Chains of Revenge (5 page)

‘I respect her a great deal. So much so I need to know where she is at all times.’ Devadas waved both of them away. ‘This is not your business. Go back to your work. I don’t intend to destroy Horvald. The Princess Lissa is showing me Horvald, which I must say is very different to the cesspit it once was.’ He looked around the square and saw the people of Horvald had taken care in the building of their town. The square was broad and tidy with flowerbeds and shady trees. He could see it as a place where the townsfolk came to relax and rest after hard days in the fields. It was a pleasant vision, restful and easy. He turned back to the man.

‘In a few days I’ll gather the town’s people together to tell you all about your new king. Until then, go back to work.’

A look of recognition flashed on the man’s face. ‘I know you. You’re that slave, the one Princess Lissa pulled out of the Training Arena.’ He looked him up and down. ‘Come up in the world have you? But not so much that you don’t draw the line at torturing women. From what I heard, your time with the princess saved your hide. So what’s this about?’

Shame and rage flared hot and bright in Devadas’s chest. ‘Nothing that concerns you. I told you to get back to work, and I meant it.’ He turned to Luc at his right. ‘Get these people out of here.’

‘As you command,
My Lord
.’

Devadas shot him a sharp look, hearing the laughter in his voice. ‘Don’t start,’ he muttered.

‘No, I’ll leave that to you,’ Luc muttered back to him, indicating Lissa. ‘Good luck with the whole king bit. I gather this means we’ll be here for a while.’

Devadas glared at him as Luc sauntered down to the crowd. ‘Now, now, you heard the Lord Death. Back to work. He’s not a bad man, just a little over-emotional at the moment. Coming back to Horvald, where he once had such strong ties, has overset him somewhat.’

‘Luc…’ Devadas growled in warning.

Luc turned back to him with a grin. ‘You do your bit and I’ll do mine.’ He turned back to the group. ‘Come on. Me and my men need food and rest. Show me where we can get both.’

The crowd, realising their Princess was in no immediate danger, started to move out of the square, some regarding Luc with interest. Devadas hoped they’d realise there was money to be made from his troops.

The former guard and Ris remained.

‘Val, Ris, please. I’m fine,’ Lissa said. ‘The Lord Death hasn’t hurt me.’

‘Death.’ Ris spat on the ground. ‘You’re a man like everyone else and like most men you think with your cock. Out for a bit of payback are you?’

‘Horvald is not the place it once was.’ Val stared at Lissa. ‘Neither is the princess. Don’t treat her like this.’

Before Devadas could reply, hoof beats clattered into the square as a lone horseman came racing up. It was a young boy, full of excitement. He pulled up his horse without dismounting, letting the horse dance around, ready to depart.

‘What’s got you so full of urgency, young Tig? What’s happening?’

‘My Lord! A retinue from Catiscal is camped outside the town walls. They want to meet with you. Sounds like they want an alliance.’

‘Alliance? What treachery is this?’ Val growled. ‘We sent for them begging aid, just as they did when the last warlord swept through this land. We helped them then, but they didn’t return the favour.’ He turned to Devadas with defiance in the set of his bones. ‘We could have stopped you if Catiscal had honoured our alliance.’

‘Alliance? How long has this so-called alliance been in operation?’ Devadas frowned. ‘Horvald and Catiscal were avowed enemies.’

Lissa shook her head. ‘Not any more. Until now that is.’ She sighed with defeat. ‘The hurricane destroyed most of Catiscal as well. We realised it was wiser to put old disputes behind us and help each other. It’s worked well until now. We’ve fought with Catiscal warriors to repel invaders. But when we sent word this time, they didn’t come. Maybe our messenger didn’t get there in time, Val. Maybe they would’ve come if they could.’

‘And maybe that bastard Antos saw this as his opportunity to get what he’s always wanted,’ Val muttered, his worried gaze resting on Lissa.

Devadas stirred at Val’s words and reached for the bridle of the messenger’s horse.

‘Let five members of the Catiscal retinue in. Tell them we mean them no harm and will listen to what they have to say.’ Tig raced off, his horse’s hooves clattering against the cobblestones.

Devadas turned to Lissa. ‘So what does my brother Antos want?’

He watched with satisfaction as she staggered and turned pale.

‘Your brother? Antos is your brother? You never told me you were the King of Catiscal’s son.’

Devadas saw her face filled with horror as she realised the full implications of his revelation.

‘You would have been ransomed. If you’d told my father who you were, he would have arranged for your ransom. Why didn’t you?’ Her voice was full of tears.

‘A warrior of Catiscal does not put himself out of harm’s way while his troops die or are enslaved. As soon as I was captured I was as good as dead to my family. I knew that. I couldn’t go back. But that was a long time ago. I’ve learned a new code now. Ah, here they are. Let’s see what they have to say.’

Five warriors, all familiar to Devadas, made their way through the main street of Horvald toward the square. A hot lump of pain settled in Devadas’s chest as he recognised their leader, sitting tall and proud on a massive black stallion.

Antos. Antos, my brother
.

Now the King of Catiscal.

Lissa stiffened beside him and pulled on her chain. Devadas turned to her and watched the blood drain from her face.

‘What? What is it?’ he asked.

She shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters.’ The hopeless fear in her eyes chilled him. He turned back to watch his brother and his retinue dismount. His own troops came to attention ready for any threat. Devadas waved them back, indicating no threat was here.

Antos approached him then stopped, smiling and laughing.

‘Devadas! What good fortune is this? It’s been a long time.’

Devadas nodded. ‘Antos. The years have been good to you. You are now King of Catiscal?’

Antos did look well – prosperous and arrogant as ever. The first son who never let his brother forget he was destined for greatness, while Devadas could only hope to be, at best, a general in his army.

Antos nodded. ‘Our father died only months ago. We thought you were dead, too.’

Devadas laughed bitterly. ‘I was for a while.’ Sadness swept through him. He’d loved his father, a man of strong but fair morals. ‘What of our mother? And Dana?’

‘They are both well,’ Antos said. ‘Dana will marry soon. They will be pleased to see you.’

Antos clearly wasn’t as pleased. But that was nothing new. Devadas saw with stark clarity that they’d hated each other and always would. Ten years hadn’t changed that. He studied his brother. ‘What brings you here now? I gather the good people of Horvald expected you earlier.’

Antos roared with laughter. Laughter tinged with cruelty. He hadn’t changed at all. He was still taking pleasure from the misery of others.

‘When I heard the Warlord Death was moving against Horvald I sent out some spies to find out what I could about you. One of them recognised you. I realised you were no threat and the time was come for Catiscal to be the power in this land. You have delivered Horvald to me, just at the right time.’ He dismounted and turned to Lissa. Shock transformed his smug smile as he saw the gold chain at her neck and the lead in Devadas’s hand.

‘Devadas? Devadas? What is this? What have you done?’

‘Nothing that concerns you, Brother. The Princess Lissa and I have unfinished business.’

Antos glared at him, fury building in his eyes and the set of his muscles.

‘You have no business with her. Unchain her immediately.’

To Devadas’s surprise, Lissa stepped closer to him as if seeking protection. He glanced at her, seeing again the fear in her eyes. Behind Antos, Val was shaking his head, desperation in his face.

‘I don’t think I can do that, Antos. Why should I? What’s she to you?’

‘She’s my wife. I’ve come for her.’

Lissa stepped closer to Devadas. She knew Antos well; knew all about his perversity and greed. To the world he seemed the moral King of Catiscal, a land where there had never been any slavery and its citizens worked hard and honoured their gods. But Lissa knew beneath that veneer Antos lusted after both her and her lands, although he wanted her lands more than her.

‘She’s my wife. I’ve come for her.’

The words sent hot, blind rage through Lissa’s body. She stepped out from behind Devadas and walked toward Antos with her fists clenched and her teeth grinding, then came to a halt as the chain, still held by Devadas, pulled her up. Turning to him, she narrowed her eyes, grasped the chain and pulled it out of his hand before he had a chance to grip it more tightly. Ignoring his astonishment, she wrapped it around her wrist and turned back to Antos.

‘I am not your wife. I have never been your wife and never will be your wife. Go back to Catiscal and leave this land. We will not submit to you or your ways.’

Antos glared at her, his dark eyes devouring her like a bird of prey. He and Devadas could be twins, Lissa realised, with their dark, closely cropped hair and black eyes. They were both tall and broad; Antos the tallest and most would say the more handsome. Devadas’s life as a mercenary showed on his face and on his body. He was all muscle. Scars showed on his arms as well as his face. But in Antos’s face there was a shadow of weakness, an impression that his size and physical strength was not matched by strength of character.

Even though Devadas had re-entered her life determined to humiliate and punish her, Lissa knew he was tormented by the last ten years. But when he’d stalked into the Great Hall, a conqueror claiming his possessions, he’d looked like a leader. It remained to be seen if he would act like one. So far he couldn’t think beyond punishing Lissa and, truthfully, she couldn’t begrudge him that. He was a warrior of Catiscal and she
had
treated him as a plaything just as her father
had
treated him cruelly. Her own punishment she could put up with, but she’d fight to the death for her people.

Antos stepped toward her with a clenched fist and she prepared herself for his blow. But a hard arm pulled her back.

‘My Lady, please. You agreed to do as I say, but I can see you need some instruction. If indeed Antos is your husband, he will have the right of that.’ Devadas’s arm fitted around her waist pulling her back against him. ‘So, Brother, when did this wedding occur?’

‘There was no wedding,’ Lissa snapped out. Devadas’s arm held her tightly and while she knew it was to control her, she felt safe against him.

Idiot. There’s no safety here
.

A sharp slice of torment cut its way into her belly. Devadas was Antos’s brother. He would hand her over because he was a warrior of Catiscal and because it would be even more of a punishment for her. She slumped in his arm.

‘Her father promised her to me. We made offerings to the gods that sealed the bargain.’

Lissa wrenched herself from Devadas’s hold, determined to stand for herself. She couldn’t rely on anyone to protect her so she’d fight until her death.

‘I do not recognise your gods and neither did my father. I did not consent to this marriage. In Horvald a woman must consent to any marriage. We do not bully women like you do in Catiscal’

‘Bully? We do not bully women. They know their place and if they step out of their role they are punished. Not like Horvald where you run riot with no discipline and no moderation.’

‘Is that how you treat the Lady Dana? Locking her up so no man can see her except the ones you want to sell her to?’

Devadas jerked at her words, but said nothing. Antos began to launch into another rage but pulled himself together and regarded her coldly. ‘I will not argue with a woman in front of my troops. Come Lissa. I have bought a horse for you. Leave all your belongings. You will not need them.’

Lissa glanced around desperately, looking for escape. A low moan sounded from Ris as Antos’s entourage made to surround them.

‘But, Brother,’ Devadas said in a reasonable, measured tone. ‘Princess Lissa does not consent to this so-called marriage. And since we are in Horvald and Horvald is now mine, mine in the name of the High King Janiver, I have to uphold its laws. Or do you challenge the High King?’

Lissa saw him signal to Luc and, as one, his troops came to attention. They outnumbered Antos’s small retinue, whose soldiers glanced around nervously.

‘I’m sorry, but if you want to court the princess, you must make a formal approach to me. And if you do, I will tell you that your suite will be unsuccessful. The Princess Lissa has already consented to be my wife and we will be married tomorrow. Isn’t that right, My Lady?’

Lissa turned to him, hope and fear warring in her chest. He looked back at her with eyes filled with amusement. Whatever game he was playing, she would have to go along with it.

‘Yes. Yes, My Lord Death. I have consented to be your wife.’

Val and Ris gasped.

‘No, My Lady. You can’t,’ Ris cried.

‘Lissa, lass, …’

She cut Val off.

‘He is now the conquering King of Horvald and has bound himself to uphold our laws. Isn’t that right, My Lord?’

He inclined his head graciously and folded his arms.

‘Therefore, since he has also indicated he will protect this land and maintain our farms, it is best I become his Consort to help him.’

‘Quite right, my dear.’ He unwrapped the chain from around her wrist and grasped it firmly. ‘We’ll make a great team, bound by chains of duty and purpose.’

She narrowed her eyes as she watched him and saw the laughter and lust in his as he pulled on the chain, bringing her close to him.

‘We should seal our agreement with a kiss, don’t you think, to show the world we’re serious.’

He grabbed her with strong arms and planted a smacking kiss on her mouth. At first she could tell it was a joke for him, a gesture to enrage his brother, but when she pushed herself against him and lifted her arms to circle his back, pulling him closer, something shifted. His mouth was hot, impatient and greedy. But he tasted so good, so alive and determined, that she opened her mouth in welcome. And let herself fall.