The Ring Keeper, page 10
“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine,” Tess whispered to her.
Zarek appeared at Ana’s side and offered her his arm. He spoke to the herald. Ana took a deep breath, then placed her hand in the crook of his arm. As they walked in, the herald cried, “Captain Zarek of the Emperor’s Guard and Lady Cirana.” Everyone politely applauded as they entered.
“You never told me you were a captain in the Emperor’s Guard,” Ana said.
“You never asked me,” he replied.
Zarek wore a dark-gray tunic trimmed with silver and a shining white cloak. Ana thought he looked handsome and charming. And she already knew that he was brave and kind.
“You look nice,” she whispered.
“So do you,” he replied with a grin. “But I’d rather wear my old boots any day.” His praise made her feel warm inside.
They walked across the room to join the emperor, who stood chatting with a large group of people. Emperor Callonen introduced her to many of the guests, and the ladies smiled and nodded at her, while the men bowed and kissed her hand. It made her feel like a princess instead of an orphan who lived at an inn. She met several of Callonen’s advisers and General Gray, as well as two or three diplomats visiting Sarine from other kingdoms.
The group moved to the tables and sat down. Ana had Zarek at her side, and she had so much fun that she barely had time to worry about making mistakes. The dinner was magnificent.
After they had eaten, the music and dancing began.
A young lady with long, dark hair and a beautiful crimson gown asked Zarek if she could have a word with him. He stood. “If you would excuse me for a few moments, Lady Cirana?”
Ana nodded and smiled at him. He winked at her as he bowed to the woman and kissed her hand. The lady took his arm, and they disappeared out onto the balcony. Ana watched them go. It shouldn’t have surprised her that he attracted attention, or that he had friends here. She swallowed hard. Of course, there would be young ladies who enjoyed his attention. Just because Ana had been alone with him all these weeks didn’t mean he would prefer her company now. But she wished it had been her on Zarek’s arm. How could she tell him?
She glanced at Callonen, who still sat at the table, and smiled. “Aren’t you going to dance?”
His eyebrows raised. “Me? I haven’t danced since…” His words trailed off, and she could tell the memory made him sad. She didn’t want him to feel sad.
“I’ve never been to a party like this!” She looked around at the lights and the people in formal clothes and sparkling jewelry. “And I’ve never danced in front of anyone.”
Callonen met her eyes and smiled. His sorrow receded. “We had better fix that,” he said, getting to his feet. He straightened his shoulders and offered her his hand. “Lady Cirana, will you do me the honor of joining me for a dance?”
Ana smiled up at him and did her best curtsy, spreading the flowing skirts of her gown as she had seen so many other women do this evening. “I would be delighted,” she said, taking his hand.
Everyone in the room stared at the emperor. Were they surprised to see him dance? He put his hand to her waist, and she put hers on his shoulder. It felt like he knew how to spin and turn exactly right, and Ana decided that dancing was lovely.
They twirled around the floor for two entire songs until Callonen led her back to the edge of the dancing. “Thank you, my dear,” he said. “It’s been far too long. But now, I think there is someone waiting to take my place.”
Ana turned around in surprise and saw a young man standing there. He was elegantly dressed and had dark hair. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, smiling at her nervously.
Ana said, “Yes, thank you.”
She felt a touch of awkwardness and didn’t know what to say to him. But Tess’s lessons paid off, and she thought she did all right. The boy didn’t move as confidently as Callonen had. Instead, they moved in slow circles, only a little stiffly, and Ana managed not to step on his toes.
A while later, there was another young man, this one sandy-haired. He wore a pleasant smile and the white-and-gold uniform of the Emperor’s Guard.
Between dances, Ana still had plenty of time to watch. Zarek stood out in his brilliant white cloak. He danced very well. She already knew he could be graceful when he wanted to be. Ana noticed his boots, new and polished, and she remembered the ones he’d worn on their journey—old and comfortable, with holes in them from all the miles he’d traveled. Those were the ones he’d rather be wearing.
She’d seen him for so long in old ragged clothes that if she didn’t know this well-dressed nobleman was him, she might not have recognized him. The fine clothes didn’t seem to matter to him. He still acted the same. As Ana watched, he danced with many ladies, and they were all beautiful. She thought they admired his handsome features.
Ana saw Zarek bow to a woman seated alone in a corner. Her dress was elegant, and her hair had the same golden waves as Zarek, with a touch of gray at the temples. She took his offered hand, and they joined the dancing. For several turns, Ana saw her smiling up at Zarek. They were talking together. At something he said, her smile abruptly disappeared.
Though neither of them missed a step in the dance, anger appeared on her face. Zarek’s eyebrows were drawn together stubbornly. The music ended. He bowed stiffly to her, and Ana saw her ask him something. His answer did not please her.
The woman turned her back on him and left the room, fury written on her face. After a few moments, Zarek found another partner and rejoined the dancing.
At the end of the next song, he came over to Ana. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “It all seems like a dream.”
He laughed. “I told you it was nice here.”
“You were right about everything.”
“Did you save a dance for me?” Zarek asked. He turned his charming smile on her, and she couldn’t stop herself from responding. The room suddenly felt warmer.
“I didn’t think you would ask,” she said.
“How could I not?” he replied, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He offered his hand. “I’ve been waiting all evening for the opportunity.”
Feeling a little breathless, she took the offered hand, and they joined the dancing.
“How do you like Sarine so far, Lady Cirana?”
“It’s wonderful, Captain Zarek, just as you promised.”
“I apologize that your journey was a little… demanding.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. Demanding? That wasn’t the word that came to mind when she remembered their adventures.
She beckoned, and he bent down so she could whisper in his ear. “Thank you for everything you did for me.”
His gray eyes met hers. “It was my honor to serve you, my lady.”
Gradually, Ana became accustomed to her new life. At times, she still had terrifying nightmares, but they grew less frequent. She was happy.
As autumn faded into a quiet winter, she made new friends. And Zarek was often in the city. Sometimes they went riding, and she loved spending time with him. He knew his way around the emperor’s lands and was friends with many of the soldiers.
One day, he took Ana with him to the practice field.
“Would you like to shoot?” Zarek asked as they observed several soldiers practicing archery.
“I’ll try,” she said. “I’m sure you’re already skilled at it.”
“Of course,” he teased. They selected a spot beside two other soldiers. One of them was tall and lanky, the other of medium height with pale blond hair. “Renard, Wes, this is Lady Cirana.”
The two soldiers bowed respectfully, and she curtsied in response. “It’s very nice to meet you both.”
“Would you like to try, my lady?” Renard, the tall soldier, asked, while offering her a bow.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the weapon.
“Have you ever shot before?” Renard asked.
She shook her head.
“Like this,” he said, demonstrating how to draw the bow, aim along the shaft of the arrow, and release. His blue eyes squinted as he focused on his mark. He loosed the shot, and the arrow lodged in the very edge of the target, almost missing it entirely. Zarek and Wes laughed.
“The wind must have thrown off my shot,” Renard protested, staring at the target, his brows knit in frustration. The others only laughed harder. He flushed with embarrassment and handed the bow to Ana.
Ana found it hard to draw the bowstring back, but she pulled it as far as she could and aimed. Her first shot missed the target, and her second, but the third struck the edge.
“Well done,” Zarek exclaimed.
“You’re already just as good as Renard,” Wes said.
Ana smiled at their praise.
On an unseasonably warm day in late winter, Ana wandered into a part of the palace she had never seen before. The building always had another hall or wing to explore. It would take several months to discover it all.
Near the outer wall, she found a garden. When Ana peeked through the door, she saw a woman sitting by herself. Her wavy, golden hair was touched with gray at the temples. Fine lines marked the corners of her eyes and mouth. The garden around her seemed dead, awaiting the approach of spring.
Ana knew she had seen the woman before, but it took her a moment to remember where. The emperor’s banquet. She was the one who had danced with Zarek and then left, angry with him.
“Hello,” Ana said.
“Hello, Cirana,” the woman replied.
“You know my name?”
“Everyone knows who you are.”
Ana flushed a little at her words, feeling like an awkward country girl. “May I ask who you are?”
“My name is Mirithel.”
“I saw you at the banquet. You were angry with Zarek. Why?”
Mirithel closed her eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath.
Fearing she’d said something wrong, Ana’s stomach tightened.
“He’s my son.”
Ana gasped. “You’re his mother? Then why would you be upset with him? He’s brave and strong. And kind.”
“I asked him to promise me he would not put himself in danger, but he is determined to ignore my wishes. My husband died because he went on a quest for Emperor Callonen. I cannot endure losing my son in the same way.”
Speechless, sympathy flooded through Ana. Talon had left Sarine to look for her. He had put himself in danger to save her. She could sense Mirithel still grieved for the loss of her husband, even after all this time. She loved Zarek and desperately wanted him to be safe. She didn’t know if she could withstand another loss.
Ana had caused all this. Nothing she could say would change that. She couldn’t face Mirithel any longer and fled without another word.
Mirithel
MIRITHEL SHOOK HER HEAD. She shouldn’t have been so hard on the girl. It wasn’t really her fault, and there was nothing Cirana could have done to prevent Talon and Zarek from risking themselves.
The boy was willful and even more stubborn than his father had been. All she had asked is that he promise not to put himself in danger, and he’d refused.
Years ago, when he’d been a little boy, she’d made a desperate effort to stop him from becoming a soldier. She couldn’t bear the thought of him being killed like his father.
She hadn’t meant to think of Talon. His absence still hurt. Even after all these years, she heard his voice in her mind and remembered the touch of his hands, the way it felt to have his strong arms around her, the flutter of excitement in her chest when he smiled at her. And he’d been a good father, always so gentle with their son.
Mirithel opened her eyes and started when she saw Zarek. She couldn’t help it when she’d been lost in memories of Talon. Zarek had grown up to look so much like him, tall and gray-eyed. And the older their son grew, the more he resembled Talon, until it hurt Mirithel to see him.
“Mother? Are you all right?”
She looked up at him and reached out to take his hands. “Zarek, I’m sorry I was angry the night of the banquet.”
He sat down beside her. “It’s all right. I understand why you felt that way, but I’m home now, safe. Still, I don’t want you to be upset if I need to travel again.”
“Is there another girl that needs rescuing?” Mirithel could hear the bitterness in her own voice.
“No.”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t make it back the last time. Dane didn’t. And you came back looking like you hadn’t eaten in six months.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Mother. I had to go. They would have killed Ana if I hadn’t.”
“A girl is worth risking your life for?”
“She is.”
“She was just here. She seems ordinary,” Mirithel protested.
“You know nothing about her. You have no idea what our journey was like! We jumped off a cliff into the river, and she nearly died in the water. She fell off a ledge and broke her arm in the mountains. I had to force her to walk through a snowstorm so she wouldn’t die from the cold. And every single night, the demons were chasing us. She’s the bravest person I’ve ever known. And if she hadn’t healed the emperor, the Shekkar would have come here and destroyed the city. Do you know what they’re like, really?”
“I saw it,” Mirithel whispered. “When Harrow came back, and your father… didn’t…”
The memory burned in her mind. She would never forget the deep gashes in Harrow’s skin or the blood turned black from the demon’s poison. Talon would have endured the same pain.
“Well, I have seen it many times now. Felt it even! If Ana hadn’t healed me, I wouldn’t be here. They have no mercy, not for anyone. Not for you, not for her. They wouldn’t spare her because she’s young, or alone, or couldn’t defend herself. They would have torn her to pieces, and then they would have come after you.”
Mirithel hung her head. She knew he was right, but she couldn’t help clinging to Zarek. He was all she had left. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should not be angry with you or with her.” She traced the lines of the scars from his forehead across his cheek.
“I need you to understand why I had to do it.”
“Oh, Zarek.” She pulled him close. “What would I do without you?”
“I know how you feel,” he said, “and I’m sorry Father’s gone. But I still have to live my life.”
“You could have chosen some less dangerous life.”
“But I didn’t. I chose this long ago,” Zarek said.
“Has Callonen asked you to go out again?” she demanded.
“No. This has nothing to do with Callonen. For now, he’s ordered me to stay in the city.”
“Please, obey his orders. Stay here. Whatever it is, let someone else go. You don’t ever have to leave the Warding again.”
“I can’t promise you I won’t,” Zarek said. “I want to protect this land, to protect you. Would you really have me stay here? Safe? Wait until I grow old and die and my life has meant nothing? Is that really what you want?”
She couldn’t answer him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Year of Warding 39, White City, Sarine
Ana
WHEN ANA HEARD a knock at her door, she hastily wiped her eyes and nose, hoping to hide that she’d been crying.
“Come in,” she called from where she sat curled on the couch across from the fireplace.
It was Zarek. Taking one look at her face, he said, “So you met my mother today.” He took a seat beside her.
She couldn’t hide how she felt from him. “Yes.”
“And she wasn’t very nice, was she?” Zarek asked.
“It’s not that. Your father died trying to rescue me. I understand why she doesn’t like me. She’s just worried about you.”
“I know,” Zarek said. “But I’ll bet she made you think I was only in danger because of you?”
“No,” Ana lied, but she couldn’t meet his eyes.
“I know how it is,” he said, lifting her chin until she was looking into his eyes. “She made you feel that if not for you, I would never have been outside the Warding.”
Ana nodded. “I didn’t want you to get hurt,” she said. “All you did out there was keep me safe. And Dane…”
Zarek put his arm around her shoulders. “He wanted to keep you safe too.”
“I never want anyone to be hurt because of me again.” She wiped tears from her face.
“Me neither,” Zarek said. “No one else is like you. You can help other people who are hurting. You kept me safe out there too. We saved each other, and that means we’ll be friends forever.”
She smiled and leaned into him. “Friends forever!”
His arm tightened around her.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the future, but there’s a chance I might have to go away for a while,” he said. “We’re going to have to do something to save Sarine.”
She drew back and glared at him. “You said you’d stay here.”
“I know,” he said.
“If you have to leave the Warding, how will you stay safe without me?” she asked. “I’ll come with you. That way, if you get hurt, I can heal you. I’ll go fast. I’ll try not to slow you down too much.”
“Ana…” he said.
She looked down. She knew what he was going to say. If he did need to leave, he couldn’t take her with him.
“Ana.”
She met his gaze, her eyes full of tears.
“This is important,” Zarek said, grasping her shoulders and looking straight into her eyes. “Whether I am here or not, you must never leave the Warding for any reason. Don’t even go near it. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she agreed.
“The king of Ara, the one who sent the Shekkar, he wants your ring, and if he could lure you out of the Warding, he would take you.”
Ana drew in a quick breath.
“I’m not trying to frighten you,” Zarek said. “You’re safe here, but you must never leave the Warding. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she said.
“Even if I have to be away, the emperor will protect you,” Zarek said. “He cares about you.”
