Warlord

showed my thought, and Liam caught it in an instant. "He's here, isn't he?" I nodded, picking up the poor abused ehat figure. "I've seen him."
    "Do you know how hard that is for him?" Liam shook his head, and crossed his arms over his chest. "His loyalty to Keir is absolute." He examined me intently. "And to you as well, it seems." Suddenly, Keekai's words to Marcus when she'd seen him made perfect sense. "He worried about you. When Keekai arrived, she told him that you hadn't been hurt on campaign." Liam sagged. "But he didn't actually ask, did he?"
    I sighed, looking at the ehat carving. "No."
    "When Keir brought Marcus back to me, and Marcus recovered enough to speak, the first thing he did was call me to his tent and announce that the bond had melted away in the fires, along with his ear." Liam struggled with the words.
    "He pushed you away because of his scars, didn't he?" I asked, softly. I placed the ehat on the board. "It would affect your status, wouldn't it?"
    "What of it?" Liam cried out. "Do you know how empty the days are? How empty my arms are at night?" He turned to pace again, so he didn't see me blush. That was something I wasn't ready to think about. My people didn't. . . such a thing was not approved of. And it was one thing to know that Firelanders had those kinds of relationships. I'd known that. Certainly Osa had made it clear. But now it was someone I knew, someone I cared for. I swallowed hard. Marcus, who had protected me with his blades and cared for me when I'd been so deathly ill.
    Marcus, who I considered a friend, had bonded with a man.
    I swallowed hard.
    Liam still prowled, and I watched his hands clench into fists. I couldn't deny the longing in his voice. I'd heard it in my own, when I spoke of Keir.
    "I will not give up," Liam vowed. "One day I will find a way across the plains that he has placed between us. I'll have him back, at my side, I swear it by—"
    "Warlord."
    Liam and I both jumped, and turned to see his warrior pull the flap aside. Liam frowned. "Yes, Rish, what is it?'
    "Word from the Council."
    Finally!
    Finally, I'd see the Council. I fussed with my hair as I tried to match Liam's stride. Wiping imaginary crumbs from my tunic kept my nerves at bay for a moment.
    What I really wanted was a moment to change, to put on that red dress, to arm myself against the foe. At least I had my satchel. I adjusted it on my hip, tugging the strap into place between my breasts. We'd been told the summons was urgent, and Liam had offered to escort me, along with Amyu and my warrior-priest guards. I accepted gratefully, although I couldn't help but wonder if he didn't want to try to get a glimpse of Marcus.
    The Council tent appeared, looking even larger and more imposing. I trotted to keep up with Liam. We entered the tent to find the area filled with people. Liam headed toward the main area between the fire pits and I followed close behind. He stopped, and I stepped to stand beside him. Off to the left, I saw Iften and Wesren, standing with the warrior-priest Gathering Storm. Their faces were not welcoming, and I turned away, grateful that Liam and Amyu walked with me between the fire pits.
    The Eldest were ahead of us, standing on the base, the tiers behind them filled with Elders. I looked around, and suddenly familiar faces filled my sight. Atira, with a wide smile, and Heath just behind her. Joden, his face still so filled with pain. I gave him a smile, and then behind him—
    Keir!
    Joy rang through my entire body, and I ran toward him without thinking. "Keir!" My arm was grabbed by one of the warrior-priests, who jerked me to a stop. My satchel shifted, and I lost my balance, stumbling a bit, as one of the other guards grabbed my flailing arm.
    "Take your hands off her!" Keir's voice cried out, and there was movement around me, but I was still try ing to find my feet.
    "Hold." Essa's voice boomed out. "HOLD."
    Everyone around us stopped moving, and I managed to look up, to find a furious Keir being held back by Simus and Liam. I made eye contact, and smiled, trying to reassure him.
    "Release her," Essa directed, and my guards obeyed. "Xylara, Daughter of Xy, are you hurt?"
    "No," I answered, readjusting my satchel on my hip.
    "There is to be no contact with Keir of the Cat," Essa chided.
    "As if a hug would hurt. Or a word of greeting," Keekai said as she walked past, heading toward her seat. "Foolishness, if you ask me."
    "Then it is well you were not asked." Wild Winds