“Then I accept your proposal, and we will see.”
“Do you trust her?” Weynild asked Raine.
Raine shifted her head, which was lying on Weynild’s shoulders. Her fine features were accentuated by the moonlight streaming through the window.
“Not entirely. But I reminded her on her departure that I can find her as easily as she can find Skye, and warned her she has but a single chance. I think she got the message.”
Weynild chuckled. “I’m sure she did. You can be very persuasive.”
“As can you. And I believe the thought of us coming after her together will dissuade her from hurting or abducting Skye.” Raine toyed with Weynild’s silver hair. “And Skye has her own forms of persuasion.”
“Yes, that Tavinter becomes more like the Ha’kan every day. Other than concern for her safety, no one appears to object to the terms of the pact itself.”
“As Dallan pointed out, it’s a very Ha’kan solution. I think it would have been better just to kill Ingrid, but that wasn’t Skye’s wish.”
Weynild rolled over on top of Raine, her amber eyes glowing. “It wasn’t your wish, either. You’ve had many opportunities to kill Ingrid in her lifetime, and yet you never did so.”
“And she had many opportunities to kill Skye, and never did so. I think I felt a little sorry for Ingrid,” Raine said, “that must be the Arlanian in me. It’s rare that it overcomes my Scinterian half.”
“I like it when it does,” Weynild said, leaning down to kiss her.
Chapter 7
It was with great trepidation the Ha’kan said goodbye to Skye when the full moon rose. Skye assured them that she would see them the next day, but the pact that had seemed so logical in theory now seemed fraught with peril when the terms were due. Raine rode out with Skye alone and waited with her in the forest at the agreed upon location.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Raine asked.
“Yes,” Skye said, “I think this will work.”
Raine examined the youngster, who was an adult woman now, but still a child to her. Skye was nervous, but there was also an air of anticipation about her. Perhaps it was not merely the Ha’kan influence that had driven Skye to take this path; the Tavinter reckless love of adventure could be in play as well.
A disturbance in the air in front of them drew their attention, and a swirling mass of multi-colored light threw the trees around them into stark relief. The portal opened and the sorceress stepped through, and even Raine looked upon her with appreciation. She had dressed for the occasion and wore a stunning red gown that set off all her attributes.
“I must say I’m surprised that you’re here.”
“The Tavinter always keep their word,” Skye said.
“And I will remind you of your word, Ingrid,” Raine said. “I have spared your life many times. But if Skye is not returned to me tomorrow, at this time, unharmed, I will hunt you down. And my mercy will be at an end.”
A challenge such as this, uttered by anyone but the Scinterian, would have been greeted with contempt by Ingrid. But she responded with only mild irritation.
“I gave my word, Scinterian. And unless you wish to take the Tavinter’s place, I suggest you step back.”
“If I took her place,” Raine said, “we would both be hunted down by a dragon, a fate I wouldn’t wish upon either of us.”
Raine stepped back and Skye stepped forward. Ingrid held her hand out and Skye took it, and together they stepped through the still-open portal and disappeared.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Raine murmured to the empty forest.
“That was amazing,” Skye said breathlessly when they reappeared.
“You’ve never traveled through a portal?”
“No, Idonea said it was dangerous.”
“Hmm,” Ingrid said. It certainly would be dangerous for this girl to travel through unaccompanied. The sorceress had learned how to protect herself from the creatures that resided in the netherworld, at least those on the periphery that she skirted through. But this one emanated light magic, a beacon that would draw all sorts of demonic beings. She would have to remember that in the future.
“If” she took her back, Ingrid thought to herself. She still couldn’t quite believe the girl was here and that she had come willingly. It was the ultimate act of naiveté on her part, to give herself up to her enemy, and she couldn’t believe the Scinterian had bought into it, despite all her threats.
Skye glanced around the luxuriously furnished room. They were in some type of tower, the round stone walls indicating it was a very large structure. It was cool, but a fire burned in the hearth, giving off a welcome heat. Skye moved to the fireplace and rubbed her hands in the warmth.
“So, what did you want to do first?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
The sorceress sensed the trepidation and it pleased her. The constant confidence the girl displayed was becoming unnerving.
“I think I’m thirsty.”
Skye swallowed hard. “Very well.” She started to roll up her sleeve, then paused. “Unless you want to drink directly—?”
This was the strangest conversation the sorceress had ever had. “I’m not a vampyre,” she said, “I will use the doctor’s equipment.”
She brought out the thin needle, the long tube, and the glass jar. At the last minute, she set the glass jar down and lifted a jewel-encrusted goblet. “I guess I don’t need that, anymore.”
No, Skye thought, the doctor’s subterfuge was no longer needed. This was no medical procedure designed to keep her docile. She sat down in the cushioned chair, wincing only slightly as the sorceress inserted the needle into the vein on her arm. The blood snaked through the tubing and into the goblet, and Skye watched the life pour out of her, wondering if the sorceress would stop when the goblet was full.
She did. She clamped the tubing, removed the needle from Skye’s arm, then drained the last of the red liquid from the tube into the chalice. She pressed her hand on the wound, murmured a single word, and when she removed the hand, the wound was gone.
“Thank you,” Skye said, startled by the feat.
“Don’t be too impressed,” Ingrid said dryly. “That is the extent of my healing capabilities.”
She started to sit down, then caught herself. “I am being remiss as a hostess.” She poured Skye a glass of wine, then settled across from her in front of the fire, goblet in hand.
“To our agreement,” the sorceress said, and took a long drink from the chalice.
Skye took a sip of the wine. She was already feeling a little light-headed from the loss of blood, and her tolerance for spirits was very low. Rika teased her about it constantly. The thought of Rika brought an immense home-sickness that tightened her chest and throat. She pushed the feelings away and concentrated on the sorceress, who was clearly enjoying her drink. She really was a lovely woman, harshly beautiful angular features, a long, slender neck that transitioned into the softness of her breasts. The breasts seemed to swim before Skye’s eyes, the softness blurring, then coming into focus once more. She looked at the wine glass.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
Ingrid finished her drink and stood. “I don’t completely trust you,” she said as she took Skye’s hand and got her to her feet.
“You don’t trust me?” Skye said in disbelief.
Ingrid led her to the bed and pushed her backward. The girl offered no resistance, but that might not have been voluntary given her loss of blood and the drug she had been given. It was one of Ingrid’s favorite concoctions, rendering the victim almost helpless but with no loss of consciousness or sensation. It was also one that she had given Skye before, on many occasions.
For this reason, Skye was none too concerned. She recognized the feeling of lassitude, the wonderful lethargy that relaxed her beneath this woman’s touch. Her clothing was gone and that alabaster skin was pressed against her, the breasts so close to her mouth that even in her enfeebled state she
was able to capture the nipple in her mouth. The woman’s hips ground against her in response and she suckled harder, even lightly biting as she felt the warm wetness come forth on her torso.
And the sorceress was mad with desire. This was the same and yet so very different than before. The girl was not tricked into believing she was someone else. She knew exactly who she was, and she knew exactly who the woman was on top of her. And Ingrid was thinking less of Isleif and more of Tova, the leader of the Tavinter, the great-grandmother of the girl beneath her. Strangely, all these years, she had thought little of this woman who was an equal part in the betrayal, and with enormous excitement, it occurred to her that she was not just fucking Isleif’s offspring, she was fucking the current leader of the Tavinter herself. She was bedding the beloved leader of the people she hated, and the girl would come to her willingly again-and-again. This was better than imprisoning her, better than killing her, and a more epic revenge on Tova than she ever could have imagined or orchestrated.
Skye knew nothing of these thoughts, and would not have cared if she did. Something was driving the sorceress to ecstasy, so she wrapped her legs around her and simply enjoyed the ride.
A night later, Raine waited patiently in the forest, accompanied by a few of her wolf companions. She had assured the Ha’kan she would return with Skye shortly, and now she hoped that assurance was not in vain. She saw a flash of light between the trees, some distance away, and began making her way towards it. About halfway there, she met up with Skye, who was pushing her way through the thick foliage. The wolves yelped in greeting.
Raine hugged the girl tightly, then held her at arm’s length. “Well, you look like you’re still in one piece.”
“I’m a little tired,” Skye confessed, “but beyond that, I’m fine.”
“And you are fine with this agreement?”
“Oh yes,” Skye said, “Although I thought this might be a way to fix things, that wasn’t my whole motivation. The sorceress really is fabulous in bed.”
Raine grinned. “Spoken like a true Ha’kan. I have often seen them use sex as a weapon. Not by force or coercion, but by pure seduction. Now, this isn’t going to turn into one of those things where Ingrid likes you a little too much and tries to keep you for other reasons?”
“I doubt that,” Skye said, laughing. “I am a plaything to her. She loves little beyond herself. And already she has begun prodding me for the secrets to my magic. She got angry when I told her I have no idea how I do the things I do, but then I think she realized I was telling the truth.”
“You are a terrible liar, so that is in your favor.”
“Yes, and she knows it, which is also in my favor, at least when it comes to this.”
They came to the horses at the edge of the forest, held by the same silent Tavinter scout that had met them previously. She nodded to her leader, then disappeared back into the forest. Skye mounted her beast, as did Raine.
“You know,” Raine said teasingly, “as the leader of the Tavinter, you could begin negotiating alliances all around Arianthem with this newfound skill of yours.”
“Shut up,” Skye said, turning bright red, and the Scinterian’s laughter echoed across the plain.
Chapter 8
At long last it was time for the Queen’s entourage to set out for Mount Alfheim. The partings were poignant, but the general excitement made it less so. Those traveling were looking forward to the adventure, and those remaining were looking forward to trying out their future positions.
“I am so proud of you,” Queen Halla said to her daughter, caressing her cheek. “You will make a wonderful ruler in my absence.”
Senta stood in front of Rika, causing the Future First General to slightly look up as Senta was the only person present who was taller than she was. Senta clapped her hand on Rika’s shoulder. “You guard the Princess,” Senta said solemnly, “and the country.”
“I will,” Rika said, nodding just as gravely. For once, her manner was deadly serious with no joviality, but when Senta grinned, so did she.
Gimle was giving Kara some last-minute, detailed instructions on a series of research experiments which Kara was desperately trying to commit to memory. Finally, Gimle stopped herself and placed her hands on Kara’s shoulders. “Use your best judgment,” Gimle said, and Kara smiled.
Astrid hugged Lifa, no doubt in her mind as to her successor’s success. Although Lifa’s mother, Helena, would stay in the capital, it would be Lifa who was in charge of the Ministry. Her daughters Eira and Embla were also staying, as were Runa and Solvi. It would be good experience for all of the younger women.
Skye was speaking with her childhood friend, Torsten.
“I wish I was going with you,” he said.
“So do I,” Skye admitted, “but you are my second, which means you are First Ranger in my absence.”
Torsten nodded, grinning slightly. “Who would have thought the two of us would wind up here?”
Skye thought back to the two little barbarians running through the forest, half-naked and joyously poor.
“Certainly not me.”
“A large contingency will travel with you, out of sight, headed by Aeric,” Torsten said, “Flynt will stay here with me.”
“Good.”
Dallan approached so Torsten stepped respectfully away.
“You take care of my mother,” Dallan said, hugging her tightly, “and yourself.”
A commotion at the city gates drew everyone’s attention as two grand figures rode in on enormous horses. Raine was dressed in her Scinterian armor, her blue and gold markings visible and snaking up her forearms to her shoulders. Her chiseled features were even more striking in the early morning sunlight. Her horse was a superb gray Roan, hands taller than any horse save that of her companion’s. Talan rode next to her on a huge black stallion, stately and imposing in her iridescent, fiery red armor, the light glinting off her silver hair as her amber eyes coolly assessed the waiting troop. Magnificent was the only way to describe them.
“I think we’re going to be pretty safe,” Skye said.
All mounted their horses and a great cheer went up in the capital as the Queen of the Ha’kan set off.
The celebratory mood remained for some time as the horses loped along. All of the Ha’kan were expert on horseback: it was a required skill learned at the Academy. And because they had given themselves ample time to make the trip, it was an easy pace, allowing for much conversation and general enjoyment.
“She rides like she is a centaur,” Senta said, watching Skye. The Ha’kan might have been expert equestrians, but Skye rode as if the horse were a part of her. She thought nothing of standing up on the back of her mount to pluck low-hanging fruit from the boughs above them, which she shared with the Royal Guard around her.
“Yes,” Gimle said, “I saw her speaking to the horse for some time before mounting it.”
“She did that even at the Academy, and was laughed at, right up until the horse did exactly what she wanted,” Senta replied. “Many of the Royal Guard now speak to their horses before riding.”
“Would anyone like an apple?” Skye said, riding up with fruit in both hands and guiding the horse with her knees.
Senta, Gimle, and Astrid all declined, but the Queen reached out and accepted the gift.
“Thank you, Skye,” Halla said warmly, causing Skye to blush profusely and nearly fall off her horse. She wheeled around and hurriedly returned to the Royal Guard.
“A little bit of forbidden fruit?” Astrid observed.
“Hardly forbidden,” Halla said, taking a bite of the apple and eliciting a chuckle from Senta.
“Raine also looks natural on a horse,” Gimle commented, examining the pair that led their troop. Talan and Raine rode out ahead side-by-side, talking quietly and enjoying one another’s company. The lithe, muscular Scinterian looked fabulous on the horse.
“What do you expect?” Halla said, “She’s used to riding a dragon.”
The do
uble-meaning entertained the four, right up until both Raine and Talan turned around to look back at them. The dragon merely raised an eyebrow while Raine clearly found the comment funny. They returned to their conversation.
“And I forgot how acute both their hearing is,” Halla said, not the least bit embarrassed. She was in a wonderful mood.
“Skye,” Senta said, calling out to her. Skye trotted her horse back over and came up alongside Senta.
“Are your people around us?”
“Yes, of course. There’s one right there.”
Skye pointed to a tree in the nearby forest, but none of the Ha’kan saw anything. She held up her hand in that general direction and made a series of signs. What looked like a patch of moss on the side of the tree turned and signed back to Skye.
“I will never get used to that,” Senta said as the Queen and Astrid gasped in appreciation.
Skye signed again and the patch of moss faded away.
“And Raine’s wolves are following us, too. Look, there’s one right there.”
A huge, barrel-chested black wolf, probably an alpha male, trotted from the edge of the forest and began loping alongside Raine. She leaned down to have a conversation with him. When finished, she ruffled the fur on the back of his neck and sat upright. The wolf disappeared back into the forest.
“Now the wolves obey Raine because of Fenrir, correct?” Gimle asked. It felt odd to speak so casually of the gods, but with Raine the extraordinary was commonplace.
“They don’t really obey her,” Skye said, “it’s more like they love her and treat her like one of the pack. Really, like the head of their pack. I wonder if we will meet Fenrir on this journey,” she mused.
“What?” Gimle exclaimed, echoed by the other three.
“I met Fenrir once, or at least I think it was him, when I was with Raine. He came to Raine as a gigantic wolf. From what I can see, they are close friends.”
“Imagine that,” the Queen murmured.
“And that bird up there, that is another sentinel that travels with Raine. I think she said it was one of Freyja’s children.”
All four women glanced up at the enormous hawk that before had gone unnoticed. It did indeed seem to be following their progress, flying ahead and then looping back on the air currents.
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