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Chapter 12
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Ralion left Marc to wait for news from Morlin, but left the connecting office door open. After retrieving a cup of tea, Marc settled at his desk again. He was more tired now after the trip to the Medic Center, and all he really wanted was to lie down and get some sleep.
He tried not to think about why the nagging voice was now still, leaving only a sense of relief at having taken care of Maralt and averting what he felt could have been a disaster. Marc shook his head at the set of circumstances that led him to the discovery, and decided it was better not to question why. The couch beckoned to him, and finally, he gave in. The moment he’d made himself comfortable, the companel chirped.
“Commander Morlin is online for you, my Lord.”
“Put him through,” he said, using his receiver to respond. He glanced back and saw Ralion standing in the doorway. “Go ahead, Commander.”
“Our mission is complete and successful. I’m speaking to you from Governor Alse’s comterm. I’m sending a detailed report, but our preliminary findings are more promising than we thought. It seems the Governors have been hoarding a small fortune. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Ralion handed Marc a comboard with Morlin’s report, and he read over it quickly, propping himself up on the couch with one hand behind his head. “Three casualties? You deserve a medal, Embrin. What of the Governors’ families?”
“They’ve all been removed to other homesteads. I wanted to ask if they should be left under guard.”
Marc looked at Ralion, who shrugged. “I don’t think so, as long as they aren’t able to communicate with the Governors yet. I think we’re leaving a strong enough military presence as it is. Putting their families under guard seems excessive to me.”
“I agree, to a point. They may come to represent a threat if left to themselves. We are incarcerating their husbands and fathers. That sort of action won’t lead to good will among their relatives.”
“If they offer any trouble, then we’ll see, but I don’t want them under guard without cause.”
“Very well. I’ll be back by morning.”
“Good. Well done, Commander. Thank you.” Marc looked up at Ralion and smiled. “First thing tomorrow, send the exchange account codes to Finance. Did you see this? They’ve been taking levies meant for the crown and keeping it for themselves. Just about every neighboring region has paid for the privilege of living next door. Is that illegal enough?”
“I would think so. About time something went our way.”
Marc straightened. “I’m going to take this up to Dynan and then I’m going to turn in.”
“Sure thing. I’ll probably stay a little longer, then do the same. I want to go over security for the route tomorrow.”
“Plan on a crowd.”
“Already have.”
Marc nodded, and left his office for the parlor upstairs, hoping he wouldn’t get stuck. The meal, at least, had concluded and the group was now at the after dinner drink stage. Dynan stood by the mantle with Dain. Shalis and Geneal were talking near them. Loren was playing the dutiful hostess with Neithia Bairing’s help. Marc didn’t pay much attention to the others, but noticed a slight drop in conversations when he entered. He saw Shalis watching him more closely than anyone else. The light array in the room shifted toward him the moment he walked in.
Loren’s experiment aside, Marc didn’t want to take the risk with Shalis that nothing would happen. It took constant effort to block her out; something he was starting to be able to do without thinking, but proximity made it more difficult.
“Morlin’s report,” he said and handed Dynan the comboard, then watched him read it with a growing smile on his face.
“Good news, for a change. Just three casualties. That man is a genius, and Finance will certainly be happy.”
“Not so happy as I first thought. Many of these same Regions are now on the verge of economic collapse. We’ll have to find a way to give them some relief. Either we give back what they illegally had to pay or we reduce, and in a few cases forgive their levies for a while. I’ll have a plan for you for something that’s fair before the meeting tomorrow.”
Dynan nodded, handing the comboard to Dain. “Congratulations, my Lord Chancellor. An impressive success.”
“When we catch them before they can attack us, I’ll consider it a success. I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“First thing, Marc.” Dain eyed him pointedly and Marc understood what he meant. He took back the comboard.
“Can’t wait,” he muttered and turned to leave them.
Dynan stopped him. “What’s happened? There’s something ... different.”
Marc hesitated, frowning as he reached into his pocket. It shouldn’t have surprised him that Dynan knew. The thing had an evil smell to it, one that Marc kept trying to shield but couldn’t. Maybe no one could. Dynan pulled in a sharp breath when he saw the talon.
Dain grunted. “I remember that thing. Where—”
“From Maralt,” Marc said and explained.
“Give it to me,” Dynan said.
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Dain said. “Remember when you picked it up?”
“And almost everything else that followed, yes. Just enough to know it isn’t meant for Marc.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I’m going to hold it,” Dynan said.
He took the talon from Marc, who felt a weight lifted from him. He could feel Dynan concentrating and being pushed away from it. The sense of its existence lessened. The evil will behind it went away until it was just a claw that had no power over any of them.
“How are you doing that?” Dain asked.
“I’m not thinking about it,” Dynan said and smiled at his brother.
“Whatever works,” Marc said and nodded. “Goodnight.”
The Lord Chancellor’s quarters, a large house within itself, was located beneath the vacant King’s quarters and stretched to the back wall of the Royal wing. He found the place well lit and spotless; a tremendous change from this morning. Loren deserved a medal herself. He wondered if he could commission one and smiled over the thought of her reaction to it.
Marc froze a second later when he heard footfalls approaching from down the hall that ran the length of the building along the courtyard wall. Thurmond Wrinn appeared, bowing to him, and he relaxed.
Thurmond was an older man, having served at the Palace for most of his life, completely grey but unbowed by age. He had dark eyes and laugh lines. Like other Palace servants he wore the same uniform; a black suit, white shirt with a single collar that was pinned with the Telaerin crest.
“Lady Loren has assigned me as your attendant, my Lord.”
“She did? Why? I mean, I didn’t think I really needed an attendant. Do I?”
Thurmond smiled. “You may find the service useful, my Lord.”
“You’re Meg’s husband.”
“Yes, my Lord, for the past thirty-four years.”
“Well, as long as you don’t give her a daily report of what I eat, that’s fine.”
“I’m afraid that these are things she’s already aware of,” Thurmond said, eyeing him briefly.
“Will she stay here with you? She’s welcome to, of course. The place is big enough.”
“We have our own quarters, my Lord, just beneath this floor.”
“Is there access from your rooms to these?”
“Yes, my Lord. I was given the proper code upon my assignment.”
Marc nodded, then looked around, not really knowing what to do next. Thurmond solved that problem by offering to show him through the quarters. “Make the bedroom the last stop,” he said.
“If you’d rather forgo the tour, my Lord, I can draw a bath instead.”
“Both will be fine. I haven’t had time to do either lately.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Can I convince you not to call me my Lord? When we’re in here?”
Thurmond smiled for a moment. “If you insist, I am able to restrict the use of your title to those times when you aren’t in a formal setting, of course, my Lord.”
“I’d like that,” Marc said.
“Very well then.” Thurmond gestured Marc to a side room to start the tour.
He spent the next hour exploring the new surroundings, glad of Thurmond’s company and knowledge of the various spaces and their use. There were three separate dining rooms, each for a different function, private and public. One had a small ballroom attached. Thurmond explained that this particular room was used for special dinners with the various dignitaries the Lord Chancellor might find himself entertaining.
“Is this something I’m supposed to be doing now?”
“When there aren’t formal Palace dinners to contend with. Lord Illothian frequently entertained various guests.”
“I wonder what file that’s listed in,” Marc muttered, walking out to the center of the ballroom. He could tell Loren had been busy in here too for all the new green plants and flowers he saw. There were windows on the far side, draped closed with burgundy curtains, but he moved to them anyway and looked out. The King’s Tower blocked most of his view except the area back behind the Palace. Beyond the wall of light nothing could be seen. Marc wondered if they’d ever cut the lights off, or be able to without fear of what might be creeping in toward them.
Thurmond cleared his throat then. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Shalis, is here to see you, my Lord.”
Marc felt himself tensing immediately, then tried hard not to show it. He didn’t want to be alone with her, but Thurmond was already bowing out of the room, trying to hide a smile as he went. Shalis stood waiting. Marc should have expected that she would decide on her own to confront the problem. She was a Telaerin after all, and not one of them had any patience.
Marc didn’t know what to say to her, knowing he should make her leave. But he thought if he did, she likely wouldn’t try again. He didn’t want to lose her either. He was torn between wanting to assure her that they would be all right and the truth that precluded his ever being allowed to stay with her. He didn’t want to hurt her and knew that he would either way.
He felt she was going to turn around and walk out, and took an involuntary step toward her before she even moved. He stopped again and almost cringed at the sudden exasperation he saw in her face.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said, turning from her and the compelling light that surrounded her. He heard her footsteps and the gentle whisper of her gown as she moved closer. Marc felt like running. “Being alone with you is probably not a good idea. I mean, beside the fact that we’re really not supposed to be alone. Shalis, stop, please.”
“Loren told me, Marc.”
“She did?” he said, stammering slightly and shook his head when she continued her approach. “The problem is Loren doesn’t understand that it’s different with you.”
“I should hope it’s a lot different with me,” she said, arching an eyebrow at him as she took his hands. Then her smile softened and she touched his face. “I want you to hold me for just a minute and tell me that we’re going to be all right, that you’re going to figure this out. Dynan, Dain, all of us are going to help you. I just don’t want you to forget or doubt how much I love you.”
He realized he was trying not to breathe as she slipped her arms around his neck, moving against him in a way that sent bolts of shivers down his spine. Not an unpleasant sensation, he admitted, nor was breathing in the swirling blue white light that surrounded her. If anything, it only made him more acutely aware of what she was thinking and feeling.
He pulled her into his arms, knowing he shouldn’t, but couldn’t help it. He wanted to tell her that everything would be all right. He didn’t believe it though. All he really knew was that he didn’t want to let her go. When she kissed him, he knew, at least for that night, he wouldn’t have to.
Dain straightened suddenly and he saw Dynan react the same way, except his shock was replaced by a slight smile instead of the frown that Dain wore.
“What’s wrong?” Geneal asked, turning from the mantle where she stood with Loren, Dynan, and Drake. Everyone else had finally left them.
“Nothing.” He forced a smile, looking at his brother.
“Leave them alone,” Dynan said silently.
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m the one who told Marc to talk to her, so—”
“They aren’t talking.”
“I can’t believe you even have the audacity to say anything at all.”
“She’s our sister!”
“And in case you haven’t noticed, she’s outgrown the over-protective, big brother routine. She’s old enough to make her own decisions.”
“Except when those decisions involve her safety, right?”
Dynan looked at him, but shook his head. “You’re just saying that because you don’t like the idea of Shalis being with anyone. Come on, Dain, admit it. Marc isn’t going to hurt her and you know it.”
Dain grumbled and turned from him only to find Geneal watching him with a bemused smile. He frowned at her. “What are you laughing at?”
“You and your brother.”
“He’s gone from one end of the spectrum to the other.”
“About what?”
He hesitated, unsure he should tell her, thinking her reaction would likely mirror Dynan’s. “My little sister is not so innocent any more, and I don’t happen to like it much. Dynan doesn’t seem to mind.”
“He’s had more time than you to get used to her being grown up.”
“I will never get used to the idea of her being grown up enough to ... Never mind.”
Geneal watched him, still smiling. “Marc is a good man, Dain, and Shalis loves him.”
“I know that. Marc is a great guy. I just don’t want him with my sister. More importantly, I’d rather not know about it when he is.”
“I can see how that might be uncomfortable. I thought you could block him out.”
“I’m trying.”
“You mean they’re together right now?” she asked. “Good for her. I was beginning to think Marc was going to get away with hiding from her.”
Dain rolled his eyes and turned to go get another drink, forgetting to move slowly. The room spun around, but kept going when he thought it should stop.
“Dain? Dynan, help.”
When his vision cleared, he found he wasn’t standing any more, but supported on either side by Dynan and the King of Trea.
“I was wondering when that would happen,” Dynan said.
“He never should have gotten out of bed.” Drake shook his head. Loren knelt down with a damp cloth in hand, but Dain shrugged it off.
“I’m all right,” he said. “And at least I waited until Their Majesties left. I just turned around too fast, is all. I’ll take that drink I was going after.”
“No, you won’t,” Geneal said. “Help me get him up.”
“I said I’m all right.”
“No arguments, Dain.”
He was lifted up and after a minute, didn’t need help standing. “There, see? I’m fine, really.”
“Time for bed, little brother,” Dynan said and he never used that particular designation unless he meant it as an order.
“Well if you’re going to go all Royal on me.” He shook his head, then turned to Drake. “You can let go now.”
“Next time, I’ll let you hit the floor.”
They all went with him to his rooms. Geneal and Dynan helped him out of his clothes and then into bed. Geneal gave him an injection of something that made him instantly sleepy. Amidst a great deal of grumbling about the unfairness of being knocked out, he fell asleep.
“When are you going to tell him, Geneal?” Dynan asked after he was sure his brother was completely unconscious.
“Tell him what?”
He could see by her suddenly uncomfortable expression that she understood. “I know you’re in a situation you never thought possible, but the longer you drag this out, the harder it’s going to be on all of you and especially him. He’ll survive, you know, but you’ve got to let him know what the decision is.”
“Have you ever been in love with two people at the same time? Then you can’t possibly understand what this is like for me. It took me two years to finally accept that he was gone. Ralion is one of the only reasons I managed at all. He was always there for me and I do love him. But I never stopped loving Dain and he never stopped caring about me. What am I supposed to do, turn it all off like a switch? It’s not that simple.”
“All right,” he said, a little surprised at the anger in her voice. “I’m sorry. No look, just forget I said anything. It’s none of my business anyway.”
She pulled in a breath. “Except you don’t want to see Dain hurt. Neither do I.”
“I know you don’t. It’s going to hurt one of them though, no matter what you do. Dain will be all right.”
“You keep saying that.”
“I do. I think you already know who you ought to stay with. Don’t you?”
There were tears in her eyes then, but she nodded. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to tell him. Sorry Dain, but while you were rotting away in a cell, I fell in love with someone else?”
“You didn’t know that though.”
“It doesn’t matter. I know it now.”
“Do you want me to tell him?”
For a moment, she looked likely to agree, but she shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t be right. I’ll do it. I just feel awful. It’s like losing him all over again and going through everything I did two years ago.”
“And you’ll have Ralion to help you through it again.”
“Who’ll be there to help Dain?”
“I will,” he said, then cleared his throat. “And I imagine there’ll be a long string of pretty girls to help with the rest.”
Geneal smiled at that, wiping her eyes. “Probably so.”
“Is that going to bother you?”
“No. Why should it? That’s one thing no one seems to understand about Dain. He needs that intimacy like he needs food. He was always very honest about that with me. We were together all that time, so there wasn’t any need for him to look elsewhere.”
“But if you hadn’t been, you’re right, there would have been others, and no, I never quite understood it the way you see it, or how you could abide it.”
“It’s not what I expected of him.”
Dynan smiled at a distant memory of identical words. “I take it you have a different arrangement with Ralion.” He smiled again when she glanced at him archly. “I never knew you and he were, uh, so close.”
“We never made any general announcements. And if you want to know, I’m the reason Trevan and Ralion don’t or didn’t get along. They seem to have worked it out finally.”
“Trevan? I had no idea you were such a troublemaker. Trevan too.” He moved around to her side and kissed her forehead. “You going to stay with him?” he asked, nodding to Dain.
“He’ll wake up in a few hours.”
Dynan nodded, watching his brother sleeping. When he checked, he found him dreaming about the Market Square battle, shaken from the sudden onslaught of fear. Quickly, he thought of something else, somewhere else, and pulled Dain away. He left him on their sailboat out on the lake at Beren, then as an after thought, dreamed up a girl.
“Is he all right?” Geneal asked.
Dynan nodded. “Dreaming. Goodnight, Geneal.”
The door closed softly behind Dynan as he left. Geneal waited a few minutes, debating again over what she should do about Dain and Ralion while weariness tugged at her, scattering thoughts. Finally, she gave up.
She thought about going back downstairs to the Medic Center to change, but the idea of tromping down all those stairs only to come back up held no appeal. She muttered at herself and started the long, cumbersome task of getting out of her gown, down to the first layer of underclothes. She so rarely wore anything but her medic tunic, it was difficult with all the buttons and clasps.
She stopped at the edge of the bed, asking herself what she thought she was doing getting into bed with Dain Telaerin. He could misconstrue her intentions. Ralion certainly would. There were guestrooms, but they were far enough away that she wouldn’t be able to hear Dain wake until he was screaming. And if a bad dream didn’t do it, pain would. She didn’t want either situation to occur and could only prevent it if she stayed close.
“Just get in the bed and go to sleep,” she grumbled aloud. “You need to sleep, you need to stay near him, and you might as well be comfortable.”
As she spoke in a half audible mutter, she climbed in beside him, pulling the covers up, and closed her eyes. Relaxing enough to actually fall asleep took quite a bit longer. To her surprise, neither of them woke until almost dawn.
