The Lord of the Clans (31 page)

Chapter Forty-Three

She sensed a glow through her closed eyelids and wished to wake in the ethers where Cameron was waiting for her. He had died for her, but their souls would find each other.

Although she felt no pain, she’d have liked to shirk remembering. The Black Fortress, the duel lost against the dark evil determined to take over the realm, the magic from the Ancients curing the greatest disease of the world.

She had done it.

She’d found hope and faith in her heart, and destroyed the Darkening. Against all odds, the Four Kingdoms were saved.

What happened after that? She must have flown to the ethers because she felt relaxed and at peace. Did people keep their bodies in that sacred place amongst the Mighty Gods?

She could feel her weight, her legs, back, and arms resting on a soft mattress. When she inhaled, her nose picked up the scent of lavender wafting off the linen covering her body.

The loud rattle of pots somewhere outside disturbed her serenity, along with the incessant clatter of hooves on cobbled streets, and far away rough voices. Where was she?

The time to open her eyes had come, yet reluctance gripped her heart. What if she was still alive? How would she live without him?

It seemed a lifetime ago she’d woken up under his tent to find herself in his body. Like she had done then, she slid a slow hand toward her groin. No penis. No hairy balls.
Just her.

The emptiness between her thighs filled her with relief. As much as she’d enjoyed being the Lord of the Clans for a while, she wouldn’t have been able to keep up the pretence when faced with his tribe, his people, or eventual war. Besides, she had no right to be him anymore.

She slithered her fingers under a short, light gown and glided them over her belly, up around her breasts with flat nipples.

Reassured by the reality and smoothness of her skin, she realised stalling the inevitable wouldn’t change her situation, wherever she was. She had already confronted great peril head-on. She‘d face this new ordeal with courage.

Upon opening her eyes, she saw the ceiling first. Brown, strong beams crossed a room that appeared large. She lay in a big bed with fresh, white linen covering her body, and a soft pillow under her head.

She glanced toward the closed door made of solid oak before catching sight of a massive wardrobe adorned with intricate carvings. A chair sat next to it, also exquisitely carved. Tribes didn’t live in such luxury, nor did villagers, so she must be in the house of a very wealthy person.

No candles were lit, but golden sunrays brightened the place as they flooded through the high windows flanked by thick, stone walls. By the look of it, this house had been built to withstand any attack.

And there was her shaman, looking out the window, his bony hands laced behind his back. He appeared deep in thought, although she could only see the back of his head. For him to stand a few feet from her confirmed her worst suspicions: death hadn’t claimed her, and she’d have to spend the rest of her life without Cameron. Never again would she feel his big arms around her.

Hurt and grief overwhelmed her, tears threatening to rise up from her torn soul. Yet she refused to weep now, not with her mentor standing watch over her, probably worried enough. Willing her pain to stay down, she forced her tongue through her dry lips.

“Shaman?”

He whirled round when she croaked. Eyes widening, he rushed to her and sat clumsily on the large bed.

“You gave me such a fright, dear girl.”

“If it’s any consolation, I scared myself too.”

Her throat grated as though she hadn’t spoken for days. In spite of the mild ache, she pushed the words out when he took her hand.

“Where am I?”

“In the city of Palance.”

What? Dear Creators, she had so often dreamt of setting eyes on the legendary city where royalty dwelt that she had trouble registering his answer. He must be mistaken, although this kind of error felt hard to conceive.

How could she possibly be here, so far away from the Shrouded Mountains and the Black Fortress? And how was she back in her own body?

“How long have I been...asleep?”

“Over half a moon now.”

She winced. Days and days had gone by while she slumbered away in a cosy, warm bedchamber.

“Are you sure? Nobody can sleep that long.”

“I’d agree with you in normal circumstances, but you got caught in a very unusual situation. I believe the magic put you to sleep in order for you to recover from such an ordeal.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you haven’t fed or drank this whole time, yet you’re perfectly healthy. Only powerful magic can sustain a body for so long. I tried to rouse you at first, but you appeared so peaceful that I figured it would be best to let you rest. I knew the Ancients would protect you.”

She wanted to ask him how she had ended up in the mythical city, but if she did he’d speak of Cameron, and she couldn’t bear the thought right now. The mere idea turned her stomach to mush.

Whoever rescued her from the Black Fortress to carry her back to Palance must also have found his corpse. Given that so many days had passed since the final battle, they must have buried him already.

“I’m thirsty.”

“Forgive me, child. I’m so happy to see you back with
us,
it seems I forget the essentials of life. Here, drink this.”

He lifted the crystal pitcher sitting on a small table beside the bed and poured water into a goblet. She propped the pillow against the headboard to sit up straight before swallowing half of the fresh liquid in one gulp.

“Thank you. I needed this.”

She didn’t have the strength to ask about Cameron’s funeral for now but she’d do it later, once the pain in her chest ceased hurting so much.
The loss of her love.
Then she’d also sit by his grave, and cry.

“So, I’m in Palance.
Where exactly?”

“In a guest chamber of the royal castle.”

“You don’t say.”

She opened big eyes at her shaman. Her astonishment seemed to amuse him because a grin lightened his gaunt features.

“I can even tell you that the king and the queen came to visit you once. They were very curious about you.”

“I can’t believe they offered me sanctuary.”

“Believe it, dear girl, for it is true. I must say you’ve become quite the legend around here since your arrival.”

“Me?
A legend?”

He nodded, his smile beaming with pride. She tensed with uneasy expectation when he took hold of her hand again.

“I’ve known from the start that you were a special girl, Ariana. I sensed you’d accomplish great deeds, even before I realised you possessed magic, which is one of the reasons I chose to train you as a healer. Despite your abilities, I never imagined you’d save the world some day.”

Warmth crept up her cheeks as she heard admiration in his voice, yet the sensation of her hot flesh reminded her of Cameron’s constant teasing. His harsh tone if anger gripped him, his powerful hands gentle on her skin, his aching expression when he made love to her. Unable to voice a single comment, she swallowed the lump blocking her throat and kept silent to listen to her mentor.

“Dear child, I’d be delighted to acquaint you with everything that has been going on around Palance this past moon, but first I want to know what happened to you. So if you feel strong enough, please tell me.”

The thought of recounting the whole story wrenched her heart. Would she be able to relive the journey, to picture the Lord of the Clans’ hard face and the gut-tearing intensity of his brilliant silver gaze? To speak the name that hadn’t passed her lips since she woke up from the horror she endured?

She hesitated until her shaman’s expectant features prompted her to make her mind up. Sooner or later, she’d have to narrate the tale anyway, and she’d rather start with the man who had looked after her since she was born.

“Well, we travelled north after leaving Frahern. But you won’t understand it all if I don’t tell you first that we found magical keys in different shrines along the way.
A disc, a square, and a triangle.”

“Yes, I know about the keys. Could you skip to the part where you used them to destroy the enemy?”

His impatience might have made her smile if not for the sudden wrongness that seized her mind and hastened the steady beat of her pulse. Her gaze fixed on him, she furrowed her brow.

“How do you know? I never said a word to you about the keys when we stayed in Frahern. Who told you?”

His surprised look sent shivers throughout her body. Mouth suddenly parched, heart expanding in her ribcage, she froze as her shaman frowned and tilted his head in a puzzled gesture.

“Our Lord.
Who else?”

Chapter Forty-Four

She felt entirely drained of blood. Her suddenly lifeless limbs slackened against the mattress while her face ached from cold. Hands and feet feeling like dead weights, she stared at the gaunt man.

“What lord are you talking about?”

She didn’t recognize her own, bland voice. His frown returned, along with an expression of deep concern she wasn’t used to seeing on him.

“Are you feeling well, child?”

“What lord are you talking about?”

She almost
shouted,
the itch in her throat completely forgotten. Taken aback by her outburst, the crease in his brow deepened, and he flinched as the words tumbled out of his mouth.

“Ours, of course.
The Lord of the Clans.
But you look like you’ve seen a mountain lion. Please, tell me what’s wrong?”

Blood flowed back in her veins while she wheezed air out of her lungs like a dying woman. Her heart thumped so hard that she had to press her hand against her chest to keep it from bursting out. Heat rushed back to her body with the force of a carriage at full speed, and her limbs came alive again.

A torrent of pure joy rocked her as she maintained the pressure on her chest. She felt like choking, or fainting, or breathing, perhaps, but she wasn’t able to tell anymore. Could it be possible?

“You spoke to Cameron?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Half a moon ago, when he brought you here.
As I understand it, he found you unconscious in some kind of fortress and used a cart to transport you to Palance. What is it, Ariana? You’re scaring me.”

He was alive. His strong heart still pulsed and she’d hear his voice again, see the cherished face,
run
her finger along the scar slashing his cheek. Her tears began to flow freely this time, and she breathed happiness.

“By the Mighty Gods, you’re crying now.”

“No, don’t worry about it, I’m fine. A little emotional maybe, given what I’ve been through, but I’ve never felt better. Shaman, why didn’t you tell me Cameron was here as soon as I woke up?”

“You were together up north, so I assumed you knew he had rescued you. Who else would have brought you back?”

Who else indeed? Yet her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her, and she had really seen him succumb to his injuries. She loosened the pressure on her chest to grip her mentor’s fingers.

“Cameron died on that accursed mountain. I’m not delusional. I saw it happen with my own eyes.”

She had actually witnessed his death through the Lord of the Clans’ eyes, but she wasn’t about to launch into the matter of the body swap now. Clearly perceiving her distress, the gaunt man squeezed her hand.

“Tell me exactly what you saw.”

“The Darkening struck him right in the chest with black magic. I’m positive his wound was lethal because I wouldn’t have made such an error in judgement. He lay in my arms and you wouldn’t believe how much blood he lost. Then he just stopped breathing and there was nothing I could do.”

Her shaman pursed his lips with an air of deep contemplation before rubbing his knuckles against his chin.

“How many times did I ask you to pay more attention to my teachings? If you had followed my advice, you wouldn’t be so upset today.”

“What do you mean?”

“As you said, his wound must have been lethal, but he didn’t die from it. I’m fairly certain he fell into the state called Khoma. Haven’t I instructed you into the workings of this profound slumber that looks like death?”

Yes, he had. Dear Creators, he had, but the recollections only came now. As a trained healer, she should have thought of the Khoma while she compressed her lord's injury to stop the bleeding? Well, it didn’t matter anymore, but she still wondered how he came out of it to save her.

“What did Cameron say when you asked him?”

“Apart from the fact that you destroyed the evil, he said nothing. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but that man isn’t very talkative. He dodged all my questions and ordered me to take care of you.”

The wide grin that stretched her lips from one ear to the other seemed to please her shaman as he released her hand.

“I’m glad to see you find his callous behaviour amusing, but I guess you’ve gotten used to his ways by now.”

“That I have.”

She wiped drying tears off her cheeks and drank some fresh water, but couldn’t cease beaming like an overjoyed child as wild excitement tingled her every nerve. Now she really had to get out of this bed. She needed to dash outside, find him, and throw herself into his powerful arms. Unable to restrain the ecstatic sensation clutching her whole body, she pushed the linen down.

“Where are my clothes?”

“That wouldn’t be reasonable, Ariana. You’ve just regained your senses. It’s better if you rest for a while.”

“I don’t want to rest. Now, give me my pants.”

He got to his feet with a long sigh before walking to the massive wardrobe. Although he retrieved her garments and handed them over, he didn’t look happy with her decision. She offered him her most reassuring smile as he paced to the window and stared outside. She discarded the short gown to get dressed.

“So, how is Cameron?”

“He’s been beside himself with worry since you two turned up in Palance. I’ve assured him that you’d be fine when you woke up, yet he has refused to leave your side. Did you know he’s stubborn as a bear?”

Her significant silence obviously prompted him to continue.

“Anyhow, let me tell you I had a very trying time to get him to eat, or catch some sleep. Maids were dispatched to
freshen
you up, but he commanded them to get out. He insisted on taking care of you himself. At some point, I even feared I might have to physically remove him from this bedchamber.”

No man removed the Lord of the Clans from anyplace if he didn’t feel so inclined, but she didn’t have the heart to ruin her mentor’s good intentions and fatherly attitude.

“Cameron can be obstinate when he puts his mind to it but, please, shaman, don’t take it personally.”

“I didn’t. Not after his quarrel with the queen anyway.”

“No, no, no. What did he do?”

“I haven’t been informed of the nature of the argument. It isn't my place anyhow. All I know is that our Lord requested something the queen wouldn’t give him. Considering that they’re both determined and hot-tempered people, words were exchanged. And not very nice words, mind you.”

Why would he alienate such an important woman? Although the tribes didn’t belong to Palance or any other territory, he must be aware that defying royalty wasn’t a judicious path to tread. Did something happen to him at the Black Fortress that might have prompted him to act in such a selfish manner?

On the other hand, why would the queen refuse to grant his wish when he’d just saved the Four Kingdoms? The fresh smell of lavender seeping from her shirt and pants, she finished dressing before sitting on the edge of the large bed to put her shoes on.

“It sounds like a bad argument. When did it occur?”

“Days ago.”

“Dear Creators, I can’t believe this. Tell me this ends well.”

“I wouldn’t wager on it. Apparently, the prince of Palance wanted to intercede for him, but our lord forbade it.”

He had certainly been busy while she lay unconscious on this cosy bed. This unreasonable display of authority sounded out of character, even if Cameron appreciated being alive and back in his own body. Yet for the life of her, she had no idea what to make of his headstrong attitude.

“He did?”

“Yes. That’s when the matter took a turn for the worst because our lord told the queen he’d do as he wished, whether she liked it or not.”

“Oh, by the Mighty Gods, what was he thinking?”

“Not a clue. I don’t understand that man. Here, child, come take a look at the royal city of Palance.”

Still facing the window, he beckoned to her. She walked to him and laid eyes on the royal grounds for the first time.

From where she stood, she caught sight of one part of the castle where guards kept the perimeter under surveillance. Many houses were built below, forming a circle around the palace. Up ahead, an imposing drawbridge protected the city from intruders and led to a vast plain bordered on one side by a dense forest.

“Impressive. Listen, shaman, I’d love to admire the view with you, but I want to see Cameron now. Where is he?”

“The prince of Palance requested his presence a while ago, though I’m sure he’ll be back as soon as he can dispense with the prince.”

He was in the castle. If she didn’t go to him, he’d come to her, and a rush of exhilaration knotted her stomach. Then she heard the metallic sound of a lock. She whirled round, her gaze flying to the door, her chest palpitating with the urgency of need.

Mouth dry, she ached from the furious pounding of her heart as the Lord of the Clans barged into the room.