Crystal Warrior: Through All Eternity (Atlantean Crystal Saga Book 1) (42 page)

Never to hold him again, never to touch him. Never. Tears seeped beneath her lids and blindly she reached up and drew his head down to hers.

‘I'm sorry,’ she whispered and pressed her lips to his in a sudden, fierce need. Every time she touched him, kissed him, held him in her arms she had this need to take all she could from the moment in case it were the last.

The furious rigidity drained from his body and he sank to the bed, drawing her into his arms. His lips fused with hers as if he too had this fear of there being no tomorrow.

‘Tomorrow,’ he growled as if he’d stolen the thought from her mind, ‘I’ll begin implementing the plans for the Star Path Pyramid and lodge Merwin's Crystal safely within its sanctum. And now—I will show you why you can never leave me.’

His loving was gentle yet fierce, tender yet demanding. Gynevra prayed in her heart to the Goddess that she'd never have to live without this man. With the window drapes open to the faint light of a sickle moon, he brushed the tangled strands of hair from her face and gently kissed her brow.

‘I was almost caught on my own sword,’ he muttered, and dropping to the clagren, gathered her close to his chest.

‘How is that?’

‘Merwin's Crystal. It's widely believed Merwin used the crystal to enthrall the first Gotham, Madoc’s pavuon. For sure he, the first of the Great Oafs, became a veritable clod after he found her.’

Gynevra wriggled round and propping herself up on his chest, glared at him with one eyebrow raised accusingly.

‘You would have me become a clod?’ she asked, striving to keep her voice firm.

Taur chuckled nevertheless and the sound of it, the feel of it beneath her hands sent a ripple of warm delight through her. A sense of humor, especially if he himself was the butt of the joke, was something Gotham had never had. ‘I sought to enthrall you, bind you to me so you could never leave. Instead, I almost lost you.’

With slow, thoughtful strokes, Gynevra caressed the strong contours of his face, highlighted by deep moon shadows. ‘I'm glad you were with me when I saw the crystal,’ she said somberly, ‘and that I didn't find it on my own. I might have, you know. I've always been fascinated by it and I was talking of it to Difleer only this morning.’

Touching a gentle finger to the scar on her forehead, he asked huskily, ‘Why is it that you try so hard to leave me when at other times you beg me to keep you close?’

Gynevra closed her eyes to block out the evidence of his pain and to gather the understanding of herself.

‘It's like,’ she whispered without opening her eyes, ‘I'm two people, the Archinus Elect and the woman. The Archinus Elect is bound by inescapable duty. It just is—and when I'm Archinus Elect I must act according to her edict. When I'm alone, her essence is very strong. When I'm with you she has no power at all. I'm just a woman who longs only to be with the man I love. Sometimes—Oh Taur,’ she cried, slipping her arms round him and clinging tightly, ‘don't ever let me go!’

‘Never!’ he vowed fiercely. ‘And I'll make cloabad sure Merwin's infernal Crystal is kept out of your reach.’

Chapter 24

Long-lived Nyaldans claimed it had been the wettest and warmest winter in living memory. There'd been a short period when the ground was frozen and snow covered the tops of the peaks to the north and west but it never touched the lower slopes nor blanketed Castle or city. It had been a hard, muddy winter nevertheless with dark, lowering skies and heavy sheets of rain sweeping across the harbor day after day.

The Queen’s Court had been a haven against the long grey days. But now the heavy insulating drapes were open to warm spring sunshine Gynevra found her gaze wandering restlessly to the emerald hills beyond the harbor. Spring had come at last.

Crop planting was late this year on account of the soggy fields but one seed had found fertile ground at the Spring Festival. Ist and Asar had blessed the fertility rite enacted in their honor with the seeding of a child in the womb of the Adonai. Her suspicions had been confirmed only that morning and the wonder of it was almost too great to hold in. But this time Taur must be the first to know. When she’d conceived Solon she’d told Anya who’d informed Archinus Darlen who’d informed the Palace. If Taur had been informed she never knew. Solon had been Gotham’s legal son but Gotham had been the last person with whom she’d cared to personally share the news.

This child was Taur’s son and heir. She longed to rest her hands on her belly where the babe lay but dared not make any gesture to enlighten the women about her. The citizenry would take great hope from the phenomenon but she wanted first to share her joy with Taur, and feel his. But her Warrior Lord was closeted in council with his state governors, army generals and navy commanders. Word had come King Ahron was planning a naval attack though this news scarcely impinged on the sensational gossip about the young Qeggi Temple gardener whose trial for rape had started in the Halls of Justice this day.

Cielcif had mentioned it this morning at the Temple along with an impassioned opinion that Foab was incapable of doing any of the things of which Lady Huilia had accused him. But a Qeggi rape of a Paggi lady could neither go unnoticed nor unpunished. Everyone had an opinion and all wanted their say at the same time it seemed.

Lady Bancina, Madrona of the Queen’s Court joined her before the tall windows.

‘My Lady is very quiet. You must not let talk of war with your pavuon upset you.’

It was better Bancina think she had war on her mind than suspect the real reason for her distraction.

‘This place is a natural fortress, Bancina. Thousands of stades of mountains and wolf-infested forests stand between us and Poseidonia. The only way in from the sea is through a narrow neck of harbor that would act like a trap if they managed to penetrate it. It’s just—mention war to a warrior and he’s striding about gathering up weapons and mobilizing forces before he thinks of anything else.’

She turned to gaze pensively through the windows again. The bright orange sails of a loaker from Khemu heading for the open sea caught her eye. It sailed behind the powerhouse and for some time was completely obscured by the crystalline mass of the structure. Did Taur know that the same power he’d used to create the Energy Web of her prison could be programmed to create a force field to block the flow of traffic in or out of the harbor? Did he know she had the ability to install such a program? Did she dare tell him? Would he ask questions she’d sooner not answer? Her mind raced, each thought leading to another, Lady Bancina forgotten at her side. The loaker sailed clear of the powerhouse and with sudden clarity Gynevra saw her duty. Taur must be told of her ability—and that the Sacred Joining of the Gods at Spring Ritual had been fertile.

‘I really need to speak with the King. Lady Bancina, please make my excuses to the ladies.’

With a flurry of emerald wool and gold silk, she left the Queen’s Court. Dismissing all who hurried to attend her she climbed winding stairs and crossed courtyards to come at last, breathless and flushed, to the portico before the council chamber. Here she found several members of the Council standing about talking and some already hurrying away.

‘Can we be of service to you, my Lady?’ asked City Governor Feron.

‘I was hoping to find the King. Is he still here?’

‘Ta’a. He’s talking with General Umen and Commander Gabon but I think they’re almost finished. Go on in.’

With a smile of acknowledgement she entered the council chamber. She’d been in the room before so was prepared for the impact of the huge bay of crystal windows overlooking the ocean. The place was manned as a coastal look-out post whenever Council was not in progress. Taur, his Commander and General, sat talking at the head of the great oval table, which had been carved from mountain stone where it stood.

General Umen was speaking. ‘Sire, if you’d just give the order to deactivate the Energy Web at night at least—’

Seeing her, Taur came quickly to his feet, the dark scowl of concentration clearing quickly from his face.

‘Council has just finished. I was about to come down.’

Their eyes met, minds attuned.

‘You have news for me,’ he said huskily.

‘Ta’a.’

‘Piacani, that will be all. Start implementing those preparations. We’ll meet again tomorrow.’

‘But Sire,’ Umen began.

‘We will talk again
tomorrow
,’ Taur growled and the two men left without further argument.

‘Tell me,’ he commanded as soon as the door closed.

‘You can deactivate the Energy Web. I won't be able to apportate for many months. I am with child.’

A fierce pride glowed in his eyes and he reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

‘Aah, Gyn’a,’ he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. ‘Tell me again why I can de-activate the Energy Web.’

‘I'm carrying your son,’ she whispered, rejoicing in the power of his delight.

Their mouths fused in a long kiss of benediction. When he lifted his head again there was moisture on his cheek and Gynevra reached up a finger to wipe it away.

He caught her hand against his face.

‘You un-man me, woman,’ he said huskily. ‘I've sired numerous children for Atlantis yet this is
my
first child. Mine! Heir to the throne of Nyalda.’ He hugged her to him again. ‘I've never known greater joy. I want you. Cronos! I want you so it pains me deep inside. Let’s go out on the cliff-top. I'll show you a place to take your breath away.
I
will take your breath away.’

Gynevra reached up to cup his face in her hands.

‘I'm breathless watching your joy. But I’d love to explore your cliff-top and how
you
can steal my breath.’

With a soft growl he took her mouth again, then drawing back, murmured, ‘I need you. Come with me.’

Lifting his cloak from a corner bench and gripping her hand, he led her to a trap-door in the north-west corner of the room. He led the way down the steep, narrow staircase and out into a cleft in the rocks. Rough steps took them up onto a wide ledge high above the ocean. Salt-laden wind snatched at her hair and skirts, and threatened to whisk the cloak away like a flag before Taur managed to settle them both on it. Nestled in the cradle of his thighs, and savoring the sting of the breeze on their cheeks, they sat for a long time watching the long lazy swells roll in and dash against the rocks below with a roar and a mighty flume of spray. Such moments of seclusion were rare, the more to be treasured.

Then he pulled her in close under his chin and said, ‘This child is my gift to you—our gift from the Gods—a salve for all the terrible hurts and losses you've suffered. I pledge to you this son of ours will see his light-sire's face.—Ah, Gyn'a, let the wind take your tears.’

Gently wiping the moisture from her cheeks, he set about stealing her breath as he'd promised.

Gynevra felt only air beneath her feet that night at the banquet Taur ordered in her honor. She was fêted, blessed and praised with gifts of gold, silver, rare crystals, precious jewels, and fine pottery. The Nyaldans were delighted with the benison of the pregnant Adonai. With so much else in their world unsure it was a great satisfaction that the Gods smiled on them in this at least.

Taur never left her side, lending his body as her shield, his strength as her power, his honor as her glory. There was one moment amidst the sparkle and wonder of the night that Gynevra hugged in her memory long after her son lay strong and kicking in her arms. It was a moment when Taur's hard warrior fingers tangled in the tresses on her shoulders and even without eye contact, their minds were attuned.

Stealing you from Qrazil, Golden One, is the greatest thing I've done in my life, or will ever do.

She knew then, this great Paggi Warrior King loved her, and one day, she believed, he would even tell her so.

Later, with Taur stretched out on the bed beside her, Gynevra knelt with her arms resting on the window ledge and gazed out into the starry night. Sleep was far off, her mind busy sifting the events of the evening. As earlier, the two topics of conversation were the threat of war and the Qeggi’s court case. Gynevra turned to peer at Taur’s shadowed face.

‘Judge Lomy left early.’

Taur tucked his arms behind his head.

‘He was struggling to say naught when all people wanted to talk about was the case. It was easier to go home.’

‘Cielcif is adamant that Foab could not have done the things Lady Huilia is accusing him of.’

‘Then the Judge will find him innocent.’

‘He’s a Qeggi. When has a Qeggi ever won against a Paggi? Won’t you intercede for him?’

‘Gyn’a, the King may not interfere unless the judge cannot bring in a judgement. There would be no point in appointing judges if the King were to usurp their jurisdiction.—Now, woman, come here. I demand to be the only man on your mind—and on every other part of you.’

Drawing her down into his arms, he made sure he was.

Later with Taur asleep at her side, she castigated herself for not telling him of her crystal programming abilities nor asking about the plans made in Council. He’d be gone to the Temple at dawn. With a small sigh she knew herself a coward. The real reason she’d not spoken was her fear of what he might discover. Would another day make such a difference?

‘Where is the King?’ Gynevra asked of Lady Nudon when she reached the Queen's Court early next afternoon.

‘Hunting furs to dress the cradle for the child he’s planted in your belly,’ sniped Nudon.

Gynevra considered Taur's movuon for a long fuming moment. She'd been pleasant and patient all winter, never being anything other than polite and accommodating yet still the older woman hadn't managed a graceful stepping aside.

‘In that case I'll leave you to your gossiping,’ she snapped, showing her true feelings to the older woman for the first time and stormed away to the royal apartments to throw herself on her back among the clagrenon on the bed.

Her mind tumbled with roiling black thoughts. Cielcif had come to her just before she left the Temple House of Children where she’d spent the morning, to tell her of the grievous outcome of the court case. Cielcif had been deeply upset that the Qeggi had not been allowed to speak in his own defense and had been condemned to immediate castration. Taur was away and there was nothing she could do for Foab. Curled in a ball of frustration on the bed, sleep overtook her.

Taur’s voice woke her and she looked up to find him standing over her with his cloak bunched in his arms.

‘I’ve brought you something that needs a mother.’

‘What?’ Gynevra sat up sleepily and held out her arms.

‘A she-wolf cub. I thought you might like her for a pet.’

Pulling the cloak aside she found a bundle of grubby white fur that bared its teeth and gave a pathetically weak little snarl. Tears threatened as she gazed up at Taur. No gift could have pleased her more.

‘Difleer will be here with food and a bath for her shortly. What will you call her?’

‘Qerlim,’ she said instantly.

‘Good choice. T’was qerlim indeed that I found her.’

He sat beside her on the bed and touched a finger to the dried tears on her cheeks.

‘You’ve been crying?’

‘The Qeggi was convicted today and is to be castrated. He wasn’t even allowed to speak in his own defense! If you’d been here you could’ve done something. Now it’s too late.’

Wrapping the cub again in the folds of the cloak, Gynevra nestled it against her breast.

‘I would not have intervened had I been here, Gyn’a. I won’t interfere with the work of my judges.’

‘It seems to me a King should be concerned for the rights of all his people and act where he perceives injustice!’

‘But I don’t perceive injustice,’ he said patiently. ‘Judge Lomy will have heard the evidence and made his judgement accordingly. Golden One, you mustn't allow yourself to get upset like this or you could lose our son. I've no objection to working at creating another, but this one we've seeded is exceedingly precious already,’ he murmured, wrapping his arms around her gently so as not to alarm the wolf.

He smelled of forest and earth and Gynevra breathed in the comforting scents and reveled in the strength of his arms. He’d learnt much about comforting a woman since he’d come to her in Qrazil. And maybe she needed to learn she couldn’t right all the injustices of the world. But she’d probably never stop trying, she thought ruefully, her fingers stroking the rough fur between the cub's ears.