Gail Martin - The Sworn

Jonmarc’s stomach clenched. “Carina-” When Carina did not answer, he walked toward her slowly, feeling at a total loss. “About Thaine…”

Carina sighed. “You’d told me about her, about what it was like with the Nargi. And when I did the mind healing, I saw your memories from those times.”

“That’s not the same as having her ghost show up on our doorstep.”

Carina shook her head. “No, or having you go off to war, taking her with you.” Her hand fell to her belly. “I can’t go along to help this time. And if war comes, you might be on the battlefield when the twins are born.”

“We don’t know that for certain. There might still be a way to avoid war.”

“You don’t really believe that.”

Jonmarc looked down. “No, not really.”

Carina looked up at him, and he could see that her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “I’m afraid for you, Jonmarc. If there’s a dark summoner involved, this won’t be a normal war. And if the Durim are able to raise the things that live in those barrows, it really might be a War of Unmaking.”

Jonmarc stepped up behind Carina, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She leaned back against him, and he let one hand splay over her belly. “If I hadn’t promised Staden I’d be Berry’s protector, I wouldn’t go. You know that. I want to stay here and protect Dark Haven, the twins, and you. I’ve had my fill of war.”

Carina swallowed back tears. “I know. But you are the best fighter in the Winter Kingdoms. And you’re the Dark Lady’s chosen warrior. When you saw your vision of Her, She said that without you, the future would change for the Winter Kingdoms. Perhaps this is what She saw, or part of it.”

“Right now, I’m more worried about you.” Jonmarc kissed the top of Carina’s head. “That’s why I’m going to ask Laisren to go with us to Principality City, instead of Gabriel. I want Gabriel here to protect you. As it is, if war comes, most of the mages will have to leave Dark Haven for the front lines. I want to make sure that you-and Dark Haven-are protected.”

They stood in silence for a few moments. “Did you miss her?” Carina’s voice was quiet.

Jonmarc sighed. “Miss her? Not really. I’ve thought of her from time to time. On the other hand, I try hard not to think about those years.”

He turned Carina’s hand so that the scar on the palm showed, and he put the scar on his own palm against hers. “If you’ve seen my memories, then you know that after the time in Nargi, I wasn’t really very… human… anymore. I wanted to die. And since I couldn’t fight the things that took my life away from me, I fought everyone else. It was always worst at night. Thaine and I held on to each other, and it was bearable. Thaine knew I didn’t love her. She didn’t love me. I don’t think either of us had it in us at the time. We looked out for each other. It was enough to get us through.”

“Do I have to tell you that I’m not thrilled about my husband leaving for Principality City with the ghost of an old lover in the body of a beautiful serroquette?” Her tone was sad, not angry, and Jonmarc could hear an edge of hurt beneath the worry.

He clasped their hands together so that the scars touched. “Touch my mind, Carina. I know you can. I’ve made my choice. I don’t want anyone but you.” He felt the warmth of Carina’s magic brush against his mind, and he met her eyes. “No secrets. No lies. I won’t betray your trust. And I’ll do everything in my power to be home in time to be with you, when the twins are born.”

Carina laid her cheek against their clasped hands. “Then I’ll make an extra offering to the Dark Lady, and to all the Aspects for good measure.”

The next night, a small group gathered behind closed doors in Dark Haven’s great room. Jonmarc and Carina were dressed for court. Carroway and Macaria came at Berry’s personal invitation, both as her guests and to play a favorite song in tribute to Staden. Kolin and Jolie were present, as was Captain Gellyr, whose soldiers guarded the door. Raen, one of Dark Haven’s resident ghosts, glowed a faint blue in the corner. Berry wore one of the gowns she had disdained all season, a fitted dress of Mussa silk in a deep emerald color that set off her auburn hair. Carina had plaited Berry’s hair and covered it with a mesh of gold. Dressed for court, with a new somberness in her manner, Berry looked older than her fourteen years.

“Where’s Gabriel? Did the Blood Council refuse the invitation?” Berry’s voice had a nervous edge to it that told Jonmarc that she would have found something to fret about even if the full Blood Council was already in attendance.

“I’m sure they’ll be here,” Jonmarc said, although he was not as confident as he sounded.

Just then, the doors opened and Laisren ushered in their guests. Riqua went straight to Berry.

“I’m so sorry about your father,” Riqua said, giving Berry a hug. During the months Berry had been at Dark Haven, she and Riqua had often helped Carina tend to the refugees. Now, Jonmarc saw genuine sorrow beneath Riqua’s usually unreadable expression. “I’ve seen many kings rise and fall over the last several hundred years. Staden was among the best to rule these lands. He will be missed.”

“Thank you,” Berry murmured.

Jonmarc had his eye on who was entering behind Gabriel. Rafe slipped in quietly, murmuring condolences. Uri followed, but he remained at a distance. Behind him were Vigulf and Sior from the vyrkin, followed by Sister Taru and Lisette, who brought with her the chalice that the investiture ritual required.

“Astasia didn’t come,” Gabriel murmured from behind Jonmarc. “In fact, she and her brood appear to have gone missing. Her manor house at Airenngeir is empty.”

Jonmarc turned to meet Gabriel’s gaze. “Do you think she’s sided with the Durim?”

Anger glinted in Gabriel’s eyes. “We must assume so. Rafe agrees. Given the circumstances, we’ve voted her outlaw to the Council, which means her lands are forfeit and she’s lost any protection as a member of the Council until she explains herself. If she really has sided with the Durim or the invaders, we’ll be bloodsworn against her and her brood. That’s not a step we take lightly.”

When the guests had taken their places, Carroway and Macaria played the song Berry had requested. To Jonmarc’s surprise, it was a bawdy tavern song, not one of the pieces of chamber music often favored at court. Despite the solemnity of the moment, the song brought a smile to many faces in the small crowd, even Berry, who managed a smile although a tear was on her cheek. Jonmarc wondered how much Macaria’s music magic had to do with the feeling of calm that seemed to settle over the room. When the music ended, Carroway came forward and knelt in front of Berry.

“Let me be the first with a coronation gift,” he said, and while his manner was solemn, a glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes. From inside his vest, he withdrew a velvet-wrapped bundle. Berry undid it to find a beautifully made set of throwing knives with inlaid handles. Despite the occasion, Berry giggled.

“You’ve used the first set so much, I figure they’re scratched by now. I was going to give them to you at Haunts, but since you’ll be in Principality City, I thought I’d do it now. I hope you never have to use them.”

Berry threw her arms around Carroway’s neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. You never know when they’ll come in handy. I’ve kept in practice. I’m afraid Carina will find new holes in the beams in my room.”

Taru cleared her throat, and the room fell silent. Lisette handed the chalice to Taru, who held it up. “We are here to crown a new queen. Tonight, Berwyn, daughter of Staden, will accept the throne of Principality for all subjects, living, dead and undead, mortal and immortal.”