Araneae Nation: The Complete Collection Page 23

  “No.” She frowned. “Only that the Araneidae must be prepared when the time came. He kept the details to himself, but Kellen was worried because a messenger they sent to Siciia vanished.”

  Did this mean Father had known of the yellow death? Had he seen the likes of the wing held by the Salticidae? What of the creature Rhys killed? Perhaps he knew none of those things, but had worried, as I did, that another clan was using the plague as their cover for a staged coup.

  If he’d known any of those things, why hadn’t he told me?

  There had been no time.

  Still, something had stirred the Theridiidae into action, and the yellow death was a likely cause. If it was sweeping through their clan’s lands, wiping out their herd animals as well as their archers, loss of trained soldiers meant their maven would need more warriors at the ready. She would have needed the ones she lent to us, and if her clan’s ability to work was hampered, and they ran short on food, I knew our gold would have appealed to her. Her mistake was in killing my parents. Once, our aid was hers for asking. Now, I would let her clan suffer the follies of their maven and hope a wiser clan head gained control. Until then, even her son’s death was a poor consolation for our losses.

  I shoved those worries aside and focused on my task. “What about the poison?”

  “Kellen had an idea,” she began. “He said Father was wasting time when the answer was right in front of him. He explained his plan and I…approached Father on his behalf.” Her shoulders hunched. “Father was furious. I thought he was being stubborn, that if you’d suggested it…he’d have listened to you.”

  I closed my eyes, and they struggled to reopen. “What did you do?”

  “Against Father’s wishes, Kellen mixed his venom with a sample from Ulrich.” Her voice muffled as she wiped her face. “The result caused death within hours rather than days.”

  “Ulrich wouldn’t have given a sample.” Despite his docile nature, his clan, the Ctenidae, produced the most potent venom of any Araneaeans. Since his bite always proved fatal, Father had ordered his poison glands milked daily as a condition of him living among our clan with his Araneidae wife. Let alone teaching the children. He would never risk her, or them, by donating.

  “I don’t know that he did.” Her shoulder lifted. “His milked venom must go somewhere.”

  Pascale wouldn’t have known about how Ulrich, along with all our clansmen in similar situations, had his venom collected and discarded into a cistern carved from the side of Mount Ereac. The solid stone vat was lined to prevent the toxic mixture from seeping into the ground and our water supply. Some guards took part in the disposal process, and Kellen must have been one of them.

  “Assuming Kellen’s intentions were honorable, how can you explain the results?”

  “I never meant this to happen.” She squeezed her fists as if enough pressure would convince me. “I caught Father in the stables the following morning after we’d spoken. You two were going hunting, so when I said I had something to show him, he said I should do it quickly.”

  Her haunted gaze sliced through me. “Kellen said if Father saw the poison in action, he’d see the benefits outweighed the risks. So he prepped a dart and wrapped it in leather to avoid any accidents, but there was one.” Her jaw trembled. “Mother came looking for you. She knew about the hunt and she assumed you’d be with Father.” Her voice strained. “I had set the bundle on a table while we prepped the ursus.”

  Pascale’s hands covered her face as if she could block out the memory. “Mother must have seen the bundle and picked it up. Father was forever bringing her trinkets after a good hunt, so she must have assumed…” Sobs curled her shoulders. “She unrolled the leather and the dart hit her palm. It pierced her skin.” Tears slicked her face. “Her gasp was the first we noticed her.”

  “It was an accident.” I wondered if the others heard my relief. “What about antivenin?”

  “Don’t you think we tried?” Her words lacked heat. “Neither his venom nor Ulrich’s counteracted Kellen’s creation. There wasn’t enough commonality. There was no antidote, and when Father sent Kellen for help from his maven, she turned on Father.” Now fire burned in her. “She saw a golden opportunity to seize what Father had refused to grant her—absolute control over the Araneidae.” Her tears were absent now. “When Kellen returned, he…he was not the male I knew. It was then he told me of his true identity. He told me—” She shook her head. “I believed I would be hanged for my part in this. He gave me the choice of leaving with him and I took it.”

  I stopped pacing and faced her. “Knowing Kellen had turned traitor, you fled with him rather than face the consequences of your actions.” I understood her fear, I did, but her lack of faith stung. “You were the perfect bargaining chip to present his maven after her coup failed.”

  “I didn’t learn of his plans—their plans—to rule through me until we’d left Erania.”

  Peering at her tearstained face, I ached with gratitude she was alive, but forgiveness and trust were burnt bridges that spanned miles between us. “You should have trusted me to protect you.”

  She sounded younger than her years when she spoke. “I’m sorry I lacked the courage to tell you what I’d done. It’s no excuse, but I was blinded by fear and love. Kellen convinced me…” Her voice steadied. To our brothers, she said, “I stabbed Kellen in his black heart for what he did, what I let him do.”

  “We know,” Henri said gently. “We assigned no blame in that incident. You protected Lourdes, your maven and sister. His death is the fault of his mother and maven, who sent him.”

  Exhaling hard, she gave us a shaky nod. Straightening her shoulders, she added, “If my death is the price this council deems fair for my part in these crimes, I will face it without fear.”

  Armand was slower to speak. “You were a pawn in a game well played, but even pawns are responsible for the movements they make, no matter how strong the hand that guides them.”

  Pascale nodded silent agreement, and her willingness to accept punishment heartened me. It bespoke of true remorse. For all that I’d hoped she would be innocent, there was a coldness in her I’d glimpsed as she sat atop that varanus. I might have lied to myself at the time to shore up my courage in our conquest, but I wasn’t sure I would bet lives on her total guiltlessness when it had appeared she had weighed her options before siding with us, much the same way Bram had.

  “An interesting tale to be sure.” Jean leaned forward. “The fact remains she was an accessory to your parents’ murder and she chose to flee rather than confide her crimes.”

  Celso frowned at him. “She was reckless, but she showed no malicious intent.”

  “We gathered here to determine whether or not she conspired against her parents. I find that she did not.” Darcel spoke for the first time. “She must be punished, but her blood will not heal the wounds Kellen inflicted upon her family or our clan. I say she is innocent of the charge.”

  “Agreed.” Henri held Pascale’s gaze.

  “I agree with Elder Celso’s observations as well.” Armand glanced at me, waiting.

  “I also agree with Elder Celso’s findings.” Still I feared what came next. “What is her proposed punishment?”

  “I have not agreed to any such thing.” Jean scowled. “You invite ruin by accepting a traitor back into the fold. She may be less guilty than her lover, but who can say she wasn’t his equal? He isn’t here to defend himself.” He stabbed the air in my direction. “She’s proven she is susceptible to enticement. Or perhaps worse, she’s proven she is capable of a most delicate type of persuasion. What if the next male who shares her bed suffers those same delusions of grandeur?”

  “You can’t try and convict her based on what may happen in the future.” Celso clucked with mirth. “If that were possible, I could credit all sorts of future pot-stirrings to you.” He waved a finger. “I will refrain out of the fear it will give you an idea you might not have had yet.”

  “Gracious eld
ers.” I brought their attention back to the problem. “If there is no contest to her guilt, and we’re in agreement she should be punished, what do you suggest as her penance?”

  Jean’s eyes glinted maliciously. “Two years of indentured service to one of our allied clans.” He let that settle. “If you agree to such a fitting punishment, then my vote is yours and her neck is safe.”

  “She is our sister—” Henri began.

  “She also treads close to treason,” Celso warned, and Darcel nodded along with him.

  Armand shared a glance with me, one that asked me to trust his judgment since he’d read the proof I had yet to see. Whatever was written must be open to interpretation or this trial would have been dismissed. It hadn’t been. That told me more than he was allowed to. This was not the outcome I wanted, but Jean was an elder for a reason. Our clan was hurting, struggling to adjust, and Jean could sow seeds of dissent easily while I was new to my post and might be challenged.

  While I doubted my clan would turn on me, I didn’t doubt they could be turned on Rhys easily enough. Especially if they were to learn I had been attacked by one of his guards so fresh into our union. The danger was too great, and I refused to risk it. Our clan’s stability must come first.

  “I agree with you, Elder Jean.” I read his shock before he thought to cover it. “I do ask for one small concession, and I think it can be granted easily enough considering recent events.”

  Armand finished my thought. “If we may pick the clan, so that we may be assured of Pascale’s safety, then I agree.”

  He braced on Henri’s shoulder, who muttered a reluctant, “If those terms are met, I agree as well.”

  “Good.” Celso stood. “We’re all in agreement.” Darcel stood next. “Have your list prepared, and we will reconvene after your thread binding.” He smiled fondly. “This is a special time in your life. You should enjoy it. In the meantime, Pascale will be confined to her quarters.”

  “Thank you all.” I would save talk of the yellow death, and my other concerns, until then. As if reading my mind, Elder Celso placed Bram’s evidence in my hand, and he patted my cheek.

  Turning to Pascale, I noticed Tristan muttering beneath his breath. She thanked the disgruntled male and gave him leave to remove his name as her advocate from the proceedings so the council’s verdict wouldn’t reflect upon skills she had forbidden him to exercise. The ploy was a bold move on her part, but it lent her an air of desire for absolution of her actions that having another argue on her behalf would have cost her.

  My jaw ached from grinding my teeth. Was this how it was to be the rest of our lives? Me wondering if we’d spared an innocent life or if I’d captured a viper and freed her in our nest?

  A door opened behind me, stirring a breeze that brought a familiar anise scent to my nose. Turning, I found Rhys and Vaughn crossing the threshold into the council chambers. My partisan leaned heavily on his brother to remain upright, but he was there. He was always there if I needed him. Even when the cost to him was high, he came for me.

  I resisted the lure of his strong arms and warm body long enough to cross to Pascale. “Do you know the contents of this letter?”

  “Kellen said it was nothing of importance.” She glanced between it and me, uncertain. “He kept the details to himself.”

  “Do you wish to know what was written that spared you?” Her eager nod could have been mine, and my resistance crumpled.

  Unfolding the parchment, I recognized the Theridiidae maven’s handwriting with ease. It was the same neat script she had used to conduct business with our clan. Reading out loud, I let my lips move over the words to taste their truth. “My dearest son, you’ve long been gone from Siciia, and things here are not as they once were. I must ask you to trust Bram. He acts with our best interests at heart.” Frowning, I continued. “I am proud of the service you have done your clan. Ennis and Reine will be mourned. Their loss was unfortunate, but necessary.” Paper tore in my hand. The final words blurred as I blinked rapidly. “Bring Pascale. Waste no time. We have none to spare.”

  Refolding the paper, I was relieved to hold proof of the Theridiidae maven’s treachery in hand. Her own words would have damned her son had his actions not already done so. While my sister was mentioned, it was in a peripheral way. I assumed the council believed that to mean she was of little importance to this plot, and not that motherly pride prevented Pascale’s equal praises.

  Yet again, my mind had spun in an uncomfortable circle, but what was done was done.

  “Thank you,” she said at length, “for coming for me and for…everything.”

  My heart was so brittle, I worried it may crack, that love of her might yet break me, but I enfolded her in my arms. “I love you.” I had no other words. Not yet. Not while I was so raw.

  “I know.” She hugged me back. “Rhys looks like a stiff breeze would topple him.”

  She was right, and showcasing his weakness to those present made both males appear wary. I noticed both had their swords in their hilts, though fighting would have been difficult.

  “Go on.” She shoved me toward him. “Tell him I’m sorry for what I said.” She offered him a timid smile he didn’t return. “I owe you an apology as well. If I hadn’t been so afraid, I might have…” Her thoughts trailed off. “I’m happy for you, happy that he makes you happy.”

  “I couldn’t have picked a better match.” I meant every word.

  After another nudge toward Rhys, I left Pascale to speak with our brothers. I hadn’t been sure, but now I thought they hadn’t been allowed to speak with her since our arrival. I left them with her to say what needed to be said in order for their minds to be eased. I wished them peace.

  Crossing the room, I stopped just shy of Rhys. “What are you doing out of bed?”

  “I woke up and our bed was empty.” He scowled. “I didn’t like it.”

  “I did leave you with your brother for company.” Both males fell into an awkward silence, and I wondered what had been said behind closed doors. Good things, I hoped. “I didn’t want to leave you.” I glanced over my shoulder, where Armand and Henri each had embraced Pascale. “I needed this matter done. It was cruel for her to wonder, for any of them to wonder the outcome.”

  “I believe this ruling is a fair one.” His unrepentant expression made me think he had listened for longer than I’d realized. “No matter how this all ended, I wanted to be here for you.”

  Hadn’t I entertained the exact thought moments earlier? “You always are.”

  His expression softened. “I will endeavor to remain so.”

  “You should have stayed in bed,” Vaughn said. “By the sound of it, you two need one.”

  Heat crept up my neck. Rhys traced the hot curve of my throat, and I shivered. He grinned for the entire trip back to our room, where he welcomed me to bed and promptly fell back to sleep.

  Chapter 12

  Ribbons, I decided, should be stricken from a female’s ceremonial attire. I was to be wed, but I had more bands of gold and glimmering threads in my hair now than I’d ever had as a child. Picking at one such spiral-tipped adornment, I was lost in thought when my steward approached.

  “Maven.” She wrung her hands. “Your partisan wishes to have a word with you.”

  I knocked over my chair when I stood, covering my gown. I wasn’t superstitious, exactly, but I knew future husbands weren’t meant to see their future wives on their wedding day. I had wondered how long Rhys would stay away. I’d been locked in here for hours, and after what he’d been through…we hadn’t been apart for more than the length of Pascale’s trial since returning home. Though he’d come for me that day, the gesture had cost him. He’d mostly slept since then.

  I worried my lip. “He can’t see me.” I turned to her for confirmation. “It’s tradition.”

  “Aye, Maven, it is.” She glanced toward the door, and I sensed Rhys stood beyond it.

  Turning him away was as impossible as denying my next breath. “Ah
, well.” I smoothed my gown. After touching my hair, I let my arm fall. I don’t preen. “Traditions are made to be broken.”

  When I opened the door, Rhys, I assumed, held it firm. “No. I don’t want to see you.”

  “Is that so?” I laughed. “I’ll try not to take the sentiment too personally.”

  His chuckle warmed me as his arm crooked around the door and his hand opened, calling my fingers to his as they had that first time. “I meant to do this yesterday, but my nerves bested me.”

  My smile faded as he played absently with my fingers. “Let me guess. You’re having second thoughts and were too afraid to break the news to me? Or is it Isolde you’re scared of?” Bracing my forehead against the door, I heard his indulgent sigh huff through the crack. It was music to my ears. “I’m sorry. What is it you meant to do?”

  “This.” He slid something warm and smooth down my left hand’s ring finger.

  My knees locked when I glimpsed the simple gold band and modest tear-shaped ruby. It fit me as no other ring would have, and he must have paid a dear price for it. Unable to sift his name from my jumbled thoughts, and unsure if some question was implied, I was rendered mute.

  “Lourdes, I won your hand by the terms you set.” His fingers bit into my skin. “I fulfilled our bargain and by your word, you are mine.” His voice deepened, resonating through my ear to my heart. “I want more from you than your honor. I want to be more to you than your duty.”

  It was then I understood what the ring represented—the choice we hadn’t been given.

  A choice he wanted me to make.

  He drew my hand to his side of the door and kissed my ring finger. “I have thanked the two gods for their grace since the moment the Theridiidae chased you into my arms, when your skin held a hint of frost and your courage thawed some frozen thing in my chest for which I had no name. Your love is worth a price above rubies. I want to own your heart as you own mine.” I heard his resolve. “I will wait for it. Our wedding is preordained. Our thread binding is not.”