Amber and Iron - Margaret Weis [91]
“I raised an army of the dead,” said Mina. “I fought and killed two mighty dragons. I conquered the elves and brought them under the heel of my boot. I conquered the Solamnics and saw them run from me like whipped dogs. I made the Dark Knights a power to be feared and respected.”
“All in the name of Takhisis,” said Galdar.
“I wanted it to be in my name.…”
I wanted it to be in my name.
“Silence!” Mina’s voice rang through the hall. “Stand aside. Do not touch me.”
At her order, the Beloved fell back.
“Chemosh is your lord,” Mina continued, and her guilt-ridden gaze went to him, standing at the opposite end of the hall. “He is the one who gave you the gift of unending life. I am but the bearer of his gift. Never forget that.”
None of the Beloved said a word. They stood aside, allowing her to pass.
Krell snorted. “She thinks she’s so smart. Let her command your sorry excuse for an army, my lord.”
The death knight had no idea how close he came to being snapped in twain and tossed into oblivion. Chemosh contained his fury, however.
Mina walked swiftly through the throng of the Beloved. She crossed the hall, her pace increasing. Reaching him, she fell to her knees before him.
“My lord, please do not be angry with me! They don’t know what they are saying—”
“I am not angry, Mina.” Chemosh took hold of her hands and raised her to her feet. “In truth, I am the one who should be asking for your forgiveness, my love.”
He kissed her hands then kissed her lips. “I am in an ill humor these days. I took out my frustration and anger on you. I am sorry.”
Mina’s amber eyes shone with pleasure and, he noted, relief.
“My lord, I love you dearly,” she said softly. “Believe that if you believe nothing else.”
“I do,” he assured her, stroking her auburn hair. “Now, go to our chamber and make yourself lovely for me. I will join you shortly.”
“Come to me soon, my lord,” she said and, giving him a lingering kiss, she left him.
Chemosh looked with annoyance at the Beloved who, now that Mina was gone, were once more milling about. Scowling, he made a peremptory gesture to Krell.
The death knight scented blood, and he came forward with alacrity. “What is your command, my lord?”
“She is up to something, and I need to know what. You will watch her, Krell,” said Chemosh. “Day and night. I want to know her every movement. I want to hear her every word.”
“You will have the information, my lord.”
“She must not suspect she is being spied upon,” Chemosh cautioned. “You cannot go bumbling about, rattling and clanking like a steam-powered golem created by some mad gnome. Can manage that, Krell?”
“Yes, my lord,” Ausric Krell assured him.
Chemosh saw the fiery glow of hatred burning in the empty eye sockets, and his doubts were satisfied. Krell had not forgotten that Mina had bested him in his own tower, taken him by surprise, nearly destroyed him. Nor would he forget that the Beloved had meekly obeyed her commands, while they’d scoffed at his.
“You can rely on me, my lord.”
“Good,” said Chemosh.
Mina sat before a mirror in her bedchamber, brushing her long auburn hair. She wore a gown of finest silk that her lord had given her. Mina’s heart beat fast in the anticipation of his touch and with the joyful knowledge that Chemosh loved her still.
She wanted to make herself pretty for him, and it was then she saw a string of black pearls lying on the nightstand. Thinking of her lord, Mina lifted the pearls. She heard instead the voice of Zeboim, found the goddess standing behind her.
“The necklace is enchanted,” the sea goddess said. “It will bring you your heart’s desire.”
Mina was troubled. “Majesty, thank you, but I have all that I desire. There is nothing I want …”
She stopped in midsentence. She had just remembered there was something she wanted. Wanted very much.
“The pearls will lead you to a grotto. Inside you will find what you long for. No need for thanks, child,” the sea goddess said. “I delight in making mortals happy.”
Zeboim fussed with