A Hint of Frost: Araneae Nation ( Book One) (22 page)

“Them?” I understood his meaning and choked. “You can’t mean we’ll have to bring Mana with us? An extra body will only slow us down. Especially if she’s…” I gestured toward her trancelike state, “…like this.”

“She is Hoya’s anchor.” He began gathering his supplies. “Without her, he can be called.”

“Mana explained how the dayflower oil works, but I don’t see why—”

“What will it harm?” He continued packing. “At worst, you are slowed by several hours. At best, Mana heals him before your physicians have the chance.”

With a sigh, I accepted this was a small price to pay for his and Mana’s help. I would only tire myself talking in circles with him.

He heard the sound of my resignation and chuckled. “Once Hoya has healed, Vaughn can bring Mana home. He knows the way, and she would be at ease traveling with him.”

Once I would have balked at the idea of a female comfortable alone around Vaughn, but it surprised me to realize during the past several days, Rhys’s trust in him had become my own. “I’ll make sure she returns to you safely.”

Old Father’s gaze focused past my shoulder, and I turned in time to witness a strange procession. Vaughn and Wishövi had secured a litter between Marron and Brun. Thick poles were secured by each of the ursus’ saddles and taut fabric stretched between them, making a simple pallet the width of the ursus’ shoulders.

When they reached us, Wishövi slid from Brun and waited for Vaughn to guide Marron into position. They wasted no time lifting Rhys onto the litter.

Old Father instructed Vaughn, “Lay Mana shoulder to shoulder with Rhys and keep them close.” He gestured toward Wishövi, who offered a thin blanket to Vaughn. “They will need this as well.”

His mouth opened on a refusal, but I silenced him. “Do as he says. Arguing won’t get us any closer to Erania.”

Growling, Vaughn lifted Mana and stretched her out next to Rhys. He spread the blanket over the two of them with an efficient snap of his wrists.

As I pushed from the ground, Vaughn stalked toward me and gripped my hips, lifting me up and onto Marron before I caught my balance.

“Mana will need this when she awakens.” Old Father tapped her leather roll against my thigh, and I lashed it to my saddle. He pointed toward the litter, where Wishövi strung several gourds down either side of the heavy poles. “See that you stop every few hours and force each of them to drink several mouthfuls. That will sustain them until you reach the north.”

“What’s in—?” I decided it didn’t matter. “Thank you—for everything.”

“Go.” He curled his fingers, and Wishövi loped to his side and steadied him. “May the two gods bless and keep you, Maven Lourdes.”

“You as well, Masikookyang.” I caught his glimmer of pleased surprise that I had committed his name to memory. He inclined his head to me before beginning his slow trek from the yard to his home.

“It’s time,” Vaughn prompted me from his seat upon Noir’s back. I needed no further encouragement.

Brun grunted as Marron lurched forward, dragging him behind her. I glanced over my shoulder. Fear Rhys might fall made my fingers curl to steady him and Mana, but after several moments, the ursus fell into step. I measured the time by the position of the moon and decided our first stop would be made at dawn.

I’d told Rhys Marron could get him to Erania in two days. I’d been wrong. It took the full three with our frequent stops.

Between Vaughn’s keen nose and the quiver full of arrows he’d stolen from one of the dead archers for me, we’d been prepared for another encounter with the yellow death, but our journey home was mercifully uneventful. We saw no peculiar wildlife, leading me to believe the sickened pecora had been a single herd, all infected, rather than the epidemic we’d feared.

As we barreled through the city gates, I was grateful the Mimetidae guards hadn’t stopped us. Perhaps they’d recognized me or Rhys and known better than to interfere. Though I heard them raise the alarm as Vaughn navigated the entrance to the underground stables.

As we fought to corral the cranky ursus, Armand and Henri burst from the adjoining tunnel’s mouth.

Armand glanced from me to Rhys and back again. “Lourdes?”

I ignored him and called to Henri, “Rhys has been poisoned by a Theridiidae archer.” My fingers fumbled with ties. “I have his venom.”

Henri nudged me aside and took possession of Mana’s roll and my pack. “I’ll start the preparations.” He turned to Armand. “Take Rhys to Lourdes’s room. I’ll meet you there when I’m ready.” He frowned at Mana. “Who’s this? Was she poisoned as well?” He touched the side of her throat, where her pulse beat sluggishly.

Vaughn peeled Henri’s hand aside. “You worry about Rhys. I can take care of her.” Proving his point, he scooped Mana from the litter and cradled her against his chest.

“Very well,” Henri said, patting the roll. “I’ll be with you shortly.” He paused before turning. “Be strong, Lourdes. We’ll get him through this.” Then he disappeared into the tunnel.

With help from a stable hand, Armand carried Rhys to my bedroom. I opened doors and otherwise stayed out of their way. Vaughn followed, but I barred my door.

“What about Mana?” Perspiration stuck her hair to her forehead despite the cold. Though I’d blamed the heat and Old Father’s blanket during the first half of our journey, neither excuse explained her sweat-slick skin or pallor now.

“She’ll come out of it on her own.” He paused. “I think.” He stared down at her, and his brow puckered. “She has to sever their connection. It’s draining her. That much, I do know.”

I’m ashamed to admit I hesitated, weighing what good she may be doing for Rhys against what her efforts obviously cost her. We were home, Henri was working toward a cure, and Rhys had every advantage I could secure him.

“Give me a moment.” I called Armand to us. “Give Vaughn and Mana rooms as far from mine as you can. Borrow from a clansman if you must, and send Henri to her once he’s finished with Rhys.” I cautioned him, “Tell Henri to keep his herbs to himself. Vaughn can explain if need be.”

One relieved glance told me Armand approved of putting distance between Vaughn and me. I almost said my request had nothing to do with Vaughn, that he was, if not a friend, then an ally, but I’d save that argument for later.

Armand paused at the threshold. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather I waited with you?”

“I’m fine.” I spotted Rhys lying still and pale. “He needs me.” I pushed into the room. “I’ll be fine waiting for Henri until you return.”

Once our brothers left and the door closed, I crawled into bed with Rhys. Nestled against his side, I propped my head on his shoulder and promised him everything I was, anything I had, if he would only return to me.

Chapter Eleven

Pressing my ear over Rhys’s heart, I listened to the steady sound of the rest of my life beating beneath my cheek. His chest rose and fell in even breaths, and his skin had lost its sheen of perspiration.

A knock on my door lifted my head. “Yes?”

“It’s only me.” Henri slipped inside. His presence swelled my chest with gratitude, and with pride. How could he have ever doubted our parents valued his talent? If he had been cast in my shadow, surely he was now stepping into the light.

“I wanted to check on Rhys before the council meeting begins.” He scanned me from my bare toes to my knotted hair. “You can’t go looking like that.” His nose wrinkled. “Have you bathed? You’ve been home for days, and I haven’t seen you leave that bed once.” A small smile. “Have you considered the smell is what’s keeping Rhys unconscious?”

I glared at him. Contrary to Henri’s jibes, I had bathed and eaten and done all manner of things. I just hadn’t left this room to do them.

“He is well, Lourdes. I wouldn’t say so otherwise.” He nudged my foot as he passed. “He had his last dose of antivenin this morning. The dayflower oil has been purged from his system. His fever has broken. His breathing is level. His heart rate is normal. He’s awakened several times now and spoken the last few.” He frowned. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I’m fine.” Considering what I was about to do, I was.

The Araneidae clan council had been generous with their time, delaying Pascale’s trial and sentencing so my partisan could heal and I could attend him. Now he was well, if still weak, and the time for hearing truths had come. After learning of Kellen’s intentions for Pascale, I had no clue of her guilt or innocence.

“Have you seen Mana this morning?” I asked, as he began examining Rhys.

He pressed a thumb to the underside of Rhys’s wrist, checking his pulse. “I just left her room.”

I leaned forward. “How is she feeling?”

“It’s not like you to beat around the bush.” He chuffed. “Out with it.”

“Did she have anything new to say?” My eagerness led me to add, “About Rhys’s memory?”

“She’s had the same answers for your questions every day you’ve had me ask them.” He tsked as my curiosity fizzled. “She stands by her claim that it’s not uncommon for a spirit to return to its body unaware it ever left. Something about being grounded in flesh erases its ties to the spirit world and all that transpired there.” He paused in his counting. “I suppose this means Rhys’s memory is still spotty?”

I nodded. “He remembers being shot. Everything after that blurs.”

“Perhaps it’s for the best.”

I tucked stray hairs behind my ear. “I’m sure you’re right.”

“While Rhys’s memory of his time—”

“In the in-between,” I supplied.

“Yes, well, while any recollection of his time under Mana’s care would make for an interesting conversation and lend authenticity to her accounting of those same events, at best she is what she claims—a spiritual healer.” He tried repressing his smile and failed. “At worst, she is a competent herbologist with a flair for the dramatic.”

I considered him. “What’s with that grin?”

“While I was visiting with Mana, she gave me a few dayflower seeds. She’s going to instruct me in their care and usage.” Anticipation brightened Henri’s expression. “We’re going to my greenhouse this afternoon.” Just as quickly, his expression dimmed. “Well, depending, of course.”

I nodded, watching him work rather than answering.

“All right. Everything is as it should be. I’ll come around in the morning, the same time as usual.” Henri straightened. “Armand has requested a meeting with me prior to the trial’s commencement. I should be on my way.”

“I’ll be along shortly.” I adjusted the sheet covering Rhys, ignoring my brother’s doubtful stare. “It’s past time Pascale was dealt with. I know that.”

When I kissed my partisan’s cheek, a crease appeared between his eyes. Sinking back into the mattress, I was tempted to wait and see if he was on the verge of waking, but Henri kept watch until my feet hit the floor.

“You’re maven now.” He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Make sure you look the part.”

“I will.” I shooed him out the door.

Vanity played no part in my preparations. This was the first trial I would oversee as maven, and every aspect of my appearance was critical. With my partisan absent from the proceedings, the burden of presenting a united front, despite the circumstances, fell squarely onto my shoulders. I bathed and dressed with that in mind.

Once I was presentable, I cast a last, wistful glance at Rhys. He was sleeping peacefully. Though I longed to steal another kiss, I’d rather not rouse him, then have to explain why I was leaving. Better that he slept until I returned.

Slipping from the room, I bumped into Vaughn as I shut the door. “You’re still here?” Of course he was. Had I expected otherwise?

He ignored the obvious answer. “How is he?”

“His fever has broken and his color is much better today.” I smiled, and my face hurt from the force of it. “I think he’ll be awake more this afternoon. He was briefly aware earlier.”

His broad shoulders slumped. Taking in my formal dress, he asked, “Pascale?”

“Yes. Her trial has been delayed long enough.” I linked my fingers. “The new moon is but a few days away, and I can’t rejoice in Rhys and my wedding if this burden is on my heart.”

“In other words, you worry for your family and the strain waiting has put them under.” I heard a smile in his voice. “You were right to stay. His kind—their beliefs about soul mates—he needed you. You are his world now.” He swiped a hand across his mouth as if to keep from talking. “Go on. I’ll be right outside if he needs anything.”

Because he might not have done it on his own, I asked it as a favor rather than pose the suggestion. “I worry he’ll wake while I’m gone and be alone. Would you mind sitting inside?”

“I—” His voice roughened. “If it pleases you.”

Perhaps I should have left well enough alone. “You’re a good brother, to us both.”

“No.” His fingers trailed my cheek. “I’m more of a bastard than he’s ever been, but thank you.” His cocky grin returned. “I knew you weren’t immune to my charm.”

I laughed, as he no doubt intended, and he went to sit with the brother he loved despite the monstrous past they shared. I would be careful, though, of tampering with their relationship, because they needed to come to terms with the past on their own. There was also the fact Rhys’s secrets were deadly. One wrong word would see him gutted by his clan, so my lips were sealed.

Taking my leave of him, I went in search of my brothers. They would be in the council chambers, I imagined, since my spare words with Vaughn had cost me my promptness. When I rounded the last bend, I had to place a hand over my unsettled stomach. Pascale wore chains on her wrists and ankles. She stood beside her advocate, a young male with a grim countenance, and stared into our brothers’ bleak faces.

Armand leaned his hip against the edge of the council table. Henri flanked him, studying Pascale as if she were one of his specimens. The elders were also in attendance. Only I had been delayed. I hurried my steps.

Elder Darcel gripped the back of his chair for support while Elder Celso engaged him in a murmured conversation. Elder Jean stood beside them with his palms braced on the table, staring down the center aisle toward to door to better monitor my approach.