Birth of Innocence: The Innocence Cycle, Book 4 Read online

  Silvandir’s eyes narrowed. “Do you mean to tell me that this group of damaged children has my Guardians and those from Greenholt running around in an undisciplined frenzy?”

  “Yes, sir, that’s exactly what I’m saying. We were not trained as nursemaids and apparently have failed miserably at the task.”

  Silvandir burst out laughing, which clearly surprised Hermold. “Well of all the things I expected you to say about this chaos, that was the last.” He bent over as spasms shook his frame. “Oh, my ... to think that these children have that kind of spunk left in them after all they’ve been through. That’s good news.”

  Hermold frowned at him as if he thought Silvandir had lost his mind.

  “Relax, my friend. They are children. They’re playing. No need to take it so seriously. We’ll restore order at some point.” Silvandir clasped Hermold’s shoulder and the Guardian’s face eased into a crooked smile. “For now, do you happen to know where I might find Charaq and his boys?”

  Hermold squinted as he looked toward the back of the complex. “I think I saw them sitting on a bench in front of the Jhadhela dormitory awhile back.”

  “Thank you.” Silvandir clapped him on the back. “Come on,” he said to Elena as he grabbed her hand and headed around the side of the tall pentagonal building in the middle of the complex. “The Jhadhela building is in the back.”

  Sure enough, Charaq and Mishon were sitting on the bench with Terzhel between them. Terzhel focused on the children and Guardians darting around him as if trying to track their paths. He cringed as he glanced over his shoulder and looked ready to bolt, or shift.

  Peace, little one. You have two Guardians beside you. They won’t let any harm come to you.

  Startled, Terzhel glanced up and watched Elena approach. How did you know I was frightened?

  I could feel it.

  How can you feel my feelings?

  I don’t know. I just can. It’s a gift I have.

  He frowned. Do you know what else I’m feeling?

  You’re happy to see me.

  Terzhel gave her a shy smile and a quick nod. Elena’s heart burst with joy ... and relief. They were making progress.

  “Hey, are you talking to him?” Silvandir whispered.

  “Um hmm.”

  Silvandir leaned in close and kissed her ear. “I envy you that.” Then he gave a deep sigh. “Could you perhaps ask him to use his new voice so I can share in the conversation?”

  “Sorry. Of course.” Elena squeezed his hand. “Silothani,” she said aloud.

  “Silothani,” Charaq and Mishon said simultaneously as they stood and bowed to Elena. Terzhel belatedly jumped up and did an awkward imitation.

  Elena signaled for them to sit as she and Silvandir settled in the grass in front of them, which, with the baby growing larger each day, was not quite as easy as it used to be. “We’ve come to discuss something with you.” She nudged Silvandir with her shoulder and nodded toward the boys, wanting him to share in the delivery of the news.

  Silvandir cleared his throat. “As I think you know, Elena, your mother”—he focused on Terzhel and then glanced at Mishon—“and I are betrothed. We decided just this morning that we will do the marriage ceremony tomorrow.” The boys exchanged surprised glances. “And we would like very much for you to be there.” His gaze now included all three of them. Charaq broke into a broad grin.

  “We are keeping it rather small and private,” Elena added, “but we could not do it without you.”

  Mishon jumped from his seat and threw his arms around her neck, squeezing tight. Elena felt his warm tears falling onto her shoulder and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

  Suddenly, the boy pulled back, yanked his tunic and swordbelt straight, and stood tall, eyes focused straight ahead. “I am honored to be included. I will guard Terzhel well.”

  Elena giggled. “We didn’t invite you as a guard, dear Mishon. We want you there as part of our family.”

  Mishon glanced at her, and his lips and chin trembled. As more tears welled, he blinked furiously.

  Oh, Mishon, just allow yourself to be a little boy, she thought.

  He can’t or he’ll go all apart.

  Elena’s gaze shifted to Terzhel with a lift of her brow. This one was perceptive. “And what do you think of our news, Terzhel?”

  The boy kicked at a small clump of mushrooms in the grass, hands clamped behind his back. “I don’th understand whath you mean.” He glanced at Mishon and paled. “Whath kind of ceremony? Ith it a gwood thing?”

  Elena’s heart dropped. “Yes, Terzhel, it is a very good thing. I’m sorry. We should have explained more fully about how a wedding is done here. We’ll go to the falls of Ellisia and Silvandir and I will make promises to love each other—and you and Mishon—no matter what comes in our lives. Then we will be married and will live together as a family.” She paused and gently grasped Terzhel’s arm. “I didn’t understand how it was done until they explained it to me this morning. I have never been to this type of celebration.” Tears slid down her face.

  Terzhel hesitantly touched her cheek. He examined the drops on his fingers then looked up at her. Why are you sad?

  That’s difficult to explain. I’m happy and sad all at the same time. You and I, we’ve missed out on many things. That makes me sad. But we both have people who love us. You have Mishon and Charaq, and I have Silvandir. And now we all have each other, and that makes me happy. Elena took his tiny hand in hers. Together we can have a better future. Does that make you happy?

  The boy thought for a moment then gave a quick nod. I like you. I’m not scared of you anymore or him. He tipped his head toward Silvandir. I like him too.

  As if Silvandir had heard his thoughts, he squatted down and gave Terzhel a warm smile. “We’ll do whatever we have to do so that you feel safe and protected. We’ll move as fast or as slow as you want.”

  Terzhel pressed his other hand over Silvandir’s heart. “The hole ith gone.”

  Silvandir’s chest heaved and he swallowed hard. When he spoke, his voice was husky. “You’re right, Terzhel. My heart is whole now.”

  “No.” Terzhel scrunched up his nose. “No hole.”

  “I meant whole not hole, as in not broken anymore.” Silvandir laughed. “My heart is healed. How’s that?”

  Terzhel grinned and moved his hand to his own heart. “Mine ith too.”

  Silvandir’s lip trembled, and Elena knew he was fighting tears. “Terzhel, I want so badly to wrap you and your mom in a big hug right now, but—”

  Elena’s heart lurched when the small boy opened his arms wide and leaned toward them. She and Silvandir moved as one to accept this grand gesture. They both wept as their circle tightened.

  Mishon pushed his way into the embrace. “Hey, not without me.”

  Elena laughed and looked up at Charaq. “You might as well join us. This is our family from now on.”

  The big Guardian wasted no time in dropping to his knees to share in the hug and the laughter. Soon it disintegrated into a heap of squirming, wrestling, giggling boys and men. Elena extricated herself as they tumbled across the lawn. Her heart filled to near bursting.

  Chapter 24

  Elena paced in Elbrion’s common room to the rapid rhythm her heart thumped out. Silvandir had received a message earlier that his family had arrived. With a quick word of reassurance, he hurried out to meet with them in the building next door where Celdorn’s men were staying. She wondered what he would say to them, how he would explain.

  Best she didn’t know. Silvandir was right, it was better this way. She really didn’t wish to see the disapproval on their faces. His plan would give them time to compose themselves—or leave, if they did not approve of the arrangement. Her adai watched her tread back and forth without a comment or a rebuke. She wondered if they were nervous as well. She bit at the side of her thumbnail. How could she ask Silvandir to go through with this if his family refused to give their blessing?

  Elena had
started gnawing on her next finger when Silvandir returned. Her heart pounded as he came through the door, and she quickly sat down between her adai and clutched their hands.

  When Silvandir’s family entered, her adai rose and pulled her up along with them. She glanced over the large group—both in height and number—then stared at the floor. Silvandir’s father was every bit as intimidating as Silvandir, standing nearly the same height and as solid as an oak. The two younger brothers were only slightly shorter and a little less brawny. His mother was tall as well. She was easily half a foot taller than Elena. The sisters were smaller, yet still many inches taller than she.

  Silvandir made formal introductions all around. His manner was stiff and his words stilted. No hint of a smile formed on his lips. Elena wondered what had transpired in the other house to drain his joy so. Dread curled tight in her belly.

  Silvandir’s father exchanged greetings with Celdorn then Elbrion. His mother and sisters curtsied, and his brothers bowed. It was obvious they had all been raised with proper manners. Then their attention turned back to Elena.

  When she found the courage to look up again, she focused on the sisters, who had kind faces. They looked to be close to her age. Elena could tell they tried not to stare, but all eyes were drawn to her belly. She drew in closer to Celdorn’s side, and his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

  “It is good to meet you, Elena,” Silvandir’s mother spoke first. “I did not think any woman would ever get my son to settle down.” She gave Elena a warm smile as she reached out. “Welcome to the family.”

  Elena smiled back, and clasped her outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

  Any further words stuck in her throat. The glare Silvandir’s father turned on her was vicious enough to freeze the sun. Then she noticed how the oldest brother gaped at her. His eyes narrowed and swept a discreet glance at his father. A shiver ran through Elena and her knees went wobbly.

  “Elena, are you all right?” Celdorn caught her as her legs gave way and helped her to a chair. “What is it?”

  She shook her head, unable to explain or form any rational thought. Silvandir glanced at his father and brother then eyed her with distress. His jaw tensed but he seemed reluctant or afraid to speak.

  Elbrion took charge. “Sheyshon, perhaps it would be best if you lie down and let Silvandir deal with his family.” He assisted her to her feet and steered her toward her room. “Please excuse us.” Her ada’s words were polite, but his tone lacked its usual warmth. No doubt he was reading all the same signs as she was.

  ~

  Silvandir’s gaze followed Elena and Elbrion down the hallway, wondering what had upset her. Before he could comment, his father spoke up.

  “You cannot marry this girl.”

  Silvandir turned to face him, stunned. “Why not?”

  “Because she … she is … a harlot.” He whispered the last word with an angry growl.

  “Why would you say such a horrid thing? I explained to you how she came to be with child.” Silvandir’s own anger rose.

  After a quick glance at his wife, his father said, “I … I just know. She is not suitable for you.”

  “Father is right,” Flegorn, the older of his two brothers, agreed.

  “Again, what makes you think so?” Silvandir glared at him, heat rising from his neck to his cheeks.

  Flegorn glanced nervously at his mother and sisters then said, “Last year Father and I had a meeting with some friends of his in Kerrington, in the central plains. The friends had provided … entertainment. Your Elena was one of the girls. There is no mistaking her. She is breathtaking. One does not forget a face like that.”

  Silvandir’s eyes welled with fiery tears. “You … you used her?” His jaw twitched, and he bit back further words.

  “That is what she was there for. She was offering. We—I,” he quickly corrected himself, “took nothing that was not delivered on a platter.” His brother lifted his chin in defiance.

  Silvandir turned and gaped at his father, realizing the truth of what was left unspoken. His heart thundered in his chest.

  Silvandir turned back to his brother. “She was not there willingly,” he said through clenched teeth.

  His brother laughed. “She seemed willing enough to me.”

  Silvandir’s fist slammed into Flegorn’s nose without warning, and before anyone could stop him, he tackled him. Both fists flew at his brother’s face. Bones crunched beneath the force of the blows, while Celdorn and Silvandir’s father struggled to pull him back.

  “Damn you,” his brother sputtered through the blood that dripped over his lips. He struggled to his feet and wiped his face on his sleeve. “You would attack your own brother over a whore?”

  Silvandir was about to lunge at his brother again when a soft voice spoke.

  “No, Silvandir, don’t do it.” Elena stood in the entry to the room, pale and shaking from head to foot. No one had noticed her return. “You don’t need to defend me to your family. It is the truth.” Shame-filled tears slid down her face.

  “It is not the truth, Elena, and you know it,” Silvandir snapped. He turned to his family. “Elena was sold by her father into the life of a Gille d’Zhajh when she could barely walk. She was forced”—he hissed out the word with emphasis—“to perform those kinds of duties for immoral, depraved men who would use even a child to feed their appetites. If she refused, they tortured her or those she loved. When Celdorn and Elbrion rescued her, she had been sold to a group of Farak who had beaten and raped her over the course of a week, leaving her body broken and bloodied. No one cared that she was in pain. No one cared anything about what she wanted or felt. She was just a tool to them.”

  “Silvandir, that is enough,” his mother said sharply. She nodded toward Elena.

  When Silvandir saw Elena on her knees, head bowed, sobbing, he was immediately struck with remorse. He knelt by her side and pulled her into his arms. She was limp, as if all will to live had left her.

  “I am so sorry,” he whispered. “None of this was your fault.”

  “I won’t come between you and your family,” she whispered back.

  “You, Terzhel, Mishon, and this child are my family.” Silvandir pressed his lips against her ear. “I choose you.”

  He looked up at Celdorn and nodded. Her ada immediately lifted Elena and carried her into the other room, an angry scowl on his brow. Elbrion followed, the light beneath his skin dim and slow.

  “You will leave now,” Silvandir said in a cold, even tone as he glared directly at his father. His gaze turned to his mother who wept. “I’m sorry, Mother, but I think it best if all of you go home. I will not have Elena humiliated further.”

  His mother reached up and laid her hand on his cheek. “I am proud of you, my son,” she said. “You are a good man.”

  Silvandir embraced her with a broken heart and kissed her tenderly on both cheeks. He knew it was unlikely they would see each other again.

  “Do not worry for me,” she whispered. “I will be fine. Take care of your young wife. I see great light in her.” She held his face in her hands. “Please allow me to see my granddaughter one day.”

  Silvandir could not stop the tears that slid from his eyes. “I will consider it, Mother. Thank you.” He didn’t have the heart to tell her that they already had a son—two sons. Terzhel and Mishon were too precious to share in this moment.

  His sisters embraced him with quivering lips but no words. His younger brother glanced at their father before extending his hand to Silvandir. Tears welled for both of them as they clasped wrists. Silvandir pulled him in closer and kissed the top of his head. “Take of ama and the girls. They’ll need you,” he whispered in his ear. His brother gave him a stiff, brave nod.

  Then the family silently departed.

  Silvandir stood for a long time, staring at the door, stunned. The thought of his brother and probably his father—no, he could not think about it. He had to push it from his mind for Elena’s sake.

&nb
sp; Puzzlement and wonder suddenly washed over him. He moved to the window and watched his mother as she descended the stairs. How did she know the baby was a girl?

  His mother must have sensed him watching her for she turned and smiled—a warm, sad smile. One day he would ask her.

  ~

  “May we please keep it simple?” Elena begged as she glanced from Silvandir to her adai. “Just our closest friends?”

  “We can make it as simple as you like. All that matters to me is that we spend the rest of our lives together.” Silvandir stroked Elena’s face, his eyes filled with concern. She could feel the heaviness of his heart. In those few moments with his family, he had lost so much. “And I do not want this to cause any delay. Are you still willing to marry me tomorrow?” Silvandir asked.

  Elena nodded. “I am so sorry about your family. I am so sorry I brought such shame to you.” A sob shook her chest. “But I do want to marry you. With all my heart, I want to marry you.”

  “Elena, you are not the one who brought shame on my family. My father and brother did that. They made choices of their own free will; you never had a choice.”

  Elena gazed into Silvandir’s eyes, amazed by him.

  “I will inform Yaelmargon that only our traveling companions will be at the ceremony. And Terzhel, Mishon, and Charaq, of course,” Celdorn added with a smile. “I am certain the master will agree.”

  Elbrion cleared his throat, his expression stern. “While I am in agreement with this decision, Elena, I also want to say that we will have a wedding feast the following day and the community will be invited to rejoice with us. Your marriage is a cause for great celebration, and we will not hide in shame. Far too much has been taken from you already. I will not allow your enemies to succeed in this.”

  Elena was surprised by the force of Elbrion’s words. This was clearly important to him for some reason, so she did not object.