At His Mercy

Published by Evernight Publishing ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2014 Marie Medina

ISBN: 978-1-77233-166-0

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To Karyn, my wonderful editor. Valladora wouldn’t be the same without her.

AT HIS MERCY

The Year of Moons, 2

Marie Medina

Copyright © 2014

Chapter One

Valladora

3153, The Year of Moons

Ian watched the carriage until it was out of sight. His brother Stryker and his mate Joseph seemed so happy, always teasing each other, and Ian was glad they’d worked their relationship out. Finally. He turned to his other brother, Braden, and pointed back to the castle. We’d best make preparations for the king’s arrival. He’ll be disappointed Stryker didn’t stay and introduce Joseph, so we should probably arrange something to amuse him tonight. Ian didn’t dislike the king, yet it couldn’t be denied he didn’t exactly enjoy the man’s company these days.

Braden nodded and fell into step beside him. I wish the bad news hadn’t come until after Stryker and Joseph had left. Don’t want Stryker worrying about us.

Ian smiled as he thought of his youngest brother, who was now heading home with his mate after a prolonged and at times difficult courtship. I’d say they’ll distract one another soon enough. Haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other since they both finally got over their hang ups.

Braden laughed. I like Joseph. Think they’ll be good for each other.

I agree. Ian sighed, and he saw his brother eyeing him, probably growing annoyed with the number of times he’d sighed and grunted since learning they would likely be hosting an execution soon. Sorry. Just anxious. At the moment, a man who had confessed to murder that very morning sat in the dungeon, which Ian had been happy about never having used before. He hated executions, but only the king could pardon this man. The death penalty for murder was one of their oldest laws, enacted by the most beloved and lauded of their early kings over three thousand years ago. A middle brother had murdered the eldest the day of their father’s death to seize the throne, and the youngest had gone to war to overthrow him, putting this law into effect as soon as he was crowned a year later. Since it was a law that ruled humans and vampires alike, it couldn’t be abolished. The king could grant a pardon, but his counselors could object if they believed the pardon unwarranted; likewise, they could plead for a pardon, as could any subject, either human or vampire.

But unlike his father, King Jareth has never once granted a pardon. That fact had been easy to ignore when the executions had taken place in other dominions. Unlike most vampires, Ian didn’t like the death penalty. He wouldn’t hesitate to punish anyone who harmed one of his loved ones, but to actually take another’s life? Ian doubted he could do it, though he could admit anything would be possible in the heat of the moment. He’d lost his mother centuries before her time, and he’d sworn to her he’d care for his two younger brothers, as their father had always been a distant man, hard both to get along with and to love. Even now, they rarely saw him, almost never knew where he was, in fact. He hadn’t even responded to a letter telling him that Stryker had found his mate.

Ian?

Ian shook himself and looked at Braden. Yes?

Are you all right? You look upset. Pensive. You should be happy the murderer has confessed. Braden crossed his arms and said in a more gentle voice, Regardless of your personal feelings.

Braden believed the death penalty deterred violent crime effectively. They’d debated the subject many times before, so Ian saw no reason to rehash old arguments now, at a time when action was required. Yes, I’m glad he’s in custody so my people are safe. How is the widow? He glanced around for his steward. I sent Gaius to find out.

Braden looked around as well, and then he pointed across the courtyard. There he is. Look, just focus on the fact that he can’t hurt anyone else. I’ll go see about the guestrooms for the king and his retinue.

Ian nodded quickly. Yes, thank you. He moved away, but then he doubled back. And thanks for your concern. We’ll talk later. Right now, I need to get control of myself. He couldn’t help thinking that, since the crime had been essentially a domestic dispute, his prisoner probably posed no threat to anyone else. But he knew Braden would say he had to put his people first and take the extra precautions.

Braden’s face creased with worry. Just don’t focus on that so much you bottle it all up. I’ll find you in an hour or so. He walked away, catching the attention of one of the older maids who was buzzing around and taking her inside to start preparations.

Ian made his way to Gaius, who hurried over and bowed low when he saw his master approach. What news from the doctors? Ian asked.

Gaius frowned, shaking his head. Still unwilling to be comforted. She’s withdrawing, they say. Won’t talk to anyone. She and Logan had only been married a year.

Kara, correct?

Yes, my lord.

What other family does she have? Have they been summoned? He worried for the young woman, if she was shutting others out. Can we send someone for them? She needs to be with people she trusts.

None, save the brother, Kamon. Their parents died years ago, before they moved here, and an aunt took them in. She’s deceased now as well. Died before the girl’s marriage.

Then she’ll be part of my household from now on, and we’ll take care of her. At least providing for the needs of his people was something he was comfortable with. Her situation saddened him further, as he couldn’t imagine grieving without his brothers at his side. And Kamon simply confessed, no coercion?

Yes. The neighbors heard yelling and breaking pottery, and they called the magistrates. They found the poor girl crying in a corner, Kamon standing over Logan’s dead body. He stepped forward and said they’d had an argument that went too far.

See to it that she has whatever she needs. And tell the magistrates I want to see every bit of evidence they collect. Especially if she talks and sheds some light on the argument—I want to know what she says right away.

Gaius hesitated. My lord, I don’t believe they’ve collected any evidence.

Ian took a deep breath. Then tell them to do so, for the sake of justice.

His steward frowned. But he’s confessed.

But if the ‘stupid, macho argument’—I believe those were Kamon’s own words, relayed to me by you when you first brought the news earlier—had any history behind it, I wish for King Jareth to know. Please see it done.

Gaius bowed. Right away, my lord. He straightened, stroking his salt and pepper beard pensively. Do you wish an escort to the dungeon?

No. I’ll be safe enough with the guards already posted in the outer corridor. And I can take care of myself.

Gaius bowed again and scooted away, looking abashed. Ian stood for a moment, collecting his thoughts. He’d seen many in-laws come to blows over the years. Perhaps the right circumstances existed to save this man’s life. If Kamon knew Ian would be an advocate, maybe he would cooperate. Surely the man wanted to live and wouldn’t turn any form of help away.

****

Kamon sat in his cell, still full of rage. He’d often told himself Kara would be the death of him, but he’d never imagined it would be so literal. He ached to shift, but he didn’t want to invite more trouble, as he’d been too distracted to tell anyone he was a shifter. The guards would