Queen of the Darkness

bother to come? Just to gloat?"
    "No. I came to stand as witness for those who are gone."
    Kartane studied her, then shook his head. "You can end this."
    "I've already told you, I can't."
    "You can end this. You can stop this pain. And you're damn well going to!"
    With a howl of rage, Kartane rushed her—and went right through her. He hit the door, unable to stop himself.
    When he turned around, there was no one else in the room.
----
    5 / Kaeleer
    Daemon approached Jaenelle cautiously, reluctant to disturb her solitude and not sure what to think about the odd blend of sadness and satisfaction on her face. The solitude was an illusion, of course. When she had left her room in the guardhouse and gone out to sit near the creek, Lucivar, Chaosti, and half a dozen Dea al Mon guards had followed her, swiftly disappearing into the woods. He couldn't see any of them, but he knew they were nearby, watching and listening.
    "Here," he said quietly, handing her a mug. "It's just herbal tea. Nothing fancy." When she thanked him, he slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, feeling self-conscious. "Is everything all right?"
    Jaenelle hesitated. "I did what I went to do." She took a sip of the tea, peered into the cup, then looked at him. "What's in this?"
    "A little of this and that."
    "Uh-huh."
    If that doubtful tone had come from any other woman, he would have felt insulted. But the concentration—and hint of frustration—in her eyes as she took another sip indicated that her doubt was caused by his dismissive "nothing fancy" rather than the brew itself.
    She eyed him speculatively. "I don't suppose you would be willing to exchange the recipe for this brew for one of mine?"
    Since she liked it that much, it was tempting to refuse so that he would be the only one who could make it for her, but he quickly realized that the time spent with her over a table full of herbs would serve him far better.
    Daemon smiled. "I know a couple of brews you might find interesting."
    Jaenelle returned the smile, then drained the mug and stood up. "I'd like to head out to Amdarh soon," she said as they walked back to the guardhouse. "That way, we can get settled in tonight."
    Despite Lucivar's and Chaosti's firm warnings, Daemon had to bite his tongue to keep from suggesting that she eat something first. They had told him her resistance against any attempt to get some food into her would be in direct proportion to her mood when she returned from this meeting. He'd only needed one glance at her face when she came out of her room to know any suggestion would have been pointless.
    "I think you'll like Amdarh," Jaenelle said. "It's a beautiful—" She stopped walking, then sniffed the air. "Is that stew?"
    "I believe it is," Daemon replied mildly. "Lucivar and Chaosti made it. It should be just about done."
    "They made wildwood stew?"
    "I believe that's what it's called."
    Jaenelle eyed him. "I suppose you're hungry."
    Even if he had never picked up a cue before in his life, he couldn't have missed that one. "Actually, I am. Do you think we could wait until after dinner before heading to Amdarh?"
    Jaenelle turned her head away from him, but not enough that he couldn't see her lick her lips. "It wouldn't take that long to have a bowl of stew. Or two," she added as she hurried toward the guardhouse.
    Daemon lengthened his stride to keep up, and wondered how much of a tussle the males were going to have in order to get their fair share.
----
    6 / Kaeleer
    Kartane burst into Jorval's dining room. "Is that bitch alive?" he demanded.
    Jorval hurried toward him while a man Kartane had never seen before sat at the table and just stared.
    "Lord Kartane," Jorval said anxiously. "If I'd known the healing would be done so soon, we would have waited din—"
    "Damn you, just answer the question! Is she alive?"
    "Lady Angelline? Yes, of course she's alive. Why do you ask? Didn't she arrive?"
    "She arrived," Kartane snarled.
    "I don't understand," Jorval said, almost wailing. "She's the best Healer in the Realm. If she—"
    "SHE'S THE ONE WHO DID THIS TO ME!"
    Jorval's shocked look was quickly replaced by a sly one. "I see. Please, come and join us. I can see you've had a distressing afternoon. Perhaps some food and company will help."
    "Nothing will help until that bitch is made to heel," Kartane snapped, accepting a chair at the table and a quickly filled glass of wine. He glared at the other man, who continued to stare at him.
    "Lord Kartane," Jorval said