Page 106 of The Seeker
When Rhys rose, he could see their formal introduction had accomplished its goal. Ata was standing straight, her carriage formal even if her eyes were suspicious.
“Honored brother and sister,” she said cautiously, “how does heaven greet you, and how can my people be of service?”
Rhys glanced at Meera. Her eyes spoke to him although she remained silent.
Do it.
He turned to Ata. “Through heaven’s blessing, we have found ourreshonin each other and choose to honor the Creator through our mating ceremony.”
Ata nodded. “I am pleased for both of you. I also believe you honor the Creator, the Forgiven, and the first mothers by this union.”
“Further, honored sister, we request the blessing of the Uwachi Toma at the ritual ceremonies to celebrate the union of our bloodlines and families. We will be traveling to Havre Hélène to formalize our mating and receive our family blessings, and we invite the chief of the Uwachi Toma to be the guest of honor at our mating celebration. Your presence would bring honor and blessing to our union as the Uwachi Toma were the first Irin to inhabit this land, granting it protection and Uriel’s light.”
Ata’s eyes spoke volumes. She was furious. Confused. Furious. Impressed. But mostly furious. She hadn’t even seen the attack coming.
“I was not expecting this… generosity,” Ata said through gritted teeth.
Rhys and Meera both remained silent. Any argument at this point would only give Ata an avenue for refusal. The invitation had been made. It was up to the Wolf to refuse or accept it.
Refusal would be a formal insult to two prominent Irin clans who had never offered her any offense. Acceptance was the honorable answer, especially considering she was their host.
“It is my honor,” she finally said, “to accept the blessing of your invitation.” Her eyes locked on Rhys. “I only hope someday I can repay this consideration in kind.”
Translation:I will make you pay, and it will be painful.
Rhys nodded. “We are honored, Atawakabiche. Would you grant us the distinction of escorting you to the haven?”
“I know where that old place is,” she said, turning back to her fields. “Pack your things. I will lead you to your boat at tomorrow’s first light. Then I will follow in four days’ time. That should give you enough time to prepare for me and my retinue.”
Rhys had absolutely no idea what her retinue would be. Alligators? Birds? He didn’t question it. He bowed and turned to leave.
Meera stepped forward. “Thank you, Ata.”
The old warrior turned and her eyes softened a fraction.
“Thank you,” Meera said again. “It will mean so much to me and my family that you will be our guest. I hope you will feel welcome.”
“The honor is mine,Somasikara. And as you honor me, I hope I will honor you by the favor I ask.” Ata stepped forward and straightened her shoulders. “Three days after your mating, when your magic has been replenished, I ask that you take my memories—the whole of them—so that I may die and rejoin my mate. I want nothing more to do with this world. I want to rejoin my people.”
Damn. Rhys watched Meera. It was a reasonable request—a favor for a favor—but everything in him rebelled at the thought. The Irina needed the Wolf. She could be a hugely valuable asset, a political force, a voice no one could ignore.
“Five days,” Meera said quietly. “Five days after our mating—if you still feel this way—I will take your memories from you. All of them.”
“Agreed.” Ata turned back to her fields. Meera grasped Rhys’s hand and walked back to the hut. Then she sat on the edge of the bed, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
The next morningRhys and Meera had packed all their clothes and equipment along with some of the smoked fish Ata had dried and two large jugs of water. They pushed off through the bayou in Ata’s boat, poling through the narrow channels until they reached a larger waterway.
It was not the way they had come, but Rhys found it just as confusing. If Ata’s aim was to make her territory impenetrable, she was very, very successful.
She approached the pontoon boat from the far end of the river, but Roch had spotted them long before Rhys could see clearly through the mist. He was waiting on the edge of the boat.
“Welcome back,” he said.
“I’m bringing your friends to you, old son. Have you discovered what you need to do?”
Roch shook his head. “I don’t do well with riddles.”
Ata said nothing. She reached for the edge of the pontoon and began tossing bags and supplies into Roch’s boat.
