32. Nevarn

Chapter 32

Nevarn

I sat with my brother in the central building where he conducted official business.

"You plan to travel to the Veerenad city to present the first draft of our treaty rather than send someone in your stead?" I asked, crossing one leg over the other.

"Yes, I'll leave next week." He leaned back in his chair. "This is a good time of year to travel."

Even flying his ryvar, it would take him days to reach the city. He'd have to leave his ryvar some distance away. The Veerenad weren't above hunting our large birds and Firion would never endanger his beast, Perrin.

"Do you have any suggestions for the treaty now that you've heard my and the other traedors' conditions?" Firion asked.

"I wouldn't give them that much territory. Cut it in half." The proposal would give the Veerenads some land between here and their city for expansion, land that was considered Dastalon, though none of the clan lived there. All preferred island life over anything on the mainland.

"Why not give them this much?"

"Because they'll fill that area and ask for or demand more. You know how often they hatch young, how quickly their population is expanding. They should consider stretching out in the opposite direction, not encroaching on our territory here."

He frowned. "You think so?"

"If they ask later, you could grant them more at that time rather than now. Did you have a chance to speak to Xax and Aizor about their wishes for the treaty?"

"Only Aizor attended the clan gathering. Xax and his clan didn't come."

"Stop by the Indigan Clan on your way, then. I'm sure he'd like to have input. He's interacted with them many times. He could give you ideas you haven't thought of."

Firion nodded slowly before grunting. "You're right. This is why I wanted your input. I knew you'd have some excellent suggestions."

My grandfather had never asked me anything. He was more interested in telling me what to do instead. Do this task. Settle in this house, not the other. Mate with Weela whether you want to or not. I'd felt I had no choice but to give into his demands. It was only when I was banished and no longer under his control that I realized I could act as I saw wanted, not as someone else believed I should.

That was part of the reason I had no interest in moving back here. I liked that I could make the decisions I felt were best for my clan.

However, because of my grandfather's controlling behavior, I'd quickly formed a council with three of the males who'd left this clan with me. When I needed to make decisions, I sought their input. Often, one would see things in a way I hadn't, and his advice would guide me to make a better decision.

"Anything else?" my brother asked.

"Have you reached out to the Browze Clan?"

"The desert people?" He frowned. "I sent word with a clan flyer, but they couldn't track them down."

"They're a wandering clan, so I'm not surprised." The Browze Clan traveled across the desert, carrying their homes on their backs and living with the oasis gods. I'd often thought about traveling to their land, of meeting and getting to know them, but I hadn't. Too many duties to attend to within my own clan for something like that. "Too bad your male couldn't locate them."

"I could fly over the outskirts of their territory with Perrin on my way," he said. "I wouldn't dare try to cross the entire area, but I might see them and can soar down and ask."

"No one dares travel across their territory without carrying lots of water." The oases tended to pop up and disappear when needed based on the sand gods' whim. I couldn't imagine living with gods who didn't support their clan, but the Browze people didn't seem to mind. They were used to it, I supposed.

"I'll venture as far over their land as I dare," he said. "Hopefully I'll see someone and can send word to their traedor."

"Who is their traedor now?" I vaguely remember hearing their older traedor had died without an heir, leaving the clan to choose another.

"I don't know. It would be good to find out." His steady gaze met mine. "Any other suggestions related to the draft treaty?"

"Not that I can think of. I like your idea of setting up an embassy in the Veerenad city and one for them on the mainland. We need to foster better relations with them. If something unexpected happens, this would give us someone to go to if we need input or to lodge a complaint."

"Exactly. If something bad happens, there should already be a force in place, those who can track someone down and bring them to justice. I'll make that wish clear during our discussion."

"I can't think of anything else. You've covered it all."

"I appreciate your thoughts." He leaned his forearms on his stone desk. "It's great having you here. I've missed talking with you, spending time together. And it's wonderful meeting your mate. You're one lucky warrior."

There was no missing the longing in his voice and in his eyes. My brother was a decent person. He deserved to find someone to love. I hoped the gods had someone in mind for him and that they sent her to him soon.

"Tell me more about your clan, your way of life." He grinned. "How in the world can you survive in a dark forest?"

We chatted about my clan god, Helena, and the homes she'd gifted us with. The creatures we hunted and the things I enjoyed most about my forest home. I shared the wonders I'd discovered while living there. The lush vegetation, how it remained cool even during the hottest parts of the summer. I told him about my recently formed treaty with the Indigan and Ulistar Clans and how that meant my clansmales could hunt freely in their territory and them in ours.

"They truly have big pools of warm water inside a large cave system?" he said, skeptical.

"It's amazing. Honestly, if Helena wasn't the perfect god for my clan, I'd consider moving in with the Indigan Clan like the Ulistars have."

"Aizor and Xax always were friends, and the Ulistar Clan is small."

So was my clan. And we had no females at all. If the gods didn't send some to us, we'd die out. But Kerry was the first, and things were working out for us. She cared for me, and I suspected when I asked her to remain with me, she'd say yes. Her acceptance and belief in me had balanced my sadness about being banished for murdering my mate. If the gods chose to send my clan other mates, we'd thrive.

Firion stood. "I should probably stroll through the village and make sure no one needs anything from me."

He was a great traedor, and the example he'd set for me growing up was the one I based my role as traedor on within my own clan.

"I'm going to go find Kerry." I wanted to show her around the village some more, and we could ask questions while we did it.

Rounding his desk, Firion slapped my arm just like he'd done when we were small, and he was pleased with what I'd done or said. "Yes, go find your mate. Show her how happy we all are that she is here on Zuldrux. You deserve someone who cares for you."

He knew Weela had not. She and I had been friends before we were told we were mating, but from that moment on, she'd made it clear she resented that she was forced to be with me. I couldn't blame her for being angry. I also hated that I was given no choice.

"Have you learned anything about who might have killed her?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing other than the fact that she was meeting with one of the clan males on a regular basis. Whoever it was hasn't given any indication he was with her at that time."

Since I was banished for her murder, the murderer must've considered this finished. They'd gotten away with killing her, and that was all that mattered.

"I'll let you know if I discover anything else," I said.

"Excellent."

I left and walked around the market, not seeing Kerry or Khol. Had she returned to our temporary home?

She wasn't there either.

I made sure Molly was content. The little beast was slumbering on the deck in the sunshine, lying on a fluffy blanket provided by the stone god. Leaving, I walked through the village.

I stopped into Melwarn's clothing shop.

A light breeze skipped through the room from an open window in the back of his shop, carrying with it the scent of the sea. I sucked in a breath, savoring it. I'd missed the ocean, but I loved living in the cool forest and the scents of evergreen needles, flowers, and mulching leaves that permeated the air even more. There was no place quite like the home I'd chosen.

Since Melwarn was busy with customers, I strolled around, selecting a few more things for Kerry.

The outfits Helena would provide would look amazing on my mate, but the stone gods had a distinctively different style, and I suspected Kerry would enjoy wearing both once we were home.

Home. I couldn't wait to take Kerry there. Despite my worry about what Melwarn might tell me, I couldn't stop smiling. She cared for me. I had a mate who would stand strongly by my side, one who would soon adore me as much as I already adored her.

I couldn't wait for our new life to begin.

Finally, the customers left. Melwarn looked my way and gestured for me to join him near the back of the room.

"I'm glad you came to me." He peered around, but I'd already determined everyone had left his ship. "I never believed you killed her."

"Thank you."

"Which is why I've continued to carefully ask questions. It's only recently that I learned something new, something I know you'll be interested to hear."

"What's that?" Would we finally have a clue that would lead us to her murderer and clear my name?

"You may not know this, but she often left the village to walk the path that skirts the outer part of the island."

"Many of us do." The view was gorgeous, and berries grew near the path. My parents, older brother, and I had enjoyed picnic meals in various locations throughout the island. My mother had loved sitting in the grass with the sun warming her cheeks.

"What you probably don't know is that someone often followed her," he said.

I'd suspected this. She hadn't met with her lover inside the village. There was too great a chance someone would see.

"Who was it?" I asked.

He crooked his neck, looking around again. "Vair."

Not her lover, then. I rubbed my neck. "Her brother?" Did this tie into her murder, and if so, how?

"He followed her that day as well." Melwarn's spine tightened. "He took off after her not long after she left. He wore a hood," he scoffed, "as if that would disguise him? I know for a fact that he'd hurt his foot the day before, and the limp alone might've given him away. But I recognized the hooded tunic, one he'd selected here in my very shop."

"Are you sure it was him? Almost anyone could've been limping or wearing one of your fine hooded tunics." I'd worn one a lot myself when I lived on the island. The hood could be pulled up if it started to rain.

There were also other clothing providers who offered hooded tunics.

"I can tell you're skeptical," he said. "But that hooded shirt was different than others in the village."

"In what way?"

"I would never speak poorly of the gods, but that one hadn't been constructed well. The stitching in the back had started to unravel. I'd set it aside to dispose of when Vair came into my shop. He saw it and liked it. He insisted he didn't care if threads hung down in the back. So this person not only limped, but he wore that exact hooded shirt. It was Vair. I know this for a fact."

"Maybe him leaving not long after her was a coincidence."

"Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. If I was you, I'd ask Vair, and I'd do so in a way where your brother can overhear without Vair realizing he's there."

"Set up a trap?"

He nodded. "You don't know what he might reveal. He's impulsive. I wouldn't put it past him to harm her if he was angry."

I tilted my head, curious. "Why would he be angry?"

"They argued all the time."

"That's no reason to murder her."

"It is if she threatens to tell their parents something he wishes to keep hidden."

"What's that?" I asked, very curious now. Had Vair murdered his sister?

"I don't know what it was, but I heard him threaten her not to tell them. She blustered and shoved him away before stalking from the village. This was the day she was killed, and he followed her."

If he didn't kill her, he may have seen who did it. Why wouldn't he tell? We hadn't been great friends, but we'd been polite to each other. He had no reason to make me take the blame for this unless he'd done it himself.

"I'll speak to Firion about this," I said. It was well worth pursuing.

Melwarn's shoulders sagged with relief. "I knew you'd know how to handle this. It's past time everyone knew who really killed Weela, and I think," his long sigh rang out, "I believe it was Vair."

Stunned and still thinking this through, I braced his arms. "Thank you for sharing this with me, for asking questions and for believing me."

His pensive gaze met mine. "Be careful. I doubt Vair would want anyone to know what he's done."

"I will."

Leaving the shop, I walked through town, still seeking Kerry but thinking about what I'd just learned.

What had Vair been hiding that was so grave he might kill his sister to keep it a secret?

I stopped at Firion's office, but he wasn't there. Returning to the market area that was much more crowded than before, I strode around. I wasn't worried about Kerry—yet—but I'd feel better when she—

"Hey, there you are." Kerry came up behind me and looped her hand through my arm. "I was hoping to find you." She lowered her voice. "I have news."

So did I.

After peering over her shoulder at Khol, she gave me a bright smile. "I picked berries with Marlesta. She's going to make a treat with them, something that sounded like the cobblers my mom would make when I was little."

"Marlesta's an amazing cook."

"She's a nice person too. She . . ." Kerry tugged me into a shop and to the right side of the room where we were hidden among huge piles of rush baskets. She dropped her voice to a whisper. "Marlesta told me that Khol was Weela's lover."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

The person I'd always considered a good friend looked through the clear pane window at us, and I didn't miss the concern in his eyes. Had he heard Marlesta tell Kerry?

Rage boiled through me. "Wait here." I raced out of the shop and leaped onto Khol, dragging him down to the ground. I pummeled him, slamming my fists into his face and chest.

Khol lay on the ground, his hands at his sides, making no effort to defend himself, which suggested he was guilty. Who cared what secret Vair was hiding if I'd found the real murderer? Khol knew I'd caught him, and he was prepared to face justice.

Kerry ran over to stand beside us, her hands fretting at her neck. "Nevarn. Stop."

I eased back, keeping my hands on Khol's shoulders, pinning him to the ground. "He killed Weela."

"I didn't do it. I loved her!" Sadness shone in Khol's dark eyes. "I not only loved her, but she also loved me. We were going to run away together."

"You're lying," I bellowed.

A crowd had started to form around us, though no one had stepped forward to intervene other than my mate. They watched and listened, and too many of them directed hateful glares at me.

Khol shook his head, and tears gleamed in his eyes. "I swear I didn't kill her," he said softly. "But I know who did."