Rhoane stood with his back to the room and watched the couple as they strolled along the formal gardens below. Through the open window, he caught phrases of their conversation. Each time he heard Taryn’s rich laugh, he flinched. Dressed in the late duchess’s clothing, she looked like her aunt’s twin. If Hayden saw the similarities, he didn’t show it, but then, Rhoane didn’t think the young lad saw much beyond Taryn’s golden beauty.
“Ready?” Baehlon’s deep voice startled Rhoane.
His friend stood in the doorway with a crossbow dangling from one hand, Rhoane’s longbow held out for him in the other. “You convinced Faelara to leave tomorrow, then?”
“Taryn could use a day to recover. Plus, it gives us time to refresh our stores.”
Baehlon held something back, but Rhoane didn’t press. Whatever Faelara’s reasons for delaying their journey, he was thankful Taryn had one more day before the inevitable. For today, she was just a girl strolling the gardens with a boy. In a few weeks’ time, she would be a princess with the future of Aelinae resting on her royal shoulders. Rhoane took one last look at the garden before turning from the window and taking his bow from Baehlon.
They passed Hayden’s room on the way to the back stairs, and Rhoane had to suppress his gag reflex. Baehlon didn’t flinch at the stench of stale poison and vile ShantiMari, but to Rhoane’s acute olfactory senses, it was overwhelming.
“Seems a bit odd Valterys would poison the sword, don’t you think?” Baehlon asked, taking two stairs at a time.
“He is desperate. I have found those are the most dangerous types to encounter.”
“Something’s not right here, but I can’t figure out what.” Baehlon shook his head, his braids flailing in every direction, a chorus of bells tinkling. “Why now? Why Hayden? If he wanted the sword, he only needed to find someone of the Blood to take it.”
“Not just of the Blood. The stipulations are not clear, but the sword would only accept a bearer it felt worthy,” Rhoane reminded him.
“She really doesn’t know, does she?”
They reached the kitchen door, and Baehlon held it open for Rhoane, piercing him with a look that begged to be defied. Rhoane stepped through to the outer courtyard, shaking his head.
“When Faelara told me Taryn had no idea of her identity, I thought she was jesting.”
“What changed your mind?” Rhoane asked, unconsciously scanning the gardens for Taryn.
“The sword. The girl would have to be mad to attack that thing like she did. When she held it…” Baehlon exhaled slowly. “Rykoto’s balls, I’ll never forget that sight. She fairly glowed with power.”
“She will be needing you to instruct her how to use it.”
“Aye, that she will. And happy to do it, I’ll be, but I don’t suppose her learning will stop at swordplay.”
Rhoane gave a curt nod in agreement and led them toward a thick forest north of the house, away from the gardens. “That is where it will begin. Myrddin wants me and Faelara to show her how to wield ShantiMari once we are in Talaith.”
Baehlon boomed a spurt of laughter. “I think I got the easier of the tasks. Has she told you anything of where she’s been all these years?”
“Not much, but I have had glimpses, and I do not mind telling you, the place looks terrifying.”
“You’ve eavesdropped on her thoughts?”
“Not exactly.” Rhoane held up his hand, and the runes shone bright in the morning sun. After a few moments, they faded back into his skin. “I try to block the images, but they come too fast. She has no idea.”
Baehlon nudged his friend in good hearted ribbing. “About the eavesdropping or what those fancy pictures on your hands mean?”
Rhoane blanched at the forthright question. “Either.”
“I hope I’m not around when she finds out. That girl’s fearless and reckless. You better watch yourself.”
“Yes, I know. Thank you for your support.”
Taryn’s laughter drifted on the breeze to where he and Baehlon stood. Hayden and Taryn were a perfect couple. Both tall, with shining hair. Hers long and hanging loose down her back, his shoulder length in the latest fashion. Rhoane tried to stop the nagging thought, but it entered his mind like a worm all the same. Taryn was young and beautiful—she could love anyone she pleased—and she wasn’t bound by an oath. Wasn’t bound by a promise not only to her goddess but to her very soul. If she desired, she could choose Hayden to be her life mate.
A spike of jealousy pinched his heart, and he turned toward the trees.
“She watches you when she thinks you aren’t looking,” Baehlon said in a somber tone, his eyes serious and full of concern.
“Yes, I know. She suspects I am withholding information from her.”
“You are, and it isn’t just who she is. You could tell her how you feel about her.”
Rhoane sighed and motioned to the garden. “She has enough to cope with at the moment. What she needs now is friendship and people she can trust. Anything more will come with time.”
Baehlon clapped him on the back. “I don’t know if I’d wait too long, my friend. Young Hayden doesn’t seem to think the same as you. When we get to Paderau, it will only get worse. All those lords with nothing to do but find a wife. Once they learn who she is, she’ll be more sought after than a Danuri hildgelt.”
Baehlon had managed to uncover Rhoane’s deepest fear. “If the gods will it, then I have nothing to worry about. I will not have her come to me out of obligation.”
“Suit yourself. I’m just saying a word or two of encouragement might not be a bad thing. Ignoring someone generally doesn’t foster romantic feelings.”
Damn the man and his honesty. It was true; he had been avoiding Taryn. His feelings for her were too raw, and he needed space and the normalcy of his friendships with the others. When he was around Taryn, all he could think about was the soft curve of her neck or the way her hips moved when she walked. The sound of her voice sent sparks through him like volcano flares. When he first saw her in the cavern, all doubt of whether he could fulfill his part in the prophecy vanished. His heart was hers before she ever spoke a word to him.
“It is complicated, as you know.”
“Look, man,” Baehlon said, turning to face him. “I’m the last person you should take romantic advice from, the gods only know, but you and Taryn are the future of this world. Whether you want to accept that or not, it’s true. She needs you. More than you’ll ever understand.”
“To instruct her, I know.”
“I’ve read Verdaine’s prophecy. I know damn well it’s more than instructing her.”
Rhoane let his thoughts brush against Taryn’s for the merest moment. The desire to eavesdrop was too great. He cut the connection and blocked her from his mind, leaving a shallow opening for her protection.
“We should see about catching our dinner,” Rhoane said, trying to change the subject. But Baehlon put out a hand to stop him.
“You’re my friend, Rhoane. You know I support you in everything, but if Valterys infects her mind with his Black teachings—”
“I know my duty,” Rhoane interrupted. No one knew the prophecy as well as he did. “If it comes to that, I will kill her.”