Lord Protector (38 page)

"Perhaps I should tell her first. The shock will be profound, otherwise."

He smiled. "Or we could surprise her."

"I do not think that would be wise."

"Come now, Chiana, she is young, her heart can take it."

"Blade..." She shook her head. "You have no idea how devastated we were by the news of your death, do you?"

His smile faded. "You should not have believed that lying toad without seeing my body."

"If he had killed you, I doubt that your body would ever have been found. He would have delighted in throwing it in a gutter."

"On the contrary, he would have sent you my head, to prove that he had slain me. It would have been too great an achievement for him to hide it. He would have wanted all to know that he had succeeded where so many others had failed."

She bit her lip, her eyes burning again. "He did."

"Did what?"

"He sent... a head. It could have been yours. It was... rotted."

"Gods, Chiana." He pulled her into his arms again, stroking her hair. "I did not know."

She nodded. "No, how could you? We should not have believed it. Kerra did not at first. She said he was lying."

"Then she will not be so surprised."

"She is convinced of it now."

Blade released her and glanced sideways, and she glimpsed a dark shadow slipping behind a pillar. "Then tell her, but I do not want to stand out here all day."

"You will not."

The guards pushed open the doors at Chiana's gesture, and she entered the Queen's chambers. Kerra lay on a mound of cushions, a pile of blank parchment before her, chewing a quill. At Chiana's entry she sat up, arranging the skirts of her grey velvet gown. After the incident with Lady Cheran, Kerra's wild days had ended, and she reformed. Like the Regent, she had donned mourning colours and wore no jewellery other than her golden circlet. Chiana had been surprised and pleased that the mention of Blade's name had had such a profound effect on the girl's behaviour, but when she thought about it afterwards, she realised that it was not so surprising, really. While Kerra had lost respect for her father, she had never lost her esteem for Blade, and his demise had increased his status in her eyes. Myasha preened on his perch by the window, basking in a patch of sunlight.

Kerra smiled and gestured to the cushions before her. "Chiana. It is good to see you. Sit, have some wine. How do you feel today?" She hesitated, studying the Regent. "You look... pleased."

Chiana realised that she still wore a joyful smile, and sank down on a cushion to pour a cup of dry white wine, trying to formulate her announcement. "I am. I am extremely happy, in fact."

"That is good." Kerra looked puzzled and uncertain. Chiana knew that her constant sadness over the past three years had made those who knew her wary. Most avoided mentioning Blade, for fear of upsetting her, and Kerra clearly thought it best not to enquire after the reason for Chiana's happiness, although the Regent longed to blurt her momentous news.

Kerra sighed and put down the quill. "I have composed a poem. Would you like to hear it?"

"Not now. I must tell you my news first. It is about Blade." Chiana paused, her smile widening. "He is alive, Kerra."

The young Queen stared at her. "Is this a cruel joke, or have you had another dream?"

"No. I have just seen him."

"You must have seen a phantom then. If he was alive, we would have found him."

Chiana shook her head. "He was imprisoned in Contara. He escaped two moons ago, and returned to Jashimari. He is outside the doors."

"If he is, why does he wait outside?"

"I wanted to prepare you."

Kerra jumped up. "Open the doors!"

A handmaiden ran to obey, and the portal swung open to reveal an empty hallway.

Kerra frowned at the Regent, looking concerned. "You have seen a phantom, or had a another dream."

Chiana stared at the empty doorway, her heart sinking. Had she imagined all that had taken place in the garden? Had she spoken to a ghost? Was that why his familiar had been with him, because they were both dead now? Was that why he had been so changed? She looked down at the squashed posy, shaking her head. No, it had been real.

Rising to her feet, she called, "Blade!"

Kerra started towards her, her hands outstretched to comfort her. "Chiana..."

Chiana's heart pounded as the assassin appeared in the doorway, brushing at his sleeve and smiling at something off to the side. Gladness filled her, and she slumped with a smile. Kerra, noting her expression, swung around, and her mouth dropped open as Blade strolled in. The Queen sank down on the cushions with a gasp, her eyes wide. The assassin stopped a pace away and inclined his head.

"Kerra."

Chiana hurried to the girl's side and knelt, taking her hand as the Queen stared at Blade, her eyes filling with tears. He sighed and sat on a cushion, shaking his head.

"Not you too. Chiana has already half drowned me."

Kerra gulped, clutching Chiana's hand as tears ran down her cheeks. "Is it really...?"

"I am not dead." He leant forward and took her other hand. "See? I am not a phantom."

Kerra released Chiana's hand to take hold of his, then her face crumpled and she gave a gasping sob. Blade looked away while she struggled to compose herself, but her tears flowed unchecked. Chiana handed her a handkerchief. Kerra dried her eyes, but more tears leaked from them. She stared at Blade with a mixture of happiness and anguish.

"I really do not think my return warrants this kind of emotional outpouring," Blade said, clearly embarrassed. "I have been dismissed as dead before now."

"This is not a time for your sharp tongue, My Lord," Chiana berated him. "Last time too, many tears were shed for you, some of them Minna-Satu's."

"She only feared that her plans would fail without me."

"You are wrong," Chiana retorted, turning to Kerra. "Kerra, this is unseemly behaviour for a queen. Compose yourself."

The girl wiped her eyes again and forced a stiff smile. Blade poured himself a cup of wine, then grimaced when he tasted it and ordered another bottle from the gawping maiden, who ran out. Chiana glanced up as a black cat strolled in while the door was open and came to Blade's side. Somehow, the once-dead familiar made her shiver, even though he clearly brought her husband joy.

Kerra stared at the cat. "So this is what Shamsara promised you, for... what you did. It is a miracle. I am pleased for you, Blade. And overjoyed that Dravis lied. I did not believe it until..."

"You thought he had sent you my head." Blade frowned. "I should have made his death a slow one."

"What happened in Contara? Where were you imprisoned for three years? How did you slay Dravis?"

"It must be a Cotti trait, all the questions." He leant forward and picked up one of the parchments that lay beside Kerra, which were covered with her scribbles, foiling her attempt to snatch it back.

"Give that back!"

His brows rose as he scanned it. "Really, you should not romanticise me quite so much. I am not a hero."

"I will depict you as I see you, and to me, you are."

"You are still a foolish young girl, and you have no talent for poetry."

Chiana was amazed at how Blade had reverted to his old self in Kerra's presence, although his eyes were no longer quite so frigid. A little cool perhaps, with a lingering hint of amusement. The handmaiden returned with a bottle of sweet red wine, and Kerra ordered a meal. While they ate, she plied the assassin with questions and listened to his account of what had happened in Contara. Chiana revelled in the soft, husky sound of her husband's voice, her heart trembling with the depth of her love. Although he did not mention it, she knew he had suffered terribly in the Contara prison. It was written in his shadowed eyes, which avoided hers while he spoke.

By the time the tale was told and the meal consumed, Blade was quite drunk, and did not object when Chiana took him to his rooms and ordered a bath from Arken, who looked ready to shed joyful tears as well. She returned a time-glass later, refreshed by her bath, a dressing robe over her nightgown, and found him apparently asleep. When she slipped in beside him, however, he opened his eyes, as she had known he would. A slight smile curved his lips, and his eyes drifted closed.

"I knew you would return."

"I hardly dare let you out of my sight. I am afraid I will awake from this happy dream at any time."

"You will not."

She studied him, still marvelling at the miracle of his return. "You have changed."

"You noticed that too, hmmm?"

"You were trying to tell me something in the garden earlier. What was it?"

He sighed. "Nothing of great import. I have decided to spare myself the embarrassment."

"I want to know what it is."

"Naturally."

She smiled. "You brought me flowers."

"Gods, am I going to be reminded of that constantly now, too?"

"It meant something. Do not be evasive."

"You know what it meant."

At the end of the bed, Rivan opened his eyes and started a soft, rumbling purr.

"Tell me."

He glanced at Rivan. "Not now." The cat stopped purring, and Blade met her gaze. "Kerrion's illegitimate older brother, Faradin, is the one who captured me after I assassinated Dravis. In the morning I shall sign his death warrant."

She stared at him, distracted. He had not told her this when he had recounted the tale of his capture earlier, perhaps because of Kerra's presence. "What?"

"Dravis knew where I was. He sent soldiers to the village where I was living. It was Faradin, with his familiar, who tracked me there."

"I... did not think Shandor's illegitimate offspring had any power."

"They do not. He was in league with Dravis."

"Finding him will be an impossible task."

"Not necessarily. I can give your soldiers an accurate description, and Kerrion, I think, will not object to Faradin's execution."

She shook her head. "Not even my spies were able to follow you after you left your estate."

"Faradin's familiar is a rathawk. It would have been able to follow me. I am surprised you did not think of that when you sent men after me. That was insulting, by the way."

"I was concerned for your safety, and rightly so. If you had not given my men the slip, Dravis would not have been able to capture you."

He snorted. "He sent an entire company of mercenaries. What could your few men have done against them?"

"They would have sent a message to the nearest garrison, which would have intercepted Dravis' men before they delivered you to him."

"The village was only a few days' ride from the border."

"And I have garrisons all along it."

The assassin smiled. "You are right, Regent. I do not like to be spied upon, however, and I did not think I was in danger."

"I shall send soldiers to Contara tomorrow, and a letter to Kerrion, explaining the reason for it. If they find him, let Kerrion punish him." She squirmed closer and rested her head on his shoulder, tracing the red teardrop tattoo at the base of his throat with her finger. "Will you stay in the palace, at least for a while?"

Blade rolled onto his side and enfolded her in his arms. "I am not going anywhere."

Chiana's breath caught, and her heart hammered so loudly she was sure he would hear it. He wore only his baggy flannel shorts, and her arms slid around him, his warm presence soothing away the misery of the past three years. She was certain he could sense her trembling, although he appeared to have fallen asleep. She started when his whisper broke the hush.

"Relax. Go to sleep. This is as good as it is going to get, so you can stop holding your breath."

She swallowed a lump, her eyes burning. "You have no idea how much joy your presence brings me, do you?"

"Quite a lot, apparently."

"Are you also happy to be with me?"

"If I was not, I would not be here."

She tightened her hold. "Will you not offer me even a few kind words, instead of trite quips?"

He sighed. "Such things do not come easily to me."

"Try."

Several tense moments passed before he murmured, "I am glad to be with you, little dove. That is why I returned. I feared you would hate me, and I am glad you do not."

"I could never hate you. I love you."

"Then I am glad you lack the wit to know better."

Chiana smiled and nestled closer to him. Trying to glean sweet words from Blade was like trying to squeeze water from desert sand, she knew. His actions, however, told her all she needed to know, and while words would have completed her happiness, she was content to lie in his arms and allow his presence to fill her with profound contentment. One day, perhaps, he would be able to speak the words she longed for, and she would take what he offered until then, or forever, if necessary.

Chapter Twenty Five

The Cotti King stared at the letter Jadar had handed him in stunned disbelief, and read it twice more before he glanced up at the advisor. Rising to his feet, Kerrion left his study and hurried to Minna-Satu's rooms. She looked up when he burst in, put aside her sewing and dismissed her maidens.

"Something momentous has happened," she said.

Kerrion glanced around as the door closed behind the maidens, and walked closer to sink down on a cushion. "He is alive, Minna."

"Who?"

"Blade. The bastard is alive. I can hardly believe it."

"Who says so?"

"Chiana. I have just received this message from her." He held out the letter.

Minna read it, a smile tugging at her lips. "That man is truly a marvel. This is wonderful news. And he has his familiar back. So that is the reward he earned for saving me."

"So it would seem."

Her brow furrowed as she read the rest of the letter. "One of your illegitimate half-brothers betrayed him to Dravis, and sent him to prison... for three years. He escaped, of course. Only Blade..." Her breath caught, and she lowered the missive, her eyes suspiciously bright.

Kerrion nodded. "It sounds quite likely. Faradin always longed for power. He is just the sort to be in league with Dravis."