The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E. Pearson Page 0,185

her hip. “There’s a big ugly brute out there demanding to see Lia.”

“A soldier?” I asked.

She shrugged. “He’s outfitted to kill something. Something big.”

“He’ll have to wait,” Lia said.

“That’s what I told him, but he’s not giving up. He keeps yammering for Queen Jezelia.”

Howland’s brows shot up. “Queen Jezelia?”

“That’s right,” she answered, “and he’s got a frightening little ruffian with him. I wouldn’t—”

I watched Lia’s face brighten.

At the same time, Rafe’s darkened.

“Queen?” Howland said again.

Lia jumped from her seat and flew from the tent.

I followed her.

She was already hugging and kissing them both. Neither Griz nor Eben resisted.

I walked over and greeted them. “About time,” I said. “What took you so long?”

“Stubborn physician,” Griz grumbled.

“He got lost,” Eben explained.

Griz cuffed him on the back of the head, then grinned sheepishly. “He might be right.”

“Drazhones,” I said, and embraced them both too, clapping their backs.

I stepped back, and Lia pelted them with questions. They were only two more soldiers but to have them by her side meant everything to her.

A small crowd milled around, their curiosity piqued by the commotion—and probably the sight of a scarred giant like Griz and his well-armed sidekick.

Pauline walked over and stood beside me, eyeing them with interest. “Are they the soldiers I saw you with back in Terravin?” she asked.

“Yes, but they’re more than just soldiers. They’re family too,” I said. “My family. Blood kin of another kind.”

She brushed up close, her shoulder touching mine. “I want to meet them.”

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

RAFE

The rest of us filed out of the tent too.

They all watched Lia embracing Griz and then Eben. I saw the joy on her face. She spoke Vendan with them, reverting to it as naturally as if it were her own language.

I was glad to see them too, but not in the same way Lia was. Griz was a formidable foe. With every day that passed with no sign of my requested troops, I was reminded that we needed every soldier we could get.

“Why did he call her queen?” Howland asked.

I looked at Lia. She wore a jacket made in the Meurasi style, the red scraps of her wedding dress slashing over her shoulder and across the front. The kavah was exposed. Bones swung from her hip.

Everyone needs hope, Rafe. I have to give it to them.

“It’s just a Vendan custom,” Tavish told him. He looked at me and shrugged.

“Yes, only a custom,” I agreed.

If Lia wanted to explain further, it was up to her.

I turned to go back in the tent, then stopped mid-step when I spotted Jeb walking toward me. Then Orrin. They both grinned and then I saw the general.

“Draeger,” I said.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. Your troops are here, as you ordered.”

I studied him, still wary. “All of the troops?”

He nodded. “All. With a load of ballistas—and everything else you asked for.”

* * *

The camp was silent. Dark, except for a few torches lit between tents. Sleep would be difficult tonight. Tensions were high, but rest was ordered. Necessary. I walked to the valley entrance where the torchlight didn’t reach. Only the moon weaving between fingers of clouds lit the meadow grass. Lia leaned against the rocky wall, staring into the valley.

“Company?” I asked.

She nodded.

We stood there, looking into the quiet. We had already said everything there was to say. Done everything we could do. Dalbreck’s troops were in place. Our odds were better. Venda outnumbered us only two to one now. But they still had better weapons. Something deep inside me wanted to drag Lia away, keep her safe, but I knew I couldn’t.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” I said.

She nodded again. “I know.”

Her gaze traveled along the silhouette of ruins on the cliffs, their ghostly edges lined by silver moonlight.

“They were great once,” she said. “They flew among the stars. Their voices boomed over the mountains. And this is all that’s left. Will we ever truly know who they were, Rafe?” She turned toward me. “After tomorrow, will anyone know who we were?”

I looked at her, not caring who the Ancients were. All I could think was, It doesn’t matter how many universes come and go, I will always remember who we were together.

I leaned down. Kissed her. Slowly. Gently. One last time.

She looked at me. She said nothing. She didn’t need to.

* * *

The meadow grass rippled in the breeze. By the next day, it would be trampled. Burned. Bloody. Our scouts had ridden in tonight. The Komizar’s army would make it to the valley entrance by