Warrior Queen (Skeleton Key) (9 page)

She smudged above her heart with the sweet herb. Then flicked the water over her as she asked again for a sign or a blessing, anything really. Then finally she faced the person who was waiting.

Driska.

At least it wasn’t a priest from the hospital, or an advisor or Bryce. She didn’t know what to say to him.

“I’m sorry I interrupted. I wanted to see you before you got busy.”

Another blow. She’d been all but ignoring her children during the day. Driska needed her. “I was done.” She smiled, even though she didn’t feel it.

“I was also given a message to pass on, by one of your advisers who wasn’t brave enough to come in or wait outside.”

That did make her smile. “Good news?”

“The fire at the grain store is out. The Ambassador helped.”

Had he? Was he making up for last night’s transgression? Then there had been the one afterward when she’d kissed him. He hadn’t invited it, but he hadn’t pushed her away either. She brushed thoughts of Bryce aside for the moment. “What do you need?”

Driska fingers curled. “I think I’m ready.”

“You don’t need to rush.”

“Yes I do. You need me in the air. You need me to help gather seawater until the river is reopened. I can help.”

“I can manage.” She needed help.

“I want to do this.” Driska insisted.

“And if you rush, it may not work.” She didn’t want to risk her daughter. She cursed her cousin again. It was her fault this was happening.

Keleti may have turned down the soldier as a consort, but Nadri had given him the hope of ruling anyway. Nadri had thrown her family and her people to the wolves like sickly sheep. Trouble was even the healthy sheep eventually got eaten when wolves got too bold.

“It will. I can feel it.” Driska tapped her chest.

Keleti hesitated. This was not a good time to shift. It was dangerous…and yet it also meant that Driska could fly away too, possibly taking her younger brother with her. Did they have the time to perform the ceremony? What would happen if they were interrupted?

They couldn’t be.

“Tell the priests to get ready.”

The Southerners had attacked at night, so it would make sense that they would use that tactic again. It would give their spies a better chance to move around too. What were the spies here to do?

She glanced at Driska and had a good idea.

It was what Bryce had said he’d do if he were one of them. Go after her children.

K
eleti found
Bryce watching the Southerners from the city wall. They weren’t even hiding what they were doing.

His eyes were narrowed and his hand was shielding his face as he squinted into the distance. She focused where he was looking. They weren’t prepping more chickens, they were putting dead cows in the now dry river.

“Tell me that I’m not seeing what I think I’m seeing,” he said as a greeting.

It took her a moment to get what he was implying. He could be frustratingly indirect at times. He wasn’t seeking approval though. There was resignation in his tone. His people must make light of dark matters.

“In another day or two the people will be so thirsty they will drink without thinking.” The Southerners would let the river flow and it would carry disease from the rotting cows. Illness could be more effective than swords.

“They will need to boil all drinking and cooking water.”

She nodded. “I know. I will send word around.”

The last thing they needed was to be gripped with illness. Waterborne illness could spread fast, and it could kill.

“How long until your friends arrive?”

“They are on foot, another couple of days.” They were on their way. She’d received word from her cities, and also from a neighboring Queen who was concerned the invaders were trying such a bold move. Keleti had replied that they had been betrayed by one of their own. No message had come back yet.

“We need to end this before the soldiers within the walls attack. I can do it.” he turned to look at her, but she couldn’t face him.

She knew what he was suggesting. “You will bring bad luck if you kill a Heavenly.”

“It’s what I am here to do. It’s the one thing that no one else will do. I can see that now. I felt it last night.”

“You picked a poor place last night. Too far from the wall. I would set up there.” She pointed to one of the palace towers.

He looked up. The towers weren’t as high as the bell tower. “She would expect that. I watched her flying last night. She knew to give the palace wide berth.”

“Tonight she won’t.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You think those soldiers will make a grab for your children.”

“I do. I think she will try and get them out.”

“Where do the children sleep?”

“Come, I will show you.” She glanced back. Nadri was standing in the open, just out of arrow range, watching them talk. No doubt she had seen Keleti pointing too. Keleti acted as though she wasn’t there. She had no cousin.

They walked into the shaded corridor; the heat was still smothering, and would be until the evening breeze swept in. Driska would take her first flight on the ocean’s breath. Keleti’s lips curved and her heart swelled with pride, but she kept that to herself. The less people who knew the better.

She led him to her children’s rooms, not sure that she should be trusting him either. But Bryce was right about one thing—only he was willing to kill a Heavenly. He would take the wrath of the gods for doing it too. Maybe he was right and it was the reason he was here. Then he would be gone, back to his land of Australia.

“Nadri knows the castle well. She grew up here.”

“It’s why she is dangerous. Without her they will back off, re-group.”

“And get caught by my army.” But her children were being used as bait to catch the traitor. No, the Southerners were already coming for them. She was just using their plan against them.

“We have to believe that they are already watching and listening. They could be greasing palms with…what do you use for money?”

“We have coins. No one would take their bribes.” No one would be that dishonest. But Nadri had shown than anyone could turn if given the right promises.

“People do. They might need the money and think that the information isn’t important. I’ve had plenty of criminals sell out their boss to save their own hide.”

“So you trust no one.” That was no way to live.

He leaned against the wall. “For a long time I didn’t even trust myself. People died because of a bad decision that I made.”

“That is the burden of being in charge.” Did she trust him not to get her children killed? She trusted him to shoot Nadri, and that was going to have to be enough. If she didn’t bring this siege to an end, more would die.

Bryce looked at her. Really looked at her. His eyes were dark and he was in no hurry to look away like he had been on the first day. “I see that now. You rule without demanding respect. You don’t need anyone…” His gaze dropped to her lips before flicking back up. “I think I’m trying to say I’m glad I met you.”

“You should just say it, Bryce.”
Do more than say it.
They were running out of time, she could feel it sliding away and she didn’t want him to became a regret.

“I’m glad you kissed me. If we weren’t in the middle of a battle…” He paused for a moment and sighed. “I’d want to do more than kiss you.”

She smiled. “That was easy wasn’t it?”

“No.”

“Maybe after tonight.” Her fingers trailed up his arm. Being in the middle of a battle was more of a reason to leave nothing unsaid or undone.

“Yeah. Maybe.” But he looked away.

He’d be wanting his key back and to go home. Her heart twisted and she let her hand fall away.

“I’ll set up over there. I’ll have a good view of the sky above your children’s rooms.” He squinted into the sun. “You should have a better archer than me doing this job.”

“No, you are the right person for this.” He was the only person who would dare to shoot a Heavenly. “You won’t let me down.”

She took a step away, he grabbed her wrist. Her back straightened and she turned. No one grabbed her. His grip loosened as he realized he had overstepped. The doubts flickered across his eyes, then he stepped closer and kissed her. His lips barely brushed hers as though he expected to be rebuffed.

“For luck, and in case we don’t get that time later.” His voice was rough as though he already knew there would be no later.

She could keep his key and make him stay, but she didn’t want a man who was only thinking of ways to leave.

She ran her thumb over his lip. “We could always make time while celebrating a victory.”

He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. She had planted the idea and he was going to nurture it. All they had to do was win.

T
hroughout the afternoon
, Bryce planned. He was sure the enemy was doing the same. While he knew this wasn’t really his fight, he also knew he was doing the right thing. The invaders could go to hell—if they believed in such a place. It was also his way home, and he’d felt it push between Keleti and him.

He hadn’t mistaken the look in her eye, or the worry in her kiss.

She could have anyone.

For the moment she wanted him—because he’d be leaving, and he was safe distraction? She could be a nice distraction. He didn’t have to rush home, did he?

Right now, as he leaned on a balcony railing that faced away from the invaders, home seemed like a dream of another life. He could remember it, but it didn’t seem real. He hadn’t even looked at his phone today.

This was more important. It felt more real than his other life had been in a long time. He’d been going through the motions for too long. There was no hiding here. Here he was alive, as though the world was full of possibilities again. He was being useful. And he was needed.

He glanced over at the bow and arrows. If he screwed up, Keleti was never going to look at him again. Her three children were everything. But there was one child missing. The eldest. All he’d gotten out of the children’s usual guards was that Driska was with her mother.

He hadn’t seen either of them all afternoon, but then there was the running of the city and the siege to think about and perhaps her daughter was helping.

He blew out a breath. What if he was wrong and nothing happened?

That would be good. The kids would be safe and he could still drop Nadri. Unless she didn’t fly. Then he would be sitting here absolutely useless.

For a moment he thought he’d be better off setting up in the kids’ room, but he was hopeless with a sword. He’d only be in the way. From the other side of the room he’d chosen he could see the window and the corridor that led to their rooms.

What worried him was no one had seen or heard anything from the men who’d been dropped in last night. He’d gone to check out the drop site and found nothing. They couldn’t have just vanished. Unless they were now wearing skirts and had darkened their hair, which was entirely possible, and were blending in with the cities people.

The sky darkened and he sipped his water ration. Because of the rationing, all he could think about was drinking, which only made him thirstier.

Something on the horizon caught his eye. Not one, but two hawks swept up from the ocean. He was too far away to see their markings. They flew low and vanished from sight again.

He’d put money on it that Keleti wasn’t flying with Nadri. Maybe help had arrived. But they needed an army, not another hawk. He watched the sky, waiting for another glimpse. It never came, yet he was sure of what he’d seen. As dusk became night, the bell in the city rang.

Bryce picked up his weapons, and moved to the other side of the room, careful to keep out of sight of the invaders. If Nadri was down there, and smart, she’d be scanning the windows and roofs before flying. He wanted to be sure that she didn’t know where he was.

For a several moments nothing happened. Had the bell ringer made a mistake?

Then there was shouting, a fire had been lit within the city walls. The spy was starting his night’s work with distraction number one.

The hawk, Nadri, with a dead, bloated cow came low over the wall. She was still tethered, and she’d modified her flight path. She was closer to him and she was avoiding the tower Keleti had pointed to. Nadri had assumed that would be where he’d be set up. She’d been watching him as he’d stood on the wall, watching the army. His lips twisted into a narrow smile.

He watched her loop back after dropping her load. How many flights would she make tonight? Would she keep going until the kids were secured and ready to be taken?

If Nadri was dead, the invaders would have to change tactics.

He got ready for her second rotting cow drop. The cow fell, no doubt exploding on impact and spreading its bacterial payload. Germ warfare didn’t need to be complex to be effective. She turned to return for another cow. He took aim and fired.

He knew he’d hit her by the way she lurched in the air. She turned and he withdrew into the room. His heart beat hard and loud. His quiver lay on the floor. Hidden in enough shadow?

He didn’t know how well the hawks could see at night.

He risked a glance out the window, the sky was empty. He got ready to take another shot but when she came over the wall she flew wide, avoiding him. He raced across to another window to try and catch sight and get another shot in.

There was a bang above him and the sudden stench of rotten meat.

His heart stopped. For a moment he couldn’t move. She’d marked his location. She knew where he was.
Shit
. He grabbed his things, not wanting to linger and wait for one of the invaders to find him.

He might have hit her, but not enough to stop her from flying, which wasn’t enough to kill her either.
Fail.

Once again two kids were in danger because he wasn’t getting it right.

He started down the stairs needing to find another position. Someone was running up.

Bryce didn’t need more than a second to know that it wasn’t help. He raced back up and knelt to the side of the door. He readied an arrow. As soon as the man came through the door he’d have a couple of seconds to reconsider.

The man ran into the room, his skirt flapped around his legs, a short straight sword held in his hand. That was good enough for Bryce. He shot the man through the torso.

And apparently missed all of the instantly fatal parts.

The soldier turned, shocked, then charged. Bryce used the bow to defend himself along with every other trick he knew for disarming an offender. The training was still there, kicking in. Fingers broke and the sword was dropped Bryce kicked it out of range and delivered a solid elbow to the head. The man stumbled, and Bryce made sure that when he went down he stayed down. Blood spread out on the floor. The soldier was alive, but Bryce doubted he’d ever regain consciousness.

Taking a life wasn’t a good feeling, but the soldier would’ve killed him without a second thought. He paused for a moment and wondered if he should say or do anything. If he’d been playing a game there would’ve been a whoop of satisfaction for taking down the enemy.

This was much grimmer.

In his old life as a cop there would’ve been questions. This time there would be no review board or recommendations. No desk job or forced leave. He couldn’t stay still and contemplate what might happen. He had to get Nadri. There were still other soldiers and he wouldn’t let Keleti’s kids be taken.

For the moment he had the advantage as Nadri probably thought him dead.

He ran down the stairs and through the corridor, people glanced at him but no one stopped him. He needed another position close to where she was flying.

There was screech and then another. He couldn’t see what was going on. He didn’t have a clear view of the sky. He stopped being fussy and just ran for the city wall.

Outside he looked up, two hawks were fighting.

It was a terrible thing to see. One broke away, flying toward the city wall. Fleeing? He couldn’t see a tether it was too dark. He didn’t want to hit Keleti by mistake, but from where he was he couldn’t see the tell-tale patch of white feathers on her neck.

The two hawks engaged again, they tumbled in the sky dropping lower, before breaking apart. He had to be ready to shoot.

Why was Keleti up there?

There was shouting from the other side of the wall. They were readying archers.

Both hawks were racing for the wall. As they got closer it became clear which one was Keleti. She was harrying Nadri to get out of the city.

Arrows came over the wall, Keleti reared back.

Bryce took aim and fired as quickly as he could, intending to fill Nadri with as many arrows as he could. The second one did something. She tumbled to the side as though she was struggling to fly then shimmered and became human. She fell to the ground, just inside the city.

“Cut the rope,” Bryce yelled.

The warriors on the wall looked at him like he was crazy. They moved away as he ran forward as though they wanted nothing to do with him. The Southerners were pulling on the rope and hauling the naked woman up the wall. The arrows had fallen out, but she was clearly wounded in several places. Thigh, stomach and arm. None of them seemed fatal, had they been enough to break her hold on the magic causing her to fall to her death? Was she even dead?

Bryce pulled his knife free and sawed through the tether. Arrows were flying from the other side of the wall. The invaders were shouting as they realized they had lost their hawk.

The archers on the wall were returning fire.

A priest in their distinctive green clothing was with Nadri, checking to see if she was alive. He shook his head.

Several of the warriors on the wall were now circling Bryce. He’d known that killing a Heavenly wasn’t going to be well received, but this was war and this had been a tipping point. He was sure of it.

He watched the warriors as they came closer, they had their swords drawn.

He was in trouble for killing a Heavenly, even though Nadri had been a traitor.

Where was Keleti?