“A real family?” Iannis said, his voice tight with barely leashed rage. “Is this the sort of behavior a ‘real family’ engagesin?”
Ta’sradala snorted contemptuously and vanished from sight. Was she truly gone, or simply invisible? Everyone else seemed to relax, so hopefully the former. She’d be back soon enough, I guessed, as leaving the rest of us in peace was hardly on her agenda. Or was she finally conceding defeat and allowing us to return toCanalo?
“I am truly sorry for what your bride has endured,” Deryna said to Iannis. “Please know I had no part in it—you know how we cannot stand up to your grandmother, no matter how outrageous she becomes. But there is a family member you have not yet met.” She pulled her skirts to the left, revealing Drawe, who had been hiding behind her. “This is Drawe, yournephew.”
Iannis’s eyes widened in surprise. “Nephew?” he asked, peering down at Drawe curiously. The boy, still clutching at Deryna’s skirts, refused to meet his eyes, but at least he hadn’t run off. “He is Cousin Sharla’s son? I didn’t realize they’d had achild.”
“Yes. I took him in when he was a wee babe.” Deryna stroked his mop of dark red hair. “Come, Drawe. Say hello to your UncleIannis.”
Drawe finally lifted his head. He stared as Iannis crouched down to meet him at eye level. “You’re a very handsome young man,” he said gently. “I can see your mother in you. She was a lovelywoman.”
Drawe lowered his gaze again. “Thank you,” he mumbled. “I didn’t know her,though.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard stories about her,” Iannis said solemnly. “I have quite a few from when we were children that I’d love to share with you when you have the time. Would you likethat?”
The boy nodded. Iannis straightened, then offered him a hand. Drawe hesitated for a moment before he took it, and my heart melted as I watched the two of them head into the dining room. Iannis would be a great father when the timecame.
Ennartha was regarding me doubtfully, as though still wondering what her son could see in me, but I couldn’t be bothered to resent her just now. I was just so happy Iannis had come for me before his bitch of a grandmother sent me off on yet another life-threatening challenge. With any luck, we’d be out of here before dessert, and I’d finally get to sleep in my ownbed.
I’m never taking my life for granted again,I decided as we sat down for dinner. Yes, it could be tedious and stressful at times, but at least back home I wasn’t powerless andinsignificant.
Despite Deryna’s attempts at peacemaking, tension crackled in the air as we ate the meal that had been set out—pork roast, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Glancing at Drawe, who was sitting next to Iannis, I refrained from recounting my ordeal and simply enjoyed thefood.
“This is very good,” Iannis said to Deryna in an attempt to lighten things up. “I’d forgotten how good your cook is. I’ll have to come and visit moreoften.”
The air crackled and Ta’sradala reappeared in our midst. My food nearly went down the wrong pipe, and from the sudden silence, I knew everyone else was equallyuneasy.
“Who says you are leaving at all?” she demanded. Ennartha paled, Deryna put a hand over her eyes, and Drawe cowered back in his chair. “Your bride has not passed my test. She has cheated at all of thechallenges.”
“You keep saying that, and Magorah help me, I’ll figure out a way to rip that icy black heart out of your chest,” I growled. “As I’ve said before, you never laid down any ground rules, so there’s no way that I was cheating. You’re just making shit up as you goalong.”
“Is that true?” Iannis asked pointedly. “You told Sunaya she had to pass some test and did not tell her therules?”
“I assumed she knew them,” Ta’sradala said haughtily. “Clearly I gave her too muchcredit.”
“Mother,” Ennartha said, her tone cajoling. “It is unlikely an ignorant mortal would automatically know your rules. Nobody here can support your claim that Sunayacheated.”
“I agree,” Iannis said. “How many challenges has shecompleted?”
“Three,” Deryna said before Ta’sradala could answer. “And they were all dangerousenough.”
“Surely Sunaya and Iannis have proven their tenacity if nothing else,” Ennartha said. “Perhaps we should let them return home and marry. Foolish or not, it is obvious that they are not going to be dissuaded from their course no matter what you say or do,Mother.”
“I agree,” Deryna said. “Let them behappy.”
Ta’sradala looked like she wanted to object, but before she could, a male Tua appeared by her shoulder in a flash of light. Drawe screamed and hid under the table, which I couldn’t blame him for—the Tua was huge, twelve feet of pure, masculine power. His silvery-blond head scraped the top of the ceiling, and that waswithhim shrinking down his form. He narrowed golden eyes on Ta’sradala, who stood up so quickly I barely registered themotion.
“Brother,” she said in a deeply respectful voice, bowing. I stared—I couldn’t believe that Ta’sradala would be subservient to anyone, but here she was, bowing before someone else! Ennartha was on her feet and bowing as well, and if not for the fact that Iannis and Deryna remained rooted in their chairs, I might have done thesame.
“That is my Great Uncle R’gaolar,”Iannis said in a shocked voice.“The head of my grandmother’s clan in the Tuarealm.”
“Really?”I craned my neck, looking up at him with interest.“You’ve met him when you visited the Tua realm, I’mguessing?”
“No, he came to Recca once before, when I was very small. But that was an ageago.”
“Sister,” R’gaolar said, his voice cold. “I come seeking myyoungest.”
“Broghan?” Ta’sradala answered, sounding confused. “I have not seenhim.”
