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I awoke as Gina pulled the car to a stop. There was a coolness seeping into my arm and shoulder, and I recognized Joe’s hand as he healed me. “Are we at a hotel?” I sighed, trying to wake up.
“A motel,” Gina corrected.
“I’ll go get some rooms,” Randall said.
“Gina,” I mumbled. “Gina goes. She’ll have to explain why we look so terrible.”
Gina smiled. “How many rooms?”
I struggled to come up with a number. “Six? Um...the Light Bearers are going to the Flip Side, and the hostages...”
“We’ll take care of it,” Randall said gently. “Let Yeller heal you and get some rest.”
“Is Cathy okay?” I asked, trying to turn and see her now that I was waking up.
“Hold still,” Joe instructed. “I’m almost done. Cathy’s doing fine; none of the nails hit her. You seemed to have gotten them all.” He healed the last one on my arm, then moved his hand to the side of my head. “Does your head hurt?”
I shook my head. “No. Am I bleeding there?”
“Yes, you are.” The coolness sank into my skull and eased the throbbing headache that was building. “You were very brave, you know,” Joe said quietly. “There weren’t many people who would have gone down there, but you never thought of doing anything different.”
I gave a half-smile. “It’s what I do. I do stupid, reckless things that later are called brave and heroic. I didn’t get the diamond arrow by being brave; I got it by being stupid and ending up managing to pull it off and coming out alive.”
“That doesn’t make it any less brave,” Joe returned. “You could have found another way, you could have waited, but you did what you thought you had to, and you ended up rescuing everybody.”
“With help.” I grabbed Joe’s hand and met his gaze. “Thank you, for backing me up. All of you.”
Joe smiled. “You put us to shame, Joan. It’s an honor to be a part of something like this. We knew you were going to succeed one way or another, and we decided we wanted to watch this time. You didn’t need our help.”
“You’re wrong,” I insisted. “I had to have you. I wouldn’t have been able to win this time, and I was hoping really hard when I left that someone would follow to help. You came, and I’m grateful for that. I owe you my life and my sister’s life.”
Joe squeezed my hand. “Get some rest, Joan. Your body needs to heal on its own.” Then he sent a feeling of drowsiness through me and I couldn’t help but close my eyes, drifting into the edge of sleep.
“Hey, I’ve got...” Gina abruptly stopped, holding her coat over her head to keep the rain off. “Whoops,” she breathed as I opened my eyes.
“That’s okay,” I mumbled. “Which room?”
“112 through 121,” she said, handing me a key card. “We’ve got 112.”
I opened the door and Joe helped me stand. “No, no,” I said, pulling my hand away. “I’m walking in. You’re not knocking me out and carrying me like a baby. I wasn’t even injured that bad. You try to knock me out and I’ll stab you.”
Joe held up his hands and stepped back. “Glad to see some things haven’t changed,” he said with amusement as I glared sleepily at him.
Gina slipped an arm around my shoulders. “I’ve got her.”
“She’ll be conscious for twenty minutes at the most, but then she’ll be out for hours,” Joe said. “The only reason she’s awake is because she’s stubborn.”
“And don’t you forget it,” I said, still trying to glare.
Joe smiled cheerfully. “Good night, Joan.”
“Jerk,” I mumbled, trying to walk towards my room.
“Shower,” Gina said firmly. “Joan first, then Cathy.” She gave me a gentle push towards the bathroom. “You’re not going to fall asleep in there, are you?” she asked.
I shook my head, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I need clothes.”
“I’ll go get you some,” Gina promised, disappearing.
Cathy sat down behind me and started to undo my braid. “You are a hero, you know,” she said softly. “All the Light Bearers were afraid of you. Mari and Hillarie and I knew you were coming, even when the others said no one would. I always knew you were coming.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed, struggling to focus. “I love you, Cathy.”
“I know.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Is that Daddy’s gun?”
I nodded once that had comprehended and handed it to her along with the belt. “Dad never got the chance to get you a real weapon, and I think this should go to you.”
“But you’re better with a gun,” Cathy protested, eyes wide. “You love this gun!”
“Then you can hold it for me.” I unstrapped the gun belt. “And we can practice once we go back to Geidy.” I kissed her forehead. Then I stood and stumbled for the shower.
Gina had clothes waiting for me when I got out and I struggled to stay awake as Cathy climbed in the shower, favoring her right leg just a little. Joe came in after a few minutes and twitched his mouth at me. “You’re doing that just to prove you can, aren’t you?” My twenty minutes were expiring that minute and I was standing so as to not fall asleep.
“What in the world did you do?” I demanded, struggling to keep my eyes open.
“Joan, sleep is good. I’m trying to have you rest so you can recuperate.”
“Cathy was hurt much worse than me,” I argued without force.
“She’s healing much faster than I can believe. I’m going to finish healing her, and then she’s going to sleep too.”
He stepped forward, but I put out a hand. “Back, Joe,” I warned. “I’m staying awake until I’m sure Cathy’s okay.”
“Cathy’s not going anywhere,” Gina said, taking over. She pulled my sheets back and directed me to lie down. I was too tired to fight her. “We’ll let you know if there are any problems.”
“Promise?” I mumbled as my head hit the pillow.
“Promise.”
I let my eyes shut, but I could hear them talking as I drifted.
“She listens to you better than she listens to any of us.”
“I know what she’ll obey better than you do. You all tried to tell her not to go after Cathy, and I knew she wasn’t going to stand for that. You just reinforced her resolve to go.”
“There’s a way to make her stay?”
“I’ve never found it.”
They chuckled.
“You have a way with her.”
“We’re like sisters. Part sister, part mother. She helps me when I’m down, and I help her when she’s down. She knows I only play mother when she needs it.”
The bathroom door opened and I felt someone sit on the bed. “Joan’s going to be mad at you tomorrow,” Cathy said matter-of-factly.
“I’ll be sure to avoid her,” Joe said, and I cracked my eyes to see him kneel down and rest his hands on her calf. “You need to rest too,” he said after a minute, removing his hands. “You’re all healed.”
I rolled over as Cathy crawled under the covers, her hair wet like mine, and she curled up as close to me as she could be. I rested my arm over her, relaxing completely for the first time in days and sinking into deep, deep sleep.
I’d never been sent to sleep by shaman power before, but I wasn’t sure I was a fan. Waking was a struggle. I fought my way to full consciousness, realizing that I was comfortable in someone’s arms. I sighed, recognizing who it was without opening my eyes, and shifted until I was more comfortable. “Where’s Cathy?” I mumbled.
“Eating,” Martin’s soft voice came. “How do you feel?”
“Exhausted. I’m going to stab Joe.”
I could feel Martin silently laughing as he stroked my hair. “He just wanted you to sleep easy.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine.”
I opened my eyes at this and squinted at a clock. “Nine?” That was late for me. I never slept this late, especially as early as I’d gotten to sleep last night. “I need to get up. We have to get back to Geidy and...”
He shushed me as I tried to sit up. “Calm down, Joan. There’s no rush. Everyone in Geidy knows. We’ll be riding back to Geidy and the cars will be there at eleven. We ought to get back by eight tonight.”
“Good, I miss cars.” I relaxed back against him. “You’re not going to fire me, are you?”
“Of course not. I can’t fire you anymore, anyway. You’re the Champion of Valeria, and that means you and I are of equal rank.” He rested his hand on one of mine. “You have one of the highest standings in the ranking system. You are second only to their highnesses.” He chuckled. “And you are paid much more.”
“How much?” I figured a couple thousand, maybe ten thousand or so more, so I was unprepared for the amount he named.
“Roughly half a million a year.”
I sat bolt upright and gaped at him. “What?”
He laughed at the expression on my face. “That’s the average pay for Champions.”
I stared, eyes huge. “Half a million?”
“We never made it official,” he explained, “that you were the Champion of Valeria. The king and queen are rectifying that now.”
“But...Martin...I can’t...Cathy...” I stammered out, trying to explain.
“Joan, after rescuing all the hostages from the Light Bearers, we can’t not name you the Champion of Valeria. Whatever happens after this, we’ll work that out.” He cupped my face. “Just enjoy it for now, Joan. You never know what will happen.”
There came a knock at the door and Gina poked her head in. “Hey, Joan, are you going to get up?”
I heaved a sigh and sat up. “Yes. See, Mother, I’m up.”
She giggled. “I’m only asking because I want to talk to you before you have to leave.”
Martin pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be outside.”
Gina squealed the moment the door shut behind him. “Joan’s got a boyfriend,” she sang.
“You do know he can still hear you, right?” I asked as I stood. “Do you have another set of clothes for me? That uniform won’t dry for ages.”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” she said smugly. She pointed to the closet.
I stared in horror. It was a dress. I wasn’t overly fond of dresses at the moment, and most of the ones I’d worn had nearly covered my feet. That one wasn’t as long. “Gina! I can’t wear that!”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m supposed to be leading the team and I have to be prepared for anything!”
“You’re not supposed to be riding any horses today, so I don’t see the problem.”
“Gina!”
She walked to the closet and pulled the dress out. “Joan, you may be the leader of the team, the guardian of Cathy and Mari, the Champion of Valeria, and the famous Joan Ilion, but you’re a woman too. I think maybe Martin would appreciate seeing you looking like one every once in a while.”
“I’ve been to balls for the last month. I’ve looked like a woman! Gina...”
“Plus,” she said, continuing doggedly, “you don’t have anything else to wear. Come on, Joan, you ought to wear it!”
I groaned, but it was half-hearted. “Gina, I...”
“Don’t you want to see Martin’s eyes pop?”
“It won’t just be him; it’ll be him and everyone else.”
“Even better.” She forced the dress into my hand. “Come on, Joan,” she repeated. “Be a woman today. You don’t need to be the Champion right now.”
I sighed. “Let me guess, you want to fix my hair and makeup.”
“If you don’t mind,” she said, beaming.
“I fix my own makeup.”
“Deal.”
I stepped nervously out of the motel room thirty minutes later. I was wearing the sundress. It was white with blue and black flowers spaced here and there with a blue sash at the waist, held by two small straps and went to my knees. I was wearing white flats, and my hair was perfectly straight. The group was leaning against a small copse of trees, talking and relaxing.
Randall was the first to notice me, and he smiled slowly. Liam was next, and he whistled, catching everyone else’s attention, including Martin’s. His eyes showed obvious appreciation and he walked forward as I pretended to be at ease. “You look beautiful,” he murmured, taking my hand.
“Thank you,” I said as if that was exactly what I was expecting to hear.
He chuckled. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” I said promptly. “I don’t suppose we could get an early lunch somewhere? Since apparently my salary just went up, I’m buying.”
I heard a cheer and turned to frown at Joe. I narrowed my eyes and moved my lips soundlessly. Joe simply winked at me. Martin tugged my hand. “Don’t threaten our shaman,” he admonished teasingly. “He’s a hero too.”
A thought occurred to me. “Where are the royalty?”
“Already back in Geidy,” Martin said. “With Dave. They traveled to the guardhouse early this morning.”
“Where are we eating?” Quinn asked eagerly.
“A place I found,” Gina said, appearing beside me, having finished packing everything. “It’s sort of upscale. Do you think you can handle that?”
Quinn bowed and offered his arm. “Of course, my lady. But only if I get to sit by you.”
We talked and chatted at the restaurant for at least an hour while we ate, Martin sitting at my side. Neal spoke across the clamor to me during dessert. “You do realize that you have to come up with a nickname now,” he said, grinning wickedly. “We’d be glad to help.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” I said hastily. “Thank you, but I can handle it myself.”
“Why do you have to have a nickname?” Gina asked, distracted.
“All Champions have a title that they’re known by,” Quinn explained. “Simon Bearran is the Bear, I’m the Wizard, and Joan has yet to pick one.”
Cathy tugged on my arm and whispered in my ear. I smiled at her. “I think that’s an excellent idea, Cathy.”
Everyone looked at me, at Cathy, and then at Joe, who shrugged. He hadn’t been able to read it. I smiled sweetly and caught the waiter’s eye. “Check, please,” I said, handing him my credit card. “I’m paying.”
“What’s your title?” Liam asked.
“You’ll see,” I said airily. “Patience, boys. I’ll let you know.”
“Is it an animal?”
“You’ll see,” I repeated. The waiter reappeared with the check and my credit card and I quickly signed. “Thank you,” I told him.
Martin tugged my hand up. “I want to talk first,” he said. “We’ll meet them at the gate.”
We walked along the sidewalks, heading out of town towards the gate. “Out of curiosity, are we invisible?”
“No, we’re not,” he said. “I’m showing you off.”
I smiled and nudged him. “Flirt.”
“But it’s true,” he said in defense.
“After last night, I’m surprised you’re not ranting at me instead of flirting.”
He became serious almost instantly. “About last night.”
“Yeah.” I winced. “Last night wasn’t a good night.”
“You had every right to be angry at me. You were scared.” He stopped and took both my hands and his look was just as serious. “I knew last night you were going to do whatever it took to rescue your sister. I didn’t like it, but I knew it.”
I felt a shot of fear. I hadn’t pushed him away, had I? That didn’t make sense with how he’d acted all day, but this didn’t seem to be going well.
He saw my fear and squeezed my hands. “I’m telling you this because I want you to know that the next time you jump into danger I won’t stand in your way, as long as you let me go with you. You’re used to doing things alone and I’m asking you to stop being so independent and from now on and make it a team instead of a solo.”
He pulled out the velvet lined box from his jacket and knelt down on one knee in the middle of the field. “Joan Felicity Ilion, will you marry me and trust me to follow you and stay with you for the rest of our lives, no matter which world we live in?”
I felt a joyful smile grow. “Yes,” I whispered.
Martin slid the ring on my finger and stood, and I threw myself at him. He wrapped his arms around me and found my lips. “I love you, Martin,” I whispered.
“And I love you, Joan.” Then he kissed me again.
We broke apart to cheering and I turned to see Gina bouncing happily as everyone else clapped and whistled. Gina was the first one forward and she hugged me. “Thank you,” she whispered in my ear. “If I can’t go to your wedding, thank you for at least giving me that. It’s good to know you’re going to be happy.”