Mystic's Touch (19 page)

“A letter has arrived for you,” Mdjai said without getting
up from Ceros’ lounge chair. To the casual observer, it would appear Mdjai was
close to falling asleep.

Ceros knew better. He looked over his shoulder. A young
servant boy was standing in the doorway, nervously switching his weight from
one foot to the other. Clearly the boy didn’t want to be there. Ceros motioned
him forward.

“I was told to give this to the prince and only the prince.”
The boy’s eyes flicked from one face to the next then back to Ceros. “Is that
you, sir?”

“Yes. I am he.”

The boy put a folded note in Ceros’ outstretched hand.

“Thank you.” Ceros broke the seal and read the scribbled
words inside. He nodded once to Gehiji to let him know it was from the
kidnapper then asked the boy, “Who gave you this note?”

“One of the girls from the market.”

“Were you given any other instructions?” Ceros asked.

“No, my prince.” The boy paused then added, “But I was told
I was being watched and if I didn’t deliver the note right away, they would
find out where I lived.”

“Were you paid anything for your troubles?”

“A copper pence, my prince.”

Ceros reached into his desk and pulled out a money pouch. He
handed the boy several coins. “Thank you. I’m sorry your day was disturbed.”

The boy looked at the silver pieces in his hand. His eyes
widened and a grin blossomed. “Oh, wow.” He bowed as he backed toward the door.
“Thank you, my prince.”

As soon as the boy disappeared through the outer door, Ceros
said to his waiting friends, “I’m to present myself on the west bank of the
oasis before moonrise. Needless to say, I am to go alone. If I do not comply,
they will deliver Danet’s body in the morning.”

“The oasis is east of the city?” Mdjai asked Ceros.

“Yes.” He held on to his calm while the boy was here, but he
was sorely tempted to give in to his anger now that he didn’t have an audience.
At least an audience that was unfamiliar with his moods.

“I will gather what we’ll need,” Gehiji said. “I don’t
suppose I need to remind you that you need to calm yourself before you unintentionally
shift.”

“No, you don’t,” Ceros growled.

Ceros? What’s happened?
Danet asked through their
connection.
You’re very angry. Why?

The note from the kidnappers came.

What did they want?

They want me to meet them at the oasis before moonrise.

Ceros held a hand up to Gehiji when he started to say
something. He pointed to his head to let him know he was talking to Danet.
Gehiji nodded his understanding.

You aren’t going, are you?
Danetasked.

Of course I’m going
, he scoffed.

You can’t!

Why can’t I?

Because you’re the prince! And we don’t know whom or what
you’ll be facing. It’s too risky.

Why do I feel as if I have just been insulted?
Did
the woman have no faith in him?
It’s improbable that I’ll be facing an
entire army by myself. Not that I haven’t done that before.

I… You have?

It will be fine,
he assured her.
I’ll go and see
what these people want, hopefully find out who is involved or behind it, we’ll
rescue you and return to the palace and all will be well. Nothing to it.

Nothing to it?
she asked incredulously.
Somehow I
doubt it will be as easy as walking in, asking a few questions, making a few
promises and leaving.

No. Probably not. But we’ll improvise.
He forced
himself to project confidence and more calm than he really felt.

Improvise?

Yes. Now, like I said earlier, you need to keep your eyes
and ears open. Any information you can send me about your location and those
with you will be helpful.

Please don’t do this. I’m sure whoever is behind this
will realize when you don’t show that you couldn’t put the throne at risk over
a servant.

Ceros growled.
You are not a servant.

I was.
She sighed.
Even now, I’m really just a
highly educated servant. My status simply allows me the luxury of choosing whom
I serve.

When we get back to the palace, we are having a serious
discussion about how you see yourself.

Ceros, I can’t stand the thought of you deliberately
putting yourself in harm’s way because of me.

Danet,
he said mimicking her,
I can’t stand the
thought of you being harmed in any way because of your association with me. I
will see that you are freed.

Fine! Send one of your oversized friends to handle it.
Why does it have to be you?

He growled again.
Because I need to do this.

But—

Enough. We will also discuss your habit of arguing with
me when we return.

She fell silent. Part of him wanted to continue arguing just
to know she was well and unharmed but she was never going to convince him to
stay in the palace while she was captive.

It might have hurt her feelings that he cut her off but they
didn’t have much time and he needed to concentrate. He would make it up to her
later.

Once she was safe in the palace.

And they were alone.

With a jar of honey.

What are you planning to do with the honey?
she
asked.

I didn’t mean to transmit that.
He rubbed his hand
across his face.
You need to go lie down and not listen to anything else I
might slip up and say.

Uh huh. As if—

S
he stopped.
Wait. Someone is coming.

I’m here
, he reminded her.

To Gehiji and Mdjai, he said, “Someone is coming into her
room.”

Gehiji nodded that he’d heard.

Ceros’ mind pictured all sorts of scenarios. He tried to
keep them to himself and not transmit them to her. He also struggled to keep
his rising anxiety for her to himself.

Not being able to see and hear what Danet did strained his
patience.

I know him,
she finally said
. He’s one of the
servants at the palace.

Who is he?

I don’t remember his name. Seems like it’s Jabari or
Jafari or something like that. Medium height, slender build and brown hair. He
is obviously not a lower-caste servant. He carries himself as if he holds some
rank.

Do you remember where he usually works or what he does? I
could ask Mother.

He has something to do with arriving dignitaries.
There
was a pause.
They’re taking me to the washing room. I’ll be allowed a moment
of privacy before we leave.

Did they say where they are taking you?
he asked.

No.

Ceros paced near his desk, waiting for her to say something
else. A few minutes later she said,
The window in the washing room has been
covered by something on the outside. I cannot see out. The only other window is
the one in the roof overhead.

That’s okay. It’s almost immaterial at this point. We’ll
have to leave soon to make the meeting.

I don’t see anything I could use as a weapon. My hands
are free but I don’t want to do anything to the poor young girl who was made to
stand watch over me while I took advantage of the facilities.

Don’t do anything foolish, Danet. I swear to you, we will
be coming for you.

I know you will, but I don’t want you getting hurt trying
to rescue me. It’s you they’re after, not me.

Danet…
he warned.

I’m willing to bet they haven’t tangled with an angry
mystic before.

Danet, don’t.

He felt a swell of power through their connection, then it
was abruptly cut off.

Danet?

“Danet!”

“What’s wrong?” Gehiji rushed to Ceros’ side.

“I don’t know.” Ceros struggled to grasp their connection
again but couldn’t find the thread. “She was there. I was trying to talk her
out of not doing something foolish. The last thing she said was they hadn’t
tangled with an angry mystic before.” He shook his head to clear it. “It was
weird. I felt a surge of energy then nothing. Like it was just cut off.”

Gehiji pressed his lips into a grim line.

“Something happened,” Ceros insisted. “We have to get to her
now.”

Gehiji put his hand on his shoulder. “Slow down. You must go
to the oasis. You must meet whoever is behind this.” He looked him in the eye.
“But you can’t go like this.”

“Like what?” Ceros growled.

“Half furry with fangs and claws,” Mdjai said, stepping up
to Ceros’ other side.

Ceros looked down at his own hands. His claws were growing
longer. Hair was sprouting on his arms.

“You’d terrify your own people if you walked through the
palace halls like this,” Gehiji pointed out.

The outer door to his suites opened and closed, making them
all freeze and look in that direction.

“Quick. Pull yourself together,” Mdjai whispered.

“We’ll stall whoever it is,” Gehiji reassured him as they
both walked to the doorway connecting the rooms.

Ceros scurried to the side of his study that was cast in
shadow and watched his closest friends delay whoever showed up. He took several
deep breaths and focused on being calm and focused. When he heard his mother’s
voice he knew he couldn’t delay forever. He checked his hands to make sure they
had returned to normal then stepped out to greet the queen.

“Mother. What brings you this way?”

She presented her cheek for him to kiss. He dutifully
obliged.

“I heard a messenger had come.” She gracefully slid over to
the lounge and sank into the cushions. She raised a single eyebrow, indicating
she was waiting for information and didn’t intend to leave until she had it.

Ceros exchanged looks with Gehiji and Mdjai. Mdjai shook his
head and walked out of the room. Gehiji dropped into a nearby chair.

Ceros sighed and ran a hand over his face.

“I don’t suppose I can tell you later, could I?” Ceros
asked.

“Why not tell me now?” she said with a wave of her hand.

“Because I only have a minute before I have to meet an
unknown person to collect something that was taken from me.”

“You were robbed?” She sat up suddenly, concern wreathing
her face.

“Mother, can I please talk to you about this later? I really
need to go.”

She waved them away. “Certainly. Go, do whatever you need to
do.” As soon as she stood, she paused, a frown on her face. “What was taken?”

“Something far more precious than I realized.”

Danet came to, lying in a patch of grass. She tried to roll
over but, like earlier, her hands were tied behind her back. And once again,
her head was pounding.

Only this time, the pounding wasn’t from any herbs. It was
from the lump she was sure was on the back of her head where she had been
struck.

It was dark. The second sun had set. She knew she was near
the oasis because she could smell the water and the jamale flowers that only
bloomed there.

Everything around her was quiet. Even the natural sounds of
bugs and rustling grass were hushed as if all the creatures were holding their
breaths, waiting for something.

Ceros.

She wiggled and rolled until she was able to sit up.

The movement sent a wave of dizziness through her pounding
skull. She paused and took a few deep breaths.

Even though she knew she wouldn’t be able to see much in the
dark, she looked around her. Thanks to the moon’s reflection, she knew the
water was behind her. The thickness of the brush indicated it wasn’t very far.
She could make out a few trees to her left. To the right, she didn’t see much
at all.

Ceros?
She called out through their connection.

A growl came from somewhere to her left.

Danet’s breath caught in her throat. What kind of animal
would be way out here after dark?

She gulped. Most likely not one that she wanted to come
face-to-face with.

Well, at least the noise didn’t come from a snake. A shiver
ran down her spine.

Not wanting to be caught lying down by anyone or anything,
she struggled to her feet.
Are my odds better if I go to the left or right?

The sound of rustling grass drew her attention. Keeping an
eye on that area, she backed away slowly.

Her retreat was blocked by a solid object behind her knees.
Breath on her calf made her turn slowly and look down.

Even in the pale moonlight, she could see the golden fur of
her beast standing behind her.

“Ceros?” she whispered.

The beast rubbed his nose against her leg.

“If that’s you, Ceros, I hope you didn’t come out here
alone.”

His odd yowling sound made Danet think he was telling her,
“Of course not.”

“I don’t suppose you can untie knots while you’re in that
form, can you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice low.

The beast circled around and sniffed her bound hands. His
growl made her hair stand on end.

“I’m going to take that as a no,” she murmured.

A rustling behind her caught her attention. Ceros wrapped
one arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He whispered in her ear,
“I can’t tell you how conflicted I am about finding you tied up. Part of me
wants to hunt down the men who dared take you from me. Another part is tempted
to back you up against that tree right there and lay claim to you in the most
primitive way I know how. Yet another wants to haul you off to a cave in the
middle of the desert and hold you until we both forget about this.”

Danet shivered at the images his words created in her mind.

Ceros circled around to face her. “If those men had done more
than tie you up—and believe me, I would know, I can smell them on you—I would
not be standing here. The beast wants blood and I’m barely in control right
now. I need for you to tell me that you are all right.”

“Kiss me and let me prove to you how all right I am.”

Thankfully she didn’t have to ask twice.

He pulled her roughly against him and ravaged her lips.
Danet sensed how much he struggled to keep the beast in check. Her knees
threatened to buckle beneath the assault of intense emotions from him. Despite
her instinct to respond in kind, she gentled her kiss and allowed her love for
him to trickle through their connection. She hoped it would soothe both him and
the beast.

Finally his grip eased and he returned her kisses in a
gentler manner.

When he eased away from her lips, he dropped his forehead
against hers and took a ragged breath.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“For understanding.”

She smiled tenderly. “Anytime.”

Somewhere in the haze his kisses created in her mind, it
occurred to her that Ceros had just shifted from the beast into a man, and yet
he wore a linen wrap. She didn’t remember the beast having anything wrapped
about its belly. Before she could ask about it, there was a rustling of leaves.

“What a touching scene,” a familiar voice said from the
nearby cluster of trees.

Ceros stiffened and pushed Danet behind him.

“Who is it?” Danet tried to look around Ceros.

“Aleric,” Ceros said flatly.

“You’re the one who has been trying to kill Ceros?” she
asked incredulously as she peered around Ceros.

“Of course. The throne could have just as easily been my
father’s and therefore, mine.”

Danet struggled to figure out what he was talking about.

Ceros kept himself between her and Aleric. “Our fathers were
twins, but yours wasn’t the oldest, Aleric.”

“They were separated by mere minutes,” Aleric sneered.

“And according to the high council, that was all that was
needed to determine who would rule after Grandfather.”

Aleric waved a hand as if to dismiss what Ceros had said.
“The high council,” he practically spat the words. “A bigger bunch of
ineffective old men I have yet to see.” He walked to a sandy patch where the
desert bled into the greenery of the oasis.

Danet tensed when two large, well-armed men stepped from the
shadows and spread out on either side of Aleric.

Ceros continued as if the men posed no threat. “While I
won’t argue with your assessment, you realize you are considered a part of that
group, don’t you?”

“What better way to know what was going on in Licosia and
the palace?” Aleric asked.

“It’s important to stay informed.” Ceros seemed to agree,
but his tone belied his words.

“Especially about who holds any kind of power,” Aleric
pointed out.

Ceros shrugged. “The best way to know who to side with and
who to eliminate if the tables are ever turned.”

Aleric bowed his head in acknowledgement.

“Like Father,” Ceros said quietly.

“His time was past. Licosia is ready for change.”

“And you know this how?” Ceros asked.

“I make myself available to the people. They come to me and
I listen.”

With a lift of his chin, Ceros gestured to one of Aleric’s
guards. “People like the ones who helped you take Danet?”

“Them too.”

“Were these the same people who helped you find an
Aspenadder plant?”

Aleric put his hands behind his back. “Figured that out, did
you?” He looked at Danet. “With a little help no doubt.” He shrugged. “I
wondered how you recovered so fast. I guess if you know what toxin was used, an
antidote is easy to find.”

“Easy, he says,” Danet scoffed.

“No matter,” Aleric sneered. “From what my friends have told
me, even if you made it back to the palace, your lifesaver would soon be forced
from the city.”

Danet’s eyes widened. Oh Gods, she hadn’t thought of the
long-term consequences when she tried to escape. How many people saw her use
her gifts?

“And why would she need to flee?” Ceros asked.

“Her kind are forbidden in Licosia,” Aleric said with
contempt.

“What kind is that, exactly?” To most people, Ceros’ tone
would have been enough warning. Aleric, however, did not heed it.

“Is it possible you don’t know?” The glee in Aleric’s voice
set Danet’s teeth on edge.

“Do you mean her kind as in, she’s a woman? Or her kind as
in, she’s an educated and intelligent woman?” Ceros stepped to the side and
looked at her as if inspecting her for some flaw. “Perhaps you mean to classify
her by her brown hair and laughing green eyes?”

“No, you fool, she is a mystic. How can you not see that?”
Aleric demanded.

Ceros made a dismissive sound and shrugged one shoulder.
“Oh, that.”

“So you did know!” Aleric stepped closer. “Yet you did
nothing. What kind of leader would you be if you so easily dismiss a royal
decree?”

Danet felt the blood drain from her face. This was what she
dreaded. She knew eventually Ceros would be forced to act on his knowledge of
her heritage. She had hoped it would be later rather than now.

“What kind of man would I be if I condemned someone for
something beyond his or her control, like lineage, particularly after having
done so much for the royal family and the people of Licosia? And more recently,
for me, personally?”

Aleric lifted his chin. “It doesn’t matter. You have defied
a decree. The high council will hear of this.”

“Will you be telling them of it before or after you have
answer for the murder of their king? Or perhaps more recently, for the attempts
on my life?” Ceros asked.

“You can’t prove anything.”

“You just confessed!” Danet blurted.

“To whom? To the two of you? Neither of you will make it
back to the palace to tell anyone.”

“They heard you,” Danet nodded to one of Aleric’s men.

“They are loyal to whomever pays them. And since they only
speak broken Liconian, it is unlikely they will report anything they might or
might not have heard while here.”

Danet’s heart sank.

“Mercs,” Ceros said. “I thought they looked familiar.” He
said something to the man closest to him in another language. The guard looked
surprised Ceros was speaking to him.

“What are you saying to him?” Aleric sounded panicked.

As Ceros continued to speak to him the guard’s expression
changed. A frown creased his brow and he exchanged glances with his
counterpart. The guard responded then looked again to the other guard.

“Stop that. What do you think you’re doing?” Aleric said,
putting himself between the guard and Ceros.

The second guard seemed to think about whatever Ceros had
said then nodded.

Almost as one, the two guards sheathed their weapons and
turned and walked into the dark.

“Wait a minute! Come back here!” Aleric shouted at the
guards’ backs. “You’ll not be paid a single coin if you walk away from here!”

With a growl he turned to face Ceros and Danet again.

“I don’t know what you said to them, but it doesn’t matter.
I have a handful of men waiting for my command.”

“Call them,” Ceros challenged as he stepped closer to Danet.

“Ahmose! Haji!” Aleric shouted, still as cocky as when he
set foot on the oasis. “Bring your swords!”

Danet tensed and searched the dark for signs of movement.

Ceros remained relaxed by her side. However his hand slid
down her back to where her hands were bound. As they waited, his fingers worked
the knot loose until she felt more blood flow in her hands.

He stilled her movements with a touch of his hand.
Don’t
let him know your hands are free.

“Ahmose! Haji!” Aleric shouted again.

“I don’t think they can hear you,” Ceros pointed out.
“Perhaps you’d like to go and look for them?”

“So you two can run away as soon as my back is turned?”
Aleric sneered.

“No, no. We’ll stay right here,” Ceros assured him.

“Idogbe! Come here!” Aleric demanded.

Still no response.

Two shadows moved in the brush.

“Good thing you shouted,” a familiar voice said. “We might
not have found Ceros if you hadn’t.” Mdjai and Runihura stepped into the
moonlit circle.

Danet slumped in relief.

Aleric’s face fell.

“That’s a pretty good trick you have there,” Runihura said
proudly. “Shifting forms over water makes it hard to follow. You’re keeping me
on my toes.”

“I do what I can,” Ceros said with a grin.

“If you’re looking for your men, they’re tied up next to
their mounts. Don’t expect them to come to your rescue,” Mdjai informed Aleric.
“Including the two we found on the other side of the oasis.”

“And the one on the north side I took out when they first
arrived,” Runihura said.

“Oh, and the dark-headed one with the tiny knife near the
water,” Mdjai added.

Runihura shook his head sadly. “I wouldn’t count him if we
were keeping score.”

“He really didn’t put up a fight, did he?” Mdjai agreed.

Ceros snickered.

Aleric looked as if he was getting angrier by the second.

“What do you want to do with this one?” Runihura indicated
Aleric with a flick of his thumb.

“Tie him up and bring him with the others.” Ceros quickly
added, “But take care. He has a history of poisoning people.”

Runihura scoffed then produced a length of rope and closed
in on Aleric.

Ceros turned to Danet. “Are you all right?” He helped free
her from the loosened bindings.

“Yes. I’m fine.” She smiled up at him as she rubbed her
wrists and hands to help the circulation.

He took her hands in his and took over the rubbing.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about other people seeing me use
my powers when I tried to escape,” Danet said. “I was just thinking of getting
away so you wouldn’t have to come out here.”

A frown creased his brow.

“I know I’ve put you in a delicate position,” she continued.

“No, you haven’t.”

“We both know that is not true.” She indicated Aleric with a
lift of her chin. “He won’t stay quiet about it.”

“He has bigger problems to worry about right now,” Ceros
said.

“Maybe so but he clearly wants you off the throne and would
probably do or say anything to make that happen.”

“We’ll see.” He put one finger over her lips to stop any
further argument. “We will discuss this later. Right now I need to help Mdjai
and Runihura gather up the prisoners so we can return to the palace.”

Danet nodded her agreement. “Very well.” She looked to where
Runihura was standing next to Aleric. “What can I do to help?”