Altered Destiny (29 page)

Selia and Nathan thundered down the stairs. King Leisle waited on the ground floor, flanked by his personal guard. She blinked, surprised by the king’s transformation. It wasn’t just the finely woven armor or sword at his side; he’d shed years with surprising alacrity. He looked a different man.

“They fly a flag of parlay,” the king said as Nathan bowed low.

Selia attempted an awkward curtsey. It just didn’t work the same in leggings.

“Yes.” Nathan straightened.

“You don’t sound encouraged.”

“The Svistra don’t negotiate.”

Leisle hesitated. “You will ride out to meet them.” It wasn’t a question.

“I’ll take Selia and another of my men.”

Leisle’s gaze found Selia and he nodded. “We’ll accompany you to the gates and then I’ll watch from the ramparts. Gods speed, Commander.”

Selia followed Nathan. The ground was hard under her feet, and the warm aroma of horse surrounded her when someone handed her reins for a mount, but everything seemed unreal. Her mind could not quite comprehend that she was voluntarily going out to meet Keldar again. She felt again his hot breath on her neck, and a shudder coursed her body.

Staying behind wasn’t a consideration, but her stomach didn’t stop churning and her hands on the reins trembled.

A short distance from the edge of the forest three Svistra horses stood almost as still as the warriors on their backs. They could have been made of stone, save for the occasional puff of wind rippling the horses’ manes. She’d only seen Svistra horses from a distance, but she recognized magnificent animals. Beside her Nathan jerked in the saddle and swore under his breath. She glanced his way, but he focused on the Svistra, disbelief etched on his face. He’d seen Svistra face paint before, so what had startled him? She had avoided looking at the painted faces but willed her eyes toward the trio of Svistra.

Her world condensed into a single gaze.

The Svistra leader stood tall on his horse, his long, dark hair tied into a tight queue draped over one shoulder. A small shield—red with a golden dragon—rested against the horse’s flank. His leather vest, interwoven with a black metal, dully reflected the sun and covered a black shirt trimmed in gold. Red vertical lines ran parallel down his cheekbones, but his eyes eclipsed every feature in his face. Winged in black, the eyes shone as golden as the sun and focused on Nathan with an intensity she knew well.

The air left her lungs. Jaden.

As the horses stopped a short distance away he glanced briefly in her direction, not quite meeting her eyes. Selia struggled to find something of her Jaden in the Svistra commander who stood impassive before her but failed. How could she ever have thought she’d meant anything to him? The warrior before her now didn’t resemble a human in the slightest.

She sat still, her spine erect, frozen in place. She’d been a fool. He was the commander’s elder born son. It was his right. But she couldn’t help feeling she’d irrevocably lost something precious.

Selia. Jaden recognized her as soon as the horses left the shelter of the gate. Why would they send a barkeep to a parlay? He steeled his spine, but it didn’t prepare him for the hurt and then fire in her dark eyes.

Barkeep?
She looked every inch a warrior, and fierce pride preceded a fiercer pain. She rode at Nathan’s right side. He could see in every glance they shared there was more of a bond between them. It was what he’d wished. Even as he reminded himself of that, the thought refused to comfort him.

As they neared he tore his eyes away from her and focused on Nathan. The smile on the commander’s face was born and died in a heartbeat. Jaden didn’t move a muscle until the trio from the castle was three horselengths away then he forced himself to meet each of the delegates’ eyes. First an unknown man who carried the metallic stench of terror, then Nathan and finally Selia, whose gaze felt like the brush of a dagger.

“It is good to see you alive, Jaden,” Nathan said.

“As it is you, Commander.” Jaden forced his gaze not to wander back to Selia.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” Nathan continued. “Of course, I don’t think you’ve brought your army to the castle gates to reminisce.”

“I have not come to capitulate, if that is what you’re asking. I’ve come to speak to the king and discuss peace.”

“Peace under threat of attack?”

“Would my offer of peace carry the same weight if I didn’t prove it was a choice, not a necessity?”

“You would attack the castle?”

“I do not wish to attack anyone.”

“But you would?”

“Weeks ago I asked you to consider something. Do you remember?”

Nathan nodded.

“And have you?”

“Yes.”

“Then Commander, what would you do?”

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “I will give the king your message. Do you promise your men will not attack?”

“Not without my command, and I will not give it without just cause.”

“Then we will give you none. You’re free to stay in the field with no threat of harassment. I give you my word.”

“Your word is enough.”

Nathan nodded and whirled his stallion. Selia and the other man followed. Jaden watched for a moment longer. How can a woman be so strong and so fragile at the same time?

Arfaltel tossed his head, and Jaden reached to lay a hand on the ebony neck. The warhorse calmed at once. With pressure from his knee he turned the horse back to his camp and tried to shut from his mind the image of Selia riding away.

Nathan dismounted inside the curtain wall and turned to one of his men, who ran to take his horse’s bridle. “Get me the healer.” At least he faced Jaden. Better the devil you know? Jaden was honorable. There was a chance, however small, of avoiding bloodshed.

Selia still sat on her horse. From her expressionless face he couldn’t tell what was going through her mind, but he could guess. It must have been frightening for her to see the Svistra in their war paint. The last time she had she’d been their prisoner. She’d never accepted Jaden was a Svistra. Today he looked every inch a Svistra warrior. She glanced at his outstretched hand, took it, and he helped her down.

“I’m going to see the king,” he said.

Selia met his eyes. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’d hoped you’d say that.”

Jaden stood staring at the castle until he sensed Ashani’s presence beside him.

“How long do we wait, Commander?”

Jaden smiled at the officer. He and Ashani had grown up together and still called each other friend. “Not long. This king doesn’t have much time.”

Ashani remained silent, staring at the castle. Most of the Svistra had known they had a human co-conspirator, but not his identity. Jaden had taken a few trusted Svistra into his confidence. Ashani knew about the southern king.

As they watched, a rider thundered toward the castle, paused an instant at the gates and then disappeared from view.

“Soon now,” Ashani said.

Jaden nodded. “The warriors are ready.”

“You still hope for parlay?”

“Yes.” Rubbing the back of his neck did little to ease the ache. After defeating Keldar he promised his warriors they would not return to the north without their lands. He meant it.
The western king.
So much depended on things over which he had no control. His warriors could take the castle, but not with the western king’s army at his back. Better his blood soak the soil here than return to the north and watch his people slowly die. The Svistra had little trust in words. Humans lied too often, but once he’d sent word of his plan, even the council had agreed to negotiate first.

Jaden ran a hand over the leather binding his hair. He turned and surveyed the warriors behind him. Waiting was not something they did well. The tension among his men was palpable. A cord waiting to snap.

“They don’t wish to attack!” Nathan repeated.

“Then what do they want? You told me they were vicious, yet you let them camp at our front door?” The king rapped his fingers against his desk. Instead of the throne room they’d returned to the king’s office.

Nathan didn’t remind the king they hardly had a choice. “The Svistra have a new commander. He wishes to discuss peace.”

“Fine, let there be peace. Tell him to go back to the north. We’ll leave him alone. I have done nothing to him. He, or rather his predecessor, attacked my men. Now he’s surrounded my castle and he wants more?”

“It’s not that simple, Your Majesty.”

“Is it not?” He turned to his chamberlain. “Has there been any news of Josiam’s army?”

“No, Majesty.”

“Then I will not discuss terms with this new Svistra commander.”

Nathan bit back his anger. “And if Josiam’s army shows up tomorrow, then will you discuss peace?”

The king hesitated. “Be careful, Nathan. You are counseling that I give in without a fight. These Svistra are like animals, but they die by the spear as easily as the boar, do they not?”

Next to him Selia stiffened but remained silent. “They die, but at a high price to our men.”

“We should get rid of them before Josiam’s army approaches.” Leisle tapped his fingers against the desk again. “Still no news from Guirre?”

“No, Majesty,” the chamberlain repeated.

“Damn.”

“Why don’t you hear what the Svistra want?” the chamberlain asked.

“Do they even know how to negotiate?” Leisle chuckled. “It would be like speaking with a wolf attacking my sheep.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” a voice issued from the doorway behind them.

Nathan turned to the healer and breathed a sigh of relief. “Nor would I, Majesty. They are quite intelligent.”

“So are ravens,” the king postured.

“With all due respect, Majesty.” Selia stepped forward. “I spent many long days with the—” She glanced toward Nathan.

He shook his head slightly.

“—Svistra spy, and I can tell you they are as vulnerable to human emotions as we are. They laugh, cry and desire a home for their families. There are those who are kind, and those who are not. They are more like us than many would like to believe.”

“They eat humans,” the king insisted.

“That’s not quite true,” the healer interjected. “They need blood to survive, just as you need water.”

Selia opened her mouth and shut it.

“You know their commander?” the king asked Nathan.

“Yes.” Nathan shut his eyes. He’d wanted to keep as much of Jaden’s story secret as possible. For Selia, as much as the peace process. Who knew what they’d say about her if they knew she’d spent weeks alone with a Svistra? “I took him prisoner. He was my Svistra informant and spy.”

The king turned to Selia. “You know him as well?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Selia glanced again to Nathan. “He protected me from other Svistra and helped me escape to Eagle Rock.”

“And now he leads an army against us! You’ve been duped, Commander.”

“No, Majesty.” Nathan sighed. “He has…honor.” Nathan felt the weight of Selia’s stare. “He never gave me any trouble, and his information was invaluable.”

“How did you feed him?”

Nathan hesitated.

“I cared for him.” Selia answered.

The king stared hard at Selia. “This Svistra didn’t try to hurt you in any way?”

Her chin rose. “He acted with honor.”

“A Svistra who doesn’t need blood?”

Selia remained silent.

Nathan could have kicked himself. The rabbits. Gods damn it. Why didn’t he see it before?

“What will he want?” the king asked.

Nathan turned to the healer. “Father, please.”

The old healer stepped forward. “Majesty, they will want what once belonged to them. What was promised and never delivered: land.”

“They want my land.”

“The accuracy of that statement is in doubt.”

The king’s color deepened then he let out his breath in a whoosh, brought a bejeweled hand under his jaw and nodded. “Then you better start at the beginning.”

Selia’s eyes were riveted on the healer as he told his tale.

King Leisle interrupted the healer several times, asking questions or demanding a point be elaborated, but finally the room was silent. Leisle seemed to stare into himself for a moment, closed his eyes then quickly opened them. “Tell this…Jaden, I will hear his request.”

The inner doors burst open, and the steward rushed in. “Majesty, we’ve just gotten word. An army approaches from the south!”

“Standards?” Leisle stood, his face paling.

“They’re too far away to make out, Majesty. You said to report at the first glimpse of an army.”

Leisle ignored the messenger and turned his gaze to Nathan. “So what’s your guess? Guirre or Josiam?”

Nathan shook his head. “It’s not a wager I’d like to make. But we can’t ignore that they’re coming from the south.”

“Yes. There is that.” He turned to Selia. “From what I heard the Svistra commander has your trust. Is this correct?”

“Yes, Majesty.”

Leisle looked between the two. “If this is Josiam’s army, will the Svistra join their ranks against us?”

Nathan swallowed. “If you deal fairly with the Svistra commander he will not attack you, even if it’s Josiam who approaches.”

Leisle turned to Selia. “You concur?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Will he aid me?”

Nathan froze and looked at Selia. She lifted one shoulder. “That is a question, my king, you’ll need to ask the Svistra commander.”

“Fairly put. Prepare your men. Selia, bring me the Svistra commander with all haste, but do not let him know the situation.”

She hesitated. Anger flashed across her eyes.

“You want me to ask him to come here?” she asked.

“Yes.” The king waved a hand of dismissal.

Her shoulders drew back. “Do you offer assurances?”

“What?” the king rose from his chair.

Selia met the king’s gaze. “Assuring his safety while he’s within your walls?”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “Whose side are you on?”

“Your Majesty.” Nathan glanced from Leisle to Selia and back again. “This is something the Svistra commander might well ask. Would you ride out to his camp alone and with no assurance of your safety?”

“Forty years of peace and now a day when my kingdom is threatened on every side and I don’t see a way to avoid it.” Leisle spoke to the ceiling.

“I will go.”

All eyes turned to the chamberlain.

The king’s mouth moved although words failed to form on his tongue.

“Who else? I am second-in-command and therefore of high enough station. I could be considered an equal exchange with the Svistra commander.”

Nathan stared at the chamberlain then turned to the king’s stricken face. “He’s right.”

“This is outrageous,” the king blustered, but there was no heat in his tone. He finally waved a hand. “Go. Let’s get this over with.”

Selia fairly ran down the castle steps into the courtyard. A hand on her shoulder spun her around.

“Are you all right?”

She looked up into Nathan’s green eyes, but didn’t see them. Once again she saw Jaden’s black rimmed golden gaze. “Yes,” she lied.

“I wish I could go with you.”

“I’m fine. I’m only bringing Jaden back.” Why did that sound like another lie? Was it Jaden she was bringing back, or the Svistra commander? Did it matter?

Nathan glanced over his shoulder at the chamberlain descending the steps at a more dignified rate. “He’s a brave man.”

“You know what he was trying to do, don’t you?”

“The king?”

“Yes. With Jaden here speaking about peace, the Svistra won’t attack the castle. He didn’t ask me to bring Jaden here for parlay. He wanted me to take him hostage.”

A wry smile touched Nathan’s face. “Once he wakes up, Leisle is a shrewd man.”

“You would agree with him?”

“It is not a method I approve of, no. But Selia…”

“Jaden would come anyway. Even if he knew about the approaching army.”

“That’s not your call to make.”

“I’m not one of your soldiers.”

“No? You pretty much demanded to be treated as one since you arrived on my doorstep. What’s changed?” Nathan’s green eyes blazed.

An answering fire burned in her chest.

The chamberlain approached leading two horses.

She clenched her jaw. “I won’t mislead him.”

Nathan glanced to the ground. When he met her gaze once more his eyes hadn’t dimmed. “Do you have any idea what’s at stake here? Not just your life or mine. Thousands of innocents. Think of them. Do as Leisle bid you. I promise Jaden will be safe behind these walls.”

“Because of the chamberlain?” she whispered.

“Because I keep my word,” Nathan whispered back.

Selia stared at Nathan. It still felt like a betrayal. But hadn’t Jaden already severed their friendship? Every word he spoke at their parting was emblazoned on her memory. She reached for her horse’s saddle and vaulted onto its back, her mind churning. She looked down at Nathan. “I’ll deliver the king’s message, but you need to prepare for the worst.” She glanced to the chamberlain. “Are you ready?”

After a moment’s hesitation the man nodded. Nathan motioned to the soldiers by the gates, and the heavy doors slowly opened.

“Commander.” Ashani pulled Jaden out of his reverie.

Jaden turned to look at the castle. The gates opened, and two riders emerged. He felt a surge of relief. Parlay. “You know what to do?”

“Yes.” He glanced at the sky. “Sunset?”

Jaden nodded. If they hadn’t heard from him by then, negotiations had failed.

He glanced once more toward the riders as his stomach turned inside out. They’d sent Selia.

“The woman. Is she the one Keldar…?”

“The same.”

Ashani chuckled. “I knew you had something to do with it. Who is she?”

Jaden stared without seeing. Who was Selia? It was a good question. One he could spend a lifetime answering, but that wasn’t what Ashani meant. He wanted to know who Selia was to him. A complicated question overshadowed by a more complex answer.

Jaden turned with a short laugh that sounded more like a bark and met his friend’s eyes. “My mate.”

Selia glanced away from the Svistra massed on the edge of the forest to the chamberlain riding beside her. Her respect for the man grew. Other than a thin sheen of sweat shining on his forehead his face remained impassive. “What’s your name?”

“Lon.” He met Selia’s gaze.

She searched for something to say to comfort or at least assure him of his safety, but no words came. If Jaden gave his word the chamberlain would be safe, he would. But Jaden would be with her. She closed her eyes against the pain and let anger take its place. It was an easier emotion to bear.

The horses thundered from the castle across the green field. Under other circumstances, an idyllic scene. A woman with the flowing dark curls, a white horse, a backdrop of a blue sky. A smile stretched Jaden’s mouth. The scowl on Selia’s face ruined the image. He rose from his seat around the fire, gestured his men to stay and approached her on foot.

As she neared Jaden grasped her mare’s bridle, ignoring the other rider. Selia looked down on him for several heartbeats before she spoke in a voice loud enough to reach his men. “The king will discuss terms.”

Jaden abruptly turned from the horse to study her face. It wasn’t something in the words, and he couldn’t place what in the tone troubled him, but something did. “Where’s Nathan?” he asked for her ears only.

“He had duties to perform.”

He didn’t miss the acid in her voice. One could never call Selia mild or passive. Her passion was difficult to ignore and easy to admire even when manifested as anger directed at him.

He turned to the other man who sat frozen on his horse, his eyes fixed on the Svistra.

“He is to stay here as an assurance of your safe return,” she said.

The man dismounted. Approaching Jaden, he bowed his head. “I am King Leisle’s chamberlain. I will stay with your men for the duration of your stay at the castle.”

Jaden raised an eyebrow.

Selia and the chamberlain remained silent. Something was off.

“Very well.” He motioned to Ashani. “Please show the chamberlain the finest Svistra hospitality. See that he lacks for nothing.”

Ashani handed Arfaltel’s reins to Jaden. His dark eyes sparkled behind the green paint. “May the gods go with you.”

“Remember all I’ve said. You are in command in my absence.”

Ashani lowered his head in agreement.

Jaden faced Selia. “Then shall we go?” And without further word he swung up on his horse.

Selia whirled her mare and began toward the castle. “That’s a fine horse,” she said without turning.

“He is. Let’s hope he behaves himself around so many humans.”

“And you? Will you behave yourself inside the castle walls?”

“Need you ask?” He smiled. “But I won’t like it much either.”

“Your men, will you not bring an escort?”

“Do I need one?”

She shrugged.

He glanced at her profile, jaw stiff, shoulders squared and spine erect. She was in a fine temper. “What’s happened that the king wishes to see me?”

“He wants to know your terms.”

“And?”

“And, what? Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

He could almost hear her say,
there are many things I cannot tell you,
but that was an echo of his own words.

She took a deep breath. “There’s an army approaching from the south. We do not know who it is or if it’s friendly. Most likely it’s not.”

Jaden’s laugh was harsh. “So am I to be a prisoner?”

Selia hesitated. “No. I would…Nathan would not allow it. He’s an honorable man.”

Jaden’s anger flared. “I could turn back now or signal my men, and they’d attack.”

“You could. You won’t.”

“Why?”

“Because, Commander, your people deserve a chance, and you are their only hope. I believe you want peace more than
anything.
You would not sacrifice that for the sake of your…pride.” Her eyes burned with intensity.

Jaden blinked. She was right. This was the one chance for peace without bloodshed and he would take it, but he’d felt every barb in between her words. That she should know him so well sent a fresh stab of pain through a wound he’d hoped had begun to heal but opened now as though new.