Vengeance (5 page)

“Oh,”
she shakes her head, grinning from ear to ear, “you didn’t
have to do that.”

“Please,”
I wave her off as I offer the box to her.  She glances at me
once before she opens the lid and I’m rewarded with a look of
pure excitement.  I knew this day, this gift, this moment would
be perfect.  

Now
all I can hope is that Kyan will rein himself in long enough not to
spoil it for everyone.  I had to send Eamon out to find Kyan
less than half an hour ago.  Eamon reported back that he found
the preoccupied groom on the back veranda giving final instructions
to the guard he selected for me.  Although I am yet again
grateful for Kyan’s thoroughness, I am also amused at his
inability to give over control.  
And
Eamon says I’m a control freak!

Aminah’s
breath catches as she sets the box aside and draws out the delicate
sapphire bracelet that matches perfectly with the coin sized jewel
resting in the hollow of her neck that Toren gave her on their
anniversary two weeks prior.

“It’s
gorgeous,” she whispers, running her fingertips over the smooth
stones.

“It is
customary for a bride to have something new and something blue on her
wedding day.  I felt that it was only right to bring a small
slice of Earth’s tradition back today.”

Tears slip past
Aminah’s closed eyes as she clutches the bracelet close.  I
smile, pleased that my friend likes her gift so much, but after a
moment I realize that her tears have continued to fall.

“Aminah?”
 I step forward and reach out to her.  “Are you
alright?”

“Yes,”
she whispers, wiping at her tears.  “I’m fine.  I
just…I feel a bit out of sorts at the moment.”

“Oh,” I
pat her arm as I pull the bracelet from her grasp and clasp it around
her slender wrist, “that is perfectly natural on your wedding
day.  I thought I was going to be ill all over the planter of
tiger lilies just outside the throne room before I walked down the
aisle to meet Eamon.”

Aminah’s curls
bounce against her face as she shakes her head.  “No, it’s
something more than that.  I have the most curious feeling.”

My hand stills on
her wrist.  The bracelet falls free from my grasp, swinging in
place but I don’t release her hand.  “What sort of
feeling?”

Feelings are
something that I no longer take lightly.  Growing up in the
woods, I learned to listen to my gut instinct.  Then later when
I developed the ability to read thoughts and see the future I
discovered an even deeper need to pay attention to odd feelings.  

“I don’t
really know how to explain it.” She crumples up her nose.
 “It’s almost like someone is massaging my mind.  I
can feel a presence but it remains just out of reach.”

I release Aminah’s
hand and step back, frowning.  “Has that ever happened
before?”

There are only four
people that I have ever known to possess this ability.  Commander
Drakon and Aloysius are both dead.  Sariana has returned from
Earth but taken up residence in a city over one hundred leagues from
here.  That leaves only one person, though I cannot fathom any
reason why Kyan would bother to mess with Aminah’s mind.

Could someone
else be playing with her thoughts?  Surely there are others who
possess the same abilities, but even so why would they pick today of
all days to mess with her abilities?

“Do you know
what it feels like?”  Aminah shifts toward a chair and
slowly sinks down.  She winces at the narrow fit along her waist
making it hard for her to bend, but somehow she manages to sort of
flop back onto the chair.  “It feels like there is a
puzzle spread before me and one piece is missing and yet the piece
was just there only a moment ago.

I bite on my lower
lip, concerned though trying not to show it.  “Well,
whatever this new feeling is I’m sure it will pass. Right now
you have only one thing to worry about.”

Aminah glances up at
me and I grin.  “Don’t trip over that darn dress as
you walk down the aisle.”

The scent of
wildflowers fills the air as I step through the open double doors.  A
crimson runner trails out before me, cushioning each step that I
take.  In the past traditions of Earth, I hold a woven basket on
my arm and the velvety softness of flower petals slip through my
fingers as I walk in time with the music.  

A woman draped in a
flowing silver dress, reminiscent of the moonflowers that I admired
growing along the shores of our honeymoon retreat, sits before a tall
stringed instrument.  She strums her fingers along each strand,
weaving a beautiful melody.  Heads turn as I approach and I
smile down at the men and women who have so easily become part of my
family.  Each of my friends’ parents, and my own as well,
bow their heads in respect as I move past them up the aisle.

As promised, only a
dozen people are in attendance apart from the security guards that
linger in the corners, attempting to remain unnoticed.  I look
up to see Kyan and Zahra standing just off to the side, their hands
clasped tightly in each other’s.  Zahra insisted on
getting hitched first, just in case the apocalypse struck in the
middle of her big moment and Kyan rushed right out the door.  

I
smile at them, overjoyed to see Kyan’s mildly relaxed pose.  
I
guess it’s better than nothing,
I
muse as I turn to look at Toren.  He stands rigidly before me,
his hands clasping and unclasping at his sides.  A slight sheen
of sweat clings to his brow as I lift the hem of my skirt to climb
the four steps.

I hold out my hand
to the man standing in position beside me and allow him to assist me
up the steps. Although I am not wearing heels, it is always a bonus
when I can get some help hefting a heavy dress and train.  At
the top step I turn to thank him and find his head already bowed.  

I squeeze his arm in
silent thanks and turn to face Toren.  His eyes lower to meet
mine though I can tell he is anxious to catch a glimpse of Aminah.
 “Don’t look so worried,” I whisper as I rise
onto my toes to give him a hug.  “You two were born for
this moment.”

Toren offers me a
smile as I lower to the ground and take up my place beside Zahra.  I
glance to my left and wink at Eamon and then return my gaze to the
back of the room as Aminah enters.  The music shifts once more
and I recognize the Caldonian wedding march, slow and rhythmic, like
a love song meant to last for hours.  Hardly what I would call a
march.

The
women in the room inhale as they turn to see the stunning bride.
 Never before have I seen Aminah look so beautiful.  Her
pale skin is flushed with excitement, and her eyes are bright and
focused solely on Toren.  Her father stands at her side, tall
and proud.  His hand clasps over her hand, giving her the
reassurance that she needs to take the long walk into her future.

I
smile at Aminah’s parents, endlessly grateful for the new
families that we have each been provided.  Our adopted parents
on Earth gave their lives for our survival, but here on Calisted our
blood relatives remained, pining for our return.  It had not
surprised me in the least to find that Aminah’s gentle nature
came from her birth mother.

With my gaze riveted
on Aminah’s approach I hardly notice the man step back down the
platform stairs to prepare to assist Aminah.  I watch as she
lifts her face and smiles as her father presses a farewell kiss on
her forehead.  She wraps her arms around his neck and gives him
a hug then releases him and offers the assistant her hand.

When I look up from
her to the man who holds his arm out for Aminah to grasp, I freeze.
 My fingers clamp down painfully on the rim of the basket.  I
can hear the woven strands creaking in protest but I don’t
release my hold until the handle snaps off in my hand.

Kyan
steps forward and grasps my arm, drawing me back.  From the
corner of my eye I noticed Aminah’s concerned glance and I know
that I have not hidden my thoughts from her.  
I’m
fine.  Just a little overheated.

I can feel that
she’s not buying my lie but at that moment Toren steps forward
to take her hand and Aminah refocuses on her soon-to-be husband.  I
can feel pressure on my arm and realize that Kyan still has a hold of
me.  “I’m fine, Kyan.  Nothing to worry about.”

His frown is already
deeply placed when I turn to look at him.  “We both know
that isn’t true.  I knew this was a bad idea.”

I
watch his gaze shift beyond me and turn.  The instant I stare
into a pair of the most startling blue eyes I’ve ever glimpsed
I feel an odd sensation.  It begins at the crown of my head and
falls over me like a gentle rain shower.  My confusion
diminishes but I am left with a sensation that something isn’t
quite right.

“Feel better?”
Kyan whispers in my ear.  

In the near distance
I can hear the priest begin the ceremony and nod.  Yes, I am
fine, aren’t I?

The remainder of the
wedding runs smoothly and the moment Aminah and Toren kiss to seal
their vow I find myself being drawn away.  Kyan motions for
Eamon to join me and he is instantly at my side.

“I’m
afraid Illyria is a bit under the weather.  Perhaps it would be
best for her to return to your room and rest before the party.”

“No,” I
protest, shaking my head.  I offer him what I hope to be a
convincing smile.  “I feel fine now.  Just a little
woozy for a moment there.  My mother warned me earlier about
locking my knees but I must have forgotten.”

Eamon’s arm
winds around my waist as I lean into him for support, realizing how
good it feels to be in his arms.  “I’ll keep a close
eye on her, Kyan.  Now you need to go see to your new bride.”
 

He jerks his chin in
Zahra’s direction and I smirk at the obvious flush in Kyan’s
ears.  He clears his throat and nods, though he doesn’t
leave my side without one last long glance.  In the recesses of
my mind I can feel him prodding against the walls that I have learned
to keep erect.  It’s not that I fear his inspection.  I
have just grown to enjoy my own privacy over the past few months.
Some things are better not shared.

The
party moves out onto the twilit palace grounds a short time later.
 Water fountains glow with a myriad of colors illuminated from
within the bubbling waters.  A large white tent has been erected
and tables set out, each one lavishly adorned with platters spilling
over with fresh fruits and steaming meats.  My stomach growls as
I take my place beside Eamon and Aminah and dig in.

As the moon begins
to rise in the sky I push my plate aside, too full to eat another
bite.  Laughter and the murmur of voices fills the air.  I
sink back into my chair and smile at the people I call my own.  My
friends from Earth.  Soldiers I have fought alongside.  Parents
we have reclaimed.  Never before have I been surrounded by such
love.

“It is a shame
Alesta was unable to attend tonight,” Eamon says as he reaches
for my hand, twining his fingers with mine.  I nod, remembering
how desperately sad my friend had been when she discovered that she
would not be able to attend.  Freed from Aloysius’ service
as my handmaid, Alesta has returned to her homeland.  I suspect
that she has a special guy waiting for her, though I have not pressed
her on the issue.  Now that she is free we have maintained a
friendship, but I no longer allow her to be my servant.  I will
never again have a servant.

“She would
have loved the sculptures.”   Looking out over the
garden I can’t help but admire the ice sculptures that Alesta’s
brother Carleon arranged to have fashioned for the event.  Apparently
his blushing bride Anwen has a talent that no one thought to tell us
about until just recently.  I smile at the realization at how
much all of us have changed.  Each of us have found our true
loves.  We are starting out our new lives, treading into waters
previously thought to be too perilous and now, sitting here among my
friends, I know this is exactly how it was always meant to be.

“I’m
sure Anwen will be more than happy to design more for Alesta’s
wedding.”

I grin and tilt my
head to the side, casting a glance at Carleon as he leans in to
whisper in his wife’s ear.  His hand is placed
possessively on her swelling belly.  The first child among us.
 “I have a feeling she is going to have her hands pretty
full soon.”

Eamon raises our
hands and presses mine to his lips.  His gaze is gentle and
filled with love.  “That could be us someday.”

“It will be.”
 I turn to look up at him and feel warmth begin to seep into my
cheeks.  It never ceases to amaze me how Eamon can affect me so
swiftly.  

My attention is
drawn away by the tinkling of glass.  I turn to look at Kyan who
stands on a raised platform, his glass and fork in hand.  A hush
falls over the space as Kyan clears his throat.  

“I know many
of you thought this day would never come.  Most of all my lovely
Zahra.”  Ripples of laughter spread through the small
group as she enthusiastically nods in agreement.  “None of
us would be here tonight without the prodding and support of one very
special lady.  Illyria, would you please stand?”

Flustered, I look to
Eamon for support but he simply smiles and nods in encouragement.  I
rise and place my napkin beside my plate, feeling awkward to be put
on the spot.  “I would like to propose a toast.  To
Illyria, our queen and our friend.  Without your help none of us
would be here today.”

“To Illyria!”

I
blush furiously at the rousing cry and following applause.  I
wave them off, feeling as if my cheeks have been set alight as I move
to sit but stop short.  There, in the shadows just beyond Kyan
is the man I saw at the wedding.

His hair falls about
his shoulder in waves of raven black, veiling the intensity of his
eyes as the wind blows the find strands across his face.  His
jaw is set tight as his gaze roams the dining area.  His hands
are clasped at his back, his legs shoulder width apart.  Ever
the attentive soldier.  His gaze sweeps back and the instant he
settles on me I feel faint.