The Outcast (9 page)

As the last heir of Amyenka that was her position and part of her responsibility. But he knew his healer female would never be able to strike such a blow.

But Dardaptoan law also considered such things—and
he
could act in her stead. Him, and no other.

Aodhan dragged Ragner through the crowd of Amyenkans and Lana’s people took up the cry denouncing him as one of their own.

Some threw dirt on him, and one enterprising young boy threw rocks that struck Ragner square in the groin.

Lana did not acknowledge the arrest, but gave the crowd a few moments to regain their composure. Then she looked at Marcos, and
beckoned. He stepped up on the dais.

She held out a hand to him and he wrapped his fingers around hers. She pulled his palm toward her mouth and brushed her lips against it.

It was a traditional sign of affection between
Rajnis.
And all who watched knew that she was publicly acknowledging their bond.

She let his hand go, then lifted hers to her followers. The crowd hushed. He watched as his female pulled in a deep breath. “Be assured, any
else who perpetuated Ragner’s evil will face their own justice in the coming days—either at my hand or more justly, the Goddess’s. But now we must look to the future, even in this, the most uncertain time for our House and our entire Kind. We do not know what tomorrow will bring for our House and family. We must trust each other, and most especially our Goddess, whose edicts have brought us here today. To the world of Relaklonos, to a world in which we will build the noble House of Amyenka!”

A ripple started at the back of the crowd, so far back Marcos could barely see what it was. There was a glow he hadn’t expected, and he wasn’t certain whether it was a portkey opening or not.

A woman walked through the courtyard, toward his Lana.

Marcos’ breath backed up in his throat and his eyes began to burn. His heart stuttered.

He’d heard the Goddess lived amongst their people now, but he hadn’t been certain he believed it.

Kennera, Goddess of all Dardaptoans almost floated over the ground.

Toward
his
female.

The crowd was bowed now, and not just on their knees. And it wasn’t just Amyenkans bowing. It was all Dardaptoans. He slipped down to his knees before the female responsible for his entire existence.

She stopped directly in front of his
Rajni.
The goddess held out her hands and stopped Lana from bowing.

His female, touched by the Goddess.

Chapter
15

LANA
didn’t know what to do, so all she could do was take the hands the Goddess offered.

She looked only a bit like the ancient paintings that had been passed down through the Dardaptoan people throughout the centuries.

Lana just hoped all of the awe and nerves she felt didn’t show.

Every Dardaptoan knew the Goddess of the
ir Kind.

A finger on her chin had her meeting the Goddess’s gaze directly.

“Do not lower your head, Havalana Amyenka. You have no need to be ashamed of anything, my dear little
sister.
”

“I
—”

“You are special to me, child. In ways you d
o not yet know. I see your soul; as it is now, and as it was
then.
Pure and good and full of the love you possess for your people.”

The Goddess’s eyes were kind and loving, and almost wistful. Lana found she couldn’t look away. Not that she wanted to. “I see the vestiges in you,
as well, of the soul of my younger sister lost to me so many years ago. I did not know at your birth that you had a part of her buried in you.”

Lana did not understand. She tried to tell the Goddess that, but
the words—unlike those she’d used with her own people just a few moments ago—would not come. But the Goddess must have understood.

She smiled, and the expression was so much like Lana’s mother’s had been that fresh tears ran down her cheeks.

“You are still the daughter of the mother who loved you so much, but a part of my sister’s soul has been reborn in you. I did not know it so at the time of your birth, but now that I do, you are cherished always by me and mine. Never again will you be outcast.”

What did it mean for her? Her people?

“We will speak of it later, little sister. Now your future lies with that wickedly handsome mate of yours, who reminds me a great deal of my own
Rajni.
And now your people are waiting for you to lead them.”

The Goddess let go of Lana’s hand and moved to stand beside her. She was considerably taller than Lana, and a glow radiated around her. It encompassed Lana and the warmth s
oaked into her.

It gave her courage.

Kennera leaned over and kissed Lana’s cheek. “Lead them well. They depend upon you now. And go with my love, for the future awaits you. And you’re role in it for our entire Kind is set. We go forward on this great day.”

Lana didn’t know why, but she reached out and embraced the Goddess.

The Goddess would not lie to her, would she? Maybe there was some truth to it.

But she would face that tomorrow.

There were thousands of Dardaptoans looking at her—literally
looking
at her—in that moment.

And each one needed her to lead.

She could not break down now.

Lana turned to Marcos. Held out her hand.
Again.

He took hers. Again.

She had her
Rajni
on her left side. And she had the Goddess of her people on her right.

The Goddess lifted her hand—the one she had clasped in Lana’s. Marcos did the same with Lana’s left.

The Goddess’s voice rang out…

“Behold! My dear sister Havalana Amyenka—champion and new patron of the lost, the abused, the wronged! Go forth into this day, and know that the family of
your Goddess guides and protects you this day, and for always! Go! Build your lives in this new world one day at a time, and know that I am always watching! Always protecting!”

The crowd was chanting again, this time Lana’s name mingled with that of the Goddess.

Lana closed her eyes and fell to her knees as a great rush of power filled her.

Power, awe, exhilaration.

Responsibility, grief, and even fear.

It all mingled within her.

The responsibility was the weightiest gift the Goddess had just laid upon her.

Responsibility Lana
knew
she was meant to carry. Responsibility she
knew
she could shoulder.

Lana did not know what this demonic world would bring for their people.

Great changes had happened already.

But for the first time in years, she felt ready to face the future.

And face it, she would… with her
Rajni
at her side.

For always.