edge of the bed and pulled her sister up into her arms. Kelsey twisted half-heartedly in her grip, then dissolved in a torrent of tears.

  Kelsey's body shook with the force of her sobs. Regan said nothing, just held on and rocked them both.

  Finally Kelsey pulled back and looked up. “God, Regan! It hurts. It hurts so much."

  Regan pushed tendrils of hair back from Kelsey's damp, flushed face. Kelsey sniffed, looked around, then blew her nose on the corner of the bed sheet.

  "That's gross,” Regan said.

  "Better it than you,” Kelsey choked out. She stared over Regan's head, then shuddered and grabbed her sister's hand. “I'll leave with you tomorrow."

  Regan squeezed her hand, then released it and stood. “Okay, we will go home tomorrow—both of us."

  Kelsey turned away from her sister. “Tomorrow, but for now I'd like to be by myself."

  "I'll come back later."

  "Fine."

  "Kelsey,” Regan said.

  "What?"

  "I love you."

  Kelsey turned and gave Regan a small grin. “Yeah. I love me, too. Now get."

  Regan shut the door behind her, then leaned back against it and waited. Soon Kelsey's choked sobs penetrated the door. Tears streaking her own cheeks, Regan pushed away from the door and walked down the hall. “Tomorrow this will all be over."

  * * * *

  Regan stood on the balcony of Kelsey's tower room and looked down. Already the inner bailey was almost vacant. The merchants had gotten their way. Daradawn's people were returning to their farms and villages. As she turned and entered the twin glass balcony doors, someone knocked on the bedroom door. “Yes?"

  "May I come in?” Peter said.

  "Yes."

  He crossed to where she stood.

  "I just came from Kelsey."

  "Then you know I told her."

  "And Rourk?” he asked.

  She turned her back on him and walked to the side of the bed. Trailing her fingers along a seam in the silk comforter, she said. “He left to go to Dirkk's castle."

  She heard footsteps, then felt his hands on her arms. He pulled her back against his body. “I am sorry."

  Regan leaned back into him. “Tomorrow we'll start putting the pieces back together."

  Peter's body stiffened, then she felt his lips brush her hair. “You would leave me again?"

  "It'll take time, but Kelsey will heal."

  "And you?"

  Regan tensed against him. “What do you mean?"

  "How much time will it take for you to forget me?"

  Regan closed her eyes against the pain that twisted in her stomach. She pulled away from him and walked to the balcony doors. Through the glass she saw the glimmer of the first evening star. Taking a deep breath, she faced him. “I have to go, at least for a while."

  She heard his quick intake of breath, then in two strides he closed the distance between them. He stopped a hand-span away from her and stared down into her eyes. “For us, ‘a while’ is seven years."

  Regan tried to smile. “Not all that long when you think of the eternity we've already waited."

  He shook his head. “I wish to wait no longer. Do not leave. Stay here. Become my wife."

  "But Kelsey..."

  "She wants your happiness, the same as you want hers."

  Regan grew still. “You talked to her about us?"

  He nodded. She sighed and massaged her right temple with her hand. “I wish you hadn't done that. She's hurting so bad..."

  "Regan, do you love me?"

  "Yes, but..."

  "Then that is your answer."

  She stepped around him and stared at the far wall. A tapestry hung there. It was a wedding scene. Her lips curved in an ironic smile. “It's not that simple. I need time..."

  "Do you need another seven years?"

  No, she didn't want to wait another seven long years. “But this time I wanted Kelsey to be at my wedding..."

  "Then I guess we should be married tomorrow,” Peter cut in.

  She turned and stared at him with wide eyes. “Tomorrow? Impossible! There's a blood test and a license..."

  He smiled, then interrupted. “Perhaps in your world, but not in mine—or is it to be ours?"

  "I don't know. I have to talk to K
elsey first."

  * * * *

  Kelsey's door was ajar. Regan looked in. Propped up in the bed, Kelsey met Regan eyes with eyes that were red in her pale face, but she smiled and waved Regan in.

  "Are you here to plan a wedding?” Kelsey asked.

  "I don't know. How can I let you go back by yourself? There will be all the questions, and..."

  "I can handle that."

  "But after what happened..."

  "Regan, I could use some time alone.” Kelsey's lips trembled, but she looked down and took a deep breath. When she looked up again they were still. “Hey, it's only seven years. You can consider it a long honeymoon."

  Regan shook her head. “No. I'm going with you."

  Kelsey grabbed her hand. “Regan Louise Cafferty,” she said, shaking her hand with each word, “do you love Peter?"

  "Yes."

  "Then you'll stay and marry him.” Kelsey held up her hand and stopped Regan's protest. “It's settled. One of us will be happy."

  Tears filled Regan's eyes and she blinked. “I want both of us to be happy,” she said in a choked voice.

  Kelsey looked away. “I will be, just not for awhile, and not here."

  "Kelsey..."

  "Get out of here. You need your beauty sleep. After all you're getting married tomorrow.” And with that, she scooted down into the bed, turned her back to Regan, and pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

  * * * *

  Regan opened her eyes, then blinked against the bright sun that shone through the balcony doors. She rolled from her side onto her back and stretched. Suddenly her eyes widened and she bolted upright in bed. “I'm getting married today."

  A sharp rap on the door made her jump.

  "It's Meg, miss. I've come to prepare your bath."

  Regan pulled the sheet up around her chin and then called, “Come in."

  The door opened and a young woman she had never seen before walked in. She bobbed a quick curtsey, then crossed to the tall standing screen that hid the oval tub. The young woman stood with her back to Regan. She turned and gave Regan a wink over her shoulder. “We don't need no prying eyes. Okay. Bring ‘em in."

  Regan peeked around the young woman and saw the door open to admit a line of red-liveried men. Each hand gripped a steaming bucket. She leaned back against her pillow and, staring at the young woman's red-skirted backside asked, “Where's Mary-Anne this morning?"

  Meg turned and stared down at her. Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked furiously. “A viper got her. She's with God now."