Cornerstone (33 page)

“
It's not that simple,” Torian sighed. They had been through all of this before. “Emariya, the people of Thalmas, they have to be more resilient, stronger, hardier than the people you are used to. As such, one of the qualities they respect most is strength. They already doubt me as a leader because I stand in my father's shadow and his shadow isn't reputed for being of sound mind,” he said. “But they also respect loyalty. If I send troops into Sheas, their lives will be at risk.” He said it simply, not as a threat, but simply as a statement of what was true.

“
I know, Torian, and don't think I'm mindless of what is at stake.” She was sitting on the edge of the bed alone now as he paced fretfully back and forth.

“
That's just it, though. If I ask them to make that sacrifice for you without asking for at least marriage in trade, I will be seen as weak, and they will never respect me. I could end up with an uprising on my hands.” A stray strand of hair had fallen into her eyes. Absentmindedly, he pushed it back. “On the other hand, were you and I to wed before I sent forces into Sheas, it would be received in an entirely different light. Then I would be clearly stating that you were one of us, that you had accepted us as yours, and then there would not be a man in the entire kingdom who wouldn't willingly die for you—their future Queen. That would be them showing you their loyalty. Their acceptance. Opposed to me showing my weakness for you. And make no mistake, My Lady, I am weak for you. I have just told you the cost, but it is a price I will pay. I will help you bring your father home, no matter what.”

She was overcome with gratitude for how far he was willing to go to prove his feelings for her. She might not know why they felt the way they did, but she could never doubt his sincerity. “Torian, I—”

“
You don't have to apologize. And I don't want to rush you, either. But please, don't leave me in the dark any longer than you must. If you truly think you can never love me, tell me so that I might try to find a way to accept it. In the meantime, I will start to make preparations for us to set out soon. It will be up to you which way we are headed: Eltar or Sheas. Just as you will have to decide which role you will take: my bride, or my undoing. Either way, when you leave this castle, unless you tell me you won't have me, I will be by your side.”

Unable to speak, she nodded. She would have to make some decisions soon. It was only fair to both of them.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

When All Else Fails Blame Family

That night, as Emariya lay in the elegant canopied bed, she tossed and turned, unable to give herself over to sleep. If only she could ask her mother for advice, the decisions before her would be much easier.

She sat up in bed. Well, why couldn't she ask her? All she had to do was figure out how to tap into the power of the Roths. She'd only tried once before, and had failed, but nothing was stopping her from trying again. Feeling her way out of bed and carefully maneuvering across the room, she found her canvas traveling pack. As she hadn’t planned to stay in the castle long, she hadn't bothered to have one of the maids put away her things. The fire in the hearth had become only the barest traces of embers, and with the lack of light, it took her a few minutes of feeling around before finally her fingers closed around her mother's locket. She was hoping that holding onto something of her mother’s would help her open the connection between her and Lady Valencia.

She lit the candles on their sticks by her bedside, and then sat down. She held the locket carefully in her palm, her fingers closed loosely around it. Her hand trembled with nerves. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and then let it out slowly. As the breath faded, she imagined everything around her was fading, as well, leaving her in absolute nothingness.

She hadn't entirely expected it to work. She was so surprised when she heard her mother's voice that she nearly dropped the locket. “
Emariya. Ask…Roth
.”

“
Mother?” Emariya whispered. “Mother, can you hear me?”

“
Nearby…
” Her mother's voice faded out again.

“
I know you are nearby. But what should I do? Should I go to Sheas? Is that what you are telling me? Mother, do I go to Father or Reeve?

“
A Roth can teach you…
” She could barely hear her mother now, and she wasn't really answering Emariya's questions.

“
Mother, can you hear me?” Emariya asked hopefully. “Please, I need to know what the prophecies mean!”
Oh, I have so much I need to ask you, but I don't think you can hear me,
Emariya thought. Still, at least she had been able to hear her mother. It was a start. And even if her mother hadn't heard her, Emariya thought it was good advice to learn to utilize the sound of the Stones from another Roth.

***

“
Are you sitting in here plotting how best to steal your lady's heart, dear brother?” Terin asked as she entered his study.

Putting down his quill Torian looked up. “Not at the moment, no. But I'm open to suggestions.” He smiled at her. Terin had always been one of his absolute favorite people. She'd all but driven their mother out of her senses with her playful, rebellious nature, but to him, it was part of her charm. She was so innocent, though, that sometimes he worried for her. So far, they had managed to keep her existence a secret. It was one thing to know that someday Torian might have to defend himself for being a Stone. It was quite another to think of Terin having to. Before they had learned that the Warrens of Eltar had not only had children, but that one was Emariya, Torian's family had believed their daughter Terin to be one of only two female Stones in existence, the other being Rees Hendel’s wife. She wasn't a likely target for someone who wished to bind the Stones, but Terin, on the other hand, was extremely vulnerable.

“
Tell her how you feel,” Terin said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

“
I don't know how I feel. I know I am drawn to her. I can't imagine losing her.” Torian said sadly.

“
Sounds like you know well enough, then.”

“
Perhaps.”

“
You'll figure it out. Why doesn't she want to marry you, anyway?” Terin had a way of getting straight to the point on things. She rarely bothered to waste time with useless drivel, and just asked what she wanted to know.

“
The pull of the Stones between us is strong. She thinks that what we feel for each other is only a result of that.” Torian sat back in his chair. “Plus, she's afraid of the warnings surrounding the merging of the Stones and bloodlines.”

“
Then just don't have kids,” Terin said simply.

“
I don't think it’s quite as simple as that. For one, we don't know that simply not having kids is enough to avoid the prophecy. We really don't know much about it. Regardless, I think she needs some time to come to terms with the existence of the Stones and the prophecies. She didn't grow up knowing about them, as we did.”

“
Oh, that's silly. Why didn't her parents tell her?”

“
Well, her mother died when she was an infant, and her father has been imprisoned in Sheas for a few years. Hopefully we can bring him home to her soon,” Torian explained.

“
Oh. You know, I hope that when I wed someday that father is able to be there. Really there, you know?” Her voice held none of its usual cheer.

Suddenly he did know.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Where There's Smoke

She looked up as he burst into her chambers. “Torian? Is something a matter?” Emariya asked, concerned.

“
No,” he said. “Actually, I think I may have an idea.” His clothes were not in their usual highly polished state. His cloak was wrinkled, his boots were scuffed from hours of pacing the stone floors, and the previous day's shadow darkened his chin. Whatever was on his mind, she didn't think it had allowed him much rest. He'd removed his silver and black vest that sported the royal crest, and his white shirt was unbuttoned near the top.

It took a concerted effort for Emariya to keep her eyes to his face instead of the marble-like chest revealed beneath his shirt. She'd never seen him in such a state of disarray.

“
Emariya, I know you want to rescue your father.”

She nodded. “Of course.” This was not a new fact—what was he getting at?

“
And you know it would be much easier for me to use the resources of Thalmas to assist you in that, were we officially betrothed.”

Again she nodded. She really hoped he hadn't come rushing in here to say the same thing they had both said many times.

“
But maybe you'd really like your father to be there—with us, I mean—when we wed?”

“
Torian, of course I would; I always thought my father would present me and give you his blessing.” She couldn't help the tears that suddenly sprang into her eyes. Before her, Torian suddenly sank to one knee. He took her hand gently in his, sending little thrills of comfort and excitement to cloud her brain.

“
My Lady, I will win your favor. And with your blessing I will announce you to the people of Thalmas as my bride-to-be, with the explanation that we wish for your father to be able to be present at the ceremony. I think they will understand. But Emariya, listen to me: I know you are still unsure, and that's all right. I won't hold you to it. It will just make things easier, as far as the citizens of Thalmas are concerned. It's something they can understand.”

She was about to respond when they heard the sudden pounding of footsteps in the corridor. Heavy fists pounded at her door. Torian flung the door open.

Three of the royal guards greeted him as he opened it. Their look of surprise to find the two of them alone in her chambers wasn't lost on Emariya. They would have to remember to be more respectful in the future; she didn't think the Queen was going to be happy to hear they'd been alone, and she had no doubt the Queen would hear of it. The one in front quickly explained the situation.

“
Your Highness, we suspect that we have an intruder in the castle. We were coming to make sure…Her…Your…”

No one seemed quite sure what to call Emariya lately. “Lady Warren,” Torian filled in helpfully.

“
We came to make sure Lady Warren was secure,” The guard finished.

“
Very good. But why were you worried for her, specifically? Who is the intruder?” Torian asked.

Emariya had been wondering the same thing. Who would have snuck into the castle wishing her harm?

“
That's just it, Your Highness. We don't know.” The guard shuffled uneasily from foot to foot.

Torian's fist clenched at his side. Behind him, Emariya watched nervously as he ushered the guards into her chamber.

“
Tell me. Everything,” Torian commanded. It was not lost on Emariya how his voice dropped an octave when he spoke to the guards compared to how gently he'd just been conversing with her. His angular jaw moved to the side as he chewed the inside of his cheek, likely trying to restrain his temper.

“
One of the stable lads reported it this morning. He'd gone into the loft to throw down hay. The lad said he found loose hay all tamped down, like someone had been sleeping up there.”

Emariya's brain raced, turning over the possibilities. Had Russell come for her? Nausea welled in her stomach at the thought of another confrontation with her mother's killer. She took small comfort in Torian squeezing her hand as he continued questioning the guards. “What makes you think whoever it was made it inside? Did the pair on duty out front report anyone strange?” Torian asked.

“
Well, no…but…”

“
But?” Torian prompted. Emariya wished the guard would hurry to the point. Torian's hand in hers was beginning to feel more like a vise than a comfort.

“
We can't find the two from last night's duty watch. This morning, the new watch showed up and found the entryway deserted.”

Emariya couldn't contain the small gasp that squeaked from between her lips.

Torian turned back to her. “Riya, you have nothing to fear. Nothing. Do you hear me?”

“
It must be Russell. He's come for us both.” Fear overwhelmed her, making her throat dry as she looked into his gray eyes. Moments before, when they had been discussing her father and their plans, his eyes had sparkled—nearly dancing with joy. Now they flashed, a dark, smoky charcoal.

“
Emariya, listen to me. I am not going to let him hurt you. I promise you, you will not share your mother's fate. I swear it.”

She shook her head. He didn't understand. He hadn't been in the tent, alone, facing her mother's killer. She couldn't do it again. Before, she had wanted to display nothing to Torian but strength. She hated that he'd saved her twice. But in this—no. Not now. She wanted nothing more than to cling to him, hide behind him, to let him protect her.

Torian crushed her to him in an enveloping embrace. She heard him speak quietly to the guards. “Gather the entire guard. Every single one. Leave two at each post; anyone not on duty, meet in the throne room. I want two guards outside Lady Warren's door. Wait for me there.”