Second Stone (23 page)

CHAPTER FORTY

Emariya’s eyes fluttered open. She could only think of one face she’d rather see staring down at her than Torian’s handsome one, worried beneath his devilish curls.

Struggling to sit up, she asked, “Where’s my father?” Someone had carried her into a tent and laid her down after dressing her in dry clothes.

“He’s resting. Jessa’s tending to him.” Torian’s eyes were dark and concerned.

“He’s bad, isn’t he?” Emariya couldn’t hold back the little sob that rose in her throat.

Torian put his hand below her elbow, helping her to her feet. He looked choked up himself as he nodded.

“How long have I been out for?” Hopefully she hadn’t missed however little time she had left with her father.

“A few hours.” Torian’s tortured whisper tugged at her heart.

Dizziness washed over her and she leaned against him for support. “I’m sorry.”

“The magic, Emariya—I think it was too much for you. Or maybe just too much too soon.”

“I didn’t know what else to do,” she said.

“You scared me.” Torian turned her to face him, cupping his hand under her chin and looking into her eyes.

A ragged breath caught in her throat. By The Three, she could get lost in his eyes. He leaned close, closing the distance between their lips and kissing her more gently than he ever had before.

All too soon he pulled away, ending the kiss.

Torian stood. “Let’s go see your father then.” Without letting go of her hand, he led her out of the tent.

They’d put her father in the tent just next to hers, so their walk was short. Even still, as they walked by, Emariya felt the now familiar tug of the fire calling to her. It seemed different this time, though. It touched deeper, evoking a weariness deep in her bones, and her body felt more reluctant to answer the call, in contrast to the eagerness that generally surged through her.

A soft mound of straw had been covered with a blanket to create a bed for her father, and Jessa sat by his side holding his hand.

“I’ll be outside if you need me,” she whispered to Emariya as she walked out.

Oren turned his head to the side, pain in his eyes. Despite his obvious discomfort, he smiled as he looked at her.

“You look like your mother.”

Fire flashed in Emariya’s eyes and she gritted her teeth.

“But you’re smarter than her, and even more beautiful,” her father hastily added.

“Oh, Father!” Emariya ran to him, burying her head against his chest as she’d done so many times before. “You were so close and I didn’t know.”

“Hush now. Don’t fret.” Her father’s leathery hand gently caressed her cheek. “Listen to me now. There are things I should have told you. Things I need to tell you now.”

“I already know of the Stones, Father.”

Oren’s green eyes widened slightly, and he glanced up at Torian, who’d remained standing behind Emariya. “Are you who I think you are?”

“Torian Ahlen, My Lord. Well met.”

“Your sister—I have her to thank for getting me out of my own dungeon.”

Torian swallowed hard and then asked, “Is my sister well, My Lord?”

Oren’s eyes were kind. “I didn’t see her myself, Your Highness, but I believe so.”

“Why didn’t she come with you?” Emariya asked.

“The pull of the Stones,” Torian said, his words daggers.

Oren nodded. “I wanted her to, but she was right in thinking it would be harder to escape with her. She was very heavily guarded. And she has developed at least some fondness for my son.”

“I will get her out soon,” Torian vowed, “fondness or not.”

“Do you love my daughter, or do you just want to use her gifts as a Stone?” Oren coughed a wet, gurgling cough.

Garith chose that moment to come through the door of the tent behind her. “He loves her, Milord.”

A smile broke across Oren’s face, even though he was visibly exhausted from both the coughing and his ordeal. “High praise from you, son. I would have sworn she would marry you someday.”

Garith coughed, sounding like he was choking, and Torian’s eyes grew wide. Emariya couldn’t help but laugh. When he finally regained his composure, Garith said, “I would if she would have me, Milord, but I believe she loves him as much as he loves her.”

“Good, then. Would you give us a few moments alone?”

“Of course, I’ll come back later.” With a wistful smile, Garith turned and strode out of the tent.

Oren’s chest heaved as he was wracked by a fit of coughing. When he was done, he lay back, wheezing.

“I’ll get my herbs, Father.”

“It won’t do any good, my little palomino.”

Tears spilled down Emariya’s cheeks at her father’s words. She could see the truth to them. Oren’s condition was too far deteriorated. Her herbs might bring him comfort, but they would only delay the inevitable. An agonized sob escaped and she squeezed her father’s hand.

Oren’s returned squeeze was weak. “I would like to see you wed. I don’t have much time, but I want to be there for that, to present you, and to give my blessing.”

“But what about the prophecies, Father?” Emariya asked.

“Who cares?”

“I care. I…I don’t want to risk—”

“Emariya, it is very likely that the lines will be bound, whether you wed or not. If anyone is going to bind them, maybe…maybe if you—my daughter who is so undeniably good and who I am so unbelievably proud of—bind them first, it can be a good thing for our people. Rather than something to fear. Your mother lost her life because of those that feared the prophecy. I won’t see you give up your love because of it, too.”

Emariya’s heart warmed at his words. “So you know it was the Separatists?”

Oren nodded. “I didn’t at first, but I do now. You are a force of good, my Em. Your mother always dreamed that someday you would reunite The Corners.”

“But she had Reeve take your seat, and had me abducted to do it!” Emariya exclaimed.

Oren’s eyes darkened. “Your mother always did tend to go overboard, but her goals were noble. Don’t lose sight of that just because her methods were not. You are better than her. I believe in you. Together, you two will give the people what they so desperately need.”

“Reeve just wanted the power. He doesn’t care about The Corners,” Emariya said, an edge to her voice. The relief she felt at finally voicing her fury at her brother took her by surprise.

“All the more reason they need you. I didn’t say Reeve should lead them. I said you should.
You will.
”

With his eyes locked on hers, Torian dropped to one knee before her. “Marry me, Emariya. I don’t want to wait any longer. For all we know, the lines are already bound, and if they aren’t, they likely will be soon. Marry me here. Today.”

Her throat swelled, leaving her unable to form the words. Emariya reached out and took Torian’s hand, pulling him to his feet. A tear made its way down her cheek as she leaned against him, trembling. At last she found her voice, whispering, “Yes.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Her wedding gown was the simplest and yet the most elegant dress Emariya had ever worn. Made of a simple, smooth white satin, it boasted no beads, no embroidery and no color. The soft fabric’s very plainness gave it a unique, exotic feel. The only embellishment was a thin band of cream cloth circled at the waist from which the gentle folds of the skirt fell. The top of the gown had been folded over and stitched in place to cut directly across her shoulders. Thin, sheer strips had been sewn to the back so they would fall to the ground behind the long sleeves.

“Jessa! It’s gorgeous,” Emariya breathed, overwhelmed at the garment her handmaiden had created.

“It
wasn’t
your mother’s.” Jessa grinned. “I figured you deserved this to be all yours; nothing about it should be hers after what she’s done. This is for you, not for or because of her.”

“Thank you.” Emariya hoped Jessa knew she was thanking her for her understanding as much as she was thanking her for the gown.

As the final touch, Jessa secured Emariya’s crown in her blonde tendrils and then picked up the bottom of the dress so it wouldn’t get soiled in their walk to the cliffs nearby. Emariya clutched the bind Jessa had made for her as she headed toward her prince.

He stood impossibly still, waiting at the top of the bluff overlooking the sea. Behind him, framed by both the bank of the fjord and the sea, the sun was setting, painting the sky in vivid hues of pink, orange, and purple.

His silver cloak draped elegantly from his shoulders above his black and silver vest that sported the royal crest. The wolf of Thalmas. His sword hung sheathed at his side, and his eyes danced like the first day they’d met. He, too, wore his crown.

Behind Torian’s shoulder, Emariya’s father waited. Someone had helped him trim his beard and hair, and into clean clothes. Despite his emaciated state, he looked much more like the father she remembered. His eyes beamed with pride as Emariya took her final few steps toward them.

Jessa arranged Emariya’s gown and then stepped away, joining the crowd of well wishers. Garith and Rink stood at the front, with Jessa and Blaine beside them. The rest of the soldiers from all three lands closed in, forming a large ring around the couple.

Rees Hendel stepped through the throng of people and took the bind from Emariya’s hand. Her heart fluttered nervously as she grasped Torian’s hand in hers. Once their palms were pressed tightly together with their fingers interwoven, they reached out their arms, leaving their hands combined.

Rees wound the bind tightly around their wrists, tying it so their hands were unable to move independently.

“Who presents this woman?” Rees’s voice, steady and clear, carried throughout the crowd.

“I do.” Oren leaned forward, putting his hand on Torian’s shoulder. “You take care of my girl, or I’ll send him after you.” Oren jerked his thumb toward Garith. Rink, standing next to Garith, puffed out his chest and beamed as if he thought Lord Warren had meant him. Emariya couldn’t help her amused smile.

“And who presents this man?”

Commander Plank stepped forward. “On behalf of the people of Thalmas, I do.” His part done, he disappeared back into the crowd.

“Prince Torian Ahlen, what do you promise your bride?” Rees prompted.

Looking deep into her eyes, Torian smiled. “Riya.” The crowd around them tittered at the familiarity. “I offer you my heart, and all that goes with it. My love, my life. Your hopes and your wishes will become my hopes and wishes. I promise to give you all that I am, and more. As the crown prince of Thalmas, I also give you my kingdom, to rule by my side.”

He gently bowed his head and her heart melted, taking in his words.

“Let it be so,” the crowd cheered around them.

“Lady Emariya Warren, what do you promise your husband?”

Glancing at her father for encouragement, Emariya swallowed hard before she spoke. “Torian, I offer you my heart, and all that goes with it. My love, my life. Your hopes and your wishes will become my hopes and wishes. I promise to give you all that I am, and more. As a daughter of Eltar, I give you our friendship and share with you our bread and bounty.” As he’d done before her, she bowed her head.

“Let it be so,” the crowd cheered again.

In unison, Torian and Emariya uttered the final traditional vow, “Bond of my blood, my soul is bared to you.”

Taking their bound hands in his own, Rees moved swiftly, slipping his own dagger between their combined hands before twisting it and yanking it out in one swift motion.

Emariya gasped as the pain seared her palm and three crimson drops spilled onto the snow below.

And then she felt it.

As Torian’s gifted blood called to her own, the power within her surged up to meet it, crying triumphantly as the blood of the Roths, the blood of the Warrens, and now, the blood of the Ahlens coursed through her. The heady energy left each of her senses alive and, in that instant, she knew.

Torian’s own eyes grew wild as they stared at each other, each feeling the merging of the lines.

Together, they both turned their eyes to the sky over the sea. What moments before had been one of the most brilliant sunsets Emariya had ever seen had dimmed only slightly, as any sunset would do. Emariya let out a shaky laugh as she realized she and Torian weren’t the only ones looking to the evening sky.

“So much for the darkest night,” Torian said to her quietly.

Smiling at her husband, Emariya nodded. “So much for that.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Emariya’s head bobbed as she dozed. Her non-bandaged hand cradled her father’s as he slept. She’d not left his bedside since her wedding, not wanting to miss a single one of the few moments he had left. A fit of his coughing jerked her awake.

Oren’s eyes snapped open. “Bring me a scroll. And tell Hendel and the commander from Thalmas to get in here.” His voice, gravelly and raw, grated at her heartstrings. His persistent cough took a little more out of him each time. It wouldn’t be long now.

Torian, her uncle, and the commander crowded behind her as Oren held the quill shakily in his hand. Each letter he put to the page wiggled from his unsteady grip, but it was legible all the same. When he was done, he thrust the scroll into her hand.

“Each of you are here. Each of you have seen,” he said in his raspy voice. “It’s her now. Not Reeve. Her. Emariya. Emariya Ahlen, from this day forth, holds the High Seat of the Great Council. As such…” He trailed off as he worked to catch his breath and then another round of coughing seized him. “As such, she can treatise as needed. Eltar…is…hers.”

After the others filed out, her father squeezed her hand. “Don’t hate your mother, Emariya. Don’t even hate your brother. Just do better. Be better than them, like you already are.”

“I want to hate her. I’m so
angry
with her! But sometimes, I can’t help still missing her, too. It’s like it is pulling me in opposite directions. Between the image of her I always held in my heart and these new realities. I just can’t seem to reconcile the two.”

“It will take time. Don’t rush it. But someday, you should forgive her. The anger will eat you alive.”

“I’m not ready.” Emariya’s lower lip trembled.

“You don’t have to be. Not today.
You
have time.” His voice broke.

“Please don’t leave me, Father,” Emariya whispered. “It’s taken me so long to get you back. Please don’t leave me again.”

“I’ll always be with you, my palomino. You’re a Roth; when I pass on, you’ll be able to speak with me, and I’ll watch over you always. You won’t have to fight this fight alone, but make no mistake, my girl: it will be a fight. But you’ve good friends, and Torian loves you and so do I.” His voice had hushed to barely a whisper.

Oren took a heavy, rattling breath. The agonized sound of it snaked into Emariya’s heart like venom. She closed her eyes. She hated the pain her father was in, but how could she say goodbye? Her sobs filled the tent. “I can’t do this without you.”

“I’ll be with you always.”

The determination in his tone stirred strength within her. “Always. I will love you always.” Emariya took a steadying breath. “What do I do now?”

Her father’s voice came through strong and clear.
“You lead. Leave your heartache here by my side. Hold your head high, as I know you can do. Do not waver, and negotiate a treaty as the leader of Eltar, knowing I support you.”

Realizing his voice had come from within, Emariya’s head snapped up. Her father’s chest lay still. Sobs wracked her shoulders as she stood and leaned over, gently kissing her father’s cheek. Letting go of his hand for the final time, she walked out of the tent.

Rees and Torian were waiting for her outside. Rees averted his eyes while Torian pulled her close. She immediately felt a bit safer just feeling his arms around her.

Squaring her jaw and forcing back her sobs, she faced Rees Hendel. “So, about that treaty.”

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THE END