Authors: Dena Garson
Ryana wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll add a few more
portions to the meal then.” She glanced at Danet. “That will please your
father. He’s been worried about you.”
“I didn’t mean to upset him.”
“I know you didn’t, child.” Ryana reached across the counter
and patted Danet’s hand. “But you can’t stop a parent from caring, no matter
how old his baby gets.”
Ryana added a few things to the pot simmering over the fire
then returned to the garden. Danet passed a couple of slices to Mdjai then sat
next to him to enjoy her portion.
“You know, I believe this is the best I’ve ever had,” Mdjai
said as he chewed thoughtfully.
Danet smiled. “I told you.” She chuckled. “Ryana always
makes it when I’ve been sick or studying hard or when Father or I have had a
particularly difficult patient. It’s my comfort food.”
“Needing some comfort today, are you?”
“A bit.”
“I imagine it’s been a difficult week for you, getting
thrown into the middle of a royal power struggle. Not to mention being
responsible for the royal prince’s health.”
“It’s definitely been one of the more engaging weeks of my
life,” she mumbled.
“Cheer up. At least no one is throwing knives or firebombs
at you yet.”
Danet choked on a sip of cider. Mdjai pounded on her back to
help her clear it. She waved a hand to let him know she was okay before he
broke a rib.
“Do you really think it’ll come to that?” she rasped out.
“Probably not.” He actually sounded disappointed.
The sound of the front door slamming had both of them
turning around.
“Danet?” Sebak called out from the front entryway.
“In the kitchen, Father,” she yelled back.
Mdjai relaxed his stance and put the wicked-looking knife he
had drawn back into its sheath.
Sebak hurried in then stopped when he spotted Mdjai. “Are
you all right?” he asked Danet.
“Yes, I am well.” Danet crossed the room and gave him a hug.
“Ryana’s message said it was urgent I come home.” He looked
at Mdjai again. “What’s going on?”
“Father, this is Mdjai,” Danet gestured to the oversized
warrior. “He’s one of Prince Ceros’ closest friends. They trained together. The
prince has asked him to keep an eye on me while he meets with the high council.”
“So he recovered enough to meet with them, then?” Sebak
asked.
“From what I understand, he made a rather remarkable
recovery.” Mdjai shot a very pointed look at Danet.
She blushed in response. “Yes. He was doing very well when
he left with the others. The meeting should be going on as we speak.”
“The others?” Sebak asked.
“Gehiji sent word to some of us who trained with Ceros that
he needed assistance.” Mdjai shrugged. “So we came.”
Sebak approached Mdjai with a look in his eye that told
Danet his researcher’s mind was whirling with questions. He extended his hand
to Mdjai. “I didn’t mean to be rude when I came in. Allow me to properly
introduce myself. I am Sebak. You are very welcome in my home. And I thank you
for your protection of my daughter and our prince.”
Mdjai shook Sebak’s hand. “You are welcome. I am honored to
be of assistance,” he said equally as formally.
Sebak pulled another stool over to where they had been
sitting. “Please, sit.” He waved to their stools. “Finish your refreshments and
tell me what has been happening.”
Danet relayed what she and Gehiji had done to smuggle Ceros
out of the palace. She tried to generalize what she had done to heal Ceros but
Sebak wouldn’t let it drop. His curious nature needed to know what she had
done.
“Do you think it was the serum that I mixed for him that
finally worked?” Sebak asked excitedly.
“It was working until someone slipped in two more thorns,”
she informed him.
“
Two
more? Gods, if he had been exposed to that
amount of poison, it should have killed him.”
“I’m sure that’s what they were hoping for,” Mdjai mumbled.
“I found one thorn fairly quickly, but the other took
longer.” Danet inhaled a deep breath. “I didn’t find it until after I realized
your serum wasn’t working.”
“Does he have any lingering side effects?” Sebak’s brow drew
into a frown.
“Not that I could tell, other than he acted a little tired.”
Mdjai said, looking to Danet for confirmation.
She nodded her agreement.
Sebak studied her, making Danet uncomfortable with his
silence. Finally he asked quietly, “You performed a healing on him, didn’t
you?”
“A what?” Mdjai asked.
“Yes,” she said. There was no point denying it. She would do
it again in a heartbeat to save him.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Sebak asked.
“What what means?” Mdjai tried to interject again.
“I do.” She raised her chin. “And I’m willing to live with
the consequences.”
“What consequences?” Mdjai asked a little louder.
Sebak cocked his head to one side. “Does he know what it
means?”
“No.” She stood. “Once this is over, I’ll tell him. If he
asks. Otherwise, as I said, I’m willing to live with the consequences. At least
he is well.”
Before she embarrassed herself by bursting into tears, Danet
slipped out the back patio doors. She was sure Mdjai would demand her father
explain what they were talking about and she didn’t want to see his expression
as he did.
For the tenth time in less than an hour, Ceros caught
himself looking at the doorway. The council had been far more accepting of him
than he expected once they realized he was indeed healed. Of course, he had
been forced to submit to an exam by Darius.
Naturally, Darius had taken full credit for the quick
recovery, but Ceros had seen the wonder in his eyes. As he left the room,
Darius was still muttering to himself about how he couldn’t believe it.
The council voted to proceed with the crowning ceremony as
originally planned. No interim ruler would be needed. The crowning would take
place with the rising of the new moon.
Ceros turned to Gehiji so he faced away from the pressing
crowd. In a lower voice he said, “I’m ready to get out of here.”
“Runihura could set a fire in the far corner. That would
clear the room quickly,” Gehiji suggested.
“I wouldn’t even need to search for small pieces of wood,” Runihura
said matter-of-factly.
Ceros had to fight the lift of his lips. “And damage my
home? Perish the thought.”
“Then you’re stuck smiling and playing the role of prince
for a bunch of people you don’t know,” Gehiji pointed out.
Ceros grumbled to himself and forced away thoughts of what
Danet might be doing at that moment. And whether or not she was fully clothed
while she did it. Whatever
it
might be.
When the last of the council members filed out the door, his
mother swept in. She very nearly knocked him over as she captured him in an
enveloping hug.
“Oh my son, I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am to
see you.” She squeezed him once more then pulled back. “And looking as well as
you do.”
“Thank you.” Ceros squeezed her hand. “I’m happy to see you
too.”
The queen wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye. “The
last time I saw you I was not sure you would be standing here. Ever again.”
“I’ve been told I was very fortunate.” He chuckled. “Of
course it was also hinted that the only reason I healed was because I was just
too stubborn to die.”
His mother sniffed. “Whatever it takes to keep you with us.”
She looked around. “Speaking of which. Where’s Danet?”
“Mdjai was taking her to her father’s.”
“Ah.” She nodded. “I’m sure the poor girl needs some rest.
She’s been taking care of you since you arrived.”
“I understand I have you to thank for securing her care.”
“No need to thank me. I knew you needed the best so I made
sure you received it.” She harrumphed. “That pompous ass, Darius, may be taking
credit for your recovery, but I know it was really because of Danet.”
“There is no need for everyone to know that, however,” he
said with a meaningful look.
“No, you’re probably right. If word gets out that she healed
you so well, every one of the gentry will be signing up to get Danet as their
personal physician. We’ll never be able to get her back to the palace.”
“I’ll get her back to the palace, Mother, don’t you worry.”
“Oh? And how do you plan to do that? Offer her a position as
the palace physician?” She shook her head. “You know Darius will cause problems
if you do.”
“The position I have in mind won’t conflict with Darius.”
The queen frowned. “Then what are you thinking of doing with
her?”
Ceros’ smile bordered on wicked. “I plan to take her as my
mate and make her my queen.”
His mother’s usual composure slipped and her mouth fell
open.
A voice from behind asked, “You’re to be bound?”
Ceros whipped around and found Aleric stepping between the
curtains draped over the doorway in the wall behind them. Aleric looked as
stunned as the queen. “Aleric, I didn’t hear you approach.”
“I, uh…” Aleric cleared his throat as he glanced warily at
the frowns on the three warriors’ faces. “I circled back so I could tell you
how glad I was about your remarkable recovery. But now it sounds as if
congratulations are in order as well,” he said smoothly.
“I assume I don’t have to tell you that information is not
widely known.” Ceros nodded to the queen. “I was just breaking the news to
Mother so I would appreciate you not saying anything to anyone else.”
“I understand.” Aleric tipped his head in a partial bow.
“Since I am obviously interrupting I will leave you to your conversation.” He
bowed again to the queen. “My queen.”
Ceros turned to his mother. She had regained her calm and
asked, “Am I to take it that the time you spent with Danet brought this,” she
waved her hand in Ceros’ direction, “news about?”
“Partially.” He wasn’t going to go into detail about his
reasons.
She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Son, I like
Danet. More importantly, I respect her. However, I don’t want you to feel as if
you are expected to bond with her just because you’ve spent a lot of time alone
with her. Despite her unmated state, her position and reputation will prevent
others from thinking ill of her.”
“That is not why I want to bond with Danet, Mother.” When
she started to speak, he held up his hand. “Not now. Not here. I just wanted
you to know first.”
“Answer one thing for me now. What did her father say?”
Ceros took a deep breath. “Nothing. I haven’t spoken with
him about it.”
The queen’s brows drew together.
“She doesn’t know it yet either,” he mumbled.
Her mouth fell open again but she quickly recovered and
snapped it shut. She studied his face and seemed to come to some decision. “I
expect you know what you’re about so I won’t tell you what a muddle you’re
about to make of this if you don’t have a conversation with your intended very
soon.”
She leaned forward and lifted herself up on her toes so she
could press a quick kiss to his cheek. “You can tell me about it later as I
suspect you want to be off so you can gather up your mate-to-be.” She patted
him on the chest. “Bring her to me once you two have come to an agreement.”
Ceros smiled down at his mother. “I will.”
He watched as she regally swept out of the room, her
handmaidens falling in place behind her. Once the doors closed again, Ceros
turned to Gehiji.
“Before we go get Danet and Mdjai, I need to meet with the
chancellor on a couple of issues that need to be addressed right away. I’d also
like to talk to Hesina about having a few things moved into my rooms for Danet.
And we need to make sure rooms have been prepared for you and Mdjai.” Ceros
pointed to Runihura.
“I thought I saw Hesina listening to the proceedings from the
back of the room. I’d bet my favorite eligari she’s already taken care of a
room for Runihura,” Gehiji said.
“Probably, but she won’t know about Mdjai and I don’t want
to worry about it later.” Ceros grinned. “I suspect I’m going to have my hands
full placating Danet.”
Runihura snorted.
“There’s no point asking if you meant what you said about
being bound to her.” Gehiji made it a statement rather than a question.
“No point at all. She is my one true mate. I have no doubt
of it.”
Gehiji smiled and offered his hand to Ceros. “Then I wish
you both all the joy in the world, my friend.”
They clasped wrists. “Thank you. Now I just have to convince
Danet.”
“I thought every woman dreamed of bonding with a prince?”
Runihura clasped wrists with Ceros.
“I suspect I found one of the few who aren’t enamored with
the idea,” Ceros mumbled.
Runihura chuckled and slapped Ceros on the shoulder with his
free hand. “Then enjoy the chase. And don’t let her forget what you went
through to capture her either.”
“Thank you.” Ceros grimaced. “I think.”
“Come,” Runihura said. “I’m anxious to see how many circles
that little lady makes you run in.”
Gehiji chuckled as the three men left the hall.
After the doors closed a shadowy figure moved along the edge
of the wall not far from where Ceros and his men had been standing. The shadow
blended further into the darkness then the sound of a door latch echoed through
the room.
Danet’s aimless wandering led to her mother’s fountain in
the center of the gardens. It was one place that always settled her troubled
mind.
She slipped off her sandals and sat on the edge. For a
moment she watched the play of colors from the setting suns in the clear pool
and let the sounds and scents wash over her. There was something magical about
the space her mother had created so long ago. It was soothing in a way that
defied explanation.
Trying not to disturb the tiny garah that lived in the
basin, she eased her feet into the cool water. The garahs’ bright-blue bodies
twisted and swam away, only to float back where they started.
She tried to gauge the time of day based on the position of
the suns. One had already dipped below the horizon but the other was still
casting shadows on everything it touched.
It had been some time since Ceros and the others left. She
wondered how the council was taking his recovery. Surely the meeting wouldn’t
last very long. Those old men could be stubborn, but there was nothing to argue
about. Either Ceros was fit to rule or he wasn’t. And given the fact that he was
in full control of his mind and body, they shouldn’t be able to say he wasn’t
capable.
It was tempting to touch his mind and find out what was
happening, but she still felt it was rude to do so without permission. Even if
she managed to make the connection while they were so far apart, there was the
possibility of interrupting him during a critical point in the meeting. She
certainly didn’t want to distract him.
A few times this afternoon she thought she had felt him
brushing up against her mind but dismissed it as wishful thinking. He would be
far too busy to do that.
As she watched the garah swim around her toes, a shadow fell
across her lap. Assuming it was Mdjai or her father, she didn’t bother to look
up. “I know I shouldn’t have run away but I needed to clear my head.”
When she received no response, she turned to see who was
there. Before she had even a glimpse, she was grabbed from behind.
Danet struggled against whoever was holding her and tried to
free her hands. She opened her mouth to scream when she recognized the smell of
a familiar drug pressed against her nose. The last thought she had as she was
pulled into darkness was that Ceros was still in danger.
* * * * *
Across town, in the palace, Ceros was jolted into awareness.
It sounded as if Danet had called his name but it was faint
and rather weak.
He closed his eyes and focused on her. Her face, her smell,
the feel of her in his arms. He even tried to remember what it felt like when
they spoke in each other’s minds.
“What’s wrong?” Runihura asked.
Ceros held up one finger, silently asking for a moment, as
he tried to call out to Danet.
Nothing. He tried again. Still no response. Not even the
fluttery sensations he had felt earlier when he’d tried to connect to her.
Gehiji approached. “What’s going on?”
Ceros shook his head. “I’m not sure. I just suddenly had the
feeling that Danet was calling me. It was as if she was scared or alarmed by
something.”
“Are you sure you weren’t imagining things?” Gehiji asked.
“No. I’m not sure.” Ceros ran his fingers through his hair
in frustration. “This connection with her is too new. And I’m not sure that it
works when we’re this far apart.” He paced away. “But it felt real. For a few
seconds I felt scared and I have no reason to be. There is no immediate threat
to me.”
“Do you want me to go to her father’s house and find out for
sure?” Runihura offered.
Ceros looked around the room at the stack of documents on
his desk and at the progress the staff had made in his room.
“No.” He reached for his sash and quickly tied it around his
waist then buckled his sword and belt over it. “Let’s all go.”
The other two grabbed their own weapons and followed. As the
three marched through the hallways to the exit, Ceros’ father’s chancellor ran
to catch up with them. Actually, the man was now
his
chancellor.
“My prince? A word, if you please?”
“Not now,” Ceros called over his shoulder without breaking
stride.
“But my prince, it will only take—”
Ceros stopped and faced the aging politician. “I will ring
for you when I am ready.” His expression brooked no argument.
The man swallowed nervously and clutched the stack of
documents he was holding against his chest. “Ye-yes, my prince.”
Ceros resumed his march to the door.
The expression on his face was fierce enough no one else
dared impede their progress. When they reached the stables, they didn’t bother
the stable hands. It was faster to saddle their mounts themselves. More than
one mouth fell open to see the prince readying his own eligari.
Ceros called one of the young stableboys to his side and
asked where he could find Mistress Danet’s home. Thankfully the boy knew.
To avoid any alarm, Ceros forced himself to slow down after
passing through the palace gates. The crowded city streets tried his patience.
It felt like an eternity before they reached Danet’s home.
They dismounted. Runihura took all three sets of reins while
Ceros hurried to the entrance. He banged on the heavy wooden barrier and fought
the urge to burst through.
Mdjai opened the door. “Ceros.” He looked past Ceros to where
Gehiji and Runihura stood. “What’s wrong?”
“Where’s Danet?” Ceros asked as he pushed his way inside.
“Out back in the garden. Why?”
“I need to see her.” Ceros scanned the various doors and
entryways, looking for something that might be an obvious way to the gardens.
A tall, gray-headed man wearing dark-brown robes came from
one of the rooms to the right.
“Is there a problem?” When the man’s eyes lighted on Ceros,
he dipped his head in a bow. “Prince Ceros. I’m glad to see you’ve recovered so
well.”
“Thank you.” Ceros hesitated. “You look familiar.”
“This is Sebak, Danet’s father,” Mdjai said by way of
introduction.
“Ah, yes.” Ceros crossed the room to shake Sebak’s hand. “I
remember you from when I was a boy. I hurt my arm and you splinted it.” Ceros cocked
his head to one side. “Don’t take offense, sir, but Danet doesn’t look anything
like you.”
Sebak released Ceros’ hand. He smiled sadly as he removed
his eyeglasses. “No offense at all for I know she doesn’t. She is very nearly a
mirror image of her mother.” He rubbed the lenses with the edge of his sleeve.
“It’s startling sometimes.”
“Yes. I could see where it might be,” Ceros mumbled. He
shook the thought off. “I don’t mean to be abrupt, but can you show me where to
find Danet?”
“Certainly.” Sebak gestured for Ceros to follow.
“Gehiji, why don’t you go with them? I’ll help Runihura with
the mounts,” Mdjai suggested.
Gehiji nodded and followed Ceros and Sebak.
Sebak led the way through a well-tended garden. The sound of
water reached his ears before he noticed the magnificent fountain. If this was
one of Danet’s favorite places, he could see why.
Unfortunately he didn’t see Danet.
“That’s strange. I would have sworn this was where she was
headed.” A frown creased Sebak’s brow as he glanced up and down the adjoining
paths.
“Where else might she be?” Ceros tried to remain calm even
though tension gripped him.
“She might have gone up to her room while Mdjai and I were
in my study, but I think we would have seen or heard her.”
Gehiji stepped closer to the fountain. To the untrained eye,
it looked as if he were simply admiring it but Ceros recognized he was studying
the area. “Ceros,” Gehiji said quietly.
Ceros moved in next to Gehiji to see what had caught
Gehiji’s eye. Inside the pond was a skid mark in the moss covering one of the
larger stones near the edge.
It looked as if someone had either slipped on the rock or
had suddenly been pulled away from the pond. Given the amount of sediment still
stirred up in the bottom of the pool, it happened recently. Some of the plants
growing next to the wall of the fountain had been pulled and dropped on the
rock below.
Gehiji and Ceros exchanged looks of concern.
Sebak leaned over the pond. He looked at Gehiji then Ceros.
“Something has happened to her, hasn’t it?”
“It’s hard to say for sure,” Ceros said.
“But you think so, don’t you?” Sebak said quietly.
Ceros took a deep breath. “As much as I don’t want to
believe it, my guess is yes.”
“Where’s the closest exit?” Gehiji asked.
“There’s a gate in the wall, just there.” Sebak pointed to a
dark spot in the wall. “It’s never used and should be locked.”
“I’ll check.” Gehiji sprinted to the wall.
Ceros closed his eyes and tried to reach Danet through their
connection.
Danet? If you can hear me, say something. It’s very important
.
He paused and listened. It was hard to yell without a voice, but he put
everything he had into the bellow.
Danet!
“Were you able to connect with her?” Sebak asked.
Ceros’ eyes popped open. “What did you ask?”
“Danet. Were you able to reach her?” Sebak asked again.
“She told you about our connection?”
He nodded. “But don’t worry. She didn’t repeat anything said
between you. She only mentioned the connection was there.”
“And you believed her?”
“Of course.” Sebak sat on the nearby bench. “Her mother and I
shared a soul-bond and could communicate in a similar fashion.”
“What kind of bond?”
“A soul-bond.” He gestured that Ceros should sit with him.
“It’s a type of bonding that goes deeper than a set of vows said before
witnesses. Once a mystic finds and bonds with his or her mate, there can be no
other.” He smiled sadly. “The bond transcends even death.”
“How does a mystic recognize her mate?” Ceros asked, even
though he felt he already knew the answer.
Sebak lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “There are many
signs. A feeling that you knew each other before you met. A sense of ease or
comfort whenever you’re together. But the most obvious is the couple’s ability
to share thoughts.”
Ceros hung his head. “I’m really going to have to talk to
her about keeping information from me.”
Sebak chuckled. “She always was one to do whatever she felt
was right or best for everyone. Even at her own expense.”
“Well, I suppose this soul-bonding makes things easier for
me.”
His brows rose in surprise. “How so?”
“I was already trying to figure out how to get her to accept
my offer to be my mate. Doesn’t this mean she can’t refuse me?”
Sebak shook his head. “Afraid not.”
“Why not?” Ceros’ voice rose.
“Danet was raised knowing that even as rare as a soul-bond
mate was, she still had a choice. She could choose someone else and maybe even
live a satisfied life. It would never be as fulfilling as a life with her
soul-bond mate but she could still find happiness.”
At the thought of Danet with someone else his beast roared.
Ceros struggled to not transform but from the expression on Sebak’s face, he
must not have succeeded at completely hiding his alternate form.
Instead of running in terror, however, Sebak simply tilted
his head to one side and watched. “Interesting,” he said in a thoughtful
manner.
“My apologies,” Ceros murmured as he gripped the edge of the
bench.
“I didn’t realize, my prince, that you had been gifted by
the Gods.”
Ceros chuckled. “I’m not certain I would call it a gift, but
yes.” He sighed. “Very few people know, but as we are soon to be family, you
might as well. I am an omegamorph.”
“I see.” Sebak continued to study Ceros. “Does Danet know?”
He was a bit taken aback by Sebak’s calm acceptance of the
news. “Yes. She has met the beast in dreams.”
“But not in reality?”
Ceros shook his head. “No.”
“And the beast has accepted her?”
He looked Sebak in the eye. “Before I knew who she was.”
Sebak nodded. “This is good.”
“It is?”
“Legends say that, like a mystic, every omegamorph has a
destined mate. One they will recognize instinctively. The mate will have the
ability to soothe the beast in ways the vessel would have never been able to on
his own.”
“I see,” Ceros said. He sensed this about Danet. With her
gone, his beast was stirring close to the surface. It was taking considerable
effort to remain in control.
“I’ve also read that omegamorphs and mystics were able to
share energy. It was quite common for an omegamorph to seek out and include a
mystic in his inner circle. If you’ll forgive my forwardness, if you and Danet
are soul-bond mates, you would be in a very unique and fortuitous position.
Neither of you would have to worry about illness or injury. Only of creating a
bit of pain or discomfort for the other.”
“What do you mean?”
“In healing like the one that Danet did with you, it is an
exchange. She passed her healing energy to you and took some of the illness, or
in your case, poison, into herself.”
“She did what?” Ceros jumped to his feet.
“Did you not sense her weakness?” Sebak asked calmly.
“Yes, but she acted as if it were normal. I assumed it was
because of the effort she made, making the deeper connection with me. She said
she had not been taught the ways of mystics. Did she know what would happen?”
Sebak nodded. “She hasn’t been taught but her mother and
grandmother and even her great-grandmother left journals. She has studied
almost every word written in those books. I feel certain she would have known
the risk of completing the healing.”
Ceros muttered to himself about hardheaded women.
Sebak smirked as he rose to his feet. “Perhaps we should
return to the house.”