The Ring Keeper, page 49
She knelt beside him as he took one last breath. Then, nothing.
The ring slipped from his finger to the floor. She picked it up and put it on. Talon joined her as she ran from the room, heading for the infirmary where they had taken Zarek.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Year of Warding 42, White City, Sarine
Zarek
WHEN ZAREK OPENED HIS EYES, he realized he was dead. It was quiet. He saw a man’s familiar features above him, resembling the face that stared back at him every time he looked in a mirror. Fine lines at the corners of the man’s eyes made him look older. He was someone Zarek hadn’t seen since he was a child.
“Father, it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would,” he said.
“What didn’t?” Talon asked.
“Dying. It doesn’t hurt at all. I feel fine.” He stared at his father. “The next world must be hard. You look awful, and you’re still wearing all your weapons.”
Talon laughed. “Get up, son. You’re not dead.”
“Then why can I see you?”
“I’m alive, Zarek,” Talon said. “I came home as soon as I could.”
“Is it really you?” Zarek asked in wonder.
“It’s me. I’m sorry I was gone for so long. You’re all grown up.”
“That happened a long time ago,” Zarek said. “How did you get here? You’re dressed in an Aran army uniform, so I’m guessing you came with them?”
“Yes. But I’ll tell you all about it later,” Talon promised.
“Where’s Ana?” Zarek sat up suddenly, only to realize she lay cradled in Talon’s arms, unconscious.
“Don’t worry. She’s fine,” Talon said soothingly. “She healed you.” He must have caught her as she collapsed.
“How’d she get the ring back?” Zarek asked in confusion. “We have to stop Haldreth.”
“It’s over, Zarek. He’s dead. And there will be time later to talk about that too.”
Zarek got to his feet, and Talon placed the unconscious girl gently onto the cot where his son had lain.
They heard the sudden sound of running feet, and Zarek saw his mother in the doorway. It had been years, and she looked older, though he knew her at once. She stared at him without recognition.
“The guards told me my son was here. Where is Zarek? They said he was injured.”
“I’m here,” he said.
She blinked at him in disbelief and stepped closer. “I’m looking for Zarek.”
“Mother, it’s me.”
Her eyes widened in sudden recognition, and she burst into tears as she put a hand to her heart. “It is you!” She hugged him, and he held her close.
After a moment, Zarek cleared his throat and nodded toward Talon.
Mirithel turned to see Talon. She recognized him at once, which wasn’t fair. He was just as unwashed, untrimmed and unshaven as Zarek. She gasped and ran to him, crying, “You’re alive! How?”
Talon took her in his arms, his embrace lifting her from the floor. “I’ve missed you!” They laughed and cried together. He set her back down and kissed her. “I’ve missed both of you,” he said, putting one arm around Zarek’s shoulders.
“We’ve missed you too,” Zarek said.
His family was reunited. It had seemed impossible. But they were here, holding each other with tears of joy in their eyes. Zarek felt moisture in his own too and realized how long it had been since he’d cried. He’d been completely focused on becoming another person—Captain Tack—cold, dangerous and alone. Zarek wasn’t alone anymore. He’d come home, and his family was beside him and Ana was here, safe and alive.
And she loved him. That was a miracle in itself. He looked down at her and saw her face, peaceful as she slept. She wore the white-and-gold tunic of the Emperor’s Guard, but her honey-colored hair hung loose. The pain and fear were gone from her expression. She’d been so brave.
When Talon kissed Mirithel again, Zarek released his parents and took a step back. “I’ll give the two of you some time alone,” he said.
Mirithel turned from her husband to brush her hand along Zarek’s face and kiss his cheek. “Welcome home, Zarek. We’ll see you again soon.” His mother smiled at him, and no bitterness or judgment remained in her eyes. She took Talon’s hand and led him out the door.
Someone had left Zarek’s weapons on a chair beside the cot where he had lain. He picked up the precious enchanted sword. A trip to the armory could replace other lost weapons, but not this one. Zarek slung the belt over his shoulder.
He lifted Ana in his arms and carried her back toward her room. A woman with red hair ran up to him in the hall. “Ana!” she cried in alarm, bending over the girl in his arms.
“She’s all right,” Zarek assured her. “The ring…”
“Where are you taking her?” the woman demanded, looking at him suspiciously.
Tess. Her name was Tess. He remembered her.
“I was taking her to her room if it’s still the same one?” he asked. Zarek had thought he remembered every room and hallway of the palace, but everything seemed strange to him after all this time.
“We can take care of her,” Tess said, beckoning a pair of guards over.
They didn’t recognize him or trust him. He should have expected that. But he wasn’t going to give Ana to the guards. “Tess,” he said. “I’m Zarek.”
“You’re who?” She stared at him, completely without recognition.
“I’m Zarek,” he repeated.
She stared at him, and slowly, he saw the realization dawn on her face. “Zarek?” She looked him up and down. “I… I… can’t believe it. I didn’t recognize you…”
“It is me, Tess,” he said. “We need to take care of Ana.”
“Of course,” she agreed. Tess turned to the two guards, who were standing there waiting for her instructions. “It’s all right,” she told them.
They nodded to her and resumed their posts.
If Zarek wanted to be welcomed home, he would need to get cleaned up and changed.
When they reached Ana’s room, Zarek set her down gently on the bed. She was still unconscious, but her breathing was steady and she looked peaceful.
“We need to get the healers,” Tess exclaimed, looking down at her.
“Yes,” Zarek said. He felt his stomach clench in guilt as he took in an assortment of cuts and bruises. Ana’s horse had thrown her, and they’d fought the demons. After that, some of the details were a little fuzzy.
“Please ask them to care for her hand.” He pointed to the bandages he’d put there. “She has some cuts on her shoulder and neck. And her ribs—I wrapped them, but two or three are cracked.”
Tess looked increasingly alarmed as he spoke.
“I did what I could for her,” he said awkwardly.
“I will send for a healer at once,” Tess said. “We’ll take care of her.”
“Thank you,” Zarek said. “I need to see Callonen. Do you know where he is?”
“He was in the throne room,” Tess replied.
Zarek went to look for the emperor. When he got to the throne room, he heard a confusion of many voices. A member of the guard stood at the door.
“Where is he?” Zarek asked. “Where is Emperor Callonen?”
“What are you doing here?” the guard asked.
“I need to see Emperor Callonen.”
“He’s injured. He’s not seeing anyone.”
“Please, just tell me where he is!”
The guard put a hand on Zarek’s arm.
Throwing off the hand, Zarek took a step back.
Just then, a group of guards came around the corner. They stared at the two men facing off and dropped their hands to their weapons. Zarek recognized Renard among them.
“Stop! He’s one of ours,” Renard commanded the guards. He grinned at Zarek. “You look better than when we brought you in.” He turned to the others. “It’s Zarek, don’t you recognize him?”
“No. It’s who?” They shook their heads, still staring at him.
“You don’t remember Zarek, son of Talon? He’s the best soldier Sarine has ever had,” Renard said. “He returned with Lady Cirana. Don’t worry,” he told the guard.
“I need to see Callonen.”
Renard escorted him to the emperor’s rooms, and though the guards continued to stare suspiciously at Zarek, they allowed him to enter.
Inside, four healers were busily working. A woman with golden hair knelt beside the bed, holding Callonen’s hand. The healers stepped around her to reach the bed. Zarek went to stand next to her. His belly twisted in shock when he stared down at Callonen.
The emperor’s face was bruised and swollen. His nose was broken, and bandages swathed one side of his head. There were black bruises on his chest and stomach. One leg was heavily wrapped, and the opposite arm was splinted. The healers now were working on a knife wound in his side.
Callonen opened his eyes and looked up at him.
“The demons are dead,” Zarek said.
“And you’re alive.” Callonen sounded relieved.
“Ana healed me,” Zarek said.
“As she should. I promised her I would do everything I could to help.”
“You didn’t tell her how badly you were hurt,” Zarek said, looking at the knife wound.
Callonen’s eyes closed. His breathing remained shallow, slowing a little as unconsciousness brought relief from the pain.
Zarek looked at the woman holding Callonen’s hand and realized it was Allia. Her face was cut and bruised, but she was very much alive. Obviously, many things had happened while he was unconscious.
“Lady Allia,” he greeted her with a bow.
She gave him a quick smile and put her hand on his arm. “You remember me?” She sounded surprised. “It’s been a long time since you were a little boy.”
“Yes, it has,” he agreed.
She turned back to Callonen. “He didn’t let any of us know how bad it was. Haldreth had a blade hidden in his sleeve. None of us realized what had happened. Callonen sent Ana to heal you. As soon as she left, he collapsed.”
“How soon might she heal again?” Zarek asked.
“The ring takes power from the wearer,” Allia said. “She must regain enough strength before she heals again, otherwise she will not survive. And she will sleep for days. There’s nothing more we can do but wait.”
Zarek turned to the healers. “How bad is it?”
“The knife wound is very serious,” one of them said. “Not to mention the stress of all his other injuries.” He gestured to the bruises. “We don’t know how much damage they did to him internally.”
“Will he survive?” Zarek asked.
“I’m sorry. It’s too soon to tell,” the healer said. “We are doing all we can, of course. There’s nothing more you can do here. We will tell you if there is any change.”
Zarek allowed himself to be led to the door. “I’ll come back to check on him soon,” he said.
“As you wish. Now leave us to our work.”
Renard waited outside the door. “I’ll walk with you,” he offered.
Zarek clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks. I don’t want to fight anyone before I have a chance to change my uniform. Where do you think they put my things?”
“After all these years?” Renard shrugged. “I don’t know. But Tess will. She knows everything.”
Zarek had spent years in Ara, and when he’d dreamed of going home, he’d pictured himself being welcomed with open arms, instead of being treated with hostility and suspicion. But he shouldn’t be surprised. He’d worked hard to play his part, to look like a cold and dangerous man. It was time to look like himself again.
They returned to the room where Zarek had left Ana and saw Tess just coming out.
“How is she?” Zarek asked.
“She’s asleep. The healer is still tending to her injuries. There’s nothing more we can do for her at the moment. We have prepared a room, now that you’re back. I had someone set out clean clothes for you. The rest of your belongings were packed up and given to your mother. Shall I show you to your room now?”
“Thank you,” Zarek said. “And thank you, Renard.”
Renard grinned. “I’m glad you’re home.” He slapped Zarek’s shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”
He disappeared down the hall, and Zarek followed Tess to a comfortable room with a big bed and a seating area. Two of the household staff were just adding the last bucket of hot water to a bath. Another set a tray of food and drink on the table.
“Thank you,” Zarek said gratefully. It was so good to be home.
“The barber will be here in a little while,” Tess said, eyeing his uncut hair and beard.
Zarek laughed. She really had thought of everything.
“Welcome back,” she said, smiling, and left him alone.
For a long moment, Zarek stood looking around, feeling completely out of place. He pulled off his boots and ate the food they’d left for him. He set his weapons aside, handling the ancient sword reverently, then unbuckled his armor.
Zarek’s clothes were crusted with black filth from the wounds the demon had inflicted. Pulling his shirt off, he saw the new white scars that were all that remained of his injury. With soap and hot water, he scrubbed away the last remnants of the demon’s touch.
He lay back, enjoying the warmth. It had been so long since he’d allowed himself to relax.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Year of Warding 42, White City, Sarine
Ana
WHEN ANA FINALLY WOKE, it was dawn. The memory of pain remained sharp, but she opened her eyes, and it did not return. She saw her own beautiful room in Callonen’s palace. For a moment, she stared in wonder. Was it real? Would she wake up and discover she’d only been dreaming of home? Her gaze fell on Zarek, asleep in the chair beside her bed.
His appearance had changed dramatically, and he seemed much more like the old Zarek. He was freshly bathed, his hair had been trimmed and his face was shaved.
The familiar scars from the demon claws stood out more clearly. He wore a loose white shirt, and she couldn’t see a single weapon on him. His expression was peaceful, relaxed in sleep. He looked healthy—well and whole.
He had fallen asleep leaning on the arm of the chair, and she realized he must have been there all night. She watched him sleep. His breathing, deep and even. It felt completely right to have him near. She never wanted to be apart from him again.
The ring was on her right hand. Having it back felt like a part of her that had been missing was restored. But not every part could be returned. She glanced at the bandages on her left hand.
Ana knew she hadn’t made any sound to disturb him, but Zarek opened his gray eyes and smiled at her. Her eyes widened in amazement. She could sense what he was feeling again.
He loved her and would do anything for her. He was attracted to her. Even now, he felt a powerful urge to pull her into his arms. He wanted her.
She felt her cheeks coloring.
“What is it?” he asked.
She could feel the blush, and he obviously saw it.
“I…” Just a few days ago, she had thought he didn’t like her. Now, it was obvious the opposite was true. The two of them would never have had their misunderstanding if she’d had the ring all along. Without it, it had been hard to believe him when he told her how he felt.
“You look embarrassed,” he observed.
She smiled. “It’s just that I can tell you’d like to…”
He bent over her and kissed her softly. “Do this?” he asked.
She smiled. “I love you, Zarek,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he replied. “But you already know that. You can feel it, so you know I’m not lying.”
“I know,” she said.
He smiled again. “It’s time for breakfast.” He pointed to a tray on the table. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes.” She tried in vain to sit up.
“Let me help you,” he said, lifting her shoulders and putting a thick pillow behind her.
His arm around her made her forget about breakfast, and she kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“You healed me,” he whispered, kissing her again. “My life is yours.”
“You don’t mean that,” she said, pulling back from him. “I know you. Another adventure will come along and off you’ll go.”
“Not this time.” Zarek lowered his mouth to hers. “I promise.”
He straightened up, and if Ana hadn’t felt so weak, she would have pulled him back. Instead, he reached for the tray of food. “You need to eat.”
One bite at a time, he fed her.
When she’d finished chewing, she asked, “Where is my mother? And Callonen. Are they safe? And are your parents back together at last? Why aren’t you with them now?”
Zarek smiled at the flurry of questions. “My parents… I saw them last night, then left them alone. They had a lot of catching up to do after all these years. When they are ready to see me, they know where to find me.”
Ana giggled, for despite his sun-browned skin, she could see him flush a little. “Where is my mother?” she asked again.
“She is with Callonen. And Haldreth? They told me he was dead.”
“Yes,” Ana said. Perhaps she should feel sad at his passing, but he had caused so much suffering. She felt only relief that he was gone. “He was my father, but he never cared about me, or my mother.”
“You’re not sad then?”
“No! He was never a father to me,” she said fiercely, then paused and took a deep breath. “I’ve always wished Callonen could be my father. Is he all right? He was hurt, but he said it was nothing.”
“He’s all right,” Zarek said.
Ana instantly knew he was lying. “What happened? What’s wrong with him? And tell me the truth.”
