Duality (42 page)

Loren stared at her. Dara saw dark circles under his eyes, white lines around his mouth. “Well, you look like a beaten carpet. What
have
you done to yourself?”

Cianan backed out of the room, chuckling.

“Dara?” Loren blinked.

“Last I looked.”

He touched her shoulder, her hair, as if he couldn’t believe she stood afore him. “Am I dreaming?”

She rolled her eyes. “Nay, if you were, I’d be naked.”

He grinned. “True.” Then his face sobered. “You came back.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

She looked him in the eye. “We have unfinished business, you and I. I would see it settled, one way or another. I’m not one to slink off in the middle of the night. I may be many things, but coward be not one of them.”

“Nay? I am glad to hear it.” He moved away toward the dais. “They want me to be king. Now. Father is…unwell. He stays in his rooms, has no care for anything anymore.” He turned to face her, his green eyes full of unspeakable pain. “He is leaving us.”

Dara followed him to cup his face in her hands. “You never wanted this, but there is no one else, and you will be the king stories and legends remember through history. Cedric has judged his own time. If the Goddess calls him to Ayala, let them be together. I know what it is to lose a father.” Dara took a deep breath. “Fanny died afore him and not a day went by Rufus didn’t miss her. At least now they’re together.”

Loren slid his arms around her waist. “As they should be. Father and Mother taught me above all things, enjoy the time you have together with those you love.”

“I’m mortal. I’ll grow old and weak, and I’ll die on you someday.”

“And I could fall in battle next week. There are no guarantees in this life. However long we have, it shall be enough. I would rather spend a single lifetime being loved and happy than another millennia without you. I spent fifty years wandering with Hani`ena, but never came alive until I met you. I have never asked for anything for myself, but I do now.” Loren took her hands in his and got on his knees. “The Lady brought us together, bound us together, but only you can choose to stay. Dara Kahn Androcles, you are my heart and soul. For me there is no other. Stay here with me and be my wife in truth?”

Tears stung her eyes and she bit her lip. “If the ministry rejects me—”

“There is no ministry. Forget kings and crowns. This is about you and me.”

She quivered at his fierce tone. “If you will have me, then I choose to stay,” she whispered. “I love you. Aye, I will be your wife.”

He rose to his feet and pulled her close for a long, tender kiss that made the tears spill down her cheeks. He wiped them away and smiled. “I want to go tell Father first,” he said. “Come with me.”

Dara didn’t know if she could face Cedric, but she nodded.

They left the hall and made their way to Cedric’s suites. The king’s valet Faerris answered the door. “Your Highness.” He gaped. “My lady.”

“We need to speak with my father, Faerris. I know he is unwell, that we do not have much time, but he needs to hear us.”

“Of course, Highness.” Faerris opened the door wide to admit them. His face showed hope creeping through despair.

Cedric sat at the window, staring out at naught. To Dara’s sense-sight, he appeared dimmed, faded. But he turned to smile at them both when they entered. “I be glad thou art back. Hath I a daughter now, youngling?”

“You do.” Dara knelt at his feet and took his cool hands in hers. She sent some of her warmth into him.

His eyes widened. “What dost thou think thou art doing?”

“I’d have you stay and see your grandchildren grow up,” she retorted.

He sighed, looking at Loren. “Grandchildren?”

Loren smiled. “As many as the Lady sees fit to provide.”

Dara blushed.

“Then I leave thee both in good hands.” Cedric smiled, but his eyes were hollow. “What of thy vow, Lady’s champion?”

“That is up to the Lady,” Loren said. “Come with me to the chapel so we can ask.”

Cedric, Dara discovered, had a private chapel with a shrine to the Lady in his suites, with stained glass windows facing east. An exquisite marble statue of the Lady towered over the altar. Loren lit some incense and they dropped to their knees.

“Lady, You chose me as Your champion, and I would honor my vow to You. But my people would crown me king and I cannot do both. The choice is Yours. If You would keep me, I shall renounce my claim to the throne.”

Cedric flinched.

“But if You would have me be king after my father, I ask You to release me from my vow and choose another champion.”

The statue glowed; uncanny eyes stared down at him. “King or champion, thou dare ask Me choose?”

Loren swallowed hard. “Aye, Lady. Gladly would I wield Justice in Your name, to protect the innocent and cleave the darkness in all Your lands. But I am also heir to Your kingdom here, and my father…” he faltered, “…is failing. I am to be named king.”

The Lady turned the full force of Her gaze on Dara. “Thou stay with him?”

“I’ll follow him to whatever end,” Dara whispered.

“Even unto death?”

“And beyond. As it should be.” Dara faced the Lady. “I’ve faced death. It isn’t so terrible a thing.”

“Lady—” Cedric spoke.

“Thou hast something to say to Me, king of the elves?”

“I tire of this world. I wouldst travel to the next to be with my wife and my sons. But I wouldst ask a boon from Thee. Thy Light be leaving me, and soon I shalt be gone. I ask Thou give it to my daughter Dara, that she and Loren may choose their own time and not be parted afore they be ready.”

Dara gulped. “Cedric, nay.”

“I give up my ties to this world,” Cedric stated. “I welcome thee to my family, and shalt smile on thee from beyond.”

“Wouldst thou stay with him for all time, daughter of queens?” the Lady asked.

“I’ll love Loren ’til my last breath,” she stated.

“Then Cedric ta Pari ta Lir, I grant thy request.” The statue’s arms moved, and smooth hands descended on Cedric’s and Dara’s heads. “Light to Light, father to daughter.”

Light, heat and power blazed into Dara, threatened to spill over. The voices roared in her head. She could barely breathe. It went on for an eternity. And then it was done. Dara opened her eyes and stared at Cedric. Her eyes filled with tears.

A wrinkled, white-haired old man, bent and stooped, smiled back at her. “But love him, youngling.”

“Always,” she whispered.

“Call thy candidates to the temple, King Loren ta Cedric,” the Lady ordered. “I would choose My next champion.” She looked at Cedric. “I grant thee the wedding and coronation, son of Pari ta Lir. Ayala awaits thee. Thou hast done well.” And She was gone.

Loren and Dara rose, and helped Cedric totter to his feet. Dara stared at her glowing hands wrapped around Cedric’s frail, age-spotted ones. “Sire, I…”

“I was wrong about thee. Thou shalt make a beautiful bride, and a worthy queen,” he croaked. “Now go knock some sense into that ministry.”

Loren’s jaw tightened. “Aye. Father…”

“Go,” Cedric ordered. “Help me to my chair first. Faerris.”

“Aye, Sire?” The valet appeared in the doorway. His face went white. “Oh, Sire, what have you done?”

“Bow to thy new king and queen, Faerris,” Cedric ordered.

Faerris helped him back to his chair by the window first, then turned and bowed to Loren and Dara. “Your Majesties.”

Loren clasped his arm. “Not yet, Faerris, but soon.”

Pari and Lorelei appeared in the doorway. The crown of Cymry was faster than any messenger. Lorelei stared at her husk of a son, and a mother’s tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, Cedric, what hast thou done?”

“This was my choice,” Cedric stated. “My last gift to my new daughter.”

Lorelei turned to Dara. “Be certain thou art worthy of such a sacrifice.” Weeping, she fled the room.

Pari’s jaw tightened. “Listen not with thy ears, youngling. Listen with thy heart and thou shalt do well.” He turned to Loren. “The ministry be gathered. We face them together.”

He led the way down into the ministry chambers. All eyes widened at Dara’s glowing appearance. Raun’s face paled. “What is this?”

“Cedric has decided to leave this world,” Pari choked. “This was his gift to Dara and Loren.”

“The Lady released my vow,” Loren said. “As heir, I am free to rule after my father. Dara has agreed to stay and be my wife.”

Lord Elio’s face softened, and he inclined his head to Dara.

Surprised, touched, she smiled back.

“She was born mortal,” Danaii protested.

“No longer,” Loren retorted.

“She was bastard-born,” Gioeli protested. “A peasant.”

Dara flinched. The torque burned.

“She is the daughter of the draconian queen Sheena and the human king Hengist,” Pari said. “Royalty on both sides. And thou shalt retract thy insult or leave this chamber for the last time, Minister.”

Gioeli paled at the ice in Pari’s tone. “Forgive. I forgot my place.”

Pari nodded, glaring.

“She is not an elf,” Danaii said. “Thou said it thyself, Pari. She is a halfling.”

“She is a
princess
,” Pari replied.

“Immortal,” Loren added.

“Fire mage.” Anika cackled.

They had apparently forgotten that—everyone stepped back.

“Asss if that could help the foolsss essscape.”

“Be still
,
”
Dara ordered.

“Warrior,” Lord Elio put in.

“Healer,” Benilo added.

“She
shall
be my wife,” Loren stated. “If you would have me as king, then that makes her your queen. Accept her as such, or I step down here and now and you can find someone else. I shall not have one without the other.” He tore the crown from his head and tossed it on the table, squaring his shoulders. “We walk away right now, forever.”

“How can queen of elves not be elf?” Danaii demanded. “Inconceivable.”

“Is there some ancient law that prevents this?” Loren snarled. “If so, show me. If it is tradition, then the time has come for a change in the order of things.”

“She brings more to the throne than any queen afore her, elf or nay,” Lord Elio stated. “I vote aye.” He bowed to Dara. “Your Highness.”

Aletha and Everett had been silent until now. “Aye,” they chorused. “The Lady’s Hand be in all this,” Aletha added.

“What of her dowry?” Gioeli asked.

“I have the Isle of Mysts and everything on it as my own,” Dara said.

“And it
stays
your own,” Loren stated.

“I vote aye.” Anika winked at Dara and Loren. “Lightning bolts be harder to dodge than rain clouds, pup. Best be on thy best behavior.”

Pari laughed at the expression on his grandson’s face.

“I vote aye,” Benilo declared.

“It must be unanimous.” Pari glared at the three undeclared ministers. “Tanet, thou hast not said a word. What be thy decision?”

“I hath seen thy courage, and thou art not afraid to work or to stand for what is right,” the Minister of Builders said. “Being queen is
not
a figurehead position. Wouldst thou work as hard for a kingdom not thine own?”

“Loren and his family
are
my family,” Dara replied. “This
is
my kingdom.”

He nodded. “Then I vote aye.”

Danaii turned to Dara. “Wouldst thou raise thy children with our values and beliefs?”

“I follow the Lady,” Dara said. “They’ll attend your schools, but I’ll teach them to follow their own conscience and hearts. Those goals aren’t so dissimilar, madam.”

“Then I vote aye,” Danaii said.

“Raun?” Pari turned to his son’s best friend.

Raun had tears in his eyes as he stared at Dara. “He shalt not be coming back, shalt he?”

“Nay,” Pari stated. “Cedric hast made his choice. Thy future stands afore thee. What dost thou say?”

“Aye,” Raun whispered.

Just that quickly, it was done. Dara swayed. So much had happened so fast, she could barely take it in.

“Breathe
,
”
the voices advised.

Loren looked at the crown with distaste. “Guess I am stuck with this thing after all.” He plunked the heir’s crown back on his head.

“Show some respect,” Raun snapped.

“I have the utmost respect for the
office
, but crowns do not make kings. This is just a thing.” Loren turned to face Aletha and Everett. “We need to prepare for a traditional champion-choosing.”

Everett nodded. “We interview the candidates, and there is a three-day fast and cleansing ceremony afore they enter the temple. The Lady chooses Her own champion.”

Dara looked at Loren and smiled.

***