Touch of Power (24 page)

Which meant he’d never been inside one, or else he would have bragged about living through the experience. “What I meant was, can you pick out the Death Lilys among the Peace Lilys?”

“Yes. The Death Lilys smell…different.”

“How different?” Lilys emitted a strong scent of honey and lemon.

“Why do you want to know?” Sepp asked.

“Didn’t you ever think others could smell it, too?”

“No. I’d assumed it was due to my magic. Plus I have to be almost on top of it. Too close for another to risk.”

“Does it smell like death?”

“Morbid curiosity?” Sepp asked.

Not sure how much I should reveal, I hedged. “Before the plague, the Healer’s Guild had been trying to figure out why a healer couldn’t heal a person poisoned by the Death Lily’s toxin. As you can imagine, experimenting with the live plant is impossible.” Although they had managed to get the seeds.

“I remember. They asked me to assist. When I found out what they needed me for, I refused on the grounds that the Death Lilys are a natural part of our world. They cull the idiots who don’t have the sense to avoid them.”

As if it were that easy. I clamped down on a sarcastic retort. Sepp was one cold bastard. I had called Kerrick that, but even he wouldn’t agree with Sepp’s sentiment.

“In my opinion, the Healer’s Guild were delving into areas they shouldn’t,” Sepp said. “Performing experiments and calling it research, they kept pestering me to help.”

Made sense. His powers would have been a great benefit to the healers. Yet, he’d refused. While Tohon had worked with the healers when he had time.

Sepp continued despite my silence. “They were mucking about with things they should have left alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Guild had really started the plague by doing one of their experiments. And by the time they realized what they’d done, it was too late.”

His speculation touched on one of my worries. The map of the early plague victims appeared to prove his suspicions. Yet, I needed more evidence. Either that, or I was in denial.

When we reached another set of fields, instead of bypassing them, Sepp led us along their edge. No doubt he wanted to prove his claims about the Death Lilys. We passed a number of the huge flowers. None reacted, but their perfume filled the air. I wondered if a Death Lily would recognize me or attack me. The flowers were all linked through their roots. Perhaps I’d be safe.

Sepp stopped at the corner of the field. “Smell that?”

I inhaled. Honey and lemon dominated. Ignoring those scents, I focused on a slight spice in the mix. “Anise?”

“That’s what it is! I knew it was familiar, but couldn’t put a name to it.”

I scanned the area, counting four Lilys nearby. “But which one smells like anise?”

He turned this way and that, sniffing the air. Sepp pointed to a Lily to our left. “That is a Death Lily.” Striding up to the plant, he stood underneath the flower.

The cone-shaped bud quivered and moved away from Sepp.

“See? It’s afraid of me.”

Or didn’t like his scent. I moved closer, but he held his hands out. “Stop there or you’ll be dinner.”

A low rustle sounded. I halted.

“Let’s go before it tries to get you.” Sepp headed west.

I tripped when I stepped to follow. The Death Lily’s vines had curled around both my boots, which explained the rustling. Unable to break the Lily’s hold on my legs, I pulled my stiletto as it reeled me in. Sepp kept walking. I considered yelling for him, but didn’t. When I reached the base of the flower, the petals parted and covered me.

A thorn jabbed into my neck. I grunted. Last time the Lily had been gentle. This felt like impatience. As my mind and body separated, I relaxed. Instead of flowing along its roots and seeing beyond its petals, Tohon’s image loomed. Unpleasant feelings of fear, revulsion and loathing rolled through me followed by the urge to stop Tohon. To pull his roots from the earth. To fix the wrong.

When the Death Lily released me onto the ground, I held two small liquid-filled sacks. Orange in color, the outer hide didn’t break when I squeezed it. I had no idea what they were, or what they were for, but I knew it was important. Storing them in my knapsack, I mulled over the encounter as I searched for Sepp.

I caught up to him a short time later.

His gaze flickered to me. “What was the holdup?”

“My strap…I had to adjust it.”

“Next time let me know. Kerrick would be mad if something happened to you before we reached Tohon’s.”

I noted his use of the word
before
. “If I were you, I’d be more worried about Belen.”

“Belen doesn’t have any magic.”

“True, but he’s very protective and will tear your arms off if he thinks you’re responsible for hurting me.” I smiled at the vision.

Sepp pished. “One touch and he’d be frozen.”

As if Belen would let Sepp touch him. “If it makes you feel better, keep thinking that.” I wasn’t the only one in denial.

Even though we camped in the thickest section of the forest that night, we didn’t risk a fire. After eating a cold meal of jerky, we discussed Sepp’s hiding place. He needed to be close to Tohon’s castle so I could reach him, but not too close or else he would risk being caught.

“Speaking of being apprehended,” Sepp said, “you’ll have to be captured. You can’t just walk up to the front door. Tohon will suspect you had help getting through all his defenses.”

He was right. I had been thinking the same thing, but it irked me to no end that he had such a low opinion of my intelligence.

Two mornings later, we crested a small hill. A fair-size town filled the valley below us.

“I don’t relish camping out in woods filled with unfriendlies or hiding in some cave. That town is close to the castle. I’m thinking it would be a perfect place to blend in.”

“It would depend on the residents,” I said.

“What are you talking about?”

“In Estrid’s occupied Realms, the citizens who hadn’t embraced her religious beliefs and donned the red robes were scared of her. A stranger in town would attract attention and he would be reported to her priests.”

“This isn’t an occupied Realm. It’s a Sogran city. They celebrated when Tohon was named king after his father died.”

“If you’re sure—”

“Of course I’m sure.
I’ve
gotten you this far, haven’t I?”

I fisted my hands, but kept them pressed against my thighs as I wrestled the desire to punch him.

“You shouldn’t be seen in town,” Sepp said. “In fact, head away from this area before you surrender.”

We parted company at dawn. Sepp seemed relieved, and almost gave me a cheerful goodbye. He had made his opinion clear. He believed I wouldn’t succeed. Even though he detailed where I could find him in town, I suspected he would bolt if he heard any rumors about me.

As instructed, I headed in the opposite direction. After a few hours, I realized this was the first time I had been truly alone in more than four months. I stopped as a notion occurred to me. I could disappear. Go back into hiding. Except the dead and the bounty hunters would be after me. Plus I couldn’t let Belen and the others down or go back to those dark days of being in hiding. I pushed on.

I listened for one of Tohon’s living patrols. Around midday, I heard the unmistakable tread of a squad. Heading toward an intercept point, I hid a few of my throwing knives in unusual places.

Should I appear furtive or confident as I strode among the soldiers? Tohon was expecting me. No need for me to hide. Although he would wonder why I didn’t approach one of his border patrols sooner. I’d claim my pride wished to get as far as possible. From what I’d learned about him, he’d understand that.

The hardest part was altering my gait as I walked through the woods. After spending the entire winter blending in with the forest’s song, I had to concentrate in order to make enough noise that would alert the soldiers.

Finally, I produced enough sound. They halted to listen, then hunkered down to ambush me. A small part of me was amused by their obvious actions, but fear dominated the rest. Once they brought me to Tohon, there would be no return.

I clutched Belen’s and Flea’s stones in my pockets, thinking about my keepers. All that I would face and endure, I would do for them. I needed to stop dwelling on the what-ifs, and focus on what I could do and would do, which was everything possible to heal Ryne.

When the ambush “surprised” me, I gathered my nerve as I stared at fourteen armed soldiers. Then the sergeant shouted standard questions at me: Who are you? Where are you going? Who sent you?

Easy enough to answer. “I’m Avry of Kazan. I’m planning to go to the castle. Tohon of Sogra invited me.”

Despite the name dropping, the soldiers confiscated my knapsack, the weapons they found and secured my wrists behind my back. They marched me to the castle. On the way through a shallow valley, I spotted the Sogra castle on the opposite ridge.

It was a beautiful white structure with a black roof, six turrets and surrounded by a thick black stone wall. Behind it were a number of other smaller buildings. As we neared, I noticed a few other details of the main building. Black gargoyles hung over the edges of the roofs. Instead of one big building, the castle looked as if the different kings and queens who’d lived there had added additions to the original castle.

The squad dragged me in through the front gates and into a spacious courtyard. There, they made a big deal over my capture. Tohon and a number of bodyguards arrived. I was presented to the king with a great deal of fanfare. One cold look from Tohon stopped the celebration in a heartbeat. He ordered my release and my things returned.

I rubbed my raw wrists and wondered what game he played now.

“She is our guest. You are to treat her as such, until
I
say otherwise,” Tohon said. He approached me with a swagger in his step. “My dear, so nice to see you again.”

Before I could reply, he swept me into his arms and kissed me hard. His touch zipped right through me, igniting every single nerve ending. My body responded. Desire flared. I leaned against him and kissed him back.

So much for my plan.

Chapter 21

I was in big trouble. The logical side of my brain staged a coup, wrestling control from my emotional side. With much effort, I broke away from Tohon’s delicious kiss. But he held me tight.

“Let go.” My voice cracked since Emotional Avry was ready to rip her and Tohon’s clothes off right here in the courtyard in front of the soldiers.

Amusement sparked in his gorgeous blue eyes. “How was your first
real
kiss, my dear?”

Unbelievable. I desired a second, third, fourth.... Logical Avry said, “Let go, now.”

“No. I’m king—I give the orders, not take them.”

“You’re not
my
king. If you want my cooperation, you’ll release me.”

“It’ll only take a few more kisses, my dear, and you’ll be more than happy to do what I say.”

“Won’t work.” And who was I trying to convince?

“It has with others.” Tohon’s playful tone held a warning note.

“Not with everyone,” Logical Avry guessed. Emotional Avry was still reeling from the kiss.

Tohon’s arms around my back stiffened. I’d hit a nerve.

“You don’t want to manipulate me,” I said. “Trust me on that. You need a healer. Do you want her scatterbrained and swooning over your every kiss? Or do you want me clearheaded and able to do my job?”

His grip relaxed a bit. “You do swoon so well. And it’s so exciting to know
my
Avry is untouched by man.”

“Because of you,” I said. “Three years on the run from bounty hunters doesn’t give a girl much time to have a love life.”

“And Nasty Kerrick keeps such a tight lid on his emotions.” He tsked. “My apologies about the bounty. I will lift it, my dear.”

“Good. Now let go.”

“Clearheaded and cooperative?”

“Let go and we can discuss conditions and terms.”

Tohon wilted. “Spoken like a legal adviser. All right, my dear. We’ll try it your way first.”

He released me. Emotional Avry fought to return to his arms, but Logical Avry kept a tight grip until the other settled.

“Come inside. We’ll talk terms.” Tohon held his hand out.

I ignored it. “There has to be witnesses before I agree to anything.”

“Why bother? They’re all loyal to me.”

“Humor me.”

“You’ve no idea how agreeable I’m being, my dear.”

Which worried me more than if he refused my request. He and four of his bodyguards strode toward the main entrance of the castle. I noted that only living guards were inside the complex as I followed him. The two-story-high stone doors parted for us without a squeak. I marveled at the skill needed to carve the intricate floral designs into the black obsidian.

Tohon noticed my stare. “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“My father had them commissioned from the craftsmen in Bavly. A decent battering ram will smash them into pieces, but my father preferred beauty over strength.” He glanced at me. “He didn’t realize he could have both.” Tohon swept a hand out, indicating the large receiving room. Arched columns supported the ceiling. Gold-framed paintings hung on the walls. Vases and other sculptures sat on pedestals.

“This place is filled with my father’s treasures. He spent an inordinate amount of time buying and collecting them. Inanimate objects that remain where he placed them years ago, collecting dust. Still here even though he is gone. Useless except they remind me that my father cared more for treasure than me.”

Surprised by his honesty, I glanced at him.

“A harsh thing to say,” he acknowledged. “And a harsh reality to admit, but once I admitted it to myself, it was quite liberating.”

“Why tell me?”

“I’m sure Kerrick has brainwashed you into thinking I’m a monster. I’m not. Not only do I seek your cooperation, but your loyalty, as well.”

In my mind, dead army equaled monster. Nothing would convince me otherwise. But I was smart enough to keep my opinion to myself.

Tohon led me into another room. Rich red curtains hung over stained-glass windows. Thick carpets covered the floor. And a huge throne sat on a dais.

“Come see this.” Tohon jumped up on the dais. “My father designed it. Look at the gemstones along the arms and headrest.”

The throne could easily fit Belen and the monkeys. I moved closer, inspecting the jewels. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires had been used in the decoration. The seat of the throne was covered with diamonds. I reached out to touch them, but stopped.

“Go ahead,” Tohon said. “They’re smooth. My father sat on them every day. Visiting dignitaries had no idea King Zavier’s ass rested on a fortune in diamonds. Probably made him feel powerful.”

“Was your father a mage?” I asked.

“No. Both my grandmothers had strong magic, but the gift skipped a generation. When my powers woke at a very young age, I was a constant reminder of his inability to wield magic. And therefore became the perpetual target of his jealousy and hatred.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Tohon shrugged as if the events of the past hadn’t affected him at all. “Made it easier to kill him.”

And just when I thought he might not be pure evil, but closer to
touched
by evil, he proved me wrong.

“I never use this room,” Tohon said. “My father needed
things
to believe he was powerful.” He gestured to the throne. “I’ve no need of worldly possessions. I command life itself and I decide who lives and dies. I’ve more power in my pinky than my father
ever
had.”

Yet he kept the room intact.

“Come see where I spend most of my time,” he said.

I hesitated.

“You have a dirty mind, my dear. It’s not what you think.”

Ducking my head to hide the blush of heat spreading across my cheeks, I followed him from the throne room. Tohon navigated the complex maze of hallways with ease. He cut through ballrooms, sitting rooms and drawing rooms without a glance at the lavish furnishings, crystal chandeliers and priceless artwork.

Then we climbed the stairs. They spiraled around and around until I felt dizzy. Each turn, I glimpsed the surrounding countryside. A thick forest covered in light green fuzz spread across the lands to the south. In a few weeks, the southern landscape would resemble an emerald carpet. I wondered if Kerrick’s eye color would change as it had from autumn to winter. The gray color matched his coldness. Would a vibrant green help soften his face? Perhaps. Would it soften his personality? Probably not.

I pulled my thoughts from Kerrick to my situation. The huge castle would take weeks to search if I didn’t get lost or wasn’t locked in a cell. Both were possibilities.

“Here we are,” Tohon said.

We had finally reached the top of the stairs. Two of his guards took up positions next to the door, while the other two remained a few steps below me. The plain stone door reminded me of the prison back in Jaxton. Unease rippled. Was this where Tohon tortured his prisoners? Or where he animated the dead? Icy goose bumps coated my skin.

He opened the door. I braced for an assault of horrors. Instead, bright light and humid air rushed out. The heady mix of living green, moist earth and fresh flowers filled my nose. Tohon disappeared into the sunshine. I stepped into the… What to call it?

Stunned, I gaped at the greenery. Trees, bushes, flowers, hanging vines, pools of water and birds all contained in a rectangular glass room.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Tohon asked. “This is my forever garden. The only nice thing my father did for me. Of course, I had to convince him of the benefits of having medicinal plants and herbs close by. It’s heated in the winter. And because it’s up here it gets sunlight all day. What do you think?”

“It’s…lovely. You spend most of your time here?”

“As much as I can. Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I would.” I walked around the garden. Containers full of soil held the plants and trees. Others held water. Moisture dripped from the clear glass walls. Even the ceiling had been constructed of glass. The view was unobstructed on three sides and as breathtaking as the garden.

“Did you plant this room?” I asked.

“Yes. Living things do well under my care.” He gave me a wry smile, acknowledging the irony. “As long as I care about them.” Then he sobered. “People, on the other hand, are not worth caring for.”

Sounded like something his father might have said.

“Even your loyal subjects?” I asked, glancing at the bodyguards standing by the single entrance.

“My subjects don’t lack for the basic necessities and are well protected. They are taken care of.”

“Including your magicians?”

“Are you worried, my dear?” Tohon moved to take my hand.

I stepped out of his reach. “Of course. I’d be stupid not to be.”

“You have nothing to fear as long as you don’t cause trouble.”

“And if I do?”

“Do you really want me to spell it out for you? Give you the details? There are cells below—”

“No.” I did another loop around the garden. Kerrick would love this. Touching the leaves, I half expected to feel the tingle of his magic. Nothing. Disappointment panged for a moment.

“Is your forever garden the only thing you care for?” I asked.

“Oh, no. I care for the fate of the Fifteen Realms. We’ve lost so many leaders and the actions of certain survivors have been horrific. I’m sure you’ve encountered some of them. But one single leader will be able to unite those who wish to return to civility and don’t wish to be forced to worship a nonexistent entity. The creator. Pah!” He waved a dismissive hand. “Has this divine being created an army from the dead? No.” He stepped closer. His fiery conviction smoldered in his gaze. “I care for you, my dear. I plan to cherish you.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

“You possess a number of qualities I admire. Intelligence, beauty and your powerful healing magic.” He sidled closer. “One of a kind.”

“Only because
you
killed all the other healers.” And Belen’s sister, and a whole long list of others. Logical Avry needed to remind Emotional Avry of this often.

“I wasn’t referring to your magic, my dear. I meant you’re the only one Kerrick has fallen in love with since Jael. And I tried to take Jael from him. Tried for years. I didn’t tempt her, but that bastard Stanslov did.”

Tohon stood inches from me. How did he manage that? He took my hands in his just like Kerrick had done before I left for this mission.

I knew I should pull away, yet I remained in place. “You’re mistaken about Kerrick. He only cared for Ryne. Once his prince was no longer savable, he had no problem parting ways with me.”

Cold calculation sharpened his gaze. “I’ve heard the rumors about Sepp. Is he truly dead?”

Could I lie to him while he held my hands? I focused on the image of the carnage in the cave. It had burned deep into my memory. Revulsion and horror flowed through me and I met his gaze. “Yes. No one survived the attack.”

His body relaxed a trifle. “Good to know. As for Kerrick letting you go, he would have to admit his feelings for you to stay, and that he won’t do.”

Maybe the Kerrick Tohon knew in school would fall for me, but the man I’d traveled with was not capable of any warmth, let alone affection. “What do you have against him?”

“Prince Kerrick is handsome, rich and a powerful mage.”

“Have you looked in a mirror recently? And I’d bet you could sell a few of those diamonds in your father’s throne as long as you don’t tell anyone where they came from.”

Tohon laughed. His good humor shot right through me. I bit my lip to keep from giggling along with him. “I don’t know,” Tohon said. “‘King Zavier’s ass diamonds’ has a certain ring to it. The moniker could make them more valuable.”

“Good luck with that. However, my point is you possess all those qualities, as well.”

“Thank you, my dear. But Kerrick had what I never did.”

“A puppy?”

This time Tohon didn’t crack a smile. “No. A father who loved him. For six years, I had to hear all about King Neil and how smart and funny and wonderful he was. No doubt Kerrick loved his father. King Neil visited the school often. They were almost as close as Kerrick and Belen.” His grip on my hands tightened. “When Kerrick and Jael fell in love, I couldn’t stand it anymore. It was unfair. Kerrick couldn’t have it all. No. Bad enough he had a doting father
and
a best friend. I couldn’t let him have a gorgeous, powerful wife, too. And I can’t let him have you.”

I yanked my hands from his. “No one has me.”

Tohon’s gaze went to his guards by the door. A silent reminder of my situation.

“I’m here, but I’m not yours.” I crossed my arms. “State your terms, Tohon.”

“Not here. This place is for…peace.” He led me back down the corkscrew staircase and into an office.

The furnishings had a simple elegance. The desk was midsize and organized. Tohon spoke with one of his guards before settling behind it. The paintings in the room were stark, capturing subjects like a single winter tree, a solitary horse and one chair in an otherwise empty kitchen.