Dance With the Enemy (16 page)

Chapter 25

Nema must have heard Elenya rousing, the older woman showing up even before the younger woman had fully pushed herself up in the bed.

“What time is it?” It appeared the sun had already set, though Nema wasn’t dressed in her night clothes.

“We’re about three hours past dinner. How are you feeling? Are you hungry?” Her cool hand felt good on Elenya’s forehead.

Elenya sighed, letting her head fall back against the headboard. She supposed she should try to eat something.

Nema chuckled. “Nothing sounds good yet?” The older woman pushed back a reddish curl that had fallen across her charge’s face when she’d shaken her head. “Perhaps you could try a weak broth. Cook has kept some warm for you these hours. I don’t want to see you grow weak or dehydrated.”

Elenya’s half-hearted nod caused Nema to smile. “Though not much, please. I don’t ever want to feel as bad as I did earlier. I am near thankful my lord was not here to witness my weakness.” Her eyes moistened at the thought.

“No doubt you could not have imagined missing him the night of the Dremis when you first realized you’d been paired with the warrior from Zanak.” Nema chuckled.

“No doubt.” It seemed like such a long time ago. How quickly he had become very much a part of her to the point she already could not imagine life without him by her side. She wasn’t sure Shemek had been correct in his statement that the warrior would fall madly in love with her, but there was no doubt about her feelings toward the man. As unique as their relationship was, it would become more so since the official bonding ceremony had been cancelled by the unrest. Elenya knew it didn’t matter. He had already completely bound her heart.

She sighed again before pushing back down into the covers to await the soup Nema had gone to fetch, her thoughts deep within the chasm her warrior’s absence left within her. A hand on her belly, she pushed away the doubt planted by Redahn and prayed Nema was right that she now carried Tahruk’s child.

Chapter 26

The passing of time brought a welcomed end to Elenya’s suffering. The nausea lessened and her confidence that she was pregnant grew with the days. Only the derisive looks from Redahn when their paths crossed caused pangs of doubt still. She had taken to spending the majority of her time within Nema’s quarters, where she’d remained by mutual, unspoken consent, or in the woman’s presence when outside the confines of her chosen sanctuary. She hated the wariness she felt, longed to return to that adventurous girl who had instigated secret missions back home, though she would not trade those days for the ones to come. She caressed her belly hardly able to contain her desire to rush time forward to a time when she would feel her child move, providing her with a reassuring confirmation.

Each afternoon found Elenya retiring to her bed for a short time before joining Nema for a walk to the Great Hall within the Centrehead. She was desperate for word, carried back by the messengers and the wounded each day, of the battle and the warriors who remained on the fields. Elenya’s thoughts jumped between the baby and learning how Tahruk and Shemek were doing as well as trying to find out how her family fared in Aleone. Even Renaine garnered her consideration, perhaps more so because she knew how Nema felt about the man than because of any great feelings for him on her part. Other than finally blessing the union between herself and his son, he’d done little to endear himself to her.

Still, he was the father of her beloved and the grandfather of her child, and she knew his skills in logistics and maneuvers were vital to the battle. Even though he was not nearly as young as the majority of the warriors, he was still considered a formidable opponent on the battlefields as well. His loss would be greatly felt among many.

Two and a half months had passed since the warriors of Dorengar had gone to the aid of their brother kingdom. Word had it they’d moved along the Western coast, northward toward Venderlay’s holdings, with a smaller brigade heading inland to refurbish the men from outlying Drilles, including Aleone horsemen, who fought their way across the country. Aleone’s ships were said to have sailed around the lands to renew the supplies of the brigade on the opposing coast. She knew her father, along with Shemek and his brothers, would be among the men from Aleone. So many cares heaped themselves upon her slender shoulders -- shoulders that ached for the feel of her husband’s hands, his lips…

She shook her head trying to push away the thoughts that served only to fill her with an aching want. Nema reached for her hand as the small group walked in silence, each hopeful the news of the day would be positive.

Close to the edge of the courtyard leading into the Great Hall, a disturbance had the two women stepping back behind the safety barrier erected by the presence of the male corisans who traveled with them whenever they ventured outside the walls of Zanak.

“Cerissa!” Elenya hissed as the blond woman who’d had such little regard for her before the Dremis, the same woman who’d attempted to procure the favors of her husband even before he had fulfilled his duties to her, pushed free of the group at the courtyard’s edge.

“Ah!” The smile that lit the celestial features denoted she was pleased their paths had crossed once again. There was something about the coolness of her look, especially as the woman’s blue eyes settled on Elenya’s mid-section before flicking back to her face, that had Elenya bracing for whatever was to come.

“Are you well?” The curtness of her question and the silky tone of Cerissa’s voice caused Elenya to shiver. 

She chose not to answer, turning instead to continue her journey toward the Great Hall.

“I fear word is not good for you today.” Her words reaped the expected result and the group stopped. “They’re saying the warrior has gone missing along with your father and two of his Lordship’s sons.”

“What?” Elenya stumbled in her too quick attempt to turn back toward the messenger of news she refused to believe. She was surprised to find Redahn’s strong arms her saving grace from a trip to the earth beneath her. Her mind swimming, she turned her head from side-to-side looking for a means of escaping this onslaught.

“Settle, woman,” Redahn’s voice came as a soft, deep whisper near her ear. “Be still so I might find out what the vixen knows about my family. If you act rashly and fall, no doubt I will be obliged to carry you home. You seem to enjoy that. It’s such a pity your little game was wasted on my brother the night you bolted away from him into the dark.” The upturning of a single corner of his lips, so much like those of the man she loved, told Elenya her actions would not have gone unpunished should it have been Redahn’s blood that coursed through her veins instead. When she tried to move away he pulled her back tightly against his side. “Now, behave like a good little sister and accept the services offered by your brother in marriage.”

She dared not look at him again, opting instead to stand silent and still by his side. Her attempt at taking in the information being imparted to Nema by the blond temptress was greatly impeded by the fingers that caressed the uncovered flesh of her upper arm. She shivered at the unwelcomed gesture while wishing desperately the hand belonged to her husband. She closed her eyes, wanting more than ever to feel his gentle touch.

The picture before her was not lost on the blond who told freely what she had heard of the missing guard. Eighty of the King’s finest warriors had been commanded to ride to where they believed King Travensworth was being held. The mission that should have taken only a handful of turns of the moon had played out over a fortnight without their return. Even though proof had not presented, the worst was feared. Renaine, now commanding the remaining men, had sent out parties to find them to no avail. All eighty men seemed to have vanished.

It was all too much for the young woman who found herself in the arms of her lover’s brother after all. With ease he lifted her swooning body while Nema fussed over her.

“Let me take her home, Nema. You go to see what more you may find.”

Elenya shook her head and began wiggling out of Redahn’s hold. “Please, my lord, no. I wish to continue on. It was simply the heat of the moment. I’ll be fine.” Feet back on the ground, she placed a hand on Redahn’s chest, her other hand coming to rest over her stomach. Redahn’s mocking snort at her protective gesture earned him a deserved glare before she stepped away, choosing to ignore completely the quiet hmm from the blond maiden. Lips pressed into a thin line, her nose crinkling slightly beneath the squint she trained on the small group, Elenya turned on her heel and began to walk away from them. “I am fine!” she snarled without looking back. She could care less whether they followed or not. She simply needed to know more before any hope she harbored was completely quashed.

Chapter 27

Elenya jumped at Nema’s light touch when she came up beside her, though she continued on undeterred even as the group moved closer. No one spoke until they had maneuvered their way through the throng of people awaiting news of their loved ones. Elenya stopped only when she stood directly before the table holding the crested emblems of the fallen.

“You won’t find what you’re looking for there, my lady. I’ve been keeping watch.”

She jerked her head in Cerissa’s direction despising the fact that the woman always seemed to be meddling in her life. How many times had she found her the guest of Zanak or sitting near her at some event? And now she stood much too close to Redahn. Elenya wondered what her lover would think of the vixen who had tried to seduce him already beginning to work her dark magic on his younger brother. She looked from one to the other before offering a stilted shrug and turning back to the table only a figure walking toward the area caught her attention instead. Master Daruh. He was looking right at her, his lips set in a grim line that pitched her stomach into a sea of nausea. Without his bidding, she forced herself to move toward him.

“Master Daruh,” she whispered before bobbing a small curtsy when they came face-to-face. Her eyes searched his as her head came back up. Her trembling lips a fitting companion to the questions within the green depths. He nodded, took her arm, and began to lead her away, motioning for the rest of her group to wait. Elenya’s heartbeat hitched up a notch. That it could beat faster than it had been surprised her. Again she placed a hand on still flattened midriff.

“Please, my lord. Tell me…”

Daruh looked at her hand, though said nothing about it. “Your presence has been requested by one among the wounded. He called for you through his delirium and asked again not long ago, but it is not the man for whom you were chosen.” A slight crease marred the expanse between his brows.

Elenya nodded, his answer filling her with an odd mixture of relief, concern, and uncertainty. Her mind whirled with so many thoughts and questions. She prayed whoever she found on the end of her short journey with Master Daruh had not suffered greatly. Though at the top of her concerns loomed her fears for Tahruk. “Is there no news of the missing men?”

Daruh shook his head, a compassionate smile forming on his lips. “Please, do not fear, my lady. We know little, though sometimes that is the best news.”

Elenya nodded again, halting at his command at the entrance to the Great Hall turned infirmary.

“I apologize in advance.” He paused, looking back to make sure those who had accompanied her to the Centrehead had maintained their distance. “There are visions within that a lady should scarce have to look upon.” He breathed deeply, let it out slowly, then scrubbed his wearied face with his hand. “Your
friend
begged your presence. Has called for you throughout the night…”

Shemek? It had to be. “Please, my lord. Take me in,” she interrupted.

Daruh nodded then handed her a cloth before turning to open the door.

Even before she could see the fallen warriors in the dim light, the smells assaulted her, making Elenya glad for the cloth Daruh had given her. She placed it over her nose before moving further inside. Even the sounds filled her with unease. Muffled moans, whispered prayers, the labored breathing of the sick and wounded… Someone behind a curtain cried out, no doubt in pain as his wounds were cared for. She was unprepared to see so many.

“This way, my lady.” Daruh ushered her toward a door in the far corner of the room. “The men whose injuries are not as severe have been moved into the smaller meeting rooms.”

Daruh’s words brought a measure of relief to her reeling senses. Battle was a fact of life. Aleone’s army trained for war and skirmishes, preparing their men as did all the Drilles. They’d even had to defend the shores of Aleone a time or two during her short life. And factions of their guard were often called away to fight alongside the King’s men.

Still, she had been unprepared for visions that brought home such reality. She had never been allowed to see the wounded, and those who had fallen in battle were buried on the fields, only their crested emblems returned to their mourning families. She glanced back, her eyes roaming over the sea of men, many slowly dying because of the extent of their wounds.

“War is so pointless,” she whispered, blinking back welling tears.

Daruh shook his head. “No, my lady. War is necessary to defend that which belongs to us. That others believe they have the right to take what we hold dear, without regard, is what is truly irrational.”

Elenya contemplated his words. She studied the lines of wisdom etched in his weary face then offered him a smile which he could see only in her eyes because of her covered mouth.

“I believe this young man that awaits you would do well being graced with your sunshine. Though be forewarned. These men do not feel so poorly as to not take notice of the presence of a beautiful lady. You will not be allowed to stay long and I shall remain close by.”

“Yes, my lord. Thank you.” Elenya’s answer was accompanied by dropping her hand to her heart. She sighed, thankful the smells within this part of the hall were not so strong. She could not say she was not glad to leave the images of death and sickness behind.

They passed by a handful of closed doors before Daruh stopped in front of a room whose door stood slightly cracked. Elenya could hear the voices of the men inside as they talked amongst themselves, though a silence fell over them when Daruh pushed open the door and Elenya stepped in.

“Bring us a bit of entertainment, Master?” one of the men hooted. Amidst their laughter, she caught sight of someone rising.

“Hold your tongue, hooligan. Can’t you tell a true lady when you see one?”

Shemek! Seeing him drowned out the retort from the other warrior.

Elenya’s smile faded as her friend hobbled toward her, his grin twisted by obvious pain.

“Ya.” He stood before her, glancing at Daruh before taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “What a sight for sore eyes you are.”

She tried to smile, though his disheveled look, the thick bandages wrapped around his bare torso and across an arm that he kept pressed firmly to his side, chased the gesture away. “I wish I could say the same about you.”

His shout of laughter finally brought the upward curving of her lips. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. It’s just … you look a mess.”

“I see you still speak openly, my friend. At least that has not changed.”

Instinctively her hand went to her stomach causing Shemek to look down then back at her face.

“All of Aleone has been concerned since we learned of your match, Ya. You’re well then?”

“Yes,” she responded too quickly.

He searched her eyes, probing her soul for truth. “Ya?” he whispered, leaning in to pursue his questioning. “He has not hurt you, has he?”

“No. No. Not at all. He is a fair man, Shemek. He is.” Her voice softened as did her features when she spoke of Tahruk. “It’s just … it’s difficult being away from home, away from my family. And with all the turmoil and not knowing when we will be reunited…”

“And your concern, Ya? Does it lie with your family or with
him
? No doubt you know of the missing men?”

Elenya stiffened, stepping back slightly. “I’ve been informed. Just.” She frowned, confused by his tone. “Though I have been told not to be overly concerned.”

His eyes bore into her making her fidget uncomfortably. “How can you truly care for him, Ya? This … this
man
from the family that sent Aleone into exile in the first place? He’s your enemy, a trained killer. I know, Ya. I fought beside him on the fields.”

Elenya shook her head, the vigor causing her curls to sway unsteadily. “No, Shemek. He’s a warrior, trained to kill or be killed, just like you.”

“No warrior should find glee in taking another man’s life, and yet I witnessed his smile as he thrust his sword through another man and the whoops of enjoyment when his battleax came down on his victim’s neck.”

“Do not mistake zeal for pleasure, my young friend.”

Both Elenya and Shemek turned to an older man dressed much as Shemek with a bared torso revealing scars of battles past as well as the dressing of a newer one.

“You should be proud of your warrior, my lady. The man is a magnificent force, fighting with both purpose and conviction. He has the strength of many men and the singleness of mind to persevere. The King should be grateful he is among the men who rode out with the smaller group. If they persevere, it will be in no small way due to that man alone.” He squinted his eyes and pointed at Shemek. “Why, if not for him, you would not be here, lad.”

“This is not your discussion, old man,” Shemek barked at the older warrior. It was rather obvious this information imparted to Elenya was not something Shemek wanted shared with her.

“He saved your life, Shemek? And yet you would speak ill of him? Why?” Her eyes implored him, trying to understand.

“I can’t believe this! You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” She shushed his raised voice when Daruh looked at them. “He wants one thing from you, Elenya, and that only because he is forced, unable to control his needs because of the marking. Once you have produced his family’s heir he will turn from you.”

She pulled away, anger and sadness churning her insides. “Master Daruh, I must go now. I do not feel so well.”

“Just like that, you’re leaving? Are you choosing, Ya? Putting this man you do not know above our friendship? Did you not feel anything…”

“Be silent, Shemek! Your lips speak foolishness.” She hissed a whispered warning as Daruh approached. Forcing herself to relax fists clinched at her side, she placed her hands on Shemek’s shoulders and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “The choice was made for me even before I was born. You said so yourself -- my destiny is one of sacrifice.” Her quiet words were for him alone. “Be well, Shemek.” And with her parting pat to his shoulder, she turned and stepped out into the hall.

She could feel Shemek watching her walking away.

“You weren’t supposed to give him your heart, Ya. He’ll only break it, you know,” he yelled at her as she neared the end of the hallway. “Those kind of men always do if you let yourself fall for them. You’ll see. If he returns at all.”

Daruh stopped, motioning for one of the nurses to go to Shemek. Turning back to Elenya, he apologized. “Please, my lady, pay him no mind. The pain and the drugs often make the wounded say things they shouldn’t.”

She nodded, though Shemek’s parting words echoed in her head. She quickened her pace, going through the outer hall without even bothering to cover her nose from the stench. Her one thought was to get out and away from her old friend.

Friend
. She wondered if she could even consider him that anymore.

Blinded by the bright light as she burst through the door, she nearly toppled, saved once again by the strong arms of Tahruk’s brother. She looked up at him as he steadied her and was sure she saw concern flit across his face before his mask of derision slipped firmly back in place.