Something squirmed in his gut at the thought of Alique moving on from him, perhaps loving some man who wasn’t good enough for her. She was brave and intelligent, but under that he sensed a need for love. She would not long be able to deny her desire for someone to share her life. His friend Niko wasn’t available to her, and in trying to ensnare him she had exposed a foolhardiness that had reared its head again when she had goaded Celri. She might be a lady but Alique had passion and anger to burn.
As Kain lay there, pictures of Alique in the moments he had known her flashed through his head: galloping her horse side-saddle across the cliffs of Wildecoast, sending him spare with fear that she would plunge over its edge; gently tending Niko’s wounds in his rooms at the castle; cavorting in the ballroom, every male eye riveted to her; brandishing a knife at the dark brethren; delivering Nyon’s baby. Kain had not realized he’d stored such a wealth of memories of the alluring Alique. When his imagination kicked in to create daydreams of a future which included the woman resting in his arms, Kain bit back a groan.
He wouldn’t torture himself with that! He liked to think he had a pretty well-developed sense of self-preservation and that didn’t allow him to expose himself unnecessarily. Not to mention the fact that daydreaming of a future with Alique was just plain stupid. She might allow a flirtation, perhaps even take him to her bed, but she would never see him as a permanent part of her world.
Kain sighed, disgusted at his pathetic thoughts. He knew the cause. He hadn’t bedded a woman in weeks, and being so close to Alique was triggering unused libido. That was all. He resolved to remedy the situation at the first opportunity when he broke free of these damned elves.
*
Alique lay as still as she could, feigning sleep, keeping her breath slow and even as she enjoyed the feel of Kain’s arm around her more than she should. He was awake. She could almost hear his thoughts. She liked to think he was enjoying the feel of her body too – he must be, if the hint of hard manhood at her backside was anything to go by. She smiled when she thought how mortified he would be if he knew what she could feel. Her imagination naturally wanted to go to the next step!
I could roll over and face him and this moment would be over. At least she thought that would end it. But what if he leaned in for a kiss? What if she allowed him to get his hooks into her heart? She already felt more for him than she should. He used to annoy her. She used to puzzle out the best way of getting under his skin just to get back at him for the grief he gave her. But on this trip she had seen another side to Kain. He was a leader of men – she had already known that. He was sensitive to the suffering of others – she had not suspected that. He was a man under a mountain of responsibility. It weighed on him, and Alique sensed a future crisis if he did not look after himself. For some reason she wanted to be around to look after him. To remind him to be kind to himself.
His barbs had already wormed their way under her skin and they were fast moving toward her heart. Where would they be by the time they extricated themselves from this mess? And what if Kain did indeed turn out to be a dark elf in disguise? What would that do to his world? What would it do to her feelings for him? She had to distance herself from him before she got in too deep.
Reluctantly, Alique stretched as if waking from sleep and gave him a few minutes to pull away. Then she rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow, looking down at him. He was just a vague outline in the dawn gloom.
“Morning,” he said. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a baby, thanks to you.”
He grunted. “I did nothing but give you some body warmth.”
She smirked, knowing how much more he had done than that. “Still, I was toasty warm and that helped. How about you?”
“I must admit it was one of the best sleeps I’ve had out of doors.”
One of the best! Huh! “I assume I can take some credit for that, general?”
He sighed. “Perhaps.”
Oh so frosty this morning. She still loved getting those digs in and keeping him on the edge. That was one thing that would never change between them. It was too much fun scoring points against him. She knew he was at a disadvantage, her being a lady and all, but it was still fun to infuriate and surprise him.
“What do you think today will bring?” she asked.
“Today, lady, we meet the orchestrator of all this,” Kain said. “I for one can’t wait to confront him.”
“Or her,” Alique said.
“Perhaps, but I doubt it.”
It was becoming lighter and she could just make out the burning light in Kain’s eyes. He needed to draw the elves out on his supposed heritage, and Alique doubted he was ready to have his dark elven roots confirmed.
“Females are just as capable as men, you know.”
His brows rose. “I didn’t mention capability. I get the feeling that elves don’t bow down before females.”
“You could be right.”
“I know it.”
“What if we are rescued before we get to the stronghold of this elven leader?”
“Then our confrontation will be at a later date,” Kain said. “Don’t fear, Alique. I don’t intend to let these dark brethren get away with what they did on your estate. One way or another, they will pay for that.”
Alique’s heart surged with pride at his words. “Together we will defeat them.”
Kain frowned. “I didn’t say anything about together.”
Alique clutched his shoulder. “You must allow me to be a part of this. I will have my revenge.”
He tensed under her hand. “I see there are ‘discussions’ ahead on that topic.”
“I don’t care what I have to do, I am going to be a part of this.”
“I don’t think the kingdom will accept a lady on the battlefield, let alone your brother and family.”
“Why bring Ramón into this?”
“As caretaker of Brightcastle the King will value his opinion, especially relating to the role of his sister in any war.”
“You think it will come to that? War?”
“And that proves my point,” Kain said, sitting up to face her.
Alique’s hand dropped away from his shoulder as his muscles flexed beneath her fingers. It really was a very fine shoulder.
“You make statements about revenge without comprehending what it means,” Kain said. “Leave the fighting to the experts.”
“I am ready for war,” Alique said, feeling his scorn deeply. “I am trained to defend myself, and I can train more.”
“Your role will be as healer. The kingdom doesn’t need you to fight.” As her head dropped, his fingers gently raised her chin so her gaze met his. “I don’t mean to be harsh, Alique, but you must use your skills where they will be most needed. What would you say if I suggested I was going to offer my services to Doctor Mosard?”
He was right, but she didn’t have to like it. “I would tell you that your talents were best used fighting and organizing men.”
“Exactly!”
“I need to do something, Kain.”
“And you will. Just be patient.”
Without warning, Celri’s voice sounded from behind them. “You are required to be up and break your fast. We are on the road in ten minutes.” Celri shoved two wooden bowls of oatmeal at them and stalked away.
*
Indeed, they were on the road inside the ten minutes Celri had stated. By then it was fully light, though the trees blocked all but the brightest rays. Kain felt more optimistic than he had a right to feel in such circumstances. Part might be the restful night but another very large part was Alique’s presence. That was so unexpected! She was no longer a thorn in his side, and the somewhat fragile friendship they shared was becoming important to him. Was he growing dependent on her? Had she brought some balance back into a life that was all about conflict and strife and court intrigue?
It was too early to tell. And while there were definitely positives in their association, there was
risk as well. This crisis was a good opportunity to investigate whether she was someone he wanted to give a place in his life. The question remained: what place could she legitimately have in the life of a soldier?
Today Alique rode ahead of him and he watched as she left her drops of calendula formula which would lead the rescue team to them. By his reckoning, she marked almost exactly each mile. He couldn’t have done better himself. It was as if she was trying to prove her worth to him, but he realized she would have no thought for him in this. She was one of those perfectionists who did all their tasks well when they put a mind to it. She’d be an asset anywhere.
Except in my army. Women didn’t belong in the fighting ranks. Kain had come across the occasional woman in battle and he hated it. He’d been raised to respect and protect women, and fighting them only distracted him from the process of engagement. In his two fights against females, he’d been the victor and both times had been haunted by their deaths. Their reach was smaller, as was their strength, and that was just too much of a disadvantage. Considering that, along with their natural role as nurturers, it was wrong to use women as soldiers.
He imagined Alique in soldier’s breeches and tunic and his groin tightened. Damn but she would look good. This wasn’t working for him. Perhaps sensing his eyes upon her, she flicked him a look and raised one brow. The sooner he got back to Wildecoast and his normal routine the better.
This time when the forest began to talk to him, he welcomed the distraction from his thoughts of Alique. He tried to tune into the voices and feelings as they presented and rode in a trance most of the morning. By lunch he felt in tune with the trees. They were excited to have elves amongst them again. Again! Some of the younger trees didn’t remember the dark brethren, but the ancient trees remembered many centuries ago when this land had only been forest and the elven people had roamed its entirety. What?
Kain tried to digest this recollection. He wasn’t willing to call it fact yet. As he had this thought, the branches overhead shook, raining down small branches and leaves. It seemed the forest might not appreciate his skepticism. So what of the words “forest mage”? What did the continuous repetition of that phrase mean? Was there a magician amongst these elves that the trees paid homage to as he passed? Kain would give anything to ask these questions and many more of the elves, but he would have to reveal his encounters in the forest and he wasn’t willing to open himself up to that kind of derision just yet. Best to be guarded with his enemies. Besides, he didn’t want Alique getting wind of his strange experiences amongst the trees. He could just see her face if he told her the trees were talking to him.
They lunched beside the trail and were back in the saddle and moving before Kain had a chance to allow his muscles to stretch and loosen. He wasn’t getting any younger. Prince Gorin rode up beside him just after they hit the trail.
“You have been model prisoners, general,” he said. “I am sure that will bode well when they decide the manner of your death.”
Kain glanced sideways at him but the elf seemed serious. We’ll see whose death comes first! Kain held his tongue rather than give Gorin the satisfaction of responding.
“I expect to arrive at our camp before sunset and then we shall see what our leader makes of you. Prepare yourself.”
“What do you mean ‘prepare yourself’?” Kain asked.
“You are right, general,” Gorin said. “How can you prepare for interrogation and accusation? My leader could bring any number of charges against you, could ask you any question about the kingdom and its strategies for our people. How could you prepare?”
“You’re mad,” Kain snapped.
“No General Jazara, I think it is you who are mad. I have watched you on this trip. You do not act like a sane man, muttering to yourself and casting glances around, as if hearing things that others of us cannot hear. Yes, I have watched you. It will be like killing a mad dog when you die.”
Gorin’s words brought a ripple of dread down Kain’s spine. He prided himself on keeping his feelings within, and yet this stranger had read him like a book. He had to be more watchful. “You’re mistaken, Prince Gorin. There is no need for you to fear me. I’m as sane as the next man.”
Gorin’s brow arched. “Oh believe me, I do not fear you. And I am not mistaken.”
He trotted forward leaving Kain deep in contemplation, worried that he had underestimated the elven leader.
*
Gorin stayed away for the remainder of the ride and it was indeed nearing dark when Kain began to hear the sounds of a camp ahead. They soon found themselves in a large clearing, picketed horses and tents on all sides. Cooking fires burned through the middle of the clearing and they pulled to a halt at the nearest of them.
Celri sidled up to Kain. “You and the woman get down and keep your eyes lowered,” he said. “You are in the presence of royalty.”
Alique made a low snort and Kain frowned across at her. He knew she had no respect for her captors but surely she could show some restraint? She opened her eyes wide at him as if she didn’t know what she had done to upset him. He glared at her and dismounted. If he could keep his eyes lowered then so could she.
They stood side by side. Alique’s hand brushed his and for a moment he thought she was going to slip it inside his. It didn’t eventuate and Kain convinced himself he was imagining it. He had no further time to think about it as they were ushered away from their horses and toward a smaller clearing nearby.
This space was dark and menacing, with a fire to one side, before which sat a large Lenweri man of middle years, tended by a beautiful Lenweri woman.
Kain had forgotten to keep his eyes down as he approached the elven leader and Celri elbowed him in the back. He made a show of ducking his head but still peered up at the leader through his lashes. Alique of course wouldn’t be cowed by the elven demands and stared at the Lenweri.
Celri bowed low. “Mighty Prince, I bring you the kingdom army general, Jazara, and his woman.”
Alique spluttered in protest. “I am not his woman,” she said, glaring at Celri. She turned back to the elven prince and offered a small curtsy. “I am Lady Alique Zorba, handmaiden to the Queen herself.”
Kain stared. After the anger Alique had displayed toward the elves, the last thing he expected was any show of respect.
The Lenweri prince nodded. “It is refreshing to meet someone of the kingdom willing to show deference to our race.”
Kain tensed, expecting a denial from Alique but she remained silent. Thank the Goddess!
The prince continued. “I welcome you to my humble camp. Failora, fetch a cushion for the lady to recline on.” The Lenweri woman hurried off and returned with a large purple and red cushion which she placed next to the prince. Alique settled herself upon it as if she were visiting a local royal.
“Thank you, Prince—?” she said.
The elven leader smiled a self-satisfied smile.
I’m going to have fun pulling you down from your roost! Kain could already taste the satisfaction.
“I am High Prince Elvor Faenwelar of Elvandang,” he said, “the closest thing our people have to a king. Gorin is my son.”
“I would say I am pleased to meet you, Your Highness, but clearly I am not,” Alique said, her voice as cold as a winter stream.
Kain flinched. Now this was what he’d expected of her.
Prince Faenwelar didn’t seem to take offense. “Of course, lady, I must apologize for the circumstances. These are difficult times, calling for measures I would not normally condone.”
Alique’s chin rose and she looked down her nose at the elven leader. “We both know that is not true, Your Highness. You will do whatever it takes to secure your goals.”
“I am not at liberty to discuss that with you.”
“Even if your men killed my family?” Alique’s voice had taken on an edge of hysteria.
“I will make no comment on that at this time, lady. For now the general and I have business to disc
uss. I have long waited to meet with him.”
Kain found himself the subject of the golden gaze of the elven prince. It was quite a stare, considering most of the elven people had the dark eyes of Gorin and Failora. There had to be a story behind that.
Kain determined to wait until the elf spoke again.
“I see this will be a rocky association, general,” Faenwelar said.
“If it’s rocky, you have created it,” he said. “It’s you who’ve captured us, not the other way. What do you want?” Kain had run out of patience.
“I want many things from you, and you are lucky that one thing I do not need is respect,” Faenwelar said. “You are so far below me it is of no moment if you defer to me or not. I will use you for our cause and then I will discard you and never think of you again.”
“I will decide when and how I’m to be used,” Kain said.
“You seem to think that you are in control here, general.”
Kain folded his arms across his chest, determined not to be led by his captor.
“You will tell me about the movement of kingdom forces,” Faenwelar said, “of your defense plans, and anything else I need to know. If you do not, there will be consequences.”
Kain quirked one eyebrow. He was on solid ground here. He knew full well that there was no torture that would make him divulge secrets about the kingdom. All his soldiers were trained in managing torture techniques and Kain was better than almost anyone at enduring pain. “Do your worst, prince.”
Faenwelar flicked a glance at Alique. “I don’t think the lady will be quite so encouraging, general, since it is she who will be providing the incentive for you to speak your secrets.”
Kain’s heart almost stopped. “You can’t mean to torture her?”
“I can and I do. As I said, ‘hard times’. I hope that neither you nor she will condemn me for that. I am just doing what must be done.”
Alique had gone very still and Kain was surprised he couldn’t hear her heart from where he stood across the fire. Her pupils dilated in fear but she lifted her chin again in defiance.
The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2 Page 7
