Cara's Twelve (27 page)

“Do you think she is right? Cara asked, finishing her wine and setting the cup on the table. “Will Elbia be divided? Is it possible that Ballack will win?”

Tahdaon shook his head. “Who are we to decipher what will be before it happens? All we have is now.”

Cara went to him when he opened his arms to her. In his arms she could almost believe him.

Tahdaon sighed as he held her.

Rising up on her tiptoes, Cara placed a light kiss on his lips. Every day that they spent together the more her feelings grew for him. She still missed Finn, and she hadn't lied when she told him she loved him, but her time alone with Tahdaon had changed her. She had grown stronger in his presence. Tahdaon trusted her opinion more than Finn had ever done, and that alone gave her the confidence to face each new day, and the challenges that lay ahead of them.

She didn't know what would happen once the other men returned, but she knew she didn't want to lose what she had with Tahdaon.

Cara didn't like thinking about what was to come, but she knew she had to look forward, to think about what she would do once they defeated Ballack and Edmund. Once the fighting was over, if they were able to crush the rebellion, she would be crowned Queen, and would be required to marry one of the Twelve. A country torn apart by war, they would never accept a Dalglieshan king. No, she knew she could never be able to choose Tahdaon, not even if she wanted to. She was not a fool to agonize over what could not be. Still, there was a part of her that wished things could be different.

“I know you said you could never love me,” Cara said softly, placing her hands on either side of his face. “And I've accepted that. But I want you to know that no matter what happens between us, I love you Tahdaon.”

He stiffened momentarily and something crossed his expression that Cara couldn't discern. He let out an elongated breath as he looked at her. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself. Instead, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

When he pulled back, the emotions written on his face were too many and too complex to decipher. He met her eyes with reluctance. “Cara, I——”

She placed her finger over his lips to stop him. “Don't say anything.”

Taking his hands, she led him to the bed and smiled up at him as she seductively removed the pins from her ceremonial garment and let the fabric fall to the floor. He was right, all they had was now, and she would enjoy the precious moments she had with him.

“It's our moon ceremony,” she said huskily as she began removing his clothes, her heart beating faster as unrelenting desire surged through her blood. “I think it's obvious that I have accepted you. So the question remains…” she bit her lip as her hand toyed with his long hard shaft. “Do you accept me?”

Tahdaon groaned his answer. “Always.”

Cara and Tahdaon remained in Drumna an additional three weeks, but the time that passed brought no word save the rumor that Crantock had moved its cavalry northeast towards the City of Annul where Ballack was reported to have taken up residence.

“We should have heard something from them by now,” Cara said as she paced the large room she shared with Tahdaon.

“Any runners sent would have to pass through Hellstrom to get here. It's not unusual that we haven't heard from them.” Tahdaon stood and walked towards her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

“I'm worried. What if they didn't make it?”

“I'll go down to the barracks. Talk with Osker. If there have been any new reports he will know about it.”

When Tahdaon had gone, Cara sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her hands over her eyes. The waiting and not knowing was the worst part. They should have heard from Finn by now. If he had made it safely to Crantock, he would have sent a messenger weeks ago. They should have heard something by now, even if it was bad news.

“I have a letter for you, my lady,” a servant girl said from the open door of her Tahdaon's chambers.

Cara frowned as the girl handed her the sealed envelope. “Where did you get this?”

“A man. In the marketplace. He asked me to give it to you.”

“You told him I was here?” Cara demanded.

The girl took an uneasy step backwards and looked down at the floor. “I assumed he knew, my lady. Why else would he ask me to give you the letter? I'm sorry if I did something wrong.”

Cara dismissed her. “Never mind, the damage is already done. Leave me.”

The girl curtsied and quickly left the room.

Cara's stomach turned as she stared at the unopened letter. Whoever had delivered it now knew for certain that she was in Drumna. It was possible that the note was from Finn or one of the other men, but they wouldn't have been so foolish as to deliver it in her name.

With shaky hands she broke the seal and read the brief letter.

She let out a relieved breath as she noted the signature on the bottom of the page. It was from Wesley. He had escaped Ashwater unharmed.

She had believed that he had been captured or worse during their escape, but he had made it out safely, finding refuge in Northlew before heading to Drumna to find her.

For the first time in months, Cara was optimistic. If Wesley had survived, then it was possible that the others had fled unharmed as well.

In his letter, Wesley asked her to meet him alone in the stables, uncertain if Tahdaon would see him as an enemy, and not wanting to incite his anger if he did.

Wesley had always been fearful of Tahdaon, and Cara wasn't surprised that he was concerned about Tahdaon's reaction. He had never fully trusted Wesley, and she knew he wouldn't take well to his abrupt arrival.

Placing the letter on the bed, she stood and had to steady herself as a wave of dizziness hit her. Taking a deep breath, she pushed past the nausea that followed and headed to the stables.

She had suspected for over a week now that she was with child, and every day that passed confirmed her suspicions.

Placing her hand over her abdomen she let an elongated breath. She didn't know what fate a child born on the tour of the Twelve would face, but she knew for certain that if it was a daughter, she could never inherit the crown. Only a child born after her inauguration would be considered a legitimate heir.

She could never truly claim the child.

“What have I done?” she whispered to herself as she walked down the servant's stairwell and buckled over as another wave of nausea clutched at her.

Grateful that no one could see her, Cara stood and wiped the sweat from her lip, and leaned against the cold stone wall as she tried to regain her composure.

There were herbs easily attainable in the northern region that could expel an unwanted child from its mother's womb. The thought crossed her mind only briefly, and Cara hated herself for even considering it.

While unexpected, the child growing inside her was not unwanted. She would talk to Helfrich once he arrived in Drumna. He would know what to do. How to claim the child as legitimate. There had to be a way, and if there wasn't she would make one.

A daughter for the North.

Wynne's words echoed through Cara's mind, and for a brief second she saw the image of two women standing on a precipice overlooking Elbia, arms linked, both crowned as Queens in their own right.

Cara blinked and the image was gone.

In that moment, she knew it was true. She was carrying Tahdaon's child. A nervous laugh escaped her lips. She was going to be a mother.

* * *

The stables were quiet and she saw no sign of Wesley or the stable hands as she entered.

“Wesley?” she whispered, suddenly feeling ill at ease.

She turned to leave, just as a man dressed in dark clothing stepped out of the shadows. He pulled his hood back revealing himself, and Cara forgot her apprehension as she stared into the familiar grey eyes.

“I'm so glad you are okay,” Cara laughed, as she through her arms around him. “We didn't know if you made it.”

Wesley stood awkwardly as she hugged him, and Cara saw a flicker of fear cross his expression as she pulled back.

“Come,” she said, grabbing his hand. “You don't have to worry about Tahdaon or his family. You'll be safe here. I promise.”

Cara tugged on his arm, but he didn't move.

“Cara, wait.”

Again, Cara saw something in his eyes that didn't sit right. He was hiding something. Cara realized what was missing, or rather who was missing.

“Where's Landon?” she asked, and watched as Wesley paled at the mention of his lover's name. Wesley's eyes went hard and Cara's fear returned. “Wesley, what's going on?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

No sooner had she said the words, when something was forced over her head and her arms secured behind her. She started to scream, but before the sound could reach her lips she felt a crack against the back of her head. Her legs buckled and the world went dark.

* * *

Cara's stomach revolted as she awoke to a vicious pain in her head. She groaned as she tried to sit up, but her hands were tied behind her back and the movement only increased her agony.

“Looks like the bitch is finally waking up.”

Cara blinked several times and tried to adjust her eyes, but the harder she tried, the more nauseous she felt. She moaned against the gag they had tied around her mouth, and swallowed as bile rose high in her throat.

“Sit up slowly.”

Large hands grasped her shoulders and helped her sit up. She leaned against the rough bark of a tree and scowled at the burly image of Wesley. He removed the gag from her mouth and placed a cup to her lips, and forced her to drink.

“Take small sips. You've been unconscious for hours. Your head may hurt, but you'll be fine.”

She took a deep breath and willed her treacherous stomach to behave itself.

“What have you done?” she hissed.

“I had no choice. Edmund's men found us after you and the others had escaped. You left us there. Defenseless.” Wesley slammed his fist on the tree trunk close to Cara's head and screamed. “They took him. The only way I'll ever see Landon alive is if I deliver you to Edmund.”

Cara stared at him in horror as she realized what he intended.

“I know you love Landon, but if you hand me over to Edmund you're giving him the power to control all of Elbia.”

“Would that really be a bad thing?”

“How can you say that? You know what he's like. You'd trust a man who kidnapped someone you love? Do you really think he'll let you walk free?”

“Enough.” Wesley shoved the gag back in her mouth and stood staring down at her with tears in his eyes. “You don't understand. This is your fault. If you hadn't allowed him to come with us on tour, Edmund never would have taken him.”

Wesley wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and turned away from her.

She tried to scream at him through the gag, but her words came out in a muffled cry, and the effort only made her head hurt more.

She cursed herself for going down to the stables alone. Tahdaon would be furious at her when he found out what she had done. He would undoubtedly come after her, but if he didn't find her before Wesley handed her over to Edmund, he would have to send an army to defeat Ballack's men.

They didn't camp overnight, and when they did stop it was only to relieve themselves before pressing on. Three men rode with them. From what Cara could ascertain, they were paid mercenaries.

“If it's coin you want, then take me back to Drumna. I'll triple whatever it is Wesley has offered you.”

The man laughed in her face and grabbed her arm tightly. “You think it's that snivelling bastard that I work for? His pockets aren't deep enough to fill mine. Trust me princess, there isn't enough gold in Dalgliesh to make me break my word to Edmund.”

Cara knew real fear as she looked into the man's merciless black eyes.

* * *

It took them four days to reach the city of Knowl.

Exhausted and aching, Cara awoke fully as she caught her first glimpse of the Hellstrom army that camped on the outskirts of Knowl. Dread filled her. There were thousands upon thousands of men. A sea of tents stretched along the city borders.

Ballack's army was supposed to be in the city of Annul. Not this far north.

Cara swallowed past the lump in her throat as she glimpsed the Bere Alstern and Ashwater banners among the crowd.

Dalgliesh wasn't ready for an attack of this magnitude. The troops from Muir weren't expected to arrive for another few weeks, and they still hadn't heard anything from Northlew, Drumlish, or the southern provinces. If Ballack chose to attack Drumna now, the city would easily fall to an army this size.

As they entered the city gates, she lost all hope that Tahdaon would rescue her.

Edmund was waiting for her as Wesley dragged her into the great hall.

Edmund clicked his tongue as he walked towards her. Feign sympathy on his face, he ordered the men to remove the gag and ropes that bound her hands together.

“Now, now. Is that anyway to treat my future wife?”

Cara snarled at him. “How dare you. I will never marry you. I would rather rot in hell than be your wife.”

Edmund lips curled in a scowl, as he took two long strides towards her and fisted a hand in her hair, yanking hard so that she cried out.

“We can have that arranged if you refuse to cooperate.”

Cara spit in his face. “You think I fear you?”

Edmunds eyes grew fierce, but he didn't retaliate. He merely wiped the spittle off his cheek with the back of his hand. “Don't underestimate me, princess. You have no idea what I'm capable of.”

“You're nothing but a coward who hides behind his daddy's sword. The people of Elbia will never accept you as their king. You have no right to the crown.”

“On the contrary my dear, I think you're failing to see the larger picture.”

Terrified, Cara whipped her head around at the sound of the woman's shrill voice. “Birkita.”

Birkita gave her a cruel and taunting smile as she came into the room.

Cara's stomach grew tight with dread and understanding. “You're behind this? The rebellion and the attack on the palace. This was all your doing, wasn't it?”

“You didn't think Ballack could do all this alone did you?”

Cara stared at her in horror. “What could you possibly stand to gain that is worth the lives of your daughter and husband?”

“Oh my dear, are you really that naive? There is only one thing in this world worth having. Power. Without it you are nothing but a pawn to be used and discarded.” Birkita took a step towards her and grabbed Cara's jaw in a claw-like grip. “Unfortunately for you, any power you think you have is forfeit.”

Cara pulled free of Birkita's grasp and raised her hand to strike her, but Edmund caught her wrist before she was able to let her fist go.

Birkita laughed as Cara tried unsuccessfully to fight off Edmund.

Birkita turned to the three mercenaries that had travelled with Wesley. “See the steward for your payment.”

The men nodded and took their leave.

“You promised me that you would hand Landon over if I brought her to you,” Wesley spoke for the first time.

He had gone ashen, his face gleaming with sweat, as he nervously clenched and unclenched his hands.

Edmund smirked at Wesley. Pushing Cara into the arms of one of his guards, he walked towards Wesley. Cara saw Wesley flinch in fear as Edmund approached.

“You did well,” Edmund said, snapping his fingers for the guards to issue Landon into the room. “Your reward.”

Landon rushed to Wesley, wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.

“It's unfortunate,” Edmund said smirking, as he circled the reunited pair. “That your uncle decided to deploy his army against my father.”

Wesley tensed at Edmund's words. He turned slowly, positioning himself in front of Landon. “What my uncle has done has nothing to do with me.”

“You'll have to forgive me if I disagree.” Edmund gave Wesley a malicious smile that promised retribution.

“You gave your word that if I brought Cara to you, Landon would go free.”

“And I intend to keep my promise. Landon is free to leave.”

Edmund's drew his dagger and pointed it at Wesley as he continued to circle him. Wesley reached for his own sword, but he had been forced to remove his scabbard and sword before entering the castle.

“Edmund, please,” Wesley begged.

The smile that spread across Edmund's face was sickening.

“Edmund,” Cara pleaded, her voice raw with emotion. “He's done what you asked. Let him go.”

He turned to her, his eyes dark and crazed with the prospect of spilling blood. “It doesn't work that way, princess. Betrayal equals death. He must be made an example of. He deceived you. Do you think your Dalglieshan lover would be anymore merciful on him?”

Cara knew the answer. Tahdaon would have Wesley's head for what he had done.

Edmund was still watching her when Landon charged at him from behind. With the skill and grace of a trained swordsman, Edmund turned on the unarmed man. Edmund sliced upwards, burying the hilt of his dagger into Landon's chest.