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  Nearly three years old, Rhyra and Anya ran toward their mother, hair sungold and dark sable respectively. No one questioned the stamp of each child’s parentage. Both as lovely as their mother with dark blue eyes, Rhyra was obviously Khul’s daughter, while Anya was the Shadowed Blood’s. Khul’lanna might have only taken Gregar to Khul’s blankets the one time before he died, but his gift lived on in his daughter.

  Both girls had sticky faces and hands, as though they’d been eating a special sweet, and Rhyra held a small china plate.

  Whatever was on that plate made Khul’lanna stagger. Lunging forward, she smacked it out of her daughter’s hands and fell to her knees, retching and crying.

  “Mama, Mama,” the girls cried, clutching her.

  “You didn’t eat that, did you?” She cupped Rhyra’s face and stared deeply into her eyes. Dharman felt a wash of cold spring water fill their bond, the Lady’s power rushing through her blood. She turned to Anya. “Did you?”

  “Nay, Mama, but Sara's sick. She fell down.”

  “Oh, Lady.” Khul’lanna wrapped her arms around the girls and hugged them tight. She looked up at Dharman, desperate horror shadowing her eyes despite the gleam of her tears. “Someone tried to poison my babies.”

  CHAPTER

  TWO

  SHANNARI HUDDLED AGAINST THE HEADBOARD WITH A SLEEPING CHILD UNDER EACH ARM, TUCKED CLOSE TO HER SIDE, WHILE HER BARBARIAN PACED AND GROWLED. She’d never seen Rhaekhar so angry and close to losing his formidable control. Then again, she’d never seen anyone try to kill his children.

  “Great Vulkar, it’s an abomination!” He drew his rahke only to shove it back in its sheath. “How could any man or woman think to kill a child? What could they possibly gain with such a sin?”

  She knew very well why her enemies wanted her children dead, but she dared not speak it aloud. The truth would only infuriate him more. As difficult as the delivery of the twins had been for her, there would be little hope that the Last Daughter could produce more heirs for the Rose Crown. In fact, after Kae’Shaman had utterly exhausted his resources to pull her back from the brink and had to be carried from Khul’s tent, Rhaekhar had returned to drinking drakkar, the warriors’ method of birth control on the Plains.

  Dharman shifted slightly. She knew what he wanted, but she refused to look at him or acknowledge his presence. Not after that debacle in the hall. Blessed Lady, what had she been thinking? “I want the head of whoever sent the poison, don’t get me wrong, but they’re impossible to stop. There are always more fools willing to try their hand at cowardly murder for enough gold.” Or in this case, the fame of eliminating the Last Daughter’s daughters, bringing the end to generations of Our Blessed Lady’s bloodline in the Green Lands.

  Ceasing his frantic pacing, Rhaekhar gave her his most intimidating warrior stare. “We must return to the Plains at once.”

  “Agreed,” she replied lightly. “In the morning, I want you to take the twins to safety.”

  “We shall take them home,” he growled.

  Ah, but he was an impressive warrior. Even after all these years, the sight of him was enough to send her heart beating double time. He stood tall and proud, slightly thicker and less ripped than she remembered from that first day years ago when he’d defeated her army. Age had been kind to him. Rhaekhar was a warrior’s warrior in his prime who had won so many battles over the years that no one risked his displeasure again.

  Except her, of course. “I can’t leave yet.”

  “I swore we would never be parted.” His eyes blazed like twin suns, his neck, right shoulder, and arm cording from his fierce grip on his rahke. “Where you are, there I am as well. You will not stay in these Green Lands with such danger alone.”

  “I won’t be alone.” Despite the light tone of her voice, his eyes narrowed, his jaws grinding with determination. Next he’d march over, grab her chin, and force her to swear an oath, which she couldn’t allow.

  Without turning to her nearest Blood, she used her bond. :Can you remain with the twins tonight and keep them safe?:

  :Aye,: Dharman replied immediately. :Jorah and Lew both will stay near them until Khul and his Blood take them to safety.:

  This was just as delicate a dance as the political waltz she played with her nobles. She didn’t want to wound her Blood’s sense of honor. In many ways, he was even pricklier than Rhaekhar, and she couldn’t distract him the same way. Well, she could, but…

  Heat flared across her cheeks and she couldn’t resist a quick glance at the boy standing to her left.

  Lady above, she couldn’t keep calling him a boy, not when he stood as tall and broad as Rhaekhar. She'd have to wrap her hands around her Blood's biceps to be sure, but she swore his arms were even larger than her Khul's. Barely seventeen when he’d become her Blood, Dharman had grown into a formidable young warrior despite her best intentions. He watched her as carefully as Rhaekhar did, his hand on his rahke, his fierce gaze narrowed on her face.

  Great, now she had two warriors to convince of this plan. :I need time alone with Khul.:

  Dharman’s eyes flared, his lips tightening.

  Quickly, before he could refuse—for her First Blood rarely took his eyes off her—she continued. :I want a private bath with him. You can guard the door. There’s no other way inside. Privacy, Dharman, just for tonight.:

  Her Blood still glowered at her, but he didn’t deny her request immediately, which she took as a good sign. Deliberately, she thought about taking Rhaekhar into the sunken pool, the hot spring water soaking into their muscles, while she licked him from head to toe. And then she thought of her Blood standing there, watching it all.

  She averted her gaze and she didn’t have to pretend embarrassment. :Please, Dharman. I need to know the girls are safe, and I need to be alone with him.:

  :Agreed.:

  Was it her imagination, or had his Blood bond heated? He glowed like a well-stoked furnace. Her cheeks definitely burned and she didn’t try to look at him again. Bloody hell. How could she have forgotten herself enough to let her stupid body respond to him?

  Forcing that dilemma away to deal with another day, she gave Rhaekhar a sultry smile. “I promised you a bath, didn’t I?”

  “You cannot distract me, Shannari, not even with a bath. Think you I would ever leave you in these Green Lands with assassins around each and every corner? If some hurt befell you, no matter how minor, I would never forgive myself.”

  “If anything happens to my babies, I’ll never forgive myself.” Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t want to cry again. She’d done that already, clutching them tightly and sobbing at the thought of losing one of them. She’d rather toss the Rose Crown into the rubbish heap and ride hell-bent for the Plains, never to return, than ever see one of them hurt.

  Yet duty held her as firmly as her love for her children. The Rose Crown was so very, very heavy, even when it was not on her head. “You know how today’s meetings went. I can’t leave now or they’ll win. I’ll lose everything I’ve fought for these past years. Another day or two should be enough to make sure they’ll do as I ordered.”

  “We’ve never been separated, not since you nearly died in that foul cur’s prison.”

  “I know,” she whispered, fighting tears. “I’ll follow you as quickly as possible.”

  He sighed heavily, and she knew she’d won this kae’don. Yet she couldn’t be pleased, not at the defeated slant to his shoulders and the worry creasing his brow. “You must always keep the Blood near you. I want at least these two touching you at all times.”

  Sal tossed his hair back over his shoulder. “Even at night?”

  That little action never ceased to focus her attention to him, the long fall of silk drawing her eyes like a moth to flame. Yes, flame was appropriate, since his hair was the color of a fiery sunset. He wore his hair longer than ever. Loose of any braids or ties, his hair fell to mid-thigh, longer, even than the red cloth wrapped about his hips.

  “Even at night
,” Khul agreed, arching an eyebrow at her opened mouth. “How many times have assassins tried to sneak into our bedchamber, na’lanna? What if they begin to lay in wait beneath the bed, or in a closet, or even the bath?”

  Dharman snapped his fingers, and two of the lesser Blood immediately trotted about the room, searching every nook and cranny.

  “Put one of them before you. Sal, I think. You can use his hair as a blanket.” Rhaekhar allowed his voice to go husky, his eyes molten gold but not with his anger this time. “Take Dharman behind you to guard your back as Gregar did. With two wrapped around you, no one will ever touch you with a blade. Will they, na’lanna?”

  Clever bastard. She couldn’t help the blush creeping down her neck, nor her quickened breathing, nor the unmistakable curl of desire flaring in her abdomen. If she’d thought to persuade him with desire, he’d done the same to her.

  Lady above, it had been so long since Gregar’s death. Since she’d had two warriors holding her, front to back, bathed in heat and muscle. The Shadowed Blood still came to her in dreams, but it wasn’t the same as two living, breathing warriors in her bed.

  “Remember, however, that there shall be no nagging until you return to the Plains and both young warriors challenge me. If they can fight to my satisfaction—and I’m sure they will, if you are their prize—then you can take them both to my blankets.”

  “It’s an honor to serve, Khul.” Dharman didn’t argue, exactly, but his low voice was fierce with intent. “However, my blood is hers. If she asks, then I shall give her whatever she desires.”

  Wide-eyed with alarm, she sucked in her breath and looked from one warrior to the other. She knew warriors had killed each other over less of a grievance, and one of his warriors—albeit a Blood—had just refused Khul’s direct order. Varne made a choked noise of amusement or disbelief, although by the perpetual frown on his face, she couldn’t tell.

  “Very well,” Rhaekhar finally said.

  She didn’t like the look in his eyes. It made her heart hurt, and she didn’t know why. Choking on tears, she carefully crawled out from between the sleeping twins and went to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I won’t ask. I promise. I don’t even want them.”

  “Don’t lie to me, my heart.” He wasn’t angry, but his bond ached, swamping her with sorrow, a moment of rage so fierce she gasped out loud with pain, but worse was the following grim acceptance.

  “I’m not lying. I’ll never touch them if it makes you feel like this.”

  “It’s not them.” He sighed and rubbed his chin against the top of her head. His hand trembled in the small of her back. “I don’t want to leave you. I have a very bad feeling about saying goodbye.”

  As though it may be forever.

  He didn’t say the last out loud, but she felt that spurt of furious grief again.

  “Three days,” she whispered, clutching him harder. “I’ll follow in three days.”

  He didn’t say anything, but he held her closer, need rising in him to claim what was his, as if he needed to imprint his will and body upon her one last time before it was too late.

  She rubbed her lips across his chest, playfully nipping to lighten his mood. “Even I can stay out of trouble for three days with nine Blood watching my every move.”

  “I suppose.” He laughed, then, but it sounded forced and pained to her ears. “Lads, I charge you with keeping your eyes on her at all times.”

  She couldn’t help the squeak that escaped. She’d been using the garderobe to change her clothing each day. With Khul leaving, she’d planned to ban the Blood from the bath too.

  “You are welcome to try, Khul’lanna.” The flat tone of Dharman’s voice told her he could not be swayed. He turned to Khul and pressed his fist to his heart, reaffirming his dedication and salving her warrior’s pride for his earlier refusal. “Khul, every morsel that passes her lips will first be tasted by me. Every step she takes will be shadowed by nine warriors who shall willingly die to protect a single hair on her head. She shall not even dip a toe in her bath without Sal and I both knowing of it and judging the quality and temperature of the water ourselves.”

  “At last,” Sal breathed.

  The look of wonder and expectation on his face made her stomach quiver with dread.

  Laughing, Rhaekhar shook his head, as though he feared to hear what the young Blood would say. “What?”

  Sal grinned. “Now I shall know what sort of underclothes you wear beneath your armor.” He lowered his voice, quirking that damned dimple at her. “I’ve heard tales of some extraordinary things from your nobles. Have you a pair of crotchless drawers, Khul’lanna?”

  “It’s time for our bath now.” Face blazing, she seized Rhaekhar’s arm and dragged him toward stone archway. Had they spied on her, even when she’d been in the seamstress’s changing room? “Privacy, Dharman. You promised.”

  “Aye, Khul’lanna.” Dharman slapped Sal on the back. “Enjoy this night well, for you shall not be alone again.”

  “Until we’re safe on the Plains,” she retorted.

  “When you’re safe,” Dharman amended. He stared at her, but he seemed to see beyond her, his gaze distant as though he looked at some future wreathed in shadow. “And reunited with Khul.”

  Chills raced down her arms. He, too, seemed sad, the look of compassion and regret in his eyes unequal to a young man who’d just learned he had the opportunity to see her naked as well as sleep in her bed.

  Each Blood received gifts from Vulkar, often a sense of foretelling in order to better protect the one he guarded. Did he see something? Was Khul right to worry about leaving her behind? She wanted to ask, but hesitated.

  Do I really want to know?

  Raising her chin, she turned away, followed Rhaekhar into the chamber, and shut the door firmly behind her. She already knew Shadow lay in wait for her. She heard its crooning call of death each and every time she closed her eyes.

  Shannari dal’Dainari ran from nothing and no one, but she’d rather not know the truth.

  * * *

  BUILT GENERATIONS AGO OVER A natural hot spring, the Palace of Shanhasson enjoyed an unlimited supply of hot water. Inside her private bath, the sunken marble-tiled pool was large enough for all nine of her Blood to join them, and possibly even Khul’s if needs be. Not that she’d ever consider the possibility. Dharman and Sal watching her bathe would be embarrassing enough. She couldn’t comprehend Varne taking a soak with them.

  Low benches were built into the walls, perfect for submersing up to her chin. Mats lined the sides, and steam thickened in the air. A tray held several bottles of oils and perfumes, but the amber-colored bottle had been a special purchase she’d made just yesterday. Benton had brought a most interesting selection of items from Far Illione and the deserts beyond.

  With a quick yank, Rhaekhar removed his memsha and stood magnificently nude. “Are you up for this challenge?”

  Muscle, muscle everywhere, and she planned to lick and bite every inch.

  Shannari gave him a smoldering smile and began removing her armor. She suddenly regretted her adamant request for privacy. Some of the buckles—

  Unobtrusively, Dharman slipped up behind her and assisted without her request. He lifted the breastplate over her head, followed by the leather jerkin, but then he stepped away. Impressed that he wasn’t going to push his advantage, she thought, Thank you.

  She felt his smile in the bond as he shut the door. :As long as Sal doesn’t get to see your underclothes before me.:

  Rhaekhar chuckled at whatever look was on her face.

  “Why is everyone so terribly concerned about my clothing or lack thereof?”

  “Because we love you, my heart. You know those lads would slit their own throats with a smile if you asked.”

  “I won’t ask,” she grumbled, slipping out of the stiff leather pants and her linen—crotched, thank you very much—underclothes. “Not that or anything else.”

  Yet she couldn’t forget the we
ight of her young Blood’s body pressed against her. Combined with Rhaekhar’s teasing and threats that they should sleep with her, watching her at all times, she couldn’t help that her mind kept wandering back to that forbidden territory.

  “I never wanted to…” Her throat ached and she couldn’t finish the sentence.

  “Want them, need them, love them.” He reached up to take her hand and pull her down the steps into the deliciously hot water. “You never wanted me either, nor our na’lanna Shadowed Blood. But you do, my heart, and for that, I’m more thankful than I can ever say, though I admit that Dharman faces a challenge he’ll not soon forget.”

  She dropped her head against Rhaekhar’s chest. The baked grains and sweet hay scent of the Plains sent a twisting hunger through her stomach. “I love you.”

  He settled them both on the ledge, and for awhile, they simply soaked in the heat. “I’m still warrior enough to handle both you and them.” His voice sounded drowsy, as though the warmth was putting him to sleep. Definitely not in her plans, at least not yet. “I thought your Green Land baths very strange after our steamtents, but I enjoy a long soak, especially when you’re at my side.”

  She stirred and stretched her arms over her head, arching her back in blatant invitation. “Why don’t you lie down on the edge and let me begin my massage?”

  Eyes heavy lidded, he ran his gaze down her body, but he complied, his mighty arms levering his big body out of the water. “I thought you wanted to give me such a bath that I would lose control.”

  “I am. On your stomach, please.”

  Laughing, he stretched out as she wished, carefully shifting his weight so he didn’t lie completely flat on his belly. “I can’t fully comply for obvious reasons.”

  “Well, let’s see what I can do about that,” she purred.

  Dunking her head beneath the water, she surged up out of the pool and straddled his lower back.

  “Na’lanna.” His voice was rather strained. “I don’t believe this is a very good starting position. One of us is backwards and it is not you.”