The Quest for the Heart Orb (38 page)

“The Orb Quest has reached the palace through a secret passageway,” Timon explained in a low voice.  “Prince Zakiel was hesitant to burst in on everyone without warning, so sent me to inform you of our arrival.”

“Prince Zakiel lives?” Lochlin demanded.  “He is well?”

“Quite well, Sir Lochlin,” Timon assured him.  “He and the others await us in the King’s sitting room.”

Lochlin called his second in command with a gesture, spoke quietly for a moment, then turned his attention back to Timon.  “We will take six men with us who can spread the word.  Shall we go?”

Timon bowed again, then started to drop back until Lochlin indicated that he should walk with him.  Timon glanced quickly at the six men falling into place behind them, then nodded to himself.  They were all older men, well known to him, and fully trusted by both King Rhobar and Prince Zakiel.

“I am disturbed that the entire Orb Quest was able to enter the palace and climb all the way up to the King’s chambers without notice,” Lochlin said.  He hadn’t asked a direct question, which Timon appreciated, though he wasn’t bound to silence.  Besides, it gave him an opening to mention something that was bothering him.

“I cannot claim to understand it fully myself, Sir Lochlin,” Timon said in a voice low enough that only Lochlin could hear him.  “Lady Techu and the Orb Maidens used magic to open a tunnel that led us into the King’s chambers.  Garundel awaits the Maiden of the Heart, and when they arrive, the tunnel will seal itself again.  You need not worry on that account.”

Lochlin was excited by most of what Timon had said, but he set his emotions aside in order to address Timon’s hint.  “On what account should I worry, Timon?”

“I used the servant’s stairs to find you,” Timon said.  “I eavesdropped until I learned you were in charge, and your current location.  Then I walked right up to you without being challenged.”

Lochlin’s eyes widened.  “I must be addled,” he said.  “It is good Prince Zakiel has returned to take over, else I might soon invite the demons in for tea.”

“Do not blame yourself, Sir Lochlin,” Timon said soothingly.  “I am wearing servant’s livery, and no one looks too closely at servants.”

“That will be rectified before the sun sets this day,” Lochlin declared.  They’d already climbed two sets of stone stairs and were approaching the third.  “Timon, your seeming lack of curiosity regarding King Rhobar is telling.”

Once again Timon bowed inwardly to Lochlin’s tact.  He had not asked a question which, considering their respective ranks, Timon would have been required to answer were he not personal attendant to the prince.  But again, this was knowledge that Timon wasn’t obliged to keep secret.  “We were informed a week past that King Rhobar had traveled to Beyond.”

“I’m surprised the news traveled so quickly,” Lochlin said, the worry back on his face as he wondered how the information had been leaked.

“Lady Techu,” Timon replied simply.  Lochlin’s shoulders relaxed a little.  Not just because there was no leak, though that was part of the reason.  Mostly he just hadn’t been looking forward to breaking that news to Prince Zakiel.  “I will warn you, Sir Lochlin, that Prince Zakiel does not know how such a tragedy came to pass.”

“Thank you, Timon.”

A few minutes later Sir Lochlin was happy and immensely relieved to greet his prince, and formally hand over command.  He was introduced to the Maiden of the Sun, greeted a much changed Princess Kapia, and marveled at a smiling Sir Tomas.  He could hardly wait to hear the tales of their adventures.

Within minutes his men left to spread the word that the Orb Quest had returned, and the entire party moved to the King’s Audience Chamber which was much larger.  The Hunters and Knights of the Orb Quest were happy and relieved to be home, and the men who’d been trapped within the palace for the past week were equally relieved to see their Prince, so it was a happy group.

There was so much to tell, so much to learn, and so much to do that Zakiel’s head was all but spinning.  But there was one thing he needed to know above all else.  To that end he drew Sir Lochlin to one side as soon as he could. 

“Please tell me, Sir Lochlin, how did Father die?” Zakiel said. 

“Wait, please,” Kapia said, approaching quickly.  She had no intention of being left out of this conversation.

“Of course,” Zakiel said, holding one hand out for his sister.  Kapia took his hand and turned calm eyes on Sir Lochlin.

“Are you certain that you wish to hear this?” Sir Lochlin asked hesitantly.

“Yes,” Kapia said shortly. 

“Very well, Highness,” the older man said, his sharp eyes noting the changes in Princess Kapia with quiet approval.  Not that it mattered.  Zakiel was now King.  The ceremony hadn’t taken place yet, but that was a mere formality and everyone knew it.  It was not his place to argue with either of them and in truth, it hadn’t even occurred to him to do so.  “You know that Ka-Teru was attacked by demons?”  Zakiel nodded.  “King Rhobar commanded that any citizen who wished to take refuge within the palace be granted the privilege of doing so.  Most people left for the mainland as soon as the attacks began, but about fifty families came here. 

“King Rhobar went down to the inner courtyard where the people were waiting for the Hall of Visitors to be prepared.  You know the kind of man your father was.  He often said that he was not King to Isiben, but…,”

“King to the
people
of Isiben,” Kapia finished softly, her eyes bright.

“Yes, Highness, exactly,” Lochlin said, nodding.  “He truly cared about his people.  The courtyard was crowded, but he didn’t mind, of course.  He plunged right into the midst of the crowd, walking among them, soothing fears, answering questions, and distracting the children.  Suddenly one man pulled a sword from beneath his cloak and attacked King Rhobar.  The man was
cin sahib
.”

Lochlin nodded at the anger on Zakiel’s and Kapia’s faces, but they did not look shocked.  Nor did they interrupt to ask how such a thing could have happened.  That, more than anything he’d seen or heard so far told him what the past months had been like for those of the Orb Quest. 

“The sight of a
cin-sahib
in their midst caused the people to panic.  The crowd surged away from the
cin-sahib
, making it nearly impossible for the royal guards to reach the King.  Of course King Rhobar drew his own swords and fought back.  The exchange was short, and King Rhobar emerged the victor.  Just as everyone was beginning to relax, he stiffened and fell to the floor.  Another
cin sahib
, a woman, had stabbed him in the back with a poisoned dagger.  King Rhobar died within three heartbeats.”

“The
cin sahib
who stabbed him in the back?” Zakiel demanded, tense with fury that his father had been murdered in such a cowardly manner. 

Sir Lochlin’s face hardened.  “Destroyed according to the letter of the old ritual.” 

The
cin-sahib’s
death had been brutal indeed.  Zakiel found neither regret nor satisfaction in the knowledge, but he was relieved that those who’d murdered his father no longer walked the plane of the living.  Zakiel bowed his head and placed his fist over his heart, saluting Lochlin and his decision.  Then he turned toward Kapia.  Her eyes were bright with tears, and her face was very pale, but she was otherwise composed.  He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.  He was so proud of her.

“Thank you, Sir Lochlin, for telling us this, and for all that you’ve done.  Isiben owes you a debt of gratitude, as do Kapia and I, personally.”  Lochlin bowed, fist to head and heart.  When he rose, he looked uncertain and hesitant.  “Please, Sir Lochlin,” Zakiel urged, “feel free to speak as you will.”

“We did not know when you, or the Orb Quest would return, Highness,” Lochlin said.  “Nor did we know how long we could hold out against the demons.  I did not want them to get their filthy hands on King Rhobar, so I ordered his cremation to take place the day following his death.”

“We are grateful to you, Sir Lochlin, for your forethought,” Zakiel said, keeping his voice low and gentle.  He knew how much his father meant to Lochlin.  The two of them had known each other since before they could walk.  “Kapia and I can only be glad that you were here when we were not.  When all of this is over, we will have a proper funeral for Father.”

Lochlin nodded, relieved that Zakiel and Kapia were not offended by his decision, and more than a little surprised by the changes in Zakiel.  He’d always been a good man, but a cold one.  That had obviously changed.  “I am pleased to have been of service, Highness.  At the same time, I confess to being relieved beyond anything that you’ve returned.  Might I ask, have you any plans for extricating us from our current situation?”

“Yes, Sir Lochlin, we do,” Zakiel said.  “There is much to tell once we’ve had a little time to get settled in.  However, I am pleased to share with you the news that I have taken Lady Techu as my bride, and that she carries the next Prince and Princess of Isiben.”

Sir Lochlin’s face split in a wide grin.  “Congratulations, Highness,” he said, not questioning for a moment that the legendary Lady Techu would know the sex of her children, or even that she knew she carried twins.  “That is the best news I’ve heard for many months now.  Do you mind if I share this with the men?  This will go a long way toward restoring their spirits.”

“Please do,” Zakiel said, smiling. 

“Thank you, Highness,” Lochlin said, relieved to have something happy to focus the men’s minds on.  “The palace is still fully staffed, Highness, and we have no food or water shortages.  I’ve no doubt you will all wish hot baths and hot meals as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Lochlin, that’s good to know,” Zakiel said.  He frowned in thought and glanced toward the window, gauging the time.  It had been such a long and eventful day that he was almost surprised to see that it was not only still light out, but barely late afternoon.  “We will dine in the Great Hall this evening.  Please select fifty men, including yourself, to join us.  After dinner, we will fill you in on our current status.  I will send Timon to inform you of the time later.”

“Thank you, Highness,” Sir Lochlin said, bowing once more.  “Once again may I say, welcome home, and congratulations to you and Lady Techu.”

***

Chapter Seventeen

Ren stood in the doorway of the bed chamber Prince Zakiel had offered them in the family wing of the palace, staring around herself.  She’d never dreamed such richness existed in the world.  Not only was the bed chamber enormous, it had two bathing and dressing rooms attached, one for each of them, and a large sitting area as well.  She and Marl had eaten a sumptuous lunch that she’d barely tasted before they’d separated for their baths.  Then a maid had brought her a peach colored robe that was made of the finest, softest fabric she’d ever seen.  It was also nearly transparent, which had made her blush when she’d looked at herself in the mirror.  But she didn’t think her husband would mind too much.

Marl stood staring out a window, his side to her, so she took a moment to study him.  He wore a black robe that clung to his broad shoulders, and he held a glass of wine in his hand.  After a few moments, he raised the glass to his mouth, revealing the tented fabric of his robe in his groin area. 

She stared in surprise, uncertain what it was she was looking at.  She’d felt his hardness a few times when they kissed, but she’d never known what it was she felt.  She’d almost asked him a few times, but had never had the courage.  Whatever it was, the sight of it caused her to shiver uncontrollably.

Sensing her presence, Marl turned his head and then froze as his eyes traveled from her coral lips to the hard points of her nipples pressing against the sheer silk of her robe, down to her tiny waist, and finally the shadow of blond curls at the juncture of her thighs.  “You are so beautiful,” he said, crossing the room toward her.  He set the glass down on a table as he passed, then noticed that her eyes were fixed below his waist, the expression on her face unreadable. 

“Ren?” he asked, approaching more slowly.  Her eyes met his and she blushed.  “Don’t,” he said, stepping closer to place a gentle finger beneath her chin.  “There should be no embarrassment between us, beloved.”

“I’ll try,” she whispered.  “It’s just…new.” 

“You’ve never seen a male unclothed, not even a child?”  Ren shook her head.  “Would you like to see?”  Ren nodded quickly, and he bit back a smile.  She was shy, but eager.  That was good.  He reached for the belt of his robe and untied it, then opened it, revealing himself to her eyes.  He wanted to drop his robe to the floor and add hers on top of it, but decided it would be best to take small steps.

“Oh,” she said, her hands automatically reaching for him.  She stopped just before her fingers touched him, causing him to clench his teeth against a groan.  “May I?” she asked.

“Yes, please,” he growled, unable to prevent his hips from arching toward her that last little distance.  She smiled shyly at him, and then, finally, her fingers brushed his most sensitive flesh.  Never in his life had the touch of another brought him such intense pleasure, and she’d barely brushed him with her fingertips.  He had to close his eyes against the sight so as not to disgrace himself by coming all over her hands. 

“Am I hurting you?” she asked, her tone worried.  Marl laughed, breaking the tension. 

“No, beloved, you are not hurting me,” he said.  “What you are doing is making me want you so much I’m about to explode.”

“Should I do something else?”

“Oh no,” he said, shaking his head.  “I want you to do anything and everything you want exactly as you want.”

Ren smiled and returned her attention to his erection.  “You are so hot, and so silky soft,” she said, running her fingertips down his length.  “And so…different.”

Marl heard the question beneath her statement, and set aside his pleasure for a moment.  “Yes, men and women are quite different.”

“Why?”

“So that our bodies can join together.”