Blood Legacy: Heir to the Throne (38 page)

Victor looked down at his child, knowing something of great import had occurred. Something about Ryan had dramatically changed. She now possessed a presence similar to Madelyn’s, not that it was malevolent or cold, but that its extent was difficult to grasp.

Abigail, too, sensed the great shift in the girl and inwardly smiled. Ryan turned to her and the two locked gazes. Ryan was not certain how much Abigail knew, how much she merely suspected, or how much was pure intuition. But Ryan now understood Abigail’s hold upon her, and knew, regardless of her power, that it would continue unabated. She could tell by Abigail’s expression that the matriarch knew this as well, and was greatly pleased by it.

“Are you alright?” Kusunoki asked, stepping forward. He hesitantly touched her sleeve as if to convince himself she was real.

“I am,” Ryan said thoughtfully, “I am fine.”

Kusunoki sensed a myriad of emotions in Ryan. Joy at seeing her son and her companions, relief that they were all safe, shock at what she had been through, which Kusunoki sensed was momentous. He also sensed the slightest trace of melancholy beneath these other emotions, as if there was something she was greatly missing.

“All in good time,” Ryan said, sensing her master’s questions. “It will take awhile to explain.”

She began making her way through the Others, warmly embracing Ala, bowing to Saladin with great respect, brushing a kiss on Marilyn’s cheek. She stopped in front of Susan.

“Thank you for caring for my son,” Ryan said.

Susan blushed under the warmth of Ryan’s gaze, and Ryan leaned forward, brushing a kiss across her cheek exactly as she had done with Marilyn. Marilyn smiled at her flustered offspring, and in an uncharacteristically protective gesture, moved to Susan’s side and placed her hand upon her shoulder. Susan was startled at how positively welcome the hand was.

Ryan again moved through the crowd, now stopping in front of Aeron. There was a slight tension about him, as if he was not sure how she would respond to him.

“You know,” Ryan said conversationally, “I have recently learned a few important lessons.”

“Really,” Aeron said warily.

“Do you know the phrase ‘big fish in a little pond’?” Ryan asked.

Aeron nodded, still cautious.

“I have learned,” Ryan continued, “that there is always a bigger fish.” She was silent for a moment. “And always a much bigger pond.”

Aeron wasn’t certain exactly what she was getting at, but he understood enough. Ryan handed him the blue-eyed toddler, and the boy went willingly to his father. Aeron held his son tightly for a moment, his emotion overwhelming him. When he regained control, his tone was casual.

“So tell me,” Aeron asked, “will he also try to kill me when he grows up?”

“Hmm,” Ryan said, “I am quite certain he will try to kill us both. It seems to be in our nature.” This greatly amused Ryan as if it were a private joke. She paused as another thought occurred to her.

“What?” Aeron asked.

“Be thankful we did not have a girl,” Ryan said, muffling her laughter.

Aeron did not understand her humor, but he was quite content just to hold his son. Ryan held Drake’s hand for a moment, then released it to continue her walk. Victor fell in beside her. She paused looking up at the citadel.

“We should probably leave this place.”

Victor looked to her for explanation and Ryan continued. “I don’t think it will be here much longer. In fact, I am quite certain it will be gone the minute we leave.”

Victor did not question her. He merely nodded, and gestured to the general assembly to begin departure. He again fell in beside his daughter. They began walking toward the courtyard entrance, enveloped in a comfortable silence. When Ryan at last broke the silence, her words were startling.

“You know,” she said casually, “I met your mother.”

Victor stopped in his tracks, stunned. Ryan did not stop, but merely glanced back, a darkly humorous look on her face.

“She wants to know why you haven’t called,” she said over her shoulder.

Victor’s limbs were lead. He could not move. Abigail began to brush by him, but stopped, noting his ashen expression.

“Is something the matter?” Abigail asked.

Victor just shook his head mutely as Ryan’s mischievous laughter drifted back to them.

EPILOGUE II

THERE SEEMED TO BE A GREAT PRESSURE in the Imperial Palace. Xvander watched the Empress with unease. Under normal circumstances, he would not dare approach her when she was in such a mood. But the stakes were too high for him to remain silent.

“I cannot believe you let the girl go,” he said at last.

Ravlen’s words were deliberately casual, disguising any underlying emotion. “It was difficult for me to release her for many reasons, and the one to which you refer was not chief among them.”

Although Her Majesty seemed relaxed, Xvander could sense the great tension in her. A combination of many things, predominantly grief. Again, under normal circumstances, he would have taken his leave immediately, bowing respectfully upon exit. But these were not normal circumstances. He tried to control his tongue, but finally blurted out his concern.

“The girl controls time.”

Ravlen appeared unfazed by the outburst. “Yes,” she said mildly, “I noticed.”

Now that Xvander had started, he could not stop. He paced about the chamber. “Granted, she does so indiscriminately, with no knowledge, understanding, or control of what she is doing, but still–”

“Still,” Ravlen interrupted him smoothly, “she has displayed a gift that took me a full twenty thousand of her years to manifest.”

Xvander calmed himself at the very dangerous tone in Ravlen’s voice. But he could not relent. “I was thinking, Your Majesty, that she has displayed a gift that has the potential to rend the very fabric of the universe.”

Ravlen smiled to herself, as if the thought gave her great pleasure. “Yes, there is that.” She turned away from him, extending her senses across time and space. After a moment, she returned, and raised her eyes to her chief consort.

“The time it will take her to raise her son is but the blink of an eye. When that is accomplished, she will return and take her place at my side, and her gift will be contained.”

Xvander gazed at his Empress, desperately wanting to believe her. “And if the girl chooses not to return at that time?”

Ravlen smiled, but there was steely glint in her eye. When she spoke, her words were gentle, but her expression not. “Do not mistake me, Xvander. When the time comes, the girl does not have a choice.”

With those final words, the Empress gracefully moved up the steps to her inner sanctuary, her long robes flowing behind her. Xvander watched as she disappeared and the elaborately carved doors whispered closed behind her. He felt tremendous relief.

Now, he thought to himself, that was more like Her Royal Majesty.

And he smiled.