Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Cador was relieved to hear it, but as small and sad as Perran was, he still ruled and seemed in no hurry to die. Cador and Jem shared a worried glance, Cador keeping him close at his side in case Perran decided hurting Jem would be a good way to wound his mother.
“You think you can get rid of me so easily?” Perran sneered. “Your sister should have lived instead of you. Pathetic weakling! Why were you not cursed instead?”
Treeve’s jaw clenched. “My sister died of the disease ravaging Ergh because she refused to eat anything but bread and honey. It wasn’t a curse, you madman! And it wasn’t Mother’s fault.”
There was only the drone of rain in the stunned silence. The same disease had been known before? But was believed to be a curse? Every time Cador thought he had a grasp on the truth of the mainland, another secret was revealed. Jem tightened his arm around Cador’s waist.
Perran gaped at his son. “Disease?”
“Yes. Exceedingly rare on the mainland because most of us eat sevels and other crops. But my sister would barely eat a thing. Now I realize it wasn’t a curse.”
“Lies!” Perran hissed. He pointed a gnarled, shaking finger at Treeve. “Betrayer. Liar!” He lunged at his son so quickly he was able to grasp Treeve’s throat. Cador moved to pull him off as movement flashed to the side.
Blood gurgled from Perran’s mouth, painting the corners of his lips scarlet as he went rigid on the end of a sword. Jem’s brother Pasco yanked the blade free, and for a moment, Perran seemed to hover before crumpling to the mud.
Treeve stared at his father’s corpse by his feet. Taking a shuddering breath, he nodded to Pasco wordlessly.
“Long overdue,” Pasco said with a shrug, and Cador had to agree. Pasco peered at Jem. “Are you well? I’m sorry you had to see that.”
Jem stepped away, and Cador reluctantly let him. Pasco still held the sword, and Cador stayed alert. Jem spoke calmly, his voice strong. “I’ve seen worse.”
“Have you?” Pasco seemed to be assessing him. “It seems your time on Ergh has changed you, little brother. If you go back—”
“ When . When I go back.” Boots sinking in the mud, Jem stared up at his brother defiantly, and Cador’s heart was so full he could barely stand it. Jem said, “Ergh will be my home. Its people are my people.”
Pasco’s brow furrowed. “But it’s not too late. You can still marry Treeve like we planned.”
In another silence, that word echoed in Cador’s mind. Planned. Planned? Planned! White-hot rage at the idea erupted. “What plan?” he gritted out. Had Jem lied to him after all? Was there another layer of treachery?
Ignoring Pasco, Jem looked steadily to Cador. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
The relief was swift and sweet. Cador nodded. He believed Jem. He trusted his husband.
Pasco waved a hand toward Treeve. “We thought you two would be a good match. Strengthen the bond of our family.”
To Treeve, Jem said calmly, “You told us it was your father’s idea.”
“It was.” He shrugged. “But Pasco and I had discussed it as well.”
“You think Mother would want me to marry Perran’s son?” Jem asked Pasco.
“If it served Neuvella. And Mother won’t be queen forever, Jem.” Pasco still gripped the bloody sword, Perran’s body face down in the muck between them. “Treeve and I are forward thinkers.”
Cador hoped the queen slept with one eye open.
“I didn’t realize you even knew each other except by name,” Jem said.
Pasco shrugged. He narrowed his gaze on Cador. “If you’d step aside, I’m sure we can convince the clerics of an annulment. We’ll make it worth your while, of course.”
The fucking nerve of this pompous ass to talk about Jem and Cador’s marriage as if it was nothing more than a transaction. An inconvenience! With effort, Cador loosened his left fist and spread his fingers wide, displaying the dillywig brand. “Jem is my husband until I die.”
Mud squelching under his boots, Jem returned to Cador’s side, clasping their branded palms tightly. “Cador is my husband. Ergh is my home.”
Pasco tilted his head, brushing rain from his eyes. “Huh. You really mean it.” To Treeve, he shrugged carelessly. “I suppose we’ll have to adjust the plan.”
“I suppose we will,” Treeve agreed carefully. His gaze slid to his father’s corpse. “I should be sorry, but…”
They stared at the body in silence but for the rain until Jem said, “Now tell us everything you know about the sevels and the disease.”
Lightning flashed, the storm seeming to gather force again. Cador shifted uncomfortably. “Maybe not everything right this moment.”
“No,” Treeve agreed, eyeing the dark clouds warily. “I can tell you I’ve learned much in the past year about our methods for farming the sevels.”
“Have you?” Pasco’s gaze slithered to Treeve like a sarf. “How fascinating.”
“I believe the shallow soil on Ergh can be strengthened by growing another simple crop that will nourish the sevel roots.”
Cador frowned. “But sevels grew on Ergh for countless generations.”
“Yes, weakening the earth over time. Slowly, slowly, until the roots withered. On the mainland, we have many other crops. Whatever it is the sevels contain must also be present in those foods. On Ergh, the diet is limited. The balance much more fragile. I believe Ebrenn can help.”
“As can Neuvella,” Pasco insisted. “After all, we’ve already formed such a strong bond between our people.” He motioned at Cador and Jem.
There was a determined lift to Jem’s chin.
“Indeed. Though with Ebrenn’s generous assistance, Ergh will have no need to disturb its pristine mountains mining for oil to trade with Neuvella.
I’m sure Ebrenn will be happy to continue supplying what Neuvella needs.
Seeing as you are such a forward thinker, Prince—or make that King Treeve. ”
Treeve gave Jem a bright smile. “Of course, Prince Jowan. Why, I’d hate to think of Ergh’s way of life being altered by mainland interference.”
Pasco laughed sharply. “Perish the thought.” He shook his head. “Fine, I’m sure there will be negotiations to be made between our families. And the clerics, who only have power if we give it to them.”
Treeve grimaced, glancing to the sky as the rain increased. “This weather will be seen as an omen. A judgment.”
“Yes, so we’ll have to decide exactly what the judgment is and how it can benefit us,” Pasco said. “Of that, I’m sure my mother will agree.” He gazed down at Perran’s body. “Now what do we do with this?”
What might have been grief flickered over Treeve’s face. “Will you help me carry him to the castle?”
Cador released Jem’s hand. “Of course.” He still didn’t know what the fuck to make of Treeve, but the man shouldn’t have to haul his father’s body.
He tried not to, but he thought of Bryok on the end of Delen’s spear before tumbling into the black.
“What about his wound? It’s clear he didn’t drown. ”
Pasco easily said, “Killed by one of his own soldiers after he stubbornly led them into a deadly flood. Cursed by the gods for his warmongering and hubris.” He still held the sword, the blade washed an innocent silver again in the rain.
Keeping distance between himself and Pasco’s blade, Cador grunted his agreement. How he detested these games of politics. Not to mention the murder.
The idea that he would one day be chieftain and have to negotiate with Treeve and Pasco and the fucking clerics made him want to snatch up Jem and run far, far away. He bent to heave Perran over his shoulder.
“Doryty!”
Cador spun to see Jem with hands outstretched, the little bird apparently ready for freedom and valiantly flapping her wings. But the rain was still heavy, and she floundered toward the mud. Where Jem followed, lunging to catch her—and slipping down the slick incline headfirst as though it was ice.
From the corner of his eye, Cador thought he saw Doryty gain her strength and fly as he dove. He caught Jem around one ankle, gripping the soft leather of his boot. Now they were both sliding until Cador lurched to a stop, holding on to Jem’s foot with all his might.
Behind him, Treeve grunted, yanking on Cador’s boot, Pasco helping to drag them back to solid ground. Or at least slightly more solid ground. Cador hauled Jem safely onto his lap.
“Did she fly?” Jem asked.
“Yes.” Cador wasn’t positive, but since he couldn’t see her anywhere in the muck, he’d rather believe she flew than drowned.
“It’s all very touching, but let’s get the fuck back to the castle, hmm?” Pasco crouched by Perran’s body, tugging the dead man’s arm.
Jem nodded, and Cador reluctantly let go of him. With Perran slung over his shoulder, they trudged up past the dungeon, the queen’s guards soon arriving to help. Pasco ordered them to take Perran’s body, and Cador was glad to be rid of the awful weight.
In the grand entrance, they dripped mud over the colored tiles.
The queen embraced Jem tightly, apparently not caring how dirty her fine dress became.
She held him, and held him more before giving his father a brief chance.
With Delen, Tas appeared, striding toward Cador and eyeing Treeve suspiciously.
Cador braced, half expecting Tas to shout at him again. But perhaps the visit to Hedrok’s deathbed had calmed him in some way. He only clasped Cador’s arm, giving him a nod Cador wasn’t sure how to translate.
Treeve raised his empty hands. His breeches and white shirt clung to his body, the filmy shirt translucent over his tawny skin. “Your highness, I want no fight.”
“The gods show their anger!”
They all turned at Ysella’s proclamation, the old woman descending the stairs with surprising speed given her wizened body. Cador swore they all groaned in unison under their breath as well. Before Jem’s mother could respond, Treeve did.
“Yes, I think the gods are clear. First fire, now flood. We must come together in these dark times. Unify Onan.” Treeve sighed heavily, clasping his hands before him. “My father is dead.”
Tension rippled through all in attendance. Then Tas barked, “The fucker’s dead?”
Cador had to credit Treeve with the smooth calm he showed. “He is. I’m afraid his mind was gone. It is a comfort to know he’s at peace now.”
Another silence before Jem’s mother murmured, “Indeed. A comfort for us all. I fear he suffered too long.”
No one asked precisely how he died. They murmured vague agreement and pretended Perran hadn’t been a threat to them all.
“Hail the king of the West!” Ysella proclaimed.
Treeve bowed to her. “I humbly request your blessing.” To the queen, he added, “Ebrenn’s soldiers have no wish to fight.
I’ve stood down my father’s— my— remaining troops on the far side of the valley with strict orders of a truce.
I’m sure they can be of assistance once these rains stop and we assess the damage to the area.
I also ask your help in tending to our injured soldiers and horses. ”
The queen nodded, giving quick orders to her staff.
Treeve said, “Thank you. And we must discuss the sevels. There’s no time to waste.”
Unspoken tension rose to new heights as thunder rumbled, the drone of rain unrelenting.
The queen seemed about to reply but then turned to Tas.
To him, she said, “I’m sorry. I did wrong by you and Ergh.
I hope in time you can forgive me and that we can truly unite our people.
” Her gaze slid to Jem, softening. “And our families.”
Standing rigid, Tas said nothing. Cador willed him to make the right choice this time. They wouldn’t win a war against the mainland. More than not winning, they’d lose. They’d lose so fucking much. The queen and clerics had been a step ahead of them all along. Tas had to choke down his pride.
Cador and Delen shared another worried glance. Tas had to make the choice Delen surely would as leader. They’d just watched Hedrok die. No more. No more.
Finally, Tas nodded. He looked to Cador and Jem at his side. “We have all made mistakes.”
“Let us sit together briefly as these rains cease,” the queen said, motioning toward one of the long corridors off the entrance. “After you and King Treeve. Perhaps our children should join us also.”
Pasco was already walking at Treeve’s side. Cador ached all over, and the thought of more politics and having to be careful with his words was exhausting. Jem sagged against him. Cador realized Tas was watching them, and he stood straighter. He would do his duty.
“I think Cador and Prince Jowan need to rest,” Tas said. “Delen can accompany me.”
Jem sighed in loud relief that echoed Cador’s and said, “Thank you.”
The group moved off together before the queen stopped suddenly, turning to Ysella at her side. “Esteemed cleric, will you go to the mother of that poor child? The gods have ended his suffering but you’re most needed with Creeda. I know you’ll be an immeasurable comfort to her.”
The old woman blinked in surprise at her exclusion from the conference. But how could she argue? Gritting her teeth, she nodded as the queen took her gnarled hand, saying, “The gods truly bless us with such a wise and generous emissary.”
The queen turned, leading the way with her husband, Tas, Delen, Treeve, and Pasco in her wake.
Cador had to admire her political skill—but more than ever he wanted none of that world.
Jem tugged him toward the stairs before Ysella could set her sights on them.
They practically ran up the grand staircase, leaving the old cleric without an audience.
Through the huge windows along the corridor upstairs, the sky seemed to finally be brightening, the rain only a drizzle now. There would be much to be done over the next week to repair damage from the flood, but for now, the threat had passed.
Though Jem made no move to stop him or shut the door in his face, Cador remained on the threshold at Jem’s chamber. Jem had rescued him from the flooding. They’d touched. They’d shared smiles—true smiles. Jem had declared Ergh his home. But did he truly forgive Cador?
So much had happened so quickly, and in the aftermath as the fear and excitement faded, where did Cador stand?
Jem almost disappeared into the bathing area before turning to blink at Cador in the doorway. He pushed his wet curls out of his eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Who am I?” he blurted.
Jem’s brows met as he quickly crossed the room. “Are you injured?”
Cador shook his head. “Am I a marauding woodsman come to ravish the virgin prince Kitto?”
A shudder rippled through Jem, his breath catching. For an endless moment, they stared at each other.
Then he was flying, arms around Cador’s neck as he kissed him fiercely. Cador moaned into Jem’s mouth, lifting his husband off his feet as the sweetest joy and relief he’d ever known banished his last doubts.