The Sanction (23 page)

“
You would dare interrogate
our king as if he were a lowly dog like yourself boy?”

Graeme stepped forward boldly, his eyes
scanning the thick crowd as more of his men appeared from
inside.

“
There is much to tell you,”
he began gruffly, unaccustomed to the show of emotion in-front of
so many. “But I do not have the time nor the words to make what I
have done go away or change. Everything that you heard, much of it
is accurate. A vampire female was brought to me several moons ago
–“

“
She did not die in the
sunlight!” another voice offered from the edge of the
crowd.

“
No she did not.”

“
They have
evolved!”

“
I told you. Since the
beginning I suspected something was wrong.”

“
We are all going to
die!”

“
He is responsible for the
attacks!”

“
Silence!” Rhys roar had the
desired effect, his eyes wicked flames of orange and gold. “All of
you will shut up and listen to what is said, or so help me I will
sever the head of anyone who disobeys!”

Graeme grunted his approval at their
clamped lips and continued. “I have discovered many secrets. One of
which none of us knew until now. It is possible for them to find
mates with humans.” A thick mumble went through the crowd. “That is
why she cannot be killed by the sunlight. A gift inherited by her
mother, it would seem.”

“
Vampires do not mate with
their food,” someone was brave enough to snicker.

“
And Weres do not mate with
the enemy, yet here I am. Mated.” Another wave of whispers. “I did
not choose her. Fate did.”

“
It is unheard of,” someone
offered uncertainly. “Besides, they stink.”

Gruff chuckles echoed in the silent
night. Graeme nodded. “I assure you it is like any other mating. To
anyone else yes, but not to me.”

“
We have been at war for
years to numerous to count. With you mated to one of their females,
what do we do now?”

Graeme rubbed the sore spot of his
chest at the thought of his family and nodded. “We are still at war
– one that will test our strength, one that I do not want to
shatter us as a people. But I ask you to fight with me as you have
done in the past.”

“
Why should I give my life
for a leader who has done nothing but lie to me from the
start?”

Rhys pressed the blade a little deeper
into the man’s throat, for he spoke with more than anger, but also
heavy disrespect.

“
I did nothing any one of
you would not have done if you were in my position. Those of you
who are mated know full well the mating heat and the bond. You will
kill anyone who tries to take her away from you. And those of you
who are not yet mated and have seen many years on this earth hopes
each day that the Fates deliver her into your arms so you can
finally have something more than war to live for. I will not
apologize for finding my mate, vampire or not. If you cannot accept
her or understand, I cannot force you to stay or even fight. But
hear me well – it makes no difference to the vampires who rally
themselves for war whether you agree with me or not. They come. And
when they get here they will be out for blood. Your children, your
sires, your women will bleed beneath their blades. Only you can
determine whether or not they live or die, whether or not you
fight.”

It was a long time coming before
several men stepped forward. One of them met Graeme’s eyes squarely
and nodded, finding whatever he sought there. “You saved my life
once on the battlefield,” he confessed. “I doubt you even recall,
and I too am mated just last fall. A babe grows in her belly. I
will fight for her, and also to repay my debt to you.”

Graeme clasped his hand and squeezed
hard. One by one they came forward until many who had been
lingering inside also faced him. When Graeme looked up, he realized
there was no one who would turn away except the insolent pup who
could not move under his general’s blade.

“
And you? Do you have no one
to fight for?” he asked softly.

“
I will not fight for a
vampire!”

“
That vampire is your queen
whelp,” Rhys snarled, kicking him squarely. His bottom hit the
ground in a harsh reminder of his place. “And you have just proven
that she had more fight in her than you do.”

“
Rhys,” Graeme warned. He
was ignored fully when his general faced the men, eyes
iridescent.

“
I was there at the birthing
of the babe,” he choked out, voice made thick with emotion. “I was
there when she fought, when she was taken, when they tossed the wee
pup over the bridge as if it did not deserve a chance at life. I
was there when we marched into vampire territory to get her back,
and what we bargained and found…”

“
Rhys-“

“
They whipped her like an
animal for choosing us.” Gasps and shocked curses filled the air.
“And I say us because that is what she did when she killed one of
her own, when she chose to stay with Graeme even when she knew it
would cost her life. Well I chose her. And if any of you miscreants
have the pleasure of meeting her, you will no doubt say the
same.”

The boy got to his feet slowly and
dusted his leggings before snorting. “I will fight,” he grumbled.
“But for the man next to me.”

Graeme nodded, his chest full of
satisfaction. “We are few, and will not be able to defeat them with
so little. Send scouts to the other hordes – those to the west,
those to the east. Tell them my story. Let their respective kings
and chiefs decide what must be done. Let them know if they will not
fight, they will be hunted by our enemy.”

The men nodded and scattered to do what
needed to be done. Graeme gripped Rhys’ shoulder and squeezed
before clapping him on the shoulder. “That went better than I
thought. She will be quite upset that you have made her shame
public.”

He shook his head, now under control.
“They needed to know that she bled for them – for you. Tis no shame
in marks of war.”

Graeme smiled. “Come. There is much to
plan and little time to do so.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Two Weeks Later

The vampires came like shadows in the
night, wraiths that crossed the valley like soulless ghosts. No
sound was made as they swiftly climbed the castle walls and flooded
the courtyard. Dogs barked and snarled at the intruders. Like ants
they invaded the castle, armed, deadly. Only when less than a
hundred were left in the valley did Graeme give the signal for the
archers to release their arrows. Arrows directed toward the
stronghold that many called home. Like meteors falling from the sky
they lit the heavens and crashed into the barrels of oil they
strategically placed along the castle walls. The first explosion
was heard, followed by the definite shouts of panic and horror from
within. Again the second attack of arrows was launched from the
dense cover of trees to the front. Hundreds of arrows, merciless,
deadly. Screams of agony echoed in the night, but Graeme said
nothing as he watched his home burn to the ground. Rhys gave the
signal for yet another release of arrows, flood after flood until
those who were not killed in the attack and managed to escape the
flames retreated onto the field in shock at the numbers lost in so
little time.

“
Those who have escaped the
flames, let them live.”

Rhys frowned at his words, eyes glowing
in the night. “We can run them through. The survivors are only a
few.”

“
Then we cannot start the
rumors of the mercy of the Weres now, can we?”

“
They would not show us
mercy.”

“
That is so. And let them
know it. Let them go back and tell the Covens I have no desire to
continue this fight as it is clear who the victor is, that I take
no pleasure in bloodshed, especially since I honor my mate with
sparing their lives.”

Rhys nodded and summoned a score of his
men to follow his lead. Graeme watched as the fire destroyed the
stronghold. The wind took the black smoke further north. Out of the
several hordes he sent his emissaries to, only one chose to fight
beside him, bringing with him three hundred strong. It was this
chief who suggested he destroy the castle, for it was done in the
days of old when strongholds were smaller and the need to eradicate
a much larger foe proved fatal and sure. It was madness he argued.
It would defeat the purpose of a defense. Then he looked at the
faces around him, of the men who knew his tale and still chose to
fight at his side, and knew they would never be safe here. Having a
mate this close to vampire territory would be like adding salt to a
wound that would never heal. He was advised to settle elsewhere,
somewhere far, somewhere his people and his family would be
safe.

“
My land and my people
welcome you to stay with us until you have found a place worthy to
settle.”

Graeme glanced at the Were beside him
on horseback and nodded. Bjorn was a descendent of the northern
tribes, large and blonde with a long beard that held many war
braids, and markings that covered one side of his face. In taking a
princess to the north as his mate, he understood the challenges
Graeme faced, and sympathized with him.

“
I thank you, but this is
our home. We will rebuild, and we will be stronger because of
it.”

Bjorn nodded, his eyes bright with
understanding. “Then I leave half of my men to assist with the task
ahead. When I return I will send supplies to aid as well. But in
return I request to one day meet this vampire mate of
yours.”

Graeme smiled and offered his arm.
“Agreed.”

Bjorn shook it firmly and signaled for
only half his men to follow in his wake. As they rode off, he
considered the respect he saw on the faces of the men standing
around him. Not a single Were life was lost and none was wounded.
He counted this a victory indeed.

“
Go to the coast and spend
time with your families. We begin rebuilding in a
fortnight.”

“
And you?” someone
asked.

He turned to the south and felt a small
smile pull at his lips. “I am going to bring my mate
home.”

“
You must not ride alone.
Although you have spared many lives, not all vampires would accept
your attempt at mercy.”

He nodded. “Indeed. Rhys and his men
will accompany me on the journey. In the meantime I charge you with
protecting the boarders and keeping our people safe.”

They nodded their understanding and
disappeared in the thick forest. Only two stayed at his back for
protection, a fact he did not chastise them for, even when Rhys
returned hours later and the fire to the castle continued to do a
slow burn.

“
Do we douse the flames?” he
inquired, unsnapping the clasp that held his furs
secured.

“
Nay. Let it cleanse the
keep. It will die on its own.” He turned his mount around and led
them higher into the hills where a temporary shelter was built. The
morning sun doused the mountains with warmth. “Appoint to me a few
men. I am going to retrieve Amarinda.”

Rhys scowled and shook his head before
Graeme could continue. “Nay. You are needed here to supervise what
must be done. I will retrieve her.”

Graeme cut him an amused glance. “The
last time I begged such a favor it was not well
received.”

“
I could not accept her as
your mate then.”

“
And now?”

“
It goes without
saying.”

Graeme grinned boyishly. “Then you
leave as soon as you are fed and rested. I know she will be well
cared for.”

*****

Graeme shifted in his seat, unsettled
once more. Almost a sennight ago Rhys was charged with returning
with his mate, and it was only last night word arrived. They stayed
at an inn not two miles from the stronghold, resting. He wanted to
go to her himself, to touch and hold her, to see his son. Instead
he decided that no matter how urgent the need to be close to her,
she would come to his home and be given a welcome suited to any
mate of the king. From the moment he announced to his men that she
was close, word spread like wildfire. The women and children busied
themselves with decorating the halls and preparing a feast unlike
anything he had ever seen. His men hastened to rebuild the last of
the walls that needed securing. His halls were a riot – there was
singing and dancing and much to drink. Bjorn’s men who had stayed
to ensure the stronghold was completed were invited to join in the
celebration, an opportunity neither of them declined. Several
warriors and chambermaids were sent ahead, with chests of gifts and
jewels and perfumes to prepare her for her entrance. Now, as the
evening faded to dusk, there was still no sign of the entourage. He
stood and paced, and finally snatched his sword from where it sat
against his chair and, in his festive colors, slammed open the
doors to bellow for his horse.

And stopped in his tracks.

The road leading to the front doors of
the stronghold was lit with dozens of torches even though the sun
had yet to set. The people lined the streets of the village bearing
gifts of flowers and fruits. On the outside, the ladies ordered to
assist their new queen offered excited smiles and whispers as they
entered ahead of the carriage. The horses were stopped, and as the
sun dipped beneath the mountains, Rhys stepped forward to open the
door. Vilirus was the first to dismount, and to his credit, when
the women and children gasped and the murmurs began, he did nothing
but offer them a disconcerted glance and offer his hand into the
darkness within.