The Scarecrow (Master of Malice Book 1)

by Peace, Cas

  Elias could not hide a smile as he watched his son’s antics.

  “Oh, very well. I won’t be difficult. But I shall expect daily reports, as you’ve promised, and I’ll be over to see him very soon.

  “Eadan,” continued Elias, having to repeat the boy’s name firmly to get his attention. “Eadan! Come here, I want to speak with you.”

  The little boy stopped brandishing the toy sword and stuck it through his small belt. Sullyan noticed with a smile that someone had made for Eadan a replica of her own leather weapons harness, which could be worn either around the hips or crosswise over the chest. Years ago, when she first began her own training, Ardoch had suggested this arrangement as it enabled her to draw her sword from across her back with either hand when she fought on horseback, a valuable talent which she had unwittingly developed before the more conventional teachings of the King’s swordmaster could train it out of her. She wondered whether the Torlander had been encouraging Eadan to do the same thing.

  Elias knelt down in front of his son and regarded him seriously. Eadan’s eyes were a blue-gray, softer than his father’s.

  “Eadan, I want you to behave yourself while you’re at the Manor.” Elias held up a hand to forestall his son’s protestations. “I’m not speaking as your father now, but as your King.”

  This statement had an immediate effect on Eadan. He straightened his back and lifted his chin, well aware of his status as a Prince.

  “I want you to remember, while you’re learning, that you are the Heir to the throne,” Elias continued. “You must work hard and obey your teachers, and you must not let me down by behaving badly. I want to be proud of you, Eadan, do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Papa.” Eadan gazed up at his father trustingly.

  “And there’s something else.” Elias glanced slyly up at Sullyan where she stood smiling down at them, Bessie beside her. “I want you to look after Brynne for me. Can you do that? Because I love her very much, you know, and I think you do too, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Papa.” Eadan approached Sullyan and took her hand, his young voice firm and serious. “I’ll look after her, don’t worry.”

  His tone and the look in Elias’s eyes caused Sullyan’s heart to lurch. She stared at Elias in defiance, knowing he was paying her back for her resistance to his wishes. He knew she had scant defenses against either his or Eadan’s love.

  She tore her gaze away from Elias and turned to the little boy. “Do you have everything you need, Eadan? We had better go. Major Tamsen will have gathered the men by now and we must not keep them waiting.”

  Bessie smiled at Eadan and ruffled his blond hair. “I’ve sent his things down already, Lady.”

  The boy released Sullyan’s hand and scampered out of the room, heading toward the stairs. Elias and Sullyan followed at a slower pace. They emerged into the chilly morning sunshine, the hard frost of the night before glittering on the cobbles. Sullyan was stirred as always by the sight of the ordered ranks of men waiting obediently behind their captains; her life mate and lover at their head. She pulled her sheepskin-lined leather jacket tighter against the cold and nodded to Robin as she walked by Elias’s side toward the smaller group awaiting them.

  Elias went to speak to Prince Aeyron, as the tall Andaryan was returning to his own realm this morning, and the two of them moved apart from the others to exchange farewells. Sullyan smiled up at Rienne where she sat atop her gentle spotted mare, a well-wrapped Taric cradled sleepily in her arms. Elisse was sitting on the saddlebow of her father’s iron-gray, and Morgan was on Robin’s horse, twisting around to watch Eadan as he ran over to Sullyan’s huge warhorse, Drum, and began petting the great black’s nose.

  Sullyan gazed at him before turning to the last member of the party, the one who wouldn’t be returning with them. At the end of Sullyan’s sojourn at the castle, Taran’s fulltime duties as Court Artesan would recommence. She usually had a word with the Adept before leaving, but today she had more than King’s business on her mind.

  “Taran, will you walk with me, please?”

  He raised his brows. This wasn’t her normal leave-taking.

  She moved some way apart from the others, aware of Robin’s eyes upon her. Taran regarded her curiously as she turned to him. He had no idea what was on her mind. Jinella wasn’t in attendance that frosty morning; she had already returned to her mansion.

  Sullyan gazed up at the tall Adept. “Taran, are you happy here?”

  The question took him by surprise and he frowned.

  “Yes, Brynne, you know I am. I’m sorry to see you all go, of course. I can’t help missing your companionship when you’re not here. And I’ve enjoyed teaching that young scamp you call a son. He’s been keeping me on my toes, I can tell you.”

  “You have made a good start with Morgan, my friend. Robin and I want you to know how much we appreciate what you can offer him. He already knows not to take his talents for granted. That is a very valuable lesson and confirms we were right in asking you to help him learn.”

  Taran ducked his head, uneasy at her praise, a legacy from his father he still found hard to shake.

  “There’s no need to thank me. I’ll do whatever I can to help him. And he’s not a difficult lad to like.”

  This gave Sullyan her opening. “You are very natural with him. So natural, in fact, that I confess I am a little surprised you and Jinny have not yet started a family.”

  Now Taran did blush and Sullyan plainly saw his discomfort. “We’re not wed,” he said shortly.

  “And why is that?”

  Her question made him glance at her sharply. “Has Jinny said something?”

  “Can you blame her?” Sullyan allowed some of her irritation to show. “I, of all people, know what it is like to believe yourself barren, and to fear the person you love will not want you because you cannot bear children. Is it a wonder she is unhappy?”

  “Barren?” Taran frowned in puzzlement. “I didn’t know she thought she was barren.”

  Battling Elias’s inappropriate emotions and wheedling had thinned Sullyan’s patience. Her voice was sharper than usual. “Oh, Taran, for goodness sake! What did you expect Jinny to think? How long have you been together? Three years? And you have not exactly been celibate all this time, have you?”

  Taran flushed crimson. He never could get used to her complete disregard for modesty or the sensibilities of others.

  She stared at him, exasperated. “Why did you not tell her you were preventing her conceiving? And more to the point, why are you? Do you not want children?”

  The tears that came into his eyes melted some of her frustration. He was an honorable man, a gallant one, but his sentiments sometimes made him go further than necessary. She sighed deeply and touched him on the arm.

  “Jinny is unhappy. She thinks you have not asked her to marry you because she has not conceived. You need to talk to her. You must tell her what you feel and you must make up your mind about what you want.”

  Taran hung his head and Sullyan softened.

  “She is good for you, my friend. She makes you happy and she shares your passion. That is what you need. Do not deny yourself the chance of happiness just because it is not quite the happiness you truly desire.”

  Taran turned away. That was the crux of the problem and they both knew it. Taran could enjoy Jinny’s company, he could make love with her and find release for the intensity of his emotions, but, in his deepest heart, he felt it was second best. And that was unfair to Jinny, who gave herself freely and honestly, loving him while still being aware of a special part of his soul that she could never touch. And that, Sullyan knew, was why Taran held back, why he used his powers as an Artesan to prevent the conception of a child. For a child would cement their relationship and bind them together forever. Taran wasn’t sure either of them was ready for that.

  “I’ll talk to her,” he said shortly, unhappiness evident in his voice.

  Sullyan had to be content with that, despite the une
ase she felt. “Be sure you do. But be gentle, Taran.”

  She turned away as he glanced at her in sharp surprise.

  Feeling somehow disquieted, Sullyan returned to the men. Elias and Aeyron had finished their leave-taking and Aeyron had mounted his stallion. Sullyan saluted her monarch before clasping Prince Eadan around the waist and boosting him, giggling, onto Drum’s back. She swung up behind him.

  “Settle down, my Prince,” she advised when the boy kept wriggling around, trying to see everything at once. “We will soon be crossing the Veils.”

  As she spoke, Aeyron turned to Elias once more. “Lord-General Anjer sends his greetings, my lord, and bids me inform you that Colonel Vassa and his command are ready to make the crossing.”

  Since Elias’s hugely embarrassing and unnecessary invasion of Andaryon, the changes to his security arrangements were not the only new innovations. Concerned lest her King throw obstacles in her path regarding her return to normal duties now she had a young child to care for, Sullyan had entered into diplomatic discussions with the Hierarch of Andaryon and brokered an agreement between the two sovereigns that permitted the movement of troops between each realm. This remarkable concession was granted to each monarch’s immediate forces only, and permission had to be sought before such advantage was taken.

  Due to the skill and strength required to open a specific trans-Veil access, as opposed to one that opened at random, only those of Master rank or above could perform the feat. But the convenience of being able to move a body of men about the country at a moment’s notice was so valuable that the slight restrictions didn’t matter. And so, a journey that would have taken Vassa’s company of foot soldiers three days to complete could now be accomplished in a matter of minutes.

  Earlier that morning, General Blaine at the Manor had bespoken his counterpart in Andaryon, Lord-General Anjer, and had transferred Vassa and his men to the Plain surrounding the Hierarch’s Citadel. Now, Anjer had bespoken Aeyron to complete the maneuver. Elias gave the tall Prince a wave of his hand, and the Artesans present could feel the Master-ranked Aeyron parting the substrate to allow Vassa access to the castle.

  Opening a trans-Veil tunnel anywhere near human habitation was normally considered a risky undertaking and was only attempted under duress, especially by those of lesser rank. But Robin had already supervised the clearing of the spacious parklands surrounding the castle, and Major Denny was even now out in the grounds ensuring they stayed that way. The concentration required to place the opening of the tunnel so precisely, however, was good exercise in control, and as Aeyron was working toward Master-elite, he needed all the practice he could get.

  Through the courtyard gates, Sullyan watched as Aeyron’s Earth-based structure blossomed in the grounds. She had a vague glimpse of the snowy Plains around the Citadel before Vassa’s company came marching through and obscured her view. She made Elias one last obeisance, and then gave Robin the order to move out.

  As she came abreast of Colonel Vassa at the head of his men, she stopped to exchange a few words. She was in daily touch with General Blaine, but it was courtesy to allow Vassa to pass on any last minute instructions. She also formally handed over responsibility of the King’s security and watched Vassa lead his men up into the courtyard. He dismounted to greet Elias.

  “Carry on, gentlemen,” she called to her company, and rode beside Aeyron as they entered the tunnel.

  Aeyron collapsed the structure as the dry cold of the Andaryan winter surrounded them. Anjer’s men, drawn up in battle formation on the Plain as a courtesy to Vassa’s troops and an honor guard for Aeyron, cheered and saluted their Prince and Princess. Anjer grinned and greeted them warmly.

  “We are pleased to see you safely returned, my Prince,” he boomed, bowing to Aeyron. He turned to Sullyan and made a deeper, more lavish bow. “Highness, you are most welcome.”

  She heard the men’s good-natured laughter, both demon and human, and glowered at the enormous man. “Anjer!”

  His unrepentant grin didn’t fade, and the fact he’d used her title so pointedly gave her pause.

  The large man shifted, and she saw that two other men had been concealed behind his bulk. Smiling broadly, their bronzed, weather-beaten faces alight with pleasure, the two men bowed before her as she slid down Drum’s ebony shoulder.

  “Ky-shan, Jay! I did not expect to see you here. Are you well?”

  She held out her hands to them and looked them over. She hadn’t seen them in years, but had received regular reports from either Pharikian or his son. She could see they had hardly changed.

  Ky-shan was now in his middle fifties and was as stocky and powerful as ever. His blue eyes twinkled merrily in the dark skin of his face and he held out a meaty hand toward her. She took it, and her small hand was nearly crushed by the strength of the ex-pirate’s pleasure. His son, Jay’el, was a slimmer version of his father. He had grown a narrow mustache like Ky-shan’s, which added maturity to his youthful face. She gazed into his eyes and read deference there. Her smile widened.

  “I have been hearing news of your conquest, Jay, and of your desire to learn new skills with which to impress your chosen lady.”

  Jay’el smiled. “You did say I could come and learn if ever I wished.”

  “I did indeed, and you will be very welcome. Is it your intention to come with us now?”

  Jay’el turned to his father. “If you’re sure you don’t need me with the fleet?”

  Ky-shan shook his shaggy head. “I’ve already told you you’re free for the winter season. Just be sure you’re back for the spring sailing. And make sure you work hard at your lessons. I don’t want Seyakin complaining his new son-by-marriage is useless.”

  Sullyan raised her brows. “Have you made the betrothal already, then?”

  The older seaman struck his son a playful blow on the shoulder. “She couldn’t take her eyes off the young blade!” he guffawed, causing Jay’el to redden. “But her father seemed to think a courtship of two months too short a time to acknowledge a formal betrothal. And he wanted some sign of this pup’s commitment to his daughter, so I suggested he might be willing to spend the winter in the study of his talents, seeing as he’s never troubled to do so before.”

  “I take it Seyakin has no gift himself?” Sullyan guessed, and Ky-shan nodded. This made Seyakin’s willingness to accept the untitled Jay’el as a suitor for Princess Kyrie easier to understand. The lord of a far-off province whose eldest daughter was likely to be taken from him when she wed Prince Aeyron would value an Artesan in the family to receive and convey messages from her, and from Pharikian at the Citadel. The more useful Jay’el could make himself, the more chance he had of convincing Seyakin he was suitable.

  “We will be pleased to have you, Jay,” she said, “although you will have to be prepared to work alongside others much younger than yourself.”

  The young seaman announced himself willing to do whatever was asked of him. He took leave of his father and went to renew his acquaintance with Robin.

  Sullyan turned to her brother and took an emotional leave of him. “Convey my love to our father, and to Ty, Idri, and the twins. Tell Timar I will try to visit him soon. But for now, my brother, I must go. I wish you good fortune in your new-found love, and I look forward to meeting the woman who has captured your heart. My soul will be easier knowing you have found someone able to share your duties as well as your bed. Take care of yourself, and call me if you need access through the Veils in order to visit her again.”

  They clasped each other tightly and parted. Aeyron still experienced pangs of uncertainty whenever she left him, and she feared he would never fully lose the dependence he felt. Hopefully, Princess Lirina would fill the empty portions of Aeyron’s soul and he would then, once more, be complete.

  She returned to Drum and seated herself behind Eadan, who had waited alone on the great black stallion with no sign of fear or apprehension. Sullyan reached through her psyche and took hold of the substrate. Her touc
h was sure as she caused it to part, and she led the men, their number increased by one, back to the Manor.

  Chapter Five

  In the darkened room, the scarecrow leaned back upon the bed pillows and gave himself up to the ministrations of the woman beside him. He felt the cool touch of her hand upon his brow and permitted himself an unseen smile.

  He had finally “allowed” Sofira to persuade him into a more comfortable room than the dank, unwholesome cell beneath the palace. It suited him to accede to her request, not because he craved the comforts she offered, but because in bowing to her desires he encouraged her to believe he was responding to her care. And that bound her ever tighter.

  Two months had now passed since his escape from exile, and he was beginning to understand the parameters of his new condition. Under the guise of recovery from torment—not an entirely false pretext—he was able to explore the capabilities he now enjoyed without exerting himself unduly. It quickly became clear his needs were changing. He had to improve the arrangements for the renewing of his physical strength, and easier access to the main parts of Lerric’s palace would facilitate this.

  It was also more fitting to his status as Sofira’s betrothed.

  Before agreeing to her pleas to nurse him, he insisted on certain strictures. He convinced her that the complete absence of daylight was vital to his recovery. She accepted this readily. Whatever he needed, he must have. Whatever it took to restore him to her, she would do. It was, she told him, her way of showing her deep contrition for the anguish she had inflicted upon him at his sham of a trial, and she would demonstrate her sincerity and commitment to him in whatever way she could.

  The very next day, stonemasons and other craftsmen were summoned to the palace. With no thought for the wishes of her father, Sofira ordered all the windows on the ground floor walled up immediately and heavy drapes fitted over all the doors, so not even the glimmer of lamplight should creep beneath them. She had the layout of the rooms altered to allow her beloved the sole use of a full suite, and had a new doorway to the courtyard made so he could walk the moonless nights in private if he so chose. Her father was banished to the upper two floors of his own palace, and Lerric made no complaint.