“Lea’s barely breathing over here,” muttered Emir to himself. “She’s in a lot worse shape than him though,” he added as if it was her own fault. It was not, it was Erroh’s for failing her.
“Sorry Lea,” Emir muttered as he ripped the armour free. Lea’s groan was almost inaudible but it was there. The healer slapped his cheeks sharply and shook his head to rouse himself. He inhaled a few deep breaths and the youngest ever masterhealer of Samara got to work earning his next pint of ale.
The girl was not yet lost to the night.
Tales from the Spark
124th Solstice 217 Spark City
That bitch Roja staked her claim on him as soon as she heard his line. Did I actually think she would pass up the opportunity? If she doesn’t find a suitable mate in the son of Magnus then I don’t think she ever will. She’ll end up as Primary, just like her grandmother. Dia is dressing her for the position either way. Son of Magnus and granddaughter of Dia? It’s quite the formidable partnership. I really don’t want to think about that. His name is Erow or Eeero or something like that. He is remarkable. Lust at first sight? He is beautiful with his perfect jaw, blazing eyes, and adorable nose. Aye, that’s right; he does have a nice nose. Ha, all the girls thought him incredibly pleasing to the eye. Maybe it was the manner in which he tore the Black Guards apart that caused such a stir around the chambers. We shouldn’t have found it as arousing as we did but well, we did. Perhaps that’s what swayed that red-headed bitch’s mind. Of course, where there’s a Roja, there’s always her little witch friend Silvia following behind. Oh, to be a higher-lined female in this city. Just to have a voice that carried some favour. Thank the gods for my Lilli. As you know dear journal, she is highest line and I owe her so much. I’ll forgive all the bets she owes me, for there are many. She’s the reason I might have a chance with him. She’ll challenge if Roja chooses him first and take the wrath, which comes with it. I can’t challenge for that is not how things are. It would be in bad taste to challenge. It would be a terrible shame on my name and all that biased shit. We’ve all heard stories of Dia’s actions when things don’t go her way (when some of her females forget their place in the city). I will state my intentions after Lillium and the shame will be less severe. It is precarious at best but I will trust destiny to steer the Cull in my favour. Aye my dear journal, I know how naïve this all sounds and it is, but what choice do I have? Lilli has been mocking me all day since he entered the arena. She said I was glowing in the dark. She said it’s “love at first sight, except he didn’t see you.” She was looking at him just as much as I was though and why wouldn’t she? He’s handsome and have I mentioned his nose? Joking aside, my Lillium is the truest friend a lower-lined Alphaline could have. We have decided that both of us must be ruthless to throw Roja off the scent. Lillium despises the south and she despises Magnus so I’d imagine she’d find it easy to attack Erroh. He will understand eventually when I’m wrapped up in his strong arms. I’m writing like a little cub. It was only the first meeting. It’s the thrill of the Cull. He might turn out to be a weak-willed warrior with nothing but blood and war on his mind but still there’s something about him. I love his walk. I’m excited and terrified about the whole event. I don’t think it’s hit me yet. Roja has competed in a few already. For such a tramp, she’s quite fussy. As lowest line, I’m to lead the Cull. They say it’s to create a fairer battleground between the lines but I’ve never heard of any victorious female who led a Cull. I know I should be jealous and worried that Lillium warms to him when we battle wits tomorrow but I trust her. Ha, she prefers the tall ones anyway. He’s pretty and small just like me. I want him so I will make him mine. It is a simple plan.
125th Solstice 217 Spark City
Well, that could have gone a lot better. In fact, it was a disaster. He was drinking before we started. Do I need to say anything more? Is it any wonder nobody chose him? I’m not supposed to say anything of what occurs but it’s late and my head is spinning from the glasses of magma Lillium has been serving all evening. He hurt me. Let’s leave it at that. Okay, I’ll elaborate slightly. He delayed accepting me and it was so humiliating. Lillium has been trying to comfort me all evening. I think she’s mixing me another drink right now. She’s searched for the words all night but what can she possibly say? “Oh don’t worry you’re obviously his fourth choice, so hang in there.” She had always intended to drop out after the first day but she says she will battle wits with him once more. Perhaps she just doesn’t want Roja getting him without a fight. I didn’t press the matter. Fuk it. Is it wrong that I still like him? Perhaps I’m in denial or else I’m just a little too much like mother. I’m hiding in my room as I write this. Silvia told all who would listen of my shame and I’m the butt of every jest now. You would think it would take more than that to make me cry so pitifully. Rumours spread that Silvia would replace me as leader but if I walk away now, I’ll never live the humiliation down. I am really drunk now. Lilli, if you’ve stolen these pages to read, I love you for helping me through all of this, even if you’ve no skill with a bow.
126th Solstice 217 Spark City
He did better today but it is all for nothing because terrible things happened and I am to blame. He answered everything honestly and we tore him apart for it. I joined in too. It felt good and now as I write here I feel all the worse for my behaviour. The Primary shared uneasy words with Roja before the Cull. She wanted her to walk him through testing the other Alpha males but Roja refused outright. I’ve never seen anybody turn down the Primary’s wishes but if anybody can it is Roja. At this point, I wonder and worry why she hasn’t pulled out from this choosing? Perhaps it’s her blind devotion to Magnus or her allegiance to that little witch Alexis. Ah, I’m being a little unfair to the girl. I barely know her. Why blame her for Roja’s sins? In truth, I’m angry at the entire world tonight, dear journal. Let us forget the terrible showing of the questions and focus on his testing of the Alphas. I swear to the absent gods it was only one fight he was to endure. He’ll blame me and how could he not? We sat near each other and he shared his meal. Forget his perfect nose for a moment. It is his eyes, which are most beautiful. I could see a spark in them. He said sorry after I shouted at him. He fuked up the apology but it’s a small matter seeing as I lied to him to get him to fight. “Silly Lea,” I hear you say, dear journal, and you are correct, but I honestly did it to protect him. Who knew what recompense our petty Primary may have fashioned had he refused? I’m such an idiot and to my detriment, I fear I have lost him forever. He was amazing in ill-fitting armour and he never had a chance. I could hear the crack of his rib from the rafters. Instead of allowing him to attend a healer, Dia had him fight all three. I was not allowed to see him between each bout either. Why did that wonderful fool keep fighting? I think it likely his hatred for all of us spurred him on, and as they tore him apart; my heart broke (and my chances lost). I’m writing this with tears in my eyes. He was so brave. All three Alphas won the day and will have their suitors, Wynn more so than most. He is gorgeous and Lilli has put herself forward. She wept when she told me she was stepping away from Erroh. I imagine they were tears of relief. Sadly, Roja still maintains an interest. If she chooses Erroh, I don’t care. I’ll challenge and risk my honour and hope he picks me in return. We will be given an opportunity to address him and I will tell him of all my feelings. Surely, he wouldn’t reject me if he knew the truth. Please Roja. Don’t be in the Cull tomorrow.
If he is not chosen, I will declare myself.
127th Solstice 217 Spark City
He wasn’t able to attend today. I pray he’ll be there tomorrow. Roja and Silvia didn’t seem to care a great deal. They spent the day drinking with a couple of young Wolves in a tavern. I heard them returning with only one of them a little time ago. I expect they’ve made a man out of him by now. Maybe between the shared groans and writhing mass of naked bodies they’ll find true love this very night. Speaking of love. Lillium fell asleep talking about Wynn. She said h
e couldn’t keep his eyes off her. This appealed to her greatly. I would imagine it is the nicest feeling. She very nearly chose him outright after one day but after the debacle with Erroh, I think she’ll wait another day. I wish I had entitlements like her. Little things like a decent room without a breeze, a choice of fruits at meals and oh yes, the right to choose the man of my dreams without putting my name to shame. Lea, line of Wiiden and Amelia. It’s hardly a title of great renown. Lillium is beside me and she won’t wake up. I’ll just move her as far over the bed as possible and try get some sleep. I can only imagine the look on Wynn or Erroh’s face if they were present. Two fine females to share a bed. It would certainly make for interesting conversation the following day. I’m sure Roja would agree.
128th Solstice 217 Spark City
He said he wanted Lilli the most. Well I’m sorry Erroh, she has chosen Wynn so that fuken ship has sailed. When I told Lillium what he said, her face dropped and she cried. Then I started to cry. I can’t believe how much I’ve cried because of that cur. Yet I still want him. Where’s your pride girl? I am my mother’s daughter and I will be alone forever. When the city and no mate want me, I will walk the wastes like some of the elder females have. I’ll do it in my favourite yellow dress. I need another drink. I blame that stupid whore Silvia. I think I would have died a happier girl if that idiot had not asked such a ridiculous question. At least one thing I’m certain of is that neither girl really likes him. They enjoy their life here far too much. I heard there was some disagreement between them. It was about the young Wolf they took back to Silvia’s room. Could just be more rumour though and they certainly wouldn’t tell me. I don’t care really. I only care about what a disaster everything is. Why did he say it? Why? Why? Why? It is no small matter. No small matter at all. I hate this Cull. I hate it so fuken much and I will claim victory. They asked to see his body and it was broken. I don’t know how he was even standing. He looked right through me. Tomorrow I choose him no matter the cost. My stomach turned when I wrote that. This is all real. What if I’m wrong??? Of course, I’m wrong. I’m so scared and I think I’m going to throw up. The words are dancing. Why am I still writing this? I will face the wrath of Roja but the Cull has gone on too long. I’ve earned the right by now. It’ll work out.
129th solstice 217 Spark City
He broke my heart again. I just stared at the page for a few moments. I don’t know what else to say. He was horrible today and drunk. Roja and Silvia both have stepped from the choosing. He’s mine if I so choose but I need to think on matters tonight. I need some sage advice one last time from Lilli. She leaves early tomorrow with her perfect mate Wynn. They already kissed when they walked along the river. I foresee many children soon. She met with Erroh and was taken with him. She kept telling me how lovely he is outside the choosing. She talked more about him than Wynn. She fought his fight so much and I don’t know what to do. We’re having our final ever game as maidens in a little while. I can’t believe she’s leaving. She is taking everything in her stride. I will leave too with Erroh. Oh god. Mated with Erroh. I’ve heard his lands are beautiful. As long as we don’t have to go south, I don’t mind. I never want to walk south ever again. I never want to set foot in my father’s stronghold ever again either. No, we will walk east and fall in love. Or fall apart. This is so scary. I’ve wanted this for so many years. We all have. Well most of us. Maybe we are meant to be together. Maybe we aren’t. Maybe our love will soar like eagles in the sky, or else our hearts will be shattered in a hail of arrows. I’m so scared.
130th Solstice 217 Spark City
I am Lea mated with Erroh, Line of Magnus. I am mated for life and I am terrified beyond belief. Erroh looked confused and equally terrified. We must be perfect for each other after all. His fingers shook when we committed our signatures to the register. He couldn’t look me in the eyes. I’m not surprised. We’re going to meet for the first time later. I can’t believe both Lillium and I are mated and leaving. Well, she’s already left and all I have left is Erroh. My Erroh. That sounds weird to say aloud. Let alone write. Roja was really strange. She hugged me and congratulated me. She seemed genuine, grateful even. I don’t know. It was nice. She still mocked me a couple of times but there was little malice in it. Have I mentioned how terrified I am? I’m really fuken terrified. I still haven’t finished packing yet. I’m not sure I’m ready for all of this. That’s a lie. I know I’m not ready for any of this but I’ll be hopeful. Goodbye Samara, The City of Light. The first Spark since the new world and all that shit. You have fed, bedded, educated, and frustrated me. If I don’t concentrate on all the pessimism, I feel exhilaration thinking of the future. My future. Our future. Walking hand in hand out in the wastes. I know we’ll work through our problems. I’m looking forward to properly hunting again. It’s been far too long. I should be ashamed of myself. I can’t remember half the lessons for the road. It’ll all come back to me. Until it does, my mate for life will look after me. For better or worse, we belong to each other.
I am Lea, mated to Erroh. May the gods help us.
Remembered
The new door was a little heavy for the rickety old frame and it shook the whole building when it caught the wind and slammed itself shut. He looked out the window at the rain. It was certainly the season for it. The rain would eventually cause rust to form on the door. That would solve his problem. He missed his old door. It had been quite efficient at its job. Had the ever-obliging idiots waited a few seconds more he could have staggered through the rain with key in drunken hand. With the benefit of hindsight, he shouldn’t have taken so long finishing that last drink.
Emir sat upon his wooden stool and sighed loudly as he flicked to the next page. Lea had such beautiful penmanship apart from the more drunken passages. He knew it was an invasion of privacy but it didn’t discourage him from reading it. It never occurred to him to feel bad about it either. Their courtship was a riveting read. Besides, it was a perk to his job, as he would never accept any additional payment to his weekly town wage for doing what came naturally to him. Lea tried to shift positions again. She grumbled and complained a few times in her stupor. He tore his eyes away from the journal to watch her closely. The restraints around her small wrists were cutting into her pale skin again but at least there were the first signs of a healthy blood flow in her body. She lay on her stomach but her face rested in a silk pillow, it was the only comfort he could safely offer her. Her fever had broken and come dawn she would be through the worst of it. She shifted and caused the fine strands of rope to tighten. He wondered if she were capable of breaking the ropes that held her safely in place. He smiled away the superstition. She was strong. Stronger than most but she was no godlike creature to be feared. He knew most tales of Alphas were just legend.
They were human. They were just a bit better at it.
Beside her Erroh stirred. He was stooped in his seat with his head resting against hers. He’d never left her side this last week. Things had obviously improved between them after the Cull. Emir slipped the journal back into her bag. The perfect crime. He thought again of their unique kind. Erroh had barely groaned as he’d dug into the wound and cleaned it. Alphas were known for a higher pain threshold. It wasn’t intrinsic in their genealogy. It was dedicated training and he must have faced some brutal training. The son of Magnus. The actual son. It was hard to swallow so he chewed on it a little more and still could barely contain his awe. He sipped his cofe and grimaced at the taste. It was bitter, cold, and lacking any character. He reached across his desk and poured some clear liquid into the mug. Much better.
“I’ll take a glass,” whispered Erroh, breaking from his vigil. He stretched his aching body and stifled a cough trying not to disturb her. Her colour had improved. He offered a prayer up to the gods. You weren’t able to kill her. I have less need to spill your divine blood. He felt warmer believing in something other than himself, even if he hated whatever it was.
“Cofe or sine?” he asked quietly.
“Both,” Erroh said yawning. He took the mug from the doctor and drained the contents with great skill. He watched the little wisp of air escape the mouth of his mate. The old white tiles that covered the room reminded him of cleanliness. Her eyes were closed and he suddenly worried that she wasn’t warm enough. The little fire in the corner of the room suggested decoration over practicality. Any heat seemed to disappear long before it reached either of them. He adjusted the blanket to cover an exposed shoulder. Her skin was still hot but Emir was confident that she was recovering well and if that’s what the healer believed, that was good enough for him. Emir had his trust. He remembered watching the drunk healer working his fingers deep in her wound. He remembered his calm determination as he battled the darkness for her life as if it was no matter at all. As if an artist searching for inspiration his scalpel cut and tore until what remained was a masterpiece.
“I have seen far worse,” the artist of blood had muttered that terrible night.
“Her body looks broken,” Erroh had said.
“Some bodies take more breaking than others,” Emir had muttered, many breaths later.
“And some a little less,” Erroh had said.
“I’ve seen a man take four arrows and still live,” the artist of blood had said as the first rays of dawn lit up the room and warmed their faces.
“That cannot be true. That would be the actions of gods,” Erroh had said.
Emir had looked up from Lea’s broken form and peered curiously at Erroh. “Aye, gods.”
Erroh ran his fingers along one of her binds and willed her pain to strike him down instead. He marvelled once more at her bravery and wondered would he be capable of such courage when facing death? He stroked her long black hair and doubted himself for a few breaths.
Spark City Page 31