Ravenmarked (The Taurin Chronicles) (52 page)

“You promised you would stay for the winter, and then you left. You told me you wouldn’t break a promise, and you did.”

He closed his eyes. “I wanted to protect you.”

She sighed and rested her head against him. “I need time.”

“You will have all the time you need. I will wait for you.” He buried his face against her neck and tightened his arms. “I love you,” he whispered.

She let him hold her for some time. “No promises. No swearing oaths.”

“Mairead—”

She shook her head. “No. We aren’t bound only to each other. There’s still too much we have to learn.”

He stroked her cheek. “Whatever happens, know that I don’t ever want another woman.”

She smiled and put her hand on his. She settled against his chest again. “Keep me warm? Like when we traveled before?”

“Always. For the rest of your life.” He sat down near a tree and pulled her into his arms. They pulled a blanket over themselves, and the tree sheltered them as scattered snowflakes drifted into the clearing.

Epilogue

When royal blood leaves the land,

When the Forbidden walks on holy ground,

When the place of peace is bloodied,

Then the hand of Alshada will be removed from Taura.

— The Scrolls of Prophecy in the Syrafi Keep

He’d lost track of time in the cave. He knew when it was morning and when it was night, but he had no idea how many days had passed.
Or is it weeks? Months?
His beard and hair were unkempt and matted. There was little water and less food. His clothes hung loose and ragged on his body.

He kicked bones that littered the cave floor. Human bones—skulls, femurs, ribs—mingled with animal bones. An ancient fire circle lay in the center of the cave. When the sun hit the walls just right, he could see the carvings and paintings of the people who used the cave for their rites. It smelled of death, blood, waste, but there were other sensations there—that the walls had watched couples copulating and birthing in repetition of an endless cycle.

The creature at the cave entrance screeched and stretched its wings. The dark man had promised him transportation away from Torlach when he swore to kill Igraine, but he hadn’t mentioned he would be trapped in this cave for weeks.
If I’d killed her, would he have brought me here?
He didn’t know. The only human contact he’d had since that night was the crone who brought the molding cheese, thin broth, and stale bread that kept him alive. He licked the walls of the cave when he thirsted. Sometimes, he found algae and counted himself blessed.

When the black beast deposited him here, he expected to die. He expected the dark man would kill him. He didn’t realize it would be from slow starvation or madness.

The creature screeched again. The dark man stood at the cave entrance. Matthias laughed. The sound returned from the cave walls in an echo tinged with madness. “Have you finally come to kill me?”

The man stood emotionless, his black eyes bottomless in the thin light of the rising sun. “No. I’ve come to give you another chance.”

Matthias grunted. “If it means you’ll let me eat and swing a sword again, I’ll do whatever you ask.”

Matthias didn’t need to see the man’s face to know his lips had curled into a sneer. “Have you heard of the Nar Sidhe?”

“Of course. I grew up in Culidar. This is one of their caves. My mother used to say she’d leave me outside for their supper when I was bad.”

“I need you to recruit them. The protections around the Brae Sidh village will soon be weak enough for the Nar Sidhe to come onto Taura and destroy it.” The dead eyes stared, unflinching and unblinking. “It won’t be hard to convince them. When they know that the magic is weakened, they will follow you.”

Matthias shivered.
Follow me.
The idea of a group of savages following him made him almost giddy. “There would be great reward for someone who managed to destroy the Brae Sidh.”

“Perhaps even the woman you desire. See that the Brae Sidh are destroyed, and I will see that you have her. I won’t even require that you kill her.”

The mere mention of Igraine made Matthias’ groin tighten. “How do I find them?”

“The woman who brings you food is one of theirs. Follow her when she returns. You will know what to do. Continue to wear the talisman.”

Matthias had forgotten about it. It was such a fixture on his body, along with the stone around his ankle, that he didn’t think about it much. “When will you be back?”

But as usual, before he gave any answers, the man disappeared.

***

The screech of Bronwyn’s owl and the flutter of wings outside her hut woke Maeve from a satisfied half-doze. “Maeve?” the Syrafi woman called. “Are you here?”

Maeve sighed. Edgar’s arm was draped over her middle, and his heavy breath warmed her neck. “Edgar.”

“Hmm?”

She picked up his arm and slid from under it. “I have to see someone.”

“Not Connor again, is it?” Faint worry tinged his voice.

“No. Someone else.”

He sighed and rolled over. “Hurry back.”

She smiled and kissed his bare shoulder. “I will.” She pulled a simple sidhsilk gown over bare skin and went to the window.

Bronwyn’s emerald eyes were alight, and her flaming shock of red hair was tamed into a braid. “You’ve been out tonight. I sensed you outside of Galbragh.”

Maeve nodded. “My son’s blood broke through the blocks. He summoned me for help. The heir needed healers. Why?”

“There is forgiveness between you?”

Maeve nodded. “He said he couldn’t be angry with the Forbidden in the world.”

Bronwyn let out a long sigh. “Thanks be to Alshada. It was important that he forgive you.” Edgar stirred in Maeve’s bed. Bronwyn lifted an eyebrow. “Things have changed here, I see.”

Maeve’s face flamed. “He is an old friend.”

“Just an old friend?”

Maeve sighed. “The wolf tribe has been guarding us. There is some new peace between the Sidh and the tribes.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Bronwyn’s penetrating gaze made Maeve shift her feet and fold her arms. “He is an old friend and a new companion.”

“He’s more than that.”

Maeve bit her lip. “He wants more. I’m considering it.” She stepped closer to Bronwyn and lowered her voice so that Edgar wouldn’t hear. “These last weeks with him have been some of the happiest of my life. Edgar is much more than he appears.”

Bronwyn smiled. “You look happy. Content. Have you told your son?”

“No. Not yet. It wasn’t the right time. He is still angry with Edgar. And he loved his father. I need to find a way to tell him gently.”

“The village is more protected than it was. Perhaps it is because of this new peace?”

Maeve shrugged. “Perhaps. I still feel the magic fading, but it’s slower now. And Edgar comforts me. He does what he can to keep us safe. Will Alshada still remove his hand?”

“It is in the scrolls of our keep. Alshada does not undo what he has promised. It must happen. I’m sorry.”

“Is there anything I can do to keep the reliquary or my people safe?”

“The reliquary must remain on the island. It is part of what stays Alshada’s hand. But the one we fight has found a way to carry the reliquary, and he no longer needs the heir.”

Maeve’s blood chilled at that. “How? Only one of the Taurin heir’s line can carry it.”

“He believes he has found another of Brenna and Aiden’s line.”

Maeve’s voice dropped to a whisper. “There are no others. We were so sure—”

“She believed her father dead, but he lived to marry again. They had a son together before the father died. The boy is a young man now.”

So all of this—saving the Taurin heir, sending Connor to take her to Sveklant—it could all be in vain?
“What should we do?”

“Continue to protect the reliquary. The tribes protect you. The heir is safe, or will be soon. All that remains is for—” She stopped, broke off, and tears came to her eyes. “There is one more thing that must happen, and then Alshada will remove his hand of protection.”

“What is that?”

She hesitated, emotions raw across her face. “The Eiryan princess must learn to use her magic, and then she must be tested.” Her voice broke.

Maeve had no magic to connect her to Bronwyn, but she could see the same maternal fear she had felt when Bronwyn asked Maeve to deliver Connor for his task.
Of course. The hair, the eyes, even their build—I see it now.
She put one hand on Bronwyn’s arm. “She is your daughter, isn’t she?”

Great silver tears rolled down Bronwyn’s cheeks. “Quickly—catch them.” She gestured to her face.

Maeve picked up a small earthenware jar and handed it to Bronwyn. Bronwyn let the tears fall into the jar. “The Syrafi do not cry often,” Maeve said.

“No. There is nothing to cry about in the presence of Alshada.” She gave Maeve a bittersweet smile. “We have much in common, Maeve.”

Maeve put a hand on Bronwyn’s arm. “We’ve both given much to this cause.”
But I got to raise my son.

A screech drifted from above the trees. “I must go. I don’t know when I’ll be able to return,” Bronwyn said.

“Go with Alshada.” Bronwyn stepped away from the window, shimmered into the owl form, and flew away.

Maeve turned back to Edgar. He had one arm behind his head, and one tattooed leg hung over the edge of the bed. She shivered.
How did I ever find tattoos repulsive?
“I’m sorry I woke you,” she said, removing her gown and climbing back into bed with him.

He pulled the soft sidhsilk blankets over them both and kissed her. “Is everything all right?”

“For now.”

“Good news.” He nuzzled at her neck and nibbled her skin with wolfish hunger. “Since we’re both awake, will you do that thing you do with the air?”

She laughed. “You like that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

He loves my magic. How is it possible that a human loves my magic?
“It gives me great comfort having you here.”

He lifted onto one elbow and traced her face, shoulders, neck with one finger that trailed down her body as he spoke in his low, rumbling voice. “You know it’s always been you, Maeve. Always. I loved you the moment I saw you. There’s never been another.”

“You can’t tell me you’ve been celibate for thirty years waiting for me.”

He laughed. “No. But I’ve never loved another.” He kissed her, long, slow, and lingering. “You will remember—I offered thirty years ago. You turned me down.”

“I did, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had Connor.”

“True.”

“Was it worth the wait?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

She traced his tattoos and lines of muscle, raising gooseflesh across his torso. She untied the leather strip that held his braids back, twisted one braid around her hand, and put her face against his neck. The braids of air wound around them both, and he shivered with anticipation. “Show me.”

He grinned. “As you wish, your majesty.”

Glossary

Aliom:
The seat of the Great Kirok, Aliom is not a kingdom of its own, but a small city-state located on the edge of the Esparan Empire. It answers to no king or kingdom and is controlled by Prelate Johanan.

Alshada:
Sometimes called the One Hand, sometimes called the Creator, Alshada is the main god of the kirok in Aliom. Some say he is the only god; others say he is one of many.

animstone:
Pieces of gray, translucent stone from the Syrafi Keep that have the power to suppress blood magic when worn by Syrafi, Ferimin, Brae Sidh, or Nar Sidhe. The origin of this stone is unclear. Some say it may be a remainder of a world created before this one; others think it is matter from a distant star. The Brae Sidh queen wears one in her crown, and it appears she is the only exception to the rule of suppression. She is able to use the stone to augment her power.

Brae Sidh:
Pronounced “bray shee,” these are the “hidden folk” who live deep in the great forest on the Taurin Isle. They were created in the first days of the world as Alshada’s workers. Each Sidh is born with one of three talents—air, water, or stone. At Alshada’s instruction, they formed the geography and weather patterns of the earth in the earliest days. They are ruled by a queen, and humans can come and go from their village, but only during sunset or sunrise when the veil between the village and the human world is thinnest. They now live hidden under enchantments and surrounded by the tribal people.

codagha:
The web of magic that binds the Brae Sidh queen to her people. She can sense where they are or if they are hurt. Through the
codagha,
she can bind the will of a Sidh to her own, but this is seen as abhorrent and only a last resort for someone who is a criminal or lost to madness. There is an unwritten agreement that the queens will respect the privacy of their people.

Ferimin:
The dark counterparts of the Syrafi. They split from the Syrafi after being seduced by the fallen Syrafi, Namha, with promises of great pleasure and power. When they left the service of Alshada, they were tainted and tarnished, and now they can only shapeshift into giant crows. They are still immortal, but can be banished to Namha’s prison by tribesmen with the warriormark. If they are not banished, they can take over a human body and possess it, but they lose the ability to shapeshift. They can still create illusions, however, and they are still persuasive and able to tempt humans into great folly.

Forbidden:
Creatures born from the union of Syrafi with humans. The humanity taints the Syrafi magic, but the creatures are still immortal. They can steal souls and are strengthened by the transgressions of humans. They can travel between the elements, appearing all around the world in a blink. When their human bodies die, they find new bodies to inhabit. They can only be completely destroyed by one of the ravenmarked. Limits: When a human is protected by Alshada, the Forbidden cannot act on that person directly—he or she must send something else. They cannot act against Brae Sidh magic, and those who know how to use the earth magic can weave spells that keep the Forbidden away.

Great Kirok:
The main religious power in the western world, seated in Aliom and dedicated to the service of Alshada. It is governed currently by Prelate Johanan, who has served for twenty years.

kirok:
The name for any of the smaller individual groups of worshippers of Alshada throughout the known world. Run by men known as kirons.

kiron:
A priest bound to the Great Kirok in Aliom. They belong to one of several different orders, among them the Order of Sai Johan (itinerant preachers) and the Order of Sai Cyphus (permanent kirons).

The Morrag:
The personification of the avenging spirit of the earth. The Morrag uses ravens to take the shape of a woman. She marks men for her service by branding them with a raven feather on the thigh. When she calls them to kill, they are driven to exact justice in her name.

Nar Sidhe:
Formerly part of the Brae Sidh, the Nar Sidhe followed Namha in the earliest days of the world and split apart from the Brae Sidh to take up residence in Culidar. They live in the southern forest of the country on the border between Culidar and the Esparan Empire. They are ruthless about attacking merchants and nobles who pass through their territory. Their presence at the southern edge of Culidar is one of the reasons for the poverty in the country. Only a handful of very capable freelances are able to escort merchants through Nar Sidhe territory. Unlike the Brae Sidh, who have remained fairly insular and still have dark features, the Nar Sidhe have spent a thousand years capturing women and men to breed with, and they have diluted their blood enough that they look very much like most of the people in Culidar.

The Rending:
The separation of the Sidh into Brae Sidh and Nar Sidhe. When those who followed Namha left the Sidh, the damage to the
codagha
was so extensive that it killed the Sidh queen.

sayada:
The home of the sisters of the Order of Sai Atena. There are few sayadas left; the largest, the one on the Taurin Isle, was destroyed when King Braedan overthrew the regency.

sayana/saya:
Sisters of the Order of Sai Atena. They are sworn to uphold wisdom, devotion, and service to Alshada mainly through study of the ancient scriptures and service to the poor. The sayanas are leaders of the sayas.

Syrafi:
Beings created to serve Alshada as warriors. They are immortal and able to shapeshift into the form of giant white owls. In human form, they are unique and distinct in appearance. They can also cast very realistic and elaborate illusions, and they have unusually persuasive speech.

Syrafi Keep:
The earthly home of the Syrafi in the most northern mountains of the world, before the great ice seas and beyond the edge of Sveklant. The keep is surrounded by magic and impossible for humans to see. Sidh can go into the keep, but once accepted, they can never return to the human world.

talents:
The magic of the Brae Sidh and Nar Sidhe. There are three talents—air, water, and stone. The Sidh speak of braiding elements; to others with Sidh blood, the magic will look like colored braids. Air appears as shades of violet; water appears as shades of blue and green; stone appears as orange and brown and other earth tones. Only those with Sidh blood can see the braids.