The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2

by Bernadette Rowley

  Kain should have known his friend would notice. “There is,” he said finally.

  “Talk to me.”

  “Last time I talked to you I didn’t get a good reception,” Kain said.

  “You came to warn me off Merielle. That was none of your business.”

  “Perhaps this is none of your business?” Kain said.

  Nikolas shook his head. “I have a feeling that it’s not just personal. You were distracted back there, and I’ve never seen you like that. He could have seriously hurt you, even with a practice sword.”

  “You’re not telling me anything,” Kain said.

  “So I’m wondering what it takes to distract Kain Jazara to the extent he nearly gets his head taken off by an opponent?”

  “Just got a lot on my mind.”

  “Ah,” Nikolas said, “it wouldn’t be a certain young noblewoman, would it?”

  Kain frowned. He didn’t want to get into this but he could sure use a sounding board. Niko had been through a lot lately – he’d been the pariah of Wildecoast for losing a whole ship full of men. Perhaps he’d have a useful perspective.

  “I found out something I’m having a hard time coming to terms with,” Kain said after a long, long silence. He looked Nik in the eye. “My father was an elven King.”

  *

  Nikolas laughed long and hard after the initial surprise wore off. By the time the laughter died, Kain was good and angry.

  Nikolas’s expression sobered. “You’re serious.”

  “Yes,” Kain said, “dead serious.”

  “Hell, man, that sets the cat amongst the pigeons,” Nikolas said. “What are you going to do?”

  Kain rested his head in his hands. Talk about burning questions! “I don’t know.”

  “When this gets out there’ll be hell to pay,” Nikolas said. “Dark elves massing on our borders, and the army general finds out he’s a half-breed elf.”

  “Keep your voice down,” Kain hissed. “It’d be nice if I could choose the timing of that revelation hitting the public.”

  “Man, you’ve got to do some damage control. Who knows about this?”

  Kain sighed. “Apart from my family and you, Alique and a bunch of elves.”

  Nikolas groaned. “Alique! Will she keep her mouth closed?”

  “She will,” Kain said.

  “You sound very sure of that,” Nikolas said, his eyes narrowing.

  Kain faced his friend. “We have an understanding now, since the hostage thing.”

  “And that is?”

  “What we went through bonded us. She was there when I discovered my heritage. She understands what it means to me and the kingdom. She won’t do anything to threaten her home. Believe me, she wouldn’t help the elven cause by destabilizing the kingdom.”

  Nikolas frowned. “Seems I must have missed an important piece of information. You say the elves know your identity. How?”

  “I’m not sure, but they didn’t just lure me out for information. They wanted me, as the son of a past elven king. I seem to be a pawn in their power game, in some kind of civil war.”

  “That implies at least two elven factions,” Nikolas said.

  Kain nodded. “My half-sister leads the other faction. It was she who rescued us from those who took us hostage. Seems both groups were looking for me. Gwaethe is here in the city.”

  “Your elven sister is holed up here?”

  Kain nodded. “I know it wasn’t wise but she wanted to meet mother. Trouble is, that hasn’t happened yet.”

  “We have to get that sorted before someone realizes we have an elven princess in our midst,” Nikolas said. “I can help you.”

  “No,” Kain snapped.

  “Look man, you’re not dealing with this and I should know. I was in the same position not so long ago. Luckily someone pulled me out of my crisis and that’s what I’m trying to do for you now.”

  Kain stared at his friend as the words sank in. Niko was right. He couldn’t allow the situation to slide any longer. “All right. We’ll go to the inn where the elven women are and then take them to see my parents.”

  *

  Kain was tight as a coiled spring as he ushered Gwaethe, Isiloe and Nikolas into his father’s shop. Guile Jazara looked up from his workbench and his face creased in a smile.

  “Kain! I am so glad you have returned. There is much to discuss.” He looked around at the others. “And Admiral Cosara. Congratulations! It is long since we have had you under our roof.”

  “You are too kind, Master Jazara,” Nikolas said, shaking Guile’s hand. “It’s good to see you looking so well.

  Kain made the introductions. “These ladies are Gwaethe, my half-sister, and her cousin, Isiloe,” Kain said stiffly. “I’ve brought them to see Mother.”

  Guile bowed. “I am Kain’s father, Guile Jazara, ladies. You are welcome under my roof.”

  The elven women bowed.

  Kain ground his teeth at the pleasantries. The last thing he felt right now was pleasant. Uncomfortable, perhaps; frustrated, definitely. “Father,” he said, “I’ll take the ladies upstairs.” He ushered the women through the shop.

  “I’ll stay down here, Kain,” Nikolas called.

  Kain didn’t argue. Nik was already more involved than he was comfortable with. At the top of the stairs, Kain left Gwaethe and Isiloe and went to find his mother in the kitchen. His younger brother Jans was sitting at the kitchen table carving an intricate design in a piece of golden brown walnut. It was no doubt destined for a special order. Jans jumped up and enveloped Kain in a bear hug.

  “It’s good to see you, Kain,” Jans said. “We were so worried during the kidnapping.”

  Kain disentangled himself from his younger brother who was taller and stockier, with light brown hair and gray blue eyes. “You should know by now I can take care of myself, little brother.”

  “I tried to see you yesterday, but was headed off at the pass by one of your underlings.” Jans stood with his arms crossed. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

  “There’s been a lot to deal with since I returned,” Kain said. “Speaking of which, these ladies need to talk to Mother. I wonder if you would be so kind as to join Father and Niko downstairs?”

  As Kain knew he would, Jans leapt at the chance to see his hero the admiral. Even when Niko was the pariah of the city after the loss of his crew, Jans had refused to countenance any criticism of his idol. He bowed to the ladies and hurried from the room.

  Kain turned to Astelle, who had not said a word. She gazed with wide eyes at Gwaethe and Isiloe. “Who have you brought to see me, Kain?”

  Kain drew Gwaethe forward. “These ladies are Gwaethe, and her cousin, Isiloe. Gwaethe is Orionkael’s daughter.”

  Astelle’s hands flew to her mouth and her eyes were wide as she took in the daughter of her lost lover. “You look like him,” she sighed, stepping forward. She reached for Gwaethe’s hand and Kain tensed, not knowing what reaction his mother would get.

  But Gwaethe’s fingers found Astelle’s and in seconds their hands were entwined.

  “You were his first love, Astelle,” Gwaethe said. “Father told me about you before he died. He wanted me to find his lost son, and I hoped I would meet the woman who had stolen his heart.”

  Astelle fixed Gwaethe with a challenging look. “Your father abandoned me when he discovered I was with child. He paid my parents off with gold.”

  “He regretted that, more than you can know.” Gwaethe released Astelle’s hands. “I often looked at Father and wondered what made him so sad. It seemed he had everything in life – a people who loved him, a good wife, and an adoring daughter. But time and again I found him gazing off to the south as if part of him was there. Now I know where his thoughts dwelt. With you and with his son.”

  Kain grunted. “He broke my mother’s heart. She never got over him.”

  Gwaethe’s eyes softened as she looked at Astelle. “He loved you and he never got over you either, Astelle. I truly believe
that.”

  “Is your mother still alive?” Astelle asked.

  “She is. She loved my father very much but theirs was an arranged marriage. My mother would not speak of it when Father was alive, but after his death, I asked her about the time of her union with Orionkael. The old king had come to my grandfather and the two made arrangements for their children to wed. Mother had no choice, and I don’t believe Father did either. It all happened in a matter of weeks.”

  Astelle gasped, her hands over her mouth and more tears brimming in her eyes. “Then he did love me. Father told me Orionkael wanted nothing to do with me or the child.”

  “He wanted nothing to do with me until I could be useful to his cause,” Kain said, bitterness making his gut burn.

  Astelle cast astonished eyes at her son. “What do you mean?”

  “Orionkael sent Gwaethe in search of me from his death bed. You see, Mother, Gwaethe cannot lead the elven people. She needs a male figurehead to lead her elven faction against the Sis Lenweri – they who thought to either use me or kill me, or at least stop me from falling into Gwaethe’s hands.”

  Astelle stared at Gwaethe. “Is this true? You would use my son in your civil war?”

  Anger flared in Gwaethe’s eyes and Isiloe appeared even more furious. “Do you not think I would do this myself if I could?” Gwaethe asked. “I am a warrior and an elf. I am as good as any son but by elven law, I cannot rule and I cannot become queen, just as my mother cannot bring our people together.”

  Isiloe stepped forward, her hands clutching her skirts. “You people know nothing of us. You insult my cousin with your words and she does not deserve it.”

  Kain reached for his mother and drew her to a chair by the fire. She was pale and her hands shook. He turned back to the elven women. “I think this meeting is over now. We have a lot to think about.”

  Gwaethe twisted a curious silver ring that encased her right middle finger. “There is more,” she said.

  Isiloe hissed. “Let us leave, cousin. I told you the humans could not be relied upon.”

  Gwaethe lifted her chin and the bearing of the elven princess returned to her. “Silence, Isiloe!” She turned to Kain and his mother. “I have another reason for wanting to see Astelle.” She frowned, seeming torn as to whether to proceed, then squared her shoulders and spoke to Astelle. “My father gave you a gift when you were last together. Do you still have it?”

  Astelle frowned. “Do you speak of the wristband?”

  Hope flared in Gwaethe’s eyes. “You still have it!”

  “So many times in the early days I nearly threw it into a river or off a cliff. When Orionkael first gave it to me I wore it around my upper arm. It made me feel connected to him. But when he deserted me, I removed it. I let it sit on my windowsill where I could see it each day, reminding me of how stupid it was to love. But then Guile and I were to wed and it seemed time to cast it from my life.”

  Gwaethe was now wrenching at her ring, her eyes tormented with an unnatural fever. “But you did not, Astelle? Please, I must know.”

  Astelle didn’t seem to hear. “Several times I left the house with the armband, intent on destroying it, but I never could cast off the gift of my lover, even if he no longer cared for me. I packed it away in a small wooden box that Guile had given me for my jewelry. Today is the first time I have thought of it since.”

  Gwaethe left out a huge sigh. “That is good, Astelle. You did well to keep it.”

  Kain was at the end of his patience. “Right, so why are you intent on knowing if my mother has this armband?”

  Gwaethe turned her sober gaze upon him. “The amulet is yours, Kain. You are the rightful owner. Astelle must pass the band to you.”

  *

  Kain sat opposite his mother. The elven women were gone, escorted back to their inn by Nikolas. The band Gwaethe was so intent on finding sat on his left wrist. It was an exquisite piece, four fingers wide and composed of intricate metal scrolls encrusted with emeralds. But there was too much else going on to worry about a piece of jewelry.

  “I’m sorry, my son,” Astelle said. “I started all this.”

  “What, by falling in love?” Kain asked.

  “I should have told you sooner, and then you’d have been prepared. Perhaps you would have chosen to return to your father’s people instead of leading the army. You might have made different choices.”

  Kain allowed his mother’s words to sink in. She had deprived him of many opportunities, including getting to know his father, his real father. But could he allow her to accept all the blame for the trouble he now found himself in?

  He drew a deep breath. “You’re right, mother. So many things might have been different if you had told me of my heritage.” The anger welled within, making speech difficult. “But I can’t let you shoulder all the responsibility. This is something your father orchestrated and the elves were involved as well, not to mention my … stepfather. You weren’t to know where it would lead.” He stopped, his voice failing. “I do regret not meeting Orionkael, though.”

  Kain knew the words would hurt but he couldn’t deny them. The reality that he would never know his birth father sliced at his heart, causing a physical ache. He could never satisfy that yearning no matter how long he lived, no matter how close he and Gwaethe grew. In a way, that would add to the pain, for she had intimate knowledge of a man who could only ever be a shadow to Kain.

  “Mother, I’ll deal with this,” Kain said, drawing Astelle to her feet. “I know you’ll worry for me but somehow it will all be well in the end.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Astelle’s body trembled and a sob escaped her lips. Kain had never seen her cry.

  “I will forever be sorry for keeping this from you, Kain. I pray one day you can truly forgive me.”

  Guile was at work when Kain made it back down to the shop below.

  “I must talk with you,” Guile said, putting his tools down.

  Kain swore under his breath. “Where is Jans?”

  “He went with the admiral,” Guile said.

  “Nik wouldn’t appreciate you calling him that, Guile.”

  “And I don’t appreciate you calling me that!” Guile said. “I’m the only father you have.”

  “Yes, thanks to you and Mother I’ll never meet my real father,” Kain snapped.

  Guile looked stricken. “I’m sorry, son, I didn’t think.”

  Kain paced across the workroom and back. “I know you were only doing what you thought was best but I don’t know how to react to any of this.” He slapped his hand down onto the work bench and Guile jumped.

  “You must know I’d never do anything to hurt you, son,” Guile said, his voice wavering with emotion. “I loved your mother from afar for so long that when her father came to me and offered me her hand, I didn’t care that she came with another man’s child. I didn’t care about the money either. What I did mind was the condition that we move out of the town where we had both lived our whole lives.”

  Guile pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped at a tear. “There was so much secrecy. We married quickly but Astelle was over three months along. It was decided that she would birth the babe under her parents’ roof and then we would travel to our new home in the city of Wildecoast. By that time I would be a qualified carpenter. Part of the deal with the elves was that they be told when the infant was born and what the sex was. At that stage, another and final payment in gold would be made.”

  Kain couldn’t believe what he was hearing, that his birth had been such a cause for shame that it had taken place in secrecy.

  “As soon as you and Astelle were fit to travel, we left on the three-week trip to Wildecoast. We’ve never seen our families again. We kept half the gold, enough to buy this place and some tools, and the rest remained with your grandparents. It was hard at first. Customers didn’t come. I had no references having so recently completed my apprenticeship. And then soon another child was on the way. I wish I had fought for a greater
share of that elven gold, but that is another mistake I made.”

  “Father,” Kain said, “you did what you thought was best.”

  Guile held up his hand. “Hear me out. I never regretted for one second marrying Astelle and accepting you as my son. You couldn’t be any closer if you were my blood kin. I thought it would be best that you never knew. I thought it would help you make your way in the world, for I knew that, as a half-breed, you would have many doors closed to you. I never realized the reason the elves insisted on being notified of your birth and sex. They must have always thought they might use you one day, especially if you were male.”

  Kain nodded. This day may have been thirty years in the making. It took his breath away that his father and grandfather had planted a half-breed pawn in the kingdom, ripe for the using should it ever be required. He shook his head, anger building again, but this time it was not against his parents, but the faceless elves who had set his feet upon this path.

  “Don’t fear, Father,” Kain said. “I will triumph over this, and I’ll work to forgive you and Mother. Please support her as you always have. I think she’ll need all of you.”

  Guile nodded and Kain enveloped him in a hug. “I love you.”

  Kain left Guile mopping more tears, hopeful that somehow they would find a way forward together.

  Chapter 12

  Alique fumed. There was still no word on the whereabouts of her father and now she was wasting time preparing for a royal reception. She had spent the last day and a half on her family estate, consoling her mother and sister who had convinced themselves of the worst. It had been hard for her not to set off on her own search but she was sensible enough to realize that would be foolhardy. Josef had given her updates on each incursion of his soldiers into the northern reaches of the kingdom, but still nothing had been discovered. He did not say it openly, but Alique believed her cousin suspected Lord Zorba had been taken by Sis Lenweri sometime after he left his estate. Her chest tightened when she imagined the torture he might be experiencing. How glad the elves would be to snatch another noble hostage.

  Tonight’s reception was being held in honor of herself and General Jazara. It seemed the King and Queen needed to make some gesture of welcome. Alique wondered how hospitable they would be if they knew of Kain’s dark elven heritage.