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  “No, I am okay, really. Rowan, I just need to get back to camp. I need to speak with Maris. It is really important.” Honor was silently pleading with him to understand.

  “Okay. Absolutely. Let’s go.” Rowan kept her hand in his as their steps quickened toward camp.

  Gray hurried to keep up with them. It was not difficult for him with his long, muscular legs. “What’s the rush, you guys?”

  “You’ll see. While I was sick, Maris told me a story. I do not remember much of it. I have this feeling that if she tells it again now, I will understand the importance of it.”

  Neither Rowan nor Gray offered a response though they did exchange a confused look. By the time they reached tent Maris and Gray shared, Honor was out of breath. The woman who had become her mother seemed to sense her approach as she burst through the tent flaps. A look of expectation quickly turned to elation when she spotted Honor at the lead of their trio.

  “Honor! Thank goodness you are alright.” The warmth of her embrace enveloped Honor.

  “Maris, Honor says she spoke to an impaiso last night. She said she was healed by the creature,” Gray intoned, wrapping his arms around both women.

  Maris reacted instantly, pulling her family inside the confines of the tent. Once she was certain all four were inside, she dropped her voice and began to ask Honor specific questions.

  “How did the impaiso come to heal you?”

  “I do not exactly remember. Delta was speaking to Harcos . . .”

  “Who is Harcos?” Maris questioned.

  Honor stole a glance at Rowan and Gray before answering. “He was a canthion. He said we are connected, and that’s why I can understand him. Eirny said he has the son of a general?”

  Maris nodded. “Interesting. I take it this Eirny is the impaiso?”

  Honor nodded. “They said she traveled from the north. Her accent was heavier than any I’d ever heard. Gray said you are from the north, too. Now that I think about it, I can hear the similarities in the way you speak. Of course, your accent is nowhere near as intense as Eirny’s.”

  Maris furrowed her brow in Gray’s direction. It had not occurred to Honor that her origins were to be kept secret, but the look that passed between husband and wife told her she should have kept her mouth shut. Honor cleared her throat.

  “Right. One thing at a time then. So, Delta was speaking with Harcos, then what?” Maris prompted.

  “They were talking about someone being late. It was hard to focus. I was so cold. At the time, I had no idea who Delta was speaking to. Once the impaiso arrived, I do not remember much other than their insistence that it bite me. I tried to get away, but my body was not strong enough to obey. Delta and Harcos held me in place. I needn’t have worried, though. There was only the slightest discomfort before all the pain and fever disappeared.”

  Rowan and Gray seemed to hang on her every word. They already knew the basics of what she had experienced after they left her in the care of the nymph, but there had not been much opportunity to give them details.

  “In the northern reaches of Alderwood, there were many creatures that are completely unheard of here in Ternion Forest. The impaiso is one such creature. According to the elders of my home, these creatures were once held in high esteem. No one can exactly say why, or at least no one is willing to say why, but through the years, they’ve become scarcer. I remember once as a child when my grandfather took me hiking along a ridge near his home, I had wandered away from him. I was an impetuous girl, always looking for mischief. Because I did not know the terrain as well as my grandfather, I was soon lost. I slipped on a rock and cut my leg very badly. The pain was so intense I could not put any weight on it. The sun had set, I could hear my name being called against the wind. I was certain I would die alone in the cold that night.”

  Maris paused to take a sip of water from the jug beside her bed. “Just as I was beginning to lose all hope of being found, a small movement nearby alerted me to an approaching creature. At first glance, I thought it was a common snake searching for a mouse to devour as a late-night snack. If it was venomous and found me instead, I would surely be done for. But, the impaiso that found me was far from common, and preferred ripe blackberries to any other food. With a long, slender body that was beginning to sprout soft, colorful feathers, the impaiso was a well-kept secret in the once proud Kingdom of Creatures. Just as the canthions from my childhood stories had once been proud warriors, the impaiso had once been the undisputed source of magical healing.”

  The others were silent as Maris completed her story. “It spoke to me in a long-forgotten language that I only knew because my grandfather had insisted I learn. He was the reason I even knew what an impaiso was. He was the reason I knew the stories I did from a time long past. The impaiso offered to help me, he said I had to trust him. As a child, I still held very strongly to the belief in magic. Of course, I trusted him and allowed him to bite my leg. The bite of an impaiso removes poisons, infections, diseases, any impurity in the blood or body. Instead of injecting poison as a venomous snake would, the impaiso pulls the imperfections from the body and allows you to heal.”

  Rowan was in awe; Gray did not look surprised. Obviously, they had shared everything as husband and wife. Honor understood the description of the impaiso bite on a deeper level than she imagined. It made sense to hear that the toxins in her body had been removed. She still felt a bit tired and weak, but she certainly did not feel as though she had been ill for so long.

  Maris continue to ask her questions about Eirny. She wanted every last morsel of information. Finally, she seemed satisfied that Honor had given her everything. Rowan slipped away to bring them cheese, bread, and honey mead. By the time he returned, Honor was not sure she could tolerate another second without something in her belly.

  As she chewed in quiet reflection, Maris paced the length of her tent. Every few moments she would pause as though she had something to say, then think better of it and continue her pacing. Honor took advantage of the temporary freedom by devouring an embarrassingly large lump of cheese and inhaling a thick slice of buttered bread. She was just washing it down with some sweet mead when Rowan broke the silence.

  “Mother, Honor recalls you telling her some sort of story while she fought the fever but does not remember all the details. I believe she was wondering if you would tell her again.”

  The color nearly drained from the already pale faced woman. “Um. I can certainly re-tell the story. But I think it should be just between Honor and myself.”

  “Oh. Of course.” Rowan nodded his head toward both women before holding the tent flap open for himself and Gray. “We will not be far if you need us.”

  Honor faced Maris with renewed excitement. Her heart leaped to her throat as she caught brief whispers of the story within her mind. “I recall you telling me about the three kingdoms. About how the Kingdoms of Creatures and Earth fell to the Kingdom of Man. I want to hear more of the story, but first can I ask you a question?”

  Maris nodded her assent.

  “What made you tell me such a tale?”

  “Honor, as I am sure you have discerned someone had to undress and clean the mark in an attempt to ebb the infection. I insisted that I be alone to tend to your needs. There was no need for more to see your mark than necessary. I know you looked beneath the dressing at some point before returning home. I know you saw your unique mark.”

  “I did. I am so sorry. I know it was reckless. I know I should have heeded the warning of the practitioner, of everyone who has had their mark and told me to leave the dressing on. My brain was going in too many places at once. The visions were so—” Honor paused, remembering the death of the woman she now looked to for answers.

  “What’s done is done. I have seen your mark, do not risk anything more by telling me of your visions. Those are for you and you alone.” Maris placed a hand on Honor’s shoulder, guiding her to sit on the padded bench opposite the bed she shared with Gray.

  “Okay. I
was confused. I was angry. I was torn between wanting to follow my heart and needing to know if it was possible. I looked because I was certain my destiny would include Rowan.” Her head dropped in shame.

  Maris chuckled. “Who’s to say it does not? Your mark cannot possibly outline everyone and everything that will help you complete what lies before you. It is not a set of instructions. As we both know, your mark does not spell out that you are fated to be with my son. But that does not mean it cannot be so.”

  Honor smiled back at the other woman. “Which is basically what Rowan told me when he caught up to me. I do not yet know what the future holds for us, but I feel confident that we will face it together.”

  “And for that, I am thankful. Now, the first thing I noticed about that mark of yours is the color that has already blossomed there. A pool of deep red blood. I know, first-hand, that marks may not color all at once though I have never heard of anyone starting with color.”

  Honor raised an eyebrow at Maris. In her vision, all the woman’s mark had been filled in but the part of the design that looked like a laurel branch with small, detailed blooms. Now, as she reflected on her visions once more, she could not help but wonder if that laurel branch had something to do with her mother. Honor could not have been influenced by learning that her mother was called Laurel before her vision quest. She did not learn the name until her subsequent conversation with Renata. Could Maris have known Laurel? Or could that portion of her mark have something to do with Honor herself? Honor shook her head and rested it in her hands. How could her vision have shown her the mark of another person?

  “What are you thinking?” Maris whispered.

  Honor jumped slightly. She had almost forgotten the other woman was in the tent with her. Perhaps she was tired, perhaps she was lost in her own world, perhaps she was still sleeping. Honor could not put a finger on what felt so surreal about her situation. Nothing was certain in Alderwood, why would her future be any different?

  Chapter 7

  While it made Honor feel better to know Maris was optimistic about her mark, it did not change the fact that there were still too many questions. Maris knew precious little about the canthions. Her stories were based on legends handed down for generations amongst the people of the northlands. According to those legends, the canthions had once fought alongside mankind, and the Gildi had been an elite force to protect and guide the trio of rulers who represented each kingdom.

  Honor did not share the ominous message from Harcos she’d had in her vision. She knew some things were meant for her to discover in time, and the best way to discover them was to speak to Harcos himself. Honor steered the conversation back to the implications of having a mark that was already partially colored in.

  “About the blood on my mark, why do you think it was colored in from the beginning?”

  Maris shook her head. “I have been contemplating that myself. The only thing I can think of that makes any sense is somehow the blood is already significant in your life.”

  Honor was troubled by the assessment. Nothing she had done or experienced should indicate a puddle of blood. Other than hunting, she had never harmed another living creature. In her vision, the blood had been on her hands as she faced the mysterious girl.

  With a sigh, Honor resigned at least try to let her destiny take its course. She knew her encounter with Harcos would not be the last. Perhaps he could offer some explanation to the things that confused her.

  “Honor, I do not know much about the world outside of my own experiences, but I can tell you, your mark is important.” Maris whispered the words as though the quieter she said them, the less they would bother her. “I believe it is you who will end the reign of the king. I believe it will be you who brings the prophecy to life.”

  Honor nodded. “I was afraid you would come to that conclusion, too. What concerns me is, I have not the slightest idea what is expected of me. I am not a killer. Even if I were inclined to kill someone, I could never walk right up and kill a king. Not with the Makt constantly demolishing all threats.”

  At that, Maris smiled. “That’s why it is so brilliant. Do you truly believe they would suspect that a sixteen-year-old girl is the threat they’ve been searching for all these years?”

  Honor let that sink in. There could be some truth to what Maris said, then again, she did not think the Makt had ever been looking for anyone in particular. They’d never cared who they killed or what they destroyed. As long as they could murder in the name of the king, they murdered anyone they decided to.

  “Perhaps we should discuss this more later. I should begin preparing supper for everyone, and I am certain Rowan would like some time with you. He has been very worried about you.”

  Honor offered a slight smile. She was not sure she would easily be able to put all that had happened from her mind. Maris squeezed Honor’s shoulder reassuringly before exiting the tent. The sad look in her eyes made Honor wonder what was going through her mind. It was not long after Maris left that Rowan entered the tent.

  “Go for a walk with me?” He posed it as a question, but Honor knew it was more of an earnest demand.

  She rose to her feet and took the hand he offered. The two followed the path that led to the river. Honor and Rowan carefully made their way across the stones that brought them to the other side. This time, instead of turning to the right and following the bank to Delta’s pond, they took the well-worn path straight ahead.

  “I am so glad you are recovered. It was torture seeing you like that.”

  The anguish in his voice stabbed into Honor’s core. She wanted to ease his pain. When she tried to imagine how she would have felt if the roles were reversed, a tightness crept its way into her chest. Honor pulled Rowan to a stop. They were well away from the prying eyes of camp and she longed to feel his lips on hers again. Rowan turned to face her with fire in his gaze.

  “I need you to know that I love you, Honor,” he whispered before she closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “I was beginning to suspect you felt something like that.” Honor grinned, bringing her face close to his. “I need you to know that I love you, too.”

  His lips had been patient long enough. He kissed her slowly, gently, as though he were afraid he would hurt her in her newly recovered state. Honor was still tired from her illness, but she could not get enough of his kiss. She added pressure to her return, leading Rowan to reciprocate the passion she felt blooming in her belly. Nothing could have prepared Honor for how wonderful it felt to taste his lips, to feel his hands caress her face. Her girlhood crush had become the love of her life, and she planned to hold on to him no matter what the future brought.

  When they broke apart, Rowan held her close to him. She leaned her head against his chest, relishing the sound of his heartbeat. For her, it seemed like only yesterday when they shared their first kiss on the road home from Milltown. Rowan had been tormented by the delicate balance between life and death as he watched her writhe in a fevered state. She did not envy him.

  “I think we should get married.” Rowan’s chest vibrated with his voice.

  Honor was shocked by his words. Of course, she wanted to be with him and knew in her heart they were heading for marriage, but they’d only just admitted their feelings for one another.

  “Are you sure now is the time?” Honor whispered.

  “I cannot think of a better time.”

  “Well, I can. I mean, this seems awfully soon. Do you not think people will wonder what’s going on? For me, it seems like yesterday that we had our first kiss. I love you, but it just seems so soon.”

  “I do not care about what people think. I am fairly certain our family here knows we’ve been heading in this direction for most of our lives.”

  Honor considered that for a few moments. She knew he was right, but she was not sure if that changed anything. Honor looked into the eyes of her best friend. It did not matter where their destinies were leading them, they knew
they would be together. A smile spread across her face.

  “Let’s do it,” Honor whispered.

  “Really?” Rowan replied with pure joy.

  Honor nodded. “Why not? We are doing this together either way.”

  A momentary look of confusion crossed Rowan’s face at her words. Honor was terrified she was dragging him into a future he would not survive. A twinge in her gut brought back flashes of them running through the alleyways of Pallisaide. If Rowan was willing to commit himself to her, she was willing to commit herself to keeping him alive in the uncertain future they both faced.

  He took her hand and continued leading her on their walk. The crunch of frozen leaves beneath their feet brought a slight smile to Honor’s face. If her visions held true, none of the things she saw would come to pass for months. She did not recall snow on the ground as she held Maris’ hand and she and Rowan were both dressed in light clothing as they raced through Pallisaide.

  “I think we are going to have to leave here soon.” The words spilled out of her mouth before she realized they were on the tip of her tongue.

  Rowan nodded. “I figured as much. There are things outside of our camp that we both need to face. My only request is that we leave here as a married couple.”

  Honor considered that for a moment, wondering what reason there was to rush their marriage. “You are getting impatient on me, Rowan.”

  “No, I simply know that civilized men will respect a married woman and treat her differently than they do a woman they may have the opportunity to wed. If you are my wife, I know I will be able to keep you safe.”

  Honor laughed aloud. “I understand what you are telling me, but you and I both know a title is not going to keep me safe if someone truly wishes to do me harm.”

  “Look, I love you, Honor. Nothing else matters to me but being with you forever. There are many reasons I want to marry you, but none of them mean anything compared to the love I feel for you.”