Child of Blackwen (An Artemis Ravenwing Novel Book 1) (16 page)

I didn’t know what tortured me more.

Poor Shadow had his own share of troubles lately. The meeting with the Elders left him in a mood that frightened even me, and I didn’t dare ask what happened. He would only glance at me with a half smile when he was caught in the mood, and he would continue instructing me in our lessons. I thought it was fair, considering I couldn’t tell him the details of my own issues.

I sat outside by our training ground and yawned as Shadow set up some new archery targets. He caught the yawn and laughed at my sudden look of guilt.

“It’s not as if it’s early in the day, Artemis,” he teased.

“It doesn’t matter what time of the day it is,” I grumbled. “I’m exhausted either way.”

“Still haven’t been sleeping well?”

“No.”

“Do you wish to speak of the dreams?”

Yes
, I thought as I noted Shadow’s look of concern.

I sighed when I couldn’t speak of it. “No.”

“Fair enough,” Shadow answered, thankfully unoffended.

“What’s that?” I inquired, not only happy to change the subject but also curious about the sealed letter resting beside his bow.

“Our dear Jack has written to us.” Shadow grinned as he unraveled the letter. “I hope Talisa isn’t torturing him too much.”

“He can handle it.” I laughed as I moved closer to read Jack’s words.

Dear Shadow (and Artemis, for the goddesses know you’re there too)
,

       
I hope the weapons training is going well and that Artemis isn’t complaining too much. Since Talisa hasn’t mentioned anyone being shot or killed lately, I assume she’s finally learned to aim. (I only jest. Please don’t kill me, Artemis. I actually don’t know that much of what goes on outside of the cottage.)

       
The apprenticeship has its ups and downs. For the life of me, I cannot sleep past dawn anymore. I will admit, though, that I’m rather starting to enjoy these walks I’m forced to take. Talisa might make a proper elf out of me by the time my apprenticeship ends! (I can hear you both laughing. Stop it.)

       
I don’t have much free time so I’ll just get right to the point. While the question I’m about to ask is directed to Shadow, I have no doubt that you, dear Artemis, will find out about this anyways. So my question is this: is it possible to feel the string to someone when you can attest to feeling it to another? Or am I mistaken and bound to only one of them?

       
Answer me soon. Willow be damned, it’s giving me headaches. And I can’t afford any more head-slaps from Talisa
.

Jack

“The string?” I asked, confused. “What’s he talking about?”

“He’s referring to the feeling an elf gets when they find their life-mate,” Shadow explained. “We refer to the feeling as a string because that’s exactly what it feels like when we’re around that particular person.”

“Hmm.” I took the letter and reread the last part. “He’s obviously talking about Lilith, but who’s the other one? He’s found
another
girl so quickly? How’s that even possible? Does Talisa know about this?”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but as far as I know, the string only happens for one person,” Shadow answered. “We’ll just have to plan a visit sooner than expected and see who this mystery woman is that he’s become attached to.”

“Indeed!” My curiosity grew when I glanced at him. “Have
you
ever felt the string before?”

Shadow stiffened, and I noticed how he forced himself to relax. “I have not.”

“Willow be damned! Shadow, you’re an awful liar!” I fell back laughing, even though I felt a small knot form in my chest. “Tell me, what’s her name? Do I know her? When and where did you meet this lucky woman? Is she from this realm?”

“Artemis, there is no one,” Shadow insisted. “It is not unusual for an elf my age to have not felt the string. Yet, anyways.”

“But it
is
unusual that you haven’t even been with a woman yet either,” I said while remembering Jack’s words the day Shadow returned home.

“For a moment there you sounded like Clarayne…” Shadow muttered.

“As in Lady Clarayne?”

“Yes, and she scolds me about that,
very
often.” Shadow noted my inquiring glance. “That should not surprise you. We are close.”

“I know,” I said. “Even so…” I stared at the clouds and asked the question I’d asked myself for a long time. “Shadow, what are you really waiting for?”

Shadow let out a deep breath. “I’m not so sure anymore.”

“Would you tell the woman how you feel?” I asked. “When you finally find her, of course?”

Shadow ignored the tease in my final question. “I’d like to say yes, but it is easier said than done.”

“I think you should,” I said, somehow noticing the bit of jealousy in my voice.

“You’ve never mentioned anyone either, my dear,” Shadow said. “What are
you
waiting for?”

My confusion to end
, I thought.
To understand if what I feel is true, and not just a passing emotion. And if it is, why do I fear it so much?

You don’t want him to see the monster
, another thought answered. I shoved it away.

“I don’t know either,” I finally answered. “I always hear how women want to be swept off their feet, like they need to be rescued, but that’s not what I want.”

“What do you want?”

I faced him. I could see curiosity in those green eyes of his. I could see the hint of a smile in the curve of his lips. I realized it then. I denied being in love with Shadow because I didn’t want him to know the monster I could be. Sure, the dhampir could have come out whenever Jack slept over, but the thought of Jack encountering my other form was less horrifying to me than Shadow seeing it. I did not want a wedge to grow between us because of it.

“I want to love a man who would love me in return,” I answered. “There would be no fear between us. If he loved my soul more than my appearance, if he loved my faults rather than my perfections…I would be happy.”

Now if only I would stop being so afraid…

“I pray there’ll be one who will fulfill those wishes,” Shadow said. “I pray he’ll be good to you.”

I noticed the minor prickle in his tone with the final comment. Before I could say anything, Shadow stood up and grabbed his bow. “I think we’ve lain around long enough, my dear. Let’s get back to your lessons, shall we?”

Karesu made his way to the audience chamber and froze as the scent of blood grew stronger with each step he took. Worse, he knew well enough whom the blood belonged to—Netira.

He was surprised when one of Arlina’s servants came to his study and relayed a request for his audience. His fear rose when he realized Arlina had learned of Netira’s true heritage. Karesu might suffer the same fate, since he was the one who helped mask Netira’s dhampir heritage. He doubted it, though, since he knew Netira would rather die than hand him over to the Mistress.

While it seemed futile, he prayed nonetheless to the goddesses, Avilyne specifically, that somehow she was still alive. The laws against dhampirs had always been strict in Blackwen City, but under Arlina’s tyranny, they practically spelled genocide.

Karesu entered the chamber and was struck by the amount of servants within. There was a large group of them on their knees, scraping away the dried blood along the floor.

“An ugly matter, mage Karesu,” Arlina said, now standing beside him. “A hazard for any Mistress, sadly.”

“What happened here?” Karesu inquired, now looking away from the blood. “Or should I look the other way and pretend this doesn’t exist?”

“Just dealing with traitors.” Arlina shrugged nonchalantly. She led him to the council room. “I’ll explain in due time.”

Like hell you will
, Karesu thought. “What do you require of me, Mistress?”

Arlina pointed to the large sheets of old parchment lying across the marble table. Karesu identified them as maps, particularly of the elven realms. “The elves? What of them?”

“Only the elves of the Woodland Realm interest me. Tell me what you know of their land.”

Karesu took one of the maps and ran a long, pale finger along the vast forest of the realm. “The forest of the realm is special…it is the only known forest in Arrygn that has veils or gateways into sacred ground, as well as having hidden shelters. In dire times of war, the Elders residing in the city of Ellewynth will force those unable to fight to hide within the veils.”

“Can these veils hide those who aren’t of elven blood or of the realm itself? Are there such rules?”

Of course you wouldn’t directly ask me if the veils can hide a surviving blood kin of yours
, Karesu internally scowled. “It is possible. I would think only those of magical capacity can control the veils, and therefore choose who may enter them. The question would be better directed to the witch of the elves and Kiare’s longtime vassal, Talisa. It’s been said that she and any who pass her apprenticeship can lead those they wish into the veils of the forest.”

“Talisa,” Arlina snarled. “A name I haven’t heard in ages.”

Karesu knew why. Talisa was a dear friend to the sister Arlina murdered years ago. He studied the Mistress, and he was amazed to see her shudder.

Arlina glanced at Karesu. “Do you think you would be able to lift a veil if you came across one? You are a vampire mage. You have great power of your own.”

“I can try, but I wouldn’t be quick to hope,” Karesu explained. “My specialty lies in runes and charms. The forest might not accept my sort of magic. After all, I am of the undead. What thrives on life cannot be accepting of death.”

“I suppose that’s better than ‘no.’” Arlina studied the map and poked the marker for Ellewynth. “Ellewynth’s forces have no doubt improved since the last time I dealt with them. Tell me what you know concerning the woodland soldiers stationed there.”

“Other than that they’re just returning from their second war with the dragons of Fieros Mountains?” Karesu rubbed his cross earring. “The elven forces are tired. They would not expect another call to arms so soon.”

“Go on,” Arlina ordered.

“Ellewynth itself has not been attacked for nearly a century, as I recall. Not since their first war with the dragons. You’ve dealt with the soldiers bred from there in less time than that, yes?” Arlina nodded. “While the forces have indeed improved, I doubt the physical defenses have. The elves are a stubborn bunch, and are slow to learn when it comes to sieges. The confidence was always in the soldiers keeping the enemy as far away from the city as possible. No doubt the veils in which they hide the refugees are far enough from Ellewynth that they can fall prey to hunting parties, should you choose such an action.” Karesu paused as he watched Arlina absorb the knowledge. “To put it bluntly, why the desire for war with the woodland elves again?”

He noted how Arlina took a moment to think, as if she were carefully choosing her words. “They harbored a traitor to my noble bloodline for nearly twenty-one years. I choose to strike now before they can think of her as a weapon against the Dark Fortress. I want those damned elves to remember who they dare to stand against.”

“I assume that I shall be one of the leaders in your strike party.”

“You assume correctly.”

“And what of your Second?” Karesu asked, no longer using discretion about Netira. “Is she to accompany me and anyone else you designate to lead?”

“Netira is…” Arlina’s face contorted into anger, and that was answer enough for Karesu. She pulled out the silver ring charm he’d made for his love, and left it atop the map. “The blood you saw earlier…it belonged to her. She is considered a traitor to Blackwen City.”

“Traitor?” Karesu did his best to mask his true reaction. His fear subsided for a moment; Arlina said “is,” not “was.” “Why does that not surprise me? What has she done?”

“A dhampir in our midst, and not one of us had caught it,” Arlina hissed. She sensed Karesu’s unspoken inquiry, and she actually indulged
him. “It’s no matter now, as she is now suffering from a fate worse than death.”

Karesu suppressed a sigh of relief, despite the horror he now felt.

She
is
alive…for now
.

“I take it she’s undergoing the usual torture reserved for her kind?”

“No. I sent her with a small scouting party to Ellewynth. The elves have their own reasons why they wish her dead.”

The death of the elves by the scouts
, Karesu realized.
She’ll be blamed for it. Avilyne’s hell!

“If she still lives by the time we are to attack the city, how do you wish for us to proceed? Take her back and kill her in Blackwen City, or shall we just dispose of her there?”

“Do what you wish. I have no further desire to stain my hands of her filthy half-breed blood.” Arlina turned away just before Karesu’s face darkened. “Start preparing the strike party. Make sure to leave enough soldiers to defend the city. Once Latos returns, you two will begin the move on Ellewynth. Return tomorrow for discussion on other things I desire for you to carry out.”

Karesu bowed his head, as was customary, and he left the audience chamber. He returned to his study and searched for his sword. Now was a good time for a hunt; he couldn’t afford for word to spread that he was angered after a meeting with Arlina. Even the fools on the council would piece together his true feelings concerning Netira should they learn of his anger after learning what Arlina did with her.