The Ruins of Betrayal by Tameri Etherton

Author:Tameri Etherton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Teacup Dragon Publishing

Chapter Twenty-Four

By the time Taryn returned to her rooms, the others were waiting. Faelara reclined on a sofa, Baehlon attentive at her side. Sabina, Hayden, and Rhoane stood to one side, their heads bent in conversation. Tessa sat near Faelara, her feet swinging beneath her seat. Eliahnna hovered close to the balcony windows, a pensive expression on her face. Scattered plates, some with remnants of a meal growing cold, were nestled among half-empty glasses. Rhoane and Hayden held crystal tumblers full of amber liquid. At first glance, it looked like a dinner party rather than the strategic planning session it would soon become.

Rhoane noticed her entry before the others. Always attuned to her location, he was like a sun orbiting a planet. Or was it she was the sun, and he her world? Their gazes met and a frown creased his usually smooth brow. In two steps, he was there, beside her, his hand at her elbow. Even that small amount of touch set off spasms through her nerves. He’d be the death of her.

At the thought, her breath stilled.

The old Ullan crone’s warning settled in her heart anew. Rhoane would betray her twice, then he would kill her.

Bring it. She’d already died once after she blew up Lliandra’s ship; she was certain of it. That was why Enghor had called her Dead One. He smelled the pall of death on her. What would be another death? And by Rhoane’s hand? As long as it involved his sex magic, she wouldn’t care.

“What troubles you?” Rhoane’s silky voice came just behind her ear. His warm breath tickled the hairs on her neck.

“Just accepting what the gods throw at me, I guess.” She turned and brushed his cheek with her lips. “Nothing you ever do will make me not love you. Always remember.”

His eyes clouded. “I will remember. As you should keep in your heart the knowledge you are my life, Taryn ap Galendrin. I would never knowingly hurt you.”

“I know.” She held his gaze, unease rippling down her back. The turn of phrase, and the stress he put upon the words—she would have to keep tighter control of her thoughts. It wouldn’t do if he plucked the old crone’s warning from her memories. She never wanted him to know what she’d been told in Ulla. It would only hurt him, and they’d been through too much already.

“Would you like us to leave?” Hayden snorted. “If you need privacy, please, say the word. Otherwise, if it’s not too inconvenient, would you care to tell us why we’ve been assembled?”

“I have news.” Taryn scanned their faces and scrambled for the best way to present her hypothesis.

“Well, what is it?” Tessa asked.

“I believe I know who our mysterious pirate is, and why he chose to attack Mother’s ship when he did.”

Their voices rose in unison. Question upon question was hurled at her, and she withered under the scrutiny. It was a working theory, nothing more, but they wanted details.

Taryn gave them a complete account

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