Cornerstone (26 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Shifting Tides

Sitting high in his saddle, Torian turned his horse’s head toward the tents in the distance. He was just about to urge his horse forward when Garith spoke up warily behind him.

“
Are you planning to just ride right into the camp without being sure of who it is? What if it really is whoever took Emariya?”

“
That's what I'm hoping.” Torian said, trying to be patient. Who else could it be, other than possibly the Separatists that his companion had encountered earlier? He'd welcome that possibility were he not in such haste to find Lady Emariya. He had a few things he'd like to say to Russell's band of miscreants. There would be time for that later, though. Right now, he desperately hoped he would find Lady Emariya waiting in the camp ahead—unharmed, if the men knew what was good for them.

“
Is that really safe?” Garith asked nervously.

Torian sighed in exasperation. He liked Garith. He even hoped that in time they would become friends. He was constantly surrounded by other people. Family. Advisers. Guards. But he had none that he could call his friend. Right now, though, the younger boy was irritating him. The way he'd been talking about Lady Emariya, Torian would have expected him to go riding full-speed into the camp. Which was exactly what Torian was planning to do. Garith could follow if he liked—it was really no matter to him, either way. “I am their prince,” he said simply. “It shall be safe enough.” He dug his heels into his stallion's side without another word.

Torian noticed two things in tandem. The most concerning was the small figure lying motionless on the ground next to the fire. Swirled all around one end was a mass of flowing blonde hair. She didn't stir. After Garith's description, Torian figured that was most likely Lady Warren. However, something else was demanding his immediate attention.

He leapt quickly off his horse as two men darted out of their tent toward him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a third man rush toward the blonde girl on the ground. Hopefully Garith could see to that one; Torian would have to focus all his attention on the two men in front of him. He had intended to announce himself the moment he'd arrived at the camp, but the men immediately initiated an attack, leaving him no time to hesitate before it was necessary to defend himself. Didn't they recognize the wolf crest? Fools.

He ducked quickly as the one on the left made a leap toward him. The man was off-balance as he tried to reorient himself to Torian's new position. Using his own momentum, Torian grabbed his attacker's arm and flung him off to the side of the camp, away from the fire. The second man seemed to be debating whether he wanted to attack or not. That was fine by him. He pulled his sword from its sheath at his side and started to go after the man he'd flung aside. “Look out!” Garith's frantic yell reached his ears just in time.

Tucking his shoulder in close, he rolled to the side, coming up next to the man who had been unsure about joining the fray. He stepped back; at least now they were all in front of him again. He straightened up, preparing for the next blow. It didn't come; the men were now looking nervously between themselves. The burly man he'd flung to the edge of the camp walked over slowly. From his manner, Torian assumed they had just recognized him. He thought it was over, but then the man shocked him by pulling a knife and darting toward him.

Years of training served him well. He sidestepped him easily, catching his arm quickly and twisting it up behind him. The man yelped as Torian's boot came down on his back, pinning him to the ground, his arm still held up at an unnatural angle.

“
You would dare assault your prince? Kneel!” he commanded to the other two who were still standing a few yards away. Torian glanced around quickly. He spotted a coil of rope piled near one of the tents. “Bind them,” he ordered Garith, breathing hard after the effort of the fight. “You.” He reached out his hand, pointing to indicate the fourth man, who was still crouched near the girl. “Over beside them.”

“
Your Highness, I—” Torian silenced him with a glare. Garith had been cradling Lady Emariya to his chest gently. Taking one arm from around her, he reached out and touched the blond man's shoulder. “Khane, let me. It will be all right.” Garith smiled at the other man as he stood to go do as he had been bidden and tie up the other men.

“
This is Khane; Riya's brother sent him with her as an escort. He's with us.” Lying on the ground, Emariya stirred slightly, but her eyes didn't open. Oh, thank The Three—she was alive, at least.

“
Is she…” Torian started to ask if she was hurt, but he couldn't bring himself to finish, afraid of the answer.

Garith’s face was a medley of worry and relief. “I think she's all right.”

Khane spoke up. “I believe she came in contact with some Black Hellebore when she tried to escape. It will take time for it to work itself out of her system. Leil was under its effects, as well, and, as you can see, he is fine.” Khane gestured to one of the men kneeling on the ground—the one who had been hesitant to attack. “She shoulda woken by now. It may be exhaustion that is keeping her under.”

Garith was cinching the ropes tightly behind the men. One of them yelled out in pain. “You ain't gotta be so rough,” he whimpered. “We was only following orders to bring her to you!”

“
Whose orders?” Torian was confused. “Whose orders!” he asked again.

“
We don't know,” the one that Khane had called Leil spoke up. “We were just told to deliver her, unharmed, to the castle. Nothin' more.”

“
Then why'd you take Khane?” Garith asked.

“
Take him? We didn't take him. He was the one who delivered the orders,” Leil said.

Before either of them could react, Khane plucked Emariya from the ground and started to move backwards, his eyes darting back and forth between Garith and Torian. He slipped a knife from beneath his cloak and pressed it firmly to Lady Emariya's delicate throat while using his other arm to support her. Lady Emariya was still barely conscious. She hung limply from Khane's firm grasp. Her head hung back, leaving a clear view of the blade upon her neck. Until that very moment, Torian had not been afraid.

“
Drop your sword.” Khane nodded to Torian, who quickly complied. “Good. Now, unbind them.”

Garith looked to Torian. The prince gave a small nod of permission, and Garith quickly set them free. Torian watched as Garith stepped back, keeping his eyes firmly on Khane and Emariya.

“
Let her go. This doesn't need to end badly,” Torian said in his most royal voice. He tried to keep his tone calm, hoping it would soothe the clearly agitated man.

Ignoring him, Khane instructed the now-freed prisoners, “Spook their horses. Then bring me mine.” He focused his attention back on Torian and Garith. “You two just stay exactly where you are.”

Licking his lips nervously, Garith nodded. Torian could see that it was all he could do not to leap on Khane and beat him to a pulp. Torian couldn't say as he blamed him. He watched as Leil brought a horse over to Khane, who snatched the reins greedily. His eyes lost some of the ‘cornered prey’ look they had had about them. Still clutched in his arms, Emariya moaned softly.

“
I swear to The Three, don't you hurt her!” Garith said.

Khane laughed. “Her faithful dog,” he spat. “Do you ever grow tired of following along at her heels, hoping for scraps of her affections? A girl may love a dog, but she will never lie with one.” He grinned.

Torian glanced at Garith. It wasn't going to be long before the boy lost his slim hold on his rage. “Easy,” he murmured.

Garith and seemed to realize he was about to lose it. Swallowing hard, he nodded back at Torian. They couldn't let Khane provoke them.

“
Hurry up!” Khane snapped at the other men. The taller of the two slapped Torian's black stallion on the rump and the horse bolted with a squeal. After he'd done the same to Garith's gelding and the white horse standing near their own mounts, they quickly mounted up and rode off, glancing nervously back over their shoulder.

Without letting go of Emariya, Khane hoisted himself into his own saddle. Torian's heart thudded. If he took her with him, would they ever get her back? That didn't seem to be what Khane had in mind. In one motion, he heeled his horse forward and flung Lady Emariya away from him, mercifully clear of his horse's pounding hooves. She crumpled limply to the ground.

“
Riya!” Garith propelled forward, at her side at once. He cradled her to him, murmuring into her hair. Torian stood to the side, watching uncomfortably. He wanted to go to her, but she didn't need him; Garith was more than capable of taking care of her. He wanted to stay and make sure she was all right, yet, at the same time, he wanted to whistle for his horse and ride down Khane at once. The man must face justice, and some day he would. But Torian had no doubt that should he ride him down now, the only thing he would carry out would be vengeance. Wearily, he turned, deciding it was best for now to let him go.

“
What now?” Garith asked him, never taking his eyes off Emariya. “We have no mounts; we'll never catch them.”

“
We aren't going to try and catch them. Let them go.”

“
But…” Garith started to protest.

“
Do you really think she wants to look at the man who betrayed her all the way from here to the castle? Let them go; I'll send guards after them later,” Torian said, annoyed. Not only had Garith argued with him—something that, as a prince, he wasn't accustomed to—but he was noticing that Garith didn't always take the time to think things through.

“
Oh, right.”

Torian whistled and a few moments later, his horse came trotting up, stopping obediently before his master. With him was the white horse. Prancing, she stopped near Emariya. She nosed gently at the pale girl still lying cradled against Garith.

“
May I?” Torian whispered quietly. He wasn't sure why he was asking permission. He was a prince. Her betrothed. And Garith was…her best friend. Torian didn't want to step on Garith's feelings.

Garith closed his eyes for a moment, as if debating, and then, ever so slightly, he nodded.

Hesitantly, Torian went to her. He put his arm behind her, supporting her as Garith had. Quietly, Garith stepped back. It was the first time he'd been able to get a good look at her. My Gods, but Garith had spoken the truth. She was utterly beautiful. Her halo of hair made her look angelic. Like a wild angel, but an angel, nonetheless. He spared a moment to wonder if she could ever love him. He'd looked on her only but a moment, and already he felt drawn to her. Her eyes fluttered open as he lifted her. He looked into their blue depths and the world around him melted away.

CHAPTER THIRTY

The Friend Of My Friend Is My Enemy

Strong arms scooped her up off of the cold ground. The warmth of his body radiated through her. She'd been lying on the ground for so long that the wet had infiltrated every layer of her clothing. She was so cold, and he was so warm. Emariya snuggled in against it without thinking about it, and then opened her eyes.

Looking down at her worriedly were the purest gray eyes she had ever seen. If someone had told her they were made of the snow and stone that surrounded them, she would have believed them. Then he smiled at her. Her breath caught in her chest.

His dark hair curled wickedly every which way, despite his attempts to brush it back. She couldn't help thinking that he could have been carved out of rock. He had high cheekbones and an angled chin, which added to his carved look. Several days’ worth of old stubble decorated his jawline, but instead of making him look unkempt, it only punctuated his deeply handsome dark looks.

“
Are you alright, My Lady?” His voice was tense, worried. But strangely lyrical. She smiled reassuringly at him. She was instantly rewarded with his returned smile.

She had thought for sure she heard Garith's voice, but she didn't see him. “Garith?” she inquired, trying to lift her head to look around for him. The man's smile dimmed, although it was no less captivating. He turned her so she could see the other side of the camp. She saw Garith off to the side, working to put out the fire. This handsome, kind stranger must have helped Garith rescue her.

“
Who?” she managed to croak out. Her throat was raw and the words ached as they passed through her dry lips. What had happened? She'd been running for Raina when…she remembered then. She'd gotten the oil of the Hellebore on her when Leil had touched her. She shuddered involuntarily, remembering the things the hypnotic herb had made her envision while she was under its spell. But that didn't matter anymore.

The smile was back, although it was more guarded now. “Allow me to introduce myself, My Lady. My name is Torian Ahlen.”

Oh! The prince had come to rescue her? But the men had been taking her to him; wasn't he the one who had her taken in the first place?

Angrily, she tried to push herself away, out of his arms. He set her down hesitantly. As her feet touched the ground, she felt the dizziness surround her. Prince Torian grabbed her elbow to steady her.

She jerked back out of his grasp. “Don't touch me!”