A Soul for Vengeance (20 page)

She managed to eat her meal in silence while the men talked about frivolous matters that didn’t interest her, using her time to study Fermo. He was only a few years younger than her father had been, his hair thin and gray. The rest of him, however, was massive, from his thick neck to his meaty hands. He was a bear of a man who was used to getting his own way, usually by force. She shuddered at the thought of having to share a bed with him.

Once the food had been cleared and the conversation turned to the rebellion, though, she leaned in to hear what they had to say.

“It was quite clever to hide the camp inside a crater,” Fermo began, although he wrinkled his nose as he glanced around the hut.

“Well, not all of us were able to retain our ancestral homes,” Zara replied, using sarcasm instead of her fists. She would’ve preferred using a jab that left Fermo with a black eye instead of a wound to his pride. “Some of us chose not to surrender with our tails between our legs when the Thallians arrived at our homes.”

“Don’t speak of matters you know nothing about, woman.” He sniffed as though he caught a whiff of an unpleasant odor. “I had my reasons, and so far, my plans have worked.”

Bynn crossed his arms, his one eye fixed on their guest. “It would have been nice if you’d informed some of us of your plans before you looked like a traitor.”

“And risk the message being intercepted by the enemy?” Fermo filled his wine glass for the fourth time that evening. “Speaking of being intercepted by the enemy, I admit I was shocked to find you were alive and back in Ranello, Your Highness. There was some talk that you’d abandoned us.”

Kell’s face hardened and his hand fell to the hilt of his sword. “I’ve never abandoned my people.”

“Then what exactly were you doing in Gravaria?” Fermo gulped the wine from his glass and refilled it, the wine emboldening his words. “Other than chasing after a skirt, that is?”

Bynn rose from his seat, his mouth twisted in a snarl, but one hand from Kell silenced him and returned him to his chair. The prince then replied in a low even voice, “Empress Marist and I had several long discussions about the threat of Thallus, and I was negotiating the terms for her assistance.”

Zara’s breath froze, and a hush fell over the table. Her chin trembled as she mentally listed all the things the Empress could demand of Kell. Land. Money. Resources they didn’t have. But one term kept popping up in her mind and eating away at her heart. An irrational fit of jealousy seized her, especially if the Empress was the flawless beauty she was rumored to be. What if the Empress wanted Kell?

“You’d allow their magic in our kingdom after seeing what the Thallians have done?” Bynn asked.

“Magic, nothing.” Fermo banged his fist on the table. “I’m more worried about Gravarian forces invading Ranello. We’d be trading one conqueror for another, with a woman on the throne at that.”

“Let him finish.” Zara held Kell’s gaze, her heart quivering. “And what were her terms?”

He didn’t look away. “That is between me and her. But she is willing to help if I call on her for aid, if only to help secure her own borders.”

“There’s always a catch, especially when it comes to women.” Fermo glanced down at her chest once again. “I’m sure you had quite a good time
negotiating
with her.”

“Are you insulting the Empress’s character?” Kell’s words sliced through Fermo’s innuendo like a blade and steadied Zara’s fears. He hadn’t slept with the Empress.

Fermo coughed. “Not at all, Your Highness. It’s just that with your reputation—”

“So you’re suggesting that I would seduce her to have my way?” One eyebrow cocked up to form a disdainful arch so very similar to the one she’d seen King Heodis use hundreds of times.

More coughing, to the point where Fermo’s face turned red. “No, Your Highness, but, I, um—”

Kell’s face settled into an impassive mask of calm now that Fermo had been put in his place. “Since you obviously have some qualms about my asking Empress Marist for assistance, what are your suggestions for reclaiming our kingdom?”

Her brother spoke first. “I suggest we unite all the rebel camps and fight together, driving them back across the borders.”

Fermo snorted. “We’ll be slaughtered like lambs under the Thallians’ magic. And it’s uncivilized to keep pecking away at them with your little ambushes. The only hope for peace is through diplomacy.”

“Are you suggesting we surrender to them like you did?” Bynn asked, his nostrils flaring. “Is that why you’re here? To act as their puppet and encourage us to turn ourselves in?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Cordello.” Fermo’s use of Bynn’s new title caught Zara off guard, reminding her that her brother was now Duke of Cordello, the title their father had held for so many years. “But I think we should at least consider a dignified parley with them before we expose ourselves on the battlefield. We’ll save more lives that way.”

“And end up enslaved by the Thallians.” Bynn started to rise from his chair but managed to catch himself before he dived across the table and gave Fermo a sound thrashing. Zara knew the temptation still lingered, though, by the way her brother kept clenching his hands into fists. “I’ve seen what they’ve done to our people in their work camps. I’ve watched them withdraw from that poison the Thallians feed them to keep them under their thumb. And I’d rather die than sentence my people to that.”

Across the table, Kell sat back, the mask still in place as two of his most powerful dukes argued. The only evidence he gave that he was even listening was the swipe of his eyes from one man to the next.

Then they fell on her.

Zara held out her arms, pushing the warring dukes back and silencing them. “Stop it, both of you. You’re forgetting the most important thing when it comes to defeating the Thallians. They take their orders from the Triumvirate. Destroy them, and it will be like cutting the head off the dragon.”

“Why do you keep pushing for that, Zara?” Bynn leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “They are holed up in the castle in Trivinus under layers of magical wards. No one gets to them without their permission.”

“I know a way in—” she started, but Fermo cut her off.

“Cordello’s right. The only to get to the Triumvirate is with their permission, and diplomacy is the only way they’ll let their guard down long enough for us to approach them.”

“If they don’t slaughter us while we’re offering them the olive branch,” she countered. “My plan will work. It will destroy them from the inside, out.”

“How many times do I have to say it, Zara?” Bynn crossed his arms, glaring at her. “It’s too dangerous, and the risks far outweigh any benefits.”

“That’s just because you don’t see what I see.” She pleaded with Kell. “They won’t expect us to use their tricks against them.”

“Shut up, woman!” The table shook under Fermo’s beefy hand. “You have no place even opening your mouth in this conversation.”

Her vision turned red. “No place? Who’s been out there in the cold, in the snow, putting their life on the line to keep our people fed and clothed all these months?”

“Warfare is in the realm of men, not women,” Fermo replied with a sneer. “You’d be wise to learn to keep your mouth shut and obey your blood.”

She looked to Kell for help, but he continued to wear his bored, expressionless mask. Her temper rose even higher, pounding in her temples and burning her cheeks. She kicked back her chair and stood. “Until all of you get your heads out of your asses, we’re not going to achieve anything. Perhaps you’d be wise to leave this fight to those of us who actually know what’s going on outside this camp.”

Zara slammed the door so hard behind her, a shower of needles from the branches above rained down around her. The arrogance of those men! And Kell… Every time she pictured his indifference, her nails dug into her palm. She stomped off toward her room, letting the cold night air soothe her boiling anger.

She was almost to the end of the last bridge when it swayed from the footsteps of someone behind her.

“Zara, wait.” Kell caught up to her, breathless from his chase. “Come back.”

“Why should I? After all, I’m just a woman, right? I know nothing about warfare or the Thallians or what can be done with the resources we have.” She hurled her words at him like weapons, gaining satisfaction every time he winced. His reaction made her grow bolder, and she shoved her finger into the center of his chest. “And you—how could you just sit there and say nothing? Did you even want to listen to what I have to say? Or are you too much of a coward to follow a woman’s plan?”

He caught her by the wrist and pulled her hand back. “Do not confuse patience with cowardice. You think I should’ve spoken up, but I learned far more from listening.”

He released her, and she whirled around, her eyes stinging as she leaned on the rope railing. “You’re going to have to make a decision soon, Kell.”

“I know, but I will only after I’ve heard every possible alternative.” He stood so close to her, the renegade curls that had slipped free from their pins fluttered from his breath. “Including yours.”

She gave a self-deprecating laugh and swiped her hand across her eyes. “What do I know? I’m just a stupid woman, right?”

“No, you are the heart of this rebellion, Zara.” He guided her chin around until she faced him. “I value what you have to offer, and I want to hear your plan.”

For a moment, she considered telling him everything, down to the finest detail. But her throat constricted as his thumb grazed her bottom lip. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine and warmed the pit of her stomach. “You’re just saying that because you want to steal another kiss from me.”

“No, I’m saying that because you’re you.” He stepped back, letting his hand fall to the side. “Nothing more, and nothing less. I know your motives.”

Right now, she didn’t trust anything about herself, including her motives. She wanted him to kiss her again. She wanted more than just a kiss. “And how do you know what they are?”

“Because I’ve seen your actions.” He pointed down to the people below, huddled around campfires as they chatted with their neighbors over the evening meal. “Everything you do is for them. You have no desire for titles or thrones. You were doing this long before you knew I was still alive, so I know you’re not sacrificing yourself to win my favor. You do it out of your love for this land and its people, and I think Bynn and Fermo could stand to learn a few things from you.”

Her chest tightened to allow only the shallowest of breaths, and it had nothing to do with the corset Bianca had laced her into this evening. “I’m glad you’re willing to listen to me.”

“I’d be a sorry excuse of a king if I acted without knowing all sides of the story.” His voice cracked as he added, “My father taught me the importance of that.”

This time, when she laid her hand on his chest, it was a flat palm lying gently over his heart. “You will be a good king, Kell. I’ve never doubted that.”

He covered her hand with his own. “Thank you. I’m glad someone believes in me.”

She believed in him with every fiber of her being, with every beat of her heart, with every ounce of her soul. But jumbled in with her faith in Kell was a new emotion, one that she feared to even acknowledge. She was falling in love with him, and that could prove dangerous for both of them if she didn’t smother it soon.

“Please, come back so we can hear your plan.”

A door creaked open, and Zara looked past him to the widening glow coming from Bynn’s door. Desire had clouded her mind, and the men demanded Kell’s attention for now. Maybe later, she’d share her plan with him once she was thinking clearly.

Once she’d gotten him out of her system.

She slid her hand out from under his. “Not now. Go, listen to what they have to say first. Then, when you have time, we’ll discuss my ideas.”

 “Very well, but I’m not finished with you.” He struggled to conceal his emotions before he went back to Bynn’s hut.

By the Lady Moon, I hope not
. Because she wasn’t done with him.

At least, not yet.

****

Kell dragged his hands along the sides of his face, wishing he could scrub away the hours he spent listening to Bynn and Fermo bicker like old women. He almost caught himself laughing at one point. Perhaps this was why Zara had refused to come back with him—because she knew how the rest of the evening would play out.

What bothered him more, though, was the gnawing ache that filled him every time he thought of her. He wasn’t sure what had come over him out there on the bridge, but the words had tumbled forward from his heart, and he meant every one of them. And she’d been moved by them. He’d seen it in the parting of her lips, the softening of her eyes, the gentle lean of her body into his. He’d be lying if he hadn’t hoped to steal another kiss from her right then, but the moment had been spoiled the moment they heard Bynn coming to look for them. Now, he was left with only his memories to comfort him.

He flopped back on his bed and kicked his boots off. Tomorrow, he’d hunt her down and hold her captive until she spilled every detail about her plan. And then, when she was done, he’d hold her captive until he finally figured out the confusing signals she was sending to him. The tension was still there, even more palpable than it was before they kissed. In fact, it had changed into something different, although he wasn’t sure what. All he knew was that he needed to get her alone long enough to get to the bottom of this.

He blew out the candle by his bed, plunging his room into darkness. The evening’s arguments played through his head as he stared at the ceiling, keeping sleep at bay even though his body sagged with exhaustion. But keeping his mind focused on the rebellion was better than the alternative—letting his thoughts stray back to her.

A loud squeak came from the other side of the bed curtains, and Kell froze. A shadow crept toward him. He wasn’t alone. His sword was just out of reach, but if he grabbed it now, he’d lose the element of surprise on his intruder. So he lay, as still as death, until he could spring.

Dozens of scenarios played out in his head, but none of them included what happened. The curtains drew back, and the person crawled into his bed.