Chapter 9


I opened my eyes to golden afternoon sunlight and wondered where I was. I was looking up at a woven ceiling and I could feel people moving near me, though I could not yet see anyone. The feeling filled me that something important was missing from me, but a subtle lassitude stilled my bones and I couldn't decide whether what was missing was important enough for me to push past that and fully awaken.

"Danica?"

The voice was familiar.

"I think she's waking up."

"Tuuli Thea?"

"Galen, get your Naga something to drink."

The voices and the words were all familiar and I remembered what I was missing.

"Zane." I sat up swiftly.

My head protested the move immediately, and I felt I might pass out again. Betsy held me still. "He is well," she assured me. "Now, drink this or I will tell you nothing else." Her voice was especially stern, so I knew that I was not badly injured. I did fear for the news she would give me though. A serpiente I recognized as Irene's mate handed a cup to Betsy, who pressed it to my lips.

I murmured my thanks and drank deeply. My head having settled, my eyes roamed around the room in which I found myself. I was fairly certain by the architecture that surrounded me that I was no longer in the Palace, but this did not look anything like the Keep. Plus, there were far too many serpiente around for the latter to be the case. In addition to the serpiente guards I recognized, Alice, Erica, Eleanor, and Betsy were sitting or standing around me. The serpiente woman sitting to my left I remembered was A'isha, the woman who had approached Zane in the synkal the day we had arrived. I believed that was yesterday, unless I had slept longer than I thought.

I finished the cup and gripped Betsy's hands. "Tell me."

"What do you remember?" she countered.

"We were in Zane's room and we were attacked by one of the Ichneumon," I said impatiently. "You said Zane was not hurt. Tell me what has happened. Tell me where I am." I was Tuuli Thea in those words, not Danica, though it would not matter to Betsy.

"You are in sha'Mehay," A'isha answered me. "The dancers' nest. Andreios and Adelina agreed that it was the safest place to bring you all, and, given the circumstances, the dancers allowed it."

"Things are a little tense," Irene said, coming from behind to sit beside me. She smiled easily, though her expression was weary. "But no one was injured. Zane is fine. The guards were unable to capture the assassin. There has been some discussion as to how she escaped so easily, as well as to how she penetrated so deeply into the palace, accompanied by a great deal of finger pointing." I nodded for her to go on and Irene continued. "There has also been widespread fear over the assassin's apparent ability to appear and disappear at will, accompanied by rumors that the Ichneumon truly cannot be killed. Zane is trying to keep people calm. Andreios and Adelina have been working together to direct the guards in doing sweeps of areas where people say they have seen the Ichneumon, but so far the assassin has not been found."

I took a deep breath. "It is not so bad," I murmured aloud. Irene raised an incredulous eyebrow at me. "No one is dead, and we are not again at war," I said to her. "Finger pointing and fearful people, I can deal with."

Irene laughed warmly, a tension easing in her face. "Danica, you are amazing. I must say it is Andreios' fault that most of what you fear did not come to pass." She glanced at the others around us.

Erica nodded. "Peace is still tentative; there were many who would have used this opportunity to break it."

"But it is also true that there were just as many voices raised in support of peace," Eleanor broke in. "Andreios' dedication to what he knew you wanted might have saved a lot of hassle, but don't believe he stood alone."

Erica nodded again, agreeing with Eleanor. "You are well loved, among all your people. When Andreios stood firm on peace, many agreed that it was what you would want."

A'isha grinned. "It is a well told tale even though it is less than a day old: how Danica Shardae placed herself between the assassin and the Diente, and tore at the Ichneumon with claws of fire. Many serpiente are cautious about the appearance of the Ichneumon, but many also love their Naga deeply."

I blushed at her description and remembered the action she described as something that I had done without thought.

Eleanor was grinning too, and she stood from among us. "If you'll excuse me Tuuli Thea, I will tell them that you have awakened."

"Wait." I moved to rise as well. "I will go with you and tell them myself." Betsy mumbled something, but she made no overt protest and Erica and Alice pulled me to my feet.

Once there I wavered for a moment, my sense of balance non-existent and nausea overwhelming me. It took several minutes before the world stopped spinning around me. I did not trust myself to speak, but I looked at Betsy.

She took my face in her hands and tilted it from side to side, examining my eyes closely before she sighed. "I was afraid of this. When the assassin cut you, you got some of the poison in your blood. That mixed with the other agent, the disappearing dust she used, is going to give you a serious case of vertigo. It should fade within a day or two. Until then, you might not want to try walking anywhere, or looking at something too quickly. And, needless to say, you're grounded until I personally clear you."

I had to swallow decisively against the nausea before I could answer. "I need to go out and see my people." I needed to see Zane, and Rei, and reinforce what they were doing on my behalf in front of my people.

Betsy nodded. I had been braced for an argument, and I was so surprised when none came that Erica and Alice had swept me up between them and carried me outside before I realized what was happening. A full unit of serpiente guards surrounded us, their eyes sharp as they scanned for threats and the nausea fought with pride and hope as all tried to fill me.

In the synkal, where I had first stood before the serpiente as their Naga, we found Zane. Eleanor had run ahead and announced our coming. He was looking for me as we entered the synkal; he looked tense and weary. As his eyes met mine I saw something in him relax, even across the space that still remained between us. He ran across the synkal, avians and serpiente alike parting before him in waves, and lifted me up in his arms.

I wondered if his gesture was born of his own desires or of the pretense of wild love we had concocted for his people, but I could not deny that when his arms were around me my heart rested easily in my chest for the first time since I had woken. I turned my face into his shoulder and breathed in the closeness of him for a moment, before I slowly raised my eyes to his.

He was watching me carefully as he carried me to the dais. "I thought you were uninjured?" he said gruffly. "If you do not feel well, you should not have come out."

I smiled softly, closing my eyes. "It is some slight vertigo when I move too quickly," I explained. "Betsy says it is nothing to worry about; I should be as good as new in a day or two. Besides, I needed to see you," I said honestly.

I felt the muscles in his arms tighten around me for a moment. "To make sure your heroic stand wasn't wasted?" he asked sarcastically, voice low.

I frowned and reached up to touch my hand to his cheek. We had reached our destination and he halted, looking down at me. I was supremely aware of thousands of eyes upon us in that moment, but even more so I remembered the fearful looks of all the serpiente this morning, including Zane. He bore my touch easily enough now, but this morning he had flinched from my hand.

"I did not think," I admitted. "She had poison on her blade. I could not let her..." I could not finish the thought. His arms tightened around me again and we stood silently for several long moments.

I could hear the growing murmur of voices around us. I heard several avian voices raised in grumbling disapproval, and I blushed as I realized that Zane and I had been embracing for far longer than was seemly. The serpiente were ecstatic; many avians, not so. Arguments were breaking out all across the area.

Zane set me on a chair that had been placed atop the dais and released me from his embrace. I wished to take his hand and indicate that I would like him to remain near me, but another wave of nausea swept me and I gripped the arms of the chair, hard.

When I looked up again it was to see that Rei and Adelina had joined us. They acknowledged Zane before greeting me. Rei's "Tuuli Thea" I expected, but Adelina's bold and easy address of "Naga" caught me by surprise. I bowed my head in acknowledgment to hide it, but quickly addressed her, "Please, report what I have missed."

She nodded, though her stance shifted to include Zane. "The assassin remains elusive," she said concisely. "However, there are some other issues that require your attention, Diente and Naga." She turned to Rei.

He raised an eyebrow at her but smoothly took over. "Karashan has returned from settling the border dispute. It would be to the advantage of everyone if you formally recognized her, in addition to hearing her report." He nodded to Adelina.

"And Jacala and Kendrick have requested a formal audience with the Diente," she finished, "to discuss trading rights."

I tried not to clutch at the arms of my chair when I turned to look up at Zane. He frowned at me. "Danica is not well."

I shook my head, instantly regretting it. "No," I gritted out. "I need to do this. Out here in front of everyone. Though, by the sky, would you sit down?"

"You took my seat," Zane returned. His words were light, but his tone was even more so. He was resting his hand on the edge of the carved handle of the wooden chair and I focused my eyes there. I was distinctly unused to being dizzy every time I looked up, and that one part of him seemed to be staying motionless. I reached over, slowly, and lay my fingers over his. It was simply a request for him to not move his hand out of my eyeline, but I think I knew I lied even as I told myself that. There were parts of the morning's attack that I wasn't sure I remembered clearly. I wanted to speak to Zane about it, alone, but even as I thought so I knew I wouldn't have the courage to put words to the questions I wanted to ask.

Zane didn't move his hand. He stood steadily beside me as another chair was brought for him, and his fingers curled around mine as he moved to sit in it. Our connected hands lay over both the arms as if a bold statement of our nations' unity, and I felt a thrill of triumph and joy at the idea of it.

Karashan marched into the synkal with the military precision of an old soldier. She was flanked by two avians on one side and a pair of serpiente on the other. She bowed her head and then dropped to one knee before us. "Diente Zane Cobriana, alistair to the Tuuli Thea, and Tuuli Thea Danica Shardae, Naga," she addressed us. "I bring you a report of the demobilization." She stood and affected a parade rest stance as she gestured to her companions, who mirrored her stance. "I bring with me: Pamela, troop commander; Raksha, Strike Flight leader; Gidur, acting flight leader, and Chundra, acting troop commander."

I recognized Pamela then, remembering her from the night of the Naga ceremony. Strike Flight was a mixed flight, but I knew Raksha by sight as well. I assumed Gidur and Chundra had received field promotions to fill the positions previously held by Brenson and She're.

"As acting leaders, Gidur and Chundra's units have been tasked with the job of contacting other units and ensuring they are aware of the peace, as well as determining any specific unit's compatibility with the concept of peace. Any soldier seeming resistant to the new order has been re-tasked to high command. A complete restructuring of several flights and troops seems likely; Pamela and I have already submitted special reports and suggestions to Andreios and Adelina. Also, we have noted possible candidates for the formation of a mixed unit."

I blinked. It was... quite a bit to take in. I wanted to ask what Karashan thought these new units were going to do, seeing as there was no longer a war going on, but I found that my warriors were a step ahead of me.

"I have had Raven Flight working with select members of Strike Flight and acting leader Gidur's Flight to provide us with a map of your newly combined territories. They are working at present on a rough aerial outline, to be filled in more precisely at a later date with detailed information gathered via ground surveillance. Pamela and I have been redirecting suitable units from the demilitarized lines to these areas."

Zane nodded. He acted as if he was well aware of what Karashan was talking about, but if this was her first time reporting I thought it more likely that he was just a better actor than I was at the moment. Zane's fingers tightened around mine. I closed my eyes for a moment as I replied. "We should appoint a separate party to oversee the mapping, while Karashan and Pamela finish reassigning troops."

He smiled. "By coincidence, I believe Chundra has an interest in that area. Acting Commander?"

Chundra stepped forward, bowing her head to us. "Yes, Diente. I have trained with the Disa in cartography. I would gladly undertake this task of mapping your territory."

Zane looked at me and I nodded my agreement. "Then Chundra, consider your promotion to Commander as permanent," he said. "Your unit will consist of serpiente and avians, to be assigned as their talents determine."

I gave another small nod and added, "Karashan, please let me know know if you are aware of any avians with an interest in cartography."

"Tuuli Thea," she bowed. "As it happens my own Messua of Raven Flight has expressed a desire for permanent transfer."

I grinned. "Excellent. She will work under Commander Chundra."

The crowd around us had been rumbling throughout the discussion, but at this point I heard Karl, behind me, shift his feet as if he meant to step forward and speak. With the one matter finished my attention was quickly called to another and I forgot about Karl.

Jacala and Kendrick were serpiente merchants whose concern was over avians moving in and setting up stalls in the synkal.

"There isn't room for them," Kendrick was protesting. "The stalls are already crammed up to the wall of the palace. And–" I felt his next protest was going to be something along the lines of they don't belong here, but he changed his words to, "Their wares overlap too much with what is already being sold. They are taking the market sales that should already be ours."

"Kendrick," Zane's voice was hard. "The war is over. There is no 'ours.' There is only all of us together."

"I don't mind it so much," Jacala broke in, as if attempting to distance himself from his fellow petitioner, "but I'm a bit worried to venture into avian markets myself, this early in the ceasefire. Begging your pardon my Naga, but if something happens with the peace, then the avians can fly away; if I get caught in an avian market and hostilities break out, I'm stuck there. And I'm just not so sure of them, begging your pardon again, but do you have them out in the open, up in the air? I just don't know. If we could get some assurances then I'd feel safer." He ducked his head nervously; I could tell from his manner that, despite his need to have himself be heard, he didn't like being the center of attention.

Zane frowned. "I can give you no more assurance of peace than by myself and Danica both declaring it so."

I squeezed Zane's hand. "I believe I understand your fears, Jacala. This is not about people you have previously been at war with; this is about biological inclination. I myself am a creature of the open sky, but I can see how it would be a place of fear for others." Jacala nodded, and I smiled. "If I may, Eleanor?"

Eleanor stepped out from the crowd. "Tuuli Thea?"

"Among my people, you are an avian I know has long been sympathetic with the serpiente and has traveled between our courts often. I wonder if you could perhaps comfort some of Jacala's fears, and describe to him the marketplaces and the court of the Keep?"

Eleanor smiled. "Tuuli Thea, it would be a great honor to assist another artisan in any way."

Jacala seemed pleased, but Kendrick frowned. "There's not enough space in the synkal," he groused again, as if Zane hadn't heard him the first time.

Zane raised an eyebrow. "You are most welcome to explore merchant options in new places. Your Naga assures your safety."

Kendrick did not look pleased, but bowed his head.

The afternoon was well worn and Zane stood decisively, offering me his hand. "Danica is not fully recovered from the injures she took in my defense. We will retire for the day. If you still have concerns, please report them to Kyler, who will organize a hearing for tomorrow." He turned to me, "Do you have any words for your people at the Keep?"

I had not even though of my mother once since I had wakened. I motioned to Alice. "Please tell my mother that Zane and I are well, if she has not already been informed. Also, Karashan, as soon as you are not busy elsewhere, please return to the Keep and begin the assessment of the guards there." I needed to return home soon, and I would truly appreciate it if I wouldn't have to worry about protecting Zane from my own people when I did. "If you feel you will need to, please take Andreios with you." Karashan nodded. I met Rei's eyes. "Thank you," was all I could say to him, but I hoped that he understood all the meaning I was attempting to pack into those two words.

Rei nodded. "I do my duty, Tuuli Thea." And just as I despaired that he had not understood, he smiled.

I smiled back, and turned to Zane. I meant to lean on him until I gained my feet and then hobble back to our room, maybe with my eyes closed the entire way, but he leaned over and swept me up into his arms and carried me back across the synkal. My hand clutched at his shirt and my heart thudded in my ears. I wasn't sure if it was the nausea or the suddenness of his movements that made my throat feel tight. I pushed past it to ask, "Aren't we going inside?"

"Our room is still something of a mess at the moment," Zane replied. "And it's not safe in the Palace. You are staying at sha'Mehay."

My grip loosened in his shirt and my fingers curled around the fabric, resting against his chest. I could feel his heart beating. "Are you staying there with me?" It came out more of a question than I intended. I wanted to tell him that he would stay with me, but I also remembered how this morning's encounter had ended, and the fear on his face.

He paused for a moment before he resumed walking, and I pulled my hand away. He had never seen me transformed before. I remembered the fear that had filled me when I had truly seem him for the first time, black, dusty coils dancing across the floor. I shivered.

"Yes," he answered, a catch in his voice. "I will stay with you." He sighed and stopped walking. "Danica." He looked at me and I met his gaze. He looked as if he would speak but shook his head instead. "We can talk inside."

He carried me through the door of the nest. Some of the dancers were practicing; Irene and Galen were sitting in a corner relaxing against each other. When they saw us everyone came over with questions, not fazed at all by Erica at Zane's shoulder; I hadn't even noticed she'd followed us from the synkal until she stepped forward now to ward off the curious.

"We are rather exhausted at the moment," Zane said to them. "If you please–"

A'isha rescued us, leading Zane down to a room below the dancing floor. "Here you are. Some privacy, hmm?" She grinned knowingly and I closed my eyes so that I wouldn't have to see her seeing my blush.

Erica had followed us down, but at A'isha's words she held back. "I will be at the end of the hall," she said. "If you should have need of me." She drew herself up sternly.

"Thank you, Erica," Zane said. He carried me into the room, closing the door behind us, and set me down on the bed there. The light was soft, and I felt the nausea that had plagued me since waking ebb away. Zane hesitated for a moment, before leaning away from me. I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair. He turned into my touch until his lips were pressed to the palm of my hand. My heartbeat thrilled and my mouth parted slightly as I looked down at him. He reached up in his own turn and buried both of his hands in my hair. His finger deliberately found their way to the feathers at the nape of my neck and he stroked them as he watched me.

I could not tear my eyes from his. I do not think he was using any art to hold me transfixed; all that held me was my own desire. "This morning," I said, "You... when you looked at me. You were afraid of me." My voice was light and breathy and I hardly recognized it.

He didn't answer at first. His fingers stopped moving, still buried in my hair and touching feathers. "I believe you know what that's like. You dd it first." Zane also sounded breathless. He was staring at my lips, and he swayed toward me before he pulled himself back again. "I killed a man in front of you, and you took my hand without hesitation." His fingers started moving, caressing the back of my head. He swayed toward me again. "Danica Shardae, fair warning. I am going to kiss you now, and I am not going to stop."

I swallowed. "That's alright. I... I don't mind."

He leaned in, slow and resolute, and fixed his lips over mine. I relaxed into his touch, opening my mouth, my eyes falling shut. His hands were firm but gentle as he held me closer to him. His lips were cool, but they warmed my skin as they danced over my face. When he pulled away, I sighed. My hands came up and I touched his face, stroking fingers back through his hair. Zane pulled at the laces of my tunic, kissing me in the center of my chest as his hands slid up underneath my tunic to spread over my back. I arched into the feel of his kiss, one of my own hands sliding down the back of his shirt to gently stroke his skin. He moaned softly; rather than a sensual sound it reminded me of a wounded animal finding a place of rest.

I broke away and looked down at him, worried. Zane's bright eyes met mine easily and he smiled. "Danica," he murmured. He shifted fully onto the bed, pushing me back and straddling me. My heartbeat thrilled. He smiled down at me before kissing my lips again. His body pressed against mine fully, and he curled around me. His head rested on my chest, and I wondered if he was listening to the rapid beat of my heart as I had done with him earlier. I combed my fingers through his hair and leaned down to kiss the top of his head.

"Are you well, then?" Zane raised his head to look at me again. Slowly and deliberately he kissed my neck. The feel of his cool lips brushing over that sensitive skin made me murmur approvingly, and I wondered why he did so with such ceremony. In a flash I remembered how I had retreated in fear from a kiss of his in the same spot not two days ago.

"I am well," I said with some surprise. I was somewhat shocked that I had grown so easy with him so quickly. But... My fingers slipped through his hair to cup his face and raise it to mine. "I spoke true words that day," I murmured.

He grinned. "I knew it then." My gaze must have been questioning, for he took one of my hands and kissed the inside of my wrist. He let his fingers trace over the blue veins that ran under the skin. "I kissed you here, do you remember? You never pulled away from me when I did that." He sighed contentedly and rested his head on my chest again. "I knew it wasn't that you feared attack by exposing your vulnerability to me, but, as you had said, you had a flash image in your mind of me killing the hunter and you were sensitive to actions that would remind you of it."

I was amazed that he had known that even before I had consciously realized it. I stroked his bowed head again, brushing heavy black hair away from his face. "You have been very patient with me," I said after a moment. My hand stilled a moment, before sliding down, under his shirt.

He caught my hand and pulled it away from his body, holding it between his own and kissing it. "Danica, we serpiente are a passionate people, but do not confuse intimacy with a press for action." His face turned up to regard me seriously. "You have shared parts of yourself with me already that I never would have hoped for." He pressed my hand to his lips and I could feel his warm breath against my fingers. "You are so open and warm now. Do not push for something else you are not ready for simply because you think that I cannot wait. It will come."

"I am ready," I insisted. He raised an eyebrow at me. "Perhaps not for everything," I admitted, "but to explore a bit more?" I cocked my head, asking if that was alright. I could feel my heartbeat racing; I hoped he didn't think I was afraid. I resisted the desire to pull away from him mentally and hide myself from his answer. I had pushed him hard enough in the past few moments that I wasn't sure where the slope lay and how far I could explore down it before falling. I did not fear him, and I felt safer and more comfortable lying beside him than I had since almost before I could remember. I held onto those thoughts as I looked up at him.

His pupils were wide as they looked at me and his breath caught. "Yes. I..." He released my hand and I placed it low against his chest, where his shirt opened. "That's alright," he murmured.

I grinned.