Blood of the Guardian Read online

  “You know I’ll have to kill you now.”

  Nolan grinned, but it seemed strained. “You might have some reverse seasickness.”

  “Reverse seasickness?”

  “Or you haven’t gotten your land legs, pretty much the same thing.”

  “Oh, for Brim’s sake!” Alec had finally gotten used to the boat, and now he couldn’t walk on land? “How long will this last?”

  Nolan shrugged. “Few hours. Few days. A week or so … Depends on the person.”

  Alec cursed. At least he’d be vomiting normal food for a change.

  Greer approached and nodded to Nolan. He touched Alec’s arm, sending a pulse of healing energy into him. The trees stopped lurching, and his eyes focused on a second boat bumping alongside the dock.

  The warriors who’d accompanied Greer and himself pulled the boat to shore. King Kamalin stepped out with catlike grace, flanked by six heavily tattooed warriors, three on each side. Kamalin wore his traditional garb—meaning the useless skin flap covering his personal areas. However, this time, intricate beads adorned the fabric. Beaded jewelry hung around his neck, partially covering his tattooed chest, and a beaded leather strap—with several precious stones of red and blue and yellow—rested on his brow, resembling a crown.

  Rayen stood at his side, wearing a leather dress covered in the colored beads like her father. Her hair hung in shiny strands, taken out of her typical braid. She was beautiful. But the more he studied her, the more he noticed how pale she’d become. Maybe she also suffered from this reverse seasickness.

  General Trividar bowed. “Lord Kamalin. Welcome to Adamah.”

  Greer translated for Kael.

  Nolan’s brow furrowed. “When did Greer start speaking Talasian?”

  “He learned on the boat.”

  Jezebelle strode past the gathered soldiers, as if they weren’t even there. She continued toward the forest edge, glanced over her shoulder once, and ducked into the trees.

  “So how’d it go with the gypsy?” Nolan asked.

  “Let’s just say I’m glad Greer learned their language quickly. Not sure if she helped us much; she tried to get me killed.”

  “Would’ve been quite an accomplishment.”

  Alec shrugged, smiling. “It’s been done before.”

  “Her gypsy friends showed up a few days ago. They made camp right at the edge of our forest.”

  “Bet that went over well.”

  “Not so much,” Nolan said, his eyes glowing violet. His gaze swept across the soldiers, examining them.

  Kael led the gathering of Talasians and Rol’dan toward the castle. Nolan and Alec followed. All the while, Nolan’s eyes glowed fiercely, brighter than Alec had seen them before.

  “So what’s with the glowing Empathy thing?” Alec asked.

  “Trying to hold back a war.”

  Alec noticed how relaxed he felt. He looked over at Nolan and noticed his trembling arms. “You okay?”

  Nolan shook his head. “Not now. Need to get the king inside.”

  Alec scanned the soldiers, and even with Nolan’s soothing, hate etched the faces of several Rol’dan. If Nolan was soothing them, what were they like on their own?

  Not until they entered the castle and the throne room door closed, did Nolan’s tense posture relax. His large shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand over his face. The violet light faded back to normal sky blue. Frown lines creased his face. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair slightly messy. He looked even more exhausted than Alec.

  Emery emerged from a door near the throne, striding with confident steps. Alec knew him well enough to see the strain on his face, but he masked it pretty well. He climbed the platform, this time sporting a wardrobe in dark purple, including the long cloak, which billowed around his feet. A woman followed Emery, taking a position at his side. She wore an expensive looking dress. Light blue silk or something—he never knew much about fabrics—with lots of fancy stitching and lacy stuff. It took Alec a moment to realize the noble woman was Megan. Alec pressed his eyes together and opened them again. Crows! Megan looked great.

  On Emery’s other side stood Malik and Sanawen in their human forms. Alec supposed they didn’t want to scare the Talasians the moment they walked through the door with their giant, glowing warrior forms.

  Next to the Guardians stood Maska—or at least it was someone who resembled Maska. He wore the clothes of a nobleman, including … boots? Had Maska worn boots before? Alec couldn’t remember him ever wearing anything on his feet. He looked so strange. Alec smiled, amused, until he saw the reaction from the Talasians.

  The tattooed warriors leaned together, their strange tongue oddly harsh. A murmur swelled around them. King Kamalin’s expression fell briefly as his gaze locked on Maska, rage flashing across his face before he hid it away.

  Apparently, they knew each other—and didn’t like each other well.

  Emery inhaled and stepped forward, forcing a smile. He approached Kamalin, his eyes flared violet with his Shay. Either he was trying to soothe them or sense the Talasian king’s emotions. Alec suspected a little of both.

  Emery extended his hand. “Welcome. I am honored by your visit.”

  Kamalin glanced at Emery’s outstretched hand, but his remained at his side. He bowed his head slightly and spoke.

  “Thank you for your welcome,” Greer translated. “I hope our lands can remain at peace.”

  “As do I, friend.”

  Kamalin motioned to his side, and Rayen stepped forward.

  “To continue the friendship between our lands,” Greer translated, “I offer my daughter, Rayen, to bind our lands in marriage.”

  Alec inhaled sharply. Marriage? That’s why she came? But she’s only a girl. Fourteen. Fifteen at the most. How can she marry Emery?

  Emery’s mouth parted. He hesitated, his smile wavering. His gaze flicked to Rayen, giving her a brief inspection, and then he inhaled slowly and spoke again.

  “Thank you for such a generous and beautiful gift, friend. However, I regret that I cannot accept.”

  Greer translated, and Kamalin’s gaze on Emery intensified. He didn’t show any anger, but Alec wondered if he seethed inside.

  Emery motioned to Megan. She stepped from the platform, walked slowly across the throne room, and joined him.

  Emery took Megan’s hand. “I cannot take your beautiful daughter, good King Kamalin, because I am already wed.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  ALEC JOGGED TO KEEP UP with Nolan after the introductions had died away. Both kings retreated into the conference room, which, oddly enough, was Alcandor’s old bedchamber. It had been gutted and refurnished with a table and chairs. Something strange had happened since Alec had left Faylinn. One moment, Emery sent Alec on a rescue mission to save Megan from an unknown illness. The next, she was … queen? How in Brim’s light did that happen?

  “Hey,” Alec said. “Wait up.”

  Nolan hesitated in his strides, then finally stopped.

  “Emery and Megan are married? When?”

  “This morning.”

  “Crows, that was quick.” Alec shook his head. “I didn’t even know they were, you know, interested.”

  “They’ve liked each other for a while.”

  “Really?”

  Nolan shrugged. “Emery’s been hiding it for years.”

  “I had no idea.”

  Nolan stepped off again, quicker this time. Alec had to leap to match his long strides.

  “So what about her illness? How’s she doing?”

  “Fine,” Nolan said. “It’s resolving on its own.”

  “That’s good,” Alec said. “Did you find out what was wrong?”

  “Yes,” Nolan answered.

  Alec waited for him to elaborate, but he got no more from Nolan than a scowl. He’d ask Megan later.

  “So why the sudden wedding?” Alec asked. “I mean, I only left two weeks ago. Nothing was going on then.”

  “They didn’t want to wait
. They’re planning a more formal ceremony in a few months.”

  “I’ve seen quick weddings before,” Alec said, still struggling to keep up with Nolan’s pace. “Back in Alton, there was a couple who suddenly got married. But it turned out that she—”

  Nolan’s hand clamped over Alec’s mouth. He leaned in, his voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “Let’s just not talk about what happened at your home. There’s more to this marriage, but it isn’t something I can talk about now. Okay?”

  Alec shot him a glare. It wasn’t as if I was talking about Megan. It was only a poor baker’s daughter who was carrying the child of the merchant’s son next … His eyes widened, realization fixing in his mind.

  Nolan released his hold on Alec’s mouth, but he held his eyes, a look of warning set in his stare. Could Megan be with child? Was that possible? Oh, Brim’s light! Is that why she was so sick? And if so, who’s the father?

  “I have more questions,” Alec said slowly.

  “I’m sure you do,” said Nolan.

  They stepped outside, near the front of the castle. A few Rol’dan soldiers walked by, giving them a glance before continuing on. Where could they go so as not to be overheard?

  “Want to go for a run?” Alec suggested.

  Nolan opened his mouth, as if to reject the idea. Then he nodded. “Yes, a run sounds good.”

  ***

  It’d been a long time since he’d run with Nolan. During the days before Nolan’s change, they’d frequently taken off, training with swords in different places. They’d dueled in the mountains. They’d dueled on the plains. They’d even dueled in remote forest clearings surrounded by nothing but wildlife and trees. They had watched the position of the sun and shadows to determine which direction they’d gone—a talent Nolan had taught him from his days on the boat. They’d pushed their limits, barely returning before dark. Those were some of the happiest days of Alec’s life.

  Nolan had been more normal then—not that wielding five of the six Shay powers was any type of normal. But since Nolan’s change into this half-Guardian, they were both different. In many ways, they were both lost.

  They slowed in a clearing, far from prying Perception ears. Alec turned in time to see Nolan buckling to his knees.

  “Nolan!” Alec helped him fall gracefully, sort of. Nolan threw his arms out, trying to catch himself as he hit the ground. His arms connected and shook, then his elbows bent; he collapsed onto the pine needles and dirt coated ground.

  “I’ll go get help—”

  Nolan snatched Alec’s wrist. “No, wait. It’s okay. I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  “I’m fine. Only tired.”

  Alec hesitated. He wouldn’t be going anywhere, not with Nolan’s iron grip on him. Brim, he was strong. Nolan’s blue eyes pleaded, like a small child wanting dessert. Alec sighed. “Fine. If you say you’re okay, I’ll stay.”

  A flash of Empathy from Nolan tested Alec’s honesty. Nolan was being an idiot.

  Finally, he nodded, releasing Alec’s wrist.

  Alec rubbed it. “Ouch. That hurt, you know.”

  “Sorry.” Nolan lay trembling, staring into the sky. “I’ll heal you in a moment. Just let me rest.”

  “I can still get help.”

  “No,” Nolan said, his voice firm. “Don’t worry. This is normal.”

  “How is this normal?”

  “It’s normal for me.”

  Finally, the tremors stopped. Nolan ran a hand across his face, still staring at the clouds. “I used too much power earlier, trying to control the Rol’dan.”

  “Yeah, what’s with that? You said you had to stop a war?”

  “There is a lot of hatred toward Talasi in the Rol’dan.”

  Alec knew they didn’t like them. They’d been giving Maska a hard time since he arrived in Faylinn. But would they really start a war?

  Alec fell onto the pine needles next to Nolan, watching his friend’s chest slowly rise and fall. He picked a long stalk of grass from the edge of the path and divided it, stripping it into long strands. “We ran into some trouble on the way here. Seems like the city of Neda doesn’t like the Talasians either. A whole boatload of people made a special trip out to the ship to try to kill them.”

  “And ran into you?” Nolan asked.

  A grin spread on Alec’s face. “I did say they tried.”

  “The tension is worse in the northern port cities, where they’ve had the most interaction. Talasi really isn’t that far from Adamah by sea.”

  “So what’s with the Rol’dan hatred?” Alec asked.

  Nolan shrugged. “Not sure. Not all of them are that way, just the outspoken ones.”

  “Maybe some came from Neda?” Alec suggested with a snort. He wouldn’t be too surprised; the town teemed with idiots, after all. It wouldn’t surprise me if they supplied the whole Rol’dan army with troops. It would explain quite a lot.

  After a few more minutes, Nolan finally sat up and told Alec about Maska’s brush with death. He filled Alec in on Megan’s pregnancy and marriage. Alec listened, his mouth hanging open.

  “So let me get this straight,” Alec said. “The baby might kill her if it’s Alcandor’s?”

  Nolan nodded.

  “But it could be Maska’s?”

  Nolan nodded again.

  “But the soldiers think it’s Emery’s?”

  “No,” Nolan said. “They don’t even know she’s expecting, which is why Emery and Megan married quickly. Once they find out, they’ll assume it’s his. There’s already been gossip about them visiting together at night.”

  Alec pressed his fingers into his temples. What a mess! “When you told me about the baby, I thought it could be yours.”

  Nolan’s brows knitted together. “It’s not mine.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Why would you say it’s mine?” He gave Alec a glare that wasn’t even close to friendly.

  “Well,” he said, “you two talked a lot a few months ago.”

  Nolan stood, though he wasn’t too steady on his feet. “Nothing happened between us. Never did. Never will.”

  What was up with him? If Alec didn’t know better, he would think Nolan was jealous. Did he still care for Megan? Crows, I hope not. I thought he was over her and had taken a liking to Kat.

  “You said this weakness is normal for you?” Alec asked, changing the subject. “I’ve never seen you like this, except when you did that Nass cleansing thing.”

  “I can only hold so much power. After I use it, I have to refill.”

  “So how do you … refill?”

  “I stand in the stones’ light.” Nolan stumbled before steadying on a tree. “The crowd took a lot out of me. I’ve been distracted. Didn’t fill like I should’ve.”

  “Distracted,” Alec said. “You mean because of the Talasian visit?”

  “Among other things.” He passed Alec a “drop it” look and scanned the forest trail. “We might have to walk back. Don’t want to risk using any more power.”

  “As long as I don’t have to carry you, it’s fine.”

  Nolan laughed and took an unsteady step. “You might.”

  They started walking … slowly. A small brown bird jumped from branch to branch. The trees rustled as a breeze passed over them. It was kind of nice. He hadn’t stopped to enjoy nature much since coming into Speed.

  “So what happens if you run out of power?” Alec asked after a long silence.

  Nolan caught his eyes. “I’ll die.”

  Die? Alec hesitated, but Nolan continued to walk ahead. He’d started getting used to Nolan being all-powerful and undefeatable. It was hard to imagine anything able to kill him.

  “So how was your trip?” Nolan asked in an obvious attempt to sidestep the conversation.

  “I owe you some serious revenge.”

  Nolan chuckled. “Not too many problems, I hope. Except the attack from Neda?”

  “Not too much,” Alec said, his mind
drifting back to the dead warrior and the annoying gypsy. “So what do you know about Maska and the Talasian king? There’s some serious tension between them.”

  “Ah,” Nolan said. “Only the small details Maska shared. It would seem Maska fell in love with the king’s daughter back in Talasi.”

  Alec stopped. “Rayen?”

  “No,” Nolan said. “Not her. Kamalin has another daughter named Mikayla. As you’ve noticed, emotions aren’t allowed in their tribe. Marriage has nothing to do with love to them—it’s responsibility.”

  “So where’s this other daughter?”

  “Do you remember the Duke’s wife in Alton?”

  Alec’s eyes widened.

  “After Mikayla’s fall, Kamalin gave her to Alcandor for peace. Alcandor used her, then gave her to Duke Ragnall.”

  “And Maska?”

  “They put him on a raft and released him to the sea. Apparently, to die. He just didn’t cooperate.”

  “And he ended up here in Adamah?”

  Nolan nodded. “And he ended up in Adamah, where Emery found him.”

  That would explain their reaction. A traitor returning from the dead. And, as much as the Talasians pretended they didn’t feel things, Alec knew better; he had seen it. Kamalin probably hated Maska for what he’d done to his daughter.

  “The other thing I can’t figure out,” Alec said, “is why Maska has a Shay, and the others don’t. I spent, what was it? Two weeks on that boat, and I didn’t see a single Shay power. They gawked at me every time I used it; my guess is that they don’t see them often, if at all.”

  Nolan paused, tilting his head in thought. “I’ve watched the Tournament of Awakening for several years. Before the emergence of the Shay stones, the Rol’dan forced out people’s powers with extreme emotions. I imagine the Talasians are so skilled at suppressing their emotions, they really haven’t had an opportunity to come into a Shay.”

  “Maybe,” Alec said. “But they feel things. Maska proved that. Just because they don’t show it, doesn’t mean they don’t feel. What about when one gets injured? That’s how Taryn came into her Shay.” Alec flinched, not meaning to bring up her name. He swallowed, pushing her out of his thoughts. “Did Maska come into a power before coming to Adamah? Do you suppose something about our land is a factor?”