"Does he agree with what you are doing?" Amelia asked.
"Politics and ambition have never been QueQoa's strengths. He recognizes that. So though he does not fully understand, he remains loyal. Even if he disagreed, he would remain loyal." Naatos gave her a pointed look as he reached the final lip to the valley.
Amelia narrowed her eyes at him. Obviously he hoped she would understand that family was to remain loyal no matter what. She disagreed. Jumping down, she avoided his attempt to help her. Brushing the dirt off her skirt, she shook her head. "Probably best to avoid people who are political or ambitious then." She snapped the top off a cattail reed and broke the seeds off between her fingers.
"Well?" WroOth started toward them. "Has an accord been reached?"
"It has." The smile was clear just from Naatos's voice. "She returns with us today. Willingly."
Even AaQar smiled as he stood. "At last."
"Just so we're clear," Amelia said, holding up her hands. "I have conditions. I am not—"
WroOth tackled her in a bear hug and swung her around. "Welcome back, little sister!" He laughed before setting her down. "But what's this?" He lifted her hair and shook his head. "No melshkas? What have you two been doing all this time? Arguing, I suppose. You two children should be—"
"I know what needs to be done with my wife." Naatos pulled Amelia back, but he seemed mostly amused.
"Sometimes I don't think you do. It's very different from besieging a town or assassinating an ambassador or dealing with an old enemy." WroOth chuckled. He held up his wrist, dangling a series of painted tiles from cords. Amelia only caught a glimpse before he snapped his wrist down again, and he flashed her a wink.
"It's been dealt with then?" Naatos asked. He kept his arm around Amelia's waist, not tight but close enough to let her know she was to stay with him.
"Everything. They're taking it back now. The army is returning. Everything has been dealt with. Except for eliminating the rest of the Machat." WroOth tapped Amelia's nose with his finger. "Elonumato smiled on the Machat today, but I doubt he'll smile long."
"WroOth." AaQar came alongside them and gave WroOth a warning look.
Things had changed. WroOth, in particular, seemed hyper, fidgeting with the puzzle box, twitching his fingers, and speaking with great animation. His eyes were very bright and his smile quite broad. And even AaQar seemed more…alive. Amelia wondered what they had done and what they had found. Nausea cut through her all at once.
The Truth Bringers.
Hadn't Chialao worn a single tile necklace? Had that been something that the Truth Bringers did to set themselves apart?
"Regardless," WroOth said, returning his attention to her. "It's because of you that all of the Machat escaped. And as much as I love you, little sister, and as delighted as I am to have you back with us, I will not tolerate such actions. This is my world. The Machat are my people. When we reach the temple, you and I will have words. Agreed?" He turned his gaze to Naatos.
Naatos nodded. "Agreed. I will need to tend to the initial preparations for the Ceremony of the Viskaro."
A bad feeling filled Amelia's stomach. WroOth threw a smile in her direction, mounted the dragon horse, and took off for the temple.
All at once, a dark pain flowed to her. It came from AaQar. He placed his cold thin hand over Amelia's. "None of this has been ideal, but I think that the Ceremony of the Viskaro is a wise choice. I am grateful you have chosen to return to us. This is where you belong."
Whatever it was, it was eating AaQar alive, feeding a wound that preyed on his strength. Amelia nodded, a rush of sympathy cutting through her. Her head spun at the wide variation of sensations she experienced here. Still, as she looked up at AaQar, she realized that the light in his eyes had faded significantly. His pain had deepened. Then she noticed marks on his wrists. With the length of his silk-lined sleeves, they were almost entirely hidden, but they were clearly scars! Knotted white and hardened. How was that possible for a Vawtrian who could heal? He wasn't more alive, she realized. He was more alert. More resolved.
"AaQar…" Naatos had noticed something was off as well.
"I am fine. All is well." AaQar managed a smile, yet even that was pained. "Amelia, your return has eased my heart more than you will ever know." He turned his gaze then to Naatos. "I am happy for you, brother. Treat her well."
"I will." Naatos's grip tightened ever so slightly. "And you will be here to welcome your nephews and nieces?"
AaQar was silent, his expression somber. The tension in Naatos's grip tightened. Amelia winced slightly.
At last, AaQar nodded. "I will."
"Good. Then we will see you back at the temple." Naatos clicked his tongue, calling to one of the dragon horses. The jade-black scaled creature pricked its ears up and trotted forward. AaQar walked over to his. Naatos swung up into the saddle. "You'll ride with me, Amelia."
Amelia nodded, not surprised. AaQar had reached his dragon horse. His gait was slow but determined, but that same heaviness hung about him. Mounting the dragon horse, he chirruped it forward.
"Amelia…"
"Coming." Amelia started to the back of the horse, but Naatos stopped her.
"No, viskaro." He motioned to the front. "You will sit here. I wouldn't want you to fall off."
Amelia walked alongside the front of the horse, frowning. The scales on the horse would be sharp if she pressed against them the wrong way. The saddle was broader than usual, and a large blanket wound around the horse's midsection with ample space left for the wings to protrude. Her normal mounting technique wouldn't work. But before she could come up with an alternative, Naatos leaned down and picked her up. "They don't bite unless you take too long, viskaro." He settled her in front of him and smoothed her hair.
"Oh…how awkward." Amelia wasn't sure what to do. Snuggled in so close certainly felt intimate. What would the Libyshans think if they saw her now? What would Uncle Joe think? Her cheeks burned. If Naatos had allowed her a little more room or didn't insist on cradling her so, she might have been able to claim that they were just two people sharing a horse. Yet it appeared like they were lovers. Perhaps lovers who had had a fight but lovers nonetheless.
Naatos nuzzled her. His breath wisped warm against her ear. "Not so much as you think." Picking up the reins, he gave the horse a nudge. "Delorme, fly." The dragon horse lifted its head, galloped forward, spread its wings, and leaped into the air.
The strength of the blast thrust Amelia back even closer against Naatos. She shut her eyes against the rush of the wind. Somehow this would all come together.
29
Refreshment
Amelia pushed Naatos's hand down as he curled it under her cloak. "You should probably pay attention to flying," she said.
"It's not as if the horse doesn't know where it's going." Naatos rested his cheek against her temple. "It's one direction."
"Yes, well, let's focus on that, shall we? The reins could fall."
"If they fall, I can get them back." He nuzzled her. "It's more important that I hold onto you."
"I'm more in danger of jumping than falling. I am riding sidesaddle so trust me, I can do it. And don't squeeze me."
"Hmm. You won't jump or fall so long as I am holding onto you." His hand slid back under her cloak.
"Naatos!" Amelia pushed his hand off again. "I am not WroOth's puzzle box."
Naatos laughed. "No. You're my puzzle box, and I'm still trying to learn your combination."
"Let me give you a hint." Amelia interlaced her fingers through his and pushed his hand back. "I'm one of those individuals who gets aroused by less touch. Besides, you really shouldn't get too…interested."
"Too interested? How so?" Naatos angled his head so that he could see her better.
"We're not…feshtashooning for a little while yet." Amelia felt the heat rise in her cheeks and through her body.
"That doesn't mean we can't kilamatt, viskaro. I can control myself, and if you should decide you want me s
ooner, I will happily grant you that. But surely you want to know what to expect."
"Not right now. I know that this is probably like just getting taste buds and a box of chocolates, but I—" Her voice broke off as Naatos lightly kissed her neck. His lips trailed along her skin, the heat of his breath sending tingles through her until he drew her ear lobe into his mouth. She struggled to restrain the gasp, but it eked out all the same.
"Perhaps," he whispered. "Though there really is no true basis for comparison." He kissed her neck again just behind the ear. "But it would be a crime to stop. I have given you no melshkas."
Amelia wasn't sure what a melshka was, and she wasn't even certain she didn't want to find out. "I'm pretty sure you haven't let the fact that other things are crimes stop you."
"True." Naatos kissed her forehead. The smile tweaked at his lips still but he fell silent, content with holding her.
Amelia turned her head, avoiding his gaze or even the chance of catching it. His arms were warm around her; she'd only noticed now. He did not feel precisely like a threat any longer, but how much of the sense of safety came from her and how much from what he wanted her to feel. If she relaxed and stopped thinking, it would not be so difficult. But how could she?
Amelia shook her head. This is my husband, she thought. A husband I'm going to have to kill eventually. How can this be right on any level?
It was not comfortable to sit side saddle with such a rigid posture, but she refused to let her body lean into Naatos. No matter how much more comfortable it might be, she could not allow for more confusion.
The air was cold, strengthened with a pulsing rush each time the dragon horse brought its wings down. But aside from that whoosh all was essentially quiet.
Land stretched out beneath them like a patchwork quilt with trees, grasslands, craggy mountains, sculpted valleys, and low hills. The rivers and streams looked like unspooled ribbons spiraling across the land. Bright red and yellow fig apples speckled the forests. The skelro that fed on the short sweet grass of the foothills looked like bright balls of white cotton. Bruins in groups of a dozen or more shuffled along, sometimes surrounding bushes with rich black and blue berries and iridescent white flowers. Herds of deer and ibex roamed, leaping and testing their agility on the higher points. The soft gold light of the sun gradually intensified the colors, bringing with it welcome heat and birdsong. It was beautiful.
Though Naatos had said that they were taking the straightest route, Amelia did note that this was not the course they initially took. She sighed, annoyed that he could lie and because of the muddle of emotions and desires, she hadn't picked up on the sour taste or sensation. Their course did not take them over any of the towns or villages. That had to be intentional. Who knew what had happened to them? And how much worse would it have been if the Machat had not helped to get the Libyshans out? For all the complicated feelings, at least Amelia could be grateful that they had protected all they could. Even when that meant sacrificing some things.
Naatos slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. A sigh escaped his lips. Amelia resisted the urge to look at him. Through all the threads of emotion, she felt a strong strand of contentment. How could he be content, she wondered. It was odd. But the sensation was calming.
A herd of horses ran through the tall yellow and green grass. They were so close now, Amelia could see the muscles rippling beneath their sleek black and silver coats. The dragon horse shook its head, giving a happy whinny. Its pitch was strange, somewhere between an eagle and a horse. The other horses lifted their heads and looked back, but instead of being afraid, they returned the greeting and continued to run along beneath the dragon horse. Somehow that made Amelia smile. Whether the horses recognized one who had once been their own or simply accepted the dragon horse for what it was, she didn't know. She didn't even know why that moment comforted her.
The ground below leveled out. In the distance, a small cluster of mountains rose up with the largest one in the center. Amelia leaned forward slightly. She had heard of the Temple of Selgooko, but she had never seen it herself.
The temple had been carved within the five mountains, and though its pillars and columns were clearly discernible, much of the mountain's original form remained the same. Smoke rose from chimneys carved in the stone. Towers cropped up and out at odd intervals along with broad open windows with even broader ledges. The top of the largest mountain had been flattened with a thick flat railing fashioned around its top. Silver and grey-green moss clung to the walls along with lush green ivies. Numerous courtyards and multiple entrances adorned the lower portions of the mountains. At the top of the highest mountain and tower was a magnificent seven-sided aerie. Large black-winged and red-capped eagles flew around it. Most likely the tracker eagles Libyshans and the surrounding nations as well as the Paras had used for message carrying.
Amelia remembered how much she had wanted to visit this place, but King Theol kept telling her she had to be older.
She choked, remembering the king. What would his response be when he met her again? She couldn't tell him who she was and what had happened, of course. Not right away. But as soon as she was inside, she had other priorities: mapping the temple, identifying exits and entrances, and so on. From the size of it, she had her work cut out for her. Hopefully she could convince Naatos to let her wander alone. Even if he didn't, she had a strong memory. So long as she passed through most of the temple, she could gather relevant information and slip away later.
Naatos brought the dragon horse down in one of the outer courtyards. The flagstones here were burnt sienna with flecks of gold and silver, lined in white grout. They had been thoroughly cleaned and recently, if their appearance was any indication. Talbokian attendants hurried out in crisp well-tailored garments.
How long has Naatos had people here, Amelia wondered. To her knowledge, the temple had been abandoned since the Fall of the Tue-Rah and the Paras' imprisonment. Yet from the smells of fresh bread, roasting meat, polishing oil, turned straw, and sweet alfalfa this place seemed as if it had never been closed.
Naatos dismounted and passed the reins to the nearest attendant. "See to it that she is groomed, fed, and watered," he said. "She'll need at least a dozen more boiled eggs."
Amelia started to slide off, but Naatos turned, giving her a chiding glance. "You will let me help you."
Amelia pulled back, surprised at the sharp sensation of his disapproval. She let her hand fall to the horse's neck.
Several Talbokians entered the courtyard. They saluted when they saw Naatos. Amelia's neck tightened. Though she had never seen any of them before, she still remembered her last encounters vividly. One looked a great deal like Phelsco.
"Amelia…" Naatos stood in front of her now. He lifted his hand to her.
"I'm not used to people helping me off horses," Amelia muttered. But she put her hand on his shoulder, her gaze flitting back to the Talbokians once more. When it was time to go off by herself, she would have to take even more precautions. Hopefully it would be enough.
Grasping her by the waist, Naatos set her down against himself. "You don't need to be worried about them. They won't hurt you," he said. "They know you're my wife, and they won't dare attempt what was done before." He hugged her tight, his chin resting on the top of her head. "As far as I'm concerned, nothing will ever harm you again."
It was a nice sentiment, but Amelia doubted it was true. He seemed intent upon forgetting that she was his enemy. Though it was hard to state that convincingly with her face pressed into his chest, her body flat to his, and his arms twined around her. Worse still, he knew it. "I suppose we'll find out," she said softly as she pushed away.
"I presume you have never been to the temple," Naatos said.
"No."
"It is nowhere close to its former glory," Naatos said. "WroOth has already set about plans to repair all of its weaknesses and make it even grander than before. Soon the Temple of Selgooko will outshine even its brightest of days. Some
things can be made better than they were in the beginning. Almost everything." Leaning down, he kissed her again. Deeper this time.
Taken aback, Amelia lifted her hand, but she didn't twist away. The pressure of his lips and the warmth of his mouth against hers drew her in. It was even easier this time. His energy and passion swirled about her, pulling her in but not suffocating her.
As the kiss broke, Amelia was surprised to find he had lifted her off the ground without her noticing. She looked down into his eyes, startled. Her fingers curled against his shoulder. "You should put me down."
"Should I?" Naatos smiled. He set her down slowly, keeping her body close to his. His hands returned to her waist.
Heat and embarrassment burned through Amelia's body, her stomach fluttering. This was not harmless. She pushed her hair back and pulled out of his grasp. "Can I see King Theol?"
"Soon enough." Naatos moved toward the double-arched stone entrance. "You should clean yourself up first and get changed. I also would not recommend you tell him who you are immediately. He isn't likely to take it well."
That was an understatement. The rocking within Amelia's stomach intensified. There was almost no way that this day would go well. She followed Naatos into the central hall of the temple. It was a large and spacious room with numerous tapestries hanging on the walls. A stunning place in many respects. "Why were you staying in Polfradon for so long if you had this place close to being finished?" she asked.
"WroOth needed time away from the temple. The memories were too heavy a burden. When you see him again here, he will be more agitated than usual. No matter how cheerful he seems, it is often merely a mask." Naatos continued at a brisk pace, leading her through a maze of halls and up two staircases before they reached a series of rooms built into one of the smaller mountains.
A single large door, carved with numerous runes and images of hearth and family, blocked their way. Naatos pressed the door open.
Enemy Known Page 26
