She was tired of everyone helping her. For years she’d been forced to care for herself and now, with everyone constantly at her side trying to do things for her, she was having a hard time adjusting. After the marriage ceremony, she’d sent them all away to discuss the plans for the afternoon. The bridal evening. Feolan and Maeri had found a new home they would be moving into, leaving Thade to his privacy. Slowly, they seemed to be taking over the little neighborhood. They were all within a few blocks radius of one another, making it easy to gather for meetings, though she was not allowed to leave her home without one of them there to watch her. A guard was positioned outside her door to ensure her safety – and to prevent her from wandering off without Thade or Feolan knowing. It was too dangerous. They never failed to mention it.
Their list of allies was growing rapidly. Mialan willingly agreed to the allegiance with Tanispa while talks with Carpaen and Siscal had secured both prominent human nations as allies. Prince Enaes left not long after she and Thade had departed for Mialan, making his way deeper into the southern regions of the world, engaging in talks with countries Leyna never knew to exist before then. It surprised her just how little she knew of the very world she lived in. Her life had been sheltered from so many things.
Talks with the Namiren King Galidric had been attempted. As expected, the ambassador was turned away without an opportunity to state his case. Their hope was that in securing allies with as many other military forces as possible, the lack of Namorea’s support would prove a minor setback. Nothing worth losing sleep over. If the Namirens sided with the Ven’shal, they would pose little in the way of a threat. The Vor’shai defeated them once before. It would take very little to force them out of the way again.
Leyna gazed at the altar in the little chapel, the sight of it depressing with its simplistic beauty, decorated with flowers and candles to symbolize the ceremony that had taken place there. She wanted to be happy for them. And in most ways, she was. Her only downfall was the sadness she felt for herself. Maeri deserved to be happy. She’d found a good man in Feolan. In the Vor’shai tradition, he had chosen to take the name of Diah as a symbol of his loyalty and love for the family of his new bride. It was all so disgustingly sappy and romantic.
Arranging her crutch under her arm, she clumsily lifted herself from the pew, easing her way out into the aisle. The hard wood of the device was uncomfortable, but it was better than being stuck in bed all day. At least this way, she was able to enjoy some fresh air from time to time, albeit under the constant watch of her appointed bodyguard. That silly bone couldn’t heal fast enough. She felt ridiculous hobbling around like an invalid.
A tiny glass door was sitting open, leading out to the chapel gardens. Bird song floated in from outside, soothing and melodic, calling to Leyna in a cheerful tune. The path was laid with well-packed dirt, easy enough to handle on the crutch, without the risk of it sinking into the soil.
“At last I have beaten you at your game of hide-and-seek. Well played, Lady Evantine. Well played.”
Reflexively, Leyna lifted her hand from the crutch, covering her mouth in awe at the sight of Prince Enaes standing in the garden. Leaning casually against an ivy-wrapped post at the center of the courtyard. Dismayed, she watched her crutch fall to the ground, unsure of what she should do. Etiquette urged her to kneel at his presence. Kneel! The thought was comical to her. In her condition, to take a knee would prove a humiliating display.
Enaes pushed himself away from the post, his strides easy and confident, crossing over to where Leyna remained. She stood frozen in shock, eyes watching the Prince in almost horrified silence. Bending down, he retrieved the crutch, looking over it curiously before offering it to her. “You are injured? My Lady, what happened?”
“An unfortunate riding accident,” she lied, taking the crutch back, uncomfortably avoiding his gaze. “I will be done with this thing in a few days, and good riddance to it. How did you find me? I did not see you come into the chapel.”
“That is because I never entered the chapel. The garden path connects to a side street behind the far wall. Convenient really.” Enaes’s chin rose up proudly at his own brilliance. “A courier from my mother met me a few days ago while I was on my way north from talks with the Tuniron King. Imagine my surprise to learn that Lord Feolan was to be married! But then – I began to think.”
What a new and exciting experience that must have been. She tried to hold back rolling her eyes at Enaes’s words, irritated by the pompousness of his tone. “And of what did you think?”
“I recalled that my darling Leyna had a long history of friendship with Lord Feolan from the stories I heard of the war,” he smiled. “I thought – surely she will be present for the ceremony. Though, I must say I am surprised to find so few in attendance.”
“Impending war makes celebrating anything a bit more difficult. A more traditional ceremony will be conducted in Tanispa once things have settled.”
“That is all well and good, but it is not the ceremony I am concerned with. They could have been married in a horse stable for all I care.” Enaes waved dismissively. “All I cared about was your presence. And I have found you.”
His hand lightly caressed the skin of her cheek. She couldn’t focus on it. Something felt wrong. Out of place. “Do your guards know where you have disappeared to? These are dangerous times.”
“My guards are currently distracting the Consul and the bridegroom. I have been waiting far too long for this moment to let them take it from me.”
“You should not be here,” Leyna shook her head, shuffling away from him nervously. Her crutch made the feat more difficult, nearly causing her to fall into a bed of blooming larkspurs.
Grabbing onto her arm, Enaes prevented her stumbling. “On the contrary, this is the one place I should be. My mother has been lecturing me for years to choose a bride and never have I found anyone to be worthy of that honor other than you. Their fair faces pale in comparison to your beauty and strength. I have chosen you to be my Queen.”
Of all the times to not be wearing a corset! It would have given her a means of feigning loss of consciousness at his request, buying her a brief moment to escape her required response. Though that would only prolong the torture. Had any woman ever declined a royal proposal before? Faustine’s teaching had not prepared her for this. To deny his request seemed traitorous, but to accept would be dishonest. “Your Highness,” she breathed. “This is hardly the time and place to discuss such matters.”
“If I let you slip away, it may be another six years before I see your face again,” he stated. She couldn’t look past the desperation in his eyes, the way he stared at her, begging her not to run away. It made his words feel strangely genuine. “I must know you will be mine. You are all I have thought about since you left me there on the dance floor at the masque. My dreams have been haunted by your eyes. The softness of your skin. These visions have led me to you. However, I must say, the image in my mind did not do justice to your beauty.”
“I have never heard of you to speak such flattery about anyone but yourself. How can you be so certain I am the one you desire? You know nothing about me.”
Enaes’s expression faltered at her insult. He regained his composure quickly, moving in closer until they were standing face to face, Leyna’s arm still held gently in his hand. “You wound me, Leyna. I admit that my past has been dotted with mistakes and foolishness, but those days must come to an end. I need a wife with whom to rule Tanispa when my mother decides it is time to relinquish the throne. You are the only woman I desire to have at my side.”
“Your Highness,” she frowned. He wasn’t going to give in. Enaes was too accustomed to getting what he wanted. Denying him would only stoke his voracity. Inside she knew her unattainable nature was the only reason he desired her the way he did. She was the one woman who denied him. The one he could not have, and therefore he wanted her more than anything. “Being near me is dangerous. Have you no knowledge of the work I have done
in the years since you saw me last? There are people who want to see me dead. If they find you here with me, they would have both of our heads without blinking an eye. You need to leave. Now.”
“I will not leave without you!” Enaes insisted. In his passion, he caught her up in his embrace, his lips pressing against hers. She was too surprised to push him away. The ground she treaded was uncertain and frightening. He had the power to force her to do most anything, regardless of her protests. To oppose him could be her downfall.
She stood, unmoving, refusing to take an active role. Nothing could make her feel for this man anything other than the respect required from his heritage. Her heart belonged to someone else. Even if that man denied her, no prince could force her to change that.
Slowly, Enaes leaned his head back, his eyes staring deeply into hers. She remained rigid in his arms. Almost cold in her steady gaze. “What must I do to make you love me?” he asked.
A harsh laugh sent chills down Leyna’s spine from somewhere behind Enaes, ringing through the peaceful garden, silencing the birds with the menacing sound. “Oh, I have been asking her that question for some time.”
“Kael,” Leyna spat the name like poison on her tongue. There was no time to think on Enaes’s proposal. She needed to get him out of there. Kael couldn’t be allowed near him.
Kael chuckled, his blackened eyes and cruel grin appearing from behind a line of bushes near the back of the garden. “I hope you don’t think I came here looking for you, Leyna.” He threw his head back, the evil laughter ringing through the trees, louder than before. “We were following him. The fact that he led us to you is purely a delightful coincidence.”
Us? Her eyes darted around the garden, the muscles in her body tensed and on guard in preparation for an ambush. Kael may be foolish in many ways, but she knew he was smart enough to know not to try attacking the Prince of Tanispa alone. “If you want him, you will have to go through me.”
“That could be very easily arranged, Eleni. Or is it Leyna?” Kael stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I have been hearing some very interesting things about you lately. As much as I would love to believe that you are nothing more than an orphan sold into slavery, I am not under any such delusion. My blade can cut through you easily enough, regardless of who you are.”
“Leave this place, scum,” Enaes cut in, his voice calm and commanding. “If you do as I say, then I will not have my guards separate your head from your body.”
Kael’s shoulders shook under his silent laughter. He looked too confident. His strides casual, hand resting idly on the sword hilt at his waist. “Your guards? If any of them survive, they will be a bit too wrapped up in their own troubles to care about the orders you bark.”
The crunch of gravel sounded from all around them, growing louder until Leyna could see the source creeping out from behind the trees and bushes. The men were well-concealed physically, masks covering their faces apart from an opening which revealed the blackened eyes within. She’d never seen so many Ven’shal in one place before, other than the pathetic guests of Mikel’s useless gatherings. Only a handful, but more than enough to overpower her and Enaes.
Fighting was out of the question. Her leg would not tolerate the strain. At most, she could try to hold her ground, utilizing her crutch to keep them at bay, but that would do little good for Enaes. They needed help. It didn’t matter how skilled Enaes might be, she would be no good to him. He would be at their mercy.
“We cannot fight them,” she hissed quietly into Enaes’s ear. “If I can lure them close, you might be able to break through to the street.”
Men were closing in, circling them, preventing any chance of escape back into the chapel. Panic rushed through Leyna at the thought of Thade and Feolan out front. My guards are currently distracting the Consul and the bridegroom. If Kael had arranged an attack on the guards, they would go after Thade.
She saw the opening they needed for Enaes to escape. “Now!” she shouted, thrusting her crutch forward into the chest of one man. Enaes drew his sword, slashing at another, leaping through the gap.
In a rush, their attackers scattered, taking chase after Enaes as he moved swiftly toward the back of the garden. Leyna tried to run after him. She needed to find a way to keep the men back, but they were too quick. With her focus on the Prince, she suddenly felt her arms caught up behind her, holding her in place. “You have no idea how pathetic you look right now, do you?” Kael laughed, kicking her crutch away from her.
“Run, Enaes!” she cried out. It didn’t matter what happened to her anymore. All she cared about was that the Prince made it to safety. She struggled against the hold of her captor, unable to break free. These men were strong. Well-trained. They reminded her of the Sanarik during the war, ruthless and cunning. But far more powerful than any of the Sanarik had ever been.
Enaes was surrounded, battling against their blades valiantly. She was surprised by his skill with the sword, though she knew she shouldn’t be. The royal family had plenty of time to spend mastering the art of combat. Enaes had fought beside the Tanispan military when they came to Siscal years ago. There was just far more riding on this battle.
Renewing her efforts to break free, she kicked her legs backward, nearly striking Kael, the blows ill-aimed in her desperate attempt. His eyes flashed angrily, stepping out of the way just in time to avoid the attack. Kael released his current hold on Leyna, stepping around to wrap the fingers of his right hand tightly around her neck, more in a show of dominance than an attempt to cut off air. Disgusted by the sight of him, Leyna spat the saliva from her mouth, striking him in the face.
“You are a feisty one,” he scowled, wiping the spittle away from his face, nose wrinkled in distaste. “After all the time we spent together, to think that I never knew. Kyros told me there would be one way to verify your identity, but how embarrassing it was for me to admit that you had kept your body so well-hidden from me. So I remain curious. The truth of your name and affiliation with the Consul explains the scars that I have seen on your chest and arm over the years, but thought to be nothing more than old wounds from your previous masters. Arrows. It makes sense now. Why you were so afraid of the bow when I was teaching you.”
Kael chuckled, sliding his hand away from her throat to the lacey neckline of her bodice. He tugged down at the edge with his index finger, revealing the scar that had been only partially concealed by the fabric. Kael smirked at the sight. With a gesture of command, one of the other men approached from out of the foray on the Prince, forcing Leyna to the ground, pressing her face painfully into the dirt. “Kyros believes he may have left a mark on the girl Damir seeks. So tell me, Leyna. Will I find anything interesting?”
His words fell on deaf ears. She was desperate to see Enaes, to know he was alright. Metal against metal clashing told her that the battle continued, but she couldn’t see who was winning. She was unaware Kael had continued speaking until a blinding pain shot like fire across her back, pulling her to reality once more.
In her distraction, no scream came from her at the pain. Her teeth gritted. She couldn’t give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out. Leyna could feel Kael’s hand brush the skin of her back. Air was somehow reaching it, stinging slightly from her right shoulder down to just above her left hip. “It is fortunate for you, but unfortunate for me that this means I cannot kill you. Death will have to wait.”
Pressure was building in her core. The energy was pulsing, strong, vibrant, coursing through her veins in a way she’d never felt before. It was invigorating. She didn’t understand what was happening, but it was like some force within the earth was empowering her, filling her with a tremor-like electricity crackling along her skin. Focusing it inward, she drew the newfound strength to the central point of her abdomen, holding it there, waiting. It felt as if some ethereal force was lifting her. Urging her to get back to her feet.
She thrust the energy outward, bathing the garden in an eruption of blinding light. The hands had released
her. She felt free. Alive. The power continued to flow through her limbs, helping her back to her feet with a surge of strength, as if the energy alone moved her. The way she experienced while submerged in the Lake of the Gods. But there was no time to question what was happening. She needed to get to Enaes.
Limping, she dragged her injured leg, ignoring the pain from her altered gait. Enaes was still fighting. She could hear the swords, her vision gradually recovering from the flash. Without fear, she threw herself into the middle of the battle, aware that she lacked any means of protecting herself against the flurry of blades raining down on Enaes. Her strength surprised even her as she grabbed onto a Ven’shal thug, picking him up and tossing him to the ground behind her. She needed to get through these men. She needed to get to Enaes so he could escape.
“Enaes, run!” she shouted, gripping the shirt of another assassin, throwing him down into one of the flower beds. Blood trailed over the path from injured fighters. She couldn’t see Enaes well enough to know the condition of his health, but she could see movement from the midst of the crowd.
In mid-stride she collected a discarded blade from one of the fallen assailants. The flow of energy through her system eased the pain in her leg. While stiff, it felt refreshed. Rejuvenated. She had the element of surprise by her entering the fight. They were focused on their target, pushing him back against the wall, surrounding him. With relentless force, she continued forward, thrusting her blade at the men. Without need of her crutch, the numbers were less intimidating. She parried their attacks, drawing attention away from Enaes to grant him a moment of reprieve. One by one she cut them down. Enaes was in sight now. Almost within reach, stumbling back from the unyielding opponents pressing in on him.
The Myatheira Chronicles: The Vor'shai: From the Ashes (Volume 1) Page 75
