Tears of War (58 page)

“I promise,” Maleena said as she glanced toward the men. Arandrall and the other Council members lowered themselves awkwardly to sit on the bare, hard ground with a circle of the Ke’han men. She turned back and followed the women over to the cushions and rugs spread out on the ground for them. Maleena sat gratefully on a large cushion and accepted a drink of spiced tea from the second’s mate, Algoma. In her mind, she felt Nydara’s and Tellnox’s pleasure as they communicated again with their distant cousin.

They spent the rest of the day there, returning as the sun settled low in the western sky. Anevay had Slid directly to Galdrilene from the Ke’han’s camp. Mckale and Maleena ended up spending the night in Arandrall’s house rather than disturb Mckale’s family.

The next afternoon after attending a morning of meetings with the Nine, they escaped to spend some time relaxing.

Maleena leaned into Mckale’s warm side as they strolled along the wall walk of the city wall. Both of them were keyed up from the tension of the past couple of days, neither ready to go back to Mckale’s family’s house yet. Things were quiet along the wall. Border Guards patrolled but otherwise they were alone. The view of the land sloping away to the Blood River in the distance, washed by the golden sun as it began its afternoon descent, was both beautiful and peaceful at the same time. They paused to take it in. Above them, Nydara and Tellnox soared out over the land, enjoying an afternoon flight in the nice weather.

Maleena leaned back against Mckale, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. “Is it common to bring one’s love to walk on the walls?”

She felt the rumble of his quiet laughter against her back. “More common that you might think. The view from up here is unquestionably pleasant. More than one Border Guard has knelt upon the wall walks to beg his love to dance for him in the spring.”

Maleena glanced down the wall at the guards keeping a discrete distance. “I wondered why they were leaving us alone.”

She felt his breath on her temple as he bent to kiss her lightly near her hairline. “You handled the past two days very well.”

“How so?” She turned her head and looked up at him.

“A Ke’han in a pit, a roomful of upset people, the meeting with the Ke’han, more meetings; you are handling groups of people better these days.” He smiled at her, his silver eyes shining.

Maleena chuckled softly. “That still doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to the ball.”

“You will do—”

He cut off in a heavy grunt as something stabbed into the back of her upper shoulder.

With a cry she lurched forward and spun, ignoring the warmth that spilled down her shoulder blade. Mckale sank to his knees. “Maleena? Are you…?”

The broad head of an arrow stuck out from his chest. Blood poured down the front of him. Tellnox’s roar ripped across the sky as the dragon made a sharp turn and dove for the wall.

“Mckale!” Maleena pressed her hands around the arrow shaft in a futile attempt to stem the flow. She looked down the wall walk at the guards and screamed desperately for help. The sound of their feet pounding against the stone echoed in her ears.

Tellnox landed on the wall with enough force to crumble a section of it. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he turned on the running guards with a snarl. Maleena held out a hand to the angry green. “Tellnox, no! They’re trying to help.”

The green pulled back and allowed them to come near. As shouts rang out along the wall, more guards ran in their direction. One of them reached toward her but Mckale’s hand clamped down on his wrist. “Don’t.” Mckale’s eyes were steely.

The guard looked Maleena in the eye. “You have to back up. We can’t help either of you if won’t move your hands.”

“Either of us?” She looked at him in confusion, a slight haze curling around the edges of her mind. Beneath her hands, Mckale coughed and blood sprayed his lips.

“Please, Di’shan, we are used to dressing battle wounds. Word has already been sent to Arandrall. I’m sure he will send one of the healers.” The use of her title pulled her from the haze enough to focus on his pale gray eyes as he said, “I have been to Galdrilene. I know what being a Silver means. I know I shouldn’t touch you, but if you won’t move your hands on your own, I will have to move them for you.”

With a sob, she slowly withdrew her hands. Another guard knelt next to her. “I have to apply pressure to your shoulder.”

His voice sounded familiar and she looked at him as her head swam. “My back?” It was Kaden, Mckale’s brother.

He nodded. “The arrow went through him and hit you too. You’re bleeding badly.” His steady voice contradicted the worry in his eyes.

Nydara landed behind the guards, her claws grabbing purchase and knocking several stones to the ground. Her anxious eyes filled Maleena’s vision.

Maleena gritted her teeth as something pressed against her back. Pain lanced into her and she leaned forward with a groan. An arm went around her to steady her and a flood of emotions and thoughts crashed through her.

In front of her, Mckale coughed more blood as the men around him worked efficiently. The world grew darker. Tellnox’s frantic emotions in her head and the overload from Kaden’s touch became too much. The baby kicked as if sensing something was very wrong.

The man who had told her to move her hands glanced up and barked, “Kaden! Keep her awake.”

A sharp sting on her cheek pulled her out of the haze briefly. “Maleena, you have to stay awake.”

“Nydara,”
she cried out in her mind.

“I’m here. I’ll always be here. Stay awake, Maleena.”

The world tilted and spun slowly.
“How is Mckale?”

She sensed the dragon’s hesitation.
“He isn’t good,”
came Nydara’s worried sending.

Darkness clawed at the edges of her consciousness again as Kaden’s sudden spike of terror overwhelmed her.

A
zurynn walked through the Kormai filled with triumph. Striding into the main cavern she held the black chain aloft. “I’ve done it. Now all I need to do is test it.”

Sadira glared at her but said nothing. Kovan slowly stood. “Where do you plan to test it? Another raid into Shadereen?”

Azurynn shook her head. “No, they have systematically removed our advantage there, even with our dragons’ interference.”

“Where then?” Kovan watched her uneasily.

She smiled, enjoying his discomfort. Azurynn really didn’t care what they thought of her, just as long as they remained afraid enough to let her do as she wished. Kovan and Sadira might both be a match for her in strength but she held the advantage.

“I’m thinking someplace further west. A place with younger, less experienced riders.” Azurynn ran the chain through her fingers, her eyes pinned on Sadira. “Maybe a place that hasn’t seen enough force from the Shadow Riders. One that might feel comfortable since the last one they encountered ran with her tail between her legs.”

Hatred and anger rolled off Sadira. Azurynn relished the pain that spiked in her head from the other woman’s emotions. Tonight, in her bed, the buildup would be agony. It was worth it. Sadira rose from the cushioned bench. “One of these days, Azurynn—”

“Now, now, Sadira. Down girl.” She flipped her thick hair over her shoulder and walked to where her dragon, Murynn, rested. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled. After all,” Azurynn stopped and peered over her shoulder at the other woman, “I’m trying to help you.”

Kovan raked his hand through his hair. “What are you suggesting, Azurynn?”

She smiled at him. “According to my source, there are a small number of young Guardians ‘protecting’ Markene. I’m suggesting we pay them a visit.”

Sadira snorted and crossed her arms. “Those young dragons will simply call in the more experienced Guardians and we’ll be in a pitched battle again. How will that help you test your little toy?”

Azurynn narrowed her eyes at Sadira. “You are a simpleton, aren’t you? I don’t suggest we fly in there with dragons blazing. Unlike you, I know how to make a more subtle approach. They run patrols on a regular basis. I suggest we take one of these young riders by surprise. His or her dragon will have to be rendered unconscious fairly quickly in order to prevent it from sending a distress call.” She sent Sadira a haughty look. “You couldn’t handle things last time; do you feel you and Ranit are competent enough to handle the task of taking down one young dragon?”

“Of course we can.”

Azurynn laughed lightly at Sadira’s growled answer. “Remember not to kill the dragon. My test won’t work if the dragon is already dead.”

Sadira opened her mouth but Kovan spoke up before she could get a word out. “Either hurry up and kill each other or drop the insults so we can go.”

Azurynn eyed him up and down. “Careful, Kovan, or maybe we’ll kill you.”

He shrugged and called Quillan down. He glanced at her as the big black settled to the floor. “Do whatever, Azurynn, I tire of hearing you.”

A slow smile tugged at her lips. “My, my, my aren’t we testy? You seem to have lost your good temperament…oh when was that?” She tapped her lips, pretending to think hard as she ignored the cold look he sent her way. “Oh I remember now, about the time you threw your pregnant little maid out. You never did say why you did that. It’s something you’ve kept closed up tight behind sturdy walls in your mind. Perhaps you should fetch her back or choose another to take to your bed. Your lack of bed partner seems to have affected your good sense.”

Azurynn wove a heavy web as she watched his fist ball up. “Remember, Kovan, I can see your magic the minute you start to weave it. I can also read the thoughts running through your little mind right now.” She narrowed her eyes. “If you wish to test it so badly, go ahead.”

The younger Shadow Riders watched the confrontation with mixed expressions. Tension hung thick in the air as their emotions rolled over Azurynn. A mixture of fear and hope that they would actually kill each other and be out of the way.

Sadira shifted slightly on the peripheral of Azurynn’s vision. Without taking her eyes off Kovan she sent a warning to the dark-haired beauty. “Sadira, lovely, don’t get any ideas. I’m quite capable of handling multiple weaves.”

Oksana walked between them on the way to her dragon. “Oh, leave off you three. You’re like three wet cats in a bag. Stop your scratching and spitting long enough so we can get something done.”

Azurynn barely flicked her eyes at the blonde; a little annoyed at the lack of respect Oksana seemed to give her.

Kovan glared at Azurynn for a long moment before turning his back, stepping up on Quillan’s leg and then pulling himself into the saddle. Disappointment and relief washed through the cavern.

Azurynn watched him closely and kept her attention on Sadira as she climbed on Murynn. Sadira climbed on Ranit without looking at her.

Kovan finally turned his cold eyes on her. “Are we going to test this thing of yours or not?”

With another lazy smile at him, she signaled Murynn to take off.