“Because I don’t think it’s right, what Ta’sradala is doing,” Deryna said. “I wish I could do more, but she is far too powerful for me to stand against, and as you can see, my sister is not inclined tointervene.”
“No kidding,” I said after I’d swallowed a spoonful of stew. “If Ennartha is your sister, does that make you half-Tua as well?” I didn’t understand why she looked so old, if that was thecase.
Deryna shook her head. “We are half-sisters,” she explained. “I was born from our father’s real wife, long after Ennartha was brought to us. We had other siblings, too, but I’m the only one left alive. It is frustrating,” she added, her wrinkled features tightening into a scowl, “to be powerless in one’s ownhouse.”
I stared. “You mean to say that this estate belongs toyou?”
She nodded. “Ennartha does not stay in one place very long—she travels extensively. Since she is family, I have allowed her to keep a residence here, but the estate is legally mine.” She sighed. “I am especially concerned about the effect Ta’sradala’s visit is having on my great-grandson. He lost his family to the Tua and is scared to death ofher.”
I nodded sympathetically. “He told me about that earlier,” I said. “I invited him to stay with Iannis and me in Canalo. When this is all over, you should bring him there. Iannis said that Ta’sradala is unlikely to ever go to theFederation.”
Deryna opened her mouth to answer, then stopped as we heard a loud commotiondownstairs.
“Where is Sunaya?” Iannis thundered, his fury echoing through the entire house. “She had better be here, safe and unharmed, Mother, or there will be hell topay!”
16
“By the Lady,”Deryna exclaimed, rising from her chair. “Is thatIannis?”
I hopped off the bed as excitement rushed through my veins, eager to bound down the stairs and straight into his arms. But my legs were still stiff, so I was forced to hobble. Not exactly the way I’d imagined reuniting with Iannis, but it sure as hell beat never seeing himagain.
“I’m surprised it took you so long to get here,” Ta’sradala said in a silky voice, and I froze. She was already back? My heart sank. “I knew that mortal was bad news, Iannis. She’s made youweaker.”
“Nonsense,” Iannis said. “I simply hadn’t expected you to hide out in Aunt Deryna’s house like acriminal.”
“How dare you speak to your grandmother that way!” Ennartha scolded. “You were taught to respect your elders and show better manners thanthat.”
“I would not call my manners to account if I were you just now, Mother,” Iannis said icily. “You have both gone far beyond the pale, kidnapping my bride-to-be. You even blocked our serapha charms so we could not sense each other. How could you connive at suchcruelty?”
“It ill becomes you to storm and shout like this, Iannis,” Ta’sradala said sharply. “You are behaving like a human—no, worse, like that hybrid brat you’ve foolishly decided to marry. Clearly, she has exerted a very bad influence on you. I don’t know why you’re so angry—girls come and go, and marriage is really not a good idea for people as long-lived as us. If you wish to start a family, I know a Tua female with a fascination for exotics like yourself.” I could practically hear the feline smile in her voice. “She would give you a strong, long-lived child. This feeble, short-lived mortal is simply not a proper match foryou.”
Iannis said something, but I didn’t hear it, because my ears were roaring and I was seeing red. Ignoring my stiff legs, I jumped down the rest of the steps, then burst into the sittingroom.
“I’ve had enough of you,” I spat as Ta’sradala and Ennartha stared at me, startled. “Iannis and I are getting married whether you like it or not, and there is absolutelynothingyou can do aboutit.”
“Sunaya!” As he spun toward me, the anger melted from Iannis’s face, replaced with relief. I leapt into his arms, and he crushed me tightly against him. Joy swept through me as I kissed him fiercely, clutching at his broad shoulders as I inhaled his familiar scent. The stress and misery that had plagued me evaporated, leaving me feeling safe and warm in hisarms.
“Are you all right?”Iannis asked in mindspeak, his mouth still pressed against mine. Tears stung my eyes at the concern in his voice, but I blinked them back—I would sooner die than dissolve into tears in front of hisgrandmother.
“I’m fine,”I assured him, not wanting to rile him up with everything that had happened just yet.“I’m just glad you’re finallyhere.”
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to arrive,”Iannis said ruefully.“I did not have a gulaya keyed to Manuc, and it took me some time to figure out exactly where you were, never mind the travel time to get here. Not to mention a hurricane blew the ship offcourse.”
“How long has it been since Idisappeared?”
“Twelvedays.”
“Please tell me that it isn’t going to take that long to get back.”That was cutting itwaytoo close to the weddingdate.
“Of course not. I’ve brought a gulaya. We’ll be returning homeshortly.”
“Make sure not to use it in front of your grandmother. I tried that, and she disarmed mine before I could activateit.”
“If you two are quite finished with this disgustingly sentimental display,” Ta’sradala said coldly, “I don’t believe we are done with thisconversation.”
“We most certainly are,” Iannis said as we reluctantly broke apart. “Sunaya and I are going homenow.”
“Iannis,” Deryna said soothingly, having come in at some point while we were embracing. “I understand that you are angry, and rightfully so. But it has been an age since you have come to visit. Please, at least sit down for a meal with us before you go, like a realfamily.”
