Union (30 page)

On their way back to the royal quarters, Selene had informed him the dragons believed the witch to be the same one who’d caused the storm at sea. It made sense. After all, how many witches would be lurking around Alel? Ryneq shuddered when he remembered her jet-black eyes. He didn’t really understand what had happened when Faelon had intercepted her spell, but Ryneq was grateful for whatever he’d managed to do to the witch.

If she hadn’t collapsed, Ryneq had no doubt that both he and Avelor would be dead by now. The two of them would have been no match for the witch and Seran’s men. He scrubbed a hand over his eyes, trying not to let the image of Faelon’s broken, lifeless body enter his mind again. Thanks to Fimor and Nykin, Faelon was already healing.

Ryneq knew he needed to discuss the morning’s events with Ahlyria and Nihathyl, but he was so tired. He let his eyes fall shut, decided all that could wait for a little while, and fell asleep moments later with his arm draped over Nykin’s hip.

P
ERSISTENT
KNOCKING
on the bedroom door woke Ryneq a few hours later. He stretched and yawned. His muscles ached a little, but he felt so much better. Nykin was still flat out next to him, his mouth parted slightly, and Ryneq smiled at the soft snores escaping with each breath.

The knocking sounded again, and Ryneq rushed to answer before it woke Nykin. He pulled the door ajar, just wide enough to see who was on the other side.

“Forgive me for waking you, Your Highness.” Lerran looked as tired as Ryneq had felt earlier. He smelled of horses and leather, and Ryneq assumed from the state of the rest of him that Lerran had only just gotten back from the forest. “Queen Ahlyria has requested your presence at supper. There’s a lot to discuss, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

Ryneq sighed but nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Lerran bowed slightly, and left, pulling the door closed behind him.

Ryneq dressed quickly. Now that he was more awake, he was eager to find out if the barrier had been repaired and what they planned to do now they knew Seran was working with a witch. He wrote a note for Nykin, in case he woke up while he was gone, and then left to go meet with the king and queen.

Ahlyria’s quarters were full of people when Ryneq arrived. He was ushered over to the dining area where Ahlyria and Nihathyl were already seated at the table with Selene, Avelor, Lerran, and the two elders from the wedding. Another four elves were already helping themselves to food from the heavily laden counter behind, but Ryneq didn’t recognize any of them.

“Ryneq.” Ahlyria greeted him with a warm smile and gestured for him to have a seat. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you.”

“And Nykin?”

“He’s still sleeping. Fimor assured me he’ll be back to normal as soon as he’s well rested.”

Her smile widened then, and she relaxed a little into her seat. “I’m pleased to hear it. I’d like to properly thank all of you for saving Faelon’s life. I understand he would have died otherwise.”

Ryneq graciously accepted her thanks and when his eyes flicked to Avelor, he was relieved to see the elf looked almost back to his old self. Faelon must be doing well.

Ahlyria called for the meeting to start, and the four elves behind them quickly took their seats. “Ryneq, I believe you’re already acquainted with Glaevahl and Cahlith?” She gestured to the two elven elders who’d performed the wedding ceremony.

“Yes.” He nodded in greeting.

She then introduced the other four as elven elders and also members of the council.

“The magical barrier around Alel has now been repaired and fortified where possible. Our ancestors used old magic to set it in place, but unfortunately that is not something we practice much of anymore.” She looked over at Cahlith and indicated for her to continue.

“Yes, Your Highness, that is correct. Although we still have books that detail a lot of the old spells.” She paused and took a sip of her wine. “We managed to successfully repair the area the witch damaged, but it took a lot of energy to do so. We won’t be able to keep doing it, if she attacks again.”

Ahlyria sighed, and for the first time looked anything other than calm and confident. She turned her attention to Ryneq. “You have the most experience in dealing with King Seran. Do you think he’s likely to attack again?”

“Yes.” Ryneq leaned forward in his seat. “Now he knows he can break through your defenses, I think he’ll keep attacking until he can do it again.” That was what Ryneq would do in his position. Seran would keep pressing his advantage until they either found a way to stop him or he and his army got through and attacked Alel.

“We need to kill that witch.” Ahlyria sat a little straighter, as though she’d found her resolve again. “Faelon was able to stop her, but it almost cost him his life.” She looked at the elders as she spoke. “Consult the archives and find a way to do it. I will not have dark magic threatening my people.” They all nodded, and not one of them asked what would happen if they couldn’t find anything.

“Ahlyria,” Ryneq said, and waited for her to face him. “With Morkryn still in isolation, I would like to offer my help to patrol your borders while I’m here. I have sixteen men on my ships who are also at your disposal. I’ll ask Peros to discuss any arrangements with Lerran, if you like?”

“Thank you, Ryneq.” Ahlyria nodded her thanks. “We would be honored to have you ride with our army. Your offer is much appreciated. The soldiers all have strong magical ability, and each patrol will be accompanied by an elder, so you’ll be much better protected this time.”

For the next hour or so, they discussed the most effective way to patrol the border and what action to take if any of them encountered Seran and the witch.

Just as Ryneq was leaving, Avelor caught his arm and pulled him to one side. “I too would like to offer you my thanks,” he said, his voice soft. “Faelon is much recovered already, and if it weren’t for you and Nykin, I would have lost him.”

“Faelon saved Nykin’s life. I’m happy we were able to return the favor.”

Avelor nodded and left the queen’s quarters, presumably headed back to check on Faelon.

It was late by the time Ryneq returned to his room. He approached the bed, silently undressing as he crossed the floor, and smiled when he saw Nykin still fast asleep. He’d turned over at some point and now faced Ryneq’s side of the bed.

Ryneq sighed as he slipped under the covers and relaxed into the soft pillow. He didn’t fight the feeling of tiredness that washed over him. He had first patrol in the morning and needed to be as alert as possible. Seran and the witch would attack again soon enough, and Ryneq hoped that the elders would be prepared for it when it happened.

“H
EY
.” N
YKIN
stretched out on his back next to Ryneq, yawning widely. “What time is it?”

Ryneq ran his hands along the taut lines of Nykin’s stomach. “Early. You slept all evening and then through the night.” The sharp edge of Nykin’s hip was far too tempting, so Ryneq ducked his head and licked at the skin there, sucking it into his mouth. The red mark Ryneq left behind stood out in stark contrast to the rest of Nykin.

“I was tired.”

When Ryneq looked up, Nykin had his head pushed back into the pillows, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. “I guess saving someone’s life will do that to you.” He nipped Nykin again, smiling against his skin when he shivered.

Nykin opened one eye and glanced down at him before he blushed and looked away. “How is he?” he asked, playing with the edge of the comforter.

Ryneq rearranged himself so he now lay on the bed facing Nykin. “I understand he’s recovering nicely. Why don’t you go see him for yourself?”

A myriad of emotions played across Nykin’s face, and Ryneq wondered, not for the first time, just how Nykin had been able to help save Faelon, and why it had such a draining effect on him.

“Maybe later.”

Ryneq decided that now was as good a time as any, and he reached out for Nykin’s hand and linked their fingers. “What happened with Faelon to make you pass out?” He felt Nykin tense, and rubbed his thumb soothingly over the back of Nykin’s hand. “Please, Nykin. You can tell me anything.”

Nykin sighed, but he gave Ryneq’s fingers a squeeze and looked up to meet his gaze. “When Faelon saved my life in the forest, he used his magic to bind the wound. Because he used so much, some of his magic—the essence of it—stayed inside me.”

Nykin paused, and looked at him expectantly.

Ryneq wasn’t sure what Nykin was hoping to see on his face, because he didn’t really know how he felt about it. His gut reaction was to march down the corridor and demand to know why Faelon had dared to bind himself to Nykin like that. Nykin was his consort, his lover, and the thought of anyone else laying any sort of claim on him had Ryneq’s hackles rising. But this was elf magic, and he didn’t fully understand how it worked. Ultimately Faelon had saved Nykin’s life, and if a consequence of that meant he’d left an imprint of his magic inside Nykin, then Ryneq would just have to deal with it

“So, did that help you save him?”

“Yes. Fimor said the three of us are connected now. That’s why his blood was able to help Faelon heal.” He yawned again and smiled ruefully before continuing, “Sorry, still a little tired. Fimor told me how to channel both his and Faelon’s magic, and somehow it worked.” Nykin closed his eyes and rested his forearm over them.

“I’m glad you could save him.” Ryneq watched Nykin for a few moments. He looked shattered still, obviously not fully recovered yet, and Ryneq wondered if he could persuade him to stay in bed today. He doubted Nykin would want to be cooped up in their room with everything that was going on, but it was worth a try. “Why don’t you rest for a little longer? Maybe go and see Faelon this evening?”

Nykin shifted his arm up and raised an eyebrow. “That’s all you’re going to say about everything I just told you?”

“Yes.” Ryneq met his gaze. “For now. I won’t lie, I’m not exactly happy with the thought of you being tied to someone else like that.”

“Ryneq, I don’t—”

“But it happened because he stopped you from dying, Nykin. Under the circumstances, I think it’s something I can live with.” It didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be having a conversation with Faelon at some point to find out exactly what their
connection
entailed.

He pushed all his feelings of possessiveness to one side, and mustered a smile. “Now, can I persuade you to stay in bed while I go out on patrol again?”

Nykin grinned and sat up to rest on his elbows. “The only way I’m staying in bed is if you stay with me.” His gaze dropped suggestively to Ryneq’s lap.

“Nykin….” He’d like nothing more than to spend the day wrapped around Nykin, but Seran and the witch were still out there.

Nykin sat up fully, pulling Ryneq with him, and gave him a quick kiss. “Yeah, I know. Sorry.” He shuffled to the edge of the bed. “But there’s no way I can lie here while you go out and put yourself in danger.”

Ryneq started to protest, but Nykin’s harsh glare cut him off.

“I’m fine, Ryneq, just a little tired.” He slid his fingers into Ryneq’s hair, and pulled him in for another kiss, deeper and longer than the last one. “Now, as a dragon rider in your Army, I believe I have a job to do. The dragons can sense the witch when she uses her magic, so I think Selene and I could help by patrolling the border from above. What do you say,
Sire
?”

Ryneq shivered a little at the way Nykin said it, and judging from the wicked gleam in his eye, Nykin knew exactly what he was doing. But he was also serious, and Ryneq grudgingly admitted it was a good idea. The elves couldn’t cover the whole area by themselves, and any help Nykin and Selene could give would be greatly appreciated. “How will you contact us if you find anything, though?”

Nykin gestured to his wrist, the one free of his mark. “The same way Faelon contacted Lerran for help. Surely they must have a spare magical cuff?”

“We can ask Lerran. I’m meeting him this morning.”

Nykin nodded and climbed out of bed. As he headed toward the bathroom, Ryneq grabbed his clothes and began to get dressed. They had a long day ahead of them, and he was eager to get started. The sooner they found and killed Seran and his witch, the sooner he and Nykin could go home.

N
YKIN
SPENT
the day in the sky, riding low over the forest with Fimor and trying to get a feel for where the witch might be. Lerran had given him Faelon’s cuff and shown him how to use it. It seemed to work much the same as Cerylea’s link stone did. If Nykin and Fimor found anything, Nykin could connect to Lerran’s mind for long enough to let him know.

Hours passed before Fimor felt the unwelcome presence of dark magic. Nykin immediately sent a message to Lerran, and told him the approximate area. But when he and Fimor arrived back at the royal quarters later on, Ryneq was already waiting with disappointing news.