by Cara Bristol
How dare she question her judgment! The list of insubordinates in need of a lesson in proper respect was growing. “Leave me, now,” Honna repeated through gritted teeth.
“Very well.” The guard glanced at the other three and they filed out of the room.
She approached the Lahon, who eyed the white bandage around her right wrist. The pain of digging out the amulet had been nothing compared to the way the gem had begun to burn, necessitating its removal. The wound had bled profusely, but she’d stopped the hemorrhage. Honna turned her wrist to see that a spot of red had leaked through the bandage, and before her eyes, it turned black.
“You are Honna,” he said.
That he knew of her, pleased her—but under no circumstance should a savage address her before she spoke to him. She circled him, sizing him up, deciding how to handle his insolence, how best to get the information she needed. Ellynna had told her a Lahon had demanded the Sharona’s water. Perhaps this one’s message was a mere ruse to gain entrance to the palace.
“Tell me about Reena,” she said.
“She lives.”
“What proof do you have?” She flexed her right hand then formed a fist. Her fingers had begun to stiffen after the removal of the crystal.
“I’m here.”
“That means nothing.”
“It would mean something to the queen.” He shifted his gaze to her bandaged arm again. She wondered at his preoccupation with her wrist until she remembered he was a healer and would be drawn to the injured.
“She is not receiving visitors.” And certainly not a Lahon. “She is…ill.”
Without warning, the barbarian lunged. “What have you done to her?” he roared.
Only the heavy chains slowed him enough to allow her to leap behind a stout table. “Guards! Guards!” she screamed.
Four Sharona burst into the room and wrestled him to the floor.
“Lock him up in the dungeon. In isolation.” She hugged her right arm to her body. Blackness had spread over her white bandage, and her wrist had burned again.
He shouted while he was dragged from the room. “She who is evil shall be revealed by darkness. The one who is false shall mislead with a blackened gem—” The door slammed shut on his gibberish.
Honna pressed her good hand to her thundering heart. Men were scarcely more than animals. Walking, rutting, babble-spouting animals. He’d seemed calm until she mentioned the queen, and then he’d come unhinged. Her curiosity had come with a cost, and she wouldn’t let her guard down again.
Perhaps he did have information about Reena. Maybe she had recovered. No matter. After the queen died, Honna would locate her and finish the job.
Chapter Eighteen
“Good afternoon!”
Perched on a small stool, scrubbing Garat’s dirty shirt on a washboard, Reena paused and squinted into the sun. Kor strode toward her. “Good afternoon,” she replied, and wiped her soapy hands on her tunic. Since Garat’s family had cleared out when she’d arrived, she’d caught only glimpses of Kor.
“You look much improved,” he said.
“Thank you. I feel much better.” She stood up.
He eyed the washtub. “I didn’t expect my brother to put you to work.”
“He didn’t.” She shook her head. “I can’t sit idle. I need to earn my keep and pass the time.” And after a rash of sometimes charred and other times near-raw dinners, Garat had suggested she not cook anymore. She’d thought she’d surprise him by doing the laundry. It had turned out to be quite a bit of work to roll out two metal tubs, one for washing, one for rinsing then fill them by hauling buckets of water from the dwindling well half a mile away, taking care not to spill any of the precious commodity.
Employing the creaky hand crank attached to each tub, she wrung out the wet clothing. Easy at first, turning the wheel grew more tiring with every rotation. The row of fresh clothing drying in the sun filled her with satisfaction—and shame for the way she discarded robes with nary a care as to how hard the palace laundresses had to work. She vowed to be more mindful in the future.
He jerked his head in the direction of the hut. “Is he in?”
She shook her head. “No, he is meeting with settlement elders. Can I relay a message?”
“I’d forgotten about that.” Kor snapped his fingers. “I’ll catch him later, then.” He turned to leave.
“I didn’t mean to drive you from your home,” she said.
“You didn’t.” Kor’s mouth twisted with wry amusement. “It wasn’t like you had a choice.”
“Still.” Guilt lingered for her gladness Kor wasn’t around. At any given time, she and Garat would tear at the other’s clothing and fuck until they collapsed in an exhausted heap. She wondered what living arrangements had been decided, if Kor and Jerak’s banishment would extend until her departure.
Her chest tightened as it always did when she contemplated leaving. Why did the Sharona and the Lahon live apart? Why would the Goddess create heartmates only to separate them? Wasn’t that…cruel?
Unless the Goddess didn’t do it. Unless we did it to ourselves.
“Don’t worry about it. We shared a space for convenience, and since I’ve been away, I’ve learned I like not having to put up with him. That’s why I dropped by—to tell him Jerak and I will be moving into one of the newly constructed huts.
“It’s about time! I feared I was going to have to stare at your ugly face forever.” Garat came up behind Kor and clapped him on the shoulder.
“The hideous face you see is your own reflection in the looking glass,” Kor retorted.
Reena gaped. She could hear the humor, see the affection, but Sharona would never dream of insulting each other, not even in jest. The interchange demonstrated again how much their two tribes differed.
“You mean the glass you shattered when you preened before the mirror?” Garat countered.
“We need an impartial judge.” Kor looked at Reena. “Who is more handsome? And remember, this lunk made you wash his dirty clothing.”
Each man towered over her and boasted muscles to spare, although Garat was obviously stronger. Eyes of green for both, however, Garat’s were a more brilliant shade and fringed with heavier lashes. Masculine jaws squared off, but again, it was little competition as Garat’s held a greater decisiveness. She could see where a woman afflicted with mating fever might choose Kor, and while his face wouldn’t break any mirrors, Garat was clearly the more attractive one.
How could she say so without wounding Kor? “I’m not a good one to judge—”
Kor shoved his brother. “See! She doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Garat scowled. “Oh you think—”
Something crashed in the brush. Garat whipped his dagger from its sheath as they all spun around.
A bedraggled Carinda stumbled from the brambles. “Princess,” she sobbed. “Thank Goddess I’ve found you!” She tripped and would have fallen, except Kor caught her, and half led, half carried her to the small wooden stool Reena had vacated. Garat sheathed his weapon.
“Carinda? Why are you here?” Reena darted to the clothesline and yanked off a freshly washed, still wet towel, knelt at the guard’s side, and dabbed at her bruised and scratched face. What could have happened?
“You don’t need to tend to me. I’m fine,” Carinda protested.
“Hush now,” she said, wishing Meloni had returned.
Carinda stared. “I knew you were alive! The Lahon wasn’t lying.” She had a large bald spot on the side of her head where the hair had been ripped away. She plucked at her torn robe to cover her dirty feet. “He said you were here. I got lost and couldn’t find you. I pray we’re not too late.”
Too late? “For what?”
Before she could answer, Garat spoke. “Where is Meloni?” He narrowed his eyes. “Is he still with the Sharona?”
She bit her lip. “He’s been imprisoned in the dungeon.”
“What!” Garat almost shouted.
Let me handle this. Reena shot him a look. “Why did Mother imprison him?”
“She didn’t. Honna did. That’s why I came. Queen Ellynna lies in grave danger.”
Her heart seized up. “How? What happened?”
The guard’s gaze dropped to her lap. “I-I-I’m sorry, Princess…”
Dread curled in the pit of Reena’s stomach. Tell me! She wanted to grab her and shake the news out of her, but Kor sank to his haunches beside the distraught guard. “It’s okay. Take your time,” he said.
“There is no time if Mother is in danger!”
“The queen went into mourning after receiving news of your death…”
“Meloni relayed a message, didn’t he? Told her I was alive?”
Carinda shook her head. “He never got the chance—”
“What do you mean?”
“Let her speak,” Kor said.
She was speaking too slowly! Her mother faced “grave danger,” and Carinda dribbled out the details like they were water droplets. Reena prayed for patience.
“B-before he arrived, Queen Ellynna came down with the same ailment that afflicted you.”
No! “Mother is ill?”
Carinda looked at Kor, who gave her a reassuring nod. She continued, “I’ve not been permitted to see her in many days. No one has. I fear she is dying.”
“Dying!” Shock propelled Reena to her feet.
“Honna has been treating her with the medicine she gave you, Princess. I recognized the smell. The queen has been getting sicker and sicker, much faster than you did.”
NO! The truth did not whimper, it roared. It drowned all sound, flooded her gaze with red. They tried to tell me. Garat. Meloni. I wouldn’t listen. I refused to believe it, and Mother will pay.
Reena let out a keening cry and struck the air with her fists. Kicked the washtub so hard she dented it, but the thunk didn’t register. No pain could be great as the guilt ripping through her chest. Blinded by tears, she staggered away. Howling, she tore the clean clothing from the line.
“Reena! Reena!” Garat grabbed her arm.
“No!” She swung at him. Her fisted thudded against his chest. “It’s my fault,” she sobbed. “M-mother may die, and it’s m-my fault. I didn’t listen. You tried to tell me.”
“It’s not your fault.” He trapped her flailing arms in a firm embrace.
She didn’t deserve sympathy or comfort when her stubbornness might cost her mother her life. Events reeled through her mind: Honna giving her the herb when she’d come down with a simple, common illness that would have passed anyway…the malaise…more herbs…increasing nausea, fatigue. Honna, always ready with her pouch. Watching as she took the medicine. Smiling. Concerned. Compassionate—until she skipped dosages and started to improve.
Carinda who could barely swim had jumped in to save her at the pool while Honna had watched from the bank. No one could have blasted her with an EID, except Honna.
“I’m such a fool.” She sobbed, curling her hands into fists.
“You’re loyal.” He rocked her. “You don’t recognize deceit in others because you have none in you.”
“Everyone trusted her,” Carinda said. “Even your mother. She was deceived, too.”
“My mother’s going to die.” She shoved at his chest to free herself. “I’m returning to the palace.” She tried to twist away. “You can’t make me stay,” she hissed. She’d fight him with everything she had every second of every day. “I have to go!”
“We’ll both go,” he said.
Reena froze. “What did you say?”
“I said, we’ll both go. We’ll rescue your mother.” His arms went slack, and he released her, but his eyes took on a determined glint. “I’ll bring some men with me.”
“You would do that for me?” She peered up at him.
“Of course,” he said quietly.
“I’ll go, too,” Kor said.
“They’ll never let you in.” Carinda rose to her feet. She stumbled, and Kor steadied her with a hand to her elbow. “If you show up with a contingent of armed men, they’ll shoot them on the spot under Honna’s orders. Getting in even one Lahon will be near impossible.”
“I am future Shara,” she said, and prayed she would not be taking the throne anytime soon. “I will order them to permit the Lahon entry.”
“The guards will not obey, Princess. Honna has replaced the queen’s supporters with traitors. The guards who would not pledge allegiance to her have been imprisoned. I escaped when they moved me to another cell.”
“If I can get inside the palace, we won’t need a contingent,” Garat said.
“I can sneak you in through the secret passage.”
“A secret passage?” Carinda looked at her.
“It tunnels under the palace and Sharona villages to the outside.”
“Does Honna know about it?” Garat asked.
Reena shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“I’ll get my gear, and we’ll leave right away,” Garat said.
“I’ll get my stuff,” Kor said.
Garat shook his head. “No. You stay here with Carinda and Jerak.”
“I can get someone to tend to Jerak while I’m gone.”
“But only you can act in my stead. The Lahon will need a leader.” He turned to Carinda. “Every guard at the palace will be on the lookout for you.”
She scowled and straightened to her full height. “My job is to protect the princess.”
Garat looked at Reena. “That’s my job, now. If I didn’t need her to show to me the passage, I’d order her remain, too.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” Reena said.
“That’s one of the things I love about you.” He left her gaping and strode toward the hut.
Chapter Nineteen
Garat led the charge through the woods, time ticking away with every footstep. It had taken Carinda three days to reach them because she’d gotten lost when she’d veered off the main path to avoid possible Sharona patrols. They would make the reverse journey in two days, minus any hours he could shave off with further shortcuts.
“I’m afraid my mother will be dead by the time we arrive,” Reena said.
She had good reason to fear. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to save her. If Honna imprisoned Meloni, that means he’s there and can work his magic.”
“I can’t believe I was blind to her evil. It’s so obvious.”
“You are trusting. Loyal. Kind. You said once before—I would not suspect my brother of perfidy.”
“I had no idea she plotted to usurp the throne. Given her ruthlessness, she would not be a good leader for the Sharona.”
Nor would the Lahon fare well under her rule. His first instinct had been to race to the palace to save Ellynna for Reena, but other ramifications had arisen. Honna would never share the Sharona’s water. The Lahon would have to invade, Honna would resist, and bloodshed would ensue.
Reena would agree to the aqueduct without hesitation. Ellynna he could negotiate with. But Honna? She would rejoice if every man alive perished.
“Is the robe dry yet?” he asked. They’d borrowed it from the guard to enable Reena to move about the palace unrecognized. Because its bedraggled state would draw attention, they’d had to wash it before they left the settlement and hadn’t had time to let it dry.
“Still damp. I’m sure it will be fine by tomorrow.”
“You should put it on as soon as it’s wearable in case we run into any Sharona.”
“They will wonder why I am wearing a guard’s robe that is too big for me.”
“They would wonder more why a Sharona is dressed like a Lahon,” he replied. “I hope to avoid as many people as possible. Tell me about the secret passage.”
“It starts in a cave outside the wall, goes under the hamlets, under the palace, and exits near the gardens and the bathing pool.”
“Are there many entry points?”
“Several. I used them as a child
when I hid from my governess or from Honna. Sometimes I’d sneak outside the walls. I was quite naughty.”
“How close can we get to your mother’s chambers?”
“We can get inside her chambers—she has a special room for her clothing. One of the passage portals is behind a wardrobe. I never used that one, though, because the wardrobe is very heavy, and I couldn’t budge it.”
“I’ll move it,” he said.
“What are we going to do if Honna is with my mother?”
“As long as she is not armed with an EID, it will not be difficult to overpower her.”
“What if she has one?”
“We’ll need to acquire one of our own.”
“Maybe we should have allowed Carinda to accompany us.”
“She would attract too much attention. And her EID was confiscated.” As a member of the guards, she might have had access to other weapons, knew who was loyal, and had other useful connections. Second-guessing his decision wouldn’t help them now. They could only move forward.
“Honna never did like her.”
“Carinda’s loyalty threatened Honna’s aspirations. What else do you remember about the passage?”
After she filled him in with everything she could recall, they walked in silence for a long while. Then, in a hesitant voice, she asked, “That comment…at the camp…what did you mean?”
They’d gone so long without her mentioning it. He’d begun to hope she hadn’t heard or maybe hadn’t caught the significance or, as a last resort, had taken pity on him and decided to ignore it. True as his feelings were, he hadn’t meant to reveal them. Her failure to reciprocate opened a wound and scraped over it. If she’d loved him back, she would have said so. The Goddess had created them heartmates—two halves of a whole—but Garat wanted Reena to choose him, to desire him because she saw something special in him and not because her biology or the Goddess commanded it. But she’d said nothing. They’d walked for hours, and this was the first time she’d referred to his confession. “What comment?” he replied.
“About loving me because I don’t answer to you.”
