Chapter 41
By the time Chaela regained consciousness, Dijana had managed to get her to the bed despite the pain from Balak's beating the previous day. At first, Chaela refused to believe that they could do anything so vile as to murder an innocent child, that Avar would not kill their son, that he could not bring himself to do it, but Dijana had seen the look in his eyes, the delight he felt at being given the opportunity to do what he had always wanted.
When Chaela blamed herself for what she had done to incur Balak's anger, there was nothing Dijana could say to convince her otherwise. Chaela told her that she should have realized what he was capable of and appeased him. Hadn't her mother tried to impress upon her that sometimes it was better to allow a male to have his way? Dijana doubted the emperor's wife was speaking about mollifying a madman by offering her body, but she did not say so as she held the grieving woman. If Balak was only trying to frighten her into submission, Chaela was sufficiently cowed because she intended to do anything he wanted to save her son.
Another day had come and gone and they both knew that Balak was not posturing to frighten Chaela. Her grief became rage and she declared that the emperor's vengeance would make Teralon run red with the blood of Balak and his supporters. Since they knew that Queen Neria would return with the imperial army, Chaela convinced herself that she would have her vengeance, that Taeron would serve up the justice of the gods on Balak. Dijana did not tell her that Lord Taeron was probably still trapped on Norvana, possibily sold into slavery if Balak could be believed, and even if he were not, Dijana had difficulty imagining him in battle, leading the most feared warriors in the binary system. But Chaela had convinced herself that it would happen and Dijana much preferred this bloodthirsty imperial female to the woman who had given up hope.
The following day the women of the palace came to tell Chaela that Prince Avar had informed them that his son had an accident during training. The child's body had been brought back to the palace, one of them sheepishly told her, and that they had taken the child to the roof to prepare. It had been Avar's place to tell his wife, and Dijana knew that the women were uncomfortable to be forced to face the grieving mother. Chaela must have harbored hope that Avar would not kill their son, and she still seemed to be in denial until she was standing over the body of her child now lying on a marble slab on the roof of the palace where he would be prepared for the funereal ritual.
As Chaela screamed in grief and threw herself over the small, stiff body, the other women began to wail. Dijana wept with them, then put her arms around Chaela as she clasped her son's lifeless body to her and rocked back and forth. When she had finally exhausted her grief, she gently laid him down on the slab then joined the women in washing him and rubbing him with perfumed oils that was a custom that Calabria and Teralon had in common. When they had finished dressing him, Chaela carried him to the slab overlooking the hills and valleys, and as the women prepared the pyre, Dijana helped Chaela light the scented candles before they stood waiting for Avar and his father as well as the council to attend the ceremony.
But no one came, and when Dijana sent one of the serving women to inquire of their absence, the woman returned to tell her that the council had fled the palace after receiving news that Queen Neria had escaped Teralon. Dijana realized then that they must have guessed, if not actually known, that Balak had imprisoned their queen and yet they carried on as if Dijana's mother were at fault by capriciously avoiding her duties. They had as much to fear from her return with Calabrian allies as Balak. As for Balak and Avar, they sent no excuse for their absence, but Dijana guessed by the look on the woman's face that their response was not something Chaela would want to hear. The serving women seemed uncomfortable and embarrassed for Chaela to be the only ones to attend the child's funeral, but Dijana took Chaela's hand and squeezed it to communicate that she shared in her grief.
With a sigh, Chaela took the torch in her unsteady hand and stepped to the slab where her child lay dressed in a fine tunic, his lifeless hands crossed over a toy dagger that had been a gift from the emperor. For a moment Chaela looked down upon her son and then she reached out to smooth his dark hair from his beautiful, lifeless face. "May the winds carry you to the gods," she murmured softly before she leaned down, kissed his forehead, then straightened to touch the torch to the pyre before stepping back to stand with Dijana.
As the fire quickly enveloped the body, Chaela swayed and Dijana quickly slid her arm around her to keep her from falling, and not caring that it was undignified, Chaela wept as she watched the fire consume her child. They remained holding each as the fire grew into an inferno, and even longer after it died away.
When the winds swept in from the southern plains as they did each evening, Chaela suddenly became alert and she straightened to watch with Dijana as the ashes swirled in the air above the slab before they were lifted high and carried away.
Dijana had never attended a funereal ceremony before, but she could tell by the gasps of wonderment of the women watching with them that what had happened was unusual.
But Chaela was smiling through her tears as she said, "He is with the ancestors."
Turning, she took Dijana's hands, and for a moment, she did not speak, but the look in her eyes told Dijana that she was already beginning to heal.
"I am," she told Dijana with a tremulous smile.
Dijana was surprised because she had not spoken, and then she realized that Chaela was holding her hands. Looking up at her face, she saw her joy.
"I have received my Guerani power." She hugged Dijana as she burst into tears and laughter all at once.
Later as they shared the meal prepared for the ceremony alone in Dijana's room where they had been escorted under guard, Chaela confided to Dijana that after she learned that her brothers had gained their powers, she had begun to wonder if the ancestors had passed over her because she was not worthy. Now she believed that she had not been ready for them and that losing Kaerwen had made her ready. She wondered aloud what humbling experience had triggered her brothers' powers.
Dijana snorted derisively. "I do not know your brother Staefyn, but I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing humbling about your brother Amyr. I am told that Lord Taeron saved his life and rescued him from wretched slavery, and yet he treated both him and Stryfe with disdain."
To her surprise, Chaela laughed. "That sounds like my brother. He has always been arrogant and conceited, but I assumed that all crown princes behaved in such a way because I had heard that my father could be just as bad when he was a boy. My mother straightened him out. Perhaps Lady Quynn will do the same for him."
"She did not appear to have much of an effect on him," Dijana told her, "except to annoy him. They did not behave as mates, but as adversaries, so I do not know how they produced their child."
Chaela smiled at Dijana. "You should know how that happens."
Dijana's cheeks heated. "I do, but I cannot imagine them together. I overheard them talking about a trance that they believe Staefyn drew them into."
The other woman sighed. "I will not believe my brother guilty of all that they have charged. I would sooner believe that Amyr dishonored Lord Duo's house than what they believe. Amyr certainly had it in him."
Several weeks passed, time in which they were confined to the upper level of the palace from which there was no hope of escape since Dijana had no wings and they were waited on by the wingless females while two garrulous warriors guarded the exit to the lower levels. Chaela spent the time practicing her powers by reading the thoughts of the females or healing any of their minor ailments. At first she was affected adversely by using her healing skills, but as she continued to try, she became more proficient. In the evenings, after being served their meal, Chaela readily offered Dijana her blood, and while she felt shame for taking it, she did not refuse. If she had any hope of escaping, she must regain her strength. Afterwards, Chaela could have returned to her own rooms, but she stayed to sleep with Dijana and she knew it was because she could sense with her powers that Dijana was afraid for them both if they were separated.
In all that time they had not seen Balak or Avar. The women serving them reported that they had left the palace and were trying to raise men to face a Calabrian invasion, and while they said nothing of the brewing revolt led by a man named Roehan, the women told them that Balak and Avar were trying to stir up the people against the very army that had freed them from the Varoonyans. Two of the elders, Garest and Kaseja, had been captured by Avar and after accusing them of colluding with the Calabrians, he publicly executed them as traitors with his own sword. But he had been mistaken if he had hoped to earn any support. He had overplayed his hand. The murder of the two elders, especially the benevolent Kaseja, had caused rioting in the royal city that had to be quelled with brutality. Chaela had been distressed because her powers now allowed her to feel the suffering of others, but she could not leave the palace to help and Dijana was afraid that if she did, she would only endanger herself either in leaving her open to attack by those that believed Calabria was planning an offensive or those that knew the truth but backed Balak.
Several days after the riots had ended and order restored, the tranquility of their daily routine was interrupted by a commotion in the corridor outside Dijana's chamber. She steeled herself for the intrusion, but when the door opened and Balak entered flanked by Avar and Kai, she felt her insides flip and her heart skip a beat in fear. Chaela reached out to take her hand and a calming wave flowed through her so she was able to face them without showing the fear that they had come to beat her again. She knew what each of those men were capable of.
"I thought you would like some news of Calabria," said Balak, his malicious gaze fixed on Chaela. He nodded to Kai who moved forward.
He glanced briefly at Dijana before turning his attention to Chaela. "Prince Amyr and his imperial guard have returned to Calabria, but the emperor repudiated his son and banished him to the second moon. He then ordered his own imperial guard, Lord Duo, to remain on the moon under suspicion of treason. Emperor Trey has taken Lord Taeron into his house and publicly claimed him as his own."
Chaela gasped in shock. "That cannot be true! You are lying! Lord Duo would never betray my father!"
Kai's smile sickened Dijana. "Of course it is not true, but the emperor is foolish in his love for his children, so he will believe anything Prince Staefyn tells him."
"You have done this!" accused Chaela in outrage. "You have enthralled my brother!"
Kai laughed. "He is not my thrall, but I could ask for no better. He was twisted long before I made his acquaintance by the realization that his mother is an acknowledged whore and his father a lying hypocrite." He smirked when Chaela did not respond, but Dijana sensed that Chaela was too enraged to speak. "The Lady Arora argued with the emperor over his infidelity with the whore Larya," he continued to report, "And after an acrimonious departure, her shuttle exploded, killing all aboard – the Lady Arora and all her children. The consensus at court is that Emperor Trey finally rid himself of his Guerani whore."
"No!" Chaela threw herself at Kai and before he could react, she grasped his hands, and after only a moment he threw her away and shrank back from her. She straightened. "You are a liar!" She turned to Balak and Avar who were now looking at Kai with surprise. "He did not tell you that it was a ruse that Lord Taeron set up to trap Prince Staefyn into betraying himself. My mother is not dead!"
"You are a sorceress!" cried Avar, drawing his dagger and advancing towards Chaela. "I will do what I should have long ago!"
His father swung out his arm to stop him as Chaela raised her own and Dijana could see that she was concentrating on gathering power.
"Stay away from her! We don't know what she is capable of."
"Yes," goaded Chaela. "And you cannot imagine what I would like to do to a man who would kill his own son."
Avar stepped back and for the first time, Dijana saw that something frightened him. She did not dare to hope that he felt any misgivings for what he had done.
"That harpy, Neria, has gathered the imperials to return," Balak told them. "After I defeat her allies and kill her, I will no longer have a need for you, Dijana. As for the sorceress," his eyes fell on Chaela. "After I have had my fill of her, I will make Emperor Trey pay dearly for her return."
With that said, he turned on his heel and left, Avar trailing behind after casting Chaela one last warning glare that was laced with fear. Kai remained long enough to come near Dijana although she noted that he gave Chaela a wide berth. She almost laughed aloud in realizing that there was something that frightened the powerful Varoonyan.
"What Balak did not tell you is that Queen Neria has recognized your marriage to Lord Taeron, Dijana. When he comes to Teralon, if he defeats those fools, and he will, then he will claim you as his wife, make no mistake." He came close and put his fingers under her chin to raise her face to look in her eyes and she did not have the will to resist. "And then you will help me take my revenge on him."
Releasing her after a lingering caress in which he was careful not to cut her with his sharp nails, he promised her with his gaze that they would be together later.
When the door closed on him, Dijana realized she was trembling, from fear of Kai or fear of Lord Taeron, she did not know. What of Stryfe? She knew nothing of his fate. Was he still on Norvana? Did he remain in the service of the emperor when his father had been banished? Kai had deliberately kept any news of him from her because he knew her feelings for him.
Chaela put her hands on her shoulders. "Do not fret, Dijana. I am sure that Stryfe is safe. He is my father's scribe and no one except the crown prince is better protected."
Moving away from her, Dijana went to the window and looked out to the valley that was green with fields worked by the wingless women. The scene was so peaceful but she knew that soon the valley would be overrun with soldiers, and corpses would litter the fields. That is how the valley looked after Lord Taeron had gone through it the last time, but this time it would not be Varoonyan thralls burning in noxious piles, it would be winged warriors.
"How … how can I be Lord Taeron's wife when …" Her heart ached to know that she would have no choice but to live as Lord Taeron's mate, and yet she would probably see his brother frequently. Her life with the Calabrian warlord would be miserable, and she would be heartbroken as she yearned for the man she could not have, never could have had. If she hadn't been with Stryfe, known his love, she could have borne this arranged marriage, but she had and now the prospect of letting Lord Taeron touch her sickened her.
"Laying with Lord Taeron will be no chore," Chaela told her. She did not even have to touch her to read her thoughts and at times, like now, she wished she would not intrude on her privacy. "I know of many females who have boasted of teaching him the ways of women, so he will please you."
"My heart belongs to Stryfe," Dijana told her. "I don't care if Lord Taeron can please me."
Chaela came to her and hugged her. "I am sorry, Dijana. I wish I was powerful enough to take away your memories of Norvana. Maybe then you could find happiness with Taeron."
That night she remained awake long after Chaela fell asleep as she thought of how her life was going to change if she survived the carnage of Balak's revolt. For the first time in her life she would meet the woman who had given her life, and she wondered if she would revile her because she was not as beautiful as Sharisse had been. Because there was a statue of Neria in the area called the Queen's Grotto, Dijana knew that Sharisse had been her image. Would her mother reject her? And did it matter when she was being given to Lord Taeron in payment for his service to Teralon?
When she finally fell asleep to jumbled thoughts of how she would try to bear lying with the Calabrian warlord, she came to awareness to find herself alone in her bedchamber, a flimsy gown draped over her shoulders but lying open over her naked body. Darkness surrounded the bed, and out of the darkness stepped a man that she recognized as Lord Taeron.
"Is this what you want, my Dijana?" It was Kai's voice although the body of the man approaching, shedding clothing as he did was still Lord Taeron. "Will you give me your pleasure as I touch you with this body?"
"Dijana?" Dijana spun to see Chaela enter into her dream.
Kai hissed and the vision quickly faded to be replaced by his true form. "Sorceress!"
Chaela hurried to step between Kai and the bed. "Stay back, demon!" A bright light surrounded them.
Dijana did not think he would go, but he staggered back quickly and she knew that he was terrified by Chaela and the powers she wielded to ward him off now.
"You will not always be with your protectress," Kai finally said as he glared past Chaela. "When you lay with your mate, I will come to you and she cannot be there to protect you then. Together you and I will destroy that bastard and you will be mine."
Then he disappeared and Dijana awoke to find Chaela leaning over her. She threw her arms around her and burst into tears. She could not be more thankful that Kai would no longer be able to violate her in her dreams, not with Chaela there to protect her.
The men did not visit them again and she learned from the women that the Calabrian warships were approaching so they were marching to war. Forces had been sent to the north, but Balak and Avar had taken the bulk of their army to the south to meet the warriors gathering to greet Queen Neria under Roehan's command. If Balak could defeat Roehan's army, the Calabrians had no reason to stay, and if they did defeat Neria, Balak would probably have no reason to keep Dijana alive.
For many days they had no news and Dijana was anxious about her future. At least she no longer had to put up with Kai who did not even try to enter her dreams. News from the battle fronts ceased to reach the palace and Chaela told her it was because a battalion of dark clad warriors had surrounded Nidum in advance of the imperial army.
Several weeks into the campaign, Chaela was standing at the window when she cried out excitedly. "I see them! They are at the edge of the marshlands! The imperial warriors have broken through!" She spun to look at Dijana. "Soon! It will be over soon!"
Dijana joined her at the window to see what had excited her and watched with her as men poured into the valley. A movement from above drew their attention and Chaela gasped in shock as a dragon flew over the palace breathing fire.
"By the gods!" exclaimed Chaela in awe. The dragon circled again, its great wings creating wind as they flapped and it headed straight for the window at which they were standing.
Although she had seen the dragon before, Dijana still fell back in fear, but Chaela remained at the window, bravely facing the gigantic creature. He stopped to hover before the window, his wings slowed to keep him in place. His mysterious eyes were on Chaela who stood before him, but when she reached out her hand to him, he flapped his great wings and flew away blowing fire.
"Jeshed," Chaela said in awe. "That is his name."
Dijana remembered the kind man at the banquet and how her brief contact with him had made her feel so much better. He had given her the courage to reach out to Stryfe, to accept the happiness he offered. Dijana could not believe the man was the dragon, despite Stryfe's claim.
Chaela turned to look at Dijana. "He told me that the paladin will liberate us soon."
"You spoke to the dragon?" asked Dijana although she should not be amazed by anything Chaela did now that she had Guerani power.
Chaela laughed. "Not really speak, but we communicated. He told me that Taeron is eager to claim you, but they must wait until your mother's army drives Balak back to Nidum."
"Is Stryfe with them?" she could not help asking. She did not care about the paladin, Lord Taeron.
"I am sure he is. My father would not send Taeron with imperial warriors and not expect a detailed report. Jeshed told me that my mother and my sisters and brother are safe on Bayman with my sister Shamara." Now Chaela's smile faded. "And he told me that assassins have tried to kill Taeron several times. I can no longer trust Staefyn."
"I guess Calabrians do use assassins," murmured Dijana.
"Only dishonorable Calabrians," Chaela told her. "Now Staefyn has no honor."
Only three days after the imperial army had emerged from the marshlands, Balak's forces were spotted heading back to Nidum. The women who were allowed to come and go at will informed them that the city was in chaos as they prepared for a siege under orders from Balak's commanders, but the people were revolting because they would not fight against their lawful queen. When Chaela told her from her place at the window that the warriors were preparing for battle, Dijana joined her to watch and she was horrified when what was left of Balak's forces met the imperial guard of Calabria. Their wings were useless against them when the imperials could drag them down as they either leaped high or were propelled in the air by others, and the only injury they could inflict upon them was when their chakrams ricocheted off the blades of their swords.
The force of dark clad warriors that had cut off the city from Balak's men fought ferociously and Chaela told Dijana that they were clansmen from the second moon. They had come to Teralon to fight with Lord Taeron when he liberated them from the Varoonyans, but Dijana had not seen the fierce warriors.
And in the thick of the battle, in the valley far below, they could see a warrior that seemed to be surrounded with a glowing, bright golden light as he swung a mighty sword that felled every man that came against him.
"The paladin," breathed Chaela in awe. "Lord Taeron."
Dijana did not want to be impressed by the warrior that would be her husband, but he moved with godly speed and used his weapons with unerring accuracy. She could not believe he was the same buffoon that had irritated her with his foolish behavior on Norvana. The only thing that he had done that impressed her was see through Sharisse. But now she was mesmerized by the warlord of Calabria.
The dragon circled the battlefield but he did not breathe fire for which Dijana was thankful because he would have killed so many more winged warriors, many of whom were surrendering. Then Dijana saw another force coming from the south and she should not have been amazed to see them led by a woman, but the sight of Queen Neria leading her own army astonished Dijana when she had been led to believe all her life that her mother had disdained her place for her pleasures. The woman fought side by side with a magnificent warrior that she presumed was Roehan, the man that helped bring about her escape and had gathered the forces that would bring her back to her rightful place ruling Teralon.
The battle raged all afternoon, but Dijana could not take her eyes off the carnage and while Chaela fretted for the safety of her brother who she could sense on the battlefield, Dijana asked the gods to protect Stryfe if he was among the Calabrians. She certainly had no need to worry about Lord Taeron because she began to wonder if he was a god. By the time the first sun had set, the battle was over and as Balak's forces were being rounded up, the imperial warriors were pouring into the city that had opened its gates to welcome them.
Chaela could not contain her excitement. "We are going to be rescued!"
And Dijana would have to give herself to the golden warlord.
The door to her chamber slammed open and Balak stumbled in, his eyes crazed, his clothing bloody, one of his wings damaged. "You are not saved yet, you Calabrian whore!" He looked over his shoulder. "Take her above. We may yet be able to offer her in exchange for our lives."
Chaela raised her hands to try to throw up the protection spell she had used against Kai, but Avar's wings made him faster and he flew across the room, reaching her before she could act. His fist was raised and Dijana tried to stop him by seizing his wing, but he kicked her away as he smashed Chaela in the face. Chaela would have crumpled to the floor had Avar not seized her around the waist, and he threw her over his shoulder before striding from the room.
Balak came to Dijana and seized her arm. "You think I will let you live? The harpy will watch you die and then her line will be ended."
She struggled, but he struck her so hard that her teeth rattled and when she was stunned, he trapped her by locking her neck under his beefy arm. When she tried to escape, he increased the pressure to cut off her breath until she became dizzy, and when she could not fight, he dragged her up the steep steps to the roof. Once they were there, he forced her to her knees and after seizing a handful of her now shoulder-length hair, he yanked her head back and held a blade to her neck.
Although his grip was tight, he was trembling, stinking of blood and sweat and fear. Dijana feared he would cut off her head, but she shifted her gaze to where Avar was standing with Chaela. Her brother was bleeding from several cuts, his blood dripping on Chaela who was moaning as she returned to consciousness.
Because they had come to the roof, Dijana expected her mother to fly in from above, but noise from the steps made her shift her gaze to the entrance to the roof. Several men burst out with swords raised and following behind them was the woman they awaited.
This was the first time Dijana had seen her mother although she had been told that Neria had cared for her as an infant, had even nursed her at her own breast instead of handing her over to a nursemaid. Dijana was not surprised that the beautiful winged female had lustrous dark hair that was now hanging down her back in a braid. Her creamy skin was flawless, and she did not have a matron's form after having borne three children who were grown. She was curvaceous and lean, and every bit as threatening as her warriors as she fingered chakrams hanging from her belt.
Behind her appeared a golden-haired warrior that towered over her, his wide wings spread out and Dijana was shocked to see that his feathers were tipped with golden. Holding her breath, fearing what she would see, she searched the handsome warriors face, darkly kissed by the sun and when she saw his emerald green eyes, her stomach dropped and she felt disoriented. She did not know this man, and yet she knew who he was. He was her father.
Balak seemed to have come up with the same conclusion that Dijana had drawn and he laughed in maniacal laughter. "By the gods, Neria, this is rich! You dare to bring your lover in my presence?" He shook Dijana and she feared he would cut her. "I wondered why you never complained about your duty in the northern palace! You must have laughed, Roehan, when I promoted you to commander. I thought you were doing an admirable job when all along you were screwing my wife!"
"Wife?" snapped Neria furiously. "I was never your wife! Only the council spoke the words to accept you. I never did!"
Balak growled at her, then spoke to Roehan. "What do you think of your bastard, Roehan? Did I raise her well? The gods know I had little to work with."
"Shut up!" snarled the powerful male standing behind Neria who put out her hand to stop him from advancing.
Queen Neria's chin was raised and her gaze was contemptuous as she looked at Balak. "Let my daughter go and I will give you an honorable death. If you do not, I will give you to the imperials to do with as they please. I hope they have chosen a suitable spot in the marshlands for you to meet your end."
Balak sucked in his breath and Dijana strained her gaze to see the men holding swords. She recognized Lord Taeron standing towards the back of the group, but Stryfe was standing at the front with Prince Amyr behind him. Stryfe was so bloody that even his hair was matted to him and the sword that he held before him was still dripping with blood. Had he fought? Had he been injured? Despite her own danger, she worried about him.
"Let my mate go," Stryfe said, his tone low and ominous.
"I suggest you do as he says," added Neria coolly. "I have seen him eviscerate three men with a single stroke, so you will pose no challenge to him."
Balak scraped her neck with his blade and she felt blood trickle down. "I have an advantage. He will never act against me while I hold …"
His body jerked and suddenly Dijana was falling forward as he fell backward, and catching herself before her face hit the hard ground, she turned quickly to see that Balak had a dagger buried deeply in the shoulder of the arm that had held the knife to her throat while another dagger was embedded to the hilt between his eyes.
"Very efficient, my lord prince," Dijana heard her mother say as the lifeless body sagged back and fell over the edge of the roof.
"I suppose you are going to expect me to retrieve your daggers," she heard Prince Amyr say wryly. It was the first time she had ever heard him sound anything but pompous and arrogant.
She turned to see Stryfe advancing towards her. He had put away his sword and now he held out a bloody hand to her. She scrambled away, confused, disoriented and she looked back at Lord Taeron who seemed more anxious than angry that his brother was offering her comfort. Did he already know about their relationship? Did he even care?
Chaela became aware of her surroundings and she struggled against the hold her husband had on her. "Taeron! By the gods, Taeron! You have come!"
Stryfe turned to look at her and as he did, he drew his sword so quickly that Dijana could not even follow the movement and she fell back at the sight of him holding the blade.
Her heart seemed to stop beating as the truth came to her.
He was not Stryfe.
He was Lord Taeron!
She tried to rise, but her body would not function, and all she could do was watch helplessly as Avar dragged Chaela to the edge of the roof. "You think you have won?" he raved, spitting at the Calabrian approaching him with his deadly sword coated with blood.
"Let Princess Chaela go," he ordered Avar, his tone ominous, the tone of a warrior, not the tone of a scribe, certainly not the gentle tone of a lover, her mate. Dijana wanted to cry, to scream, but she could not even react.
"What will you do?" Avar laughed hysterically, but he was shaking with fear.
"Kill him, Chaela," ordered Lord Taeron with no feeling.
"I … I cannot, Taeron." There were tears in Chaela's eyes and Dijana knew that she feared losing her powers for such a violent act. Since Kaerwen's death, she had become a different person, empathetic, gentle and even though Avar had murdered her son, she could not harm him. She was a Guerani healer who must preserve life.
Lord Taeron blew out his breath. "Not you too, Chaela?"
She smiled tremulously at him but she only nodded.
"Amyr?"
"I can kill in battle to protect you, but this ..."
Neria put her hands on her hips. "Is one of you Calabrian brutes going to kill this misbegotten bastard? My lord prince? You have shown yourself capable on many occasions."
Dijana looked at Amyr, but Lord Taeron answered her query. "I am a warrior, not an executioner." She blinked in surprise before she remembered that Kai had told them of his change in status.
"You could have fooled me a moment ago," grumbled Roehan.
"He threatened my mate. I had no control over my actions," stated Lord Taeron before he looked at Neria. "I will not kill your son."
"Shut up!" Avar licked his lips. "None of you is going to kill me!" He shoved Chaela and she stumbled over the edge of the high tower.
Dijana screamed and Taeron surged forward but he was too late to catch Chaela. Avar leapt into the air to fly away, but Neria went to the edge, and calmly pulling the chakrams from her hip she let several fly with precision that efficiently sliced the wings from Avar's back. He screamed in agony as he plummeted to his death in the valley below.
Sobbing for her friend, Dijana crawled to the edge of the tower, willing Chaela to be alive, to have found some foothold to grasp to break her fall even though she knew the tower was designed to prevent enemies from climbing. Before she reached the edge, she felt great winds and she fell back in wonder as the dragon rose before them with Chaela on his back.
The last thing Dijana heard before fainting in relief was the voice of the man she had thought was Lord Taeron but she now knew was the emperor's scribe. "Now the real fun begins."