The Shadow's heir

day.

“He kills them,” she breathed. “He takes mistresses, then kills them.”

“What? No!” Yorath looked horrified. “No, no, it’s not like that. He never killed any of ’em. He wouldn’t do that. No, no-one knows why they died. It was like a sickness. They’d just sort of. . fade away, like they’d lost the will to live.”

“For gods’ sakes, why did they keep comin’ to him?” said Laela. “If they knew they’d die. .”

“They didn’t, did they?” said Yorath. “Would ye believe it? They all came in thinkin’ they were invincible-not weak like the others. Maybe the King believed it, too. But that must be why he never married. In the city, they say he’s cursed never to love a woman for more than one full moon. Everyone thought the last mistress would be the last, but now. . ye’ve come along.”

Laela felt dizzy. “Don’t worry,” she said. “If I ever feel sick or anythin’, I’ll leave. That’s a promise. Nothin’s good enough to make me die for it.”

Yorath smiled. “Good. I’m glad t’hear ye say it. Now I’d better go. Don’t want the King thinkin’ we’re up to somethin’.” He hastily opened the door and checked that the coast was clear.

“Thanks for tellin’ me,” said Laela. “It’s nice t’know yeh care, like.”

Yorath inclined his head politely. “Always, my lady.”

He smiled at her again and hurried away, leaving Laela to watch him until he had gone.

Alone again, she closed her door and collapsed onto her bed, where she lay on her back and stared at the ceiling.

Her head was spinning.

Gods, no wonder Saeddryn had made that threat. And no wonder people had been avoiding her since she’d come into the Eyrie. She’d thought they were keeping their distance for fear of offending the King, but if they all believed she was going to drop dead in a matter of months. .

To her surprise, she felt a pang of sadness on the King’s behalf. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see so many young women die so quickly simply because he had touched them.

She wondered if he had cried for any of them.

He’s so alone.

The thought surprised her.

9

The Tomb

That night, she had a strange dream.

She was standing in a meadow, surrounded by flowers and lush, green grass. Butterflies drifted through the warm air. Above she saw the huge, graceful shapes of griffins soaring. Their feathers were brown, patterned with gold that shone in the sun.

But there was no sun in the sky.

Laela wandered through the meadow, breathing in the rich, flower-scented air, and saw someone else there.

It was a man. He was tall and muscular-the most-powerful-looking man she had ever seen. His skin was tanned brown, and he had a mane of thick, red-gold hair flowing over his shoulders. A strong beard covered his chin, and he wore a golden crown. Below it, his features were strong and stern, dominated by blazing blue eyes.

He walked toward her, barefoot and graceful. His only clothing was a bright yellow-and-orange cloak, and she could see his manhood, long and thick between his legs.

Laela tried not to stare at it. “What is this?” she said aloud. “Where am I?”

The man towered over her, smiling. My child. My sweet Laela. Walk with me.

“Who are yeh?” said Laela, falling into step beside him regardless. Everything seemed too bright, too unreal.

I am light, said the man. His voice was deep and strong. I am warmth. I am the day. I am life and health and happiness.

“Yeh look like a man to me,” said Laela.

He laughed-a deep, magnificent laugh. Humans gave me my shape, Laela, and what better for a man to worship than another man?

“Worship?” said Laela. She felt sleepy and bewildered.

Yes, worship-many do, said the man. I am the god of the South, the god of the day. There are some who call me Gryphus.

“Gryphus!” Laela grinned at him. “But this is all a dream, ain’t it?”

Yes. But I am here, nonetheless. Laela, I am the god of your people, and you have been in my grace all your life.

“I ain’t,” said Laela. “I never been in anyone’s grace. I’m a half-breed, an’ I get what I’m given, an’ nothin’ an’ nobody’s ever answered my prayers.”

But you did pray to me once, said the man-Gryphus. A prayer offered up in terror and despair, but a true prayer nonetheless. I hear all the prayers of my people, if they are true.

“Yeh never answered it,” Laela said flatly.

Didn’t I?

“No.” Laela looked around at the meadow. “Beautiful place, this.”

Thank you. It is a place where I am at home. When my followers die, they come here.

“What’m I doin’ here, then?” said Laela. “I ain’t dead.”

You are here for. . a visit, said Gryphus. Laela, listen to me. You are more than a half-breed. You are from the line of Baragher the Blessed, and though your hair is black, you have the blue eyes I blessed him with. You are both Northerner and Southerner in looks, but what your nature is is for you to decide. You were not born to either Scathach or myself. Whom you worship is your choice.

“I never thought about it much,” Laela confessed. “What’d you want me for, anyway?”

You are stronger than you know, said Gryphus. And your spirit is great. Put your trust in me, and you can do great things.

“What things?” said Laela.

You could take back the North, said Gryphus. Avenge our people. Overthrow the Dark Lord, who has caused so much suffering in the name of the Night God.

“I couldn’t do that!” said Laela.

With courage, and faith in me, you could do anything.

Laela spat. “Faith! What did faith ever do? I had faith my father’d protect me, an’ he died. Left me with nothin’. I never had nothin’. The Dark Lord took me in, gave me a home-why’d I want to hurt him?”

He seeks to corrupt you to darkness, in his mistress’s name, Gryphus growled. Stay with him, and you will give her your soul. Then you will be lost to me forever.

“Maybe that’d be a good thing,” said Laela. “Maybe the Night God would care about me. Maybe she’d help me when I was in trouble.”

Gryphus’ blue eyes blazed. If you would know what the Night God would do for you, see how she has treated her most loyal follower.

“She gave him a Kingdom,” said Laela. “And how are you any better? Did yeh ever answer that prayer yeh heard me send yeh?”

His expression softened. You prayed to me for protection. Pleaded to be saved from the scum who sought to hurt you.

Laela looked him in the face, and the truth dawned on her. “I was saved,” she said.