by Sara Gaines
I sighed. “Yes, that is a possibility, but as I told you before, Tallak will at least have to listen to me.”
“And if he doesn’t, then what?”
Kahira wasn’t looking at me, her eyes focused on the embers of the fire. Not entirely comfortable with the way the conversation was going, I tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach.
“I’m of noble blood, so he can’t directly order my death without greatly offending our traditions. Dalric could claim I was killed by an overzealous peasant and avoid punishment, but Tallak will have no choice but to lock me up somewhere. I would have to revoke my blood right for Tallak to kill me, and for me to do that would essentially be a confession that I attempted a rebellion. So, if I am locked away, I will spend the rest of my life trying to find a way to make Dalric regret his betrayal.”
“You could run.” Kahira’s smirk was barely evident in the fading light. “But you wouldn’t, would you?”
“I would never forgive myself if I did.” I actually managed a smile, “I will not turn the Meloran name into something to be spat upon.”
The woman’s look was a mix of emotions, but if I wasn’t mistaken, the most prominent was approval. She said nothing further, staring back into the fire as her fingertips traced the lines of her scar.
“Kahira.” I faltered as soon as her name slipped from between my lips, “I….”
She inhaled deeply, dropping her gaze to the ground.
“I know you can’t do this, Aleana.”
“No, I can’t.” I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. “But I do wish I could.”
How could I explain to her how long I had tried to think of a way she could stay in my life? I had tried to convince myself I could be one of the nobles who took a lover on the side, but I knew no matter how Kahira and I felt, that would never happen for me. It was a luxury only available once the laughter of small heirs filled the castle. Even then, such dalliances—whether the affair was with a member of the same sex or not—often resulted in scandal. Reminding myself of that, I understood a lover did not await me in the future. I understood that as queen, I could not give in to any temptations that would tarnish my family’s name or my father’s memory.
Disturbing Enza as I stood, I turned my back toward the woman, hoping my words would reach her. “The other night, I’m sorry I ran. I was scared. Kahira, I am promised to the king of Halvaria, I’m not supposed to want anything more from life. But when we kissed….”
Kahira did nothing to urge me on; she waited patiently while I struggled with what I was trying to say.
Finally turning to look at her, our eyes connected. “When we kissed, every fear I previously had about not being happy with Tallak became painfully real. It scared me, and so I ran. I’m sorry.”
I watched as she silently climbed to her feet. Only when she was right before me did she speak.
“You owe me no apology.” She pulled my hands into her own, and although a voice inside me screamed to avoid such a basic intimacy, I knew I would never be able to. “That kiss was more than I could have ever hoped for. Aleana, your world is far different from mine. You will enter the city tomorrow and once more be acknowledged as the future queen. As for me, it would be too much of a risk to even enter the walls of Seyna. When Ori returns tomorrow, I’ll leave, and you’ll become the greatest queen Halvaria has ever known.”
As Kahira’s words stopped, she brought my hand up, gently kissing it. I wrapped my arms around her waist, burying my face in her neck. When her arms pulled me closer, I knew our embrace was only making our eventual parting harder. I felt tears pricking at my eyes, and the way her arms stiffened as she held me told me she was struggling just as much to maintain her composure. Still, we stood there.
Before I stepped back, I noted the way her body felt as it was pressed against mine. The strength so evident in such a surprisingly soft form, the warmth of her skin, even the slight rise at her chest where she had been unable to bind herself completely flat. Blushing, I stepped away. When her gaze flicked toward my lips, I knew I was still too close to her to ignore my own desires.
I leaned toward Kahira, seeking her lips as they sought mine. This time, the kiss was different. Tenderness replaced the passion that had ignited between us the first time our lips touched. Our bodies pressed together as the kiss deepened, full of the sorrow we shared. I memorized the shape of her mouth, my body begging me to memorize more.
We parted slowly. A series of light brushes of her lips against mine left us standing there, quickened breaths slowly returning to normal. My eyes remained closed as Kahira pressed her forehead against my own.
Kahira’s voice sounded hoarse. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t have done that.”
A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I finally opened my eyes to see the woman before me.
“No, please don’t apologize.” I hugged her to me once again, trying to ignore the lump in my throat and mumbling into her neck as I continued. “I wish we had another chance. Part of me always hoped I wouldn’t meet someone like you. Part of me never wanted to know what I would be missing by marrying Tallak.”
Kahira said nothing, knowing there was nothing she could say to ease my pain. There was no possibility for anything further between us, and no way to assure myself that I could find something later in my life. After some time had passed, it was Kahira who pulled away. She kissed my brow before turning to retreat. I watched her go, painfully aware I was not ready to truly say good-bye. And yet, there was nothing I could do.
Not until she was readying her bed did I gather the courage to return to the fire. I bit my lip, knowing what I was about to ask was unwise. I rubbed my blanket’s fabric between my fingertips as I spoke.
“Kahira?”
Kahira’s back was still to me as she knelt over her makeshift bed. I watched her muscles flex as she stood to look at me. The slightly amused glint I was so used to seeing in Kahira’s eyes gave me the confidence I needed.
“Let me sleep beside you tonight?”
She smiled, but it did not completely erase the sadness in her eyes. Nodding, she looked as though she meant to say something, but instead, Kahira just clenched her jaw. Carefully, she took the blanket from my hands. I said nothing as she gently pulled me down to sleep, too afraid my words would shatter the fragile intimacy of her arm draped over my body. With Kahira pressed to my back, I knew the heat coursing through my body could not be attributed only to the warmth of the nearby fire.
I knew it was possible Ori would return early to find my body entwined with Kahira’s, but there was nothing that could convince me to move. I lay there, comforted by rhythmic brush of Kahira’s breath against the nape of my neck. I fought sleep, knowing that once the sun rose, Kahira would have to leave and it would soon be Tallak’s arm around me at night. Until sleep finally overtook me, I wanted to imagine a life for myself where I could have more than just the title of queen.
Chapter 19
A DEEP growl pulled me from my sleep. Groggily I blinked, sitting up to see Kahira crouched beside her dog. The woman’s brow was creased from her effort to see past the night’s dark veil. The back of my neck prickled when I saw the blades already present in Kahira’s hands. I started to speak, but Kahira threw her hand up to urge my silence. Neither Kahira nor I could see farther than a few feet, but we knew there was something very wrong.
When the sound of a twig snapping echoed through the trees, a growl built in Enza’s chest. For a brief moment, the forest went completely silent as an arrow sank into the dog’s flesh. The massive dog twitched once, and the utter calm that soon came over her left no room for mistake. Enza was dead.
Kahira’s sudden roar of anguish momentarily drowned out the sounds of boots stomping through the trees. Scrambling to my feet, I immediately grabbed my own knife as men flooded our campsite. Kahira placed herself between me and the armed men, her blades at ready. A single archer stood among them, his next arrow aimed at Kahira.
“We
are meant to take you alive.” One of the men spoke, his tone implying that he and the dozen men next to him had no qualms against disobeying their orders.
Kahira ignored him, feigning to the right in order to draw the archer’s fire. As soon as the man’s muscles twitched, Kahira rolled, effectively dodging the arrow. One of Kahira’s blades was buried in the man’s chest before he could even reach toward his quiver to fetch another arrow. The archer’s body hit the ground, and from the look on Kahira’s face, it was clear she was not satisfied with only killing one of the intruders.
The man who originally spoke offered a glance toward the fallen soldier. A slight jerk of his brow was the only sign of emotion. I looked from the man who spoke to those standing at his sides. None wore distinguishing colors, but their very demeanor hinted that they were trained soldiers instead of common bandits. Even with one of their comrades dead on the ground, not a single man there looked afraid.
“Make this easy on yourselves. You know you can’t kill us all.”
Kahira ignored the man’s words. Overcome with rage, she launched herself at the armed men without hesitation.
The knife that had been resting in my grip fell, landing on the soft ground as I watched what was happening. Chaos broke out as Kahira reached the men. Before I could even react, another soldier fell to the ground, blood spilling out from the wound in his neck. I was frozen where I stood, suddenly realizing I had truly failed—even this close to Seyna, I had failed. My mind and body went numb.
It was Kahira’s scream that forced me back into reality. I saw her hit the ground and something in me awoke. I ran forward, trying to get to her, trying to do anything to save her. A soldier stepped toward me, wrapping his giant hands around my arms, he held me firmly in place.
Kahira kicked at the knee of one of her attackers, bending the joint at an unnatural angle and causing the man to crash to the ground. She used the distraction to jump back to her feet, ready to fight the next man although she no longer held a blade in her hand. I tried to cry out a warning to Kahira, but my captor’s hand crushed my lips against my teeth. Even if he hadn’t, I would have been too late. Kahira crumpled to the ground, blood already seeping from the gash created by the pommel of a man’s sword bashing into her skull.
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I fought harder against the arms that held me. I watched as the other men walked toward me, still with the same blank expressions on their faces. Kahira’s body lay motionless. I felt the tears pouring down my cheeks. With renewed efforts, I struggled to free myself, desperate to see if she was still breathing.
I hardly saw the fist before it connected with my jaw and my world went black.
MUFFLED voices met me as I slowly regained consciousness. I panicked briefly when my eyes fluttered open only to be met with absolute darkness. Feeling was returning to my body, and it took a moment, but I eventually registered the weight of the blindfold on my face. Unfortunately, the sensation was soon followed by searing pain pulsing through my head. Radiating through my body, the ache was only made worse by the hard floor I was pressed against and the rough rope binding my hands. I couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped my lips.
Hearing footsteps, I froze. My memory rushed back to me. Kahira, where is Kahira?
“Well, well. Looks like she’s finally awake.”
That voice. Dalric. I flinched at the sound—at the reminder that I had failed to warn Tallak of Dakmor’s plan.
“And the other one?”
A woman’s voice this time. I barely took the time to comprehend that it must have been the Dakmoran princess. She had asked about another, and I strained to hear any sign Zoriah meant Kahira was here as well.
“Still out cold.” I could feel Dalric’s presence right beside me as he spoke.
The blindfold was ripped away from my eyes. Blinded by the sudden onslaught of light, I could barely see the slumped form of Kahira five paces away from me. I opened my mouth to call to her, but a rough grip caught my jaw and turned my head away.
“Oh dear, don’t worry, she’s still alive.” The look in Zoriah’s amber eyes managed to make her smirk even more sinister.
Pushing my head away from her, Zoriah released her hold on me as she called to a guard, “Tell him she’s awake.”
Finally given the chance, I yelled Kahira’s name. No response. I frantically looked around the room, trying to find any source of aid. When I realized where we were, the air was stolen from my lungs. Tears formed in my eyes as I shook my head. At least Ori was absent. Maybe there was still hope for him.
“Milady, I believe our little Duchess has figured out where she is.” The contempt in Dalric’s voice sent chills through my body.
My eyes were still locked on the opposing wall. Zoriah’s laughter seemed leagues away as I focused on the large Halvarian crest emblazoned on the wall’s tapestry. Seyna had already fallen.
It was only a stifled grunt that managed to halt the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Kahira!”
She groaned in response, her body still not responding to her commands. I tried to move toward her, only to let out a yelp when Dalric’s boot slammed down on my shoulder, pushing me into the stone floor.
Kahira’s voice was weak, but she finally seemed alert. “Aleana?”
Still clenching my teeth from the pain in my shoulder, Zoriah removed Kahira’s blindfold before I could answer. Kahira struggled against her restraints, but like me, she was tightly bound. When her eyes connected with mine, she doubled her efforts, no doubt bruising the skin of her wrists and ankles.
“They’re both awake?”
I looked up at the man who had slipped into the room unheard. Every ounce of hope I had somehow been holding onto faded as soon as my eyes made contact with his.
“Duchess, do stop. Crying does not suit you.” Tallak flicked his gaze to Zoriah before he crouched in front of me.
“Get away from her!” Kahira growled her warning as Tallak pressed his hand against my bruised jaw.
Tallak stood slowly, turning his attention to Kahira. When he opened his mouth to speak, Zoriah placed a hand to his chest to halt him.
“No, dear, let me.”
The way they smiled at each other sickened me.
“I never did hear your name in the past. Kahira, is it?” Zoriah traced the scar etched into Kahira’s dark olive skin, but was only met with a piercing glare. “I had heard rumors of that fool Moray allowing a vanjiv to escape. They say you killed his daughter. But there are whispers that it was more complicated than that, wasn’t it?”
Kahira’s jaw was clenched, her head turned away from the Dakmoran princess as a pale finger traced the curve of her face.
“Kahira has nothing to do with this.” The tone of my voice commanded Zoriah’s attention toward me.
The princess stood, joining Tallak and my former captain of the guard.
None of them made any effort to stop Kahira as she moved closer to me.
“Dalric, it’s a shame your soldier didn’t know more about these two. I believe history has repeated itself.” Zoriah flashed her teeth in Kahira’s direction, “Was one noblewoman not enough for you, vanjiv?”
Kahira spat a word I did not recognize. The meaning was clear to Zoriah, however, and Kahira was left with a hand print against her cheek.
What soldier?
Seeing the confused look on my face, Dalric laughed heartily.
“Ori was more than willing to tell us what we wanted to know when we found him in Ariwa. The promise of killing his family unless he talked sent your secrets flying from his lips.” The way Dalric spoke was as if he were a completely different person than the man who had once served my father. “Aleana, you should never underestimate the power of threatening a man’s family. That, and breaking a few ribs. I’m afraid those will hinder his journey home.”
“No….” As much as I wanted Dalric’s words to be a lie, I thought about Ori’s behavior when he returned that morning from the cit
y. His silence, how he could barely move without the pain flashing across his face, it all fit too well with Dalric’s story.
“I must say, your loyalty is quite impressive. It’s quite a shame you were in the way of my own plans.” Tallak smiled to Zoriah as he snaked an arm around her waist. “My father was too shortsighted in his planning of my marriage—he was too blinded by your father’s prestige. You see, Halvaria and Dakmor don’t have to be enemies, at least not now that I plan to marry Zoriah.”
I felt crushed, and I knew the only thing keeping me from completely breaking was the pressure of Kahira’s body now leaning against mine as we sat in the middle of the room.
“Tallak and I have bigger plans for our lands. You were the only obstacle. Thankfully, Dalric sees the benefit in aligning himself with us. Unlike your father, we won’t leave his actions unrewarded.” Zoriah seemed more wolfish with each word she spoke. “It was almost too perfect that you were the one promised to Tallak. It barely took any imagination to create the tale. A woman from a bloodthirsty family, nestled in the land’s most formidable castle, seeking more than she could gain, only for her rebellion to be quickly crushed by a joint effort from Dakmor and Halvaria.”
Everything I had done was for nothing.
“Why not kill me last night, then?” I was too angry for any more tears.
Tallak smiled viciously. “When we learned you escaped, our plans changed. Our people will need a reminder as to why Halvaria and Dakmor are better off united. You give us that. You now represent the threat to both Dakmorans and Halvarians. Your family’s—or at least your father’s—name is infamous for military strength, and before Zoriah and I wed, you will be paraded through the streets to show what the new king and queen can defeat together.”
Kahira’s voice was even when she finally spoke. “And when is it you plan on killing me?”
Tallak’s response matched Kahira’s tone.
“You’ll hang from the gallows at dusk.”
Kahira flinched slightly as Tallak nodded to Dalric, signaling him to take Kahira to the dungeons. The massive man hauled Kahira to her feet as my shout rang out in the quiet room.
