Ruein: Fires of Haraden: Action/Adventure Necromancy Series (Books of Ruein Book 2), G.O. Turner [little bear else holmelund minarik txt] 📗

breastplate and withdrew her copper medallion. Emblazoned in the relief was a skull before red flames. “She was there, in their room. I went to check on them as they slept. She wouldn’t let me act against her. I was her puppet.”

Dark Gods. Ruein’s own… Her sister-in-law had defied her, blasphemed against.

The depth of Shegar’s voice reverberated behind Liv. “Are you saying, your necromancy goddess came to claim you?”

Ruein failed to acknowledge the man. She held Liv’s gaze. “Not me.”

Liv’s eyes widened. She glared at her niece and nephew. Nayr volleyed silent gestures at the slumbering Caleb. Arim quietly denied him, parking herself between. They seemed the same innocents as always.

“I…I don’t understand. She came for the twins?” Liv asked.

“No. Just Nayr.”

Liv turned back to her sister. “What’d you do?”

“Nothing,” said Ruein. “There was nothing I could do. She held me…somehow. All I could do was watch. Shades of forever. She just sat there, on their bed…like a doting…mother.”

Kaea groused, “That is no sort of mother! None I’d care to name.”

“What about Arim?” asked Liv.

“They both slept. Neither woke.”

Fuck-all for small blessings. What in the nine hells. They’re just children! Liv crossed her arms. “So, your bloody goddess paid a visit. Made you watch as she did…what?”

“She kissed his head and then faded away.”

“That’s it?” Kaea asked.

“I was held in place till dawn. I guess to be given time to consider what had happened. What I might have done. What I should do.” Ruein spread open arms. “Thus, here we are.”

The tent settled to a hush.

Liv’s mind whirled. That dark shit was over. We’d done our part. Won. It’s not… She’s no right to… Liv bit her lip. Embers ignited within, then she belted out, “Well, she can’t have him.”

With a snort and a lurch, Caleb flailed himself up to a seated position. Tired eyes blinked for awareness.

“She won’t.” Ruein’s head dipped. “I’ll not have it.”

Kaea eyed the warriors. He sniffed. “Never gone against a god before. But were I to pick, I’d make a first for that damned one.” He turned to his resplendent guest.

Shegar remained quiet. His gaze held Kaea’s then slowly drifted around to all those present. To his friend, he said, “You look to me. You’d have me offer a say?”

Kaea nodded. “I’d be a fool not to.”

“Then I must ask, why would the goddess of death and magic have an interest in the boy?” He rounded to Ruein. “Have you offered him up?”

“No,” said Ruein.

Liv shook her head. “And why Nayr and not Arim?”

“That much is simple enough.” Shegar’s head tipped back. “There is an aura upon her, brilliant and giving. She is…warded. Need you guesses by whom?” He cocked an eye at Liv.

Kaea stood a bit taller. “Manu?”

Shegar gave a smiling nod. “Your son, her father. That is my thought as well.”

Kaea continued, “She tells me of her dreams. A hearty bear visits her in the night. He protects her?”

Liv pivoted between the two. “Then why not Nayr?”

Taking in the boy, Shegar squeezed his eyes in earnest. “He does not share her aura. His is vague, ephemeral.” Consternation pulled at his cheeks. “It slips and slides. Difficult to hold.”

“Odds blood,” muttered Kaea. “Was it a fluke?”

Liv moved closer. “Father?”

“Go on,” Shegar prodded.

Kaea shared a distant, wandering stare between them. “The ship…I’d chartered passage to keep them safe should you all…” He fought down a grimace. “Something happened. For a short time, I lost the boy. Little scallyworgs had yet to find their sea legs. They were holed up in their bunks. One moment Nayr was there, the next…not. The crew searched and found him keeled up in a mast. There was no blessed sense to it.”

Liv looked up to her father. “You’d not mentioned this before.”

“Wasn’t by omission. We were all just so glad to be out from under those horrors. Days of relief had simply slid past me.”

Shegar closed his eyes and brought his hands together. “Hence the kiss.”

Ruein rounded on him. “What? Why?”

“Why does any god do what they do?” Shegar opened a hand to her. “She seeks a value, one that she’s chosen to hallmark. Your goddess intends to keep track. I’d surmise without that kiss it’d be difficult to do otherwise.”

Liv barely contained her snarl. “He’s just a boy!”

“He is,” Shegar said. “He is also potential.”

“Potential?” She stamped her foot.

Kaea rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Ruein’s necromancy god thinks to skulk over my grandson? Not while I live and breathe!”

“Heh. Dear Kaea.” Shegar smirked. “As if that’d be an impedim—”

“Fuck the bloody bitch!” spouted Ruein.

Shegar Negrath flinched. His groomed jaw held slack.

“Damn right,” added Liv.

“You openly defy?” Shegar leaned toward Ruein. “Well, regardless of decorum, you’ve no notion on how to deny her.” He rounded to Liv. “Have you?”

Looks were exchanged. The hush fell back over again.

Liv had will. She had drive and determination. But, most importantly, she did not stand alone. She clasped her father’s hand. “We have faith.”

Kaea’s grip tightened. “The Light will provide.”

Drawing a breath, Shegar turned about. He circled, his gaze preceding him, then came to a stop, facing Nayr. “Mayhaps, it already has.” He stood for a beat, before crossing to him.

The dragon whispered something. Was it to himself? What was he saying?

Kneeling to the boy, Shegar glanced back to Ruein. “You mentioned Haraden before. I am familiar with that realm.”

Ruein shrugged. “It was nothing. A worthless errand.”

“An errand for you?”

“One I care not for. Murder within their land.” Ruein flashed a look at Liv. “Seems the Doctorate would prefer me far away, tending to their chores.”

Liv reared. “The Doctorate?”

“Yes. Ackeber dragged Twigs and Ceer in as her advocate. Thought I might hold a grudge.”

Liv riled. “That bitch! I’d not just hold a grudge against her, I’d smack the living shit out of it.”

Ruein shook her head. “Arim and Nayr were in the next room. She left her peace offering on the way out.”

“Hmm…” Shegar tipped Nayr’s chin, leveling his face to his. “And lo, though the signs were there, Centarus bypassed as