Warcry

and cover it. We’ll decide in the morning.”
    “What should I do with this?” Amyu asked, holding up the hilt of the Sword of Xy.
    Heath opened his mouth and then stopped dead, looking around with a frown.
    “Where is Atira?”

CHAPTER 30
     
    HEATH’S STOMACH CLENCHED IN FEAR. “WHERE’S Atira?” Heath demanded again as Amyu stared at him.
    “I don’t know,” Amyu said. “I saw the tall blond swing at your back as you ran past, and Atira attacked him. Last I saw, she was forcing him back out of the throne room—”
    Heath bolted through the doors toward the throne room.
    The hall was filled with people aiding the wounded and dealing with the mess. “Atira,” Heath bellowed, causing heads to turn.
    There was no answer. Heath strode forward, searching the faces of the injured. Atira was a warrior, she wouldn’t be—
    “She ran that way.” A thin hand pointed at the tower stairs.
    Kendrick was leaning against the wall, with one of the healer apprentices looking after him. “That way,” he said, his voice cracking. “She was a fine figure in that dress, let me tell you. Running right after young Lanfer’s ass, a fine sight.” The old man sighed. “If I were younger—”
    “What?” Heath demanded.
    “Lanfer fled up the tower stairs, and she followed,” Kendrick said. “That’s the last I saw of her.”
    Heath cursed and ran for the stairs. He pelted up them as fast as he could, overtaking Lara and Keir and their guards. Yveni and Ander shifted to let him pass. Keir paused on the steps, Lara in his arms, and lifted an eyebrow. Rafe and Prest were above him on the steps, waiting.
    “Atira,” Heath paused for a breath. “She’s chasing Lanfer somewhere in the castle.”
    Yveni and Ander drew their weapons, as did Rafe and Prest.
    “You’ll need help,” Keir said. “We’ll—”
    A tone like a huge bell sounded, a long note that seemed to hang in the air. For a breath, Heath thought it was church bells.
    But this was no bell. The tone pulsed through the stone walls, and the tower trembled with the sound. Heath froze, feeling it in his very bones.
    He wasn’t the only one. Everyone else was still, as well, eyes wide.
    The tone held. Heath couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move.
    The Plains warriors, including Keir, turned as one and looked in the same direction as if they could see past the stone walls of the castle.
    In the direction of the Plains.
    Then the tone was gone.
    Keir staggered slightly, and Heath moved up to help him cradle Lara even as he struggled to pull air into his lungs.
    “Keir?” Lara asked. “What was . . . Oh Goddess.” Her face contorted with pain.
    “Help me,” Keir said as Lara writhed in his arms.
    Heath moved in, taking some of Lara’s weight. “Lara, what—”
    “The babe,” she groaned. “I think it’s—”
    Keir recovered his balance swiftly. “We need to get her to our chambers and summon Eln. You take Rafe and—”
    “No,” Heath said, waiting to make sure Keir was steady on his feet before he stepped away. “Lara’s safety comes first.” His stomach clenched again, but he knew what he needed to do. He glanced up the stairs and back at Keir. “I’ll wait until you’re both safe in your chambers. Come. Swiftly.” Heath led the way, calling for any guards within hearing. He glanced over his shoulder at Keir. “What was that?”
    Keir shook his head. “I do not know. But something has happened at the Heart of the Plains.”
    “Good or bad?” Heath asked.
    “I wish I knew.”

    HEATH’S CALLS HAD BROUGHT PEOPLE RUNNING, and he’d sent guards for Anna and Eln. The Queen’s chambers were filling with various lords and officials. In addition, white-robed noble ladies came to assist, carrying cloths and bedding, some by the fire, adding wood and setting water to boil.
    Anna bustled in as they arrived, dressed in her normal kitchen garb, a clean apron over her girth. It eased Heath’s heart to see her looking so normal.
    “The bed’s ready, Lara, whenever you feel it’s right,” Anna said as Keir attempted to set her on her feet. “We’ll get you out of that dress . . .”
    Lara wobbled as she tried to stand, hunching over slightly, her teeth clenched.
    “It helps to scream,” Keir said.
    “Another trite—” Lara gasped and then cried out as she clung to Keir. She sucked in a breath, looking up at him in surprise. “Oh. It does.”
    “Men in the birthing chamber. I don’t like—” Anna started to