Altered Destiny (23 page)

“When the human king approached us many years ago, most Svistra had not tasted human blood and had no desire to. It felt a little too much like cannibalism. But after our warriors left to battle, they all came back thirsting for it and introduced it to their children.” He looked up. “There are those among you who have a strong thirst for alcohol.”

“Yes.” She inclined her head in agreement.

“These warriors came back with the same affliction, only it was human blood they craved. Many generations passed, and as I’ve told you, three or four human kings conquered the others and then decided they had enough of war. By the time we agreed to become jailers we were divided. Many of us wanted nothing to do with the humans, while others wanted to use them as…as you use cattle, and still another group desired a return to the old ways of living in peace with the land and with humans. But this last voice was quickly drowned out by the actions of men. The kings took our land and drove us into the northern mountains. It was the first voice that prevailed. We determined to live in the mountains away from humans. We survived on the blood of goats and small creatures that live in the ground beneath the rocks. But as hunger grew, so did dissatisfaction. The second voice remained strong, and people listened. Why should we suffer while humans lived off our lands? Why should we starve when humans were no more than food?”

“Is it forbidden to tell humans you can survive on animals?” Selia asked.

“Forbidden? No. Humans don’t know we can survive on other than human blood because they only remember what they choose to remember and only see what they choose to see.”

She had to admit it was true. As Jaden had said, how else had the Svistra survived in the northland without human occupation?

“But we would not tell them anyway. The Svistra have learned not to trust humans. They have always used our weaknesses against us.”

“You said the kings fed you prisoners, and you began to take on those characteristics.”

Jaden nodded.

“But you haven’t fed on criminals in a long time.” She rose to place another log on the fire.

“We haven’t. Anger has taken its place.”

Selia hesitated, staring into the flames. “But you’ve been feeding on the animals in the mountains…”

To her surprise, Jaden laughed. “Yes. You’ve hit on an old argument. Some of us blame our current diet of small relatively timid creatures for the reason many Svistra continue to hide in the mountains instead of reclaiming their territory. All warriors journey into the south lands from time to time to hunt. And in the far north, on the ice fields, there are large creatures, similar to our bear but deadlier.”

“So there are those Svistra who desire peace?” She returned to the chair next to the bed.

Jaden smiled. “Yes.”

“Besides you?”

“Yes.”

“Will they prevail?”

Jaden reached for her hand. “I don’t know.”

Jaden watched the door close. He’d finally convinced Selia to get some sleep. Of course she would check the snares before she found her bed, and her footsteps in the hall confirmed it.

The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to. And in some ways he treasured his time as a prisoner in the human fortress.

He took a deep breath to fill up his lungs. The strength was returning to his limbs and the pain had faded. He’d drained the rabbit before tossing the remains in the fire. It was enough for now. More, in his current condition, would have made him sick. In a few days he’d be strong enough to leave, to do what he had to do. It would take a different kind of strength to walk away, one no amount of blood could provide. He’d been weak in many ways, but time was running out—not just for Selia but all of them.

“Commander, Jaden wants to see you.”

Nathan scrutinized Deigon, tempted to blame the soldier for his sudden flare of irritation at the mention of the Svistra. He cleared his throat. “Did he say why?”

Deigon’s face flushed but he maintained eye contact. “He is well enough for your promised questioning.”

“I see.”
That was fast.
Nathan leaned back in the chair and picked up a letter. He didn’t want the Svistra or his men to assume he was at Jaden’s beck and call. “Tell him I’ll be in when I have a moment.”

“He, uh, seemed to expect that, sir.” Deigon fidgeted.

Nathan ground his teeth. What was it about that creature? He even affected the guards. Nathan had only trusted four men with the knowledge that the Svistra was still among them. The rest believed, thanks to a well-placed rumor, that he’d died soon after arriving at Eagle Rock. The four guards rotated shifts guarding him, but even in the short time the Svistra had been here those soldiers had softened toward his prisoner. He couldn’t risk them being lax. Selia might trust the Svistra, but he didn’t.

Nathan nodded to dismiss Deigon and returned to the missive he’d already read three or four times.

When the door closed he stood and threw the letter on the desk. Josiam, the southern king, had sent word to King Leisle. He was having problems with savages on his southern border and couldn’t send any more men. Leisle had copied the missive word for word so Nathan could see in the original paper the added barb between the lines.

Politics. It was an aspect of being a commander he hated with a passion. How dare the southern king imply they’d already wasted an entire regiment of men?

And then Nathan had to consider why King Leisle had let him read the original. Was it to share in his frustration? He doubted it. To shift blame? That was a much more likely option.

He ran his fingers through his hair. The northern army was spread out and ineffective, chasing shadows through the forests yet still failing to protect the villages. Reports of Svistra savagery piled on his desk. His plan was failing. It was time for a new strategy.

After the lull followed by the increased viciousness of the Svistra attacks, Nathan had sent a request to the king to evacuate the northern frontier of all settlements and pull the army back to just south of the river S’ian. The move would force the Svistra out into the open, where Nathan could tackle them head on. To his surprise, and despite what he’d told Selia, the king refused to give up the fortresses or the settlements. Svistra continued to attack at will. Innocent people remained little more than Svistra food.

He’d considered placing a small contingent of soldiers in the remaining villages but knowing how easily the Svistra attacked the fortresses, he discarded the idea. Their strength was in their numbers. The Svistra weren’t invincible. He’d beaten them away from Eagle Rock and taken them by surprise in their camp. But aside from that one victory, the Svistra countered every move he made with ease. A field full of dead Darmin soldiers was proof enough of that.

The Svistra had to have a spy somewhere. It was the only answer. They knew too much. What man would ally with those savages? A cross between a grunt and a curse escaped his mouth.
I guess I would
. But his reasons were honorable and a last resort.

Nathan rose and moved to the door. “Might as well get this over with,” he grumbled to the empty corridor. He nodded to the sentries and entered the room without knocking.

The Svistra sat on the bed, a blanket covering his legs, but he didn’t give the impression of an invalid. On the contrary, he breathed vitality. It didn’t take much to imagine that the Svistra was capable of springing from the bed and attacking.

“Thank you for coming.” Jaden waved a hand toward a set of steaming mugs on top of a small table. “Selia made tea, would you like some?”

The gesture was so at odds with Nathan’s desire to reach for his sword that he held his breath until the urge passed. “This is not a social call.”

The Svistra inclined his head, but his gaze didn’t waver. “Then why don’t we get started.” He indicated a chair.

Fucking, arrogant Svistra.
Nathan was tempted not to sit but dismissed the impulse as foolish.
Why am I reacting so badly to a show of manners?
But he knew it wasn’t the manners, it was who displayed them, challenging everything he’d ever believed about Svistra.

But Jaden was a Svistra, and Nathan needed a spy. “Well? Don’t waste my time.”

Jaden sipped his tea. Most humans wore their emotions where anyone could see them, this human in particular. “What do you want to know?”

“Who is the Svistra king?” Nathan blurted.

“We have no king.” Jaden gave the commander points for waiting. He’d promised information. He hadn’t promised he’d make it easy. “We have a council of what you might call barons,” he continued.

“Landowners?”

“Something like that.”

“Then who makes the decisions?” Nathan leaned forward, hands cupped around his knees.

“When there’s a decision to be made, the barons vote.”

“And if there’s a tie?”

“There can be no tie. There are thirteen barons.” Jaden could almost see the commander’s mind spinning. He wondered how long it would take him to ask anything of importance.

“There’s no baron more important than another?”

“No. Though the land distribution is not equal, all barons have an equal say.” Jaden sighed. “I think what you want to ask is who ordered the attack on the humans.”

Nathan’s color deepened. “It was voted on.”

“Close. My father ordered the attack.”

Nathan’s eyes widened, and one hand moved to the hilt of his sword.

“The council voted to make my father the supreme commander of all the Svistra forces. Those who wanted to fight joined under his banner.”

“Some didn’t?” Nathan’s hand returned to his leg.

The commander could be sharp-witted when he wanted to be. “Some didn’t. But this has changed since my father’s death. He was much loved, and his loss spurred many who preferred peace to choose war.”

Nathan’s eyes narrowed in obvious confusion.

“It surprises you that a Svistra would desire peace?”

“None of those I’ve ever met were exactly the peaceful type.”

Jaden shrugged. “Such is the result of your chosen profession.”

“Who is in charge of the army now?”

“My brother. He also ordered Selia’s kidnapping.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“My brother and I haven’t seen eye to eye in a very long time. If we ever did. Selia’s capture was a personal attack on me and an insult to you.”

The sharp tang of Nathan’s anger tinted the air. “But you are connected? I mean, you have access to the council?”

“Yes. I’m the elder son.”

Nathan’s smile held no mirth. “Is that why it irritates you that I have power over you?”

Jaden set his tea down on the table. “Commander, you have only the power I choose to give you. What irritates me is your ignorance.”

“Ignorance?” Nathan shot to his feet.

Jaden’s blood stirred. He almost hoped the commander would attack. With effort he kept his tone even. “Yes, ignorance. How do you propose to win when you don’t even know what motivates your enemy?”

“I know what motivates my enemy. Blood. Greed. Savagery. They want our land.” Nathan inched forward with every word.

“We want land that was taken from us, then promised to us, then taken again. We want to live. To raise our children in a place that will produce enough food so that their bellies aren’t stretched with hunger and mothers grieve over the birth of a new baby because one more means less for all.” Jaden struggled to control his voice. “We want a chance. That is all.”

The commander paled.

Jaden closed his eyes briefly. Blood roared in his ears. “Is there anything else you want to know, Commander?”

The commander looked unsure, and his confusion tinted the air. Jaden was too tired to care.

“Where are the Svistra troops now, and what are they planning?” Nathan asked.

“I don’t know. But in two days’ time, when I’m healed enough, I will find out for you.”

“You want me just to let you go?”

“How else do you expect me to keep my end of the bargain? Svistra don’t read minds, we communicate like humans. It comes down to whether or not you think I care enough about Selia to keep my word.”

“Do you?”

Jaden leveled his gaze on the commander, but did not speak.

Nathan’s color returned. “In two days’ time.” He turned to leave.

“Commander.”

Nathan’s hand froze on the door.

“You failed to ask the most important question of all.”

The commander didn’t move.

“It might be of interest to you that on more than one occasion, the southern king of Darmis has been a guest in my father’s house.”

“What?” Nathan spun to face the Svistra.

Jaden’s face remained impassive, unreadable. “He has come in disguise and with only a few of his most loyal men, but I knew who he was. For the last year, I’ve been…removed from my people. During that time I’ve tracked Svistra movements and heard many things of interest. All lead me to believe the southern king has much to gain by helping the Svistra destroy Asild.”

“Like what?” But Nathan knew. The Svistra might as well have run a spear through his chest. Josiam, the southern king. In ways he couldn’t deny, it made sense. The border wars with Darmis ended with a treaty cemented by a marriage, but it had always felt like a shaky peace at best.

Nathan glanced at the chair, his legs weak, but he didn’t sit. He’d suspected a spy, but nothing like this. It would explain how the Svistra knew their movements before they made them. Leisle shared everything with his ally, Josiam. Would he believe his brother-in-law had betrayed him? Not without proof, and certainly not on the word of a Svistra.

Jaden remained silent, but Nathan felt his scrutiny like a weight.

“Anything else I should know?”

“They regularly send missives back and forth.”

“That’s impossible. I have the roads watched at all times.”

“Svistra avoid them, and if you found a lone human on the road, would you stop him?”

Nathan shook his head slowly. He needed to think. “That’s all?”

“If I think of something more I’ll send word.”

Nathan straightened then nodded. He hardly heard the door shut behind him or the murmured greetings of his men. If what the Svistra said was true…but he already knew it was. It made too much sense.

When he stepped into the corridor leading to his office he knew what he’d have to do and in secret. He didn’t want to believe the truth himself and, if for some reason he was wrong, what he was about to do would brand him a traitor. How had it come to this? His career, his life, everything now hung on the word of a Svistra.

He wasn’t one to second-guess himself, and so far his instincts hadn’t led him astray. He wouldn’t start now.

Nathan paused before the door to his office and saw a passing soldier. “Don, find the healer. I need a word.”

The soldier nodded.

After opening the door, Selia took one look at Jaden’s face and grimaced. “So, your meeting with Nathan went that well, huh?” She glanced at the full cup. “He wouldn’t even drink his tea?”

Jaden made a noise low in his throat.

She poured tea from the pot she carried into the empty mug and handed it to him. “From the healer. Drink.”

He attempted a smile. “A human healer? Is it safe?”

“I forgot you were unconscious when the healer came. It’s safe. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he had Svistra blood.”

Jaden choked. “What?”

She took the full cup of tea from the table, sipped the cold liquid and poured it into the empty water pitcher. Jaden wasn’t ruffled easily or often. “I doubt it. I didn’t even know it was possible. Just wanted to see if you were listening.” She poured a fresh cup of tea and tasted the aromatic brew. “Is it?”

“Is what?”

He was deep in thought and only half listening to her. “Is it possible to be part Svistra and part human?” Selia occupied herself with the mug of tea, avoiding Jaden’s eyes.

“A long time ago…well, there are rumors,” he stalled.

“Which means?”

“It’s possible but rare and a curse for the offspring. Even a taint of Svistra blood would make the child an outcast among humans and being human, unwelcome among the Svistra.”

Selia’s body suddenly felt heavy but she concentrated on making her voice light. “Well, the healer was very interested in you. It was almost like he’d waited his whole life to see a Svistra.”

“Glad to be of service.”

“You’re grumpy.”

Jaden’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I’m tired.”

“Nathan shouldn’t have worn you out.”

A small smile. “I summoned him, remember?”

“Yeah, I can imagine what he thought of that.” She shook her head. “You know, Svistra or human, men are men.”

Jaden reached for her arm. His eyes seemed pained. “No, Selia. We’re not.”

She tore her eyes away from his gaze. The sorrow she found in it seeped into her with the physical contact. “I caught another rabbit.”

“Pretty soon I’ll be hopping about, craving carrots.”

“Sorry, the cougars and bobcats weren’t interested in vegetables.”

“I don’t know. You seem to have an affinity with wild creatures.”

Selia turned and stared at Jaden until he met her eyes. “I have an affinity with whomever I choose.” She’d seen Jaden morose, angry, sad and wounded, but she’d never seen him like this. It was almost as though he’d given up or resigned himself to an unpleasant fate.

She stepped forward then changed her mind. Was it the bargain she’d made? His honor wouldn’t let him back down, but did it wound him this much to betray his people? Wouldn’t it her? She hadn’t had a choice. If she hadn’t bargained for his life, Nathan would have killed him. “Drink your tea. I’ll go get the rabbit.”

Noe’s voice droned in the background. Keldar no longer listened to her words, only the disapproval in her tone. Apparently she’d forgotten it was her idea to get the female human back. Of course, it hadn’t taken much convincing.

The sun played in Noe’s long golden locks. He watched the display with detached interest while he sat at his desk. At one time he would have found her lounging on the pillows of their tent an irresistible sight. Now it just annoyed him. He’d wanted Noe since his brother’s betrothal, wanted her with an urgency he’d never felt for any other woman. The first few nights after he became commander and claimed her as his were the best he’d ever spent with a woman. But he grew tired of her and her voice. He’d tolerated her maneuverings because it amused him. But now she needed to be put in her place.

“Do you know what will happen if I should decide I don’t want you?”

Noe fell silent.

He enjoyed the alarm creeping into her green eyes. “Yes, the laws are quite clear. Once the contract is signed, if the male betrothed dies—and this time he has—then it falls to the next brother in line to honor the family’s commitment. That would be me. And so far I have, but you shouldn’t forget the rest. If the brother refuses and the female’s family cannot afford to take her back, then she can be given to whomever the brother, me, decides.” He tapped his knife against the table. “Tasir is a bit taken with you.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Noe’s eyes widened.

“Oh I would. And if you think I will listen to another word of what I should have done, you’ll be in Tasir’s tent before the sun rises.”

“The ceremony. We completed the ceremony.” She reached for the small scar on one arm.

Keldar licked his lips, remembering the taste of her blood. “The sharing of blood to join two into one? Quaint, old fashioned and easily forgotten. I. Am. The. Commander.”

“My family—”

“Was quite grateful I decided to honor Jaden’s betrothal. How many sisters do you have? Three? And as my father didn’t ask for much of a dowry since you and Jaden were so fond of each other…” Keldar let Noe absorb her situation a little more fully.

“You would make me a whore.”

Keldar smiled. It was true. Once joined to him, she couldn’t legally join with another as long as he lived. “Well then, I suggest you start being a little kinder in your words and deeds, my sweet.” He stood from the desk, moved to the front and leaned against it.

“Of course, my love, it was only that I want to see you receive the glory and honor you deserve.” She neared, her eyes hooded. Then she rested one hand on his chest, the other reaching lower to grasp his growing erection.

He pulled her close and seized her hand, twisting it behind her back and grinding her into his body so she could feel his hardness. Still holding her, he grabbed her hair and pulled her head back to expose her throat. His lips pressed the hollow beneath her jaw. “I should break your neck.” He murmured against her skin and then scraped his teeth over the sensitive flesh. “Don’t you think I know you’d knife me in the back if you thought it would bring Jaden running back to you?”

“Jaden is dead.” Her voice was flat, toneless.

“Lucky for you.”

From the steady thud of footsteps in the next room, Selia could tell Jaden was pacing. She couldn’t tell what time it was—it was difficult in the fortress with no light save the torches—but she imagined it was still well before dawn. He needed his rest. What was he worrying about?

She rolled out of bed. That was a stupid question. Without thinking, she dressed. If he didn’t want to betray his people, he shouldn’t have to. She’d work something out with Nathan. He shouldn’t hold himself to a bargain she had no right to make.

As quietly as possible, she slipped out of her room, past the sleeping guards and into Jaden’s.

“Did you wake them?” His voice was low and warm, coming from the darkness of the room as though born to it.

Chills traced her body. He’d been waiting for her.

The fire on the grate had died without a trace, leaving the room pitch-black. She turned toward Jaden’s voice. “No,” she whispered.

“Good. I can’t imagine a more boring job.”

“Or one less necessary. If you say you’re going to stay, you will. Even I know that.”

“Only you know that.”

Her eyes adjusted; she could make out his outline in the darkness. He stood near the bed. “No, I think Nathan does too. But he has to keep up appearances.”

“Appearances? I see.” A wry note entered Jaden’s voice.

“You don’t like him much.”

“I neither like nor dislike him.”

She didn’t question the lie. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

He really didn’t know? “I shouldn’t have made the bargain for you. I could have thought of something else.”

“When you factor all the circumstances in I’d say it was probably the only thing that would have saved my life. Are you apologizing for that?”

“No.” She stepped closer. “What’s wrong then?”

Jaden was silent, but Selia had learned to wait.

“Tomorrow evening I’m leaving.”

“What?” She neared until she could see the planes of Jaden’s face. He stared at her with an expression she’d never seen in those golden eyes.

“I need to scout out the location of the Svistra forces.”

Jaden spying for Nathan had been a nebulous idea, something that could happen one day. But now, faced with it and hearing it from Jaden’s mouth, she realized just how much danger he was going to be in. “Does Nathan realize you’re still weak?”

“The commander didn’t name the day. I did.”

“But you’re not recovered.”

“When I’m in the forest I’ll hunt. Perhaps I’ll find a cougar to counteract all the rabbits you’ve been feeding me.”

“That’s not funny.” A note of hysteria crept into her voice. She stepped closer until she could feel the warmth of his body. He didn’t move. She wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. She laid her head against his shoulder. After a moment’s hesitation his arms enfolded her.

Selia closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, breathing the scent of sandalwood and musk, willing herself not to cry. After a while, Jaden scooped her up and sat with her on the bed. Selia curled against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her again. The action felt natural, right.

She wished time would stop and everyone would go away and leave them alone. But there were other people, and morning would come.

With effort, she quieted her thoughts and gave in to the feeling of being held and comforted by Jaden. Selia didn’t know if she dozed, but she thought she felt him kiss the top of her head.

“It will be morning soon. You shouldn’t be found here.” He didn’t relax the arms holding her. If anything he held her tighter.

She smiled against his chest. What were one or two heartbeats more?

“Selia.”

She looked up into his golden eyes and for a moment saw eternity. With tenderness, Jaden kissed each of her eyelids, then hesitated and brushed his lips against hers. His eyes burned like golden flames. The moment stretched.

She stared at those flames and an answering fire kindled within her body. Selia pressed her lips against his mouth with a passion she hadn’t known she possessed, tasting the sweetness of his flesh against hers. Her hand brushed his cheek to burrow in his hair.

“Selia?” Jaden drew back.

“Please.” She reached for him, burrowing her fingers into the silky strands of his hair. She licked the seam of his lips and his mouth opened, allowing her tongue to explore. His taste was drugging, sweet and wild. Their tongues danced as the heat of his body seared her flesh.

Jaden made a noise that was a cross between a growl and a moan. In one fluid motion she found herself on the bed with Jaden hovering over her. She reached for the back of his neck and drew him down. Her soft contours conformed to the hard planes of his body as though they were made for each other. His kiss inflamed her senses as it deepened. Still, she wanted more. His lips traced white fire down her jaw to her neck before they found her mouth again. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, the gentle tug sending a rush of warmth to her lower abdomen. She slipped her hands under his tunic, exploring his skin, feeling the ridges of scars, the ripples of rigid muscle. Liquid fire shot through her body as her need grew. She arched her back, pressing her body hard against his. Licking the skin of his neck, she reveled in the salty taste of him. Inhaled the rich fragrance of sandalwood and musk. He moaned deep in his throat.

She slipped her hands under his leggings to the firm swell of his ass.

Jaden straightened his arms, hovering over her. The air between them chilled her skin, and she tried to pull him closer.

“No. Selia. Not like this.” He stroked her face, his heart in his eyes, and then sat, pulling her with him until she again was encircled in his arms.

“Why not?”

“You would honor me…” His voice broke.

“Fuck honor, Jaden. You’re leaving.”

“That’s my point. I won’t love you tonight and leave you tomorrow. I would be there the next day and the next.”