“I’ll see to the rest later. Destroy the nika,” he said. “There
will be a few less addicts to serve DiSanti’s plans.”
“No, you mustn’t!” She hurried to Kyne’s side.
Frowning, he dismissed the steward and turned to face
her. “Mustn’t what?”
The crowd around them melted away, leaving her alone
with Kyne. Apprehension rippled through her, but she pushed
her doubts and fears aside. For Graham she would dare Kyne’s
wrath for what she was about to ask. At her side, Warda leaned
against her knees, his presence a solid comfort.
“Graham does well enough, for the moment, but I have
need of certain supplies and some assistance.”
“Whatever is necessary will be provided.”
“Do I have your word on that, Rul?”
“Of course.” Suspicion darkened his gaze. “What do you
require?”
Though expected, his continued mistrust hurt. Would he
ever regard her as other than her father’s daughter? See her
as a person in her own right?
She glanced around. Curious stares and hushed whispers
indicated the crowd’s interest. “May we speak more privately?”
Arms crossed over his chest, his legs spread in a stance of
command, he stared down at her. “Why? Do you anticipate an
argument? If I have the ability to provide the items, you will
have them. Do you doubt my word?”
“No, only your temper, my lord.”
“I am the most temperate of men.” He silenced the chuckles
from the crowd with a hostile look.
“Very well. I need several strong men to hold Graham down
as I set his bones.”
“This is not a problem. What else?”
She wet her lips and continued. “Alt root will not do to dull
Graham’s pain for the setting of his bones. Something stronger
is required, or the shock alone will kill him.” Mouth dry, she
placed her hand on Kyne’s arm and willed him to read her
intent in this matter. For once she wished for the strange
connection between them. She spoke softly, for his ears alone.
“I do not ask this lightly. The only anesthetic that will work is
distilled from the nika root. I must have a quantity of the root.”
Other than the tensing of his arm muscles and a small twitch
at the corner of his pressed lips, he did not react. She felt nothing
of his emotions, nor did his eyes betray the anger she knew
must be brewing within him. His stillness fueled her fear. Not
for herself, but for Graham. Without the body-numbing drug,
Graham stood no chance of survival.
“Time is of the essence,” she hurried on. “The longer the
delay in setting Graham’s bones, the less likely he will regain
the use of them. Don’t let your fears and prejudices blind you.
Trust me in this matter.”
Kyne gripped her upper arm. Sensing a coming storm,
people fled as he pulled her across the hall and up the stairs to
his chamber. Thrusting her inside, he commanded Warda to
remain without. With a whine of protest, Warda positioned
himself in front of the closing door.
The bolt slid home with an ominous clank. A niggle of fear
jolted Sianna. Kyne would not harm her. Would he? His cold,
dark eyes and tense stance made her convictions waver. She
stepped back as he advanced on her. When the table blocked
her backward movement, she braced her palms against its edge
and lifted her gaze to his.
“You dare too much, woman. Trust you! Why?” He leaned
over her, and his body’s heat melted the chill of the room.
Warm and solid, he stirred more than fear in her. Unfamiliar
feelings quickened inside her. Though he didn’t touch her, for a
heartbeat she felt a thread of connection between them, and
his glare softened into confusion.
“Since I’ve been here have I done anything to harm you or
your people?” The thread snapped, and his gaze hardened. He
didn’t respond and her hopes faltered, but she pressed on. “I
cannot help the blood that flows in my veins, but I am not my
father. His crimes are not mine. Can you not see me for who I
am?”
“Who are you?” Loud and harsh with restrained anguish,
he growled the question at her. His fingers curled around her
shoulders, and he pulled her against him.
Heat and longing jolted through her, nearly hiding the flicker
of his emotion that touched her. He wanted to believe her, but
refused to allow himself any weakness. She struggled to latch
onto his thoughts and feelings, to form a connection, but her
body’s responses to his touch defeated her. All she could do
was ride the waves of sensation crashing through her. Did he
feel what she felt? Or was he immune to these physical
sensations?
“Aubin was no fool, yet you lured him to his death with
your false innocence.” With a shove he released her, and she
stumbled against the table. The self-disgust in his voice shattered
the spell his touch had created. “Such an accomplished actress
could no doubt beguile even me—if I let you. I’ll not trust you.”
She straightened, refusing to cower or admit to the pain his
words caused. Could she tell him the truth? Break her silence
and reveal her identity? Could she betray Laila to gain favor in
Kyne’s eyes?
Perhaps there was another way. “And what of your word?”
Color drained from his skin. “You shall have the men you
need.”
“And the nika root?”
“No. In this matter, Graham’s welfare means more to me
than my honor.”
“Without my skill Graham will die, if not from his injuries
then because he chooses not to live. Why can’t you put aside
your doubts about my sincerity and give me the chance to try to
save him? Search your heart. Do you truly distrust me? Or
does fear hold you back? I’ve already offered my life in
guarantee of Graham’s, what more do you wish for? Tell me
and it’s yours,” she pleaded.
“Return to your patient.”
“And the nika?”
“No.” Hard and implacable, Kyne’s expression killed
Sianna’s hope. Still, she argued.
“But....”
“Go now before I do something you’ll regret.”
***
Stubborn man. Like a thrust of his crystal blade deep within
Sianna’s heart, Kyne’s lack of trust hurt. Couldn’t he see beyond
her birth? No. Blinded by hatred and ignorance, he would
hesitate until Graham’s life was forfeited. She refused to allow
that to happen. Not while the solution lay within her grasp.
She slipped out the chamber door and down the stairs, intent
on her goal. No one took note of her passage as she made her
way toward the wagons in the courtyard. Though subdued
because of Graham’s injury, an air of celebration hovered in
the castle. The loaded caravan would provide for all throughout
the coming winter. Under the direction of the castle steward,
people unloaded and stored away the various goods—food, cloth,
house and farm implements, and weapons. Sianna shuddered
at the thought of future battles and injured men.
A smaller wagon filled with medicines stood to one side.
Kyne had ordered the nika destroyed, but she knew the steward
needed to sort through the contents of the wagon before doing
so. For now the wagon sat abandoned.
The nika’s distinctively sweet aroma guided her to its
location. Package after package of pressed blossoms filled the
air around the wagon with a heady scent, intoxicating in itself,
enough nika to addict everyone within the castle. Kyne was
right to destroy these packages of future misery. Darting a look
over her shoulder, she prayed there was some root, and dug
deeper into the wagon.
A smell similar to the nika blossom, though moist, pungent
and somehow cleaner, wafted under her nose. With eager fingers
she grabbed and tore open the lumpy bag. Gnarled and dirt-
crusted, the size of her clenched fist, a dark purple root with
pale pink flesh rewarded her effort.
Shoving the root into her pocket, she glanced around. No
one seemed to have noticed her. Fear battled with satisfaction.
Satisfaction won. She would deal with Kyne’s anger later. For
now, she hurried to the herb room to begin her preparations.
Graham had no time to spare.
***
Questions and doubts chased through Kyne’s mind, but no
answers.
What more do you want from me? Sianna’s words lingered.
What could he take without condemning his ka to
damnation? Her body? Her heart? Her ka? Despite the
evidence, he fought against giving this daughter of DiSanti his
trust.
What was this strange connection he felt whenever he was
near to her? Was it just lust? He doubted it. At eight and twenty
annum, he was no boy to be swayed by a desirable body and
honeyed words—though few of Sianna’s words were sweet.
Her innocence had to be false, a chimera sent to tempt him to
destruction.
Yet how earnest she sounded as she argued her case, and
her words held more truth than not. Since her arrival at the
castle, she’d done nothing but good for his people. Order now
reigned where before chaos held sway. Hot, tasty meals
appeared at regular intervals. Clean, scented rushes covered
the hard stone floors. People went about their tasks with smiles,
and hope filled the air. All these things he knew had been
accomplished through Sianna’s efforts. Only the question of
why haunted him. Did she seek to gain their trust to betray
them? Or was she as she seemed, another victim of her father’s
ambition and greed?
The decision rested heavily on Kyne’s heart and shoulders.
If he withheld his trust, would Graham die? Despite her bold
claims, no man could survive injuries such as Graham’s. If nika
could ease Graham’s passage to eternity, what right did he have
to deny him? What would he lose that was not already lost?
Was his honor worth Graham’s suffering?
***
Shoulders and hips colliding, Kyne, Sianna and two men
crowded into the tiny chamber. Kyne looked at Graham’s
colorless, pain-racked face and felt the blood drain from his
own. The smell of blood, sweat, and pending death hung in the
room’s still, warm air. Could he stay and watch his friend suffer
and die? Why did he allow this woman, this witch, to torment
them with false hope?
“Position yourselves one on each side of Graham’s hips,”
she directed the two men. Chosen for their strength and steady
nerves, the men showed no emotion as they followed her orders.
“Rul Cathor, would you stand at his head?”
Brisk and efficient, her tone brooked no refusal. He moved
to Graham’s head. Sweat drenched Graham’s body and
plastered his hair to his skull like an obscene death cap.
Sianna stepped to Graham’s side, and her shoulder brushed
against Kyne’s. Clean and fresh as the mountain air, her scent
filled his nose. His body grew taut and hard. He jerked away.
She gave him a curious glance then leaned over the bed
and laid her palm against Graham’s forehead.
“Graham? Can you hear me?”
Graham’s eyes flickered open. Dull with pain, his gaze
fastened on her. “Yes,” his voice cracked.
“I have something to lessen your pain. Drink.” Lifting
Graham’s head with one hand, she held a cup to his lips.
A familiar odor banished her scent from Kyne’s nostrils.
“What are you giving him?”
“Nika root.” Her soft words reached no further than his
ears.
He grabbed her wrist. “You dare defy me?”
She flinched at the pressure of his fingers, but met his gaze
boldly. “For the good of my patient I dare much. Will you stop
me?”
From the connection of their flesh, her emotions flowed
into him. Her wave of love for Graham washed away Kyne’s
rage. Whoever this woman was he knew she wouldn’t hurt
Graham. Another feeling lurked just out of range of his senses,
but fear of what he might find kept him from searching. He
dropped her wrist.
“No, I’ll not stop you. But be warned you’ll pay dearly for
betrayal.”
Hurt darkened her eyes. She nodded and turned her attention
to Graham.
“Drink,” she urged.
Graham drank and grimaced. “Bitter,” he complained.
Kyne watched as Graham’s eyelids drooped, and his
features lost their contortion of pain.
“Graham?” Sianna questioned.
“I don’t want to put you completely out while I set your
bones. If I do I’m afraid you may not awaken again. Can you
stand the pain?”
“Have I a choice?”
“There are always choices. With life comes pain,” she
answered.
Her words held a wealth of wisdom for one so young. Had
she, Kyne wondered, learned of pain at her father’s hand?
She pulled back the blanket covering Graham’s lower torso.
“It is time.”
Kyne couldn’t prevent his gasp of horror. Even the two
soldiers blanched and looked away. Pale skin stretched tight
over Graham’s swollen, twisted limbs, while white bone flecked
with rusty red pierced through mangled flesh.
“Be strong, Graham.” Cupping his face in her hands, Sianna
leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead. Then she
straightened and squeezed past Kyne to stand at the foot of the
bed.
“Are you ready?” she asked, her question for all, but her
gaze rested on Kyne. Four heads nodded. With both hands she
gripped one of Graham’s legs. Her slender fingers barely circled
his ankle. “Hold him steady.”
Kyne braced himself and pressed Graham’s upper body
firmly against the bed. The other men held Graham’s hips in
place.
Sianna lifted Graham’s leg and gave a quick twist and pull.
Graham stiffened and gave a c
hoked cry, but didn’t move. Bone
ground against bone, then settled into alignment. Sweat dripped
down Sianna’s flushed face. Her hair, pulled back and away
from her face, escaped its confines and clung to her damp
cheeks.
Running her hand over the leg from ankle to thigh, she
gave a relieved sigh. “One more, my friend, and the worst is
past.”
“No more,” Graham groaned.
“Give him more pain killer,” Kyne said.
She shook her head. All color vanished from her face. “I
dare not.”
Anger at his friend’s suffering made Kyne harsh. Honor
be damned. He would eat nika himself to spare Graham. “Do
you take pleasure in his pain? He cannot stand more.”
“He must.”
“I will,” Graham gasped between clenched teeth. “Do
it...now....”
“Kyne, come here. You,” Sianna directed one of the men,
“take Kyne’s place.”
Kyne stood at Graham’s feet, his hip pressed against
Sianna’s. Pale as a crystal moon, she swayed into him.
Exhaustion swamped him. His? Or hers? He wasn’t sure.
“Grip his leg here and here.” She placed his hands on
Graham’s twisted and shattered limb. Against his battle-scarred
hands, her slim, white fingers looked fragile.
In contrast to her icy touch, the heat of Graham’s flesh
burned his palms.
“When I tell you, push the bone back into place and hold it
while I stitch the wound closed. You men keep him from
thrashing.”
At her signal, Kyne did as directed.
Pain and fear not his own jolted through Kyne. Instinctively
he tried to pull away, but he couldn’t break Sianna’s grip. She
went rigid and locked his hands in place with her own.
Graham screamed, lurched upward, then his big body went
limp. With surprisingly little effort the bone slid back beneath
muscle and skin.
Exhilaration flowed through Kyne. Deep inside, something
he couldn’t name quickened, a swirl of strength beyond the
physical grew and demanded release. Like liquid sunshine, a
glow flowered around their joined hands and spilled out over
Graham.
Unwilling to believe, wanting to deny the communion
between Sianna and himself, Kyne squeezed his eyes shut and
waited. Minutes or hours passed, he lost any sense of time,
then the warmth ebbed leaving him drained and cold. He blinked