Araneae Nation: The Complete Collection Read online

  I followed without remark, anything to spare him more pain.

  After escorting me back to the council meeting, Rhys led me to where Sikyakookyang and Chinedu sat. The pair talked to each other, and it took a moment for our presence to register. Or so it seemed until Chinedu’s eyes cut our way.

  “Thank you for your hospitality.” Rhys inclined his head. “I regret our hasty departure, but time is of the essence. We leave Beltania at dawn.”

  Sikyakookyang eyed him with concern. “I wish both our circumstances were kinder.”

  “Once my sister is recovered, we will need lodging on our way home.” I extended an olive branch. “We would be honored if you would allow us to rest here before crossing the veil.”

  “I would like that.” Her acceptance came slow. “You are always welcome in Beltania.”

  I dipped my chin in thanks, relieved the evening had ended peaceably and eager to escape their hospitality. As though my nod were a signal, Rhys guided me up the stairs onto the empty street. His steps gained fresh urgency the closer we came to his home, and his grip on me would leave marks. He led me inside and threw the locks. His back hit the door, and he slid to the floor.

  “Rhys?” His eyes closed, blocking me out.

  “Give me a moment.” His throat worked over a hard lump. “This will pass.”

  I sank beside him, shifting until I was comfortable on the hard floor. Guiding his head onto my shoulder, I stroked damp hair from his pinched face until he fell into fitful sleep.

  Chapter 10

  Leather creaked as I tightened the straps on my thigh quiver. Resting my bow across my lap, I plucked the string and let the resonance vibrate in my fingers. I was ready. Today I would get my sister back. If I were lucky, this day would also see an arrow of mine pierce Kellen’s black heart.

  Blood from my parents’ murderer would stain my hands. It felt right. It felt like justice. I rubbed my fingertips. It felt terrifying to contemplate a double standard if Pascale were involved.

  “You’re favoring your left side.” Rhys appraised me from his seat upon Brun.

  “It’s nothing.” I rolled a shoulder, limbering the tight muscle in case I had cause to use my bow. As I shifted in the saddle, my bruised tailbone complained about the long hours spent getting acquainted with the hard floor last night. When Rhys had awakened with a shy smile that settled low in my stomach, I’d known then my discomfort was worth such a tender reward.

  He glanced away. “You should have gone to bed.”

  “I did. My partisan made the floor his bed, and I thought it rude not to join him.”

  He grunted a non-answer and then changed subjects. “Keep your eyes and ears open.” His fingers drummed his sword hilt. “We’ll lose what cover we have soon and be left out in the open.” He considered that a moment. “A desperate Theridiidae makes a dangerous enemy. With your sister in tow, I’d wager he’ll run unless we corner him.” He paused. “His aim will be good.”

  “I’d imagine so, but even if it’s not, his venom will make up the difference.”

  “I figured as much.” He cocked his head to one side and listened. “Do you hear that?” He caught Marron by her bridle and pulled her up short.

  Ahead of us, Vaughn lifted his head to scent the air. He turned, and his warning died on his tongue as a score of Theridiidae encircled us.

  Bulky reptilian creatures waded from the forest’s edge onto the road. Varanus. They were double the size of our ursus and covered in dull gray-green scales. Their vibrant tongues flicked out to taste the air. I counted three Theridiidae, one per varanus, and twice that number on foot.

  Flanked by riders on either side, Pascale sat atop the center mount. Its saddle belonged on an ursus, and the blanket beneath it was charcoal and orange—the colors of Erania’s neighboring city—marking this beast as the one they’d used to escape. The others must have masked its scent, which meant Vaughn was unable to pick its trail from the varanus who would use the road regularly. Also clear to me was that this tidy ambush had been set into motion some days earlier.

  It must have been. Given how neat and calm their approach was, I had no doubt that Pascale and Kellen had been sent to Beltania for no other reason than to make us eager enough in our pursuit that we overlooked the loss of her trail, confident in Vaughn’s ability to rediscover it again. What pained me most was that my sister sat tall and proud. Her bored expression made me feel as though she would rather stifle her yawn than offer me aid, but there was tension in her eyes that gave me hope she might yet prove an ally. I hoped for both our sakes that was the case.

  “Maven Lourdes.” The male to her right addressed me with easy familiarity. He was not a guard I recognized, but the male to her left I knew. He was the male from my parents’ room. He was, judging by his proprietary hand on Pascale’s shoulder, Kellen. Well, that was one mystery solved. “I didn’t believe Kellen when he said you’d come.” He smiled. “I’ve never known an Araneidae that wasn’t afraid of leaving their nest. Yet here I possess a matched pair.”

  “You have my name.” I sized him up. “What is yours?”

  He tipped his head. “I am Bram of the Theridiidae.”

  “Return my sister, Bram.” My chin lifted. “Do so, and I will let you live.”

  Surprise flared in Pascale’s eyes, and at that moment, I knew she was ours. Rather than nine foes, we faced eight. I was sure of it. I met Rhys’s eyes and tried to convey my thoughts, but he was no longer my Rhys. Cold steel from the blade in his hand lent a sharpness to his features. His full attention rested on the enemy, and calculation glinted in his eyes.

  “We outnumber you three to one.” Waving his hand made the archers on foot advance. “I don’t think you want to do this the hard way. Our maven has need for only one female from your clan. As you can see, Kellen is rather partial to your sister. You are without leverage, I’m afraid.”

  I glanced at the young male, and he smiled. It was hard and cruel. How had Pascale not seen this side of him? How had he lured her into arms that must be as frigid as Erania in winter?

  “Why haven’t you killed me yet?” I knew as well as he did they had darts prepared.

  His expression melted into lines of regret. “The loss of your parents was unfortunate, but I believe we can make amends. I can give you the males who organized the slaughter of your clansmen. I can give you justice. You lowered your standards by seeking out a match among the Mimetidae. I can—”

  “Can you give me the head of the male who poisoned my parents?” I glared at Kellen.

  Kellen shifted in his saddle and adjusted his hold to circle the back of Pascale’s neck.

  “I’m afraid that is impossible for several reasons.” Bram cut Kellen a look as well. “I can, however, make an offer that allows you and your sister to return home without more bloodshed.” He gave me time to hope such a solution was possible. “You are bound to this male, but your life threads have not been tied. You can survive his loss. You can wed one of our own as you were always meant to. Think of it—you can return your life to the way it was. Theridiidae would be at your gates, yours to command.” His voice turned silky. “We can forge an alliance here and now. Say the word, give me your vow, and I will rid you of this parasite and you may wed Kellen.”

  My confusion must have been apparent, because Bram appeared quite pleased.

  “Our maven had hoped to produce an anonymous love match between you and her eldest son. She knew your productivity would be increased by such a bond, and she wanted you at your best. So, she hid him among the guards some years ago hoping the two of you would meet and a connection would spark.” His tone soured. “He sparked—with the wrong sister—and I’m afraid my maven was too indulgent and allowed their relationship to thrive too long.” He flicked Pascale a glance. “I regret he saw her first.”

  “Let me see if I understand you.” I tried hard to sound reasonable. “You’re offering me my sister’s lover as a husband?” I laughed. “You honestly believe I’d wed
the male responsible for my parents’ deaths?” I choked on his audacity. “Not to mention Pascale’s feelings on the matter.”

  “Or mine.” Kellen snapped the words. “I am to be Pascale’s husband.” He glared at Rhys. “I won’t trade her for his seconds. My future maven will have known no male’s touch but mine.”

  Bram ignored Kellen. “He doesn’t speak for our maven. I do.” He waved his hand toward me. “Give him one heir and you’ll never have to share his bed again. You can take a lover, or not if you’d rather.” He cast me an encouraging smile. “It’s your choice to make after you’ve done your duty to your people.”

  From the corner of my eye I glimpsed Rhys’s consideration of their bargain. Foolish male to think I would choose to leave him, or let them harm him. He was mine, and I would not lose him. “What of Rhys? If I accept your offer, then what happens to him?” As if I didn’t know.

  “We trade him to his mother in exchange for the Mimetidae evacuating Erania with no more bloodshed. Or, if your time together has been unpleasant, we can kill him now and claim the city ourselves.”

  Drawing on the cold of my homeland, I let icy resolve encase my heart.

  “If you harm him,” I said softly, “I will hang you with a noose of my own making.”

  At that, Rhys shifted in his saddle until he faced me. His expression was a study in exhausted patience. “Yours is never the easy way.” Approval and warmest affection shone through his tone.

  “You heard her,” Kellen said to Bram. “She’s unwilling to bargain, as am I. End this now so we can return to Siciia.” He spared me his attention. “You might find peace in knowing I plan to wed your sister at my clan home. After the new moon, when our life threads have been joined, we’ll return to Erania.” His teeth gleamed. “Pascale will reclaim her birthright, and she will rule.”

  “I think you discount the Mimetidae. They will hold my city safe, and they will guard my clan. You are, however, welcome to pit your best steel against theirs.” Dangerous color rose in his cheeks, but I still pushed. “There’s no law that prevents fools from rushing to their deaths.”

  Bram cracked a smile that would have made him handsome if he hadn’t been willing to kill Rhys and me, and countless others, to have his maven’s way. “You, sweet maven, I would have loved to follow.” His sincerity surprised me. “I see Ennis in you, and he was as good a male as they come.”

  “He’s as dead as they come,” Kellen interjected. “End this. My female grows weary.”

  “I’m sorry.” Bram freed his bow and picked an arrow. “Would you prefer Rhys die first?” He flexed his fingers. “That way you’ll die knowing your lover was beyond harm.” He chuckled. “I notice no one has asked the tracker’s opinion. There’s a slight resemblance to your partisan. That makes him Rhys’s brother, Vaughn, I think?”

  “Lourdes speaks for me.” Vaughn broke his silence. “The maven hardly needs my blessing.” He scoffed and drew his sword. “Not when we’re all going to die anyway.”

  Bram nodded as if he agreed with the sentiment. “Such loyalty from a Mimetidae is commendable considering whatever coin she promised you, you won’t be around to collect.”

  Vaughn’s tone went flat as his eyes. “We are not so poor that our honor can be bought.”

  “I apologize.” Bram aimed for Rhys’s heart. “Rocks and glass houses, I’m sure.”

  “Stop.” My command earned me a blink of Bram’s attention. “You said there was a way for my sister and I to go home without more bloodshed. I am not so generous in my estimation. I am, however, willing to make you an offer.” I could tell I held his interest and I pushed forward.

  “Please, as an honorable male who once knew my father, grant his daughters leniency. Our clan has lost enough. Our family has lost enough. Don’t cost them more.” I appealed to his mercenary side. “I will make you the same offer as I made the Mimetidae.” I slanted a glance at Kellen before returning my full attention to Bram. “If you join us—if you end this now—I will pay you a generous annuity to ease your conscience. Name the price, and it is yours.” I put my heart in my plea. “Spare us. Join us. This is the better offer.”

  Without a word, he drew back his arm and made his arrow sing.

  My soul cried out until my voice extinguished. Wrenching my spine, I poised to leap from Marron onto Brun, but I was too late to shield Rhys. I was too late to knock him aside, too late to save him. Some wild thing in my blood boiled over and I took aim at Bram, who arched a brow at me in challenge. That’s when the burbled moaning of his true target caught my attention.

  A Theridiidae archer sank to his knees. The others stood paralyzed, bewildered as I was.

  I swallowed hot fear and cold hope. “Are you with us?”

  In answer, he leaned toward Pascale as if he meant to pluck her from her varanus, but Kellen anticipated him. He grabbed an arrow from his thigh quiver and stabbed Bram in the gut.

  “Kill her,” Kellen barked the order at his guards while pointing at me, then flicked his wrist dismissively. “Kill them all.”

  “No,” Bram panted as he clung tight to his mount. He ordered his soldiers, “Stand down.”

  The males on foot shifted their weight back and forth, unsure if they should listen to their maven’s son or their commander. While they shuffled undecided, I took aim and managed to hit two males before the others realized what had happened. Beside me, Rhys urged Brun into a run, who bowled over a male as Rhys’s sword skewered him. Vaughn wasn’t to be outdone. He let loose a war whoop to do Isolde proud, slicing a male almost in two as Noir trampled a second male under her paws.

  I sighted Kellen. Low on arrows, I wasted time perfecting my aim.

  Rhys’s grunt brought my head around. An arrow protruded from his side. He slayed that final archer before he fell from Brun’s back. Theridiidae venom is a fast killer. Forcing my head to control my heart, I lined up the shot I’d missed. Before I loosed the arrow, Pascale swung out her arm and slammed it hard in Kellen’s chest. He clutched her hand, but his came away bloody.

  “That was for my parents.” Her voice cracked as she fought him to twist her wrist.

  He slid from his saddle and didn’t bother trying to break his fall. Shock crumpled his face as he hit the ground. I marveled at his apparent surprise she might find killing more of her family objectionable, then I noticed Bram slumped in his saddle and realized he hadn’t reached for her. He had passed her his dagger. If she’d used it sooner…but she hadn’t. Shock or fear was at fault, it must be. Otherwise she’d been weighing the victor before committing to the winning side.

  No. I shut out my doubt. I had no choice. Rhys needed me. For once, Pascale could wait.

  “Lourdes.” Vaughn called my name, and my heart dropped into the soles of my feet.

  I slid from Marron and ran for where I’d seen Rhys fall.

  Vaughn knelt beside his brother, his expression bleak. “It was a solid hit.” He flung aside the arrow and blood poured from the wound. “The tissue is already dying.” He pulled his shirt over his head, staunching the heavy blood flow. He nodded at a dying archer. “We’ll need his venom.”

  My feet were mired in place. “Rhys?”

  “I’m fine.” He grunted once and tried sitting before Vaughn pinned him to the ground. “Do as Vaughn says.”

  Glancing at the archer, I might have once shied from what I was about to do. There were two ways to get venom, and I knew which would be faster. Running for Marron, I snagged her bridle and held her steady as I freed the pack of medicinal supplies Henri had sent.

  As Isolde had said, because of our father, we were well-acquainted with venom, and the supply kit was filled with familiar implements. Falling back on my training, I withdrew a small knife with a razor’s edge and dropped beside the male to pry his mouth open. He was too weak to fight back, so a quick slice down the roof of his mouth, behind his fangs, opened his poison glands. Careful not to touch the viscous liquid, I held a small spoon to his hard palate while using
a slender pestle and milked his venom spoonfuls at a time.

  Once I had enough pooled in the base of a small tin Henri used for collecting samples, I twisted the lid and sealed it tight. Out here, creating antivenin was impossible. For Rhys to have a chance at survival, we must reach Erania and Henri’s laboratory.

  Lurching to my feet, I carried the precious sample to Marron and cinched my pack behind her saddle before stumbling to Rhys’s side. Vaughn stood as I knelt, and touched my arm.

  “I’ll see to your sister and the other survivor.” He paused. “Keep him focused.”

  I wasn’t worried for Bram. Theridiidae were immune to their kin’s venom. He might get sick, but I doubted he’d die. If Mother hadn’t been the one infected, Father would have survived. No doubt Kellen had taken that into consideration as he laid his trap, whatever it had been. I had no time to ask now. My parents were beyond help, but Rhys…he had to live.

  “How are you feeling?” A silly question, I knew. His head lolled my way, eyes losing focus, and my heart seized. “Stay with me a little longer, and we’ll leave. We’ll go home, and Henri will fix this.” I fussed with Vaughn’s shirt until it covered Rhys’s blackened skin, his torn flesh, until I could tell myself he wore another’s blood and not his own.

  “No.” Rhys shifted onto his side with a grunt, so that he faced me. “Must listen…to me.” His inhale made him wince. “Return to Beltania.” He reached for my hand, and his was fever-hot. “Take me to Mana—she can buy me some time. Tell her my spirit…that I have need of an anchor.”

  “Your spirit?” I was already shaking my head. “You need to be seen by a physician or a herbologist, someone capable of mixing antivenin. We can’t afford to waste time with spirit arts.” I flinched at my callous delivery. I had no right to trample on his faith. Our differences in beliefs were compromises we would reach in time. Now we had none to spare. One of us had to choose. I exhaled slowly. “We will ride straight through to Erania—”