Touch of Power (26 page)

“I did knock, but no one answered. Not to worry, my dear. I’ll show you the panel and how to secure it on your side. My side locks, as well.” A slow hungry smile matched the desire in his gaze. “However, if you’re ever lonely, please don’t hesitate to visit me at any time.”

“Don’t wait up. Ever.”

“Nasty.” He tsked. “You’ve been with Kerrick too long. No matter, you will soon find I’m much better company.” Tohon settled on the couch and patted the cushion next to him.

I remained on my feet.

He leaned back. “Tomorrow, Cellina will collect you and show you around the compound. I’d like you to start working in the infirmary. There are a number of cases that need your immediate attention.”

I gestured to my clothes on the floor. “They’re dirty and I’ll need clothes that can be stained with blood.”

“Didn’t Winter show you what’s in the armoire?”

“I’m sure she wanted to, but I desired privacy.”

He stood, strode to my bedroom and pulled the doors open. Clothes filled the armoire.

“There are clothes for every occasion in here. And they’re all in your size. Medical tunics, everyday clothes and a few gowns.”

“How did you know I’d come?”

He gave me a don’t-be-daft look.

I pulled out a yellow skirt. “How did you know my size?”

“From your coffin.”

Shocked, I gaped at him. “What—?”

“When my soldiers arrived in Jaxton after you had escaped with Nasty Kerrick, the authorities were not happy. They had built a coffin to your size—they had written your measurements on the boards, but had no body and therefore no bounty. My men paid for the coffin. They also donated quite a bit of gold to the town for all the trouble.”

“Oh.” I had known they measured me for a coffin, but never really thought that they had actually built one. I returned the skirt.

“It wasn’t all a waste,” Tohon said. “I learned a lot about you from your neighbors. They told my men you were a nice, quiet young woman. They were just appalled that you had the gall to live and work with them. That they never suspected the truth. I was—still am—impressed you survived so long. After that, I decided to change the bounty. I wanted to meet you.”

What could I say to that? Other than wow. That single decision, to heal Fawn, had set so much in motion. Instead, I asked, “What did they do with…the coffin?”

“It’s here at the castle.”

Chapter 22

A coffin built for me was in Tohon’s castle. “Why did—?”

“Oh, I think you know why, my dear.”

“But we have a contract.”

“We do. And I trust your word to the conditions we included.”

Confused, I tried to reason it out, but failed. “What are you afraid I’d do?”

“Return to Kerrick. I’d rather see you make use of that coffin than return to his arms.”

I relaxed. Of the multiple possibilities of how this mission will end, that one didn’t even make the list. However, a far scarier scenario hit me. “Can you promise you would use my coffin, and not turn me into one of your dead soldiers?”

“And in exchange?”

“If you bury me in the coffin, then I promise not to return to Kerrick.”

He laughed. “All right, my dear, you have a deal.” Tohon held out his hand.

I stepped back.

“It’s not binding unless we shake.”

Clasping his hand, I shook it once and let go. He didn’t. Heat raced along my skin as he pulled me close. Before I could protest, his lips were on mine. My magic responded, filling me with a hyperawareness, amplifying my senses. He pushed the robe off my shoulders and pressed his hands on my back. His touch sent burning waves through my muscles. The sensation bordered between pain and pleasure. I gasped and Tohon deepened the kiss.

A combination of desire and fury flared, yet my fingers laced in his short hair as I pressed my body against his. The room spun and we wound up lying on the bed.

Tohon broke off the kiss. “Good night, my dear.” He stood and opened a panel near the headboard. Pointing to a small knob, he said, “The latch is here. Although I expect you to answer my knock.”

“What if I can’t?”

He waited.

“If I’m healing, I may be unconscious or having fever delusions.”

“In that case, make sure Winter stays with you.”

“I don’t need—”

“I don’t care. I don’t want you to be alone.” His stern expression softened. “I worked side by side with healers at the Guild for close to a year. When you wake in the middle of the night and need water or a change of clothes, Winter will be there to help you. It’s not a request.”

He disappeared into the passageway, pulling the panel closed behind him. Once my heart calmed, I realized my robe had slipped down to my elbows. Embarrassed, I yanked it up, secured the sash and then locked the panel.

I rummaged in the armoire for a set of nightclothes. Tohon’s kiss had thrown me. If Tohon hadn’t stopped… Why did he stop? Probably playing more games.

And I suspected it was my magic that betrayed me. When we touched, his life force acted like an elixir. It felt almost as if I had drank too much wine. I needed to figure out how to keep the touching to a minimum or I would do something I’d regret.

A small voice in my head asked,
What is there to regret? What is wrong with enjoying yourself with a gorgeous man who treats you like a queen? Do you want to die without experiencing one of life’s pleasures?

No, I didn’t. But I had imagined it would be with someone I loved. Not a monster who woke the dead. And I needed to keep reminding myself of his misdeeds. Of the abominations he created. Because when he touched me…all logic and fear fled.

After I dressed for bed, I slid under the covers, luxuriating on the soft mattress. The white bedspread reminded me of Mom’s inn. Waking up surrounded by such comfort, I had thought I’d reached the peaceful afterlife. Except Kerrick had anchored me to this world. He had held on and refused to let go. Memories of him sleeping beside me at the inn filled my mind along with the vision of his bare back when he’d sat up.

I jerked my thoughts to the present, focusing on how I would find Ryne. That night I didn’t dream of Tohon’s dead soldiers, which was a relief. Instead, dreams of Kerrick swirled.

Winter brought a breakfast tray in the morning. After I ate, I changed into a black medical tunic and pants. Comfortable and plain, they would be suitable to working with the sick and injured.

Cellina arrived soon after Winter left. She scanned my clothes and grunted. “At least you’re practical. Well, come on. I don’t have all day.” Turning on her heels, she strode through the doorway, setting a quick pace.

If she’d hoped she’d lose me, she was in for a surprise. After all those months of walking, she’d have to run full-out to shake me. I stayed a step behind her as we hurried along hallways, down stairs and through various rooms.

She wore a pale lavender silk tunic and deep purple skirt. Her long blond hair had been twisted into a knot and held in place with a comb that flashed with amethysts. Her regal bearing and fine clothing contrasted with the sword hanging from her waist.

As we traveled, Cellina would stop on occasion. Each time, she pointed out a door or set of stairs that I was forbidden to enter or use. “See that symbol?” Cellina gestured to a circle with three crossed keys inside it. “That means keep out. No one who lives and works in the castle or the buildings in the compound is allowed in those rooms and areas. Understand?”

“Even you?”

“No. As Tohon’s top adviser, I have full access.”

Top adviser? She appeared to be around twenty-five or -six. Close to Tohon’s age. “Your name is familiar. Are you a friend of his?”

“No. I’m another of his…collected. I met Tohon in school.”

“Cellina of Lyady! Kerrick mentioned you had been one of the people trying to be king.”

Her mouth twisted in disgust. “A foolish kid’s game. At the time, I thought it would be fun to be crowned king. In Lyady we didn’t have a monarchy. The people voted for my father to be the president. That game…was just a whole nasty experience. The others took it far too seriously.”

Lyady shared a border with Sogra to the east, Alga to the north and the Endless Sea lapped on its western and southern edges. “Tohon invaded Lyady.”

“Last year. Nothing we could do. The plague had wiped us out.”

“But you’re helping him?”

She shrugged. “So are you.”

Point.

“And it’s better than being locked in some dank prison, rotting.”

True. Although I sensed there was more between them besides school friends. Strange that so many of them should survive the plague. I almost tripped as an evil notion occurred to me. What if Tohon was still playing the king game? But then how would he have protected his classmates from the plague? No one could have predicted the outbreak.

Cellina continued with the tour, showing me the kitchen, dining room and the offices for the advisers. She led me outside. The chilly morning fog lingered in small pockets of white, but the day promised to be warm. The air smelled of spring, reminding me of Kerrick. I cursed under my breath. When I was finally free of him, he still haunted me. This would be a long season.

Behind the castle, the other buildings spread out in an arc. A stable, a couple of barracks for the soldiers, an armory, a kennel and finally the infirmary. Before we entered, Cellina headed toward the thick wall that surrounded the compound. Except, on this side, it wasn’t black, but more of a green with patches of white. As we drew closer, I realized there were huge plants growing next to the wall. Their topmost stalks reaching the top of the wall.

Cellina halted twenty feet away. “I wouldn’t try climbing over if you decide to escape. The only way out is through the front gate.”

“Are they—?”

“Yep. They cover the interior of the entire wall. Tohon can be brilliant at times. Too bad he also has no conscience. At least he’s consistent.”

I stared at the row of Death Lilys guarding the wall. No one could sneak in or leave. It was genius. A memory tugged of Belen in the Guild’s record room and the desiccated corpse protecting the broken crate of Death Lily seeds. Did Tohon murder that man for the seeds?

“Are there any more?” I asked.

“He has a whole garden full of the wicked things back in the northwest corner of the compound.”

As we returned to the infirmary, I considered the abundance of Death Lilys. Sepp could move through them without worry. And I might be able to keep Ryne safe from them. The seed of an idea started to grow.

I stopped in the doorway. The smell of excrement and unwashed bodies polluted the air.

“This is where I leave you. Good luck,” Cellina said, backing away.

“Wait.” I chased after her. “Are there any of Tohon’s…dead in there?”

“No, just Tohon’s injured soldiers. He keeps the dead ones in a barrack.”

Relief flowed through me. I returned to the infirmary. Pausing at the threshold, I scanned the big room. Rows of cots packed tight together were filled with patients, and only a few people walked among them. The workers had covered their noses and mouths with kerchiefs. Closed windows lined two walls. On the opposite side, I spotted an entrance.

Tohon forced me to be here, but these people needed me. This was my responsibility, regardless of a contract. I drew in a deep breath of clean air before plunging into the mess. Obviously, Tohon didn’t care too much about his injured.

I strode to the first worker I encountered, and asked, “Who’s in charge here?”

She pointed to the back room. Trying not to look at the patients just yet, I entered. The space had been divided into two sections. An office and an examination area. The office was the only clean thing in the entire building. Five people lounged on chairs, talking.

“Who’s in charge here?” I asked.

A man behind the desk eyed me with a lazy insolence. “Who’s asking?”

“My name is Avry of Kazan. I’m here at Tohon’s request. Answer my question.”

Tohon’s name produced the desired effect. The man straightened. “I’m in charge of patient care.”

“Wrong answer. You’re in charge of a cesspit. The right answer is Healer Avry is in charge of patient care from now on.”

The man shot to his feet. “You can’t just barge in here and—”

“I can. If you have a problem with it, please feel free to take it up with Tohon.”

He fisted his hands and stared at me. “That’s
King
Tohon.”

I met his fierce gaze and held it until he looked away.

“King Tohon will hear about this,” he said as he stormed from the room.

The other four—three women and one man—gaped at me.

I frowned at them. “Do you work here?”

They nodded.

“No you don’t. If you did, this place wouldn’t reek. But we’re going to correct that right now.”

Along with the two in the main room, I sent them to fetch buckets of clean water, find clean cloths, clean linens, soaps and alcohol. While they were gone, I started checking the patients. Infections, fevers, broken bones, dehydration… The list continued. The man who had been in charge returned with a smirk and Tohon right behind him.

Tohon crinkled his nose in distaste, but didn’t remark on the smell. “I sent you here to help, my dear. Not cause problems.”

“My mistake. Is there another healer here?” I turned my head as if seeking another person.

“Quit the act, Avry. What’s going on?”

“Look around, Tohon. Take a deep breath. This place is filthy. Your soldiers are dying, not from their injuries but from infection and poor care.” I stabbed a finger at the man. “He’s causing more harm than good.”

Tohon considered. “It doesn’t seem that bad to me.”

I suppressed a growl. “Come back here in five days. I guarantee half these patients will be on their feet and have returned to work by then.”

“You’re rather confident for someone who doesn’t have any experience,” Tohon said.

“First thing an apprentice learns is the importance of cleanliness. Basic stuff, Tohon. Your guy and his crew are either too lazy, too stupid or don’t care.”

The man protested, but Tohon stopped him with a look.

“All right, my dear. You have five days.”

The five days were exhausting, but gratifying to see the patients respond to my care. I had also found a way to avoid Tohon’s touch. Since the dire cases all involved infected wounds, I spent every night in my bed, fighting fever and delusions as Winter stayed with me. Another unexpected bonus during that time, I’d found a set of keys inside a captain’s uniform’s pocket. I had been collecting soiled garments to send to the laundry and heard the rattle.

When Tohon arrived on the fifth day, he quickly quelled his surprise. A fresh breeze blew in through the open windows. The patients had plenty of room between them. They sat up, propped on pillows and talked. Care workers moved among them, filling water glasses and checking bandages. The place smelled of soap and alcohol.

“Nice work, my dear. If I assign you a few more helpers, will you have time to assist me with my project?”

“Even with the extra help, I’ll need about ten days to finish implementing and training everyone on how to provide the standard care.”

“Ten days, then.” He left.

I really didn’t need that much time, but I hoped, by then, Estrid’s army would be keeping Tohon busy and distracted. Plus I could use the extra days and the stolen keys to search for Ryne.