The King & His Queen (Pict King Series Book 3) Page 18

  Hemera stayed where she was, unmoving, letting the old tree and the shadows protect her. She waited until the cloaked figure passed her, then she followed after him, hoping to finally learn his identity.

  She had only taken a few steps when a strong hand clamped down on her shoulder.

  “Repeat that,” King Talon ordered.

  Wrath would have said the same if Talon had not, since he did not quite believe what Verity had said.

  “Hemera has been seeing a man, she has come to care for, but she wishes to keep it secret since it is new and the feelings unfamiliar to her. With always having a guard on her, it has become impossible for her to meet with him, so I offered to change places with her so that she may have some time with him this evening.”

  “She did not tell you who this man is?” Wrath asked.

  Verity shook her head. “No, though I told her she could not keep it a secret for long. I want to know who it is that has captured my sister’s heart and if he is good for her.”

  “So do I, though if it is Bower, I would approve. He is a good man,” Wrath said.

  “She is a friend to him, no more than that, and she has made it quite clear to him.”

  “She truly cares for this man she has been seeing?” Talon asked, wanting to know what Hemera had confessed about this man—about him.

  “I believe more than she realizes,” Hemera said. “Her eyes brighten when she speaks about him and that she missed seeing him was obvious. I thought you might be relieved, my King, to know she has found someone who cares for her and she could possibly wed, as you wish.”

  “Does he care for her?” Wrath asked. “Why does he not step forward? What stops him from claiming what he feels for her? Or is it that he is ashamed to be seen with her?”

  Or was it that he was King and could never claim her as his rightful wife? Talon thought and Wrath’s words disturbed him. What disturbed him more was that since he was the man they spoke about, where then had Hemera gone?

  Hemera ran as fast as she could, letting the forest and its creatures guide her steps. She did not dare lead the enemy to the secret opening in the stronghold gate. The thought gave her mind pause. Was the opening known to the enemy? Had the traitor in the stronghold shared that knowledge with his cohorts?

  She had to get back to the stronghold and tell Talon what she had learned and she had to tell him of not only the opening in the fence the traitor had slipped through, but her own as well. And what if there were more openings? The enemy could attack the stronghold from within.

  A strong whisper from a towering tree halted her racing steps and she quickly ducked behind its thick trunk. Footfalls hurried past her, but she could not take a chance and see if it was the King’s warriors and seek help, since she was not sure who to trust.

  “I never thought of that,” Verity said upset. “Hemera is a good, kind person. That someone would be ashamed to be seen with her never entered my mind.”

  Wrath did not like seeing his wife upset or that someone could be taking advantage of Hemera. “Do not worry, Verity, I will find out who this man is and his intentions towards Verity.”

  “It may be too late,” Verity said, recalling her vision and suddenly regretting that she had not told all of what she had seen. She had told her sister she would say nothing, but now, thinking on it... what if Hemera cared for a man who cared nothing for her?

  “What do you mean?” Talon demanded.

  Hemera jumped at the King’s sharp tongue and wondered if her silence would be more harmful to her sister than if she confessed the truth. “I gave my sister my word.”

  Talon heard a niggling of doubt in her voice. “Will keeping your word benefit or harm her?”

  “The King is right, which helps Hemera more... the truth or silence?” Wrath asked.

  Verity did not want to betray her sister’s trust, but she had to consider what was best for Hemera. She had seen no man in the vision with her. She had stood in the woods alone. Would this man dessert her? Leave her alone, carrying his bairn?

  The thought upset her so much that she said, “When I saw Hemera in the woods, she was softly round with child, which means she is either already with child or soon to be.”

  Talon almost stumbled back from the impact of Verity’s reveal. After all this time could it possibly be true? It took all his strength to keep from showing his shock and even more strength not to let himself feel joy, at least not until he could confirm it.

  “We must find Hemera,” Talon said anxious to ask Hemera about this and even more anxious to know she was safe.

  Wrath stood. “On your word I will order a search of the stronghold.”

  Broc rushed in the dwelling before Talon could give Wrath permission and with labored breath said, “Enemy warriors have been spotted in the woods,” —he took a quick breath— “Hemera has been seen there as well.”

  Verity gasped, her hand pressing against her chest.

  “I will see Hemera safe,” Talon said to Verity and turned to Wrath. “Get Paine, we go into the woods.”

  For a brief moment, clouds allowed the half-moon to peek through and Hemera caught a hasty glimpse around. Seeing no one, she waited until another cloud slipped over the moon before taking cautious steps from behind the tree. A chilled wind whipped around her, reminding her that she had lost her cloak, a tree snagging it as she ran. She had dared not stop for it. She hugged herself for warmth and kept her footfalls light as she made her way through the dark, once again depending on the forest to guide her.

  She was not that far from the stronghold, though she would have to enter through the opening in the fence by her dwelling since the gates were closed. She wondered if her absence had been discovered. Surely, Wrath would search for Verity once he saw that she was not in their dwelling and he would look first at Hemera’s place. And what of Talon? Would he seek her out right away or wait until the stronghold slept for the night?

  If he missed her as much as she missed him, would he not find a reason to come to her right away, at least for a brief visit until he could return to her later? But he would not find her...he would find Verity. What then?

  She pushed the disturbing thoughts from her mind. This was not the time to worry over it. She needed to think only on returning safely to the stronghold. She continued keeping her steps cautious, listening for any unusual sounds or warnings from the forest.

  Hurry! The wind suddenly urged, swirling around her.

  As she hurried her steps, she heard footfalls a distance behind her and when their pace turned rapid, she knew whoever it was had spotted her and was now after her. She did not hesitate and she did not glance back...she ran.

  Talon wanted to scream out for Hemera when he entered the woods along with Wrath and Paine and a contingent of his warriors, but he stopped himself. It would be a foolish thing to do when his enemy lurked about.

  The warrior who had spotted Hemera and tried to stop her and return her safely to the stronghold had quickly sought help once the darkness had swallowed her and he could no longer follow her tracks.

  When Talon had been handed Verity’s cloak that she had lent her sister, a fear like never before raced through him and squeezed at his heart until he thought it would burst. She was in the woods, alone in the dark with his enemies lurking about. If they found her... his one hand clenched the handle of his sword he held at the thought of what she would suffer. And fear prickled his flesh as his anger soared.

  Talon turned to Paine. “Where is the wolf?”

  “I have called Bog, but he has not answered. He took off for the woods just before we entered the stronghold.”

  Talon silently cursed the animal. The wolf had befriended Hemera and he was hoping the animal could track her scent. He stepped forward and led his warriors into the woods.

  The search seemed endless to Talon, though it had not been long since they had begun. He had to quell the rising urge to shout out to her with every step he took. He had to find her. He would not rest until h
e did. Whether she carried his bairn or not, did not matter at the moment. He wanted Hemera safe in his arms.

  Hemera raced with all the speed she could muster, but whoever followed had more and from the sounds of his footfalls he was getting ever closer. She would not make it. He would catch her. She would never see Talon again and she thought her heart would shatter from the pain.

  Shout out to him!

  It was a familiar voice to Hemera one she had heard throughout the years whenever she was in peril, and she had listened to it without question just as she did now.

  “Talon! Talon! Talon!”

  The wind picked up her scream and sent it whipping through the trees like a thunderous roar and racing over the land to reach Talon.

  Talon’s heart felt as if it burst when he heard Hemera frantically calling out to him. He did not hesitate, he ran. He paid no heed to Wrath and Paine who called out to him with alarm. He was faster than the both of them, faster than any of his warriors and they knew it. He would reach Hemera before they did and that was their worry.

  He did not care. The only thing that mattered was Hemera.

  Talon vaulted over fallen, decaying trees, cleared large boulders in two easy steps, and ran as swiftly as the deer. Anger erupted in his blue eyes turning them such a deep blue that they appeared as black as the night when he came upon Hemera running for her life, three men following close behind her.

  Her eyes turned wide, fear heavy in them.

  The three men fanned out behind her when they saw him and all three grinned as if their greatest wish had come true.

  Talon ran even faster, holding his sword high and letting out a roar so fierce, the men stumbled in their tracks.

  He reached Hemera before they could and as he grabbed her arm and flung her out of harm’s way, Bog burst through the trees and plunged his fangs into the back of one warrior’s neck before he could stop the ferocious wolf.

  Talon ducked and swung his sword as one of the two remaining warriors went to swing his weapon. The sharp blade and the ferocity of his swing nearly split the man in two. Fear hesitated the last man, seeing both his fellow warriors fall so quickly and as he brought his sword up, Talon’s blade came crashing down on his wrist, severing his hand from his arm.

  The man fell to his knees screaming as Talon kicked the sword, the hand still attached to the handle, away from the man.

  “Guard!” Talon ordered Bog and the wolf took an attack stance in front of the man, his snarling mouth and fangs covered with blood.

  Talon hurried to Hemera as she stumbled to her feet a bit dazed, though when she caught sight of him, she ran to him. His one arm circled her waist, drawing her up against him, keeping his sword tight in his other hand.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked, dirt marring her one cheek and her fiery red hair speared with several pine needles.

  She shook her head and two pine needles dropped from her hair. “I am good.”

  Hearing that, he did what he had been aching to do since the day he left the stronghold. He kissed Hemera. It was a demanding and quick kiss, his lips strong on hers that gave eagerly in return. He forced himself to end it far too quickly. He needed to keep his wits about him should more culprits be lurking about.

  Hemera had yearned for his kiss since he had been gone and this brief one would never do, but it would have to wait. His men had to be close behind him and they could not find them in an intimate embrace.

  She laid her head on his shoulder, taking a moment to linger in his arms, feel the warmth and strength of his body embrace her before she would have to step away from him. When she heard the thunder of footfalls ponding the earth, she reluctantly went to step away from him.

  His arm locked around her possessively. “You will stay where you are.”

  Hemera could not move if she wanted to, his arm feeling like an iron shackle around her waist. He had no intentions of letting her go.

  She listened as the footfalls drew closer. Any moment the warriors would be upon them. She turned her face up to his to remind him that they could not be found like this, and his lips came down on hers.

  Chapter 21

  The intensity of the kiss shivered Hemera deep down to her bones. She realized then that it was not Talon who kissed her... it was the King. It was meant for all to see. He was claiming her as his woman.

  Hemera rested her brow to his shoulder to catch her breath when he ended their kiss and he spoke as if he was setting forth an edict and woe to anyone who challenged it.

  “Hemera is mine.”

  She raised her head and looked upon the sea of faces to see eyes turned wide on some, mouths agape on others, while a few shook their heads. The only anger she saw stirring was in Wrath’s eyes and Paine was the only one who wore a smile.

  Wrath approached the King, his strides strong and his jaw set tight, as if fighting to hold his tongue.

  “Later I will hear what you have to say, Wrath,” Talon ordered when his commander warrior was a short distance from him. “See that the prisoner is taken to the torture chamber and sear his stump. I want him alive long enough to tell us what he knows. Also, have the warriors scout the area to make certain no one else lingers about.”

  Wrath gave the King a sharp nod and as he looked to Hemera, he saw Talon’s arm tighten possessively around her waist. “You are unharmed?”

  “I am. How does my sister fare?” Hemera asked, assuming they had discovered Verity where Hemera should have been.

  “She is good, though concerned about you and will be more so when she learns...” Wrath let his words trail off. There was no need saying what was obvious to all.

  “I will go to her as soon as I return to the stronghold,” Hemera said eager to assuage her sister’s worries.

  “You will go when I permit it,” Talon said and felt her whole body stiffen as tight as a taut bow string.

  Wrath saw Hemera’s reaction and a smile curled at the corners of his mouth as he turned and walked away to join Paine who was already seeing to the prisoner.

  “I was wondering when you would see the humor in all this,” Paine said with a low chuckle.

  Wrath lost his smile to a sudden scowl. “The question is what will the King do with Hemera?”

  Paine shook his head. “Do you not know your wife’s sister at all? It is not what the King will do with Hemera that should concern you, but what Hemera will do to the King.”

  Verity was waiting at the gate for her sister’s return and when Hemera saw her, she rushed off before Talon could stop her. The sisters hugged so tight, Talon did not think anything could pry them apart.

  Talon went to them, his glance settling on Hemera. “Go to the feasting hall and have your say with your sister, for when I arrive there we will talk. I will not be long, so be quick about it.”

  Hemera hugged him, shocking Verity and the few who looked on. “I am grateful.” She grabbed Verity’s hand and tugged her along, forcing a hasty pace.

  “You cannot hug the King like that.” Talon heard Verity scold her sister, then she added, “And what were you doing in the woods?”

  Talon spoke with Wrath and Paine with regard to the prisoner, Broc busy having taken part in the search for other enemy warriors. “See to searing his wound, then chain him to the wall for the night and leave him to think on what the morn will bring. Leave four guards outside around the chamber and two inside. Switch them periodically with no set times. When you finish, come to the High Council Chambers so you may hear what Hemera has to tell us.”

  The two men went to do as the King bid and Talon headed to the feasting hall.

  “The King? The King is the man you have been meeting? The man you favor?” Verity asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

  Hemera nodded and went to speak.

  Verity grabbed her arm and whispered, “You carry the King’s bairn?”

  “It is too soon to tell, though I suppose if you saw me round with child, then it must be so.”

  “He will not claim you as
his queen,” Verity said anxiously.

  Hemera drew her head back startled. “I have given no thought to being queen.”

  “You would not want to see him wed another, would you?”

  The thought upset Hemera and a pain so sharp speared her heart that it almost stole her breath.

  “Besides, you will give him what no woman has been able to, an heir to the Pict throne. It will help confirm his right as the Pict King and end the unrest among our people. His enemy will no longer be able to deny his ability to rule.”

  “You told him about seeing me soft with child?” Hemera asked not surprised when her sister nodded.

  Verity squeezed her sister’s arm lightly. “I was worried he would deny you the man you favored, when he made it known it would be his decision who you would wed.”

  Hemera glanced down at the table, her thoughts straying. Was that why he had openly claimed her... his woman? Would Talon have done so if there was no bairn? He had not known for sure if there was, but then he trusted Verity’s visions.

  Verity’s soft words of regret broke through Hemera’s thoughts.

  “I am sorry, please forgive my foolish tongue.”

  Hemera slipped her arm around her sister. “It is my fault not yours. You only wanted to protect me. I should have been truthful with you.”

  The door to the feasting hall opened and the King walked in. His guards followed behind him and spread out through the feasting hall as he approached the table where Hemera and her sister sat.

  The two women stood and gripped hands tightly.

  “Do not bring my sister pain,” Verity said with a strong lift of her chin.

  Though she quivered when she spoke, Talon was pleased to see that Verity had not let her fear stand in the way of protecting her sister. Still, he was King and could not let her dictate to him.