“I’m serious.” Aleksi lowered his voice. “Silas risked his neck, arguing with His Majesty for an hour before he finally got permission to return the girl.”
Gwennore turned back to the young officer. “He argued with the king?”
“Yes. The king relented, but he’s still angry at Silas for interfering in his business.”
“So the king wanted to keep her?” Gwennore motioned toward the little girl, who was busily eating. “Why?”
Aleksi sighed. “He’s afraid his wife will commit suicide if he doesn’t give her a reason to live.”
Gwennore swallowed hard. “Then the Norveshki king and queen are both behind the kidnapping of children.”
Aleksi winced. “Please don’t repeat that to anyone in Eberon or Tourin. Silas wants peace with those countries. And he’s trying to stop the kidnappings.”
A sudden thought caused a chill to run down Gwennore’s back. “What happened to the other abducted children? Did they disappear? Why aren’t they still in the nursery?”
“I wondered about that, too.” Aleksi frowned. “I asked a servant about it, and she said that once the kidnapped children grow past the age of the royal children who died, the queen realizes they’re not hers and rejects them. But there are so many couples in Norveshka who can’t have children that the kidnapped ones are quickly adopted. They end up in loving—”
“What do you mean? Couples who can’t have children?”
Aleksi’s eyes widened with alarm. “Dammit, I keep saying too much.” He cast a worried glance toward General Dravenko. “Forget what I said.”
Gwennore thought back to how she’d noticed the lack of children in the last village. Was this one of the state secrets that the general had referred to? “What is going on here?”
Aleksi winced. “Look, if you’re truly grateful that the general is returning you and the girl, then please don’t tell anyone about our problems. All right?”
Gwennore nodded. “I won’t say a word.”
Aleksi heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” He scurried off toward the back of the barge.
Gwennore glanced at General Dravenko and noted that he was scowling at Aleksi. The general’s gaze suddenly shifted to Gwennore, and the intensity of his glittering green eyes made her breath hitch.
No. She turned away to tend to Eviana. If returning to her sisters was the cowardly thing to do, then so be it. Being a coward was the best way to keep from getting hurt.
If he’d deceived her once, he could do it again. And the more she became attracted to the scoundrel, the more his deceptions would rip at her heart.
But he had stood up to the king in order to save Eviana. He had kept his word that he would send her back.
Was he an honorable man or a scoundrel?
He needed her. And knowing that made Gwennore’s heart soften. At last, someone who thought she was special, who thought she was intelligent, who saw her true worth.
With a groan, she lowered her head, resting her brow in the palm of her hand. She didn’t know what to do.
* * *
Gwennore noted that the sun was high in the sky when they arrived in the town of Vorushka, situated close to the Eberoni border where the Vorus River fed into the Norva. As soon as the barge docked at the pier, the mayor of Vorushka and a group of men descended on them, demanding to know why the Eberoni army had made camp across the border.
“They come in peace,” General Dravenko assured the mayor. “We have the Eberoni princess with us.” He motioned to Eviana, who was clinging to Gwennore’s skirt. “As soon as we return her to her family, the army will leave.”
Eager to be rid of an encroaching army, the mayor quickly provided the general and his company with horses and a fancy open carriage for the princess and Gwennore. As they rode through town, she looked curiously about. Once again, the townspeople came out of their homes and businesses to gawk at the general, the elfin woman, and the Eberoni princess. And once again, Gwennore noted that there were very few children.
Were the children dying, or was the problem one of infertility? How could she help with something like that? The general thought too highly of her.
How strange was that? After a few years of being unappreciated, she was astounded that someone would think that much of her. It was appealing, she had to admit. But should she be willing to endanger herself just because she was curious and flattered?
When they came to a stop close to the one bridge that spanned the Vorus River, she spotted the Eberoni and Tourinian flags marking the encampment on the southern bank.
“Ready to go home?” General Dravenko asked in Eberoni as he opened the carriage door.
“Yes!” Eviana jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
With a smile, he stepped back, still holding the little girl. Gwennore’s chest tightened. After today, she might never see him again.
She gathered up the pillowcase containing the birthday dolls, then descended from the carriage, ignoring the general’s outstretched hand. For a small part of her was afraid that if she took his hand, she would not let go.
He set the little girl on her feet. “You’re the bravest child I’ve ever met. Not many children take a ride with a dragon.”
She lifted her chin. “Ewic never has.”
The general smiled. “Let’s get you back home.”
Gwennore took Eviana’s hand and followed the general toward the bridge. There was an excited bounce in the child’s step, and Gwennore thanked the goddesses that the little girl had come through this ordeal so well.
As they stepped onto the bridge, she spotted a small troop of armed guards escorting the kings of Eberon and Tourin, along with Brody and her sisters. With a grin, she waved at them.
“Gwennore! Eviana!” The squeals of her sisters carried toward her, and soon, her sisters were running toward her.
“Mama!” Eviana pulled loose from Gwennore and dashed across the bridge.
“Careful.” Gwennore chased after her, the end of the pillowcase clenched in one fist.
They all collided with happy cries and hugs.
“My baby.” Luciana picked up her daughter and held her tight. With tears running down her cheeks, she turned to Gwennore. “Bless you. I can’t thank you enough—” Her voice broke with a sob.
Gwennore wrapped her arms around Luciana and her daughter. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” Sorcha asked as she joined the group embrace. “Why would ye be? Ye risked yer life!”
“I shouldn’t have taken Eviana away from the camp,” Gwennore confessed.
Brigitta sniffed as she hugged them all. “It’s not yer fault a dragon took her.”
“Aye.” Maeve latched on to Gwennore from the back. “We were so frightened for the both of you.”
“Are you all right?” Luciana set her daughter on her feet and looked her over. “You weren’t injured in any way?”
“I’m fine,” Eviana declared. “The nice man bwought me back. And last night, he gave me a buffday cake and a—” Her eyes widened as she glanced around. “Where is my pwesent?”
“Here.” Gwennore handed her the pillowcase.
“I have new dollies!” Eviana grinned.
“How lovely.” Luciana glanced at Gwennore. “Nice man?”
“General Dravenko.” Gwennore glanced toward the bridge. The general had stopped midway across the bridge, and Brody and the kings, Leo and Ulfrid, were greeting him.
Ulfrid, formerly the pirate Rupert, shook the general’s hand and gave him a fond slap on the back. Brody shook his hand next. Leo stood to the side, since it was dangerous for anyone to touch him. But the general didn’t hesitate to shake Leo’s gloved hand.
“He is nice,” Brigitta said. “Rupert and I met him when we were in Norveshka. He helped us take back the throne.”
“I should thank him for returning Eviana.” Luciana regarded him curiously. “Perhaps we should invite him to the celebration tonight. What do you think, Gwennore?”
/> She glanced at the bridge. The general had turned toward them, and his gaze met hers for a few sizzling seconds.
“Gwennie?” Sorcha nudged her. “Is something wrong?”
“I—” Gwennore looked at Sorcha, then the general. His gaze had switched to Sorcha, and his eyes glistened with tears. He started toward them, accompanied by Brody and the two kings. “I have to tell you something.”
Sorcha scoffed. “Don’t tell me ye fell for the man.”
Heat rushed to Gwennore’s face. “Don’t say that. They’re coming this way.”
“She’s just teasing you,” Maeve said. “We know ye only met him yesterday. Although he is somewhat good looking.”
Somewhat? “Are ye blind?” Gwennore muttered.
“His looks are not important,” Luciana declared. “What we need is his assurance that no child will ever endure what Eviana did. The kidnapping of children has to stop.”
“I agree,” Brigitta said. “I think Rupert should send an envoy back with the general to make sure our country’s children will be safe.”
Luciana nodded. “We should send an envoy, too.”
Gwennore swallowed hard. This should be her job. She could help more than any envoy.
She glanced at the general as he approached, and once again, she had the feeling that she had been waiting for him her entire life. Even so, the unknown was frightening. The unknown was exciting.
His gaze met hers once again, and her heart squeezed. The unknown was hers for the taking. “I will go with him.”
“What?” Brigitta asked.
Gwennore’s heart thudded in her chest. The general had come to an abrupt halt, his gaze intense as he stared at her. “He asked me to help him.”
“What kind of help?” Luciana asked.
“He needs my gift as a healer. I can’t give you any details, but if I’m successful, the kidnappings will stop.”
Her sisters looked at one another.
“Didn’t the Telling Stones foretell she would be in the land of dragons?” Brigitta whispered.
Luciana winced. “But I sensed danger. I’m not sure you’ll be safe there, Gwennie.”
“I’ll be fine.” Gwennore drew in a shaky breath. “General Dravenko has promised to protect me. He considers us family.”
Sorcha snorted. “How is that? I’ve never met him afore.”
“Ye have.” Gwennore took Sorcha’s hand. “When ye were a wee babe.”
“What?” Sorcha’s eyes widened.
Gwennore squeezed her hand as the four men approached. “The general is yer brother.”
Chapter Nine
Sorcha stiffened and eyed the general with suspicion.
She’s not pleased, Gwennore thought as she released her sister’s hand. Over the past few years, she had learned that it was rare for any moment to be perfectly happy. There was always a catch. How could Sorcha be happy that she had family when that family had apparently rejected her?
Happy endings were hard to come by. Luciana and Brigitta had become the rulers of Eberon and Tourin, along with their husbands, but they still had problems. The Eberoni former chief counsel and head priest, Lord Morris, was secretly gathering a group of disgruntled priests and nobles from both countries.
Morris had received a huge amount of gold from the former Tourinian king, Gunther, and he was using it to buy spies and create havoc. He and his followers wanted to return to the good old days where the Embraced were hunted down and killed, and everyone worshipped the Light under the guidance of priests who held the power of life and death over their flock. Of course, the best way for Morris to achieve such a goal was to make himself king and head of the Church of Enlightenment.
And he wasn’t the only one causing problems. The Chameleon had come close to taking over Eberon and Tourin before disappearing in the form of an eagle.
On a personal level, Gwennore wished that all her loved ones could be perfectly happy, but it didn’t seem possible. Her heart wrenched as she watched Leo crouch down in front of his daughter. It was so obvious that the poor man wanted to hug Eviana, but he didn’t dare when his touch could harm or even kill. All he could do was smile through his tears and ask her if she was all right.
He wasn’t the only man with glistening eyes. General Dravenko blinked away tears as spoke to his sister in the Eberoni language. “Sorcha, I have always hoped I would see you again.”
She ignored him and turned to Gwennore. “Are ye sure I’m related to this man? He doesn’t even look like me.”
“He looks like his father, while ye resemble yer mother,” Gwennore replied.
Sorcha frowned. “How can ye know that? Have ye met my parents?”
Gwennore shook her head. “I don’t believe…”
“They have passed on to the Realm of the Heavens,” General Dravenko said softly.
With a wince, Sorcha turned away. “Why should I believe any of this?” When she gave Gwennore an entreating look, her eyes glimmered with moisture. “Do ye trust him?”
“Well, I…” Gwennore glanced at the general. He had already proven himself capable of deception and trickery.
He gave her a wry look before turning to Sorcha. “I brought you something.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a velvet pouch. “This belonged to our mother. She would have wanted you to have it.”
Sorcha opened it and pulled out an ornate ring with an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. “Oh, my.”
Her sisters crowded around her for a better view.
“It’s magnificent,” Luciana murmured.
“It must be worth a fortune.” Sorcha eyed the general once again. “I don’t suppose ye would give this to me if I wasn’t yer sister?”
His mouth curled up. “True.”
She fit the ring on her finger. “Am I from a noble family then?”
He shrugged. “You could say that.”
She gave him a dubious look. “If ye’re so rich and powerful, why do ye need Gwennore’s help?”
“I believe her special gift will help us,” he explained. “I will not let any harm come to her.”
Sorcha removed the ring and dropped it back into the velvet pouch. “How can I be sure ye won’t abandon her? After all, ye abandoned me.”
He winced. “You were not abandoned. You were sent away so you would be safe.”
She scoffed. “Why should I believe that? Ye still live in Norveshka. Was no one worried about yer safety?”
“I was sent away,” he said quietly. “About a year after you were. I went to a remote area far to the north.”
Sorcha’s eyes widened. “We were both rejected? Why?”
“Not rejected.” He shook his head. “At that time, a plague was sweeping through the country of Norveshka. Most adults survived, but many children died, including a brother and sister of ours. After you were born, Mother was afraid she would lose you, too, so she sent you to the Isle of Moon. She was trying to save you.”
“But she never asked me to return,” Sorcha protested. “She never contacted me.”
“She died a few days after you left,” he murmured.
Sorcha stiffened. “Fr-from the plague?”
He shook his head. “She drowned in the Norva River.” When Sorcha glanced toward the river, he added, “North of here, by the town of Dreshka. Father died ten years ago.”
Sorcha’s shoulders slumped. “I see.”
He was being careful not to mention anything about the so-called curse, Gwennore realized.
“I am hoping it will be safe for you to visit soon,” he added.
“Is it safe for Gwennore now?” Luciana asked.
“I will protect her. You have my word.”
“You had better, my lord general.” Sorcha grabbed on to Gwennore. “If anything happens to my sister, I’m coming after you.”
The general smiled. “Spoken like a true Norveshki. Please, call me Silas.”
Sorcha lifted her chin. “I will after you safely return my sister.”
&
nbsp; He nodded, then turned to Gwennore. “We need to go now so we can be back before nightfall.”
A thrill of excitement shot through Gwennore. She was really doing this!
“We will trust you to take care of her then,” Luciana told him. “And I thank you for returning my daughter.”
“My pleasure, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head.
“We are counting on you.” Brigitta extended a hand, and when he took it, she inhaled sharply, closing her eyes.
“Brigitta.” Gwennore caught her sister as she stumbled back. Her special gift must have been triggered by the general’s touch.
“Are you all right, Your Majesty?” he asked.
“Yes.” Brigitta drew in a deep breath.
“We need to say good-bye.” Luciana pulled Gwennore and her sisters aside. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Gwennore nodded. “I agreed to only one month. And if I am successful, no more children will be kidnapped.”
“Please be careful,” Brigitta whispered. “When I touched the general, I came close to passing out.”
Gwennore winced. “That bad?”
Brigitta nodded. “He is a man of many secrets.”
* * *
Gwennore’s heart pounded as the barge floated away from Vorushka. What adventures were waiting for her at Draven Castle? Now that they had to go upriver, the crew was hard at work on the oars and poles. The only ones not working were herself and the general.
He motioned for her to join him at the table. “We should make our plans.”
“All right,” she responded in Norveshki as she took a seat. “Where did Aleksi go?”
“I sent him to the army camp to fetch Annika and some medical supplies. They should arrive tomorrow.”
“I see.” She poured herself a cup of apple cider, but the pitcher ran out after a few drops.
“Not to worry.” He rummaged in a nearby basket and pulled out another pitcher. “We still have wine.” He poured two cups full.
She took a taste and winced at how strong it was.
He sat in the chair beside her and scooted up close.
She stiffened. “What are you…?”
“I don’t want us to be overheard,” he whispered. “Everything we discuss from now on must be kept secret.”