Cornerstone (35 page)

Fear flashed an image through her mind, of Russell holding Torian in his own chamber before setting fire to the room. She shook her head, trying to clear the gruesome image. Torian's guards would not have let that happen.

Not wanting to see, but unable to look away, Emariya peeked inside the doorway. Raising a hand to shield her face as the heat assaulted her delicate cheek, she squinted across the room. She saw nothing to indicate Torian had been inside.

Seeing a new host, the flames flickered toward her gown. With a frightened yelp, Emariya exclaimed, “No!”

The flame shrunk, cowered, and then raised its banner in defiance, growing larger than before.

Trusting herself, Emariya let the instincts of generations of Warrens take over. “No,” she commanded more firmly. Guided by memories not her own, she held her palms to the flames. The heat awakened the pain in her burned flesh tenfold, but the flames obeyed. Sulking like a chastised child, the fire retreated, swirling around a mass in the center of the floor before smoldering out.

CHAPTER FORTY

Whose Side Are You On, Anyway

Staring open mouthed at the pile of ash in the center of the floor where moments before the fire had raged, Emariya struggled to believe that the fire had truly obeyed her command.

“
Emariya!” his panicked voice crashed down the corridor.

Smoke still hung heavy in the air, though it was clearing quickly as she leaned against his chest. She reached up and removed the strip of cloth from across her mouth.

“
Are you all right?” Torian asked breathlessly as Garith and Jessa hurried through the door behind him.

Unable to speak, Emariya simply nodded. She winced as Torian tried to take her by the hand to lead her out. “You’re hurt,” he whispered, anguish causing his voice to hitch.

“
I'll be fine,” Emariya mumbled against his chest as he put his arm around her shoulder.

“
Riya, we were so worried when we got separated in the smoke,” Jessa gushed as tears filled her eyes.

Garith, who knew her best, studied her face carefully. “Is there something you want to tell us, Riya?”

Emariya sighed. No use denying it. “I think I put out the fire.” She glanced back down at the pile of ashes on the floor.

“
What's in your hand?” Torian questioned.

Startled, Emariya lifted her uninjured hand to find she was still clutching the piece of hay she'd found in the kitchen. “Hay...which grows from the Earth.”

His voice filled with awe, Torian said, “Which you used to tap into the gift of the Warrens.”

“
So I didn't control the fire itself, then,” Emariya said slowly.

“
You may have—who knows,” Garith said. “It's rumored that the Warrens may have been able to control fire. Either you tapped into the gift through the hay and that influenced the fire, or you spoke to the fire directly—or both. Does it really matter?”

“
I suppose not. But what happened; who set the fire?”

“
We don't know.” Torian said. “Piles of hay were burning at the doors leading in from the courtyard, as well as in the throne room. It caused a lot of confusion for the guards; they are still in the courtyard trying to douse the flames there with buckets from the well.”

“
We found the guards trying to get out the door in this corridor when we reached it, then the guards and Torian broke through,” Garith added.

“
I was talking with the stable boy who reported the intruder,” Torian explained. “Honestly, I am not sure if it was the water that did it or you. The flames suddenly seemed to die with very little water.”

“
Maybe she weakened them?” Jessa sounded slightly awed.

Garith whistled. “Riya, that’s kind of awesome.”

“
Was anyone hurt?” Emariya asked, trying to ignore the throbbing in her hand as well as her friends’ curious stares.

“
No, honestly, it was more distracting and confusing than anything. There doesn't really seem to be much damage done, either,” Torian said.

“
I saw the fire in your chamber...I thought...” Emariya choked, unable to finish.

“
Shhh, it's all right.” Torian held her close, murmuring into her ear, “I was terrified when I couldn't get to you.”

Emariya simply nodded.

A guard approached a moment later. “Your Highness, we've caught the intruder. He was trying to steal a horse among the confusion of dealing with the fires.”

“
It was nothing but a distraction all along,” Garith said, voicing what Emariya had been thinking.

They followed the guards into the grand throne room, where the prisoner was being held on his knees between two other guardsmen.

Expecting it to be Russell, Emariya was shocked to see Khane kneeling there, glaring up at her. His look was one of pure hatred. Involuntarily, Emariya cringed backward.

Turning to the closest guard, Torian whispered a command. “Take Lady Warren to tend to her hand.”

Emariya shook her head. “No. I'll stay, I can see to it later.” After fearing he'd been lost to her in the fire, she couldn't bear to leave his side now.

Torian gave her a measured look. Finally, with a tiny nod, he turned back to his guards. “What happened?”

Emariya quietly took notice of Rink entering from the door behind her. Good, now they were all there. The other three deserved to hear whatever Khane had to say as much as she did.

Torian regarded the prisoner carefully. “Do you have anything to say?” he asked finally.

Khane spat, “Not to you.” His gaze locked on Emariya.

She was tempted to step farther behind Torian. Khane's hard stare looked right through her, leaving her uncomfortably exposed.

“
May I have a moment?” Garith asked from behind her. Shifting his gaze, Torian regarded him for a moment, and then nodded.

“
We need him alive, Garith,” Torian cautioned.

Guards took both of Khane's arms and jerked him up, tightening their grip as Garith approached. Garith stopped when he was standing mere inches in front of the man who had betrayed them all. Suddenly, Khane grinned. His blue eyes danced with amusement. Garith drew back and hit him across the jaw. Emariya forced herself not to look away from the two wet red drops that fell to the stone floor. Behind her Jessa gasped in shock, but she also did not look away.

From beside Jessa, Rink suddenly rushed forward. Emariya tried to catch his arm to stop him. The tiny boy drew himself up to the full extent of his height when he reached Khane. Unsure what to do, Garith stood nearby in case he should be needed. Then Rink spoke, “I was a better escort to her than you ever were!” Nervously, the crowd that had formed laughed.

Even Khane cracked a smile.

Emariya supposed it was her turn. Slowly, she stepped forward. She asked him the one question she desperately needed an answer to. “Why?”

“
Because your brother told me to.” The seriousness of his tone left no doubt that he was speaking the truth.

It was as if the world were spinning out away from her.
Oh Reeve, how could you?

Garith, still standing beside Khane, reached out to steady her. She pushed him away. She had to do this on her own. Suddenly, her mother's words came back to her. Lady Valencia hadn't been telling her that she was nearby; she had been telling her that a Roth was nearby. “You're a Roth,” she said in shock. “But how?”

“
Your mother was not Kahl Roth's only child. My father was his bastard, as I am his.” He slung the word like an insult, the same way it had likely been said to him his entire life.

Emariya was still trying to process what she was hearing. “I still don't understand why or how. And why the fire?”

“
If you knew how to use your gifts, you would. I could teach you, like I taught your brother. And why else but for revenge? After your mother died, Sheas abandoned us Roths. And the Roths never acknowledged me. Your brother is going to topple them and take what would have been his. You could be by his side, if you wanted.”

Khane continued, “I saw what I needed to see. You and Torian have grown close. You will wed. And the lines will be bound. You will bring your brother the full support of Thalmas, and Sheas won't stand a chance. All of The Three Corners will come together, with Reeve guiding your hand. With the collective power of the Stones, none will be able to rival him. Your mother's peace will be realized at last.”

“
I bow to no one,” Torian said through gritted teeth.

Ignoring Torian's comment, Khane continued, “I couldn't get away with the guards constantly crawling around, hence the fire. I figured everyone would be preoccupied with the fire and getting the Ahlens out of the castle; no one would notice me taking a horse. I set mine loose when I got here; a random extra horse would have attracted too much attention.”

“
I think that's enough.” Torian stepped forward. “Put him in a cell. Keep a guard on him at all times,” he instructed.

“
Are you all right?” Torian asked softly once the guards had left, taking Khane with them.

“
Do you really think my brother did this all for revenge? I've accepted that he sent me here, but I thought it was to save our land, our people. Could it really have all been for revenge?” Emariya could not even begin to fathom it. For years they had been all each other had. Their mother dead, their father gone, they had relied on one another. Had he, too, abandoned her now?

“
I don't know. I don't know Reeve like you do,” Torian said, a worried expression haunting his eyes.

Jessa spoke up, “Riya, remember that he doesn't yet know that it was Russell and not Sheas that killed your mother. His blame is misplaced. He thinks Sheas killed your mother and has your father.” For once, Jessa's black and white view of the world was useful. It was inconceivable that Reeve could be evil; therefore, she naturally assumed he was merely misguided. While still overwhelming, that was an easier thought for Emariya to digest.

“
He may, if Khane told him. I think they were using a spirit go-between,” Rink said.

They all looked at him, waiting for him to explain. “My father told me that the Roths could talk back and forth using a spirit who would essentially trade the information between two people who were still living,” he told them.

“
That would explain a lot. Like the timing of Khane making his move,” Garith said slowly. They all nodded their agreement.

“
Why don't you write to him? Tell him about the Separatists and what you learned about your mother. It wasn't Sheas's fault,” Jessa insisted.

Emariya nodded. She'd been planning to write to Reeve anyway ever since they had arrived at the castle; she'd been waiting while she tried to figure out exactly what to say.

“
I'll send a letter to Hendel. He might be willing to trade prisoners—Khane for Oren Warren. But don't get your hopes up,” Torian added quickly.

“
It all comes back to my mother and to Sheas, doesn't it?” Emariya asked sadly. “If this is ever going to end, if The Corners are to have any hope of peace, I think we have to go to Sheas.”

“
What about the Separatists? What are we going to do about them?” Garith asked.

“
I was meaning to tell you. I have to make a quick trip to the mainland to see to some of my traders. I need them to try and get more of the herbs you've been using for my father. From what I've been told, our supply will only last through the winter at most. While I'm there, I'm also going to see what they know of Russell. If anyone can point us to him, they can.”

Emariya felt her breath catch in her throat. He'd said he was leaving in the morning, not that they were leaving in the morning. He was leaving her behind.

“
I will be gone only a few days at most,” he smiled at her. “Stay here and help Garith see to our preparations for going to Sheas. And perhaps some distance from each other will help us put our feelings for each other in perspective, as well. I don't know about you, but sometimes I can't even think when you are around.” He smiled at her and then kissed her forehead.

Reluctantly she nodded. She could see the wisdom of what he'd said.

She knew she was being selfish, but she didn't go out the next morning to see him off. She just couldn't bear the thought of the goodbye, even if just for a little while. She stood by the little window in her chamber, watching him as he disappeared over the bridge, feeling like her heart was leaving with him.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The Sins Of Our Fathers

As was their habit, they were discussing the developments between them and Thalmas in the privacy of his study. “It was a bold move, Your Grace,” Jaryl said.

Reeve nodded. “But it worked, didn't it? If I am to understand correctly, my sister has begun to warm up to Prince Ahlen. We know he is still in favor of the marriage, she'll come around soon and then the three bloodlines will be bound into one family. If they wed, it will only be a matter of time until they have a child. And even before that, with Thalmas at our side, we can take Sheas.”