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  Braving the Storm

  By Xenia Melzer

  Gods of War: Book IV

  Though some struggles have ended in victory, ease and contentment are not the fate of the gods of war. Instead they must contemplate the sometimes terrible and frightening nature of their powers—and the effect those powers have on the people they love.

  After their campaign in Ummana, the gods of war return to the Valley with their ranks finally complete. Sic is the eighth Emeris to join Renaldo and Canubis in their war against the Good Mother. Even so, they must wait for their powers to manifest, and trials lay ahead.

  It is only when a tragedy befalls Aegid, Kalad, and Daran that Sic learns the extent of his abilities as a Luksari. What he achieves will change Daran forever—and set him up for trauma that leaves him doubting his relationship with Aegid and Kalad. After surviving battle, torture, and rape, Daran must affirm his commitment to his lovers and his new status among them through even more blood and violence.

  Even though Renaldo and Casto’s relationship has improved, they’re still struggling, which could prove to be more dangerous than they think—because the Good Mother is already plotting her next move.

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Dedication

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  SUMMARY OF BOOKS ONE-THREE

  PEOPLE OF ANA-DARASA

  BACK AND BEYOND

  1. BITTER TRUTH

  2. Crime and Punishment

  3. TRUST

  4. SPRING CEREMONY

  NEW BEGINNINGS

  1. MARKET DAY

  2. TRAP

  3. Sand and Light

  4. MATURITY

  5. FOREIGN AFFAIRS

  BIRTHRIGHT

  1. GROWING UP

  2. ECHEND’DIM

  3. TWO SISTERS

  4. DIVINE WRATH

  CROSSROADS

  1. MASKS

  2. BARGAIN

  3. PREDATORS

  4. AFTERMATH

  NEW PATHS

  1. SIRA

  2. DECISIONS

  3. WEDDING PLANS

  4. Vows for Eternity

  5. SHATTERED TRUST

  More from Xenia Melzer

  About the Author

  By Xenia Melzer

  Visit DSP Publications

  Copyright

  For Andrea, my first fan who wasn’t blood-related. And for my readers. You guys rock!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  AS ALWAYS, I have to thank many people for getting this book out. Since my family already knows how grateful I am, I want to thank my editors, Anne Regan, Liv, and Kelly, for their help and support. I can only imagine how hard it is sometimes to deal with a nonnative writer. I’m sure your patience and kindness will be rewarded with a few extra karma points. I also want to thank everybody at Dreamspinner who help make not only my books, but every writer’s books, look as good as possible. Without all the people in the background who compose blurbs, set up blog tours, and generally make it all run smoothly, getting a book out would be a hassle. So thank you. I know what you do, and I appreciate it!

  SUMMARY OF BOOKS ONE-THREE

  A LOT has happened in the lives of Casto and Renaldo so far. After being taken prisoner by Renaldo, Casto has fought his master at every turn. Their explosive relationship has seen many ups and downs that would have broken weaker men. The worst came when Renaldo fell for the schemes of Damon, a priest of the Good Mother, who convinced him that Casto had been unfaithful. In a fit of rage, Renaldo sent Casto to the mines in order to kill him. But thanks to Sic’s courage, the scheme was revealed and the magic spell clouding the divine brother’s sight broken. Casto has returned to his master’s side, no longer as a slave, but as his lover, heart, and future husband.

  To bring Casto down, Damon had used Sic by blackmailing him into bringing Damon a cloak pin that would prove Casto’s guilt. When Sic finally finds the courage to tell Renaldo what has happened, he is punished for his treason. Noran wishes to see his apprentice dead, and it is only thanks to Casto’s interference that Sic is allowed to live. Deeply hurt by Sic’s deed, Noran starts losing control of himself and tortures Sic cruelly by using the young man’s love to force him into absolute subservience.

  Daran, on the other hand, is more than happy with his two masters. He has overcome his shock after Kalad was almost killed during the battle of Ki’t and knows now without a doubt that he belongs to Aegid and Kalad for the rest of his life.

  The divine brothers have found out that the followers of the Good Mother, who had infiltrated the Valley, had been trained in Medelina. Now the Wolf of War wishes to get his revenge on the city.

  They decide to go to Ummana, where Casto claims the throne and becomes king, not only of the Twin Cities, but also of the Alliance. That way, Canubis and Renaldo get their revenge on Medelina and Casto his on the council of elders and his father. Before he leaves, Casto installs his sister Anesha as queen of Ummana.

  But their mission also claims sacrifices. When Noran is poisoned, Sic offers his own life to save his master, only to find out that he is a Luksari, a creature of pure magic. After he is rescued, Noran gives Sic his freedom and Sic finds a family and happiness with Jago, the master of the royal smithy, his wife, Cassia, and their little daughter, Heljia. He decides to stay in Ummana, although parting with Casto almost breaks his heart.

  After the barbarians have left Ummana, Sic is visited by Ana-Isara and she marks him as the last Emeris, thus forcing him to follow his gods into the North.

  Daran gets more than he has bargained for. In a foolish attempt to impress his masters and express his gratitude toward them, he becomes a spy for Casto. This dangerous game almost costs him his life and it is only thanks to Casto’s foresight that he survives.

  Now the Pack is back on its way home to the Valley.

  PEOPLE OF ANA-DARASA

  THE VALLEY

  Lord Canubis, the Wolf of War

  Lady Noemi, the snake witch and wife to Canubis

  Lord Renaldo, the Angel of Death

  King Castolus of Ummana, husband to Renaldo

  Lysistratos, “Lys,” Emperor of the Storms

  THE EMERIS

  Lady Hulda, the Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Night

  Lord Wolfstan, armorer of the Pack and husband to Lady Hulda

  Lord Aegid and Lord Kalad, the desert brothers

  Lord Noran, master smith

  Lord Bantu and Lady Cornelia, siblings

  Sic, Luksari

  OTHERS

  Daran, slave of Aegid and Kalad

  Frankus, master of the sauna

  Sar’reff, demon of chaos

  UMMANA

  Princess Anesha, Casto’s sister

  Captain Aktan, leader of the Royal Guard

  Jago, master smith

  Cassia, Jago’s wife

  Heljia, daughter of Jago and Cassia

  King Erac of Medelina

  Lady Vespia, ambassador of Medelina

  BACK AND BEYOND

  1. BITTER TRUTH

  IT WAS the third day since their departure from Ummana. Canubis had taken the first watch, eager to have some time on his own, alone in the darkness with nothing to distract his thoughts. He still didn’t know whether he should be pleased about this year’s unusual campaign or if he should write it off as a failure. Their original mission had been a success, no doubt. Not only had they gotten their revenge on the followers of the Good Mother in Medelina, they had also seen to it that the lives of those worshipping the old hag in the vicinity of the Confederation were going to be a lot more uncomfortable from now on. It was all thanks to his brother’s heart, and that was where the problems started.

  Canubis liked Casto, not just because he was Ren
aldo’s missing part, but also for his stubborn and unbending personality. Once you got past his defenses, the young man was easy to like. He was also a king who had shown impressively what he was capable of at any time of the day. Canubis didn’t feel threatened; his own dominance was too absolute. It was his nature, after all, just like Renaldo’s nature was the fire, wild and untamed. He was worried, though. It was hard to read Casto, and Canubis still wasn’t entirely sure if he could rely on the capricious blond like he had to.

  Then there was all that trouble with Noran. The Wolf of War had silently watched the affair Renaldo had with the master smith shortly after he joined them. Since he himself had rarely said no to anybody before he met Noemi, he didn’t have the right to interfere. When Noran had chosen Arja, Canubis had still held back. From his point of view, it had been a minor incident with little to no significance whatsoever. Well, he had been wrong about that one. Now he had to deal with an Emeris who was so riddled with guilt, he was hardly capable of performing his duties. Canubis wondered whether he should have a word with Noran. On the other hand, Hulda seemed to have taken this in hand. Interfering with her was unwise, to put it mildly. Besides, leaving the whole business to her made life easier for him.

  Their latest addition, the demon called Sar’reff, was another problem he hadn’t decided how to deal with yet. His sudden appearance had at least shed some light on Lys’s nature, and so far, that was the best he could say about him. Canubis wasn’t too keen on having two alien creatures who did not answer to his power inside the Pack. There was nothing he could do about Lysistratos, since he was irrefutably linked to Casto, but the other one was a different matter. Noemi thought it was a good thing to have him here, a notion her husband didn’t share. If push came to shove, Lys would always side with Casto, and he was unpredictable. Most likely, Sar’reff would follow the stallion’s example, since he hadn’t found his anchor yet. And probably never would—putting him out of his misery might even be an act of mercy, just as Renaldo had suggested.

  Losing the Luksari had been a low blow. Given the circumstances, they had to be grateful for getting out of their debt toward the young man almost unscathed, but the whole thing still left a bad aftertaste. Of course, it was hard to recognize a Luksari—not even Ana-Aruna was always dead-on—and there had been that damned spell, but still. He and Renaldo had not only not recognized what Sic was, they had also subjected him to their wrath and left him to Noran. It was the worst blunder Canubis had ever made in all his years as a leader. And now, of all times, when they had gotten so close to finally completing their ranks. It was infuriating. And stupid. If only—

  One of the wolves who had been lying at his feet perked up. A single rider was approaching. The Wolf of War drew his sword, his eyes piercing the darkness.

  “Whoever you are, come out and show yourself or I’ll kill you.”

  There was a rustling in the bushes and then a thin, familiar voice answered.

  “Please, don’t do that, Master. It’s me, Sic.”

  The smith emerged from the shadows, leading an unhappy horse toward the warlord.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you, but this one here isn’t used to the wolves and she’s kind of edgy.”

  Canubis indicated the predators to leave them alone and take up their posts a little farther from the camp. Once the wolves were gone, the mare calmed down enough for Sic to step closer.

  “Thank you, Master.”

  “Sic, what brings you here? I’m thrilled to see you, but, to be frank, I expected to never meet you again.”

  The young man evaded his gaze.

  “Can we go to the camp? I’d better show you.”

  Canubis furrowed his brow but followed the smith back to the fire in the middle of the camp. He could tell there was something strange about the young man, probably the awakening of his Luksari nature. At the fire, Renaldo was waiting for them. He had felt his brother’s surprise and was curious about the reason. When he beheld Sic, his eyes widened.

  “Sic! What are you doing here?”

  The Luksari stepped into the light, his eyes shyly cast downward.

  “Some things have happened, and now I want to ask your permission to return to the Valley with you.”

  “Something bad? You don’t look very happy.”

  Thrilled about the prospect of getting Sic back, Canubis had to concentrate on not showing his excitement. The smith looked so crestfallen, his reason for returning had to be something serious.

  “After you left, I had a visit from Ana-Isara. She kissed me.”

  Stunned silence followed these words. Then Canubis rushed forward.

  “Show me.”

  Demurely, Sic took off his riding coat and opened his tunic. The warlords stared at the black runes glowing on the unmarred skin, unable to believe their own eyes. Here stood the last Emeris, the one they had been waiting for so long—it was too good to be true. Renaldo reached out to touch the signs with an expression of sheer awe on his regal face.

  “This is so amazing. And so perfect.” He hugged the smith gently. “Welcome to the family, brother. It’s good to have you finally here.”

  “My brother is right—I’m glad we’re now complete. Welcome, Lord Sic.”

  The oddly formal words made Sic realize how drastically and completely his life had changed. All of a sudden, he felt exhausted.

  “I’m very tired, Masters. May I rest?”

  “Of course. This must have been difficult for you.”

  Canubis patted his shoulder. “Go and have a good night’s sleep. We can talk tomorrow.”

  “Casto will be thrilled. I can’t wait to see his face.” Renaldo radiated happy excitement, which made Sic feel even more miserable than before. Then again, seeing Casto was the one thing he was actually looking forward to. He went to lie down and hesitated. On their journey to Ummana, things had been painful but clear. He had helped the other slaves to set up camp, served Noran as his personal toy, and then slept on the ground in the master smith’s tent. It was not a place he wanted to visit right now, so he directed his steps toward the area where the common slaves slept. A heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Renaldo sounded apprehensive.

  “I wanted to lie down. But if there’s anything you want me to do, Master….”

  “No! You don’t have to do anything. And you’re most certainly not going to sleep with the slaves. Come with me. You can have my place.”

  Sic was close to panicking. Having the aloof Angel of Death treat him like a treasured friend was too much after all the strain he’d had to endure. Desperately he tried to find a way out, but Renaldo was already dragging him toward his own tent. He shoved the struggling smith inside, pressing a finger to Sic’s lips.

  “Shh. Casto’s sleeping, so try not to make too much noise. My furs are right next to him. Now take off your boots and rest. We’ll talk about everything tomorrow.”

  Sighing, Sic obeyed the commands of his god, too tired to argue with the empty air, for Renaldo was already gone. Casto was sleeping soundly, his soft blond hair surrounding his face like a halo. He looked very young and vulnerable in his sleep, nothing like the stubborn, arrogant, and short-tempered man Sic had come to call his friend. When it came to hardships, they both had gotten more than their fair share. Being with Casto again was the only good thing he’d gotten out of the bargain with Ana-Isara. He was still afraid of her sons, and he dreaded having to deal with Noran again. It was too confusing, too painful. If he had still been a normal human, he could have evaded the master smith somehow, but now that he was an Emeris as well, there was no way he could ignore him. Sic would have to address his issues with his former owner, and the sooner, the better. The mere thought terrified him.

  Well, there was nothing he could do right at the moment, so he took off his clothes, made himself comfortable on the furs, and was asleep before he even noted the velvet softness of his covers.

  THE NEX
T morning Sic woke with a start. Casto was looming over him like a hungry vulture, his face only a hand from the smith’s nose.

  “So you’re finally awake. I thought you’d sleep the entire day. Why didn’t you wake me when you came here?”

  Sic smiled weakly. Talking to his friend again made him feel all tingly inside.

  “Because a certain god who has the means to make my life unbearably miserable told me to let you sleep.”

  “Why would you listen to him? He’s like a mother hen, so just ignore him.”

  “I can’t do that, as you well know. I don’t have your guts.”

  “I’m not that brave either, just annoyed as hell. He’s really getting on my nerves. Now back to the issue at hand. Why are you here? I mean, I’m thrilled, don’t get me wrong, but I do remember your reasons for staying in Ummana, and they were substantial. So what made you change your mind?”

  Sic’s face darkened.

  “Not what. Who. I got a visit from the Empress of the Dead. Seems like we’ll be staying together for quite some time.”

  It took a few moments for the words to sink in, and when they finally did, Casto’s face was a sight to behold. Different emotions flickered across his features, among them joy, pity, regret, and fear. It moved Sic deeply to see how completely his friend understood him and how he felt with him. Finally, the king hugged the smith, his voice a harsh whisper.

  “I can’t say I’m sorry. I know how hard this must be for you. But I just can’t say I’m sorry. For that, I’m too glad.”

  “I know. And you’re the only one permitted to say so.”

  They were still basking in the intimate moment when Renaldo came barging in. Sic couldn’t remember ever seeing the god so jittery with excitement.

  “What are you two waiting for? There’re lots of people out there who wish to welcome the new Emeris to the Pack. So get going. Get going.”