The Raven Coven
Page 1
The Raven Coven
Fire-Walker Book Two
By Emma Miles
Copyright Emma Miles 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without written permission from the copyright holder, with the exception of brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction and is not based on any real persons living or dead.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty - Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Epilogue
Chapter One
Letters
From Lady Rosa Cainridge, Northold, Elden, to Kesta Silene, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle.
Dearest Kesta,
Northold is far too quiet without you. At least I am still here and not summoned back to Taurmaline. I imagine her Majesty is too busy with her pregnancy to think of me. You will be pleased to hear that I have been spending time with Merkis Tantony. The Thane has let us take his ship out onto the lake a few times. He hasn’t kissed me yet and I wonder do I dare be as brave as you say, should I kiss him first?
I have not seen much of the Thane. He has gone back to spending most of his time in the Raven Tower although he is often summoned away to Taurmaline. I visit your horse, Griffon, when I can and have taken a short ride out on little Nettle from time to time. Nerim, the stablemaster, tells me that the Thane goes out riding in the forest on Griffon. I think he is missing you more than I although he will not talk about you when I have tried. Tantony tells me to leave it alone. You never explained why you left, I understand if you prefer not to say, but I cannot help but wonder.
Will you ever visit here do you think? I would love to see you. Perhaps I might be able to visit the Fulmers one day?
With fond wishes
Rosa.
***
From Dia Icante, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle, to Thane Jorrun, Northold, Elden.
Thane Jorrun,
Kesta mentioned that you have had no formal training in your magic and have learnt most of it from books. I cannot teach you the secrets of the Walkers, however there is no reason I cannot offer you training in elemental magic if you so wish. If your king will spare you, you are most welcome to come and stay here in the Fulmer Islands.
Dia Icante.
***
From Kesta Silene, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle, to Lady Rosa Cainridge, Northold, Elden.
Yes, Rosa, kiss him! Tantony is an old stick in the mud and may never do so himself.
I am glad you are still in Northold. I hope you are not too lonely? It’s good that you are riding Nettle, I know you were not that fond of riding. I’m surprised Griffon allows Jorrun to ride him, he doesn’t really like people.
Tantony is right. Please leave it, Rosa. Jorrun and I chose our lives. There are reasons why we can’t be together that he isn’t willing to fight against.
I have never written a letter to a friend before, I’m not at all sure what to say. That will amaze Tantony!
Catya is doing well. Heara encourages her into mischief far too much. She has asked me to say hello.
I can’t come to the Raven Tower but would love it if you could visit me. Bring Tantony.
With love
Kesta.
***
Thane Jorrun of Northold, Elden, to Dia Icante, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle.
Icante,
I thank you for your generous offer however I will not be able to leave Elden for the foreseeable future.
Jorrun.
***
Lady Rosa Cainridge, Northold, Elden, to Kesta Silene, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle.
Dearest Kesta,
I have the most wonderful news! Tantony has asked me to marry him! My only fear is that Her Majesty will refuse her permission. You will come to our wedding if it happens? I couldn’t bear for you to not be there. We could hold it in Cainridge or Taurmouth if it is too painful for you to visit Northold?
I am worried about the Thane though. I have taken over young Catya’s duty of taking his food to the Tower, but I have not seen him in days. He barely touches his food. Tantony tells me the Thane is very quiet when he sees him. I know you told me to leave things, but I don’t like to see him like this.
You are well, I hope? Please give my love back to Catya, I hope she is behaving. Tell her I hope she is still studying her letters!
Fondest regards
Rosa.
***
Dia Icante, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle, to King Bractius, Taurmaline, Elden.
Your Majesty,
After the success of our collaboration against the necromancers of Chem, I would like to invite you to Fulmer to discuss a possible exchange of ambassadors. It would be good if our two countries continued with a more open dialogue and a closer friendship. I understand you might be too busy to come yourself at this time, perhaps you might send your advisor, Thane Jorrun, with a delegation to represent you initially?
In faith,
Dia Icante.
***
Kesta Silene, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle, to Thane Jorrun, Northold, Elden.
Stop being the Dark Man. You don’t have to be anymore.
Please give my love to Azrael.
***
Kesta Silene, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle, to Lady Rosa Cainridge, Northold, Elden.
Dearest Rosa,
Congratulations to you and Tantony, I’m so happy for you! If the Queen will not give you permission to marry could Jorrun intervene with the King? If not then you must both elope here to the Fulmers!
I am well enough.
You wouldn’t believe the change Heara has brought about in Catya, she has really come out of herself.
Do you see anything of our little fire-spirit, Azrael? I do miss him.
With love
Kesta.
***
King Bractius, Taurmaline, to Thane Jorrun, Northold.
Jorrun, attend me at Taurmaline as soon as possible. I have a mission for you in the Fulmers but I want your word in person that you will make no attempt to stay there. I will, however, expect you to bring your wife back with you. As I have already said you are embarrassing yourself and Elden by allowing her to run wild. Be here.
***
King Bractius, Taurmaline, Elden, to Dia Icante, Fulmer Hold, Fulmer Isle.
Icante,
Thank you for your kind invitation, as you suspected I am too busy here at present to visit you, however I would be honoured to do so in the future. Considering his ties to your islands, Jorrun will represent me and be with you for two weeks along with Merkis Vilnue, with whom you have worked before. I cannot spare my sorcerer for longer. I look forward to a lasting friendship between our two countrie
s.
Bractius, King of Elden.
Chapter Two
Kesta; Fulmer Islands
Kesta shifted on the short-cropped grass, hugging her knees to her chest. She could feel the vibration from a small waterfall that plunged down from above to her left, and far below waves threw themselves at the cliff. The sun was warm against her skin but the wind off the sea still had a chill to it. Kesta glared out across the ocean, watching as the two-masted ship drew closer to Fulmer bay. Her teeth clenched tighter as pins and needles tingled in her chest and she realised she was tapping her feet.
With a loud sigh she stood, her eyes still on the ship. She hadn’t wanted to be here for the Elden delegation, but her mother had insisted. She told herself she’d be polite, then find excuses to get out of the way. Tearing her eyes away, she turned and climbed slowly up the cliff to the path above and made her way toward the hold, her feet heavy. There were a lot of people coming and going across the causeway from fortified Fulmer Hold, carrying supplies for the welcome feast. She caught herself scowling and drew in a deep breath to compose herself. It was the Elden’s king she hated, not the people, in fact she quite liked Merkis Vilnue who was coming here as their ambassador. Her mother’s closest friend, Heara, certainly liked the Merkis. Kesta grinned.
By the time she got close to the beach, the Elden ship had already sent out a row boat toward the shore. Her mother was easy to spot. Although not as tall as Kesta, Dia wore the authority of the Icante, ruler of the islands, without the need of any crown or ornament. Kesta’s uncle, Worvig, stood to Dia’s left and her father, Arrus, to her right. Although much quieter than his brother, there was something about Worvig that always made Kesta feel safe.
Kesta’s eyes lifted toward the rowboat and she drew in a sharp breath, her foot slipped off the edge of the path and she raised her arms to keep her balance and prevent herself falling. It couldn’t be! She swallowed, eyes wide, breathing hard as her heart raced. He was unmistakable. Taller than the men around him and as poised as a stag, dressed as always in elegantly tailored black. The Dark Man of Elden. Her husband.
But why was he here? For a moment hope leapt inside her, but one look at his face and it sank, pulling her shoulders down with it. He was angry. He didn’t blink as his piercing eyes regarding the people waiting on the shore, his movements were stiff, his bow overly formal. Kesta watched as they exchanged words, unable to hear them from where she stood. Merkis Vilnue joined them, the sandy-haired man showing his teeth in a cheerful smile through his red-tinted beard.
Her mother turned, indicating with her hand, and the group began to make their way across the beach toward the path. Kesta leaned back, but she found her feet wouldn’t move. Why was he here? She rubbed at her chest with the heel of one hand, her heart throwing itself against her ribs. Her nostrils flared, and she dug her nails into the palms of her hands.
Her mother only glanced at her as they approached, deep in conversation with Vilnue. Her father’s cheeks looked a little red beneath his dark beard and Kesta narrowed her eyes at him. Only Worvig met her eyes, and he gave her a nod. She looked past them and was immediately caught in Jorrun’s intense gaze, her breath stilled in her lungs and her face flushed, even as the blood seemed to drain from her lips. He didn’t blink, didn’t look away, but his feet faltered and he stopped.
Kesta wanted to kiss him so badly she felt dizzy.
‘Silene, would you show Thane Jorrun around the Hold?’
Kesta swallowed, tearing her eyes away from Jorrun to look at her mother. Dia had used her title, not her name, so it was an order from the Icante, not a request from her mother. Kesta cleared her throat and forced out the words. ‘Yes, Icante.’
Dia nodded, and the group moved away toward the Hold, leaving Kesta and Jorrun alone on the path. She watched the Eldemen unloading on the beach for a moment, forcing herself to breathe, before she turned back to Jorrun.
His eyes travelled over her face, even with his amulet blocking her knowing, she could feel the anger radiating off him. Then the stiffness left him and his eyes softened.
‘You didn’t know, did you?’
‘What?’ Kesta cleared her throat again. ‘That you were coming? No, no one told me.’
He sighed, looking out over the sea before turning back to her. ‘You’d better show me around then.’
She nodded, waiting for him to step up beside her, before proceeding along the path. They both spoke at the same time, Kesta asking about Azrael, Jorrun about Catya.
‘Go on,’ Jorrun prompted, the slightest of smiles ghosting his face.
‘Catya is settling in very well,’ she told him. ‘She’s certainly committed to learning from Heara. She’ll be really pleased to see you.’
He nodded once. ‘Azrael … he misses you. He nags me, as always.’
Kesta laughed at that, glancing up to see that Jorrun’s eyes were fixed on her. She rubbed at her nose, looking around her. ‘Well, this is obviously Fulmer Hold. The only way to get to the Hold itself is along that high causeway there.’ She proceeded to describe the area and then told him a little of the Hold’s history. She introduced him to a few people they passed, but other than an occasional polite greeting, Jorrun didn’t speak. Whenever she looked up, he was watching her.
They entered the great hall and Kesta was almost bowled over by a warrior carrying out an empty crate.
‘Sorry, Kes!’ he called back over his shoulder without stopping.
The hall was a bustle of activity, garlands of flowers and leaves were being strung up around the walls and food was hastily being set on the tables. Looking across to the opposite end of the long room, Kesta saw that her mother’s group had settled to talk together. She stopped, her eyes narrowing as she watched them. Why hadn’t her mother warned her that Jorrun was coming? Was she behind this, or was it Bractius?
She clenched and unclenched her jaw, now wasn’t the time or place to confront her about it. ‘I’ll show you where your room is.’ She glanced over her shoulder at Jorrun.
They squeezed their way past the tables and the busy hold folk to a large double door at the back of the hall. She didn’t bother to acknowledge her mother’s group. She pushed through the doors and pointed at the stairs, one set going up, another heading down into darkness. ‘Up there is my mother’s room, and mine. Guest rooms are down here, with the storage cellars.’
Jorrun made no reply, so she headed down the stairs. Kesta raised her left hand and used her magic to call flames there, she doubted Jorrun needed the fire to see by any more than she did, but automatic politeness was comfortable to hide behind. At the first door they came to she let her magic dissipate and she pushed it open, taking a few steps across the room. It was a generous size, with a long narrow window high up in one wall that let in a shaft of light. She jumped when the door closed behind her, but she didn’t turn, her eyes were fixed on the bed. Jorrun’s steps were barely perceptible as he moved closer. Her heart was racing again and she bit down hard on her lower lip, trying to steady her breathing.
‘Kesta.’
She turned and his hands reached out to tangle in her hair, his mouth found hers and she closed her eyes.
***
Kesta woke slowly, blinking at the darkness in the room. She turned her head slightly to see Jorrun was sitting up in the bed, knees drawn toward him and his head in his hands.
‘Jorrun?’
He started, his hands dropping to the blankets as he turned to look at her, his black hair mussed as though he’d been running his fingers through it. ‘Kesta, I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I le—’
‘Jorrun, shut up.’
He stared at her, eyes wide and mouth open. ‘Bu—’
‘No, Jorrun.’ She sat up. ‘We haven’t done anything wrong, you haven’t done anything wrong. Even if this was Elden and not the Fulmers, we’re married for spirit’s sake!’
He shook his head, looking everywhere but at her. ‘I don’t want you caught up in Bractius’s plans, I’m m
eant to be protecting you.’
She snorted. ‘I can protect myself, I seem to be saving you, more often than not.’
He glared at her and she grinned.
His expression softened and his eyes travelled over her face. ‘Kesta, our situation hasn’t changed.’
She stiffened. ‘Did Bractius order you here?’
Jorrun rubbed at his beard. ‘He did. Although it was actually your mother who instigated it.’
Kesta’s eyes narrowed and she sat back. ‘Really.’ She could feel him watching her. She swallowed. ‘How long are you here?’
‘Two weeks.’
Her chest muscles clenched. Such a short time.
‘Jorrun.’ She turned to look at him. ‘Give me these two weeks. Please. Forget Bractius, forget Elden, forget Thane Jorrun and Kesta Silene. Let’s just be us, for two weeks, until you have to go back.’
He gazed at her unblinking. ‘I’m not sur—’
‘Can’t we even have that much? Something just for us after everything we did for Bractius and Elden?’ She moved closer, resting her hand against his chest.
He placed his hand over hers, stroking her fingers with his thumb, and she could feel the rapid thud of his heart. The skin around his eyes creased as he regarded her. ‘At the end of the two weeks I’ll have to leave. I … I don’t want to go through arguing about all this again, hurting each other. I want you to rule the Fulmers after your mother. I want you to be happy, here, where you’re free.’
She clenched her teeth, stopping herself from saying she wanted him to be free, too.
He swallowed. ‘We can have these two weeks.’
She hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath until she let it out. She quickly tried to hide behind humour. ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Let’s go up and get something to eat.’
They quickly dressed and headed up to the great hall.
‘It’s very quiet,’ Jorrun said with a frown.
Kesta pushed the doors open a little and peered in. There were maybe a dozen people still in the hall, several of them snoring. The central fires had died down to smouldering ash and much of the food had been eaten or cleared away.